Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

The fifth day of the fifth lunar month is an auspicious day.

After years of silence, the Imperial Ancestral Temple is now bustling with the sounds of bells and drums, and banners are waving in the wind.

On the square paved with white marble, civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their rank, while members of the imperial family lined up on both sides.

Everyone is waiting for today's protagonist—

Nangong Yue, who will soon be officially recorded in the imperial genealogy, conferred the title of Prince Chen, and established as the crown prince.

The news was announced to the world seven days ago.

The imperial edict caused a stir in the court and among the people, yet it was also within expectations.

After all, the child's identity was no longer a secret; his face, so similar to that of the emperor, was the best proof.

Not to mention that although his mother now lives in a secluded place,

However, he controls two major forces: Tingfeng Tower and Jinxiu Workshop.

The ruthless methods he displayed in bringing down the Liu family were not to be underestimated.

Establishing the eldest son as heir is a matter of course.

However, this investiture ceremony was destined to be anything but peaceful.

---

Inside Qingyan Pavilion, things were already bustling with activity before dawn.

Shen Qingci personally dressed Bao'er in the crown prince's robes.

The bright yellow court robe was embroidered with exquisite four-clawed python patterns.

She wore a small gold crown inlaid with pearls and a jade belt around her waist.

A child of three years old, dressed in this solemn attire,

He even appeared exceptionally refined and noble.

However, her delicate, pretty face still looked sleepy.

"Mother, it's heavy..." Bao'er mumbled, tugging at the collar around her neck with her little hand.

"Bear with it, my dear."

Shen Qingci knelt down and carefully straightened his clothes.

Her voice was gentle yet carried an undeniable firmness.

"Today is very important, my dear. Remember what Mommy taught you, okay?"

Bao'er rubbed her eyes and nodded: "I'll remember. Walk steadily, smile at people, and look at Mommy before you speak."

"Anything else?"

"Also... no matter who gives you something, you have to ask Grandpa Li or Aunt Jinshu first."

Bao'er counted on her fingers and repeated it carefully.

"Don't run around, and don't go with just anyone."

Shen Qingci kissed his forehead with satisfaction: "Bao'er is so smart."

She herself changed into a formal palace dress.

It was not the bright red color prescribed for an empress.

Instead, he wore a dark blue pheasant-patterned robe that represented a lower rank.

Paired with simple and elegant pearl headdress, she exudes grace and poise.

However, the significance of the "central palace" was deliberately downplayed.

Her current identity is merely that of the Crown Prince's birth mother, "Shen Shi".

Rather than "Empress".

Jinshu and Eunuch Li stood solemnly to one side.

Today's ceremony may seem glamorous, but in reality, every step is fraught with danger.

Countless eyes are watching, and countless people with ulterior motives are waiting to seize upon any wrongdoing.

"Miss, everything is ready," Jinshu said softly.

Shen Qingci took Bao'er's hand, her palm warm and firm: "Let's go."

The mother and son stepped out of Qingyan Pavilion and boarded the waiting palanquin.

Although the ceremonial procession was simple, it still followed the regulations for the Crown Prince's birth mother, and the necessary majesty was not diminished in the slightest.

The procession slowly made its way to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, with palace servants kneeling and bowing along the way.

Silence reigned, save for the sound of wheels rolling over the cobblestones.

Bao'er leaned against the window, peering curiously, and whispered, "Mommy, there are so many people!"

"Mmm." Shen Qingci pulled him into her arms. "Are you scared, Bao'er?"

Bao'er shook her head and nuzzled against her affectionately: "With Mommy here, I'm not afraid."

Shen Qingci hugged him tightly.

His gaze, however, swept sharply across the palace walls and halls that flashed past the window.

She knew that countless eyes were focused on her at that moment, some scrutinizing, some expectant, and some resentful.

The atmosphere at the Imperial Ancestral Temple Square was solemn and dignified.

As Shen Qingci led Bao'er by the hand and stepped onto the steps of the imperial palace, all eyes were instantly drawn to them.

Sunlight shone on that small, bright yellow figure.

The child, though young, walked with a steady gait.

His back was straight, and his small face was almost identical to the one on the dragon throne.

Fair and delicate skin, with clear eyes.

And the woman beside him,

Dressed in simple blue, with an elegant demeanor and unparalleled beauty,

His expression was calm and indifferent, exuding an aura that was not to be trifled with.

