Everyone turned to look. Yuwen Changqing had personally escorted Gu Chaobei in. Gu Chaobei wore silver shackles on his body, with both hands and feet restrained. As he walked in, they clanked and rattled.

General Lian frowned. Though the Crown Prince was dead, he knew what kind of character this Gu Chaobei was. Back then, he’d worked so wholeheartedly for the Crown Prince. Who would have thought that in the end, the one to kill his master would also be him—and he was an imperial prince!

Such an insidious person with extremely deep schemes was truly frightening.

“General Yuwen has brought him at just the right time.” The Empress sat on the phoenix chair, looking at the Empress Dowager beside her. “Mother Empress, this subject has long wanted to hear why Gu Chaobei killed the Crown Prince. This matter is of great importance. Why not let him speak?”

The Empress Dowager had gained much white hair these past few days. Sitting in the court hall looking at Gu Chaobei kneeling below, she was silent for a long while before saying, “Just now he said, how should one who kills his father be dealt with. Who killed a father?”

Worthy of being Empress Dowager—she asked right to the point. Gu Chaobei said unhurriedly, “Has Empress Dowager investigated the reason for His Majesty’s passing?”

The Empress Dowager frowned. “The imperial physicians said it was from excessive worry and accumulated depression becoming illness.”

The Empress spoke up. “Mother Empress, this subject felt His Majesty’s passing was too sudden earlier and already ordered a thorough investigation into the cause. The results should be with General Yuwen.”

The court officials discussed among themselves. Yuwen Changqing stepped forward and knelt, presenting the Imperial Medical Bureau’s document. “Empress Dowager and Empress Mother, please examine this clearly. This subject only obtained this document before coming. It was written personally by Imperial Physician Director Guo Changling. The document states that His Majesty’s passing was not from natural illness but because someone deliberately poisoned him. This poison is Yellow Spring Powder. Normally it cannot be detected, but recently the poisoner was anxious and used too much medicine, thus leaving a handle to be caught.”

Commander of the Imperial Guards Shi Fulong frowned and stepped forward. “When His Majesty was ill, it was the Crown Prince who personally administered the medicine. How could there be poison?”

Gu Chaobei laughed lightly. “Precisely because he personally administered the medicine that His Majesty departed so quickly.”

The assembled officials were in an uproar, discussing everywhere. The Crown Prince’s faction stood out to curse Gu Chaobei for slander. However, the Empress said calmly, “Bring up the witness.”

So obvious—clearly the Empress had conspired with Gu Chaobei early on. Gu Chaobei killed the Crown Prince, and the Empress was responsible for smoothing over the aftermath. The Empress Dowager glanced at the Empress and closed her eyes wearily, as if she didn’t want to watch this farce anymore.

Or rather, there was no need to watch. The Empress would win without doubt.

The witness brought up was Han Lu, carrying a large amount of secret letters from the Crown Prince’s residence and Yellow Spring Powder. She cried tears like pear blossoms in the rain. “This lowly concubine was entrusted by Empress Mother to infiltrate the Crown Prince’s residence and collect evidence of the Crown Prince’s rebellion. Now finally living up to the trust, I ask Empress Dowager and Empress Mother to examine clearly—the Crown Prince’s treasonous heart and patricidal actions deserve execution without doubt!”

The courtesan songstress who’d flown to the branch had transformed into the Empress’s trusted confidant, who’d aggrievedly infiltrated the Crown Prince’s residence and now established great merit.

The Empress had people present the secret letters and handed the Yellow Spring Powder to the Imperial Medical Bureau for examination.

“The evidence is conclusive. His Majesty was killed by the Crown Prince.” The Empress struck the phoenix chair. “Such a greatly transgressive person—are there still people speaking up for him? Could they not also be accomplices who conspired to harm His Majesty?”

With this strike, a whole group from the Crown Prince’s faction knelt down. Only General Lian still stood, saying with upright righteousness, “Even if the Crown Prince committed patricide, right and wrong should be determined by the Ministry of Justice. Gu Chaobei killing the Crown Prince still cannot absolve him of guilt.”

