The Sovereign – Chapter 96

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

Sudden Realization

So Ah Ying is…

The loquat forest remained as quiet as ever. Yi Qingyu was meditating alone. On the bamboo cottage’s veranda, a wooden wind chime swayed in the gentle breeze with a rustling sound. It was handmade by Liu Zhu, who always felt that this secluded and tranquil place would be more pleasant with a touch of music.

Although Yi Qingyu had lived in seclusion for many years, she never abandoned her martial arts practice. Living alone, she spent her free time drinking wine and practicing martial arts, occasionally venturing out for provisions. After Liu Zhu’s arrival, she planted a vegetable garden beside the bamboo grove. Though the fruits and melons had yet to ripen, watching the green sprouts break through the soil brought its own satisfaction. Somehow, the simple thin tea and plain rice here had become tasty to her.

Liu Zhu showed kindness to all things in the world, treating even small animals that wandered into the loquat forest with gentleness. Since her arrival, the loquat forest had become like the Peach Blossom Spring (a legendary utopia in Chinese literature representing an isolated paradise). Occasionally, wild flowers would bloom, and birds would fly by to perch on her shoulder.

“Cough, cough, cough~” Her health was deteriorating, and she often felt weary. Perhaps nearing the end of her life (literally “as life approaches dusk”), she was always drowsy. If she could enter eternal sleep beside Qingyu, that wouldn’t be so bad.

Yi Qingyu heard her light coughing and slowly opened her eyes, walking to her side and extending her hand, “Let me see~”

“I’m fine~” Liu Zhu smiled gently, but still extended her hand, letting Yi Qingyu check her pulse. These days, they had grown accustomed to such quiet interactions – whenever Liu Zhu coughed, Yi Qingyu would check her pulse.

The pulse was weak, and qi flow was not smooth; her body was deteriorating more than before, likely her lung illness had worsened. Yi Qingyu remained silent and turned to decoct medicine for her. These precious medicinal herbs were all personally gathered by her on her outings.

Qingyu’s kindness was always expressed in such silence. These days spent by her side were Liu Zhu’s happiest in all these years; she was already content.

“Clang!” Liu Zhu suddenly heard the sound of broken porcelain. She hurried over to find Qingyu’s fingers reddened from the hot medicine pot. “Qingyu~” She took Yi Qingyu’s hand, tenderly protecting it in her palm. “How could you be so careless? Don’t you know to use a cloth when opening the medicine pot? This isn’t your first time brewing medicine, yet you’re being so careless.”

Liu Zhu couldn’t help but scold her lovingly. Yi Qingyu smiled fearlessly, “I was lost in thought.”

“What were you thinking about so deeply?” Liu Zhu furrowed her brows, looking at the burned spot where two blisters had formed. She couldn’t bear to see Qingyu in even the slightest pain.

“I was thinking of someone in my heart, who was once like you, full of kindness towards everything in the world.” Yi Qingyu sighed softly, withdrawing her hand and carefully pouring out the decocted medicine.

Liu Zhu remained silent, unsure how to respond for a moment. She truly worried that with continued interaction like this, her habits would reveal her identity to Qingyu.

“Drink your medicine.” Yi Qingyu held the medicine bowl, and fearing it might burn Liu Zhu, blew on it several times before handing it to her.

The medicine was very bitter, and Liu Zhu drank it with furrowed brows. Yi Qingyu suddenly produced a red sweet fruit from her sleeve, wearing a gentle smile, “Here.”

Though her words were concise, Liu Zhu understood her intentions. It was a wild fruit from the mountains, very sweet and refreshing, able to remove the bitter taste from one’s mouth. A warmth rose in her heart, and she said, “Thank you~”

In truth, she no longer felt any bitterness; her heart was filled with sweetness. It was enough – being able to be this close to Qingyu before death was truly Heaven’s favor.

Yi Qingyu turned around with hands behind her back, sensing someone approaching, hearing horse hooves in the distance.

“Who dares to trespass in the loquat forest?” Yi Qingyu called out coldly, her aura expanding, forming a stark contrast to her earlier gentleness.

The arrival dismounted and immediately knelt down, “Greetings to Princess Consort Cheng, the Empress Dowager has a message for you.”

“Get out!” Upon hearing the Empress Dowager’s name, Yi Qingyu turned away coldly, not wanting to hear another word.

“Princess Consort Cheng!” As the messenger tried to approach, Yi Qingyu swept her sleeve, her powerful internal force causing the person to fly back several feet, spitting blood. Yet he persisted, struggling to call out, “The Emperor has been poisoned, and the Imperial Physicians are at their wit’s end. The Empress Dowager requests your return to the palace.”

Yi Qingyu halted her steps, turning to glare at him, “Is this true?”

