After conquering seven male favorites, the vicious heroine wants to run away

Chapter 247 The Next Empress

As dawn broke, the dappled sunlight filtered through the leaves and slanted across the bed in the room.

Fusheng, who woke up early, looked at the sleeping woman. Although he hadn't done everything last night, he had exhausted himself by trying to do too much.

"Nuan Nuan, get up."

The person sleeping soundly was disturbed and turned away from him in displeasure.

"Don't disturb my sleep."

Fu Sheng smiled calmly, held her in his arms, and picked up the medical book beside the bed to read it.

Remembering what his elder brother had said that day, that pursuing the highest level of medical skills was his lifelong goal, he knew he should indeed make a trip to Dongchen.

Every day they spend together is one less day they will have together; he should set off after the imperial examination.

After a stick of incense had burned, Shi Nuanyu, who had slept well, finally woke up and lazily stretched.

"Fusheng, why are you up so early?"

The self-discipline of the men around her was something she could only dream of.

Fusheng put down his medical book and helped her tidy her messy hair. "Are you hungry?"

She buried her head in his chest and nuzzled against him; the pleasant scent of herbs and trees soothed her mind and body.

"It smells so good."

A fleeting warmth crossed Fusheng's eyes as he reported on his day's activities.

"I'm going to Fukuzawa-ji Temple today, and I'll be back in two or three days."

Thinking of the old abbot's health condition, Shi Nuanyu felt worried.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

Fusheng declined softly, "The abbot prefers quiet; I can go alone."

He reluctantly got up to put on his outer robe, and then helped her put on her clothes.

Shi Nuanyu pouted, "That sounds nice, but the abbot just doesn't want to see the royal family."

She's not stupid; she knows what the people at Fukuzawaji Temple are thinking.

In the abbot's eyes, she was a villain who abducted his favorite disciple.

Fusheng smiled but remained silent, clearly agreeing with her statement, and gently kneaded her hand in response.

"Willingly."

Realizing what he meant, Shi Nuanyu couldn't help but feel smug.

"No one can resist my charm."

"Resist? How do you expect me to resist?"

In the residence of the Second Prince of Dongchen Kingdom, the Second Prince's eyes were wide with anger, and his hands trembled as he clutched several memorials impeaching him.

Within just half a month, memorials impeaching him piled up like mountains, and court officials who supported the Ninth Prince began to take action.

Why!
His resentment and anger surged forth, and with a fierce look on his face, he threw the memorial into the brazier.

The ninth prince is only nine years old; what right does he have to gain the support of half the court officials?

The advisors standing nearby were terrified at the sight. Burning memorials was a serious crime, yet the Second Prince had no scruples whatsoever.

The group exchanged glances, secretly plotting their escape routes.

The second prince sneered, "Gentlemen, if you don't want Father to discover that we've formed a clique, you'd better consider your own status."

It's not that easy for grasshoppers in the same boat to get away now.

The advisors chuckled awkwardly and pledged their loyalty.

"You are all loyal and devoted, and you would gladly die for your cause."

They all knew that if they dared to show even the slightest disloyalty today, they would not be able to leave the Second Prince's residence.

A guard rushed over and handed over a note. The second prince glanced at the contents of the note and flew into a rage.

"Okay, very good."

He tore the note to shreds and shouted angrily.

"You filthy thing, get over here and change your clothes."

He stared at his advisors with a sinister gaze for a few seconds before declaring, "I have decided on that position. You will all stay quietly in your residences and devise a plan that will please me."

He then instructed his guards, "Send a message to the Prince of Beilin: the time has come. I will go to the palace to request an audience with the Empress Dowager." Upon hearing this, Strategist Li felt it was inappropriate and respectfully bowed and suggested it.

"The Empress is indifferent to worldly affairs and spends her days praying to gods and Buddhas. She probably has no intention of helping His Highness."

The Second Prince scoffed, "She doesn't care about me, but doesn't she care about that girl Fu Le either?"

Back when his mother was still the Crown Princess, she had an affair with the current Emperor. He was the true son of the Emperor, of royal blood, while Fule was the former Crown Prince's biological daughter.

If it weren't for this, how could Father have kept him alive until today?

His mother, who had been kind to him, suddenly changed her mind after becoming empress, ignoring him and claiming that she felt guilty towards the former crown prince, while showering Fule with affection.

