The Sovereign – Chapter 72

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

Evening Rain

Why bother? Why suffer?

“I…” Huo Xiao had never experienced such humiliation. Tears immediately burst from her eyes, but the rain was so heavy that no one noticed her current emotional state. She looked pleadingly at Qin Junlan for a moment, but was startled by that sharp gaze and lowered her head again. She had always thought the Emperor had a gentle nature and had never heard of her being harsh to anyone. Her father often praised the Emperor’s benevolence, but at this moment, she was terrifying. In that brief glance, it seemed she could tear Huo Xiao to pieces.

Huo Xiao slowly raised her hand, pursed her lips, and gently slapped her own face.

“Louder! I can’t hear it!” Qin Junlan shouted fiercely. Huo Xiao was startled, gritted her teeth, tears pouring down, and couldn’t help but sob. She clenched her fist and swung it forcefully towards her own face.

Qin Junlan’s cold and merciless demeanor was frightening, and everyone was too shocked to make a sound, except for Liu Qianxun, who was indifferent to Huo Xiao’s punishment. She only felt that when Qin Junlan became cruel, she was no less than Ling Yu. Perhaps all these people in high positions of power had experienced killing and struggles to reach their positions, and punishment and killing meant nothing to them.

Huo Xiao cried as she slapped herself again and again. The rain grew louder, gradually drowning out the clear sound of the slaps, but she still didn’t dare to stop. Qin Junlan’s piercing gaze seemed to want to take her life, and if she didn’t comply, she feared she wouldn’t be able to leave Qixia Palace alive.

“Stop!” Suddenly, a stern voice rang out. Yi Qinghan appeared at the palace gate with a gloomy face, standing beside the Wise King Qin Junhao.

He rushed forward without hesitation and helped Huo Xiao up. “Are you alright?”

“Your Highness, Your Highness…” Huo Xiao’s cheeks were already swollen, and she could barely speak from the pain. Fortunately, when she was summoned, she had asked the Wise King to find the Empress Dowager to come, otherwise, she would surely have been tormented to death in this Qixia Palace today.

Yi Qinghan, dressed in her phoenix robe and holding a wide umbrella, stood imposingly beside Huo Xiao. When she saw Liu Qianxun sitting on equal terms with Qin Junlan, she immediately felt displeased.

Everyone bowed to the Empress Dowager, and Qin Junlan, who valued etiquette and filial piety, naturally wouldn’t be negligent.

“Why must my imperial child resort to such drastic measures? Side Consort Xiao is, after all, Minister Huo’s daughter and your own brother’s wife. How could it come to this?” Yi Qinghan stood in opposition to Qin Junlan. She knew Huo Xiao’s nature was deliberately unrestrained, but it was all to create trouble for Liu Qianxun. Now that the Emperor was protecting Liu Qianxun, she naturally had to help Huo Xiao.

“She’s bullying others with power, is arrogant and domineering, and with aggressive and overbearing attitude. If I don’t teach her a lesson today, I fear she’ll have no regard for anyone and think she can be the mistress of the harem!”

“Imperial sister, Xiaoxiao absolutely didn’t mean that,” the Wise King comforted Huo Xiao, his face full of helplessness, both heartbroken and not daring to say more.

“Imperial brother, I don’t want to interfere in your family matters, but keep your woman in check. Don’t challenge my bottom line. This is the imperial palace, not the Wise King’s Mansion!” Qin Junlan’s anger was directed at the Wise King’s household. Qin Junhao, being reprimanded, didn’t dare to say more and could only look to Yi Qinghan.

“My child, I’ve heard something about this matter. Huo Xiao is still young, and there are many unreasonable things in the palace. I’ve decided to punish her with confinement. She is not to enter the palace for one month!” Yi Qinghan quickly passed judgment on Huo Xiao, wanting to deal with her before Qin Junlan could, and also to give both sides a way out.

“Xiaoxiao, quickly thank Her Majesty for her grace,” Qin Junhao hurriedly prompted Huo Xiao, who finally understood and hastily knelt to kowtow.

Qin Junlan stood with her hands behind her back, fingers tightly gripping her palms. The Empress Dowager had interfered again. She wanted to say something more, but Liu Qianxun held her back, whispering, “Give face to the Empress Dowager, the Wise King, and Minister Huo. Your Majesty, don’t forget what you promised me.”

Qin Junlan looked at her helplessly. Of course, she remembered promising Liu Qianxun that day not to incur everyone’s wrath because of her! Her word was her bond, and she couldn’t go back on it. Seeing that Huo Xiao had already been punished, if she continued to argue, the Empress Dowager might turn all the blame onto Liu Qianxun, and she would inevitably be implicated again.

