RWNEFE -Chapter 530 Emperor Chongwu — Shen Lanxi!

“Grain, flour, vegetables, and other trades related to the people’s daily food supply shall close for only half a day.”

“All officials shall continue handling affairs as usual, and all government offices shall operate as normal. We must unite from top to bottom to ensure stability during the period of national mourning and prevent those with ill intent from taking advantage.”

The officials answered in unison, “Yes!”

Afterward, Shen Lanxi made further arrangements for the imperial harem.

“His Majesty was benevolent and would surely not wish too many consorts to be buried in sacrifice. Consorts who have borne children may remain in the palace and be supported. Those who have not borne children may either remain in the palace or choose to leave; the palace will provide them with a sum of silver to ensure they live the rest of their lives free from want.”

Officials whose daughters were in the palace knelt in gratitude. “The Regent Prince is merciful.”

Wang Bao called out, “If there are matters to report, present them now. If none, the court is dismissed!”

Naturally, no one raised any additional matters.

According to the customs of earlier dynasties, officials would have had to stand outside the hall or kneel to keep vigil for the emperor.

They were already advanced in age; if they had to endure such hardship for a full month, even if they did not die, they would lose half their lives.

Now that Shen Lanxi had exempted them from this duty, they were only too glad to leave.

After the southwestern tribes arrived, they were housed at the official guest residence.

Shen Lanxi entrusted their reception to Liu Yanhui.

“Your Highness, I plan that in two days I will first take them to tour the streets and alleys of the capital, and then bring them to the farms and factories in the suburbs.”

By the time that tour was completed, the national mourning period would be over.

After thinking for a moment, Shen Lanxi added two more places.

“Take them to the academies and the medical college as well. Let them also visit the women’s academy.”

“Yes!”

Liu Yanhui looked at the person buried in paperwork, hesitating as if he had something to say.

“Is there anything else?” Shen Lanxi asked when she noticed he had not left.

Liu Yanhui concealed what was on his mind and instead went to seek out Che Mingyuan, Wei Dongzhu, and others.

Under orderly arrangements, the period of national mourning passed in the blink of an eye.

A generation’s mighty emperor, who had once commanded storms and winds, stirred waves only when the mourning bells first rang. After that, he faded into history like still water.

On the second day after the mourning period ended, at the morning court, Liu Yanhui knelt and submitted a memorial.

“A nation cannot be without a ruler for even a single day. The Regent Prince is accomplished in both civil and military virtues, blameless before Heaven and Earth, and attentive to the hearts of the people. The common folk support her, auspicious signs appear frequently—these are the omens of a sage ruler in a prosperous age. I, on behalf of the Ministry of Revenue, respectfully request that the Regent Prince ascend the throne as Emperor!”

The court erupted in shock.

The three regent ministers exchanged glances, as if a heavy stone had finally dropped in their hearts, leaving clarity in its wake.

“This minister also respectfully requests the Regent Prince to ascend the throne!”

“And I as well…”

In the blink of an eye, more than half the court knelt devoutly, asking Shen Lanxi to become emperor.

Among those still standing, some looked pale, some bewildered, and others seemed to come to a sudden realization.

Mei Nanhua knelt. “This old minister respectfully requests the Regent Prince to ascend the throne!”

Liu Mingxin and Wu Yanzhi were both stunned.

The Grand Tutor was a veteran of three reigns and the late emperor’s teacher. He had always disliked Shen Lanxi and had repeatedly obstructed her in presiding over the imperial examinations and implementing reforms.

He should have been the least likely to support her—yet he was the first among the three to step forward.

Had everything they had seen before been false?

Had Shen Lanxi already reached an understanding with the Grand Tutor long ago…?

Wu Yanzhi knelt. “This old minister respectfully requests the Regent Prince to ascend the throne!”

Liu Mingxin had once thought he was the first to see through Shen Lanxi—but now he could only smile bitterly and slowly kneel.

“This old minister respectfully requests the Regent Prince to ascend the throne!”

