Luo Jingfeng disagreed, his voice cold as he said, "These people dared to bully the Crown Prince before—who can guarantee they won’t bully you in the future? Jin Cheng, as an emperor, you can’t afford to be soft-hearted. Killing them all is the simplest solution. Otherwise, like that weakling Chu Heng, everyone will think they can step all over you. How will the throne remain stable?"
Jin Cheng didn’t agree with the Crown Prince’s indifference toward them, but he also didn’t support Luo Jingfeng’s extreme bloodshed.
"You’ve already killed several princes. Keep this up, and you’ll be the King of Hell himself," the little demon lord rolled his eyes before adding, "As for those who harbored ill intentions toward His Highness, house arrest will suffice."
Luo Jingfeng chuckled at that. "Fine, then we’ll spare their lives. The most dangerous ones are already dead anyway… My Jin Cheng is so kind-hearted, still worrying about the lives of these fools."
Jin Cheng was speechless.
If this man didn’t know how to speak properly, he really shouldn’t force it. Every word out of his mouth made Jin Cheng want to roll his eyes.
Luo Jingfeng continued trying to engage him. "Your uncle won’t make it to your coronation, but he’ll probably send some Yunnan specialties. Is there anything you’d like? I can have them—"
Jin Cheng cut off his attempt at appeasement and asked bluntly, "Are you here to apologize?"
From the moment Luo Jingfeng had entered, he’d been spouting all sorts of nonsense. It was obvious—after learning the truth yesterday, he regretted his actions and wanted to apologize and reconcile. But he kept beating around the bush, refusing to address the real issue.
Caught red-handed by his nephew, Luo Jingfeng’s pride took a hit. He stiffened and retorted, "A-Apologize? For what? I didn’t do anything wrong! I asked Chu Heng so many times before, and he never said a word to me. How was I supposed to know if he was guilty or not?"
As he spoke, his eyes darted around, clearly guilty—but…
Truly his uncle.
The stubbornness was exactly like his own in the past.
The little demon lord finally understood how his mother must have felt looking at him back then.
It was so obvious.
Like standing there naked—foolish and infuriating.
Jin Cheng fixed his dark, gleaming eyes on him and, after a long silence, said, "Just like gratitude requires a ‘thank you,’ an apology needs a ‘sorry.’"
Luo Jingfeng: "???"
What nonsense was this? "Sorry"???
Those three words didn’t exist in his world!
The proud Duke of State Protection shot to his feet. Meeting his nephew’s earnest gaze, he glanced away, then back, before finally muttering awkwardly, "Memorize the list properly. I’ll come fetch you for the coronation tomorrow."
Jin Cheng: "..."
Hopeless.
Luo Jingfeng strode out, but just as the little demon lord thought the matter was over, he turned back and added, "If you want Chu Heng to stay in the Eastern Palace, fine. Let him stay until he recovers. But once he’s better, he has to move to the Ruining Prince’s residence. It’s improper for him to live in the palace indefinitely."
With that, he finally left for good.
Watching his retreating figure, Jin Cheng felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Luo Jingfeng hadn’t apologized—not to him or to the Crown Prince—but he’d made all the necessary concessions. Maybe… he wasn’t so bad after all?
The next day, the coronation ceremony.
Overseeing the event were the three grand ministers, with the Minister of Rites presiding. Eunuch Huang publicly read the imperial edict of succession once more, and under the witness of all, the new emperor, Chu Jincheng, received the obeisance of the officials, formally ascending the throne.
Chu Jincheng declared in a clear, strong voice, "Upon my ascension today, I vow to govern with diligence for the people’s welfare. Henceforth, I decree a general amnesty, the remission of taxes, and the reduction of corvée labor—standing united with all under heaven."
The assembly echoed in unison, "Long live the Emperor! May Your Majesty reign for ten thousand years!"
The common folk knew little of court politics, but they understood the tangible benefits brought by the new emperor’s reign.