“Mother Empress’s decision is fine,” Qin Junlan forced a smile, though her mood was far from settled.

After everyone left, Qin Junlan returned to her bedchamber in a rage, sweeping her hand to smash a vase on the table to the ground, startling everyone into a fearful kneel.

“This is outrageous!” Qin Junlan’s fury was like the wrath of thunder and lightning, just like the rolling thunder outside the window at this moment, difficult to calm!

“You may all withdraw,” Liu Qianxun waved to Li Yue and the others. Li Yue nodded and left, leaving only the two of them in the hall.

Qin Junlan stood with her back to Liu Qianxun, her tumultuous emotions hard to settle. Liu Qianxun didn’t speak, but slowly approached, embracing her from behind, arms encircling her waist, head resting on her shoulder. She spoke softly, “Yan’er, I’m really fine. Please don’t be like this, okay?”

“Am I so useless that I can’t even punish someone who bullied you without being obstructed?” Qin Junlan covered Liu Qianxun’s hands with her own, holding them tightly in her palms.

“No, you’re not just the Emperor, you’re also the Empress Dowager’s daughter. As a child, filial piety and righteousness come first. Even if the Empress Dowager’s words and actions contradict yours, you can’t hurt or defy her.” Liu Qianxun closed her eyes slightly, leaning against Qin Junlan’s neck, feeling a sudden comfort in her closeness. Her cheek brushed lightly against Qin Junlan’s ear, a gentle tickle, making her want to be even closer.

Qin Junlan turned around, holding Liu Qianxun’s waist firmly, locking her in her embrace. “Xun’er, we’re both women, and many things are inconvenient. The Empress Dowager hates the idea of women loving each other because of what happened with my aunt, but I won’t let her restrictions cause you any hardship. If you’re willing, I can arrange a palace outside for you, away from all this. I’ll make time to see you every day, I promise this situation won’t last too long.”

Liu Qianxun felt a pang in her heart, an inexplicable sense of grievance suddenly released. Afraid that Qin Junlan would notice the tears in her eyes, she buried her head in the crook of her neck. “Yan’er… don’t be so good to me.”

“What nonsense are you talking? I like you, if I’m not good to you, who should I be good to?” Qin Junlan’s emotions gradually calmed. She felt that holding Liu Qianxun made all troubles vanish like smoke. Nothing made her happier or more at ease than having her securely in her arms.

Like… such a simple phrase, yet it was the most moving language Liu Qianxun had ever heard. She suddenly remembered that she had once said similar words to Ling Yu. At that time, Ling Yu had approached her with deep affection, saying she liked her too, but then playfully stepped back, adding that among all the people she liked, she liked Liu Qianxun the most.

That carefree, unrestrained smile had hurt her heart, but in the end, she couldn’t change anything about Ling Yu.

Why was the warmth she had longed for coming from Qin Junlan, a person whose deep affection she couldn’t reciprocate, yet couldn’t bear to deceive?

She tried to move her throat, feeling only a heavy, powerless sensation, like a fishbone stuck in her throat. “I’m afraid you’re too good to me. I fear that one day, if I lose your favor, I might hurt you. I’m afraid…”

“What is there to fear? I’ll take care of everything. I’m the Emperor. What if I want to spoil you into becoming the most lawless and unruly woman in the world? No one can interfere with us, not even the Empress Dowager.”

Liu Qianxun closed her eyes tightly, holding Qin Junlan even closer, as if only this tight embrace could reassure her. Her heart softened instantly, the hard shell being broken down bit by bit by Qin Junlan’s gentleness. Her inner defenses were on the verge of collapse. “I’ve never feared anything in my life, but suddenly I’m so afraid. Afraid that one day, Yan’er, you won’t like me anymore, won’t want me, or might even hate me…”

“Don’t say anymore, Xun’er.” Qin Junlan held her shoulders, lightly touching her faintly reddened face. “You won’t, will you?”

Her deep pupils, gleaming with a gentle light like the pure moonlight, were beautiful and moving. Her half-probing, half-questioning tone made Liu Qianxun’s heart suddenly sink. She knew that Qin Junlan had never lessened her suspicions about her, but even so, she still chose to treat her with sincerity, chose to believe in her.

“We’ll be alright,” Liu Qianxun smiled faintly, somewhat powerlessly, her words becoming pale.

“Yes, we’ll always be alright.”

A rumble of thunder broke the silence in the bedchamber, but the sound of rain gradually subsided. Qin Junlan and Liu Qianxun nestled in the viewing pavilion, all the tranquility between heaven and earth existing only in this moment. If their love couldn’t last long, perhaps this brief companionship would become an eternal memory.

