Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze
Smoothly Entering the Palace
I’m here now, aren’t I? I’ll be with you every day from now on
The majestic palace stood grand and imposing. Built to the east of the main position were the Fengluan Hall, Fengluan Palace, and the Empress Dowager’s Fengqing Palace. The four main palaces of the inner court were located at the four corners of east, south, west, and north, once being the palaces of the four noble consorts of the previous dynasty. Since Qin Junlan’s ascension to the throne without an inner court, these four palaces had remained vacant.
Now she ordered the palace nearest to Fengluan Palace to be renovated and personally named it: Qixia Palace. Qixia Town was a memory of her southern tour with Liu Qianxun, an important place where their feelings deepened. With such sentiments, she carefully arranged it.
Liu Qianxun was accommodated here, with Ye Ming and Mu Jin specially permitted to enter the palace to accompany her. The sedan chair stopped at the entrance of Qixia Palace, its golden glazed tile double-eaved palace roof magnificent and imposing.
“Greetings to the Princess,” a group of palace maids and eunuchs bowed to her according to the highest court etiquette.
“Rise,” Liu Qianxun replied calmly. Although the exterior was of glazed bricks and tiles, the interior was not as luxurious as she had imagined. On the contrary, after renovation, the sleeping quarters had not a trace of the palace’s cold atmosphere. The inner palace’s arrangement closely resembled that inn in Qixia Town.
Simple yet grand, elegant but not vulgar. Through the window, one could see a stretch of green water like a jade belt of green gauze winding through the forest, with Fengluan Palace clearly visible in the distance. The sandalwood stairs in the side hall led up to the viewing pavilion, overlooking the magnificence of Dragon City and watching the clouds gather and disperse.
Princess Qinghe… Liu Qianxun smiled helplessly. Though familiar, this place was unbearably lonely. She could almost sense the long nights, the image of Qin Junlan reading by lamplight, busy day and night with official documents. Always dealing with state affairs, constantly concerned with the welfare of the common people, never having time to care for herself.
Whenever she thought of this, her heart ached.
“The Emperor arrives!”
Everyone knelt down. Before Liu Qianxun could see her face, she bowed down and said, “This commoner pays respects to Your Majesty.”
“You should address yourself as ‘your subject’s younger sister,’ Princess.” Qin Junlan smiled warmly as she helped her up. Liu Qianxun raised her eyes to see the formal court attire, imposing in its presence.
The royal emblems on the dragon robe came to life on her splendid garments. The empress, usually cold and domineering in court, showed only endless tenderness in Qixia Palace.
Having just finished court, Qin Junlan had hurried here.
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s favor, bestowing a title and a palace, your subject’s younger sister is grateful for Your Majesty’s grace.” Liu Qianxun’s words and actions followed court etiquette strictly. Here, she must be cautious in speech and conduct, knowing that people were always watching. The slightest mistake could bring disaster to the entire Shura Sect.
Qin Junlan maintained her imperial demeanor, her smile as beautiful as flowers. That touch of tenderness melted into Liu Qianxun’s heart.
“All of you, withdraw. We wish to have a private conversation with the Princess.” Qin Junlan dismissed everyone around, and they all retreated respectfully.
When only the two of them remained in the sleeping quarters, Qin Junlan stepped forward, took her hand, and asked, “Xun’er, are you satisfied with what I’ve arranged?” That gentle smile seemed to transform her back into Chaoyan. She even abandoned the use of “We,” but the dragon robe was too dazzling, making Liu Qianxun’s heart ache.
“Your Majesty has put in great effort.” She deliberately kept her face expressionless, showing neither anger nor joy.
“When we’re alone, you’re not allowed to call me ‘Your Majesty.’ Call me Yan’er.” Qin Junlan’s tone was almost commanding, but to Liu Qianxun, this was the greatest tenderness she could offer.
Liu Qianxun still succumbed to the gentle Chaoyan. She had to admit that Qin Junlan’s tender appearance was irresistible, making her heart feel bright and comfortable. She put on a faint smile and called her: “Yan’er.”
Qin Junlan stepped forward and held her tightly in her arms, wrapping her arms around that frail body, as if releasing an emotion that had nowhere else to go – perhaps this was longing. Every day, thoughts surged like the tide; food lost its taste, sleep eluded her, leaving only endless yearning.
