The Devious First Daughter

Chapter 165. About the Empress of the Previous Dynasty

"Master, I have asked around. Even though most people aren't very clear about it, I still learned a clue or two. It seemed that the Empress was involved in Prince Xiang's attempted assassination of the Emperor. That was why the Emperor died so easily. Honored Consort Shu happened to be guarding the door that night, so she discovered this and exposed the matter."

"Prince Xiang's men didn't manage to get out in time. When they were detained, the Empress was still inside the Emperor's room. Then, Prince Xiang's men accused the Empress of killing the Emperor and vice versa. Both sides turned on each other to no avail. Prince Xiang and the Empress are currently imprisoned to be punished after the Emperor's funeral," Lanning said.

Ning Xueyan's shapely eyebrows wrinkled as she sank into contemplation. The Empress intention to kill the Emperor was apparent from the moment she summoned Commandery Princess Xianyun to the palace. It was Ao Mingyu's assassination of the Emperor that caught her by surprise. The Emperor regarded Ao Chenyi as his opponent and repeatedly tried to assassinate him.

But he was a decent father to Ao Mingyu and Ao Mingwan. He was especially kind to Ao Mingyu. He must have acknowledged Ao Mingyu as his successor to educate him so painstakingly. It was a surprise that Ao Mingyu would assassinate the Emperor, a father who had always doted on him. Ao Mingyu was worse than a beast.

What followed was the state funeral where the entire nation mourned, and Ao Chenyi's coronation. The ministers and officers kowtowed to Ao Chenyi right before the Emperor's coffin.

The Emperor had personally appointed Ao Chenyi as the Crown Prince while he was alive. Therefore, there was no dissent despite the lack of an imperial decree. Moreover, Annan had just waged war on them. The nation would be in a mess without a strong Emperor. Under such circumstances, Ao Chenyi was the best candidate to be the Emperor.

Thus, Ao Chenyi's coronation followed the state funeral. The late Emperor was in such ill health that the ministers were ready for the coronation of a new Emperor. It might have been sudden but the basics of the ceremony were well-prepared and the war against the three feudal princes of Annan was in stalemate.

Ao Chenyi was the first to take charge of the war and continued to do so. Therefore, changes were minimal and the Emperor's death had little impact on the frontlines. Ao Chenyi was also a great military man in his own right, so he boosted the morale of the soldiers considerably.

Thanks to him, the war became even more intense.

Ning Xueyan's coronation ceremony as the Empress was held at the same time as Ao Chenyi's coronation as the Emperor. The reason was simple. Ao Chenyi said, "The country is at war. We don't have time to hold another coronation ceremony. Besides, there will only be chaos if we let the harem be without a master."

With that, all the ministers gave their approval.

Since Ning Xueyan had become the Empress, it was only fair for her to move from Prince Yi's Manor to the Main Palace. She had never spent much time in the Eastern Palace anyway, so it was a swift move for her.

Ao Chenyi didn't bring other women to the palace with him. During a war, austerity was key. His concubines continued to stay in Prince Yi's Manor. When he sent away those concubines in the past, he kept only those who were his subordinates in the first place. Those women were there to trick the Emperor but they were of no use anymore. They had left Prince Yi's Manor a long time ago, even though the public thought that they were still there.

Commandery Princess Xianyun was still living in the Eastern Palace, with her injured leg making it inconvenient for her to mourn at the funeral. She was being confined in the Eastern Palace with the very same excuse. She wasn't allowed to go anywhere except her courtyard.