The Sovereign – Chapter 48

Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze

Quietly Observe the Changes

Your Empress has returned to court, have you missed her?

In the past two days, Liu Qianxun has been by Liu Zhu’s side every day. Even without much conversation, the mother and daughter could find the warmth and companionship they relied on for survival. Liu Zhu’s life was filled with hardship. She was once chased by Yi Qinghuan and survived a near-death fall from a cliff, only to be forcibly taken by King Chong upon her return to the Yu Kingdom.

Despite this, she insisted on giving birth to Liu Qianxun. She had no love for King Chong, yet she gave everything for Liu Qianxun, protecting her with her life as she grew up. Liu Qianxun never regarded King Chong as a father, and she felt no emotion towards him. Her only warmth came from her younger brother, He Xi, who secretly brought food to them when the mother and daughter were starving. Even after being punished by the main wife, He Xi continued to secretly care for his older sister, who was two years his senior.

If there was any remaining trace of emotion and softness towards the He family, it was for her half-brother He Xi.

Jing Garden was quiet and serene, as Liu Zhu was composing music with her brush. She was once the most talented woman in the Yu Kingdom, effortlessly composing poetry and songs, and mastering zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Her understanding of music was self-taught. Liu Qianxun inherited not only her beauty but also her innate intelligence. All of Liu Qianxun’s talents were taught by her, including the xun Ling Yu learned from her.

Liu Qianxun’s appearance surpassed Liu Zhu’s, but in terms of talent, she was not half as accomplished. Although she had a certain spiritual quality and high comprehension, she did not have Liu Zhu’s passion for music, nor did she master it as deeply. However, Ling Yu’s xun playing, having received Liu Zhu’s true teachings, reached a divine level, profound and enduring.

Such was Liu Zhu, whose life changed completely at the age of eighteen when she met Yi Qingyu.

A guest from the mundane world, first met in the loquat forest, and from then the storms were smiled upon. From the moment she saw Yi Qingyu’s heroic demeanor, she could no longer look away.

“Xun’er, has something happened in the Yu Kingdom? He Xi has been here for many days and has not come to see me; surely he fears I might learn something.” Liu Zhu put down her brush, her subtle demeanor full of charm, and her low, hoarse voice softly spoke, deeply alluring.

Liu Qianxun hesitated for a moment, pondering whether or not to tell Liu Zhu about the matter of King Chong.

“Mother, there is no need to worry; He Xi is safer here than in the Yu Kingdom.” Liu Qianxun knew clearly that Ling Yu kept He Xi alive merely out of consideration for her feelings. Otherwise, with her methods, how could He Xi, as King Chong’s legitimate son, have escaped this calamity?

Fate plays tricks on people, as He Xi became infatuated with Ling Yu, not knowing when it began, willingly working for the Shura Sect. Ironically, the news of King Chong’s rebellion was spread from He Xi’s own mouth.

“Xun’er, if something is happening, do not hide it from your mother. To me, you and Qingyu are the most important, and also… Qingyu’s daughter, Jin.” Liu Zhu’s eyes brightened briefly, then dimmed again, perhaps stirred by the mention of the name, awakening her longing.

Being so close yet unable to meet, there is no greater sadness in the world than this. Liu Zhu only blames herself for being too timid, afraid she might lose control.

“Mother, there is one thing. Xun’er feels there is no need to hide it from you: King Chong’s residence has been sealed, and He Xiao has been executed.”

Liu Zhu’s hand paused momentarily, without showing any reaction. She simply picked up her brush calmly, placing her hand on the ancient zither beside her, and adjusted the string tones according to the music she composed, faintly saying, “So, he did not think to repent, and again committed rebellion, offending Yu’er.”

“Mm, his death was more than deserved. Ling Yu is never soft on her enemies, and sparing He Xi was already a great kindness.”

