After searching every floor tile in the imperial bedchamber, Ye Chengxiu finally found a manual wrapped in burlap under a floor tile in the northwest corner.
At the Regent's Manor, Qin Feng's trembling hands opened the manual and saw the recorded date.
Each page was filled with densely written text, documenting an entire year.
Zhi Rou also watched from the side, her face flushing as she read, becoming more and more shocked.
Mu Xuan's birth mother, Consort Yan, had her period last for four days. Twenty-six days later, her menstruation would resume, a thirty-day cycle, almost unerringly precise.
A soldier nearby was translating the sign language of the mute palace maids.
"Consort Yan had a habit of recording her menstrual cycle. We were arranged to be her personal maids by the late Emperor and were bribed by her with a large sum of money. But after Consort Yan died, the late Emperor dismissed us from the palace. One day, after a meal, we were poisoned."
"Fortunately, our senior maid, Sister Lin, was clever. When Consort Yan was arrested, she quickly preserved this important record and wrote a letter to the Yan family, reminding them. We only wanted to live, not to have a mutually destructive outcome. Therefore, the Yan family urgently rescued us, gave us an antidote, but we were already poisoned and lost our voices forever. To appease us, the Yan family gave each of us ten thousand taels of silver as compensation and promised never to harm our families."
"You are a person admired by the people of Da Liang, your word is as good as gold. You promised not to pursue our past transgressions, and sent Xuan Guards to protect our families. We are immensely grateful, willing to cooperate, and willing to atone for our sins."
"The red characters on it represent the Emperor's whereabouts, and the blue characters represent intercourse with the master of the Yan family."
Qin Feng, his wife, and Ye Chengxiu listened to the soldier's translation, their hearts pounding.
The red characters were "帝" (Emperor), and the blue characters were "大伯" (Uncle).
Wasn't this "Uncle" Yan Liu?
Qin Feng flipped to the last page before Consort Yan's pregnancy.
[July 1st, menstruation begins.]
[July 30th, Emperor was drunk, no intercourse. July 30th, Uncle came.]
[August 1st, menstruation begins.]
[August 4th, 5th, 6th, Uncle came.]
[August 19th, Emperor came.]
[September 1st, no menstruation, danger.]
[September 15th, morning sickness.]
...
Seeing these lines of text, Qin Feng's eyes blazed with rage.
"My father once mentioned that night of drunkenness to us. He couldn't remember if he had relations with Consort Yan that night, but Consort Yan insisted that my father was very wild after drinking. This was also the only date Father could have potentially impregnated Consort Yan, so Father suspected..."
Ye Chengxiu's voice trembled with extreme anger, "No intercourse, Uncle? From June until before she became pregnant on September 15th, Consort Yan only had intercourse with the late Emperor once on August 19th... This child cannot possibly be the late Emperor's!!"
Zhi Rou's eyes reddened, "Father's suspicion has come true..."
Hearing Qin Feng and the other two speak, the old palace maids knelt and kowtowed, their faces full of fear.
Qin Feng had the Xuan Guards help them up and sighed, "You were forced by villains. Now you have atoned for your sins. I will uphold my promise and ensure the safety of your entire families. However, this matter is of great importance, and we must have the Ministry of Rites come to compare the handwriting!"
When Mu Xuan returned to his bedchamber, he was shocked and enraged to hear that the Xuan Guards had visited, "What difference is there between me and a bird in a cage?!"
An hour later, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites examined the first ten pages of text and repeatedly compared them with Consort Yan's handwriting on other official documents, his forehead beaded with sweat.
"Regent, this is indeed Consort Yan's handwriting, absolutely no mistake!"
Qin Feng's voice also began to tremble, "Are you sure?"
"This subordinate can guarantee it with his life!" the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites stated firmly.
Qin Feng, still not at ease, went to find ten other officials from the Ministry of Rites and Ministry of Justice responsible for handwriting examination.
Without exception, all officials, after comparison, insisted that this was absolutely Consort Yan's handwriting.
Qin Feng and his wife simultaneously collapsed onto their chairs, their faces pale and filled with remorse.
In the end, they had been played by Mu Chengyan!
