The Sovereign – Chapter 112

Volume Six: A Cold Rainy Night Buries the Famous Flower

Dark Undercurrents in Dragon City

From this day forward, I, the Imperial Consort, shall govern the court!

Liu Qianxun supported the badly wounded Qin Junlan as they walked out of the dungeon. The desolate He Mansion no longer had guards, and Ling Yu’s figure was nowhere to be seen. The ordeal felt like a dream – only the towering, lush old locust tree remained unchanged, everything else had gone with the wind.

When they reached the entrance, they saw a horse carriage parked in front of the He Mansion. Ye Ming stood before the carriage, giving Liu Qianxun a deep look.

“I’ll escort you out of the city.” Ye Ming was characteristically of few words. Ling Yu had ordered her to personally escort them out of the city, so she was following orders. Actually, every time she saw Liu Qianxun, she felt a sense of familiarity, but her memory was blank.

Perhaps in her lost memories, this was an important person.

Ling Yu not only ordered her to safely escort the two out of the city but also secretly left clues for Li Yue and others who were searching for them. But she told Ye Ming not to tell Liu Qianxun that she had arranged everything. Since they were leaving, let them go far away, and it was time for her to let go of this body whose heart had already departed from her.

Ling Yu stood in a pavilion not far away, watching Liu Qianxun’s departing carriage. As her view gradually stretched further, her heart sank to the valley floor [metaphor for despair]. She had killed countless people in her life, made thousands of enemies, and feared that someday enemies would find her and she would die an unnatural death. Now with great battles approaching, she had sworn to share the nation’s fate, and would likely perish on the battlefield – how dare she hope for love?

She held the jade xun, pure white throughout, flawless warm jade, but sadly she could no longer play those tunes. She channeled her qi through her palm, her five fingers applying slight force, and the jade xun shattered instantly, just like her heart full of thousand wounds hundred holes, broken into pieces, never to heal again.

A cool breeze rose at the pavilion, and Lin Wuming held a cloak, gently draping it over Ling Yu, saying softly, “Princess, the wind has risen, be careful not to catch cold.”

“Make arrangements to secretly visit Yuzhou, ensure there isn’t a single Ji Kingdom spy in the city, execute them immediately if discovered.”

“Yes, this subordinate accepts the command.”

Ling Yu shed her melancholy and romantic sentiments. Having lost love, she could not lose her country too. Now, she would transform herself into a soldier, sharing the nation’s fate of survival or destruction, advancing and retreating with the common people.

When the carriage reached the city gate, Li Yue and others caught up. She was very surprised to see Ye Ming as the driver. Then seeing her left sleeve empty, she was shocked, “You…”

“They are severely wounded, I leave them to you.” After Ye Ming spoke, she jumped down from the carriage, her empty left sleeve dancing in the wind, causing Li Yue to feel inexplicably sad. She walked to the guards, showed Ling Yu’s token, and the gate guards followed orders, not daring to obstruct.

Li Yue lifted the carriage curtain and saw Qin Junlan at death’s door [barely breathing], lying in Liu Qianxun’s arms. Liu Qianxun was also covered in wounds. The two looked as if they had returned from hell, their bodies full of injuries, a shocking sight!

“How dare you!” Li Yue was so angry she wanted to draw her sword. Ye Ming just looked at her coldly, a cold smile crossing her lips, “Are you sure you want to fight here?”

Li Yue’s anger surged, she knew this would turn into a disaster, and indeed it had. She couldn’t forgive herself for failing in her duty. But she understood better that in Yu Kingdom’s territory, acting impulsively would bring no benefit.

“Li Yue, let’s leave first, Yan’er’s wounds are severe.” Liu Qianxun’s lips were deathly pale, her face like withered yellow leaves, without any color. Though weak herself, she still worried about Qin Junlan.

