She mistakenly got into the bridal sedan chair and married a sickly but powerful minister, becoming

How could Zhao Yi not know about the schemes of his relatives? If the heir in the will was not chosen from among his relatives, they would naturally seize upon the cause of the Northern Qi emperor's death and cause a ruckus.

The Imperial Tutor frowned, somewhat displeased with the suggestions from his relatives.

He and Zhao Yi exchanged a glance, their expressions somber.

Upon seeing this, the clansmen felt a bad premonition. Could it be that the Imperial Tutor and Zhao Yi were in cahoots?

Was there anything suspicious about that will?

Or perhaps the Imperial Tutor was stalling for time, intending to alter the imperial edict?

Thinking this way, the relatives said with a clear conscience, "As relatives and ministers, we have doubts about His Majesty's cause of death and want to read the imperial edict on that day. Is there anything wrong with that?"

"Yes, there's no better time than now." The ministers echoed, "A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The Northern Qi is in complete chaos right now. We should read out the imperial edict as soon as possible and ask the new emperor to take charge of the government."

The Imperial Tutor glanced at everyone and said calmly, "In order to follow the ancestral family rules and to read out the imperial edict, the Ministry of Rites needs to arrange a venue and inform the imperial family, important officials of the court, and concubines of the harem, as a way to show respect for the late Emperor."

The relatives looked at each other, and even began to whisper among themselves, becoming increasingly convinced that the heir on the will was not Zhao Yi, and that the imperial tutor's obstruction was definitely an attempt to change the choice of heir.

“If His Majesty were to die peacefully in his old age, we would naturally not disobey the ancestral laws. However, since His Majesty has been murdered by treacherous people, we must find out the truth. Otherwise, if there are still grievances to be resolved, I fear His Majesty will not be able to rest in peace in the afterlife.”

At this point, the clansmen raised an objection: "Or is there some hidden reason why the Imperial Tutor repeatedly prevented us from reading the imperial edict?"

"The Imperial Tutor only wanted to give His Majesty some face." Zhao Yi looked at the imperial relatives with a cold and sharp gaze: "His Majesty has passed away, and his body is not yet cold, yet you are in a hurry to read out the imperial edict. In order to achieve your goal, you even made a big fuss about the cause of His Majesty's death. If the imperial edict does not meet your expectations, you will say that the imperial edict has been tampered with? The Imperial Tutor indulges you, which is why he disregards His Majesty's respectful address to him as his teacher."

The clansmen, their thoughts exposed, blushed deeply: "We are utterly loyal to His Majesty. What purpose could we possibly have? We are simply trying to find out if there are any other accomplices besides the Right Pillar of State."

As they spoke, they raised several fingers and swore an oath: "If it is confirmed that there is no problem with the will, but we use His Majesty's death to make a fuss for our own selfish interests, then we will die a horrible death."

"Since that's the case, then let's read the imperial edict." The Imperial Tutor looked at the ministers and said, "You will all be our witnesses."

The ministers responded in unison.

The Imperial Tutor instructed the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet: "Go and retrieve the imperial edict."

The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet brought out a long box, and under everyone's watchful eyes, opened the long wooden box, took out the imperial edict sealed inside, and slowly unfolded it.

The clansmen clenched their fists and held their breath.

The Grand Secretary of the Cabinet read aloud in a loud voice: "I have reigned for twenty-three years, respectfully following the sacred laws of my ancestors, always upholding reverence for Heaven and the ancestral ways, and diligently governing and loving the people. Although I have worked diligently day and night, my health is weak... My eldest son, Chu Yi, is naturally wise and intelligent, and his talent is exceptional. He has ascended the throne as the successor emperor..."

The imperial relatives and ministers listened solemnly to the imperial edict, which, in addition to summarizing the Northern Qi emperor's achievements and experience in governing the country, also included arrangements for his succession.

The courtiers who were appointed as regents felt relieved, while those who were not appointed had different expressions and were all making their own plans.

When they heard that the Northern Qi emperor had designated Zhao Yi as his successor, they looked at the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet in astonishment.

The first among the relatives was disbelieving it. One of them, Chu Minghai, was the cousin of the Northern Qi Emperor. He snatched the edict from the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet and read it word by word. It was indeed the two characters "Chu Yi" without any trace of alteration, and it was stamped with the imperial seal at the end.

"No, impossible!" The imperial relatives simply couldn't believe that the Northern Qi emperor would pass the throne to Zhao Yi. They said indignantly, "When His Majesty passed away, only the Imperial Tutor and a few civil officials were in the hall; there was no one else. Who knows if this edict was actually His Majesty's..."

"Watch your words." The Imperial Tutor interrupted the imperial relatives, his gaze sharp as he looked at them. "The Prince of Guangling is His Majesty's son. If the throne isn't passed to him, to whom?" He curled his lips and said, word by word, "To you imperial relatives?"

This statement is full of irony.

“The Prince of Guangling is not of pure blood. His Majesty would never violate ancestral laws and pass the throne to him.” Chu Minghai threw the edict on the ground and said angrily, “This edict is problematic. I do not recognize it.”

