The Sovereign – Chapter 54

Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze

Palace Coup

Qin Junlan, you have sat on this dragon throne long enough, it’s time to abdicate

The Empress Dowager’s birthday, the imperial palace would celebrate this every year, only officials of the third rank and above could participate. For the birthday banquet, a high platform was built in front of Fengqing Palace, officials from the Four Departments and Eight Ministries all attended, and the elite soldiers and generals of the Imperial Guard were all in position.

As the long night approached, moonlight gently sprinkled down, Biluo Courtyard was the back garden of Fengqing Palace, and was the place where the banquet was held. The originally quiet night, as court officials entered, gradually became lively.

“The Emperor arrives, the Empress Dowager arrives.” Following a loud shout, everyone bowed and knelt, only to see Yi Qinghuan wearing an outer scarlet floor-length robe, with auspicious clouds embroidered in gold thread on the collar and cuffs, the entire long robe scattered with elegant orchids, appearing solemn and dignified. Although her prime had passed, the aura of ruling over the six palaces was still present.

Qin Junlan wore a bright yellow long robe, with silver thread and gold lines outlining several swimming dragons, with the momentum of soaring into the clouds. She wore light makeup, her long eyelashes flickering slightly, her moth-like eyebrows lightly brushed with green-black pigment, highlighting her cool eyes. That imperial might overlooking the world, that unattainable noble air, had the aura of ruling over all under heaven.

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long long live. Long live the Empress Dowager, long live, long long live.” The crowd performed the kowtow ritual, Qin Junlan raised her slender hand slightly, “Rise.”

“Thank you, Emperor. Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

Qin Junlan raised her hand, Li Ruo brought forward a scroll painting, she personally held the scroll, slightly bowing, paying respects to Yi Qinghuan, “Your child has painted a picture for Mother Empress, respectfully wishing Mother Empress blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea, longevity like the Southern Mountains.”

“The Emperor’s filial piety greatly comforts me.” Yi Qinghuan’s smile did not diminish, every year’s birthday celebration was actually the same, what she wanted most, what she wanted to see most, ultimately could not be obtained.

Qiushui opened the scroll, her eyes brightened, her face showing delight, she presented the painting before Yi Qinghuan, “Empress Dowager~”

Yi Qinghuan glanced casually, immediately her expression slightly changed, she stood up, the person in the painting was dancing with a sword in a loquat forest, that spirited figure, familiar bearing, who else could it be but her younger sister Yi Qingyu? Qin Junlan knew her deep feelings of missing her sister, and had long ago painted her graceful demeanor, just waiting to give it to her as a birthday gift.

“Yu’er….” Yi Qinghuan touched the scroll, her emotions taking a long time to settle, her usually strict and solemn eyes were filled with sadness.

“Empress Dowager, this servant will hang it in your bedchamber later for you to appreciate slowly, it’s time to receive the Wise King’s gift.” Qiushui specially reminded, in such an occasion, it’s not appropriate to show too much emotion, after all, etiquette must be observed, the Wise Prince and Princess were already waiting on the side to present their gift.

“Thank you for the Emperor’s filial piety, I like it very much.” Yi Qinghuan held Qin Junlan’s hand, Qin Junlan’s expression softened, “I’m glad Mother Empress likes it.”

Everything proceeded according to palace etiquette, after Qin Junlan, it was Wise King Qin Junhao and Princess Yun Jin’s turn to present their gift. They came together leading the little Prince Guo’er to offer congratulations, “Your children respectfully wish Mother Empress good fortune, longevity, and health.”

“Jin’er respectfully wishes Mother Empress ten thousand blessings and golden peace, may your blessings last forever. Your daughter-in-law and the Wise King have specially selected a jade carving of a phoenix resting on a parasol tree to present to Mother Empress.” The eunuch received the exquisite jade carving and presented it to the Empress Dowager for inspection. Yi Qinghuan nodded, “The meaning is very good, Jin’er’s chosen gift surely wins my heart.”

“Jin’er has always been considerate of Mother Empress, she has been preparing this gift for half a year, personally supervising the carver to complete it. Jin’er’s filial piety makes your son feel ashamed.” While speaking, Qin Junhao’s eyes remained on Yun Jin, that infatuated expression, that burning gaze only made Yun Jin feel uncomfortable, but she could only respond politely, “The Prince flatters me, this is what your daughter-in-law should do.” After speaking, her eyes involuntarily glanced towards Qin Junlan.

She had a smile on her lips, her eyes slightly upturned, a beauty that could topple a nation, even more resplendent after donning the dragon robe. That lofty demeanor always required looking up to see clearly, but being able to see it was enough to satisfy Yun Jin.