Liu Qianxun leaned in Qin Junlan’s embrace, her mind constantly preoccupied with leaving the palace tomorrow.

“Yan’er, I heard that Sister Jin’er leaves the palace every eighth day of the month. Xun’er wants to go with her tomorrow to visit my mother.”

“Tomorrow? Oh yes, it’s the eighth again.” Qin Junlan had wanted to accompany her, but she had important matters to discuss with the military council tomorrow and couldn’t go along.

Liu Qianxun seemed to read her mind. She rose from Qin Junlan’s embrace, gently stroking her hair, her smile as beautiful as a blooming flower. “I’ll go out with Sister Jin’er. You needn’t worry. State affairs are heavy, Yan’er. You don’t need to accompany me.”

“It’s your first visit home since entering the palace. Propriety dictates that I should accompany you.”

“Propriety? It’s not like I’m a commoner woman paying a formal visit.” Liu Qianxun’s face was already flushed, her coy demeanor fully apparent.

The wind gently lifted the hem of her clothes. Qin Junlan gazed at her intently, feeling that Liu Qianxun’s beauty surpassed everything at this moment. But that slightly flushed face made her heart ache. When would they be able to set aside all the formalities and let down all their guards, living wholeheartedly for each other alone?

Qin Junlan smiled, “It seems that next time I go to the loquat forest, I should prepare a hefty gift for a formal visit!”

“Chaoyan!” Liu Qianxun glared at her lightly, but was gently embraced by Qin Junlan. “Tomorrow, let Zhen Qing take a few people to accompany you.”

“Mm, I’ll return as soon as I can.” Liu Qianxun leaned on Qin Junlan’s shoulder, her suspended heart slowly settling.

The thin air was fragrant with the scent of bamboo leaves. The secluded tranquility of the loquat forest was like a utopia. Wisps of smoke rose from the bamboo cottage deep in the forest. Liu Zhu was busy in the kitchen, stir-frying dried bamboo shoots, preparing a plate of tofu and a bowl of vegetable soup – the daily fare for her and Yi Qingyu.

The bamboo cottage after the rain exuded a natural fragrance. The corridor of the cottage was an open-style hall, facing a small courtyard on the left and a cluster of bamboo on the right. A delicate wooden table stood in the hall, with the sound of dewdrops falling from the eaves, splashing tiny water droplets. Liu Zhu set out the bowls and chopsticks, looking around without finding Yi Qingyu.

Where had she gone? Usually, she should have returned for meals by now. During their time together, the two hardly spoke. Liu Zhu often couldn’t see Yi Qingyu, who was either practicing martial arts in the distance, meditating, or going out to buy food. Except for taking Liu Zhu’s pulse and treating her with acupuncture, she was rarely seen.

At night, Liu Zhu slept on the couch, while Yi Qingyu was more casual. Sometimes she would doze off leaning against a tree, sometimes sleep on a mat in the outer room, and occasionally she wouldn’t be seen at all. To Yi Qingyu, Liu Zhu’s presence was like air. Many times, she seemed like an empty shell, moving like the wind, her heart as cold as ashes.

The food was cooling, and the wind blew through the courtyard corridor, but still no sign of Qingyu. Liu Zhu’s originally calm heart began to ripple with worry. Where had she gone? Had she left? A sudden sense of panic swept over her. Her chest felt blocked, her heart in a state of anxiety, as if hanging by a thread that might snap at any moment.

After waiting a while longer, Liu Zhu could no longer contain herself and walked out of the hall to search.

“Qingyu~” She called out with a hoarse voice, but her naturally weak voice could barely make a sound, turning her intended shout into a soft call.

The ground, having been graced by rain, was slippery. Liu Zhu, holding onto tree trunks, lost her way in the loquat forest.

“Qingyu~” She called out with all her might, desperately hoping to see Qingyu, but there was no response except for the swaying sound of tree shadows.

Liu Zhu suddenly felt anxious, the pain in her chest intensifying, followed by violent coughing. Her limbs weak, she leaned against a tree trunk, on the verge of collapse, unable to even lift her feet. Her coughing became more urgent.

Had Qingyu left? Did she not want her anymore? She had finally been able to stay by her side, even if they didn’t speak daily, at least she could see her. Why had she suddenly disappeared? Liu Zhu covered her mouth, her violent coughing echoing through the loquat forest. The weakness in her throat, unable to catch her breath, made it seem as if she might stop breathing at any moment.

Raindrops silently fell from the tree branches, hitting her cold cheeks. She felt the brightness before her eyes gradually extinguish, darkness encroaching once again…

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