Volume Two: An Abundance of Blossoms Always Feels Lonely
Southward Trip
Finally arranged with the beauty to go south together
The arrangements for the southern tour have been properly prepared. Only Li Yue will accompany, along with thirteen shadow guards who will follow but remain unseen. At each location, shadow guards will be stationed at the nearest government office or garrison. In case of any danger, as long as Li Yue signals, they will dispatch personnel to protect the journey in the shortest possible time.
Qin Junlan has never felt so uneasy. She paced back and forth, waiting for news from the Yu Kingdom spies.
“It’s already been two days, and still no news?” Qin Junlan’s mind is entirely focused on confirming Liu Qianxun’s identity.
“Your Majesty, this servant has never seen you so anxious before. I believe there will be news soon.” Yuan Xi glanced at the ginseng tea on the table, which had already cooled.
“Where is Li Yue? Has she gone to wait for news?”
“You urge Sister Yue’er day after day, so she simply went to stake out, not daring to appear before you without news.”
“Yuan Xi, when did you become so bold to dare tease me?” Qin Junlan lifted the ginseng tea, finding it already cold, “Are you not going to replace the tea for me?”
“Yes, yes, yes, this servant knows the offense, I will replace it immediately~” Yuan Xi covered her mouth and secretly laughed. She didn’t know why, but she secretly felt schadenfreude. Perhaps having often seen her mighty and wise appearance, suddenly seeing a different emperor always felt charmingly different.
“This Yuan Xi’s courage is really getting bigger and bigger.” Qin Junlan shook her head helplessly.
Before the ginseng tea could be replaced, Li Yue entered holding the spy’s carrier pigeon letter, “Your Majesty, there is news!”
“Quickly present it.” Qin Junlan took the finely rolled secret letter, wanting to open it but hesitated. She handed the letter back to Li Yue, “You read it for me.”
She was fearful and uneasy, her hands clasped, extremely nervous.
Li Yue observed Qin Junlan’s demeanor and shook her head helplessly. When had her master ever behaved this way? It seems her feelings for Liu Qianxun are truly unusual. Revealing her real name only now, Li Yue increasingly felt this woman was not simple.
“Your Majesty, the spy reports…” Li Yue suddenly paused, glancing at Qin Junlan.
“Go on, what is it?” Qin Junlan’s palms were sweaty with nervousness, and Li Yue was still hesitating and stammering.
“The spy did not find a woman named Liu Qianxun, but instead found someone named He Xun, who is the illegitimate daughter of Prince Chong…”
“Prince Chong? His influence in the Yu Kingdom was long removed by the Eldest Princess. He Xun…” Qin Junlan pondered. If it were really so easy to find out, how could she be a spy? So meticulous, the more untraceable, the more suspicious; she always trusts her intuition.
Liu Qianxun, who exactly are you? Qin Junlan felt a pang of melancholy inside; for the first time, she couldn’t see through a person, yet it was someone she cared about. Even so, Qin Junlan still hoped to gradually open her heart. Women are like water; is her sincerity not enough to be met with honesty?
Originally, she thought that not finding information about Liu Qianxun would make her delighted, but instead, her master’s frown deepened. Li Yue and Yuan Xi exchanged glances, shook their heads helplessly, and stood silently aside, not daring to speak more.
Even with suspicions, Qin Junlan still arranged everything for the southern plan thoroughly. No one could influence her decision, not anyone at all.
In the end, she still couldn’t shake off Bai Ruoxi’s entanglement, so she could only bring her along. She wasn’t sure if Liu Qianxun would go to Xuanmen to meet her.
She vaguely felt that Liu Qianxun had softened, but she wasn’t completely sure.
As night fell, Qin Junlan, dressed in lightweight luxurious clothing, went to Fengqing Palace to greet the Empress Dowager. This time sneaking out of the palace, the Empress Dowager would surely be furious. For the sake of the country and the people, she hoped the Empress Dowager wouldn’t blame her too much.
Since that punishment, mother and daughter had not seen each other; in recent days, it was the Virtuous Princess Consort who accompanied her. The Virtuous Princess Consort was the Empress Dowager’s niece and daughter-in-law, and this close relationship made the Empress Dowager regard Yun Jin as her own.
After the ritual kneeling, Yi Qinghuan raised her hand but noticed Qin Junlan had become a bit thinner, her beautiful face’s features more pronounced.
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“How are the injuries on my child’s body?”
“Thanks to the Mother Empress’s leniency, your child is no longer seriously troubled.”
“The Mother Empress hopes you heed this lesson. As a ruler destined to unify the world, you must not be bewitched by seductive individuals!”
Seeing Yi Qinghuan’s impassioned words, Yun Jin hurriedly presented a cup of clear tea, “Mother Empress, it’s a simple greeting. See how serious you are. The Imperial Sister is a wise ruler, naturally understanding your painstaking efforts.”
“Your child shall remember the Mother Empress’s teachings.” Qin Junlan raised her eyes, noticing Yi Qinghuan’s expression still held a slight sorrow, “Mother Empress, what troubles you?”
