The Sovereign – Chapter 119

Volume Six: A Cold Rainy Night Buries the Famous Flower

A Sorrowful Farewell Song

Failed to leave the palace smoothly

“Your Majesty, let your aunt take your pulse.” Yi Qingyu had no desire to stay in the palace any longer. Since Liu Zhu had already met Yun Jin, and as long as Qin Junlan was not in danger, she wanted to leave. She hated this palace and had no wish to see Yi Qinghuan.

“Thank you, Aunt.” Qin Junlan sat upright and extended her wrist.

Yi Qingyu lightly pressed with two fingers. Though Qin Junlan’s pulse was stable, it was still weaker than normal. Guiguzi was right about the fundamental injury. If not for her martial arts foundation, this ordeal would have left her half-crippled.

“I’ll write you some prescriptions. Remember to take them daily at the proper time and dosage, and you’ll need long-term care. Your body is weak now – you must not practice martial arts, use internal qi, or overwork yourself. Understood?”

“I will be careful, thank you, Aunt.” Qin Junlan turned to look at Liu Qianxun, who was happily conversing with He Xi. She was grateful she hadn’t executed He Xi out of hatred back then.

She once thought Liu Qianxun was a cold, unfeeling woman, but now she could see her heart was kinder and warmer than anyone’s. She had only become so cold after enduring hardships since birth and later joining the Shura Sect as an assassin. If possible, she wanted to spend her whole life making up for her painful times.

“Your Majesty, since your health is no longer critical, Zhu’er and I will leave tomorrow. This palace was never suitable for us.”

“Since Aunt has made up your mind, I won’t force you to stay. But where do you plan to go? So I may bring Xun’er to visit you someday.”

Yi Qingyu smiled at Liu Zhu and asked gently, “Where would you like to go?”

“Anywhere with you is fine, as long as we can stay away from all this strife. Now that Xun’er is with the Emperor, I can rest easy.” Liu Zhu’s every gesture showed maternal grace, her every expression unable to hide her happiness. Yi Qingyu was like a light that illuminated the world and nurtured her happiness.

“I will take good care of Xun’er, please rest assured, Aunt Liu.”

“Grandmother!” Just then, a childish voice called out. Yun Jin was walking over holding Guo’er’s hand, who began bouncing excitedly upon seeing Yi Qingyu.

“Guo’er.” Yi Qingyu wore a faint smile. She was always composed and calm, only losing control to the point of frenzy when it came to matters concerning Liu Zhu.

In Guo’er and Yun Jin’s eyes, Yi Qingyu was a strict elder, serious and of few words, carrying an air of authority.

“Guo’er…” Liu Zhu’s heart rippled with emotion at the sight of him – her great-grandson, Yun Jin’s son. Last time, she could only stay quietly to the side, watching him secretly, wearing a mask and not daring to get too close for fear of frightening him.

This return truly fulfilled her life’s dream. Seeing the children safe and well, she could leave peacefully with Qingyu.

“Guo’er pays respects to Imperial Aunt, Grandmother, and…” Guo’er looked up, unsure how to address Liu Zhu.

Yun Jin also suddenly wasn’t sure what Guo’er should call Liu Zhu, but Yi Qingyu naturally said, “Call her Grandmother Liu.”

“That wouldn’t be proper – she’s Aunt’s master’s mother, right? She should be called Great-Aunt Grandmother.” Guo’er said with a grin, young but clever, his sweet words delighting the elders.

“Greetings, Great-Aunt Grandmother, Great-Aunt Grandmother…” Liu Zhu was overwhelmed with joy at finally hearing the word “grandmother.” Yun Jin was her child, and even more so Qingyu’s child, making Guo’er their descendant. Now her life felt truly complete, without any regrets.

With children and grandchildren around, security in old age, hand in hand until the end. Everything had settled, life was without regrets, and it was time to leave and spend their remaining days together.

Qin Junlan’s health was better than Yi Qingyu had expected, the palace situation was stable, and Yun Jin had gradually taken control of court affairs after establishing her authority. With no more worries, Yi Qingyu planned to leave the palace with Liu Zhu the next day. The two intended to depart quietly, not wanting to alert anyone.