“Life and death are determined by fate, and destiny lies with the heavens. The cycle of cause and effect, and the response of reincarnation—He Xiao was digging his own grave, but implicating innocent family members always feels too cruel.” Liu Zhu sighed slightly, always feeling that the court’s power struggles were filled with too much killing intent. Yet, Ling Yu had shown them great kindness, and Liu Qianxun could only follow orders to repay that kindness. Why has fate been so unkind to her, leaving her daughter equally helpless?

“Mother, it’s all over now. From now on, those worldly matters are unrelated to us, and no one can harm us anymore. This daughter only wish for your health, which is the greatest comfort to me. Do not worry about me; after completing this mission, I will leave the Shura Sect and hide with you in the forest.”

“The Shura Sect can be left, but feelings cannot be taken back. Xun’er, people can plan for everything, but feelings are beyond control. Take care of yourself.” Liu Zhu shook her head helplessly and sighed lightly.

Liu Qianxun understood her meaning and could not respond. Thinking of Qin Junlan, a warmth surged in her heart, wondering if she had returned and if everything was still well.

“Tower Master!” Ye Ming stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Liu Zhu, “Aunt Liu.”

Liu Zhu merely smiled slightly and nodded.

“What is the matter?”

“The Sect Leader has ordered that you move to Zhen Garden. The Empress returns to court today, and for you to enjoy peace and quiet, it would be better to leave here. The carriage is ready.”

“She has returned to court…” Liu Qianxun murmured to herself. Would she come to find her? She deliberately used etiquette to provoke her, not without causing some hurt. Liu Qianxun was never willing to act this way, yet she could not suppress the surge in her heart.

Empress Qin Junlan, warm Chaoyan—how could she see these two as one person? She really couldn’t. She didn’t understand why just a change in identity would leave her so confused. She had clearly known her identity early on, yet her emotions were truly inexplicable.

“Tower Master?” Ye Ming softly called, bringing Liu Qianxun back to her senses, “Let’s proceed this way.”

“Also, the Sect Leader asks you to come over; she is in Suyuan Tower.”

Liu Qianxun turned her head to look at Liu Zhu, whose kind eyes slightly closed, “Go, don’t delay matters.”

“Mother, I will be back soon.” Facing her mother, Liu Qianxun was always endlessly gentle. She only wished to give her a little more warmth when she could.

In the gentle breeze of Ziyun Pavilion, Ling Yu wore an embroidered celestial Luo shirt; her graceful purple attire was naturally dazzling and beautiful. Coupled with her enchanting appearance, she resembled a demon fox settled there. She sat upright in the pavilion, with a tall and handsome man beside her, fanning her with a feather fan to keep her cool, while in another part of the pavilion, Lin Wuming was playing the zither.

Ling Yu, intoxicated, held a wine cup, her eyes dazedly fixed on Lin Wuming. That infatuated gaze made Liu Qianxun immediately calm down. She stepped forward and said coldly, “Sect Leader truly has refined interest.”

“Sister,” He Xi greeted Liu Qianxun with a smile upon her arrival, “Sister, you have finally returned.”

“Mm, are you well here?” Liu Qianxun slightly restrained her aura. She did not like Lin Wuming and seeing him playing the zither in her Ziyun Pavilion, while Ling Yu looked so extremely pleased, really disgusted her.

“With the Sect Leader’s leniency and forgiveness, everything is fine.” He Xi’s face was delicate, his skin dark yet quite manly, forming a stark contrast with Lin Wuming. He had once fought on the battlefield for the Yu Kingdom and achieved military merit. Ling Yu thought he was a useful talent, so she kept him by her side.

He is, after all, King Chong’s offspring, with pride and noble temperament evident between his brows, which cannot be concealed. Saying he is the behind-the-scenes boss of Suyuan Tower, no one would doubt it.

“You should withdraw first; sister has matters to discuss with the Sect Leader.”

“Yes, sister.” He Xi always respected her, and while she followed Ling Yu’s words, towards Liu Qianxun, it was a deep-seated affection and awe.

