The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 851: Chapter 830: Struggle for Succession 12

After the first month of the lunar calendar, Emperor Feng Jing originally wanted to send Anning to Jiangnan, but after Anning was injured while receiving the Eighth Prince, she remained at her mansion to recuperate. Thus, Emperor Feng Jing sent the Seventh Princess to Jiangnan to inspect the waterways.

After the Seventh Princess left, Emperor Feng Jing intended to visit the Imperial Mausoleum for a ritual. Initially, he planned to go himself, but before leaving, Emperor Feng Jing caught a cold, prompting the Princess to request to substitute for him. However, Emperor Feng Jing sent the Second Imperial Princess in her place.

Subsequently, Emperor Feng Jing confined the Princess to the Eastern Palace, always having someone keep an eye on her wherever she went.

The Princess’s situation was grim, and the First Imperial Princess did not fare much better.

She, too, was scolded by Emperor Feng Jing for an incident and was subsequently confined to her mansion, unable to leave.

Emperor Feng Jing’s actions left people in shock and fear; the other princesses either remained quietly compliant or schemed to replace the Princess.

Soon, it was Emperor Feng Jing’s birthday.

Emperor Feng Jing was in relatively good spirits, hosting the Longevity Banquet inside the palace.

Anning had prepared in advance; she created a Longevity Painting to present as a gift.

This time, when entering the palace, Anning did not bring Xiao Yuan; she left Xiao Yuan at home to protect the mansion and look after the children.

Anning went to the palace on her own.

She went to Luange Palace to pay respects to Xu Xianjun.

Not seeing Xiao Yuan, Xu Xianjun asked Anning, ”Where’s Mr. Xiao? Why didn’t she come?”

Anning smiled slightly, ”He caught cold a few nights ago and hasn’t fully recovered. I was worried he might bring illness into the palace, so I asked him to rest at home.”

Xu Xianjun nodded, ”That’s fine. Later, let the Imperial Physician check on him.”

Anning expressed her gratitude.

The Eighth Prince, sitting beside Xu Xianjun, smiled at Anning, exchanging casual conversation.

As the Banquet approached, the group went to Tianyuan Hall.

When Emperor Feng Jing arrived, Anning stood and saluted him, ”Mother Emperor, seeing I am alone and lonely, let me serve Father Lord.”

Emperor Feng Jing, in good spirits, chuckled a few times, ”Alright, go ahead and properly serve your Father Lord.”

Anning smiled and went to sit beside Xu Xianjun, then said to the Eighth Prince, ”Brother Eighth, come over and sit; let’s serve Father Lord together.”

The Eighth Prince smiled and sat on the other side.

With his children beside him, Xu Xianjun felt deeply comforted.

Quickly, the food was served, followed by various song and dance performances.

Despite being the same routines as every year, the people in the hall enthusiastically applauded to please Emperor Feng Jing.

While picking food for Xu Xianjun, Anning glanced at the Princess.

The Princess seemed extremely tense, although she showed no outward signs. However, the veins on her hand, which held a wine cup, bulged prominently.

Just as the dance performance was concluding, the Princess suddenly smashed her wine glass.

Among the dancers, one flipped his hand to reveal a dagger, being the closest to Emperor Feng Jing; he leaped up, aiming the dagger at him.

The other performers drew daggers aiming at various junshi in the palace.

Seeing one performer attempt to assassinate Xu Xianjun, Anning kicked out, sending the person flying.

Simultaneously, she threw a wine cup, blocking the dagger aimed at Emperor Feng Jing.

The Princess shouted loudly, ”Guards!”

Guards surged in from outside the hall.

Emperor Feng Jing looked at the Princess, his eyes filled with pained disappointment.

He loudly ordered, ”Seize the Princess.”

The Princess smiled, about to speak, but the guards swiftly pinned her to the ground.

”You all...”

Only then did the Princess realize Emperor Feng Jing had been guarding against her all along, and those she had won over amongst the Imperial Guards were actually under Emperor Feng Jing’s control.

Emperor Feng Jing, seated on the Dragon Throne, looked at the bodies of several slain junshi, then at the kneeling Princess and the other princesses. His face pale, he declared, ”The Princess has committed a grave rebellion; she shall be demoted to a commoner...”