“Yes!” Li Yue jumped onto the carriage. Liu Qianxun looked at Ye Ming and slowly said, “Thank you…”

Watching Liu Qianxun gradually disappear from view, Ye Ming quietly said to herself, “The person you should thank isn’t me.”

From Zhengyi to Shennong Valley was a two-day journey. Qin Junlan’s severe injuries couldn’t withstand the carriage’s jolting, so Li Yue dared not increase speed. Fearing the wounds would worsen and become infected, she bought medicine for wounds and gave both of them basic treatment.

“Xun’er…” During her unconsciousness, Qin Junlan kept calling Liu Qianxun’s name. She let Qin Junlan rest her head on her lap, leaned close to her ear, and said softly: “Yan’er, I’m here, I’ll always be here, I won’t leave again.”

“Xun’er…” Cold sweat suddenly began seeping from Qin Junlan’s forehead. Liu Qianxun touched her forehead with her own, feeling a trace of fever. She then gently stroked Qin Junlan’s hand, carefully moved aside her clothing to touch her body, and immediately sensed something was wrong.

“Li Yue, Li Yue!”

Li Yue hurriedly stopped the carriage and turned around, asking, “What is it, Miss Liu?”

“I fear Yan’er’s wounds are infected and she’s developing a fever. Quickly check if there’s a stream nearby, go get some cool water.”

“Alright, you two go quickly to find water nearby, it must be stream water, the cooler the better, hurry!”

The two accompanying shadow guards quickly departed upon receiving the order. Li Yue watched Qin Junlan with deep worry – if anything happened to her master, she would atone with her death, and could join that bastard Chen Qing underground. Seeing Liu Qianxun and Qin Junlan finally reunited after such hardships made her both happy and heartbroken.

Qin Junlan’s body alternated between hot and cold, occasionally with convulsions, perhaps due to the deep wounds all over her body plus poisoning. She quickly fell into a deep sleep, losing all sensation, including pain.

Fortunately, the shadow guards found spring water. Liu Qianxun wet a silk handkerchief and gently wiped various parts of her body, but from her arms to her body were almost all decaying wounds, hardly a spot remained intact.

Liu Qianxun’s eyes reddened, her nose filled with bitterness. She had long forgotten her own pain, only feeling heartache for Qin Junlan, not knowing where she could touch without causing harm. She was originally the most noble person in the world, but because of herself, ended up in this state.

“Miss Liu, can we depart?” Li Yue asked softly.

“We must hurry, reach Shennong Valley by tomorrow morning, otherwise I fear she won’t make it.” Liu Qianxun held Qin Junlan’s face in both hands, caressing it tenderly. Only by staying close to her like this could her heart feel at ease.

But her Yan’er, when would she wake up, and could she survive this crisis?

Li Yue was also worried, not knowing how the shadow guard she sent back with news was doing. Speaking of calling for reinforcements, she feared it would cause panic – if ill-intentioned people thought something had happened to their master, the palace would likely fall into chaos.

Ji Imperial Palace

The shadow guard rushed back to the palace, hurriedly running toward Fengluan Palace, but halfway there encountered Huo Xiao, who had returned to the palace.

“Greetings, Side Consort Xiao.” However urgent his mission, the guard dared not ignore her and had to follow protocol by paying respects first.

Since being punished, Huo Xiao had become much more subdued upon returning to the palace, no longer as showy as before, and far less domineering. She had been harshly lectured by Huo Yunqi, who blamed her for being rash without strategy, not understanding how to maneuver and find advantages for herself. Afterward, she had spent long periods in self-reflection, and upon returning to the palace, became more humble in dealing with others.

“Aren’t you one of the Emperor’s attendants? Why such hurry?” Huo Xiao recognized this person as someone who used to be always by Qin Junlan’s side, serving in Fengluan Palace. After Qin Junlan secretly left the palace, she hadn’t seen him, so she deduced he must have been part of the escort.

“Reporting to Side Consort, this servant has urgent matters to report. I apologize for my haste and hope for Side Consort’s understanding.”

