The Sovereign – Chapter 123

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Peace in Chaotic Times

How should one face this?

On the day of the Empress Dowager’s funeral procession, the entire nation mourned. The cold autumn wind swept across the imperial palace. Everyone wore plain white mourning clothes, kneeling in grief. Qin Junhao received special pardon to attend the funeral. Yun Jin, Yi Qingyu and others wore hemp mourning garments. Qin Junlan posthumously bestowed the title of Fengtian Empress Dowager to Yi Qinghuan, who was then entombed alongside the late emperor in the imperial mausoleum.

This mourning period felt like a cleansing ritual, washing everyone’s hearts with sorrow. Since the Empress Dowager’s passing, a heavy atmosphere lingered in the palace. Qin Junlan secluded herself in the imperial study, remaining dejected and refusing to see anyone, while Yun Jin continued managing state affairs.

Before the mourning period ended, news of war arrived.

“Your Highness, the situation in Yuzhou is critical. The Yu army is pursuing us relentlessly. Two counties’ defenses have fallen. Without reinforcements, we risk losing everything,” Li Ruo reported to Yun Jin, having just received the news from the military command.

Yun Jin frowned, watching the continuous defeats in Yuzhou, finally realizing something was amiss. Why were the Yu forces so persistent about Yuzhou? Because it was the most difficult city to deploy troops to, with few stationed forces nearby, and some were already rooted in the captured Qi County. All other military forces were strategically placed and couldn’t be moved carelessly.

Now Ji Kingdom faced three nations – Yu, Qing, and Luo. Any troop movement could affect the entire war situation.

“Lord Li, do you have any suggestions?”

“Your servant believes that if we don’t withdraw troops from Qi County, all of Yuzhou will be in danger,” Li Ruo worried. “Her Majesty is overcome with grief and cannot attend to matters. Princess Consort, you must make decisive choices.”

“I initially thought Yu Kingdom’s attack on Yuzhou was just a feint to divert our attention, but after losing Qi County, they’ve become unstoppable. They must not actually want Yuzhou – they want to reclaim Qi County.” Yun Jin analyzed carefully, finally understanding Ling Yu’s strategy for attacking Yuzhou. She decided swiftly, “Issue orders to immediately move Qi County’s troops to reinforce Yuzhou. We can lose Qi County, but Yuzhou is crucial to our military campaign – it cannot fall!”

A look of elegant determination shone in her eyes as Yun Jin handled state affairs decisively, immediately devising a solution and issuing military orders. In times of national mourning, military opportunities couldn’t be delayed, and army morale couldn’t be allowed to waver!

“The Princess Consort is wise! Your servant obeys!”

After handling military matters, Yun Jin hurried to the imperial study to report the situation to Qin Junlan, but found Liu Qianxun still waiting outside the hall.

If she remembered correctly, Liu Qianxun had been standing there since dawn. Now dusk had fallen – had she not left at all?

“Xun’er, why are you still here?” Yun Jin approached with concern, noticing Liu Qianxun’s poor complexion and apparent exhaustion, likely not having eaten all day.

“I want to stay with her.” Liu Qianxun’s eyes were dim. Since the funeral ended, she had silently kept watch here, standing as long as Qin Junlan remained inside.

She knew Qin Junlan wouldn’t see her now, but she wanted to accompany her this way. Everything was her fault – even if she were beaten or scolded, it would be better than Qin Junlan bottling up all emotions and refusing to see her without a word. Liu Qianxun didn’t know what else to do but this.

“Your body hasn’t fully recovered. How can you endure standing here without food or water? Please go back first.”

Liu Qianxun weakly shook her head, seeming dazed. Everything felt like a dream she dared not recall.

“Xun’er…” Yun Jin gently took Liu Qianxun’s hand, “Just let her have some quiet time. She just tends to shoulder all responsibility herself. Go back to Qin Garden to accompany the madams first, be good.”

Yun Jin’s gentle words flowed like cool water, touching the heart, making it impossible for Liu Qianxun to refuse. She nodded, “Sister, will you check on her for me? See if she’s unwell or if she’s eaten?”

“Yes, I’ll go now. You head back first.”

