The Sovereign – Chapter 78

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

Deep-Rooted Love

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“Xun’er, you are mine, and I am yours. Shall we never part, alright?”

The splashing pool water forms a melody, and a hundred flowers float with their fragrance sinking in the pool. Liu Qianxun, however, fell silent. She wanted to answer, but the words caught in her throat, unable to be spoken.

Qin Junlan’s hand happened to rest on Liu Qianxun’s shoulder, and the alluring iris tattoo once again came into view.

“Why did you get an iris tattoo? It must have been painful, right?” She became curious. Ordinarily, women cherish their bodies and are unwilling to have flaws, and few would pierce their skin to tattoo flowers. Yet Liu Qianxun did the opposite. Not only did she endure the intense pain of tattooing, but she also bloomed such a vibrant flower.

Iris tattoo… Liu Qianxun lightly bit her lip, holding her hand tighter. How could she explain its origin? She only answered faintly, “Youthful ignorance and willfulness.”

“Youthful ignorance…” Qin Junlan murmured. Knowing this evasive reason meant Liu Qianxun had something on her mind but didn’t want to discuss it, she turned slightly and lowered her head to kiss the iris. “This flower looks so vivid on Xun’er, it’s beautiful.”

“It’s not beautiful! It’s not as beautiful as the iris Yan’er cultivates by hand.” Liu Qianxun became agitated, her brows tightly knit. A deep sense of bitterness swept through her body. She had never felt so heavily oppressed before, even to the point of pain.

Why was Qin Junlan treating her so well, using all her tenderness to soften her heart and remove her armor, making her so weak, making her realize how unworthy her actions towards her were? On one hand, enjoying tenderness, on the other, acting recklessly, scheming for everything.

“Alright, alright, not as beautiful as our iris flower~ Not as beautiful as my Xun’er~” Qin Junlan held her tightly in her arms, yet a trace of melancholy flashed in her heart. Liu Qianxun hadn’t answered her earlier question.

She didn’t know if Liu Qianxun truly wanted to stay with her forever.

“Yan’er~”

“Hmm?”

Liu Qianxun rose from her embrace, cupped her face, and gazed into her eyes. The fear and worry in her eyes reflected in Qin Junlan’s pupils. She was waiting for Liu Qianxun to say something, but seeing her hesitation, she didn’t pursue it, only wearing a gentle smile as she looked back at her.

“I don’t want to leave you. I increasingly… don’t want to leave you…” Liu Qianxun lightly bit her lower lip, a sour feeling filling her nose. For the first time, she felt the urge to cry. She was afraid; for the first time, she was so afraid, so powerless. Qin Junlan, seeing Liu Qianxun so fragile for the first time, held her in her arms with heartache. “Then don’t leave. Why would you leave? What, thinking of being irresponsible? The Emperor won’t allow it~”

She joked lightheartedly, but in her heart, unease also surged. She always felt that Liu Qianxun was like a celestial crane, only stopping briefly before returning to the nine-layered heaven.

“Yan’er~”

“Hmm?”

“Yan’er…” Liu Qianxun repeated her name.

“I’m here. I’ll always be here.” Qin Junlan lightly kissed her hair. Whatever secret was hidden in the depths of her heart that couldn’t be spoken, she could forgive anything. She could brave thorns and cut through brambles, remove all stumbling blocks, and wouldn’t let her suffer even the slightest grievance, only wishing she could be honest.

But if she didn’t speak, Qin Junlan was reluctant to force her in any way. She was willing to give her more time.

The red lanterns of Fengqi Pool lit up the night. Li Ruo brought an urgent memorial, but was stopped by Li Yue. She didn’t dare to go forward and disturb them. It was truly a dilemma whether to knock or not, but the content of this memorial should be reported as soon as possible.

“Don’t the Emperor and the Princess need to eat?” Yuan Xi had already asked the imperial kitchen to prepare dinner for the third time. According to Qin Junlan’s usual dining habits, two hours had already passed.

“I think they probably won’t be hungry….” Li Yue seemed to understand but not quite.

Yuan Xi glanced at Li Yue and suddenly asked curiously, “Sister Yue, can such things really make people not need food or sleep?”

“This….” Li Yue scratched her chin, “How would I know? I’ve never done that….”

“Oh right, Sister Yue isn’t married yet.” Yuan Xi shrugged, her lips revealing a mischievous smile. She only felt a wave of killing intent from Li Yue and quickly crossed her hands, “I don’t know martial arts so you can bully me, but it wouldn’t be good to disturb the Emperor and the Princess.”

