Volume One: If Life Were Only as It First Met
The Eternal Empress
Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!
The drum beats of the fifth watch1, the eastern sky is already white. The Emperor holds court every three days, and civil and military officials flock to the palace.
The Empress dons her dragon robe, atop the Fengluan Palace, ruling the world with an elegant demeanor. Her almond-shaped eyes, deep as an autumn lake. Her nose high like a beam, lips painted red, and eyebrows sharp as swords, exuding heroic spirit.
In the court, civil officials stand on the left, military officials on the right, with female officials present as well. In the 36 dynasties of the Ji Dynasty, there have been six female emperors, but only Qin Junlan possesses the grandeur to swallow mountains and rivers, with the prowess to unify the world. Ascending the throne at twelve, she now commands the four seas and shocks the eight directions.2
“Director of the Imperial Observatory, do you have any matters to report?” Lady Li Yue, Qin Junlan’s close maid and a member of the Shadow Guard, also serves as a female official in the court.
Qi Xuan, dressed in a blue official robe, steps forward with light steps, bows deeply, and reports, “Your Majesty, of the eight spies captured, two have confessed, but we can’t extract any information from them. After their confession, they lost the ability to speak. I suspect they took poison in advance…”
After a few moments of silence, Qi Xuan slightly raised his eyes and looked at Qin Junlan. She coldly spat out one word, “Kill.”
“Yes… then, should we lure the snake out of its hole?”
“Director Qi, if you were bitten by a snake once, the next time you encounter a snake, would you kill it or avoid it?” The one speaking was Yi Hongchuan, the Prime Minister with immense power, the Empress Dowager’s younger brother, and the Empress’s maternal uncle.
“This…” Cold sweat appeared on Qi Xuan’s forehead as he glanced at the high throne. Qin Junlan always spoke sparingly, yet her words were always filled with hidden meanings, never revealing everything outright.
Yi Hongchuan’s words indeed left him in a difficult position, “Your humble servant also believes that dealing with the spy network is truly challenging.”
“Director Qi, you are boosting others’ morale while diminishing your own. These mere spies from the Yu Kingdom, why bother alarming Her Majesty to eliminate them?”
Yi Hongchuan furrowed his brows and cast a cold glance, a shrewd and calculating man, always seeking benefits for his family. He brushed his sleeves behind him and bowed to Qin Junlan, “Your Majesty, why not leave the matter of pursuing the spies to my son, Quan’er? I see the Director of the Imperial Observatory hasn’t extracted any useful information.”
After speaking, he cast a signaling glance at his son, Yi Ziquan. However, Yi Ziquan, born without perceptiveness, didn’t grasp his father’s intention at all. Yi Hongchuan was truly disappointed, feeling that Yi Ziquan was the most incompetent of the Yi family, yet he was his only son.
Yi Ziquan was quite a handsome young man, with delicate and elegant features. He loved reading but lacked the talent for governance, had a passion for weapons but couldn’t practice martial arts. Simple-minded and kind-hearted, he didn’t earn his father’s approval but was deeply liked by Qin Junlan. Through his power and the Empress Dowager’s influence, Yi Hongchuan managed to secure a fourth-rank provincial official position for him, but he had yet to accomplish anything significant.
“Prime Minister, the task of hunting down spies falls under the responsibility of the Shadow Guard and the Imperial Observatory. Such a rough task shouldn’t trouble Lord Yi,” Li Yue said.
“Your humble servant also agrees with Lord Li’s statement,” Qi Xuan hurriedly concurred.
“Director Qi, how quickly you change your stance. So much for the self-proclaimed integrity of a clean official.”
Just as the tension in the court was about to erupt, Qin Junlan slightly raised her eyes, her brows already covered with a layer of frost. She opened a memorial without a word and suddenly flung it towards the officials.
“The tribute silver from the Luo Kingdom has yet to be recovered!” Qin Junlan’s slightly angry voice came from the dragon throne, startling everyone into kneeling immediately.
“The refugee camp on the outskirts of the city has had silver fragments falling from the sky, yet there is still no proper method for resettlement.”
A clear female voice, tinged with a hint of anger, suddenly rose as she stood up, the tassels on her crown swaying. “Matters, whether big or small, the nation has a great reputation. Within my borders, the tribute silver is stolen, yet you engage in covert political maneuvers. Where do you intend to place me?”
The dragon face enraged, all the ministers trembled in fear, not daring to speak further.
“Prime Minister.”
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“Your old servant is here.”
“You are highly respected and have considerable authority; you are the pillar of the Ji Dynasty. I trouble you to make a trip to the Luo Kingdom, ensuring all the weaponry is in place. I will not be harsh on our commitments due to the loss of a hundred thousand taels of tribute silver.”
The interwoven dragon patterns on the red robe were lifelike. The splendid attire’s dragon tail seemed to blossom as Qin Junlan took two steps forward. Her slender figure fully displayed the demeanor of a sovereign.
