The palace was draped in white mourning clothes.
The news of Emperor Xueye's death spread throughout the entire Tiandou City in the shortest possible time.
Outside the palace gates, ministers and common people knelt and kowtowed, amidst a chorus of weeping.
However, inside the palace gates, under the cover of white banners and plain lanterns, a pre-planned operation was unfolding silently.
The moment Xue Ye breathed her last, Xue Qinghe was no longer Xue Qinghe.
Or rather, he never was.
Qian Renxue did not hesitate.
She didn't even give the avalanche and snowballs time to react.
Xueye's body still lay on the dragon bed, and the ministers present were still immersed in grief.
Qian Renxue stood up and, with the gentle and refined face of Xue Qinghe, calmly issued her first order.
Where is the commander of the Imperial Guard?
"Your subordinate is here!"
A burly middle-aged man strode in from outside the hall and knelt on one knee.
"Effective immediately, the palace gates are sealed. No one may enter or leave without my permission."
"Yes, sir!"
The cries of the avalanche abruptly ceased.
He knelt on the ground, raised his face covered in snot and tears, and stared blankly at Xue Qinghe.
"Big...Big Brother?"
Prince Snowstar reacted much faster than an avalanche.
His expression changed instantly, and he unconsciously stepped back.
But before he could take two steps, a hand was placed on his shoulder.
The force wasn't strong, but it rendered him completely immobile.
Xuexing turned her head and saw Dugu Bo's gloomy face.
"Your Highness, I have protected you and Xue Beng for many years and have repaid your kindness. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Please don't blame me," Dugu Bo said calmly.
Prince Snowstar's pupils contracted sharply.
What did Dugu Bo mean by those words?
"Someone come here." Qian Renxue's voice rang out in the hall, neither too loud nor too soft, but everyone could hear it clearly.
"Take down Avalanche and Snowstar."
"Big brother! Are you crazy?!" Xue Beng jumped up in horror, "Father just left and you—"
Before he could finish speaking, two guards grabbed his arms, one on each side.
The avalanche struggled violently, but his meager strength was no match for the Imperial Guards.
"And—" Qian Renxue's gaze swept over the ministers present, finally settling on three people.
The three men's faces turned deathly pale in an instant.
"Take them with you."
Xue Ke was so frightened that she was trembling all over. She didn't know what was happening, she just clung tightly to Xue Ye's arm and stared at everything with wide eyes.
"Big brother...big brother, what are you doing?"
Qian Renxue glanced at Xue Ke.
A barely perceptible tenderness flickered in those golden eyes.
"Xueke, don't be afraid." Her voice softened.
"Go back to your palace and stay there. Don't come out. Your elder brother will handle everything from now on."
Xue Ke stared blankly at "Xue Qinghe," tears streaming down her face.
However, she was still forced to let go and left the bedchamber with the "help" of two palace maids.
The remaining ministers looked at each other, none of them daring to speak.
Marshal Goron stood there, frowning as he witnessed everything, remaining silent.
They are not unaware.
They had all seen some clues about the Crown Prince's plans over the past five years, but no one dared to expose them.
At this moment, the snowy night is dead, and the overall situation is settled.
Those who understand the times are wise.
"Gentlemen," Qian Renxue said, looking around at everyone, "My father left a will that I should inherit the throne. If any of you have any objections, you may raise them now."
No one spoke.
Qian Renxue nodded.
"very good."
That night, it was dark and windy.
In the palace prison, blood soaked the stone floor.
Neither Avalanche nor Snowstar survived that night.
They had a private army, spies planted in their ranks, and palace servants they bribed.
Before the inescapable net laid out by Qianrenxue, everything crumbled.
Qian Renxue didn't carry out a large-scale cleanup, but she didn't miss anyone who needed to be dealt with.
Clean, efficient, and without leaving any future problems.
Xueke was placed in the safest sleeping quarters in the palace, where she was cared for by special personnel.
Qian Renxue provided her with the best maids and the best imperial chefs, and specifically instructed the commander of the Imperial Guard that the princess's safety was the highest priority. She wanted her to be a princess in peace.
...
In the following days, the Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace underwent a complete overhaul.
Replace those that don't obey.
Those with ambiguous stances should be given a chance.
Stubborn fools... the prison doors will always be open to them.
Two weeks later.
The central square of Tiandou City was deserted as everyone flocked to it.
Wearing a dragon robe and a golden crown, Xue Qinghe officially ascended the throne as emperor in front of civil and military officials and tens of thousands of people.
The new emperor of the Heaven Dou Empire.
The city was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and firecrackers were set off, creating a joyous atmosphere.
The new emperor's first edict after ascending the throne caused quite a stir in the court.
Expand the reach of Soul Master education.
Special government offices were established to oversee public affairs, and anti-corruption supervision posts were set up in various towns and cities.
Encourage artisans to develop new technologies and establish an honor system for artisans.
etc...
Most of these policies are the result of discussions, revisions, and improvements made by Qian Renxue and Dongfang Jing over the past five years.
After hearing this, the senior officials in the court looked at each other in bewilderment.
Some people think the new emperor is too young and is taking too big a step.
Some people muttered to themselves, "These policies are good for ordinary people, but they sound like nothing but trouble for nobles like them."
But no one objected.
Because each of these policies hit the Tiandou Empire's sore spots.
Every policy was tailored to the specific problem, so precise that even the veteran officials couldn't find fault with it.
It is evident to the naked eye that the lives of the people of Tiandou City have been getting better and better since the new emperor ascended the throne.
late at night.
The Heavenly Dou Imperial Palace, atop its dome.
This is the highest point of the entire palace, and from here, you can see all the lights of Tiandou City.
Dongfang Jing sat cross-legged on the glazed tiles of the dome, motionless.
The night wind ruffled his robes and hair as he quietly gazed at the city before him.
Those lights, one by one, like scattered stars, formed a warm yellow sea in the darkness.
Behind every lamp is a home.
Some people are mending clothes under the lamp, some are calculating today's accounts, and some are putting their children to sleep.
Dongfang Jing stared at it for a long time.
Footsteps sounded behind me.
It was very soft, but Dongfang Jing heard it very clearly.
The footsteps stopped a few steps behind him, followed by silence.
Qian Renxue stood there, watching Dongfang Jing's back.
She's exhausted today.
After ascending the throne, he had a mountain of affairs to attend to. He spent the whole day reviewing memorials, meeting with more than a dozen groups of ministers, and dealing with the aftermath of the funeral on a snowy night.
But she didn't want to go back to her palace.
She wanted to come and find him.
Qian Renxue's gaze fell on Dongfang Jing's profile.
The moonlight outlined his silhouette—
A straight nose, a well-defined jawline, and deep, golden eyes.
Qian Renxue's heart raced.
It wasn't nervousness, nor fear.
It's just... I can't control myself.
Qian Renxue unconsciously tightened her legs, her red lips parted slightly, and her breathing became somewhat rapid.
Those golden phoenix eyes were fixed on Dongfang Jing, filled with intense possessiveness.
'He's mine!'
🔥 Read Ahead!
Unlock 40+ advanced chapters on Patreon.
👉 patreon.com/Ficthoria
(End of chapter)