Ping An couldn't help but plead, "Your Highness, spare the Empress. Let her depart with peace."
Murong Chong remained silent, gazing unmoving at this woman of ultimate ugliness. This was retribution.
He couldn't help but laugh, but the laughter was bitter and pained.
The Empress Dowager, gasping for breath, forced out a few words, "Yao'er, I deserve to die. Can you grant me one request?"
Murong Chong looked at her abruptly, laughing wildly. His voice was sharp, like the cries of a crane in the vast sky.
After his laughter subsided, he lowered his head and spoke each word with a chilling sharpness, each syllable like a blade.
"At a time like this, you still dream of me letting that bastard go? I will kill him, cut him to pieces, inch by inch. So that even if he reincarnates, and reincarnates again, he will never forget one thing: do not take what is not yours, or you will descend into hell to atone for your sins."
The Empress Dowager's eyes rolled back. Ping An and Murong thought she had fainted, but to their surprise, she rallied again, gasping and slowly speaking.
"You—spare—the Ye family. Four years ago, to prevent the Ye family from seizing power, the late emperor inflicted the cold poison upon the young Wu Yun. They knew nothing. The true culprit is already dead."
She finished in one breath, no longer having the strength to utter another word. She merely looked at Murong Chong with her eyes, blood continuously flowing from her pupils, then from her nose. With a final gasp, she drew her last breath, her eyes wide open in death, unable to close.
In the vast sleeping chambers, there was only the sound of weeping…
Three days later, the new Emperor of Eastern Qin ascended the throne, changing the era name to Yong Yuan. The former Shangguan Yao was renamed Shangguan Yin, and hailed as Emperor Yin, announcing his reign to the world.
The people of the realm only then learned that for the past four years, a fake emperor had occupied the throne. The details of this matter were unclear.
There were widespread rumors. Some said the Crown Prince was abducted by bandits, and that the bandit looked remarkably like the Prince.
Thus, he killed the Crown Prince and usurped the imperial throne. However, the Crown Prince was not dead and had returned to reclaim it.
Others said it was a minister in court, Lord Ye, who orchestrated the usurpation, killing the Crown Prince and placing his own son on the throne.
Still others claimed the Crown Prince had lost his memory and was manipulated by someone, but now, having regained his memory, he had retaken the throne. In any case, the explanations varied, and who could delve into the specifics?
Who sat on the throne was of no consequence to the common folk. It was merely a change of masters.
As long as they could ensure they had food to eat and clothes to wear, it mattered little who was emperor.
Yan Jing City was only in turmoil for three days. After three days, everything returned to its normal course. At most, teahouses and taverns were packed with patrons, and gasps of astonishment occasionally erupted.
Yun Mo, Sima Qingyun, and Shangguan Lin returned to court, each resuming their duties.
Yun Mo and Lan Qing Lun jointly managed the Ministry of War, each holding half of the military seals and authority. No single person held absolute power anymore. The original tiger seals were melted down and recast into a single, combined seal, with Yun Mo and Lan Qing Lun each holding one half, jointly governing the realm.
The Jade Dragon Seal remained in the Emperor's possession.
The entire Ye family, from the highest to the lowest, was imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeons. Consort Xian, Ye Yu Yun, died in the palace.
All the imperial consorts and concubines were sent to imperial temples to practice Buddhism and seclude themselves from the world.
As for the Ye family, the new Emperor Shangguan Yin, after careful consideration, met with the head of the Ye family, Ye Wu Yun.
In the study, Ye Wu Yun gazed at the new Emperor, resplendent in his dragon robe. He was so dazzling and distinguished, the imperial yellow robes seemed to have been made for him, fitting as if they were part of him. Every movement exuded a cold, piercing radiance.
People called him the most handsome man in Yan Jing. Looking at the new Emperor, Ye Wu Yun had to admit that not only was he the most handsome man in Yan Jing, but perhaps the most handsome man in the entire realm belonged to this new Emperor.
"This humble subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Shangguan Yin raised an eyebrow slightly, his features stern and cold, veiled with a thin layer of frost. He spoke indifferently, "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Ye Wu Yun stood up. The new Emperor Shangguan Yin's deep, unfathomable eyes fixed on him. By relation, he and this Young Master Ye were still cousins.
Yet, there was an unshakeable barrier in his heart. Perhaps he could face it with equanimity in the future, but not now. However, thinking of what his own father had done to him, it was truly cruel.
"I summoned you to the palace to tell you something."
"Please instruct me, Your Majesty."
Ye Wu Yun maintained his composure. This was a sensitive period. Whether he and his family would be safe depended entirely on the new Emperor's words.
"Regarding your cold poison, do you know who inflicted it?"
Ye Wu Yun replied with a calm expression, "It was the late Emperor."
He hadn't known originally. His father had told him before his death.
He had felt hatred, even rage, not long ago, but now he only hoped this would be a safeguard for the Ye family. Thus, he stated it calmly, without resentment or blame, his tone entirely factual.
"Originally, the Ye family should have been executed, but you bear no fault in this matter, and considering what the late Emperor did…"
Shangguan Yin paused, then slowly spoke, "However, you must promise me one thing: never leave Yan Jing again. Be a law-abiding citizen, and I will not harm anyone in the Ye family."
Upon hearing this, Ye Wu Yun immediately knelt down. "Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble subject will certainly abide by the law and be a common citizen. If I do anything harmful to the imperial family, I am willing to accept punishment."
"Good, I trust you this time."
Shangguan Yin spoke with a cold, stern tone. Once the words were uttered, he leaned back against the dragon throne, his eyes slightly narrowed. He was born to be an emperor. Though he had only ascended the throne a few days ago, he was utterly at ease and unrestrained in this environment.
"Fu Hai, escort Young Master Ye out."
Fu Hai was a eunuch from the Eastern Palace, who had previously served in the outer halls. He was extremely quick-witted. The Emperor found him reliable and thus assigned him to specifically attend to him.
Fu Hai responded, quickly saying, "Young Master Ye, please."
Ye Wu Yun bowed gratefully again and left the study, his spirit feeling unburdened.
Now, he only wished to live peacefully as a commoner. He still owned several restaurants, which were more than enough to support the entire Ye mansion.
There was also his newly recognized sister, Zi Chan. He was having everyone in the family accept her. For all the mistakes were his father's, and he was now dead. Those who lived had to continue living.
Ye Qing Tian and Ye Jing Yi were imprisoned in the Ministry of Justice's dungeons, awaiting execution at Meridian Gate in three days.
The Empress Dowager did not even enter the imperial mausoleum. Shangguan Yin ordered her to be buried outside the mausoleum, to eternally guard the late Emperor's tomb and wash away the sins of her life.
Unexpectedly, Ping An threw herself against a pillar and died. This maid was loyal and righteous. Shangguan Yin ordered her to be buried beside the Empress Dowager's tomb.