Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

November 15th, victory celebration banquet.

The Hall of Supreme Harmony has never been so brightly lit.

Three thousand palace lanterns were lit one after another, illuminating the white marble palace steps as if it were daytime.

The hall was carpeted in scarlet, and long tables on both sides were laden with delicacies and fine wines.

Officials sat in order of rank, surrounded by noblewomen adorned with jewels and jade.

All eyes were focused on the Imperial Rank—

There were two dragon thrones placed side by side there.

It is not one main chair and one secondary chair, but two gold-lacquered dragon chairs of the exact same size and style.

This has never happened in the century since the founding of Nangong.

At that moment, Shen Qingci was sitting in the chair on the right.

She wasn't wearing her battle armor today, nor was she in her queen's everyday clothes.

Instead, it was a specially made "Imperial Court Robe"—

It still uses bright red as the base color, but the embroidery pattern is no longer a phoenix, but a dragon and phoenix intertwined.

The phoenix is ​​above and the dragon is below; this was a rule personally set by Nangong Ye.

The chair on the left is empty.

But everyone knows who it's meant for.

"His Majesty has arrived—!!!"

The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out.

All the officials rose in unison and knelt on the ground.

Shen Qingci also stood up, but did not kneel—this was Nangong Ye's special instruction before he fell into a coma: "From now on, the Empress need not kneel when she sees me."

Footsteps came from behind the hall.

It's very stable, but a bit slow.

Shen Qingci turned her head to look.

Nangong Ye was dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, without a heavy crown, and only used a gold hairpin to tie his hair.

His face was still pale, and his lips were very pale.

When walking, Xuan Ying needs to support him from half a step behind.

But his back was very straight, and his eyes were clear.

As I swept across the hall, the imperial aura remained.

He stopped in front of the imperial steps and looked at Shen Qingci.

Eyes facing each other.

Shen Qingci saw a lot in his eyes—

Exhaustion, pain, and lingering illness;

But more than that, it's... an almost stubborn determination.

He reached out his hand to her.

It wasn't the attitude of an emperor towards his subjects; it was one of equality and invitation.

Shen Qingci was silent for a moment, then placed her hand on it.

His hands were cold, but his grip was tight.

The two walked side by side up the steps to the throne, turned around in front of the dragon throne, and faced the officials.

"Rise," Nangong Ye said, his voice still a little hoarse, but clear enough.

The officials rose to their feet, but none dared to raise their heads.

The atmosphere was eerily eerie—two dragon thrones.

The emperor and empress sat side by side, breaking all ancestral rules.

Prince Jing, Nangong Shuo, stood at the head of the princes' procession, his eyes lowered, but a barely perceptible sneer curled at the corner of his mouth.

coming.

The fun has begun.

"At today's victory celebration banquet, there are three things to announce."

Nangong Ye did not sit down, but stood while speaking—

This way everyone can see his face clearly.

Make it clear that he was not coerced or mentally unstable.

"First,"

He looked at Shen Qingci.

"In the battle of the Northern Frontier, Empress Shen Qingci was appointed to a critical mission."

With 30,000 defending troops, they defeated 50,000 elite troops from the Northern Desert.

Captured the Khan, destroyed the royal court, and pacified the northern frontier. This achievement is comparable to founding a nation.

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately:

"From this day forward, I and Empress Shen Qingci will jointly govern the state."

The Phoenix Seal and the Jade Seal, two seals with the same effect.

All important military and political affairs require the joint seal of both officials before they can be implemented.

"Buzz—!!!"

The hall erupted in chaos!

Joint governance?! Two seals with equal effect?!

This is tantamount to... joint rule by the emperor and empress?!

Several senior officials immediately wanted to kneel down and offer their advice.

But he was held back tightly by his colleagues—didn't you see His Majesty's eyes?

That was the look in his eyes—he had already made up his mind. To oppose him at that moment would be tantamount to suicide.

Shen Qingci turned her head to look at Nangong Ye.

She never expected him to go this far.

Jointly managing state affairs meant that she had officially entered the core of power.

