Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze
A Common Woman Pays Her Respects
You are the emperor, I am a spy, and there is a vast ocean and sky separating us.
That night, five thousand elite soldiers of the Red Armor Army took control of the entire city of Yuzhou. The news of the Son of Heaven’s descent to Yuzhou spread instantly. At the same time, all officials in Yuzhou involved in the corruption of disaster relief funds were detained. Master Ying was immediately thrown into the sky prison, but because Lady Ying’s righteousness was as lofty as the clouds and her heart embraced the common people, she was exempt from the crime of implication.
The search of the Ying mansion treasury revealed nearly a thousand taels of gold, confirming the crime of corruption and law-breaking. Along with the offense of rebellion, the accumulation of multiple crimes led to a death sentence. Qin Junlan presided over the imperial trial of this case, giving the common people of Yuzhou hope. Many beggars who had drifted outside returned to Yuzhou, and with the arrival of the second batch of grain and disaster relief funds, the disaster situation was properly controlled, and all the common people were resettled.
“Emperor, may I assist you in changing clothes?” Li Yue held the splendid garments, which were specially prepared female clothes for the journey. Now that Qin Junlan’s identity was public, facing the common people and all officials, it was inappropriate to wear male attire again.
Qin Junlan gently stroked the clothes, her expression relaxed and her eyes clear and bright. “This purple brocade garment, Xun’er also has one. She wears it more beautifully than I do.”
“Emperor, you are the pride of the heavens; who in the world can compare to you?”
“I will go see her first,” Qin Junlan thought, hoping to spend a little more time with her as Chaoyan, to avoid letting too much estrangement grow between them. She only feared that Liu Qianxun might care too much about her identity, and like ordinary people, merely see her as the Emperor.
In the back courtyard, each corridor was guarded by the Red Armor Army. The Yuzhou residence had evidently become a temporary palace with proper etiquette, reflecting the hierarchy and complete respect for rank.
“If we depart today and ride fast day and night, we can reach Jidu within three days,” Ye Ming had already packed light belongings, waiting for Liu Qianxun’s instructions.
Liu Qianxun’s accompanying items were simple, ready to depart at any time. Since the moment Qin Junlan’s identity was made public, she began handling various affairs in Yuzhou, and the two had not yet met.
Her heart was with her mother, wanting to return to Jidu quickly. On the other hand, now that Qin Junlan’s identity was public, it was inconvenient for her to follow closely. If Qin Junlan cared for her, she would naturally find a way to reach her, perhaps even bring her into the palace. Ling Yu’s words were right; this southern tour was a great opportunity. At least, after sharing hardships, Qin Junlan’s feelings for her deepened, and she had gradually let down her guard.
Only she rashly showed her skills, and Qin Junlan hadn’t yet had the chance to inquire, presumably she too was very doubtful in her heart, but Liu Qianxun had already thought of a way to respond.
“Ye Ming! Come out to see me.” Suddenly, Bai Ruoxi’s voice was heard coming from afar, and Ye Ming’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, “I will send her away.”
“She is now the County Princess, you must pay attention to identity.” Liu Qianxun specially reminded him, which was actually another kind of hint. Whether Ye Ming likes or dislikes Bai Ruoxi, there is a disparity in identity with this Xicheng County Princess, whether together or refusing to interact, it must be understood.
How easy it is to stay together holding hands? Something Liu Qianxun wished for but could not obtain, yet Ye Ming gave it up. She actually held a faint hope in her heart that Ye Ming could be with Bai Ruoxi, for how many times in life does one have such an opportunity for love, and one reckless abandon is enough. But Ye Ming hadn’t even started and already retreated, otherwise, Liu Qianxun would help Ye Ming, allowing her to leave Shura Sect without difficulty.
“The Emperor arr…” The guard outside began to loudly announce, but Qin Junlan stopped him, “Shut up!”
“Subordinate knows his crime, please forgive me, Emperor!” The guard did not know why he had angered Qin Junlan, only seeing the Emperor’s very angry expression, he felt deeply uneasy.
“Meddlesome, withdraw!” Qin Junlan’s eyebrows were deeply furrowed; she did not change her clothes, only wanting to visit Liu Qianxun.
Finally, she came, and Liu Qianxun blankly stared at that door, just a door’s distance from her, yet it felt like an expanse of sea and sky apart. She was no longer Chaoyan, but the Empress admired by all.
