The Sovereign – Chapter 46

Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze

Each Harboring Their Own Thoughts

Liu Qianxun, are you foolish?

The rain in Yuzhou spread to Jidu. The heavy rain was pouring and had already continued for three days and nights. The thunder kept rumbling without stopping, and Liu Qianxun traveled through wind and rain, urging the horse on quickly without a moment’s rest.

After being away from Jidu for several months, everything seemed the same, yet somewhat different. The heavy rain had cleaned the streets, leaving few pedestrians on the road. Suyuan Tower, managed by He Xi, was bustling with business during the day, and in the evening, it was still lively with music every night.

“The Tower Master has returned!”

Before Liu Qianxun had stepped into Ziyun Pavilion, she heard her subordinates announcing it. Mujin was the first to come forward, “Sister, you finally returned.”

“Mm.” Liu Qianxun took off her hat, her clothes were soaked by the rain, and faintly visible raindrops between her eyelashes, crystal clear.

“Uh, Sister…” Mujin hesitated to speak.

“What is it?”

“The Sect Leader is in Ziyun Pavilion… she has been staying in your room these past few days.” Mujin, sincerely frightened, had been serving Ling Yu with trembling fear, always feeling that the Sect Leader was unpredictable and that any slight mistake might cost her life.

Liu Qianxun was not surprised; she had expected Ling Yu to be in Jidu, but she hadn’t anticipated her staying so openly in Suyuan Tower.

Ziyun Pavilion is surrounded by water on all sides, with heavy rain washing over the eaves, and the rainwater flowing down like fine threads, creating a beautiful melody with its ding-dong sound in the corridor. As Liu Qianxun stepped into Ziyun Pavilion, a burst of refreshing fragrance hit her. It was the unique scent made from iris mixed with orchid, lotus, and other floral fragrances.

It was not too strong, nor overly showy, much like today’s Ling Yu, who wore blue butterfly clothing, shedding her usual enchantment. At this moment, she was intently tending to the flowers in the pot.

“If you hadn’t returned, the irises would have withered.” Ling Yu turned, her vermilion lips lightly pursed, revealing a soft, charming smile. “Why do you look so tired?” Seeing her face full of fatigue, Ling Yu, distressed, reached out her hand to gently stroke her face.

“Where is my mother?” Liu Qianxun, cold as frost, was already calm when she saw Ling Yu again.

“She is in Jing Garden, rest assured, more than ten experts are secretly protecting her, and the maid serving her has already been properly arranged.”

“You placed her under house arrest?” Liu Qianxun slightly frowned, as Ling Yu waved her hand, brushing the hair at her temple, “How could I place her under house arrest? Suyuan Tower is not like Changning Mansion. I heard there are always people from the palace monitoring here. How can we let the court know she has returned? If Yi Qinghuan finds out, wouldn’t it ruin our great plan?”

“I’ll go see her.” Liu Qianxun was about to turn, but Ling Yu pulled her back, encircling Liu Qianxun’s waist from behind, her face leaning on Liu Qianxun’s shoulder, “You see, you’re still wearing men’s clothing and want to go see her without washing. Aren’t you afraid she’ll worry?”

“Then… I’ll go wash first. Release me, so you don’t dirty your clothes.” Liu Qianxun’s hand on Ling Yu’s waist gently patted her, and in an intimate tone, finally eased the neither-salty-nor-bland conversation between the two.

Ling Yu pulled her close, using her hand to wipe away the rainwater from her temple. The light water droplets on her willow leaf-shaped thin eyebrows tugged at her heart. Ling Yu, as if admiring a fine object, caressed from her forehead to her temple, finally resting on her chin, teasing her face, “It’s been many days since we’ve seen each other. Have you missed me?”

“Why should I miss someone who treats me as a weapon or a chess piece?” Liu Qianxun coldly replied.

“Xun’er~” Ling Yu called her name helplessly.

“I’m going to wash.” Liu Qianxun, expressionless, turned and walked toward the warm pool, with Ling Yu closely following. The pool was filled with flower petals, a warm bath resembling a hundred flowers in bloom, with colors as varied as a rainbow. The water temperature was just right, personally prepared by Ling Yu.

“I knew you would arrive today, so I prepared this especially for you.” Ling Yu raised her hand to remove the hair bun from her head, letting a cascade of shiny black long hair fall down.

“How dare I trouble the Sect Leader to personally arrange this.”

“When Qin Junlan’s identity was revealed, did you also speak to her like this?” Ling Yu removed her clothing, brushing aside the last layer of inner garment from her shoulder. That bright iris came into view, and every time Ling Yu saw this tattoo, she felt especially reassured. Because of this iris, she felt that Liu Qianxun’s heart would forever belong only to her, and no one could take it away.

