An empress of her age
The National Destiny bestowed by Heavenly Dao ultimately fell upon Wu Zhao, merging into her body. This scene was indeed beyond everyone's expectations. Of course, the one who found it hardest to accept was the outdated emperor. He had schemed and plotted, but in the end, he had only served as a stepping stone for someone else.
"Impossible! Impossible! How could you possibly become the emperor of the Great Tang! This is impossible!" The deposed emperor shouted in disbelief and frantically rushed towards Wu Zhao. But alas, it was too late. The will of Heavenly Dao was sealed, and no one else could question it.
As the National Destiny merged into his body, the National Destiny that already existed within Wu Zhao's body emerged. The two National Destiny intertwined and merged into an even greater fortune.
As the National Destiny manifested, a magnificent and immense Emperor's Aura emanated from Wu Zhao's body. Her exquisitely beautiful face exuded an aura of majesty, and a single glance was enough to make thousands kneel and worship.
"It's actually her?" Looking at Wu Zhao, the Prime Minister, the Grand Marshal, and Wu Yazi, their faces were also filled with astonishment.
However, Wu Yazi, the head of the Elders' Pavilion, nodded thoughtfully. "That's right. Wu Zhao's marriage to Li Zhi, the son of the Prince of Fenghe, is known throughout the world. Strictly speaking, Wu Zhao can be considered a member of the royal family. Although she is a woman, there is no rule in the Heavenly Way that forbids a woman from sitting on the throne. It's just that throughout history, no one has ever allowed a woman to participate in the selection process."
"That makes sense..." Wu Yazi's words made the Prime Minister and the Grand Marshal nod in agreement.
The patriarchal system, where men are superior to women, has been in place since ancient times. When electing an emperor, who could accept being ruled by a woman? Therefore, throughout history, no woman has ever participated in the election for the Imperial Throne, and thus, no Empress has ever been born. But today, by sheer coincidence, Wu Zhao on this Ascension Platform, and Heavenly Dao has chosen her as emperor.
The National Destiny flowed into her body, causing a dramatic change in Wu Zhao's aura. Before, she was simply perceived as a valiant and Heroine Among Women warrior and heroine. But now, she exuded a completely different aura. Every gesture she made carried an air of supreme authority, inspiring awe in everyone from the bottom of their hearts.
Divine grace is as vast as the sea, Divine Might as deep as a prison. Though merely the representative of Heavenly Dao, to mortals, the emperor, like Heavenly Dao itself, is a supreme and untouchable sacred being...
Although Wu Zhao previously possessed the National Destiny within him, that fortune was merely a remnant of the Six Nations. Since those Six Nations no longer existed, how much use could such rootless fortune possibly have?
But now, things are different. The Great Tang Dynasty is a large country that has surpassed the territory of the Six Nations. It has rightfully gained the recognition of the Heavenly Dao and become the Great Tang the Tang Dynasty. The national National Fortune within Wu Zhao has been integrated into the national National Fortune of the Great Tang Dynasty, adding to its glory. This has made the National Fortune she possesses surpass that of all emperors in the history of the Great Tang Dynasty.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" At this moment, everyone in the Imperial Palace knelt down and respectfully greeted Wu Zhao, even the prime minister, the Grand Marshal, and even Daoist Master Wu Yazi and other Cultivator at the Great Accomplishment Stage.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!" The voices of millions of people resounded, soaring into the heavens and echoing throughout the Heaven and Earth. At this moment, Wu Zhao's status as the first Empress of the Great Tang Dynasty was officially confirmed. She was ordained by Heavenly Dao and supported by her subjects. She was indeed an Empress!
"Sigh..." Seeing this scene, Ying Qianshan lowered his head and sighed. He had planned everything, but it was not as good as what was destined in the dark. He never expected that he would fail in the end.
Since he had failed, there was no point in staying any longer. Turning around, Ying Qianshan didn't bother watching the Great Tang Dynasty's courtiers pay their respects and left directly. As for the has-been emperor? He was now completely useless; why would Ying Qianshan waste his energy taking him away?
"My esteemed subjects, please rise," Wu Zhao said, raising his hand. His voice was authoritative and dignified, displaying the bearing of an emperor.
"Thank you Your Majesty..." Upon hearing Wu Zhao's words, all the subjects who were kneeling on the ground responded in unison, and then stood up.
With an aura of magnificence and aided by the immense National Destiny, Wu Zhao's cultivation level actually jumped directly from the Dao Seeking Realm to the Spirit Severing Realm and then to the Dharma Aspect Realm. Moreover, it was still improving at an extremely rapid pace.
All resources are no match for the National Destiny. As the ruler of a country, one must govern millions of people on behalf of Heaven. Naturally, one also needs strength. Therefore, a monarch who possesses the National Fortune's fortune will not worry too much about strength, because even an ordinary person who has never cultivated can, with the help of the National Destiny, reach the Great Accomplishment Stage Completion Realm in just ten years.
"So she's become Empress..." Zhuge Xiang's heart was filled with complex emotions as he watched Wu Zhao display her regal bearing.
