Chapter 24 — The Heir to the Throne with the Wicked Face

Thái Bình Dynasty

Khương Nhược Hi's coronation day was chosen on an early spring morning, when the weather in Vân Khánh had just passed the cold end of winter, branches of yellow apricot blossoms began to bloom throughout the streets of the capital, as if signaling a bright new beginning after the past dark years.

Kim Loan Palace was decorated more splendidly than it had been in many years: colorful flags hung around the pillars, and fragrant incense spread throughout the solemn space. Civil and military mandarins stood neatly in two rows, the Three Kingdoms of Tây Lương delegation had been invited as distinguished guests, and a large number of people gathered in the square in front of the imperial citadel to witness the historic moment.

Nhược Hi stepped out from the back hall in a royal robe embroidered with exquisite dragons and phoenixes, wearing a crown encrusted with precious gems. Her majestic appearance was completely different from the image of the girl wearing a ghost mask hiding in the dark three years ago. Every step she took towards the dragon's pedestal echoed with the weight of responsibility and glory intertwined.

The old man presiding over the ceremony raised his solemn voice and read the coronation decree in a breathtakingly quiet space. "Now I announce to the world that Khương Nhược Hi, the only daughter of Đại Hạ's lineage, officially ascends the throne, becomes the first Queen of the dynasty, opens a new era, takes the name Thái Bình, and prays that the country will forever be peaceful and prosperous from now on."

The chants of "Long live you" simultaneously rang out from the mandarins in the palace, then spread to the square outside, where thousands of people joined in extreme joy. Nhược Hi stood on a high pedestal, looking down at the sea of people cheering below, with an emotion that was hard to describe in words, a mixture of pride, heavy responsibility, and longing for her deceased parents, the people who should have been there to witness this moment.

After the coronation ceremony, it was time to ordain the civil servants who had great contributions in helping her regain the throne. Nhược Hi stood up, held the edict in her hand, her eyes looked down at Trường Phong who was kneeling in the middle of the hall in neat armor.

"Captain Trường Phong." She raised her voice, trying to maintain a dignified look even though her heart was inconsolable. "Son of the late Chinh Tây General Lieutenant Thành Kiệt, who stood by my side for three difficult years, regardless of danger, even risking his military rank and life to protect the greater cause. Now I ordain you as a Great General, commanding all Đại Hạ soldiers and horses, and at the same time..."

She paused for a moment, her eyes looked straight at Trường Phong, her voice trembled slightly with emotion even though she tried to keep calm in front of the official.

"At the same time, I make you my Pho Ma, officially become my husband, and shoulder this country with me for the rest of my life."

The entire Kim Loan Palace was silent for a moment before cheers rose up again, not only because this was a wise political decision, connecting the royal power with a popular general, but also because the love story between the two had become a legend spread throughout the capital since the incident at the investiture ceremony that year.

Trường Phong raised his head to look at her, his eyes filled with emotions that he could not hide. "Lieutenant Trường Phong, I vow to support and protect Your Highness all my life, and together with Your Highness build a peaceful and prosperous Đại Hạ, worthy of the sacrifices of all those who have fallen on this path to justice." After Trường Phong, Nhược Hi continued to ordain those who had accompanied her throughout her difficult journey. Tang Dịch Phong was appointed Prime Minister, head of the civil mandarin, in charge of all the reform of the court. Nghê Bá Ninh was officially confirmed to hold the position of Commander of the Forbidden Army, ensuring security for the palace and the capital. Khấu Đình Ân, despite his old age and weak health, was awarded the title of Honorary Grand Deputy, a supreme honor reserved for public servants who have devoted their lives to the royal family.

"You don't need to do anything more," Nhược Hi said when presenting the title, her voice full of respect. "From now on, you just need to enjoy your old age in peace, seeing it as a worthy reward for what you have sacrificed."

"Seeing Her Highness sit firmly on the throne today is already the greatest reward for me," Khấu Đình Ân replied, his voice choked with emotion, his hazy eyes shining with indescribable happiness.

Monks Tịnh Nghi and Ứng Diệu Trân, although not holding any royal positions, were also invited to attend the ceremony as special guests, a worthy tribute to those who have played an important part in Nhược Hi's journey to find justice.

The coronation ceremony ended in an atmosphere of unprecedented joy in the capital city of Vân Khánh. Throughout the night, all the streets were lit up with lanterns, the sounds of festival drums echoed everywhere, and people gathered to celebrate a new beginning full of hope after the past dark years.

A few months later, the wedding between Queen Khương Nhược Hi and General Lieutenant Trường Phong was solemnly held, marking the perfect combination of official power and military strength, between intelligence and courage, between two people who had overcome many storms together to find justice for both their family and the country.

Standing on the high floor of the royal palace on the wedding night, looking down at the brilliant lights of Vân Khánh capital celebrating the event, Nhược Hi gently leaned her head on Trường Phong's shoulder, her heart filled with a peace that she had never dared to dream of during the three years of living under a ghost mask.

"Do you still remember the oath you made at the foot of Lam Phong mountain?" She asked softly, her voice rare and gentle.

"I remember every word," Trường Phong replied, wrapping his arms around her tighter. "I swore to always be by your side until the day you got back everything that was rightfully yours, and after that I would keep that vow for the rest of my life."

"Three years of pretending to be someone with an evil face, I finally got a peaceful country and perfect love," Nhược Hi whispered, her eyes looked far into the horizon where the dawn was gradually dawning, signaling a new day, a new dynasty, full of hope and light after the dark years that had receded into the past.

"That evil face has now completed its mission," Trường Phong said softly, his hand gently caressing her hair. "From now on, people will only remember her real face, the face of a Queen who used her own strength and intelligence to save an entire country."

Nhược Hi looked up at him, the corner of her eyes shining with unprecedented happiness. "And that face, from now on, you will always be by my side, right?"

"Forever," he replied, bending down to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "For the rest of this life, and even the lives to come, if God gives us a chance to meet again."

The spring breeze gently blows, carrying the scent of apricot blossoms throughout the Vân Khánh capital, like a blessing from heaven and earth for a new beginning, where justice has triumphed over evil, where love has blossomed amid many hardships, and where a young queen, carrying within her both pain and extraordinary strength, will lead Đại Hạ into a long period of prosperity, worthy of all the sacrifices that have been made on the path to finding the light of justice.

Many years later, Đại Hạ history books still recorded the story of the Queen who had to put on the face of a notorious bandit to survive the mutiny, silently build up her forces for three long years in the deep mountains and valleys, and then return to demand justice for both the family and the country right at the majestic Kim Loan main hall. That story was passed down through subsequent generations, becoming a valuable lesson about perseverance, wisdom, and eternal belief in justice, even through the darkness and harshest challenges.

As for Nhược Hi and Trường Phong, every spring, when apricot blossoms bloom all over Vân Khánh capital, the two of them often stand together on that high floor, silently looking at the peaceful country stretching before their eyes, reviewing the difficult days that have passed, to appreciate even more what they have built together, with blood, tears, and a love that has stood firm through all the storms of life.

And so, under the reign of Queen Khương Nhược Hi and Great General Trường Phong, the Thái Bình era indeed brought exactly what its name suggests: a prosperous and peaceful Đại Hạ, where justice is always enforced, where no one has to live in fear under any mask anymore, a country worthy of everything they have exchanged to regain it.