What an outstanding mother and son!

Many of the older princes of the imperial clan who originally harbored doubts or favored Prince Jing,

Seeing Bao'er's appearance, a hint of surprise and relief flashed in their eyes.

The power of blood ties is sometimes more persuasive than any words.

On the dragon throne, Nangong Ye wore a ceremonial robe with twelve imperial symbols, his face obscured by the tassels, making his expression impossible to discern.

But his posture was upright, and his demeanor was naturally dignified.

His gaze had been fixed on the mother and son ever since they appeared.

Especially that little one, whose eyes were swirling with complex and indescribable emotions—

Longing, guilt, pride, and a hint of barely perceptible bitterness.

The Minister of Rites loudly proclaimed the ceremony, and the long and complicated ritual officially began.

The ceremony included an announcement to Heaven, ancestral worship, reading of the imperial edict, and bestowal of the imperial seal and golden seal.

In every step of the process, Bao'er behaved with a level of good behavior beyond her years.

The effects of Shen Qingci's repeated coaching and rehearsals over the past few days were becoming apparent.

Although the little guy occasionally looked around curiously,

But in crucial moments, she always follows her mother's instructions meticulously.

He would straighten his small body when the master of ceremonies sang loudly;

When receiving the heavy golden seal, she tried her best to hold it steady, even though her little arms trembled slightly;

When required to prostrate, they will kneel down and bow respectfully.

The movements were so precise that even some of the most discerning officials nodded in approval.

That youthful effort and earnestness

Coupled with that unbelievably beautiful little face,

It easily touched the hearts of many people present.

Many of the female members of the royal family gasped softly, their eyes shining with delight.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is truly intelligent and quick-witted!"

"Look at him, he looks just like His Majesty when he was a child!"

"Well-mannered, truly befitting of royal blood..."

Soft murmurs of praise spread through the crowd.

Even the expressions of several conservative senior officials who had been stern softened somewhat.

However, this "obedience" comes with a condition.

Whenever a step was completed, Bao'er's eyes would unconsciously search for Shen Qingci.

Seeing her nod slightly or give an encouraging look,

Only then would he relax, a look of relief appearing on his little face.

If she couldn't find it right away, a barely perceptible hint of panic would flash in her clear, large eyes.

Facing Nangong Ye, who sat high on the dragon throne, Bao'er maintained a polite yet distant sense of unfamiliarity.

When the Crown Prince is granted the imperial edict, Bao'er must step forward alone and receive it from the Emperor.

The eunuch led him step by step up the imperial steps.

Nangong Ye had already been impatiently leaning forward slightly.

He reached out his hand, his eyes filled with barely suppressed excitement and anticipation.

Bao'er walked up to him, tilted her little face up, and looked at him.

In the sunlight, the father's face was somewhat blurry.

The shadow of the crown swayed, making him feel a little dignified, a little... afraid.

He remembered his mother saying that this was his father, but also the emperor.

The little guy pursed his lips.

According to etiquette, kneel down and raise both hands above your head.

He spoke in a childish but clear voice:

"Your subject... thanks Your Majesty for your grace."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for people in the front row to hear clearly.

There was no familiar closeness or dependence on the father that a typical child would show, only the respectful deference of a dutiful subject before his king.

Nangong Ye's outstretched hand froze for a moment, as if a needle had pricked his heart.

He took a deep breath.

Suppressing his turbulent emotions, he placed the heavy treasure book into those small hands.

His voice was gentler than ever before: "Yue'er... rise."

He wanted to touch the child's head and hug him like a normal father.

But after Bao'er took the book, she quickly lowered her head.

Holding the precious book, which was far too heavy for him,

Slightly unsteady, yet determined to turn around and descend the steps, he walked down the imperial staircase.

Then... without hesitation, he took a short stride and jogged towards Shen Qingci, who was standing below the steps of the imperial palace.

"Mother!"

He called out softly,

With a sense of relief at completing the task and a hint of barely perceptible grievance,

She rushed straight into Shen Qingci's open arms.

Shen Qingci caught him steadily.

Squat down in the middle.

Gently wiping the fine beads of sweat from the tip of his nose with his sleeve, he praised softly, "Bao'er did a great job."

This scene was witnessed by everyone.

Nangong Ye's hand was still in the posture of handing over the precious book.

Watching her son run into another's arms without looking back,

His fingertips curled slightly, and his expression beneath the crown was inscrutable.

