The Sovereign – Chapter 71

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

Calm Counterattack

Whichever hand strikes, that’s the hand we’ll cripple

Yun Jin was clever; she understood that Liu Qianxun deliberately allowed herself to be struck as a silent counterattack against Huo Xiao. This strategy was far more effective than complaining to Qin Junlan. By injuring herself, she intensified Qin Junlan’s concern. Only in this way could she strike at the core of the issue.

She hoped this strike would be enough to bring down Huo Xiao.

Now, Liu Qianxun had to consider how to shake off her “tail” after leaving the palace. Her departure with Yun Jin was legitimate, and even Yi Qinghan had no reason to stop them. However, Qin Junlan would certainly send people to follow them, whether for protection or surveillance, which would be inconvenient at times.

She needed to meet Ling Yu to resolve her doubts, and more importantly, to draw out the military deployment map in her mind, thus completing one of her tasks. However, she had yet to see the military strategy book 《Military Strategy Treatise》, nor had she seen Qin Junlan writing it. Its existence was still unknown, and Ghost Eye hadn’t provided any information either.

She needed to find a way to obtain this item. If she could get her hands on this book, she would complete her mission and could end this agonizing undercover operation, leaving the imperial palace.

Leaving…

Why did the thought of leaving feel so heavy? It should be a relief, an ending, yet it made her so sad…

The sky, originally clear and washed in azurr, suddenly began to darken with gathering clouds. The gloomy weather mirrored Liu Qianxun’s heavy heart as she sat in the Viewing Pavilion, leaning against the railing. Her long dress pooled on the ground, and her three thousand ebony strands (a poetic description of a woman’s beautiful long black hair) fluttered slightly in the breeze. From her vantage point, she could see the entire majestic city spread out before her.

Since entering the palace, only at times like this could she calm her thoughts and find a moment of relaxation. Yet she could no longer return to her former composure and calmness. Even when not thinking about her mission and these overt and covert struggles, her mind would be disturbed by thoughts of Qin Junlan.

“Sister,” Mu Jin called softly as she carefully approached the Viewing Pavilion, afraid of disturbing Liu Qianxun’s tranquility.

“What is it?”

“The Emperor summons you.”

Liu Qianxun didn’t turn her head, just gazed into the distance for a long while without speaking. Her dreamy eyes were as calm as still water. After a long moment, she slowly replied, “Tell her I’m unwell and unable to leave the palace.”

“Yes, my lady.”

She needed to wait for Qin Junlan to discover the truth on her own. This tactic of feigned refusal (a strategy of pretending to refuse while actually welcoming) would amplify Qin Junlan’s anger about the situation and her affection for her. She sighed deeply. All this scheming and intrigue was truly exhausting. She wondered how Yun Jin had managed to remain untainted all these years in the palace, like a lotus rising from the mud. Maintaining her true self was no easy feat…

However, she was worried about Yun Jin going to the loquat forest. Her mother had no mental preparation for this, and she couldn’t help but worry about her health. The weight of numerous concerns pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, and a multitude of raindrops fell, washing away the scorching heat in the air and bringing a hint of coolness.

In the Fengluan Palace, Yuan Xi reported truthfully. Qin Junlan grew suspicious, “Xun’er is unwell? How come I haven’t heard about this? Has the imperial physician been sent to examine her?”

“Your Majesty, this servant didn’t see the Princess herself. It seems she’s deliberately avoiding us. Mu Jin also appeared evasive, as if hiding something,” Yuan Xi explained. Having served the Emperor for many years, she was always meticulous and well-versed in palace ways, possessing keen observation and insight.

Qin Junlan walked to the door and gazed towards the Qixia Palace. Separated by palace walls, all she could see was the fine, silk-like rain. In the distance, red roof tiles appeared hazy and indistinct through the mist. Qin Junlan murmured to herself, “She refuses to see me. Why is that?”

Seeing Qin Junlan’s worry, Li Yue opened her mouth to speak but hesitated. She knew Liu Qianxun was avoiding the Empress due to her facial injury, but how could one so easily deceive the Empress? Wouldn’t she notice something was amiss? Ah, why did she agree to such a request? The words were on the tip of her tongue, but she had to swallow them back. Yuan Xi noticed Li Yue’s distraction and quietly pulled her aside, whispering, “Do you know something?”

