Chapter 115

In the south, the modernization reform has achieved unprecedented success, which makes her more convinced that her path is correct. She believes that as long as she does not actively seek death and moves forward according to the established policy, she will surely become a wise and benevolent ruler like Qin Shihuang, Emperor Wu of Han, Emperor Taizong of Tang, and Emperor Chengzu of Ming.

How could Li Qingge be afraid of being infamous for killing these people? Her life motto is: not to have everything go her way, but to have a clear conscience. She knows that everything she does is for the future of the country and for the well-being of the people, so she is fearless.

Just as she was immersed in her own thoughts, a roar suddenly came from outside. The sound rolled in like thunder from the sky, shaking people’s minds. Li Qingge smiled slightly, and that smile was full of confidence and expectation: “The bigger the fist, the more powerful it is. Whoever wants to stop me, I will kill the gods and the Buddhas!”

After saying that, she turned and walked out of the palace with firm and powerful steps. Emperor Qianlong knew that it was the sound of an airplane, so he followed her out. The ministers didn’t know what happened, but when they saw the emperor and the princess walk out, they followed them.

After leaving the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the father, daughter and the ministers saw from afar a dozen small red dots approaching rapidly in the sky. Those red dots were particularly eye-catching in the blue sky, as if they were flames burning on the horizon, or as if they were a harbinger of some kind of change.

“What is this?” someone among the ministers exclaimed.

“It looks red, could it be a sunset glow?” another person asked puzzledly.

“No, how can the fire clouds move so fast?” someone else objected.

“Could it be… an immortal? An immortal has come to the world…” an elderly minister said in a trembling voice, with awe in his eyes.

“There are no immortals in the world. Don’t talk nonsense.” Emperor Qianlong interrupted him coldly, but his eyes were fixed on the red dots that were getting closer and closer.

As the five small red dots approached, they became larger and larger, and red steel giant eagles suddenly appeared before everyone’s eyes. Those giant eagles spread their wings and soared, bringing a terrifying visual impact, as if they were divine soldiers and generals descending from the sky.

“Oh my God, what is this?” The ministers exclaimed again.

“This thing seems to be made of iron. How can such a heavy thing fly?” someone asked in disbelief.

“Why? Why are these huge creatures flying here?” another person asked in horror, as if he had sensed some ominous sign.

Fighter planes flew over the Forbidden City, the roar was deafening, and the rotors on both sides rolled up a huge wave of sound. The sound wave swept over like a violent storm, making everyone present feel an indescribable shock.

In their impression, only the immortals and birds in myths and legends can fly. However, at this moment, they witnessed with their own eyes the scene of these huge creatures soaring in the sky. The scene was both spectacular and awe-inspiring, as if telling them that a new era has arrived.

More than a dozen fighter jets appeared at the same time, a festive fiery red, as if congratulating the new emperor on his ascension to the throne, the fusion of Da Yan and Da Qing. The fiery red was as hot and bright as a burning flame, illuminating the sky above the entire Forbidden City.

While the ministers were still in a daze, the Royal fighter planes had already landed steadily in the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The hatches opened quickly, and hundreds of people walked out of more than a dozen fighter planes. These hundreds of people were fully armed, carrying guns and live ammunition, wearing special bulletproof vests, wearing exquisite helmets, and wearing explosion-proof boots. Their steps were uniform and majestic, as if they were an invincible army.

“Oh my God, there is actually someone who can fly?” Exclamations broke out again among the ministers.

“These people are dressed so strangely, are they the guards of Nantianmen?” someone asked puzzledly.

“Incredible, so incredible!” another person exclaimed, with amazement flashing in his eyes.

“Miracle, miracle!” said an elderly minister in a trembling voice, as if he had witnessed some extraordinary power.

Hundreds of Royal Air Force soldiers got off the planes and formed several columns, heading straight towards Li Qingge. Their steps were firm and powerful, and every step seemed to tread on the hearts of the crowd. When they reached the Danbi Stone in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the team stopped.

