We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 406: Your Majesty, Please Ascend the Throne!

Following the demise of Qin Shengtian, the resonant toll of a bell reverberated from the imperial palace, echoing throughout the entire imperial capital. This somber bell chime was exclusively reserved for the passing of Qin’s ruler, precisely nine distinct tolls, no more and no less.

Upon hearing the solemn announcement from the imperial palace, the common folk exchanged bewildered glances, disbelief etched onto every face. How could His Majesty, who had seemed perfectly healthy, suddenly pass away? Yet, the bell's toll was irrefutable; any unauthorized striking of the bell would invite the extermination of nine generations of kin.

“Your Majesty!” After the initial shock subsided, many citizens in the imperial capital could not hold back their tears. Their eyes reddened, and in unison, they knelt on the ground, facing the direction of the imperial palace. To the commoners, Qin Shengtian was undoubtedly a wise and benevolent ruler, his standing in their hearts second only to the revered founding ancestor.

Meanwhile, the officials within their own residences, upon hearing the bell, were initially stunned into silence, questioning if their ears had deceived them. Once reality sank in, they hastily made their way towards the palace. The ruler's death – this event was monumental, and its suddenness was utterly unforeseen. No one could have fathomed that His Majesty, who had appeared so vital not long ago, would today have his soul ascend to the heavens.

And crucially, with His Majesty's passing, the succession of Qin’s future ruler remained undecided. At this critical juncture, only one of the royal princes and princesses remained within the palace – the Third Princess. What course of action were they to take? The entire realm of Qin teetered on the brink of potential turmoil because of this.

Simultaneously, Prime Minister Li, along with Baili Xi and Jian Shu, also rushed towards the palace. Though ministers were typically forbidden from entering the inner palace without the ruler’s explicit command, the gravity of the situation superseded such protocols. The three arrived at the courtyard where Empress Shi had resided and found Qin Shengtian seated on a stone stool, with the Third Princess, Qin Siyao, faithfully keeping vigil by her father's side.

Prime Minister Li and the others immediately knelt before Qin Shengtian and offered a deep, respectful bow. “Your Highness the Princess, please temper your grief. The immediate priority is to secure His Majesty’s final edict to stabilize the court.” Prime Minister Li Ge addressed Qin Siyao. They were acutely aware that Qin Shengtian's death was an immense blow to Qin Siyao, and under such circumstances, anyone would struggle to focus on state affairs. Yet, the matter of the realm could brook no delay.

“Final edict?” Turning around, Qin Siyao forced back the waves of sorrow in her heart and inquired of the three officials, “But Father never mentioned a final edict to me.”

“Indeed, there is one.” Baili Xi let out a sigh, shaking his head. “His Majesty once summoned the three of us to the Imperial Study and informed us of his final edict. He entrusted us with tokens, stating that only by presenting the imperial seal could the edict be retrieved. However, His Majesty never revealed its location, only asserting that Your Highness the Princess would undoubtedly know when the time arrived. Your Highness the Princess – do you have any recollection?”

“What do your tokens resemble?” Qin Siyao asked. The officials retrieved their tokens. Upon examining them, Qin Siyao pondered for a moment, a spark of understanding igniting in her eyes. “Perhaps… I do know where it is. I shall accompany you to retrieve it.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.” The three officials bowed in unison. After ensuring her father’s body was moved to her mother’s sleeping chambers, Qin Siyao accompanied Prime Minister Li and the other two to the Imperial Study. On Qin Siyao’s own desk, there were four indentations, markings she had previously overlooked, dismissing them as mere decorative elements. However, observing the size and pattern of these indentations, nearly mirroring the tokens in their possession, Qin Siyao suddenly grasped their significance.

Qin Siyao instructed Baili Xi and the others to place their tokens into the corresponding indentations on the desk. She then retrieved the Qin imperial seal from the desk and placed it atop. Instantly, the desk began to vibrate. Following this, a jade plate in the center slid open, revealing the final edict before them all.

“By now, the civil and military officials should have gathered in the great hall. We implore Your Highness the Princess to take His Majesty’s final edict and accompany us to the great hall to read it aloud,” Baili Xi requested, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.

