The shadows of the palace walls say, "Leaving this palace city, what remains for you is eternity..."
Kang Le suddenly paused, then opened his dragon eyes wide and looked ahead.
The group turned to look at the Empress Dowager, who was being helped by Zhao Shuhan. They saw that she was now speaking with a strong voice and exuding a dignified and majestic aura, completely unlike the dazed and confused demeanor she had displayed during her years on Xiaguang Peak.
This kind-faced old man was never mentally impaired, but his eyes were truly blind.
Jiang Yuanjun then stepped forward, shielding the four of them with her own body. Luo Ling and Tao Qingyun also flanked Chu Yening and Qin Weixi.
Jiang Yuanjun, dressed in a moon-white robe stained with blood and with his jade crown tied high, looked at the Imperial Guards around him with an icy handsome face, and then his eyes swept across the palace with a cold, frost-like gaze.
"Today, I'll kill any who come my way!"
At this moment, he was no longer the gentle and refined fifth brother of the Jiang family, but a chilling crown prince.
Jiang Yuanjun added, "I'd rather not be the Crown Prince! I can also abandon the Jiang surname!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Guiyi, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, a favorite minister behind Emperor Kang Le, suddenly drew a short dagger from his sleeve and flew toward the emperor below the steps.
At that moment, a figure dressed in eunuch's robes suddenly flew in from outside the hall, wielding a knife and killing him instantly. Seeing this, Sun Shaopu, who was kneeling, silently screamed, rose, and lunged forward, wailing softly.
Emperor Kang Le was shocked. Soon after, he heard Chen Guiyi, who had collapsed to the ground, clutching the sharp blade in his chest, say, "You dog emperor, do I look like my brother?"
Seeing this, Sun Shaopu bit down on Emperor Kang Le's hand, which was hanging limply to one side. Then everyone saw that the old emperor's hand was covered in blood and blood was flowing freely.
Emperor Kangxi was furious. He kicked Sun Shaopu in the chest and roared, "You eunuch, you're still alive! You ruined my great plan!"
The old emperor was about to draw his sword again and point it at Sun Shaopu when the Empress Dowager shouted sternly, "Guards, throw this eunuch Sun into prison immediately! Make him write down all the things he has done for the emperor and post them on the pillar in front of the emperor on Gulou Street, to proclaim to the people of our Great Xia!"
Then she gave another instruction: "Ding Wei!"
Ding Wei quickly walked in from outside the hall, threw a punch at the eunuch in charge of writing in the Directorate of Ceremonial, and within a few breaths the eunuch was defeated and captured by Ding Wei.
Only then did everyone realize that the usually kind and amiable Eunuch Ding actually knew martial arts.
Then the Empress Dowager gave another order: "Issue my imperial decree to inform the court that Liang Shuwen's tenure as Grand Secretary has come to an end."
Liang Shuwen, who was kneeling on both knees in a corner of Nanxun Hall, suddenly wiped his face, then crawled forward on his knees to the Empress Dowager and said, "Your Majesty, I was wrong."
"Tell the late emperor where you went wrong in front of him?" the Empress Dowager asked.
Liang Shuwen suddenly looked up and saw the portrait of the wise monarch in the center of the hall. He was startled and then said in a trembling voice, "I heard a little bit of a rumor in the capital about the discord between the Chu and Qin clans back then and spread it around."
"And the matter of Duke Dingguo Qin Heng's achievements overshadowing the emperor was also spread like wildfire by me. Although I was used as a tool by His Majesty, I was indirectly responsible for Duke Dingguo's death. His Majesty initially wanted the Luo family's daughter, or rather, the Qin family's daughter, to enter the Eastern Palace, hoping to make the Luo family serve him again. Now I understand that we are all just pawns of His Majesty!"
Inside the hall, Qin Weixi suddenly let out a cold laugh.
As the wind and snow filled the empty Nanxun Palace, Chu Yening stretched out an arm and once again embraced the girl beside him.
Qin Weixi looked up and saw that he was wearing the armor of a soldier today, just like when he saw him off at Haizi Lake years ago. He was still as dashing and spirited as he was in his youth.
The Empress Dowager quickly turned her empty eyes to Emperor Kang Le, whose face was deathly pale. She said, "Emperor, your father once placed great hopes in you, but you, with your jealous heart, harmed two great families, turning this land where your father rests in peace into a living hell, filled with the souls of those who could never return home."
"I have seen the sentiments and grievances of the people of my Great Xia, and I presume your father is also aware of them. Your reign as emperor has come to an end. Today, I will give the world an explanation no matter what. Do not take your anger out on a few children. You have been an incompetent uncle, and you do not deserve to be called uncle by them. I am ashamed for you, and I am even more ashamed."