“Even the law must accommodate human feeling, much less now when he is the only remaining imperial bloodline.” Grand Scholar Fu stepped forward. “In ethical relationships, parents are higher than siblings. The Crown Prince killed his father first. Gu Chaobei merely avenged his father’s death. Since he is an imperial prince, this action is reasonable and proper, even more so emotionally understandable.”

“Throughout history, bloodshed in the imperial palace has been common, mostly by the unbenevolent and unrighteous. Ascending the throne, they could still stabilize the empire and bring prosperous eras.” Censorate Official Ye Wendao stepped forward. “What Gu Chaobei did today is still within benevolence and righteousness, and even more beyond reproach.”

Quite a few officials stood out to speak for Gu Chaobei. In the end, they actually began to praise Gu Chaobei’s filial heart.

General Lian laughed coldly. “If we’re to install this person, this subject has no great objection. But how should we explain to the people of the realm? Whose son should we say he is?”

The Empress’s son, the Sixth Prince, was already dead. The Crown Prince had also already perished. There weren’t many women in the harem to begin with. To say Gu Chaobei was a palace maid’s son and install him on the throne would be somewhat improper.

The Empress had thought of this point too. She casually pointed at Consort Nian standing to the side. “Just say he’s Consort Nian’s own son. The infant originally came from her palace anyway. Considering him her child is reasonable and proper.”

Consort Nian froze and glanced at Gu Chaobei kneeling below.

Yuwen Changqing bowed. “Empress Mother, Consort Nian and the Prime Minister have never been on good terms. Entrusting a son to the Prime Minister doesn’t seem to make sense, does it?”

Empress Wen laughed lightly. “Apart from everyone present knowing the Prime Minister and Consort Nian don’t get along, which commoner knows? Let’s settle it this way. It can also be considered that the Imperial Noble Consort has merit today for finding the imperial bloodline. Let her become the Northern Palace Empress Dowager.”

Lord Nian from the Three Judicial Offices below hurriedly came forward to echo, “Thank you, Empress Mother.”

The Nian family’s power was not small. Receiving the Empress’s support, although they wouldn’t have any real power in the future, with the title of Empress Dowager, Consort Nian’s latter half of life would be worry-free.

The Crown Prince faction’s leader was lost. To continue opposing the Empress would bring no good in the future. Everyone lowered their flags and stilled their drums. In any case, someone needed to sit on the throne. If it was Gu Chaobei, so be it. At least this person still had some connection with the Crown Prince faction’s people.

The Empress’s faction felt that Gu Chaobei was incompetent and absurd, extremely easy to control. Installing him would naturally be greatly beneficial to them.

Both sides reached consensus, so the shackles on Gu Chaobei’s body were loosened. Not only was he absolved of guilt on the spot, he was also crowned with the title of Crown Prince. Once the seven-day mourning period passed, he could ascend the throne.

This was what it meant to be reborn from death, what it meant to see the light after darkness. Not only were all the Gu family members released from the imperial prison, but the women of the North Courtyard were all installed in the imperial palace.

The Empress Dowager and Empress’s decree: Today the lost imperial prince Gu Chaobei was found, clan name Ming Ye, son of Imperial Noble Consort Nian. His Majesty has passed away, the Crown Prince has perished. This person is the only bloodline of the imperial family. He is specially established as Crown Prince. Once the mourning period passes, he may ascend the throne.

The people of Gu Fu were all dumbfounded. Except for the Prime Minister who knew the truth, Madam Gu, Gu Chaodong, and the others were all dumbfounded.

“He’s an imperial prince?” Concubine Guan slapped her own mouth. “No wonder he’s been different from ordinary people since childhood. What was I saying in prison? He wasn’t killing people—he was avenging his father. As he should, as he should!”

Concubine Liu was delighted. When Shen Guiyan was present, she alone had spoken well of Gu Chaobei. Thanks to her good daughter-in-law! Oh my, now wealth and glory were guaranteed. The new emperor came from their residence, and she’d even held him when he was small!

