The Sovereign – Chapter 67

Volume Four: Opulent Splendor Like a Dream, Waters Flow East

Mountain Rain Desires to Come

Palace fight omen

The wrath of heaven, intimidating the world. After this, no one dared to mention the words “beauty brings calamity.” All the rumors in the palace about Liu Qianxun dissipated, even the Empress Dowager did not mention it again, and no one dared to provoke this County Princess Qinghe officially conferred by the Emperor.

In the imperial garden, the stream babbled, occasionally disturbed by insect chirping. After serving in bed, Liu Qianxun received a message from Ghost Eye, saying that Ling Yu wanted to see her. Although Qin Junlan allowed her free access to the imperial palace, she had now angered the court, attracting the Empress Dowager’s attention, and every word and action needed to be cautious.

Without a suitable reason, she would rather wait for the right moment. Recently, however, the palace maids and eunuchs have been in a hurry, a large number of palace maids have been transferred to the harem, and things are often moved into the other courtyard, as if something major is happening.

Liu Qianxun stopped and gazed with doubts in her heart, “Why has the palace been so lively recently? The marriage ceremony of Concubine Xiao and the Wise King is over, and suddenly the three other courtyards in the harem are being renovated and cleaned, could it be to welcome distinguished guests?”

Mu Jin cleverly grabbed a palace person to inquire, but the palace maids and eunuchs knew nothing about it, only knowing that the Emperor was to welcome distinguished guests, but not knowing who it was.

“Let me go inquire further.”

“Okay.”

“Sister, Concubine Xiao has moved into the imperial palace. I’ve heard this person is arrogant and domineering, looking down on even the Princess Consort.” Mu Jin recounted the latest court trends to her, after all, the Wise King is the Empress’s younger brother, and the addition of a concubine is bound to stir up turmoil in the harem.

“Is her father the Grand Minister of Military Affairs Huo Yunqi?” Liu Qianxun heard that he was the leader of the officials’ memorials.

“Exactly.”

“This matter is not difficult to analyze. Huo Xiao became the Empress Dowager’s daughter-in-law, and the Empress Dowager wants to get rid of me quickly, so she uses Huo Yunqi to pressure the Emperor. She probably promised some benefits like family unity to his daughter. Otherwise, how could the cunning old Huo Yunqi dare to be the first to stick his neck out?” Liu Qianxun analyzed slowly. The current court situation is delicate, not only is she besieged, but Yun Jin is likely to be involved as well.

It’s really laughable. the Wise King keeps saying he only loves Yun Jin, yet he still took a concubine. Even though the Empress Dowager spoils Yun Jin, she still agreed to take a concubine for the sake of the imperial family’s continuation. People say that the Wise Princess Consort is wronged and unfairly treated, but only she knows, this is a kind of relief for Yun Jin.

Can love in this world really last long? Perhaps, Qingyu and Mother are just like that, aren’t they?

“Concubine Xiao arrives!” Liu Qianxun suddenly heard the palace maid call out, and smelled a thick fragrance, somewhat pungent. She looked up to see a graceful figure of a woman approaching slowly.

Behind her followed eight palace maids, two holding yellow parasols to shade her, and another two holding fans to cool her, never leaving her side. The Empress Dowager only has eight attendants when walking in the palace, but this concubine’s entourage is extraordinary. Seeing her with painted curved eyebrows, heavy makeup, wearing a gold hairpin with dangling ornaments, and a jade necklace around her neck, she exuded luxury and nobility. Everywhere she went, it seemed to announce to the world that she was the Wise King’s concubine. Yet her demeanor was no less grand than that of the main consort.

“Paying respects to Concubine Xiao.” Liu Qianxun slightly bowed.

Huo Xiao glanced at her without responding and instead raised her orchid fingers, admiring her nails, occasionally touching her hairpins and hairstyle, not paying any attention to Liu Qianxun. She had never seen such a beautiful woman, so captivating, even if not dressed luxuriously, still overshadowing her own appearance. Her natural beauty was evident, which was very annoying.

She deliberately made things difficult for Liu Qianxun, forcing her to kneel and pay respects in the scorching summer without exempting her from the courtesy. Sweat slowly dripped from Liu Qianxun’s forehead. If she weren’t trained in martial arts, her knees would have been numb from kneeling so long. Mu Jin already felt her legs aching, wanting to stand. However, since Liu Qianxun remained calm, she had to comply.

After a long while, Huo Xiao finally said slowly, “You may rise?” Pausing, she curiously asked, “Who are you?”

“This is my master, the Princess of Qinghe.” Mu Jin couldn’t help but interject, seeing her arrogance.

