The Sovereign – Chapter 84

Volume Five: Remembering a Lifetime in the Sound of a Breaking Heart

Dark Clouds Rising

This is not just a drinking contest; it’s a matter of life and death.

As the sunset slipped below the horizon, Liu Qianxun walked out of Fengluan Palace, suppressing her emotions, silent all the way. The thing she feared eventually happened. Qin Junlan was no longer just suspicious; she must have confirmed something was wrong with Liu Qianxun. Otherwise, why would she be so cold?

The stark contrast from gentle yesterday to hostile today hit Liu Qianxun like a heavy punch to the chest. But she hadn’t figured out what had happened, leaving her with a vague sense of unease.

Fengluan Palace and Qixia Palace were not far apart, yet today the journey felt endlessly long, filled only with indifferent palace walls and an unfeeling sky. All warmth and security dissipated like smoke.

Happiness departed too hastily; she hadn’t even had time to savor it carefully before it was lost. Perhaps she never had the right to possess these things, from her so-called “lowly” birth in the eyes of the world, to being forced into becoming an assassin with no way out, and later executing various missions ordered by Ling Yu. Her hands were stained with blood, countless lives ended by her hands.

Originally, she thought she would retire after completing the last mission. Who knew she would fall into her own trap, a beauty trap – ultimately, who was being calculated? Since meeting Qin Junlan, and being influenced by her tolerance and kindness, she slowly transformed from a cold-blooded Asura assassin to someone who understood warmth and kindness.

But when she truly wanted to turn back, she found herself deeply trapped, unable to escape, and had long lost the qualifications to love and be loved.

She suddenly longed for Liu Zhu, recalling the years when mother and daughter relied on each other in desperate circumstances. But now, even her mother could accompany her loved one, even without recognition, which made her heart happy. But as for herself, it seemed like the whole world abandoned her. Qin Junlan no longer wanted her; all past tenderness had become void.

She walked like a puppet on the endless bluestone path, hearing nothing until someone gently tapped her shoulder, snapping her back to reality. It was Bai Ruoxi’s exceptionally beautiful face.

“Sister Xun’er, I’ve called you so many times, why are you ignoring me?” Bai Ruoxi was puzzled, having chased her from behind and called out five or six times, yet Liu Qianxun didn’t respond.

“Sorry, I was lost in thought. What is it?” Liu Qianxun appeared normal, but she seemed very weak and even melancholy, which Bai Ruoxi could clearly sense was different from usual. “Sister Xun’er, you aren’t sick, are you? Why do you look so lethargic?”

“It’s nothing, just not wearing makeup today.” Liu Qianxun forced a smile.

“As long as you’re okay. My brother is back; I want to take Ye Ming to meet him in a couple of days, is that okay?”

“Your brother is back?” Liu Qianxun was quite surprised. Why did Bai Yifei return?

“Yes, it’s the semi-annual report to the capital. But the Empress hasn’t summoned him yet, so he’s currently staying at Yi Mansion, which used to be the Grand Chancellor’s residence. I thought I’d take Ye Ming to meet him.” Bai Ruoxi remembered Bai Yifei always nagging her about getting married when it was time, which annoyed her. She didn’t want to marry anyone; who could be more interesting than Ye Ming, who could bring her happiness?

“I’ve said before, Ye Ming has hands and feet. I’ve never restricted her freedom, so you can go find her yourself.” After speaking, Liu Qianxun continued walking, suddenly envying Bai Ruoxi. Despite her carefree nature, she lived freely, loved bravely—how simple and wonderful it would be to live like that.

“Sister Xun’er~~ You really don’t seem happy~” Bai Ruoxi caught up, affectionately linking arms with her. At some point, she had grown close to Liu Qianxun, whom she once envied and now genuinely liked from the bottom of her heart.

“Did the Empress upset you? But she loves you so much, how could she bear to make you unhappy?”

“She didn’t upset me…” Liu Qianxun’s heart ached slightly. Yes, Qin Junlan was so gentle and considerate, loved her so much… how could she bear it?

Even the deepest love can’t withstand deceit and hurt. And she was the executioner who hurt Qin Junlan. What right did she have to covet her love and reluctance?

The two walked together to Qixia Palace. Bai Ruoxi excitedly rushed to Ye Ming upon seeing her. Ye Ming, accustomed to her enthusiasm, saw the two’s warm and cold intimacy, making Liu Qianxun realize for the first time that living simply was the happiest thing.

However, she worried about another matter: Bai Yifei. With military power in his hands, he almost ruled as a king in Fengcheng, ostensibly loyal to Qin Junlan but secretly engaging in various dealings. He colluded with merchants from the Yu Kingdom, sought personal gain, and slaughtered many Yu Kingdom soldiers.

