Chapter 669 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne
The tide has turned! Zhang Ge Lao and others who were loyal to Xiao Yuanshan were ashen-faced.
Xiao Yuanshan's lips were still twitching. He narrowed his eyes, and the next second, a cold arrow suddenly pierced out from under his sleeve.
At the same time, several arrows came from all directions behind him.
Over the years, how many people have been silently poisoned by him?
Clearly, many people around her were being manipulated, and the cold arrows were aimed at Jiang Nuanzhi and Xuan Ting in the middle.
"careful!"
Despite being surrounded by many experts, Jiang Nuanzhi and her group still managed to find an opening.
Jiang Nuanzhi saw the arrow heading towards Xuan Ting's vital points beside her, her pupils suddenly contracted, and she pulled him away.
However, she couldn't dodge in time and could even sense the cold arrow coming from behind her. Judging that it wasn't a fatal wound, she gritted her teeth and prepared to take the hit head-on.
With a soft "thud," the sound of a sharp weapon slicing through flesh rang out beside her, but the expected pain did not come. She turned around and saw a handsome, almost demonic face.
Yes, it's Xie Liangchen!
"You're insane!"
Wasn't Xie Liangchen kidnapped by Dongzang? What's going on now? He's actually come here to shield me from arrows!
Xie Liangchen's lips twitched, and the next second, his eyes narrowed. He lunged forward, catching Jiang Nuanzhi, Xuan Tingping'er, and the other two beneath him. Several arrows, accompanied by a cold wind, whistled past overhead.
Jiang Nuanzhi
Xie Liangchen glanced at Jiang Nuanzhi, and the next second, a bitter smile tugged at the corner of his mouth: "I really think I've gone mad."
Then, a mouthful of black blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. He seemed to want to say something, but his body was too weak, and he simply tilted his head and fainted completely.
Jiang Nuanzhi's brows furrowed into a tight knot. Her fingers flew across the body, protecting several major acupoints.
Although Xie Liangchen in front of her was unbelievable, it was undeniable that Xie Liangchen had saved them.
But she still didn't understand.
Why?
She clearly didn't give him a friendly look.
He was in grave danger, and had he not been constantly watching her every move, he would never have been able to reach her side and resolve the crisis so quickly.
Xiao Yuanshan was so dangerous that even the experts around her didn't notice her.
Xie Liangchen arrived immediately.
Looking at Xie Liangchen, who was already unconscious, Jiang Nuanzhi knew that this arrow would not take Xie Liangchen's life. The poison was not difficult to cure. She turned around and looked at Doctor Que: "Doctor Que, thank you for your trouble."
This time, we really owe him a huge favor.
"Dr. Que, please take good care of him." Xuan Ting gave Xie Liangchen a deep look, frowned, and solemnly instructed.
"Yes," said the divine physician, and then took the person away to treat their injuries.
Jiang Nuanzhi sighed inwardly. It seemed that Xie Liangchen's words to her today might have been somewhat sincere.
It's unclear whether this was due to the male protagonist's good fortune, but with the Empress Dowager's passing, Xie Liangchen, who had no hope for the future, still managed to forge a path despite such circumstances.
However, now was not the time to think about such things. Seeing that Ping'er and Xuan Ting beside her were unharmed, she gasped in fear.
"Xiao Yuanshan!"
She released the hidden arrow she had been preparing for a long time, which struck Xiao Yuanshan in the shoulder.
Xiao Yuanshan groaned, his body feeling weak. He protected his shoulder with his hand and knelt on one knee.
His cold eyes swept over each one, finally settling on Jiang Nuanzhi, and he laughed: "Jiang Nuanzhi, you're so pitiful!"
"Heh~ One day, you'll know what I'm talking about." He laughed sarcastically. "You think you've won? Heh, just wait and see. You'll end up like me. How could the Xuan family allow someone like you to exist?"
Amidst the swirling snow, Jiang Nuanzhi bent down and picked up the unconscious Ping'er, then turned and gave Xiao Yuanshan a cold glance: "Xiao Yuanshan, you should be thankful."
"I'm glad you didn't really hurt Ping'er."
After saying that, she didn't look at Xiao Yuanshan again, and coldly ordered, "Spare his life."
Then, carrying Ping'er, she walked step by step into the distance.
Xuan Ting followed beside her, and the figures of the group gradually lengthened in the swirling snow until they disappeared.
Once the dust settled, the corpses, weapons, broken armor, and bloodstains were all cleaned up by the palace servants.