“Royal Air Force Group A Squadron 9, greet Her Majesty the Queen, long live the Queen!” All the air force soldiers bowed to Li Qingge in unison, their voices resounding through the Hall of Supreme Harmony Square like waves crashing against the shore. Their voices were filled with awe and loyalty, as if they were swearing allegiance to a supreme monarch.

Instantly, the whole place fell silent. Except for Emperor Qianlong and Ji Xiaolan, who had followed Li Qingge to the south, everyone else stared at Li Qingge in amazement. They couldn’t believe what was happening before their eyes, and couldn’t believe that these warriors who looked like gods would actually bow down before a woman.

It’s incredible! They call themselves the Royal Air Force. Are they a part of the Great Yan Army? If so, then the military strength of the Great Yan is too terrifying, right? In the sky, no matter how powerful the artillery fire is, it is difficult to attack them. The Air Force is definitely a dimensionality reduction attack for the Navy and the Army. Imagine flying a plane with explosives, bombing wherever you don’t like. The ground and the air are far apart, so you can’t attack them at all, and you can only watch the person flying the plane do whatever he wants.

At the same time, the generals led by Agui also understood the fear of the Royal Air Force. They knew that in the face of such power, any traditional way of war would become meaningless. They looked at Li Qingge with awe and admiration, as if they were looking at a real god of war.

“Get up!” Li Qingge raised her hand to signal the air force soldiers to stand up. Her voice was cold and firm. She looked at those soldiers, her heart filled with pride and pride. These soldiers were the elites she had trained personally, and they were the pride and strength of Da Yan.

“Today is my big day, but some people are blind and deliberately picking on me. How do you think I should deal with this?” Li Qingge looked at the ministers who opposed her, her eyes revealing a fierce look. Although her voice was calm, it carried an unquestionable power.

“Kill!” The air force soldiers answered in unison, their voices shaking the heavens and echoing for a long time in the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Their voices were full of determination and resoluteness, as if they were announcing their loyalty and determination to the world.

“Okay, kill them!” Li Qingge’s eyes were sharp, and she used her telekinesis to suck the five ministers who opposed her closer. She looked at the horrified eyes of those ministers, but she had no mercy in her heart. She knew that these people were stumbling blocks that hindered her progress, and she had to get rid of them without hesitation.

As Li Qingge threw out, the air force soldiers pulled the trigger. Bang! Bang! Bang! The bullets shot out and instantly turned the five ministers into sieves. The five ministers stared with their eyes wide open. They didn’t even have time to scream before they were already dead. Their bodies fell to the ground weakly, as if they were telling of their sorrow and helplessness.

This scene frightened everyone present. They were shocked by the tremendous power of the Air Force pistol, and even more shocked by Li Qingge’s determination and decisiveness. They knew that from this moment on, a new era had arrived, and Li Qingge was the one who led the change of the era.

The ministers were so frightened that they were as silent as cicadas in winter. They even breathed cautiously, as if any sound would disturb the woman standing on the high steps – Li Qingge. Their eyes were full of awe and uneasiness. They stared at her blankly, as if they were facing a god who had descended from the sky, rather than the fifth daughter of the emperor who was regarded as an alien in the past.

The sun was rising, and a gentle blush appeared on the horizon. The golden sunlight penetrated the mist and gently fell on the red brocade dragon robe with twelve chapters that Li Qingge was wearing. The gold and silver threads on the dragon robe sparkled in the sun, and each line seemed to tell of the glory and honor of a thousand years. The golden dragon pattern was even more lifelike, as if it could break free of the restraints of the clothes at any time, soar into the sky, and fly freely above the nine heavens, showing supreme majesty and power.

Li Qingge’s eyes were as sharp as torches as she slowly swept across the people in the audience. A faint and slightly sarcastic smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. Although her voice was soft, it was clearly heard by everyone: “Who else said that I am not worthy of sitting on the throne? Stand up quickly!” Her tone showed both confidence in power and sarcasm towards those who had looked down on her.

