The Sovereign – Chapter 139.1

Volume Seven: Iron Horses Shock the World

Side Story: Yu and Zhu

From the grand courtyard came bursts of harsh shouts, accompanied by the sound of bamboo rod strikes, along with the angry voice of a middle-aged man.

“As a daughter, you don’t study the four arts and women’s work, instead climbing trees and mountains all day, secretly reading martial arts manuals, and fighting with other children outside. Are you not satisfied until you’ve completely destroyed the Yi family’s face?” Yi Tianxu said while striking Yi Qingyu, his face turning iron-blue with anger.

The Yi family, once a prestigious clan, had gradually declined. Since the previous dynasty, the Yi surname ancestors had served as officials in court, but by Yi Tianxu’s generation, their standing had greatly diminished. He focused all his hopes on reviving the family through his two daughters and one son. Relying on their ancestral influence and status, he could still send his daughters to be selected as palace concubines, perhaps one day achieving great success and rewriting the family’s destiny.

Yet the Yi family’s second young miss was born unconventional, different from other girls since childhood. She loved hunting, studied martial arts, was well-versed in military strategy, and had no interest in feminine arts and refinements. At just six years old, she dared to “fight against injustice”, starting a conflict to prevent a girl from being bullied by a group of boys, even injuring others.

When Yi Tianxu learned of this, he became furious and immediately administered family punishment with the bamboo rod. But Yi Qingyu stubbornly endured the pain, not letting out a single cry, nor admitting any wrongdoing. Her whole body lay on the long bench, small hands tightly gripping the bench legs, forehead beading with cold sweat from pain, yet not a single word of plea escaped her lips.

In the entire household, no one dared to intercede when the elder was in thunderous rage, and even Mother Yi, though heartbroken, dared not protect her. She quietly sent her five-year-old son to fetch the eldest sister from the academy, believing the eldest daughter would find a way to protect her sister.

Yi Shuqi did not disappoint, bringing the eldest sister back from the academy to save second sister, though he himself dared not speak much, only quietly staying beside their mother.

“Father! Stop!” Yi Qinghuan had barely stepped through the doorway when she rushed forward in one swift move, throwing herself over Yi Qingyu. Yi Tianxu couldn’t stop his strike in time, and the rod landed on Yi Qinghuan instead.

He stopped his hand, regretfully dropping the bamboo rod. After all, among his three children, he placed the highest hopes on Yi Qinghuan. At just ten years old, she had mastered hundreds of books, excelled in all the refined arts, and was the most talented girl in the academy. She had always been sensible, exemplifying the role of eldest sister, worthy to be called the model for the younger generation of the family.

“Sister, move aside, let Father beat me. Until he vents this anger, he won’t stop.”

“You!” Yi Tianxu raised his hand again, but Yi Qinghuan shouted, “Yu’er, be quiet! Father is an elder, talking back is wrong!”

Yi Qingyu pouted without speaking, but Yi Qinghuan suddenly changed her tone, “But standing up against injustice shows your kindness and righteousness, what wrong is there in that?”

“Qinghuan!”

Yi Qinghuan showed no fear, kneeling with both knees on the ground, raising her head with a flash of sharp determination in her eyes, “Father, daughter knows you bear the responsibility of reviving the family and have expectations for all three of us, but you surely understand the principle that ‘when one person attains the Way, the whole family ascends to heaven’]. If you must sacrifice a daughter’s happiness, I alone am enough – don’t drag Yu’er down too.”

“Born as a Yi family member, bringing glory to ancestors and strengthening the family is one’s duty, Yu’er is no exception!” Yi Tianxu stroked his beard, reluctant yet still hardening his heart to speak these words, knowing well the saying “entering the palace gates is as deep as the sea”.

Mother Yi secretly wiped tears aside, knowing if both daughters were sent to the imperial palace, let alone their survival, they would live as lonely widows their whole lives.

