The Sovereign – Chapter 92

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

Abandon the Car to Save the Commander

As soon as she was imprisoned, people were in a state of panic.

(LP: “Abandon the Car to Save the Commander” (弃车保帅) is a Chinese idiomatic expression that originates from the game of chess. It refers to sacrificing a lesser piece [the “car” or “chariot”] to protect a more important one [the “commander” or “general”].)

Shan Dian, carrying a message, flew down to the eaves of the post station. Ling Yu sat upright in the main hall, lost in thought over the map of the world. She sensed an unusual flow of air and looked up to see Shan Dian staring at her. She extended her palm. Shan Dian spun around twice in the air, flew to Ling Yu’s side, and dropped the message from its mouth into her hand.

The small piece of paper recorded the situation in the palace: “The Tower Master has been imprisoned and punished. Wait for me one day, abandon the car to save the commander.”

Ling Yu’s heart tightened as she crumpled the note in her hand. She has been punished; Qin Junlan dared to harm her? She should have taken her along when she left the palace. Did she really want to stay by Qin Junlan’s side so badly?

While worried, she also felt a sense of bitterness. She could abandon the military books and stop the mission, but she absolutely couldn’t let her fall into a predicament.

“Wuming~”

Lin Wuming hurried forward, bowed, and guessed a bit from her expression, “Master, has something happened to the Tower Master?”

“Yes, how many of our people are left in Jidu?”

“Apart from a dozen secretly captured by the Empress, about thirty managed to retreat in time.”

“Have everyone stand by, wait one more day. If the Tower Master hasn’t escaped danger, break her out of jail!” A trace of coldness flashed in Ling Yu’s eyes, determined to rescue her at all costs.

She trusted Guiyan; one day was the maximum she could endure. What if she was tortured again? This fool must have willingly surrendered, or who else could restrain her?

Ling Yu noticed that Shan Dian hadn’t left yet. She smiled slightly at it, “I give you two choices: regain your freedom and return to your sky, or recognize me as your master and follow me from now on. You choose!”

Shan Dian let out a low cry, carrying a hint of sadness. It fluttered its wings, shuttled back and forth a few times inside and outside the hall, and finally settled on Ling Yu’s shoulder.

“How she treated you, I will treat you the same.” Ling Yu extended her hand to her shoulder, and Shan Dian nuzzled its head against her palm. A gentle smile appeared on Ling Yu’s lips.

Lin Wuming felt that this was the real Ling Yu, inherently gentle, yet wrapped in a prickly outer layer, hurting others while also harming herself.

The rain in Jidu gradually eased, and the damp palace was filled with a stifling atmosphere. Qin Junlan was still unconscious, and Yun Jin remained by her side without leaving. Meanwhile, the news of her poisoning was kept under tight wraps; all those who knew the truth were ordered to remain silent and not to disclose it. Officially, it was only announced that the Emperor was unwell and would not attend court temporarily.

If this matter spread, not only the court but possibly the entire world would be thrown into chaos. Yun Jin arranged for Guo’er to continue his lessons as usual in Fengluan Palace, and the Wise King was tasked with calming the court officials. Qin Junlan’s sudden poisoning was unexpected, and she absolutely could not allow the palace to fall into chaos.

This usually low-key Wise Princess Consort revealed her talent for handling affairs and managing situations, impressing everyone.

The imperial physicians’ daily detoxification prescriptions couldn’t be fed into Qin Junlan’s mouth. Yun Jin gently opened her mouth and brought the spoon close, but the medicinal soup spilled from the corners of her mouth as soon as it reached her lips.

Yun Jin hurriedly wiped her clean and said anxiously, “Is there no other way? If the medicine doesn’t go in, how can she wake up?”

“May I try acupuncture again?” Imperial Physician Guan, the most skilled in the palace, had already tried everything but to no avail.

“More needles? So many needles and nothing worked? Do you need to cover her entire body with needles to awaken the Emperor?” Yun Jin frowned deeply, exhausted and afraid to sleep, yet Qin Junlan still showed no signs of waking. She was terrified that Qin Junlan might never wake up.

“Your Highness, perhaps… I can try something,” Li Yue suggested, having thought of a method. Yun Jin, having no alternative, nodded.

Li Yue propped Qin Junlan up, lightly tapped her acupoints with two fingers, and opened her mouth, “Your Highness~”

Understanding the cue, Yun Jin quickly fed the medicine into her mouth. Li Yue gently tilted her head back and tapped two acupoints on her chest. Finally, they saw her throat move, swallowing the medicine.

The two of them managed to feed her the entire bowl of medicine through their coordinated efforts. Yun Jin carefully laid her back down, her eyes filled with worry.