The ministers lowered their heads, some even dared not look her in the eye, the whole hall was silent, even the air seemed frozen, no one dared to answer her questions. Their hearts were filled with complex emotions: fear, surprise, unwillingness… but more of it was uncertainty about the future and awe of the new emperor.

At this time, Emperor Qianlong spoke slowly. Although his voice sounded old, it still carried unquestionable majesty: “Since you all have no objection, I will pass the throne to the fifth daughter, Li Qingge. From today on, she is the seventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty.” After saying this, he cleverly gave Li Qingge the title of “the seventh emperor of the Qing Dynasty”. This move was both a recognition of her and a protection for himself. After all, the Qing Dynasty ended in the hands of the seventh emperor, which had nothing to do with him, Qianlong, and his reputation and status were preserved.

Emperor Qianlong’s move made the ministers present feel mixed emotions. Although they were dissatisfied, they could do nothing about it. They could only sigh in their hearts that Emperor Qianlong’s ability to pass the buck was really unique, as if he had opened a kitchenware store in his previous life and could handle all kinds of “pots” with ease.

“The Emperor is wise!” The ministers were shocked by the power of the planes and pistols of the Dayan Air Force. Although they were unwilling, they could only succumb to reality. They quickly turned around and knelt before Li Qingge, shouting: “Your Majesty, we pay our respects to the Empress. Long live the Emperor!” There was a tremor in their voices, but it also revealed their awe and submission to the new Emperor.

Looking at this scene, Li Qingge’s heart was filled with unspeakable emotion. After so many years, she had experienced countless hardships and tribulations, and finally waited for this day after painstaking planning. The Great Yan and the Great Qing merged, and the entire Shenzhou land achieved unprecedented unification. The Great Yan became a truly unified dynasty. And she, Li Qingge, as the queen of the Great Yan, will also be promoted from “Her Majesty the Queen” to “Her Majesty the Queen”, truly ruling the world, which is the status and honor that many people dream of.

After the abdication ceremony, the news that Qianlong had abdicated to the Queen of Dayan spread quickly in the capital like a spring breeze, and then spread to all parts of the north at an astonishing speed. This news was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, stirring up layers of waves and attracting the attention and discussion of countless people.

The Manchus of the Eight Banners usually enjoy the honor of nobility. Except for the royal family, almost everyone regards themselves as “master”. Their interests are closely linked to the Qing Dynasty and the royal family. How can they tolerate the fact that the Qing Dynasty was annexed by the Yan Dynasty? Therefore, the Eight Banners took quick action and conspired to imitate the coup of the Ming Dynasty, eliminate the “traitors” around the emperor, kill the “witch” Li Qingge, and restore the throne of Emperor Qianlong.

However, just as their plan was put into action, Li Qingge’s army appeared in front of them like a god. The soldiers held machine guns and fired a barrage of shots, and the rebels fell one after another. The ground was stained with blood, and the air was filled with a pungent smell of blood. Li Qingge suppressed the rebellion with iron-blooded means, showing her majesty and decisiveness as an empress.

Although the people in the former dynasty and the harem were unwilling, they could only accept the fact that Li Qingge became the ruler of the Qing Dynasty under Li Qingge’s strong suppression. Although they surrendered on the surface, they were full of complicated emotions in their hearts: some were hostile to Li Qingge, some had expectations for her, and some were full of confusion and anxiety about the future.

Although Qianlong repeatedly emphasized that Li Qingge was his biological daughter and had pure Manchu blood, some people still did not recognize her. They believed that although Li Qingge had the identity of a Manchu, she had been wandering among the people for so many years that her heart had already leaned towards the Han people. Otherwise, how could she have started a rebellion? How could she have established a Han court?
These people were full of suspicion and distrust of Li Qingge’s identity and position. They were worried that if she became the empress, how would the Manchu officials maintain their advantage in the future and continue to suppress the Han officials? The previous Qing emperors always said “Manchu and Han are one family”, but it is undeniable that the Manchus have always been superior to the Han people. Look at the ministers who are entitled to be worshipped in the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Except for Zhang Tingyu, they are all Manchus. This is enough to show the status and influence of the Manchus in the Qing court.