The remaining officials felt as though they were dreaming.

These were the three regent ministers personally appointed by the late emperor—and they had yielded so easily.

Those who reacted quickly immediately knelt and cried out, “This minister respectfully requests the Regent Prince to ascend the throne.”

Those who reacted more slowly trembled as they knelt, saying nothing.

Shen Lanxi watched the scene in silence, her expression unreadable.

“Liu Yanhui, you have great nerve!”

Liu Yanhui replied anxiously, “Your Highness, this minister’s loyalty is sincere. All is for the foundation of Great Zhou and the peace of its people. If I harbor any selfish motives, may I be struck by lightning and die without a proper burial!”

Shen Lanxi frowned, her eyes dark, and no one could guess what she was thinking.

Wei Dongzhu knelt and spoke in a resonant voice: “Your Highness has successively recovered Dongchuan and the northwest, achieving great military merit. Later, you uncovered the truth behind the destruction of the Wei family army with wisdom and strategy. After that, you introduced new grain seeds, built irrigation works, established factories and a medical academy, and improved the people’s livelihood.”

“The Regent Prince has accomplished countless deeds that benefit the nation and the people—achievements that will endure for ages. In virtue, martial prowess, and wisdom, she surpasses the sages of old. If any other prince were to ascend the throne, we would not accept it!”

Song Daoxi stepped out from behind a screen and respectfully knelt before the hall.

“The disciples of Guigu appear in times of chaos only to seek a wise ruler and assist a sagely sovereign. The Regent Prince is the Heaven-ordained ruler of the world—the enlightened monarch whom Guigu has awaited for a hundred years!”

The entire court was in uproar.

Could it be that even Guigu had been won over by Shen Lanxi?

Could what Song Daoxi said truly be real?

No matter how hard they thought, they had never imagined that the destined ruler would be a woman.

“I respectfully beg the Regent Prince, for the sake of the people of the world, to ascend the throne!” Song Daoxi declared passionately.

Liu Yanhui echoed, “I respectfully beg the Regent Prince to consider the people of the world!”

More than half the officials joined in, shouting together.

Shen Lanxi’s brow gradually relaxed, and she said with a hint of helplessness: “I am but a woman. Thanks to His Majesty’s trust and the support of the officials, I have been able to reach my present position.”

“His Majesty trusted me, the officials trust me, and the people of the world support me. Therefore, I will not refuse. From this day forward, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to repaying the people of the realm, making Great Zhou ever more prosperous and strong, so that foreign enemies will not dare to invade!”

Liu Yanhui’s lips curled upward as he shouted, “Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live ten thousand years!”

The officials followed in unison, “Long live the Emperor! Long live! Long live ten thousand years!”

The tide had already turned. Even the unwilling officials could only kneel and bow with the rest.

…

News that Shen Lanxi had been enthroned before the court spread through the capital as if it had grown wings.

In less than an hour, the Ministry of Rites drafted her imperial title: Emperor Chongwu.

By the time Zhou Ruyuan received the news, a month had already passed.

Since arriving in Jinmen, he had struggled at every step. His third aunt was exceedingly cunning and gave not the slightest hint of letting him remain. On one hand, he had to settle the southwestern troops he had brought; on the other, he had to socialize with the powerful families of Jinmen, all while worrying about unfavorable news reaching him. Every step was fraught with difficulty.

Recently, Jiang Wuya had just offered him a plan, and he was still hesitating when news arrived—first that his mother had been buried in sacrifice, and then that Shen Lanxi had ascended the throne.

The two blows, one after the other, filled Zhou Ruyuan with rage and hatred; he wished he could march on the capital immediately.

“My lord, a small lack of patience will ruin great plans. Now is not the time to be bound by personal feelings. Hesitation only brings chaos,” Jiang Wuya said firmly.

Zhou Ruyuan’s eyes were red, but he forced himself not to show weakness before others.

His mother… how could Shen Lanxi dare?

Did she truly not fear that he would raise the banner of rebellion to ‘cleanse the court’?