“I understand.” Qin Siyao nodded, carefully picking up the edict and holding it close to her chest.

......

Within the grand hall of Qin’s imperial capital, the vast majority of the civil and military officials were assembled, their expressions a mixture of unease and apprehension.

Should His Majesty have already appointed a Crown Prince, that would have presented a different scenario.

However, with the position of Crown Prince currently vacant, the officials found themselves uncertain of their next steps the moment the Emperor passed.

And even as the court officials engaged in hushed discussions amongst themselves—

Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu made their entrance into the grand hall.

Leading the procession was the Third Princess, Qin Siyao.

Upon seeing the four figures, the assembled ministers quickly parted to create a path, then resumed their proper positions, and a profound silence fell over the assembly.

All eyes of the ministers were fixed upon the imperial edict clutched to the Princess’s chest.

Qin Siyao halted, turned to face the gathered officials, and with Li Ge and the other two a step ahead, they jointly intoned, “We implore Your Highness the Princess to read His Majesty’s final decree!”

The remaining ministers swiftly echoed the sentiment, calling out in unison, “We implore Your Highness the Princess to read His Majesty’s final decree!”

Qin Siyao offered a slight nod, unfurled the edict, and began to read its contents aloud. Her voice, clear and melodious, resonated throughout the vast hall:

“We have received the mandate of Heaven and have occupied the highest position. Day and night, We have remained vigilant and diligent, never neglecting the sacred ancestral temples or the altars of state.

“In bygone years, We ascended the throne in Our youth, and over a century has since passed.

“While We may not possess the virtue of the ancient sage-kings Yao and Shun, We have, to the best of Our ability, governed with diligence and shown compassion to the populace, never allowing Ourselves to falter.

“Several years ago, We attempted a breakthrough into the Jade-Polished Realm. Regrettably, the foundation of Our Dao was not sufficiently robust; Our true essence faltered and reversed, causing severe injury to Our five viscera and complete ruin to Our meridians.

“By sheer fortune, and relying on the mercy of the Great Dao, a mere wisp of life remained within Us as We teetered on the brink of collapse. We further sought spiritual elixirs and rare treasures from across the Four Seas to prolong Our existence and extend Our days until this present moment.

“Yet, the decree of life and death is immutable—can mere metal and stone truly defy the inevitable?

“Now, Our Qi is depleted and Our spirit waned. Recognizing that the limit of Our natural lifespan has arrived, We hereby issue these final instructions. You, minister of civil and military, shall heed these words with utmost care and execute them with prudence:

“Following Our demise, the funeral rites shall be conducted with frugality and simplicity.

“Do not erect elaborate mausoleums of earth and timber; let Us be interred alongside Empress Shi. Before the tomb, let no stele be inscribed with records of merit and virtue.

“All eunuchs within the palace shall be granted thirty mu of fertile land and one hundred taels of silver, and shall be permitted to return to their native homes.

“To assist in the governance of the court, We specially designate three individuals:

“Chen Jin, the magistrate of Xiang County in Jing Prefecture—possessing an upright character and adept at managing mundane affairs.

“General Su Qin—a formidable warrior, loyal and courageous, upholding the legacy of his ancestors.

“Lin Xinhan, the governor of Bohai Prefecture—upright and uncorrupt, benevolent towards the people.

“Summon these three to court this very day, to jointly undertake the responsibilities of state.

“Frost King Xiao Mo—He is as Our vital limbs. Grant him additionally the authority to command with tally and axe, along with the Nine Bestowals. Appoint him as the Supreme Commander of all civil and military forces, both within and beyond the court. Specially permit him to wear his sword and shoes within the grand hall; to enter the imperial palace without disarming; and when appearing before the sovereign, he need not refer to himself as a subject.

“Third Princess Siyao—Her character is as pure as flawless jade, displaying both intelligence and steadfastness. She shall assist in guiding the court’s affairs for a period of three years. In matters of judicial review and sentencing, her judgment is as severe and impartial as the autumn frost; in overseeing matters of taxation and revenue, her precision extends to the minutest detail. Her capacity to manage the intricacies of governance is truly on par with Crown Prince Jingsu and Second Prince Jingyuan.