Therefore, what they valued was not whether Li Qingge had royal blood, but which side her heart was on. They were worried that an empress who was loyal to the Han people would change the traditions and system of the Qing Dynasty and threaten the status of the Manchus. However, these concerns and speculations seemed so pale and powerless under Li Qingge’s iron-blooded methods and strong rule. She proved her determination and ability with her actions, and gradually shut up those who questioned her.

With the Han Dynasty in her heart, it was a deep and passionate emotion, like a raging fire, which made her opponents feel afraid, as if they were facing an invincible force. Li Qingge, this legendary woman, not only carried deep affection for her homeland in her heart, but also had a thunderous determination and courage. It was this power that allowed her to quell the riots at that time in the wind and rain, like a dazzling lightning that broke through the dark sky. In Jinling City, when Liu Yong received the news from Li Qingge, it was spring, with flowers blooming and catkins flying. He stood on the high platform of the Imperial Garden, looking out at the land in the south illuminated by hope, with complex emotions surging in his heart. The promulgation of the edict was both expected and the long-awaited fruit of victory for him. He knew that all this peace and order came from Li Qingge’s power and wisdom that should not be underestimated.

In this edict, Li Qingge tells the mystery of her life in an almost candid manner. Her words, like the spring drizzle, gently sprinkled on everyone’s heart, and people can’t help but be moved by her experience. She was once a speck of dust among the people, adopted by the Jin couple. The days of displacement have now become the most precious tempering in her life. Her story, like an exciting poem, inspires everyone who hears it, making them believe that even if they are born in a humble family, they can rewrite their destiny and achieve extraordinary achievements.

As soon as the edict was issued, the whole society seemed to be shaken by an invisible force, and public opinion surged like a tide. The transportation in the south is like the blood vessels of the human body, extending in all directions, and the speed of news dissemination is astonishingly fast. The news that Li Qingge ascended the throne and became the emperor of the Qing Dynasty was like a spring breeze, quickly blowing through every corner of the Yan Dynasty.

The court officials, dressed in gorgeous clothes, looked astonished. They discussed the matter in the magnificent palace, and their voices echoed in the empty hall, which seemed particularly loud. The ordinary people, on the streets, spread the news by word of mouth. Their faces showed both shock and expectation. They never thought that a princess who once wandered among the people could cross two dynasties and become the empress who dominated everything.

Although the Manchurian Eight Banners in the north bowed their heads on the surface, deep in their hearts, their unwillingness and arrogance were like an undercurrent that was difficult to calm down. They could not accept that a woman, especially such a woman of humble origin, could stand above them and point out the way forward. However, the people in the south accepted Li Qingge with an almost blind enthusiasm. They did not care about bloodline or origin, but only about who could bring them peace and happiness. In their hearts, Li Qingge was the god who could lead them to light.

Li Qingge, the queen, has made achievements as bright as the stars. She promoted super rice, solved the problem of hunger, and made the people no longer worry about food and clothing; she developed the textile industry, making ordinary clothes good quality and cheap, so that every family can wear warm clothes. Every decision she made was like a spring breeze, nourishing the hearts of the people and making them feel unprecedented happiness and peace.

However, the cycle of history is always full of cruelty and helplessness. The rulers of successive dynasties often only know how to exploit the people and ignore the suffering of the people, which leads to peasant uprisings and the continuous change of dynasties. Li Qingge knows this very well. She does not want to repeat the same mistakes. She wants to break this vicious cycle with her own actions and let the people really live a good life.

The merchants, or entrepreneurs in the south, were filled with unconcealed joy when they heard the news of Li Qingge’s ascension to the throne. They knew that the empress’s reforms would bring them unprecedented business opportunities. Market competition in the south was becoming increasingly fierce, and various companies and enterprises were competing fiercely in technology, quality, and price to cope with the crisis of market saturation. However, Li Qingge quietly took over the north, which gave them new hope.