“This lowly servant wouldn’t dare have the audacity to curse the Emperor or falsely convey the Empress Dowager’s Imperial Edict.” The person held out the letter with both hands, kneeling on the ground, not daring to retreat.

“Bring it here!”

The person hurriedly crawled forward on his knees, handing the letter to Yi Qingyu. Inside, it indeed documented Qin Junlan’s poisoning. Yi Qinghuan even begged her to return. But how could Yan’er be poisoned when she was fine before?

Yi Qingyu suddenly remembered how Yi Qinghuan had deceived her into entering the palace years ago, which ended up harming Liu Zhu. Thinking of this made her unable to calm down. She tore the letter to pieces and said, “Tell Yun Jin to come find me!”

The messenger pursed his lips, not daring to say more, and could only obey the command and retreat to report back to the imperial palace.

Yi Qingyu’s previously calmed emotions stirred up again from remembering the past. In anger, she struck the loquat tree with her palm, causing leaves to scatter and fall to the ground.

“Qingyu, don’t be like this…” Liu Zhu gently pulled at her sleeve. Yi Qingyu clenched her fists; whenever she thought of this, she felt that she was responsible for Liu Zhu’s death, and her heart remained unsettled for a long time.

Yi Qingyu remained silent, leaping up to perch on a tree branch, standing at height, her elegant silhouette immersed in sorrow. Why, after so many years, could she still not let go of the past? Liu Zhu gazed up at her from afar, sitting on the bamboo cottage’s steps, leaning her head against a veranda pillar, looking at Yi Qingyu in a daze.

Within just two hours, Yun Jin personally arrived at the loquat forest. She had originally intended to invite Yi Qingyu back to the palace, but was surprised that the Empress Dowager had acted first, and even more astonished that Yi Qingyu would only believe the news if she came personally.

“How could Yan’er be poisoned? What exactly happened?”

“It’s difficult to explain in a few words, and I’m not entirely clear about the reasons. Mother, you should return to the palace and ask Imperial Sister yourself.” Yun Jin’s face showed worry as she sighed softly. Seeing Liu Zhu, she hesitated to speak – why hadn’t Xun’er come to find their mother?

Liu Zhu, who should have shown joy at seeing Yun Jin, instead shared their worry and became concerned about Liu Qianxun. She knew something must have happened to Xun’er. All these troubles were likely connected to Ling Yu, perhaps her identity as a member of the Shura Sect had been exposed? Having found someone who treated her with true sincerity after leaving the Shura Sect, it was unfortunate that her daughter was now caught in a dilemma. It seemed her companionship with Qingyu would have to end here.

“Ah Ying, I may need to make a trip to the palace.” Yi Qingyu turned her head, looking at Liu Zhu, her eyes bright, “Don’t wander around, wait for my return.”

Liu Zhu didn’t answer, only nodding slightly.

Yi Qingyu immediately mounted the horse with Yun Jin, but before leaving, she cast another worried glance at Liu Zhu, her heart inexplicably anxious. What was this about? It wasn’t like a life-and-death parting, yet she felt this unease, even reluctance to leave.

These emotions were truly unnecessary.

Watching Qingyu leave, Liu Zhu took a few longing steps forward. Had she been too greedy after all? Time had passed so hastily, and now they must part after such a brief period.

Liu Zhu felt lost and empty – these things she shouldn’t have had, she shouldn’t yearn for them anymore.

Just as Yi Qingyu left the loquat forest, subtle sounds emerged from all around, and a deep male voice spoke, “Aunt Liu, the Princess requests your return to Changning Manor for recovery.” Immediately after, several dark figures landed before the bamboo cottage. Mo Feng led several subordinates, bowing respectfully to Liu Zhu.

“Allow me to pack for a moment~” Liu Zhu turned around composedly. They had come quite quickly.

She looked around the bamboo cottage several more times with reluctance, folded Qingyu’s cleaned clothes neatly and placed them in the cabinet, then divided the jar of loquat wine into smaller pots, placing them where Qingyu could easily see them – she knew well that Qingyu had a habit of taking a small drink daily. After arranging everything, she carefully wiped the table corners, doors, and windows one last time.

Before leaving, she visited her cenotaph one final time, removing her mask and placing it beside the grave. This parting would likely mean they’d never meet again in this life. She would leave Ah Ying’s mask here – perhaps in the future, Qingyu might remember their time together, hoping it would give her some warm memories.

It took a full half-shichen (two hours) to pack, and those who came to escort her didn’t hurry her, just quietly waiting aside. The horse and carriage had already been prepared.

Finally, she left the bamboo cottage. Before boarding the carriage, she cast one last lingering look at the loquat forest, departing with a heavy heart.

