Grand Preceptor Xu unfolded the imperial edict.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since ascending the throne, I… have protected the state from danger and governed to prevent chaos… My health deteriorates daily. Whenever I think of this, I cannot sleep. If my affairs after death can be properly preserved with vigilance, I can peacefully pass away and ensure Great Jin’s prosperity for ten thousand generations… The Crown Prince deeply resembled me and should have inherited the throne, but he perished on the battlefield—a tragedy for Great Jin… Imperial Grandson Chu Hongyu has won the hearts of all under heaven and should ascend to the throne.”

“Prince Regent serves with sincere devotion, Grand Preceptor Xu maintains loyal integrity, the Grand Secretaries possess both talent and knowledge… These five persons, with Prince Regent as the senior, shall serve as Regent Ministers until the young Emperor assumes personal rule…”

“Officials and commoners throughout the realm shall observe mourning for twenty-seven days before removing mourning dress. Enfeoffed princes need not return to the capital…”

“By imperial decree!”

After the edict was read, those present fell silent for only a moment before kowtowing in unison.

“We receive the edict!”

Looking through several hundred years of Great Jin Dynasty history, there were indeed precedents of imperial grandsons succeeding while imperial princes still lived. This was not something difficult to accept.

Moreover, the remaining princes all lacked powerful maternal families. As a young emperor without maternal clan support, it would be difficult to sit securely in this position.

Therefore, the ministers only paused briefly before acknowledging the authenticity of the decree and paying respects to the new sovereign together.

“We pay respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, ten thousand years!”

Chu Hongyu was still immersed in grief over his imperial grandfather’s passing and hadn’t listened carefully to the edict. Only when he was surrounded by several ministers and brought to the highest position did he realize what had happened.

He immediately looked toward Yun Chu.

Yun Chu gave him a look.

Understanding, he took a deep breath and said: “Beloved ministers, rise.”

The ministers all stood together.

Yun Chu looked toward Chu Rui in the crowd.

This person truly had deep schemes.

He used the first edict to test the bottom line of the civil and military officials. If no one could overturn the first edict, then Chu Rui could legitimately ascend to the throne.

When flaws appeared in the first edict, he immediately arranged for a second edict.

The new edict established the Imperial Grandson as the new sovereign. A young emperor not yet eight years old would necessarily need many Regent Ministers.

In the decree, the Prince Regent was foremost, which meant the other four Regent Ministers must all defer to Chu Rui. Among those four, Grand Preceptor Xu had been coerced into loyalty to Chu Rui, and two others from the Grand Secretariat should also be Chu Rui’s dogs. Only the Grand Secretary should not yet have been drawn into Chu Rui’s circle.

Yun Chu pressed her lips together.

Chu Rui understood her vital weakness too well. By having Yu’er ascend the throne, she had no choice but to acknowledge the authenticity of the edict and accept Chu Rui as a Regent Minister.

After the new sovereign was determined, they would wait for the late Emperor to be buried in the imperial mausoleum before holding the enthronement ceremony. All of this was left to the Ministry of Rites to handle.

The entire palace changed to plain dress. Palace servants changed into white clothing, wore small white flowers in their hair, and the lanterns in all palaces were also white. Crying sounds lingered everywhere, with sorrow permeating everything.

Yun Chu couldn’t help but think of her previous life.

When she died in her thirties, His Majesty was still alive and well. But in this life, His Majesty had just…

When she changed her own fate, she also changed many people’s fates. Some who should have died long ago still lived, while some who should have lived died early…

Chu Yi…

Her eyes reddened.

Earlier, the court ministers had proposed building a cenotaph for Chu Yi in the imperial mausoleum. Since there was no body, this was all they could do.

She had refused.

She didn’t believe Chu Yi was dead.

Yun Chu raised her head to look at the stars, forcing back her tears.

In the night, she saw a figure approaching.

The vulnerability on her face instantly vanished completely, replaced by coldness.

“Crown Princess… oh no, I should now address you as Empress Dowager.” Chu Rui walked closer step by step. “From Crown Princess leaping to become Empress Dowager—probably the Empress Dowager in history who experienced the least struggle.”

Yun Chu smiled ambiguously: “Should this Dowager say thank you to the Prince Regent?”

Chu Rui gazed at her and said slowly: “I clearly could have supported the Seventh Prince, or even the Ninth or Tenth Princes, yet I specifically chose the Imperial Grandson. Do you know why?”

Yun Chu remained coldly silent.

“Naturally for you.” Chu Rui said softly. “I don’t wish to see you suffer…”

“Ha!” Yun Chu interrupted him with a scornful laugh. “The Prince Regent just lost his wife and child. Instead of returning to keep vigil for his wife, he says these things. Don’t you find it laughable?”

Chu Rui’s expression darkened in an instant.

The white cold lantern light shone on his face, making his features look sinister.

His lips pressed into a tight line as he turned and left with a flick of his sleeves.

Yun Chu walked into the mourning hall. All the imperial family members knelt before the hall crying and burning paper offerings. Everyone was present on the first day. In the following forty-plus days, people would take turns keeping vigil, but it would still be exhausting enough.

She knelt down inconspicuously, head lowered, silently burning paper.

This night passed just like that. Before they knew it, day had broken.

Yun Chu stood and said: “All the Dowager Consorts, take the children back to rest. Return later.”

Consort Shu and the others were now Dowager Consorts, while Yun Chu was the Empress Dowager and currently the only female mistress of the harem. Naturally, everyone followed her instructions.

Outside the mourning hall, female relatives of officials still wailed in mourning. Inside the hall, only Yun Chu and Chu Hongyu remained.

This was the first time mother and son had been alone since the late Emperor’s passing.

Chu Hongyu’s voice was extremely hoarse: “Mother should also go back and rest. I can stay here alone.”

“Yu’er, Mother will keep you company.” Yun Chu said gently. “You are the new sovereign. Your every move is watched by all. People won’t exempt you from harsh judgment because of your young age. So for the first three days, you must remain in the mourning hall continuously. Right now only Mother is here. Lean on Mother and sleep for a while. When people come later, continue the vigil.”

Chu Hongyu firmly shook his head: “I can still manage…”

Yun Chu took his hand: “That you can manage now doesn’t mean you can later. Your imperial grandfather wouldn’t bear to see you kneeling continuously without rest either. Be good, listen to Mother, and sleep for a while.”

Chu Hongyu looked at the memorial tablet before him. His eyes reddened before he obediently lay down on Yun Chu’s lap.

He closed his eyes, his voice hoarse: “I always told Father I wanted to be Crown Prince. I never expected I wouldn’t even have the chance to be Crown Prince… Father is too good at shirking responsibility. At such a critical time, how could he just disappear… Fortunately I’ve grown up. I can protect Mother, protect my sister and brother…”

He murmured and slowly fell asleep.

Yun Chu gently patted her son’s back and raised her head to look at the memorial tablet, saying: “Imperial Father, rest assured. This daughter-in-law will definitely guard the kingdom and not give anyone any opportunity…”

After the late Emperor’s passing, the coffin would lie in state for forty-nine days before the funeral procession.

Every day, court officials and female relatives took turns coming to mourn. Imperial family members kept vigil in three shifts. Thick clouds of sorrow hung over the palace.

Chu Hongyu was arranged to keep vigil every morning until after noon before finishing. As he walked out from the mourning hall, he raised his eyes to look at several Regent Ministers kneeling at the bottom of the steps. Clasping his hands behind his back, he coughed and said: “Grand Preceptor Xu, Minister Li, Minister Zhou, Minister Qiu, you all follow me to the Imperial Study.”