Mu Xuan's appearance did indeed bear some resemblance to Yan Liu and Yan Ming, but the officials only attributed it to the blood relation between the Yan family members.
Moreover, Mu Xuan had a hidden ailment, which was a common consequence of consanguineous offspring, wasn't it?
Before Qin Feng and his wife could speak, Ye Chengxiu immediately dismissed everyone and then collapsed on the ground, tears streaming down his face, "This subject deserves death!"
He, like Qin Feng and Cheng Qing, believed in innocence until proven guilty, and Mu Cheng had not refuted their view.
But because of this, they had allowed Mu Xuan to ascend the throne, bringing unprecedented shame upon the Mu family's royal lineage.
"So, only Youmin and I are Father Emperor's flesh and blood now?" Zhi Rou finally burst into tears.
Qin Feng remained silent, but his face continued to tremble.
What should he do?
Should he announce it to the world, then depose the Emperor, and bring shame upon Mu Cheng?
But if he didn't resolve this matter, how could he console Mu Cheng's spirit in heaven?
That night, Qin Feng led three thousand Xuan Guards into the imperial palace and captured Mu Xuan, as well as Yan Ming, Dong Chen, and others who were discussing matters with Mu Xuan.
"Qin Feng, you dog! You finally reveal your true colors and are preparing to usurp the throne?!" Mu Xuan cursed loudly.
Qin Feng's hand, holding Consort Yan's record, trembled violently as he said word by word, "You are truly not the late Emperor's bloodline!!"
Mu Xuan and the members of the aristocratic families turned pale with shock.
"If you want to usurp the throne, just say so. Why spread rumors and slander, and spit blood!"
Qin Feng ordered officials below the fourth rank to be escorted outside, leaving only the high-ranking officials of the aristocratic families. He then read Consort Yan's record aloud.
"Utter nonsense! A mysterious menstrual record, what can it prove!!" Yan Ming roared.
Qin Feng squinted at Yan Ming, "This Prince only read the dates, but I did not say this was a menstrual record, and I omitted words related to menstruation. How did you know it was a menstrual record?"
Yan Ming's pupils contracted, and he quickly said, "I knew as soon as I heard it..."
But soon, Yan Ming met Qin Feng's murderous gaze.
At this moment, Qin Feng's profound guilt towards Mu Cheng transformed into rage towards these people, as if he were about to devour them.
"I'll trouble Commander Ye to keep an eye on them!"
Ye Chengxiu glared at Mu Xuan and the others angrily and nodded, "Don't worry, not even a fly can get in or out!"
Qin Feng, dragging his weary steps, returned to the Regent's Manor and truthfully told Zhi Rou about the palace coup.
Zhi Rou hugged Qin Feng tightly and comforted him, "No matter what choice you make, Qin Lang, I will always stand by you, through thick and thin, life and death!"
"I haven't decided yet, what is the right thing to do to be worthy of the late Emperor and the people of Da Liang," Qin Feng murmured.
Qin Feng didn't sleep all night, pacing back and forth in his home, agitated like an ant on a hot pan...
Murdering the Emperor? Deposing and enthroning? Enthroning Zhi Rou or Mu Youmin?
But the enmity between Da Liang and Da Gan was already set, and Mu Youmin was still young and should not leave the safest place...
He had always taken Zhuo Mingfeng, the founding marshal of Da Gan, and Gongsun Wuji as his role models, loyal to the sovereign and serving the country. Murdering the Emperor and deposing and enthroning were things he had never dared to consider before.
Enthroning Zhi Rou as Empress, how could he explain it to the military and civilians and future generations?
But Mu Xuan and the others had dragged the people of Da Liang into suffering, and had even insulted the late Emperor so much. How could he let them go?
He did not want to become "Dong Zhuo"!!
But even less did he want Mu Cheng, whom he treated as his own son, to be shamed after his death...
The next day, Qin Feng's wife and children woke up to pay their respects to him. Upon entering, they cried out in surprise.
"Husband?!" "Daddy, why is your hair white?"
Qin Feng at this time was haggard, his hair completely white, no longer possessing his former elegance.
White hair overnight...
"Eternal infamy, a passing cloud. The late Emperor's last testament, only for the people."
