Thrown out of the house, the wet nurse enters the noble household and becomes a person of high statu

In the imperial palace, white banners hung to the ground, and incense and candles formed a forest.

The late emperor's coffin was placed in the center of the main hall, and all the civil and military officials removed their hat tassels, knelt in the hall in plain clothes.

The low sobs continued day and night, but there was a hint of fear and sorrow in those sobs.

Xiao Chenlin stood before the coffin in a bright yellow dragon robe, without a crown or tassels, his long hair tied up with a golden crown.

He was holding a sword, the tip of which was still dripping blood.

The blood fell onto the white felt spread on the ground, and then meandered along the texture of the felt to the incense table.

The body of the Imperial Censor, who was kneeling in the second row, had just been dragged out, leaving a long trail of blood on the ground.

He was a staunch supporter of the Second Prince's faction, questioning Xiao Chenlin's ascension to the throne and saying that he had not seen the late emperor's edict of succession.

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Chenlin stabbed him through the chest with his sword.

"Lord Wang was so grief-stricken that he followed the late emperor in death."

Xiao Chenlin flicked the blood off his sword and glanced at the prostrate backs of the people in the hall.

"Is there anyone else who thinks something is amiss?"

A deathly silence fell, broken only by suppressed gasps.

The Vice Minister of Rites, kneeling beside Lord Wang, crawled forward on his knees, touching the ground with his forehead.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject congratulates you on your ascension to the throne! Long live Your Majesty ...!"

Immediately afterwards, a series of echoes rang out, and half of the Second Prince's faction actually joined in shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

Xiao Chenlin's smile was both satisfied and chilling; he raised his hand in a gesture of support.

"My beloved subjects, rise. Today is the New Year, a time for family reunion. With the vigil nearing its end, return to your residences and enjoy a good time with your families."

The huge crowd felt as if they had been granted a pardon and rushed out of the hall. Some people were in such a hurry that they tripped at the threshold and scrambled out of the hall.

The hall was immediately emptied of most of its contents.

The rest were mostly die-hard supporters of the Second Prince's faction, who had connections with Xiao Chenlin and knew they couldn't escape being purged.

They knelt on the spot, their faces ashen.

Xiao Chenlin strode up to them, his sword tip touching the ground. "What about you all? Don't you want to go back and reunite with your families?"

Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying came from a corner of the main hall. Xiao Chenlin looked in the direction of the sound.

The eldest princess and her maid stood there holding the child, dressed in white mourning clothes, their eyes red-rimmed.

Xiao Chenlin's eagle eyes lit up, and he walked over there with his sword in hand.

Blood slid down the sword, leaving a trail of red dots on the floor tiles.

The prince consort's legs went weak as he stepped forward, shielding his wife and children behind him.

Although he was a coward, he knew that Xiao Chenlin was ruthless and was afraid that he would hurt his wife and children.

"Aunt, why won't you let me see my younger cousins?"

The eldest princess held her child tightly, "My brother's body is barely cold after his passing, and you've already splattered blood and slaughtered loyal officials in the mourning hall. Where is justice? Where is morality?"

"Legitimate? I am the legitimate ruler!"

Xiao Chenlin opened his arms, his bright yellow dragon robe gleaming in the candlelight.

"Aunt, oh Aunt, how long will you continue to show favoritism? Xiao Yiheng has already been killed by bandits, his body can't even be found. I am the rightful new emperor of Great Wei!"

Meanwhile, as the eldest princess confronted Xiao Chenlin, Pei Zeyu suddenly received a crumpled piece of paper slipped into his hand by an unfamiliar eunuch.

He unfolded it when no one was paying attention. There were no words on it, but it was a painting: The White Snake Lady flooding Jinshan Temple.

Others might not understand, but he did.

She has a child.

Pei Zeyu swayed slightly, and the Duke of Yu, who was beside him, noticed and turned to look at him: "Zeyu?"

"Father, I'm fine, just a little tired."

He clenched the note in his palm, the candlelight revealing fine blood vessels in his eyes.

At the other end of the main hall, the eldest princess finally gave in, picked up the child, and knelt down to pay her respects.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but my child is shy. May we go back and rest?"

The sound of "Your Majesty" brought a smile to Xiao Chenlin's face. He withdrew his hand and put it behind his back.

