When I woke up again, I found myself lying in the Chonghua Palace.

The constant pain in my chest reminded me that I was still alive.

Seeing me open my eyes, Lu Jiaoxi, who was by my bedside, burst into tears of joy: "You scared me, I thought you wouldn't wake up!"

I smiled and held her hand, listening to her recount the events of that day.

It turned out that after I left that day, she couldn't rest easy and found a way to send a message to let the chaotic soldiers led by Beita enter the palace.

But by then, Lu Yuan had already surrounded the six palaces. Lu Jiaoxi personally led Beita and the others through a secret passage, saving my life at the last moment.

After finishing her story, Lu Jiaoxi hugged me and cried: "What would I do without you?"

I smiled and patted her head: "Everyone can adapt to the situation and make strategic military decisions. Even without me, things would still work out."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jiaoxi gave me a stern look: "Oh, there's one more thing."

"Lu Yuan took his own life."

After a long silence, I nodded.

In the end, he had died.

Three days later, the army returned to the capital.

Using this internal turmoil as an opportunity, I reorganized the court in the name of the Qing Emperor, straightened out the court's affairs, and supported Lu Jiaoxi to rule.

I also expanded the imperial examinations, allowing new talents to fill the vacant positions in the court.

Two months later, Lu Jiaoxi officially ascended the throne.

During the coronation ceremony, I stood at the head of the officials, with Lu Jiaoxi in imperial robes in front of me, and behind me were hundreds of new officials from humble backgrounds, including many young women.

A woman becoming emperor was unprecedented in history, and the method of selecting talents without regard to family background or gender was also a first since the founding of the country.

But I believe this is the right thing to do. Generation after generation, the outdated practice of male superiority and female inferiority will gradually be erased, and the positions of leadership will no longer be controlled by conservative fools. Eventually, these positions will be filled by people with true talent and knowledge.

By then, the court and the people will be clear-minded and upright, ushering in an enlightened and prosperous era.