The two treacherous men and women conspired to murder the former crown prince and seize a high position, yet they viewed him as a stain on his reputation.

If they make things difficult for him, they won't have an easy time either.

And then there's Duan Jiuyun, who claimed to be absolutely loyal to him, but has now vanished without a trace.

No, he also has a hidden piece, a sharp and effective weapon.

……

When Nan Yue posted notices that women could also participate in the imperial examinations, many unpleasant rumors and gossip arose. The current princess of Nan Yue was an ominous sign, and there were even rumors that a hen crowing at dawn meant the destruction of Nan Yue.

A renowned scholar, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, began to demand that Princess Nanyue relinquish her position, claiming that a country would perish if a woman held power. Rumors spread like wildfire, and half of the court officials began to feel uneasy.

Some stubborn courtiers began to join in the clamor in the court.

Emperor Shi Zheng sat upright on his throne, exuding an imposing aura without anger. He glanced coldly at the eloquent courtiers, his expression inscrutable, lost in thought.

"Your Majesty, Princess Nanyue, as a woman, should be devoted to her husband and raise her children. The rumors and gossip are all caused by Princess Nanyue interfering in state affairs. This old minister begs Your Majesty to depose Princess Nanyue."

General Zuo spoke with righteous indignation and stern words, every sentence of which was for the benefit of Nan Yue.

Two years ago, there were countless memorials impeaching Princess Nanyue, half of which criticized her for being incompetent and dissolute.

"I have something to report."

The Grand Tutor, who had not attended court for half a month, suggested, "The Left General had a private relationship with the deceased Prince Anchang."

When the traitorous Prince Anchang was mentioned in the court, the officials reacted with varying expressions.

General Zuo's expression changed drastically. "Grand Tutor, you have no evidence to back up your words. How can you slander me out of thin air?"

He stopped abruptly as he finished speaking, realizing the Grand Tutor's intention.

He also made baseless accusations against Princess Nanyue.

The Imperial Advisor Qinghe bowed and said, “Your Majesty, the princess’s achievements over the past two years are verifiable. Every single one of her actions has been for the benefit of the country and its people. The rumors circulating in Nanyue are malicious slanders. I beg Your Majesty to issue an order for a thorough investigation.”

Everyone knew that the rumors originated from the women's imperial examinations, and those who had benefited from them for years were already restless.

There are neither too many nor too few positions in the imperial court, and who would want a woman to have a share of them?

Not to mention that the number of officials in the sixteen prefectures of Nanyue was almost saturated, and many scions of prominent families were waiting for this imperial examination to turn their fortunes around.

The emperor withdrew his gaze and made a casual ruling, "The Left General is a third-rank official, and his salary is too high."

A single sentence terrified General Zuo, who immediately knelt down and begged for mercy, fearing that his head would roll on the ground at any moment.

"This old minister knows his mistake and begs Your Majesty for punishment."

After years of fighting on the battlefield, he was granted the Emperor's grace to return to the capital to live out his remaining years in peace. After a few years of tranquility, he had forgotten the methods of the current Emperor.

Emperor Shi Zheng ignored his pleas for mercy and stared coldly at the court officials.

"Princess Nanyue is the next monarch appointed by me. Anyone who dares to speak nonsense will be sent to the prison."

His gaze fell on the anxious General Zuo. "General Zuo is getting on in years. He should return to his hometown to enjoy his retirement."

After giving the court officials a dressing down, his anger subsided considerably. Anyone who dared to harm his daughter would have to withstand his wrath.

"The matter of the rumors about Nanyue will be handled by Princess Nanyue, with the assistance of the Imperial Advisor."

Qinghe was taken aback upon hearing this, but understood His Majesty's profound meaning: to gradually hand over the affairs of the Nanyue Kingdom to Princess Nanyue.

The courtiers were not fools; they naturally understood His Majesty's decision.

The Southern Moon Kingdom, which has existed for hundreds of years, will eventually be handed over to an empress.

"The minister obeys the order."

Qinghe met His Majesty's scrutinizing gaze with neither arrogance nor servility. The question that had troubled him for many days was finally answered today. His Majesty had allowed him to listen to state affairs and learn how to handle government affairs, which meant that His Majesty was certain that he would not betray the country.

His Majesty has long held his life in his hands.