Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

On the tenth day of the fourth lunar month, spring was in full bloom and the sun was warm.

With the sudden collapse of the Liu family, its followers were purged.

The mountains of evidence and confiscated property daily assaulted the nerves of the people of the capital.

A storm that swept through the government and the public seemed to have temporarily subsided.

At the heart of this storm was the one who single-handedly uncovered the truth and launched a series of counterattacks.

The figure who ultimately brought down the powerful minister saw his prestige reach an unprecedented peak.

In the streets and alleys, in teahouses and taverns, people no longer merely discussed the Liu family's greed and the emperor's ruthless methods.

More discussion focused on the mysterious "Lady Night Phoenix".

"Have you heard? Much of the irrefutable evidence that brought down Prime Minister Liu was secretly collected by Madam Yehuang!"

"That's not all! I heard that even the Liu family's collusion with Xiling and their assassination attempt on the imperial envoy were all uncovered by her people!"

"And that blood test for kinship!"

If she hadn't brought the little prince back...

"By exposing the Liu family's conspiracy, the royal bloodline will be jeopardized!"

"Tsk tsk, what a heroine! She's stronger than so many men!"

"What heroine? She's a 'female righteous heroine'!"

To rid the people of harm and eliminate traitors for the country!

"Yes, yes, yes! A righteous heroine! Lady Yehuang is a righteous heroine for our people!"

The title "Female Justice" spread like wildfire and quickly became known among the people.

In the simple understanding of ordinary people,

Whoever can bring down corrupt officials is the righteous judge.

Ye Huang, a woman, accomplished what countless others dared not even dream of or dare to do.

Nature won the most sincere support.

In the imperial court and among the literati, Ye Huang's image was more complex and more highly regarded.

Shen Anbang's exoneration and high-profile return to power

This in itself represents a major victory for the Qingliu faction.

As for Ye Huang, she is Shen Anbang's daughter.

As a direct victim of the wrongful conviction back then,

Her return and her revenge are imbued with profound symbolic meaning—

Justice may be delayed, but it will never be denied.

Her unwavering will, meticulous planning, and incomparably sharp methods...

This gave new hope to many upright officials who were disappointed with the political situation but still harbored ideals.

"With such a daughter as Grand Secretary Shen, the Shen family is fortunate, and the entire Qingliu faction is fortunate indeed!"

"Although Lady Yehuang is a woman, her wisdom, courage, and strategic acumen are no less than those of any prime minister!"

"If Your Majesty can make good use of such virtuous and capable people, how can you worry about the court being corrupt and the world being in turmoil?"

"But... between her and His Majesty, alas..."

Amidst the praise, there was also a sigh of regret for the irreconcilable grievances between the emperor and the deposed empress.

However, in Qingliu's mind, Ye Huang's image had changed from that of a "pitiful deposed empress."

Transform into a "rising star" who is capable, decisive, and able to stir up the winds and lead change.

Her Phoenix Perch Villa, though still heavily guarded,

But the daily visiting cards and gifts received had evolved from initial tentative flattery...

It turned into heartfelt admiration and goodwill.

Of course, there may also be new political investment involved.

Shen Qingci, who was at the eye of the storm, seemed completely unaware of all of this.

She continued to live a secluded life, occasionally handling the affairs of Tingfeng Tower and Jinxiu Workshop through Mo Shisan and Qian Sihai.

He spends most of his time with Bao'er, or discussing the future with his father Shen Anbang and Eunuch Li.

Until this day, in the afternoon.

A massive procession, far exceeding previous ones, consisting of twenty-four eunuchs, twelve palace maids, and sixteen imperial guards,

Holding incense and banners, they surrounded two people dressed in purple robes.

The grand eunuch, carrying a bright yellow scroll, arrived in a grand procession at the gate of the Phoenix Perch Villa.

The one leading them was none other than Feng Bao, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

His status was second only to the Imperial Attendant.

Such a spectacle immediately attracted countless eyes.

