World's First Traitor System (445)

Chapter 445 - Empress Xiang Ning

"This Duke believes the Empress Dowager speaks reasonably." Fan Li chuckled, looking utterly harmless. The words he spoke made Empress Dowager Li's heart bloom with delight.

There was a chance! It was just as she had predicted! With beauty before him – an imperial noblewoman, the former Emperor of Chu – even Fan Li couldn't escape the snare of gentle charm.

"Duke Jin agreed!?" Empress Dowager Li was ecstatic.

Atop the high platform, Xiang Chong was also incredibly excited. "Quick! Release Us! We shall issue a decree immediately! Henceforth, We are willing to rule the realm jointly with Duke Jin!"

The officials were stunned. Duke Jin had personally led the army to destroy Great Ci and welcome Her Majesty back, only for this to be the outcome?

"Wait!" Fan Li raised a hand, halting the restless crowd. His expression turned cold, his tone laced with undisguised mockery. "When did this Duke agree?"

"But you just said..." Empress Dowager Li's face changed, a bad feeling rising in her heart.

Fan Li spared the Empress Dowager a slanted glance, then looked away. He turned and, under the gaze of countless eyes, ascended step by step onto the dragon carriage, the symbol of imperial status.

What was Duke Jin doing? Changing the dynasty? Ascending the throne himself? The dragon carriage, after all, was for the Emperor's use, not something a subject should presume to touch. It was no wonder the civil and military officials thought this way.

But they had thought too much. Fan Li merely needed a high place from which to deliver his speech. The dragon carriage was spacious and stable, making it an excellent stage.

"The Empress Dowager said this Duke is Great Chu's pillar supporting the heavens, the beam spanning the seas," Fan Li began. "Only that single sentence was correct."

Empress Dowager Li's face turned deathly pale! She clearly felt the mockery in Fan Li's words. If only that sentence was right, then were all her brilliant ideas just worthless noise?

Fan Li's gaze swept over everyone present. Those with guilty consciences immediately lowered their heads. Those seeking favor tried hard to put on expressions of loyalty. The slow-witted remained bewildered, still unsure of Fan Li's intentions. However, the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn; the officials dared not even breathe loudly. They had never forgotten that for many years, only this man truly held the final say in Great Chu.

"In the past, when the Overlord founded the nation, my Fan ancestors achieved unparalleled merit," Fan Li declared. "Today, as Great Chu stands among the powers of the world, the credit belongs to me, Fan Li!"

Confidence! An entirely different aura from mere boasting! No one could refute Fan Li's words!

He paused briefly, savoring the sight of the officials bowing their heads, the Empress Dowager and her son filled with fear. In this moment, he spiritually towered over them all.

"When Great Chu faces troubles, Fan Li will bear them!"

"When Great Chu lacks a sovereign, Fan Li will establish one!"

"Esteemed officials, what have you to fear?!"

Suddenly, the two hundred thousand soldiers of the Garrison Army roared in unison:

"With Duke Jin in Great Chu, esteemed officials, what have you to fear?"

"With Duke Jin in Great Chu, esteemed officials, what have you to fear?"

"With Duke Jin in Great Chu, esteemed officials, what have you to fear?"

The sound surged like a mountain collapsing, a tsunami crashing, drowning out everything!

After a long while, the roar subsided, and silence fell.

"Ah!" Perhaps too nervous, Xiang Ning's leg trembled, and she stumbled.

Without thinking, Fan Li reached out with one hand and pulled her directly into his embrace. Dressed in the dragon robe, Xiang Ning, who should have looked majestic, now pressed her hands and face against Fan Li's chest like a small bird seeking refuge. This scene was deeply etched into the eyes and hearts of the Great Chu officials.

"If Your Majesty cannot stand steady, you can hold on tighter," Fan Li said softly. His voice wasn't loud, but everyone nearby could hear it. Empress Dowager Li and Xiang Chong heard it particularly clearly, yet they trembled, daring not to look directly.

At this moment, Fan Li seemed to finally remember Xiang Chong's existence. He lifted his head and stared at him for a moment.

"Du... Duke Jin..." Xiang Chong forced an ugly smile.

