Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

As dawn broke through the clouds, golden light shone upon the majestic imperial court, as if adorning the morning court with magnificent robes.

Officials, dressed in court robes, filed in, the rustling of their garments mingling with the clatter of their boots.

Once everyone had stood still, a roar of cheers erupted: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

The sound waves echoed and reverberated within the hall.

Xiao Muyao sat upright on the dragon throne, his posture tall and straight. The five-clawed golden dragon embroidered on his dragon robe seemed to be about to take off, showing the majesty of the emperor.

Beside her, Lingyan sat on the phoenix throne, her phoenix crown dazzling, her wedding robes flowing with color, her demeanor dignified and exuding the grace of an empress.

The two stood side by side, their gazes level with the assembled officials below, displaying an unspoken understanding of ruling the world and assisting the court.

The officials remained calm and showed no unusual behavior.

He seemed to take the Empress's presence in court as commonplace.

There was no whispering or panic on their faces.

Given the Empress's abilities and prestige, this was to be expected, so their reaction was very indifferent.

But Lingyan felt that the reason they were so calm was simply because she was sitting on the Phoenix Throne.

If she were sitting on the dragon throne, things probably wouldn't be as peaceful as they are now.

It will definitely cause an uproar instantly, with doubts, opposition, and astonishment surging towards her like a tidal wave.

However, she will not do that.

Because we have not yet achieved true gender equality.

However, women could now take the imperial examinations and become officials in the court, just like men.

One can learn martial arts, join the army, achieve success in the military, and even command a large army.

They can also engage in business, study medicine, read books, learn skills, and so on.

They are now basically on equal footing with men.

Not to mention that her shops are now all over the world.

This move not only provides a platform for women everywhere to support themselves and realize their own value.

It is also a place where you can seek help and assistance.

Besides the Women's Federation, women can also seek help from her shops if they encounter difficulties.

Therefore, she no longer has the determination or need to become emperor herself.

Because she wanted to help women, to free them from oppression, and to bring them into the public eye, she had already achieved her goal.

Therefore, there is no difference between being an emperor or an empress.

Even though she is the empress, her rights, voice, and participation are equal to Xiao Muyao's.

So it's already good enough as it is now.

…………

At the same time, the Eighth Princess, Jiang Jingyu, Jiang Muxue, and the Prince of Xiang were all about to set off back to the border.

The Prince of Xiang could be considered to have married into the family.

Since their marriage, he has lived with Jiang Muxue on the border.

He would only come back with Jiang Muxue during holidays.

Since the four of them rushed back to the capital this year for Lunar New Year's Eve.

First, it was because Emperor Jingzhao died.

Later, after the funeral, the King of Xiang was to assume the regency.

Now he has also participated in the coronation ceremony and the empress's investiture ceremony.

The weather was perfect for traveling.

Therefore, Lingyan, along with the Seventh Princess, the Ninth Princess, and Xie Zhiyi, held a farewell ceremony for the Eighth Princess and Jiang Muxue in the Imperial Garden of the palace.

In the Imperial Garden, chrysanthemums bloom in abundance, some golden and brilliant, others delicate and pretty in pink and white.

The colorful flowerbeds act as a natural barrier, isolating the outside world from disturbances and leaving only this corner of tranquility and warmth.

On the stone table, teacups were arranged, the tea in them clear and bright, with wisps of steam rising and dissipating, carrying a delicate fragrance.

The six people sat around, chatting and laughing, their voices echoing among the flowers.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the flower branches, casting dappled patterns on the hem of the skirt.

Before we knew it, dusk, like a light veil, gently enveloped the garden.

They then stood up, held hands, and wished each other well.

His eyes held a deep reluctance, like dark waves in autumn water, until his figure disappeared into the night behind the palace walls.

The next day, the morning sun broke through the clouds and shone on the city gate of the capital.

The four people were the Eighth Princess, Jiang Jingyu, Jiang Muxue, and Xiao Yiqun.

The sound of horses' hooves striking the ground gradually grew into a rapid drumbeat, stirring up light dust.

Facing the rising sun, the figure gradually fades into the distance…

…………

Although Lingyan and Xiao Muyao have already decided to appoint Qi'er as their successor.

However, Qi'er herself was still unaware of this.

So, in order to get his opinion, they decided to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.

If he is willing, that would be even better.

If they are unwilling, they will not force them and will choose someone else.

Therefore, after the morning court session that day, the two went to Ruihe Hall, where Qi'er was now located.

