The Sovereign – Chapter 107

Volume Six: A Cold Rainy Night Buries the Famous Flower

Everything is Ready

Just need to “please you into the urn”

(an idiom meaning “to set up a trap for someone” – derived from a historical story where an official was tricked into getting into a large urn/vat and killed, now used to describe laying a trap for someone)

The continuous news put Qin Junlan in a difficult situation. Meanwhile, the Empress’s infamous reputation for massacring cities began to spread slowly. The war continued, and when Qi County was attacked and taken, there were no civilians inside. All thousand residents of the city had evacuated – Ling Yu hadn’t abandoned anyone, which surprised Qin Junlan.

Now the combined forces of Luo and Qing kingdoms cannot be underestimated. After all, being attacked from both sides would be enough to strain even the Red Armor Army.

“Immediately deploy 100,000 new troops to advance against Luo and Qing kingdoms,” Qin Junlan finally deployed her trump card – the army that had been secretly training for two years. Besides a few trusted confidants, no one knew about these 100,000 new troops.

“Imperial Sister is truly a military genius. How did you manage to hide this army of 100,000 from the entire court and the world?” Yun Jin couldn’t believe it, and had no idea how Qin Junlan managed to erase the identities of 100,000 people in Ji Kingdom, where household registration was strictly controlled.

“I began preparing to build this army five years ago. Two years ago, we reached our target number and have been training day and night. They’re now no less skilled than the regular army,” Qin Junlan’s deep eyes were unfathomable. “Ling Yu had Xun’er steal my military deployment maps, but like everyone else, she only believes our country has 400,000 troops. How could I let myself be attacked from both front and back? If one day we compete for other territories, we must have the strength to take three kingdoms in one move.”

“Your humble sister doesn’t know when she’ll ever have Elder Sister’s great strategic vision.” While Yun Jin feared failing Qin Junlan’s trust, Qin Junlan lightly patted her shoulder, “I never judge people wrongly. I trust you. Jin’er will definitely help Guo’er become a wise ruler in the future.”

She sighed slightly, showing concern, “It’s just a pity about someone like Ling Yu. She’s a rare worthy opponent. I guess she must have realized the deployment maps were fake.”

Qin Junlan never underestimated Ling Yu. For a country’s Grand Princess to reunite the formerly politically divided Yu Kingdom was no ordinary achievement.

Now with the shocking city massacre, her personal killing of Bai Yifei was understandable, but Qin Junlan really worried she would take out her anger on Liu Qianxun. She suddenly realized that Ling Yu was an extremely passionate person who would truly give everything for her country.

As the saying goes, “Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll win every battle” (famous quote from Sun Tzu’s Art of War). After the war began, she discovered Ling Yu wasn’t what everyone thought she was. What a pity – she was an opponent, and even more of a pity that they were merely opponents.

Qin Junlan had made up her mind. She knew Ling Yu was furious and surely believed that the order to massacre the city came from her. This journey might even be a trap set by Ling Yu, but she still had to go.

“Imperial Sister, Zhengyi is Yu Kingdom’s strongest city with 200,000 elite troops. Going there is too dangerous,” Yun Jin didn’t oppose Qin Junlan looking for Liu Qianxun, but rushing into enemy territory seemed too risky.

“In war between two kingdoms, envoys are not to be killed. I believe Ling Yu knows this principle,” Qin Junlan spoke while Yuan Xi helped her change clothes, and two palace maids worked together to gently tie her long hair into a male’s topknot (traditional hairstyle for men).

“With the hatred of the city massacre in her heart, how can she be rational? Imperial Sister, why not send scouts first to check the situation and find Xun’er’s whereabouts?”

“There’s been no news from our scouts in Zhengyi for months. I fear Ling Yu has already rooted them all out.” The spies Qin Junlan planted in Yu Kingdom must have been discovered by Ling Yu, otherwise how could there be no news at all.

“This…”

Yun Jin finally understood how cruel and ruthless the struggles for state power and espionage could be. In the open, armies fought on battlefields; in secret, spies were silently killed. All political power was inseparable from bloodshed. Being naturally kind-hearted, now pushed to this position, she could only gradually accept and adapt quickly.

