But today, with just one sentence from the eldest sister—that he could return home safely—was tremendously good news, finally lifting some of the crushing weight from Bai Qingqi’s heart.

“But I couldn’t even protect A’Yu! A’Yu… only left behind… left behind a charred and blackened corpse. I could only identify him from his armor…”

The usually steady and composed Bai Qingqi couldn’t help but choke up, crying out softly for the first time, unable to restrain himself as he knelt to beg forgiveness.

A’Yu was the legitimate heir of the Bai family’s main branch—he was the one who should have been protected most… the one who should have lived!

Bai Qingqi had always been strictest with Bai Qingyu, precisely so that… he could preserve his life on the battlefield.

Yet A’Yu was still gone, burned beyond recognition, completely unidentifiable…

His blood brother had only left behind a torso. He had searched through the entire battlefield with his bare hands, but couldn’t find his younger brother’s head!

Uncle’s archery was superb—if only he had been faster, he surely could have saved A’Zhuo and the others, but… he was too slow! He let them bleed to death!

Overwhelming grief once again swept through Bai Qingqi’s entire body, making him tremble in agony, wishing he were dead.

Bai Qingyan’s lips were pressed tightly together. Seeing Bai Qingqi show his emotions so openly for the first time, barely able to maintain his composure, she bent down to gently stroke the top of his head, gripping his arm firmly and helping him up. As if comforting him, she said softly, “A’Qi, there’s no need for guilt. A’Yu is still alive, it’s just… his identity cannot be revealed.”

Bai Qingqi’s body stiffened as he looked up, his bloodshot and reddened eyes gazing at Bai Qingyan, as if trying to determine whether her words were merely comfort or truth.

Bai Qingyu stood at a distance, faintly hearing the words “A’Yu,” and seeing Third Brother kneeling in plea for forgiveness, he understood… The Third Brother thought he was already dead.

Thinking of the gray hair at Third Brother’s temples, Bai Qingyu closed his eyes, holding back his tears.

Xiao Rongyan had excellent hearing. Though he couldn’t hear what Bai Qingyan said to Bai Qingqi, he heard Bai Qingqi say… that he had personally buried all the Bai family sons, and no one else would return.

His deep gaze turned toward Bai Qingyu. Then… who was this masked prince of the Rongdi? Could it be… not a Bai family son, but rather someone from the Bai family’s elder generation?

The masked prince’s voice was damaged, hoarse and weathered, and with the mask, it was truly difficult to discern his age.

Chancellor Lu saw that the auspicious time was nearly past. He stepped forward, bowed, and respectfully requested again, “Your Majesty… the auspicious time is nearly over. We respectfully request Your Majesty to ascend the throne!”

“We respectfully request Your Majesty to ascend the throne!”

“We respectfully request Your Majesty to ascend the throne!”

“We respectfully request Your Majesty to ascend the throne!”

The soldiers and officials called out three times in unison.

Bai Qingqi, Bai Qingjue, Bai Jinxiu, Bai Jinhua, and Bai Jinzhao also knelt: “We respectfully request Your Majesty to ascend the throne!”

Bai Qingyan’s gaze imperceptibly glanced toward Bai Qingyu. She understood clearly in her heart… Jintong was probably like A’Yu—A’Yu had arrangements in Rongdi, and Jintong similarly had plans in Xiliang. They both could not yet return openly under the Bai family name to witness this moment with her.

Bai Qingyu gazed from afar at his brothers and sisters gathered together, his lips curving slightly upward, proud of his elder sister! Proud of the Bai family! Proud of Great Zhou!

Bai Qingyun, seated in his wheelchair, smiled as he watched his eldest sister, observing as she led the Bai family children and all the officials into the Qiankun Hall. From this day forward, she would reverse heaven and earth, change the sky and sun—the Great Zhou dynasty’s generation had arrived.

Bai Qingyan entered the hall and ascended the high steps, sitting upon the throne that so many had fought bloodily for, that even… someone as weak as Prince Baishui had wanted to compete for.

The Bai family members were Bai Qingyan’s close relatives, and according to their relationship, they stood on the second tier of the three-level high platform, closest to Bai Qingyan.