“Father, what if I say I can definitely become empress or even empress dowager in the future? Would you believe me?” Yi Qinghuan’s gaze turned sharp, showing unprecedented intensity. Yi Tianxu’s expression changed slightly, never expecting his eldest daughter to speak such ambitious words – even he hadn’t dared to think such thoughts.

“Sister, have you gone mad? What’s so good about being empress? What if you don’t love the emperor?” Yi Qingyu’s childish voice was full of concern for her sister.

Yi Qinghuan smiled gently, patting Yi Qingyu’s shoulder, “Be good, I’m talking to Father, don’t speak.”

“Father, what do you think? If I attain high position in the future, Third Brother will surely become Grand Chancellor. What I say, I can accomplish.” Yi Qinghuan already had plans in her heart – since she couldn’t escape fate’s shackles, she could only stake everything on one throw.

“Making grand promises – what if you can’t accomplish them?”

“I definitely will accomplish them, staking my entire life’s happiness as the wager!” Yi Qinghuan spoke firmly. She turned back to look at Yi Qingyu once, seeing her deeply furrowed brows and obvious unhappiness on her face.

“Fine, father will trust you for now…”

“Wait, I haven’t finished speaking. I have a condition.”

“What condition?” Yi Tianxu had never known his ten-year-old eldest daughter to have such strength of character, even daring to negotiate with him.

“You must send Yu’er to Tiancang Pavilion to study, and from then on, you may not interfere with her life.”

“Sister?!” Yi Qingyu finally understood Yi Qinghuan’s intentions and wanted to stop her, but Yi Qinghuan firmly held her hand down.

“You dare to negotiate terms with your father?”

“Father, given Yu’er’s personality, do you really think you can force her in the future? If you don’t agree, I won’t comply either. At worst, I’ll be beaten to death, and Third Brother will lose his opportunity as well. Father surely understands what to choose.” Yi Qinghuan’s eyes showed a smile, knowing her father would agree. This trade was fair – she would use her entire life to protect her sister, and perhaps in the future could help her brother achieve great success.

Yi Tianxu’s face remained expressionless, just staring at Yi Qinghuan, when suddenly he threw back his head and laughed, “Hahahahaha, well done, Qinghuan! You have the bearing and courage to accomplish great things. Father agrees. I will write to the master of Tiancang Pavilion to let Yu’er study there. From then on, whether she wants to be a righteous warrior, marry into royal nobility or a common man, I won’t interfere.”

“Thank you, Father.” Yi Qinghuan happily held Yi Qingyu’s hand, “Did you hear that? Yu’er, you can go study at Tiancang Pavilion now. Tiancang Pavilion is a prestigious martial arts school, with very few disciples, long absent from the jianghu. If Father didn’t know the master, it would be very difficult to enter. You will surely become a great female warrior and fulfill your lifelong wish.”

Yi Qingyu lowered her head, her nose stinging with emotion. She felt no excitement, as all this was exchanged with her sister’s lifetime happiness. Yes, she had fulfilled her wish, but what about her sister’s future?

“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you happy?” Yi Qinghuan pinched her rosy little cheeks, “Sister will definitely enter the palace in the future. When that time comes, you must come back to see me, understand?”

Yi Qingyu nodded, forcing a slight smile, “No matter where sister marries, I will come to see you.”

“Yu’er is good…” Yi Qinghuan held her in her arms, feeling both joy and sorrow, hoping her persistence would allow Yi Qingyu to live a happy life. She would surely become stronger than herself, becoming an extraordinary person.

From then on, Yi Qingyu became a disciple of Tiancang Pavilion. She studied and practiced diligently, showing extremely high martial arts talent, standing out among her peer disciples. She performed the Tiancang Sword Technique as smooth as flowing clouds and water. The sect leader greatly appreciated her, giving her the future hope of inheriting the position of sect leader, and bestowing upon her the Tiancang Sword.

However, her jianghu experience was still shallow and needed tempering, so at sixteen years old, Yi Qingyu descended the mountain and began traveling the world with her sword, practicing chivalrous deeds.

