Favored concubine deposed empress? I'll seize your throne and marry you to a powerful minister.

He grabbed her wrist with his other hand, not with much force, but with an extreme dependence, and buried his face in the crook of her shoulder, his warm breath mixed with soft panting, brushing against her skin again and again.

The candlelight flickered inside the hall, casting a gentle glow that stretched the two figures, leaning against each other, into a long, lingering silhouette.

"I tricked you into coming to Donglin," he said, his eyes closed, his voice hoarse and low, tinged with a weary remorse. "I used poison to deceive you, leading you into the perilous palace coup, causing you to be injured while disarming someone with your bare hands... It was my fault for not protecting you."

These past few days have been filled with chaos in the court and national mourning, leaving him no time to offer any explanation. Now, alone, all his guilt wells up in his heart.

Wei Rong raised her hand and gently stroked his loose long hair, her fingertips brushing against his flushed earlobe, her tone calm and gentle: "I know."

She knew his schemes, his selfish motives, and his ambition to lure the enemy out step by step and consolidate his imperial power. But she also saw that even when he was in so much pain that he was on the verge of death, he still protected her at the first moment during the chaos of the palace coup. She also saw that he had lived a lonely and miserable life and had never been treated kindly by anyone.

Love and hate are intertwined and inseparable.

Ling Xianru slightly raised her eyes, her dark pupils shimmering in the flickering candlelight, carrying lingering pain and extreme tenderness: "Wei Rong, when I ascend the throne tomorrow, may I announce it to the world?"

"Announce what?"

"Announcing to the new Emperor of Donglin, the Empress's position is vacant." He gripped her hand tightly, his fingertips tracing the still-healing bandage on her palm. His tone was solemn and resolute. "Announcing to the world, you, Wei Rong, are the only person I, Lingxian, have ever truly cared for, the only person I would protect with everything I have. Regardless of your past status, regardless of the previous dynasty of Dajing, from this day forward, you are the most honored woman in Donglin."

The night was long and the bedchamber was silent.

The two sat in each other's arms, he leaned against her chest, slowly regulating his breathing to endure the pain of the remaining poison. Occasionally, he would tremble slightly, but she would gently soothe him.

"Does it have to be this fast?"

Although Wei Rong was certain that she had fallen for him, being the Queen Mother of Donglin...

She was completely unprepared.

What will follow is a constant stream of criticism from across the Five Continents, which will make Ling Xianru's newly acquired position even worse.

Ling Xianru put her arm around her waist, pulling her close, and asked with a frown, "You still want to run away?"

"I—" Anything is just an excuse, Wei Rong said honestly, "I actually feel that I just stepped down from the position of Empress not long ago."

She only enjoyed this carefree feeling of being free from official duties for less than a month.

If Dong Lin were to wear this phoenix robe and put on the phoenix crown, it would be a perfect match.

She has become the Empress again, the one who needed to restrain her words and actions.

That's tiring.

Ling Xianru: "......."

This person is clearly not afraid of trouble, he just wants freedom!

Wei Rong coaxed him, "Besides, you've just taken office and the situation is unstable. There's no need to rush into these personal matters. I don't want to be too hasty."

She had concerns, and Lingxian knew that.

Because she had suffered so much at Xiao Heng's hands, she had many concerns.

But it doesn't matter, they'll have plenty of time later.

Ling Xianru, who is still feverish, wishes she could go back to Dajing and slap Xiao Heng twice.

The next day, the sky was bright.

The once-in-a-century enthronement ceremony in Donglin was held as scheduled.

The altar for worshipping Heaven soared into the clouds, and the rising sun pierced through the clouds, its golden light bathing the jade steps. Civil and military officials, members of the royal family and nobles, and envoys from various countries all stood in formation, solemn and dignified, with the music and rituals resounding throughout the heavens.

The auspicious time has arrived.

Ling Xianru, dressed in a black dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols and a crown with tassels reaching to the heavens, stood tall and walked steadily up the jade steps to the heavens. The dragon robe exuded majesty, and the crown concealed the sharpness in his eyes, leaving only his overwhelming imperial aura as he reigned supreme over the world.

After a lifetime of wandering and bloodshed, he finally stood at the pinnacle of power in Donglin.

He stood atop the altar, facing the vast landscape, burning incense to pray to Heaven, and offering sacrifices to his ancestors and the late Emperor.

The master of ceremonies read the enthronement congratulatory text aloud, each word resounding and echoing throughout heaven and earth.

After the congratulatory address was finished, Ling Xianru accepted the Imperial Seal of the State, raised his hand, and looked down at the thousands of subjects below.

The wind rose and fluttered, billowing his dragon robe and wide sleeves. His voice resounded throughout the land, its final notes ringing out with unwavering conviction.

"I, Lingxianru, today I have received the Mandate of Heaven, succeeded to the throne, and ascended to the throne. From this day forward, I will govern the eastern lands with diligence and love for the people, cleanse the court, bring peace to the people, secure the territory, and live up to the mandate of Heaven!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!!"

The thunderous roar of kneeling worship swept across the heavens and the earth, reverberating throughout the entire imperial city and lingering for a long time.

The enthronement ceremony was completed, and the music and auspicious clouds filled the sky.

The pearls and jade on the crown clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

His gaze swept over the thousands of court officials and landed precisely on Wei Rong, who stood quietly in plain clothes behind the ranks of officials, his eyes filled with a unique gentleness and certainty.

Wei Rong smiled back at him.

In the past few days, Wei Rong's identity has become widely known in Donglin.

Ling Xianru had no intention of hiding anything, so the woman who accompanied the Crown Prince from Ankang Palace to the East Palace on the night of the late King's death was revealed in detail.

The former empress of the Great Jing Dynasty was indeed a very unusual figure. Everyone knew that the new king was unconventional and had no family ties, yet he was so unconventional as to like a woman who had been married before.

This incident has had a huge impact.

I finally met her today, and I was amazed by her beauty.

Standing beside Wei Rong were several of Ling Xianru's former confidants in the court. In Donglin, these men were all pragmatic and capable, and they followed Ling Xianru because they valued his talent.

These very people chatted incessantly with Wei Rong for half a day.

It seems they had a rather pleasant conversation?

Everyone knew she was the new emperor's woman, but these old ministers weren't the type to flatter him. The fact that they could chat together showed that this woman must have some insights into politics and governing the people.

Moreover—this woman surnamed Wei has a truly beautiful smile.

She doesn't look twenty at all; with her hair hanging down, she looks more like an unmarried young lady.

However, throughout history, offspring have always been a constant topic of discussion.

As the coronation ceremony came to a close, the Ministry of Rites, disregarding the national mourning period, boldly offered a suggestion: "Your Majesty, it is a great joy to inherit the throne today. However, you are twenty-six years old this year, and the Eastern Palace has always been without a master, with no prospect of an heir. We urge Your Majesty to consider selecting a few concubines to fill the harem, as the Eastern Kingdom will rely on you to ensure the continuation of its lineage in the future."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites stepped forward, and those courtiers who hoped to secure a place in the palace for their daughters after the new king's ascension echoed, "Lord Zhao is right, Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Wei Rong, who was discussing flood control with the Minister of Works next to her, paused slightly and glanced over.

Ling Xianru, being in a high position and too far away, kept her expression inscrutable.

But his gaze seemed to be directed at him as well.

The Minister of Rites, being a shrewd man, hastily tried to salvage the situation, saying, "If Your Majesty already has someone in mind, you may bestow titles upon them first. However, the matter of having an heir is of utmost urgency, and we earnestly hope that Your Majesty will consider this matter carefully."