The Sovereign – Chapter 94

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

Parting Ways

The title of Princess of Qinghe has been revoked. She is forever banned from entering the palace!

The prison was so quiet that there wasn’t a single sound. Liu Qianxun knew that there was a raging storm outside, but in here, she couldn’t get any news. How was Chen Qing doing? This stranger, whom she had only talked to a few times, was now going to sacrifice her life for her. What kind of belief drove her to do this?

Liu Qianxun knew the people of Shura Sect were loyal to Ling Yu, but she didn’t expect them to be so devoted. The whip marks on her body hurt with the slightest touch, yet she felt nothing. These superficial wounds were nothing compared to the pain in her heart. Mujin, like her, had also been tortured and had been much quieter these past few days. Liu Qianxun suddenly felt like her world had completely changed. From the moment she entered the palace, perhaps this ending was already destined.

Everyone was leaving her, and in the end, she was all alone.

The “clang” of the iron door echoed, and a group of people approached. Liu Qianxun remained expressionless, indifferent to any movements here. She knew that once Yan’er woke up, she could feel at ease. She had been thinking for days but still couldn’t figure out how Qin Junlan had been poisoned, or what poison it was. If Ling Yu did it herself, when did she do it?

She worried that the poison inside her wasn’t easy to cure. How was she doing? She wanted to see her, even if just from afar. That would be better than relying solely on memories to get through.

The prison door opened again, and a beam of light slipped through the crack, shining on Liu Qianxun’s calm face. The jailer respectfully waited outside, while the first to enter was Imperial Physician Guan. He carried a medicine box and knelt beside Liu Qianxun, saying, “Greetings, Princess. This old servant is here to check your pulse.”

Liu Qianxun showed no particular reaction—no joy, no surprise—she just calmly extended her hand. As she looked up, she caught sight of a familiar figure outside. Finally, her expression changed slightly, revealing a glimmer of light. Seeing Qin Junlan stirred her emotions, and all the grievances she had been holding back suddenly turned into a lump in her throat, choking her voice.

Qin Junlan stood outside the prison door, supported by Yun Jin. Through the dark cell and the cold iron door, she saw the person who made her heart ache yet whom she missed day and night. Even after all the troubles and hardships, nothing hurt more than seeing her covered in wounds at this moment.

It seemed like nothing else mattered; she just wanted to hold her hand and lead her out of this dark place. She was meant to live under the sun, meant to be out of reach like the clouds, but now she had fallen to the bottom. In the end, the person she cared deeply for wasn’t her. Thinking of this, Qin Junlan managed a bittersweet smile. But what could she do? Her feelings were already given, and there was no taking them back.

This one glance felt like it spanned a hundred years, and these days apart were more painful than parting in death.

“Princess, forgive my rudeness, but may I examine the wounds on your arm?” Imperial Physician Guan, mindful of the rules of propriety, asked cautiously, worried about offending Liu Qianxun.

Liu Qianxun couldn’t bear to take her eyes off Qin Junlan for even a moment, but she stiffly extended her arm. Imperial Physician Guan rolled up her sleeve and found that the torn clothing had stuck to the wounds. The skin was red and showing signs of infection.

“Reporting to Your Majesty, the princess’s wounds urgently need cleaning and treatment, or they might become infected and lead to serious illness,” Imperial Physician Guan reported truthfully. Qin Junlan’s heart tightened. She took a few steps into the cell, staring at the shocking wounds, and couldn’t help but clench her fists. The turmoil inside made her feel unwell, and she couldn’t stop herself from coughing again.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Qin Junlan had never felt so weak before. Her pale lips had no trace of color.

“Yan…” Liu Qianxun instinctively started to call out, but then corrected herself, “Your Majesty… how are you?”

“Quick, check the Emperor’s pulse,” Yun Jin anxiously instructed Imperial Physician Guan. However, Qin Junlan waved her hand, “I’m fine. Go prepare the medicine and get ready to treat the Princess.”

“Yes, I will take my leave…”

Yun Jin continued to support her. The usual glow and vigor of Qin Junlan had long faded away. Now, due to the poison, her body would unpredictably suffer from intense pain. Liu Qianxun wanted to step forward, but in the end, she didn’t dare take that step. She could only keep her distance and foolishly gaze at her.

The two had not exchanged a single word since meeting. Qin Junlan remained silent, as if there were a thousand things to say but unable to speak. In the end, some things she couldn’t get past in her mind. Bai Ruoxi hadn’t even been buried yet; her body was still warm. How could she be so selfish, only caring about her own feelings and protecting Liu Qianxun like that?

“Chen Qing has already been punished by law. I’m here to take you out,” Qin Junlan wanted to hold her hand and lead her away, but she couldn’t. She turned slightly, letting out a weary sigh. She didn’t even dare to look at Liu Qianxun’s expression at that moment, afraid of seeing disappointment that would soften her resolve, or emotions that might mislead her. She had been deceived long enough and didn’t want to continue being foolish.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty,” Liu Qianxun choked out these words, dragging her aching body and following from a distance, only able to watch Qin Junlan’s retreating figure.

