Chapter Seventy-Four: The Empress Ascends the Throne

Mo Nianyan glanced at him. "Is everything settled?"

Jiang Hu nodded, then removed his cloak and draped it over Mo Nianyan's shoulders. "The weather is getting chilly. Please take care of yourself, Master."

"I'm fine." Mo Nianyan looked at Jiang Hu earnestly. "Jiang Hu, I want to eat your cooking again."

Jiang Hu was momentarily stunned, his eyes curving into a smile. "I'll prepare it right away."

He gazed at Mo Nianyan, his eyes filled with anticipation. "Did Master miss me today?"

Mo Nianyan pondered for a moment and nodded. "I did."

Without Jiang Hu, Mo Nianyan felt almost useless.

The light in Jiang Hu's eyes grew even brighter. He offered the highest ceremony to Mo Nianyan with devout reverence. "Master, I am very happy."

Mo Nianyan felt a bit awkward. "I've told you, that's not necessary."

Jiang Hu smiled but said nothing.

[Male lead's malice value -1, current malice value: 9.]

...

The enthronement ceremony proceeded in an orderly fashion.

This time, Jiang Hu did not massacre the remnants of the previous dynasty, nor did he commit any atrocities against the cities.

Jiang Hu unified the realm, answering the people's hopes.

Because so many people and events were involved, the date of the ceremony was postponed by more than half a month.

When bored, Mo Nianyan would occasionally ask Jiang Hu about the ceremony's progress.

Jiang Hu reassured her, saying he would take care of everything.

Mo Nianyan was indeed a bit worried. Even though Jiang Hu had ascended the throne, the malice value still would not drop to zero.

She began to doubt whether her actions were correct. As the enthronement ceremony drew near, Mo Nianyan grew increasingly anxious.

The Ministry of Rites rushed and managed to complete everything by September.

The enthronement ceremony and the coronation of the Empress were held simultaneously.

Mo Nianyan was once again forced to rise early and endured a long ordeal.

The ceremony was several times grander than her wedding.

Mo Nianyan had no time to even glance at herself before she was seated in the palanquin.

The streets were deserted—tens of thousands of citizens knelt before the palace gates.

It was a magnificent sight.

Jiang Hu and Mo Nianyan walked toward the ninety-nine steps.

At the top, the officials of the Ministry of Rites waited with the crowns.

Jiang Hu secretly supported Mo Nianyan, bearing most of her weight.

"Are you tired, Master?"

---

Mo Nianyan was breathing slightly faster. "A little, but it's manageable."

"It'll be over soon, Master. Please hold on." Jiang Hu stood very close, his breath brushing against Mo Nianyan's ear.

His red palace attire made Jiang Hu's features even more striking, his posture upright. Only the collar around his neck was somewhat unsightly.

Mo Nianyan whispered, "Why haven't you taken it off yet?"

A dignified emperor—what would people think seeing him wear a collar?

Jiang Hu touched the collar. "It's Master's mark."

A mark, somehow shameful.

Mo Nianyan decided to ignore him.

Both of them wore red palace robes, reminiscent of their wedding day.

The eunuch recited a lengthy ancient text, so convoluted that Mo Nianyan only understood a few words.

At last, she heard the words "new emperor crowned."

She perked up and looked at Jiang Hu.

Jiang Hu stepped forward, holding the imperial crown. Mo Nianyan felt the crown seemed somewhat small, not quite fitting Jiang Hu.

Before she could figure it out, Jiang Hu approached her with the crown.

All the fervor, devotion, and faith coalesced into the light in Jiang Hu's eyes.

Before Mo Nianyan could react, Jiang Hu placed the crown on her head.

The size was perfect—exactly right.

Jiang Hu knelt on one knee, took Mo Nianyan's hand, and pressed a kiss upon it.

Mo Nianyan was stunned, her mind blank for a moment, unsure how to respond.

The eunuch's sharp voice echoed again and again, "The ceremony is complete—welcome the Empress to the throne!"

"The ceremony is complete—welcome the Empress to the throne!"

"The ceremony is complete—welcome the Empress to the throne!"

The shout spread through the palace. Mo Nianyan finally snapped back to reality, a bit flustered. "Jiang Hu, what are you doing?"

Jiang Hu's voice was low, lingering with affection. "I wish to gift the world to Master."

"Jiang Hu!" Mo Nianyan kept her voice down, scolding him.

Jiang Hu's smile was radiant. "I will always belong to Master, will always be loyal to Master."

He once again offered the highest ritual.

He was willing to give everything of himself.

Once, he wanted to make sure Master could never leave him. Later, he could not bear to.

Mo Nianyan muddled through the entire enthronement ceremony, and when she sat on the dragon throne, gazing down at the masses, she felt dazed.

Pushed onto the throne, Mo Nianyan realized something crucial—she had no idea how to govern a country!

---

She leaned close to Jiang Hu, whispering in his ear, "Jiang Hu, I don’t know how!"

Jiang Hu quietly squeezed Mo Nianyan’s hand. "I’ll take care of it."

Mo Nianyan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

All the chaotic procedures left Mo Nianyan thoroughly exhausted.

When everyone had finally departed, Mo Nianyan had time to confront Jiang Hu.

"Jiang Hu, what was that about?"

This man was truly the type to do great things without saying a word.

"I just wanted to give Master something personally."

Mo Nianyan was speechless. After much back-and-forth, Jiang Hu promised to continue handling all state affairs, and only then did Mo Nianyan settle down.

Mo Nianyan muttered, "If that's the case, you might as well be emperor yourself."

Her heart was unsettled; Jiang Hu made her feel something was amiss in her chest, though she couldn't quite pinpoint it.

The malice value never dropped, and Mo Nianyan inevitably grew restless.

"Jiang Hu, be honest with me—do you have any unfulfilled wishes? If so, I can help you."

Jiang Hu looked at Mo Nianyan for a moment, as if seeing through her heart. "I want to stay by your side forever. Is that possible?"

Mo Nianyan was silent.

She abruptly stood, pacing anxiously. "Why must you?"

Jiang Hu gazed stubbornly at Mo Nianyan. For some reason, his look reminded her of that big cat from before.

She grew irritated. "Even if I can never love you, you’d still be willing?"

"I’d find it sweet."

Mo Nianyan paced restlessly for quite a while, then waved her hand. "Forget it. Consider it a debt I owe you."

Jiang Hu smiled again, brighter than sunlight. "Master, I am very happy."

[Male lead's malice value -1, current malice value: 8.]

Mo Nianyan found she had no way to deal with Jiang Hu, so she simply stayed by his side.

Fortunately, Jiang Hu managed everything for Mo Nianyan, never delegating to others even to this day.

He personally took care of all her affairs, ensuring Mo Nianyan lived in comfort.

Mo Nianyan spent her life with Jiang Hu. In the end, Jiang Hu’s injuries from youth caught up with him, and at just over fifty, he reached his limits.

He lay on his sickbed, barely clinging to life, his gaze steadfastly fixed on Mo Nianyan.

Mo Nianyan quietly accompanied him to the very end.