Li Yue quickly stopped her actions, looking at the memorial in her hand with frustration, undecided whether to knock or not, afraid of disturbing them.

“Yuan Xi, come in and clean up. We’re returning to the palace.” Suddenly hearing Qin Junlan’s words, the two looked at each other and carefully walked in.

A beauty reclined on the couch, their three thousand strands of hair intertwined, delicate shoulders faintly visible. Qin Junlan maintained a slight smile, her gaze only resting on Liu Qianxun.

Li Yue had never seen Qin Junlan look so enchanting. Shy with a hint of coquettishness, soft beauty with a touch of allure. Having seen her regal air as a ruler many times, occasionally glimpsing her unique charming demeanor, it was truly a city-toppling beauty. It seemed that usually, because of her status, people overlooked that she was also a beautiful woman. After shedding her identity as a ruler, she possessed an exquisite grace.

Yuan Xi, being very sensible, quietly removed the bloodstained bedding and tidied everything up. Li Yue came to her senses, remembering she still had important matters to report. “Your Majesty, your servant has matters to report~” Li Yue bowed slightly, holding up the memorial as she approached.

“We won’t look at it now, you speak~” Qin Junlan, still flushed and with a hint of fatigue on her rosy cheeks, replied.

“It is reported that the Crown Princess of Yu Kingdom has arrived in Ji City and is currently residing at Suyuan Tower. The head of the Nalan family from Qing Kingdom has also checked into Tianyi Inn, and the King of Yulan will arrive in two days.”

Qin Junlan narrowed her eyes and smiled lightly, “I’ve heard that the Crown Princess of Yu Kingdom is flirtatious by nature and likes to find favorites. Suyuan Tower is indeed a good choice.”

Liu Qianxun lowered her head slightly, silent, but worried in her heart. She had a premonition that Ling Yu’s visit to Ji Imperial Palace this time must have a purpose. Would she harm Qin Junlan? Would she suddenly terminate the mission and ask her to withdraw?

“Your Majesty, should we send someone to welcome them into the palace? They’ve already entered the city, it seems inappropriate not to extend hospitality as the host.”

“We have the same thought. Issue an edict commanding the Department of Nine Ministers to send people to invite the Crown Princess and the head of the Nalan family into the palace.”

“By your command~”

“Xun’er, in the next few days, We need to arrange receptions for the envoys from the three countries. You will accompany me then.”

Liu Qianxun moved her lips slightly, “Xun’er is just an external Princess, how can I participate in diplomatic affairs?”

“If We say you can participate, then you can. Those coming are all extraordinary women from various countries. Don’t you want to meet them?” Qin Junlan raised an eyebrow. She was half sincere and half probing, very much wanting to see Liu Qianxun’s reaction when she met Ling Yu.

“I’ve only heard that Nalan Qing is knowledgeable about strange occurrences, though I don’t know if it’s true or false. But I do want to meet such a person.” Liu Qianxun helped Qin Junlan dress and tie her waistband, calm and composed, with no unusual words.

“When she divorced her husband, she told her clan that she liked women, but I’ve never heard of her being with anyone. There’s a rumor in Qing Kingdom that she and the Yu Kingdom Princess are bosom friends, but it’s unknown if the person she likes is Ling Yu.” When mentioning Ling Yu, Qin Junlan always looked at her a few more times.

“That’s unknown then, and whether what we’ve heard is true can’t be verified. For Nalan Qing, the world is ultimately just an audience.”

“Xun’er speaks the truth.” Qin Junlan probed step by step, and Liu Qianxun could only respond impassively. But when would they be able to truly face each other honestly?

Five days later would be the day of the four-country alliance meeting. The visitors were all remarkable figures from the three countries. Although not in high positions, they could influence the course of their nations. The one Qin Junlan most wanted to meet was Ling Yu. The two had crossed swords many times, openly and in secret, but had never directly confronted each other. She wanted to see what this opponent looked like.

Yuan Xi had arranged the evening meal properly. Liu Qianxun accompanied Qin Junlan for dinner, experiencing a sense of ordinary life. Except for dining with Liu Zhu, Liu Qianxun had never felt at home before. This was the first time she felt happiness in simplicity. This was the imperial palace, but because Qin Junlan gave her a sense of stability.

In leisure time, appreciating blooming flowers, if every day could be spent like this, accompanying her, grinding ink for her, reading together as flowers fall, how happy that would be.

“Xun’er, We need to write something. If you find it boring, you can return to Qixia Palace, or read a book, play the zither, or enjoy tea.”