The north was the territory of the Manchu nobles, where many wealthy families gathered and the market potential was huge. After the unification of the north and the south, the border was opened. If these entrepreneurs could take the opportunity to enter the northern market and open up the market with cheap industrial products, they would undoubtedly make a lot of money. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for them, a great opportunity to take their careers to the next level.

The ascension of a new emperor is always accompanied by a series of reforms and changes. Li Qingge is no exception. Her first move was to abolish the name of the Qing Dynasty, unify the north and the south, and make the Yan Dynasty a complete empire. This is a seed that had been planted in her heart for a long time, and now it has finally blossomed and borne fruit. Her previous recognition of relatives and banquets were all paving the way for this plan. Although everyone had long expected that she would abolish the name of the country, the issuance of the edict still caught everyone off guard. After all, changing the name of the country is not a trivial matter. It is related to the dignity and honor of the country. However, when people think of the powerful army behind Li Qingge and her unshakable determination, they feel that this decision is reasonable.

The empress holds great power, and every decision she makes is as powerful as thunder and irresistible. Some people wonder, since Qianlong passed the throne to Li Qingge, and she is of royal blood, why didn’t he let her change her surname to Aisin-Gioro? This question does not actually need an answer. Because Aisin-Gioro means “gold” in Manchu, and can also be directly called the Jin family. After the demise of the previous Qing Dynasty, many royal families changed their surnames to Jin in order to avoid disaster. This is the reason. Aisin-Gioro and Jin both mean gold, implying dignity and glory. For Li Qingge, no matter what her surname is, she is the empress who can lead the country to prosperity.

In addition to her surname, Li Qingge also issued an edict, announcing that she would practice benevolence and filial piety after ascending the throne. She respectfully called her grandmother, Empress Dowager Chongqing, Nianhulu, the Grand Empress Dowager, and her biological father, Qianlong, the Supreme Emperor, and gave him the title of “Yuan Shou”. She also respectfully called her biological mother, Nara, the Supreme Empress, and gave her the title of “Yuan Chen”. This edict once again made people feel Li Qingge’s deep affection and wisdom.

Qianlong’s title of “Yuan Shou” means longevity and well-being, which is Li Qingge’s good wishes for her father. And Nara’s title of “Yuan Chen” reminds people of Taizong Huang Taiji’s favorite concubine Hai Lanzhu. Hai Lanzhu was named Chen Fei during her lifetime, and was posthumously named Minhui Gonghe Yuan Fei after her death. Chen is the place where the North Star is located, and it is also a nickname for the emperor. This title is undoubtedly a great honor for a woman. Even Empress Wu Zetian did not get the title of “Chen”, which shows how precious and important it is.

“Yuan” and “Chen” are both titles used by the emperor to express special favor. Li Qingge used these two words to honor her mother, undoubtedly announcing to the world her deep affection and respect for her mother. The title of “Yuan Shou” of the emperor became a foil in front of “Yuan Chen”. Qianlong knew that Li Qingge honored her mother in this way because she resented him for neglecting Nara. Although he was unwilling in his heart, he could do nothing about it. After all, this was a daughter’s filial piety to her mother, which he could not deprive.

The emperor was honored as Yuanshou. Although he looked old, he still exuded a kind of awe-inspiring temperament, and his brows were filled with wisdom accumulated over the years. The empress was honored as Yuanchen. She was dignified and elegant, with a gentle smile on her lips. Standing side by side with the emperor, they looked like a harmonious and happy couple. The years were peaceful, as if all the troubles in the world had nothing to do with them.

The new emperor treated his biological mother so well, not only bestowing supreme honor upon her, but also causing a stir in the court and the harem. The entire court and harem were shocked, as if a huge rock suddenly hit the calm lake, splashing layers of ripples.

