Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze
The Empress Above
The identity of the Empress is revealed
The night lamp shines high, and the black night is shrouded in mist. The hot, dry air is mixed with a sense of dullness, perhaps because there are too many wronged souls, making the place feel thick with yin energy.
Liu Qianxun sits alone in the cool pavilion, looking up to see the bright full moon. Under the moonlight and amidst the wind-blown lotus, there is that city-overturning beautiful face. She has always liked quietness and dislikes talking, with an indifferent personality. Only when she is with Ling Yu does she reveal a smile. But unbeknownst to herself, at some point, she began to be influenced by Qin Junlan, and every smile and frown of hers flashes in her mind.
Her original intention was to enter the palace. With her wisdom and talent, even passing the exams to become a female official and entering the palace wouldn’t be a difficult task. However, Ling Yu’s ideas are always innovative. If she enters the palace early and gets what Ling Yu wants early, maybe she wouldn’t have to carry this feeling of guilt when facing Qin Junlan.
The better Qin Junlan treats her, the heavier her guilt becomes.
“Master….” Ye Ming approaches, with residual warmth in her heart, her delicate face stained with a layer of red blush.
“Is the little princess awake?” Liu Qianxun shed her usual sharpness, her tone becoming gentle. Ye Ming just nodded, opening her mouth to speak but then stopping, not knowing how to express herself.
“She likes you.” Liu Qianxun pointed out directly. Ye Ming frowned, having originally wanted to ask Liu Qianxun what to do about this matter, as it was her first time encountering such a woman. “This subordinate cannot give her any response and do not know how to reject her.”
“Do you like her?”
“I…” Ye Ming herself had not yet clarified her own feelings, but she just gritted her teeth and said, “I don’t like her. She is a member of the imperial family, the princess of the Ji Kingdom. How could I like her?”
“Ye Ming, from the moment she appeared, you have already become the past to me. You have locked up your own heart, and the little princess is that key.” Liu Qianxun’s words were precise and insightful; how could she not see it? During the assassin attack, Ye Ming’s anxious expression while protecting Bai Ruoxi was clear. At that moment, she completely forgot that her duty should have been to protect herself.
“Tower Master, it is impossible between me and the princess. The Yu Kingdom and Bai Yifei cannot coexist under the same sky, and war with the Ji Kingdom is only a matter of time.” Ye Ming felt oppressed in her heart, usually so silent and few words, yet her heart was like a clear mirror. She wasn’t even sure if she was saying these words for Liu Qianxun to hear or as a warning to herself.
“If you love her, then stay with her; if you do not love her, then walk away. You still have the chance to choose, but my fate is such—there is no room and no retreat. Take care of yourself.” Liu Qianxun’s tone was full of helplessness, and these few words pierced Ye Ming’s heart.
She felt heartache for Liu Qianxun being caught between the Yu Kingdom and Ji Kingdom, and perhaps in the future, she would still bear the reputation of being a femme fatale. Once the favored child of heaven with a world-overturning face, now she has become the lowest dust in the mundane world, a chess piece for others, a weapon for others, and a weight in the secret struggle between two countries.
“Ye Ming swears to follow the Tower Master to death, with no other wish.” At this moment, Ye Ming decided she would not have anything with this princess of the Ji Kingdom. Her fate was already bound with Liu Qianxun; if Liu Qianxun lives, she lives, and if Liu Qianxun dies, she will not live alone.
“Think it through clearly, and do not regret it. In this life, you will not meet another Bai Ruoxi.”
“Subordinate understands! I have already thought it through, thank you for your guidance, Tower Master.” After bowing and saluting, Ye Ming decisively turned away, feeling a sourness in her heart, afraid that Liu Qianxun would notice her emotional abnormality. Escaping was the only option she could choose.
An assassin should not have any emotions, yet why does she always have attachments? Ye Ming wished she truly was a cold-blooded creature, never having moments of being touched, wanting gentleness, or having thoughts she should not have.
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She was somewhat lost in thought, nearly missing the Shura Sect mark in the corner of the wall. She immediately became alert and took out a secret message. After reading its content, she unexpectedly returned joyfully to Liu Qianxun’s side, only to see Qin Junlan already standing there. She restrained her emotions, bowed to Qin Junlan, and glanced at Liu Qianxun.
“What has happened?” Liu Qianxun noticed Ye Ming’s emotional fluctuation, suspecting she had received good news.
“I have never seen Ye Ming so happy before; what joyful event has occurred?” Qin Junlan pressed her with questions, and Ye Ming was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.
“Is there news about my mother?” Liu Qianxun reacted quickly, taking the initiative, as nothing else could make Ye Ming react this way besides this news.
