The Sovereign – Chapter 127

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Cloud Brocade Letter

What exactly does Nalan Qing want?

Nalan Qing’s letter was just a poem, if ordinary people were to look at it, they definitely wouldn’t understand its meaning. In reality, the entire poem contained her thoughts and feelings, as well as her attitude toward negotiations. She chose to write to Yun Jin because she felt Yun Jin would definitely understand and give her the response she wanted.

Yun Jin saw that the handwriting was elegant yet powerful, with strong brush strokes – truly the writing reflected the person. She gave a gentle smile and began writing her reply.

Actually, refusing would be more like Nalan Qing’s style. If she were someone whose thoughts could be easily guessed, how could she have become the head of the Nalan family? She wouldn’t leave any evidence of communicating with the enemy that others could grasp, nor would she let her intentions be known to others. To her, who unified the world or who fought whom, she didn’t care.

But she would definitely ensure the Nalan family stayed safe and sound [or: wise and self-preserving] in this war, without losing any benefits or initiative. She made it very clear in the poem that she wouldn’t let the Qing Emperor compromise for Ji Kingdom’s sake. If Qing Kingdom’s ceasefire and welcoming of Ji troops was her suggestion, she would become a traitor. Although she didn’t care how others viewed her, being a citizen of Qing Kingdom, she naturally wouldn’t want to help Ji Kingdom.

But Yun Jin knew Nalan Qing must have a way to make this war appear unrelated to her, especially since the Qing Emperor was deeply in love with her, how could he let her fall into such a situation.

Nalan Qing was just saying this deliberately.

If she really wanted to help reduce Qing Kingdom’s unnecessary defeats and casualties, what benefit would there be for her? Yun Jin understood clearly – the Nalan family’s business spread throughout the world, and as the imperial merchant of the Qing palace, how could that satisfy Nalan Qing’s appetite?

“After the world is unified, the Nalan family will be granted status as Ji Kingdom’s imperial merchant.” When Yun Jin thought of this, her lips curved into a smile, and with just a few lines of poetry, she completed her reply to Nalan Qing.

But she felt that Nalan Qing’s drunken old man’s heart was not in the wine [meaning: one’s real purpose is not what it seems]. Though the Nalan family’s reputation and interests were important, Nalan Qing wasn’t short of money, and moreover, the feeling she gave people….

Yun Jin again recalled the day Nalan Qing left the palace, her spirited figure. She looked like a traveler not in love with the red dust [meaning: worldly affairs], not following the crowd, neither fighting nor grabbing, yet able to plan strategies in the command tent [or:  plan strategies in the command tent]. Such a person could never be vulgar, but these were just Yun Jin’s strange intuitions, and she couldn’t figure out why.

“Li Ruo, deliver this letter to the Nalan household, make sure Nalan Qing opens it personally.”

Li Ruo glanced at the letter’s contents, scratching his head as he asked, “Imperial Consort? Are you really writing a reply letter??” Li Ruo suddenly felt himself crude and ignorant [or: isolated and poorly informed], not knowing that poems could be used for correspondence, as if it wasn’t about discussing love?

“Just deliver it, I believe Nalan Qing will make a decision soon, have the foreign envoys stand by in Qing Kingdom.” Yun Jin lightly pressed her lips, hoping everything would go smoothly.

As long as Qing Kingdom surrendered, taking Luo Kingdom would be within reach. Luo and Qing countries could never unite again, the gap between these two countries had formed over a hundred years, moreover, submitting to Ji Kingdom would still allow them to keep their positions. To the Qing Emperor, the Nalan family was everything, and Nalan Qing was the sky in his heart [meaning: the most important person]. If they truly gained Nalan Qing’s help, solving these two countries’ concerns, then they could focus on Yu Kingdom.

She now had no mind to consider what Nalan Qing really wanted. As long as they resolved the current war situation, as for the Nalan family, arrangements would naturally be made after unification.

The longer the war lasted, the more casualties there would be. Even regarding Yu Kingdom, Yun Jin didn’t want too many casualties, after all, that was her birth mother and sister’s country.

“Imperial Consort, reporting to Imperial Consort, the Wise King seeks an audience.”

“Wise King?” Yun Jin was somewhat surprised. Since the Empress Dowager’s funeral, Qin Junhao had been confined in the imperial ancestral temple daily, kneeling in punishment, chanting sutras and praying to Buddha for Yi Qinghuan. After learning of Qin Junlan’s personal campaign, he came to seek an audience with Yun Jin.

“Bring him in.”

Qin Junhao had lost his former glory. Though he looked thinner, his eyes were much calmer, and compared to his previous decadence, he now seemed to have gained some steadiness. Upon seeing Yun Jin, he bowed down and performed a kowtow.

“Your Highness, we are husband and wife, you need not kneel to me.” Yun Jin stood up, walked to Qin Junhao’s side, wanting to help him up.

“I am a criminal, keeping the title of Wise King is just Imperial Sister’s mercy. Now you are the Imperial Consort managing the court, kneeling to you is only right.” Qin Junhao remained kneeling, so Yun Jin had to stand straight and, following protocol, grant him permission to rise.