Over the years, Ling Yu had often wanted to kill him, but his military tactics always allowed him to protect himself under heavy guard, even top experts couldn’t get close. He was a thorn in Ling Yu’s side, and she would inevitably find a way to eliminate him. She hadn’t heard any news from Fengcheng or the Yu Kingdom for a long time and didn’t know if Bai Yifei had done anything wrong to the Yu Kingdom lately.

If so, Ling Yu might issue the Asura kill order, sparing no cost to take his life. She only hoped this wouldn’t implicate Bai Ruoxi, the most innocent person in this political struggle.

Now Liu Qianxun was too passive, with no way forward or back, not knowing Ling Yu’s intentions or understanding Qin Junlan’s thoughts. She could only stay in Qixia Palace, pondering endlessly. Even Ghost Eye hadn’t sent any news recently, making Liu Qianxun feel everything was beyond control and expectation.

She couldn’t go on like this. Recently, Qin Junlan’s attitude had thrown her into chaos, causing her to lose her ability to analyze and judge. Upon careful consideration, everything happened for a reason. Where did the problem arise? Was it Ling Yu’s dance at the night banquet? Dance… could it be… Liu Qianxun suddenly realized, Ling Yu’s unrestrained dancing that day, she hadn’t dared to look carefully, could it be that she accidentally revealed the tattoo?

Qin Junlan’s change also started after the night banquet, so was it because she saw the tattoo? But she couldn’t possibly see that Ling Yu’s tattoo was identical to hers; was mere suspicion enough to make her so desperate?

“Tower Master~” Ye Ming suddenly ran over in a hurry, looking anxious, making Liu Qianxun feel uneasy. “What’s wrong?”

“The Emperor invited the Crown Princess to drink at Yu Garden, allowing no one but close confidants nearby. I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling~”

“Invited to drink… did the Emperor initiate the invitation?”

Ye Ming nodded.

“The Emperor invited the Sect Leader….” Liu Qianxun felt increasingly uneasy. Things were getting more complicated. She had disobeyed Ling Yu’s order by not poisoning Qin Junlan, which would inevitably be discovered. If Ling Yu found out she had other intentions, the consequences would be unimaginable. Would it harm Qin Junlan? Would she immediately withdraw, making her leave?

Liu Qianxun’s heart hung anxiously. Ye Ming had never seen her so powerless, as if driven to the brink, caught between the two, unable to move left or right, now coldly treated by the Empress, unaware that she was the most troubled and pained person.

Yu Garden was adorned with vibrant flowers, and the royal chef had already prepared the banquet. Qin Junlan brought several palace attendants along with pots of red irises. Ling Yu’s pupils constricted, not knowing the purpose behind Qin Junlan’s gift of irises, but she maintained proper etiquette, “Greetings, Your Majesty~”

“Crown Princess, no need for formality~” Qin Junlan returned the courtesy, gesturing for the attendants to place the irises on both sides. “The red irises are in full bloom. I’ve heard the Crown Princess likes this flower, so I specially brought a few pots, hoping the Crown Princess will accept them with a smile.” Qin Junlan lightly pursed her lips, an inscrutable depth hidden in her eyes.

“Your Majesty is considerate. Irises are common in the Yu Kingdom, but in the Ji Kingdom, they are rare.”

“What makes something rare is the value people place on it. Without admiration, it’s just an ordinary thing, not worthy of appreciation~”

Ling Yu lightly curled her lips. Qin Junlan seemed to be subtly competing with her in their words, and how could she let it go? She walked to the flowers, holding a bouquet with a charming smile, as beautiful and moving as the blooming irises, “That’s why I like irises, especially red ones. Proud yet noble, no other flower can match its color….”

“I… also like them very much. I didn’t expect to share the same taste as the Crown Princess~” Qin Junlan wore a cold smile. Though it was the hot season, a chill seemed to emanate from her.

Chen Qing and Li Yue stood guard by Qin Junlan, while Lin Wuming stood by Ling Yu’s side. No one dared to speak, watching the two converse, like a war about to erupt, making the entire Yu Garden start to tremble.

“Since Your Majesty has specially arranged a private banquet today, Ling Yu certainly cannot be impolite and brought some loquat wine from the Yu Kingdom for Your Majesty to taste.” After speaking, she gave a slight nod, and the attendant brought up a few jars of wine. Upon opening, the aroma of loquat filled the air, as familiar as walking into a loquat grove’s bamboo hut.