Zhuge Xiang was happy for Wu Zhao to become the Empress of the Great Tang. However, as Empress, she would have to control the life and death of a large country, and she would definitely spend her life in exhaustion. Zhuge Xiang felt sorry for her.
Above the sky, the Imperial Golden Star shone brightly, and voices calling for the emperor rose and fell. All the residents of Chang'an City knew that Great Tang the Tang Dynasty had been born, and they all knelt down and kowtowed in the direction of the Great Tang Imperial Palace.
With the Spear in hand, the offerings of hundreds of millions of people from the Great Tang Dynasty converged and were incorporated into Wu Zhao's Spear and armor, radiating a magnificent light, like the Emperor's Son of Heaven Sword of a deposed emperor. Although it had not been clearly upgraded to any particular quality, one could tell at a glance that it was no ordinary item.
"Your Majesty, what should be done with this man?" After exchanging greetings, Wu Yazi stepped forward, pointed at the deposed emperor, and asked.
"Ying... Ying Qianshan... save me..." At this moment, all the powerful figures in the Imperial Palace focused their murderous gazes on him. The deposed emperor, his face filled with terror, turned and cried out, but unfortunately, Ying Qianshan, seeing that the situation was hopeless, had already abandoned him and left.
"Still calling? Too bad he's gone." Wu Yazi raised his hand. Without Ying Qianshan, Wu Yazi could easily subdue him with his strength. In just a moment, he had subdued this washed-up emperor with the cultivation of the Great Accomplishment Stage.
"This brat is audacious and reckless, and even dared to ascend to heaven. He almost slaughtered all of my Imperial Clan family members. If he is not severely punished, it will be difficult to quell the anger of the people. You shall draft a plan and submit it to me." Although he had never been an emperor, with the change of status, Wu Zhao had learned how to speak and act in this position without being taught.
"First, I order you to carefully collect the bodies of the Imperial Clan family members who have suffered hardship and escort them back without fail. Second, do everything in your power to recover all the damage to the Imperial Palace as soon as possible. Third, the new emperor's ascension to the throne must be announced to the world. As for all other state affairs, I will review them." Although he had never been an emperor, Wu Zhao 'Wu Zhao orders, issued one after another, were well-organized and very clear.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" Upon hearing Wu Zhao's words, although she was just a woman, none of the high-ranking officials of the Great Tang present dared to question her words, and even sincerely believed in her orders.
"Husband, what should we do?" Looking at Wu Zhao, who had become the Empress of the Great Tang, Mo Lingna reached out and hugged Zhuge Xiang's arm, asking.
Although she disliked Wu Zhao, seeing her become the Empress of the Great Tang made Mo Lingna feel even more threatened. Now, Wu Zhao's status was vastly different; would she monopolize Zhuge Xiang? And how should she compete with her for power?
"Let me talk to her first," Zhuge Xiang replied, putting his arm around Mo Lingna.
Although Zhuge Xiang wasn't a particularly perceptive person, Zhuge Xiang seemed to understand Mo Lingna's feelings at this moment. He instinctively knew that embracing Mo Lingna was the right thing to do.
"Yes, we definitely need to talk about it," Mo Lingna nodded obediently as she was held in Zhuge Xiang's arms.
Originally, Zhuge Xiang wanted to take her and Wu Zhao back to the Great Qin Empire together, but now, as the Great Tang Emperor, Wu Zhao has a mission bestowed upon her by Heavenly Dao, and there is an entire country that needs her to manage. Naturally, she cannot leave. As for whether she stays or goes, it is necessary to discuss it.
After all the orders were issued in an orderly manner, the entire Great Tang Imperial Family acted Wu Zhao and methodically. Although Wu Zhao's ascension to the Great Tang Empress unexpected, it was still more acceptable than having the deposed emperor return to the Imperial Throne.
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless night. Under Wu Zhao's orders, the entire Imperial Palace was in motion in an orderly manner. The repair of the broken buildings, the collection and repatriation of the corpses were all underway. There was also the new emperor's accession to the throne, the renovation and arrangements of the Imperial Palace. It wasn't until the first light of dawn that the renovation of the Imperial Palace was barely taking shape.
"Zhuge Consecrated, His Your Majesty requests your presence," a palace maid said respectfully as she approached Zhuge Xiang and Mo Lingna after everything was nearly finished.
Rumor has it that Zhuge Xiang and Wu Zhao were lovers. Although Li Zhi later took her away, both his relationship with the new emperor and the strength Zhuge Xiang displayed in last night's battle are enough to earn the respect of everyone in the Great Tang Dynasty.
"Alright, let's go." The reason Zhuge Xiang was still staying in the Imperial Palace was to wait for Wu Zhao to meet him. Hearing this, Zhuge Xiang nodded, put his arm around Mo Lingna, and followed the palace maid.
"Wait, husband, you should go alone," Mo Lingna, who was in Zhuge Xiang, struggled out and shook her head.
"You..." Zhuge Xiang stared in astonishment at Mo Lingna, who had finally broken free from his embrace. She had never broken free from his arms before. (To be continued...)