Suddenly, she did not know how to face her. What should she call her? Emperor? Majesty? She should refer to herself as a common woman. Why did her mood inexplicably feel somewhat low? Liu Qianxun did not understand what was happening to her. She just stared at the doorway, somewhat lost in thought, even forgetting that upon hearing “The Emperor arrives,” she should have actively greeted her. She forgot to open the door until Qin Junlan’s usual polite knocking sound echoed.
“Xun’er, are you inside?”
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Liu Qianxun hurriedly stepped forward, opened the door, and their eyes met. Qin Junlan’s eyes were still deep, but the originally gentle face now bore a trace of majesty. Between the eyebrows, a vast righteous spirit exuded, always carrying a kind of heavenly authority that made people bow.
“This common woman kowtows to see the Emperor, long live the Emperor, long live, long long live!” Liu Qianxun knelt on both knees, bowed her head, and touched the ground, while Qin Junlan hurriedly stepped forward and helped her up, “Quickly rise.”
Liu Qianxun was speechless, instinctively stepping back as she rose, keeping her head lowered and waist bent. Suddenly, she felt a bit fearful of physical contact with her, as she was now the Son of Heaven. How could she still face her as calmly as before? “I do not know for what matter the Emperor seeks this common woman?”
“I just wanted to come see you.” Qin Junlan took a step forward, and Liu Qianxun moved back, always maintaining a distance from her.
“This common woman thanks the Emperor for your concern.” Liu Qianxun was very respectful, as it seemed that besides using such thorough etiquette to treat her, she did not know what would be more appropriate.
“Xun’er, there is no need for such formalities when no one is around.” Qin Junlan’s face showed a smile, that calm demeanor and grace still belonged to Chaoyan’s temperament. However, with her restored identity as a monarch, there remained a thick barrier between her and Liu Qianxun.
“Emperor, this common woman did not know your identity. If there was any disrespect before, I hope the Emperor can forgive.” Liu Qianxun’s tone was humble, yet her attitude was calm, her language neither warm nor cold, without any emotional attitude. It was as if she had returned to the first time she knew her, distant, hazy, illusory, unable to see her face, much less her heart.
“Xun’er is so clever, I presume when I suggested pretending to be the wise king, you guessed a bit.” In fact, from that time, Qin Junlan did not deliberately hide it, only did not actively speak about it. She knew that with Liu Qianxun’s intelligence, guessing her identity was as easy as turning a hand, but she never asked.
Liu Qianxun was too adept at hiding her own intentions and emotions, and Qin Junlan hoped more that she would actively come to ask her, rather than having to reveal her identity in such an urgent situation.
“This common woman does not dare, how could I think that the Chaoyan I associate with would be the current Son of Heaven? This common woman implicated the Emperor in being injured, please, Emperor, pass judgment.”
“In your presence, I am still Chaoyan, can’t you not be like this?” Being called “common woman” three times left Qin Junlan with a bitter taste in her heart. Her tone was full of helplessness, as the thing she always worried about had happened. Liu Qianxun’s character is stubborn, somewhat angry that she concealed her identity, but how could her identity be easily made public?
“Presumably Chaoyan is the Emperor’s name, Chaoyan is the Emperor, the Emperor is Chaoyan, and this common woman dares not directly call the Emperor’s name, so please forgive me, Emperor.” Liu Qianxun only felt that at this time her own emotions were very unnecessary and inexplicable, this anger in her heart truly had no reason to speak of. She could pretend to be surprised, and could act with reverence and worship, but she could not deceive her own heart.
She was really angry, but angry about what? She herself did not know.
“Are you angry with me? Because I concealed my identity?” Qin Junlan could feel Liu Qianxun’s unhappy emotions, but her identity was an established fact. Even if she was Chaoyan, she would eventually have to return to being the Emperor. She could not always be by her side as Chaoyan, if they wanted to be together, she would have to reveal her identity, and even bring Liu Qianxun into the palace.
“This common woman dares not be angry with the Emperor, only angry at her own past actions which are truly laughable. What is the Emperor’s identity? What is this common woman’s identity? Actually sharing the same bed with the Emperor, coming and going with the Emperor.” Liu Qianxun’s expression was slightly cold, although she tried hard to control her emotions, she still could not suppress her anger.
