The Sovereign – Chapter 51

Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze

Finally Get to Meet Again

Separated for twenty years, finally meeting, but….

The gentle breeze swayed the branches of the loquat tree, and also Qingyu’s graceful figure stood behind the willow bamboo. Her black hair danced with the wind, her eyebrows and eyes near the temples appeared and disappeared, deep as the ocean, vast as the horizon. In those clear, bright pupils reflected the somewhat trembling body of the willow bamboo.

“You…” seeing the willow bamboo have no reaction, Qingyu stepped forward again.

“This old woman has an ugly appearance, weak body, poor health, unbearable to look at, I hope the heroine can forgive the disturbance.” A hoarse voice, with tearing-like pain, the suppressed pain in the throat, unmatched by the rising and falling heartbeat.

But she simply couldn’t control her own body, as a violent pain and itch came from her throat, she coughed violently, only feeling a rush of fishy sweetness rise in her mouth.

“Mother, how are you?” Liu Qianxun hurriedly supported her, according to the time calculated for daily acupuncture therapy and medicinal diet, it shouldn’t be time for an attack, but now because of excessive emotion, it stimulated her overworked body.

“Take me back.” Liu Zhu only wants to escape; she hasn’t seen her even once, just hearing the voice she already fell, her heart mixed with joy and worry, only lacking the courage to face it.

At least Qingyu is now very well, just hearing her voice, she knows she’s as before, unmatched in elegance, no one can equal. She is relieved, she truly has no regrets, having her in her heart this life, even if life fades away, she no longer fears. Qingyu is the light in her world, already bringing this mortal world’s most beautiful everything to her.

“Okay, I’ll take you back.” Liu Qianxun slightly bent towards Yi Qingyu, “Junior takes leave.”

“Wait!” Yi Qingyu is always uninterested in others’ matters, but Liu Qianxun is someone Qin Junlan likes, for her, it is an extraordinary person, she slowly walks forward.

Liu Zhu only feels the airflow beside with clouds stretching and rolling gently, melodiously coming. Yi Qingyu’s breath carries a faint scent of alcohol, that figure like the wind, tall and slender stature, that makes all things lose color, the unmatched appearance slowly appears in her eyes.

“Senior?” Liu Qianxun was puzzled.

She extended her hand towards Liu Zhu, her slender fingers like flawless white jade, the lines on her palm clearly visible, “Let me examine your pulse.”

Hearing her words, Liu Zhu was startled, seeing her extended hand reminded her so much of the time when she requested to roam the world with a sword. She slowly raised her head, her gaze drawing closer to Yi Qingyu’s face, from the dazzling red long robe to the slender neck on the white inner garment.

It was like a ceremony unveiling a beautiful scroll of the world, Yi Qingyu’s features slowly reflected into her eyes. She finally clearly saw her face, the face she had thought about day and night for twenty years, still stunningly beautiful. Twenty years had left no trace on her face, making her even more beautiful, intoxicatingly so.

Liu Zhu’s face was half-covered by the cloak hood’s collar, revealing only those brown beautiful pupils, a rare eye color in the world, bright and spirited like glass. But due to illness, her brown pupils were filled with faint blood threads, and her eyes were watery as she just looked at Yi Qingyu absentmindedly in a daze.

“Your pupil color…” Yi Qingyu’s face slightly changed, and she unbelievably stepped forward, while Liu Zhu startled, moved back, nodded, and lowered her eyebrows, “Since illness, this old woman’s pupil color changed, caused by the illness.” Liu Zhu tried to maintain calm speech, grateful that her hoarse throat could cover a trace of her nervousness.

Yi Qingyu’s mouth corner moved, restoring calm. What was happening to her? Zhu’er had been dead for twenty years, impossible to appear in the world again, if she were still alive, it would be impossible not to come seek her in twenty years, she raised a trace of a bitter smile. That melancholy loneliness, heavily knocking on Liu Zhu’s chest, was so painful, so heavy.

“Let me see your body.” Yi Qingyu raised her hand again, and Liu Zhu was unable to resist her request, an invisible force lifted her wrist, her heartbeat suddenly quickened, fearing Yi Qingyu would detect her pulse disorder.

“Senior also knows medicine?” Liu Qianxun had only heard of Yi Qingyu’s reputation as a heroine, never that she also knew medicine.