In the early morning, Qin Feng held a court assembly and announced to all civil and military officials.
"The Son of Heaven is the ruler of the myriad people. His dignity has been utterly lost. He rashly engaged in warfare, causing Da Liang to suffer defeat and disgrace. He colluded with the Spring Return Cult, harmed loyal subjects, appointed the traitor Su Wencheng who poisoned the imperial princes, and worse, invited wolves into the house by recruiting the Southern Barbarians to invade Da Liang. Furthermore, he abolished the system of collecting taxes based on population and reclaimed land for cultivation, re-establishing harsh and miscellaneous taxes, causing the people to suffer."
"This Prince, following the late Emperor's last decree, will depose his imperial title, demote him to Prince of Zhennan, and establish the eldest princess Zhi Rou as Empress, to cease hostilities, pacify the people, and restore good relations with Da Gan."
The civil and military officials were aghast and voiced their opposition.
However, Qin Feng firmly held the military and political power in the capital. Ye Chengxiu publicly executed several officials from the aristocratic families, finally silencing everyone.
"Qin Feng! The annals of Da Liang will record you as one who dared to discuss deposition and enthronement, and brought disaster to the country!"
Mu Xuan, with anger and unwillingness, berated loudly in public and was dragged from the throne by Ye Chengxiu, his face filled with murderous intent.
With the insincere support of the officials, Zhi Rou immediately ascended the throne, changing the reign title to "Da Xing," becoming the first Empress in Da Liang's history. The history of Da Liang entered an unbelievable and absurd chapter.
On this day, Zhi Rou sat on the imperial throne, her hands hidden within the dragon robe trembling violently. Suppressing the fear in her heart, she proclaimed to the world.
"I hereby appoint Regent Qin Feng, beloved minister Qin, as the Emperor of Da Liang, to command all the armed forces of the nation, and all state affairs shall be decided by the Emperor..."
The military and civilians of Da Liang, who were in the capital, were also shocked. However, upon hearing that the Empress intended to restore good relations with Da Gan, reduce taxes, and reinstate the population-based tax system of Mu Cheng's era, they expressed their support.
Mu Xuan's reign, with its background in the Spring Return Cult, was already unpopular. After being deposed by Qin Feng, the military and civilians of Da Liang were unwilling to rally to his defense.
The aristocratic families in the capital also faced a purge by Qin Feng. Of those above the fourth rank, only Yan Ming and Dong Chen were spared their lives and confined to the palace.
"Beast! Traitor! Rebel!!"
Mu Xuan, Gong Xue, and Gong Yu, confined in the palace, cursed incessantly.
Their father, Gong Mingqing, a leader of the Spring Return Cult, also died under Qin Feng's blade due to this sudden turmoil.
Just as the three were filled with rage, the palace gates were opened, and Qin Feng and Ye Chengxiu led hundreds of Xuan Guards into the palace.
Ye Chengxiu held a three-foot white silk ribbon, his eyes fixed on Mu Xuan, his eyes seeming to spew fire.
"Ye Chengxiu! Do you intend to accompany Qin Feng in murdering the Emperor, or kill my Empress?!" Mu Xuan reprimanded.
"I am merely here to atone for my guilt towards the late Emperor and share the eternal infamy with the Emperor," Ye Chengxiu replied coldly.
Mu Xuan's body trembled, and he pleaded, "I... I know I was wrong! I will give up this throne, and all will be forgiven. You should stop now!"
Qin Feng closed his eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and ordered publicly, "Make your move!"
Under the control of the Shadow Guards, Mu Xuan and the two women were immobilized and were eventually strangled to death one by one by Ye Chengxiu outside the palace gates.
"Prince of Zhennan Mu Xuan and his two consorts indulged in extravagance and debauchery, and died suddenly at the Prince of Zhennan's Manor."
The next day, after Qin Feng issued a notice in the capital, he took Zhi Rou to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Before Mu Cheng's spirit tablet, he repeatedly kowtowed, crying tears of blood.
He had thoroughly gone against his cherished ideals of loyalty to the sovereign and serving the country.
On the third day, Da Liang's historians' hands trembled as they held their brushes, hesitating to speak.