“Jin’er, while I’m away from the palace, you must guard Fengluang Palace and not let anyone cause trouble.” Qin Junlan turned around and took the military tally from the dragon desk. “This is half of the military tally. It can mobilize the imperial guards and troops stationed around Jidu. With the Jade Dragon Golden Token, the Imperial Edict, and this military tally, no one can harm you.”

“Imperial Sister, how can you give the military tally to your humble sister…” Yun Jin never expected Qin Junlan to trust her to such an extent.

“Remember, don’t reveal the military tally and Imperial Edict unless absolutely necessary. Don’t even tell the Empress Dowager about this. Also, you must be wary of Huo Xiao and his daughter, and the Prince. There’s no guarantee they won’t encourage him to stir up trouble.” Qin Junlan placed the military tally in Yun Jin’s hand and gripped it tightly. “Guard the palace well for me. If I don’t return…”

“That won’t happen. I’ll wait for your return.” Yun Jin interrupted Qin Junlan. She didn’t want to hear such words from her. She was the Son of Heaven, who had survived even poisoning – surely Heaven would protect her. The person in her heart couldn’t be taken away even by immortals from the Nine Heavens (highest realm in Chinese mythology)!

“If I can return, I’ll definitely bring Xun’er back with me.” When Qin Junlan mentioned Liu Qianxun, her eyebrows and eyes curved slightly upward – that subtle joy when mentioning someone you like, though slight, was still detectable.

Yun Jin had no strength to show her heartache anymore. She was used to hiding these emotions, welcoming and adapting to them. Actually, she was still happy in her heart, because only Liu Qianxun could reignite Qin Junlan’s radiance, making her like the sun in the sky, hanging high and illuminating the earth.

Qin Junlan quietly left the palace, arranging for Li Ruo and others to fully assist Yun Jin in handling state affairs, not knowing that this departure would stir up more palace turmoil.

She wanted both the world and Liu Qianxun. After establishing Ji Kingdom’s hundred-year foundation, she would abdicate to someone worthy. She always wanted to live life on her own terms. Only Liu Qianxun could give her these things. How difficult it was to fall in love – in this life, she only wanted this woman.

Liu Qianxun rushed back to Zhengyi without delay. From the moment she entered the city, eyes were watching her as she galloped towards Changning Manor. From afar, she saw white mourning cloth all over Changning Manor, with two rows of white lanterns at the gate, heavy and desolate. The gate guards were all in white mourning clothes, as if Changning Manor had experienced a tragedy.

“Who passed away?” Liu Qianxun passed through the first courtyard, but everyone just lowered their heads heavily, not answering her.

Passing through the second courtyard, she noticed signs of fighting – the trees in the yard showed clear marks of damage. She had no time to think about other matters and continued rushing forward, having not passed through any war zones or heard any rumors, not knowing what had happened.

“The Tower Master finally knows to return.” Lin Wuming’s voice rang out coldly. He wore white mourning clothes like the others, as if paying respects to the deceased.

“What happened? Who passed away?”

“Tower Master only thinks of Ji’s Empress, when have you ever cared about your own country? I truly don’t understand – you’re still a Yu country citizen, born here, how can you be so cold?” Lin Wuming mocked with bitter sarcasm, now harboring resentment towards Liu Qianxun, blaming her for leaving Ling Yu at such a time.

“Where is the Princess?” Liu Qianxun didn’t want to say more to Lin Wuming – the two had never been ones for much conversation.

“In the Forbidden Grounds. Go see her yourself.” Lin Wuming sighed helplessly. The current Ling Yu was probably not the same as before – he wondered if Liu Qianxun would feel any ripples in her heart.

Walking to the Forbidden Grounds, Liu Qianxun discovered that Changning Manor’s restricted area was actually a cemetery. She had always thought the so-called forbidden ground might hide some secrets. But what secrets could there be – it was just where Ling Yu privately remembered the deceased. Looking at the names on the tombstones, weren’t they all disciples who had sacrificed themselves on missions?