“Aunt’s teacher inherited from Guiguzi, is the last disciple of Shennong Valley’s Valley Master, few people know.” Qin Junlan’s clear, bright voice leisurely floated over, she wore a violet thin dress, emerald green silk wound around her waist. Her eyebrows and eyes slightly held a smile, shining like pearls and jade, gazing at Liu Qianxun.

This was Liu Qianxun’s first time seeing her not wearing the dragon robe, her stunning celestial temperament and appearance left her dazed, unable to say whether it was unexpected or a surprise, or if it was the ripple in her heart for this reunion moment. When she smiled, there was still some resemblance to Yi Qingyu, her leisurely figure slowly walking towards Liu Qianxun.

“Xun’er~” She had always been conflicted about whether to come see her, yet unexpectedly met her in the loquat forest, both surprised and delighted, all previous emotions swept away, just seeing her brought unlimited joy to her heart.

Liu Qianxun looked at her with joy rising in her heart, wanting to show it, but remembered her identity, awkwardly kneeling, “Commoner woman kowtows to meet the Emperor.”

“Xun’er, there are no court officials or outsiders here, why are you saluting, quickly get up.” Qin Junlan hurriedly helped her up.

Seeing this, Liu Zhu realized Qin Junlan’s identity and wanted to bow and salute, but Qingyu held her wrist, “In the loquat forest, there are not so many ceremonial restraints, don’t move, it will affect my pulse examination.” Previously, when they were together, Yi Qingyu’s sometimes domineering gentleness made Liu Zhu unable to refuse, and it is still the same now. This kind of sweetness and happiness, perhaps only she can experience.

Yi Qingyu held her wrist, feeling that the touch was familiar and extremely kind. She was afraid that once again her longing was overflowing, so she could only focus on the pulse.

“Junior Chaoyan greets aunt.” Qin Junlan was quite polite, at this moment shedding her monarch majesty, with a dignified demeanor, like a noble lady. Liu Zhu raised the corner of her mouth, “This common woman cannot salute, hope the Emperor forgives.”

“I am called Chaoyan, here not the Emperor, aunt, no need for more courtesy.” She slightly sighed, “I concealed my identity out of real helplessness, yet made Xun’er angry until now, my heart has always been fearful.” After speaking, she glanced at Liu Qianxun.

“How dare this common woman be angry at the Emperor.” Liu Qianxun lightly answered. Qin Junlan pulled her hand, gently pulling her towards herself, full of smiles, she said: “Aunt needs quiet to take the pulse, we’ll talk later.” After speaking, she took the chance to hold Liu Qianxun’s slender ten fingers, her brows slightly raised, seeing her not refuse, her heart secretly delighted.

Liu Qianxun looked at her seemingly smiling yet not smiling appearance, though she didn’t speak, at the moment her brow tip raised, she moved her fingers and held Qin Junlan’s warm hand. Qin Junlan felt Liu Qianxun’s response, slightly turned her head to look at her, is this tacit consent? Not angry anymore? Finally not angry?

Liu Qianxun met her gaze, her beautiful pupils gentle, shedding her cold indifference, wrapped in gentleness. She just smiled slightly, like clenching a fist, and pinched Qin Junlan’s hand. Qin Junlan instantly felt sweetness arise from her heart, wrapped her fingertip, and lightly slid back and forth on her hand’s back.

“So Liu girl came here to seek someone.” Yi Qingyu pinched Liu Zhu’s wrist, probing with two fingers on her pulse, showing a smile on her face.

“Aunt, Yan’er really came to seek you.” Qin Junlan suddenly regained her senses, not having heard Yi Qingyu’s question clearly, then blurted out an answer.

“Did I mention you?” Yi Qingyu lightly raised her eyebrow.

“I…” Qin Junlan felt confused by Yi Qingyu, realizing she had fallen into a verbal trap!

“Junior also unintentionally intruded, not seeking anyone.” Liu Qianxun wanted to explain, but Qingyu shed her smile, her face showing sorrow, those calm eyes restraining a heavy heartache, “Young people, staying together is not easy, cherish it.” Yi Qingyu’s eyes slightly closed, her heart vaguely aching, all these years every time she thought of Liu Zhu, she was unable to restrain her heart’s pain.