“Please wake up, won’t you? The deep palace is already cold. With you lying there, my heart feels like it’s in the dead of winter, shivering with cold.” Yun Jin stayed by the dragon bed every day without speaking, with many words she could only confide in her heart.

More often, she buried everything deep inside. As long as Qin Junlan was safe, who she loved and wanted to be with didn’t matter. She always admired that person who embraced everything, cared for the world, and faced everything with calm composure, Chaoyan.

Li Yue sighed helplessly. Bearing concern for her lord and loyalty to her duties, now she couldn’t do anything. She wondered how Liu Qianxun was doing in prison. Even if the assassination attempt was related to her, she knew Qin Junlan would never bear to kill her.

“Sister Yue, Chen Qing is looking for you,” Yuan Xi whispered, and Li Yue nodded. What was Chen Qing doing in Fengluan Palace instead of guarding her post?

In the rear garden of Fengluan Palace, the flowers and plants exuded the fragrance of rain, and the scenery was unique after the downpour, but no one was in the mood to enjoy it.

Li Yue walked to the rear garden and saw a tall, straight figure from afar. “What do you want?”

Chen Qing turned leisurely, a faint smile on her face. Li Yue’s gaze paused. She wore a crisp official uniform, a red robe with half-body soft armor draped over it, a black silk brocade belt at her waist, and her hair half tied up high, with the rest hanging like a ponytail behind her.

Her sword-like eyebrows were prominent, her eyes clear as water, a high nose bridge under slightly raised red lips, always exuding confidence, with a hint of unruliness, carrying a sense of carefree charm.

Something felt different about her today; was it her beauty or enhanced charisma? Li Yue blushed inexplicably.

“Busy taking care of the Emperor, you forgot what day it is, didn’t you, Lord Yue?” Chen Qing stepped forward a few paces, holding a delicate dagger in her hand, with a deeper smile, “Happy birthday~”

Li Yue was slightly stunned. That’s right, it was her birthday again, and she had forgotten. Every year, Chen Qing celebrated it for her, and she never remembered.

“I don’t have the mood to celebrate a birthday,” Li Yue sighed. Chen Qing stuffed the dagger into her hand, “Take it. Even if the sky falls, you should celebrate your birthday. Keep it well; it’s imbued with spiritual energy and has been enchanted by me to protect you for a lifetime.”

“You’re babbling again~” Though Li Yue pretended to be disdainful, her heart was filled with sweetness. She held onto the dagger fondly. This was made from mysterious iron that Chen Qing found and crafted by hand, sharp enough to cut through iron like mud. She hoped that in the days to come, this dagger would become her close weapon, guarding her life.

“Yue’er, do I look handsome today?” Chen Qing cheekily smoothed her sideburns. Li Yue looked at her speechlessly, squinting her eyes, “Lord Chen is so handsome, unmatched by anyone.”

“Really? Then you must remember how I look today. I dressed up meticulously. If not for this official uniform, I would have worn women’s clothes to see you.”

“Please don’t, I’m used to seeing you like this…” Li Yue thought Chen Qing looked especially good today. She always did, but today, she seemed more handsome yet gentle, playful but dignified, everything just perfectly balanced.

“Ahem, I knew it, you’re infatuated with me like this…” Chen Qing had a cheeky demeanor when joking around, but Li Yue was long used to it.

“Alright, I should go back. I’m really worried about the Emperor.” Li Yue turned to leave but felt Chen Qing gripping her hand tightly.

She had never seen Chen Qing with such an expression, a smile hiding a suppressed melancholy, unwillingness mixed with unease, “Yue’er…”

“Hmm?” Li Yue suddenly felt a pang of heartache for her, wanting to embrace her, but she was confused.

Unexpectedly, Chen Qing changed the topic, “Liu Qianxun was punished by the Empress Dowager with a whip. You must inform the Princess Consort, only she can stop the Empress Dowager’s overwhelming power.”

“What? She’s been punished?”

“Yes, the Emperor loves the princess so much. If she wakes up and learns that the princess was punished, what do you think she will do?”

Li Yue nodded, suddenly feeling that Chen Qing seemed like a different person, calm and wise in analyzing the situation.

“I know what to do.” Li Yue put away the dagger. Chen Qing wanted to say more but saw a palace maid rushing over, “Sister Yue, the Emperor has woken up.”

Without another word, Li Yue hurried inside, taking a few steps before turning back to look at Chen Qing. Her figure suddenly became blurred, waving as if saying goodbye.

A sense of foreboding welled up inside her, but she had no time to dwell on it and swiftly left.

The breeze lifted her hair, dancing in the wind. Li Yue’s pale blue silhouette was like a glimmer of light on the horizon, illuminating Chen Qing’s world.

Chen Qing looked up at the sky, murmuring to herself, “The time has come, Sect Leader. It’s time to abandon the car to save the commander.”

