Chapter 78 The Final Cycle of Death!
Chapter 78
Ye Xiren wandered around Nandu for several days.
Although it sounds strange, she really doesn't need to eat or sleep. No one can see or touch her; they can only let her wander around.
She even went to temples and cemeteries.
She could enter the temple, and no monks or abbots suddenly jumped out to take her away. Just like outside, the graveyard was eerie and frightening, but... there were no "companions" or strange creatures around either. She didn't dare to stay long and slipped away.
So there are no ghosts in this world, what's going on with her?!
Ye Xiren thought about it seriously.
As the cycle consumes her body, she was in a semi-invisible state on the second to last cycle, and now she is completely "invisible." But whether she can go back and restore everything to normal, she doesn't understand, nor does she know how to escape. She can only wander around Nandu like a "ghost."
In the past few days, she has become more familiar with her situation.
Walking was the same as usual. The stone steps could not trip her, but she still had to "go up" to climb them. She had to step over the threshold. If she got into the carriage, she would follow it when it moved.
As for whether they'll be hit by a carriage...
Ye Xiren: "..."
I'm too timid to try.
She returned to the Ye family, but she was no longer there. Although some traces related to her remained, no one associated her with the family anymore. Xuechan became a maidservant to the old lady, and Tingxue Courtyard became an empty courtyard.
Zhao Lanjun knelt in the Buddhist hall. The white jade Guanyin statue on the altar had been smashed by her and had not been restored. The map of the Southern Capital had been taken away by Yan Danqing, and it was now empty.
Grandmother would stand in front of the empty Buddhist shrine, pondering every day who she had forgotten.
She fiddled with the prayer beads in her hand, and two streams of clear tears uncontrollably fell from her cloudy eyes. She murmured, "What am I trying to remember? And who have I forgotten?"
These past few days have been dozens of times more painful than when I used to kneel in the Buddhist hall; the pain is heart-wrenching.
She must have forgotten someone very important.
Like...
More than one.
Ye Xiren couldn't bear to watch any longer, so she went to her parents' courtyard. Early in the morning, her mother saw her father off to court. The battle at Huai'an Canal had already begun. The court was in chaos, with people settling refugees, dealing with the Northern Yan, and allocating grain.
Fortunately, the traitors who secretly sided with Northern Yan were dealt with cleanly by her and Yan Danqing. The remaining factions, whether they were pro-peace or pro-war, were all well-behaved and obediently carried out their duties with the Emperor, Jiang You, Liu Duoxi, and Ye Pei keeping them in check.
"Didn't you sleep well again last night?" Liao Changying straightened Ye Pei's clothes.
"I can't sleep. I feel like I've forgotten something important. It's on my mind and I can't let it go. I can't even close my eyes and feel at ease." Ye Pei shook his head and looked at his wife, whose eyes were also dark. He said, "You haven't slept well for two days either. Go back and get some more sleep."
Liao Changying twitched the corner of her mouth but said nothing.
After Ye Pei left, she sat quietly in the main courtyard, her eyes glazed over, without saying a word.
Her mother was always busy before, and would never be like this. These past two days, Ye Xiren watched her, twisting her sleeves, feeling very worried.
Liao Changying sat for a while, then suddenly stood up. The entire Ye family began to move. Without exception, all the maids, servants, and boys followed Liao and searched the entire Ye family mansion.
"Madam, what are you looking for?" Seeing her flustered, Granny Li stepped forward to support her and asked softly, her eyes filled with worry.
Liao Changying's face instantly filled with tears, and she sobbed, "It's like I've lost my pearl."
"What kind of pearl is it?"
Liao Changying shook her head, bursting into tears.
Ye Xiren couldn't bear to watch any longer and ran out of the Ye family home with tears streaming down her face. She then ran to the Prime Minister's residence, where Ye Changming had been staying for the past two days. If she wanted to see her brother, she had to go to Jiang You's place.
They seemed quite familiar with the place.
She never expected that after experiencing so many things, her brother would become Jiang You's disciple. When Jiang You was in Nandu, he had a great fondness for Ye Changming.
Have you seen the person I'm looking for?
He was in a daze when he bumped into Jiang You, who took him to the Prime Minister's residence, asked him some questions about the reforms, and then kept him there.
Ye Xiren regretted it.
She shouldn't have given the painting to her brother. The cycle leaves its mark. Looking at the Ye family now, she only wishes they had forgotten her completely, instead of suffering like this!
If she could escape the cycle and go back, she would try at all costs; but if not, she only hoped that they would forget as much as possible...
Ideally, after defeating the Northern Yan, one should also completely forget about the Spring Day.
Ye Xiren couldn't help but clutch her chest. She should still be alive, otherwise why would she be so heartbroken? She cried again and again.
Prime Minister's Residence
Jiang You's study was fully open, and Ye Changming was engrossed in reading all sorts of classic texts, as well as some casual remarks left by Prime Minister Jiang and the Emperor.