She was no longer just a "harem member interfering in politics," but one of the legitimate rulers.

The fact that both seals have the same effect means that her will is legally protected and she no longer needs to rely on his name.

This was the most complete recognition he could give her.

It is also...the heaviest responsibility.

"The second thing."

Nangong Ye looked at the Minister of Rites.

"The Shen family has been loyal and virtuous for three generations. Shen Anbang was loyal to the country and Shen Qingci dedicated himself to the country."

However, three years ago, in the witchcraft case, the Shen family was wrongly accused, Shen Anbang was dismissed from his post, and Shen Qing resigned... suffering injustice.

He took a deep breath:

"Today, in front of all the officials, I hereby exonerate the Shen family completely."

"Shen Qingci's mother was posthumously granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady and the posthumous name of 'Chaste and Virtuous'."

"Build the 'Hall of Loyal Martyrs' for the Shen family, so that they may enjoy the imperial court's incense offerings for generations."

"Shen Anbang was reinstated to his original position, granted the title of Grand Tutor, and bestowed with a certificate of merit and iron.

With each word he spoke, Shen Anbang's back hunched over a little more.

When it comes to the "posthumous title of Chastity and Virtue",

The elderly man, tears streaming down his face, knelt down with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly.

"This old minister...thanks to Your Majesty's great favor!!! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress...for your great favor!!!"

His voice choked with sobs, and he was unable to speak.

The injustice of three years ago, the despair in the cold palace, the humiliation during the confiscation of his property... at this moment, it was finally completely washed away.

Shen Qingci watched her father's trembling back, her fingers tightening slightly.

This is not her father.

It belongs to the original owner.

But at this moment, the emotions surging in her chest were so real—

It is the memory of this body that is resonating.

It was also the sight of this elderly man's tireless efforts, forbearance, and waiting over the past three years that moved her.

She stood up, walked down, and helped Shen Anbang up.

"Father,"

She said softly

"Let's go home. Mother... can rest in peace now."

Shen Anbang grabbed her hand and cried like a child.

Many women in the hall also wiped away tears.

Those who once mocked the Shen family and kicked them when they were down,

They all lowered their heads, not daring to make eye contact with anyone.

The smile on Prince Jing's face finally vanished completely.

He stared intently at the two figures standing side by side on the steps.

Staring at Shen Qingci's gentle yet firm profile as she helped Shen Anbang up,

Her fingers clenched and cracked inside her sleeve.

What a wonderful exoneration!

What a magnificent shrine to martyrs!

This is not just about compensating the Shen family, but also about telling everyone—

The injustice in the witchcraft case back then was something the royal family owed to the Shen family.

And he, Nangong Shuo, was one of the masterminds behind the scenes who fueled the chaos back then.

It felt like being stripped naked in public!

"The third thing."

Nangong Ye's voice rang out again.

He looked at Shen Qingci, his eyes filled with undisguised, almost naked love.

Respect, and... a hint of cautious supplication.

"Qingci."

This was the first time he had called her by her name in public.

"I have been holding up this empire by myself for three years, and it has been exhausting."

"Now, I will give you half of it."

"It's not a reward, it's not compensation."

"It's for you—"

He paused, his voice soft yet carrying clearly throughout the silent hall:

"Stand shoulder to shoulder with me."

"Sharing the burden with me."

"Walk with me... all the way."

After saying that, he reached out his hand to her.

It wasn't the posture of an emperor; it was a man inviting the partner he had chosen.

Shen Qingci stood there, looking at his outstretched hand and at his eyes filled with complex emotions.

There are two voices fighting in my head.

The original owner's memories screamed: Say yes! He's A-Ye! He admitted his mistake! He made amends!

Her own reason scoffed: a political performance.

Winning hearts and minds. Consolidating power.

But the heart inside my chest began to beat uncontrollably.

She remembered how he stood in front of her, covered in blood, on Eagle Fall Slope.

She recalled how, in the wounded soldiers' camp, he held her hand tightly even while unconscious.

I recalled the barely perceptible tremor in his voice when he said "the Shen family has been wronged."

This man is truly changing.