“This… your old servant will comply with the decree.” The Emperor actually ordered him to be an envoy to the Luo Kingdom. Yi Hongchuan was displeased in his heart but dared not say more.
The Luo Kingdom was merely a border state subservient to the Ji Dynasty, annually offering a large amount of tribute silver. The Empress also promised to provide them annually with weapons, provisions, and other various supplies. A matter that could be resolved by a fifth-rank foreign official, yet she commanded him, the Prime Minister, to go. Qin Junlan had ultimately begun to fear the influence of the Yi family.
The previous dynasty was tumultuous; the inner palace remained tranquil. Qin Junlan, single for many years, was still unmarried and had no favored concubines. Even though the Ji Dynasty dominated the world, the imperial family had no successors. For this, the Empress’s uncle racked his brains, trying to elevate the Yi family to power, his intentions clear.
Shedding the ceremonial attire and removing the elaborate ornaments, Qin Junlan donned a light blue long robe, letting down her intricate hairstyle, her long hair flowing like water. Behind the regal aura was a gentle and approachable woman.
She leaned slightly against the dragon throne, her upper garment falling to the floor, revealing a fragrant shoulder and a glimpse of her collarbone, captivating all who saw her. Supporting herself with one hand, her eyes half-closed, her mind was filled with the ongoing affairs inside and outside the court. Each time she attended court, she had to face these politicians, the struggle for power among officials. The obvious threats she could see were numerous, but how many hidden dangers were silently unfolding, she was all too aware.
Li Yue, being Qin Junlan’s closest maid, was always amazed whenever she saw her in such a state. Had she not been in such a high position, how many people would have been enamored by the Empress’s beauty? Now, with her lofty status, how many people admired her, yet could only bury that deep affection within their hearts?
“Li Yue…” Qin Junlan’s voice was lazy, she let out a deep breath, murmuring with a seductive tone.
“Your servant is here.”
“Give me a massage,” she said, sitting up slightly, a trace of fatigue showing.
Li Yue stood by her side, gently massaging her shoulders with just the right amount of pressure. Qin Junlan’s body was slim, and wherever Li Yue’s fingers touched, it was all bones. She dared not press too hard, only able to knead gently.
“Your Majesty, by sending the Empress’s uncle away in this manner, I’m afraid he will complain to the Empress Dowager again…”
“In recent years, my uncle has been secretly strengthening his followers, placing his people in the four branches of the court, and has been using the Empress Dowager to suppress me. Now he wants to support Ziquan. If I don’t show him some imperial authority, he really thinks I’m blind.” At this, Qin Junlan slammed the table, but felt a sharp pain from her wound.
“Your Majesty, your wound has not yet healed; please do not get angry.” Li Yue lifted her outer garment to check, the wound had scabbed over and was healing. Fortunately, the recent action had not affected the wound.
Qin Junlan gently touched her chest, but there was no pain at all. Her fingers rubbed the bandage back and forth, her mind replaying the scene of the assassination. Ten assassins had chased her and Li Yue, but in the end, they were calling out someone else’s name. She had once thought the assassins had targeted the wrong person, but now she realized it might have all been a setup.
“Someone, summon Li Ruo.”
In no time, Li Ruo arrived, bearing a sword. He and Li Yue were dragon-phoenix twins, with similar appearances—one embodying masculinity, the other soft allure—both handling the Shadow Guard for Qin Junlan.
The so-called Shadow Guard was like a shadow itself, unseen in the light but never leaving the Empress’s side in the dark, protecting her and gathering intelligence for her. They were her personal guard unit.
“I ordered you to investigate the Suyuan Tower, what have you found?”
“Reporting to Your Majesty, I sent people to monitor Suyuan Tower day and night. During the day, it is a place where scholars and literati engage in literary pursuits, but by night, it turns into a scene of debauchery and indulgence.”
“Debauchery and indulgence… What about that Hong Yan?”
“Four years ago, He Xi bought her for a large sum of money. Not many people know her background. However, it’s said that He Xi holds her in high regard, perhaps she might even be the hidden proprietress.”
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“Nonsense! Would a boss let his own wife show her face in public? That’s not what I want to hear.” Qin Junlan’s brows furrowed, her imposing presence causing Li Ruo to hurriedly bow, suddenly unsure of what he had said wrong. He was merely reporting the facts as they were.
“Is there anything else?”
“Her origins are unknown. It’s said she is an orphan, and no one knows where she truly came from.”
“Brother, that day we were driven to the vicinity of Suyuan Tower by the assassins. The Empress and I got separated. Do you think she might be a suspect?”
“This… it’s hard to say.” Li Ruo looked at Qin Junlan and saw that her expression was calm, but her eyes were as deep as the sea. He still couldn’t understand why she was angry. Although the Empress’s thoughts were hard to predict, she was never capricious.
“Dismissed.” Qin Junlan waved her hand. Li Ruo bowed and retreated but suddenly remembered something and stepped forward again, saying, “Your Majesty, I discovered that Hong Yan has been to the refugee camp.”