“The imperial throne cannot remain vacant. We decree to pass the great seat to—”

As Qin Siyao continued to read the words of the edict, her voice suddenly ceased.

Her gaze remained fixed, unblinking, upon the final decree held in her hands.

A number of officials tilted their heads, looking towards the Third Princess at the forefront. They observed that her eyes were visibly trembling, and even the delicate hand that clutched the edict could not refrain from shaking.

A palpable tension gripped the hearts of everyone present.

What concerned them most was the identity of the individual His Majesty would be bequeathing the throne to.

This matter held profound implications for the state and altars of Qin.

“Your Highness the Princess…” At this critical juncture, Prime Minister Li Ge addressed her. “His Majesty’s final edict—you have not yet concluded its reading, have you?”

Baili Xi and Jian Shu bowed in unison, hands clasped in salutation. “We implore Your Highness the Princess to continue reading.”

Qin Siyao looked towards Prime Minister Li and the other two, took a steadying breath, and resumed her recitation:

“We decree to pass the great seat to the Third Princess, Qin Siyao.

“All officials shall dedicate their utmost sincerity in assisting her, and shall treat this charge as if We were still standing before you.”

“Should anyone dare to defy this decree with hidden intentions, secretly forming factions and destabilizing the state, the Frost King may wield Our posthumous sword to execute them—annihilating their nine generations of kin. Let Heaven and Earth bear witness to this solemn vow.

“We have perused the annals of history and found no woman has ever presided over the imperial court. This endeavor will undoubtedly invite widespread criticism.

“However, how can we disregard exceptional talent simply because of the distinction between man and woman?

“Siyao possesses the wisdom to govern the land, the mettle to command armies. You esteemed ministers should cast aside your ingrained prejudices and, with unified hearts, face these challenges together.

“We depart now. It is Our fervent hope that all of you will act in concert, safeguarding Our Great Qin, ensuring its mountains and rivers stand eternally unyielding.

“The interplay of Yin and Yang, the clarity of the heavens, the ebb and flow of the moon—the myriad things exist in a perpetual cycle. The sun and moon revolve in their paths; an era of prosperity is on the horizon.

“Do not despair, nor fall into panic. Each of you must remain steadfast in your duties, and then, We shall find peace in the Yellow Springs.”

As Qin Siyao’s pronouncements concluded,

the gathered ministers on the court floor exchanged bewildered glances, each questioning if they had truly heard correctly.

His Majesty was passing the throne to... the Third Princess?

How could this be?

The Third Princess was a woman.

Such a precedent had never existed under the Heavens!

A murmur rippled through the grand hall once more, as if, in that moment, they could not reconcile this outcome.

Yet, deep within their hearts, they also acknowledged that His Majesty would indeed issue such a final decree.

Otherwise, why had His Majesty not long ago selected and adopted an heir to the throne? ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) Why had he remained silent all this time?

Perhaps His Majesty foresaw the immense ramifications of this decision, the intricate complexities involved.

Given this, it was far better to establish a final edict to be read posthumously. Once the deed was done, irrevocably so, no one could challenge it.

Qin Siyao remained at the forefront of the great hall, her gaze fixed absently upon the assembled ministers.

For Qin Siyao herself, this outcome was equally unforeseen.

She was to shoulder her father’s immense responsibility and become the ruler of Qin?

Could she truly fulfill this role?

Did she possess the requisite abilities?

Had her father involved her in handling court affairs all along in preparation for this very day?

Gradually, the surrounding clamor began to fade into a muffled hum in Qin Siyao’s ears.

Eventually, Qin Siyao found she could hear nothing but the steady rhythm of her own heart.

And precisely at this critical juncture, the distinct sound of approaching footsteps echoed from beyond the great hall.

That sudden noise drew every eye towards its source.

A figure, tall and imposing, strode purposefully into the great hall.

The appearance of this man instantly hushed the officials, with some ministers even avoiding his piercing gaze.

This individual's authority and prestige had already reached the zenith within Qin.

Following the declaration of the edict, even if this man were to claim the throne and rule Qin one day, they would not harbor any surprise!