“Oh, so you are the infamous ‘beauty as calamity.’ It’s said you were once a courtesan queen.” Huo Xiao suddenly took interest, circling Liu Qianxun and sizing her up, sneering disdainfully, “Hmph, County Princess Qinghe, I think ‘County Princess Courtesan’ suits you better.”

“Haha…” The palace maids and servants behind Huo Xiao suppressed their laughter.

“You…” Mu Jin, angered, wanted to step forward to argue, but was stopped by Liu Qianxun, who lowered her face and commanded, “Stand down! Concubine Xiao is here, how dare you be impudent!”

“Hmph! At least you have some sense. In the future, keep your distance from me. Seeing your fox-like face angers me!” With that, she twisted her body and arrogantly left under the escort of eight people.

“Too infuriating!” Mu Jin stomped her feet in anger, while Liu Qianxun smiled faintly, “It’s just a minor concubine, not worth your anger.”

“She was clearly making things difficult for you and insulting you. Isn’t this bullying?”

“Bullying me? She doesn’t have that capability.” Liu Qianxun’s eyes turned slightly cold. She was only worried that Yun Jin’s indifferent and uncompetitive nature might be oppressed by her.

The harem will inevitably stir with waves due to the numerous women. She only hopes that those with intentions will not touch her bottom line, as she does not wish to cause any trouble in this imperial palace.

Huo Xiao… Liu Qianxun sneered coldly, an insignificant pawn cannot stir up any storm.

The Wise Princess Consort’s reputation is well-known. She has no intention of competing for favor, yet her virtues continue to bring her praise in the court. However, Huo Xiao’s hostility towards her grew even stronger. Huo Xiao, eighteen years old, is charming and clever, having met the Wise King on Huo Yunqi’s birthday and repeatedly showing affection towards him. Originally, Qin Junhao was infatuated with Yun Jin, but his affection was met with indifference. Yun Jin’s aloofness left him disheartened, so he married Huo Xiao as a concubine. (LP: What a petty manchild, how does this guy have the same blood as our Chaoyan)

Yun Jin never had a heart for fighting. Besides paying daily respects to the Empress Dowager and often accompanying Guo’er, she would go to Qixia Palace to sit for a while. A very important reason was that Guo’er always clamored for Liu Qianxun to teach him martial arts.

“Master, Master, quickly teach me how to use a stone to break a vase.” Guo’er was very close to Liu Qianxun. People in the palace always thought Liu Qianxun was aloof and did not dare to approach, but for some reason, this little prince always felt she was kind and liked to be with her.

“I’ve told you many times, don’t call me Master. According to seniority, you should call me Aunt.” Liu Qianxun lightly tapped Guo’er’s forehead, indulgence evident on her face.

Guo’er made a funny face at her, “Alright, alright, then Aunt Master it is, we can’t mess up the seniority.”

“Little rascal.” Liu Qianxun glared at him lightly, picked up two stones from the ground, held one in her hand, and gave the other to Guo’er. “Watch carefully, keep your two fingers together and grip the stone tightly. Channel all the strength of your body to your fingertips. Imagine there is an invisible string in your hand, pulling the stone, allowing you to control it freely. You can make it fly as far as you want.” As Liu Qianxun spoke, her right hand suddenly moved, and the stone flew out like a bolt of lightning, striking the osmanthus tree in the courtyard and embedding itself in the trunk.

“Wow~ wow wow~ wow wow~ Much better than the palace guards.” Guo’er clapped and cheered, thrilled. He secretly resolved to make Liu Qianxun his Master.

“This is called ‘casting a stone to ask the way.’ Do you want to try?” Although Liu Qianxun appeared indifferent, she always had a faint smile when facing Guo’er, unconsciously lifting the corners of her mouth and raising her eyebrows.

Guo’er held the stone, becoming serious, looking like a little adult, “I’m still young, my arm strength is lacking. Aunt Master, you can’t expect too much from me. How about this, if I throw it five feet away, it counts as my success, okay?” Guo’er was very clever, understanding the principle of knowing when to advance and retreat at a young age, and he also knew how to analyze the situation and utilize his strengths under favorable conditions.

“Of course.” Liu Qianxun grew more fond of him. Unexpectedly, although Qin Junhao was mediocre in talent, his son was so outstanding, thanks to Yun Jin’s excellent guidance. Guo’er was so intelligent and endearing.

It’s not an exaggeration to say he has the bearing of an emperor at a young age; his comprehension and intelligence likely match that of the young Qin Junlan. If she never marries and has no children, this Qin Yu might very well become Qin Junlan’s only successor, the future emperor of the Ji Kingdom.