He would occasionally raise questions: "Prime Minister Jiang, His Majesty's suggestion to follow the ancient method of lending seeds and grain to the people and repaying them after the autumn harvest is a good idea, but it also has many problems... What if it cannot be implemented effectively for the people or is not carried out properly?"
Jiang You's eyes immediately lit up, and he looked at Ye Changming with admiration and great satisfaction.
“I’ve thought about it. Right now, there are refugees everywhere. If General Yan recovers the lost territory and the refugees are returned to their original homes, we must give them food and seeds, and even oxen and hoes, so that they can recover their lives as soon as possible.”
Jiang You stepped forward and explained to him:
"Therefore, the court will definitely select some truly capable officials to send to various places for disaster relief and to personally take charge of the work during this spring imperial examination. However, there are still some issues that need to be properly addressed. Do you have any good ideas?"
Ye Changming was a very bold man. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "If it's just for the next two years, that's fine. But after these officials go to different places, how will they cooperate with the original officials and veteran clerks, and how will they be supervised? I do have some immature ideas."
“Go ahead,” Jiang You said hastily.
He sat down next to Ye Changming and tried to take the painting that Ye Changming had placed on his lap, but Ye Changming stopped him and shook his head. "Teacher, let's leave the painting here. I don't feel at ease if it's out of my sight."
Jiang You paused for a moment, but ultimately did not ask any further questions.
The two chatted about resettling the people, resuming spring plowing, and even reforming the law. They were so busy that they forgot about their sadness. Ye Xiren forced a smile and finally felt a little relieved.
However, not long after, someone suddenly came in to report: "Prime Minister Jiang... Chi Zhanlan Ce has fallen ill!"
Jiang Xiang was taken aback.
After a long pause, he sighed, "He finally couldn't hold on any longer."
Upon hearing this, Ye Xiren hurried to the Northern Yan embassy, wanting to see Chi Zhanlan Ce breathe his last. He should have died of illness on the eighth day of the third month.
But knowing roughly what the people of Daliang wanted his remains for, Chi Zhanlan Ce was unwilling to give up and actually managed to live for more than three more days!
As Ye Xiren left the study, she heard Jiang You solemnly ask behind her, "Changming, the Great Liang is plagued by deep-seated problems and reforms cannot be accomplished overnight. If we do not want the people to suffer, it will take ten, twenty, or even several decades to change things. Can you bear that responsibility?"
"I am willing to do everything in my power."
Northern Yan Embassy
Ye Xiren never expected that when she saw Chi Zhan Lan Ce again, he had become extremely thin in just a few days. His cheeks were sunken, his hair was messy, and his clothes were sloppy. Only his phoenix eyes were still frighteningly bright.
His chest heaved violently, his eyes wide open, filled with a mixture of resentment and hatred.
He was really unwilling to accept it.
As long as he's alive, he can't stop thinking about a way out. Suicide? It's no different from dying from a heart attack; his condition can be diagnosed in the same way, and besides, someone is watching him the whole time.
To survive, he dared not make any more violent moves. The small room was tightly closed on all sides, with only a small window letting in light. He lay on the bed for more than three days, unable to find any way out, completely helpless, having exhausted all means.
Then Ying Changping, Xu Cheng, and Yan Shuang took turns watching over him, without giving him a second glance.
But they all acted as if they were deaf, blind, and mute. No matter what he said or how he tried to engage them in conversation, they remained quiet and refused to utter a sound, thus avoiding his scheme.
There were no candles in the room; they were afraid he would burn himself to cover up the crime.
"I'm not reconciled...cough cough..."
Chi Zhanlan coughed twice, feeling his breathing getting weaker and weaker. He didn't want to die. As long as he was alive, there was still hope. As long as Yan achieved a great victory at Huai'an Canal, even if he died, the royal tent would not be in chaos.
He wanted to wait for news, but he could no longer wait.
At the end of his life, this renowned Holy Son of Northern Yan was destined to die quietly in this small room, ending all his legend and glory.
He didn't have the ambition to command the world, nor the joy of dying with a smile after achieving his goals, nor did he witness the Northern Yan invasion of the Southern Capital, nor could he even light a fire to burn himself to ashes...
He lay there quietly and forlornly, having lived for three days and eight hours with all his might.
The door opened, and Ying Changping, who was guarding him, went out to call for help.
With his last ounce of strength, Chi Zhanlan Ce shouted, "Heaven has not blessed me! Heaven has not blessed Northern Yan!"
He tried to stand up, but could only fall helplessly off the bed. Blood gushed out; his heart condition had flared up, causing his face to turn bluish-purple. His breathing was almost gone, veins throbbed on his forehead, and his whole body convulsed…
He mustered his strength and climbed toward the north window, wanting to take one last look... at his Northern Swallow.
However, even using his hands and feet, he could only move forward a little bit with difficulty before he lost his breath.