Qin Feng forced a faint smile and said, "Record it truthfully. It was I who deposed the Emperor, purged the officials, and strangled the Prince of Zhennan."
"This... is perhaps not quite appropriate..." the historian said helplessly.
"Write truthfully, that is the integrity of a historian," Qin Feng said sternly.
The historian wiped the sweat from his forehead, his brush tip quivering. Finally, he wrote a twisted line and submitted the historical record to Qin Feng for review.
[In the first year of Da Xing, the fifteenth day of the tenth month, Qin Feng strangled the young Emperor at the Prince of Zhennan's Manor.]
Qin Feng looked at this line, his eyes vacant, and then awarded the historian one hundred taels of gold on the spot as encouragement.
After Empress Zhi Rou ascended the throne, the court affairs were completely controlled by Qin Feng. Officials from aristocratic families across the country resigned, and protests erupted nationwide, claiming Qin Feng had murdered the Emperor and purged his rivals, calling him a traitor to the nation.
Qin Feng simply ordered the Ministry of Personnel to send scholars who had participated in the national imperial examinations—Juren, Jinshi, and Xiucai—to various regions to temporarily replace the aristocratic family members who had abandoned their posts. At the same time, he sent people to notify the front lines to withdraw troops.
In just a few days, the situation in Da Liang changed drastically.
However, because Zhi Rou reinstated the policies of Mu Cheng's era, focusing on resting and recuperating with the people, Da Liang barely maintained stability, but it was already precarious.
Without these aristocratic officials, the military and political affairs in various regions became increasingly chaotic, and Qin Feng was overwhelmed.
The Hidden Wolf Guards, who were collecting intelligence in Da Liang, immediately reported to the homeland via carrier pigeon.
Liang Xiao and Gongsun Ye, who were training troops in Yuzhang, were shocked to hear about the situation in Da Liang.
"Murdered the Emperor, enthroned his own wife? Is this truly the Marquis of Zhenguo of Da Liang that I knew?" Gongsun Ye said in disbelief, then let out a bitter smile, "I can never connect the act of regicide with such a person. It's incredible!"
Liang Xiao was also shocked for a long time, then sighed softly, "It is precisely because it is Qin Feng that he would do such things. We do not understand the specific situation in Da Liang, and I can only guess that Mu Xuan crossed his bottom line, and he also found evidence that he was not the late Emperor's biological son..."
Gongsun Ye seemed to understand, "You mean, he was willing to bear the infamy, just to preserve the Mu family's dynasty?"
Liang Xiao looked at the words "white hair overnight" on the urgent pigeon dispatch and nodded slightly, his mood complex.
"There was Wu Zixu who turned white overnight in the Spring and Autumn Annals. I now truly believe it..."
"Given Da Liang's current situation, will they withdraw troops from Wuron Province?" Gongsun Ye asked anxiously.
Liang Xiao replied, "Withdrawal is not a foregone conclusion. The time for the unification of the two countries is ripe. Our country cannot accept the proposal for reconciliation. After I recapture Jiaozhou, I will proceed directly to the southeast and attack Da Liang."
Over the next three days, Liang Xiao received further urgent pigeon dispatches confirming the situation in Da Liang. He then began to write rapidly and arranged for an express dispatch, an eight-hundred-li urgent report, to be sent to the capital.
"The Yizhou troops should also be arriving soon. The soldiers in Yuzhang can't wait any longer."
At this time, the capital received a happy report from the East Sea, and the military and civilians were overjoyed.
At the court assembly, Mu Lingming was overjoyed, "My son is worthy of the Emperor's boundless grace!"
The officials praised, "Minister Mu is indeed both skilled in civil and military arts!"
Mu Lingming quickly waved his hands, "Not at all, it is thanks to Marquis Anguo's excellent guidance. My son was only slightly familiar with military strategy before accompanying Marquis Anguo on campaigns in all directions! Didn't my son also say? It was the 'Da Gan Skyfire' developed by Marquis Anguo that burned all the enemy ships. Marquis Anguo should be credited with the primary achievement! I heard the enemy even attempted to extinguish the fire with water, but instead caused the fire to grow larger and larger, which is simply unbelievable!"