"Aunt, if you are tired, please go back to Huiyin Palace to rest. I will have someone prepare a calming soup and send it over later."

After saying this, she gave a wink to the chief eunuch behind her, and immediately palace servants stepped forward and, half-inviting and half-helping, led the princess and her entourage away from the mourning hall.

Seeing that Pei Zeyu was unwell, the Duke of Yu slowly spoke, "The period of mourning has ended. May we return to our residences?"

Xiao Chenlin was about to wipe the sword with a silk handkerchief when he heard this and paused.

He raised his eyes, his gaze first sweeping over Pei Dingxuan, who was kneeling behind the Duke of Yu.

Pei Dingxuan served as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, in charge of criminal cases, and over the years he has caused him no shortage of trouble.

"Why is Duke Yu in such a hurry? The late emperor valued you most when he was alive. Staying a few more days to mourn is simply fulfilling your duty as a subject to the emperor, isn't it?"

The words were spoken lightly, but all the remaining officials in the hall understood the implication of house arrest.

Duke Yu's expression changed slightly, but he still forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty's consideration is appreciated by this old minister, but there are still many matters to attend to in the palace..."

"Official business?" Xiao Chenlin interrupted him, "More important than keeping vigil for the late emperor?"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Pei Zeyu looked up at that moment.

He had been kneeling for too long, and his knees were already numb, but the burning sensation in his chest made his internal organs ache.

The plain paper in his sleeve, in particular, felt like a branding iron, burning him to the point of almost losing control.

"Your Majesty, the Pei family has been observing mourning for seven days, according to ancestral custom..."

"Ancestral rule?" Xiao Chenlin whirled around, his sword tip pointing directly at Pei Zeyu. "I am the ancestral rule!"

The sword's edge gleamed coldly in the candlelight, and it was still stained with blood.

Pei Zeyu refused to back down, instead taking a step forward: "If Your Majesty wanted to establish your authority, you have already made an example of someone. The Pei family has been loyal and virtuous for generations and has never had any disloyal intentions. Why then...?"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Chenlin flicked his wrist, and the sword was already positioned across his shoulder and neck.

The cold blade pressed against his skin, and drops of blood slid down the spine of the sword, staining Pei Zeyu's plain white collar with a small patch of crimson.

Upon seeing this, the Duke of Yu was greatly alarmed and crawled forward on his knees: "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Yu'er is young and impetuous; if he were to offend you..."

Xiao Chenlin did not move his sword, but his gaze swept towards Pei Dingxuan kneeling to the side.

"Over the years, how many times has Pei Changzi offended me? In court discussions, he has repeatedly rejected my memorials. If it weren't for the Duke's sake, I would have dealt with him long ago."

Xiao Chenlin's actions were a blatant threat.

Cold sweat beaded on Duke Yu's forehead. Xiao Chenlin didn't want an apology; he wanted to offend Pei Dingxuan, to force the Pei family to relinquish their real power, and to make them submit to him from now on.

Pei Dingxuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly moved.

He could see clearly that Xiao Chenlin was determined to make an example of him.

If he refuses to back down and the stalemate continues, not only will he and his second brother find it difficult to extricate themselves, but their father, who is already old, will also be unable to withstand the turmoil.

He slowly removed the crown from his head and held it up with both hands.

"Your subject, Pei Dingxuan, is of limited talent and learning, and is unfit for the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice. Today, I request to resign and return home to reflect on my mistakes."

Duke Yu turned his head sharply to look at him, his lips trembling, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Dingxuan valued his official career above all else, and had devoted himself to the Ministry of Justice for many years, but now...

Xiao Chenlin slowly withdrew his sword, the tip of which lightly grazed Pei Zeyu's shoulder, leaving a faint bloodstain.

"Wouldn't it have been better if you had been more sensible earlier?"

He turned around and threw the sword to the eunuch behind him.

"Since Vice Minister Pei has requested to resign, I grant his request and will send someone to escort you out of the palace and back to your residence."

Duke Yu kowtowed and led Pei Dingxuan and Pei Zeyu out of the palace.

As Pei Zeyu walked out of the Taiji Hall, the palace road was long and the cold wind was biting, but his blood was boiling.

The seven days and seven nights of vigil left him exhausted, but he still wanted to ride out of the city immediately and rush to her side.

See her, hug her.

Listen to the orioles, wait for me.

…………