Wine, Moon, and Friends

Liu Qingci covered her mouth, surprise in her eyes. She had never imagined that Prince Qin would actually let her take the throne.

Though Shen Yi was also surprised, on second thought,

he found it only natural.

After all, although Prince Qin had arrived at the Imperial Mausoleum with overwhelming force, what had happened there was still a secret scandal of the imperial family and would not be passed down in the future.

If Prince Qin were to ascend the throne here directly, then in the eyes of the people, it would be no different from a palace coup and usurpation, carrying the stain of an illegitimate claim.

Therefore, according to Great Xia law, only Liu Qingci's ascension to the throne would be justified and win the hearts of the people.

It was also the choice most beneficial to stabilizing the court.

Prince Qin had not lost his head.

And Liu Qingci had no other choice.

She had already figured out the current situation. Put bluntly, she would merely be warming the throne for Prince Qin for the time being.

Fortunately, she had never cared for imperial power in the first place. Instead, that let her breathe a sigh of relief. Liu Qingci straightened her back, adopting the dignified bearing she had possessed as the Holy Maiden, and called out:

"Everyone, rise."

"This princess shall inherit the imperial throne today."

"I hope you will all work together as one to safeguard the peace and prosperity of Great Xia."

Everyone cried out in unison:

"We obey the sacred decree!"

Then, under the guidance of the ceremonial officials, Liu Qingci entered the mausoleum's inner chambers to worship the ancestors, accompanied by Prince Qin, Prince Xiang, and the imperial clan. Once the rites were completed, she could return to the palace and formally