Some people were happy, thinking that this was the best interpretation of filial piety; some were jealous, envious of the power and status that the Nara clan gained as a result; some were resentful, thinking that the new emperor’s move had broken the old balance and made the already turbulent situation even more confusing.

The happiest people were the Empress Dowager’s family, the Nara clan. The Nara mansion was decorated with lanterns and was filled with joy. Upon hearing the news of the honorific title, the Nara clan members were so excited that they jumped up, as if the years of frustration and forbearance had finally been released at this moment.

Although the Nara clan was a large family that had produced many queens, after a hundred years, the family’s vigor had been greatly reduced, and the favor was no longer as deep as before, and gradually fell to the bottom of the nobility. When Emperor Qianlong canonized the empress, the Nara clan regained the glory of the empress family. But everyone in the clan understood that this queen was canonized because of the empress dowager. In terms of status, she was not as good as the early deceased Empress Xiaoxian; in terms of feelings, she was far inferior, and the gap was like an insurmountable gap.

Therefore, as descendants of the Fucha clan and the Nara clan, the former was full of glory and honor, while the latter could only live a miserable life with that little glory. It was originally thought that the Nara clan would have to wait until Emperor Qianlong passed away and the 12th Prince ascended the throne before they could revive their family. But who could have thought that the world is unpredictable, the Great Yan Dynasty rose and destroyed the Qing Dynasty, and made the Nara clan the mother clan of the new emperor.

The new emperor was the founding emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty. She was heroic and valiant, and her eyebrows revealed a heroic spirit that women were no less than men. Because of her daughter, the status of the Nara family soared, catching up with the first ancestor of the Qing Dynasty, the Yehenara family. At this time, the Manchu, Mongolian and Han Eight Banners envied the good fortune of the Nara family, as if overnight, the Nara family became a hot commodity in everyone’s eyes.

The Great Yan replaced the Great Qing and unified China. Those Eight Banner nobles who were closely connected with the Great Qing would inevitably be suppressed by the new emperor and gradually decline. This situation has almost become a foregone conclusion. The only exception is the Nara family. People are all made of flesh and blood. Although the empress suppressed the Eight Banners, she would not let her mother’s family be wronged. On the contrary, with the support of the empress, the Nara family may be able to get rid of the old decline and become the most powerful family in the Eight Banners.

Other families were declining, but the Nara family was the only one on the rise. How could this not make people envious, jealous, and resentful? Compared with the Nara family’s jubilation, the Fucha family was as sad as if they had suffered a funeral. There was a dead silence in their mansion, as if even the air had frozen.

Although there is no ban on illegitimate children in the Central Plains, and concubines cannot be promoted to the first wife, there is still a clear order of seniority and distinction between legitimate and illegitimate wives. As both empresses, Nara, as the successor, is inferior to Fucha as the first empress in terms of both status and etiquette. When emperors of all dynasties ascended the throne, they honored the legitimate mother first and then the biological mother. When scholars and officials were promoted to higher positions, they also honored the legitimate mother first and then the biological mother. If the biological mother was a concubine, she could not receive an imperial decree unless she had made great contributions or received special favors.

The emperor should set an example for the people of the world, strictly abide by the etiquette, and distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children. Moreover, the dead are the most important, and the dead should be honored first, and then the living. In terms of emotion and reason, Empress Li Qingge should first honor the first wife of the retired emperor, and then honor her own mother. However, Li Qingge not only honored her own mother first, but also claimed that she had no intention of honoring the deceased Empress Fucha.

This news was like a bolt from the blue, and the Fucha clan fell into deep panic. The posthumous titles of the Qing emperors and their concubines were a very serious and important matter. The first deceased empress was given a posthumous title of twelve characters, and her descendants added two characters each, for a total of sixteen characters. Except for the shameless Empress Dowager Cixi, who was given a twenty-two-character title by her niece at the end of her life, all other empresses were like this. The posthumous title of Empress Xiaoxian was originally conferred once by Jiaqing and again by Daoguang, for a total of sixteen characters.

