Chapter 670: Female Sovereign’s Consort Selection 27

As the empress spoke, her voice thick with regret, Empress Feng simply closed his eyes.

He did not interrupt.

He did not respond.

Only after a long moment did he lift his hand and gently pat her back, his movements slow and steady, as though soothing a restless child.

“Your Majesty,” he said quietly, “you are tired. Rest for a while.”

Gradually, the tension in the empress’s body eased. Her breathing slowed, lengthened… until, at last, she slipped into sleep.

The room fell silent.

Empress Feng remained where he was, unmoving, his hand still resting lightly where it had been.

Then, slowly, he let out a faint, almost imperceptible breath—and a trace of self-mockery surfaced in his eyes.

Why regret now?

What meaning did it hold?

The world had once called him the most beautiful man under heaven.

And yet, in the end—

Hadn’t he still lost?

Lost to Zhou Guijun.

Lost to her choices.

Lost to time.

Even if she now confessed her regrets, even if she finally saw what she had done—

What could it change?

It was like tasteless meat stuck between the teeth—too insignificant to savor, too stubborn to discard.

What was broken…

Could never return to what it once was.

And yet—

Despite everything—

The person he had loved in this life…

Was still only her.

When she died—

He would not remain behind.

—

Three days later, the empress, who had been absent from court due to illness, returned.

But the moment she did, the atmosphere shifted.

With decisive efficiency, she dealt with several ministers who had shown signs of dissent. The punishments were swift, severe, and unmistakable.

What remained—

Was left for Tang Wan.

To learn.

To handle.

To grow into.

The court trembled quietly.

This…

Was no ordinary adjustment.

It felt—

Like preparation.

As if the empress were arranging everything in advance.

Not long after, the decree came.

Due to declining health, the empress would temporarily withdraw from direct governance, entrusting the supervision of state affairs to Crown Princess Tang Wan.

From that day forward, Tang Wan began entering the palace early each morning, taking her place in the imperial study.

For the first time—

She handled state affairs directly.

—

Though it was her first time, Tang Wan showed no hesitation.

After reviewing the materials and precedents the empress had left for her, she quickly adapted, her mind sharp, her decisions measured.

Memorial after memorial passed through her hands.

And with each one—

Her control became steadier.

More precise.

More confident.

When the empress later reviewed her work, she was visibly surprised.

“Cheng Cheng,” she said, unable to hide her astonishment, “look at this. Our Wanwan… was born to be an emperor.”

There was no trace of inexperience in her decisions.

No uncertainty.

No reckless judgment.

Empress Feng accepted the memorial and read through it quietly.

A faint glimmer of light passed through his eyes.

He hadn’t expected this.

But after a moment, he simply nodded to himself.

Of course.

Even without relying on anyone else—

His daughter would still rise.

—

The ministers, too, were stunned.

Many had doubted her.

Some had even opposed her.

But after reading her approved memorials, their doubts began to crumble.

Her style was balanced—neither overly conservative nor recklessly aggressive.

She followed the empress’s established direction, yet added her own judgment where needed, creating a rhythm that was both stable and distinct.

There was no blind imitation.

No impulsive deviation.

Only…

Control.

Competence.

Clarity.

It was far beyond what they had expected.

Gradually, the unease within the court began to settle.

With such a ruler—

What was there to fear?

—

But not everyone was reassured.

Within the Prince of Qin’s residence, Tang Can’s expression darkened as more and more voices began praising Tang Wan.

“Someone must be guiding her behind the scenes,” she said coldly. “Otherwise, with Tang Wan’s usual abilities, how could she manage state affairs so well?”

She knew Tang Wan.

Or at least—

She believed she did.

They had clashed since childhood, and in her eyes, Tang Wan had always been mediocre, lacking both vision and strength.

There was no way—

No way—

That these memorials were entirely her own work.

“Perhaps it’s Empress Feng,” she added, her tone sharp. “Or someone else advising her in secret.”

Beside her, Lin Zihao spoke gently, his voice soft with reassurance.

“Can’er, you’re right,” he said. “If it were you, you would certainly handle things even better than she does.”

Tang Can let out a faint, bitter laugh.

“And what of it?” she replied. “No matter how capable I am… in Mother Emperor’s eyes, I am nothing more than a tool to contrast her.”

Once, the voices supporting her succession had been louder than those supporting Tang Wan.

Once, she had believed the throne would naturally fall into her hands.

But reality—

Had struck her hard.

And now—

No matter how much she refused to accept it—

The tide had already begun to turn.