“If I didn’t act like this, being too calm would be suspicious, perhaps she has always been suspicious of me.” As Liu Qianxun spoke, her clothing was completely removed, and she walked, not a thread on her, into the warm pool. Ling Yu sat beside her, with her brows and eyes always raised, looking somewhat entranced at Liu Qianxun. Every cell in her body was pulsating with excitement, joy, and even a sense of happiness.

“You didn’t hesitate to reveal your skills, wanting to protect her thoroughly. This plan was executed very smoothly.” Ling Yu said intentionally, wanting to know if Liu Qianxun took action ultimately for herself or because she was worried about Qin Junlan.

“If I did not take action, should I wait to be killed? Your people, however, seemed like they were just watching a show.” Liu Qianxun calmly responded, fully understanding Ling Yu’s implied meaning.

“Who was protecting you that day? Lacking such awareness, they are so useless, might as well kill them.”

“Enough, stop with the killing talk. You were confident in my skills not getting hurt, which is why you felt assured to send me out. I risked my life to save and turned danger into safety. Qin Junlan will naturally credit me for this. As for her questioning my martial arts, I have my own ways to handle it.” Liu Qianxun responded calmly, always maintaining a composed demeanor in any situation.

Her past experiences have made her adept at hiding emotions and taught her how to maneuver with people like Qin Junlan and Ling Yu. If her heart hadn’t retained a bit of vigilance, how could she calmly handle the world’s two most wise individuals?

Ling Yu’s body slightly leaned forward, close to her face, “Lin Wuming was right, you’re using the tactic of feigning retreat to lure in, so sending you to the Empress’ side is most suitable. Who else has your wisdom and acuity to resolve all crises?”

“You brought him again; you two are really inseparable now.” Hearing Lin Wuming’s name, Liu Qianxun felt displeasure. Ling Yu favored many, but most were dismissed or neglected after the initial novelty. Only Lin Wuming, for three whole years, has always been kept by her side, wherever she goes.

“Could it be that Xun’er is jealous?” Ling Yu raised an eyebrow, her gaze fixed on Liu Qianxun. Her skin was like congealed jade, flawless and white. The warm pool water flowed beside her.

“You have so many favorites; I don’t have the leisure to be jealous.” Liu Qianxun slightly raised her brows and eyes, turning to look at Ling Yu. Facing her infatuated look, she thought it was an illusion that such an obsessed and deeply affectionate gaze could come from Ling Yu. But when she looked up again, Ling Yu’s eyes became blurry, like a night without lights, boundless.

“Why kill… King Chong?” After all, he was her father, and even if he was dead, she still wanted to know the reason.

“He allied with Prince Feng, Prince Qi, the Protector of the Nation, the Grand Academician, and several important ministers to impeach me, forcing the Emperor to take my military seal. Do you think such a crime of rebellion should be punished by death?”

“He should die, so you also executed all officials who had dealings with them and exterminated their entire families?” Liu Qianxun understood Ling Yu; she always cut weeds and eliminated the roots, sparing no one implicated.

“Xun’er still understands me. If I do not kill all those who disrupt the court affairs, how can the Yu Kingdom become strong? Only by stabilizing internally can we face external threats. If a country has too much internal strife, it will surely perish. I would rather kill one hundred more people than spare even one.” Ling Yu’s resolute and cold heart and ruthless methods instilled fear in others. She used slaughter to intimidate the entire Yu Kingdom, ensuring that no one would dare act rashly again.

Officials can be promoted again after they die; she would rather use mediocre people than those with divided loyalties. Moreover, those whom she personally promoted are already in high positions or serving as generals; keeping those court parasites is useless. The so-called “nobility” system will be abolished by her hand.

In the Yu Kingdom, those with ability hold high positions, regardless of origin or background. As long as they have the talent to strengthen the Yu Kingdom, Ling Yu will make great use of them.

“Kill fewer people, Ling Yu. Your hands are stained with too much blood.”

Ling Yu’s pupils slightly contracted, and the corners of her mouth twitched as she suppressed her emotions from erupting. Her cold gaze was like that of a god of the underworld. If ordinary people saw Ling Yu’s gaze, they would think the end was near. But Liu Qianxun was not afraid. She lightly touched Ling Yu’s face with her fingertip, “Accumulating some virtue is never wrong. If one day retribution comes, what will you do?”

“Liu Qianxun, do you know what you are saying? You want me to kill fewer people?” Ling Yu was incredulous, her anger rising as she grabbed Liu Qianxun’s jaw hatefully. “You are the assassin of Shura Sect, my sect’s top expert, the top strategist, an important weapon existing for the Yu Kingdom. Have you become stupid from being with Qin Junlan for too long? Hmm?” Her grip tightened with her rising voice, growing stronger.

