Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

The eighth day of the sixth month in the fourth year of Jinghe.

Great fortune; auspicious for weddings, sacrifices, and oaths.

On this day, the capital city was deserted as everyone flocked to the streets.

From the palace gate to the Temple of Heaven, the ten-mile-long street was crowded with people eagerly waiting.

Because of today—

It was the day of the emperor and empress's wedding.

No, that's not right.

It should be said that—

The day the emperor and empress remarried.

"They're here! Look!"

"The Phoenix Carriage! The Phoenix Carriage is coming!"

The crowd stirred, and countless eyes turned towards the palace gate.

The vermilion palace gates slowly opened.

A grand procession of honor marched out.

At the very front, thirty-six golden-armored imperial guards led the way.

Following this was a ceremonial music troupe of eighty-one people, with bells and drums ringing out and sheng and xiao playing in harmony.

And then—

It was that bright yellow phoenix carriage surrounded by nine phoenixes.

Layers of thin gauze hung around the phoenix carriage, through which the figure sitting inside could be vaguely seen.

"Your Majesty the Empress! It's Your Majesty the Empress!"

The people were so excited that they knelt down, but they couldn't help but peek up at each other.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew by.

A corner of the veil was lifted.

The silhouette of the person inside was revealed.

A phoenix crown unlike any I've ever seen before, simple yet elegant.

There were no elaborate jewels or ornaments, only nine golden phoenixes holding pearls, gleaming in the sunlight.

And beneath the phoenix crown, that person's face...

"Heavens...a celestial being descended to earth..."

Someone murmured, completely stunned.

---

Inside the imperial carriage.

Shen Qingci sat upright, expressionless.

But deep down, she was also a little nervous.

It wasn't because of the wedding.

Rather, it's because—

The phoenix robe she's wearing was designed by her own hand.

Three months ago.

"You want to design the phoenix robe yourself?" Nangong Ye's eyes widened at that moment.

"What, it's not allowed?" Shen Qingci raised an eyebrow.

"It's not that it's impossible... it's just..." Nangong Ye scratched his head, "Wedding dresses are all custom-made, it's a tradition that's been around for hundreds of years..."

"Rules are made by people," Shen Qingci said calmly. "Since we're going to 'not follow the old rules,' then we won't follow them at all from beginning to end."

Nangong Ye looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Okay," he said. "You design it, I'll have someone make it. Once it's finished, I'll wear it with you."

And so, this is what we have today—

The phoenix robe that shocked everyone.

It lacks the traditional, layered, and suffocatingly intricate embroidery patterns.

Instead, the tailored cut accentuated her figure, making her appear tall and straight like a pine tree.

The hem of the skirt is embroidered with a phoenix and peony pattern in gold thread.

It wasn't fully embroidered, but rather sparse and dense, so that as you walked, the phoenix seemed to dance on the hem of your skirt.

The most amazing part is the shoulders—

Instead of the traditional cloud-shaped shoulder ornament, it consisted of two pieces of gold gauze as thin as cicada wings.

The sun, moon, and stars are embroidered on it with extremely fine silk threads, and they shimmer and sparkle in the sunlight as she moves.

"Your Majesty," Jinshu whispered from the side, "the people outside are all stunned."

Shen Qingci's lips curved slightly.

It wasn't just the people outside who were stunned.

At this moment, Nangong Ye, riding the imperial horse and walking in front of the phoenix carriage, had looked back no less than twenty times.

Every time I see it, it's like seeing it for the first time.

My eyes widened in disbelief.

"Your Majesty," Xuan Ying couldn't help but whisper, "if you keep looking, you'll break your neck."

Nangong Ye then withdrew his gaze, coughed lightly, and his ears turned bright red.

---

Temple of Heaven.

Incense smoke wafted around the Circular Mound Altar.

The officials stood solemnly, and the members of the imperial family lined up.

Nangong Ye stepped onto the altar first, turned around, and stretched out his hand.

The phoenix carriage stopped below the altar.

