The Empress has abandoned me? I'll support a new emperor and destroy your kingdom!

Silence returned to the hall once more.

This time, however, the air was thick with the stench of blood.

The bodies of rebels and some of the black-clad guards lay scattered on the ground, the gold bricks stained red with blood, a horrifying sight.

Most of the surviving civil and military officials were slumped on the ground or leaning against pillars, their faces pale and still in shock.

They looked at Su Che, who was still dressed in a blue robe, spotless, as if the bloody massacre had nothing to do with him, and their eyes were filled with unprecedented awe and fear.

This seemingly weak and unassuming advisor had unknowingly wielded such terrifying power and laid out such a meticulously planned killing scheme!

The Third Prince's self-righteous palace coup was nothing but child's play in his eyes!

Su Che walked to the imperial steps and bowed to the emperor, who was coughing up blood but still trying to stay upright: "Your Majesty, the rebels have been quelled. Please take care of your health."

The emperor looked at Su Che, then at the mess in the hall, his expression complex and unreadable, a mixture of relief, lingering fear, and a deep sense of apprehension.

But he knew that at this moment, only this person could be entrusted with something and could be kept in check.

"Minister Su... rise." The emperor gasped, looking at the edict that the eunuch was tightly protecting in his arms. "The edict... is correct. Effective immediately... proclaim it to the world. The defense of the capital... shall be taken over by Marquis Weiyuan and... the 'Dragon Soaring' and 'Tiger Warriors'. All matters of aftermath... shall be discussed and handled by Minister Su... and Marquis Weiyuan..."

"Your subject obeys the decree." Su Che and Marquis Weiyuan bowed simultaneously.

The emperor nodded, as if using up his last bit of strength, then tilted his head and fell into a coma again.

"His Majesty!"

"Quickly summon the imperial physician!"

The Hall of Mental Cultivation was in chaos once again.

Su Che and Marquis Weiyuan exchanged a glance.

Marquis Weiyuan said in a low voice, "Mr. Su, the situation in the capital has just stabilized, but the Third Prince's faction has not been eliminated, the Uwei bandits in the north are in dire need of action, and the war in the south has not been quelled... There are countless things to deal with."

"My lord, there is no need to worry." Su Che's gaze was calm. "The remaining followers of the Third Prince will be dealt with by the 'Listening Guard' and the 'Dragon Guard'."

With the Marquis in charge, the defense of the capital is as solid as a rock.

The northern Uwei are nothing more than a minor ailment; Luandi and Maodun are not worth considering. Their internal situation is unstable, and the Uwei's risky southward invasion will not last long.

I have already sent a message to my former troops in the northern frontier, waiting for an opportune moment to strike; perhaps we can incite them into chaos. Right now, the most pressing matter is the south.”

He looked out at the dark night sky to the south, towards Anqing.

"Her Highness is seriously injured, the rebels have not been quelled, and His Majesty... may be on his deathbed in the next few days. We must inform Her Highness of the situation in the capital as soon as possible, stabilize the south, and then... return to the capital."

"regent."

He spoke the last two words very softly, yet they carried immense weight.

Marquis Weiyuan remained silent, then nodded emphatically.

The candlelight in Weiyang Palace flickered, casting long shadows of the two people onto the still-wet gold bricks stained with blood.

The night in the capital has finally come to an end.

The blood fades, dawn is approaching.

However, the real storm may have only just begun.

The flames of war between the North and South, the lingering repercussions of the imperial court, the future of the young emperor, the power of the regency…

Everything awaits the return of the woman who is currently shedding blood on the walls of Anqing, to determine the outcome.

Su Che knew that he had done everything he could for her.

The rest of the journey is one she must walk herself.

And he will be here, at the heart of this power vortex, clearing all obstacles for her, paving the way back to the capital, until…

The day she truly reigns supreme.

On the city walls of Anqing, the cold wind carried the smell of gunpowder and a faint stench of blood.

The exhaustion after the fierce battle overwhelmed every soldier defending the city.

Many people, clutching their weapons, leaned against the cold brick walls and fell into a deep sleep, even though beneath them lay bloodstains and the still-warm bones of their comrades.

The temporary "camp" in the backyard of the government office was filled with the strong smell of medicine.

Yun Jin slowly woke up from her coma. The wounds on her left arm and right rib had been properly bandaged, but she still felt a sharp pain.

Her face was pale, her lips were chapped, and every breath she took pulled at her wounds.

"Your Highness, you're awake!" Qingdai, who had been standing by with red eyes, exclaimed in surprise and quickly brought over some warm water.