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“What’s wrong, Yan’er?” Liu Qianxun gently stroked her back, feeling the silky, soft, and light touch of the brocade.
“Nothing, I just missed you.” Qin Junlan’s eyes were slightly closed, her head moving slightly to nestle in the crook of Liu Qianxun’s shoulder. The two were of similar height, and when they embraced tightly, Qin Junlan could always smell the faint fragrance in her hair.
Liu Qianxun’s heart overflowed with warm thoughts, her brow relaxing as she rested her cheek against Qin Junlan’s forehead. “I’m here now, aren’t I? I’ll be with you every day from now on.”
Qin Junlan straightened up, her fingertips lightly touching Liu Qianxun’s face, incredibly gentle. “Xun’er, I’m sorry for the hardship you’ve endured these days. It’s only now that you can rightfully enter the palace. If there’s anything you find uncomfortable or unfamiliar, you must tell me.”
“Yan’er, you’re the Emperor, with countless affairs to manage. Don’t worry about me, it might give rise to gossip.”
“No matter how busy I am every day, I’ll make time to see you. It won’t interfere with court sessions or state affairs. I’d like to see who dares to say anything.”
“Indeed, who would dare speak against Your Majesty? Your subject’s younger sister certainly wouldn’t dare~” Liu Qianxun deliberately drew out the last syllable, which sounded particularly pleasing to Qin Junlan. When she shed her cold demeanor, she always had a gentle quality about her. When she was soft and charming, it made one feel a touch of warmth, and this tenderness was something she would involuntarily express only to Qin Junlan.
“Xun’er, if you keep teasing me on purpose, I won’t let you off easily.” Qin Junlan raised a mischievous smile.
“Oh? It’s only my first day in the palace, and Your Majesty is already abusing your power?”
“So what if I am~” Qin Junlan said with a lilting tone, gazing at her dreamily. “You’ve entered the tiger’s den, it’s too late for regrets now.”
“I knew you had this planned all along.” Liu Qianxun glared at her lightly, her smile unwavering. Her gaze fell on the golden phoenix hairpin, with its carved vermilion jade ornaments adorning the black hair. Liu Qianxun felt that the elaborate headdress and luxurious attire added to her charm and aura, though it hindered their physical contact, always feeling like an obstacle.
“Whether it’s a secret plot or an open one, it’s all because I missed you so deeply. Now that you’re by my side, I feel at ease. Today, shall I dine with you? I’ve had the imperial kitchen prepare the light dishes you love.”
“Alright.” Liu Qianxun’s lips curved into a clear smile. The vast imperial palace didn’t make her feel cold at all. Qin Junlan’s use of “I” made her feel as if she was still Chaoyan. All the imperial authority was only for others; to her, Qin Junlan was freely gentle, without any airs, as if nothing had changed. She was still that same subtle, steady, and warm Chaoyan.
However, Liu Qianxun harbored an impure purpose and malice in her heart. Every time she faced Qin Junlan, it was a form of invisible harm.
“Your Majesty…”
Just as the two were in their intimate moment, Li Yue’s voice came from outside the door.
“What is it?”
“The Empress Dowager summons you to move to Fengqing Palace.”
“I understand.” Qin Junlan sighed helplessly. Why did she have to be summoned at this moment?
Liu Qianxun gently held her hands, comforting her: “Go ahead, there are many palace affairs, you must attend to everything. Don’t worry about me.”
“Then I’ll go over first. Xun’er, if you need anything, you can instruct Yuan Xi to find me.”
“Mm, you should go quickly.”
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Qin Junlan reluctantly held Liu Qianxun’s hand, squeezing it twice before leaving with a smile.
Once outside the sleeping quarters, Qin Junlan put on a cold and serious expression, intimidating everyone. Liu Qianxun watched her leave Qixia Palace before turning around and saying to the palace maids, “I’ve always been accustomed to only Mu Jin serving me. You are not to enter this princess’s sleeping quarters without reason, understand?”
“Yes! This slave takes her leave.” The four palace maids curtsied.
After confirming that everyone had left, Liu Qianxun returned to the sleeping quarters, closed the door, her expression slightly cold. “Ye Ming, I have a task for you.”
“Does the Tower Master want to investigate Ghost Eye?” Ye Ming and Liu Qianxun had developed an unspoken understanding, always able to comprehend her thoughts.