Yu Kingdom

In the loquat forest, flashing blades and sword shadows, a burst of fighting noise broke the current tranquility as more than ten similarly dressed people surrounded a woman. She wore a black long robe, her hair tied up neatly, embodying the bearing of a warrior, her features showing heroic spirit, her gaze sharp. She held a long sword, but it remained undrawn.

Her figure was light and graceful; with one spin and turn, the sword handle struck someone, sending him flying several feet away, spitting blood, unable to rise. Yi Qingyu skillfully turned the sword body, her feet commanding heaven and earth, suddenly leaping up and kicking two people in the chest. She gave her opponents no chance to counter, controlling her sword in hand, wind rising in the loquat forest, easily defeating several people.

Yi Qingyu didn’t want to continue entangling with them, but unexpectedly they wouldn’t give up, vowing to avenge their sect members.

“If you continue to persist, don’t blame me for being impolite.” Yi Qingyu raised her sword slightly – when her sword leaves its scabbard, it must draw blood.

“You killed our escort agency’s members, how could we spare you?”

“Tianmen Escort Agency, you should just focus on escorting goods. Why did you [censored] that young lady? I only killed those of you who committed crimes, and haven’t yet called you to account for your agency’s sins, yet you dare come seeking trouble.”

“Hmph, stinking woman, meddling in others’ affairs! Know a bit of martial arts and think you’re from a prestigious righteous sect, a female warrior?” The leader sneered. These few words angered Yi Qingyu, and a cold smile crossed her lips, “Since you’re tired of living, I needn’t show mercy anymore.”

With that, she threw her sword into the air. A flash of light streaked past as the sword quickly left its scabbard, Yi Qingyu weaving between several people, her figure swift as lightning, then quickly resheathing her sword.

Several sword marks appeared instantly on their necks as their bodies fell straight down. Of the more than ten people pursuing her, only two remained. They looked at each other in panic and turned to flee.

How could Yi Qingyu let them have their way? “Since you wish to die, let’s all go to hell together.”

She leaped up, stepping on treetops, using exceptional qinggong to chase these escaped fishes. The two fled in panic, truly regretting now – why had they tried to break eggs against stone [鸡蛋碰石头 | jīdàn pèng shítou | to court disaster], not realizing she held the Tiancang Sword? Since she was from Tiancang Pavilion, who would dare offend her carelessly?

Deep in the loquat forest, a small stream flowed gurgling, where a woman was using the sound of stream water striking goose stones while playing a long flute. She alternated between playing and listening, the flute’s sound rising and falling, like a kind of exploration, like the enchanting sound of a newly composed tune.

However, she hadn’t noticed the approaching danger. When she sensed people running near and had just turned to stand, she was restrained.

“Don’t come closer, or we won’t be polite to her.” The two men hurriedly held their swords to the woman’s neck, seeing her like a lifesaving straw. Only at this moment did they realize the one they’d offended was the renowned female warrior Yi Qingyu.

Disaster striking from the blue, the woman hadn’t yet understood what was happening when she saw a graceful figure floating down from above, perhaps the most elegant figure she had seen in her life. She never knew a woman could be like this, dancing freely in the air, holding a sharp sword, possessing the spirit and sharpness like that of a man.

“Not knowing life from death, still daring to harm others.” Yi Qingyu lightly landed on the ground, glanced at Liu Zhu, and was slightly dazed – this woman had amber eyes?!

Eyes like amber, expression serene, facing danger with perfect composure, showing no fear. Yi Qingyu saw her steady breathing, gentle posture, and features showing the gentleness of a well-bred lady, and knew she certainly didn’t know martial arts.

“Don’t be so aggressive, Yi Qingyu. Let us go, and from now on we’ll keep to ourselves”. The speaker showed obvious fear, his sword-holding hand trembling continuously.

Yi Qingyu? The woman felt curious – could this be the Tiancang Pavilion’s heir who practiced righteousness, the female warrior Yi Qingyu? She had heard tales of this warrior for a long time, never expecting to have a chance to witness her grace.

