Li Qitian sat upright with a straight back, forcing himself to suppress his emotions so that his smugness wouldn’t appear too obvious.

However, the unstoppable smile on his face still betrayed his true feelings at this moment.

Life truly was full of ups and downs, surprise after surprise!

When Li Qitian was trapped in the underground palace, forced to gnaw on Li Guanwen’s corpse just to survive, he never could have imagined that he would be able to sit in this position again.

When he had to follow Pang Xiao around begging for food, having to rely on an enemy whose face he had already torn with to protect him and escape that sunless underground palace, Li Qitian also couldn’t have imagined that the person who would help him reclaim this position would be Pang Xiao, and the ones helping him make decisions would be Qin Huaiyuan, whom he had dismissed from office in a fit of rage, and Qin Yining, whom he had nearly abandoned.

No matter what, he was now firmly seated in this position again.

Li Qitian pressed his lips together in a silent, light laugh, then said: “Today’s events were indeed caused by Tatar spies infiltrating the imperial palace, attempting to take advantage of the chaos to harm the imperial family. That we were able to escape danger safely is thanks to the invaluable contributions of all you beloved ministers.”

With Li Qitian’s single sentence, everyone responded in unison: “Your Majesty is wise, this humble minister is ashamed.”

At the beginning of today’s court session, when Li Qitian first ascended to court, regardless of who was presiding, those twenty percent who had hastily knelt and shouted long live saw Prince Li’s complete defeat. Fearing that Li Qitian would settle accounts with them, how could they not seize this opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty?

Immediately, someone stepped forward to bow and declared loudly: “Report to Your Majesty, Prince Li gathered troops to attack the imperial palace, and while acting as regent already harbored treacherous intentions, repeatedly inciting court officials to support him as sovereign – truly the ambition of a wolf!”

“You!” Prince Li was furious, turning to glare angrily at that righteously-faced minister.

Before Prince Li could voice any rebuttal, several more ministers stepped forward, declaring with righteous indignation:

“Lord Lu speaks truly!”

“Prince Li abused power and acted perversely, going against righteousness. For his selfish desires, he disregarded human life and ignored imperial authority – he truly deserves death!”

…

The voices of several ministers were full of confidence and forceful, describing Prince Li’s crimes as ten times worse than what everyone had witnessed.

Prince Li trembled all over with rage.

These people who were now opening their mouths to bite him had all been circling around him like dogs yesterday, fawning and flattering. Now that something had happened, these people were only concerned with clearing their own names!

How realistic, though completely within his expectations!

Prince Li sneered once, suddenly feeling disheartened.

Forget it – the victor becomes king, the loser becomes bandit. Having walked this path to this point, what more was there to say? This lifetime was what it was. Now that Li Qitian had regained power, besides submitting to whatever punishment awaited, what other choice did he have?

Li Qitian sat high on the dragon throne watching the fine show below, his mood growing even better.

Those snarling accusers were all tail-wagging, begging dogs, while Prince Li was nothing more than a stray!

Dogs biting dogs with mouths full of fur – this scene allowed Li Qitian to vent all those negative emotions from having to depend on others’ whims to reclaim the power he wanted.

After appreciating enough of these people’s true faces, Li Qitian still didn’t forget his main business.

“Your intentions are naturally clear to me.”

At these words, those who had impeached Prince Li felt joy on their faces. As long as His Majesty was willing to adopt their counsel, then going forward they would still have a chance to live.

Prince Li’s head drooped down, clearly already resigned to death.

Who would have thought Li Qitian would suddenly change direction, saying: “However, regarding today’s events, I understand everything in my heart. It was merely a misunderstanding. Prince Li was also trying to rescue the Empress Dowager and Empress – it was a display of complete loyalty. As for you beloved ministers, you were also wholeheartedly devoted to serving me loyally. None of you are at fault.”

Li Qitian’s words of smoothing things over left both sides stunned.

Qin Yining stood beside Pang Xiao, couldn’t help but glance sideways to gauge the reactions of those ministers behind them.

She believed that anyone present with the slightest intelligence would understand that Li Qitian absolutely would not punish anyone at this time. Just like when Li Qitian had ordered the palace gates opened outside the palace walls earlier, he needed to appease not only these people before him, but more importantly, those troops still standing in formation within the palace!

If Prince Li were deemed guilty today, wouldn’t those troops outside become accomplices in Prince Li’s rebellion? That could trigger a mutiny that Li Qitian couldn’t control.

So regardless of whether what Prince Li had done was real or fake, and regardless of what Prince Li had done to seize the palace, Li Qitian would not deal with him publicly at this moment.

Sure enough, Li Qitian continued: “Now that the Tatar spies have been eliminated, what pains me most are the soldiers who died in this battle! I decree that all soldiers who died in battle today shall be posthumously honored and promoted three ranks, while surviving soldiers shall be promoted one rank! This matter shall be handled appropriately by the Ministry of Personnel.”

“By your command.” The Assistant Minister of Personnel stepped forward to bow.

“Your Majesty is wise!” The court ministers bowed.

Li Qitian then looked toward Prince Li, smiling: “Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang rendered meritorious service in rescuing the emperor today. Let Prince Li be elevated to Prince Li of the First Rank, and Marquis Qingyang be elevated to Duke Qingguo. The Ministry of Rites shall handle all ceremonial arrangements for these elevations.”

