A few days later, Gu Qingyan ascended the throne, becoming the youngest emperor since the founding of the Great Qing Dynasty.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Inside the main hall, the sound of the ministers bowing resounded through the sky. The young master's ascension to the throne meant that the pulse of Daqing was like the rising sun, sweeping away the previous devastation.
"Thanks to the Empress Dowager's meticulous care, I am able to ascend the throne today. My stepmother is virtuous and kind, and cares for all the people. She is truly a virtuous empress. I hereby honor her as Empress Dowager. This is my decree."
Gu Qingyan's first edict after ascending the throne was to honor Jiang Yu as Empress Dowager.
Originally, Jiang Yu should have moved into the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace, but Gu Qingyan, citing his own youth and the fact that his wedding would be many years later, allowed Jiang Yu to stay in Zhaoning Palace as usual.
"When I first ascended the throne, I encountered a traitor who attempted to separate Daqing. I intend to personally lead troops to Lingzhou to capture the traitor."
The second imperial decree was to personally capture Gu Qingling.
"Your Majesty, you must not personally lead the expedition."
The ministers all spoke up to dissuade him, saying that they had finally found a new emperor, and if something went wrong during his personal campaign, the Great Qing Dynasty would be doomed.
"My mind is made up. Court is adjourned."
Gu Qingyan's decisive words stunned the ministers, who truly felt the difference between the new emperor and the late emperor's personalities. The late emperor was indecisive, while the new emperor was swift and decisive.
It wasn't until everyone left the palace that they realized what had happened.
The new emperor did not bestow titles upon the second prince and the princess.
The Taihe Hall, which once belonged to Gu Heng, has now changed its appearance, and Qin Wei has replaced Cen Hai as the most sought-after chief eunuch in Daqing.
Zhaoning Palace.
"Your son greets Your Majesty."
Gu Qingyan was dressed in a black robe with a gold-embroidered belt around his waist, making him look incredibly noble.
“I’ve been busy lately, so Ayan doesn’t need to come to Zhaoning Palace to see me so often.” Jiang Yu said “I” instead of “Your Majesty”.
“I’ve been looking forward to this moment every day so I can finally relax.” Gu Qingyan walked to Jiang Yu’s side without hesitation and skillfully knelt on her lap. “Mother, spring is just around the corner.”
Jiang Yu gently brushed Gu Qingyan's hair, "Spring has arrived, and all things are about to revive."
[Ayan is so young, yet he has to carry so many burdens.]
Even though she knew it was the best choice, Jiang Yu still felt heartache.
"At the end of the month, I will lead my troops into battle. Mother, rest assured, I will personally capture Gu Qingling and make him kneel before you and beg for your forgiveness."
A ruthless glint appeared in Gu Qingyan's eyes. Qin Wei, standing outside the door, was secretly alarmed. He had served the emperor for more than ten years and he could clearly feel that the emperor had changed.
He became almost insane.
Only in front of the Empress and the Emperor would the Emperor suppress all his rage.
Remembering Gu Qingyan's instructions, Qin Wei quickly walked out of Zhaoning Palace.
"Ayan, let your father go with you." Jiang Yu's voice was extremely gentle, melting away the ruthlessness in Gu Qingyan's eyes. "With so many open and hidden attacks along the way, I can't rest easy about you."
Has Mother forgiven Father?
Gu Qingyan's words made Jiang Yu pause. "Why do you say that, Ayan? My relationship with your father was just a matter of chance. Your father's entry into Zhaoning Palace back then was also a helpless move."
No...that's not it.
Gu Qingyan felt extremely bitter. He wasn't talking about this life, but the previous life.
"Does that mean Mother has forgiven Father?"
Gu Qingyan seemed very determined to know Jiang Yu's answer.
"How does Ayan want me to answer?"
Jiang Yu's question made Gu Qingyan close his eyes in pain. He was useless; he had actually been craving the feeling of being a father.
He liked it when his father patted him on the shoulder, went to the training ground with him to spar, and... he also liked the feeling of his father making plans for him.
But my father couldn't protect my mother in his previous life.
"Ayan," Jiang Yu seemed to sigh, "I've forgiven him."
A tear slid down Gu Qingyan's cheek and then quickly disappeared.
"Um."
A nasal sound rang out, and Jiang Yu looked down at Gu Qingyan, "From now on, we will protect Ayan together and accompany him as he grows up."
Her Ayan asked her so cautiously, but her child didn't need to be so sensible.
"If Mother doesn't forgive him, I won't see him again." Gu Qingyan seemed to be saying this to himself. As long as Mother didn't like him, he was absolutely ruthless enough to stay away from his father.
“Ayan, he is your father, and he has a responsibility to take care of you.”
Regardless of what our relationship is.
Gu Qingyan seemed to have fallen asleep on Jiang Yu's lap. Jiang Yu rhythmically patted Gu Qingyan's back and hummed a lullaby that every mother in Daqing would hum to her child.
This is Ayan, her child.
She would do anything for Ayan.
......
Dragon and Phoenix Hall.
"Please, Second Prince and Princess, move aside."
Qin Wei spoke with a grin, but Gu Qingyao stood guard in front of Gu Qingfeng, saying, "Why should I, the princess, move out of the Dragon and Phoenix Palace?"
Qin Wei's smile widened even more. "The Dragon and Phoenix Palace is where the Emperor's princes and princesses reside, you..."
Although Qin Wei didn't say what he was about to say, Gu Qingyao's eyes still turned red with anger.
Where does he want us to move to?
"His Majesty specially found a house outside the palace and asked me to help the two masters move there."
"He wants to put us under house arrest?" Gu Qingyao clenched her fists in anger. She hadn't expected that after Gu Qingyan ascended the throne, he wouldn't even bother with formalities and would directly expel her and her second brother from the palace at such a sensitive time.
"Yao'er".
Gu Qingfeng said softly, "Go inside and pack your things."
Gu Qingyao turned her head to look at Gu Qingfeng, then silently walked into the house, leaving Gu Qingfeng with a forced smile, "Please wait for us a while, Father-in-law."
He knew that Gu Qingyan hadn't killed them because an even crueler outcome awaited them.
Suddenly, Gu Qingfeng felt a pang of envy for Gu Heng, whose death ended everything.
The carriage took Gu Qingfeng and Gu Qingyao to a manor on the outskirts of the capital, near which was a mass grave.
"Second brother, this place is eerie, I'm a little scared."
Gu Qingyao clung tightly to Gu Qingfeng's arm. Gu Qingfeng's face darkened, but he still stubbornly tried to comfort Gu Qingyao.
"By the way, my lords, there is a mass grave nearby." Qin Wei slowly approached. "Your parents are buried here. The Emperor specially chose this house for you so that it would be convenient for you to pay your respects."
Gu Qingfeng's eyes narrowed sharply; his father and Consort Rong had both been thrown into this mass grave.
"Gu Qingyan actually dared to do that!"
"Shh." Qin Wei put his finger to his lips, gesturing for silence.
"His Majesty is kind-hearted, please don't be ungrateful, Your Highnesses." Even Qin Wei didn't know why Gu Qingyan was so heartless as to leave the corpses of Consort Rong and Gu Heng to rot in the wilderness.
It's just a matter of tit for tat.
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