“We could have negotiated before, but now that you dare to hold this lady hostage, I certainly won’t spare you.” Yi Qingyu pressed her palm downward, wind raising dust and lifting her clothes’ corners. She glanced at the woman, like a hint, wanting her cooperation.

The woman met her gaze with a slight smile, nodding slightly. Yi Qingyu, as if receiving the signal, suddenly increased her palm wind. The woman closed her eyes. Flowers and leaves flew, whirling through the loquat forest, the strong wind making the two men unable to open their eyes. Taking advantage of this moment, Yi Qingyu instantly moved, her palm striking across, breaking the sword-wielding man’s wrist meridians, his hand hanging useless like waste.

The woman lowered her head slightly. Yi Qingyu kicked one man flying, the palm wind propelling the woman outward, but she flew to catch the woman, protecting her in her arms.

The two men lay on the ground, barely breathing, prostrate, “Please spare our lives, Female Warrior Qingyu. We haven’t done anything completely heartless, please spare us.”

Yi Qingyu turned to look at the woman, “Do you think we should let them go?”

She nodded slightly, cheeks slightly warm, as Yi Qingyu still hadn’t released her from the embrace, the two almost standing in an embrace.

“Let it go, they’ve already been punished.” Her voice was like gentle wind and rain, refreshing to the heart, causing a warm current to flow through Yi Qingyu’s heart. This might be the most pleasing voice in the world, and as if possessed, she nodded in agreement.

The two men supported each other, repeatedly expressing thanks, and limped away.

“Many thanks for Female Warrior’s life-saving grace.” That woman’s every movement was gentle, the very embodiment of serene elegance, making Yi Qingyu suddenly feel like a rough person from the jianghu – a woman should be like her.

She scratched her head shyly, “I also brought trouble to you, miss. You weren’t hurt, were you?”

“No, this humble woman was not injured.”

“That’s good, but why are you alone in this loquat forest?” Yi Qingyu felt this place, with no village ahead and no inn behind, wasn’t suitable for a girl to stay, never expecting such a beautiful accident during the fighting.

The woman bent slightly, picking up her long flute, smiling gently, “I just occasionally come here to stay, in nature’s depths, listening to the sounds of all things, so I can compose better tunes.”

“You compose music?” Yi Qingyu had never met someone who composed music before. She had seen many women skilled in the four arts, but those who could write timeless masterpieces were truly great talents.

“It’s just a hobby.” She lightly wiped the dust from her long flute, every frown and smile captivating. Yi Qingyu couldn’t help but look at her several times – she had seen many beauties, but never one so pleasantly comfortable to be around.

She raised her eyes slightly, amber eyes full of gentleness, “Would Female Warrior like to visit my humble abode, have a cup of tea, to show gratitude for saving my life?”

“Yes, yes…” Yi Qingyu couldn’t ask for more. Following behind the woman, she couldn’t help but ask, “I’m Yi Qingyu, what’s your name?”

“Female Warrior Qingyu’s great name is well-known, this humble woman is Liu Zhu.”

“Liu Zhu…” Yi Qingyu felt this name was very familiar. She thought for a long while, then suddenly exclaimed, “Are you Liu Zhu, the number one talented woman of Yu Kingdom??”

Liu Zhu stopped her steps, looked at her, and nodded with a smile.

Deep in the loquat forest was a bamboo courtyard, built from thousands of bamboos of varying sizes – this was where Liu Zhu often came to rest. Before the courtyard, a stream flowed gurgling, a winding small stream leading directly to the riverbank. Winding paths led to seclusion, all sounds were silent, where she often came alone to experience nature’s gentle songs and wind’s whispers.

“Miss Liu, shouldn’t you be teaching music at Changsheng Academy? How come you dwell here alone?” Yi Qingyu was very curious about this legendary woman.

