The Sovereign – Chapter 85

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

Unspoken Departure

Loving you to the core of my heart

The loquat wine’s fragrance, overflowing and pervasive, filled the Yu Garden. Qin Junlan’s sideburns were dripping with wine, and Li Yue hurriedly took out a brocade handkerchief to wipe it for her. Ling Yu’s shoulder was soaked, clinging tightly to her skin. She lightly pinched the corner of her thin shirt at the shoulder, and a deep smile flashed across her lips. “Unexpectedly, Your Majesty, despite being busy with state affairs, could still learn such skillful moves with the Qingyu Swordswoman. Ling Yu is truly impressed.”

Qin Junlan slightly raised an eyebrow, narrowing her eyes as she looked at Ling Yu, and said, “The Crown Princess seems quite familiar with the sect’s techniques?”

“I am not as busy as Your Majesty, so I naturally wander the jianghu and travel for pleasure. I do know a thing or two about martial arts sects like Tiancang Pavilion.”

“We are busy with state affairs and lack practice. Our skills from Aunt’s true teachings are not even three-tenths of hers. But Crown Princess, with your profound inner strength, you only used five-tenths of your power just now. Why be so modest?” Qin Junlan also put on a smile. How could she not know that Ling Yu had not yet used her true kung fu? She just didn’t expect her martial arts to be so high. She usually practiced and learned with Yi Qingyu and could sense the strength of the other’s inner power.

Ling Yu’s palm techniques and mental cultivation were unique, showing no trace of any particular style. Moreover, she was merely circling and entangling, not using her sect’s martial arts. She wasn’t surprised; after all, Liu Qianxun’s skills were already higher than her own, let alone Ling Yu. But she just couldn’t get over it in her heart. Her hatred, her pain, she couldn’t release today, but someday, on the battlefield, she would make Ling Yu bow down to her.

“Your Majesty is too kind. Today is for drinking, not for comparing martial arts. Why bother?” Ling Yu’s smile didn’t diminish as she shook the wine pot. “Fortunately, the wine wasn’t wasted. Let’s drink to that~” With that, she raised her head and drank it all in one go.

“The Crown Princess is forthright. Today’s wine should be considered a farewell. I hope that in the future, the Yu Kingdom and the Ji Kingdom can compose a prosperous symphony together.” Qin Junlan finished her drink and put the wine pot upside down on the table. Her eyes flashed with a faint light, with unfathomable depths in her pupils. The smile on her lips seemed to carry the imposing manner of a ruler’s arrival. She leaned forward slightly, “Please convey my greetings to the Emperor of the Yu Kingdom on my behalf.”

“Then this Crown Princess will thank the Empress on behalf of the Emperor.” Ling Yu’s gaze was also as sharp as an eagle’s. Their eyes clashed, emitting a strong aura, two equally powerful forces colliding, shaking the entire Yu Garden.

It seemed like a war without gunpowder was quietly unfolding. The overt and covert struggles between the two countries were stirring up waves at this banquet. Two women who viewed each other as lifelong enemies finally began their contest.

Qin Junlan left without eating, which was clearly a provocation and also a warning. She would let Ling Yu know the price of calculating her emotional investment. Since she cared so much about the strength and decline of her own country, she would bring that country into her fold.

But how could Qin Junlan have imagined that Ling Yu’s scheming was terrifyingly deep? What appeared to be a surface-level game of wits actually concealed hidden mysteries.

“Princess~” Lin Wuming hesitated, seeing Ling Yu’s expression gradually sink, a cold air spreading, creating a kind of terrifying awe.

“When Jade Dew Pills encounter Lingering Fragrance, they will inevitably trigger poison. If the Empress shows no reaction, what does that mean?” Ling Yu raised her eyes to look at Lin Wuming, who stepped back slightly, not daring to say more.

“You tell me! What does it mean?” Ling Yu suppressed her anger and suddenly flew up with a palm strike, smashing the tables and chairs in the hall. Lin Wuming and the servants hurriedly knelt down in shock.

