The Sovereign – Chapter 89

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

Screaming at the Top of One’s Lungs

Why did it have to be you? Why did that person have to be you?

A deafening thunderclap shook the sky, like splitting stones and cracking heavens. The lightning’s bright flash illuminated the wing room, casting light on Qin Junlan’s pale face. She slowly laid down Bai Ruoxi’s body, stumbling as she walked outside. Bai Yifei watched her, not daring to speak or inquire about the situation.

“Li Yue, prepare the imperial decree,” Qin Junlan’s voice was cold yet heavy with grief. “Posthumously bestow upon Bai Ruoxi the title of Princess of the Western City. Arrange her burial according to royal princess protocols. Tomorrow, transport her remains to the imperial palace for funeral preparations.”

Everyone was shocked. Li Yue’s brows furrowed deeply as she replied heavily, “Yes, Your Majesty!”

“No, it can’t be. Xi’er is fine.” Hot tears streamed down Bai Yifei’s face as he shook his head desperately in disbelief. “I… I killed Xi’er. I killed Xi’er!”

He muttered to himself like a madman. Qin Junlan’s already heavy emotions surged again. Unable to contain her anger, she raised her hand and slapped Bai Yifei. She wanted to say something but found she didn’t even have the strength to reproach him.

“Your Majesty!” Bai Yifei knelt straight beside Qin Junlan, clutching her robes’ hem, crying out: “I killed Xi’er, I killed Xi’er. Your Majesty, please execute me, kill me!” He frantically kowtowed until his head bled, but Qin Junlan remained unmoved.

She lightly shook her sleeve free and walked heavily toward the door. Passing by Yi Ziquan’s body, she closed her eyes tightly, hatred growing from her pain. She left resolutely, with Li Yue following behind holding an umbrella. However, she pushed it away, letting the heavy rain drench her body, numbing her from physical to emotional pain.

“Your Majesty!” Li Yue’s heart ached. Qin Junlan had been growing thinner, and now faced such a devastating blow. Li Yue feared she might break down.

“Immediately issue orders to secretly seal off Suyuan Tower. Arrest and thoroughly interrogate everyone involved. Let no one escape!” Qin Junlan commanded furiously. Li Yue repeatedly acknowledged the order, passing it to the shadow guards.

“Return to the palace.” Qin Junlan turned to look one last time at the grief-filled Yi Mansion. In one night, she had lost both her most beloved sister and her cousin.

Never had the rain in Jidu fallen so heavily. Each droplet striking the body brought bone-chilling cold. The imperial palace had never seemed so distant; though the palace gates were in sight, they seemed unreachable. Qin Junlan rode against the storm, her clothes completely soaked inside and out. The rain falling on her brow flowed down like silent tears, like an uncontrollable rushing river.

Just as Qin Junlan entered the palace gates, she saw an ornate carriage carrying Yi Qinghan and Yun Jin speeding away. News of the Yi Mansion had inevitably reached the Empress Dowager; this matter could not possibly be concealed.

“Your Majesty, shall we return to Fenghuang Palace to change clothes?” Li Yue had been following closely, not leaving Qin Junlan’s side for a moment.

Qin Junlan dismounted and looked up at the oppressive sky. After a long while, she said, “Go to Qixia Palace!”

This was the heaviest downpour since entering Jidu, coincidentally falling at the most crucial moment. Liu Qianxun paced back and forth in the palace, having received no news despite the late hour. Had Ye Ming succeeded? If not, even if she couldn’t return to the palace, she would have found a way to send word.

Liu Qianxun’s heart was in chaos, having never felt such fear before. Her anxiety made her alternate between pacing and sitting restlessly. Just then, the sound of footsteps splashing through rain echoed outside, growing clearer. She rushed to the door to find Qin Junlan approaching, completely drenched.

Qin Junlan’s face was deathly pale, like a gravely ill person dragging their weakened body. Rainwater trickled from her hair to her brows, and the clouds of worry and mists of misery in her eyes was more oppressive than the rainy night itself. Liu Qianxun’s heart ached at the sight. She hurriedly pulled her inside, saying, “Quickly change your clothes, you’ll catch cold!”

Qin Junlan walked silently into the hall. Li Yue was deeply worried, sensing that her master’s silence might erupt uncontrollably. When Liu Qianxun glanced at her, she dared not meet her eyes, knowing Liu Qianxun was still unaware of what had happened at the Yi Mansion, or rather, how things had ended.

