TRBDM -Chapter 236 The New Emperor Ascends

The next day, Lin Juehui arrived at the Mingde Marquis Mansion.

“A-Rong, you weren’t hurt, right?”

Yesterday, Lin Juehui had learned that the Mingde Marquis Mansion had been attacked, and she had spent the entire night worrying, unable to sleep. As soon as dawn broke, she came over.

“Juehui, why are you here? The outside world is still unstable—didn’t I tell you to stay at the Nanyang Marquis Mansion and not go out?”

Wei Zhaorong frowned as soon as she saw her.

The guards at the Nanyang General’s Mansion were all seasoned soldiers who had faced life-and-death situations; their defensive capabilities far surpassed anything the Mingde Mansion could muster. Staying there was the safest option for Lin Juehui. Venturing out now was unnecessarily risky.

“I just couldn’t help worrying about you. I’m fine,” Lin Juehui said nonchalantly. “Quick, tell me—what exactly happened yesterday?”

Wei Zhaorong led her to a pavilion to sit and recounted every detail of the previous day.

Throughout the retelling, Lin Juehui repeatedly covered her mouth in shock. The Mingde Mansion had truly been in grave danger; a single misstep, and Wei Zhaorong wouldn’t have survived intact.

“Thanks to Xie Lan—he drew the assassins away, giving you a chance to escape.”

Wei Zhaorong nodded, a mixture of sweetness and sorrow in her heart. “Yes… thanks to Lan’er.”

In her previous life, she had memories that allowed her to support Xie Lan—not only out of guilt, but also to place the burden of bringing glory to the Marquis Mansion on him.

Xie Lan had lived up to her expectations. Now, as Mr. Dong’s prized disciple, if all went well, he had a strong chance of passing the top-tier imperial exams.

When that time came, Xie Lan would truly bring honor to the Marquis Mansion.

Unexpectedly, by a twist of fate, it was Xie Lan who had saved her life again.

The cycle of cause and effect was real: doing a good deed could bring returns far beyond expectation.

Wei Zhaorong truly treated Xie Lan like her own son. During the attack, both of the mansion’s sons had displayed courage and decisiveness, even risking themselves for their family. Thinking of them filled her with pride—and worry.

“By the way, I heard Xie Chuan was injured. Where was he hurt? Is it serious?” Lin Juehui asked.

Mention of Xie Chuan softened Wei Zhaorong’s heart. “Chuan’er was stabbed in the lower back by an assassin while protecting his elder sisters. Luckily, it’s not life-threatening; he just needs time to recover.”

Xie Chuan, a once-indulgent playboy, had a reputation Lin Juehui was familiar with. In her memory, a frivolous son of privilege would have been the first to flee in danger.

She never expected this playboy to risk his life to protect his family.

It was undeniable—Wei Zhaorong had raised her children well.

“Xie Chuan has grown up. I think, after this incident, he’s capable of bearing greater responsibilities.”

Wei Zhaorong shook her head with a smile. “It’s fine. We don’t ask much of him. Now, as long as he recovers and lives peacefully with Shuyao, I’ll support whatever he wishes to do.”

In the face of life, everything else was trivial.

Moreover, Xie Chuan’s transformation was evident to all. Wei Zhaorong hadn’t anticipated such a profound change.

The main household was thriving, and Dou Shuyao would have a happy life for the rest of her days.

They talked for quite a while longer, then Lin Juehui got up to visit Xie Chuan at the Ruixiang Courtyard.

Since she had come in haste, she hadn’t brought any gifts. Instead, she gave Xie Chuan a string of Buddhist prayer beads she often wore herself.

Xie Chuan, though awake, was extremely weak and lacked the strength to speak.

Lin Juehui handed the beads to Dou Shuyao.

Dou Shuyao immediately refused. “Madam Nanyang, such precious beads… please keep them for yourself.”

“Shuyao, don’t mind that I’ve used them. Prayer beads need daily handling. I’ve used these for ten years. See? Don’t they look like beeswax soaked in morning dew?”

Dou Shuyao looked down. Each bead gleamed a honeyed amber, as if autumn sunlight had been condensed into solid form.

Lin Juehui held her hand and smiled: “Accept them. They’ll protect Xie Chuan.”

At this point, it would have been insincere to refuse.

“Thank you, Madam Nanyang.”

Dou Shuyao resolved that whenever a valuable, high-quality item entered the household in the future, she would find a reason to give it to Madam Nanyang. She couldn’t simply accept gifts without reciprocating.

“All right, it’s getting late. I should return to my mansion.”

“I’ll see you out.”

Hearing Lin Juehui intended to leave, Wei Zhaorong invited her to stay for a meal.

Lin Juehui declined. “There’s much to handle at home. My husband has been busy assisting the Emperor with state affairs and is often away. Everything falls to me at home.”

Indeed, as the mistress of the house, she had little time to dine elsewhere.

Wei Zhaorong understood perfectly: “I see. Then I won’t insist. Once the political situation stabilizes, we’ll have a proper gathering.”

“Mm.”

The Mingde Marquis Mansion and the Nanyang General’s family were both key supporters of the new emperor. The two households were already tightly bound.

Maintaining stability for the new emperor was now the top priority.

In the Dachong Dynasty, the new emperor ascended the throne, surprising everyone.

It was none other than the overlooked Tenth Prince, Zhao Jingheng, who had the last laugh.

With the transfer of imperial power, the court trembled. To secure the Dragon Throne, Zhao Jingheng had worked day and night for half a month.

Soon, the enthronement ceremony arrived.

Zhao Lingchen attended in full regalia.

She had personally selected this emperor, and naturally, she wanted to witness him taking the throne.

Civil and military officials, dressed in formal court attire, entered the square and the Taihe Hall according to their rank, standing solemnly in waiting.

The new emperor, Zhao Jingheng, donned the imperial robes and crown. Surrounded by guards and attendants, he set out from the palace quarters toward Taihe Hall.

The officials knelt in unison, performing the three kneels and nine kowtows: “Long live our Emperor! Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousands of years!”