The court officials who were appointed as regents couldn't help but stand up and say, "Although the Prince of Guangling's bloodline is not pure, he is His Majesty's own son. If there is no better choice, the Prince of Guangling will certainly be chosen."

"Yes, it is only natural for Your Majesty to do this. If it were me, I would not bypass my own son to let my nephew inherit the family property."

"His own son is still alive, how can he pass the throne to an outsider? Besides, the Imperial Tutor single-handedly helped His Majesty ascend the throne, and His Majesty trusts the Imperial Tutor implicitly, ruling the country together with him. This honor is unprecedented. Whether the Prince of Guangling inherits the throne or a member of the imperial clan is chosen, no one can surpass the Imperial Tutor's position. Why would he tamper with the imperial edict?"

Chu Minghai couldn't refute it, but he was unwilling and wanted to say something. Suddenly, a flash of silver light appeared, and he felt a pain in his neck. He instinctively reached up to cover it and touched a hand full of sticky blood.

Those nearby were splattered with blood and screamed in terror, watching helplessly as Chu Minghai collapsed to the ground.

Everyone's hearts pounded, and their faces turned deathly pale.

At this moment, the Imperial Guards entered and surrounded them.

Everyone looked at the Imperial Tutor in fear; no one had expected that the Imperial Tutor had taken control of the entire palace.

"Chu Minghai's act of throwing away the imperial edict is a grave disrespect to the late emperor." The imperial tutor said coldly, his eyes blazing with anger, "Anyone who dares to disobey the imperial decree will be dealt with as a treasoner."

The clansmen remained silent, terrified.

The Imperial Tutor bent down to pick up the imperial edict and scanned the relatives one by one, "Do you have any objections?"

Everyone instinctively took a step back and shook their heads frantically.

They were terrified by the Imperial Tutor's iron-fisted methods and dared not utter a single dissent, fearing that if they said another word, the Imperial Guards' long swords would be slashing their heads.

"Since none of you have any objections, then let's prepare for His Majesty's funeral." The Imperial Tutor addressed the Minister of Personnel: "According to the rites, the new emperor is required to observe a 27-month mourning period for the late emperor. However, the late emperor changed it to 27 days in order to maintain order in the court. Therefore, let's follow the rules changed by the late emperor. The enthronement ceremony will be held 27 days after the late emperor's death. I would like to trouble the Minister of Rites to prepare all the necessary arrangements."

The Minister of Rites respectfully replied, "Your humble servant obeys."

The imperial tutor ordered the funeral bell to be rung and prepared a sacrificial ceremony for the Emperor of Northern Qi.

By the time Zhao Yi arranged for someone to go to Yuncheng to bring Shen Qingtan into the palace, it was already the day before the coronation ceremony, and the Northern Qi emperor had been buried on an auspicious day.

Zhao Yi settled Shen Qingtan in Xining Palace, and all her necessities were prepared.

Shen Qingtan was far along in her pregnancy and was exhausted from the long journey.

Upon entering the palace, she leaned wearily against the wide couch.

Liu Yue handed a cup of warm water to Shen Qingtan: "Master, we've been traveling for almost a month and haven't been able to properly rest and recuperate. Should we ask the imperial physician to come and check your pulse?"

"I'm fine." Shen Qingtan took a few sips of water from her teacup. "I'm just a little tired." She gently stroked her pregnant belly, her eyes tender. "The little one is so considerate of me; he didn't make me suffer on the way back to the capital."

“When you first became pregnant, the young master really put you through a lot of trouble. It took a full four months before the morning sickness stopped.” Liu Yue took the teacup and put it aside, then took a thin blanket and covered Shen Qingtan with it. “In the first few months, seeing you get thinner, your servant and Tingxue were so worried that we almost couldn’t help but send a message to the young master.”

Shen Qingtan suffered terribly. For the first few months, she could barely eat a few bites, but as soon as she put down her chopsticks, she would vomit it all up. Drinking water made her feel even worse. She couldn't stand any smell and stayed almost entirely indoors, not going anywhere else.

After her morning sickness subsided, she could eat two bowls of rice at a time, along with some pastries and dried meat. Often, even when she was full, she would crave food and want to eat everything.

Liuyue and Tingxue strictly controlled her diet, fearing that she would eat too much and grow the fetus too large, which would inevitably cause her suffering during childbirth. So they strictly controlled her diet. Apart from regular meals, if she had a craving, they would give her a few fruits or snacks to satisfy her cravings.

Even on the way back to the capital, the two of them did not neglect her, taking good care of her with food and drink, and in just one month, they restored her health.

Shen Qingtan, holding the thin blanket covering her, was about to ask about matters in the capital when Jiang Chao entered from outside the hall: "Madam, the Imperial Tutor has important matters to discuss with Your Majesty. Your Majesty instructed me to inform you that he will come to see you later."