The veil was lifted, and Shen Qingci slowly walked out.

In that instant—

The entire room fell silent.

Everyone held their breath.

That phoenix robe was too dazzling in the sunlight.

The phoenix crown with nine phoenixes holding pearls accentuated her beautiful features.

That demeanor possessed both the grace of an empress and the sharpness of a phoenix.

"sky……"

An old minister murmured, "I saw her from afar when the late Empress Dowager got married... Now, Her Majesty the Empress has the same demeanor as the late Empress Dowager..."

"No," the person next to her said softly, "it was even more powerful than the late Empress Dowager."

Shen Qingci ascended the altar step by step.

She walked up to Nangong Ye.

Look at him.

Seeing the amazement in his eyes, seeing his undisguised and overflowing joy.

She reached out and placed her hand in his palm.

Hands clasped together.

Their fingers are intertwined.

"Let's go," Nangong Ye said softly, "to meet the heavens and the earth, and our ancestors."

---

The grand ceremony to worship Heaven has officially begun.

But everyone discovered—

Today's festival is different from those of the past.

It wasn't just the emperor who knelt in worship.

Instead, the emperor and empress knelt side by side.

It wasn't just the emperor who offered incense.

Instead, the emperor and empress were holding the same incense stick.

The emperor was not the only one reading the eulogy.

But -

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor and Empress jointly proclaim this to Heaven and Earth—"

Xuan Ying read aloud the eulogy, which read:

"The Emperor and Empress are one, Yin and Yang in harmony. Together they inherit the Mandate of Heaven and jointly care for the common people. From this day forward, the two seals shine together, never betraying each other."

Twin seals shine together.

Never betray each other.

These eight words, like a thunderclap, echoed across the altar.

The officials knelt in awe.

The people looked up, their eyes filled with tears.

Above the Temple of Heaven, wisps of cigarette smoke rose straight into the sky.

It was as if heaven and earth were witnessing this moment.

---

The sacrificial ceremony to Heaven has concluded.

The emperor moved his carriage to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

This is the more solemn part—

Pay homage to ancestors.

Inside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, layers upon layers of memorial tablets silently overlook the place, bathed in the glow of the eternal lamps.

Nangong Ye and Shen Qingci entered side by side.

We stopped in front of the memorial tablets of Emperor Taizu and Empress Xiaoci at the highest point.

"Ancestors above," Nangong Ye began, his voice solemn, "This unworthy descendant, Nangong Ye, along with his wife, Shen Qingci, has come to offer sacrifices."

Shen Qingci also spoke, her voice clear and melodious:

"Shen Qingci, born into the Shen family, married into the Southern Palace. Three years of ups and downs, she survived nine brushes with death. Now she is of one heart and mind with His Majesty, governing the country together. We hope that our ancestors will see this sincerity and bless us, my husband and I, to protect this country."

The two knelt down together.

Three kowtows.

As she stood up, Shen Qingci suddenly felt a gentle breeze.

It's strange, the doors and windows of the Imperial Ancestral Temple are tightly closed, so where is the wind coming from?

But the wind did come.

It gently brushed around the two of them.

Then, the flames of the eternal lamps flickered all at once.

It was as if—someone was nodding gently.

Tears streamed down Eunuch Li's face as he prostrated himself and kowtowed.

"Our ancestors... have shown their power... Our ancestors have recognized the Empress..."

The officials were shocked and kowtowed in unison.

Shen Qingci stared blankly at the memorial tablets and the flickering lights.

A strange feeling welled up inside me.

It's not about reverence.

It's more like... a feeling of coming home.

Nangong Ye held her hand tightly.

"Qingci," he whispered in her ear, "our ancestors loved you very much."

Shen Qingci turned to look at him, her eyes slightly red.

"I know," she said. "I...like them too."

---

The ancestral worship ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple has concluded.

The last item—

Declaring an alliance.

In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, on the square, all eyes were on the people.

Nangong Ye and Shen Qingci stood side by side, with a huge copy of the "Emperor and Empress Covenant" hanging high behind them so that everyone could see it.