Chancellor Lu, as Imperial Teacher and Chief Minister of the Inner Cabinet, stood on the third tier of the three-level platform, while the other soldiers and officials stood on both sides of the red carpet.

Shen Kunyang stood at the forefront of all the military generals, his eyes reddening as he gazed at Bai Qingyan.

He had never imagined that one day their invincible Young Marshal Bai would sit in that position.

The seed that Duke Zhenguo, Prince Zhenguo, and all the Bai family generals had once planted in the hearts of these military officers—the desire to unify the realm—would finally sprout today.

The Jin royal family lacked the Bai family’s generational aspiration to unify the realm, and lacked anyone with the Bai family’s breadth of mind and courage.

Shen Kunyang had originally thought he would never see the day of national unification in his lifetime.

But now with Young Marshal Bai sitting in that position, she would surely fight with all her might for national unification. Shen Kunyang couldn’t help but feel his blood boil.

He firmly believed that in his lifetime, he would see the day when the Great Zhou unified the realm, and would see the peace and prosperity that Duke Zhenguo and Prince Zhenguo had hoped for!

The Ministry of Rites official called out loudly: “Kneel…”

The Bai family members, along with Chancellor Lu, faced Bai Qingyan and led all officials in prostration: “Long live Your Majesty! Long live Great Zhou!”

Bai Qingyan gazed at the civil and military officials kneeling and kowtowing, saying: “Proclaim the edict.”

“By imperial decree: At the founding of the Great Zhou, all things await renewal. As I ascend the throne today as Emperor, I shall prioritize benevolence and filial piety. I honor my birth mother, Dong Shi, as Empress Dowager, appointing Lu Shi’an as Imperial Teacher… to guide me on the righteous path of strengthening the nation. For their merit in pacifying the Liang rebellion, I hereby confer… Bai Jinxiu as Duke Fuguo, Bai Jinzhi as Marquis Gaoyi, Zhao Sheng as General Zhenguo, Fu Ruoxi as General Piaoqi, Xie Yuchang as General Cheqi and Commander of the Imperial Guards, Lin Kangle as General Wei, and Yang Wuce as General Fajun.”

“Imperial Teacher Lu Shi’an is conferred the title of Grand Commandant, ranking first among the Three Dukes… as Grand Secretariat, Shen Jingzhong is conferred Duke of Works… as Secretariat Director, Dong Qingping is conferred Minister of Education… as Palace Attendant Director, Lu Jinxian as Minister of Personnel, Lu Jin as Minister of Justice, Wei Bugong as Minister of Revenue, Zhang Duanning as Minister of War, Shen Tianzhi as Minister of Works, Liu Rushi as Minister of Rites. Other meritorious officials shall receive separate rewards.”

With the announcement of these Three Departments and Six Ministries appointments, promoting Chancellor Lu Shi’an to Grand Commandant and Grand Secretariat indicated that the Great Zhou dynasty had completely abolished the position of Prime Minister.

As for military generals, Bai Qingyan did not initially confer extremely high ranks, leaving room for future rewards when they would campaign south against Xiliang.

She also did not exclusively reward Bai family members, intending… to confer honors after they achieved merit in future campaigns against Xiliang, which would be more justified.

“With the Great Zhou newly established, we thirst for worthy talent. At this time… I wish to welcome capable individuals widely and reopen the imperial examinations to select talent for the court.” The Ministry of Rites official spoke with perfect diction and measured cadence. “Having just ascended the throne, I know the burden is heavy and the path long. Contemplating deeply what constitutes the way to strengthen the nation, studying history and reflecting on the present, I understand that worthy talent is the foundation of national prosperity and the cornerstone of enriching the people. I wish to establish male academies and female academies throughout the land to cultivate future talent for Great Zhou, allowing women to take the imperial examinations and serve as officials, using their wisdom and dedication to assist Great Zhou.”

The Great Zhou officials already knew that Bai Qingyan intended to establish male and female academies and allow women to take examinations and serve as officials. Even if they felt dissatisfied, now that Bai Qingyan had ascended as female emperor and the Great Zhou Empress had issued this decree… which of these officials would dare stand up in opposition?