The snow continued to fall, gradually blanketing the entire imperial city in white. The howling north wind seemed to carry a sense of desolation throughout the city, yet also as if nothing had ever happened.
Five days later, the new emperor's enthronement ceremony took place. In front of the Taiji Hall, on the nine-tiered jade steps, Xuan Ting, dressed in a robe with twelve embroidered patterns and a crown adorned with pearls, already displayed the demeanor of a young monarch despite his still somewhat immature shoulders.
Beside him, the imperial edict in An Dehai's hand slowly unfolded, his voice clear and resonant, echoing throughout the imperial palace:
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: ... Regent Xiao Yuanshan, with the ambition of a jackal, has framed loyal officials, brought disaster to the country, and plotted rebellion. His crimes are too numerous to count. He shall be executed by slow slicing in a few days, and his head shall be hung at the Zhuque Gate for three days as a warning to others!"
Those involved in the conspiracy, including Zhang Lian, Xie Zhang, and Lin Zhong, are to be executed for their crimes, and their property will be confiscated!
"...The old Grand Preceptor of the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion, who has rendered meritorious service in protecting the country and restoring order, is hereby granted the title of 'Holy Venerable Protector of the Nation' and shall enjoy the incense offerings of the Imperial Ancestral Temple forever."
"Jiang Nuanzhi, a meritorious official who protected the emperor in times of crisis and purged the palace, has rendered meritorious service for generations to come. She is hereby specially granted the title of First-Rank Martial Lady Who Guards the Nation, with a fief of ten thousand households, and bestowed with a certificate of merit and iron, which exempts her from bowing before the emperor!"
"Princess Xiao Nianjun, for her composure and meritorious service in protecting the Emperor during the crisis, is hereby promoted to 'Princess Hening' and bestowed with a princess's residence, a thousand taels of gold, and a hundred bolts of brocade."
"Duke Chiheng, for his outstanding loyalty and bravery, is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Duke of Dingguo, and his title is permitted to be inherited by his descendants without being downgraded."
"The disgraced official Xie Liangchen, despite his crimes, rescued His Majesty and is hereby appointed as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a fourth-rank official."
"Wang Yong, Grand Tutor of three dynasties, died for his country. He is now posthumously awarded the title of 'Grand Preceptor' and the posthumous name of 'Duke of Loyalty and Valor'. The court will be closed for three days to mourn his loyalty. His eldest son, Wang Chengsi, is hereby granted the title of 'First-Class Marquis of Loyalty and Perseverance' and shall immediately enter the civil service to serve as the Grand Tutor of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."
Grand Secretary Chen Changsu refused to submit, even unto death, and denounced the traitors. He was posthumously awarded the title of "Grand Protector" and the posthumous name of "Duke Wenzhong".
In addition, all officials who died in the suppression of the rebellion were posthumously awarded three ranks of their original official titles. Their descendants inherited the titles for one generation. Their families were provided with monthly stipends of rice by the Ministry of Revenue. Those who contributed their efforts were promoted in rank and title and rewarded with gold and silver according to their merits.
From this day forward, all officials, both inside and outside the court, must take the Regent and his cronies as a warning, and be loyal to the Emperor and serve the country. Anyone who harbors disloyal thoughts or plots rebellion, regardless of rank, will have their entire family executed, down to nine generations, without exception! This decree is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know. So be it!
After the bestowal of titles and honors was read out, the courtiers below the imperial steps shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and the capital city trembled.
The young emperor descended the imperial steps and walked to the group of officials below. His gaze swept around the room, and his brows furrowed: "Where is Aunt Nuan?"
Xiao Nianjun, now dressed in the official robes of a first-rank military officer, looked dashing and heroic. He clasped his hands in greeting and said, "Your Majesty, Lady Shenwu said she is not used to these things and has returned to the Imperial Preceptor's residence."
Following the previous turmoil, the Eight Great Hutongs were in ruins and had not yet been fully repaired. The General's Mansion was also uninhabitable, so the old Grand Preceptor took everyone to live in his mansion.
"But it's Aunt Nuan's temperament that's remarkable," Xuan Ting said with a slight smirk, then bowed deeply towards the direction of the Imperial Preceptor's residence. As he lowered his hands, a hint of red appeared in his already resolute eyes: "If it weren't for Aunt Nuan protecting me from danger, we wouldn't be where we are today. I will never forget this kindness in the Great Jing Dynasty!"
This pendant, as if I were present in person, is a gift to Lady Shenwu. From now on, she may go wherever she wishes across the vast lands of the Great Jing Dynasty.
(End of this chapter)
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