Chapter 125: Prince Regent

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Chang’an City, Grand Tutor’s Residence.
“We should leave now,” said Diao Chan softly.
The Cold Moon Sovereign was surprised, “Not only I, but you too are leaving Chang’an?”
“Yes.”
As she spoke, Diao Chan stepped ahead and exited the waterside pavilion.
The once calm lotus pond seemed to come alive as the water parted to both sides, revealing a secret passage stretching from the pond’s edge down to its bottom.
“This secret passage leads directly outside Chang’an City.”
Diao Chan remained composed, showing no trace of defeat on her face.
The Cold Moon Sovereign was greatly astonished.
She suspected that even Dong Zhuo was unaware of this secret passage within his Grand Tutor’s residence.
“What about the Pure Land plan?” Han Yue asked confusedly, “Are you sure Dong Zhuo is defeated?”
Diao Chan did not stop walking.
Han Yue sighed and drew the Frost Condensation Sword, following her into the submerged passage.
Within the corridor, Diao Chan’s voice echoed softly:
“Dong Zhuo was truly greedy.”
“To pursue power, he devoured the entire Xiliang army.”
“He exceeded the limits of the Gluttonous Demon Art, even I was powerless to save the situation.”
“Alas, Sister Chang’s years of planning and efforts have all been in vain.”
“Emperor Liu Xie was surprisingly unexpected; though mediocre for years, he suddenly comprehended the unique divine power of the Son of Heaven.”
“The so-called Gluttonous Demon Art was merely a crude imitation of the Son of Heaven’s true divine power...”
...
...
Chang’an City was left with only one giant figure.
He stood holding a sword, majestic and awe-inspiring, evoking a deep urge to worship.
The sole survivor was Emperor Liu Xie of Han.
The moon was bright, the stars sparse.
Though night had fallen, it was a pure darkness; Chang’an no longer reeked of the foul stench of terrifying black energy.
“My loyal ministers,” Liu Xie spoke calmly, “Dong Zhuo is dead.”
His voice was measured, as if uttering a trivial matter.
Neither hurried nor agitated.
Neither joyful nor sorrowful.
In this moment, Liu Xie finally bore the demeanor of a true sovereign, concealing all emotion.
After speaking, he instinctively looked up at the vast starry sky.
Among the stars, one small star shone with unusual loneliness.
Its light was usually faint and easily overlooked.
But now, it shone with unprecedented brilliance and clarity.
It seemed unwilling to fade quietly, choosing instead to burn its life away and radiate a final splendor rather than live out a dull existence.
Watching the struggling star’s glow, Liu Xie saw his own reflection.
“Long live the Emperor... Long live, long live forever!”
The aged ministers knelt, weeping softly.

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They were overwhelmed with excitement and emotion!
The Han Emperor’s sword had shattered the darkness.
The black energy dissipated from heaven and earth, the traitor died utterly — what a magnificent feat!
Dong Zhuo,
the nightmare haunting countless Han hearts, was ended by their emperor’s own hand?
Suddenly!
A white light shot forth from Liu Xie’s body, descending upon a residence somewhere in Chang’an.
Countless white lights also flew from him, spreading throughout the borders of the Han realm.
Liu Xie’s towering, commanding figure gradually shrank until returning to normal.
Everyone immediately understood that the emperor’s overwhelming power vanished with the dispersing white light.
“Your Majesty!?” Elder minister Lu Zhi exclaimed.
He was the first to notice that Liu Xie’s once black hair had instantly turned snow white.
This was a grave omen!
“Imperial physician? Send for the imperial physician at once!”
Liu Xie only shook his head wearily, “I am... not seriously ill, just somewhat tired. You need not worry.”
The ministers were unwilling to believe this.
But since the emperor spoke, they could only suppress their fear and sorrow.
Fan Li finally emerged from the Honglu Temple, accompanied by Princess Changle to Liu Xie’s side.
At the same time, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan also gathered around.
“Your Majesty,”
the three began to speak, but the old ministers spontaneously formed a human barrier, separating them from Liu Xie.
The wary gazes of the ministers made the three feel uneasy.
“Today’s battle has truly exhausted me.”
“If you three have official business, present it tomorrow at the court assembly in Weiyang Palace.”
Exchanging glances, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Sun Quan saw Liu Bei take the initiative to bow through the human barrier.
“I have no official business.”
“As a Han kinsman, I only wish to inquire after Your Majesty’s health — a matter of family.”
Liu Bei’s face bore a warm smile, always a source of comfort.
Yet the ministers merely frowned, refusing to disperse the barrier.
Liu Xie returned Liu Bei’s smile, saying, “The Son of Heaven has no family matters. General of the Left, you may withdraw.”
Liu Bei stiffened.
In the past, the emperor often addressed him as “Imperial Uncle.”
Even calling him by name felt more intimate than his official title.
“...Yes.”
He quickly regained composure, bowed, and returned to Cao Cao and Sun Quan, subtly shaking his head.
Thus, the three departed with their armies.
“Treachery has thrown our nation into chaos, causing the Han’s strength to decline.”
“Now, the state is as fragile as an egg on the verge of breaking, and the people suffer greatly.”

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“All this is my fault.”
“From this day forth, I shall attend court daily to restore our nation’s strength and bring great order to the realm...”
Fan Li doubted his own ears.
Could it be?
He had expected Liu Xie to discuss his final affairs, but instead, the emperor laid out something akin to a “Five-Year Plan for the Han Dynasty.”
Looking at the emperor’s stark white hair, Fan Li wondered if he still had the strength to see it through.
After a long pause, Liu Xie seemed fatigued from speaking.
He paused, took several slow breaths, and his expression softened somewhat.
“Princess Changle is virtuous, intelligent, and greatly resembles me. Starting tomorrow, the princess will act as regent and assist in governance...”
Fan Li suspected he must be hearing things wrong.
Princess Changle?
Regent?
Setting aside that there was no precedent for a princess serving as regent, had Liu Xie forgotten that she was also the Queen of Chu?
“I have finished speaking.”
“Do any of you have objections?”
Fan Li had some reservations but immediately noticed the emperor’s warning gaze and wisely kept silent.
Power is the true currency of influence.
Now, the emperor possessed that power, but Chu might not.
“Envoy Fan Li of Chu.”
“Ah... Present, your servant.”
Fan Li rolled his eyes.
It seemed this was the first time the emperor had addressed him so boldly by name.
“After the celebrations, you should return to Chu.”
“But I wish for you to stay a while longer. During this time, you may freely enter and exit the Han imperial palace.”
“How do you respond to this?”
Fan Li found it utterly baffling.
Why was he being asked to stay in Han?
Privileges to enter the palace?
Honestly, he wasn’t that interested.
Liu Xie seemed to see through his thoughts, muttering to himself, “From tomorrow, Changxin Palace will be renamed Changle Palace, exclusively for the princess’s residence.”
“What does that mean? Is the emperor giving me directions?” Fan Li mumbled inwardly.
He suddenly noticed the princess gently resting one hand on her abdomen.
Damn!
How could he have forgotten this?
In the emperor’s mind, the princess was still carrying his child!?
(Sickness strikes like a mountain collapsing, recovery is like pulling silk. I truly wonder who will fall first—whether Liu Xie or I who will be forced to take sick leave...)
(End of chapter)