483: The Empress abdicated and left with Shen Tianxing.

Shen Tianxing left the Imperial Palace without meeting any old acquaintances.

For him, meeting them or not meeting them made little practical difference.

After this departure, when he returned again, how many old acquaintances in Great Qi would still be there?

Cultivators are not bound by the passage of time; perhaps by then, everything would have changed beyond recognition.

In just three days, the entire Great Qi Imperial Dynasty was abuzz with talk of the Dragon incident seen that day, and the rumors of Spiritual Rain falling from the heavens, protecting Great Qi.

For the common people, the Spiritual Rain was nothing short of a miracle.

The sick were cured of their illnesses, the injured recovered, and even the healthy received immense benefits; some who couldn't Cultivate before were even able to Cultivate now.

For Cultivators, this Spiritual Rain brought immense benefits, making Cultivation easier. The Spiritual Qi throughout Great Qi also became increasingly dense, allowing many Cultivators to Breakthrough their Realms overnight.

The hearts of Great Qi's military and civilians became more united, with a greater sense of belonging.

And at this moment, in the Imperial Capital of Great Qi, within the Imperial Court.

An Imperial Assembly, closely related to Great Qi, was in session.

Outside the Imperial Hall, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and the streets were quiet.

The people of Great Qi were still in their sleep.

However, for the civil and military officials of Great Qi, the daily morning court was about to begin, and they had been waiting early outside the palace gates, awaiting their opening.

With the sound of a golden gong, the palace gates quickly opened, and officials from various departments throughout the Imperial Capital headed towards the Imperial Hall.

Unlike usual, today these civil and military officials arrived with questions in their hearts.

The war on the front lines was currently sweeping all before it, with many victory reports, so there was no need for a special grand Imperial Assembly to discuss it.

Nor had any major events occurred within the court. The only possibility was that it concerned the golden Dragon from three days ago.

"Your Majesty arrives!"

The civil and military officials stood in their places in the Imperial Hall. A eunuch announced loudly, and all officials stood ramrod straight, their previous discussions ceasing.

Empress Yan Yuzhu arrived, clad in a luxurious Dragon robe. An invisible Aura emanated from her, enveloping the entire Imperial Hall, causing all civil and military officials to fall silent.

This was Yan Yuzhu's imperial might. From the day she ascended the throne, the Imperial Hall, with her presence, was always firmly in her grasp, and no one dared to offend her easily.

Nor did anyone dare to feign compliance while secretly disobeying.

All officials willingly bowed, listening to the voice of the Empress.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The civil and military officials respectfully performed the kneeling bow together.

Yan Yuzhu sat on the Dragon throne, lightly raising her hand, and said, "All my esteemed officials, you may rise!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The officials returned to their respective positions, standing respectfully, none of them speaking.

Although they had questions in their hearts, wondering why the Empress would hold a grand Imperial Assembly at this time, they dared not ask.

Yan Yuzhu always had her reasons.

This grand Imperial Assembly not only included all civil and military officials of rank in the Imperial Capital, but even the Chief of the Three Departments and Fourteenth Imperial Uncle, who usually did not attend court, were present.

"All my esteemed officials, I have summoned you today to announce a major matter."

"I hope you will all uphold your duties and act according to my command."

Yan Yuzhu did not immediately announce the imperial edict but first gave a heads-up to her ministers.

She did this to avoid unnecessary explanations.

After all, she was leaving soon, and the future of Great Qi had to continue. It was impossible for the ongoing affairs to stop just because she left.

She wanted to make one last stand for Yan Yongyang, who would inherit the throne.

After all, her prestige was too high. To succeed her as Empress, Yan Yongyang, though the Fourteenth Imperial Uncle, was currently not quite qualified!

She feared a change in public sentiment!

"We obey the imperial edict!"

The civil and military officials were not fools. Upon hearing Yan Yuzhu's words, they knew that something major was surely about to happen today. Everyone listened quietly, and those who had guesses dared not show them.

Yan Yuzhu raised a hand, and the head eunuch stood in the Imperial Hall, slowly unfolding the imperial edict in his hand.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: From this day forward, I shall abdicate and yield the throne to the Fourteenth Imperial Uncle, Yan Yongyang. May all my lords assist him with all your might, and not fail the imperial grace. This is a 欽此!"

Boom!!!

As soon as the head eunuch finished speaking, the entire Imperial Hall instantly erupted!

At this moment, all the civil and military officials panicked. No one could believe that the Empress was actually abdicating?

This simply wouldn't do!

Even if this Emperor was the Fourteenth Imperial Uncle, known for his wisdom and high prestige, he could not convince the masses!

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

"Great Qi is currently sweeping all before it, expanding its territory. How can the throne change hands!"

"Even if this humble subject were to die, I would never dare to accept this imperial edict! Please, Your Majesty, retract your command!"

Bang!

The Fourteenth Imperial Uncle was very decisive, directly kneeling on the ground, his whole body trembling.

He wasn't afraid, but terrified!

It wasn't that he suspected Yan Yuzhu was deliberately doing this, but he had never intended to be an Emperor. Compared to the throne, he preferred to be a leisurely Imperial Uncle!

However, he didn't know that this was precisely what Yan Yuzhu valued in him.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not!"

"Please, Your Majesty, retract your command! Great Qi cannot be without Your Majesty!"

As soon as the Fourteenth Imperial Uncle finished speaking, the civil and military officials all knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

Every official was very emotional.

Such a glorious situation in the Great Qi court was entirely created by Yan Yuzhu's own efforts. She was the backbone of this Imperial Dynasty. Without Yan Yuzhu, everyone felt at a loss.

Yan Yuzhu looked at the kneeling crowd below, old and young. These officials had all been promoted by her, and she felt quite emotional.

This proved that she had not misjudged people, nor had she used the wrong people!

These were all her good ministers.

It was just a pity that her future was not in Great Qi. She wanted to see how vast this world truly was and how far she could go after leaving Great Qi!

"All of you, rise."

"After so many years, you should know that the decisions I make are never changed."

"I'm not afraid to speak frankly with all my esteemed officials: I myself yearn for the outside world, and perhaps I will return to visit in the future."

"Now, Great Qi's national fortune is prosperous, and the Fourteenth Imperial Uncle has experienced three dynasties, single-handedly supporting their flourishing. With him leading you, I can leave with peace of mind."

"In the future, I will return."

Yan Yuzhu had always been known for her domineering nature, but today, as she was about to leave, looking at the tear-streaked old ministers, she couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion.

This is why she spoke from the bottom of her heart.

Her attitude was firm, and saying so much was also to tell them that no one could keep her!

She was ready.

"Your Majesty!"

Yan Yongyang stared blankly at his niece, his mind filled with mixed emotions.

Yan Yuzhu suddenly flashed, already outside the Imperial Hall, her luxurious Dragon robe falling to the ground.

In a long dress, her peerlessly graceful figure turned her back to the crowd.

"Imperial Uncle, Great Qi is entrusted to you. When I return, I hope to see this city flourishing!"