“Yan’er will naturally remember aunt’s teachings.” While speaking, she clasped Liu Qianxun’s hand tighter; if not for the two elders present, she would certainly have taken Liu Qianxun into her embrace, not letting her bow, not letting her call herself a common woman. At that moment, she was only her Chaoyan, not the world’s emperor.

“Cough cough~ cough cough~” Liu Zhu violently coughed again, tears soaking her eyes red; she tried to make herself look as if it was only caused by a severe cough.

“Mother~” Liu Qianxun nervously moved forward, gently stroking her back, her heart aching endlessly.

“Aunt, is aunt okay?” Qin Junlan also followed with worry, as Xun’er’s mother was her relative, her heart also tied to her. She only did not know why Liu Zhu wanted to cover her face, and her voice was still so hoarse; just hearing that tearing voice made people feel heartache.

Yi Qingyu put down her hand, slightly sighed, her face solemn, “How did you come to have this illness?”

Liu Zhu did not speak, and tears slid down her eyes, unable to restrain them, only feeling chest pain that was hard to endure, like her organs were being tugged, her heavy cough continuous.

“Mother’s illness was left behind during childbirth,” Liu Qianxun said, her brow tightly knit. The most helpless matter in this world is being unable to share a mother’s pain, even more unable to cure her illness.

Yi Qingyu saw Liu Zhu coughing nearly bent over and felt sympathy. She extended her hand, sending a stream of true energy to her heart and lungs. Liu Zhu only felt a warm flow pass through her heart, clearing the originally blocked place instantly. She slightly gasped, gazing at Qingyu, her concealed mouth corner gently raised. That happiness filled her heart, hidden in her raised brows and eyes. Where she felt body pain, she only felt heart happiness.

Why is it that though her body is clearly in pain, her brows and eyes hold a smile? Yi Qingyu continued to send true energy, looking at Liu Zhu’s weak eyes flashing faint light, her emotions complex. Indeed, some people have pupils change color due to severe illness or even poisoning. She never thought Liu Zhu was right before her eyes, especially because Liu Zhu had a daughter like Liu Qianxun, making it impossible for her to link the person before her with Liu Zhu.

Once Liu Zhu’s symptoms eased, Yi Qingyu withdrew her palm and collected her energy, faintly saying, “If you don’t want your mother to suffer, you can input true energy at the Feishu point¹ for her every day, but it can only relieve pain, with no treatment effect.”

“Much obliged, senior.”

“I’m sorry to trouble you, heroine,” Liu Zhu said politely. Yi Qingyu slightly frowned, feeling compassion for a stranger for the first time. She was always indifferent and cold; these years, aside from Qin Junlan and Yun Jin, she never had extra emotions for anyone, even her own elder sister, Yi Qinghuan, whom she always avoided seeing.

“I am not any heroine, I am called Qingyu.” Her steady and introverted voice carried a kind of magic, pulling Liu Zhu’s thoughts back to the time of their first meeting. She also had said to herself, “I am not any heroine, I am called Qingyu.”

At that time, Qingyu’s character was aloof and eccentric, arrogant, standing in the world like the children of heaven and earth, wielding a sword and traveling the world, chivalrous and just.

“Qingyu… truly is a moving name.”

“Aunt, you still haven’t said how exactly to treat aunt’s illness well. If any medicinal materials are needed, I can send someone to find them.” Qin Junlan couldn’t bear to see Liu Qianxun so nervous and scared. Even if it was her first time seeing Liu Qianxun’s mother, she could see Liu Qianxun’s worry for her mother. If she was worried, she wouldn’t be happy, and if she wasn’t happy, Qin Junlan couldn’t be joyful.

“Treatment? That she can live until now is already a miracle.” Yi Qingyu lightly flicked her sleeve, hands behind her back, and said, “If not for a divine doctor giving her therapy and using precious medicinal materials to sustain life, how could she live until today?”

1. Feishu point: Also known as BL-13 or the Lung Shu point, is an acupuncture point located on the back, specifically on the bladder meridian. It is traditionally used in Chinese medicine to treat respiratory issues, such as asthma, cough, and other lung-related conditions. Stimulating this point is believed to strengthen the lungs, boost immune function, and relieve symptoms like coughing and shortness of breath. The Feishu point is part of a holistic approach to health and well-being in traditional Chinese medicine.