That day, Zhan Lingtian ascended the throne, becoming king, performing the heaven-worship ceremony, and proclaiming it to the world.

Given the situation outside the imperial city, aside from the heaven-worship celebration, there were no other rituals.

In the span of a single day, Zhan Lingtian overturned the Zhan Dynasty and restored the rule of the Di family.

He became the sole surviving orphan of the Di family, Di Wu Ya, no longer a descendant of the Zhan family.

The entire enthronement ceremony was extremely simple, which clearly demonstrated that Zhan Lingtian’s true goal was not the throne itself, but the survival of the Bei Mu Kingdom.

Simple, yet without a single flaw, the enthronement ceremony was completed within a single day.

Zhan Lingtian appointed Zhan Yuheng as Prince Shezheng, while also dismissing a number of officials who would not serve him.

Whenever a new monarch ascended the throne, these were necessary steps, and no one dared to say much about it.

Whether Zhan Lingtian’s appointment of Zhan Yuheng as Prince Shezheng was meant to silence prying mouths, or had some other purpose, no one knew except himself and Ye Xuening.

Inside the Yuxiao Hall, Zhan Lingtian, dressed in dragon robes, sat in the main seat. Beside him sat Ye Xuening.

In the hall, there were also a few trusted confidants.

“Mother, the jade seal still cannot be found. Back then, what exactly happened?” Zhan Lingtian asked in a deep voice, looking at Ye Xuening.

Zhan Lingtian had always called Ye Xuening “Mother”; now that he was king, it was only natural that Ye Xuening remained his mother, that is, the Empress Dowager, not the Grand Empress Dowager.

Only, apart from their own people, no one knew they were truly mother and son.

“Emperor Qiwen searched for over ten years as well. The jade seal is not in Zhan Yuheng’s hands—that much should be certain.” Ye Xuening picked up her teacup and took a light sip.

“Empress Dowager, could the jade seal possibly be in Grand Eunuch’s hands? What if Emperor Qiwen had already recovered the seal back then…” one eunuch said.

“But I never once heard my master speak of anything regarding the jade seal.” Another eunuch—Grand Eunuch’s only disciple—was also present in the hall.

Ye Xuening set down the cup in her hand and shook her head. “That possibility is unlikely.”

“When Emperor Qiwen ascended the throne, I was present as well. At that time, the jade seal could already not be found.”

“I was the Empress then. Even I did not know where the jade seal was—how much less could the Prince Wen of that time have known?”

“Because of this matter, Emperor Qiwen tested me many times, and only in recent years did he finally stop. I am nearly certain the jade seal is not in his hands.”

Ye Xuening turned back to look at Zhan Lingtian and said softly, “Rest assured.”

“Things have already come to this point. Even if someone appeared now holding the jade seal, it could not stir up much trouble.”

“Right now, the most important thing is finding a way to eliminate Zhan Qingcheng.”

Recalling what happened on the city wall, a faint frown creased Ye Xuening’s brow.

“That day, if Long Feiyan hadn’t faked her death, today’s situation wouldn’t have come about. That woman is far too cunning!”

Zhan Lingtian closed the letter on the table and raised his eyes to look outside the hall.

“Indeed, a daughter of the Feng family really is different. If her people hadn’t arrived in time, we would likely have driven Zhan Qingcheng to a dead end.”

“This servant calculated every possible angle, yet never calculated that the fool of the Feng family would achieve something like this within a single year,” said the eunuch who had spoken first.

“Still, with Your Majesty’s abilities, a mere woman is nothing. Even if Zhan Qingcheng wakes up, she’s no match for Your Majesty.”

“Alright, you may go.” Zhan Lingtian waved his hand, looking at the few people in the hall.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Everyone bowed at once and turned to leave.

Zhan Lingtian had never liked listening to flattery; the eunuch who had just spoken had said something he shouldn’t have.

Once everyone had left, only Zhan Lingtian, Ye Xuening, and one palace maid remained in the hall.

Zhan Lingtian glanced sideways, and Ye Xuening waved her hand. “Go wait outside.”

“Yes, Empress Dowager.” The maid bowed, turned, and walked out.

Zhan Lingtian withdrew his gaze from the hall door and looked at Ye Xuening.

“Mother, before Father passed away, did anyone particularly important leave?”

Ye Xuening met his gaze, her brows furrowing slightly.

Suddenly, she nodded. “There was. Before your father passed, one person suddenly retired and returned to his hometown.”

“Who was it?” Zhan Lingtian asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Qin Huai. To be precise, he wasn’t your father’s man—he belonged to Di Dingtian.” Ye Xuening took a deep breath, leaning back against the chair.

“Back then I traced him to his hometown and sent several groups of people, but unexpectedly, he received word in advance and fled.”

“Qin Huai was alone, with no other family. My people are still searching even now, yet they can’t find him at all.”

“Mother also suspects he’s the one who took the jade seal?” Zhan Lingtian asked in a deep voice.

Ye Xuening looked at him, her crescent brows furrowing slightly.

“Qin Huai’s relationship with your father wasn’t bad, yet he left right when your father fell gravely ill. There’s truly something suspicious about it.”

“But after all these years, there’s still not a single trace of him, and the jade seal is the same—it has never appeared.”

“Why didn’t you mention this before?” Zhan Lingtian’s voice carried a heavier weight.

“It was only a suspicion, with no evidence. Speaking of it would only have distracted you.” Ye Xuening composed herself and stood up.

“As for the jade seal, you need not worry about it. I’ve heard the Ninth has woken, though I don’t know if it’s true.”

“This matter cannot be delayed any longer. Giving them time to build up their strength and rest their troops works against us!”

“Zhan Yuheng won’t cooperate, and his troops—I can’t use them smoothly no matter how I try.” Zhan Lingtian stood, supporting Ye Xuening down the steps.

“Feng Jiu’er’s people far exceed my estimate. Most of them are mountain bandits, yet their skills are even more formidable than the Imperial Guards.”

“If Zhan Yuheng won’t cooperate, you have a hundred ways to make him cooperate, don’t you?” Ye Xuening said, slowly descending the steps, shaking her head lightly.

“Lingtian, you are now the Son of Heaven. Your heart must be ruthless, or else you’ll end up just like your father.”

“Mother, you said Father died of poisoning back then. Did you find out who administered the poison?” Zhan Lingtian asked softly.

“I don’t know.” Ye Xuening shook her head.

She arrived in the hall and looked at the great doors of the palace, her brows furrowing slightly, a trace of hatred glinting in the depths of her eyes.

Zhan Lingtian asked no further, supporting her as they walked out of the Yuxiao Hall.

…

A few days later, when Emperor Ji and Ye Luocha once again walked into Di Wu Ya’s tent, Di Wu Ya and Di Feimu sat side by side in the spacious tent, leafing through books.

Yu Jingfeng pushed Emperor Ji’s wheelchair forward, appearing in the tent together with Ye Luocha and Elder Shi.

Yu Jingfeng stopped, looking at Emperor Ji beside him. “Old Master, rest assured! His Highness the Crown Prince only got out of bed to handle matters with Miss Jiu’er’s permission.”

“These past days, it’s truly thanks to Miss Jiu’er that His Highness has recovered so quickly.”

“Even Mo Bai is utterly impressed by Miss Jiu’er. He even wanted to take her as his master, but he was refused.”

“Old Master, you know Mo Bai’s temperament. Other than His Highness the Crown Prince, who else has he ever truly admired?”