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

“Some things don’t need to be understood too thoroughly.” The Imperial Tutor, supporting himself on the armrest of his wheelchair, slowly stood up and walked unsteadily to Zhao Yi’s side: “Being clear-headed is worse than being deliberately oblivious.”

Ever since Zhao Yi learned that the portrait hanging in the Prince's study was painted by the Imperial Tutor, and considering the Imperial Tutor's various actions, he couldn't help but speculate that the Imperial Tutor had a blood feud with the Emperor of Northern Qi, and also had some connection with his mother.

As for the origin of the relationship, Zhao Yi believed it was inseparable from gratitude; otherwise, why would the imperial tutor support the son of his enemy to ascend the throne?

But after the dust settled, he reviewed everything that had happened in Northern Qi, and all the details he had previously overlooked became clear. All the seemingly unrelated events were actually intricately connected.

The culprit in every lawsuit pointed to remnants of the previous dynasty.

The Northern Qi emperor was so disturbed by the elusive remnants of the previous dynasty that he could neither eat nor sleep, living in constant fear.

If the Imperial Tutor is a remnant of the previous dynasty, even if his mother has shown him immense kindness, the Imperial Tutor would not support him to ascend the throne. After all, it involves national and personal vendettas, and even if the Imperial Tutor agreed, his followers would not.

“Clearly knowing right from wrong, yet pretending to be confused is nothing but self-deception.” Zhao Yi stared intently at the Imperial Tutor, puzzled. “Judging from the major cases that have occurred since I arrived in Northern Qi, the influence of the previous dynasty has clearly infiltrated the court, and even the inner court.”

Then, he changed the subject: "The Northern Qi emperor is in a coma, the Right Pillar of State is in control of the government, and there is chaos inside and outside the court. This is the best opportunity for the former dynasty to restore the country, but they have gone into silence."

Under the guise of arresting remnants of the previous dynasty, he arranged for two groups of people to steal his mother's remains from the national temple. One group openly robbed the temple, while the other group sneaked into the temple through a tunnel in the back mountain and stole his mother's remains.

However, the wooden box they stole did not contain the remains of the Empress Dowager, but rather several stones. Furthermore, the guards also found a former crown prince's private seal in a cave at the foot of Guosi Mountain.

It was around that time that he first suspected the Imperial Tutor was a descendant of the previous dynasty. However, because the Imperial Tutor wanted to support him as the ruler of Northern Qi, he dispelled this idea.

As for why he suspected again that the Imperial Tutor was a descendant of the previous dynasty, it was because all the ministers who betrayed the previous dynasty had been eliminated by the Imperial Tutor.

This is definitely not a coincidence.

Therefore, Zhao Yi's choice to meet the Imperial Tutor in Chengtian Hall was also a way of implying to the Imperial Tutor that he had already guessed the Imperial Tutor's true identity.

The underground site once contained a statue of the founding emperor of the previous dynasty, which collapsed after being exposed to the light of day again.

He had heard a saying: "The day the statue sees the light of day again will be the day the country is restored."

This demonstrates the determination of the remnants of the previous dynasty to restore their kingdom.

The truth is quite the opposite.

The remnants of the previous dynasty remained completely silent.

The reason for all this probably lies with the Imperial Tutor.

Zhao Yi asked, "I want to know why you chose me."

"I am clear about my grudges and will not involve innocent people in my hatred. Although I want to overthrow the Chu family's rule, I have no children and will have no successor in the future." The Imperial Tutor coughed intermittently, his sickly appearance becoming more pronounced. "As for why I support you, firstly, your mother has been incredibly kind to me; secondly, you and Chu Mingyuan have no father-son relationship; and thirdly, you have the world on your mind. No matter which one of these points, you are the most suitable candidate at present."

These words implicitly acknowledged the Imperial Tutor's identity, just as Zhao Yi had guessed. The reasons he gave were also irrefutable to Zhao Yi. However, Zhao Yi knew very well that what the Imperial Tutor said was not the truth.

"Your mother's remains will be sent to you by Jinyan after the coronation ceremony tomorrow," the Imperial Tutor said calmly. "Arrange for someone to escort her back to the Great Zhou to fulfill her long-cherished wish."

After saying these words, the Imperial Tutor turned around, slowly walked to the wheelchair, and sat down.

Simple movements are extremely difficult for the Imperial Tutor.

He caught his breath before looking up at Zhao Yi.

The young man's features bore a striking resemblance to those of his deceased friend; anyone who had seen Yi Zhen would recognize Zhao Yi as her son. Wasn't Zhao Yi's existence, in a way, a continuation of her own life?

It is also a testament to her existence in this world.

However, Zhao Yi was not born into this world as her parents had hoped.

He did not fulfill his responsibilities as a blood relative, but only used Zhao Yi as a pawn to complete the great cause of restoring the country. How could he let Zhao Yi face his shameful background and bear the shackles of morality?