However, their departure was noticed by Wise King Qin Junhao. Seeing Yi Qingyu’s rare return to the palace and silent attempt to leave, he knew she must not have informed the Empress Dowager. Thinking of how his mother always sighed and worried about her sister, Qin Junhao’s filial piety moved him to inform Yi Qinghuan.

Yi Qinghuan was shocked, immediately guessing that once Yi Qingyu left, she might never return to the palace or even visit the loquat forest. She would surely take Liu Zhu far from Ji Kingdom, disappearing without a trace. Though she didn’t want to lose track of Yi Qingyu and knew she couldn’t change this fact, she still wanted to see her one last time, if only for a farewell.

“Hao’er, quickly go stop your aunt. Try to delay her somehow – Mother still wants to see her once more. Hurry!”

“This subject obeys.”

In her panic, Yi Qinghuan had Qiushui help remove her elaborate phoenix crown and brocade robes, changing into a light pearl-decorated imperial silk garment. She remembered that in their youth, Qingyu had said yellow looked best on her.

Though they had hoped to leave smoothly, they encountered unexpected interference. As Yi Qingyu and Liu Zhu stepped out of Qin Garden, they were stopped by Qin Junhao before reaching the central gate.

“Imperial Mother, please wait. The Empress Dowager wishes to bid you farewell. Please stay a moment longer.” Qin Junhao maintained proper etiquette.

“Hmph, are you here to request I stay or force me to stay? Bringing a unit of Imperial Guards, do you intend to fight me?” Yi Qingyu coldly stared at Qin Junhao while protectively holding Liu Zhu’s hand behind her.

Qin Junhao, though demoted to the Imperial Guards as Chief Patrol, could still easily command troops given his prince status. He wasn’t trying to forcibly detain Yi Qingyu, only delay her until Yi Qinghuan arrived.

But how could Yi Qingyu be controlled? As she tried to leave with Liu Zhu, Qin Junhao waved his hand, and a unit of Imperial Guards blocked their path. This was why he brought troops – everyone in the palace knew Yi Qingyu’s temperament: once she decided to leave, no one could stop her.

“What? Trying to block my way?” Her aura flared, her sharp eyes radiating an intimidating presence.

“Imperial Mother, please forgive me. For Jinʼer’s sake, and considering the Empress Dowager is your sister, please just treat this as a farewell. Mother is deeply worried and only wishes to bid you goodbye.” Qin Junhao continued bowing, hoping to delay her momentarily.

“Get out of my way!” Yi Qingyu remained unmoved, sweeping her sleeve to release a force that threw him back. The blocking Imperial Guards lost their footing and all fell down.

“Imperial Mother, don’t force me to take action!” Seeing her excessive coldness, Qin Junhao’s anger rose, and he summoned another unit of Imperial Guards with a wave of his hand.

From a corner of the palace wall, Huairou watched this confrontation. She hurriedly ran towards the Fengluan Palace.

Qin Junlan and Yun Jin were sitting in the Imperial Garden, discussing military affairs, state matters, and reviewing memorials, while Liu Qianxun was teaching Guo’er martial arts nearby. Since Liu Qianxun’s return, Guo’er had been like before, constantly pestering her to teach him martial arts.

“Princess Consort!” Huairou came running breathlessly, her voice filled with panic, nearly falling.

“Such panic – where are your manners?” Yun Jin gave her a light glare, calmly putting down the memorial.

“What has happened?” Qin Junlan saw that her panic must mean trouble.

“Reporting to Your Majesty and Princess Consort, Cheng Wangfei was stopped while leaving the palace by Wise King, who said the Empress Dowager wanted to see her one last time. But the Princess Consort refused, and now they’re fighting.”

“The Prince truly doesn’t understand subtlety – how could he engage in combat with Imperial Mother?” Yun Jin looked worriedly at Qin Junlan, who wordlessly stood up and left.

“I’ll go with you.” Liu Qianxun, with her extraordinary hearing, had caught every word clearly. With such trouble brewing, how could she remain at ease?

