"This official respectfully obeys the royal decree."

Lu Bingxin and the others breathed a sigh of relief, each still gazing hopefully at Rong Heng, expecting him to issue more orders.

Rong Heng looked at the blood-stained and chaotic Imperial Palace, his voice clear and melodious: "Convey my decree: Promote Su Zixiao to General Wei of the Imperial Guards, elevate him to the position of head of the Imperial Guards, consolidate the guards, and ensure the safety of the Imperial Palace."

"This official thanks the Prince." Su Zixiao took a deep breath and responded loudly.

After this event, not much of the imperial guard was left, but Su Zixiao believed that if he could strengthen the Su Family, he could also lead the imperial guard well.

Rong Heng nodded slightly, looked at Gu Lan, and said slowly:

"The matter of the Dingyuan Marquis’s son, Gu Lan, disguising herself as a man was a secret decree set by Emperor Xiaowen, out of compassion for the Gu Family’s lack of a direct male heir. The Dingyuan Marquis acted in accordance with the decree. Now that Gu Lan has come of age, she shall be restored to her identity as the Gu Family’s legitimate daughter."

Gu Lan’s heart skipped a beat, unsure why he specifically mentioned her coming of age. Wasn’t this something everyone knew? If counted as a female, she had come of age two or three years ago.

She didn’t ask further, meeting his gaze with slightly raised eyebrows, and performed the official salutation: "This official thanks the Prince."

With Rong Heng’s words, from now on, the former Emperor—now referred to as Emperor Daxing—shall be acknowledged as such; the secret decree of Emperor Xiaowen has become a reality. All along, the Dingyuan Marquis had guarded the Northern Territory without abandoning his post for a single step, and the undeserved blame of treason upon the Gu Family is entirely removed.

Behind Rong Heng was the now-deceased Emperor Daxing.

In front of him was a blazing sun, like molten gold.

And everyone knew, today was not the end; it was just the beginning.

After addressing the Gu Family’s matter, Rong Heng changed the topic, his voice suddenly turning cold:

"My return to the Capital this time is for three reasons: First, the holy decree of Emperor Daxing calls me back to court; second, to redress the slander against the Gu Family of the Dingyuan Marquis Mansion; and third, regarding the past incident where Pingnan Marquis Xiao Jing colluded with Wei Country, leading to the execution of his entire household."

Lu Bingxin’s heart skipped a beat, and he said in a low voice, "Prince, this matter is from long ago and can no longer be examined, especially since there is currently no new monarch..."

Without a new monarch, who can order a review of old cases?

Moreover, the matter of the Xiao Family involves Emperor Xiaowen and Emperor Daxing, two emperors—one’s last act before his demise and the other’s first act upon ascending the throne. To investigate the Xiao Family now would be to disgrace these two emperors.

Although Rong Jing just died before them, making any sense of face seemingly insignificant, it truly does not conform to the rites...

Before Lu Bingxin could say more, Gu Lan stepped forward, her eyes sharp as blades, and took the initiative to speak: "I believe there are hidden truths to this matter, and the circumstances should be recounted by Executioner Lord Zhou. Therefore, I ask the Prince to pardon Zhou Xing and have him investigate the matter from those years."

She hadn’t forgotten that Zhou Xing was still imprisoned in her Ministry of Justice. As long as she was confined in the Imperial Palace, Zhou Xing remained confined as well. Previously, when You Ying sought to rescue the Gu Family, he considered Zhou Xing’s inclusion, but later deemed the Ministry of Justice’s prison safer.

Rong Miaoyan said, "The Xiao Family rendered great services to Dayan, and I also request a decree to re-examine the case of the past."

Lu Bingxin opened his mouth but eventually fell silent.

He had realized that Young Master Gu, Princess Ning’an, and Prince Xiang, who were supposed to balance and harm each other, were actually in alliance!

However, it was precisely because they were allied that Dayan did not disintegrate into chaos upon Rong Jing’s death.

What could he do? He was just a newly appointed Prime Minister, without power or prestige.

Lu Bingxin considered resigning.

"Convey my decree: Reinstate Lord Zhou to his original position; I will assign him to re-investigate the old case of the Xiao Family and send someone to contact Wei Country to verify which party Xiao Jing, my grandfather, truly ’colluded’ with," Rong Heng paused, his voice chillingly clear, emphasizing the word ’colluded.’

Previously, the Pingnan Marquis’s Xiao Family was executed for allegedly colluding with Wei Country and betraying the border army;

Thus, he would send someone personally to Wei Country to inquire whom Xiao Jing ’colluded’ with and what was truly ’betrayed’.

"We officials are willing to follow the royal decree!"

...

As the sun set, the Palace Attendants returned to their original positions, organizing and cleaning up the chaotic Imperial Palace.

The soldiers and officials surrounding the Qianyuan Hall dispersed, and Emperor Daxing’s body was collected by Minister of Rites Rong Mu and his men. The matter of placing it in the coffin was set aside temporarily until after the funeral rites, when the Astronomical Observatory would select an auspicious date for burial in the Imperial Mausoleum.

During the national mourning period, members of the Imperial Family could not marry within the year, and within the Capital City, the common people could not hold ceremonies or marry during the day, as was customary in Yan Country.

Most of these matters were left to the court officials to handle, except for some significant affairs that required Prince Xiang’s final decision. Next most busy were Miaoyan, Princess Ning’an, and Empress Su Zhixue.