The Sovereign – Chapter 93

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

Blood-Colored Parting Sorrow

The real culprit is brought to justice, can she be innocent now?

Beside the steps of the Bureau of Execution, a layer of moss had spread. After the gloomy rain, the place emitted the smell of rust and decay. Upon stepping inside, a wave of dampness hit. Yun Jin held a silk handkerchief to her nose, gently covering it. She had never set foot in such a place before and never knew it was so eerie and terrifying.

The jailer took her to where Liu Qianxun was imprisoned. As he opened the cell door, a stench of blood filled the air, leaving Yun Jin speechless with shock. Liu Qianxun’s body was covered in whip marks that were shocking to behold, her clothes were slashed by long whips, and the wounds were clearly visible. The blood oozing out stained her clothes red.

“Xun’er~” Yun Jin, filled with heartache, took off her outer robe to cover her. She turned her head sharply to the jailer and asked, “Who did this?”

The jailer, trembling and conflicted, replied, “It was, it was the Empress Dowager’s order, I didn’t dare defy it.”

“Slap!” The crisp sound of a slap landed on his face, and the jailer stared at Yun Jin in a daze, astonished. Was this fierce and imposing woman who struck him really the gentle Princess Consort? He found it hard to believe and became even more bewildered. Yun Jin’s sharp gaze made him feel intimidated and fearful.

“Even if the Empress Dowager issued the order, you acted without restraint. You deserve to be punished!”

“I… I…” The jailer cried out bitterly in his heart, feeling wronged. The powers within the palace were becoming increasingly strange. Wasn’t the Princess Consort always favored by the Empress Dowager? How could she now be siding with Liu Qianxun?

“From now on, if anyone dares to harm the County Princess again, they will be executed without mercy!” Yun Jin had never been so imposing. When she uttered “executed without mercy,” it seemed as if she carried an innate authority.

“But if it is the Empress Dowager’s…” The jailer was merely a minor prison officer, and even the head of the Bureau of Execution dared not defy the Empress Dowager’s edict. Now, the Princess Consort’s interference seemed unreasonable.

“Do you think… who truly rules this palace?” Yun Jin raised the Jade Dragon Token. Seeing this, the jailer and the guards quickly knelt down and performed the grand kowtow. “Your servant pays respects to Her Majesty, may you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”

“Get out!” Yun Jin put away the Jade Dragon Token, her anger intensifying. She was furious at the Empress Dowager’s unscrupulous methods and also angry at her own helplessness. Clearly, she had her suspicions too, and she hoped for some result from the interrogation. Yet, seeing her suffer such punishment made her heart ache deeply.

“Yes, yes, yes,” the jailer, breaking out in a cold sweat, retreated while trembling.

“Xun’er, how are you feeling? Are your injuries severe?” Yun Jin’s tone was gentle, her eyes full of warmth and concern. Liu Qianxun’s lips curled into a slight smile, and her once dull eyes began to shine. She held Yun Jin’s shoulder and asked, “Has Yan’er woken up?”

“She has awakened, don’t worry~ It’s just that your injuries…”

“I’m not seriously hurt, no need to worry.” Liu Qianxun was only concerned about Qin Junlan’s health and never paid attention to her own injuries. “Has the Imperial Physician examined her? What did he say?”

“No, the Imperial Physician cannot determine what poison it is.” Yun Jin held Liu Qianxun’s hand, gently tugging it a few times, “The poison, you didn’t administer it, did you?”

“Do you believe me?” Liu Qianxun looked at her with a dazed expression. Yun Jin sighed slightly, “I just hope it wasn’t you.”

The two locked eyes, and Liu Qianxun’s expression subtly changed. After a long pause, she slowly shook her head, “It wasn’t me.”

Yun Jin’s face showed joy, and she secretly breathed a sigh of relief, “I believe you! When you tell the Emperor, she will certainly believe you too.”

Liu Qianxun only shook her head slowly, feeling that all her explanations were now powerless. She couldn’t absolve herself from the responsibility for the young County Princess’s death, and even Ye Ming’s whereabouts were now unknown. She felt all her defenses were futile, and she didn’t want to make any more unnecessary explanations.

“Xun’er~ can’t you stop being so stubborn? How can you clear your name like this? And I don’t understand why the Empress Mother always likes to target you?” Yun Jin was also helpless, unaware of Yi Qinghuan’s inner darkness.

Liu Qianxun merely gave a cold smile, knowing Yun Jin was perhaps the most uninformed person in all these matters. But if it weren’t for Yun Jin’s presence, how could Qingyu have survived alone until now? With her deep affection and devotion, she would have long since gone with the once-lost Liu Zhu.

“Princess Consort, Princess Consort…” came a hurried voice. The jailer, having just left, returned in a hurry.

“What is it?”