“Grandson respectfully wishes Imperial Grandmother to be forever young and beautiful, never growing old. Grandson has painted a picture to present to Imperial Grandmother.” Guo’er’s childish voice made Yi Qinghuan very happy, “Guo’er can even paint now, who is your teacher?”

Guo’er stole a glance at Qin Junlan, smiling broadly said: “Of course it’s Imperial Aunt, Imperial Aunt’s paintings have the momentum to swallow mountains and rivers, the Ji Kingdom is strong, Imperial Aunt unifying the four seas is inevitable, Grandson has taken Imperial Aunt as teacher, hoping that one day he can be like her.”

“Oh my, look at that, our little Prince is so good with words, it must be Jin’er who taught him.” Yi Qinghuan couldn’t stop praising Guo’er. The little Prince was clever and likable, with high aptitude, and had also deeply won Qin Junlan’s heart. She had already intended to personally cultivate him to become talented.

For Yi Qinghuan, this year’s birthday celebration was different from usual, happier than previous years. Because she saw that Guo’er had already become like a little adult, quite having the demeanor of a ruler, and more importantly, there was that painting of Qingyu. It had been too long since she had seen Yi Qingyu, even when she occasionally went to the loquat forest with Qin Junlan, if Yi Qingyu knew she was present, she wouldn’t even see Qin Junlan.

In these years, even hearing her voice was a luxury, her own birthday, Qingyu had probably long forgotten. Who would remember that when they were young, the sisters always exchanged gifts on each other’s birthdays. Although only three years apart, the sisters had always depended on each other for survival, but now, because of one woman, their relationship had become so strained, it was truly heartbreaking.

Celebrating like this every year, Yi Qinghuan sometimes felt it tasteless, but today she especially missed Yi Qingyu, her heart filled with mixed emotions, feeling melancholy. Strains of string music played for the birthday, palace artistes danced, graceful as startled swans, elegant as swimming dragons.

The grand spectacle was no more than this, here there was witty conversation, amidst the exchange of toasts was all the affected elegance of court talk. On the other side, at the four gates of Dragon City, unrest began to appear, and among the Imperial Guard, undercurrents also arose.

After the elaborate ceremonies and peaceful revelry, the Grand Chancellor had specially arranged a grand fireworks show. Brilliant fireworks shot towards the sky, decorating the entire Fengqing Palace with lights and colors, a moment of splendor, fleeting in the sky.

The light of the fireworks layered one upon another, so bright it dazzled people’s eyes, not noticing that suddenly several black-clad figures emerged in mid-air. Hidden in the night sky illuminated by fireworks, they were inconspicuous. In the wine cup Qin Junlan was holding, she noticed slight ripples on the wine’s surface, her piercing eyes raised, she rotated the cup, and forcefully flicked it upward from her hand.

“Bang!” A sharp sword shattered the wine cup, Qin Junlan’s light flick of the cup had blocked an arrow shot at her. This sound of shattering seemed like a signal, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Assassins! Protect the Emperor and Empress Dowager!” Li Ruo shouted loudly, drawing her sword, standing in front of Qin Junlan. Before her words ended, several more flying arrows came swiftly, she rotated her sword handle like a whirlwind to block the attack.

More than ten black-clad figures descended from the sky, they held crossbows, positioned across their arms, as they flew with Qinggong, aiming and shooting at those on the high platform. Suddenly, a sharp arrow flew towards Yi Qinghuan, Qiushui hurriedly shielded her front, at this critical moment, a figure flew over, using a sword to block the assassin’s attack.

“Protect the Empress Dowager.” At Chen Qing’s command, several Imperial Guards formed a human wall, stationed in front of Yi Qinghuan.

“Kill Qin Junlan!” The assassins shouted loudly, drawing their swords, engaging in a fierce battle with the Imperial Guards at the banquet. The assassins’ martial arts were formidable, the Imperial Guards could hardly resist, only Li Ruo’s skills were able to hold them off, while Li Yue stayed by Yun Jin’s side, not daring to leave even half a step.

All the assassins’ targets were Qin Junlan, coming with great force, but the Imperial Guards who should have come to the rescue were late, and the protection squad that should have appeared first was nowhere to be seen.

“Grand Chancellor, where are the Imperial Guards? Come quickly to protect!” Yi Qinghuan shouted loudly. Yi Hongchuan gave a cold laugh, calmly bowing, “Your subject obeys the order.”