“Xun’er is angry, and you’re still not leaving quickly.” Ling Yu raised her cup to drink and lazily straightened up, her eyes only on Liu Qianxun.

Lin Wuming, neither angry nor annoyed, slightly bent his body to salute, and with a broad smile, departed with He Xi.

When only the two of them were left in Ziyun Pavilion, Liu Qianxun’s face was gloomy, “What do you consider my Ziyun Pavilion to be? If you want to revel in pleasure with your pet, please find another place.” She spoke with anger she couldn’t suppress, surging in her heart.

She could never bear to see Ling Yu indulge herself and always avoided all this, believing out of sight meant a calm mind. Today, under her nose, with her own brother and Lin Wuming, she feared that the twelve art girls of Suyuan Tower would also become her playful toys.

“Is Xun’er jealous?” Ling Yu asked, deliberately provoking her. She knew that Liu Qianxun always harbored anger in her heart, especially about being sent to execute the beauty trap, which also saddened her.

She didn’t know if Liu Qianxun was deliberately distancing herself or if she was truly heartbroken and cold towards her. Recently, she always felt uneasy. She intentionally got close to Lin Wuming and sought pets to accompany her just to see the waves in Liu Qianxun’s eyes, hoping she still cared about her.

“This time, why have you come to Jidu?” Liu Qianxun slightly frowned but did not answer. She always felt that what was once surveillance had turned into Ling Yu personally controlling her, and this invisible sense of restraint made her feel somewhat suffocated.

Could it be that Ling Yu doesn’t trust her? Even after knowing each other, understanding each other, and accompanying each other for seven years, it still can’t overcome the guard in her heart.

“Of course, it’s… just because I wanted to see you, so I came.” Ling Yu’s eyebrows and eyes were upturned, yet her gaze drifted towards the city not far below, “Your Empress Majesty has returned to court.”

Ling Yu seemed capable of calculating everything under heaven, knowing precisely when Qin Junlan would return to the capital. She waited in Ziyun Pavilion for Liu Qianxun, just for this moment.

“Is that so?” Liu Qianxun replied in a muffled voice, looking out at the grand escort team accompanying the luxurious carriage on both sides. All the common people avoided kneeling, performing the kowtow ceremony to welcome the Empress back to court.

Officials were already waiting at the palace gate to receive the Emperor as she ascended to court. Regarding the Yuzhou matter, Qin Junlan’s great fame arose, gathering people’s hearts, eradicating treacherous officials, and improving waterworks, with immeasurable merit to both the people and the country.

Liu Qianxun saw the curtains of the carriage half-closed, Qin Junlan’s face faintly visible. She sat upright, adorned in splendid luxurious clothing, exuding a majestic and imposing presence. The people looked up, tens of thousands knelt, before this Ji Dynasty’s Wen Cheng Wu De Emperor. Liu Qianxun’s hand, hidden behind her back, couldn’t help but gently clench. She dared not let Ling Yu notice her bodily movements, as the deeply buried emotions were hidden on her frost-covered face.

As the dragon carriage passed by Suyuan Tower, everyone knelt wherever it went. All those drinking tea and enjoying themselves had to stop, kneel, and only when the dragon carriage was ten feet away could they raise their heads.

“Li Yue,” Qin Junlan’s voice came. Li Yue raised her hand, and the procession came to a halt. She lifted the curtain, understanding Qin Junlan’s intention, and opened it to its fullest to let her see Ziyun Pavilion.

Qin Junlan raised her head and focused her gaze; Ziyun Pavilion stood leisurely there, surrounded by silence. The kneeling crowd dared not speak or even raise their heads. How could anyone gaze upon the Emperor’s face, yet in the Emperor’s eyes and heart, there was only one person.

Is Xun’er in Ziyun Pavilion? Does she know I have returned? She knows, surely she knows I would pass by here, yet she doesn’t come out to meet. Among the kneeling people at Suyuan Tower, her figure is not present.