“Assassins have appeared in Fengluan Palace, and they are currently engaged in combat with the Imperial Guards!”

Yun Jin was stunned and urgently asked, “Are the Emperor and the Empress Dowager safe?”

“They’re fine. Since the assassins have appeared, doesn’t that prove the County Princess is innocent?” The jailer felt a glimpse of hope, eager to release her quickly to avoid being caught in the middle, where obeying any order felt like his life was at risk.

Could it be that Ghost Eye plans to sacrifice herself to save me? Abandon the pawn to protect the king… she’s really taking a risk… Liu Qianxun pondered, surprised that Chen Qing would use such a decisive method to rescue her.

“If the assassin is caught, you might be saved. I’ll go check the situation.” Yun Jin hurriedly left, but Liu Qianxun felt another layer of worry rise within her. Was this Ling Yu’s command, or Chen Qing’s own idea? It was unknown.

If Qin Junlan’s poison wasn’t administered by Chen Qing, then perhaps it was Ling Yu herself. But if Chen Qing did it, and if something happens to her, wouldn’t that mean they can’t find out where the antidote is?

She must get out as soon as possible; Chen Qing’s move might be the key to resolving her crisis.

After Qin Junlan awoke, she was carried to the Yuxin Pavilion in the Imperial Garden to rest. Yi Qinghuan came to visit upon hearing the news, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. However, she hadn’t expected an assassin to suddenly attack. If it weren’t for Li Yue’s timely reaction, something might have gone wrong again.

The intruder was Chen Qing herself, striking deadly blows, directly targeting Qin Junlan. Li Yue’s shadow guards defended her with their lives. Blades and swords glinted in the Yuxin Pavilion, and a large group of Imperial Guards surrounded Chen Qing. Yet she remained composed and skillful, wielding dual knives to fend off the guards’ spear attacks. However, when her knives struck a person, she used the back of the blade facing downwards, delivering only a heavy punch.

These Imperial Guards were her brothers; how could she bear to truly harm them?

Seeing Qin Junlan well-protected, she leaped into the air, chopping off the sharp heads of several spears. Using her internal force, the gleam of her blade shone with a faint light, directing the spears to fly straight toward Yi Qinghuan.

“Protect the Empress Dowager!” Li Yue shouted, as several shadow guards positioned themselves in front, drawing their swords to block. Little did they know, the spears, infused with Chen Qing’s internal force, hit with such great impact that they were flung far away, falling injured to the ground.

Seeing the others distracted, Chen Qing spun her dual knives like a whirlwind. She moved with the grace of a crane, launching her knives with a flick of her hand. The two knives struck down the shadow guards standing in front of Qin Junlan, then returned to the air as if controlled by invisible strings, moving freely. They circled in the air before flying back toward Qin Junlan.

Seeing this, Li Yue grabbed a sword from a shadow guard and engaged the knives in a few maneuvers, finally deflecting this wave of attacks. Only Qin Junlan remained calm and composed, unmoved even if Mount Tai collapses in front, standing firm while intently watching Chen Qing’s battle with the Imperial Guards.

“Leave her alive!” Qin Junlan commanded, and the Imperial Guards swarmed forward, with Li Yue also advancing, intending to capture Chen Qing herself.

Li Yue’s Jueqing Sword (“Heartless Sword”) struck with fierce force, as she aimed to subdue the assassin swiftly, recognizing it might be an opportunity to save Liu Qianxun. Her long sword drove straight in, while Chen Qing only defended without attacking. As she looked at Li Yue, her gaze gradually became blurred, never expecting that the duel she had longed for between the two of them would happen under such circumstances.

Why was she only defending and not attacking? Li Yue noticed the oddity of this black-clothed person but regrettably never caught a glimpse of their eyes. The two moved as swiftly as the wind, with sparks flying as their blades clashed.

Chen Qing did not linger long in her exchange with Li Yue but rather tried every possible way to get close to Qin Junlan. She needed this assassination attempt to appear genuine, not just a strategy to rescue Liu Qianxun. Yet every time she approached Qin Junlan, Li Yue would timely appear to block her, which was precisely the outcome she desired.

Unexpectedly, the assassin’s skills were so high that they could match Li Yue’s. If she hadn’t been lurking in the palace for so long, how could she maneuver so effortlessly in Fengluan Palace? Qin Junlan pondered, wondering if the spies from the Yu Kingdom around her had never been fully eliminated. Yet, this figure seemed so familiar. Was she here to seek death? Although she attacked herself fiercely, it seemed every move was cautious. The Imperial Guards and shadow guards were wounded all over, but no one died—what was her true intention?

After twenty exchanges, Chen Qing was satisfied, even fulfilling her last wish. Behind her mask, the corners of her lips gently lifted. Seeing Li Yue’s long sword coming at her, she suddenly withdrew her defending stance.