"Behead the false emperor. Present his head at the imperial ancestral temple to console the spirits of the past emperors."

Xiang Chong thought he had misheard. Behead? Whose head? He had been the Emperor of Chu for ten years! Ten years! Killed just like that? Without even the process of imprisonment, trial, conviction, and execution?

"No, I am..." Xiang Chong started to say something, but the world began to spin. Why were his mother, the officials, Fan Li, and Xiang Ning all hanging upside down in the sky?

"Chong'er!!!!!" Empress Dowager Li shrieked as she watched Xiang Chong's body separate from his head. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted dead away.

Fan Chun flicked his longsword, cleaning off the bloodstains.

"The Empress Dowager meddled in politics and should have been executed," Fan Li stated. "Considering she was the wife of the former Emperor and the birth mother of the current Majesty, she is spared the death penalty. Confine her to the Cold Palace immediately, never to emerge for the rest of her life."

"Do any esteemed ministers object?" Fan Li asked symbolically.

The officials exchanged glances, then all shook their heads, indicating no objections.

"Good." Fan Li suddenly took Xiang Ning's hand. "Your Majesty, please ascend the platform and receive the obeisance of the officials."

So, this high platform had been specifically prepared for the Emperor of Great Chu. It was just that, in Fan Li's heart, the Emperor of Chu had always been Xiang Ning; Xiang Chong was never worthy.

"Me?" Xiang Ning paused, then instantly understood Fan Li's intention. Filled with gratitude, she lifted her foot to walk forward, then suddenly stopped again.

"Your Majesty?" Fan Li assumed she had something else to say, but instead, Xiang Ning took his hand.

"You accompany me," she insisted. Giving Fan Li no time to hesitate, she pulled the man along with her towards the high platform. The feeling reminded Fan Li somewhat of wedding rehearsals in his previous world.

"Beloved ministers!" Atop the high platform, Xiang Ning stood almost pressed against Fan Li before reluctantly releasing his hand.

Hearing her call, the officials all knelt, preparing to kowtow. But they saw Xiang Ning suddenly remove the beaded crown from her head. The officials were stunned, unsure what she intended.

Under the watchful eyes of all, Xiang Ning let down her thick, raven-black hair, which cascaded down her back like a waterfall. In that moment, the officials of Great Chu finally witnessed it. As a woman, Xiang Ning possessed a beauty capable of toppling cities and kingdoms, as lovely as a celestial fairy!

"Beloved ministers, upon resuming the imperial throne, I wish to issue the first imperial decree," Xiang Ning's voice trembled slightly.

"May Your Majesty issue the decree! Your ministers await the sacred instruction!" The officials' voices were neat and resonant, without a trace of hesitation. This was a declaration of position! This was loyalty! This was the acknowledgment of Xiang Ning, as a female emperor, once again reigning over Great Chu.

Xiang Ning glanced at the man beside her, her face slightly flushed, her eyes moist.

"Duke Jin Fan Li has protected the nation for ten years, sent troops to destroy Ci, welcomed the imperial carriage back, and achieved unparalleled merit. Today, special grace and rewards are bestowed."

The officials couldn't help but look up. Every achievement Xiang Ning listed was truly unparalleled. With three such merits combined, how should he be rewarded? Perhaps emperors throughout history would all have headaches dealing with such meritorious subjects?

"Enfeoff Duke Jin as King Jin."

"Grant him the use of the Son of Heaven's banners, a crown with twelve tassels, imperial procession guards upon entering and exiting, the right to ride in a golden chariot drawn by six horses, equipped with the five auxiliary carriages, adorned with yak-tail banners and cloud pennants, and accompanied by the eight-row dance..."

Fan Li, standing beside Xiang Ning, couldn't help but shoot her a sideways glance. Did this woman know what she was saying? Enfeoffed as a King? The entire imperial regalia package?

But it wasn't over yet. Xiang Ning concluded, "The former territory of the Brahma Sound Pure Land is entirely designated as King Jin's fiefdom. King Jin shoulders heavy responsibilities and is not permitted to leave the court; he shall serve Us by Our side. He may enter the palace day or night, without any restrictions."