Outside the Emperor’s bedchamber, fireworks exploded in the sky.

Officials standing outside the hall raised their heads to look at the sky, expressions heavy with uncertainty.

Zhong Fujiang had gone inside not long ago and quickly emerged, not glancing at anyone as he walked to the front of the hall and suddenly set off two fireworks.

What was this for? Did His Majesty wish to see fireworks?

Most people were confused, but some quickly realized that although the daylight sky swallowed more than half of the fireworks’ light, the shapes were still visible.

“That night,” an official murmured, “in the late hours, there were these same fireworks.”

At the time, hiding at home, they had wondered what strange performance was taking place.

So it was from His Majesty’s side.

Chu Zhao, Deng Yi, Xie Yanfang, and officials from the previous court, as well as Xie Yanlai guarding the city gates—all now looked up at the sky, some moved, others expressionless.

As the fireworks exploded, the ground trembled faintly, as if countless people were surging toward them.

“His Majesty—His Majesty has passed away,” called Eunuch Qi from within the sleeping chamber, his voice trembling.

Those watching the sky were instantly shocked back to their senses, dropping to their knees, bowing their heads, and weeping.

…

…

The fireworks in the sky quickly dispersed, and news of the Emperor’s death was sent out.

Mourning bells rang simultaneously in all temples throughout the capital.

The common people, not yet recovered from the imperial princes’ turmoil, were frightened once more. Although the Emperor had been virtually nonexistent for over a decade, at least there had been an Emperor. Now, with some princes dead and others condemned, and even the Emperor gone, what would happen to the Great Xia?

But along with news of the Emperor’s death came announcements: the Imperial Eldest Grandson would ascend the throne, Chu Zhao, daughter of Chu Yi, would be made Empress, Grand Tutor Deng Yi would serve as regent, the renowned scholar Xie Yanfang from Dongyang would enter court service, and a series of other arrangements.

The anxious common people settled down again. The dynasty continued. Though this new Grand Tutor was unfamiliar, the Xie family of Dongyang was the Imperial Eldest Grandson’s maternal uncles, and with him present, the court would surely remain stable. Moreover, the Imperial Eldest Grandson now had an Empress—he had established both family and career. Though only six years old, this was nonetheless reassuring.

As for this Empress Chu Zhao, when the Emperor’s edict previously appointed her as the Crown Prince’s consort, it had already caused heated discussion. Now the topic resurfaced, for there was still a distinction between a Crown Prince’s consort and an Empress. Being a Crown Prince’s consort did not guarantee becoming Empress, as evidenced by the deceased Crown Prince’s consort.

The commoners hadn’t expected the Emperor to die, thinking there would be much time for the Emperor to raise the Imperial Eldest Grandson until he came of age—

There was still time; anything was possible.

But the Emperor suddenly passed away, the Imperial Eldest Grandson became Emperor, and the Crown Prince’s consort, Chu Zhao, immediately became Empress.

“This, this isn’t appropriate!”

“Forget about all the well-educated young ladies from prestigious families across the empire, just in the capital alone, what does this Chu Zhao count as—”

“What’s wrong with Chu Zhao? Don’t forget whose daughter she is. Chu Yi was once His Majesty’s most trusted general, with illustrious military achievements. He still guards the border commandery, standing firm like a pillar, and hasn’t returned to the capital in over a decade for the sake of securing the borders.”

Due to the Emperor’s funeral, the entire empire wore plain clothes, with prohibitions on dancing, music, banquets, sacrifices, marriages, and celebrations, giving people more time for idle talk.

Hearing such words, people were momentarily stunned.

Chu Yi hadn’t returned to the capital for over a decade because of this?

That didn’t seem right!

“Chu Yi is a criminal—”

“What crime? Did His Majesty ever charge him? Was Chu Yi ever imprisoned? He remains the distinguished General of Yunzhong Commandery!”

This was indeed true, leaving the opposing speaker speechless, while the one who rebutted wouldn’t let up.

“The imperial edict clearly stated that the Imperial Eldest Grandson’s escape from danger was due to Miss Chu’s merit—truly a tiger father breeds no common cub.”

“First Chu Yi established and secured the empire for His Majesty, and now Chu Yi’s daughter has preserved the Great Xia’s bloodline for His Majesty.”

“If she’s not qualified to be Empress, who is?”

Who knows who would be qualified? To name someone now would be to place them in a dangerous position. The gathered crowd suddenly fell silent, and only then did the man who had been arguing shake his sleeve and walk away.