“What brings Your Highness here?”

“A person like me is not worth grieving over if dead, but I don’t want to die meaninglessly. This guilty subject requests to join the battlefield, even if I just kill a few soldiers for the country, to help Imperial Sister complete the unification enterprise, I hope you will grant me this, Jin’er.” When Qin Junhao mentioned the battlefield, his eyes lit up, even instantly igniting with fighting spirit, making Yun Jin believe that during these days, he had truly reflected on himself and realized his mistakes.

A person who wasn’t bad at heart shouldn’t be sentenced so harshly. Her coldness toward him and her feelings for Qin Junlan were already the greatest hurt and heaviest punishment for him.

“Currently the frontline is fighting three countries, the battle situation is intense. Among them, Qing Kingdom is closest to Ji Kingdom. Since you’re so eager to go to battle, go to Xiaoshan County to fight against Qing Kingdom.” Every word Yun Jin spoke carried a ruler’s dominance. Once she was just an elegant and graceful princess consort, now she had the imperial dignity like Qin Junlan. Qin Junhao felt for a moment that he had never truly known Yun Jin.

“I was truly foolish, never seeing that you, Jin’er, had the talent to govern and benefit the state. Thinking about it now, I was never worthy of you, yet I wasted your life’s happiness.” Qin Junhao sighed helplessly. He only wished to die on the battlefield, better than living worse than death now, looking at his wife yet unable to have her, never able to win her heart.

“That was all Imperial Sister’s careful nurturing. Your Highness, go ahead to the battlefield, establish merit for the country, set up fatherly glory for Guo’er. As for me, although entrusted by Imperial Sister, I am still the Wise King’s consort, your wife. If you can achieve merit and return alive, we will still be husband and wife.”

“Really? You’re willing to forgive me?” Qin Junhao couldn’t believe his ears. At this point, could Yun Jin still be willing to forgive him and be his wife?

Yun Jin nodded faintly, but without a smile. She let out a light breath, feeling that after accepting everything, she instead had a kind of never-before-felt lightness. “I have let go of my obsession, I hope Your Highness can also let go of prejudices and start anew.”

“Jin’er!” Qin Junhao couldn’t contain his joy, holding Yun Jin’s hand, forcing back his smile, so excited he didn’t know what to do, even his words weren’t coming out right, “I… I will definitely establish merit, return alive, Jin’er, wait for me.”

“Mm.” Yun Jin relaxed her brow. Qin Junhao smiled and bowed to her, carrying full passion and hope as he turned to leave, intending to head to the battlefield.

Her life was already set like this, destined to be forever bound in these deep palace walls and gardens. She only wished that Qin Junlan and Liu Qinxun could reunite one day and hold hands until old age. As for her, whether as Wise King’s consort or future regent empress dowager, it no longer mattered to her. Her heart’s door was locked, no one would be allowed to enter.

The battle at Liu City was still fierce. Qin Junlan had issued an imperial order commanding the Red Armor Army to take the city within three days. However, now on the third day, not only had they failed to break through, but they had provoked a counterattack from Liu City’s soldiers. Originally just defending without attacking, now the Yu soldiers, led by a general, came out of the city to meet the enemy, engaging in battle, making the siege more difficult.

When the military report arrived, Qin Junlan flew into a rage, “How many of our troops are there, how many Yu soldiers are there? The Red Armor Army is helpless against a counterattack? Does General Yang have no strategy to take the city?”

“Your Majesty, according to reports, a female general suddenly appeared in Liu City. She not only raised the Yu soldiers’ morale, but also because she deployed several battle formations, our army… has met with dangerous obstacles.” Jiang Wei reported the battlefield situation in detail. After the Yuzhou battle ended, he had joined the army punishing Yu Kingdom.

“How have I never heard that Yu Kingdom had such a brave and battle-skilled female general?” Qin Junlan wondered if she had underestimated the enemy. According to spy reports, although Yu Kingdom’s generals were skilled at commanding troops, they all used ordinary formations that couldn’t possibly resist her tactics. Who could this female general be?

“Your subject doesn’t know. She fights fiercely on the battlefield, and the two deputy generals by her side are also experts. Many of our soldiers have died by their hands, and one of our deputy generals was also killed by them…”

“Experts?” Qin Junlan nodded in thought, what kind of experts could move so freely on the battlefield?

“Yes, able to easily pass through armies and take heads. General Yang personally led troops, if not for the archers and dark iron shields protecting him, I’m afraid…”

Qin Junlan stood up, looking into the distance, her brow covered with worry. Female general… expert… could it be?? She suddenly raised her head, instantly enlightened – it must be Ling Yu leading the Shura Sect personally onto the battlefield, wanting to take our generals’ heads in every battle?

Hmph! What a fool’s dream, how could Qin Junlan let her have her way!

“Issue orders, immediately head to Liu City’s military camp. I want to see how this female general dominates the battlefield!”

“Yes! Your subject will arrange it immediately!”