“Princess, perhaps the Tower Master hasn’t had a chance to act yet~” Lin Wuming tried to make excuses for Liu Qianxun. He just didn’t want Ling Yu to fly into a rage, didn’t want her to be hurt.

“Hehehe, hasn’t had a chance?” Ling Yu bent down and grabbed Lin Wuming’s collar. “Since when did you learn to make excuses for her? Hm?”

“This servant just doesn’t want the Princess to be sad~” Lin Wuming lightly bit his lower lip, his usual coquettish demeanor submerged in melancholy. Liu Qianxun had finally developed different feelings towards her. The one person in this world who should never hurt her had thoroughly angered her.

Ling Yu’s emotions slightly calmed, and suddenly she let out a cold laugh. Liu Qianxun dared to betray her; she would definitely make her regret it~

“Report to the Princess, something has happened again in Zhengyi. A patrol team mysteriously disappeared and was found floating dead in the moat. The four major merchants of Zhengyi were suddenly assassinated, suspected to be due to Bai Yifei’s unequal distribution of silver.” The subordinate tremblingly reported the news from the carrier pigeon.

“What did you say? Bai Yifei… dares to assassinate our country’s soldiers again and again, and even dares to shake the foundation of merchants….” Upon hearing this news, Ling Yu’s emotions gradually calmed down. Only Lin Wuming knew that the calmer she became, the more severe the consequences would be.

Often, immense grief and anger are simply inexpressible. Lin Wuming’s eyes moved slightly, and he stepped forward a bit, whispering, “This servant has heard that Bai Yifei has already returned to the capital and is currently residing in the Grand Chancellor’s mansion.”

Ling Yu’s emotions took a long time to settle. She used silence to adjust to the successive blows and setbacks. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Ling Yu to issue orders. A bloody storm had already begun silently.

She turned around, her eyes like those of a fierce beast, flashing with murderous intent. “Issue the Asura Order. Command Ye Ming to execute Bai Yifei, with Ghost Eye assisting. Withdraw immediately regardless of whether the mission is completed or not.”

“Yes!”

“Order the Tower Master to rendezvous with Ye Ming and Ghost Eye in two days. All outposts of the Ji Capital’s Suyuan Tower are to be fully withdrawn!”

The diplomatic relations were about to end. Tomorrow she would leave the Ji Imperial Palace. She had arranged everything. As long as the plan went smoothly, she would be able to control everything that followed.

Qin Junlan left the Yu Garden and passed by Qixia. She paused and gazed at the main gate of Qixia Palace, lost in thought. Even though her heart was so full of hatred, she still missed her so much. Even though she was so resentful, her heart grew increasingly fond.

Love is truly like a thorny plant, this blow hurt her so deeply.

She hadn’t seen her for several days. Was she alright? Was she eating and sleeping well? Was there even a hint of missing her in her heart? Qin Junlan thought of many things, but in the end, she only raised a bitter smile. She was thinking too much. Things had already come to this point, yet she still harbored unrealistic hopes.

If Nalan Ling’s slip of the tongue still left a trace of doubt, today’s drinking contest finally allowed her to see with her own eyes. No matter how much she wanted to deceive herself, she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened. She didn’t know if it was the heartache pulling at her internal organs or if it was caused by excessive grief, but she felt waves of pain coming from her lower abdomen.

“Your Majesty….” Li Yue saw Qin Junlan holding her stomach and asked with concern, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Qin Junlan hadn’t yet realized her own action and just shook her head, “It’s nothing, let’s go~” Perhaps this is what it means to be numb with pain, unable to distinguish where it hurts, only feeling a bone-deep chill.

Her figure flashed briefly in front of the palace gate, igniting Liu Qianxun’s hope. She saw Qin Junlan linger for a moment and ran towards the palace gate, “Yan’er… Yan’er…” Her calling voice was soft, but it was a cry from the bottom of her heart.

She missed her so much. She had never known that longing for someone could be so painful. Even though they were only separated by a few palace walls, it felt as if they were worlds apart. Even though they were within sight, they faced each other coldly. She was anxious in the palace, and her whole person became haggard. The look in her eyes, that aloof coldness from before, gradually dimmed.