When did the distance between them become so vast?

Yi Qinghuan was in charge at Fengluan Palace and ordered Liu Qianxun to return to the palace to apply medicine and change clothes before coming to see her. Qin Junlan didn’t know her intentions but couldn’t interfere. She understood that Yi Ziquan’s death was a heavy blow to Yi Qinghuan. With the only male heir of the Yi family gone, the family was now in decline. As the eldest sister, how could she accept it? How could she let it go so easily?

Before long, Liu Qianxun returned in clean clothes to pay her respects. She looked pale and seemed to have lost some weight. Qin Junlan had heard she hadn’t eaten for days. The person she cared so much for couldn’t even manage a greeting or show of concern now, which felt sadly ironic.

After Liu Qianxun paid her respects, Qin Junlan wanted to let her stand up, but Yi Qinghuan stepped forward first, pointing at her and saying, “Emperor, do you think that with the assassin punished, this matter is over? Ye Ming is still at large, and she remains a suspect.”

“Chen Qing has confessed, and Ye Ming only stayed close to Xun’er. It may not have anything to do with her,” Qin Junlan tried to defend her. Yi Qinghuan scoffed, “Is that so? Since she entered the palace, trouble has followed. Ye Ming was brought in by her, so how can we be sure she didn’t have ill intentions from the start?”

“I was the one who brought her into the palace. Mother, do you doubt your child as well?” Qin Junlan retorted, though she looked utterly exhausted.

“My dear child, you make a good point. I would never suspect you. To show fairness and silence all the gossip, I’ll step back from this matter. Let’s hand over Liu Qianxun to the Qintian Bureau for investigation, and we will await the results,” Yi Qinghuan spoke firmly. Even though someone had already been punished, she insisted on holding Liu Qianxun accountable.

Qin Junlan frowned deeply. Once handed to the Qintian Bureau, not even she could intervene. The bureau’s chief, Qi Xuan, was known for being impartial and strict and was skilled in investigations. Now that she had secretly sealed off Suyuan Tower, no matter how the bureau probed, Liu Qianxun wouldn’t escape blame.

This move by her mother was truly cunning, appearing to let go while actually pushing Liu Qianxun into the abyss with no return, leaving Qin Junlan powerless to help. She couldn’t let Yi Qinghuan succeed with this plan, no matter the cost.

“Or let her confess and accept punishment here! Liu Qianxun, do you have anything to say in your defense? I’m giving you a chance, so don’t say that I’m targeting you,” Yi Qinghuan said, waiting for Liu Qianxun with eyes full of coldness and even hatred. She couldn’t tolerate someone she wanted to get rid of, and even if she couldn’t eliminate her, she would make sure she left, at least taking away any chance to influence Qin Junlan.

“I don’t want to repeat myself. I have nothing to say. I will…” Liu Qianxun glanced at Qin Junlan, feeling a lump in her throat, “I will accept whatever the Emperor decides.”

“My child, you heard her. It’s not that I’m being ruthless; it’s that she doesn’t cherish the opportunity,” Yi Qinghuan had predicted that Liu Qianxun wouldn’t confess or say much, which was why she set this trap. It looked like she was giving her a choice, but it actually blocked Qin Junlan’s way to save her.

Qin Junlan’s body suddenly started to tremble slightly. Yun Jin looked at her with worry, concerned that she might fall ill again, wanting to plead but unable to find any grounds. In this confrontation, what would Qin Junlan do? And why was Liu Qianxun so silent about her own suspicion?

“Mother… wise…” Qin Junlan slowly forced out these words, and then suddenly, her knees bent slightly, and she knelt down on the ground.

“Your Majesty!” “My child!” Yi Qinghuan and Yun Jin exclaimed almost in unison. How could a monarch just kneel like that, especially when they barely had the strength to walk, let alone kneel?

Liu Qianxun bit her lip lightly, looking at Qin Junlan. What was she trying to do? Liu Qianxun, feeling heartbroken, wanted to help her up, but Qin Junlan pulled away. She didn’t even look directly at Liu Qianxun, only raised her head to look at the Empress Dowager and slowly said, “I beg Mother for mercy…”

“You!” Yi Qinghuan’s face turned ashen with anger. Qin Junlan, who had always been proud, had never knelt even when wrong. Now, even in such a weakened state, she was kneeling for Liu Qianxun.

Yun Jin, filled with sorrow, also knelt beside Qin Junlan, “I beg Mother for mercy.”

“You all…”

Liu Qianxun’s eyes were already wet as she looked at Qin Junlan. Her thin figure was still coughing slightly, enduring such pain while standing up for her like this. She should have felt happy about Qin Junlan’s sincere feelings, but she couldn’t muster any joy—only heartache and sorrow, mixed with helplessness. Unable to change anything in front of her, it felt like she was trapped by fate.