Passersby stopped and watched from a distance, whispering among themselves.

The gatekeeper of the villa was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he scrambled inside to report.

Feng Bao's expression was solemn, but deep in his eyes was a complex emotion that was hard to conceal.

He took a deep breath and said loudly:

"Imperial decree arrives—Madam Shen Qingci, Lady of Jiangnan, receive the decree!"

The voice was loud and clear, echoing throughout the streets and alleys.

Soon, accompanied by Jinshu and Eunuch Li, Shen Qingci arrived at the front hall.

Today she wore only a simple sky-blue long dress, without any makeup, her dark hair loosely tied up.

She wore no jewelry, yet possessed a cool and imposing aura that commanded respect.

She looked at the bright yellow scroll.

Seeing Feng Bao's respectful yet tense expression, he already understood.

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

She did not kneel, but bowed slightly: "This humble woman is here."

Feng Bao's eyes twitched slightly, but he dared not say anything more, and unfolded the imperial edict.

He read aloud in his most solemn and clear tone:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have inherited the great legacy, ruling over all regions, and my virtuous influence spreads far and wide, and the way of governance is manifest."

I hereby acknowledge that you, Lady Shen, are my first wife, as appointed by the late Emperor, and that your family is renowned for its meritorious service.

Her hair was adorned with fine tassels, her nature was gentle and compliant, and her demeanor was graceful and charming.

In the past, I was framed by treacherous officials and suffered injustice, which deeply saddened me.

Now that the evil spirits have been eliminated and the injustice has been redressed, the Kunyi position cannot be left vacant for long, and the central palace cannot be left empty.

By special decree, Shen Qingci's title of Empress was restored.

He was bestowed with a golden book and golden seal, and ordered to move immediately to the main hall of Weiyang Palace.

She is the mother of the nation, assisting me in my duties.

You should diligently attend to your duties day and night, bringing prosperity to the palace, and be devout in managing the household affairs, always mindful of the proper order and rules.

To continue the illustrious legacy, and to diligently govern the inner court. So be it!

Restore the Empress's title!

He is bestowed with a golden book and golden jewels!

They moved to the main hall of Weiyang Palace!

A model of virtue for the world!

Every word is a supreme glory and grace.

It was the emperor's formal correction of past mistakes and a complete acknowledgment of her identity.

It also grants a woman the most prestigious status she can attain in this era.

Normally, this would be something that would surprise everyone.

Especially the moment when the person receiving the imperial decree is moved to tears and shouts "Long live the Emperor!"

After reading the imperial edict, Feng Bao closed it, his face plastered with the most respectful smile.

He presented the imperial edict to Shen Qingci with both hands:

"Your Majesty, please receive the imperial decree."

The Weiyang Palace has been cleaned and tidied, and all the utensils have been replaced according to the Empress's regulations.

The imperial carriage was waiting outside the gate to welcome Her Majesty back to the palace!

The eunuchs and palace maids behind him knelt down in unison: "Welcome back to the palace, Your Majesty the Empress!"

The voices were perfectly synchronized, and the scene was extremely grand.

Tears welled up in Jinshu's eyes instantly; they were tears of excitement for her mistress, who had finally been vindicated.

Eunuch Li stood with his hands at his sides, his eyes calm, as if he had expected this all along.

The crowd watching from afar in the streets and alleys also erupted in gasps and discussions.

"Your Majesty! His Majesty has restored Empress Shen's title!"

"Of course! It should have been done a long time ago!"

"Empress Shen... no, Lady Yehuang is returning to the palace?"

"It's truly a case of 'after hardship comes happiness'!"

All eyes were focused on Shen Qingci.

She waited to kowtow in gratitude for the heavenly grace and accept the imperial edict that represented supreme honor.

Shen Qingci stood still, motionless.

She didn't look at the rolled-up, bright yellow imperial edict, nor at the stiff smile on Feng Bao's face.

