The Sovereign – Chapter 56

Volume Three: A Hundred Things Changed with the Spring Breeze

On Rewarding Merit

Bestow upon Liu Qianxun the title of Princess of Qinghe!!

Black Mountain and White Valley fell straight down, the two holes in their bodies bleeding incessantly. The blue-gray tiled floor was covered with a layer of crimson. Liu Qianxun’s frost-like eyes coldly gazed at the bodies on the ground, then looked up to see Yi Hongchuan retreating several steps, terrified.

“Who, who are you?” Yi Hongchuan’s heart pounded, suddenly feeling trapped in a desperate situation.

“Xun’er is my adopted daughter, specially helping me return to the palace to capture the thief,” Yi Qingyu walked down from the high platform, her long robe bound to her body, looking capable and refreshing. Only her loose hair swayed freely, her aura intimidating.

Bai Ruoxi awoke from her dizziness. She and Yun Jin had been protected together; she had fainted upon seeing the severed heads. Opening her eyes, she saw Liu Qianxun’s graceful figure in white. Overjoyed, she called out, “Sister Xun’er!”

“Is it really Liu Qianxun?” Yun Jin’s expression slightly changed. She had ultimately brought Liu Qianxun into the palace. Yun Jin felt a twinge of bitterness in her heart, while also becoming more confused. How could Mother Consort have adopted Liu Qianxun as her daughter? Yun Jin was filled with doubt, but seeing Qin Junlan’s confident expression, she seemed to understand something.

Yi Qingyu approached Yun Yao and shouted sternly: “Yun Yao, as soon as King Cheng (Cheng Wang Yunze) died, you rebelled. How can you face King Cheng?”

“Forgive me, Cheng Wangfei. This humble servant only… did not want the Iron Guard’s designation to be taken away and our brothers to be slaughtered…” Yun Yao bowed down, his forehead pressed to the ground, the smell of blood assaulting his nose.

“Hmph!” Yi Qingyu no longer responded, only letting out a cold sneer as she turned away. Yun Yao hurriedly crawled forward on his knees a few steps, “Wangfei, Wangfei! This humble servant truly knows his crime, please forgive me!” All the former subordinates did the same, throwing down their weapons and kneeling in submission.

“I request Your Majesty to decide,” Yi Qingyu nodded slightly. In the presence of court officials and palace personnel, she had to maintain proper etiquette and preserve the Emperor’s dignity.

Qin Junlan looked down at everyone. What was supposed to be a birthday celebration had turned into a bloodbath, with loyal ministers dying under the swords of traitors, and dozens of guards killed or injured. Her hand, hidden within the dragon sleeve, clenched lightly. “Guards, take Yi Hongchuan to the death cell of the Juemingsi!”

The guards forcibly detained Yi Hongchuan. As he struggled, he looked at Yi Qinghuan and began to beg for help, “Elder sister, elder sister, save me!”

Yi Qinghuan’s heart softened for a moment, but she was powerless. No one could possibly save him from such a great crime, so she could only avoid his pleading gaze. Yi Hongchuan then shouted to Yi Qingyu, “Second sister, I am your own brother, why are you condemning me to death?”

Yi Qingyu merely sneered coldly, without speaking.

“For today’s turmoil, those who have surrendered their weapons may be dealt with anew, but for those whose hands are stained with blood… Execute them without mercy, immediately!” Qin Junlan’s pupils seemed to change color in the moonlight. As soon as the word “kill” left her mouth, more than a dozen people were seized by the Imperial Guards. With a swift stroke of the blade, they were killed on the spot.

The color of blood stained the night, and the air was filled with the smell of gore. In an instant, Biluo Courtyard had become an execution ground, and the entire Fengqing Palace was permeated with an atmosphere of slaughter. Qin Junlan’s imperial authority could not be defied; she never showed leniency to rebels. The emperor’s ruthless decisiveness was fully displayed at this moment. Liu Qianxun slightly raised her eyes to look up at her, feeling for the first time Qin Junlan’s coldness. At this moment, she suddenly missed Chaoyan a little.

“Today’s events have clearly revealed the loyal and the treacherous. Li Ruo, immediately arrest the suspected officials and seal off the Grand Chancellor’s mansion!”

“This humble servant obeys the imperial decree!” Li Ruo, upon receiving the order, immediately led people away to execute the command.

Qin Junlan walked down from the high platform, nodded and smiled faintly at Liu Qianxun, who also slightly relaxed her brow. The two did not exchange many glances; in such an occasion, Liu Qianxun’s merit in saving the emperor was seen by everyone, including Yi Qinghuan, who had nothing to say.

“Aunt’s merit in saving the emperor and capturing the traitor should be considered the highest achievement. How should I reward you?” Qin Junlan immediately proceeded to reward merit. Striking while the iron is hot, she wanted to use this rebellion to legitimately bring Liu Qianxun into the palace, to silence the many voices.