Xuan Ying stepped forward and read aloud:

"The Emperor and Empress's Covenant—"

"First, equality; second, respect; third, trust; fourth, co-governance..."

Each time a sentence was read aloud, gasps of surprise erupted from the crowd.

"Emperor and Empress are equal...this..."

Can a woman get a divorce? Can she inherit family property?

"Heavens...is this still Nangong's realm?"

Some were terrified, some were bewildered, and many more—

Tears welled up.

Especially some of the women squeezed in the crowd, dressed in coarse cloth, their hands covered in calluses from their labor, couldn't stop their tears from flowing as they listened to those unheard-of regulations.

"From now on...from now on girls can also go to school..."

"From now on... from now on, if I'm beaten by my husband's family, I can file a lawsuit..."

"From now on... from now on we... can be considered human beings..."

Some people hugged each other, sobbing uncontrollably.

The alliance has ended.

Nangong Ye stepped forward and said loudly:

"From this day forward, the Empress and I will rule the country together."

"The imperial covenant shall be promulgated throughout the land and shall be established as a permanent system."

"All citizens of Nangong, regardless of gender, are protected by this covenant."

"Those who violate this agreement—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room:

"The Empress and I will jointly execute him."

The three words "to punish them together" resounded powerfully, echoing in the air above the square.

The people were in an uproar.

"Long live Your Majesty! Long live Her Majesty the Empress!"

"Long live! Long live!"

"Long live! Long live!!"

Cheers surged up like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next.

Shen Qingci looked at the scene before her, at the genuine excitement and joy on the faces of the people.

Suddenly, I felt that all the suffering of the past three years had been worth it.

---

Just as the cheers subsided slightly.

In the distance, the sound of rapid hoofbeats could be heard.

The crowd automatically separated.

A fast horse galloped up, the rider dressed in a Northern Army uniform, covered in dust.

He dismounted at the edge of the square, held a long wooden box in both hands, knelt down and shouted:

"Urgent report from the Northern Frontier! General Xiao Jue, the heir of the Prince of Zhenbei, offers his congratulations on the Emperor and Empress's wedding! His gift is a map of the vast territory!"

A map of China's vast territory?!

The entire audience erupted in uproar.

That was... the most complete map in the world, which the Northern Legion spent three years surveying and drawing!

It is said that it marks every pass, every river, every mountain peak, and even the distribution of tribes deep in the northern grasslands!

This is a crucial piece of military equipment!

They are the lifeblood of the Northern Legion!

Xiao Jue... he actually sent this as a congratulatory gift?!

Shen Qingci was slightly taken aback.

Nangong Ye glanced at her, then said, "Bring it here."

The wooden box was presented respectfully.

turn on.

Inside was a huge sheepskin map, folded neatly.

Above the map, there was a thin letter.

The envelope contained only four words:

"To the Empress"

Nangong Ye didn't open it; he handed it directly to Shen Qingci.

Shen Qingci took the letter and unfolded it.

The letter contained only a few lines:

"Your Majesty the Empress's Respect:"

"Upon hearing of the Emperor and Empress's wedding, I, your subject in the northern border, offer my congratulations from afar

"This map of the vast territory is the culmination of three years of hard work by the soldiers of the Northern Frontier, and is now presented to Your Majesty."

"Every inch of land on this map is dedicated to protecting the Empress."

"Your subject will forever guard the northern border."

"Congratulations to His Majesty and the Empress!"

May this prosperous era last forever.

"Xiao Jue bows respectfully."

Yongzhen in the northern border.

May this prosperous era last forever.

Eight characters: clean and tidy.

Not a single word was superfluous.

But as Shen Qingci looked at the familiar handwriting, the image of that eternally upright pine tree appeared before her eyes.

The person who handed her a blank secret decree when she was most helpless.

The person who said, "The North will always be your way out," when she was in the most danger.

The person who, without hesitation, staked out the entire Northern Legion when she needed support the most.

She took a soft breath, folded the letter, and tucked it into her sleeve.

