Chapter 1006

Chapter 1006: Shift of Fortune

Empress?

The title of Empress is not a novel concept. Indeed, both Dayan and Daqi have witnessed female emperors ascending the throne in their histories, and over the past millennium, there have been more than ten female rulers!

However, since the founding of Dayan, no woman has ever held dominion over the realm.

In fact, across the entire Cangqing realm, the most recent female emperor to ascend the throne was over two centuries ago.

Princess Qingyun had never imagined that she could become the first Empress of Dayan!

Yet, as the legitimate daughter of the former emperor, she indeed possessed such a qualification.

However, unless all the men in the royalty perished, or only those with innate disabilities remained, it would never be her turn to sit on the throne.

Thus, if she desired to become the Empress, there was only one path.

Raise the imperial banner and seize the throne!

The question was, as a delicate girl raised in the deep palace for over a decade, who would support her ascension?

Anyone with true ambition would find any male royal a more reliable choice!

“I know it’s difficult for you to accept right now.”

Wang Chen said in a deep voice: “But, Princess, you have two choices: one is for me to take you away from Dayan to a safe place where you can live anonymously for the rest of your life.”

“The other is to raise the imperial banner and compete with Prince Jing for the realm of Dayan!”

Princess Qingyun trembled, as if awakening from a dream.

She stepped out of Wang Chen’s embrace and stared at him, asking, “Master, if I choose to live anonymously, will you stay with me?”

Wang Chen shook his head: “No.”

He descended into this realm to seize the fortune of heaven and earth, to grasp the world’s essence. How could he squander all his time on her?

Taking Princess Qingyun away was Wang Chen’s final act of assistance to his disciple.

Princess Qingyun wiped the tears from her eyes, biting her lip as she declared, “Master, I want to become the first Empress of Dayan!”

Wang Chen asked, “Have you thought this through? Once you make your decision, there will be no chance for regret!”

“I have thought it through.”

Princess Qingyun revealed a sorrowful smile: “Master, I would rather die than marry the Nanman, and I don’t want to live anonymously for the rest of my life.”

“Qingyun vows that if I become an empress in the future, I will grant you the title of king. If I betray this oath, may heavenly punishment and earthly destruction befall me!”

As soon as she finished speaking, Wang Chen suddenly felt a presence in the void casting a gaze upon him!

【Fortune -500】

His fortune was instantly reduced by 500 points, leaving him with less than a hundred!

But at the same time, Wang Chen felt a lightness; the invisible bindings that had wrapped around him vanished entirely.

In the next moment, a new invisible connection and bond formed between Wang Chen and Princess Qingyun, creating a new string of destiny!

Wang Chen understood that from this moment on, his fortune in this world would be closely tied to Princess Qingyun; their fates would rise and fall together.

Simply put, he had jumped ship.

However, compared to the former Emperor Shaowu, the current Princess Qingyun is merely a small boat in the vast sea, perpetually at risk of being capsized by the winds and waves.

Yet, this colossal ship, Emperor Shaowu, is destined to sink in three days!

Thus, Wang Chen, undeterred by his diminished fortune, instead revealed a gratified smile: “Very well, you do not fail me, and I shall not fail you!”

Princess Qingyun clutched his hand tightly and nodded with determination.

“Come with me.”

Wang Chen led Princess Qingyun into the grand hall.

He ordered Sun Zhengheng to summon all the Yulin Guards, including those stationed at the palace walls.

Though the palace was encircled by the Hanhai army, given Shangguan Wuji’s stature and integrity, having granted three days, it was improbable he would renege and launch a sudden assault.

Once all the Yulin Guards had assembled, Wang Chen recounted the upheaval in the imperial capital.

The Yulin Guards were utterly astounded!

None had dreamed that Prince Jing would conspire with the Empress Dowager to usurp the throne, overthrowing Emperor Shaowu to claim it for himself.

Amidst their shock, they were also overwhelmed with uncertainty.

“In three days, Prince Jing will ascend the throne!”

Wang Chen allowed no further contemplation, his deep voice resonating: “Not only does he intend to cede the three northern counties to Daqi, but he also plans to offer Princess Qingyun to the King of the Nanman, surrendering sovereignty and bringing disgrace to our nation!”

The Yulin Guards erupted in outrage.

Many hailed from the border army, bearing unresolved grievances against the Daqi forces; to see Prince Jing kneel and surrender to an enemy for the throne was profoundly infuriating.

“I have conferred with Princess Qingyun.”

Wang Chen surveyed the room and declared solemnly: “We will not obey Prince Jing’s chaotic decrees, nor will we recognize him as emperor!”

“For the sake of Dayan, Princess Qingyun is resolved to raise the banner against rebellion, and I vow to follow her unto death. Now, I ask you all, what are your thoughts?”

The Yulin Guards exchanged uneasy glances.

Sun Zhengheng suddenly knelt with a resounding thud, proclaiming: “I vow to follow Princess Qingyun unto death, to punish the treasonous crimes and restore the rightful order of Dayan!”

Sun Zhengheng, commander of the Yulin Guards, held immense prestige among the three thousand Yulin soldiers, and as he pledged his loyalty, dozens of trusted subordinates followed suit, kneeling in solemn oath.

Then, like a cascade of dominos, the remaining Yulin Guards knelt before Princess Qingyun.

Even those harboring doubts found themselves compelled to join under the weight of the moment.

“Rise, all of you.”

Princess Qingyun, her eyes brimming with tears, declared: “I swear here that if you do not fail me, I shall never fail you!”

The Yulin Guards shouted in unison: “We are willing to serve you, Your Highness!”

【Fortune +50】

A message instantly flashed across Wang Chen’s vision. He remained composed and said: “Excellent, united we stand, and a great cause is within reach. Next, we…”

Wang Chen was acutely aware that among these three thousand Yulin Guards, many were genuinely devoted to Princess Qingyun, but others undoubtedly harbored ulterior motives.

Without swiftly establishing a tangible objective, the newly forged unity and morale would inevitably wane over time.

Only through a succession of victories, relentless triumphs, could these elite soldiers truly rally behind Princess Qingyun!

Thus, Wang Chen’s first goal was to seize Hanhai City!

This objective seemed almost inconceivable, for Hanhai City was not only garrisoned by fifty thousand elite Hanhai troops but also fortified by Shangguan Wuji, a sixth-level martial honor powerhouse.

How could three thousand Yulin Guards possibly contend?

“I will handle Shangguan Wuji.”

Wang Chen said lightly: “He will either choose to follow the Princess as we do, or he will perish.”

“There is no third option!”

Had another uttered such words, they might have been met with scornful disbelief.

Yet the Yulin Guards, having witnessed Wang Chen’s overwhelming triumph over the enemy, held him in the highest regard, convinced of his capability to confront Shangguan Wuji, and thus their hearts were steadied.