The crowd finally exhaled a sigh of relief, only for Emperor Feng Jing to further declare, ”Arrest the First Imperial Princess.”

The princesses’ expressions grew increasingly grim; each knelt quietly, not daring to speak.

Outside the palace, the Princess and First Imperial Princess’s forces broke into the Imperial Princess Mansion, causing heavy losses everywhere except Anning Mansion, which, guarded by Xiao Yuan, remained unscathed by the rebels.

Afterward, Emperor Feng Jing took Anning to Fengji Palace.

Upon entering, Emperor Feng Jing immediately commanded, ”Kneel.”

Without protest, Anning knelt directly.

Emperor Feng Jing looked at Anning with a complex expression, ”Did you know of the Princess’s rebel plot beforehand?”

Anning did not conceal the truth, ”I suspected a bit but wasn’t fully aware, and I had no evidence. I merely did what I could.”

Emperor Feng Jing stared intently at Anning, who did not flinch, meeting his gaze steadily.

After a long pause, Emperor Feng Jing said, ”Rise.”

Anning stood, realizing she had passed this ordeal.

She took a deep breath, gathering courage to plead for the First Imperial Princess and Princess’s lives: ”Mother Emperor, spare the lives of my elder sisters.”

The words made Emperor Feng Jing stagger a step; she waved her hand, ”You... may go.”

Only then did Anning kneel again and kowtow before exiting the palace.

A few days after she returned home, Emperor Feng Jing issued an abdication decree.

In essence, it declared the Fifth Princess virtuous and most resembling him, hence she should immediately take the throne.

Anning received the decree and went into the palace. Busy for several days, she then had Xiao Yuan and the children brought into the palace.

Shortly after Anning ascended the throne, Emperor Feng Jing passed away.

Then followed the rituals of mourning and funeral proceedings.

After Emperor Feng Jing was interred in the Imperial Mausoleum, court struggles began anew.

This time, it was the courtiers’ contest; everyone aimed to gain favor under the new Emperor for lucrative positions.

Most believed that Anning would not alter the late Emperor’s policies in the first three years and would treat the elders well.

Nobody expected that once Anning ascended, she would swiftly implement a series of policies.

In the following years, Anning first collaborated with farmers to develop high-quality crops, introduced new species nationwide, emphasized agriculture and commerce, and after securing her rule, purged many corrupt officials, promoted tax reforms where scholars contributed equally, and other new policies.

More than a decade later, the Daqi Dynasty thrived, fields abundant with produce, commerce bustling, international trade flourishing, and crucially, the national treasury was extremely full.

Seeing the Daqi Dynasty no longer lacking resources, Anning began elevating loyalists she had cultivated in the military to lead campaigns.

Whether against the Yi Clan, Di Clan, or the Barbarian Clan, if resistance was met, Anning dispatched forces to subdue them.

Having secured victories, Anning brought captured aliens back, assigning them to mining, road construction, and other labor needs, supporting development nation-wide where labor was scarce.

In just five years, the borders of Dajing stabilized.

By then, Anning, much like Emperor Feng Jing, wrote an abdication edict, passing the throne to her third daughter Chunxi, and began a retirement life with Xiao Yuan.

Anning and Xiao Yuan lived long lives, only passing away after a granddaughter ascended the throne.

Leaving this world, they found their Merit Power even stronger.

Anning tightly held Xiao Yuan’s hand, whispering, ”Let’s give it a try.”

Together, they began breaking through the barriers of space-time.

Quickly, a crack opened in the space-time barrier.

The two took advantage of the opportunity to slip through.

Seeing the crack seal behind them, Anning sensed the laws of the new world, smiling at Xiao Yuan, ”We’re back.”

Indeed, though the Main God intended to cast them out, they found a way back.

Xiao Yuan closed his eyes, perceiving the multiple small worlds.

After a while, he opened his eyes, looking at Anning, ”I found a small world you once visited.”

Oh, Anning raised an eyebrow at Xiao Yuan.

Eventually, they both laughed.

”Let’s take a look then.”

Anning said, ”Perhaps we can rectify some regrets.”