“I’ll get you some dry clothes.” Liu Qianxun was concerned about helping Qin Junlan change, fearing she might catch cold, but Qin Junlan brushed her away, her lips trembling, “You must be disappointed it’s not Ye Ming who came?”

Liu Qianxun’s heart quivered, though her expression remained composed and unruffled. Her anxiety could only be detected by her fingers digging into her palms as she replied evenly, “What about Ye Ming?”

Seeing Liu Qianxun calm and collected, Qin Junlan’s flames shot three zhang high (meaning extreme anger). She suppressed her nearly bursting rage as she advanced toward Liu Qianxun, the turbulence in her eyes revealing her fury.

“Liu Qianxun, what threat were Xi’er and Ziquan to you that you had to strike so ruthlessly?” The sorrow in Qin Junlan’s words spread as blood vessels burst in her eyes, either from holding back tears or from grief.

Liu Qianxun’s thin lips parted as she shook her head in disbelief, “You mean…”

“Ziquan is dead, Xi’er is dead too. Are you satisfied? Are you happy?” Qin Junlan’s sorrow gradually turned to fury as she glared at Liu Qianxun, her right fist clenched. “Liu Qianxun, what is your heart made of? Xi’er adored you, yet you targeted her brother. That wasn’t enough – why did you send Ye Ming? Is your heart made of iron?”

“How could this…” Liu Qianxun stumbled backward in shock. How could the little princess be dead? Ye Ming did this? How could this happen? She could no longer maintain her composure, her throat choked with emotion, unable to speak.

Qin Junlan’s grief triggered another wave of internal pain, which she forcefully suppressed. Remembering Ziquan’s death, Bai Ruoxi’s last words, and all her moments with Liu Qianxun, her anger remained unquenchable. Through clenched teeth, she struggled to ask: “Was it your order?”

Liu Qianxun met her gaze, biting her lower lip in silence. Qin Junlan’s breathing became erratic, pain and anguish overwhelming her entire body. Whether from the cold rain, physical pain, or despair over Liu Qianxun, it all erupted in one angry roar: “I ask you once more, was it your order?”

Liu Qianxun remained silent, only biting her teeth. Qin Junlan’s entire body ached, her tolerance reaching its limit. She suddenly reached out and grabbed Liu Qianxun’s throat, releasing days of suppressed emotions, anger, and hurt in that moment.

“Did you think I wouldn’t dare kill you because I love you?” Qin Junlan’s angry eyes unknowingly became wet, tears hovering in her eyes, crystal clear, reflecting Liu Qianxun’s pained face.

She didn’t know how much force she was using, only that the cascade of tragedies made it impossible to show mercy. Liu Qianxun’s breathing grew labored under her tight grip, yet she neither resisted nor defended herself, only gazing at the tears in Qin Junlan’s eyes.

Her pain was no less than Qin Junlan’s, but she had no way to explain or justify. Perhaps this was for the best – dying by Qin Junlan’s hand, letting all karmic debts end here, preventing further suffering. Liu Qianxun’s face turned purple-blue, veins bulging in her neck. Just a bit more pressure and Qin Junlan could snap her neck, ending her life.

Yet when Qin Junlan saw Liu Qianxun’s suffering, though she had used her full strength, she ultimately released her grip. Liu Qianxun’s desperate tears fell onto her fingertips, burning with pain.

“Why? Why did it have to be you? You scheming against me, hurting me was one thing, but why did you have to hurt Xi’er, why?!!” Qin Junlan roared, her grip tightening as if wanting to slice Liu Qianxun into a thousand pieces. Liu Qianxun had lost the ability to breathe, awaiting death’s arrival, only regretting that her last sight would be of Qin Junlan hating her, rather than the gentle Chaoyan she once knew.

Qin Junlan ultimately couldn’t cross that final line. Though her fury had reached its peak, she had never lost her reason before. But with everything involving Liu Qianxun, she seemed to lose control, throwing her forcefully away. “Why won’t you explain?!!”

As she finished speaking, she felt as if knives were churning her internal organs. Combined with emotional turmoil affecting her qi and blood, she coughed up fresh blood.

