The Sovereign – Chapter 117

Volume Six: A Cold Rainy Night Buries the Famous Flower

Floating Through Times Past

She’s actually not dead??

After parting from Dragon City, it felt like another lifetime. Looking back now, it all seems like a dream.

Qin Junlan returned to the palace quietly, without allowing civil and military officials to welcome her. Having escaped death this time, returning safely was already fortunate enough. She had once issued an imperial edict forbidding Liu Qianxun from ever entering the palace again, but now she would use the merit of saving the imperial carriage to clear her past wrongful charges.

Yi Qingyu and Liu Zhu accompanied her. Yi Qingyu worried that Qin Junlan’s body was too weak to handle court affairs, and she also wanted to bring Liu Zhu back to the palace to see Yun Jin and Guo’er.

“This humble sister greets Imperial Sister. Your safe return is truly the nation’s great fortune,” said Yun Jin. Although she had received the news beforehand, she couldn’t contain her joy, and even while kneeling in ceremony, her voice carried a smile.

“Rise quickly,” Qin Junlan helped her up personally. Yun Jin’s lips curved in a smile, and seeing Liu Qianxun standing nearby, her smile didn’t diminish. “Xun’er has returned too.”

“Sister is well,” Liu Qianxun bowed her head. Yun Jin nodded contentedly, finally seeing them safely reunited, finally seeing that graceful and distinguished Qin Junlan again – this was how she should be, this was the sky in her heart [meaning: the most important person to her].

“It’s good that all is well,” Yun Jin maintained her smile. Now seeing the two reunited, she felt only contentment. The past bitterness gradually faded after they escaped danger. As long as they could stay together like this, staying happy, it would be the greatest comfort to her.

“Jin’er, look who else is here,” Qin Junlan turned slightly, and Yun Jin looked up to see Yi Qingyu had returned as well.

“Mother Imperial Consort has returned too,” Yun Jin affectionately stepped forward and gave a slight ceremonial bow.

“Yes, Yan’er’s body hasn’t fully recovered yet, I’ll feel more at ease watching over her. Jin’er, come pay respects to Aunt Liu.” Yi Qingyu took Liu Zhu’s hand, her eyes full of tenderness.

Yun Jin had never known about Yi Qingyu’s past, nor had she heard about her relationship with Liu Zhu, but she could tell from their glances and movements that their connection was not simple. Yet Liu Zhu was Liu Qianxun’s mother – how could she be so close to her own mother?

“Jin’er pays respects to Aunt Liu.”

“No, no, I should be… I should be the one kowtowing to the Wise Princess Consort.” Liu Zhu was about to perform the ceremony, but Yi Qingyu held her back, saying softly, “You must not.”

Though confused, Yun Jin didn’t question further, knowing her mother had her reasons. Being considerate, she said, “Aunt Liu is unwell and my elder, and since you’re close to Mother Imperial Consort, just treat me as your daughter – there’s no need for formalities.”

“Daughter…” Liu Zhu’s thin lips trembled as she gazed at Yun Jin with countless emotions she dared not fully show. This was only the second time in over twenty years she had seen her eldest daughter. Countless times in her midnight dreams, she would hear Yun Jin’s cries from when she was in swaddling clothes.

How fortunate that she was raised by Qingyu and became such a virtuous person. The title of Wise Princess Consort was known to all, and she served as a model for women’s conduct rules [traditional moral guidelines for women] among common people. She dared not hope for recognition as mother and daughter; she only wished to see her before going into seclusion with Qingyu. Now that wish was fulfilled – seeing her well, she had no more lingering concerns.

“Aunt and Aunt Liu will stay temporarily at Qin Garden, while Xun’er will stay with me at Fengluan Palace. I have matters to discuss with Jin’er. Please, Aunt and Aunt Liu, go rest first. If you need anything, feel free to command the palace maids and eunuchs. Yuan Xi, arrange it personally.”

“Yes, this servant obeys the imperial command.”

“Xun’er, you also go to Qin Garden first to accompany Aunt Liu and Aunt. I’ll send for you later,” Qin Junlan said gently, and Liu Qianxun simply nodded.

“If you feel unwell, send someone to call me. Once you’re better, I’ll take Zhu’er and leave. You focus on state affairs.” After speaking, Yi Qingyu led Liu Zhu away, holding her hand constantly, unwilling to let go for even a moment. She knew Liu Zhu had both attachments and fears in this palace. She would never let her feel any unease again – wherever she was, no one would be allowed to harm Liu Zhu in the slightest.