There was also Chen Qing’s name… Liu Qianxun felt indescribable emotions. Ling Yu had hidden too much of herself after all. At this moment, her posture was straight but so lonely and desolate. She had never seen this side of Ling Yu, never known that Ling Yu could have such sorrowful moments. Over the years when facing her, Ling Yu had always appeared unrestrained and carefree, cold-blooded and heartless, sometimes speaking frivolously, deliberately teasing her.

Only now did Liu Qianxun understand that while Ling Yu would indeed use any means to achieve her goals, behind these actions, she had her own principles and persistence – just that no one had seen them.

“You’re back.” The tone was flat, showing no waves of emotion, pale and weak yet seemingly suppressing grief.

“What happened?” Everywhere Liu Qianxun looked, there were unmarked tombstones without names, only a cup of clear wine and a white chrysanthemum (traditional funeral offerings).

Ling Yu turned to look at Liu Qianxun. Not having seen her for many days, her complexion was poor – had her body still not recovered? But seeing Liu Qianxun now gave a feeling that things had changed, Ling Yu lowered her eyes, showing neither joy nor sorrow. She had once longed to see Liu Qianxun, but meeting again now only felt like stabbing a few more wounds into her already riddled heart.

After all, it’s all bleeding – what difference does more or less make?

Liu Qianxun stared at Ling Yu in a daze, suddenly feeling she was very unfamiliar. Those once bewitching eyes with their hint of devilishness were now filled with despair and coldness. As if having experienced a devastating blow, Ling Yu’s entire being seemed shrouded in frost – standing beside her gave off a chilling sensation.

“You love Qin Junlan, don’t you?” Ling Yu suddenly asked this question, like a dagger stabbing into the heart and being twisted, painful to the point of numbness.

“Yes.” Liu Qianxun answered firmly, not knowing why Ling Yu asked this.

This single word pushed Ling Yu into an abyss of no return. Although she knew this would be the answer, she still wanted to face it clearly. She had lost Liu Qianxun – from the moment she sent Liu Qianxun to Qin Junlan’s side, their fate was sealed.

She had never thought of possessing Liu Qianxun, but the pain of loss still cut to the bone. Like thousands of arrows piercing her heart, leaving her completely wounded.

“Heh heh heh heh heh…” Her light chuckle gradually turned into a cold laugh, a laugh that chilled one to the bone. She walked closer to Liu Qianxun, “Your beloved Empress massacred all the people in Luo County – three thousand soldiers, three thousand civilians, men, women, old, young, even infants – none survived!”

“Massacre…?” Liu Qianxun shook her head in disbelief, her heart as heavy as a thousand-pound stone. While she had lost track of time in the mountains, the human world had become a fierce hell. How could this be?

It couldn’t be. Qin Junlan had always ruled with benevolence. How could she not know that massacring a city would surely bring condemnation from the world? She would never bear the name of “Tyrant.” How could she be so foolish? She couldn’t believe Qin Junlan would be so cruel. Who hated Yu Kingdom so much that they would massacre a city to vent their hatred?

Except for him, there was no one else.

“Who led the army? Was it Bai Yifei?”

“Xun’er is still so clever, but unfortunately your cleverness is useless now.” As she spoke, Ling Yu suddenly struck with her right palm. Liu Qianxun tried to dodge, not realizing it was a feint, as Ling Yu’s left hand fingers lightly struck, instantly hitting Liu Qianxun’s pressure points, immobilizing her.

“Ling Yu, what are you doing?” Liu Qianxun didn’t understand her intention, tried to break free from the pressure point lock, but found she had no strength to resist.

“Don’t waste your energy. I taught you the Pressure Point Breaking technique – how could I let you break my moves?” A cold glint flashed in Ling Yu’s eyes as she lifted Liu Qianxun’s arm where the wound was slightly visible, pulling back the clothes to reveal numerous healed knife wounds.

