The Sovereign – Chapter 135

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

The Final Guardianship

I fear I won’t live to see her return…

In the Qixia Palace, faint lamplight flickered as melancholic zither notes drifted from afar. Delicate fingers dropped crimson tears upon the strings. Dressed in pink robes with trailing sashes, her three thousand strands of hair cascading down, her face bore only sorrow between vermillion brows and bare features.

Since the unification of the realm, all state affairs were handled by Yun Jin, as Qin Junlan had moved from the Fengluan Palace to Qixia Palace. After Liu Qianxun’s departure, Qixia Palace grew cold and distant. She often plucked at the zither strings, longing for the one whose whereabouts remained unknown.

Her fingertips bled from the strings without her notice, staining them crimson. Qin Junlan’s face was frost-white, devoid of color. Since returning to the palace, though relieved of her burdens, her health had deteriorated steadily, leaving even the Imperial Physicians at a loss.

As the melody ended, Qin Junlan collapsed weakly over the zither, occasionally coughing. Her eyelids grew heavy, and in her haze, she seemed to see Liu Qianxun approaching. She struggled to raise herself, whispering faintly, “Xun’er…”

“Imperial Sister!” Yun Jin rushed forward, her heart aching at Qin Junlan’s state. Lifting her hands, she found the fingers swollen and bleeding, “Imperial Sister, wake up! Quickly, summon the Imperial Physicians!”

Two palace maidens gently lifted Qin Junlan and helped her to the bedchamber. Yun Jin paced anxiously, awaiting the physicians. The most skilled from the Imperial Medical Academy were summoned, and after taking her pulse, they all knelt.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“Princess Consort, we have done all we can.”

“Done all you can? Is this all you can say when the Emperor falls ill, both then and now?” Yun Jin’s voice rose, her anxiety and unease evident in each questioning word.

The Imperial Physicians remained kneeling, “Your Majesty was once poisoned severely, damaging her foundation. Already weakened, she should have rested more, but these two years of personal military campaigns worsened the condition. Now with melancholy taking its toll, we truly…”

“Always helpless! What use is keeping you in the palace?”

“Jin’er…” A weak voice came from the bed. Yun Jin hurried forward, “Imperial Sister, how are you?”

“Don’t trouble them. I’m just tired.” Qin Junlan sat up, waving the physicians away. Yun Jin’s face turned ashen, though now bearing a hint of severity – a sight that comforted Qin Junlan, for it showed Yun Jin was developing the bearing of a ruler.

“I was just about to tell you news of Xun’er when you collapsed. At least wait for her return.” Yun Jin arranged the pillows to help her recline comfortably.

“News of Xun’er?” Qin Junlan’s eyes flickered with light, only to dim again, her lips curling weakly. “You never gave up searching for her?”

“Your humble sister cannot bear to see two people in love like this. With your health failing, Xun’er should return to visit. Past matters should be left in the past – what knot cannot be untied?” Present-day Yun Jin harbored no personal desires, though she had many chances to grow closer to Qin Junlan, she never took them.

In her heart, this supreme being would always remain, but she more deeply wished for Qin Junlan and Liu Qianxun to be together. Though she had gradually let go of her own attachments, seeing Qin Junlan critically ill still filled her with terror.

“Perhaps… this is the fate between Xun’er and me.” Qin Junlan now lacked her imperial dignity, appearing as just an ordinary woman sick with grief, longing for common emotions that had become luxuries to her. Sighing softly, she couldn’t help but ask, “Where… is she?”

“She met Guiguzi while wandering, studied medicine with him, and they’ve been hanging gourd to help the world [悬壶济世 | xuán hú jì shì | meaning to practice healing]. The common people now call them the Ghost Sage Healers.”

“Practicing healing…” Qin Junlan smiled contentedly, happy to hear even the smallest news about Liu Qianxun. “When I first met her, she was such a cold-hearted assassin, yet now she’s become so benevolent, a miracle-working physician.”

