Planning the Wedding

After a night of feasting and drinking, host and guests alike were thoroughly pleased.

Shen Yi sent the hazy, drunken Liu Qingci back to the imperial palace that very night; otherwise, she might not have made it in time for the enthronement ceremony the next day.

Afterward, life returned to peace for Shen Yi and A' Yue. Every day, they received visitors who came to offer their regards, including Prince Qin, Prince Xiang, Xie Tiao Zhi, Qu Yunzhen, and others.

When they had leisure, they went out strolling through the streets.

The two of them stole a few idle days from their fleeting lives.

Yet Shangjing was anything but peaceful.

First, Liu Qingci ascended the throne as Empress.

Then she issued an order conferring upon Prince Qin the position of Pillar of the State, making him second only to the Empress and above all others. Within the realm, he would supervise the hundred officials; beyond it, he would suppress the martial world.

She also restored the Pacification Office, placing it in charge of overseeing the martial world.

Xiang Yeyu was granted the title of Grand Eunuch and appointed Overseer of the Eastern Depot.

He was charged with supervising the hundred officials.

The Marquis of Dingbei was elevated to King of Dingbei, while remaining stationed at the northern frontier.

Besides that, a number of muddleheaded officials who had failed to recognize the people they dealt with at the Imperial Mausoleum and had aided demons in plotting to throw the court into chaos were punished, including the Vice Minister of Rites and his ilk.

The martial artists captured earlier, such as Ye Yixin and her Hidden Dragon Society, were likewise released from the Imperial Prison by Xiang Yeyu.

Everyone merely counted themselves fortunate to have survived the catastrophe. They hurried to flee