Liu Qianxun felt sharp pain from her jaw as Ling Yu, in her anger, seemed like a roaring beast ready to tear her apart. She slightly nodded and pried Ling Yu’s hand open, “I am only worried about your future.”

“My future does not need your concern!” Ling Yu shouted, her stunning face tinged with a glow, like a blooming iris, but with harmful thorns.

Ling Yu had not expected Liu Qianxun to change so much after just a few months with Qin Junlan. Liu Qianxun used to be cold and indifferent, treating human life like grass, never caring about whom she killed or how many. She saw no right or wrong, but now she had developed compassion for those who opposed her. Ling Yu could not tolerate such a change!

Liu Qianxun rose from the pool, her jaw red and slightly swollen from Ling Yu’s grip. Only then did Ling Yu realize she had been too heavy-handed. She reached out her hand to gently caress, “Does it hurt?”

Liu Qianxun raised her head to avoid her, wiped her body clean, draped her clothes properly, and sat quietly in front of the dressing mirror, not speaking a word.

“This time going south, what did you encounter that made you so soft-hearted?” Ling Yu believed she could control everything, knowing all that happened during the journey south, but she couldn’t figure out why Liu Qianxun had changed.

Liu Qianxun remained silent, perhaps truly influenced by Qin Junlan’s benevolence and virtue towards the people, perhaps because of the child who tightly hugged her at Qionglong Mountain, perhaps seeing people, after struggling at death’s door, express grateful sincerity. She herself did not know when her heart had subtly changed, becoming unwilling to kill innocent people.

People act, and heaven watches. She always thought that one day she would receive retribution. She once only wanted to fall into hell alone, being Ling Yu’s Shura assassin, to keep Ling Yu’s hands a bit cleaner. If one day someone must pay the price for these deeds, she hoped that person would be herself, not Ling Yu.

But how would Ling Yu know these thoughts? She only thought that Liu Qianxun had second thoughts about her, doubting her loyalty, and once touching the sensitive area of betrayal, she would nearly madly kill people.

These years, many from Shura Sect were killed by her for being disloyal, or even not loyal enough.

“Xun’er…” Ling Yu’s emotions calmed down, like a little lamb she actually acted coy, feeling guilt as she looked at the face she had pinched red.

Liu Qianxun applied powder to her cheeks and painted her eyebrows like moth wings in front of the dressing mirror, using makeup to cover the red mark. Her fingers were like green onion roots, and her lips vermilion, with a captivating beauty beyond compare, how many would not be moved by it?

Her plain hand held the comb, smoothing the slender, smooth three thousand black strands. Ling Yu stepped forward to take the ivory comb, “I’ll help you.”

Liu Qianxun did not refuse, and through the dressing mirror, she saw a gentle Ling Yu, completely different from just a moment ago. Many times Ling Yu hid her happiness, and she did not know why she was so angry today. Was she truly afraid of Liu Qianxun being influenced by Qin Junlan? Liu Qianxun did not know if it was an illusion, but in Ling Yu’s anger, there was a faint unease and fear.

“Xun’er, don’t be angry. You know the Shura Sect rules, do not anger me; I do not want to hurt you.” Ling Yu touched her hair, her fingertips wandering through it, soft and smooth, emitting a faint floral fragrance, refreshing to the heart.

Liu Qianxun turned back, and Ling Yu then raised a seductive smile. Her light blue brocade garment, half-revealing her shoulder, highlighted that exquisite face, with phoenix eyes and eyebrows full of wicked charm. Liu Qianxun held her face, slightly leaning in, “Ling Yu, I am not Lin Wuming, nor your other favorites, allowing you to ravage and trample, nor will I love you humbly. I will complete the tasks you assign me, help you achieve your ambitions. I will use my own method to get things from Qin Junlan’s hands. What else do you not trust?”

Ling Yu suddenly embraced her, pressing against her shoulder, “I believe you, do not be bewitched by Qin Junlan. She is a ruthless emperor, skilled in power tactics and probing human hearts, usually showing a hypocritical benevolent ruler’s face but actually very scheming. You surely do not know how she deals with those forces opposing her, right? No matter, you will see. When you enter the palace one day, you will discover whether she is really the Chaoyan you usually see. Which high-ranking powerful person is kind? Do you think Qin Junlan’s hands are not already stained with blood?”

“How she is, is none of my business. I just need to get what you want.” Liu Qianxun remained calm as always, indifferent to whatever Ling Yu said.

“Good!” Ling Yu showed joy, lightly touched Liu Qianxun’s nose tip, “This is my Xun’er. But if you dare to fall in love with her, I will make sure she has no place to be buried, and I won’t let you have peace. You know, I am capable of anything.”

“I know, you are capable of anything.” Liu Qianxun raised a slight smile, powerless and helpless.