Only after the rebellion succeeded did they realize that this place was...

"What a huge bed!"

"Her affair with a man outside the family, Hua Lan, you are the legitimate daughter of the Sheng family."

How could you...?

"To commit such a shameless act!"

"Let your mother...I..."

Tokyo, the inner residence of the Sheng family.

Looking at the letter before her, Madam Wang Ruofu was heartbroken. Her lips turned slightly white, and her body trembled with anger.

But the words caught in her throat as she asked, "How can I cover for you?"

"Mother!"

Hua Lan's eyes reddened slightly, and she whispered, "My daughter met him by chance, but we are not engaged yet. We only exchange letters, poems, and songs."

"It wasn't as my mother said."

"Please, Mother, see the truth!"

Hua Lan bent down and spoke again.

only--

No one knows a daughter better than her mother!

After much deliberation, Wang Ruofu finally let out a soft sigh.

"Never mind!"

"Hualan, now that you have found a suitable husband, how could your mother be so heartless as to separate you two? But... what is this man's name, and whose family does he come from?"

"My daughter...I don't know."

Hua Lan lowered her head even further, "I only know..."

"Don't go out for the next few days. Stay home and reflect on your actions."

My mother's voice came through the phone.

Inside her boudoir, Hua Lan looked at the letters left behind and breathed a small sigh of relief. After what had just happened, her bright eyes held a hint of joy.

……

"The False Emperor Liu Hong!"

"It's true what they say, they share the same name. Liu Mama, tell me, how did Hualan, such a perfectly normal child, end up like this..."

"If I had known this would happen, I should have married into that count's family back then, otherwise I wouldn't have been delayed until today."

Wang Ruofu looked regretful and complained to Liu Mama beside her.

"Don't panic, young lady."

Granny Liu chuckled softly, "Don't you trust the eldest young lady's character? She's been with the old lady of Shou'an Hall since she was little. Even though things are like this now, she's probably just experiencing her first stirrings of love and hasn't really done anything inappropriate. Besides, the eldest young lady is still quite young..."

"I'm twenty-one!"

"It's about time we started making some preparations."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruofu became even more enraged, letting out a muffled snort and saying, "It's all because of that false emperor who raised an army in rebellion and waged wars for seven years now. Otherwise, given my Hualan's character, she would probably have been betrothed back in Yangzhou, and this sordid affair wouldn't have happened today!"

"By the way! Aunt Liu, do you think Hua Lan's sweetheart might be the same person as this fake emperor?"

Suddenly, Wang Ruofu had a sudden thought and, as if possessed, blurted out those words.

Granny Liu, always ready for a joke, chuckled and said, "If that were truly the case, wouldn't you, Miss, become royalty? That would be an immense blessing! From now on, in this household, not only that little wretch, but even the master would likely have to treat her with utmost respect!"

"Aunt Liu, you always know how to coax me..."

As the master and servant chatted and laughed, they walked out of the Wei Rui Pavilion, but as soon as they reached the front courtyard, they were shocked by the scene before them.

Even the old lady who always enjoyed herself at Shou'an Hall was there.

"My lord, what has happened?"

Looking at Sheng Hong's grief-stricken expression, Wang Ruofu wondered if he already knew about Hua Lan's matter.

What should we do?

In her anxiety, Wang Ruofu's previously calmed thoughts resurfaced, and she lost all composure. Her face was filled with panic as she stammered, "My lord, Hua Lan didn't do it on purpose. The child was just confused for a moment. Besides, that young master is exceptionally talented and will likely pass the imperial examination next year. He is certainly worthy of my Sheng family."

"The young man outside..."

Lin Qinshuang covered her red lips and said with a surprised expression.

"Big sister actually..."

Mo Lan spoke in disbelief.

"you!"

Upon hearing this, Sheng Hong was instantly enraged, but then, as if remembering something, his anger gradually subsided.

Then he asked another question.

"What is this person's background?"

"He must be from a poor family!"

Wang Ruofu dared not tell the truth and could only answer in this way.

Sheng Hong nodded slightly, sighed deeply, and said, "It's a good thing that she comes from a poor family. At least if the Sheng family falls, Hua Lan might still be able to escape this calamity."

This statement came out.

Immediately!

The expressions of the Sheng family members changed drastically.

"Honglang, what exactly happened?" Lin Qinshuang asked, her voice trembling.

Sheng Hong first glanced at the old lady, then his gaze swept over Wang Ruofu and her many children before he closed his eyes with a look of utter despair and said, "Today, the Emperor... surrendered!"

"I'm afraid it won't be long before the capital city of Tokyo opens up to welcome the new emperor, and we former officials will probably only be able to await our fate."

"Whether we live or die depends entirely on the new emperor's whim!"

"That false emperor is actually that powerful?"

Lin Qinshuang was startled and instinctively cried out.

Snapped!

Just moments before, Sheng Hong seemed to have let everything rest, but suddenly he stood up in anger, and without hesitation, a loud slap landed on Lin Qinshuang's cheek.

His eyes were wide open like copper bells, as if he wanted to devour someone.

"You bitch, what nonsense are you spouting?"

"Are you hoping that my entire Sheng family, young and old, will perish along with your treacherous tongue?"

"Even the princes and nobles in the capital city of Tokyo dared not utter these words, for fear of offending the emperor and thus setting an example to deter others from escaping."

"How dare you?"

"My lord, I know I was wrong, I really know I was wrong..."

……

Jinling, Jiangning Prefecture!

The capital of the Han Dynasty.

It was March, and spring was in full bloom.

"It's gone down?"

Inside the Chongzheng Hall, Liu Hong, behind his desk, smiled, his brows showing a relaxed and contented expression.

He has been in this world for several years.

On the path of rebellion, they relied on their clan as a foundation and proceeded with utmost diligence.

Today, the world is finally on the verge of unification.

His status as the emperor will be truly deserved.

"This expedition will be led by my own body!"

"To meet the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty in person, to win the hearts of all the people, and to establish the legitimate name of our Great Han Dynasty."

"Your humble servant obeys."

Left Chancellor Gongsun Bai and Grand Commander Geng Jie answered in unison.

……

The day the emperor travels.

The elite Imperial Guards cleared the way, escorted the emperor, and patrolled. The procession was simple yet of very high standard, with jade ornaments on the carriage roof, green flags and red canopies, and six horses pulling the carriage, all of which showed the legitimacy and majesty of the current Han Dynasty.

The surrounding people all held their heads high and felt a sense of pride.

"Long live Your Majesty!"

"The Song Dynasty was weak and corrupt. Now, our Han Dynasty has restored order and revitalized our land. We are the rightful rulers of the world."

"The Han dynasty has returned to its former glory; we are all Han people; a new era of peace and prosperity is about to begin!"

"..."

Inside the carriage, Liu Hong held a sutra scroll in his hands. A eunuch stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, it has now been confirmed! The person who copied the letter is Sheng Hualan, the eldest daughter of the Sheng family in this capital city of Dongjing."