“Tomorrow is Qingyu’s birthday.” Every year at this time, Yi Qinghuan always misses her younger sister and cherishes the past years. However, now between the sisters, only hatred and farewell remain.
Since she separated Yi Qingyu and Liu Zhu, she has not entered the palace for twenty years and has not seen her Empress Dowager elder sister again.
“I will choose a day to visit Aunt.”
“Jin’er is planning to take Guo’er to visit Mother Consort, Mother Empress, don’t worry too much.” Yun Jin understands how to read expressions and words. She knows the Empress Dowager’s thoughts and holds Qin Junlan’s heart. She often cannot manage the harem, leaving it to Yun Jin to help.
“Mm~ alright, I’m tired, you all may leave.” Whenever she thinks of her sister, Yi Qinghuan always feels sad. Whether she was the model of motherhood to the world or now the supreme Empress Dowager, she cannot make up for the regret in her heart.
The grass grows, orioles fly, and the night scene in the Imperial Garden is pleasant. Coming out from Fengqing Palace, Qin Junlan walked alone under the moon. She often stayed alone, her mind filled with too many things, but now there was a bit more thought.
It turns out that thinking about someone can make the heart secretly happy, and recalling all the moments with her unintentionally brings a smile.
“Imperial Sister has such elegant interest, I wonder if Jin’er is disturbing you.” Yun Jin slightly bowed, “Greetings to Imperial Sister.”
“Jin’er, you don’t need to be so formal. I haven’t seen you return to the prince’s mansion recently. Are you still accustomed to staying in the palace?”
“The palace is also Jin’er’s home, so naturally, it is very good.” Yun Jin actually had doubts in her heart, but she hesitated to speak.
“Jin’er, you, ah, I understand all too well. Every time you come to see me, it must be because you have something to say.” Qin Junlan’s slightly upturned lips were captivating, especially on such a night. No matter what she wore, she always exuded the aura of a ruler, yet could not hide the charm of being a woman.
Yun Jin had been infatuated with her for many years, never daring to reveal even a hint. She was like the bright moon in the sky, high above. As long as Yun Jin could see her frequently, she would be content.
“Imperial Sister, if you wish to do something, just do it. Don’t worry too much. Jin’er will do everything I can to help you accompany the Mother Empress well.” Yun Jin had been observing Qin Junlan for many years, and she could discern the subtleties of every move in Fengluan Palace.
When a dozen shadow guards withdrew and Li Yue took a batch of precious medicinal materials from the Imperial Hospital, she guessed that Qin Junlan intended to leave the palace, perhaps to personally inspect the disaster area in Yuzhou. She was intelligent and charming. She knew that Qin Junlan would surely hide it from the Empress Dowager, and when the Empress Dowager found out, she would surely be furious. So, she would serve at her side, helping Qin Junlan quell the Empress Dowager’s anger.
Qin Junlan always knew that this cousin was poised and elegant, understood discretion, and was not overly flamboyant. She was not surprised that Yun Jin guessed a bit of her intentions.
She raised her hand, placing it on Yun Jin’s shoulder, “Still, you understand me. I’ll leave Mother Empress to you; accompany her well, as many times she is closer to you than to me.”
Yun Jin’s flushed cheeks were hidden in the moonlight. She was skilled at hiding emotions, but every time she was close to Qin Junlan, she always became shy.
“You and I are family; there’s no saying who is closer to whom. I hope, no matter when, that Imperial Sister takes care of herself.”
“Mm, Jin’er, Mother Empress has been concerned about Aunt for many years. Tomorrow, I’ll visit on your behalf. You stay in the palace to accompany Mother Empress; I’m afraid she might reminisce and become sad.”
“Rest assured, Imperial Sister, leave it to Jin’er. I will choose a day to visit Mother Consort.” Yun Jin was graceful and composed, and Qin Junlan believed she could comfort the Empress Dowager well.
As late spring May arrives again, the fruits in the loquat grove are probably going to ripen once more. I wonder how the once famous and now vanished heroine Qingyu is doing now?
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Xuan Gate is the foremost of the four main city gates of Jidu, facing south. Qin Junlan rides a white horse, with half her hair tied in a bun and half draping over her shoulders. Her handsome and extraordinary appearance exudes a noble aura.
The sun rises in the east, the morning sun gradually appearing. Qin Junlan stands quietly, her straight and imposing clothes dancing in the wind.
“Young Master, we have already waited for an hour. She won’t come, will she?” The time of Mao has long passed, and there is still no sign of Liu Qianxun. Li Yue thinks that woman most likely will not come.
However, Bai Ruoxi, sitting restlessly on the horse, paces back and forth in front of Xuan Gate. She also looks like a young gentleman, only more restless and active, unable to stay still for even a moment.
“Wait a moment more, if she does not come, we will depart.” Qin Junlan dismounted. The street inside Xuan Gate stretched beyond sight, small groups of people began to appear, but still no sign of Liu Qianxun.
“This Liu Qianxun, Imperial Sister… oh no, Brother has personally invited her, yet she does not know how to appreciate the favor, and that Ye Ming, I don’t know if she will follow.” Compared to Qin Junlan’s steadiness, Bai Ruoxi’s impatience was written all over her face.