“Yan’er!” Liu Qianxun raised her voice, a soft call, and Qin Junlan stopped her steps not far away. Her heart trembled slightly. She wanted so much to turn back and look at her, wanted so much to be able to hold her in her arms again, wanted so much for none of this to have happened, for them to be as they were before. Dancing among ten thousand orioles, making lifelong promises among hundreds of flowers. But the reality is reality, the bloody wound has been torn open and cannot heal.

Qin Junlan’s distant figure was like a floating cloud at the edge of the sea and the sky, visible but unreachable. Liu Qianxun never knew that when a person’s heart leaves you, it could be so absolute. Had she truly not a shred of attachment left for her?

“Yan’er~” A sour feeling swept through her body, and Liu Qianxun suddenly felt so cold. This cold palace had ultimately been left with only indifference and heartlessness, and she had already become a superfluous person.

Liu Qianxun’s lonely figure stood at the gate of Qixia Palace, watching Qin Junlan’s gradually receding back. Her chest felt as if it was pressed by a huge stone, making it difficult to breathe. She would rather be questioned, scolded, or even punished – anything would be better than this cold indifference that made her feel worse than death.

The red lanterns hung high, and Dragon City exuded a low, somber atmosphere. Qin Junlan tossed and turned. She lightly stroked the dragon couch, remembering the nights they had embraced in sleep, that warm embrace. The warmth had not yet faded, but everything was already empty. She hugged her own arms, embracing herself as loneliness swept over her like a tide.

Suddenly feeling a pain in her abdomen, she again thought it was caused by heartache. She couldn’t help but shiver, curling up her body. The more she tried to avoid her thoughts, the more she missed her. Qin Junlan tossed and turned several times, completely sleepless, so she took up her cloak and walked out of the hall.

“Your Majesty~” Li Yue, who had been sleeping at the threshold, heard the movement and quickly got up.

“Why are you sleeping here?”

“This slave was worried about you…” She got up and helped Qin Junlan fasten her cloak. “Where are you going?”

“I can’t sleep, so I’m going for a walk~” Qin Junlan looked unwell, her whole person seemed weaker. Li Yue knew it was because the wound in her heart was difficult to heal, making her like this.

She couldn’t share the burden, could only silently stand by her side. She lit a lamp for Qin Junlan and followed behind her, accompanying her on her walk.

Qin Junlan walked aimlessly in the vast palace, unconsciously arriving at Qixia Palace. How ironic, even her footsteps unconsciously sought her out. She shook her head with a bitter smile, wanting to turn and leave, but heard the low, desolate sound of a zither.

She walked to the edge of the palace wall, reaching out to touch the cold surface, and involuntarily called out softly, “Xun’er…”

She slid down slightly along the corner of the wall, leaning against it, as if she could be closer to her. Her eyes were dark, showing an indescribable sadness. She looked up at the night sky, the vast sea of stars reflecting in her eyelids. The sound of the guqin in her ears made this boundless night even more lonely.

“Li Yue, We don’t hate her, We just… feel very sad…”

“This slave understands, Your Majesty, but why do you torment yourself like this?” Li Yue’s heart was no less pained. When had Qin Junlan ever been like this before, giving everything for one person, only to receive deception and hurt in return?

“Tell me, when she was intimate with Us, did she… despise it? When she was with Us, was she thinking of Ling Yu?” Every word Qin Junlan spoke was like a knife, cutting into her own heart one by one. “But We don’t regret giving Ourself to her at all, because We love her. We gave her Our most precious gift willingly. But what about her? It was all for the mission, for Ling Yu. She could use any means necessary, she could…”

“Your Majesty… Please don’t be like this. This slave believes that Miss Liu is not that kind of person.” Li Yue’s eyes were wet with tears, seeing Qin Junlan so infatuated yet in such pain, while she was so helpless.

Qin Junlan laughed bitterly, enduring the pain of torture over and over again. She couldn’t help but touch her abdomen, her brows furrowed tightly.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Li Yue asked anxiously.