“Report! Reporting to Your Majesty, a letter from the Wise King’s Consort!” The messenger handed up Yun Jin’s letter, Li Yue quickly took it and presented it to Qin Junlan.

After reading it, she showed a pleased smile – finally, some good news had arrived.

“Your Majesty, could it be the Wise King’s Consort brought good news?” Li Yue saw Qin Junlan’s rare smile.

“Jin’er says that although Nalan Qing’s attitude is unclear now, news will come soon.” Qin Junlan smiled lightly, “This Nalan Qing is very clever, trying to figure out her thoughts is too difficult.”

“Unexpected that the Wise King’s Consort would have such ability, but how would she know Nalan Qing’s attitude?”

“She wrote a letter to Jin’er. Surely Jin’er read what she wanted from it, and after offering benefits, there will naturally be a response.” Qin Junlan wasn’t surprised. From when she heard the news that Nalan Qing refused to meet foreign envoys, she knew Nalan Qing would definitely protect the Nalan family’s interests, and what she wanted wouldn’t be simple.

“She actually didn’t write to you, but wrote to the Wise King’s Consort??” Li Yue was truly confused now. These two seemed to have no connection at all? Moreover, bypassing the Emperor to write to the Wise King’s Consort was quite discourteous. “Could it be that she thinks the Wise King’s Consort now manages the court and will definitely take on great responsibilities in the future, so she can gain some benefits through this? But Your Majesty, you’re still on the throne – she’s really not taking you seriously enough.”

“It’s fine, this precisely proves that Jin’er’s prestige has now spread to all four kingdoms. It’s a good thing, besides, I’ve long stopped caring about such things.” Speaking of this, Qin Junlan’s mood suddenly dropped, sinking to the bottom in an instant.

She had cultivated Yun Jin into a capable ruler of the court, she had prepared the final imperial edict and the edict to establish the crown prince, everything was ready, just waiting for this war to end, but where had her Xun’er gone?

Li Yue noticed Qin Junlan’s grave expression and knew she was thinking of Liu Qinxun again. Hurriedly changing the subject to divert her attention, “Your Majesty can rest assured about the Wise King’s Consort managing the court. As long as Nalan Qing is willing to persuade the Qing Emperor to withdraw troops, solving Luo and Qing will allow us to quickly deal with Yu Kingdom.”

“Mm, prepare to depart.” Qin Junlan pulled back her thoughts, but her gaze kept looking into the distance, always feeling that somewhere at the edge of the world, Liu Qinxun was there.

Qin Junlan would personally lead the army, she couldn’t allow military opportunities to be delayed. Since Liu City couldn’t be taken, she would personally command the front lines. Jiang Wei led a troop of soldiers to personally escort Qin Junlan’s departure. The entire route was Ji Kingdom territory, so there was no need to worry about safety issues.

Just as Qin Junlan and her group left the city gate, Liu Qinxun followed, leading Black Star. But she still had worries in her heart – where was Eagle Eye? Had she come to Yuzhou City just to kill her? Or to steal military orders? Security here was strict; if her whereabouts were discovered, she would surely face torture and certain death.

Liu Qinxun was caught in a dilemma. She hoped Eagle Eye would quickly leave the city. Although they had disagreed in the past, Eagle Eye was loyal to Ling Yu after all, and letting her go was entirely out of respect for this loyalty. The current Liu Qinxun was no longer as cold-blooded as before, perhaps influenced by Qin Junlan’s benevolence, plus these life-and-death experiences, she no longer wanted to solve things through killing.

Qin Junlan’s scolding was right – why did she always solve things through killing? In the past, Eagle Eye would have died by her hand, but now she even hoped she wouldn’t fall into Ji soldiers’ hands.

In this war, she had no way to join the fighting, her heart didn’t want either side to lose. One side was her birth country, one side was her loved one’s country. Although unification’s inevitable outcome was to reduce fighting between countries, to let all people live under permanent peace, the price was ultimately too high.

Just as she was thinking, a harsh shout came from beside her, “Stop! During wartime, leaving the city requires a general’s order.”

The city guards stopped her. Liu Qinxun took out the gold token again, and the guards hurriedly let her out of the city. After all, compared to a general’s order, the gold token represented imperial authority – who but high officials and nobles could possess an emperor’s personally bestowed gold token?

Liu Qinxun looked at the token in her hand, raising a bitter smile. Back then, Qin Junlan had used every method to protect her, wanting to let her move freely in Ji Kingdom territory, with no one daring to give her trouble. Unexpectedly, this gold token would prove useful in such circumstances.

Her heart felt as heavy as if pressed by a huge stone, aching dully. She placed the gold token over her heart, as if still able to feel that past warmth. The memories were too beautiful, that’s why her heart hurt so much. Every little bit of Qin Junlan had already embedded in her heart, seeped into her blood, impossible to erase.

Liu Qinxun raised her head to look into the distance, only dust from galloping horses remained, Qin Junlan and her group’s figures were no longer visible. She mounted her horse, gently stroking Black Star’s mane, saying softly, “Black Star, let’s go, but not too fast.”

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