The Imperial Guards surrounded Yi Qingyu with spears and swords but dared not truly harm her, given her special status as Cheng Wangfei. Yet they couldn’t disobey the Wise King’s orders either, so they could only engage in a standoff. But Yi Qingyu showed no mercy; even while seriously injured and not fully recovered, she handled these minor opponents with ease.

However, with Liu Zhu by her side, she was distracted. As the number of Imperial Guards increased, she had to both protect Liu Zhu and defend against their attacks. When spears came at them, her palm movements created wind currents that twisted and broke the spears. Her graceful figure weaved through the crowd as she struck and dodged. Over a dozen guards had fallen; if she hadn’t been holding onto Liu Zhu, these men would likely have been completely incapacitated.

Yi Qingyu couldn’t fully use her martial arts – too forceful would endanger Liu Zhu, too gentle wouldn’t stop the guards – leaving her stuck in a defensive position. Suddenly, a figure flashed by, sweeping legs knocking away the guards approaching Liu Zhu. He Xi stood protectively before Liu Zhu, drawing his sword to guard her. “Senior, take Aunt Liu and leave first. I’ll hold them back.”

He Xi’s eyes blazed like torches, his tall frame like a warrior’s as he faced the Imperial Guards alone, focused only on protecting Liu Zhu.

“You’re no match for them. Just help me watch over Zhu’er – these people can’t cause much trouble anyway.”

“Please stop fighting, Ah Yu. The Wise King means no harm. We can just wait a while, don’t continue this pointless struggle.” Liu Zhu didn’t want the hard-won peace disrupted by this incident causing more chaos.

“I can wait, but definitely not for her!” Yi Qingyu finished speaking and launched a kick that sent a guard flying. Both sides fell into chaos, with the Imperial Guards now fighting without restraint and their numbers growing.

Suddenly, a unit of archers emerged, arrows trained on the group.

“Your Highness…” The guards dared not truly attack, awaiting Wise King’s order. After all, causing trouble in the palace and wounding Imperial Guards with swords was already a serious crime – they were just following orders now.

Qin Junhao watched Yi Qingyu constantly holding Liu Zhu’s hand, and in their loving gazes, he saw affection. Like awakening an inner demon, a dark smile suddenly crossed his face. How could women be like this with women? Man and woman together was the natural order!

Remembering that Yun Jin had never given him such love, Qin Junhao felt frustrated. Looking at Yi Qingyu and Liu Zhu, hatred welled up within him.

“Bring me a bow!” He extended his hand, and a guard handed him a bow and presented an arrow. He glanced at it, “Bring three at once!”

“Yes!” The guard handed him two more arrows. Though his martial arts weren’t strong, in archery he had never lost to anyone.

Two units of Imperial Guards formed a circle, engaging in combat with Yi Qingyu and He Xi. Yi Qingyu had originally not wanted to harm anyone in the palace, but these people’s aggressive actions forced her to fight back in earnest.

She lifted a guard into the air as easily as picking up a leaf, using him as a weapon to throw at the others. The powerful force knocked down many guards. He Xi stayed constantly by Liu Zhu’s side, repelling each attacker that approached, unaware that Qin Junhao’s arrows were already aimed at them.

With three arrows nocked, Qin Junhao aimed at Yi Qingyu and Liu Zhu. But thinking that Yi Qingyu was after all Yun Jin’s mother and his own aunt, he couldn’t bring himself to shoot her. However, He Xi was an outsider whose death wouldn’t matter. He slightly moved his arm and said with a cold smile, “Die.”

The three arrows were released simultaneously. Yi Qingyu sensed it first and noticed the arrows weren’t aimed at her. “Look out!” She reached out to catch them but grasped only air!

When He Xi came to his senses and saw the arrows flying toward them, in that critical moment, he had no time to think and pushed Liu Zhu away. The three arrows pierced straight into his body, penetrating his heart, blood slowly seeping from his chest.

“He Xi!” Liu Zhu was too shocked to speak.

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LP: You stupid idiot!!!

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