Chapter 512: Chapter 513: Unification of Four Nations (End)

Qi Yue looked closely for a while, and regretfully said, “It’s been too long, and the eyeball has necrotized. Even if we transplant a cornea, it’s difficult to restore vision, but we can try surgery to replace it with a glass one and do a skin graft. It will look much better…”

Listening to all these incomprehensible terms, Wolf Nine’s face turned from confusion to fear, and he eventually started trembling.

“My… My Emperor, I’m quite fine like this, really fine, no need for treatment…”

Hearing this, Qi Yue nodded in agreement.

“True, if you really switch to a glass eyeball, to outsiders, you won’t be the one-eyed Wolf Nine anymore, losing your fierceness for no reason…”

She thought for a moment and casually pulled out a pair of sunglasses from her sleeve.

She held it against Wolf Nine’s face to check the fit, found it unsuitable, and casually pulled out another pair.

After trying five different pairs, she finally sighed in relief and tossed the sunglasses to him.

“…These should be fine, unbreakable, stylish, and they suit you.”

Seeing Wolf Nine standing dumbfounded on the spot, she waved at Qingzhu to put the sunglasses on Wolf Nine.

Instantly, an image of a fierce and ruthless bully appeared before everyone.

Everyone nodded, acknowledging his intimidating and dominating presence, green with envy.

Overwhelmed, Wolf Nine shouted his praises and strode off with an air of arrogance.

In the following days, Qi Yue and Zhao Xiyan discussed several times how to settle Han Linghe, but they couldn’t come to a certain decision.

After court one day, Cabinet Grand Scholar Qu Wei, who Qi Yue had acknowledged as her foster older brother, suddenly came crying for an audience.

“Yueyue, you must help me. You can’t forget your brother now that you’re the Emperor!”

Qi Yue was initially a bit drowsy, but hearing his mournful cry, she let him be brought into the palace.

Unexpectedly, Qu Wei’s lament instantly piqued her interest.

“What? Big brother, did you just say that woman is the Princess of Nanyue?”

“Who else could it be?” Qu Wei said with a face full of grievance. “Sister, you have to take care of this for your brother. Which woman is so shameless as to throw herself into bed like that? And she’s a princess too?!”

It turned out that Han Linghe and Qu Wei had an encounter that led from fighting to befriending each other.

During the period Qi Yue deliberately neglected Han Linghe, the former emperor of Nanyue actually dressed as a man to attend a play.

By chance, they argued over a play.

Afterward, finding each other agreeable, they quickly became confidantes.

The next day, Han Linghe took gifts to visit Qu Wei.

The two enjoyed their conversation and agreed to drink together again.

Thus, the trouble started the second time.

Both drunk, who held whom was unclear, but they ended up sleeping together.

Afterwards, Han Linghe even revealed her identity as the Princess of Nanyue, which really scared Qu Wei.

But relying on his connection with Qi Yue, even knowing Han Linghe’s identity didn’t frighten him much.

After all, it came down to a single fact.

He had become accustomed to being carefree and would absolutely not take responsibility for any woman!

Listening with a frown, Qi Yue felt a rush of indescribable excitement!

What is luck?

What makes a good brother?

This was it!

Just when she was in trouble, her good brother had resolved it for her.

Though ecstatic inside, she remained composed and casually dismissed Qu Wei after a few words, then immediately had Han Linghe brought to the palace.

After all, almost thirty and having dressed as a man for many years, even clad in women’s attire, Han Linghe hardly emitted any feminine aura.

No wonder Qu Wei was scared to that extent!

However, in Qi Yue’s view, these were no issues.

Can’t act like a woman?!

She had all sorts of skincare products, perfumes, and sexy lingerie–all to dress her up!

See how stunning she looks!

No matter what anyone says, Han Linghe’s birth was quite good; it’s just that years of habit had burdened him with an excessively masculine air, which would be fine if he could change!

In a flash of thought, Qi Yue had already planned out the wedding arrangements for Qu Wei and Han Linghe.

But she still had some questions to clarify.

If Han Linghe disagreed, she would have to spend more effort convincing him.

Just as she was about to speak, Han Linghe had already knelt down.

“Han Linghe greets His Majesty the Emperor of Dayue Kingdom, please grant marital union between me and Qu Wei, the Cabinet Grand Scholar!”

Although Qi Yue was somewhat prepared, Han Linghe’s straightforward approach caught her by surprise.

However, she pretended to be unaware and asked.

“Han Linghe, granting a marriage?!”

“Yes,”

Han Linghe replied, then shared the difficult experience of disguising as a male over the years.

“Back then, my mother chose me to be the emperor for the sake of the Han Family’s territory. Now, for my own sake, I give up the rule. All these years of living neither fully human nor ghost, I have had enough!”

Although guessing it might be so, Qi Yue still cautiously patted the imperial seat beneath her.

“…Are you truly without any attachment to this position?!”

“None,” Han Linghe shook his head repeatedly, his expression gradually sinking into reminiscence.

“Back then, I too dreamt of dominating the world and looking disdainfully upon all living beings, but merely one attempt resulted in the loss of my sister, and in that courtly chaos, my mother was gravely injured and lived thereafter in misery. My maternal relatives were implicated, some died, some were maimed… The few remaining brothers with the same surname are all wise individuals; who cannot see through this game of power and desire…. Therefore, I want to be free, to live a life of my own…”

“Then why have you chosen Qu Wei? You should know he’s my elder brother. Although he has never married, he is a frequent visitor amongst florid gatherings; have you truly thought this through?!”

Han Linghe continued to shake his head, his face indifferent yet empathetic.

“Although he frequented the florid gatherings, he remained untouched by them, which shows he has always been searching but has not found anyone to stop for. I believe that person will be me.”

Speaking to this point, she suddenly paused, gazed intently at Qi Yue, and made a startling statement.

“Although he may not be as clean and faithful as Your Majesty’s consort, I believe that he and I will share a love like Your Majesty and your consort.”

These words sounded tremendously soothing; Qi Yue was moved.

She immediately nodded, fully agreeing, “You are right. I agree with your view, and I will draft the marital decree now.”

A day later, a marriage edict spread throughout Longnan County Government, and along with it, the abdication edict and declaration of allegiance from Han Linghe, the Emperor of Nanyue.

From then on, four nations united under Dayue Kingdom.

In the following spring, Dayue Kingdom received joyful news.

Emperor Qi Yue gave birth to three male infants, astonishing the world.

Afterward, Dayue Kingdom enjoyed favorable weather and the people lived in peace.

Interestingly, the common people often saw a number of unusual objects.

For instance, lamps that glowed just by basking in the sun for a while.

Or the various trinkets for women, countless in number.

Not to mention the strange, horse-less iron horses racing down the streets, giant iron birds flying across the sky, and fully armed soldiers with black rods at their hips…

More bizarre peculiarities, too complex for words…

In the 22nd year of Dayue, Emperor Qi Yue announced an abdication and passed the throne to Crown Prince Zhao Qiguang.

That same summer, a grand vessel suddenly emerged from the gulf of Nanling and sailed swiftly, soon disappearing into the horizons under clear blue skies.

But clearly visible on the bow were a man and a woman, dancing in an embrace.

The man was indistinguishable in gender, stunningly handsome, and the woman was dressed in regal attire, exuding a commanding presence.

(The end, no extras.)