And then… there were the rumors—how the new emperor shared an extraordinary bond with the former Crown Prince. Not only had the Crown Prince willingly abdicated in his favor, but the new emperor had also avenged him, imprisoning the princes who had once bullied him.
This act gradually won the people’s hearts toward the new sovereign.
Chu Jincheng’s succession proceeded smoothly.
That very night, however, the retired emperor passed away from illness, and his final edict was unveiled:
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Upon my demise, funeral rites shall be simplified. The national mourning period, originally twenty-seven days, shall be shortened to three, to alleviate the people’s burden.
I hereby reinstate the four grand ministers: the Duke of State Protection Luo Jingfeng, the Prince of Southern Pacification Luo Jingyun, the General of the Western Garrison Zong Zhao, and the Grand Chancellor Shen Qixian.
May you loyally assist the new emperor, fulfilling your duties with unwavering dedication to safeguard the realm’s peace. Hold the nation above all, the people in your hearts, without the slightest neglect. Those who defy shall face severe punishment without leniency.
So it is decreed."
"Boom—" The palace’s mourning bell tolled.
The late emperor’s body, preserved with ice, had remained intact for days—until Luo Jingfeng, upon learning the truth of Luo Shu’s death, stormed in and hacked it to pieces in fury. Had he not been restrained, he might have truly ground the remains to dust.
Eunuch Huang, horrified, scrambled to manage the aftermath. Only after the late emperor was interred in the imperial mausoleum did he finally breathe easier.
The Duke of State Protection was indeed the figure the late emperor had feared for over a decade—terrifying as a demon incarnate…
Having fulfilled his duties, Eunuch Huang prepared poison for himself. Having served the late emperor so long, he knew Luo Jingfeng’s mercy in sparing his family was already extraordinary. He dared not risk further chaos.
Yet just as he raised the vial to his lips, a memorial came flying, knocking it from his grasp.
Eunuch Huang looked up in shock. "Y-Your Majesty!"
The little demon lord, now clad in imperial dragon robes, strode in with a grin. "Eunuch Huang, no need to rush. I’ve already spoken with Father—with General Zong. You’re to stay. No need to die!"
The elderly eunuch burst into tears, kowtowing with his forehead pressed to the floor. "Your Majesty, this lowly servant is grateful for your and General Zong’s kindness, but I’ve already given my word to the Duke of State Protection… This worthless life, steeped in sin, isn’t worth causing strife between you and him! I—I am willing! I go gladly to accompany the late Emperor!"
Chu Jincheng crouched before him. "Don’t be afraid. The Duke of State Protection is my own uncle. If General Zong and I both agree, he won’t object either. Eunuch Huang, I have no one trustworthy around me. Can you be loyal to me alone?"
Tearfully, Eunuch Huang lifted his head. "For such trust from Your Majesty, even in death, I would be your most devoted ghost!"
The little demon lord giggled, standing up. "Good, then. Up you get—there’s work to do. I’ve tokens to distribute. You’ll attend me personally."
"Yes!" Wiping his tears, Eunuch Huang scrambled after him.
In the imperial study, Chu Jincheng examined a pile of newly minted tokens, each bearing his reign era. Eunuch Huang explained their purposes beside him.
The little demon lord seized one—the commander’s token.
Eunuch Huang said, "This commands the imperial guards. The commander holds a fifth-rank position, typically filled by a martial expert of noble lineage."
Chu Jincheng tossed it without hesitation. "Catch."
A perfect arc landed it squarely in Buyan’s hands.
Buyan: "!!!"
Heavens above!! Have you finally opened your eyes?!
A mere guard and enforcer from a marquis’ household—now promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guards!
A fifth-rank official!!!
How many promotions did I just get???
Buyan started counting on her fingers… and after calculating, she realized:
Dad! Mom! Dear uncle!!
I’ve made it!
I’ve finally risen through the ranks by this little devil’s side!!!