This inexplicable mood was truly strange; it was originally a scheme. She had known from their first meeting that Qin Junlan was the Empress, and the two had even once played strategic games, with her being thwarted by Qin Junlan’s means, while she caused quite a few troubles for Jidu.
But why did she feel so lost at this moment? She could only use endless indifference to cover her guilty conscience.
“You still say you don’t dare, but see which of your words aren’t angry words.” Qin Junlan reached out to pull her, and Liu Qianxun wanted to retract, “Please, Emperor…” Before the words “show mercy” were spoken, Liu Qianxun only felt the force on her hand suddenly increase, and before she could react, she fell unsteadily into Qin Junlan’s embrace, her mouth instantly blocked by her.
Qin Junlan lightly pecked her slightly cool thin lips, her nimble tender tongue slipping into her mouth, sucking that softness, exploring that realm. Liu Qianxun smelled her faint fragrance, an innate body scent surpassing earthly flowers. Qin Junlan’s breath became hot, and more words were unnecessary. She no longer wanted to hear Liu Qianxun call her like this, revere her.
The passionate deep kiss made Qin Junlan covet, and Liu Qianxun constantly avoided it. Finally, she gently pushed Qin Junlan away and knelt again, bowing her head in kowtow, “Emperor! Xun’er is just a commoner, even a fallen woman. You are the sovereign of the nation; if these words and actions are known by the court or Empress Dowager, Xun’er fears she will become everyone’s target, blamed as a disaster, ruining the Emperor’s eternal reputation. I beg the Emperor’s forgiveness!”
She was angry, angry that the two of them were clearly close at hand yet actually far apart. She harbored ulterior motives, always plotting against Qin Junlan, and even wanted to enter the palace to steal important secrets. Qin Junlan, in turn, always harbored vigilance towards her, this innate wariness keeping Liu Qianxun always outside her heart’s door, until now when she slowly began to enter. But the people’s words, “Long live the Emperor, long live, long live,” her proud and magnanimous demeanor, her compassion for the people, made her feel so small again.
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Qin Junlan belongs to the country of Ji; she is the emperor of the people, and she will not belong to anyone. Even if she adores Liu Qianxun, she only occupies a place in her heart, but she is a spy, so what relation does Qin Junlan’s adoration have to her?
Truly ironic, laughable—why does she worry about these things? What significance does caring about these things have? Eventually, one day, the truth will come to light, and at that time, everything will dissipate. So-called feelings and love are nothing but illusions.
“Xun’er… rise first, don’t kneel.” Qin Junlan helped her up, unwilling for her to always kowtow to her, only feeling that such a beautiful woman should be admired among the clouds, unable to bear her being tainted by a trace of dust. She also knew Liu Qianxun’s implied meaning, and even more so what she would face in the future, but her mind was already made up, and no one could shake her determination. She would not give a promise, because a monarch’s words carry no falsehood; what she says now is as good as an imperial decree, and she will arrange everything well. When the time comes, she will surely bring her into the palace.
“Emperor, something has happened!” An urgent voice sounded outside the door.
“What happened?”
“Lord Ying was silenced in the prison!”
“You can’t even guard a death row prisoner, what use do I have for you!” Qin Junlan erupted in fury, so many Red Armor Army soldiers, a watertight iron prison, and yet traitors still succeeded. It shows how deep the Grand Chancellor’s influence runs.
I… this lofty self-reference, how mighty it is! The boundary of the monarch’s heavenly authority that cannot be angered is so ethereal. Qin Junlan rarely becomes suddenly furious, and Liu Qianxun could even imagine the times when she repeatedly set traps for her, picturing her appearance when angry.
Why must she be the Empress, even if she were a noble official’s daughter, or even a county princess or female official, it would be fine. But why is it precisely this strong nation’s emperor whom Ling Yu feared for many years?
“Xun’er, wait a moment, I will go and return.” When Qin Junlan spoke to her, her eyes were always filled with affection, with no airs of a monarch and no distinction of rank. But Liu Qianxun always felt indifferent to everything in her heart. This indifference, perhaps excessive, might also be an important reason that motivates Qin Junlan to find a way to bring her into the palace.
“Ye Ming, this County Princess told you to dispense with ceremony, didn’t you hear?” Bai Ruoxi angrily pushed Ye Ming, but this blockhead still did not look at her directly, only continually bowing in salute.