Even if this change is mixed with guilt, calculation, and political needs... at least he is trying.

for a long time.

Under the breathless gaze of all the officials, under the cold stare of Prince Jing, and amidst the tearful anticipation of his father—

Shen Qingci reached out and took his hand.

They didn't say "okay" or "willing".

Just hold it.

But Nangong Ye's eyes lit up instantly.

It looked like stars were falling into it.

"Issue the decree," he said, turning around, his voice regaining its imperial authority.

"Effective immediately, Empress Shen Qingci shall enjoy the powers of overseeing the state, participating in political discussions, and approving imperial edicts."

The "Phoenix Pavilion" was established, standing alongside the "Inner Cabinet" to jointly manage state affairs.

"Other--"

He looked at the Minister of Rites:

"Three days later, I will personally go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple with the Empress and the Crown Prince to pay homage to our ancestors."

To our ancestors: The Southern Palace's legacy has a worthy successor.

These words are quite meaningful.

The real purpose was to comfort the ancestors, but to declare to the world that "the emperor and empress are of one mind and the crown prince is the rightful heir."

Prince Jing, Nangong Shuo's face turned completely ashen.

---

Halfway through the banquet, Shen Qingci left early, citing that "His Majesty needs to rest."

Nangong Ye wanted to leave with her, but he was surrounded by several senior officials who offered him wine.

This was a rare moment of harmony between the ruler and his subjects, and he could not spoil the mood.

Shen Qingci walked out of the Taihe Hall alone, and only when the night wind blew did she realize that her back was soaked with cold sweat.

What just happened may have seemed glamorous, but it was actually fraught with danger.

Every decision, every word, could trigger a political upheaval in the court.

But Nangong Ye did just that, without hesitation or reservation.

"Your Majesty."

Mo Shisan's voice rang out from the shadows.

"explain."

"Three people have advanced into Prince Jing's residence in half an hour."

Mo Shisan said in a low voice,

"A merchant from Xiling"

A scholar with a Jiangnan accent,

There's also... Zhao Meng, the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards.

Shen Qingci narrowed her eyes.

Xiling, Jiangnan, Imperial Guard.

Prince Jing has connected all the forces that can be linked together.

"Keep an eye on it."

She paused.

"Send more people to His Majesty's side."

From today onwards, his food, medicine, and personal belongings will all undergo triple inspection.

"Yes." Mo Shisan hesitated for a moment.

"Your Majesty, what His Majesty announced in public today...you really..."

"Really what?" Shen Qingci turned to look at him. "You really believe him?"

Mo Shisan lowered his head.

"I believe he is sincere now."

Shen Qingci looked towards the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The place was brightly lit, and one could faintly hear the sounds of stringed instruments and laughter.

"But the heart of an emperor is most easily changed."

"Today he may defy ancestral rules for me, but tomorrow he may take everything away for some other reason."

She paused, her voice very soft:

"So, what I want is not his promise."

"It's real power."

"It is a power that cannot be taken away even if he changes his mind one day."

After saying that, she turned and walked towards the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

There, Bao'er was already asleep.

Jinshu said that the little one mumbled before going to sleep, "Daddy and Mommy look so good today."

Shen Qingci sat by the bed, looking at her son's sleeping face.

She recalled the way Nangong Ye looked at her at the banquet.

Love, admiration, prayer.

So complicated, so heavy.

She reached out and gently brushed Bao'er's hair from her forehead, whispering to herself:

"Baby, Mommy seems... to be unable to tell the difference anymore."

It's unclear which of the emotions are remnants of the original owner.

Which ones were her own feelings of attraction?

It's even more unclear where this newly begun "co-governance" will ultimately lead.

But one thing she was certain of—

No matter what lies ahead, she will never again entrust her fate to anyone else.

Even the man who said, "I'll give you half of this empire."

Night deepened.

But the grand banquet in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had only just begun.

Prince Jing, Nangong Shuo, holding a wine cup, walked to the foot of the imperial steps and bowed to Nangong Ye:

"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast."

"May you and your sister-in-law grow old together in harmony and be forever united in heart."