“Come, pro…tect!” He raised an eyebrow, letting out a wicked and strange laugh. Suddenly, a large group of troops appeared, holding long spears and sharp swords, surrounding the banquet tightly, but they didn’t move to stop the assassins, only coldly watching Qin Junlan in peril.

At the banquet, only Li Ruo, Chen Qing, and others were struggling to resist, the few guards present had been killed by the assassins, Qin Junlan’s safety was in grave danger, yet no Imperial Guards came forward.

“What are you all standing there for? Seize the assassins now!” Yi Qinghuan shouted anxiously, pointing at Yi Hongchuan. Even at this moment, she hadn’t imagined that her own younger brother would rebel on her birthday.

“Mere few assassins think they can harm the Emperor? Dream on!” Chen Qing was seen leaping up, her quick sword dancing in her hand, sword energy rising in all directions. As her figure spun in the air, she slew three assassins, and after killing them, didn’t forget to give Li Yue a meaningful look, as if seeking credit.

Li Yue rolled his eyes at her, even at such a time, she dared to flirt. Li Yue gave her a disdainful glance, saying: “End this quickly!” He and Li Ruo brandished their swords together, the siblings’ set of Meteor Sword technique, though not unparalleled in the world, was as fast as lightning. Soon, more than ten assassins were all killed.

A birthday banquet turned into a river of blood, assassins’ and guards’ corpses lay strewn about on the ground, the smell of blood permeating the air. Yun Jin had been covering Guo’er’s eyes all along, not knowing he had long since secretly pried open her fingers, peeking through the gaps at this bloody killing, without any fear.

Qin Junlan remained calmly seated on the dragon throne, expressionless. She coldly glanced at the corpses on the ground, then looked towards the Grand Chancellor, smirking, ” Grand Chancellor, is this the guard you arranged?”

“Haha, Your Majesty, has your eyesight failed you? Do you recognize any of this large troop of Imperial Guards?” Yi Hongchuan lightly flicked his sleeve, slowly walking out from the banquet, only to see the Imperial Guards collectively bow to him, “Greetings, Grand Chancellor.”

“At ease.” Yi Hongchuan’s face was full of smugness. He had long since replaced the Imperial Guards with his own household troops and personal guards. Not only that, he had also incorporated a third of the Imperial Guards, specially arranging to act on this birthday.

“Yi Hongchuan, what are you trying to do?” Yi Qinghuan finally noticed something amiss, rising from her phoenix throne, shouting sternly: “Are you trying to rebel?”

“That’s right, Elder Sister, oh Elder Sister, you once presided over the six palaces, once held great power, how come you can’t even control your own daughter? If I didn’t act today, I’m afraid our Yi clan would soon have no place to stand. Please forgive me, your brother had no choice.”

“You, you’re too presumptuous! How dare you commit such a great crime of insubordination!” Yi Qinghuan could hardly believe it, pointing at Yi Hongchuan with a trembling finger and scolding, “Don’t forget, whose blessing gave you what you have today? How can you be so treasonous!”

Yi Hongchuan gave a cold laugh, stepping forward, with two experts in black and white robes following him, ready to protect his safety at any time. His facial muscles twitched slightly, unable to hide his smile, as if victory was in hand, completely disregarding any status or etiquette, “Hmph, without me, could Qin Junlan have sat on the throne? This position is not suitable for a girl to hold. From today onwards, I, the Grand Chancellor, will abolish the system of women holding official positions in Ji Kingdom. It’s time for the country to change its surname.”

“Yi Hongchuan, you want to sit on my throne, have you asked the officials?” Qin Junlan remained calm, raising her eyebrows slightly, looking towards the dozen or so officials hiding to the side, yet none dared to stand out and resist him. She just wanted to see, at such a critical moment, who were loyal ministers and who were treacherous ones.

“Your Majesty might as well ask them.” Yi Hongchuan looked towards those dozen officials, smiling sinisterly: “I, the Grand Chancellor, want to change the dynasty for Ji Kingdom, reform the laws, do you have any objections?”

“The Grand Chancellor’s actions violate the way of ruler and subject, truly intolerable by heaven and earth.” The Minister of Rites was the first to stand out in opposition, but before he could approach the Grand Chancellor, a flash of sword light was seen, his eyes widened, blood spurted from his neck, and he fell into a pool of blood.

Qin Junlan stood up, seeing a loyal minister die before her eyes, a flash of coldness passed through her previously calm eyes. She surveyed the group of officials, seeing that Grand Scholar Ji was about to stand up in resistance, she quickly signaled him with her eyes, shaking her head slightly. Ji Qiuchen understood Qin Junlan’s meaning and could only retreat.

LP: You’re so dead, old man