“Thank you, County Princess.” Ye Ming was expressionless, unaffected by Bai Ruoxi’s anxious emotions.
Bai Ruoxi’s title is Xicheng County Princess, and in Ji Kingdom, it is rare for women to be conferred the title of County Princess. Only Bai Ruoxi, favored by the Empress and Empress Dowager, has this special honor. Her elder brother holds significant military power, directly facing Yu Kingdom, so who dares to offend this County Princess?
But she never wanted to create distance between herself and Ye Ming. She was once unruly and willful but has been slowly restraining her temper. She had never actively entangled herself with anyone like this before.
“Can’t you just look at me for a moment? You haven’t seen me wearing female clothes yet.” Bai Ruoxi stepped forward and approached her. Ye Ming nodded slightly, glancing without the courage to lift her eyes.
“Raise your head.”
Ye Ming remained unmoved.
“This County Princess orders you to raise your head and look at me!” Bai Ruoxi’s anger gradually showed, was she truly so insignificant in Ye Ming’s eyes?
Ye Ming remained silent, only slightly raising her head, gaze pausing. Bai Ruoxi was dressed in a lotus leaf thin gauze dress, butterflies gracefully dancing at her waist, her skin fairer than snow, eyes like clear water, her appearance extremely beautiful, truly like a pearl with a halo, a jade with a glow.
“If the County Princess has no other matters, I will take my leave.” Ye Ming dared not stay too long; she had already decided to maintain distance from Bai Ruoxi. She could not allow herself to sink or let her heart ripple, but the inner turmoil was uncontrollable.
“Ye Ming, what happened to you? Why do you avoid me like this?” Bai Ruoxi suddenly felt disheartened. She feared Ye Ming disliked luxurious clothes, so she carefully selected this set of elegant plain attire, yet still, she was like this.
“I am just a commoner and dare not offend the County Princess, please forgive me, County Princess!” Ye Ming resolutely left, while Bai Ruoxi’s tears flowed from her eyes, perhaps truly it was just her wishful thinking.
In Ye Ming’s heart, possibly only Liu Qianxun exists. But she will not give up, from childhood to adulthood, whatever she wanted, she would strive for, and until the last moment, she absolutely will not give up. Ye Ming, you wait! Anyway, returning to Jidu, she has plenty of time to spend with her. Thinking this, she wiped away her tears and left with a smile.
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Behind the white wall, Ye Ming watched Bai Ruoxi leave, and she punched the bricks, only feeling her heart faintly in pain, her breathing hard to suppress. This feeling seemed familiar, once felt when facing Liu Qianxun, she naturally knew. But she extremely hated this feeling; once was enough, she did not want to be affected by a second person like this.
Ye Ming exhaled deeply, suddenly hearing Li Yue’s voice, she quickly jumped up, her body adhering to the eaves like a gecko. The instinctive reaction made her feel it was better to hide at this moment; she did not want to perform a great ceremony for Qin Junlan again.
“Reportedly, led by King Chong, ten or so people were beheaded on Dongcheng Avenue for public display, and several major officials’ families were raided. This Ling Yu is truly ruthless; this turmoil killed nearly a hundred people, including family members.”
“Ling Yu… her methods are always astonishing, and to consolidate the Yu Kingdom’s emperor’s power, the people she killed are far more than these.” Qin Junlan stopped her steps, her eyes unfathomable, “If in the future I want to take Yu Kingdom, I must first eliminate Ling Yu.”
“My brother has already sent people to place spies near Changning Mansion, ready to report the situation to you at any time, but Ling Yu is like a dragon, seen in glimpses, whereabouts elusive, very hard to monitor.”
“No matter, I now also have no intention to act against her, must first secure the inside to stabilize the outside.” Qin Junlan’s voice gradually became distant, and Ye Ming took advantage of the absence of guards to lightly land.
This Qin Junlan is indeed ambitious! Intending to swallow the world! Fortunately, the Sect Leader planned ahead, not hesitating to personally send the Tower Master to act. Only this matter can still be foreseen, yet with such a major event occurring in the Yu Kingdom, why has the Shura Sect not sent any news?
King Chong, He Xiao, is the Tower Master’s biological father! Shouldn’t they inform her?