CSMCDB - Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Wei Qingyu ascended the throne at the age of thirty-three. The timing was just after Wen Yuncheng and Lin Jinyu's grand wedding.
The Empire's imperial family generally held only symbolic significance, and the strength requirements weren't high. However, the throne was still very attractive; after all, the previous emperor had three princesses and five princes. And the First Princess had always played a supporting role; the emperor had no intention of letting her succeed him.
But ever since the First Princess recruited Wen Yuncheng, everything seemed to change.
Whether it was her achievements in eradicating the Fu organization at the beginning, or the role Wen Yuncheng later played in the plane war, the mere fact that Wen Yuncheng had reached the Star Saint rank at the age of 24 was enough to make the Empire consider the First Princess's succession. After all... Wei Qingyu and Wen Yuncheng were on good terms, and the Empire also wanted to show its sincerity to Wen Yuncheng.
Wei Qingyu was reluctant at first because she felt she was already busy enough. Wouldn't she be even busier once she became the empress? Her plan to secretly keep a pretty boy hadn't even been implemented yet, and she hadn't found a pretty boy she liked. Becoming the empress just like that—wouldn't that make it difficult to keep someone?!
In the end, Wei Qingyu still became the empress because she discovered that after becoming one, she could delegate the work she was supposed to do to others. Her younger royal brothers and sisters could all become her free labor, and for particularly important matters, she had Wen Yuncheng's help. After becoming the empress, she actually had more time.
A year after taking the throne, the citizens of the Empire were mostly back on track. Towns that had been abandoned or destroyed by the war were rebuilt and revitalized. The various academies and sects also reopened, just as they had before the war.
Without the Fu organization causing trouble, the Empire's environment had stabilized considerably. However, there were a few characters who, under the banner of "reviving the Fu organization," tried to fish in troubled waters, stirring up trouble in black markets and remote places, but they couldn't make any significant waves. Some things were impossible to eradicate, just as there would always be people in the world who did bad things out of desire. However, most matters could be resolved locally, with only reports being sent up.
Wei Qingyu had been planning for a long time. She made up her mind to travel around the Empire by herself—she didn't want to bring anyone, just go alone. Her strength was indeed not that great; even now, she was only at the third layer of the Star Lord rank. But a third-layer Star Lord could already handle most situations. Besides, with her status, she also had communication stones for the Protectors and Wen Yuncheng. Even if her shadow guards in the distant Imperial Capital couldn't arrive immediately, the Protectors could.
She handed over all her affairs to Zero to handle in her stead, while she herself left the Imperial Capital from a flight station under the cover of night.
Wen Yuncheng was always feeding her dog food. When she came to the Imperial Palace to see her a few days ago, all she talked about were the places she and Lin Jinyu had walked through on their travels in the Imperial Capital after their wedding, making Wei Qingyu yearn for it as well. So, with this opportunity, she also planned to go and see for herself.
The first stop was Zihua Town.
Wei Qingyu sat on a Gugu Bird and looked down. The walls of Zihua Town were covered with wisteria, with green and purple intertwining to cover the entire wall, completely concealing the scars of the previous battle. Walking out of the flight station, one could see that every household and even the entrances of every shop were adorned with purple flowers.
Ropes connected the shops on both sides, and those ropes were also entwined with wisteria. As soon as one entered Zihua Town, a faint, elegant fragrance filled the air.
Just one year had passed, and everyone seemed to have recovered. Zihua Town had once again become the popular scenic spot it used to be, with many couples coming to visit.
When Wei Qingyu saw the smiles on the faces of the passersby, a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment welled up in her heart. "Zero, I've done a pretty good job, haven't I?" After murmuring this to herself, Wei Qingyu remembered that she had left Zero behind in the Imperial Palace to handle affairs. Wei Qingyu smiled helplessly. Suddenly being without her shadow, she really wasn't used to it.
Zero had accompanied her for a very long time. From the moment Zero was chosen as a shadow guard and came to her side, she had never left her. Zero always hid in the corners. When she didn't appear, no one would notice her, but as soon as Wei Qingyu called, Zero would instantly appear by her side, perfectly carrying out every order she gave.
Speaking of which, Zero... wasn't young anymore this year.
Wei Qingyu's trip was not a secret. The three Protectors, especially the ever-considerate Protector Chu, had intentionally reduced the number of tasks the empress was supposed to handle. So even with Zero taking over, there wasn't much that needed approval each day.
With free time on her hands, Zero didn't know what to do.
She was used to hiding in corners, used to concealing herself in the shadows, following Wei Qingyu like a shadow, protecting her, and executing any of her commands. Speaking of which... this was the first time she had ever been away from the empress.
Because of her abilities, Zero had always been Wei Qingyu's personal protector.
Enveloped in black mist, Zero sat quietly in the spot on the sofa where Wei Qingyu usually sat, her thoughts gradually drifting.
When you're not needed... it's truly a bit lonely.
Zero sat there upright for a whole day. She thought about how Wei Qingyu's trip this time seemed to be about finding... a lover. She couldn't help but wonder, once Her Highness had a lover, got married, and had children, would there come a day when she was no longer needed? As a shadow guard, her entire life was dedicated to Wei Qingyu. If one day Wei Qingyu said she no longer needed her and let her leave the Imperial Palace to do what she wanted, what could she possibly do?
It seemed she didn't know how to do anything else.
Zero thought for a very, very long time, until night fell and completely enveloped her in darkness. Then, light began to dawn bit by bit, revealing her form in the darkness.
Then, Zero heard hurried footsteps, as if someone was running down the corridor. Although it was unlikely, the sound was all too familiar, a sound Zero had heard many, many times. The black mist enveloping her fluctuated with her emotions. Zero stood up, and the main door was thrown open.
"Zero, just dump the affairs on Chu Han. You're coming with me!"
"Stop using your ability. You can't be wrapped in black mist when we're out having fun. Change into these clothes, quickly."
Wei Qingyu tossed a bag of new clothes from her storage ring. The mist-enveloped Zero caught it dazedly, then shook out the clothes. The size was a perfect fit.
"Yes."
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