“I don’t want to do anything else, I just want to be with you.” Liu Qianxun insisted, beginning to help her grind ink, wanting to cherish every moment together, always feeling that time was precious, perhaps one day when it’s gone, it can never be possessed again.

“Alright, whatever you say goes. We’ll do anything for you.” Qin Junlan’s beautiful eyes were full of tenderness. She only wanted to give her the greatest favor, to spoil her into the happiest woman in the world, to give her the best things in the world. One day, she would also give her a unique status.

“Your Majesty~” Li Yue placed several books on the dragon desk, putting the half-written one on top in front of Qin Junlan. Liu Qianxun inadvertently glanced at it and saw it was 《Military Strategy Treatise》 .

“Seal the three completed volumes and pass them on to Guo’er when he’s a bit older. He’s too young now to understand.” Qin Junlan dipped her brush in ink and began writing with spirit. Her handwriting was elegant yet had a grand and open style, with powerful strokes. When she focused on writing, Liu Qianxun couldn’t bear to look away.

“I didn’t expect Yan’er to author military books as well.” Liu Qianxun’s eyes revealed a smile. Her first reaction upon seeing the military book was not delight, but rather an increase in admiration for Qin Junlan. Such a wonderful woman, an emperor of a country, capable of writing to pacify the world and riding a horse to stabilize the realm. How could she bear to hurt her, and how could she bear to leave? Unknowingly, she had already sunk deep, yet was unaware.

“A strong army makes a strong country. We must pass down this set of strategies for strengthening the military.” After saying this, she immersed herself in writing the military book again.

This was Qin Junlan’s life’s work, and also related to the survival of the entire Ji Kingdom’s army. How could Liu Qianxun steal it? If one day Guo’er were to be heavily used, this would undoubtedly be even more important to him. Guo’er was her own nephew; she could never bring herself to harm them both at the same time.

She was tired. She no longer wanted to live endlessly in schemes and calculations. She and Qin Junlan were already the closest people in the world, yet she was about to turn around and steal her state secrets. She couldn’t do it. She didn’t want to anymore. This military book could be forgone. She didn’t want to continue hurting her because she discovered that she might have fallen in love with her.

Qin Junlan bent over her desk for a long time, and Liu Qianxun remained silent by her side. Her focused appearance was truly likable. Liu Qianxun just quietly watched her, feeling happy and content. Whether intense or mild didn’t matter; even a long, gentle companionship was enough to make one happy.

The night was as still as water. Liu Qianxun felt no drowsiness at all. Qin Junlan finally completed the writing of the third volume, and her gaze finally moved from the book back to Liu Qianxun.

“Xun’er, are you tired? It’s really unfair to you to accompany me like this.”

“Your Majesty writing tirelessly, for the country and the people, is what’s truly hard work.” Liu Qianxun helped her organize the 《Military Strategy Treatise》, inadvertently glancing at the content and memorizing it. She hurriedly tried to shake off this instinctive memory, even if it was just a line or two of text, she felt it was a kind of peeping, a kind of harm to Qin Junlan.

She didn’t want to steal her things anymore. Why did she have this photographic memory ability? She didn’t want it!

“Why are you frowning? Come~ We’ll take you somewhere~” Qin Junlan gently smoothed out her brow, she had no sleepiness and thought of giving Liu Qianxun a surprise. Holding her hand, she walked towards the outside of the palace.

Grass grew long and orioles flew, summer insects chirped. Facing the night breeze, Qin Junlan’s flowing black hair drifted gracefully. She led Liu Qianxun all the way to the Iris Garden.

The garden was quiet with only the sound of the wind gently brushing past flower petals. The irises bloomed beautifully but modestly, neither excessively alluring nor lacking in nobility. The garden was originally pitch black. Liu Qianxun only felt people approaching from all around but remained composed. She only heard Qin Junlan give a light cough.

Facing the moon in the wind, on this sleepless night, in the secret realm of the flower forest, willow orioles (fireflies) burst forth, like stars falling from the sky, illuminating this garden of dreams.

It turned out that Qin Junlan had ordered people to catch fireflies and release them quietly when they arrived.

“So beautiful~” Liu Qianxun couldn’t help but reach out her hand. Fireflies landed on her shoulder, and she lightly pinched her fingertips, with a few fireflies stopping there. She revealed a smile she had never shown before, focusing intently on watching the flowing lights fly about.

Qin Junlan quietly approached, suddenly picking her up and lifting her off the ground. The fireflies, startled, scattered and flew about haphazardly, yet became the twinkling stars adorning their heads. She exclaimed, “Yan’er, what are you doing?”