On his pale face, only the last glimmer of light remained in his phoenix eyes. Two lines of tears slid down his temples. He looked out the window, listened to the wind in his ears, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.
The staff that helped Northern Yan conquer the world has been completely broken today.
It was all just an illusion in the end.
Heaven bestowed upon him the highest position and unparalleled shrewdness, orchestrating the opportune moment and favorable circumstances for him, making him full of vigor and ambition.
However, he was also given a short lifespan, Yan Danqing who could stop him, Ye Xiren whom he wanted to keep in his heart... and their repeated defies of fate.
Chi Zhanlan Ce's lips twitched, and he let out a sneer.
But in the end, who in this world isn't just living a dream, a life of emptiness?
As Chi Zhanlan Ce closed his eyes, he saw a faint shadow standing quietly by the door, looking at him with a sigh. Their eyes met.
He saw it!
Just as he expected, Ye Xiren was still there. Chi Zhanlan Ce's eyes curved into a smile, and his bluish-purple lips silently opened and closed: "So you've come to see me off..."
After saying that, he closed his eyes, and all the resentment and regret within them vanished in an instant.
If we had never thought of conquering Daliang, and had never massacred Beidu and sunk Nandu, would things have been perfect?
Won't.
Because he is Chi Zhanlan Ce.
From the day he was born, he was born with ambition, destined to be the scepter of Northern Yan pointing directly at Great Liang, to contend for the world, and to make the whole world belong to him, Chizhan!
However, fate was not on his side, and he failed.
Since developing a heart condition, his body had felt heavy, as if he were carrying a burden every day. He had never felt so light before. He felt as if he had returned to the vast grasslands, urging his horse forward, whistling, and summoning his favorite eagle...
Chi Zhanlan Ce breathed his last, without a trace of life left.
Ye Xiren let out a long breath.
With this person dead, he could no longer cause any trouble. She no longer needed to worry about the endless schemes, and the 300,000 innocent people of Nandu were finally spared from disaster!
Ye Xiren watched the entire process of his death, and also noticed that after his death there was no "soul" leaving his body to "catch up" with her. When a person dies, he is dead and there will be no trace left; his consciousness dissipates.
She shook her head and was about to leave.
Ying Changping brought in the Imperial Medical Academy personnel again, and they prepared Chi Zhanlan Ce's body to prevent damage and decay during the long journey. They then placed it in a pre-prepared ice coffin and closed the coffin.
At this moment, Jiang You arrived.
He stared at the coffin for a long time without saying a word, as if lost in his own thoughts, his eyes vacant.
Ye Xiren walked over to him and asked, "What are you thinking about? Are you thinking that Chizhan Lance is dead and that the Great Liang is finally going to win?"
Jiang You couldn't hear him, so naturally he wouldn't answer.
He gave Ying Changping a few instructions, then suddenly turned and walked out, heading straight for the palace. Ye Xiren, not knowing what he was thinking, was very curious and followed him.
"What are you going to do?" She chattered on and on as she followed Jiang You into the palace and into the imperial study.
With officials busy, the emperor naturally had even less free time.
He suppressed Yan Wan's matter. The most urgent task was still the war with Northern Yan, which was his responsibility as emperor. Liang Yue reviewed one memorial after another and summoned one official after another to discuss matters.
When Jiang You arrived, he asked everyone else to leave. Liang Yue put down his pen and asked in confusion, "Prime Minister Jiang, what's wrong? Is there any new information?"
"General Yan has received the grain and should be arriving at the Huai'an Canal soon. The refugees outside the city have been settled, and the situation in Xuzhou and Jiaozhou has been largely calmed down. Ma Shan is heading to the Huai'an Canal. Chi Zhanlan Ce has died of a heart attack. The entire Southern Capital and the entire Great Liang must work together to overcome the difficulties ahead. There is no turning back. The news has spread relatively smoothly."
After a pause, Jiang You continued:
"The bird, along with the note, pills, and medical record, were sent to Northern Yan by carrier pigeon and given to other tribes in Northern Yan. Right now, Northern Yan is in chaos, and the Northern Yan king's sacrifices have not been held. Many tribes will only make a decision after seeing Chizhan Lance's corpse."
Liang Yue's eyes lit up, and a faint smile appeared on his usually tired face. He clapped his hands in approval: "This is a good thing! I will immediately have someone send Chi Zhanlan Ce's body back!"
"This is a good opportunity. As long as we can completely disrupt the Northern Yan court, the Northern Yan army within the territory of Daliang will be isolated and helpless. After the defeat, Northern Yan will have no power to fight back."
Jiang You suddenly knelt down:
"Your Majesty, I request permission to personally travel to Northern Yan to escort Chi Zhanlan Ce's ice coffin back to his hometown, and under the guise of peace talks, stir up trouble within the Northern Yan royal court!"
He wanted to request a pre-arranged peace treaty and personally travel to Northern Yan.
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Author's note: See you tomorrow!
Today was another day of wandering for Xixi!
Ye Xiren: ...QAQ
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