And even if this man chose not to ascend, as His Majesty’s consort, any prince born of him and Your Majesty in the future would inevitably become Qin’s next ruler.

As this man entered, a flicker of determination ignited in Qin Siyao’s eyes. Her slender hand tightened its grip on the imperial edict.

Finally, the man traversed the ranks of ministers, knelt on one knee before the woman, and his deep, resonant voice boomed throughout the great hall:

“This minister, Xiao Mo! Pays homage to Your Majesty!”

Before the other ministers could fully react, Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu offered their obeisance, their voices loud and clear:

“This minister and my counterparts pay homage to Your Majesty!”

Witnessing the Frost King and the Three Excellencies take their decisive stances, the officials looked at each other—what grounds for objection remained?

At last, the civil and military officials alike bowed deeply, their voices rising in unison:

“This minister and my counterparts! Pay homage to Your Majesty!”

As the chorus of ministers' voices subsided, a profound silence settled over the entire court hall. Qin Siyao remained standing, unmoving.

“We beseech Your Majesty to ascend the throne!” Xiao Mo’s voice echoed once more.

“We beseech Your Majesty to ascend the throne!” Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu joined in, their voices aligned.

“We beseech Your Majesty to ascend the throne!” The collective voice of the ministers resounded.

Qin Siyao’s gaze shifted from Xiao Mo to the ministers, then lowered to the imperial edict clutched in her hand.

Finally, the woman turned, her eyes fixing upon Qin’s throne—a seat that, while not physically imposing, now seemed to ascend into the celestial heavens.

With deliberate grace, the woman’s long legs moved, carrying her towards the ascending stairs...

“Third Sister, your second brother must take his leave. From this moment forth, you must look after yourself with utmost care.”

One step.

“Third Sister, in this coming campaign against Jin, your eldest brother cannot guarantee his return. Our Father and Mother will be in your capable hands.”

Two steps.

“Jingsu, Jingyuan—Mother is coming to see you. Only... after this, Siyao will have to work hard. Can Siyao... really hold up?”

Three steps.

“Siyao, from today onward, you’ll help Father handle governance. You don’t know how? It’s fine. Father will teach you well.”

Four steps.

“Siyao, actually you really are very smart. Your talent is not inferior to your eldest brother and second brother at all.”

“Daughter, everything about you is good, but you are too kind-hearted. You must remember—within the court, you cannot be kind.”

“In the future, if anything happens, tell Xiao Mo. You may not trust other people, but Father believes Xiao Mo will never betray you.”

“Daughter... from now on, the matters of the court will be handed to you...”

Five steps, six steps, seven steps...

With every step Qin Siyao took, the words her second brother, eldest brother, mother, and father once said to her replayed in her mind.

“Siyao... Dad... has wronged you...”

When Qin Siyao’s final step landed,

she had already reached the high dais, with Qin’s throne right before her.

Qin Siyao turned around. Below the high dais were the person she loved most, and the full court of civil and military officials.

“Xiao Mo, I don’t want to keep hiding behind you anymore.”

“I’m going to cultivate well! I want to stand with you! To shoulder everything together with you!”

“I also want to protect you!”

Qin Siyao clenched her small hands and sat down on the dragon throne of Qin’s ruler!

At the instant Qin Siyao sat down, above Qin’s imperial palace, dynastic fortune gathered without end. A massive golden dragon coiled and circled above the palace.

“ROOOAR!”

The dragon’s roar spread outward.

Outside the imperial city, the commoners of Qin’s imperial capital lifted their heads, staring at the golden dragon above the palace.

A thick imperial majesty pressed down from the cloud layers, making the commoners in the imperial city unable to resist kneeling toward the palace.

The officials’ hearts all jolted.

Now, before Your Majesty had even held the ascension ceremony, such a heaven-and-earth omen had already been drawn out. Across the history of the various states for thousands of years, this was also rare.

“This minister, greets Your Majesty!”

Xiao Mo’s voice echoed through the great hall.

“This minister and the others! Greet Your Majesty!”

The Three Excellencies and the civil and military officials all shouted in unison.