Her lips twitched slightly, looking at Liu Qianxun with both anger and helplessness. Countless complex emotions surged up, finally transforming into: “You truly are devoted to the Empress, willing to test poison for her. But unfortunately, even if the Guiguzi was an immortal, he couldn’t cure the Mother-Child Gu.”

“Ling Yu.” Liu Qianxun felt a dull pain in her chest as she said heavily, “You’ve always put country and people above all else, using every means these years to protect royal power, all for Yu Kingdom’s peace. I know the massacre of civilians pains you deeply. If torturing me can make you feel better, do as you wish.”

“Torture you? Hmph~ You think I’d let you off lightly for betraying me?” Ling Yu raised her hand, suddenly striking three palms at three major pressure points on Liu Qianxun’s body. She stumbled backward, and as her pressure points were released, she found her dantian seemed locked, her internal energy blocked and stagnant within her body.

“You sealed my internal energy?”

“You’re so clever and skilled in martial arts – what if my subordinates can’t watch you properly?” Ling Yu’s smile grew wider, but behind that malicious smile were unfathomable thoughts.

“You don’t need to do this. I won’t run.”

“Hmph, This Princess will let you know that the Shura Sect isn’t a place you can enter and leave as you please. However, you’re still the most useful piece – in all the world, only you can restrain Qin Junlan. You should be grateful you’re still useful.” Ling Yu’s sharp words could always pierce one’s heart, but this time Liu Qianxun didn’t feel as sad as before.

“Ling Yu, why must you speak this way…” Liu Qianxun murmured softly, her tone full of helplessness.

“Guards! Take Liu Qianxun to King Chong He’s mansion. It’s been empty for too long – our Princess He Xun should return to her roots like falling leaves.” After Ling Yu’s order, Ye Ming came with two people to imprison Liu Qianxun.

“Ye Ming…” Every time Liu Qianxun saw Ye Ming, she felt a thousand thoughts, and would remember the deceased Bai Ruoxi.

Ye Ming, one-armed as before, remained as quiet as ever, except now the person she protected had become Ling Yu.

“Please, Tower Master.” Ye Ming’s face was expressionless, looking at Liu Qianxun like a stranger, without a trace of emotion or hesitation.

“Ling Yu, stop hurting yourself and others!” These were Liu Qianxun’s parting words.

But now Ling Yu’s heart only knew hurt and pain. Once she had hope and aspirations in her heart, but now she wouldn’t even dare to dream – all that remained was endless despair and darkness.

After Liu Qianxun had completely left, Ling Yu finally coughed heavily, drawing a streak of bright red from the corner of her mouth. Her internal injuries hadn’t healed, and sealing the pressure points had aggravated her wounds. Only now did she show weakness, having endured until this moment.

“Princess, how are you? Let me treat your wounds.”

“Don’t bother, save your pathetic internal energy. You don’t have the ability to heal This Princess.” After Ling Yu scolded him, she coughed heavily several more times. Lin Wuming bit his teeth hard in pain, “Even if Wuming exhausts all his internal energy, he wants to share Princess’s burden.”

“Enough. Do what you should do – prepare the traps in He Mansion according to This Princess’s orders.”

“Your servant has arranged everything, just waiting for the Empress to enter the urn.” Lin Wuming felt a hidden pain but had long grown used to Ling Yu’s harsh commands. He was very confused by Ling Yu’s actions, “Princess, if the Tower Master wanted to escape, she wouldn’t have returned. Why did you unnecessarily seal her major pressure points?”

“She’s been poisoned – she shouldn’t use her internal energy.” Ling Yu’s plain words were full of concern for Liu Qianxun. From seeing Liu Qianxun’s complexion and the wounds on her arms, she knew it must be due to poison.

Ling Yu wiped away the blood from her mouth corner and ordered again, “Arrange for Mu Jin to serve her.”

“Yes.” Lin Wuming didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. If there was still a soft spot in Ling Yu’s heart, perhaps it was Liu Qianxun.

“Has the Empress left the capital?”

“She has left the capital and is expected to reach Zhengyi in two days, everything as the Princess predicted.”

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