Chapter 38: Sudden Death

“Your Majesty, this matter depends entirely on you,” Su Zhinian said, offering only guidance; the finer details were for the Empress herself to discern.

The Empress’s eyes suddenly clouded with confusion, lingering in that state for a long moment before finally hardening with resolve.

“I understand,” she declared.

Soon after, shocking news swept through the palace—the Emperor had died suddenly.

The unexpected announcement sent waves of panic throughout the court.

Yet on the very day of the Emperor’s funeral, before all the civil and military officials, an accusation erupted.

Someone loudly claimed that the Empress Dowager had poisoned the Emperor, that she had caused his death.

The gathered officials were struck with alarm, and the Empress swiftly ordered her guards to seize the Empress Dowager.

At that critical moment, the Empress Dowager realized the entire scheme was the Empress’s cunning trap.

She had tried to catch the cicada, not realizing there was a mantis behind her.

In the end, it was the person she trusted most who betrayed her.

Desperate to grasp a sliver of hope, the Empress Dowager sought to turn the tide, but then an unexpected event shocked everyone.

Prince Yu, leading soldiers in what was thought to be vengeance for the Emperor—using the pretext of protecting the Empress Dowager—stormed the imperial city.

Mounted on a towering steed, Helian Yu wore a fearsome silver-white mask.

“Helian Yu! You cripple, do you dare aspire to be Emperor?” a leading minister shouted fearlessly, recognizing Helian Yu’s ambitious designs.

“Exactly! You’re disfigured and both legs crippled—leave at once!” others echoed.

The idea of a physically impaired man ascending the throne was unthinkable to them.

They would never allow such a thing to happen.

“Who said I’m a cripple?” Helian Yu removed his mask and leapt down from his horse.

Standing tall and healthy on the ground, his appearance stunned everyone present.

“Heavens! Prince Yu’s legs are perfectly fine, and his face is unchanged! How is this possible?”

“Indeed! The late Emperor had summoned the finest doctors who all declared his legs beyond saving—that he would be a cripple for life!”

“How could this be?”

All eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at him.

The Empress’s complexion suddenly turned pale, and she quickly shouted out.

“Impudent! The Crown Prince is still here—how can you claim the throne?”

“Helian Yu, this is treason!”

Yet the officials fell silent.

Had Helian Yu truly been disabled, they would never have accepted him as heir.

A cripple could not lead them.

But now Helian Yu was whole and vigorous, and even the aging ministers knew the truth.

Originally, the late Emperor had favored Prince Yu as heir, but due to his injuries and disfigurement in war, the throne had reluctantly passed to Helian Yunyuan.

Yet by rights, the throne belonged to Helian Yu.

The Empress, seeing the ministers’ silence, grew anxious and signaled to her father.

Led by Su Huaiyu, a group of stern voices declared, “Though the Crown Prince is young, Her Majesty the Empress can act as regent and govern on his behalf.”

“Prince Yu’s actions bring shame upon the entire realm!” Su Huaiyu declared righteously, with others nodding in agreement.

Another faction lined up to support Helian Yu, speaking in his favor.

“Prince Yu is now vigorous and handsome; it is only fitting he inherit the throne.”

“The Empress is but a woman—does Minister Su intend to let the maternal clan govern and bring chaos to the court?”

“Indeed, the Crown Prince is young and inexperienced—how can a woman like the Empress stabilize the realm? Does Minister Su wish to wield unchecked power?”

Arguments flew from both sides.

A sharp look crossed Helian Yu’s pale face.

“I am determined to assist the Crown Prince and will never claim the throne for myself!”

His declaration stirred murmurs.

Yet this solution seemed the most fitting at present.

Helian Yu transformed into the Prince Regent, managing affairs of state.

Though the Empress and Su Huaiyu were displeased, they were powerless to oppose.

Soon after, Helian Yu escorted the Crown Prince to his coronation, receiving the homage of all his subjects.

The Empress became Empress Dowager, maintaining control of the inner palace.

Yet many old allies had perished or dispersed; the Empress never imagined she would end up with nothing.

Not long after the Prince Regent took control, officials pressed him to choose a wife and produce heirs.

Many sought to marry their daughters to the regent.

But rumors spread—his injuries were more than just to his legs; he had also suffered damage elsewhere, rendering him impotent.

With that, hopes of his having children vanished.

Once this news broke, suitors hastily withdrew, eager to distance themselves from Helian Yu.

Some families were so fearful they hurriedly arranged marriages for their daughters, afraid Helian Yu might cast his eyes on them.

“Master, who would tarnish their own reputation like this?” Mu Dong fretted, his hair turning almost white from worry.

“Mu Dong, how is the preparation coming along?” Helian Yu asked, unconcerned and radiant with pride.

“All ready, but who do we present these betrothal gifts to? Who in the capital would dare wed their daughter to you now?” Mu Dong sighed deeply.

“I will marry Miss Su of the Su family.”

“Miss Su? Which Miss Su?” Mu Dong was baffled but quickly hurried after him.

The Prince Regent’s betrothal procession stretched for ten miles, with citizens craning their necks to see.

“Heavens, what’s all this about?”

“Don’t you know? The Prince Regent has set his sights on the Su family’s eldest daughter.”

“Which Su family?”

“The one with the divorced woman who was cast off by the Gu family!”

“Bah! Our lady was officially divorced by imperial order from the Empress Dowager herself! If you speak ill again, I’ll tear your tongues out!”

Yu Shu, carrying pastries bought for Su Zhinian, overheard these whispers maligning her lady and nearly lost her temper.

“I must hurry back!” she said, rushing toward the residence.

Behind her, the crowd continued their murmurs.

“Only a cast-off woman like Miss Su would befit a disabled Prince Regent.”

Su Zhinian’s parents received word that Helian Yu had already arrived at their doorstep.

“Miss! Miss!” Yu Shu burst inside, breathless.

“What is it? What happened?” Su Zhinian gently set down her book and looked up at Yu Shu.

“Miss! The Prince Regent—he’s sent a proposal!”

Su Zhinian merely nodded, showing little reaction.

Yu Shu was stunned, slamming the food box onto the table. “Miss! That is the Prince Regent himself! He says he wants to marry you!”

“Why aren’t you worried at all?” Yu Shu pressed.

Su Zhinian replied calmly, “Why should I be?”

She leisurely flipped through her book.

“The Prince Regent is ruthless, and although he’s been kind to us...”

“But...” Yu Shu lowered her voice, confiding.

“But the Prince Regent has problems in that regard. Miss, if you marry him, you’ll be a widow in all but name!” Yu Shu fretted.

Su Zhinian smiled softly. “It’s merely a rumor.”

Yu Shu’s eyes widened. “Miss, could it be you’ve taken a liking to the Prince Regent?”

They had barely met; even if he had helped them, it was hardly reason to pledge herself.

Yu Shu was dumbfounded, nearly in tears.