“Xun’er has always had a kind heart, and spending time with you daily, she was influenced by your benevolence toward the common people.”

“Knowing she’s well puts my mind at ease.” Qin Junlan raised her hand, now covered with medicine and bandages. “In the past, Xun’er loved playing the zither. I never let her know I also enjoyed it, being too busy with state affairs.”

Qin Junlan rose from the bed and walked to the zither, caressing it gently, as if this was the only thing in all of Qixia Palace that could ease her longing.

“Imperial Sister, why torment yourself so…”

These days, Qin Junlan lived here in solitude. Yun Jin would punctually bring medicinal soup to treat her condition and report on state affairs, but Qin Junlan had lost interest in governance, knowing Yun Jin could manage well. Conquering the realm had been her only support, and now with that long-cherished wish fulfilled, her taut string had loosened. She had no heart left for state affairs or court politics.

She had miraculously restored the burned Iris Garden at Qixia Palace, personally watering and nurturing new blooms daily.

“When the flowers bloom next year, perhaps Xun’er will be willing to return. Then I’ll rely on you to bring a smile to that beautiful face.” Qin Junlan crouched beside the garden, mumbling to herself. These days were no different from retirement, as the burdens slowly lifted from her shoulders, bringing unprecedented lightness. She could wholly dedicate herself to missing one person and maintain hope for the miracle of Liu Qianxun’s return.

“Your Majesty…” Li Yue, who always remained by her side, hesitated about sharing the court gossip.

“You seem hesitant. Could there be trouble at court?” Though Qin Junlan calmly tended the soil, she guessed Li Yue’s thoughts.

“Your servant heard that today at court, the Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, and Military Affairs Bureau jointly pressed the Wise Princess Consort [贤王妃 | xián wáng fēi] for decisions, pressuring her heavily. It seems some still oppose her governance.”

Qin Junlan turned slightly, “What did they pressure Jin’er about?”

“It’s about settling the three kingdoms, which are now three provinces. The provincial kings still consider themselves emperors – unification cannot rest merely on stationed troops and nominal submission.”

Qin Junlan remained composed, having foreseen such matters. “Even the swiftest measures can’t outpace rumors. Unification was easy compared to winning the people’s hearts. The real challenges begin now. Jin’er’s path is long; may she cut through all thorns in her way.”

She believed that one capable of bearing great responsibility could withstand equal pressure.

At Fengluan Palace

Yun Jin was overwhelmed by the stack of memorials. She felt helpless at times like these. In handling state affairs, she had always followed Qin Junlan’s example – this empire was built by Qin Junlan, but could she not even maintain it? How would Qin Junlan handle the current situation if she were still presiding over court? She had an idea but dared not pursue it.

She still lacked Qin Junlan’s resolution and courage.

“Princess Consort, it’s late. Please rest.” Yuan Xi approached with a cup of ginseng tea. Yun Jin looked up, “Is the Crown Prince asleep?”

“Yes, and you should rest too, Princess Consort.”

“I’ll review more memorials. You may retire.” Yun Jin rubbed her brow and continued reading as Yuan Xi withdrew quietly, shaking her head.

“The Princess Consort can’t go on sleepless like this. Sister Yuan Xi, what should we do?” Huai Rou worried endlessly. Yun Jin only seemed relaxed when meeting Qin Junlan, remaining tense at all other times. Huai Rou could sense her anxiety.

“We can only serve her well – what else can we do? After all, affairs of state are not for us to share.” Yuan Xi sighed deeply. The Emperor’s intention to abdicate was shown by assigning her to Yun Jin, proving their trust in the Wise Princess Consort. Yet this trust weighed like an invisible boulder on the once-uninvolved consort.

Deep winter snow wrapped the imperial city in silver, illuminating the night around Fengluan Palace. Yun Jin had been bent over her desk for hours, losing track of time until a cold draft made her look up to see Qin Junlan entering.