“Xi’er, be patient and don’t worry, let’s wait a bit more.”
Qin Junlan’s eyes were like water, unfathomably deep. Is she really not planning to come? Could it be that to her, she has never been of any importance?
She turned away, her slender figure full of loneliness. It seems she has always been self-deluded. Qin Junlan gave a bitter smile, mounted the white horse, and commanded, “Let’s go.”
“Young Master, that seems to be Miss Liu Qianxun and Ye Ming.” Li Yue squinted, looking towards the city.
Qin Junlan turned around, the horse’s head turned two circles in place. Liu Qianxun and Ye Ming rode towards them. She wore a light blue men’s outfit, elegant and unassuming, shedding the worldly flavor, with a kind of transcendent grace.
“Master Yan, sorry to keep you waiting!” Liu Qianxun cupped her hands in salute, shedding her usual coldness and worldly air, like a refined immortal from a painting. Her long hair was tied up, with the ribbon on her hair bun matching the color of her clothing, extremely precise and refined.
“Master Liu, well met. On the journey south, I hope for your kind attention.” Qin Junlan smiled brightly. Liu Qianxun rode forward, and the two of them rode side by side in front, with the remaining three accompanying behind.
“Hey, Ye Ming, Ye Ming, what kind of horse is that? What breed?”
“No breed, just an ordinary horse.” Ye Ming said without expression, while Bai Ruoxi persistently inquired, one warm, one cold, sparking a unique liveliness on the journey south.
“Xun’er, before leaving the capital, I want to first visit a place to see an elder. Would you be willing to accompany me?” Qin Junlan still had an important person to visit, an aunt who had loved her since childhood, whom she visited every year at this time.
“Since I’m traveling with you, I’ll follow your arrangements.” Liu Qianxun felt content, truly finding what she sought effortlessly.
Also, Qingyu, who truly was hard to find, no wonder there had been no sign of her for so long; she was not in Jidu at all.
They rode off, and shortly arrived at a loquat grove twenty miles away. Here, lush and thriving, each loquat bore abundant fruit.
“Loquat? Ye Ming, Ye Ming, your Qinggong is good, help me pick a few.” Bai Ruoxi pestered Ye Ming non-stop along the way, making her feel overwhelmed. If there was any possibility of making her stop talking, Ye Ming wanted to do it.
She looked up at the loquat tree in annoyance; using Qinggong for this height was a waste. She stood on the horse’s back, her body standing steadily, holding the reins with one hand, controlling the horse’s position, and easily picked a few ripe fruits.
“Take it.” Hurry and block your mouth, Ye Ming thought sullenly.
“Wow, these loquats are better than the ones in Fengcheng.” She excitedly peeled one, offering it to Ye Ming’s mouth, “Here, you picked it, you eat first.”
“I don’t eat.” Ye Ming turned her face away, not wanting to pay attention to her, but the more she ignored her, the more Bai Ruoxi liked to tease her. She turned Ye Ming’s face and stuffed the peeled loquat directly into her mouth.
“You…” Ye Ming almost didn’t have time to speak. She usually didn’t like eating these things, but this one seems quite sweet?
“Tasty or not?”
Ye Ming nodded, suddenly realizing, what was she doing? Did she just fall for this willful princess’s trick?
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“This Xi’er really is…” Qin Junlan shook her head helplessly.
Suddenly, the leaves in the loquat grove rustled. Liu Qianxun immediately sensed someone using Qinggong to fly along the treetops, and the skill was profound, but she could only pretend to be unperturbed. After all, in Qin Junlan’s eyes, she could only be a worldly woman who knew a bit of martial arts.
“Which little thief dares to steal my loquat fruit?” That voice was like a ghost orchid in a valley, whispering in the wind, rippling through the entire loquat grove.
Ye Ming cautiously held her sword, guarding in front of Liu Qianxun, while only Qin Junlan remained calm and composed, with a smile on her face, “Yan’er comes to pay respects to Aunt.”
Suddenly, a black shadow flashed by, as fast as a swift wind, even a master like Liu Qianxun could not sense her movement in time.
“Why does Yan’er have time to come today? And brought so many people. Aunt does not wish to see strangers.” She slowly walked out from the forest, her voice full of vigor, with the weight of years of experience.
She came riding the wind, a black robe enveloping her entire body, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, her eyes sharp, her expression solemn, just standing there, exuding an aura that commands respect.
This is the Empress Dowager’s biological younger sister, the second Miss of the Yi family, Qingyu. She once apprenticed under the leading righteous sect in the martial world, Tian Cang Pavilion, and mastered excellent martial arts, upholding justice, traveling across nations, and is a renowned heroine.
She possesses a heroic spirit with tender feelings, her beautiful face untouched by the ravages of time, instead gaining a touch of maturity and charm compared to her youth. However, her innate rebelliousness has never changed. She looks down on everything, and no one can easily catch her eye. Her appearance seems frozen in a certain year, without any change, and though she appears as an elder, calling her Qin Junlan’s elder sister would not be an exaggeration.
Liu Qianxun finally saw her, the woman her mother had talked about all her life.