I Became the Devil Queen's Heart Demon novel Chapter 1442

Chapter 1442: Chapter 559: Bestowing Marriage to Yu Youhan! The Demon Lord’s Pact! (8K)_2

The Empress wore her mourning clothes, plain and unadorned, with simple hemp shoes on her feet. Her dark hair was tied up with a strip of cloth.

Despite this simplicity, her natural beauty was hard to conceal.

Her skin was delicate, her features exquisite—a beauty morose and enchanting.

The Crown Prince followed closely behind, also dressed in mourning clothes, without any gold embroidery or embellishment. He wore a plain crown on his head, his small face tense, appearing solemn and dignified.

They climbed the golden steps and took their respective seats.

At this time, the Crown Prince had not officially taken over the throne, and could only sit in the secondary position below the dragon throne.

The Empress gazed through the bamboo curtains to the people below, remaining silent as the atmosphere grew increasingly somber, making faces taut with hidden cold sweat on the backs.

After a long while, she spoke, "Rise."

"Thank your Highness," the officials rose one after another.

Without the usual ceremony, the Empress spoke directly:

"What has happened recently, you all know and have experienced—there is no need for me to elaborate..."

"Tiandu City, under the Emperor’s feet, has faced such calamity; the land scorched for thousands of miles—a disgrace to the Imperial Family, and to all of you!"

"Those who perished were subjects of the Great Yuan. The foundation of this nation!"

"If it weren’t for Chen Mo of the Sky Scale Guard, countless innocent lives within the city would not have survived, and the Great Yuan Dynasty would have been relegated to history!"

"I want to ask, at this moment of national crisis, what role have you played? Who can stand up? Who dares to stand up?"

"If we have to rely on Chen Mo every time there’s trouble, then why does the court keep you around?"

"Might as well take off your hats and go home to farm!"

The Empress’s tone grew more intense, increasingly agitated, and she slammed the armrest.

The ministers shivered, fell to their knees again, and said in trembling voices, "We are incompetent; please, Your Highness, calm down!"

Though harsh, the Empress’s words were irrefutable facts.

If not for Chen Mo’s actions, they, too, would be buried under the rubble as Dead Souls!

"Please calm down, Your Highness, and take care of your phoenix body."

Eunuch Jin stepped forward, mediating, "As it is said, ’A stable world relies on wise officials, a chaotic world on pillars of support,’ neither can be spared. Like Mr. Chen from the Imperial Examination Hall, Captain Ji from the Divine Strategy Army, Master Lv, and Chief Minister Zhuang—they have all worked tirelessly to console the people and tidy the aftermath, and shouldn’t be condemned all at once."

The Empress’s expression softened slightly, "I see what you mean; those with merit should indeed be rewarded. But I want everyone to understand who it is you are relying on to stand here today!"

Xu Lin reacted first, clasping his hands to his chest, and said loudly, "It is in times of crisis that heroes emerge, having someone like Mr. Chen is indeed Great Yuan’s fortune, and also Your Highness’s fortune!"

"The strong grasp the storm, the loyal withstand the upheaval!"

In ordinary times, someone would have long criticized Chen Mo’s improper attire, potentially accusing him of treason and rebellion.

But now, the ministers turned a blind eye, no one dared raise any objections.

Chen Mo walked steadily into the hall’s center, kneeled on one knee, and clasped his hands, "Your humble servant Chen Mo, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince; long live, long live, long live."

Watching Chen Mo kneel before him, the Crown Prince felt uneasy and before the Empress spoke, quickly waved his hand, "Rise quickly."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Chen Mo rose with a flick of his sleeve.

The Empress tapped her fingers on the armrest, speaking softly, "Chen Qianhu, you’ve achieved heavenly merit this time; everyone pleads for you to be rewarded. Do you want anything? Feel free to speak."

Chen Mo shook his head, humbly, "To serve the nation loyally is my duty, I dare not claim merit for reward."

The Empress found his earnest demeanor amusing, pursed her lips, and turned to the Crown Prince, "Prince, what do you think?"

The Crown Prince thought for a moment, then softly said, "Chen Mo’s achievements are so great, yet he’s still just a Fourth Rank military officer, which is quite unreasonable... Hmm, with Mr. Wei’s passing, the position of Sky Scale Guard Commander is vacant; why not appoint him to this post? It fits his expertise."

?!

The words caused an instant silence.

They knew Chen Mo was bound for a promotion.

They expected him to leap from Thousand Households to secretary, which would be exceptional, but they didn’t anticipate him rising directly to the commander’s position?