Liu Zhu was led by Yi Qingyu, maintaining a smile at the corner of her mouth, and turned to look at Yun Jin one last time before leaving. Yun Jin smiled and nodded to her, feeling an inexplicable sense of familiarity rising in her heart.

“Jin’er.” As soon as the others left, Qin Junlan’s smile faded, fully displaying her royal bearing. “I’ve heard about the palace affairs. You handled them well – such mercy is indeed your style.”

“Imperial Sister is still in her prime years. This humble sister merely managed court affairs on your behalf. The punishment of those people still requires your final decision.” Yun Jin showed her understanding of proper conduct, maintaining perfect balance – establishing her authority while leaving room for Qin Junlan’s discretion.

“Guards, bring the Wise King to the palace! Issue an edict to dismiss Huo Yunqi and strip him of his position as Military Affairs Minister! Huo Xiao incited the Wise King, violating the duties of a consort – strip her of her title and expel her from the Wise King’s Mansion. Do it immediately!”

“Yes!”

Her first act upon returning to the palace was to deal with those harboring ill intentions, officially announcing Yun Jin’s punishment to help establish her authority.

“Imperial Sister, the war situation in Yuzhou is critical. The loss of three counties was my responsibility. Please punish me.” Yun Jin suddenly knelt down – the defeat was due to her poor guidance, and she had to accept responsibility for her crime.

“Rise quickly. The battle strategy was my arrangement – how could I blame you? Stand up.”

Qin Junlan wouldn’t tolerate any instability at this crucial moment, but she also couldn’t resort to widespread executions. The secret execution of the city-massacring general had already caused panic among the troops in Luo Prefecture. Fortunately, Qin Junlan was fair in rewards and punishments, offering rewards after punishment, using both benevolence and authority to stabilize military morale.

Since being placed under house arrest in the Wise King’s Mansion, Qin Junhao had been dispirited. When he was brought to Fengluan Palace, his face was covered in beard and his eyes were bloodshot. It was said that during this time, he spent his days in a drunken stupor, either drinking or losing his temper. Qin Junlan had never seen him like this, and even Yun Jin felt pity for him.

He had once been a sunny man who occasionally enjoyed poetry and musical instruments, sometimes went hunting, and though his swordsmanship wasn’t great, his archery skills were second to none. But now he felt he had nothing left – from the moment he discovered he had lost Yun Jin’s heart, his own heart had died.

“Look at yourself! What happened to your dignity?” Qin Junlan grew angry seeing him in such a half-dead state.

“Dignity? Heh, this humble brother hasn’t yet properly welcomed Imperial Sister back to the palace.” Qin Junhao knelt down, gazing at Yun Jin standing beside her, his heart aching.

“Royal Brother, why have you become like this? How could Huo Yunqi so easily incite you? I don’t believe it. All these years I’ve wanted to groom you – if you had shown promise, what if I had named you Imperial Crown Brother? Yet now you conspire with outsiders against your own wife and sister – have you gone mad?”

“Please punish me, Imperial Sister. Killing me would be fine – I have nothing left anyway, just this worthless life.”

“Your Highness!” Yun Jin frowned – the Wise King had truly become reckless with his words. She had never intended to take her husband’s life, only wanting to restrain him temporarily to prevent him from committing grave crimes. “Don’t speak so carelessly before Imperial Sister. Guo’er is still young – do you want him to lose his father?”

At the mention of Guo’er’s name, a glimmer finally appeared in Qin Junhao’s eyes. He hung his head weakly – how could he call himself a father now? Once handsome and dignified, now he was like a stray dog. More ironically, his current state was because of his primary consort, Yun Jin.

“Do you want to make Jin’er a living widow [wife whose husband is alive but absent], and make Mother Empress a white-haired person burying black-haired person [meaning: send off her child to death]? This is outrageous!” Qin Junlan hates iron for not becoming steel [meaning: disappointed in someone’s failure to live up to expectations]. Although no major disaster occurred this time, his public misconduct couldn’t go unpunished.

“I submit to Imperial Sister’s judgment.” Qin Junhao had nothing left to care about. He knew Qin Junlan intended to pass the throne to his son with Yun Jin assisting in governance – perhaps such an arrangement wasn’t bad after all.