“Yes, Miss, Aunt Liu has already arrived in Jidu and has been arranged by Boss He at Suyuan Tower.” Ye Ming admired Liu Qianxun’s keen perception; otherwise, her hesitation to speak would have surely been noticed by Qin Junlan.
How could He Xi have gone to Jidu? The Boss of Suyuan Tower has always been just a nominal title; in reality, she is the Tower Master. Why would He Xi suddenly go there? Could it be that something has indeed happened in the Yu Kingdom?
“Aunt went to Jidu?” It was the first time Qin Junlan heard Liu Qianxun mention her family. If she could meet her mother, perhaps her identity would become much clearer.
“My mother’s health has always been poor, so a few days ago, I had people go to our hometown to bring her here for care.” Liu Qianxun answered smoothly; there was no need to hide this matter, and to some extent, it could even serve as her cover. Yet she still worries, as Qing Yu is in the loquat forest and her mother is in Jidu, so close yet unable to meet. She fears that returning to Jidu, her mother’s old home, might stir painful memories, and her fragile body may not withstand it.
“So, the matter in Yuzhou must be resolved quickly, only then can we return to Jidu.” Qin Junlan held her hand, “After returning, I will go with you to visit Aunt, so don’t worry too much.”
“What? Is the Prince planning to meet the mother-in-law?” Liu Qianxun raised an eyebrow and countered, a slight smile hanging at the corner of her mouth. Qin Junlan nodded and lowered her gaze, lightly pressing her lips as she teased, “How do I hear it’s someone wanting to see the in-laws?”
“Chaoyan, you speak without restraint! When did I ever say that?” Liu Qianxun, countered again by Qin Junlan, turned red with anger. Qin Junlan covered her face and laughed secretly, “Your mother is my mother-in-law, shouldn’t my mother be your mother-in-law?”
“You!” Liu Qianxun was too angry to speak! She realized that Qin Junlan’s teasing was truly impeccable.
Ye Ming tactfully retreated, watching these two flirt and banter, and unexpectedly felt envy. This kind of emotion was something she had never experienced before, and she greatly disliked how her mind was now disturbed, always unable to concentrate. Before, her eyes only had Liu Qianxun, but now, disturbed by Bai Ruoxi, everything was in chaos.
“It seems like sister truly likes Liu Qianxun.” Bai Ruoxi appeared without Ye Ming noticing, startling her. How had she not realized at all? Was she so lost in thought that she didn’t notice someone approaching, especially someone who couldn’t even perform martial arts?
But in just a moment, she had already regained her previous indifference, casting a faint glance at Bai Ruoxi before walking away directly. Seeing this, Bai Ruoxi hurriedly chased after her, “I came to see you right after visiting sister, why are you ignoring me again?”
Ye Ming remained silent.
“Ye Ming, you’re acting just like before, ignoring me, aren’t you?”
Ye Ming stayed silent.
“I tell you, even if you ignore me, I’ll stick to you until you’re annoyed, and annoyed until you’re disgusted!” Bai Ruoxi was relentless, but Ye Ming’s heart was like iron, unmoved at all. Bai Ruoxi wasn’t angry, as this kind of cool demeanor was exactly what she liked about Ye Ming.
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The Yuzhou government office welcomed several honored guests, and the news naturally spread to Jidu. That night, a pigeon message reached Lord Ying. The order was to eliminate a few people in the residence, as this self-proclaimed prince could ruin his major plans. Lord Ying, fearing exposure of his corruption and malfeasance, had no choice but to follow the Grand Chancellor’s command. Now, he could only cling to this life-saving straw, hoping for a slim chance of survival.
At the second watch, the Yuzhou government office was completely silent, with everyone already resting. Lord Ying quietly mobilized soldiers to ambush near the other courtyard, instructing them to release knockout smoke into several main rooms. As long as these people were removed, his actions in Yuzhou would remain unknown, facing no threat.
A bamboo tube containing knockout drug broke through the window paper and entered, and Qin Junlan’s eyes slightly opened. She hadn’t expected Lord Ying to act so quickly, even more urgently than she had anticipated, confirming her suspicions that someone was eager to silence them to protect their life, even plotting rebellion.
Just when she was worried about not having enough reason to punish these villains, the assassin incident clearly pointed to Yi Hongchuan. Qin Junlan’s mind was clear; even if the investigation revealed the assassins were from Black Shura Sect or other gangs, they were merely tools and weapons of others.
After waiting a moment, Lord Ying waved his hand, and several soldiers holding swords quietly sneaked into the rooms of several people. Without hearing any sounds of fighting, several people were then thrown out through the door, spitting blood.