“This minister accepts the decree!” The Ministry of Rites officials also stepped forward in acknowledgment.

Prince Li and Marquis Qingyang felt as if they had been struck by heavenly meat pies, their hearts full of surprise and delight.

Who would have thought! Not only were they not dragged out for execution at this moment, they were actually promoted and ennobled!

Though they were somewhat unclear whether Li Qitian was truly angry, the current situation made their hearts extremely settled.

Li Qitian then continued: “Prince Zhongshun Pang Xiao and Marquis Dingbei Ji Zeyu rendered meritorious service in this rescue. Each shall be rewarded with one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of silk.”

…

Next, Li Qitian rewarded everyone who had performed outstandingly in this palace seizure.

However, Qin Yining felt no joy listening to this.

Li Qitian had just enfeoffed the soldiers who participated in today’s battle – the dead promoted three ranks, the living promoted one rank. It should be known that most of those who had surrounded the imperial palace today were Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu’s private soldiers.

If these people accepted these rewards, they would in the future be equivalent to receiving court salaries and would no longer be Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu’s private men.

Li Qitian was truly cunning enough – even at this moment, he didn’t forget to set up Pang Xiao and Ji Zeyu.

Li Qitian’s already unimpressive image in Qin Yining’s heart had now completely fallen to rock bottom. Unfortunately, under the current circumstances, Li Qitian being alive was most beneficial for the court, the people, and Pang Xiao, so they could only hold their noses and endure it.

Under Li Qitian’s round of rewards, this incident of rebellion and palace seizure was quickly turned over, handled with surprising decisiveness.

No one was at fault. The fault lay with the Tatar spies.

However, no one present was foolish enough to ask Li Qitian where exactly these Tatar spies were.

Li Qitian nodded with satisfaction, then proclaimed loudly: “Today I have another matter to announce to all court officials. I ordered former Minister of Rites, Elder Qin, to rest at home for some time. With this recent court turmoil and many officials meeting disaster, the court is in need of personnel. I can only trouble Elder Qin to return to court. I hereby appoint Elder Qin as Grand Secretary of the Jinji Hall. Xiong Jinshui!”

“This slave is here.” The head eunuch Xiong Jinshui bowed.

Li Qitian said: “Immediately transmit my edict, requesting Elder Qin to come to court to discuss state affairs. Also prepare lunch for all court officials and the soldiers waiting outside.”

“By your command!”

Xiong Jinshui hurried off to handle this.

With so many people to feed, the imperial kitchen could never manage alone. They had to mobilize all the large and small kitchens in the palace to work frantically.

While waiting for Qin Huaiyuan to return to court, each official received a bowl of rice porridge, two flatbreads, and a small piece of pickled vegetables. The soldiers waiting outside had it even simpler – each received two face-sized hot steamed buns with unlimited cold water.

Seeing that His Majesty not only had them wait in the palace but also provided food and drink when mealtime came, the soldiers finally felt they could put down their fears.

At this time, Qin Yining had also eaten lunch accompanied by Pang Xiao, then gone to relieve herself and tidy up.

The palace was not a place where one could speak freely, so neither of them discussed Li Qitian’s restoration of Qin Huaiyuan to the cabinet. They even had some doubts in their hearts.

Had Qin Huaiyuan himself orchestrated Li Qitian’s sudden move?

However, regardless, Qin Yining’s heart was still happy that her father could be reinstated and find his place again. Her father had spent half his life in officialdom. When the Yan Dynasty surrendering officials evacuated, their refusal to take him along was already a blow to him. Now he had settled his emotions and recognized reality. She believed that returning to court, her father could find his new position.

“Are you tired?”

A low voice sounded near her ear, accompanied by warm breath, bringing Qin Yining back from her contemplation.

“I’m alright, it’s nothing.” Qin Yining looked up at Pang Xiao, smiling at him.

Pang Xiao put his arm around Qin Yining’s shoulder, bent down to touch her belly, and frowned: “You were already exhausted last night, then didn’t sleep much this morning before coming to court, and stood for such a long time… No, you shouldn’t attend the court session later. I’ll find you a place to rest properly. Even if your constitution is good, prolonged standing isn’t suitable for you.”

Qin Yining hesitated somewhat.

On one hand, she wanted to know what Li Qitian actually planned to do by bringing Qin Huaiyuan back this time. But on the other hand, Qin Yining indeed felt extremely fatigued. Her feet and calves had swollen up, looking like two clubs, and every step felt extremely heavy.

Seeing this, Pang Xiao simply made the decision for her: “Be obedient and rest well. I’ll tell you about anything that happens later. You’re not worried I’d hide things from you, are you?”

Seeing Pang Xiao’s furrowed brow, Qin Yining knew of his concern and could only nod: “Alright then.”

Only then did Pang Xiao nod, saying: “I’ll request permission for Bingtang and Ji Yun to stay by your side before I attend court.”

Pang Xiao naturally found it easy to speak before Li Qitian now. Soon, Qin Yining was settled in a side hall to rest. Besides Bingtang and Ji Yun, Li Qitian had also arranged palace servants to attend outside.

Qin Yining washed and tidied herself, then reclined against large pillows on a soft couch, sleeping in her clothes.

Even while asleep, she slept very uneasily, her mind filled with chaotic thoughts about the current tense situation.

When she woke again, she felt herself in a familiar embrace, both of them swaying slightly with the movement of a carriage.

“Awake?”