Chapter 217 The Time Has Arrived
When Xie Sangning raised the tiger tally, symbolizing the supreme military power and legitimacy of Daqing, and his gaze swept over the people who were still in shock and chaos, an invisible pressure enveloped the entire scene.
After a brief silence, the officials who had previously claimed illness and stayed at home suddenly sprang to life at the edge of the altar!
Dressed in neat official robes, their faces filled with excitement and fervor, they knelt down in a massive, overwhelming display:
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The leader was none other than Xie Ji, the Minister of Revenue!
Their voices trembled with excitement, filled with loyalty and devotion!
This shout, like a wildfire, instantly ignited the entire stadium!
Those civil and military officials who were bewildered in the chaos and still digesting the earth-shattering changes had no choice at this moment, whether they were genuinely intimidated by Xie Sangning's power, forced into it, or considering their own lives and property!
Like dominoes being toppled, starting with the nobles and veteran officials below the altar, they knelt down one by one, row by row!
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!!!"
The people were so moved that tears welled up in their eyes!
They witnessed the downfall of the tyrant and the arrival of the new emperor!
This empress, who turned the tide, wielded the true talisman, and rid the world of evil, deserves their highest respect and support!
Countless people joined in shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and excitedly kowtowing. As for whether the new emperor was male or female, that question seemed to become less important.
Or rather, before one could even think deeply, one was completely overwhelmed by emotions.
Xie Zhenting and his son Xie Sangyu stood stiffly amidst the kneeling crowd, like two clay puppets frozen in place, appearing particularly abrupt and jarring.
Xie Zhenting's mind was buzzing and completely blank.
He looked at the figure on the altar holding the tiger tally and receiving the worship of the people, then looked incredulously at his former colleagues who were shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and then at his own hands, which were trembling slightly with shock.
His daughter?
How...how did she become the soon-to-be new emperor?!
When did she acquire such terrifying power?
How did she manage to win over so many court officials?
Where did the real tiger tally in her hand come from?
Countless question marks spun and collided wildly in his mind, almost tearing his already not-so-bright brain apart!
He felt as if he were having a bizarre and absurd dream!
Xie Sangyu was completely dumbfounded.
He stared, mouth agape, at his sister, who stood majestically like a goddess on the altar, then at his father, who was equally petrified beside him…
My sister... became an emperor? What... what's wrong with this world?
Just then, a figure strode up to the altar and knelt respectfully beside Xie Sangning.
It is indeed Desheng!
At this moment, his face had lost all its usual respect and humility, replaced by an unprecedented excitement!
He took a deep breath and proclaimed loudly to the people:
"Heaven blesses this great celebration! The true dragon has returned to the throne! The traitor has been executed! The new emperor has ascended the throne, inheriting the mandate of heaven and continuing the legitimate lineage. The enthronement ceremony will be held in three days! This is hereby proclaimed to the world, and the people celebrate together!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live the Emperor!"
His response was met with an even more deafening roar!
——
As the ceremony ended and the crowd slowly withdrew under the guidance of the Xuanjia Army, the excitement and commotion in Jinling City had only just begun.
Xie Zhenting and Xie Sangyu followed Xie Sangning in a daze, passing through the many palace gates and heading towards the Imperial Study.
The father and son had countless questions in their hearts, but Xie Sangning kept them all stuck in their throats, unable to utter a single word.
Inside the Imperial Study, Xie Nu'er stood respectfully to one side with her hands at her sides.
She stepped forward and quickly and precisely pressed her fingers on several extremely hidden protrusions on the edge of the screen.
"Click...click...rumble rumble rumble..."
A dull creak of machinery turning rang out, and the heavy screen, along with part of the wall behind it, slowly slid open to one side, revealing a deep, downward-facing opening that could only accommodate one person at a time!
A bone-chilling cold instantly surged out from the cave!
Xie Zhenting's heart sank!
An extremely ominous premonition arose.
This secret room…
"Father, elder brother, come with me."
Xie Sangning was the first to step into the dark passage.
Xie Zhenting and Xie Sangyu exchanged a glance, both seeing fear and unease in each other's eyes.
They took a deep breath and stepped inside with trepidation.
The passage was short, but unusually cold and damp.
After descending a dozen or so cold stone steps, a breathtaking view suddenly appeared before me: a stone chamber that wasn't very large, but was chillingly cold.
In the center of the stone chamber, there was an ice coffin!
The ice coffin was crystal clear and surrounded by a chilling aura. Under the dim light, one could vaguely see a person lying quietly inside!
When Xie Zhenting's gaze fell upon that familiar face in the ice coffin, he froze instantly, the blood in his limbs freezing in his veins!
That was… his wife of many years!
The biological mother of Xie Sangning and Xie Sangyu!
Lin Ruyue, the wife of the General who protected the country, passed away suddenly from an illness ten years ago!
"Like...like the moon?!"
Xie Zhenting's voice trembled uncontrollably. He staggered to the ice coffin, pressing his hands firmly against the icy surface. Through the hazy ice crystals, he gazed at the beautiful face inside the coffin, which seemed to be merely asleep but was now devoid of any life.
At this moment, longing surged forth like a flood bursting its banks! Following closely behind was a fury powerful enough to consume reason!
Pei Yan!
That beast!
This beast!
He not only usurped the country but also murdered his father!
He actually... he even went so far as to harm a woman who had already passed away!
He actually stole his wife's body! And imprisoned her in this dark, cold, and desolate chamber!
"Aaaaaah—!"
Xie Zhenting roared! His eyes instantly turned bloodshot as he drew his sword from his waist!
"Pei Yan! I'll tear you to pieces!!"
Xie Sangning did not directly stop him, saying, "Desheng."
“This old servant is here!” Desheng, who had been silently following, immediately bowed.
"Follow him. Keep an eye on him, don't let that beast die too easily. His life is still waiting to be torn apart by five horses and recorded in history."
"This old servant understands!"
A ruthless glint flashed in Desheng's eyes. He immediately turned around and quickly chased after Xie Zhenting, who was almost out of his mind.
He understood Xie Sangning's meaning all too well. She wanted Pei Yan to suffer endless torment, but he had to live, live until after the coronation ceremony, until the moment when the new emperor needed him to be publicly executed to uphold justice!
At this moment, Xie Sangyu, who had been in a daze, finally saw the person in the ice coffin!
His mother! The mother I remember, gentle as water, always with a smile!
"mother--!"
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