Chapter 156
In front of the deathsworn soldiers, Qiu Chi killed the emperor directly and took the token used to command them.
Aside from their leader, whom Qiu Chi killed for his defiance, the other deathsworn soldiers were quite obedient.
After destroying the emperor's corpse without a trace, Qiu Chi rummaged through her space and pulled out a wooden puppet.
Qiu Chi placed a spirit stone on the back of the puppet's neck, and at her command, it transformed into the likeness of the recently deceased emperor.
She performed these actions openly in front of the men in black. Even as trained deathsworn soldiers, their eyes betrayed their shock and suspicion at her methods.
Qiu Chi paid no mind to their thoughts. Once everything was prepared, she commanded them, “Investigate Jian Ninghua's deployments in the General's Manor and show your findings to General Jian.”
Upon hearing Qiu Chi's command, the men in black bowed and vanished without a sound.
They looked impressive, but it was merely an appearance.
Now that the emperor was dead, she no longer needed to waste time watching Jian Ninghua's rebellion unfold.
This puppet emperor did whatever Qiu Chi commanded.
Qiu Chi had the puppet feign illness, while she, the crown prince who had never attended court, stepped forward to take charge.
In the throne room, Qiu Chi announced, “Everyone, the Emperor is ill and has asked me to preside over court and handle state affairs. If you have any matters to report, you may speak now.”
The officials below exchanged glances, but no one questioned her.
After all, the emperor had only one child. Who else could he entrust with power but the crown prince?
Even the most ambitious officials below had no intention of rebelling, so Qiu Chi's assumption of the emperor's duties proceeded with incredible smoothness.
The Tanhua Lang was also in the court. He hadn't dared to look up, but hearing Qiu Chi's voice, he found it familiar. Unable to resist, he glanced up and froze.
This… he looks so much like the princess, doesn't he?
But I've never heard of the royal family having fraternal twins…
While the Tanhua Lang was still stunned, Qiu Chi shot him a smiling glance. He flinched and immediately lowered his head, his mind racing as a vague idea began to form.
After court was dismissed, a eunuch stopped the Tanhua Lang. “Imperial Son-in-law, His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to see you. Please come with me.”
With the emperor dealt with, Qiu Chi had not spared his trusted confidants either.
The entire imperial palace had undergone a major reshuffle, and some had seized the opportunity to become the new favorites.
The Tanhua Lang was still in a daze when he was led to the Eastern Palace, not yet fully processing the situation.
It was only when Qiu Chi pointed to a pile of memorials on the desk that he snapped out of it. “You'll stay here today. You may leave once you've finished processing these memorials.”
After she spoke, Qiu Chi had several men brought in. “These are tutors I have found for you. Learn well from them. I have very high hopes for you.”
By now, the Tanhua Lang had no idea what expression to wear.
He looked from the memorials to Qiu Chi, then to the tutors, and asked in a trembling voice, “I have something I'd like to say to you alone. May I?”
Qiu Chi readily agreed and dismissed the others. “If you have something to say, say it quickly. The more you delay, the longer you'll be staying here.”
Since she had put it that way, the Tanhua Lang no longer hesitated. He immediately asked, “Are you… are you…”
He couldn't bring himself to say the rest.
Qiu Chi nodded. “Yes, I am. I told you not to dawdle. If you keep stuttering, don't bother asking.”
The Tanhua Lang fell silent for a moment. Finally, he stopped stuttering and asked properly, “Are you a man or a woman?”
The corner of Qiu Chi's mouth twitched. She was speechless. “A woman. Ask that question again, and you'll get a beating. And you'll still have to handle these state affairs afterward.”
“I was just about to ask about that. Why are you making me handle state affairs? If the Emperor finds out, I'll be a dead man! Besides, you're the crown prince—this is your duty. Why are you dumping it on me? I want to spend more time with Wan'er.”
Perhaps the shock had rattled him, because the Tanhua Lang was no longer speaking in his usual refined, scholarly manner.
The corner of Qiu Chi's lips curled into a smile with an unreadable meaning, but her words offered no explanation. “Just do as you're told. Cut the nonsense. If you want Wan'er to keep you company, I can have her brought into the palace. You're still the Imperial Son-in-law, after all. You can stay in the palace as well. How does that sound?”
“It doesn't sound good at all!” The Tanhua Lang couldn't help but jump to his feet. There were things he desperately wanted to say, and he could no longer hold them back.
He glanced around before asking Qiu Chi, “Are all the people here loyal to you? Could the walls have ears?”
Qiu Chi sat down and took a leisurely sip of tea. “Say what you want to say. There's no need to be evasive.”
Never mind that she now held the entire palace in her grasp. Even if she didn't, what did it matter if the walls had ears? As if she would be afraid.
Seeing Qiu Chi so calm and composed, the Tanhua Lang relaxed slightly.
He said, somewhat angrily, “I can help you with the memorials, but you cannot bring Wan'er into the palace. Forgive my disrespect, but His Majesty's reputation in certain matters is… not good. Wan'er is so gentle and pure. What if… what if he takes a liking to her?”
The emperor had few heirs and was desperate to produce more. He had slept with every beauty he could in the imperial harem and would even occasionally consult masters to find his “fated person.” All the previous emperors of the Pei Dynasty combined did not have as many women as he did, so naturally, his reputation was poor.
Qiu Chi hadn't expected this to be his concern, and she couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Seeing that Qiu Chi was still in the mood to laugh, the Tanhua Lang's tension eased slightly. But then he grew puzzled. “His Majesty… he is your father, after all. How can you…”
“How can I be so disrespectful as to laugh when hearing such things about him?”
When the Tanhua Lang nodded, Qiu Chi said, “Well, then, how do you think my life has been, disguised as a man?”
The Tanhua Lang said nothing.
In his heart, he felt Qiu Chi was perfectly justified, as the emperor had been a terrible father. But then he remembered this was the emperor they were talking about, and he couldn't help but think Qiu Chi was incredibly audacious.
He couldn't help but sigh. “If only you were a man…”
Qiu Chi held up a hand. “Stop right there. Even if you mean it as a compliment, I don't want to hear it. Why must I be a man? What's wrong with being a woman? Anything a man can do, a woman can do too.”
Originally, Qiu Chi had planned to make the Tanhua Lang emperor when the time was right. Now, she had changed her mind.
Before making the Tanhua Lang emperor, she would become the ruler first. She would reveal her identity as a woman and then abdicate the throne to him.
As for the actual work of ruling and handling state affairs? Simple. She'd just have the Tanhua Lang do it.
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