Qin Junlan just shook her head, “Perhaps it’s heartache.” She slowly stood up, and Li Yue hurried forward to support her. Her thin body had become even more slender. She lightly brushed her sideburns, her smooth long hair sliding through her fingers, suddenly remembering how Liu Qianxun used to gently stroke her hair, a bitter smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

The guqin melody was graceful, the night long, with only emptiness and pain for company. Liu Qianxun played the guqin under the moon, her eyes full of Qin Junlan’s figure. Is this how it would be between them from now on? Never able to return to how they were before?

A heartbreaking melody, a bewitching tune, spread through Qixia Palace. On either side of the palace wall, the two looked towards each other, yet could no longer see each other.

On that day, at the magnificent palace gates, Qin Junlan led the hundred officials to personally send off the envoys from the three countries. The honor guard stood on both sides, colorful flags waved gently, and the dragon’s might filled the sky. Qin Junlan wore the dragon robe, her kingly aura naturally formed.

“Thank you for your gracious hospitality, Your Majesty. We are deeply grateful and will certainly convey Your Majesty’s peaceful intentions to our rulers~” Ye Yulan half-bowed to Qin Junlan.

“King Yulan, please don’t stand on ceremony. If there were any shortcomings, I hope you will forgive them~” Qin Junlan lightly raised her hand, but her eyes glanced towards Ling Yu. She was smiling broadly, wearing that meaningful smile, raising an eyebrow and saying, “Your Majesty’s benevolence and might reach the four seas, we are filled with respect. I hope that when we meet again, we can… compete again with Your Majesty…”

“We look forward to it…” Qin Junlan responded in kind. The two exchanged veiled hostilities within the bounds of etiquette, causing the onlookers to exchange glances, not daring to speak.

“Elder Sister…” Nalan Ling quietly inquired, “Does Changning seem to be at odds with the Empress?”

Nalan Qing squinted her eyes, smiling as she looked at everyone, lightly shaking her sleeves and placing her hands behind her back, “Among the four countries, who isn’t like this with each other?”

“It’s truly a war without gunpowder. I just hope Changning doesn’t end up defeated. If there really is a war, should we send troops to assist Changning?” Nalan Ling’s gaze never left Ling Yu; she was indifferent to everything else, knowing that all she cared about was Ling Yu.

“This is not something you and I can worry about. You know I dislike trouble, let them fight it out.” Nalan Qing lightly pursed her lips, seemingly an outsider, seeing through everything, detached from power struggles, indifferent to wars between countries. She only wished to live as her heart desired.

“We will see you off here today. We wish the three envoys a safe journey~”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The three bowed simultaneously.

Just as Nalan Ling had mounted her horse, she heard a childlike voice call out, “Sister Ling~~” She looked towards the sound and saw it was little Guo’er. A few days ago, the two had met by chance in the Imperial Garden and had played together quite happily. Although Guo’er was young, he was exceptionally intelligent and had won Nalan Ling’s favor.

“Sister Ling~” Guo’er let go of Yun Jin’s hand and bounced towards Nalan Ling.

“Guo’er, don’t be rude. First pay your respects to your Imperial Aunt.” Yun Jin’s stern words made Guo’er stop in his tracks. He hurriedly bowed to Qin Junlan before rushing towards Nalan Ling without further regard.

Nalan Qing’s eyes froze for a moment. Yun Jin’s graceful figure filled her vision, her azure silhouette like a wisp of rosy clouds in a sea of clouds, or a subtle yet brilliant rainbow blooming among the crowd. A hint of elegance brushed past her eyes, her hair ornaments complementing her appearance, her eyes as bright as stars. Though not of devastating beauty, her graceful bearing was the epitome of dignity and loveliness. Her bearing instantly eclipsed all the noble and stunning appearances in this world, everything else paling in comparison. Only she shone like a ray of light, illuminating all directions.

“Who is… that person?”

“In response to my lord, that is the Empress’s younger sister, the Wise King’s primary consort, Yun Jin~” The attendant replied softly.

“The Ji Kingdom’s Wise King’s consort, Yun Jin…” Nalan Qing murmured, the corners of her lips lifting slightly, as if a hundred flowers were blooming.

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