Liu Qianxun, thrown to the ground, coughed violently. Before she could even regulate her breathing, she saw Qin Junlan spitting blood. Terrified, she crawled to her side, “Yan’er…” She tried to call out, but her recently constricted throat prevented her from shouting.

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty!! Someone come quickly, summon the Imperial Physician!!” Li Yue held Qin Junlan in her arms. Qin Junlan looked at Liu Qianxun, coughed up more blood, and with her remaining consciousness pushed her away, “Get out!”

“I won’t leave. Let me look at you, let me see what’s wrong!” Liu Qianxun cried hoarsely, trying to check Qin Junlan’s pulse, but she was pushed away. With barely a breath, Qin Junlan commanded, “Relay my verbal decree: confine Liu Qianxun to Qixia Palace. Anyone who lets her out will be executed without mercy. This matter… this matter…” Qin Junlan’s eyes turned white as her consciousness faded, but she forced out her final words, “This matter must not be leaked…” Then she collapsed on Li Yue’s shoulder.

Chen Qing arrived with Imperial Guards. Li Yue commanded authoritatively, “By Imperial decree, guard Qixia Palace! No one enters or leaves!”

“Yes!” Chen Qing glanced at Liu Qianxun, her expression changing slightly.

Even until losing consciousness, Qin Junlan thought about containing the situation. If all evidence truly pointed to Liu Qianxun, even she couldn’t save her. How could she bear to take her life? It was only excessive heartbreak and despair speaking.

Qin Junlan was urgently taken back to Fenghuang Palace. When Liu Qianxun tried to follow, she was blocked. She composed herself, resuming her usual cold demeanor, with sharp eyes, raising her hand with force, “Move aside!”

“Please don’t make this difficult for me, my lady. I know your martial arts are superior, but if you force your way through, you’ll have to walk over the corpses of everyone in Qixia Palace!” Chen Qing stood firm, showing none of her usual frivolity, completely serious.

Liu Qianxun stared deeply at Chen Qing, her cold gaze softening as she saw palace maids, eunuchs, and guards kneeling outside. She could only suppress her killing intent.

“Guard all entrances and exits carefully. Everyone else, dismissed.” Chen Qing commanded, sending away the guards and palace servants.

A thunderous roar exploded above Qixia Palace. Seeing the others had left, Liu Qianxun looked at Chen Qing with a slight smile, and calmly bowed, “This subordinate pays respects to the Tower Master.”

“Where is Ye Ming?” Liu Qianxun had long suspected Chen Qing’s identity, and now it was revealed without effort.

“The mission failed. I told her to act when the opportunity arose, but the little princess’s death affected her too deeply. I don’t know what she might do.”

“How did this happen? Why did Yi Ziquan and Xi’er have to die??” Liu Qianxun’s grief was unbearable. How could she not be heartbroken over Bai Ruoxi’s death? That little sister who always clung to her arm calling her “Sister Xun” was gone. She couldn’t believe it, didn’t want to believe it, wishing it was all just a joke!

“Bai Yifei was extremely difficult to deal with. The little princess recognized Ye Ming and sacrificed herself to protect him…” Chen Qing sighed slightly. “Tower Master, you can still retreat now. I can arrange for you and Mujin to leave.”

“I won’t leave.” Liu Qianxun’s tone was firm as she looked up at Chen Qing. “Her Majesty has been poisoned. Was it your doing?”

“Does it matter who did it? Tower Master, what you’re doing is betraying the Master. Have you considered the consequences?”

“I know the fate of betraying Ling Yu, but so what? I must wait for her to wake up. I must find out what poison she’s been given and how to cure it.” Liu Qianxun would never leave when Qin Junlan was at her most difficult and painful moment. This was the only thing she could do for her.

“Yi Ziquan is dead. The Empress Dowager won’t let you off. You’ll be in danger.” Chen Qing tried to persuade her, but she remained resolute.

Chen Qing laughed suddenly, shrugging her shoulders, seemingly returning to her usual self, though her smile was filled with helplessness. “Those who love deeply should honor that love. Don’t worry, with me here, you’ll be safe.”

After a flash of lightning and thunder, Mujin hurried over. She glanced at Chen Qing, understanding everything.

“The Empress Dowager and the Princess Consort have just returned from the Yi Mansion. They’re heading directly to Qixia Palace now.”

“So soon…” Chen Qing narrowed her eyes, looking into the rainy night, smiling meaningfully.

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