Li Qingge traveled through time and rewrote history, and this responsibility fell on her. But unlike Jiaqing, who was the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, she was the empress of the Great Yan Dynasty. If Empress Xiaoxian is concerned, she is only the empress of the previous dynasty, and whether to posthumously confer a title is still to be discussed. Posthumously conferring a title would show filial piety, and no one would blame her if she did not. After all, a new emperor appoints his own ministers, and the imperial sword of the previous dynasty cannot kill the officials of today.

When the Fucha clan heard the news, they were all restless. They were worried that if the new emperor did not posthumously confer the title on Empress Xiaoxian, it would bring shame to the entire family and leave a bad reputation of being unfilial in history books. The posthumous title is the final judgment of a person after death, and it is also a summary of his virtues. In ancient times, the dead were treated as the living, and posthumous titles were very important and could affect the entire family.

After the merger of the Qing Dynasty and the Great Yan Dynasty, the Aisin-Gioro family can seamlessly connect with their bloodline, but other families cannot. The Fucha family was extremely glorious during the Qianlong Dynasty, but in the eyes of the new emperor, they may have become a thorn in the eye and a thorn in the flesh. The best way to avoid being suppressed is to let the new emperor posthumously confer the title of Empress Xiaoxian. Once the title is conferred, Empress Xiaoxian will become the legitimate mother, and the Fucha family will become the new emperor’s maternal family. In this way, although it is not as close as the Nara family, at least it can be accepted on the surface. In the future, when the new emperor deals with the affairs of the Eight Banners, he will not dare to go too far, thinking that the Fucha family is the maternal family, so as not to give people a reason to accuse him of being mean and ungrateful and disregarding filial piety.

However, Li Qingge’s idea is completely different from Fucha’s. Her Great Yan Dynasty implemented modern laws. How can there be a distinction between biological mother and legal mother? Whoever gave birth to the child is the mother. Whether it is a wife or concubine or the first wife or the second wife, only blood ties and deep feelings of raising can constitute a legal mother-child relationship. Even if the Empress Xiaoxian is posthumously named, this fact cannot be changed. Those who should be dealt with will eventually be dealt with.

The abdication edict of the retired emperor came suddenly, like a thunderbolt breaking through the sky, which surprised everyone. After Fucha knew that the Great Yan Empress was born to Nara, she had an ominous premonition. Now seeing that the new emperor only respected his biological mother and did not posthumously confer the title of the retired emperor on the Empress, she was even more flustered.

“What should we do? Does the Queen really not intend to confer a title on our aunt?” Fu Longan asked anxiously in the Fucha Mansion. His brows were furrowed, and his eyes revealed deep worry. After Fu Heng and Fu Ling’an were killed by Li Qingge, Fu Longan became the backbone of the Fucha family. He married Qianlong’s Princess Heshuo Hejia, and his status became even more prominent. However, it didn’t take long for him to be proud, and he suffered such a heavy blow. How could he bear it?
Fu Longan was like an ant on a hot pot, anxious and running around. He knew very well that if the new emperor did not posthumously confer the title of Empress Xiaoxian, the Fucha clan would face an unprecedented crisis. He had to do everything he could to make the new emperor change his mind and confer the title of Empress Xiaoxian posthumously in order to preserve the family’s honor and status. However, facing the new emperor’s unwavering determination, what should he do?
Princess Hejia comforted Fulongan in a gentle and firm voice, like a ray of warm sunshine penetrating the haze, trying to illuminate the corner of Fulongan’s heart. “Don’t think so. The emperor passed the throne to her, and my aunt is someone the emperor cares about. It is not reasonable for her to let my aunt be humiliated after her death.” Her eyes were full of understanding and sympathy, and her slender fingers gently rested on the back of Fulongan’s hand, giving him silent support.

