From cute to empress

Chapter 156: Urgent Report from Coroner Zhao

Coroner Zhao hurried into the bedroom and fell to his knees with a thud. "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!" His face was pale, his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and his voice was trembling.

"Hurry up and tell me!" The bad premonition in my heart became stronger and stronger.

"Prefect Li...Prefect Li...committed suicide by taking poison!" Coroner Zhao took a deep breath, as if finally making up his mind. He spoke rapidly, "I have examined the body, and it is undoubtedly poison, and..." He paused, as if trying to organize his words, "Also, in Prefect Li's room, I found a letter he left behind!"

"Show it up!" I suppressed the shock and anger in my heart and said in a deep voice.

Zhen Youcai took the letter from Zhao the coroner, examined it carefully, and then handed it to me. County Magistrate Li's handwriting was crooked, as if written with the last of his strength, filled with remorse and despair. He confessed all his crimes and his collusion with Wu the medicine merchant to commit murder and robbery. At the end of the letter, he begged for my forgiveness and asked me to be kind to his family.

I clutched the letter tightly, my fingertips turning white. The news of Magistrate Li's death was both unexpected and understandable. He had committed heinous crimes, and committing suicide out of fear of punishment was a well-deserved punishment.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and instructed Zhen Youcai, "Pass the order down. Although County Magistrate Li committed suicide out of fear of punishment, his crimes are innumerable and his death is unworthy! All his property must be confiscated and used for disaster relief! All officials involved will be severely punished!"

"Yes!" Zhen Youcai took the order and left.

I rubbed my brows, feeling a wave of exhaustion. Magistrate Li's case had finally been solved, but I felt no sense of relief. This struggle had cost too many innocent lives, and it had exposed me to the darkness and greed of human nature.

Wu, the drug dealer, was duly punished for his crimes. All his illegal gains were confiscated and used to aid the poor and improve medical conditions. Dr. Sun was appointed to lead the medical reform effort. He dedicated himself to rectifying the pharmaceutical market, improving medical standards, and ensuring affordable medical care and medication for the people.

Inside and outside the capital, cheers erupted. The people rejoiced, spreading the news and celebrating this hard-earned victory. I know this is just the beginning, and I still have a long way to go. But I believe that as long as I uphold justice and care about the people, I will be able to create a better future.

I raised my head and looked out the window. The sun was setting and the sky was a fiery red, as if foreshadowing hope and light for the future.

"Your Majesty, Taoist Zhou requests an audience..."

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the window lattice, gilding the bedroom with a warm golden hue. Taoist Zhou? What was he doing here? I put down the memorial in my hand and said, "Announce."

Taoist Zhou stumbled into the bedroom, his once vibrant face now frosted with age, his eyes etched with regret and vicissitudes. He knelt on the ground, his voice low and hoarse, "Your Majesty, I, the guilty minister, Taoist Zhou, pay my respects to you."

"Get up." I said lightly, my tone calm, and I couldn't tell whether I was happy or angry.

Taoist Zhou slowly stood up, head lowered, not daring to meet my gaze. I knew that during his time in prison, he had deeply reflected on his mistakes. In the past, for fame and fortune, he had spread rumors and sowed discord, ultimately ending up like this, a fate he had himself to blame.

"Your Majesty, I have repented day and night in prison, and finally realize that I have committed an unforgivable sin." Taoist Zhou's voice trembled. "I am willing to spend the rest of my life atonement. I beg Your Majesty to give me a chance, so that I can make up for my past mistakes with concrete actions."

I looked at him quietly for a long moment before I slowly spoke, "Admitting one's mistakes is the best way to improve. You know, what I hate most is deception and betrayal."

Taoist Zhou shuddered and quickly knelt down. "I understand! From now on, I will resolutely mend my ways and prove my repentance with concrete actions!"

I nodded. "Get up. I believe you can turn back from your mistakes."

After Taoist Zhou left, I issued an edict absolving him of his guilt and allowing him to be released from prison. I knew that although Taoist Zhou had made mistakes, he was not a bad person by nature, and I believed he could reform and use his abilities to help more people.

Magistrate Li's case has finally come to an end, and the entire capital is immersed in joy. To celebrate this hard-earned victory and to reward the subjects who have worked hard for the country over this period of time, I have decided to hold a grand celebration banquet in the palace.

As night fell and the lights came on, the entire palace was adorned in a dazzling array of splendor. Dressed in my finest attire, accompanied by Zhen Youcai, I slowly entered the banquet hall. Cheerful music played, and the ministers rose to their feet, their faces beaming with joy.

"Long live His Majesty! Long live the General!"

Zhen Youcai and I smiled at each other, raised our glasses, and greeted everyone. For a moment, the whole banquet hall was filled with a festive atmosphere, with clinking glasses and laughter.

"Have you heard? The love story between His Majesty and the General is truly legendary!"

"Yes, yes. Back then, the general fought bravely on the battlefield, and Your Majesty was strategizing in the court. The two of them supported each other and together created the peaceful and prosperous era we have today. They are truly a match made in heaven!"

I listened to the discussions around me, and a slight smile rose at the corner of my mouth. The story of Zhen Youcai and I had already spread throughout the streets and alleys, becoming a hot topic of conversation.