The sword pierced deeply into her body, and the air currents stirred by the sword energy turned into a gentle breeze, blowing away Chen Qing’s black mask. Blood from her chest slowly flowed down the blade, dripping onto the ground like a blooming flower of hell.

“Chen Qing…” Li Yue’s mind felt like it exploded, and the world went silent. Memories of Chen Qing’s past smiles floated through her mind.

She always faced life with a smile, always treated everyone in the palace kindly. She was famously well-liked, getting along with eunuchs and palace maids alike. Although she often spoke frivolously and was occasionally unserious, she was always sincere. Why? Why would someone like her turn out to be a long-hidden spy?

“Hehe, unexpected, isn’t it~” Chen Qing laughed coldly at everyone, shedding her usual humorous and easygoing demeanor. Her smile now carried a chilling coldness, and her once clear eyes now glinted with cunning.

All the soldiers were struck dumb with astonishment. What was happening? How could their leader suddenly become an assassin?

Li Yue looked at her in disbelief. She must be hallucinating. How could the person her sword pierced be Chen Qing? How could the one attempting to assassinate the Emperor be Chen Qing?? Impossible! She tried to withdraw her sword, but Chen Qing held it tightly, blood dripping from her palm to the ground.

“Why is it you? Who are you really?” Li Yue felt that a fishbone is stuck in her throat, staring at her in a daze. She truly wanted to know, why did it have to be like this?

Chen Qing’s expression softened a bit, and she smiled fearlessly, “Who I am doesn’t matter. I only know my mission today is to kill the Empress. Just the deaths of Yi Ziquan and Bai Ruoxi aren’t enough. My mission is to turn Ji Palace upside down!”

Li Yue could hardly imagine such words coming from Chen Qing’s mouth, and she couldn’t believe that the person with fierce eyes, exceptional martial arts skills, and ruthless moves could be Chen Qing!

“How dare you! So it was you who killed Ziquan and Xi’er?” Yi Qinghuan pointed at her, trembling with anger.

“So what if it was?” Chen Qing raised an eyebrow, lightly chuckling. “I infiltrated the Empress’s side, and Ye Ming infiltrated the County Princess’s side. Our coordination was flawless as the heavenly garment. But since the Emperor wasn’t poisoned to death, then… I’ll have to do it myself.” Chen Qing took all the blame upon herself.

“Kill her, kill her!!” Yi Qinghuan shouted in rage, her body trembling slightly. She could barely stand without Qiushui’s support.

Only Qin Junlan remained silent. Chen Qing had chosen neither an earlier nor a later time, but precisely when she had awakened and was with the Empress Dowager, to feign an assassination attempt. She was probably trying to save Liu Qianxun, otherwise, everything she just said would be unnecessary.

“Haha, I never intended to leave alive.” After a hearty laugh, Chen Qing looked at Li Yue with slightly reddened eyes, blood flowing endlessly from her chest, and her face began to turn pale.

“Chen Qing, if you reveal your master and other accomplices, and help us eliminate your stronghold, you could redeem yourself by meritorious service, and I might consider sparing your dog’s life,” Qin Junlan offered her a chance, leaving the decision to her. She had always admired Chen Qing’s loyalty and outstanding courage, and because of Li Yue’s connection, she had planned to make good use of her. However, she hadn’t expected continuous troubles leading to the current situation.

“Did you hear that, did you hear that? The Emperor is giving you a chance, why won’t you confess?” Li Yue was so anxious she nearly stamped her feet, looking at her wound with blood flowing incessantly, her heart twisted with pain.

Chen Qing was unafraid, instead exuding a sense of grace and openness. She stood up straight, enduring the intense pain of her wound, and bowed slightly to Qin Junlan, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. You are a rare wise ruler of a thousand years, but… I, Chen Qing, will only ever serve one master in my life and will never betray her.”

“And me? To you, is loyalty to your master more important than anyone else?” Li Yue’s eyes filled with tears, a strong bitterness overwhelming her senses, and she could no longer control the tears welling up.

“Yes! A lifetime of loyalty to my master is my belief, but…” Chen Qing gave a bitter smile, all her fierceness replaced by gentleness and melancholy, “But how could I have anticipated that you would become the light in my desperate situation, allowing me to find joy in the cracks.” She looked at Li Yue with deep affection, suddenly taking a small step forward, causing the sword to penetrate deeper into her body, with blood continuously flowing out.

“No, don’t, don’t~” Li Yue nearly pleaded, feeling utterly powerless. Her hand, gripping the sword, was held by Chen Qing’s bloody hand, and she shook her head in distress.

“Yue’er, I’ve never been able to live freely in this life. Let me be selfish this once, to die by your hand, so that you won’t forget me…” Chen Qing stepped forward again, the movement tugging at her wound, causing her breath to become erratic, and blood spread from the corner of her mouth.