Her gaze seemed to transcend the many palace walls.

He passed over the kneeling crowd and plunged into the depths of that majestic and cold imperial city.

a long time.

She suddenly smiled, very lightly and faintly.

There was no joy, no excitement, not even mockery in that smile.

There was only a kind of indifference that was almost compassionate and all-knowing.

Then, amidst Feng Bao's astonishment, Jin Shu's confusion, Eunuch Li's understanding, and everyone else's incredulous gaze—

She reached out her hand.

But it wasn't to receive an imperial edict.

Instead, he directly grabbed one end of the bright yellow scroll in Feng Bao's hand.

Feng Bao was terrified and instinctively tried to grip her hand tightly: "Your Majesty! You..."

Shen Qingci didn't give him a chance; she tightened her wrist and gently pulled—

"Sizzle—!"

A crisp, piercing sound of tearing silk suddenly broke the silence of the front hall!

That scroll, a bright yellow imperial edict representing the emperor's will and symbolizing the empress's honor,

She actually tore it in half from the middle!

!!!

Dead!

Absolute silence!

Time seemed to freeze at that moment.

Feng Bao stood there dumbfounded, his hands still in the raised-hands position.

All that remained in his palm was half a broken scroll.

The color drained from his face instantly, as if he had seen a ghost.

Jinshu covered her mouth, so shocked she forgot to breathe.

The eunuchs and palace maids kneeling on the ground were all frozen, like statues encased in ice.

The onlookers in the distance were stunned, forgetting even to discuss it.

Tearing...tearing up the imperial edict?!

She actually... tore up the imperial edict restoring her to the position of Empress?!

This...this is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

Shen Qingci acted as if he had only done a trivial thing.

She released her grip, letting the two broken pieces of the scroll drift to the ground and settle in the dust.

She patted non-existent dust off her hands.

He looked up and saw Feng Bao, who was pale as a ghost and trembling like a leaf in the wind.

The sound was clear and melodious, calm and undisturbed.

Yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

It also seemed to penetrate the palace walls and reach the ears of the person who issued the decree:

"Eunuch Feng."

Feng Bao jolted awake, almost collapsing to the ground: "This servant...this servant is here..."

"Please go back and convey this message to His Majesty."

Shen Qingci paused, then spoke each word clearly and distinctly, like ice beads falling to the ground:

"The edict that deposed me from my position as empress, took my life, and destroyed my family back then—"

"It was written in his own hand and stamped with his own seal."

"Now, this decree to restore his title should also be issued by him—"

"I'll come and destroy it myself."

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the two glaringly bright yellow fragments on the ground.

A chilling smile curved his lips.

"What I want..."

"It was never a trivial decree."

"But it was him, Nangong Ye—"

"He admitted it himself; he was wrong."

"I will personally erase everything he wrote back then."

After saying that, she looked away from everyone, turned around, and walked straight towards the inner courtyard.

Her plain dress brushed past the threshold, her back view resolute as a knife, without the slightest trace of lingering affection.

All that remained was a deathly silence in the hall and fragments of the imperial edict, a symbol of imperial power, now trampled like waste paper.

Feng Bao's legs buckled, and he finally couldn't hold on any longer.

He slumped to the ground, staring at the broken pieces.

Looking again in the direction where Shen Qingci disappeared, his old face turned pale, and cold sweat poured down his face.

he knows.

He's finished.

The imperial edict was not delivered; it was even torn up...

What is he going to say to His Majesty?!

After the initial shock and silence, the onlookers in the distance erupted in a frenzy!

"Good heavens! She...she tore up the imperial edict?!"

Did you hear what she said?

She wants His Majesty to...apologize in person?

To personally destroy the edict deposing the empress from back then?!

"This...this is incredibly audacious!"

"But... why does it sound so satisfying?!"

"Yes! A single imperial decree stripped you of your title."

A decree reinstated you, like an act of charity! On what grounds?!

