The Emperor's heart is won, she sits on the Phoenix Throne! The Divine Physician's Eldest

"Youfeng, you are a hero of the Great Zhou forever." Emperor Changlong looked at Song Siyao with a face full of satisfaction and pride.

I am gratified that Song Siyao has finally grown into a towering tree and become a pillar of the Great Zhou.

He was proud of his unique vision and keen eye for talent; Song Siyao was a treasure he had discovered.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am willing to dedicate my life to protecting the peace of the people here," Song Siyao said, bowing slightly.

Emperor Changlong nodded and looked at the person beside him, saying, "Grand Preceptor, this is Song Siyao, whom I mentioned to you. She is my Princess Youfeng. During your absence, she has taken on a lot of burdens for me."

Xiao Jianshan, the Grand Preceptor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was highly regarded by Emperor Changlong.

He was not in the capital before; he had gone traveling and only returned after Song Siyao went on a campaign.

“Princess Youfeng, I have long admired your name. Meeting you today, I can see you are indeed extraordinary,” Xiao Jianshan said to Song Siyao.

Song Siyao looked at Xiao Jianshan, whose beard was white and who looked like an immortal. He appeared to be about seventy years old, with a gentle smile, like a kind old man.

"You flatter me, Imperial Preceptor," Song Siyao said indifferently.

"Grand Preceptor, Youfeng, now that you're back, you should chat more when you have time. I think you'll definitely have things in common," Emperor Changlong said.

"Yes, Your Majesty," Song Siyao and Xiao Jianshan replied in unison.

Emperor Changlong continued, "Soldiers, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." The soldiers stood up.

"Soldiers, you have worked hard. You will always be the pride of the Great Zhou." Emperor Changlong instructed Eunuch Wang, "Wang Fu, pour the wine."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Eunuch Wang poured three bowls of wine and handed them to Emperor Changlong one by one.

Emperor Changlong picked up his wine bowl and said loudly, "This first bowl of wine is to honor Heaven and protect the Great Zhou." After saying this, he overturned the bowl and spilled the wine on the ground.

"Homage to Heaven, protect the Great Zhou!" The soldiers shouted along with Emperor Changlong, splashing wine.

Emperor Changlong raised his second bowl of wine, saying, "To the spirits of the fallen heroes, let us not forget history."

After he finished speaking, he poured the wine on the ground, his expression solemn and dignified.

The soldiers followed suit, chanting, "Respect the heroic spirits, never forget history."

"This third bowl of wine is for you. You have worked hard, and I congratulate you on your triumphant return." Emperor Changlong raised his cup to them and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" The soldiers drank the wine in their bowls in large gulps.

"Song Siyao, heed my command," Emperor Changlong said.

"Your subject is here," Song Siyao said, bowing slightly.

"You have rendered outstanding service in this Five Kingdoms War, recaptured Jinfeng City, and protected the peace of the people. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon you the title of First-Rank Protector Marquis, grant you ten thousand taels of gold, a thousand bolts of silk, and ten thousand acres of fertile land, and grant you a position second only to the emperor," said Emperor Changlong.

"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty." Song Siyao knelt down to express his gratitude. "Your Majesty, I will live up to your grace and dedicate my life to protecting the peace of the Great Zhou. As long as I am here, the sword is here, and the Great Zhou will be safe."

Emperor Changlong looked pleased and said with a smile, "With our Protector of the Nation here, I can rest easy."

After praising Song Siyao, his gaze fell on Jiang Hexia. "Commander Jiang has made great contributions in assisting the Marquis of Huguo in reclaiming Jinfeng City. He has been promoted to general. I hope that General Jiang will continue to protect the Great Zhou in the future."

A surge of joy welled up in Jiang Hexia's heart, but her expression grew even more serious. "Your subject respectfully obeys the imperial decree and thanks Your Majesty for your great favor."

Emperor Changlong looked at Shen Pei and said, "Without your support, the battle would not have gone so smoothly, and the casualties of the Great Zhou would have been much heavier, with incalculable losses."

Your keen judgment and wise decisions were indispensable to the victory in this war. You have grown up and are capable of standing on your own, making many decisions on my behalf. Now, I hereby appoint you as Crown Prince. I hope you will be strict with yourself, continue to learn, always have a benevolent heart, and always put the people of the world first.

As soon as Emperor Changlong finished speaking, the entire hall fell into dead silence.

No one expected that Emperor Changlong would suddenly appoint Shen Pei as crown prince at this time.

After all, there had been no prior warning.

"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince." Song Siyao bowed to Shen Pei.

As soon as she finished speaking, the others followed suit and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

The sounds rose and fell, shaking the mountains.

Shen Pei looked at everyone with a calm and resolute gaze, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, Your Highness." The crowd expressed their gratitude and rose.

"My son, the burden on your shoulders will become heavier and heavier from now on," Emperor Changlong said earnestly.

He felt sorry for Shen Pei and hoped that Shen Pei would be a carefree prince, living a life of endless wealth and glory, and enjoying a relaxed life.

However, he will eventually need a successor.

He could only feel at ease entrusting the entire Zhou dynasty to Shen Pei.

"Your subject will certainly live up to your father's expectations, do my best, and always put the people first." Shen Pei was also surprised by the sudden promotion.

However, only when he sits in the supreme position can he give Song Siyao enough freedom and absolute protection.

Song Siyao can do whatever she wants and is able to realize her ambitions.

Shen Xuan, Shen Jing, and Shen Xuan looked at each other in bewilderment. They were still secretly competing here, not expecting that Emperor Changlong had already made a decision.

Shen Pei didn't bother competing with them; in Emperor Changlong's heart, the Crown Prince was only him.

Their expressions were unpredictable, but their hearts were already in turmoil.

The future is still long, and it remains to be seen whether Shen Pei can maintain his position as crown prince.

Emperor Changlong looked at Shen Pei and became more and more satisfied.

His gaze shifted and landed on Wei Dingguo, his eyes suddenly turning cold.

"Wei Dingguo!"

"Your subject is here." Wei Dingguo knelt on the ground, he was lame in one leg and missing an arm.

For a soldier, his life is ruined.

"You disobeyed orders in the army, acted on your own, led your troops into the enemy's encirclement, ruined the entire battle plan, and caused huge losses to the Great Zhou. If it weren't for the bravery and skill of the Marquis of Protectorate, the Great Zhou would have been completely wiped out in this war!"

Emperor Changlong's face was gloomy and full of anger.

Wei Dingguo trembled all over, "Your Majesty, I deserve to die!"

If Song Siyao hadn't arrived in time, he might have died on the battlefield.

He pleaded guilty and accepted punishment.

"Wei Dingguo disobeyed military orders and is hereby dismissed from his post as general. He is no longer allowed to participate in military affairs. He has been imprisoned and sentenced to five years in prison. Even if there is a general amnesty, he will not be pardoned," said Emperor Changlong.

"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your great kindness." Wei Dingguo kowtowed heavily to the ground, his head instantly bleeding profusely.

He originally went to war with a family mission, intending to bring glory to his ancestors.

As a result, he became a disgrace to the family and brought shame upon it.

Wei Guidingguo was taken away on the spot.

Those who went on this expedition were rewarded according to their military merits.

Emperor Changlong wanted to reward Song Siyao's five apprentices and keep them in the army. They were all truly capable people, and they would make even greater contributions to the Great Zhou in the future.

However, all five of them refused.

They said they were used to a carefree and leisurely life.

The people from Tianji Pavilion were incorporated into the army, becoming Song Siyao's legitimate soldiers.