“I have no desires or requests. Jin’er has already married into the imperial family. I only hope that Your Majesty can treat my adopted daughter Liu Qianxun well. The merit established, reward her instead. This subject’s daughter takes her leave.” After Yi Qingyu finished speaking, she lightly shook her sleeves and left. The moonlight blurred her silhouette. With two sleeves of pure wind, not following the ways of the world, she returned alone to the loquat forest that belonged to her.

Yi Qinghuan hurriedly chased after her. After waiting twenty years to see her enter the palace, she wanted to say a few more words before leaving, but Yi Qingyu didn’t even give her a proper glance. Yi Qingyu’s steps were light and quick, agile as if flying. Yi Qinghuan, dragging her long, elaborate robes, chased after her, “Yu’er, Yu’er…”

She called out again and again, even when Qingyu’s silhouette had disappeared without a trace, she still didn’t give up pursuing her footsteps.

“Yu’er~~” Yi Qinghuan’s eyes reddened slightly, her nose tingling with emotion. She ran forward, panting, with Qiushui chasing behind. Suddenly, her foot stumbled, and she fell to the ground.

“Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, please don’t be like this.” Qiushui nervously helped her up.

“It’s been twenty years. Do you truly intend to never see your elder sister again for the rest of your life?” Yi Qinghuan cried out hoarsely, lying on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. Qiushui had never seen the Empress Dowager so fragile and helpless. Her estrangement from Yi Qingyu had broken her heart completely.

“Stop following me.” Yi Qingyu’s slightly cold voice sounded. It turned out she hadn’t gone far, only hiding atop a rockery.

Yi Qinghuan suddenly raised her head, standing up with joy beyond expectation, forgetting the pain in her knees. The tears hanging at the corners of her eyes were still swaying. She had already forgotten her identity as Empress Dowager, “Yu’er~”

“Don’t call me Yu’er, you’re not worthy.” Yi Qingyu said angrily, turning away resolutely.

“You still can’t forgive me. It’s been twenty years. Even if I once made mistakes, your punishment should be enough. Blood is thicker than water, why can’t you just forgive your elder sister?” Yi Qinghuan’s tone was almost pleading. No one would know that this high and mighty head of the imperial harem would have such a humble moment.

“If you weren’t my elder sister, I would have torn you to pieces long ago! How could I have let you live until today!”

“Elder sister is sorry to you, sorry to Liu Zhu, sorry to King Cheng…”

“Shut up…” Yi Qingyu frowned deeply, suppressing her anger as she approached Yi Qinghuan. She floated down from the peak of the rockery. The coldness bursting from her sharp gaze made Qiushui tremble with fear. She thought Yi Qingyu was going to harm the Empress Dowager, so she hurriedly blocked in front of Yi Qinghuan, “Cheng Wangfei~”

Yi Qingyu stopped her steps, chuckling lightly, “Nanny Qiushui, you need not be terrified. If I wanted to kill her, why would I have waited until now?”

“Cheng Wangfei, everything the Empress Dowager did was for your own good.”

“For my own good! Hahahaha, how self-righteous. For my own good would ruin my life, cause Zhu’er’s death, and even let King Cheng defile her?” Yi Qingyu’s previously calm heart was once again stirred by the past. She put on a cold smile, glaring at Yi Qinghuan, “Do you know how King Cheng died?”

“Could it be…” Yi Qinghuan was utterly shocked.

“Yes, I killed him. I chased him to the battlefield and cut off his head in his commander’s tent. Even as he was dying, he couldn’t believe he would die by my hand. Let me tell you, I won’t allow anyone who hurt Zhu’er to live in this world. As for you, I’ve only spared you out of consideration for how you cared for me when we were young, and for our parents’ sake. Otherwise, I would surely have left you dead with no place for burial!”

Yi Qinghuan shook her head in disbelief. How could her sister be so heartless, killing her own relatives without hesitation? For the sake of Liu Zhu, she showed her coldest side to her closest family. Why? Even to this day, she couldn’t let it go. She still hated Liu Zhu in her heart, hated her for “killing” the sister she knew.

“Jin’er has at least become my daughter-in-law and given birth to Guo’er. Why can’t you just let go of the past?” Yi Qinghuan’s tone was full of helplessness.

“Jin’er is married, and I no longer look after her. I only hope that in the future, you will treat Xun’er well. She is my adopted daughter and thus Jin’er’s sister. If you mistreat her, I won’t spare you either!” After saying this, she lightly tapped the ground, her footsteps like the wind, blending with the night. In a moment, she disappeared into the moonlight.

Overnight, Fengqing Palace was as if washed by blood. The high platform stairs, green tiles, and glazed roof were all a sea of red. Fresh blood dyed the entire night sky red, with the bright moon hanging upside down. This blood-soaked night ultimately ended with dozens of lives lost.