The Empress Dowager then turned to Chu Yening, whose eyes were filled with coldness, and said, "Yening, I will also give you an explanation."
Chu Yening didn't look at the Empress Dowager, but instead looked at Emperor Kang Le, and suddenly said in a cold voice: "My Chu clan once died in battle for the word 'loyalty,' and now I am only fighting for the word 'love,' for my love for him and Jiang Yuanjun. Otherwise, even if I am shattered to pieces today, I will still take that Radiant Sword and cut off your dog's head, you tyrant!"
Jiang Yuanjun looked up in an instant. And Emperor Kang Le, upon hearing these words, suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood.
The snow fell heavier and heavier. Jiang Yuanfu stood outside the palace, watching the scenes unfold inside, tears streaming down her face. She turned to Zishu, whom her mother had risked her life to protect, and asked, "Zishu, tell me, did I really do something wrong?"
*
Inside the Cining Palace.
Qin Weixi had returned to bed as instructed by the female doctor, and several people gathered around her bedside.
The Empress Dowager held her hand in one hand and asked affectionately, "Xi'er, does it still hurt?"
Qin Weixi shook her head subconsciously, but quickly came to her senses and looked up at the Empress Dowager with misty eyes: "It doesn't hurt, Grandmother Zhao."
“Puniang…” She suddenly remembered Puniang, who had held her hand so gently just like last night.
The Empress Dowager sighed deeply: "I know I have failed you all, failed Le Jinpeizhen, failed Boling and Chengji. I have failed your father. I owe you so much."
“Your grandmother, father, and mother are all old. I have already sent someone to invite them to the palace. I want to catch up with this old friend. I don’t know if she will be willing to see me.”
"Grandmother? Father and Mother are here?" Qin Weixi asked.
Luo Ling nodded and said, "Ye Ning had mentioned this to me privately before, and I had the same idea. But I didn't expect that they would set off on their way to the capital. It was Grandmother who was worried about us all and rushed back to our homeland. Several days ago, there was nothing unusual in the city, so they entered the city. However, they did not rush back to the mansion but stayed at an inn outside to see how things would go about. But today, we suddenly heard about Pu Niang's suicide."
At this point, he smiled gently, as if comforting his younger sister in his own way: "In addition, Lord Xu, Lord Zhou, Old Master Tao and others have already submitted petitions to overturn the verdict against the Qin family."
Qin Weixi suddenly lowered his eyes.
The Empress Dowager gently stroked her face with her wrinkled hands, and then smiled and said, "I wonder what that bright-eyed and white-toothed little girl looks like now. Everyone says that children look one way when they are young and another way when they grow up, but I can no longer see that!"
Qin Weixi grasped the Empress Dowager's hand, a single tear silently falling from the corner of his eye.
Upon hearing this, the group stepped forward and exclaimed, "He's still as resilient as he was when he was a kid!"
"The model is getting prettier and prettier, otherwise how could she have been fooled by that kid?"
The last words were spoken by Tao Qingyun.
Mentioning Chu Yening, Qin Weixi suddenly remembered something.
Chu Yening glanced at her briefly, then half-squatted down to look at the girl on the bed. He then rubbed his hands together and took her hand in his warm palm.
"Is it any better after applying the medicine?"
Qin Weixi smiled slightly and turned to the Empress Dowager, saying, "Grandmother Zhao, today is Fourth Brother's birthday, and we haven't eaten noodles from Kunning Palace yet."
The three men behind the two then remembered that today was Chu Yening's birthday. They also recalled how, back in the day, Empress Zhao of Kunning would make a bowl of longevity noodles for each of them on their birthdays. Aunt Baozhu was quite kind back then, and she laughed at their grandmother Zhao for showing favoritism.
While openly giving them money, she secretly gave a separate allowance to several young girls. Grandmother Zhao smiled and said that it's always good for young girls to have some money on them, no matter what.
The Empress Dowager chuckled, "I had it prepared long ago." She then beckoned to Zhao Shuhan, "Shuhan, go check if it's cooked yet."
Then she turned to the crowd and said, "Although I can't see you boys, I know you're all excellent. And Xi'er, I know her temperament is just like her real grandmother's. I'm delighted."
I am delighted that these two children, who lost their parents at a young age, can understand and care for each other.
Soon she seemed to be searching for something throughout the room.
Luo Ling said gently, "Grandmother Zhao, Xiao Shu has already gone out."
Tao Qingyun suddenly exclaimed, "Huh?"
The Empress Dowager understood and said gently, "My grandniece has had a difficult childhood, raising her younger brother alone."
Luo Ling said, "Grandmother Zhao, rest assured, A-Ling will keep it in mind and will love and protect her with her own life."
