To be honest, Wen Hemian didn't expect those princes to fight themselves to death, but that's not important. What's important is that it saved them trouble. As for Ning Hechu, he's the second step.
He needed a suitable puppet, while Xie Lang needed a legitimate opportunity to leave the Cold Palace. Both sides had their own plans and were secretly scheming against each other, at least maintaining a superficial balance.
With this identity, it becomes much easier to hand power over to Xie Lang.
Although Wen Hemian was unable to participate in the imperial examinations and become an official due to her status, she secretly recruited many advisors. Even among the candidates for the imperial examinations, her performance was outstanding, and she quietly infiltrated every corner of the court.
They are just waiting for the day when they give the order, and all these people can be used by them.
Emperor Shun had never paid much attention to Xie Lang before, otherwise he would not have let him be bullied in the cold palace for so many years without even inquiring about his life or death.
He had always only cared about himself, and the departure of his children did not stir up the slightest sadness in him. It was only when he was forced to make Xie Lang the crown prince that he took a second look at the child.
With just one glance, his long-lost sense of crisis was awakened, telling him directly—this child was not some weak, innocent coward, but a lurking beast, the kind that could truly skin a person alive.
However, he forgot that he was no longer the powerful emperor who had just ascended the throne. As soon as he raised his hand, he felt a surge of anger rising in his heart, and large amounts of blood gushed from his mouth, causing him to collapse to the ground.
"It seems His Majesty is very fond of the young crown prince." Ning Hechu walked leisurely out from behind the screen, his smile gentle. "He's so excited he can barely stand."
He glanced at Xie Lang casually and ordered, "Take the young prince away."
After he finished speaking, a palace servant came forward and tried to grab Xie Lang's hand, but he nimbly dodged it, his eyes full of vigilance: "I can walk by myself!"
Ning Hechu shrugged and said nothing.
After that day, Xie Lang never heard from Emperor Shun again.
A few days later, it began to snow in the capital. The snowfall was getting heavier and heavier. Amidst the uproar in the court, suddenly, the palace bell rang. The melodious and ancient sound of the bell was carried by the wind and spread throughout the capital. Everyone turned pale and realized what had happened.
Great joy and celebration! Emperor Shun finally fulfilled his wish in the dead of winter and ascended to heaven.
The ten-year-old prince ascended the throne and became emperor.
It was from this time that the struggle between the emperor and the powerful ministers finally began.
When the wolf cub finally stopped restraining itself and bared its fangs, Ning Hechu realized that he had misjudged the situation.
In addition to the advisors recruited by Wen Hemian, she also secretly contacted a number of royalists, some of whom were firm and some of whom were not, which became the source of confidence for this young new emperor.
Fortunately, he was capable and shrewd, worthy of the trust placed in him, knew how to win people's hearts, and knew how to regain power and consolidate his position.
Wen Heming, who quietly withdrew from the vortex, expressed his satisfaction.
Unexpectedly, her bold attempt back then actually led her to choose a wise ruler.
In this way, there is no need to worry about the Great Zhao Kingdom being destroyed, and better protection can be provided for the soldiers far away on the border, so that they have enough strength and confidence to resist foreign enemies and repel the barbarians.
"Your Majesty has done a very good job."
Wen Hemian praised him sincerely.
They had been together in the palace for so many years. Wen Hemian had watched the little boy grow up to be what he was today, and a sense of satisfaction welled up in her heart. After all, he was the child she had raised.
Of course, I am proud of this achievement.
"You taught me."
Upon receiving her praise, the little wolf cub's eyes sparkled, and he almost couldn't wait to put down his pen and come over to her.
"In a few years, when I have pacified the court, I will definitely repay you properly."
When Wen Hemian chose to train Xie Lang, aside from a tiny bit of soft-heartedness, she had no other choice and also had selfish motives. Therefore, she rejected him many times, saying that she did not need anything in return.
The little emperor is stubborn and won't let go of this point, even after being worn down by others.
Wen Hemian smiled helplessly and agreed, "Alright, we will wait for His Majesty's repayment."
The fifteen-year-old Emperor has sprouted up like bamboo shoots in the ground, and I don't know when it happened. He used to look up at her, but now he can look her in the eye. At this rate, he still has a long way to go.
Just like his status as an emperor, one day he will be someone even she will have to look up to. I just don't know how much of the affection from their childhood will be left by then.
The young emperor seemed to sense the perfunctoriness in her words. His handsome and spirited brows furrowed immediately, and he took her hand, saying solemnly, "You must wait for me."
Wen Hemian was taken aback by his sudden seriousness, but quickly relaxed and chuckled, "Don't you believe me?"
Xie Lang shook his head.
"That's settled then." With that, Wen Hemian gently withdrew her hand, lightly patted the back of his hand, and chuckled. "Also, men and women shouldn't touch each other. It's fine today since we have no outsiders watching, but what would people say if word got out?"
It was one thing when the little brats were young and insecure, but proper boys and girls shouldn't sit together after the age of seven. What they did crossed that line.
Xie Lang had lived a long life before, but he had also read the classics and knew the proper boundaries between men and women. However, he couldn't help but get closer to Wen Hemian.
In particular, Wen Hemian did not seem to reject his closeness.
Therefore, caught off guard and suddenly pointed out, he felt a sudden sense of panic and wanted to explain, "I..."
"I didn't mean to reprimand you." Wen Hemian raised her hand to cover her mouth and coughed lightly. "You are His Majesty, and you can have whatever you want in the future. There's not much I can do to help you."
She was six years older than Xie Lang, which would have been the age for a woman to get married long ago, but her parents spoiled her and were willing to let her do what she wanted, which was already extremely rare.
She preferred to visit the border desert rather than stay in the capital.
What do you mean by that?
Upon hearing this, Xie Lang's voice became slightly hurried, revealing other emotions as he had no time to conceal them.
Are you planning to leave? Are you... not going to want me anymore?
Unexpectedly, the plan had barely begun when it received such a strong reaction from the little brat. Wen Hemian was stunned for a moment, then shook her head: "No."
But this answer didn't seem to satisfy the young emperor. His eyes suddenly reddened, and he sobbed with grievance: "Then why did you say that?"
The little brat was handsome, and when he was cold and silent, he was quite intimidating. But he never showed this side of himself in front of Wen Hemian. Even when he made accusations, he lowered his tone, making it hard to believe that this was the emperor's doing.
Unable to withstand that burning gaze, Wen Hemian turned her head away: "Your Majesty will eventually open a harem. Not to mention whether it will be convenient for me to come and go, it will also easily arouse criticism. How will I explain it then?"
"Or rather, in what capacity should I stay?"
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