Liu Qianxun, in plain clothes and with an ethereal demeanor, blended with the hazy moon, light and graceful. This night, she became a legend in the palace, her elegant bearing becoming a widely circulated tale of beauty.

That evening, Qin Junlan proceeded to reward those who had rendered meritorious service, posthumously promoting the sacrificed by two official ranks, providing generous burial rites, compensating their families, while also promoting the meritorious officials.

Qin Junlan stood before the dragon throne, her righteous aura naturally imposing. She looked down at everyone, her gold-threaded dragon-patterned robe swaying slightly, “Liu Qianxun, hear your conferment.”

“This commoner is present.” Liu Qianxun slightly bent her knees and knelt down.

“Now, Liu Qianxun, adopted daughter of Cheng Wangfei, has fought bravely against rebels and rendered meritorious service in protecting the emperor. She is hereby conferred the title of Princess of Qinghe, granted residence in Qixia Palace, and awarded a dragon tablet allowing free entry and exit from the imperial palace.”

“This commoner accepts the imperial decree. Thank you, Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live.” Liu Qianxun bowed down in reverence, and as she raised her eyes, she met Qin Junlan’s smiling gaze.

This was Qin Junlan’s plan to kill two birds with one stone. Firstly, to invite the enemy into the trap, letting the Grand Chancellor expose his own flaws – what seemed like a defeat was actually a well-prepared situation. Secondly, it was to let Liu Qianxun establish this merit, conferring her the title of princess in the name of being the adopted daughter of the Wangfei, which was beyond reproach.

“Promote Chen Qing to Deputy Commander, responsible for the safety of the inner palace. Other meritorious individuals who helped protect the Emperor shall be rewarded according to their contributions. Tomorrow, issue an imperial edict to announce this to the world!”

“Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!”

Finally, this rebellion ended with the Grand Chancellor’s defeat. More than ten people from the Yi family were implicated and all arrested. Except for the Empress Dowager and Cheng Wangfei, all had their property confiscated and were imprisoned. All of the Grand Chancellor’s disciples and friendly officials were dismissed and investigated. Qin Junlan quelled the great disturbance caused by this rebellion as quickly as possible. To silence the many voices, she personally issued an imperial edict regarding the spread of information about this rebellion. Anyone maliciously spreading rumors would be punished by death.

Liu Qianxun was conferred the title of Princess of Qinghe, allowing her legitimate entry and exit from the imperial palace, and she was granted an independent palace. This was treatment at the level of a Noble Consort. While Bai Ruoxi and Yun Jin only had a separate courtyard, Liu Qianxun received an entire palace. The emperor’s grace was vast. In an instant, rumors about this unseen Princess of Qinghe spread throughout the palace.

Three days later, Liu Qianxun would formally enter the palace as a princess. Before this, she had to settle Liu Zhu. According to their agreement and promises, Liu Qianxun was to send her to the loquat forest, asking Yi Qingyu to treat her body.

“Xun’er, your time in the palace is unpredictable. I can recuperate here in Zhen Garden, don’t bother Qingyu.” Liu Zhu was very hesitant. She didn’t know how to face Yi Qingyu at such close proximity. If they were to live together day and night, what if she was recognized?

“If I don’t send you there, Aunt Qing will be suspicious instead. This time she helped me enter the palace for the emperor’s sake. Although I’m nominally her adopted daughter, there’s not a bit of mother-daughter affection. Mother, only if you stay by her side can I be at ease.”

“Will Yu’er agree? You should know, she cares for me and respects me because of you, but also because…”

“Because she wants to use you to control me. How could I not know? Which disciple of Shura Sect doesn’t have a weakness in her hands?” Liu Qianxun had long seen through Ling Yu’s nature; no one would gain her trust, including herself.

“It’s good that you know. So I worry that if you casually place me somewhere, it might anger her, and who knows what she might do.”

“It’s alright, don’t worry. If Ling Yu wanted to do something to me, she wouldn’t have waited until today. You know that she and I have always…” Liu Qianxun didn’t continue. What were they? They had never been anything; it was just her one-sided belief that she was special.

“This time you enter the palace, you must remember to be wary of the Empress Dowager.” Liu Zhu was extremely worried. Although she knew her daughter was clever and exceptionally skilled, palace struggles, especially the methods and cruelty of the inner palace, were always devoid of human sentiment and impossible to fully guard against.

Yi Qinghuan’s methods, she had witnessed them years ago. If it weren’t for her, how would she have been separated from Qingyu for twenty years?

“Mother, don’t worry, Xun’er will be careful.” Liu Qianxun helped Liu Zhu onto the carriage. Liu Zhu took out a mask made of translucent white jade and slowly put it on her face.

If she couldn’t escape reunion, she would live by Qingyu’s side with another identity. Even if she were to pass away in the future, at least Qingyu wouldn’t be too grief-stricken.