The crowd looked at each other, quietly asking, “Who was that?”

No one knew who he was, as if he had appeared out of nowhere.

The person who had been rebuked snorted, “Clearly someone deliberately praising the Chu woman.”

Must be someone from the Chu family.

“I think so,” someone agreed. “Such talk is increasingly common, obviously being manipulated—”

“Indeed, otherwise who would have spoken of the Chu woman before—” the previous speaker readily nodded.

But before he finished, another voice came through.

“Who spoke of the Chu woman before? You there, which backwater are you from?”

This time it wasn’t a male voice, but a coquettish female one.

The people quickly turned to look and saw a group of girls walking down from the second floor of the teahouse. One of them raised her eyebrows, her face full of contempt.

“Haven’t you heard of the Chu Garden literary gathering?”

“Who doesn’t know that the Chu woman engaged with scholars across the empire on equal footing?”

Another girl among them smiled, “Miss Qi, they probably really don’t know—” The young girl tilted her small nose, her eyes arrogant. “They don’t look like they’ve read books.”

Miss Qi’s expression was now openly scornful: “Never read books? Do you know what ‘virtuous and talented’ means? You only look at family background? Is a prestigious family and fame enough to become Empress?”

Another girl laughed: “By that logic, the Zhao family would be most suitable.”

The Zhao family had already been executed to the ninth degree of kinship, yet the court still pursued their remaining associates. Who would dare associate themselves with the Zhao family? The people sitting in the teahouse hall immediately scattered.

These girls truly had poisonous tongues!

The turmoil had just passed, His Majesty had just died—why weren’t these girls staying quietly at home instead of wandering about?

Of course, they knew about the Chu Garden literary gathering, which had given the capital’s girls their moment of glory, making them even more arrogant.

It all came down to that Chu woman’s influence.

Now that the Chu woman had become Empress, who knew how much more arrogant girls would become in the future.

Better to avoid them altogether.

Seeing the crowd disperse, Qi Leyun was both pleased and unsatisfied.

“They look down on Chu Zhao,” she said. “Chu Zhao is so impressive.”

A girl beside her chuckled, “Qi Leyun, didn’t you look down on her before?”

“That was before,” Qi Leyun didn’t deny it. “That was when I didn’t know her well, didn’t understand how remarkable she is.”

The usually quiet Zhou Jiang also nodded: “Chu Zhao is indeed impressive. She’s not only talented in both literary and martial arts, but also has a compassionate heart. Earlier, when we were coming here, I heard people on the street discussing how during that night of chaos, they were homeless and in extreme danger, knocking on doors that wouldn’t open. It was Chu Zhao who opened the gates of Chu Garden and took them in. They say Chu Zhao has the heart of a bodhisattva, the benevolence of the nation’s mother.”

Was there such a story? The girls recalled that night, filled only with terror, wishing they could hide underground. Who would have dared to open their doors then?

Chu Zhao was truly remarkable.

If before they had merely pretended to admire her because of her position as Empress, now genuine respect filled the girls’ eyes.

Qi Leyun nodded: “That’s right, that’s right. My family is now being sheltered in Chu Garden.”

Although it was Chu Tang who had allowed them in, it was equivalent to being sheltered by Chu Zhao.

“And they say it’s people from the Chu family praising her,” Qi Leyun snorted. “That’s complete nonsense. The Chu family’s gates are still tightly closed. I climbed the wall and couldn’t even get Chu Tang to speak with me, let alone have Chu family members come out to talk to people.”

While they believed it wasn’t the Chu family doing the praising, there was certainly someone orchestrating it behind the scenes. Zhou Jiang pursed her lips and looked toward the street.

“Even if she is being praised, what of it? She did those things herself and deserves the praise.”

…

…

The high palace walls stood layer upon layer, shutting out the outside clamor.

Though not yet officially invested, Chu Zhao wore mourning clothes according to the Empress’s standards. The officials outside had just finished one session of mourning in the hall.

Chu Zhao sat opposite Xie Yanfang in the hall.

“Third Young Master, have some hot tea,” she said, personally pouring the tea.

Xie Yanfang had now entered court service as an official. Besides mourning, he had many tasks to attend to. After three days, he was far from relaxed, though apart from his pale face and reddened eyes, his spirits remained good.

He didn’t decline, accepting the tea and drinking it in one gulp, looking at the small figure wrapped in mourning clothes across from him, appearing even smaller.

He said, “Don’t worry about matters outside.”