The overwhelming sense of loss and jealousy that surged up at that moment almost overwhelmed him.

He is the father!

He gave this child life and honor!

But in the child's eyes, there seems to be only his mother.

The officials and members of the imperial family exchanged glances, each with their own thoughts.

It seems there is a deep rift between His Highness the Crown Prince and His Majesty.

This Lady Shen's influence on the Crown Prince is probably far greater than imagined.

Prince Jing, Nangong Shuo, stood at the front of the imperial clan's procession.

He took it all in, and a barely perceptible, meaningful smile curved his lips.

Father and son estranged? Interesting.

This might be... a weakness that can be exploited.

Finally, Bao'er had to receive the congratulations of all the officials alone.

The eunuch then guided him to stand on a small platform specially set up in front of the imperial steps.

Facing the vast, kneeling mass of officials below, chanting "Long live the Emperor!"

The three-year-old child finally showed a hint of confusion and fear on his face.

He instinctively wanted to turn back and look for his mother.

Just then, Shen Qingci's voice came softly.

Not loud, yet it clearly pierced through the sounds of court congratulations and reached his ears:

"Baby, stand up straight and look ahead. Mother is here."

Her voice seemed to have magic.

Bao'er immediately puffed out her little chest and tried to open her eyes wide to look down.

I learned from my mother's teachings, just as I remembered them.

He gently raised his hand, using all his strength.

He gave a clear, albeit somewhat immature, reply: "My lords... rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

The celebratory shouts rang out again, louder than before.

This time, many of the voices expressed genuine admiration.

It is remarkable that a three-year-old child could remain so calm.

The ceremony is complete.

The tedious ceremony finally came to an end.

Bao'er practically ran back to Shen Qingci's side, hugging her legs tightly.

She buried her face in her dress and refused to look up again.

They're just kids; they've held on for so long, they've reached their limit.

Shen Qingci bent down and picked him up, ignoring the various gazes directed at them.

He nodded slightly to the official in charge of ceremonies, then picked up Bao'er, turned around, and walked straight back to the palanquin they had come from.

His figure was aloof and resolute.

It was as if this grand ceremony, concerning the very foundation of the nation, was something she...

It was just a necessary task that was completed.

Nangong Ye rose from the dragon throne and watched the mother and son leave.

The sight of them leaning on each other from behind stung his eyes once again.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

The officials began to leave in an orderly fashion, and murmurs gradually arose.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally intelligent; he is truly a blessing to the nation!"

"But...it seems like I'm too dependent on my birth mother."

"Lady Shen possesses extraordinary bearing and excellent teaching skills; no wonder she enjoys His Highness's complete trust."

"Your Majesty must be experiencing mixed feelings today..."

These words, more or less, reached Nangong Ye's ears.

He clenched his fist in his sleeve, then slowly relaxed it.

Xuan Ying appeared silently beside him and whispered, "Your Majesty, shall we return to the palace?"

Nangong Ye gazed at the long-empty end of the square, which led towards Qingyan Pavilion.

After a long silence, he finally said in a hoarse voice, "Go to Qingyan Pavilion."

"Your Majesty?" Xuan Ying was slightly surprised. The ceremony had just ended, and according to custom, His Majesty should have returned to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to receive congratulations.

"I'm going to see the Crown Prince." Nangong Ye's voice carried a hint of weariness, but even more so, a stubborn insistence.

He stepped down the imperial steps, his crown tassels swaying.

Perhaps he should try to get a little closer.

Even just watching.

Meanwhile, inside Qingyan Pavilion.

Shen Qingci had already changed Bao'er out of her heavy formal dress and covered her with a blanket since she had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

She sat on the edge of the bed, gently patting the child's back, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

Everything went smoothly today; Bao'er's performance even exceeded her expectations, winning her a lot of goodwill.

But she also saw Nangong Ye's undisguised disappointment and longing.

And then there are those cold, scrutinizing gazes from Prince Jing and his cronies, hidden beneath the respectful congratulations.

"The investiture is just the beginning."

She murmured to herself, her fingertips brushing against Bao'er's soft hair.

"Mother will make sure you hold this position, and let everyone know that my precious baby is worthy of this world."

Outside the window, the setting sun casts a golden-red glow on the ancient eaves of Qingyan Pavilion.

The seemingly peaceful palace is about to be rife with undercurrents due to the formal establishment of the crown prince.