“Oh? What was she doing there?”
“It wasn’t anything special, just delivering some clothing and food to the refugees.”
Ji Dynasty was prosperous, and the people lived in peace and health. There were originally no refugee camps within the imperial city. However, due to a famine in a neighboring country this year, starving people came from all directions. Qi Xuan petitioned the Empress, requesting permission to open the granaries and distribute grain. But later, the number of refugees surged, and Qin Junlan felt that this was unusual, perhaps intentionally orchestrated by the neighboring country.
As a result, the refugees were distributed to other cities, spreading them out. However, for some reason, these people did not completely leave Jidu and built a refugee camp ten miles outside the city.
Did she go to the refugee camp out of goodwill, or was it a coincidence?
“The refugee camp is the best hiding place.” Qin Junlan’s words were like an epiphany, and Li Ruo slapped his forehead. “So, if the spies are not within Jidu, they must be lying low in the refugee camp? Perhaps the refugee camp is also a base for Yu Kingdom.”
“There is no need to exterminate the spies completely. If I kill one of her soldiers, she will counter with one of mine. The enemy must have a master strategist.”
“Your Majesty intends to eliminate them all in one fell swoop?”
“A few mere spies can’t overturn the heavens. What I want is the entire Yu Kingdom.”
Qin Junlan’s eyes revealed her domineering spirit. Her innate nobility and the aura of someone who could command the world always made others willingly submit to her. She wielded both kindness and authority, effortlessly controlling the turbulent court. Despite being a woman, she had forged the army into the strongest in the land.
If not for her overwhelming presence, who wouldn’t desire such a peerlessly beautiful woman? But with her noble stature that commanded the world and her magnanimity that could accommodate all rivers, who could be her equal?
“Wishing Your Majesty an early unification of the four seas.” Li Ruo and Li Yue knelt one after the other. If the map of the four seas was destined to belong to the Empress, they would surely lend her a hand, even if it meant their heads would be cut off and blood would flow.
The deep palace is vast, and the long night stretches on. Qin Junlan had a long-standing habit of climbing to the top pavilion of Fengluan Palace to gaze over Jidu. From there, she could overlook the masses and take in the bustling long streets.
Her slender figure was elongated by the moonlight, with strands of hair drifting off her shoulders. The night breeze gently wafted by, bringing a slight chill. Li Yue draped a cloak over her, while the lights of ten thousand homes in the distance reflected in her eyes.
Every day, she reminded herself that she bore the nation’s destiny on her shoulders, carrying the well-being of all the people of the Ji Dynasty. The legacy of countless generations lay with her, and she aimed to become a revolutionary figure, forever inscribed in history.
However, the loneliness of the heights, too cold to endure, would always accompany her.
“Your Majesty, it is late. Let this servant attend to you as you rest.”
“The deep palace is lonely. Yue’er, if one day you wish to leave and marry, you must tell me.”
“Why does Your Majesty say this? This servant only wishes to serve Your Majesty for this life and the next. I have never thought of marrying. Is there something I did wrong? Please punish me.” Li Yue hastily knelt, fearing that Qin Junlan was dissatisfied with her.
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“Rise, that is not what I meant.”
“Your Majesty, last time I failed to protect you. I was led away by the assassins, and you were injured because of it. You can punish or scold me, just don’t abandon me.” Li Yue, just over eighteen, had been serving Qin Junlan since she was a princess. In her world, there were only her brother and the Empress. This fear of being abandoned had long surpassed the typical master-servant relationship.
“Alright, alright, I won’t drive you away. Stand up and speak.” Qin Junlan shook her head helplessly. She just didn’t want anyone else to bear the same loneliness as she did.
After the night watch began, Li Yue was dismissed. Qin Junlan lay in the warm embrace of her hibiscus-embroidered quilt. She gently stroked the silk quilt, pressing her face against it—it was soft but utterly devoid of warmth. Sleep eluded her. She sat up, combed her long hair, and couldn’t dispel the vision of a certain figure from her mind, her lips unconsciously curling into a smile. She resembled a young girl, her cheeks blushing without her realizing it.
She lit a lamp and walked to the wardrobe. A set of white robes lay neatly inside. Since returning, she hadn’t worn them again, unwilling to part with them. The clothes fit perfectly, emanating a faint fragrance that lingered in her heart, evoking that fleeting glance.
She picked up the garments, her smile growing softer. The court’s political intrigues were always troubling, but only in the tranquility of the night could she momentarily lay down all burdens.
Suyuan Tower—perhaps she should visit it once more.
She had said, great kindness must be repaid.
LP: Both “Emperor” and “Empress” refers to Qin Junlan.
Footnotes
- Fifth Watch: In ancient Chinese timekeeping, the night was divided into five two-hour periods, called “watches.” The fifth watch is the period just before dawn.
- Four Seas and Eight Directions: A traditional Chinese idiom referring to the entire world, literally meaning all directions and the seas surrounding China.