Before leaving, the Imperial Tutor said in a gentle tone, "I have dragged you into this chaotic situation, but I will surely restore peace to you."

This sentence seems to have a literal meaning, but it also seems to imply another deeper meaning.

Zhao Yi noticed the complex emotions surging in the Imperial Tutor's eyes, which vanished in an instant, leaving only a calm and serene expression, as if the world and all living beings were no longer bound to him.

The Imperial Tutor moved slowly and laboriously, turning his wheelchair towards the palace gate.

For some inexplicable reason, Zhao Yi stepped forward and pushed the Imperial Tutor forward.

The Imperial Tutor paused, then slowly placed his hand on the armrest, closing his fingers one by one until he loosely clenched his fist.

Yan Yi, who was guarding the door, heard the sound of the wheelchair approaching, pushed open the palace gate and came in to meet Zhao Yi.

Zhao Yi withdrew his hand and watched as Yan Yi pushed the Imperial Tutor, disappearing into the layers of palaces along with the last ray of sunset.

He instinctively opened his hands, as if trying to grab something, but he grabbed nothing.

After an unknown amount of time, Jiang Mu called out, "Master, shall we go back?"

Zhao Yi snapped out of his daze and looked toward Chengtian Hall with a dazed expression.

The palace was empty and silent, with only the ornately decorated buildings hinting at its former glory.

Now only desolation remains after the clamor.

He went to Xining Palace alone. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Liuyue coming out from the inner hall: "Is Manman asleep?"

Liu Yue bowed respectfully to Zhao Yi, "Your Majesty, the journey has been arduous, and the Empress is tired and her body is not in good condition. She has just finished her meal and is resting."

Zhao Yi nodded slightly, and walked quietly into the inner hall.

Only one lamp was lit in the inner hall, and in the dim light, the shadows of people lying in the tent could be vaguely seen.

He slowly walked to the bedside, gently lifted the thin gauze curtain, and the person on the bed came into view.

Shen Qingtan was lying on her side on the bed, her face turned towards the inside of the bed.

Her sleeping face appeared exceptionally gentle in the soft light.

Zhao Yi watched quietly, and felt at peace.

Today's meeting with the Imperial Tutor at Chengtian Hall had deeply affected him, leaving him with a heavy heart that he found difficult to calm. Furthermore, he and his wife had been separated for almost half a year, and he had been longing for her ever since.

At this moment, upon seeing the person he had longed for, all he wanted to do was hold her and lie down for a while.

Zhao Yi took off his coat and lay down next to Shen Qingtan, naturally putting his arm around her waist.

The next moment, Zhao Yi suddenly sat up. As he moved, the blanket covering Shen Qingtan slipped off, revealing a round, large belly.

Zhao Yi stared blankly at his hands, then his gaze slowly shifted to Shen Qingtan's stomach. His mind went blank, and he couldn't tell what was going on.

The commotion woke Shen Qingtan. She looked at Zhao Yi with sleepy eyes and mumbled, "Husband, you're back."

Zhao Yi was still in shock, his thoughts in disarray. He only remembered that when his hand touched Shen Qingtan's round belly, a little thing kicked his palm through the belly.

It was a very light touch.

"Husband?" Shen Qingtan looked at Zhao Yi, who was still reeling from the shock of her pregnancy, and sat up with her hands on her hips. "I was worried that you would be distracted while you were on the front lines, so I didn't tell you about the good news. Now that things have settled down, I thought it wouldn't matter if it was just a little while, and I decided to tell you in person."

At this point, she took Zhao Yi's hand and placed it on her round belly: "You're going to be a father. The midwife said it's twins."

Zhao Yi snapped out of his daze, gently placing his palm on Shen Qingtan's stomach, his heart skipping a beat due to his nervousness.

Suddenly, he clearly felt the child gently kick his hand. At the moment their bodies touched, it was as if they had established a blood connection. A strange feeling surged through him, and his heart softened completely.

He's going to be a father.

The child's arrival was both too sudden and perfectly timed.

Just imagining Shen Qingtan carrying two tiny, soft children in her womb, a combination of his and his beloved's features, filled Zhao Yi's heart with emotion, and he felt that everything had become wonderful.

Zhao Yi was filled with anticipation for the birth of the little life. The intense joy fermenting in his chest had nowhere to be expressed, and he wanted the whole world to feel his happiness.

"Manman, you've suffered so much." Zhao Yi suppressed his joy and wanted to hug Shen Qingtan, but seeing her huge belly, he felt a little helpless. But he felt more guilty and tender: "A woman carries a child for ten months. It's already extremely hard to carry just one child. You're carrying two, so it must be even harder. I wasn't by your side when you needed me the most."

For some unknown reason, Zhao Yi quickly said, "I'll send someone to fetch the imperial physician..."