Supported by Li Yue, her grave illness made walking difficult, her weakened body swaying. Why would she come to Fengluan Palace so late at night?

“Imperial Sister, why have you come?” Yun Jin hurried to support her.

“I couldn’t sleep thinking about matters, so I came to see you.” Led to the desk, Qin Junlan noticed not just memorials but many books on statecraft and history. Seeing Yun Jin’s dedication, she felt both pleased and guilty.

“If you wished to see me, you could have sent word. How could you walk in this bitter cold? What if it worsens your condition?” Yun Jin couldn’t help but scold. Qin Junlan patted her shoulder, “Don’t worry, I just wanted to discuss something with you.”

“Word of today’s court matters reached you. It’s my incompetence…”

“Jin’er, conquering a realm is easier than keeping it. Sometimes I feel it’s unfair to burden you so heavily, but none other has your capability and strength, nor can anyone else earn my trust like you. The Ji Dynasty can only be protected by you and Guo’er.”

Yun Jin sighed softly, “Your humble sister fears… she cannot match Your Majesty…”

“Jin’er…” Qin Junlan held her hand, smiling, “You actually have ideas, but too many concerns, isn’t that so?”

“Imperial Sister?” Yun Jin looked at her in surprise as she coughed lightly. “Why don’t we both write down our solutions and see if I understand your thoughts?”

“Agreed.” Yun Jin took up the brush first. Qin Junlan turned away as Yun Jin placed her writing face-down. Both turned their backs, then faced each other to reveal their papers simultaneously. Yun Jin breathed in relief. Both had written the same words: “Enfeoff the Four Princes”.

The previous emperor had five sons and three daughters. After Qin Junlan’s ascension, Yi Qinghuan had sent the other princes and princesses away under various pretexts – they held royal titles but no domains. Qin Junlan’s idea was to grant portions of the three conquered kingdoms to these four princes, both to bestow grace on the imperial family and gradually establish control over the three kingdoms.

This would be a lengthy process, requiring careful infiltration in both territorial administration and imperial appointments. The strategy risked princes developing divided loyalties or becoming local tyrants once established – this was what worried Yun Jin.

But Qin Junlan had complete faith in Yun Jin, saying weakly: “Great power should rest with the capable, and none are more suited than you, Jin’er. I have prepared several secret edicts, leaving everything in your hands.” Qin Junlan waved, and Li Yue presented the imperial edict] to Yun Jin – orders for enfeoffment, along with plans to station troops to monitor the princes and prevent them from building independent power bases.

After speaking, Qin Junlan felt dizzy, her heart beating erratically and trembling. She used all her strength to steady herself, but her vision began to dim.

“Your humble sister will do her utmost to fulfill your trust.” Yun Jin knelt to receive the edicts, not noticing anything amiss. As she held them, accepting the responsibility of empire, she suddenly felt hot drops fall onto her hands – bright red blood that seared her heart.

She looked up trembling to see blood pouring from Qin Junlan’s nose and mouth as she swayed, about to collapse. “Imperial Sister…”

“No!” Yun Jin rushed to catch the falling Qin Junlan, who clutched her sleeve with her last consciousness, saying, “I… fear I won’t make it…”

“Don’t talk nonsense! You’ll be fine, you’ll be fine, Imperial Sister…” Tears instantly filled Yun Jin’s eyes.

“Your Majesty!” Li Yue cried out, about to summon the Imperial Physicians, but Qin Junlan called her back, “Draft the edict… of succession…”

“Imperial Sister! You can’t do this, you can’t! Xun’er hasn’t returned yet, you can’t…”

“I won’t last until then…” Blood filled Qin Junlan’s mouth, flowing unstoppably. With her last moments of clarity, she ordered Li Yue to write the succession edict.

“Someone, anyone!” Yun Jin called out in panic.

“Princess Consort, what are your orders?”

“Go to Shennong Valley immediately, summon the Princess Consort Cheng back to the palace, hurry!”

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