“No matter, what has happened to make you so anxious?”

“We lost track of the Emperor in Yu Kingdom, fearing she might be in danger. This servant has returned to report to Lord Li for instructions.”

Huo Xiao’s expression changed slightly, though she secretly rejoiced, but still pretended to be calm and waved, saying “This is a serious matter, go quickly.”

After the shadow guard left, Huo Xiao hurriedly returned to the Wise King’s mansion and summoned her father to discuss strategy. With the Empress missing and in Ling Yu’s hands, the outlook was likely grim. After the city massacre, how could Ling Yu let Qin Junlan live? This journey must have been a death mission!

This way, the Wise King’s opportunity had come. He had always been mediocre and never ambitious – once he only wanted to spend his life with Yun Jin, feeling that was enough. But later he discovered everything was not as he thought: he lost the throne, his wife’s heart was no longer his, and it was his imperial sister who had taken everything away. If he continued being so ordinary, he would end up with nothing.

Why should this be?

Huo Yunqi was already cunning and scheming, ambitious by nature. Marrying his daughter into the Wise King’s household was intentional from the start. Now he and Huo Xiao – one fanning the flames daily, one lighting fires in ears – finally aroused the Wise King’s ambition.

According to protocol, with the Emperor having no children, if something truly happened, the person to take power in court must be the Wise King – how could it fall to a mere prince’s consort to be in charge? This was the best opportunity.

After Qin Junlan left the palace, Yun Jin had been reviewing memorials in the Imperial Study daily, with grand scholars assisting, and consulting with generals about military matters. In a short time, she had handled state affairs in an orderly manner.

“Princess Consort!” Yuan Xi brought in the shadow guard, his expression hurried, worry evident in his words.

“What has happened, why such panic?”

“We lost track of Her Majesty in Zhengyi, fear it was a trap. Now her fate is unknown. Please, Princess Consort, make a decision and send people to rescue her.”

“So it really was a trap…” Yun Jin felt instant anxiety, but she couldn’t panic. At this moment, she needed to stabilize the situation and prevent this news from spreading, then think about how to arrange a rescue.

“This matter must be kept secret. Immediately summon Grand Scholar Li Ruo and General Lin for discussion.”

“But…” the shadow guard hesitated.

“What? Has someone else learned of this?” Yun Jin immediately sensed something was wrong.

“This worthless servant deserves death. On the way, I met Side Consort Xiao, and when she asked, I answered.”

Huo Xiao…. Yun Jin instantly had a bad premonition. She remembered Qin Junlan’s warning to guard against this father and daughter. In the current situation, if anyone learned that Qin Junlan had fallen into Yu Kingdom’s trap, there would be absolutely no chance of survival – they might even imprison her to threaten Ji Kingdom, to protect Yu Kingdom.

Yun Jin remained calm and collected, analyzing the current situation in her mind. It seemed she needed to prevent some things before they happened. Tomorrow’s court session would likely not be peaceful.

“Summon Li Ruo immediately.” If the palace situation changed, control of the Imperial Guard would determine success or failure.

Hopefully, all this was just her overthinking.

Yun Jin’s heart burns with anxiety, but dared not act rashly – during wartime, everything was sensitive. But Qin Junlan’s safety was more important than anything. After discussing with Li Ruo, she made a quick decision to first send a small team for support and to search for their whereabouts. Once Qin Junlan’s safety was confirmed, if troops needed to be sent, they could plan specific strategies then.

However, rumors began quietly spreading in the palace that very day, saying the Emperor had been captured by Yu Kingdom, fate unknown.

Originally, when Qin Junlan left the palace, she didn’t attend court – daily memorials were sent to the Imperial Study for Yun Jin’s review. But this arrangement wasn’t known to outsiders, nor was Yun Jin’s imperial decree and military authority. After news of Qin Junlan’s capture spread, the court began stirring. Officials who had been doing their duties suddenly gathered at Fengluan Hall.