"Issue the imperial decree," she said, her voice clear and bright. "Xiao Jue has rendered meritorious service by presenting the map; he is rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and bestowed with a plaque inscribed with 'Loyalty and Bravery.' Also—"

She paused, then looked at Nangong Ye.

Nangong Ye nodded.

She continued:

"Xiao Jue is hereby appointed as the General Who Guards the North, in charge of all military and political affairs in the northern border, a hereditary title."

"Regarding matters in the Northern Border, Xiao Jue may act first and report later; there is no need to seek imperial approval for every matter."

These words shocked all the officials.

This... grants Xiao Jue immense power in the Northern Territory!

It's like handing over the entire north to him!

But think about it carefully—

What Xiao Jue wanted was never power.

What he always wanted was—

guard.

He wanted to protect this land and the people he wanted to protect.

Even if that person will never belong to him.

---

In the square, the Northern soldier who delivered the message kowtowed deeply, tears welling in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I, on behalf of the General, thank you for your great kindness! Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress, for your great kindness!"

He rose, mounted his horse, and galloped away.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

Shen Qingci watched them go in that direction, remaining silent for a long time.

Nangong Ye gently took her hand.

"Qingci," he said softly, "Xiao Jue is a good person."

Shen Qingci turned to look at him.

"I know," she said, "which is why I can't let him down."

"To live up to him is to let him live a good life and become the person he wanted to be."

"He is a general, the guardian of the North."

"no……"

She paused, then didn't continue.

Nangong Ye understood.

He's not anyone to her.

It can't be either.

He gripped her hand tightly and said nothing more.

I just stayed with her, looking in that direction together.

Looking at the person who is forever in the North, protecting this land for them.

---

late at night.

Kunning Palace.

The wedding ceremony concluded, and the guests departed.

Shen Qingci sat by the window, still holding the letter in her hand.

Nangong Ye came up from behind and gently put his arm around her.

"Still thinking about it?"

"Um."

"What are you thinking about?"

Shen Qingci was silent for a moment, then said softly:

"I wonder if he's alone in the North, spending the New Year with anyone."

"I wonder if anyone took care of him when he was injured."

"I wonder if he's lonely too."

Nangong Ye hugged her even tighter.

"Yes," he said, "but he will continue down the path he has chosen."

"Just like the path you chose, you've walked it to the end."

"Qingci, for some people, their mission is to protect."

"To protect the country, to protect the people, to protect... those he wanted to protect."

"This in itself is a kind of happiness."

Shen Qingci leaned against him, listening to his strong heartbeat.

for a long time.

She nodded slightly.

"Yes," she said. "I know."

Outside the window, the moon is full and round.

Thousands of miles away, in the northern border.

Xiao Jue stood alone on the city wall, gazing south.

The moonlight shone on him, casting a long shadow.

Behind him, the lieutenant whispered, "General, the grand wedding in the capital has been successfully completed."

Xiao Jue remained silent.

He simply took out a small brocade pouch from his bosom.

Inside the brocade pouch was a dried plum blossom.

That was last year; he brought it back from Jiangnan.

The plum blossoms in her yard.

He stared at it for a long time.

Then, he carefully put the brocade pouch away again and kept it close to his body.

"I understand," he said softly, his voice carried away by the night breeze.

"Go down."

The deputy general stepped down.

Xiao Jue remained standing there, gazing south.

The corners of her mouth curved slightly.

Yongzhen in the northern border.

May this prosperous era last forever.

Those eight words were the best blessing he could give.

---

The capital city, Kunning Palace.

Shen Qingci suddenly looked up and gazed northward.

Nangong Ye asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Shen Qingci shook her head and smiled.

"It's nothing," she said. "I just suddenly felt a wind coming from the north."

"It's warm."

Nangong Ye smiled too.

He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead.

"Go to sleep," he said. "Tomorrow, you have to go to court."

"Um."

The candle went out.

Moonlight bathed the courtyard.

That night, some families were reunited.

There are people who protect the reunion.