The desolate marsh
In the imperial court, the officials whispered amongst themselves, not just because of the shocking events of the past few days.
The appearance of two empresses with identical looks was also the reason they were to see the empress who had emerged victorious today.
They worried, they fretted, unsure of who the empress would be this time.
Would she bring turmoil and unrest to the desolate marsh, or peace and prosperity?
"His Majesty arrives!" A sharp voice announced.
The officials looked outwards. The morning sun had just risen, its rays casting light across the land.
A slender figure strode forward, bathed in the sunlight.
Her bright yellow dragon robe merged with the golden light.
It was dazzling and resplendent.
The tall, slender figure walked in slowly.
A powerful aura of pressure followed, making the air in the hall suddenly tense.
This was the majesty of a ruler.
"Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live..." Someone started the chant, kneeling and kowtowing.
The officials all knelt and kowtowed.
"Rise..." The empress's voice was clear and carried an air of authority.
The officials rose.
The empress sat on the dragon throne, her beauty unparalleled. Her eyes were clear and bright, and her entire demeanor exuded regal authority.
After dealing with some unresolved issues left by Xue Chang'an, the empress slowly raised her eyes and said, "His Excellency, Imperial Censor Li, has unfortunately fallen ill and has resigned from his post. I approve."
Upon hearing this, the officials, who were all aware of the ambiguous relationship between Lord Li and the previous empress, nodded.
"Your Majesty, the positions of Grand Secretary and Minister of Justice are currently vacant."
The empress suddenly stood up and said slowly, "I have two candidates in mind: one is Wen Yu Xi, the楼主 of the Qian Jin Tower, who rendered meritorious service in protecting me. I appoint him as Grand Secretary. The other is Shen Yun Xuan, the third son of Governor Shen of Zhaoping County, appointed as Minister of Justice. Do any of you have any objections?"
"Your subject has no objections," replied the officials.
"If you have anything to report, speak now. If not, the court is adjourned!"
"Your Majesty, how should the rebel traitors be punished?" Grand Commandant Lin Feng suddenly stepped forward and asked.
Lord Lin, his hair already streaked with grey, questioned them word by word.
"Lord Lin, there are still some matters that I need to clarify regarding this matter. Once everything is clear, punishment will be meted out, and it will be announced to the world."
Lord Lin knelt and said, "Your Majesty is wise."
"Lord Lin, you haven't met Lord Wen yet, have you? Why don't we welcome Lord Wen together?"
Lord Lin was taken aback, not understanding the empress's intention with this arrangement. However, since the empress had spoken, he could not refuse. So, after the court session, he followed the empress to welcome the new Grand Secretary, Lord Wen.
At the palace gate, a carriage had just arrived, and a person alighted.
The man was dressed in black, with a handsome face, and appeared very young.
Besides Lord Lin, there were several other officials behind the empress. Seeing this, they couldn't help but sigh inwardly, thinking that Her Majesty had not changed her preference for handsome men.
Only Lord Lin turned back, trembling, and walked forward step by step, even reaching the empress.
The officials behind the empress were astonished and couldn't help but remind him, "Lord Lin, come back."
Lord Lin seemed not to hear them and walked directly to the young man.
Lord Lin's lips trembled, and he finally uttered a sentence, "Yan Zhi, is that you?"
Wen Yu Xi's smiling face gradually fell. He knelt on the ground with a thud. "Your unfilial son, Lin Yan Zhi, pays his respects to his father."
The empress turned to look at the dumbfounded officials behind her and said, "You may return. Let Lord Lin and Lord Wen experience the warmth of their reunion!"
The officials, besides being astonished, were also shocked, and moved by the empress's arrangement.
Lord Lin had been searching for his son for years and had finally succeeded.
Returning to the imperial sleeping quarters, Chang'an Palace had been renamed by her as Changning Palace.
The furnishings inside had been changed.
Xue Zi Ning walked in. It was as it used to be, but unfortunately, the people who were once by her side were no longer there.
Turning around, she was alone.
"Your Majesty..."
She turned and saw the person kneeling before her, surprised, "Mo Yuan, is that you..."
Mo Yuan nodded. "It is your subordinate."
Her gaze dimmed. "I am no longer An Ning. I am Xue Zi Ning, the Empress of the desolate marsh. You may return to An Guo and report."
Mo Yuan took a letter from his怀 and said, "Your Majesty, this is a letter written to you by the Second Princess."
An Ru's letter?
Xue Zi Ning took it and opened it. It was indeed An Ru's handwriting.
"I do not know if you are An Ning or Xue Zi Ning now, but whoever you are, An Ning is within your body. When Mo Yuan informed me of everything, Father Emperor could not accept it, but soon, he became at ease again. He said that An Ning's choice must have been carefully considered, so he respected An Ning's decision."
"Now that the world is unified, we will eventually meet again. Whether you are An Ning or Xue Zi Ning, will you still be the person who played with me before?"
At the end was An Ru's seal.
Xue Zi Ning couldn't help but smile.
She lowered her head and looked at Mo Yuan. "The letter has been delivered. You may return!"
Mo Yuan cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, Emperor An has bestowed me upon Your Majesty. How you choose to deal with me is your prerogative."
Xue Zi Ning was startled and looked at Mo Yuan. "What do you want to do?"
Mo Yuan suddenly looked up, with a hint of envy. "Your subordinate wishes to become Your Majesty's Feng Yin."
"Mo Yuan, is this your true wish?"
Mo Yuan nodded. "Yes."
"From now on, you shall be called Feng Yuan. Find Feng Jiu; he will make the arrangements."
"Your subordinate obeys!" Feng Yuan left.
Xue Zi Ning walked out of the sleeping quarters and saw Hui Min County Princess kneeling there.
She walked forward and extended her hand. Hui Min County Princess kowtowed. "This subject is guilty."
"If you have something to say, get up and speak."
Hui Min County Princess shook her head. "No, this subject's crime is great. If it weren't for this subject..."
"Li Fang Hui, you were threatened at the time, I know."
Hui Min County Princess was startled and instinctively looked up at the empress before her. The empress also looked at her, her eyes clear and bright, her entire being exuding majesty.
"Your Majesty..."
"I have decided to strip you of your county princess title. Do you have any objections?"
Hui Min County Princess shook her head. "This subject has no objections whatsoever."
"Alright, I have punished you. Rise." Xue Zi Ning stepped forward and helped Li Fang Hui up.
Li Fang Hui bit her lower lip. "Your Majesty, you are letting me go just like that?"
"No, I have decided to appoint you as a palace attendant to manage the harem."
Li Fang Hui trembled all over. "Your Majesty, you..."
"Are you unwilling to help me?" Xue Zi Ning looked at Li Fang Hui.
Upon hearing this, Li Fang Hui quickly knelt and said, "This subject will certainly do her best to serve Your Majesty."
"Li Chen Xuan has been found. Don't you want to see him?"
Li Fang Hui trembled all over. After a long time, she shook her head. "Your Majesty, Chen Xuan has done things that have wronged you. Even if you... even if you kill him, it would be justified."
"He is your own brother."
Li Fang Hui raised her head, her expression firm. "He is also a subject of the desolate marsh. He has committed the crime of attempting to assassinate Your Majesty."