Qin Junlan glanced at Yun Jin, sighed deeply, and said resignedly: “For Jin’er and Guo’er’s sake, I’ll let you keep your title of Wise King. Your punishment is reassignment to the Imperial Forest Army, demoted to Patrol Captain. In one month, you’ll go to the battlefield!”

“Thank you, Imperial Sister.” Qin Junhao rose and stumbled toward the hall’s exit. Yun Jin, being kindhearted, felt pity watching him and called out gently, “Your Highness.”

Qin Junhao stopped in his tracks and looked up at Yun Jin, his heart fluttering. Whenever he saw her, he could still find that initial feeling of love, though her heart had never belonged to him. They grew up together as green plums and hobby-horse, yet she loved his sister instead – love, it seemed, truly had no bounds of gender.

“Your Highness, a true man should bear the nation’s fate, fight enemies on the battlefield, and protect the people.” Yun Jin gently smoothed his collar as she spoke, a light smile passing her lips. “Jin’er believes Your Highness is a true man who will set a good example for Guo’er.”

“Jin’er…” Qin Junhao gazed at her longingly. His heart, previously like stagnant water, stirred again at her few words. Only Yun Jin could ignite his fighting spirit. Unconsciously, he grasped her hands and asked remorsefully, “I’m sorry, Jin’er, did I hurt you last time when I struck you?”

He tried to caress her face, but she gently moved away. “That’s in the past. Your Highness should go to the Imperial Forest Army to find Lord Li now.”

Qin Junhao nodded, his previously dim eyes suddenly regaining their spirit, and he left with a smile.

“You still have a way with him. Royal Brother loves you deeply, that’s why he takes your words so seriously,” Qin Junlan couldn’t help but sigh. Yun Jin’s smile faded, “The Prince is inherently kind, he was just misled. If he can redeem himself through merit on the battlefield, that would be good.”

“Yes, well then, come with me to visit Aunt and the others at Qin Garden.” Qin Junlan stood up and ordered: “Li Yue, bring He Xi to Qin Garden.”

“Yes.”

Qin Junlan had kept He Xi in solitary confinement, though it was really just house arrest in a place with some freedom. He was Liu Qianxun’s younger brother and had shown kindness to her in childhood, so Qin Junlan had spared his life. Now that Liu Qianxun had returned to the palace, though she hadn’t mentioned her brother, she must be concerned about He Xi.

Qin Garden was quiet with beautiful scenery. Since Yun Jin’s fall there once, the garden had been renovated, and now carried an austere beauty in early autumn. Liu Zhu sat gracefully in the garden while Liu Qianxun made tea for her, and Yi Qingyu sat quietly meditating nearby. Though her internal injuries weren’t serious, she still needed daily meditation to recover.

This quiet and beautiful scene lost its balance with the arrival of one person.

“The Empress Dowager arrives!” At the eunuch’s announcement, Liu Zhu’s hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, and the cup shattered on the ground.

Yi Qingyu suddenly opened her eyes, rushed to Liu Zhu’s side, and anxiously asked, “Are you alright, Zhu’er? Did you hurt your hand?”

Liu Zhu shook her head, but her hands unconsciously clenched, worry evident on her face. Yi Qingyu held her hands tightly, their fingers interlocked. The events from years ago remained vivid in memory – Liu Zhu still harbored fear towards Yi Qinghuan.

Upon hearing news of Yi Qingyu’s return to the palace, Yi Qinghuan had been gazing at her sister’s portrait, missing her. The unexpected news of Qin Junlan’s safe return to the capital had relieved her. Even more joyful was the news that Yi Qingyu had also returned to the palace. Yi Qinghuan immediately rushed from Fengqing Palace, eager to see Qingyu properly.

However, she never expected that this time she would see the woman who frequently appeared in her nightmares.

“Yu’er.” Yi Qinghuan’s voice was full of joy, like spring breeze caressing one’s face. Her melodious voice drifted over before she even reached the garden pavilion.

Yi Qingyu gazed at her coldly, holding Liu Zhu’s hand tightly, and watched as Yi Qinghuan’s expression changed dramatically upon seeing Liu Zhu.

She almost froze in place, staring incredulously at this person who was supposed to have died over twenty years ago, now standing beside Yi Qingyu. She was so shocked she couldn’t speak a word, her lips trembling slightly.

“Liu Zhu….”

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LP: It all started with this Empress Dowager

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