“Your Majesty, Xun’er isn’t worth all this…” Liu Qianxun said heavily.

“Be quiet! I am speaking with the Empress Dowager, you must not interrupt!” Qin Junlan’s voice was laced with coughs, as if she was using all her strength. She was determined to find a way to save Liu Qianxun, not allowing the Empress Dowager to harm her.

Yi Qinghuan was both angry and pained, gently supporting Qin Junlan’s arms. She spoke softly, “Your body is still weak; stand up first and then we can talk.”

“If Mother doesn’t agree, I won’t get up.” Qin Junlan’s stubbornness left Yi Qinghuan at a loss. She looked at the two and sighed, “What a femme fatale. Fine, since you both insist, I will let her go for now. But…”

“Mother, whatever conditions you have, just say them,” Qin Junlan replied with a blank expression, knowing Yi Qinghuan would not change her mind so easily.

“I want you to issue an edict to expel Liu Qianxun from the palace!”

Hearing this, Qin Junlan’s body trembled slightly. Every muscle seemed to twitch, and her heart felt like it had been pierced by a dagger, bleeding endlessly with pain. The internal agony surged again, and she fought back the metallic taste rising in her throat, her hands clenching tightly at her clothes. She forced a smile, “Fine, I’ll issue the decree!”

Yun Jin was heartbroken seeing Qin Junlan’s pained expression, and then looked at Liu Qianxun, whose eyes were filled with tears, gazing at Qin Junlan with such reluctance. She couldn’t believe Liu Qianxun had no feelings for Qin Junlan, nor could she believe she was truly involved in the assassination.

“Yuan Xi, prepare the decree!” Qin Junlan slowly stood up. Yuan Xi unrolled the imperial edict and held the pen, ready to write as commanded.

Qin Junlan looked at the imperial edict, showing a faint, sorrowful smile. It had finally come to this. Her lips parted slightly, her defeated face lacking any color, and her eyes were tinged with a red hue, whether from tears or illness. She slowly spoke, “Strip Liu Qianxun of her title as Princess of Qinghe and expel her from the palace. She is not to enter unless necessary!”

“Change it! She is never to enter the palace again!” Yi Qinghuan’s sharp command echoed. Yuan Xi looked at Qin Junlan with difficulty, while Yun Jin stood by her side, afraid she might collapse, bearing the weight of her frail body and inner torment. Her heart was heavier than anyone else’s.

“Fine, change it! Never to enter the palace again!” Qin Junlan almost shouted these words, as if in defiance or struggling fiercely. The intense discomfort she felt was nothing compared to the pain in her heart. She hadn’t turned to see Liu Qianxun, who was already teary-eyed.

Liu Qianxun didn’t care about the edict; she only felt for Qin Junlan making such a painful choice, worrying about her fragile health, as if she might fall at any moment. She knew this was the greatest mercy Qin Junlan could offer. The only thing she could do was accept the edict with gratitude and leave the palace to find a cure for her.

“Thank… Your Majesty’s kindness…” Liu Qianxun bowed to the ground, though understanding all the reasons, she couldn’t stop her tears from falling. Leaving was the best ending; leaving was the least hurtful option for Qin Junlan.

“Xi’er’s funeral is tomorrow. Since you were close to her when she was alive, I allow you to see her off one last time. Leave right after the funeral. You may go now!” Qin Junlan’s voice grew weaker, and Liu Qianxun could hear the discomfort she was trying hard to suppress. Yet, there was nothing she could do but leave.

Throughout the whole time, Qin Junlan kept her back to Liu Qianxun, never turning around. Did she not even want to look at her? But Liu Qianxun really wanted to see her one last time, even if it was just a glance.

Qin Junlan wanted to as well, but she dared not turn her head, fearing that all her resolve would crumble in that moment. She kept herself tense, unwilling to let Liu Qianxun see her weakness. Only after Liu Qianxun reluctantly left did Qin Junlan’s restraint finally collapse. Her legs gave way, and she fell into Yun Jin’s arms.

“Sister!” Yun Jin exclaimed in alarm.

“My child!” Yi Qinghuan quickly supported her. Qin Junlan coughed lightly, and blood slowly trickled from her mouth. Her eyes, filled with bloodshot veins, seemed to hold “tears of blood” (meaning deep sorrow and despair). She pushed Yi Qinghuan away and struggled to stand on her own. “I can’t afford Mother’s concern.”

“My child~” Yi Qinghuan looked at Qin Junlan in disbelief. Her own child was being so cold toward her.

Qin Junlan moved her steps forward, tears streaming down her face. She gave Yi Qinghuan a bitter smile, “Xun’er was the only joy I’ve had in twenty-four years, and yet you took her away.”

She trembled as she walked toward the inner chamber, accompanied by a self-mocking laugh. “In the end, I am also walking the same path as my aunt.”

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LP: This Yi Qinghuan is so dense it’s f*cking unbelievable!

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