Is she still angry? Qin Junlan’s deep pupils became gentle as she gazed at Ziyun Pavilion, as if she could see Liu Qianxun’s figure, and warmth filled her heart. Longing that penetrates the bones feels just like this; since she left, everything became dull and tasteless.

Her once immersed heart left with her, now empty like duckweed, without a resting place.

“Emperor, we should set off now,” Li Yue softly said. The civil and military officials and the Empress Dowager were all waiting; today they could not afford any delay.

“Mm, let’s go.” The light in Qin Junlan’s eyes gradually extinguished, her heart somewhat vexed and even lost, always preoccupied with thoughts of Liu Qianxun, leaving her uneasy.

“Set off,” Li Yue commanded, and the procession once again slowly moved.

On Ziyun Pavilion, Ling Yu and Liu Qianxun stood where Qin Junlan could not see them. Once the procession departed, Liu Qianxun slowly walked out, looking from afar at the dragon carriage where Qin Junlan’s face could not be seen, her mood sinking to a low point.

Ling Yu continuously watched her expressionless face. She prided herself on being able to see through people’s hearts and always felt she understood Liu Qianxun’s heart. But now, her perception of Liu Qianxun was becoming more and more blurred, weaker and weaker.

“What? Do you miss her?” she deliberately asked.

“I’m thinking when she will take me into the palace to complete your assigned task,” Liu Qianxun cloaked herself in coldness to resist Ling Yu’s every probe.

Ling Yu raised a captivating smile, “Xun’er~” Ling Yu lightly touched her fingertip, but Liu Qianxun remained unmoved. She tapped her palm, and Liu Qianxun only felt an itch in her palm, finally clenching her hand to avoid Ling Yu’s tease, “Stop it, what exactly did you find me for?”

Since she gave up hope, she no longer indulged in the ambiguity between herself and Ling Yu. She once liked Ling Yu’s closeness, believing herself to be a unique existence, but later discovered that Ling Yu was not only like this with her. Sweet words flowed easily, and teasing and provoking were possible with anyone. Men and women of all kinds appeared around her, and she then realized that she only had the advantage of appearance, skills, and intellect.

After this, Liu Qianxun’s mood plummeted, from disappointment to despair to the current indifference. Her feelings for Ling Yu were close, but gradually and imperceptibly withdrew. Perhaps even she didn’t notice that the person she unconsciously missed was no longer Ling Yu.

“Ten days from now, on Yi Qinghuan’s grand birthday, someone intends to attempt rebellion at the birthday banquet. How can I miss this grand show?”

“Yi Hongchuan really has enough courage,” Liu Qianxun coldly said, as there was no doubt that he sent that group of assassins.

“Xun’er is indeed clever. Surely, the Yuzhou trip uncovered a lot of clues, but those assassins don’t just want to kill Qin Junlan,” Ling Yu sees through everything and knows all, as the palace spy Ghost Eye’s information is always precise.

“They also want to kill me.” Liu Qianxun remembered that the assassin leader once said, “kill that woman.”

In Jidu, she is only a renowned courtesan, and those who know the name Hong Yuan number in the thousands. Who else but someone from the palace could harbor murderous intent towards her during the southern tour?

“So your entering the palace will likely be extremely dangerous. I will find a way to enter the palace to accompany you, and if necessary, allow you to withdraw at any time. I will not let you be trapped in danger; no one can harm my Xun’er.” Ling Yu was gentle as water, exuding a charming aura all around, and that bewitching smile attacked again. Her eyes were somewhat clearer, was it sincerity? At this moment, the clarity in her eyes was unlike her usual appearance, sometimes making it difficult for her to discern when Ling Yu was true or false.

“Let’s wait and see,” Liu Qianxun said lightly.

With Qin Junlan’s ability, how could these rabble shake her kingdom? It is also unclear whether her return to the palace this time will be smooth, or if the Empress Dowager will again make things difficult for her.

Liu Qianxun stood beside Ling Yu, yet her heart gradually drifted away with Qin Junlan.