“Don’t move anymore, please don’t!” Li Yue cried out with tears in her eyes. She wanted to pull her hand away but had no strength left. Yet, she couldn’t scream, couldn’t lose control of her emotions. She forced herself to hold back the sorrow in her heart, hating her own powerlessness for being unable to change anything or stop Chen Qing.

Chen Qing wrapped her hands around Li Yue’s, no longer feeling the pain of her wound. She just thought of being as close as possible to her, “Yue’er, don’t let go of my hand, don’t leave me, or I’ll fall…”

“…” Li Yue couldn’t utter a single word. The sword that pierced Chen Qing’s body also stabbed deeply into her heart, with blood flowing endlessly.

She gritted her teeth, seeing Chen Qing’s legs trembling, almost unable to move. It was just the distance of a sword, yet it took her so long to cover. Li Yue didn’t want her to suffer so much. Her hand holding the sword trembled slightly, and with all her strength, she moved forward with the sword.

Chen Qing’s body was instantly pierced, but she held Li Yue firmly. She gently exhaled, tears falling on Li Yue’s shoulder, “Yue’er, let me lean on you for a while, I’m so tired…”

She weakly leaned on Li Yue’s shoulder, the last tear falling on the corner of her lightly pressed lips. That serene smile was forever frozen in this moment. In heaven, there would be no more heavy tasks and responsibilities.

“Selfish ghost, you selfish ghost… even in death, you won’t let me go.” Li Yue frantically patted her back, but no matter how much strength she used, there would never be any response.

There would no longer be anyone to remember her birthday every year, sending her gifts in various creative ways. No one would awkwardly dance to amuse her. No one would offer her a shoulder when she was weary. No one would sense her every emotion, remembering all her likes and dislikes.

“You fool, you were so capable, finally you’ve gone to heaven, are you happy now?” Li Yue held her head, never having been so close to her before. She always teased her and bantered with her, but that was because she liked her. Unfortunately, she would never have the chance to say it out loud.

Many soldiers of the Imperial Guard discreetly wiped their tears. From now on, there would be no one to chat with them about everything under the sun, no one to use their own salary to help treat their families, no one to drink and celebrate with them, and no one to take the blame for them when they made mistakes.

Qin Junlan furrowed her brow slightly and shook her head helplessly.

“Her death is not worth pitying. Someone come! Cut her into pieces and feed her to the dogs!!” Even though she was dead, Yi Qinghuan could hardly quell the hatred in her heart.

Li Yue was in a panic, holding Chen Qing’s body, looking at Qin Junlan with pleading eyes, yet she didn’t dare to beg for mercy.

“Mother! The dead cannot be brought back to life, even if you cut her into pieces, it won’t change anything.” Qin Junlan gave Li Yue a deep look, “Li Yue, give her a proper burial.”

Considering she sacrificed herself to save Liu Qianxun and out of regard for Li Yue, since she was already dead, it was better to let her enter the soil in peace. Qin Junlan sighed deeply.

“Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Your Majesty~” Li Yue knelt to express her gratitude, and all the Imperial Guards also knelt in unison to thank the emperor’s grace.

Several people, along with Li Yue, carried the body away. Even though Yi Qinghuan was angry, she was not inclined to openly oppose Qin Junlan, which would undermine her authority as a ruler.

“In that case, the County Princess is beyond suspicion and can be released,” Qin Junlan strikes while the iron is hot  to have Liu Qianxun released from prison.

“No! Since Ye Ming was an accomplice, she remains a suspect,” Yi Qinghuan was unwilling to let it go easily.

Qin Junlan’s anger flared. According to the normal procedures for investigating a case, Yi Qinghuan’s words were indeed correct, but she did not want Liu Qianxun to suffer in the palace. She would rather let her go free.

“Mother!” Qin Junlan, enduring her physical discomfort and suppressing her displeasure, looked at Yi Qinghuan. “With so many eyes in the palace watching, the killer is already dead. Do you want the world to think that our royal family is deliberately finding someone to take the blame out of personal vendetta, or are you just targeting Aunt?”

“What nonsense are you talking about!” Mentioning Qingyu always made Yi Qinghuan lose control of her emotions; it was her eternal soft rib.

“No matter what, Xun’er is Aunt’s adopted daughter. If Mother truly wants to deal with her, at least inform Aunt,” Qin Junlan stood her ground. She couldn’t directly oppose Yi Qinghuan, but she knew how to silence her.

Indeed, Yi Qinghuan had no response. She feared Qingyu would truly hate her again, yet she couldn’t allow Liu Qianxun to remain in the palace.

“Fine, release her. I have other plans,” Yi Qinghuan said with a sinister smile. Qin Junlan had a foreboding feeling but thought it best to bring her out first and then make further plans.

“Prepare the carriage for the Bureau of Execution! Summon Imperial Physician Guan to accompany us.”

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