“Princess Consort, trouble has occurred.” Yuan Xi rushed to report as soon as he learned the news.

“What now?” Yun Jin put aside the memorial she was reading.

“The officials have gathered at court, the Wise King is taking charge, Fengluan Hall is about to turn upside down.”

Yun Jin’s face immediately darkened – what she feared most had happened. The Wise King had truly been bewitched, and because she had broken his heart, Yun Jin was truly disappointed.

“Princess Consort, what should we do? Her Majesty hasn’t even been confirmed in danger, yet these people are already thinking of rebellion.”

Before Yuan Xi finished speaking, Huai Rou rushed in, “Princess Consort, the Empress Dowager learned of the Emperor’s disappearance and went straight to Fengluan Hall. You must go quickly to take control of the situation. The palace, I fear, is about to fall into chaos.”

“Do not panic, Princess Consort. This official will make preparations now. You can go to Fengluan Hall with ease – today, whoever dares to cause trouble, this official will show no leniency.” Li Ruo bowed to Yun Jin, then went to arrange the Imperial Guard.

Yun Jin nodded. This time, she would let the entire palace know that not just anyone could seize power in the palace.

In Fengluan Hall, the officials whispered among themselves, showing worry in their eyes. Two nations at war, the sovereign captured – how could this be a small matter? Let alone the question of life or death, a nation cannot go a day without a ruler, and 500,000 Red Armor Army troops cannot fight without leadership.

“Lord Huo, the Emperor’s capture is just a rumor. The truth still needs investigation. Why have you gathered all officials before the hall – what is your intention?” Grand Scholar Ji, entrusted by Qin Junlan, had to stabilize the court officials.

“Grand Scholar, this official has no such intention. But now without leadership, someone must act as regent. Otherwise, how can we continue this war? Our Military Affairs Bureau has so many daily military decisions, food supplies, military pay, troop deployments – who will approve these matters?”

“The Emperor made arrangements before leaving the palace. Lord Huo need not worry.”

“Is that so? Could the Grand Scholar tell us what arrangements the Emperor made? Could it be the Wise King’s Princess Consort and the young prince? You must be joking. The young prince is only four years old, and though the Wise King’s Princess Consort is virtuous, she cannot possibly have the talent to rule a nation.” Huo Yunqi smiled craftily, exchanging a knowing look with the Wise King.

He stepped out from the crowd, facing the officials, “Though I am a prince, I have always wished to assist my imperial sister. Now that she is imprisoned and the war is intense, I…”

“The throne has not changed hands – what are you trying to do?”

Before Qin Junhao finished speaking, Yi Qinghan entered Fengluan Hall, supported by Qiushui. She hadn’t entered the front hall for a long time. Upon hearing of Qin Junlan’s trouble and Qin Junhao gathering officials, she came immediately to take control of the situation.

“We officials pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”

“This son pays respects to Imperial Mother.”

Yi Qinghan walked directly to Qin Junhao’s front, her sharp gaze radiating authority. The power she once held managing the six palaces [imperial harem] and assisting in government hadn’t weakened at all. “You wish to be regent?”

“This son wouldn’t dare. This son only wishes to share court duties. Previously this son was foolish, but now this son hopes to set an example for Guo’er.”

“If you want to set an example, leave Fengluan Hall immediately.” Yun Jin’s voice drifted from the rear hall. She appeared wearing formal royal blue consort robes, with a pearl butterfly ornament hanging from her forehead, emanating a gentle glow. Though wearing no makeup, she couldn’t hide her extraordinary beauty. Even dressed in formal consort’s brocade, she still carried herself like the ethereal blue [deep blue, mysterious].

She held Guo’er’s hand and swept up to the dragon throne, looking down at the officials with an air of ruling over all under heaven. Those once gentle eyes now held an aura of authority without anger [commanding respect without showing anger]. “With the Imperial Sister absent, this imperial consort shall manage the court!”

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