"No." Shen Qingtan grabbed Zhao Yi's hand, stopping him from sending someone to fetch the imperial physician: "Liu Yue has already had the imperial physician examine me, and both my child and I are fine."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yi felt relieved: "I will select several more midwives and imperial physicians and place them in Xining Palace to take care of you nearby."

Giving birth to even one child is extremely dangerous for a woman, let alone Shen Qingtan giving birth to twins at once.

Zhao Yi, fearing that Shen Qingtan would be overworked, said, "The coronation ceremony is postponed..."

"No need to postpone it, my ceremony can be kept simple." Shen Qingtan noticed Zhao Yi's nervousness and changed the subject: "What reign title have you chosen for tomorrow's enthronement ceremony?"

Zhao Yi originally planned to name the reign title Yongsheng, but when he thought of the imperial tutor's words: "I have dragged you into this chaotic situation, and I will surely restore peace to you."

He fell silent, placing his palm on Shen Qingtan's belly, slowly feeling the baby's movements.

Shen Qingtan looked at the silent man and knew he was preoccupied, so she didn't disturb him.

After a long pause, Zhao Yi spoke: "Qian Yuan."

Shen Qingtan was taken aback.

“The reign title is Qian Yuan.” Zhao Yi said in a low voice, “'Qian' represents heaven, and 'Yuan' means beginning and first, implying the origin of heaven and earth and the renewal of all things.”

Shen Qingtan smiled gently: "This reign title is quite good."

Zhao Yi smiled faintly, and without saying a word helped Shen Qingtan lie down, then hugged her from behind.

Shen Qingtan was heavily pregnant and had been traveling for nearly a month. She was extremely tired and sleepy, and fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow.

In her half-awake state, she vaguely heard Zhao Yi say very softly, "I think it's pretty good too."

-

The next day, before dawn, Zhao Yi and Shen Qingtan got up.

Surrounded by a group of officials, Zhao Yi first went to the Temple of Heaven to offer sacrifices to Heaven, then went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to worship his ancestors and report on the matter of inheriting the great unification. Afterwards, he went to the main hall of the palace under the escort of the ceremonial guard.

Shen Qingtan dressed up meticulously in Xining Palace. She wore a pheasant robe embroidered with twelve dragons and nine phoenixes, a shawl with dragon and phoenix patterns on her shoulders, a crown with twelve dragons and nine phoenixes on her head, and a pair of phoenix-head shoes. She held a jade tablet in her hand and headed towards the main hall of the palace, surrounded by female officials and palace maids.

From afar, Shen Qingtan spotted Zhao Yi waiting for her. He wore a twelve-tassel pearl crown, a robe with twelve imperial symbols, a wide belt around his waist, and red shoes. Surrounded by officials and the ceremonial guard, he exuded an imperial aura.

She couldn't help but recall the first time she saw him on their wedding night; he was dressed in a bright red wedding gown, which accentuated his handsome features and unparalleled elegance.

Unfortunately, he was in poor health and didn't have long to live.

At that time, she was thinking of using his status as his wife to gain a foothold in the Duke's mansion and avenge herself.

No one could have imagined that the two of them would be of one mind, share joys and sorrows, support each other, and walk hand in hand to the highest point of power.

She walked towards Zhao Yi step by step, each step steady and firm.

Zhao Yi watched as Shen Qingtan, dressed in an exquisite and luxurious gown, walked gracefully toward him, surrounded by female officials and palace maids.

Just like on their wedding day, she sat in a bright red sedan chair and was carried to him by the sedan chair bearers.

Zhao Yi extended a hand to her.

Shen Qingtan lowered her eyes, and the slender hand in front of her had a small mole on its index finger that was very eye-catching.

She smiled and gently placed her hand in Zhao Yi's palm.

Zhao Yi grasped her hand tightly, stepped onto the imperial road symbolizing supreme authority, and slowly ascended the high steps. Behind them, banners fluttered and drums and music resounded.

The two stood side by side at the highest point, welcoming the officials' kowtows.

To usher in another golden age.

-

The Imperial Tutor's Residence.

Yan Yi hurried to the study and stood in front of a bookshelf. By turning a mythical beast on the shelf, he could move the shelf aside, revealing a hidden door. However, without the Imperial Tutor's permission, Yan Yi dared not enter without authorization.

Since he began following the Imperial Tutor, he has never entered the dark room.

Yan Yi reported: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has changed the era name to Qian Yuan."

In the dark room, the Imperial Tutor sat cross-legged on a futon, a luminous pearl placed beside him emitting a cold glow that reflected on his lifeless face. Only when he heard Yan Yi's report did his eyelashes tremble slightly.

The character 昶 (chāng) symbolizes the eternal sun.

The character 乾 represents heaven.

Heaven and earth, sun and moon, will endure forever.