Liu Qianxun departed reluctantly, looking back repeatedly. Yun Jin smiled, waving to reassure her that everything would be taken care of.

She sighed helplessly, wondering why heaven treated these two this way. She had gradually let go herself and accepted blessing their relationship, so why must they suffer like this? One was her former love, the other her only dear sister – she didn’t want either of them to be hurt.

The imperial study doors remained tightly closed. Yuan Xi and Li Yue could only stand guard outside, remembering how Qin Junlan had similarly shut herself away when conflict arose between her and Yi Qinghuan, mother and child.

“Honorable Princess Consort, please check on Her Majesty. The meals sent in remain untouched.”

Yun Jin glanced at the imperial meal in Yuan Xi’s hands and reached to take it. “Give it to me.”

“Thank you, Princess Consort.” Yuan Xi performed a half-bow.

“Yuan Xi, go to Qin Garden first and look after Xun’er and the Imperial Consort. Report back immediately if anything happens.” Yun Jin felt an inexplicable worry, and could only instruct Yuan Xi to keep watch.

“Yes, this servant will go now.”

Yun Jin entered with the meal to find Qin Junlan curled up on the dragon couch, her eyes unfocused, an oppressive grief filling the entire study. She showed no reaction to Yun Jin’s entrance, just wrapped herself up, leaning weakly against the bed corner.

Yun Jin approached the dragon couch with a bowl of soup, sighing deeply at Qin Junlan’s state. “Imperial Sister, the Empress Dowager wouldn’t be happy to see you refusing food and drink, neglecting state affairs, not seeing Xun’er, and shutting yourself away all day.”

“Jinʻer, I entrust the empire to you. I was never meant to live long – perhaps it’s better to meet Mother and Father earlier and beg their forgiveness.”

“What about Xun’er, who exhausted herself to save you? What about the Imperial Consort, who returned with you regardless of consequences?” Yun Jin frowned deeply. This helplessness reminded her of when Qin Junlan was poisoned, but now she worried about how to address the relationship between her and Liu Qianxun – when would Qin Junlan be able to remove this thorn of “mother’s death”?

Compared to her past bitterness, her current composure felt lighter, but just as she’d decided to let go, this happened.

“What about them? I don’t know…”

“Imperial Sister, grief is temporary – after the storm comes clear skies. The Empress Dowager left with a smile, having resolved twenty years of estrangement with the Imperial Consort. If not for this, she would have lived in pain. Why not think of it from a different perspective? This truly isn’t Xun’er’s fault.”

“Stop, Jin’er. I understand everything you’re saying, but I just can’t face her. I can’t forgive my own incompetence.” Qin Junlan buried her head between her knees, overwhelmed by childhood feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. It felt like being surrounded by darkness – wanting to call out to the Empress Dowager but unable to speak, wanting to curl up in her embrace but never being able to, and now this wish could never be fulfilled in this lifetime.

“Will you at least eat something?” Yun Jin gently pulled her wrist, but Qin Junlan just shook her head, her face deathly pale, eyes lifeless, completely devoid of energy, showing only despair and lethargy.

Seeing Qin Junlan in this half-dead state and thinking of Liu Qianxun’s grief and helplessness, anger suddenly seized Yun Jin. She pulled Qin Junlan forcefully, “Look at yourself – how are you acting like a ruler? The Empress Dowager worked tirelessly to put you in this position, opposing court officials and bearing criticism. Is this how you repay her? Xun’er risked her life testing poison for you, her body covered in wounds. Is this how you treat her? Everyone revolves around you – is it just because you’re the emperor? No, it’s because we love you! Who are you doing justice to by wallowing like this? Who are you putting on this show of despair for?”

Qin Junlan stared at Yun Jin in surprise – it was the first time she’d seen the normally elegant and graceful Yun Jin lose her temper. Though her eyes were wide with anger, they still showed care. She never knew Yun Jin could be so imposing when angry, and suddenly laughed.

“Why… why are you laughing?” Yun Jin’s anger dissipated with that laugh, suddenly realizing she might have lost composure by shouting.

“Laughing because Jin’er’s royal authority has finally emerged – even daring to yell at me.”

“This humble sister only…” Yun Jin blushed deeply, having momentarily forgotten their respective stations in her anger.