“Teaching is not my preference, composing is what I love. The academy is crowded and noisy, composing needs quiet, that’s why I built this bamboo cottage.” Liu Zhu smiled gently, fetching spring water to brew a pot of tea for Yi Qingyu.

Her every movement showed the grace of a well-bred lady, a faint otherworldly air, like someone beyond this world. Yi Qingyu couldn’t help but rest her chin and gaze at her – such a pleasing and beautiful woman was truly rare.

“I’ve heard many popular folk melodies nowadays are your compositions, but few have seen your true appearance. Today I am truly fortunate.”

“Female Warrior Qingyu is renowned throughout the world, seeing your true appearance is this humble woman’s fortune.” Liu Zhu spoke with delicate charm, gentle and lovable, along with that adorable face, making Yi Qingyu feel tender affection.

She suddenly became entranced, gazing at Liu Zhu, even forgetting to blink.

Liu Zhu felt her ardent gaze, nodded slightly, her ears growing warm as she poured tea for Yi Qingyu, “Female Warrior Qingyu, please drink tea.”

“Talented Lady Liu, could you call me by a different title?”

“Ah…” Liu Zhu was amused by Yi Qingyu’s words, lightly covering her smile.

“Then what should I call you?”

“Call me by my name – Yu’er, Ah Yu, Xiaoyu, any ‘Yu’ is fine…”

Liu Zhu laughed softly, every movement humble and courteous, “I think Ah Yu sounds nice.”

“I think Zhu’er sounds very nice too.”

Compared to her own bold and lofty manner, Liu Zhu was truly gentle and virtuous, making Yi Qingyu feel ashamed – their first meeting had begun with her killing.

Originally intending to politely drink a cup of tea and leave, Yi Qingyu found herself reluctant to part, and since Liu Zhu hadn’t left, she found reasons to stay.

Liu Zhu needed quiet when composing, and recently she had been uncertain about a piece, feeling it still lacked some soul. While emptying her mind, walking alone in the loquat forest, she discovered Yi Qingyu practicing sword not far away.

Perhaps afraid of disturbing her, she deliberately kept her distance. Liu Zhu could sense her obsession with martial arts – even with such high martial arts achievement, she still spent half each day studying internal energy and improving swordsmanship.

Though it was sword dancing, it gave the feeling of a graceful wild swan. Yi Qingyu’s form seemed to merge with heaven and earth, her graceful sword moves and that transcendent jianghu spirit suddenly enlightened Liu Zhu’s heart. Yi Qingyu’s rhythmic steps and sword shadows seemed to become musical notation symbols dancing in her mind.

She suddenly felt it – she had finally found the soul missing from her composition.

The two seemed destined to meet, fulfilling each other. Yi Qingyu gave Liu Zhu inspiration for composition, while Liu Zhu helped Yi Qingyu progress further in the internal energy methods she hadn’t fully grasped.

The two spent a time isolated from the world in the loquat forest. During these days, Yi Qingyu almost forgot her journey through the jianghu and lifelong wish to practice chivalry. She cherished the time spent with Liu Zhu, wishing she could stay with her every day.

But good times don’t last long. Liu Zhu’s father was the chancellor of Changsheng Academy, and after half a month, he sent people to bring Liu Zhu back. The brief encounter and months together caused a surge of reluctance to part in Liu Zhu’s heart. She had always been indifferent, never liking anything except musical instruments, but she had grown attached to Yi Qingyu’s gentleness, enjoying watching her practice sword, liking to see her drunk-sleeping under the loquat tree after drinking.

Without realizing, a kind of stirring rippled in her heart.

Before leaving, Liu Zhu gave a jade flute to Yi Qingyu, “If you are willing, I’ll wait for you in Zhengyi. If not, keep this flute as a memento, so our acquaintance wasn’t in vain.”

Yi Qingyu held the jade flute, a trace of sadness flashing in her heart. She couldn’t accompany Liu Zhu back, nor could she express her feelings without preparation, nor put Liu Zhu in a difficult position.