Guo’er pinched the stone, focused intently on the stone bench not far away. Following the method Liu Qianxun taught, he held his breath and forcefully threw the stone. A crisp sound was heard as the stone precisely hit the stone bench five feet away.

“Guo’er has excellent comprehension and will surely be promising in the future.” Liu Qianxun couldn’t help but praise him, giving him a thumbs up.

Seeing the opportunity, Guo’er hurriedly grabbed Liu Qianxun’s clothing, his large, bright eyes gazing at her, “Then will you accept me as your disciple?” After speaking, he didn’t forget to act pitiful, pretending to be aggrieved, truly making one feel tender affection.

“I… will consider it.” Liu Qianxun couldn’t agree, because she didn’t belong here, nor to the palace. She would leave one day, and perhaps that day would come soon. So, she wouldn’t promise anyone anything, not even a child.

“Still need to consider? With your high martial skills, not accepting a disciple like me with great comprehension means having no successor. Besides, you call my mother consort ‘sister’, so we’re even closer. Guo’er really doesn’t understand why you’re hesitating.” Guo’er pouted, feeling unhappy.

“Guo’er, don’t be disrespectful. The County Princess is your elder; you can’t speak like that.” Yun Jin reprimanded Guo’er, not knowing why Guo’er felt close to Liu Qianxun, and this intimacy didn’t seem deliberate.

Yun Jin increasingly couldn’t understand Liu Qianxun. Although every time she saw her, she felt a pang of sadness, she couldn’t dislike her. Liu Qianxun always faced everything with indifference; it was hard to see any emotional fluctuations on her face, and even harder to guess what she was thinking, to discern which of her words were true or false.

“Alright, Guo’er knows he was wrong. Please punish me, Mother Consort. I was just trying hard to persuade Aunt Master to take me as her disciple, and I want to protect you, so you won’t be bullied.”

“Guo’er!” Yun Jin’s face turned stern, her smile completely faded, showing the strictness of a mother. Guo’er suddenly realized he almost slipped up, quickly covering his mouth, not daring to say more.

“Could it be that Sister Jin’er was troubled by someone?” Liu Qianxun asked suspiciously, her eyes glancing at the maid Huairou.

Huairou seemed to have grasped a lifeline, finally someone could speak a fair word for the princess, and she could no longer bear it, “Isn’t it so? County Princess, the Princess originally resided in the North Courtyard and was later granted Yunting Palace. This Concubine just entered the door and demanded a palace from the Prince. The Prince was in a difficult position. In this imperial palace, apart from the Emperor and the Empress Dowager’s palaces, there are only the four major courts, which are supposed to be for those of noble consort rank and above. Given your merit in saving the nation, it’s a different matter, and it’s understandable for the Princess, with her unusual status, to reside in the court. But the Concubine is just a Minister’s daughter, how can she live in the palace? Our Princess doesn’t want to compete for favor, nor does she want to trouble the Prince, so she gave up Yunting Palace and moved to the tiny Qinyuan…” The more Huairou spoke, the angrier she became, feeling wronged for her mistress.

“Shut up! Who told you to speak out of turn.” Yun Jin was truly helpless; everyone liked to stir up trouble, but to her, where she lived made no difference, so why care?

“You are the main consort, in terms of birth and status, Huo Xiao shouldn’t be above you.” Liu Qianxun’s eyebrows slightly knitted, as expected, just as she had anticipated.

Yun Jin merely smiled faintly, “It’s just a different place to live, and besides, just because I don’t compete for favor doesn’t mean she can bully me.”

Liu Qianxun nodded, saying no more, simply pulling Guo’er to continue teaching her martial arts. She crouched down to be at eye level with Guo’er, picked up a stone from the ground, and handed it to Guo’er, “Guo’er, remember, if someone bullies your mother consort, use this to teach them a lesson.”

“But I’m not strong enough.”

“It doesn’t matter, you will grow up, and when you become a man, you must continue to protect your mother consort, don’t let anyone bully her. If anyone dares to harm her, then kill them.” Liu Qianxun’s pupils were cold, holding Guo’er’s hand with slight force.

Guo’er stared at her blankly and said, “But the Emperor rules the world with benevolence, isn’t it not okay to just kill people?”

“It’s not okay to kill indiscriminately, but you also can’t let bad people go, and you must not let those who harm your mother consort off lightly, understand?”

“Guo’er understands.”

Liu Qianxun smiled lightly, then turned to give Yun Jin a deep look.

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