Chapter Twelve: Throwing Many People’s Plans into Disarray

Sensing Yang Chuan’s subtle hint, Tian Yueying suddenly realized that she was now the Empress of the Great Qi. How could she let a mere official make decisions over a trivial matter?

She swiftly shed her earlier delicate demeanor, flicked her sleeve with commanding grace, and instantly regained the aura of a sovereign ruler.

“Since the county magistrate is so considerate, please lead the way ahead,” she declared with authority.

Although Tian Yueying had quickly restored her regal poise, the magistrate discerned something unusual beneath her composure. It seemed that during the three years of the Empress’s “absence,” she had been by Yang Chuan’s side without respite.

In Great Qi, the ruler was long regarded by the people as an incompetent sovereign, indifferent to governance and obsessed solely with seeking immortality.

At first, the magistrate had believed this to be true.

But today, seeing the Empress personally escort Yang Chuan into Great Qi’s borders, her radiant expression shining brighter than any elixir of immortality, he had to reconsider his earlier assumptions.

As the true power behind the throne, how could she have ever forgotten the fate of the nation these past three years?

Yet, with the vast territory and military strength of neighboring Da Kang, without a gifted statesman and warrior like Yang Chuan to aid governance, Great Qi would inevitably become a helpless piece of meat on Da Kang’s chopping block.

For three years, she willingly forsook her imperial status to humbly serve as a mere maid in Yang Chuan’s household.

Heaven rewards the diligent: after enduring three years of patience, she finally achieved her goal.

And the one she brought back to Great Qi was no ordinary figure but Yang Chuan, the man who had led Da Kang to a golden age in only three years.

After ushering the two into the county office, the magistrate busied himself preparing a banquet for his distinguished guests. During a moment of respite, he stepped outside the gate, gazing up at the stars.

In the northwest sky, the once dim Martial Star suddenly shone unusually bright, pointing directly toward the Great Qi border!

“My heavens... after three years, Great Qi has finally endured!”

“From this day forth, our people will no longer suffer under the treacherous Cao Ding and the oppression of the Da Kang Empire!”

...

Early the next morning, the magistrate arranged a special carriage to escort Tian Yueying and Yang Chuan to the capital of Great Qi.

Several hours later, upon returning to the imperial residence, Yang Chuan felt a strange sense of familiarity.

It seemed his primary mission in this journey through time was to find a wise ruler and assist her in realizing the grand vision of unifying the realm.

Meanwhile, within the Grand Marshal’s mansion, Cao Ding paced anxiously.

The previous evening, he had dispatched multiple squads of soldiers to post countless notices throughout Great Qi, desperate to capture the Da Kang rebel Yang Chuan and secure his own grip on power.

But after a restless night, no news had come, filling him with unease.

Could it be that the Empress Tian Yueying, whom he had not seen in three years, had orchestrated Yang Chuan’s entry into Great Qi herself?

No! Impossible!

She had been consumed by her quest for the elixir of immortality, secluded from court affairs, indifferent to the state’s fate.

If not for Yang Chuan’s arrival disrupting his scheme to usurp the throne, in a few more years, the power of Great Qi would surely be his alone.

Just as Cao Ding prayed for no unforeseen changes, a young eunuch burst into the mansion, breathless and urgent.

Without formalities, he blurted out, “Bad news, Grand Marshal! The Empress has suddenly appeared at court today and is summoning civil and military officials to discuss state affairs!”

Cao Ding felt as though a dagger had pierced his chest, his composure instantly shattered.

“Hurry, prepare the horses!”

...

At the Great Qi court, the sudden appearance of the Empress stunned all officials.

Having not seen their sovereign for years, her unexpected return disrupted many plans.

In these three years under Cao Ding’s regency, officials had long formed rival factions.

Besides Cao Ding’s loyalists, the rest vied against each other, each seeking to balance his growing power.

On the way to court, several ministers who resented Cao Ding gathered in whispered discourse.

“I have lived over sixty years and have never heard of an emperor who neglects court for three years in pursuit of immortality,” said Sun Xin, a venerable statesman and protector of the realm.

He recalled the days when he rode into battle with the late emperor and labored to preserve Great Qi’s borders.

He had hoped that with Tian Yueying’s ascension, he could retire peacefully and leave politics behind.

But since her enthronement, she had only appeared at court once.

Instead, she had handed over the reins of power entirely to Grand Marshal Cao Ding.

For three years, Sun Xin had watched with growing dread as Cao Ding ran rampant, nearly squandering the late emperor’s legacy.

More than anger toward Cao Ding, his deepest regret was that the Empress had failed to rise to her duties.

“Today, the Empress’s sudden return is truly perplexing,” he muttered.

“Protector Sun, please calm yourself. I believe the Empress, having ascended young and powerless against Cao Ding, chose patience,” said Guo An, a senior scholar of the Hanlin Academy.

“Now that she has reappeared at court, she must be fully prepared. Cao Ding’s days are numbered.”

Then Guo An’s brow furrowed as he suddenly recalled a certain matter.

“Indeed, yesterday the Da Kang envoy reported that former Da Kang Grand Chancellor Yang Chuan has entered Great Qi’s borders. Could it be...?”

A strange recollection surged through Sun Xin’s mind, but before he could respond, he hurried with Guo An and others into the court.

Sure enough, there sat the Great Qi Empress on the dragon throne, exuding wisdom and martial prowess, her bearing majestic and graceful.

Gone was the frail girl of years past.

Beside the throne stood Yang Chuan, radiant and vigilant, standing straight beside the Empress.

Once all officials had assembled, Tian Yueying lifted the curtain and stood shoulder to shoulder with Yang Chuan before the ministers.

“Esteemed ministers, I was too young and inexperienced before to shoulder the burdens of governance,” she began. “Thus, I devoted three years to diligent cultivation and have now settled all outstanding affairs.”

Then, she took Yang Chuan’s right hand before the court and proclaimed, “Henceforth, for the stability of Great Qi and the well-being of its people, I have resolved to appoint the former Da Kang Grand Chancellor Yang Chuan as Prime Minister of Great Qi!”

“From this day forward, all state affairs shall be managed by Yang Chuan. He will abolish outdated laws, establish new regulations, and lead Great Qi to the pinnacle of its destiny!”

“Furthermore, I shall grant Prime Minister Yang the title of ‘Peerless King’ along with the Nine Honors. I bestow upon Lord Yang the utmost respect. Should any have objections, you may bring them before me at any time.”

A murmur of astonishment rippled through the assembly.

The Empress’s firm stance left no doubt that Yang Chuan’s position was irrevocable—what could any opposition achieve?

At that moment, a eunuch announced from outside the hall—

“Grand Marshal Cao Ding has arrived!”