Upon entering Ruihe Hall, one sees Qi'er sitting upright at the desk, her small face focused, immersed in the fragrance of books and ink.

Hearing the noise, Qi'er looked up.

Upon seeing the two, his eyes instantly lit up with surprise.

She hurriedly put down the book in her hand, stood up and quickly went to greet them, bowing respectfully and saying in a clear voice, "Greetings, Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt!"

The two smiled and gestured for Qi'er to stand up.

Then Xiao Muyao glanced around and waved his hand.

The attendants understood immediately and filed out silently, closing the palace doors behind them.

In an instant, the room became so quiet that only their breathing could be heard.

Qi'er keenly sensed the sudden change in atmosphere, and the smile on her lips quietly faded.

His back was straight, and his youthful face had a solemnity that seemed out of place for his age.

After the three of them took their seats, Xiao Muyao fixed his gaze on Qi'er with a serious expression.

As if bearing the weight of a thousand pounds, he said slowly and deliberately, "Qi'er, your sixth uncle has always had a secret. Apart from your sixth aunt and the imperial grandparents, no one else knows this secret. But now your sixth uncle wants to tell you this secret."

Qi'er was already sitting upright due to the solemn atmosphere.

Hearing Uncle Six's opening remarks, my heart skipped a beat.

The childlike face instantly lost some of its innocence.

Her gaze was fixed on Xiao Muyao's face, and her breathing unconsciously became lighter and slower as she waited for what he would say next.

Seeing his reaction, Xiao Muyao nodded with great satisfaction and continued, "The secret is that your sixth uncle is ill and therefore unable to have children. That's why your sixth aunt and I have not had any children all these years. But your sixth uncle is the emperor, and the throne must be inherited. Qi'er is so smart, do you now understand why your sixth uncle and sixth aunt took you back to the palace and why they told you this secret?"

Upon hearing this, Qi'er stared blankly at Xiao Muyao, as if she had been frozen in place, unable to move for a moment.

At first, his eyes were filled with confusion and shock, his pupils contracted sharply, and his mouth opened slightly, as if he had heard a fairy tale.

I never expected it to be such a secret.

After a brief pause, he tried to calm himself down.

Her voice trembled slightly as she murmured, "Sixth Uncle, this... how could this be..."

The words trailed off, his gaze shifting between Xiao Muyao and Ling Yan's faces.

It seemed as if they were desperately searching for flaws in this astonishing statement, or as if they were trying to confirm its authenticity.

Lingyan sat upright to one side, her expression solemn yet composed.

Seeing Qi'er's face full of panic and her eyes full of suspicion.

She looked at him with sincere and firm eyes, and said in a steady and clear voice, "Qi'er, it's true."

The words carried immense weight.

She sighed softly and continued, "Over the years, your sixth uncle and I have never given up. We have searched for doctors all over the country, whether they are famous or hidden folk healers. We have sought them out one by one and tried all kinds of methods, whether it is boiling rare medicinal materials or trying ingenious medical prescriptions. We have left nothing out, hoping that there will be a turning point."

As she spoke, a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes: "But time has passed, and now, it's too late to turn back the clock."

Upon hearing this, Qi'er sat there in a daze, her head buzzing as if it had been hit by a heavy hammer.

The initial shock was like a surging wave, leaving him dizzy and disoriented.

But when you calm down, all sorts of clues from the past come to mind.

Sixth Uncle and Sixth Aunt had been married for many years, but there had never been any good news of the birth of their child in the palace.

Then he thought of his sixth aunt's miraculous healing skills.

Wasn't it she who miraculously saved me, allowing me to be born into this world?

But given her exceptional medical skills, the fact that she appears so devastated suggests that she is powerless to help.

Furthermore, they were of noble status, being emperors and empresses of a nation, holding the reins of the country and its people.

How could they possibly deceive him about such an important matter?

Therefore, this matter is absolutely true.

Thinking of this, Qi'er felt as if an invisible hand was clenching her heart, a dull pain spreading through her, and her eyes welled up with tears.

I feel sorry for Uncle Liu's helplessness and regret, for Aunt Liu's sadness and grief, and even more so for the cruelty of fate.

A mix of emotions surged and tangled in my chest.

His lips trembled, wanting to offer words of comfort, but his throat felt dry.

After a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Sixth Uncle, Sixth Aunt, you've suffered so much."

Her voice trembled slightly, filled with genuine sadness and heartache.