When Yi Qingyu and Yun Jin arrived at the imperial palace at full gallop, Qin Junlan was discussing important matters with several generals. Bai Ruoxi and Yi Ziquan’s deaths could not go unavenged – Yu Kingdom’s offense had crossed her bottom line. She had always harbored ambitions to unify all under heaven, just waiting for the right opportunity, a trigger point. Now, with Bai Yifei’s hatred toward Yu Kingdom and herself being harmed by Ling Yu, it was the perfect time to plan a conquest.

“Yu Kingdom’s elite forces are mostly concentrated in Zhengyi. If I am to take Yu Kingdom, we must capture its territory piece by piece.” Qin Junlan studied the map of the realm, her eyes reflecting imperial authority. Even with her body weakened, she remained a powerful figure, the supreme sovereign of the realm who could not be violated.

“Your Majesty, this subject believes we should first break through the frontier cities, giving Yu Kingdom a show of force.” Bai Yifei, skilled in warfare and troop deployment, was a rare talent among military generals.

“I second the motion, and to prevent any unexpected movements from Qing and Luo kingdoms, this subject suggests deploying troops along their borders to prevent their unified resistance against Ji.” The speaker was Zhao Xi, a renowned general of the current dynasty. He was the guardian general of all Jidu, and his family had served in the military for three generations with unwavering loyalty.

Qin Junlan lightly tapped the table, holding her forehead with furrowed brows. Despite her physical discomfort, she could still handle state affairs with composure. Her weakness couldn’t be noticed by court officials, especially at this crucial moment when no one should think her body was near collapse.

“General Zhao speaks wisely. The Luo and Qing kingdoms have grown quite close to Yu Kingdom in recent years. During the earlier disaster in Yuzhou, Qi County cut off our water supply, causing our people to suffer. Qi County is Yu Kingdom’s border city, and since it’s so close to us, we should take it first. Deploy an additional fifty thousand troops each to guard against Qing and Luo kingdoms. Keep the hundred thousand troops in Feng City in reserve, and first mobilize the Yuzhou garrison to attack Qi County. I want to see how Ling Yu responds!” After speaking, Qin Junlan planted a flag marker on Qi County’s position on the map. Someone would ultimately have to pay for this calamity and tragedy.

She would let the whole world know the consequences of plotting against her!

Only after she finished discussing state affairs did Yuan Xi dare to report, “Your Majesty, Princess Consort Cheng has returned.”

“Quickly invite her in!” Qin Junlan knew that Yun Jin must have worried and gone to invite Aunt back. She adjusted her collar, trying to appear radiant and energetic.

But how could any of this escape Qingyu’s discerning eyes?

“There’s no need to put on a brave front before me.” Yi Qingyu saw through it before even approaching her.

“Aunt~ I’m actually not seriously ill, *cough cough*~” Before she could finish speaking, she began coughing lightly. Yun Jin anxiously stepped forward, gently patting her back. “Mother has come now, you don’t need to act strong anymore, there aren’t any court officials present.”

“Look at you, always making a fuss over nothing and even disturbing Aunt. Haven’t Zhen been fine these past few days?” (Using the royal “I/Zhen” showing imperial status while maintaining familial closeness)

“As long as your poison is not cured, I cannot be at ease.” Yun Jin’s tender affection in her eyes for Qin Junlan caught Yi Qingyu’s attention. This kind of caring tone and gaze didn’t seem like what a younger sister-in-law should have.

However, Yi Qingyu was concerned about Qin Junlan’s condition and said nothing more, focusing on checking her pulse. “Jin’er has briefly told me about the situation. I don’t want to ask in detail or meddle; I just want to know if you have any idea how you were poisoned?”

“I have pondered for many days without understanding, and I don’t know when it happened.” Qin Junlan also suspected Ling Yu, but on that day of the drinking contest, the loquat wine had been tested and was not poisoned, and she hadn’t eaten any food. She really couldn’t figure out how Ling Yu poisoned her.

“Your pulse seems steady, yet it fluctuates greatly, sometimes weak, sometimes rapid.” Yi Qingyu examined both of Qin Junlan’s arms but found nothing unusual. “Besides the abdominal cramping, do you have any other discomfort?”

“I always feel a sharp pain in all my internal organs. Recently, when my emotions are calm, it gets slightly better, but it was quite severe a few days ago. I suspect the one who poisoned me might not intend to take my life, perhaps they just want to torment me.” If Ling Yu was the one who poisoned her, Qin Junlan truly didn’t know why she would do this—to restrain her or for some other reason?

“Sit down.”

Yi Qingyu channeled her qi through both palms, gently pressing from Qin Junlan’s neck down to her chest and abdomen, then softly pushing true qi into her back, as if exploring and healing simultaneously. This energy regulation greatly reduced Qin Junlan’s pain, making her body suddenly comfortable.

