tallest building

Wen Mingqian silently prayed in his heart: "Sister, General Bu, and that poor child, may your souls finally rest in peace."

Sister, the vow I made before your spirit has finally been fulfilled. From now on, I will continue to stay by the Crown Prince's side, fulfilling my duties as your mother, just as before.

At this moment, she felt more relaxed than ever before; the heavy burden that had been weighing on her shoulders for more than a decade could finally be lifted.

After the ceremony, they returned to the palace via the same route.

Wen Mingqian fell ill after returning to the palace.

Su Qingyun came to take her pulse and comforted her gently: "It's nothing serious. Your Highness is just feeling fatigued after your heart disease has been cured. Although the symptoms are severe, they are not a problem."

"I'll prescribe two doses of medicine. Take them morning and evening, calm your mind, and rest quietly. Your body will recover naturally."

Wen Mingqian's voice was hoarse, and he couldn't speak, but he just smiled and nodded.

She knew her own body well; it was always tense, and she dared not relax.

Once I relaxed, I couldn't bear it anymore. I had been holding on, thinking that I would finish the memorial service before collapsing, but now that the last thing on my mind was done, I couldn't hold back anymore.

She then took her medicine and went to sleep, where she had a long and chaotic dream, as if she had gone through all the events of her life.

When she opened her eyes again, the first thing she saw was a small head.

The prince fell asleep beside her bed.

She reached out and touched him tenderly, and the prince immediately woke up.

"Mother! You're awake! That's wonderful!" He called Wen Mingqian "Mother" as soon as he saw her wake up.

This is the name he's been called since he was a child; it's the most affectionate one.

"How long have I been asleep?" Wen Mingqian's voice was terribly hoarse.

“Three days and three nights.” The Crown Prince pursed his lips. “I was terrified. Every time I called the imperial physicians, they all said you were just too tired and fell asleep.”

"Yes! Mother was just too tired and slept for a while." Wen Mingqian reached out and lovingly touched his face, saying, "Mother will never leave you."

"Your Highness is finally awake! The Crown Prince was so worried! Are you hungry? Quickly try the soup this old servant made." Wei Fu came in with a smile, carrying a tray. "You'd better have some nourishing food."

"It smells so good!" Wen Mingqian was really hungry. He had slept for too long and his stomach was empty.

After finishing her meal, she felt much more energetic.

"What's the weather like outside? I want to go for a walk," Wen Mingqian asked Xiaoyue.

“The weather has been fine these days, but Your Majesty hasn’t left the house for several days, so you must keep yourself well covered up,” Xiaoyue said. “While you were asleep, we moved many plum blossoms to the palace, and they are in full bloom now. Your Majesty will be in a better mood if you enjoy the flowers.”

The palace had not planted plum blossoms for many years, but this winter many were moved from various places, and the fragrance of plum blossoms could be smelled everywhere.

Wen Mingqian and Shen Fu both love plum blossoms the most.

As she dressed and stepped out the door, she saw trees full of blooming red and white plum blossoms.

"I still remember when my sister and I were in the mountains. I was young and separated from my family, and I couldn't help but cry. Whenever that happened, Sister Shen would hug me and point to the plum tree in front of the window, telling me to be patient. I should be like that plum tree, enduring the sweltering summer and the freezing winter, and then I would bloom in full glory." Wen Mingqian couldn't help but recall those days.

Over the years, whenever she felt that life was unbearable, she would remember what Shen Fu had once said to him.

She did indeed endure the sweltering summer heat and the freezing winter cold, finally blossoming in full glory.

"Oh my, Your Highness, you're finally awake! Why are you outside so soon? Please don't catch a cold." Zhao Changming came in from outside and saw Wen Mingqian standing there, so he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects. "I feel very energetic. I've been catching up on my sleep these past few days," Wen Mingqian said with a smile.

"Your Majesty, there's some incredibly good news outside!" Zhao Changming said with a beaming smile.

"Oh? What's the good news?" Wen Mingqian asked.

"Master Yu from the Sanjing Academy has led over a hundred disciples to the capital," Zhao Changming said. "Isn't this wonderful news!"

With the downfall of the Dong family, a massive purge ensued throughout the imperial court.

Some people are worried that this will cause the job vacancy system to malfunction.

However, such worries were unnecessary, because the emperor soon issued an edict to hold a special imperial examination in February of the following year to select talented individuals.

Even more unexpectedly, hundreds of disciples from the Sanjing Academy came down the mountain and took the initiative to seek official positions. This caused a sensation in the capital, and people were spreading the news.

"Ah, my fellow disciples have arrived?!" The prince jumped for joy. "That's wonderful!"

"It's clear that Master Zhuge really cares about you," Wen Mingqian said with a smile. "He's obviously backing you up!"

Yingquan is the crown prince and the future emperor. He also comes from the Sanjing Academy, and these people are clearly here for him.

“Our Crown Prince is truly blessed,” Wei Fu said with satisfaction. “This old servant can already see the prosperous future ahead.”

The end of the year was fast approaching, and the palace was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. This year's palace banquet was more lively and grand than in previous years.

Liu Cuiyi was also among those invited, and she came to the Imperial Concubine's Palace with the palace maids.

Upon seeing Wen Mingqian, he quickly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine."

"No need for formalities, please sit down." Wen Mingqian smiled warmly and offered him a seat. "It's been so long since we last met. How is everything at home?"

"Your Majesty is so kind as to remember me. Everything is fine." Liu Cuiyi smiled at Wen Mingqian, her joy and relief evident. "I should have gone to the palace to congratulate Your Majesty long ago, but my status is too low, and I am in mourning..."

Her husband, Zhou Jingsan, passed away less than three years ago, and she is still observing mourning.

If Wen Mingqian hadn't summoned her to the palace, she wouldn't have dared to enter without permission.

“It’s not like we’re in mourning for our parents, so there’s no need to be so strict,” Wen Mingqian said with a smile. “I haven’t seen you in a long time, and I really miss you. From now on, you’re allowed to enter the palace on the first and fifteenth of each month. When you come again, remember to bring your child.”

In the first month of the following year, after the Lantern Festival, Wen Mingqian was to be crowned Empress.

Sitting in front of her dressing table, she looked at herself in the bronze mirror, dressed in a bright red brocade phoenix-embroidered jacket and wearing a crown with nine phoenixes holding pearls. She couldn't help but feel a little dazed.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious time is almost here, let's proceed with the ceremony!" Wei Fu and Zhao Changming urged from either side, "The Master of Ceremonies is already waiting there."

With the help of the palace servants, Wen Mingqian slowly got up and walked out.

She walked slowly onto the stage, facing the gazes of the crowd. The phoenix crown on her head forced her to stand straight and hold her head high. The heavy collar and hem of her auspicious robes made each step she took steady, dignified, and grounded.

"Consort Wen is virtuous and kind, with gentle appearance and refined character. Her virtue benefits the entire palace and brings blessings to the world. Moreover, she has rendered great service in supporting the nation and ensuring the stability of the ancestral temples, which is commendable. Therefore, she is hereby conferred the title of Empress to inform the world!"

Wen Mingqian stood on the back stage, receiving the book and the treasure.

The crowd below looked up at her as she stood dignified and composed on the backstage.

After braving wind, frost, snow, and rain, we finally reached the top of the building on a warm spring day. (End of Chapter)