“Will you always be at Changsheng Academy?”

“I will always be there. As long as you come find me, I will go with you.” Liu Zhu had already expressed her feelings, her eyes shining with light, a faint smile at her lips, more beautiful than all things in heaven and earth.

Yi Qingyu’s heart rejoiced as she gently held Liu Zhu’s hand, “Wait for me to return to Tiancang Pavilion to explain my intentions to Master, return to Ji Kingdom to tell my sister everything, then I’ll come find you.”

“Ah Yu…” Liu Zhu gently caressed her face, “I must go now.”

“Zhu’er… I’ll return quickly, you must wait for me.”

Liu Zhu nodded, turning with repeated looks back, and got into the mansion’s sedan chair.

“What Tiancang Pavilion sect leader position, what Yi family’s second young lady, I can give up everything. Zhu’er, I only want you.”

With such thoughts, Yi Qingyu rode away on horseback, first returning to Tiancang Pavilion. Tiancang Pavilion was a prestigious righteous sect, though hidden from the jianghu, with few disciples, but each possessed extraordinary martial arts. Yi Qingyu had shown amazing martial arts talent since childhood, and after more than ten years of practice, her martial arts achievement was the most outstanding among second-generation disciples, thus Sect Leader Cang Muxue intended to pass the leadership to her.

However, when Yi Qingyu returned the Tiancang Sword, she knew this beloved disciple didn’t belong to Tiancang Pavilion – she belonged to the world, but now chose to grow old with one person, such deep dedication moved her, and she agreed.

Yi Qingyu bid farewell to her honored teacher and rushed toward the imperial palace.

Since Yi Qingyu went to study at Tiancang Pavilion, she would choose a time each year to visit her sister Yi Qinghuan in the palace, and this time each year was what Yi Qinghuan most looked forward to. She entered the palace at sixteen for the imperial selection, rising from palace lady to consort in just four years, transforming from a well-bred lady to the astonishingly capable mistress of the rear palace.

Later, she gave birth to Princess Qin Junlan and was made Imperial Noble Consort. Now pregnant again with imperial offspring, if it was a boy she would be made Empress. But Yi Qinghuan remained unmoved, seeing the future in her stubborn and intelligent daughter. Whether the child in her belly was male or female, she would lay foundations for the future, ensuring her child would smoothly ascend to the throne.

“Qiushui, how do you think this looks on me?” Yi Qinghuan wore bright yellow brocade robes, and though pregnant, showed no sign of weight gain, still naturally graceful.

“Your Highness looks good in anything, Second Young Lady will surely be delighted.”

“That girl needs eyes to see. Always coming and going in a hurry, never staying long. She already liked roaming everywhere, and after entering the jianghu her nature became even wilder, disliking elaborate ceremonies.” Yi Qinghuan’s lips always curved into a smile thinking of her sister. In these years in the deep palace, there was neither happiness nor unhappiness, her only thought was seeing Yi Qingyu.

“No matter how wild Second Young Lady is, she still cares for you, her sister. Otherwise, wherever she might be, how could she persist for many years in always returning to visit you?” Qiushui’s words always touched her heart. Yi Qinghuan smiled deeply, but thinking of another matter, she became worried.

Seeing her smile fade, Qiushui knew what she was thinking, “Your Highness, are you thinking of Prince Cheng?”

“You always know my heart. Now Prince Cheng has gained power, many nobles seek to curry his favor. Last year when Yu’er entered the palace, she happened to meet Prince Cheng. Unexpectedly, Prince Cheng fell in love at first sight with Yu’er, and has repeatedly asked me about marriage.” Yi Qinghuan said this while stroking her belly, letting out a gentle sigh. If Yi Qingyu were to marry Prince Cheng, her future would be secure – regardless of which child ascended the throne, likely none could stand in their way. But how could Yi Qingyu be willing to marry someone from the court? And she herself was even more reluctant to part with her.

---

LP: Welp, it’s too long, so final chapter tomorrow!

---

---