“Royal Mother, what exactly is wrong with Imperial Sister?” In the palace, following court etiquette, Yun Jin called her Royal Mother, but outside the palace, Yi Qingyu never allowed this formal address, insisting she simply call her mother.

“The symptoms clearly show poisoning, yet there’s no trace of poison to be found, and I can’t even force out toxic blood. I’m afraid…” Yi Qingyu dared not guess, much less make a definitive conclusion. She wrote out a prescription, instructing Yuan Xi to prepare it for Qin Junlan twice daily. Even if it couldn’t cure the poison, it could reduce the severe pain and perhaps slightly suppress the poison’s effects.

“Aunt, have you discovered something?” Qin Junlan wore light makeup today, but such cosmetic enhancement couldn’t deceive Yi Qingyu’s eyes. She sighed softly, holding Qin Junlan’s wrist. “You, Jin’er, and I are family. Yan’er, you really don’t need to endure this in front of us.” She had long noticed that Qin Junlan was suppressing her pain.

“Aunt… *cough cough cough*~” A violent fit of coughing finally brought up the sweet-metallic blood she had been holding back. Yun Jin was heartbroken, biting her thin lips to suppress her emotions, while Yi Qingyu calmly supported her head, examining the blood she had coughed up. The color was normal with no traces of poison mixed in, further confirming her suspicions.

“It’s alright, Yan’er. Aunt is here and won’t let anything happen to you. I’ve sent a carrier pigeon to Guiguzi. He will return to the valley in three days, and then I will personally go to Shennong Valley to find a cure for you.” Yi Qingyu supported her head, using two fingers to check the strength of the major artery in her neck, but when she pulled back the collar, she saw the pendant.

Yi Qingyu had never seen Qin Junlan wear anything around her neck before. As if drawn by some force, she lifted the pendant from inside her clothes. Looking at the small bamboo whistle, she was stunned. Her hands began to tremble, and fearing her eyes were deceiving her, she raised it higher, turning it over to see the character “Yu” clearly visible.

For a moment, Yi Qingyu forgot everything else, just holding the bamboo whistle in both hands, memories flooding back of when she made this whistle, remembering how Liu Zhu had cried with joy upon receiving this gift. She suddenly became flustered, losing her composure. “This, where did this come from, where did this come from??”

She gripped Qin Junlan’s hand, her emotions more uncontrolled than ever before. Seeing Yi Qingyu’s strange behavior, Qin Junlan removed the whistle from her neck and handed it to her.

“This was given to me by Xun’er.” Even though she was angry, she still kept what was given to her close to her body, as a way of remembrance.

“Where did she get this, how could she have this?” Yi Qingyu grew increasingly agitated, waves of hope surging in her heart, yet she dared not think too much, fearing it would be false joy.

“Xun’er said it was a protective charm from her mother, she’s had it since she was little.”

“Her mother?” Yi Qingyu stood frozen in place. Ah Ying?? She began pacing back and forth, her eyes fixed on the bamboo whistle, repeatedly muttering, “Liu Qianxun… Liu Qianxun… Liu! Her surname is Liu…” How had she never noticed this detail??

Such an obvious clue, why had she never suspected? It had been over twenty years of separation, and she had never seen Liu Zhu’s body? Could it be that she was still alive? Impossible, but if she were dead, this object certainly wouldn’t have appeared in someone else’s possession.

But if she hadn’t died, how could she not have come back to find her? And even taking a huge step back, if Ah Ying was Liu Zhu, why wouldn’t she reveal herself? Countless questions echoed in Yi Qingyu’s mind.

“Aunt, what’s wrong?”

“Royal Mother, are you alright?” Yun Jin and Qin Junlan exchanged glances, not understanding the situation.

“Yan’er, this is the token of love I gave to Zhu’er! I cannot be mistaken, this character ‘Yu’ is my name!” How could Yi Qingyu not recognize something she made with her own hands?

“What…. she is Liu Zhu’s daughter?? Liu Zhu didn’t die….” Qin Junlan was shocked. She never imagined Liu Qianxun would have such a background. Just how much had she hidden?

“Where is Liu Qianxun, where did she go?”

Qin Junlan sighed softly and said calmly, “She’s probably returned to Changning Prefecture in Yu Kingdom.”

“Yu Kingdom… Changning Prefecture…!” After muttering these words, Yi Qingyu ran off frantically. She needed to find the truth, to lift Ah Ying’s veil with her own hands and uncover everything!

She hated herself – why hadn’t she looked clearly at Ah Ying’s face sooner, why hadn’t she removed her mask when she had been by her side for so long!

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