“Me? How would I know what the Princess is thinking?” Li Yue desperately tried to defend herself, but Yuan Xi narrowed her eyes, staring at her. “Sister Yue, you’ve never been good at lying. Your eyelid twitches when you lie.”

“Ah? Really? Yuan Xi, you must be seeing things. I probably just… blinked too fast. Yes, that must be it.” Li Yue turned away, busily rubbing her eyes.

Yuan Xi shook her head helplessly and didn’t pursue the matter further.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the young prince has brought his schoolwork.”

“Let him in,” Qin Junlan said, her thoughts returning to the present. She saw Guo’er holding folded books, performing a kowtow to her.

“Guo’er is always punctual with his schoolwork.” Qin Junlan took the books and began to read through them. She personally served as Guo’er’s tutor, imparting knowledge and answering his questions. Guo’er was naturally intelligent and studious, never disappointing her. She was intent on nurturing him well, hoping he could take on great responsibilities in the future.

“Thank you for your concern, Imperial Aunt. But please don’t focus solely on state affairs and my schoolwork. You should also care about Aunt Master,” Guo’er said. Though childish words, they caught Qin Junlan’s attention.

She put the books aside and crouched down to be at eye level with Guo’er, her eyes revealing a smile. “Good boy, what’s wrong with your Aunt Master?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with her. Her face was all red, and it clearly wasn’t makeup, but she lied to me.” Guo’er cupped his chin thoughtfully, looking like a little adult.

“Her face was red?” Qin Junlan couldn’t understand Guo’er’s words.

Seeing that Guo’er had accidentally revealed the matter, Li Yue realized it was no longer possible to hide it from Qin Junlan. After all, it was the young prince who spoke; surely this wouldn’t count as betraying Liu Qianxun’s trust. With this thought, she stepped forward resolutely, knelt down, and recounted in detail the incident of Liu Qianxun being struck.

“Huo Xiao! How dare she!” Qin Junlan stood up abruptly, her eyes cold as ice. A bolt of lightning split the sky, illuminating her face filled with icy fury.

“Prepare the imperial procession to Qixia Palace. Summon Huo Xiao for an audience!”

The light rain tapped on lotus leaves and wutong trees, shrouding the imperial city in a misty haze that weighed heavily on people’s hearts. Qin Junlan’s ten-person palanquin procession set out from Fengluan Palace to Qixia Palace. Usually, she traveled simply, but today she displayed the full imperial might, a reminder that the heavenly authority must not be offended.

When Qixia Palace was informed of the Empress’s arrival, everyone, led by Liu Qianxun, knelt down. As soon as Qin Junlan alighted from her palanquin, she heard the collective greeting, “We pay our respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Empress, long live, long live!”

She rushed forward and bent down to help Liu Qianxun up. “Stand up quickly.” She cradled Liu Qianxun’s face; the handprint was no longer visible, but it was clear that makeup had been used to conceal it.

Qin Junlan felt as if those red handprints were like whips lashing her own heart. Her entire body ached, and her heart felt as if it was being torn apart. With tears in her eyes, she asked softly, “Does it hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore, Your Majesty. I’m fine,” Liu Qianxun replied. She guessed that Qin Junlan must have learned about the incident, hence the grand procession to Qixia Palace. It was impossible to keep this a secret from her, given how quickly news traveled in the palace, not to mention Guo’er’s daily lessons with Qin Junlan. No matter who had informed her, it would have incurred her thunderous anger.

“You’re fine? I’m not!” Qin Junlan’s anger erupted. Liu Qianxun could clearly feel her suppressing her fury, and fearing that her imperial wrath might affect others, she quickly said, “Please calm down, Your Majesty. It’s over now, everything’s fine.”

“I didn’t bring you into the palace for you to suffer such indignities,” Qin Junlan said, her face ashen. She turned to look towards the palace gate, waiting for a moment until Huo Xiao finally appeared.

Palace servants brought a long sandalwood bench, laid a yellow cushion on it, and placed it beneath the main hall’s entrance, resembling the Dragon Throne. Qin Junlan stood at the hall’s entrance, her aura more imposing than the thunderstorm outside. She held Liu Qianxun’s hand, interlocking their fingers, and sat on the makeshift throne.