Qin Junlan and the others walked out of the room unharmed, and she coldly laughed, saying, “Lord Ying, what is the meaning of this?”
“Hmph, after investigation, you two are impersonating the Wise King and Princess, a crime deserving of death! Men, execute them on the spot!” Lord Ying instantly changed his demeanor, not giving them any chance to speak, as he needed this kind of authority to deploy Yuzhou City’s soldiers.
“Lord Ying, I fear your actions will lead to a great crime, and you’ll regret it too late!” Li Yue sternly stood in front, trying to delay time, as she had already instructed the shadow guards to deploy troops before the incident, hoping to be in time.
They had just experienced a battle with assassins, and fighting the soldiers again would be difficult, especially since their master was injured, making it truly unsuitable for maneuvering. They just hadn’t expected Lord Ying to be so bold.
“Hmph! As the official of the prefecture government and an imperial court official, I have the responsibility to bring you people with sinister intentions to justice! Attack!”
All the government soldiers surged like water into the other courtyard, completely surrounding several people, when suddenly a woman’s voice was heard, “No! Master, no!” It was Lady Ying, who hurriedly arrived, and the soldiers automatically made way. She bent down to kneel, “Master, please reconsider. Lord Yan is the emperor’s personal envoy to Yuzhou to inspect the disaster situation, wholeheartedly working for the people, and wisely took Qionglong Mountain. How is that not meritorious? How could he be a person with sinister intentions?”
“A woman’s kindness, step back!” Lord Ying shouted sternly, but Lady Ying was unmoved, blocking Qin Junlan with her body, “Master, please reconsider. If you wish to harm him today, then step over my corpse! Master, do not continue to make mistakes. Think of our three children; do you want to ruin their future?”
“You!!” Lord Ying was so angry that his face turned red.
“Lady Ying is upright and stern, but I fear even you cannot pull him back…” Qin Junlan helped Lady Ying up and couldn’t help but feel deeply moved, “Lord Ying should cherish having such a virtuous wife, not destroy the entire family’s lives!”
“Stop the nonsense! Men, pull Madam back, archers, prepare!” Lord Ying knew the arrow was already on the string and had to be released, with no turning back.
If his crimes were truly discovered by the emperor, it would be a crime that exterminates nine clans! He couldn’t take the risk. The Grand Chancellor was right: eliminate these people without anyone knowing, blame it on Qionglong Mountain, and with the Grand Chancellor at the court, he could rest easy.
Lady Ying, a pitiful mere woman and child, had no weight in her words and was forcibly pulled away by the soldiers. The front-row archers were already prepared, just waiting for the order.
With a sinister smile, Lord Ying was just about to give the order when suddenly arrows rained down, annihilating the archers instantly. Around the rooftop of the other courtyard, a red-clothed arrow team appeared. They wore armor, their gaze sharp, short arrows in hand skillful, and not a single arrow missed its target. Just one round of attack knocked down the government office’s arrow team.
“This… this…” Before Lord Ying could recover his senses, the Red Armor Army had already surrounded the entire Yuzhou government office layer by layer. All gates and yards were guarded, and all side doors and backyard escape routes were blocked.
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A young officer, clad in armor and holding a battle sword, appeared majestic. He almost ran forward, advancing hurriedly, with his eyes on Qin Junlan. Immediately, he knelt and performed a military salute, saying, “This humble officer is late to rescue, I ask the emperor to pardon!”
After speaking, all the Red Armor soldiers disarmed and knelt to bow to Qin Junlan, saying, “Pay respects to the Emperor, long live the Emperor!”
The resonant voices shook the entire Yuzhou government office, revealing Lord Ying’s expression stiffening on his face, his body slightly trembling, eyes filled with fear. All the government soldiers immediately threw down their weapons, trembling and kneeling.
“Em… Emperor…” Lady Ying was also astonished; she had previously felt Qin Junlan’s compelling heroic spirit, but who would have thought she was actually the reigning emperor.
Qin Junlan coldly gazed at the people; at this moment, she transformed from Chaoyan to Empress. That shift in aura created a distance from everything in the world.
Li Yue and the shadow guards also performed the standard imperial kowtow ceremony, as everyone bowed and saluted. Qin Junlan’s expression slightly changed, her eyes, like water, drifted toward Liu Qianxun.
She saw Liu Qianxun slowly bend her body, kneeling beside her, turning everything into silence. Qin Junlan wanted to extend her hand to pull her up, but ultimately she let it down. As the monarch, she could only be the emperor of all people at this moment, and could not be Chaoyan for one person alone.
This day had finally come.