At the same time, the servant lit Huaining incense, with smoke rising gently from the incense burner, a refreshing and serene fragrance wafting over. Qin Junlan and Ling Yu sat opposite each other, the aroma of loquat wine filling the air from the four jars on the table. Ling Yu joked, “We people of the Yu Kingdom drink without the formality of the Ji Kingdom. I also like to drink from the jar. What does Your Majesty think?”

“Though I was born in the palace, I also like the spirit of the Jianghu and the customs of the people. Since the Crown Princess brought good wine, as a guest, I should let you go first.” After speaking, she lightly raised her arm, and a wine jar leapt into the air. Before it fell into her palm, she used internal force to push it towards Ling Yu.

Ling Yu opened her palm, internal force forming a whirlwind, steadily supporting the wine jar. She smiled, “Thank you, Your Majesty, but how can one drink alone?” With that, she flipped her hand, pushing the wine jar back towards Qin Junlan, causing another jar to rise into the air.

Qin Junlan lightly flicked her sleeve, her fingertips lightly touching the bottom of the jar, holding it steadily, “This one should belong to the Crown Princess.”

“Alright, then this one is returned to Your Majesty~”

The two played with the wine jars as if they were toys, simultaneously exchanging wine with each other, tilting their heads back to pour the wine into their mouths, like people of the Jianghu, wantonly and freely raising their heads.

The internal force clash affected those around them. Chen Qing quietly pulled Li Yue aside, “Let’s stay away; there will be a storm of blood and wind soon.”

“What nonsense, what storm of blood and wind, this is the imperial palace, the Ji Kingdom’s territory.” Li Yue glared at her, not understanding her meaning.

“Aiya, that’s not what I meant. Look at the Emperor and the Crown Princess; they’re clearly competing secretly. This is just the beginning; soon they’ll be using all their skills. I want to live a few more years.”

Li Yue looked at her disdainfully, “You hide far away yourself; I want to stay close to the Emperor. In case something happens, I can protect her.”

“Aiya~ Yue’er~” Chen Qing looked at Li Yue, shrugged, and sighed softly, “Alright then, in that case, dying with you wouldn’t leave any regrets.”

“Shut up!” Li Yue really wanted to kick her away. Joking around without considering the occasion, the Emperor and the Crown Princess were seriously competing, and they both drank a whole jar of wine each.

“Truly good wine, very satisfying. Crown Princess, please~” Qin Junlan lightly patted the table, sending another jar of wine into the air. She waved her hand, sending the wine jar swiftly towards Ling Yu. Before Ling Yu could catch it, Qin Junlan hit it with a palm strike, causing the jar to shake and spray wine everywhere.

Ling Yu was not to be outdone. The splashed wine was condensed by her internal force, her hands gently swaying left and right, pouring the wine back into the jar. Unexpectedly, a gust of palm wind came from Qin Junlan. Ling Yu quickly dodged with the jar, surprised by Qin Junlan’s internal force, wondering what she intended by being so aggressive.

She realized Qin Junlan seemed deliberately trying to trouble her. Humph, even in the Ji Imperial Palace, her territory, she wouldn’t let Qin Junlan gain the upper hand. Qin Junlan wanted to compete with her in internal force, but she only needed to use five layers of her power to defeat Qin Junlan. However, this occasion wasn’t suitable for determining a winner, only for maneuvering. She slightly retracted her internal force, suddenly exerting it to push the jar towards Qin Junlan, simultaneously colliding with another jar controlled by Qin Junlan.

The two wine jars were like two opposing beasts, each controlled by the two with internal force, with winds gradually rising around them, causing the jars to waver and shake in confrontation.

“It’s over; it’s going to break!” Chen Qing covered Li Yue’s face with her hands, “You must be careful; you can’t hurt your face.”

“Chen Qing, get away from me. You’re timid, protect yourself. Don’t touch me!” Li Yue pushed her hand away. Chen Qing was persistent, raising her hand again, tilting her head, and raising her eyebrows, “I won’t. If my face is ruined, it’s fine, but you can’t be hurt, Yue’er.”

As soon as she finished speaking, there was a “bang,” and the wine jar shattered in the air, spraying wine onto Qin Junlan and Ling Yu, soaking their shoulders. Qin Junlan’s hair was also stained, but her eyes remained fixed on Ling Yu’s shoulder.

Ling Yu’s Qinghong thin shirt, soaked with water, clung to her shoulder, revealing a faint flower pattern in Qin Junlan’s view. Although it couldn’t be fully seen, she was too familiar with the iris flower, familiar enough to recognize the curve and shape of each petal.

She revealed a chilling smile, yet maintained a calm as steady as a mountain. Ling Yu glanced at her soaked shoulder and immediately understood everything. Qin Junlan was probing her tattoo.

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