“I wouldn’t dare, Your Majesty!” Liu Qianxun tried to refuse. Sitting at the same level as the Empress was a position reserved for the Empress Consort. Even the Empress Dowager’s Phoenix Throne was lower than the Dragon Throne, so how could she sit as an equal?

“When I tell you to sit, you sit. Today, I want the entire palace to know that you are mine. Anyone who dares to disrespect you disrespects me,” Qin Junlan said sternly. Everyone present could feel the Empress’s anger.

Liu Qianxun stood motionless. Qin Junlan gently pulled her delicate hand, softening her demeanor, and said tenderly, “Xun’er, come here~”

“Thank you, Your Majesty~” Liu Qianxun smiled, feeling warmth in her heart. She held Qin Junlan’s hand tightly, feeling grounded, like a drifting boat finding its harbor.

Huo Xiao approached trembling through the rain, not daring to use an umbrella. As she reached the steps and was about to ascend, Qin Junlan’s cold voice rang out, “Did I give you permission to approach?”

“This humble subject pays respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Empress, long live, long live!” Huo Xiao hurriedly knelt and kowtowed. Whether from the rain-soaked clothes or fear in her heart, she was shivering.

Muffled thunder rolled with dark clouds, and the light rain intensified. Huo Xiao remained kneeling, maintaining her kowtow position as Qin Junlan hadn’t spoken. The rain washed over her, soaking her clothes in an instant.

Qin Junlan’s icy gaze swept over Huo Xiao’s head, as if waiting for something. The indifference in her brow was terrifying. Liu Qianxun wondered what Qin Junlan had in store. Surely this couldn’t be all? No, the storm was about to break. Huo Xiao would certainly eat more than she could chew this time.

Liu Qianxun unconsciously touched the spot where she had been struck, a faint smile playing on her lips. Huo Xiao’s arrogance had vanished like smoke in the wind. How could a mere concubine dare to humiliate her and repeatedly cause trouble for Yun Jin? It was simply courting death.

“Your Majesty, the items have been brought,” Li Yue said softly. Qin Junlan nodded, and Li Yue signaled to two eunuchs.

The two men each carried a finger press, approaching Huo Xiao. This was a common punishment tool in the imperial harem, made of six thin rods threaded together. During execution, the victim’s fingers would be placed inside, and pulling the strings on both sides would cause excruciating pain. In severe cases, it could break tendons and bones, rendering the fingers useless.

Even if Huo Xiao had never seen such a cruel instrument before, she could recognize it. Immediately, she kowtowed in shock, “Your Majesty… this humble subject had no intention, no intention to offend the Princess. I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy, please have mercy.”

Huo Xiao trembled in fear, feeling as if the rain had turned to frost. She was terrified to the extreme, knowing that if her hand was ruined, she would become useless.

“Whichever hand… struck the Princess, cripple that hand…” Qin Junlan said unmoved, coldly overlooking everything. She never let go of Liu Qianxun’s hand, covering her hand with her palm and keeping it at her waist.

She felt both pain and resentment, hating herself for being too busy with state affairs and neglecting Liu Qianxun, allowing her to suffer such a great insult. Unable to punish herself, she could only let Huo Xiao bear the consequences. But if only Liu Qianxun could show weakness a few times, not always being so strong and enduring, she might not have had to bear this slap.

“Your Majesty, this humble subject truly knows her mistake…” Seeing Qin Junlan’s resolute attitude, Huo Xiao quickly begged Liu Qianxun for mercy, “Princess, you are magnanimous. I was foolish before. Please have mercy, Princess.” Huo Xiao’s forehead was bleeding from hitting the ground, the rain had disheveled her hair, messy strands hanging over her face, her makeup ruined, looking utterly wretched.

Liu Qianxun lowered her eyes slightly. If she didn’t plead for mercy at this moment, it would make her seem too petty, which didn’t fit the image she had created for herself. She turned her body slightly and bent forward a little, “Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, you needn’t resort to such private punishment. I believe Side Consort Xiao knows her mistake. Let her off this time.”

“Let her off…??” Qin Junlan looked indifferently at Huo Xiao and snorted coldly, “Fine~ Since Xun’er is pleading for mercy, you shall slap your own face instead.”

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