Shocking! The entire court was drooling with envy because of me.

After bidding farewell to Shen's mother, Shen Qing, carrying the dumpling, joined Song Chengwu and the others, and the group set off for the capital in a grand procession.

About an hour later, the city gate was in sight.

Song Chengwu ordered 100,000 troops to camp outside the city, while he, along with Shen Qing and others, entered the capital and headed towards the palace.

"I am Song Chengwu."

Song Chengwu's eyes darkened, and a chill ran through his body.

In all the years he's commanded troops, not a single soldier has ever dared to yell at him.

"Song Chengwu???"

"The Song family! The Song family are traitors!!"

The soldiers at the city gate immediately started shouting and yelling, looking extremely nervous, and involuntarily took a step back.

Who doesn't know the name Song Chengwu?

The commander of the Song family army has rebelled!

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Zheng Quan shouted. "Our commander is here to see His Majesty. This is all a misunderstanding. Go and inform him immediately!"

The soldier trembled. A misunderstanding? How could a rebellion be explained away with just a misunderstanding?

Just then, Zhao Gou stepped forward: "Don't you recognize me? Madam Shen is here too, hurry up and go inform her."

"Eunuch Zhao!" The soldier's eyes lit up.

"Madam Shen is here too? Madam Shen is back? I've eaten at Zhiwei Restaurant a few times, Madam Shen's food is so delicious, especially that durian pizza, it's absolutely amazing..."

Mentioning Shen Qing seemed to unlock some secret in Xiaobing.

Zhao Gou: "...Hurry up and report this."

The sisters are really famous.

The soldier ran in excitedly, and soon he brought out the new emperor's order, inviting Shen Qing and the others to the palace.

The new emperor even specially ordered that a sedan chair be prepared for Shen Qing, for fear that she would get tired.

Before long, the group arrived at the Golden Palace.

The dragon throne above the Golden Palace has been changed; the former Prince Chun is now wearing a dragon robe and looks quite like a wise ruler.

"Lady Shen, you've finally returned. If it weren't for your great help, I wouldn't have been able to ascend the throne so easily."

The new emperor stood up excitedly and went to greet Shen Qing.

He knew perfectly well that his throne was no different from one he had picked up off the street.

The entire court of officials joined forces to rebel for Lady Shen's sake. If Lady Shen hadn't refused to become emperor, he probably wouldn't have had the throne at all.

Shen Qing cupped her hands in greeting, still maintaining a calm expression: "Your Majesty's ascension to the throne is truly a matter of destiny. I am merely a cook and have not contributed anything."

"The Song family members came to pledge allegiance to His Majesty because of His Majesty's wisdom and martial prowess."

Shen Qing quickly steered the conversation to the Song family army.

She was just a cook; she only wanted to cook and didn't want to take credit for anything.

Song Chengwu immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty, this sinful subject dares not deceive Your Majesty. The late emperor was truly incompetent. He was either engaged in large-scale construction projects or extravagant beauty pageants. His misdeeds were too numerous to list. He did not care about the lives of the people at all, causing them to suffer. This sinful subject could not bear to see the people suffer, which is why I led the troops to attack the city."

"Now that the late emperor is dead, my long-cherished wish has been fulfilled. Your Majesty is wise and mighty. I have brought 100,000 Song family troops to the capital, and they are now stationed outside the city."

"This sinful subject is willing to relinquish military power. I will take full responsibility for the killing of the late emperor and atone with my death. I beg Your Majesty to forgive the others."

Song Chengwu pondered these words for a long time.

His talk of atonement with death was merely a strategic retreat, a way to express his loyalty to the new emperor.

Moreover, Madam Shen had said that the new emperor would not kill him, and he trusted Madam Shen, who was so capable.

The new emperor laughed heartily and bent down to help Song Chengwu up: "There are no outsiders here, so I won't say any formalities. You killed a tyrannical emperor for the sake of the people, so how could I blame you?"

"It's a pity that the late emperor was too ungrateful. He did not fulfill his duties while in office and did so many absurd things. Even though we were brothers, I couldn't stand it."

"Rest assured, I will announce to the world that the late emperor died unexpectedly. As for the Song family army, regarding their rebellion..."

The new emperor paused, his expression turning serious.

"Are you, the Song family army, willing to atone for your crimes through meritorious service?"

Song Chengwu was taken aback: "To atone for your crimes through meritorious service?"

"Yesterday I received news that the Liao Kingdom disregarded the alliance between the two countries, disturbed the border, and acted aggressively, seemingly harboring ambitions to invade the Central Plains. I was worried all night, but fortunately the Song family army has arrived."

Song Chengwu's eyes lit up. Great! This is fantastic news. As long as he defeats the Liao people, he will still be the most powerful commander in Da'an.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not fail in my mission and will lead the Song family army to wipe out the Liao bandits!!"

"Eh." The emperor shook his head. "What I mean is that 100,000 Song soldiers will go to attack the Liao Kingdom. As for you, I have more important matters to entrust to you."

Upon hearing this, Song Chengwu understood.

No wonder the emperor said earlier that he wanted the Song family army to atone for their crimes by performing meritorious service; it turns out he only wanted 100,000 Song family soldiers.

This means stripping him of his command over the Song family army.

That's... understandable, after all, he did have ambitions to seize the throne.

"This humble subject is entirely at Your Majesty's disposal."

Having reached this point, Song Chengwu no longer hesitated. Having previously abandoned the attempt to seize the city and take control, he was prepared to hand over the Song family army.

With such a large army, any emperor would be wary of him.

The emperor smiled with satisfaction: "Now that the Black Hawk Guard is leaderless, would you be willing to lead the Black Hawk Guard and protect the imperial city?"

"This humble subject is willing, but I wonder, Your Majesty, who you intend to send to lead the Song family army to attack the Liao?"

The emperor's gaze swept around the room, finally settling on Shen Qing: "Lady Shen, who do you think would be suitable to send?"

Shen Qing: "..."

How did she know?

However, the emperor's actions suggest that he does not want the Song family to continue leading the Song family army.

"Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and you have your own judgment. How could I, a mere cook, possibly understand these things?"

"However, since we're talking about the Liao Dynasty, Your Majesty, may I accompany the Song family army to the border... I mean, I can cook more good food for the soldiers so they can be even more courageous."

Shen Qing seized the opportunity to make his request.

Now that the emperor has changed, she no longer needs to change dynasties, but she must obtain such a powerful reward as the Wishing Candle.

What's more, we were just a hair's breadth away from getting it.

She's not the type to give up halfway.

"Lady Shen, the border is dangerous!" The emperor said anxiously. "Moreover, I strongly suspect that those people from Liao are after you."

"Yelü Qi must have had a good time at the previous palace banquet, which is why he wants to take you back to the Liao Dynasty!"

They absolutely cannot lose Lady Shen in Da'an!