Fu Longan’s face was gloomy, as if covered by a thick cloud. He sighed, his voice revealing an undisguised worry. “If the empress really wanted to confer a title on my aunt, why hasn’t she issued an edict yet? My biological mother has been honored, but my stepmother hasn’t been honored. How can this be justified?” His brows were furrowed, his eyes flickering with confusion and puzzlement.

Princess Hejia’s throat tightened when she was asked. She opened her mouth but was speechless. She knew in her heart that the Qing Dynasty no longer existed and that the Yan Dynasty was now in power. A new emperor appoints new ministers, not to mention the change of two countries. She thought of the experiences of the royal family and ministers clearly recorded in the history books, and she couldn’t help but feel an indescribable bitterness in her heart.

“Fu Longan, you and I both know that the world has changed.” Princess Hejia’s voice was low and helpless. She held Fu Longan’s hand tightly, trying to give him some strength. “Our Fucha family was once so glorious, but now…”

Fu Longan closed his eyes, and the splitting headache came again. He seemed to see the former glory of the Fucha family shattered like a bubble, replaced by endless embarrassment and difficulties. He took a deep breath and tried to calm the waves in his heart.

……

The changes in the harem of the previous dynasty had no effect on Empress Dowager Nara. She sat on a bright yellow phoenix carriage, wearing gorgeous and complicated clothes, and was carried step by step to Ningshou Palace by palace maids. Her face was calm and majestic, as if everything was under control.

Ningshou Palace was built by Emperor Kangxi for Empress Dowager Xiaohui. After Emperor Qianlong ascended the throne, he followed his grandfather’s example and rebuilt the palace as his residence after his abdication. The palace is magnificent, with carved beams and painted buildings, and is extremely gorgeous. Looking at all this, Nara felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

At this moment, she was receiving the worship of the concubines of the six palaces. They knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, being extremely respectful and obedient. Nara’s eyes swept over everyone and finally fell on her mortal enemy, Ling Taipin. Ling Taipin was kneeling in front of her with a big belly, and her humiliation and resentment were beyond words. Nara’s heart was filled with pleasure. She gnashed her teeth and thought: This coquettish little bitch, who used to want to become the Holy Mother Empress Dowager by relying on her son’s status, what happened to her now? My daughter has succeeded to the throne, you will get nothing, and you will suffer under my hands in the future.

Emperor Qianlong, the retired emperor, also supported Nara and said, “The retired empress is kind and generous. You only need to come to pay your respects on the first and fifteenth day of each month. You don’t have to come to visit her every morning and evening. But you must be attentive when you pay your respects. Whoever dares to treat her badly, the new emperor may not have the heart to blame your stepmother, but I will not let you off easily either.” His voice was majestic and powerful, causing everyone present to feel a palpitation in their hearts.

“Yes, we will follow the order of the Supreme Emperor. We, your concubines, are extremely happy to receive instruction from the Supreme Empress!” Qianlong’s concubines were more respectful and obedient than each other. They knew very well the importance of the Supreme Empress and dared not neglect her in the slightest.

After the worship, Nara saw Concubine Ling leave in anger, and she felt happy. She turned to Rong Mama beside her and said, “This little bitch was so arrogant when she was favored before, but now she has ended up like this. It’s really retribution!”

Madam Rong said bitterly: “She has already become a concubine, but she still hasn’t changed her coquettish look. She kept flirting with the emperor during the court ceremony. She is so shameless. Your Majesty, should we…” After she finished speaking, she made a gesture of raising her hand and cutting with a knife.

Nara shook her head, a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes, “The harem is as deep as the sea. Death is not scary. What is scary is that you can neither live nor die. This little bitch has been favored for many years. She is strong-willed and has offended many people. Now she has suddenly lost her power and her beautiful dream has been shattered. It is a hundred times more painful than death. How can I let her die quickly?”

Rong Mama understood what she meant and said gloomily, “The Queen spared her life for this reason. Now everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Ling is hated by the Queen and the Queen. Without the Queen saying anything, those who curry favor with the powerful will naturally help her and ‘take care of’ Concubine Ling.”