“It’s fine.” Qin Junlan waved her hand, finally showing expression. “This is how you should be – showing both kindness and authority to worthy officials and treacherous ones alike, clear in rewards and punishments. Even if I do wrong, you should point it out.”

“Imperial Sister, shall we have the soup before more lectures?” Seeing Qin Junlan’s mood somewhat improved, Yun Jin quickly offered the soup. Qin Junlan managed a smile, slowly bringing the soup to her lips. Yun Jin finally sighed in relief – at least her outburst hadn’t been in vain.

“Xun’er…”

“She’s at Qin Garden. Do you want to see her?” Seeing Qin Junlan slightly yielding, Yun Jin quickly pressed on.

Qin Junlan remained silent. Despite her inner struggle, she couldn’t overcome her own barrier. During the mourning period for the Empress Dowager, she truly didn’t know how to face Liu Qianxun. Whenever she saw her now, she would remember Yi Qinghuan’s terrible state at death. She dared not close her eyes – darkness reminded her of her childhood dependence and awe of Yi Qinghuan.

But now she feared the night even more. Closing her eyes brought nightmares filled with bloody scenes. The person she loved most had killed her closest relative – how could she cope? She couldn’t pretend nothing had happened. She needed time, though she didn’t know how much…

The Red Armor Army was withdrawn from Qi County to support Yuzhou. As Yun Jin had predicted, once they left, Yu Kingdom reclaimed the city. Ling Yu’s true intention wasn’t the apparent target [literal: drunk man’s heart isn’t in the wine] – all attacks on Yuzhou were merely to reclaim Qi County, which was Yu Kingdom’s pivotal point that, if disturbed, would lose balance.

Yuzhou was Ji Kingdom’s core – they wouldn’t stand by watching it suffer, which explained why Qin Junlan had toured the south initially.

She personally went to command the battle in Yuzhou, finally achieving her desired victory, though at some cost. When Ling Yu’s group rode back to Lengning Mansion, they saw a coffin standing in the hall as they entered.

“What happened?” Lin Wuming saw Mu Jin and Mo Feng looking grave, approached puzzled, and looked into the coffin, startled.

He turned to Ling Yu, who walked alone, expressionless. When she saw He Xi’s body in the coffin, she showed no reaction except for a flash of subtle grief in her bright dark eyes. She gazed calmly at He Xi’s peaceful form, with three wounds on his body, blood long congealed.

Ling Yu stared at He Xi silently, motionless for a long time. She reached out to touch his forehead, feeling only coldness at her fingertips. Following down his brow to his chest, she felt only the hard shell of his body, grief washing over her from head to toe.

“How did he die?” Ling Yu’s voice was low, having lost its former clarity, becoming hoarse as if from long-suppressed pain.

“The Imperial Guard was frantically arresting people from Suyuan Tower, and the entire Jidu was blockaded by the Red Armor Army. We planned to retreat together, but He Xi said without someone being caught to lower the Imperial Guard’s vigilance, we would all perish. He said we couldn’t let the Master’s power in Jidu be completely uprooted, so he…” Mu Jin choked up while speaking.

“He deliberately let himself be captured, as the leader of Suyuan Tower’s base, making him a serious criminal. Only then did the Imperial Guard relax their guard, allowing us to escape. We never expected he would still die in the Ji Imperial Palace.” Mo Feng spoke angrily, his eyes reddening as he looked at He Xi’s body.

“Who brought him back?”

“It was…” Mu Jin and Mo Feng exchanged glances, hesitating before answering, “The Tower Master sent someone.”

She then reported everything that happened in the Ji Imperial Palace to Ling Yu, who’s expression slightly changed, fists clenched. She glanced at He Xi, her sharp gaze softening. She bent slightly, gently patting He Xi’s chest, a smile touching her lips, “It’s good you’re back. You won’t have to leave again – you can stay at Lengning Mansion forever.”

“Princess…” Lin Wuming watched Ling Yu worriedly, knowing that the more grieved she was, the calmer she appeared, and the more she suppressed her sorrow, the more silent she became.

“Cremate He Xi and bury him in the back courtyard.” Leaving these words, she walked toward the back courtyard with heavy steps. They had all left, one after another had left…

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