Yun Jin drank a few sips from Qingdai's hand, finally feeling the burning sensation in her throat subside slightly. "What time is it now? How is it outside the city?"

"It's just past dawn. The rebels have been withdrawing their troops since yesterday afternoon and haven't attacked again, but their camps remain untouched and their scouts are still there," Qingdai whispered.

"General Zhou and Commander Zhao are inspecting the city walls. General Chen is clearing the battlefield and tallying casualties. Military Advisor Han is urging the craftsmen to rush out crossbow bolts..."

She reported everything, her voice choked with sobs: "Your Highness, you were unconscious all night, it terrified me... The imperial physician said you lost too much blood and your wounds are deep, you need to rest well and absolutely must not engage in any more physical activity..."

"Rest in peace?" Yun Jin smiled bitterly, struggling to sit up, but the movement aggravated her wound, causing her to gasp in pain.

With Qingdai's help, she managed to sit up against the headboard and look out at the gray sky.

"The rebels have not retreated, and the capital... I don't know what's going on. How can I recuperate peacefully?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

"Your Highness!" Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing entered together, both of them with blood-stained armor and tired faces, but their eyes held a strange light that was a mixture of excitement and solemnity.

"What is it?" Yun Jin's heart tightened.

Zhou Bo took out a small copper tube sealed with sealing wax from his pocket and presented it with both hands.

"The highest-level secret report from 'Di Ting' has just arrived from the capital, using... Mr. Su's exclusive carrier pigeon channel."

Mr. Su's exclusive channel? The highest level?

Yun Jin's heart skipped a beat. She took the copper tube, her fingertips trembling slightly.

She gestured for Qingdai to fetch a small knife, carefully cut open the sealing wax, and pulled out the tightly rolled thin silk inside.

Unfolding the scroll revealed Su Che's familiar, powerful handwriting. The content was short, yet every word was chilling:

"At midnight last night, His Majesty publicly seized the Third Prince Yun Huan in Weiyang Palace, read out the imperial edict, established the Fourth Prince Yun Zhang as the Crown Prince, appointed His Highness as the Regent Princess, and appointed Marquis Weiyuan as the Assistant General to jointly manage state affairs."

The third prince, in desperation, launched a palace coup, which has been suppressed. Feng Tang was executed, and Yun Huan was imprisoned.

His Majesty is critically ill and may be in imminent danger.

The capital has been secured, but the Uwei invasion from the north requires the Marquis to remain in command to deal with it.

Your Highness should quell the rebellion in the south as soon as possible, return to the capital to assume the reins of government, and stabilize the overall situation.

Su Che bows his head. December 28th, 1-3 AM.

In just over a hundred words, it contained information that was enough to change the fate of the entire empire!

The Emperor's Will to Designate an Heir!

She herself became the Regent Princess!

The Three Princes' palace renovation failed, and they were imprisoned!

His Majesty is critically ill! The capital is now safe!

Flames of war have broken out in the north! Return to the capital immediately to assume the regency!

Every word was like a thunderclap, exploding in her mind!

For a moment, she was in a daze and couldn't believe it.

The Regent Princess...she oversees all government affairs, and decides all important military and national matters...this is almost the pinnacle of power that a woman can achieve!

Father... has actually entrusted her with such a heavy responsibility?

With Marquis Weiyuan as regent and Mr. Su stationed in the capital... this paved the way for her return to the capital and blocked all possible opposition.

And the Third Prince... finally fell from power.

Her elder brother, who had repeatedly tried to kill her, was ultimately defeated, utterly defeated.

The assassination in Liuyin Lane, the destruction of the umbrella outside Yongding Gate, the ambush in Luoying Gorge, the trap at Baima Ferry, the bloody battle under Anqing City... all the hardships, pain, and sacrifices along the way seem to have come to an end at this moment.

But why is there not much joy in my heart, only a heavy pressure and a trace of... indescribable sorrow?

Her father was critically ill and might not live much longer... The man who had once been dignified and indifferent, but who had ultimately entrusted everything to her, was about to leave.

From then on, she was truly alone in this world.

He must face this vast land alone, countless watchful eyes, the raging flames of war that have not yet died down in the north and south, and that lofty, cold, and lonely authority.

"Your Highness?" Zhou Bo and Zhao Jianing called out worriedly when they saw her remain silent for a long time and her expression change.

Yun Jin took a deep breath, suppressed the turbulent emotions in her heart, slowly folded the secret report, and put it away close to her body.

When I looked up again, my eyes were filled with calm and determination.