Madam Gu’s expression was extremely ugly. She sat in the main hall without speaking. Gu Chaodong also sat to the side in a daze, smiling bitterly. “So it was true…”

“What was true?” Madam Gu asked coldly.

“Didn’t they all say that Yan’er was born holding phoenix jade, that she had the fate of an empress?” Gu Chaodong closed his eyes. “Now it’s come true.”

He could never snatch her back again.

Madam Gu’s expression was even uglier. She’d always disliked Gu Chaobei because Prime Minister Gu treated him too well, making her feel that the master must deeply love Gu Chaobei’s mother in his heart, so she found Gu Chaobei displeasing no matter how she looked at him.

Turned out all these years, the master had a great secret he hadn’t told her, causing her to misunderstand for so many years.

Now it was good. She’d been so bad to Gu Chaobei, and he’d become the Crown Prince about to ascend the throne. Could she have an easy time in the future?

The decree was transmitted. The entire capital knew that Gu Chaobei was an imperial prince and was about to ascend the throne. The common people were very worried. That wastrel heir—what achievements could he have after ascending the throne?

If he had no achievements, the Empress could rest assured. Wen Xiuli had resolved a great trouble and was very happy in her heart. Even looking at Consort Nian became more pleasing. She held her hand and said, “Younger sister, I know you’re unhappy in your heart. After all, you don’t like this child either. However, now you must rely on him to sit steadily in the Empress Dowager position, so naturally you must help manage things.”

Consort Nian had a cold face, looking completely unwilling. “Whatever elder sister says is what it is. Wherever younger sister can be useful, just say so.”

Empress Dowager released power into the Empress’s hands, wanting to leave the capital for distant travel, to go to Buddha Mountain to pray for the Emperor. The Empress didn’t stop her, because although the Emperor wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s biological son, they had some feelings. Now he’d been killed by her own grandson. The old person naturally felt somewhat blocked in her heart. Going out to relax was also good.

Thus in the court hall, it truly became the Empress alone making all decisions.

“Young Madam… no, Your Ladyship truly has heaven-blessed great fortune.” In Yetin Palace, Qinghuan massaged Shen Guiyan’s legs. “Our lord has become successful. You are the master of this harem. From now on, we all must rely on Your Ladyship’s grace.”

Shen Guiyan’s brows furrowed slightly. She didn’t feel relaxed at all. She let Qinghuan talk without paying attention to her.

Jiang Shi stood to the side. Looking at Qinghuan’s appearance, she felt somewhat displeased in her heart. How she’d befriended her in the residence before, wanting to deal with Young Madam. Now knowing Young Madam was to become Empress, she rushed to fawn over her.

Such women were truly uninteresting.

However… could Shen Guiyan really become Empress? Jiang Shi looked at her with some worry.

Gu Chaobei was taken to learn palace etiquette. Every evening he would go to the Empress’s palace to pay respects.

“You should call me Mother Empress now.” Empress Wen smiled kindly. “When you ascend the throne, this palace will provide you with three thousand beauties in the harem. Whatever type you want, we’ll have them.”

Gu Chaobei smiled with eyes sparkling brightly. “Truly? For beauties like Yan’er, can the Empress provide them too?”

Empress Wen’s smile diminished slightly. She stroked the finger guards in her hands. “Ming Ye, this palace has a matter that must be made clear to you first.”

Gu Chaobei nodded. “Mother Empress, please speak.”

The Empress smiled and touched the phoenix crown on her head. “Shen Guiyan cannot enter the central palace as Empress.”

Gu Chaobei paused. The expression on his face showed no surprise, but rather some happiness. “Is that true? This son was just about to speak with Mother Empress. This son doesn’t want an empress. Yan’er always manages me—she’s annoying enough already. If she became Empress, this son’s days would be even more impossible to live through.”

“Oh?” The Empress was delighted. “You actually think this way?”