“Hugging you~ I like you and want to hold you~” As Qin Junlan spoke, she held Liu Qianxun and danced among the flowers. Her steps were light, and the swarm of fireflies surrounded the two, dancing gracefully, illuminating the night sky for them.

“Yan’er, put me down quickly~” Liu Qianxun grinned broadly, laughing as she had never laughed so freely before, completely letting herself go and experiencing happiness and joy she had never known.

“I won’t let go~” Qin Junlan insisted. Liu Qianxun, still smiling, narrowed her eyes and asked, “You really won’t let go?”

“Really…” Qin Junlan clearly hadn’t noticed that Liu Qianxun’s eyes now held a mischievous glint. Just as she was about to reconsider, Liu Qianxun’s fingertips suddenly struck, and she found herself unable to move.

“Liu Qianxun! You’re being insolent, daring to seal my acupoints?” Qin Junlan stood frozen in place. Liu Qianxun slipped from her arms and lightly tapped her nose, saying, “You said that when we’re alone, you’re not the emperor. Now you say I’m being insolent? That won’t work~”

“Liu Qianxun, you’re bold! This is subordinates defying superiors, this is bullying the weak, how can you use your strength to bully the weak?” Qin Junlan was instantly exasperated. Who told her that her martial arts were inferior? She could only submit to Liu Qianxun’s mercy.

“I suppose Your Majesty, busy with state affairs, has had no time to learn the skill of unsealing acupoints on your own. It’s a pity that with Aunt Qing’s excellent martial arts, you only learned three levels. Today, Xun’er happens to have martial arts slightly superior to yours. How can I be bullied by Your Majesty at will?”

“Mmm~ Xun’er, your martial arts are formidable, I’m not your match, alright? What exactly do you want to do? Quickly unseal my acupoints.”

Liu Qianxun smiled lightly, her figure suddenly disappearing from sight. Qin Junlan couldn’t move, only hearing Liu Qianxun’s figure whooshing past around her, seeming to be dancing, or perhaps practicing martial arts. She couldn’t see clearly. After a short while, Liu Qianxun gracefully returned to her sight, her beautiful eyes full of mirth.

She grabbed her sleeve, stepped back slightly, and suddenly spread her arms, like a heavenly maiden scattering flowers, or like the Milky Way falling. Fireflies rushed towards the moon, endlessly pouring out from her sleeves, rising to the sky in an orderly fashion, forming a halo of light from top to bottom, like a pillar of light reaching to the sky, dreamlike and illusory. Liu Qianxun lightly flicked her fingers, and a pebble fell on Qin Junlan’s body, unsealing her acupoints.

For a moment, Qin Junlan seemed to see a celestial being. Liu Qianxun was surrounded by flowing lights, clothed in radiance, adding more charm to this alluring night.

“Xun’er~” Qin Junlan gently approached and embraced her. “Xun’er~”

Liu Qianxun encircled her waist and leaned on her shoulder. She had never been so open-hearted before, never laughed so freely from childhood to adulthood. She had always been as cold as frost, only because she felt the warmth and coldness of human emotions and had never experienced warmth before. After entering the Shura Sect, although she had Ling Yu’s protection and favor, most of the time she was alone in her sorrow.

“Are you willing to spend the rest of your life with me like this?” Qin Junlan always wanted to hear the answer from her lips, but Liu Qianxun always remained silent.

“You are the emperor. We are not like ordinary people. Perhaps being together is a luxury~”

“It won’t be a luxury~ If one day we can live in seclusion like my aunt, we can choose a quiet place and live on simple food and tea. Or we can travel to see mountains and rivers, experience the great landscapes. Qixia Valley, Shennong Valley, Hundred Flower Forest, these few earthly paradises, I must take you to visit them all.” Qin Junlan had already formed a plan, but she wouldn’t reveal it before it could be realized. She hoped that when the day came that she could do it, she would give Liu Qianxun the biggest surprise.

“Can it really be? Can I?” Liu Qianxun was uncertain and afraid. The happier she was, the more fearful she became.

Qin Junlan steadied her, gently brushed aside the hair at her temples, held her hands, and said with deep affection, “Xun’er, in this life, I will marry no one but you.”

Liu Qianxun’s heart was completely softened by her, and she answered resolutely, “Me too, I will marry no one but you.”

“Xun’er has agreed to me, finally agreed to me!” Qin Junlan picked her up and spun around, their graceful figures swaying under the moon.

From now on, you hold hands and never part.

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