I've been bullied and humiliated for thirteen years; when I wake up, I'll be bloodthirsty.

Chapter 942 Finale 2

"But……"

Lu Yangyang had one more thing to tell Zong Que.

She used the Hundred Poison Gu to test poisons. Yin Yueling had told her that if she failed, she would surely die; if she succeeded, she would be immune to all poisons. But even if she succeeded, it would hinder her ability to have children.

If Zong Que hadn't become emperor, she believed that Zong Que wouldn't have minded whether they had children in the future.

She even believed that Zong Que wouldn't mind even if he became emperor.

However, having offspring is one of the means to stabilize the country and the nation. She was not an illiterate woman who had only read a few pages of a book. Even if Emperor Zongque did not mind, the civil and military officials would force him to take in more concubines for the sake of the country.

But she knew clearly that she couldn't tolerate a third person in her relationship with Zong Que.

Lu Yangyang didn't know how to tell Zong Que about this. She didn't want him to know about the Hundred Poison Gu. After struggling for a long time, she could only vaguely mention the Hundred Poison Gu, "I was freezing in the mountains when I was young and almost lost my life. Later, my master examined my pulse and said that it might... be detrimental to having children."

Lu Yangyang didn't dare look Zong Que in the eye when she told this lie, and said stiffly, "If we get married, I can't tolerate a third person."

Zong Que seemed completely unconcerned, pinching her chin and kissing her lips again. "Leave it all to me. I'll tell you the solution on the day of your coronation and wedding."

Lu Yangyang's eyes widened: "You're not planning to act first and ask questions later, to make it a fait accompli and then talk about it later, are you?"

Zong Que chuckled: "Looks like I'm not attractive enough to Yangyang, that you can still think about other things at a time like this..."

Lu Yangyang wanted to say something more, but she was quickly made dizzy by his kiss and couldn't care less about anything else.

It wasn't until the coronation ceremony on the third day of the third month, after the wedding ceremony was also completed, that Lu Yangyang learned what his solution was.

"My beloved wife, Madam Lu, is a woman of exceptional medical skill, having received the true teachings of her master, the legendary physician Rong Xin. Privately, she has traveled countless miles to seek medicine for me, healing my bones and injuries, for which I owe a life. For the sake of the nation, she has resolved the smallpox epidemic, conquered venereal diseases in Jiangnan, founded the Mingxin Academy to protect women, reformed traditional treatments for external injuries, and made invaluable contributions to the Northern Expedition, serving the country with utmost merit. I, however, suffered a leg ailment that has hampered my mobility and hindered my ability to have children, for which I feel deeply ashamed before my beloved wife. Therefore, I hereby appeal to my ancestors and the people, declaring that during my reign, I seek only one wife, no empress, and no children. This will be proclaimed to my successor. So be it."

The imperial edict caused an uproar throughout the court.

Before they could even congratulate the new emperor, all the civil and military officials immediately knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Zong Que only asked them one question, "Do you perhaps intend to depose me and install a new emperor?"

The officials dared not speak again.

If someone else had said this, it wouldn't have been impossible for them to depose and install a new emperor.

But the one standing here is none other than Zong Que.

Zong Que entered the court to participate in government affairs at the age of five, proposed tax reform for the first time at the age of ten, went to the battlefield at the age of twelve and won a great victory, quelled banditry in three southwestern prefectures at the age of thirteen, reformed the tax system at the age of fourteen, opened up coastal border trade, reformed commerce and taxes, turning the national treasury of the Great Zhao from deficit to surplus every year, and reducing taxes for the people on several occasions. The population of each county increased by several percent, he opened the Northwest Trade Market, and stabilized the conflicts between various ethnic groups on the border. Moreover, he supervised several major cases, the most important of which was the Chenzhou case, which brought justice to the souls of those who died unjustly in Chenzhou, cleared the names of loyal ministers and generals, defeated the Northern Yan in the Northern Expedition, and welcomed back Crown Prince Chongwen.

These achievements, one by one, not only demonstrate the merits of the Zhao Dynasty, but also, in the grand scheme of history, make him worthy of the title of a wise ruler.

Not to mention that he now holds great power, even when he was the crown prince and his legs were crippled, he still made it difficult for other princes to rival his brilliance.

Zong Que did not need any marriage alliances to solidify his rule.

Throughout his life, he never needed offspring to consolidate his position.

His name alone is enough to be remembered in history.

The civil and military officials prostrated themselves on the ground in fear, shouting, "Welcome the new emperor to the throne! Long live the emperor!"

On the third day of the third month, Zong Que and Lu Yangyang got married and established the reign title Yuanyang.

He was known to later generations as Emperor Zhaoyuan.

Emperor Zhaoyuan Zongque never established an empress during his lifetime; he had only one wife, named Lu Yangyang.