The Regent, upon hearing this, immediately refused, "No, the heavens should be worshiped by His Majesty. I cannot."
Li Shengming said, "Since His Majesty is not here, it is most appropriate for Your Highness to do so."
"What Lord Li said is not wrong. Your Highness should not refuse," several ministers agreed with Li Shengming's words.
A palace attendant hurried over. The Regent could not help but ask the attendant, "Where is His Majesty?"
The attendant replied, "His Majesty is gravely ill."
"Your Highness, do not refuse." Several ministers, led by Li Shengming, bowed and requested the Regent to go to the altar to worship the heavens.
The Regent looked around and said with great difficulty, "Since that is the case, I shall not refuse any longer."
"The heavenly worship begins..."
The Regent walked up the steps, looking at the slowly approaching altar. It was false to say he was not excited.
If he completed the heavenly worship, he would be recognized by heaven as a half-emperor.
This would greatly influence his future power grab and usurpation.
As he stepped onto the altar, someone handed him the sacrificial incense.
Just as the Regent reached out to take it, a faint voice drifted over.
"I have not arrived yet. How can the heavenly worship begin?"
As the voice fell, a slender figure slowly appeared at the end.
Wearing a bright yellow dragon robe adorned with eight dragons playing with pearls, the young girl exuded an unspeakable majesty. With a crown on her head, every step conveyed the aura of a ruler.
At this moment, the girl was noble and cold, looking down on all beings, proud of the world.
Beneath the crown, her face was peerlessly beautiful. Her clear eyes looked coldly at the ministers on both sides.
Those whose gazes were swept over felt a chill creep into their hearts.
They became timid and uneasy.
They were as quiet now as they had been arrogant earlier.
The girl walked to the altar and looked coldly at the Regent, who had already taken the incense. She said faintly, "Thank you, Your Highness, for presiding over the situation. The rest will be handled by me personally."
The girl stepped onto the altar and walked towards the Regent, stopping when they were only one step apart. She revealed a pair of jade hands from her sleeves, "Give it to me."
Xue Wenjie was startled and frowned as he looked at the girl before him.
At some point, the girl had grown to his shoulder.
Her face no longer held the timidity and fear of before.
The Empress had truly grown up, and it proved he could no longer keep her.
"Give it to me," the girl said again, her voice having an unprecedented authority.
At this moment, Xue Wenjie seemed to see a shadow of his imperial brother on the girl's face.
At that time, his imperial brother had stood before him in the same manner, extending his hand and saying, "Obey me."
"Your Majesty," he said slowly.
The girl parted her red lips, "Regent, what is it?"
Xue Wenjie's lips curled into a cold smile, "Pay attention to the subsequent proceedings."
"Thank you, Regent. I will pay attention."
Xue Wenjie handed over the sacrificial incense.
The jade hand took the incense from his hand, steady. He smiled coldly, letting her enjoy the illusion of being an emperor for the few extra days she had to live. Otherwise, how could she reign in the underworld?
Xue Wenjie descended the altar, and Li Shengming greeted him, whispering, "Your Highness, what is going on?"
Hadn't they said the Empress couldn't get out of bed?
Xue Wenjie raised his eyes, looked at the girl on the altar, and smiled coldly, "It seems the Empress has not only grown up but has also become much smarter, knowing how to trick me."
Li Shengming was startled, "Your Highness..."
"The Empress cannot be kept alive. Lord Li, prepare yourself."
Li Shengming was startled, "Your... Your Highness tonight..."
"Go!" Xue Wenjie waved his hand impatiently.
Xue Zining inserted the incense and bowed to the heavens.
After completing these tasks, she felt a bit dizzy.
As she walked down the altar, her legs felt weak.
Back in the temporary palace, before her body could even touch the bed, a small figure rushed in, "Imperial sister, you lied to me..."
Xue Zining stood up and looked at the angry Xue Zixuan, smiling, "You say Imperial sister lied to you. Shouldn't you provide evidence?"
"You said you were unwell," Xue Zixuan said aggrievedly.
Xue Zining heard this and smiled, "Yes, when you came, Imperial sister was not feeling well. After you left, Imperial sister recovered."
"Imperial sister, you..."
Xue Zixuan was so angry he was speechless.
Xue Zining took off the dragon robe, revealing the inner garment. She crouched down and looked at Xue Zixuan.
Xue Zixuan saw the coldness beneath her clear gaze and inexplicably shivered, taking a few steps back, "Imperial... Imperial sister..."
"Zixuan, I am the monarch of Huangze. I must attend the heavenly worship."
Xue Zixuan nodded, "Zixuan understands."
"So, you are accusing me, aren't you?" The girl's voice turned cold.
Xue Zixuan trembled all over. The girl continued, "Imperial sister is the ruler, and you are the subject. Subjects obey the ruler unconditionally."
Xue Zixuan took a few steps back, his face turning pale, "Imperial... Imperial sister..."
"Go back and think carefully..." The girl stood up, no longer looking at Xue Zixuan.
Xue Zixuan lowered his eyes and left.
Xue Yan, who was bringing water from outside, couldn't help but ask, "Does Your Majesty need to be so strict with the young prince?"
"No?" The girl raised her eyes and asked.
Xue Yan quickly shook her head and said, "This servant did not mean that. This servant just feels that the young prince is still young."
"Eight years old is not young." If not restrained when young, they will become uncontrollable when grown.
In her past life, she had spoiled him too much, which led him to harbor improper thoughts.
This time, she would make it clear to him that she was the ruler, and he was the subject.
He would always obey her.
Only then would she spare him, otherwise...
She stretched out her hands. At this moment, her jade hands were pure white, unstained by any blood. Yet, she knew that soon, these hands would be stained with blood.
Both hers and others'.
After the heavenly worship came the banquet.
Xue Zining wore a dark purple robe. Although she no longer had the supreme majesty of the altar, she still possessed nobility and dignity.
After eating some food, Xue Zining planned to leave. She had not rested well last night and wanted to rest now.
"Imperial sister..."
Xue Zining looked up. It was Xue Yunlan. Xue Yunlan walked over, holding a wine cup, and said, "This subject toasts Imperial sister."
"Alright!" Xue Zining did not refuse.
At this moment, someone arrived late.
Wearing a white jade robe, he looked like an immortal, so beautiful that one dared not blink.
Xue Zining looked at Xue Yunlan's hand holding the wine cup, which tightened slightly. The corner of her mouth couldn't help but curve upwards.
"Young Master Yan, come here," she said.
As the voice fell, Yan Zhao raised his eyes and looked at her faintly. After a long stalemate, he still walked over and sat beside her.
Not far, but not close either.
"Drink," Xue Zining raised the wine cup and offered it to Yan Zhao's mouth.
He frowned and looked at her faintly.
She smiled brightly, but the smile did not reach her eyes.
She said, "Drink."
She saw him extend his hand, which was so porcelain white and slender. She was observing his hand so closely. He took the wine cup and drank it down in one gulp.
She saw his throat move, and a scene from last night by the lake suddenly flashed in her mind.
She was drunk, she must have been drunk.
"Do you want more?" His dark eyes were filled with ice.