"Lady Yehuang...no, Empress Shen...she wants His Majesty to give her a real explanation!"

"Incredible! Truly an extraordinary woman!"

"A female righteous official! Truly worthy of the title! She even dares to defy the emperor!"

The discussion was deafening, filled with both fear and bewilderment.

But more than anything, there was an indescribable shock and... a subtle admiration.

In this era of absolute imperial power, a woman,

To dare to so bluntly refuse the emperor's "favor,"

To dare to make such a "rebellious" request,

His courage and determination completely overturned everyone's perception.

Shen Qingci's reputation was not damaged by this shocking act of "defying the imperial edict and tearing up the decree."

Instead, it reached a more subtle and sublime peak among the common people and among the upright officials.

She was no longer the pitiful, deposed empress who needed to have her title "restored".

She dared to demand justice from imperial power and dared to uphold her own will.

Night Phoenix.

And that torn imperial edict, and the words she uttered...

Like the most violent storm, it swept through the entire imperial city in an instant.

It also crashed heavily into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, where a glimmer of hope had just risen, and where someone was attempting to make amends with the highest honors—

The heart of an emperor.

————-———

---

High-energy warning & Crazy request for interaction

1. Keep clicking the "request update" button until it's full!

The next chapter is even more exciting! How will the tyrant react? Will he fly into a rage? Will he break down? Or... will he really bow down? Liu Chengming escaped with the mother Gu, and what kind of terrifying being is the "Ghost Doctor" of Xiling? What other amazing abilities will Bao'er's spirit possess? Will there be a turning point in Xiao Jue's storyline as the devoted second male lead? Don't you want to know?! Don't you want to see it right now?!

Just a tap of your finger! Click the "Request Update" button in the upper right corner to let the author see your enthusiasm! If we get over 1000 requests, we'll release a double update tomorrow! We mean it!

2. Add to bookshelf! Star this page! Never get lost!

Those who have followed this far are true fans! With such a dramatic and exciting story packed with moments, would you really want to leave it gathering dust in your "Recently Reading" list? It would be such a hassle to find it again if you accidentally swiped it away!

Click "Add to Bookshelf" right now, and give it a five-star rating! You'll get notified of updates immediately, ensuring you don't miss a single moment of both sweet moments and heartwarming moments (though the sweetness might have a bittersweet twist)!

3. Five-star review to save the children!

During the new book season, every five-star review is a powerful motivation for the author to update more frequently! It's key to this book reaching a wider audience! If you find the story engaging, if you've cheered for Ye Huang's ruthlessness, felt heartache for the tyrant's regret, or smiled at Bao'er's adorable cuteness...

Please take a few seconds to give a five-star review! Your support is the greatest comfort to the author who has been working tirelessly day and night!

4. Powering up for love, but benefits drop!

If this post gets over 500 likes, a short skit about the underworld during Liu Chengming's escape will be unlocked!

[Section/Chapter Review] If each chapter has more than 200 comments, there will be an extra author's musings at the end of the next chapter, spoiling key turning points in the future romance!

[Powering Up for Love] (Free Gift) Let's send some love and let the author feel the warmth of your love. With enough motivation, the typing speed will be faster!

---

Next chapter preview (a tiny bit of spoilers)

Faced with a torn imperial edict and a cryptic message, will the tyrant choose imperial dignity or a humble attempt to salvage the situation?

Liu Chengming infiltrates Xiling with the Mother Gu, and the mysterious "Ghost Doctor" is about to make his appearance. What kind of insidious and poisonous things will he concoct?

With the Xiling Token in hand, will Ye Huang's next target for revenge be overseas?

Bao'er: Daddy looks like he's about to cry again. Should I wipe it for him? (Innocent face)

All the excitement continues in the upcoming updates!

My darlings, keep your fingers busy! [Request an update] [Bookshelf] [Five stars] – let's do it all in the comments! Let me see your hands!

— Respectfully submitted by yours truly, the author who's been writing even while balding!