“It’s alright. Tomorrow is his coronation ceremony, and there are many things for him to decide.” Shen Qingtan is not a petty person and knows what’s important: “Go back and tell him that Liuyue and Tingxue are here to take care of me, and let him go about his business first.”

Jiang Chao initially thought women were troublesome, but after spending more time with the mistress, he realized that she was considerate and always put the big picture first. She would surely understand that her master was too busy with trivial matters to come and greet her.

Even if the master didn't send him to deliver the message, the mistress would understand.

But when he saw his mistress's tired appearance and her words full of understanding and tolerance for her master, without any complaints, he immediately understood that it was precisely because his mistress was so good that her master missed her and felt sorry for her even more.

He belatedly realized that it was probably because the master and mistress were thinking of each other and would inform each other of everything they did to put each other at ease, which was why they got along so well.

He didn't understand these things before. He just thought that his wife was a nuisance and that being single was so much more carefree. He could come home whenever he wanted, and no one would argue or make a fuss with him. His life was incredibly happy.

But now, he has a different feeling. Just imagining his wife waiting for him at home gives him a sense of security and hope.

"I will go and report back to the master immediately." Jiang Chao was about to take his leave when he suddenly slapped the back of his head, almost forgetting his important matter: "Mistress, the master also asked me to tell you that the empress's coronation ceremony is also tomorrow, to be held together with the enthronement ceremony. The phoenix crown and ceremonial robe are kept in the inner palace. Please try them on when you have time. If they don't fit, please have the Imperial Wardrobe alter them."

After saying these words, Jiang Chao took his leave.

Shen Qingtan looked surprised, as the usual practice was to hold the coronation ceremony first, followed by the empress's investiture ceremony on an auspicious day. However, Shen Qingtan quickly understood Zhao Yi's intentions.

Because the couple had overcome so many hardships to get to where they were today, he wanted to ascend to a high position with her and be worshipped by all the officials.

Upon hearing Jiang Chao's words, Liu Yue and Ting Xue were genuinely happy for their mistress. It was truly a case of getting on the wrong bridal sedan chair but marrying the right husband.

They were secretly relieved. If it weren't for the wicked people from the Marquis of Chengen's mansion who schemed against their mistress, she would have been forced to marry that ungrateful Zhao Jue and his ilk according to the original marriage agreement. How could she possibly have a peaceful life?

I fear that once they gain power, they will betray their master.

"Oh no!" Shen Qingtan suddenly exclaimed.

Liu Yue and Ting Xue's expressions changed, and they asked anxiously, "Master, what happened? Are you feeling unwell?"

“I just remembered something. My husband probably made the ceremonial robe according to my original size. Now that I’m pregnant and my belly is showing, I’m afraid I won’t be able to wear it.” Shen Qingtan lifted the thin blanket covering her and slipped on her shoes. “Liuyue, help me to the inner palace to try on the clothes. If I can’t wear them, we need to send them to the Imperial Wardrobe for alteration as soon as possible.”

She originally thought that the coronation ceremony would be held first, and then an auspicious day would be chosen for the empress's investiture ceremony, at which point it would be enough time to make the imperial robes.

Unexpectedly, she and Zhao Yi each prepared a surprise for each other.

"Please take your time, let me help you." Liu Yue comforted Shen Qingtan while supporting her arm, "Formal attire is always loose, you should be able to wear it."

Tingxue quickly fetched a shroud and helped Shen Qingtan change into it. However, the shroud was still a bit too tight on her, as if a large watermelon was stuffed under the clothes, stretching her too much. It needed to be sent to the Imperial Clothing Bureau for alterations.

Although the robe was loose, Shen Qingtan's five-month pregnant belly looked like that of a seven- or eight-month pregnant woman. The midwife saw it and said that the pregnant belly looked like twins.

-

On the other hand, Zhao Yi did not meet the Imperial Tutor in the Hall of Diligent Governance or the Hall of Mental Cultivation, but instead took Jiang Mu to the Hall of Heavenly Cultivation.

A large bronze lock hung on the gate of Chengtian Hall. Jiang Mu slashed it down with his sword, and the lock fell to the ground with a "clatter".

Jiang Mu pushed open the door, waited for Zhao Yi to enter, and then hurried in.

Zhao Yi instructed, "You stay outside and keep watch."

Jiang Mu was taken aback, withdrew his foot, and stood properly outside the hall.

He wondered what his master was doing in this abandoned palace.

The next moment, he saw Yan Yi pushing the Imperial Tutor toward him.

Jiang Mu's doubts deepened.

Now that the master is the ruler of Northern Qi, there is no need to secretly meet with the imperial tutor as before.

How come the less you need to hide from people, the more well you conceal yourself?

With a "bang," Yan slammed the palace gate shut, and she and Jiang Mu stood like two door gods, each guarding one side.

Inside the palace gates, Zhao Yi stood where the statue of the former dynasty's founding emperor had been raised. He slowly turned around, looked at the imperial tutor sitting in a wheelchair, and asked directly, "Imperial tutor, there is something I don't quite understand. I wonder if you could enlighten me?"