Qin Junlan slowly awoke from slumber, three imperial physicians took turns checking her pulse, and Yun Jin watched her with immense joy, as Qin Junlan’s lips curved into a weak smile.

The imperial physicians had yet to diagnose the exact poison, so the fact that Qin Junlan could wake up was already a blessing. She was still very weak. The first person she saw upon opening her eyes was Yun Jin, but the person she most wanted to see was Liu Qianxun, whom she remembered confining before she fainted.

Thinking of Bai Ruoxi’s death still caused her unbearable pain. She could no longer find a reason to justify it, not even to convince herself.

She sat up slightly, and Yun Jin hurriedly propped up a pillow to support her, allowing her to lean back. “Everyone, leave…” Qin Junlan, her voice faint as a whisper, dismissed those around her, leaving only Yun Jin and Li Yue.

“Sister, how are you feeling? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?” Yun Jin’s only concern was her health. Qin Junlan shook her head, her face pale as paper, looking extremely frail.

“Li Yue, how is she?”

Li Yue knew who Qin Junlan was referring to, and she hadn’t yet had the chance to tell Yun Jin about Liu Qianxun’s whipping. She glanced at Yun Jin, and neither of them spoke.

“What is it? Are you hiding something from me?” Qin Junlan immediately understood that something had happened.

“Sister, Mother found out you were poisoned in Qixia Palace and, coupled with Li Ruo discovering Ye Ming’s disappearance, she imprisoned Qianxun in the Bureau of Execution.” Yun Jin explained, noticing Qin Junlan’s complexion worsening.

Qin Junlan rose from the dragon bed, her body swaying unsteadily. Yun Jin wanted to help, but Qin Junlan gently pushed her away. Her frail body clad only in a light yellow robe, her long hair cascading down and hanging at her waist, accentuated her weakness.

“Your Majesty…” Li Yue tried to step forward but was also pushed aside.

She opened the window and looked out in the direction of the Bureau of Execution, her heart sinking to the bottom.

“Is the Bureau of Execution a place she can stay?” Qin Junlan felt her blood stagnate, every breath becoming more labored. She braced against the table, looking at Yun Jin. “Qianxun is like a sister to you. Why didn’t you stop Mother?”

“What if she’s like a sister? Does that mean the person who hurt you deserves forgiveness? Even knowing she’s the prime suspect, you still blindly trust her and let her stay by your side?” Yun Jin felt a bitter ache in her heart. No matter how wrong Liu Qianxun was, Qin Junlan would always find a way to protect her. Even if she had never thought of taking advantage of Qin Junlan, she absolutely did not want her to be harmed.

“Yes, she might be wrong, but I just can’t bear it…” Qin Junlan’s body wavered, her legs weak, her mind consumed with worry for Liu Qianxun.

The Bureau of Execution was cold and dark. What would happen to her, locked inside? And with the prison food so hard to swallow, how would she endure?

Li Yue hesitated, unsure whether to mention Liu Qianxun’s punishment. If she didn’t, Qin Junlan would be even more furious when she found out later.

Thinking of this, Li Yue suddenly knelt. “Your Majesty.”

“Is there something else I don’t know about?” Qin Junlan’s worst fears had come true.

“I just learned the news myself, Your Majesty… I heard the princess was punished in prison…”

“When did this happen?” Yun Jin was utterly shocked, knowing nothing about it. Even though she had some grudges against Liu Qianxun, she never wished for a woman to suffer such torture.

Qin Junlan approached Li Yue, her breathing uneven, emotions stirring. She gripped Li Yue’s shoulders. “Was it the Empress Dowager’s order?”

Li Yue nodded.

“Bang!” Qin Junlan flipped the chair beside her, almost collapsing from her own weakness.

“Your Majesty!” “Sister!” The two rushed to support her. Qin Junlan’s rapid breathing and rising anger caused even more intense pain internally. She shouted, “Li Yue, bring me my Jade Dragon Token!”

“Yes!”

The Jade Dragon Token was a personal item of Qin Junlan, a symbol of her authority. Seeing the token was akin to seeing her in person; it could command the Imperial Guard and punish officials, and not even the Empress Dowager could overstep its power.

Qin Junlan, unsure of her own health and fearing further harm to Liu Qianxun by the Empress Dowager, saw this as her only strategy.

“Jin’er, if anything happens to me, you must take charge and protect Qianxun…” she said, placing the token into Yun Jin’s hand, holding her tightly.

“Nothing will happen to you, nothing at all!” Yun Jin lightly bit her lip, refusing to accept such trust.

“Go and see her for me, check how badly she’s hurt. Hurry~” Qin Junlan began coughing again as she spoke.

“Alright, alright, I’ll go. Just don’t get agitated, I’ll go check on her…”

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