"Mengmeng." Zhen Youcai's voice sounded in my ears, gentle and affectionate.

I turned to look at him, and saw my figure reflected in his deep eyes, shining with a star-like light.

"Hmm?" I replied softly.

Zhen Youcai held my hand, the warmth of his palm transmitting to me, bringing me immense peace and warmth. He gazed at me lovingly, then slowly knelt on one knee and pulled out an exquisite box from his bosom… Inside the exquisite box lay a jade pendant, shimmering and translucent, its carving a pair of twin lotus flowers, lifelike and lifelike. I recognized it; it was a family heirloom, a symbol of everlasting love.

"Mengmeng," Zhen Youcai's voice trembled slightly, full of affection. "Do you remember the first time we met? You accidentally entered my military camp and in a panic, you bumped into my arms..."

His words seemed to hold a magical power, drawing my thoughts back to that hazy moonlit night. Back then, I was still a fledgling "magician," filled with curiosity and confusion about the world. And he, like a dazzling star, illuminated my path forward.

"In the blink of an eye, we've walked hand in hand for so many years," Zhen Youcai's voice choked with emotion. "You've grown from an ignorant girl into a wise empress, and I've finally fulfilled my promise to you: to protect you and be with you forever."

My eyes gradually became moist, and my heart was filled with a thousand words, but I didn't know how to express them. I only knew that this man in front of me was the most important person in my life. I was willing to give him everything I had and spend my life with him.

"Marry me, okay?" Zhen Youcai's voice echoed in the banquet hall, clear and firm.

With tears in my eyes, I nodded vigorously.

"Marry him! Marry him! Marry him!" Someone shouted first, and the whole banquet hall suddenly became boiling, with everyone cheering and blessing loudly.

With everyone present, Zhen Youcai solemnly placed the jade pendant around my neck. Its cool touch filled me with warmth. At that moment, I knew our love would be forever engraved on this jade pendant, a color that would never fade.

After the wedding, Zhen Youcai and I strolled hand in hand in the moonlight. The cool breeze blew, the fragrance of flowers filled the air, and everything seemed so beautiful and peaceful.

"Mengmeng," Zhen Youcai gently put his arm around my shoulders, his voice low and gentle, "Do you remember our dreams? We want to build a peaceful and prosperous world where the people can live and work in peace and contentment, and there will be no more wars and conflicts in the world..."

I looked up at his resolute profile, my heart filled with emotion and admiration. "You have talent. I believe we can achieve our dreams!"

Zhen Youcai smiled slightly and held my hand tightly, "Well, let's work hard together!"

It was late at night, and the stars were twinkling. Zhen Youcai and I walked side by side in the Imperial Garden, enjoying this rare tranquility and sweetness.

"Mengmeng," Zhen Youcai suddenly stopped and turned to look at me, a cunning glint in his eyes. "What do you think, should we..."

Before he finished speaking, I guessed what he was thinking, and a blush suddenly appeared on my face...

"Do you think we should... go see the little ones?" Zhen Youcai smiled and scratched my nose, his tone doting. Yes, time flies. In a blink of an eye, our three children have grown up.

I glared at him in disapproval, but the corners of my mouth couldn't help but curl up. Since our wedding, Youcai and I have lived an even sweeter life. We support each other and govern the country together. During the day, we handle government affairs together and discuss statecraft; at night, we snuggle together, chatting about everything and enjoying the rare tranquility.

Over the years, we have diligently implemented a series of policies that benefit both the country and the people. The people's living standards have greatly improved, and the country has grown increasingly powerful. The songs sung in roadside taverns are no longer about war, but tunes praising a peaceful and prosperous era. Children no longer have to worry about the chaos of war and can play and study without worries.

Seeing all this before my eyes, I feel incredibly gratified. All of this is inseparable from the joint efforts of Youcai and I, and even more so from those who have helped us. Dr. Sun, now the head of the Imperial Hospital, is dedicated to researching new medical techniques and saving countless lives. After the drug dealer Wu was brought to justice, we vigorously rectified the pharmaceutical market, and the people no longer have to worry about buying counterfeit drugs. Taoist Zhou, realizing his mistakes, repented and used his own methods to promote the court's policies, becoming a "living immortal" in the hearts of the people.

Whenever I think of these, I am filled with emotion. The difficulties and challenges we once faced seem to be still before my eyes, but we eventually overcame them and ushered in a better life.

"Mother, Father!" A clear childish voice interrupted my thoughts. I turned to see my three children running towards us. My eldest son, Hong'er, was ten years old, with a look of talent and heroism. My second daughter, Ling'er, was eight years old, lively and adorable, a perfect reflection of me as a child. My youngest son, Rui'er, was only five years old, stumbling along behind his older siblings.

"Run slower, be careful not to fall." I hurried over and picked up Rui'er. The three children surrounded us, their faces filled with happy smiles.

"Let's go, it's time for us to go back." Zhen Youcai took my hand and looked at me tenderly. I knew that he, like me, was full of hope and expectations for the future.

"Okay." I nodded in response. Our family of five strolled in the moonlight, our shadows stretched out very long, as if to blend into the boundless night...

"Your Majesty, Empress, something bad has happened!" Just then, a panicked voice broke the tranquility of the night. My heart tightened, and an ominous premonition surged into my heart...