“Yes, I don’t like being secretly monitored. I won’t feel at ease until we dig her out.”
“This subordinate accepts the mission.”
“The young princess can freely enter and exit all the major palaces and is familiar with palace affairs. You should spend more time with her, probing for information. I suspect Ghost Eye’s position here is not ordinary, otherwise she wouldn’t know the inner palace matters so clearly.” Although Liu Qianxun was under Ghost Eye’s protection, she would never put herself in the open, allowing someone in the shadows to watch her daily.
“This subordinate understands.” Ye Ming hadn’t expected that choosing to distance herself from Bai Ruoxi wouldn’t allow her to escape. She smiled helplessly, yet there was still a hint of pleasure in her heart.
“Mu Jin, you’re responsible for interacting more with the palace maids, eunuchs, and people like Yuan Xi. Within three days, I want to know the ranks of the inner palace, personal relationships, and power distribution.”
“This subordinate obeys.”
The deep palace is full of complex hearts, full of intrigue, impossible to guard against completely. For Ghost Eye to move freely in the palace and obtain powerful intelligence, she must have extraordinary skills and strategies. Liu Qianxun would never allow anyone to be above her, controlling the palace’s ebb and flow. She must know Ghost Eye’s identity as quickly as possible and also clarify the complex relationships in the palace.
According to reports, Ghost Eye had already obtained the location where the military deployment map was hidden. Once she settled down, she would transmit the intelligence to her in the Shura Sect’s unique way. At that time, perhaps they could find a clue about her.
The bloody coup in Fengqing Palace seemed to leave a lingering air of killing, despite being cleaned, there was still a heavy, oppressive feeling.
Yi Qinghuan was bare-faced, having removed her noble phoenix crown, dressed in plain clothes, standing before Yi Qingyu’s painting, lost in thought.
“Your child pays respects to Mother Empress.” Qin Junlan bowed as usual. Yi Qinghuan seemed somewhat weak, her usual confidence diminished, her aura much more subdued today. “My imperial child need not be so formal.”
“May I ask why Mother Empress has summoned me?”
“In the past, after court sessions, my imperial child would always come to pay respects before attending to state affairs. Now that Princess Qinghe has entered the palace, your heart has flown there.” Yi Qinghuan turned around, her once flamboyant nobility now subdued under these plain clothes. With her sharp edges softened, one could still sense a hint of gentleness.
“Aunt instructed me to take care of her. Your child dare not neglect this, and must observe all proper etiquette.”
“Mm, it’s fine. Only, palace etiquette is strict. I hope she can adapt soon.” Yi Qinghuan had no time to concern herself with Liu Qianxun now; she only cared about one thing.
“Why is Mother Empress dressed this way today?” Qin Junlan vaguely guessed the Empress Dowager’s purpose in summoning her, but didn’t point it out, waiting for her to speak.
“I wear this for the Yi family, and also to beg Your Majesty to be lenient in dealing with the Grand Chancellor’s entire family.”
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“For the crime of treason, death is not enough. How many people from the Yi family are involved, I know clearly in my heart. Mother Empress need not worry about this matter, your child will handle it.”
Qin Junlan’s stance was firm, not at all influenced by Yi Qinghuan.
“He is your own uncle, and Ziquan is his only son. You’ve also thrown him into the death row prison. How innocent he is!”
“He is my subject before he is my uncle. I’ve said I would abolish the law of implicating nine clans, and I won’t implicate innocent people. If Ziquan is innocent, I will release him.”
“Do you really want to kill your uncle? When you were little, he held you as you grew up. You know how much he doted on you. He…”
“Enough! Mother Empress!” Qin Junlan shouted sternly, frowning at Yi Qinghuan for the first time, her heart filled with anger. “It was uncle who wanted to kill me, not I who wants to kill him!”
“He…” Yi Qinghuan was suddenly at a loss for words, unable to even convince herself. It wasn’t just that she couldn’t bear to part with her own brother, but that he held something over her.
If Yi Hongchuan were to inform the Emperor that she had tacitly approved sending assassins to Yuzhou, it would inevitably cause a rift between mother and daughter, with unthinkable consequences. Moreover, Yi Hongchuan had been so bold as to dare to have someone relay a message to her, saying that if she couldn’t save his life, he would reveal this matter to Qin Junlan.
Yi Qinghuan never dreamed that the brother she trusted and doted on would one day turn against her.