Tao Qingyun suddenly coughed violently: "What...when did this happen?"
Amidst the densely clouded gates, a rare smile suddenly appeared on the faces of the group.
Tao Qingyun's discerning eyes swept across the faces of the group, when suddenly the Empress Dowager sitting by the couch became solemn.
"Bring Baozhu in!"
Before long, Ding Wei led Baozhu, whose face was streaked with tears, into the inner room.
Chu Yening didn't turn his head, remaining in a half-squatting position, gently holding the girl's hand on the couch with both palms. Qin Weixi also realized at this moment that she and Chu Yening were the only ones left in the hall.
"You have caused me to lose a wonderful grandson!" The Empress Dowager's words were stern, all traces of her previous gentleness gone.
Baozhu wept silently.
The Empress Dowager continued, "I rescued the little palace maid you pushed into Xia Guang Lake. As for how you were bewitched by that woman in Kun Ning Palace, I don't want to know. From now on, you no longer need to stay by my side. I cannot tolerate you, nor can I let my children be disheartened. You have your own place to go, to atone for your sins!"
Baozhu trembled as she recalled the punishments that had been passed down in this vast and deep palace for decades. Then she pressed her head to the ground and sobbed softly, "This servant... thanks Your Highness."
After a short while, only the three of them, grandfather, grandson, and granddaughter, remained in the inner room, and a moment of silence ensued.
The Empress Dowager grasped both of their hands and said, "For the past ten years, I have not had a single day without regret. I knew back then that it was the Emperor who killed your father, but it was too late, far too late."
So she once thought it best to die of old age on Xiaguang Peak, and not let Ding Wei collect her body, for she would have no face to face her old friend. But later she changed her mind, and on that day she would bring the emperor with her to see her husband Zhongting, and then announce to the world all the mistakes they had made.
But to her surprise, the little girl later returned to the capital and came back to her side.
Zhao Fucheng was fighting against her illness every single day; she wanted to live.
"Therefore, when I am able to see Zhongting again, I will personally go to apologize to Boling and Lejin. Ye Ning must also protect my old friend Peizhen's little granddaughter for me."
Amidst the swirling, feathery snowflakes.
Beneath the vermilion palace walls that once held many joyful moments of their childhood, the Empress Dowager watched the golden boy and jade girl she had once seen by the lotus pond depart.
"My dear Xi, I know that these red walls and yellow tiles cannot keep you here. You should go now. I will not let you only see these bricks and tiles, trapped by this Forbidden City. Slowly walk out of this palace. With me here, no one can stop you. What awaits you when you leave this palace is eternal companionship and growing old together."
Under the eaves of Cining Palace, the Crown Prince still stood alone, covered in that moon-white blood-stained robe.
Seeing the two emerge, the precious girl he had once cherished and protected was now held protectively in another man's arms, his eyes filled with pity and heartache, as if afraid that a slight misstep would aggravate the pain she had suffered today. Jiang Yuanjun didn't think much of it, stepping forward step by step, smiling gently at the Empress Dowager, saying, "Grandmother, please let your grandson walk this part of the way." She then followed behind Chu Yening, her eyes fixed on the girl in his arms—the girl they both treasured—as they slowly walked out of the palace.
The three walked silently through the deep alley and palace walls until they reached the last door, where they saw a group of people standing side by side not far away.
Luo Ling, Tao Qingyun, and Zhu Ruo were holding Jiu Bao's hand. The two young people were still dressed in snow clothes with fox fur coats over them, and Zhu Ruo was still wearing her monk's robe, but her eyes were now as bright as the moon, no longer like the scene she had seen in Chengxin Nunnery.
Jiang Yuanjun suddenly stopped and stood still, saying to the two of them, "I won't go over there. There are still some things I need to take care of with my grandmother. I'll just stay here and watch you go."
His voice was like a gentle spring rain: "Ye Ning, Seventh Sister. Today I stand here, and you walk forward as our childhood best friends welcome you. The road ahead will surely be bright, and I will always be behind you, no matter when."
In the wind and snow, Qin Weixi's snow-white cloak fluttered in the wind beneath Chu Yening's arms. She looked at the four people not far away, and for a moment, she seemed to see her brother Shuoguang, her younger sister Zhaoxing, and her elder sister Zhenhui, who was already walking further and further away.
Like the white clouds that filled the sky that year, under a clear blue sky. They lay side by side by the lake, their bed made of green grass.
Then she looked at Jiang Yuanjun beside her and said, "Fifth Brother, no matter when or where, we will always be in the same boat."
Jiang Yuanjun smiled and said, "Okay, Seventh Sister, Fifth Brother will remember it."
The sky and earth had merged into one color, and this time the mottled red wall failed to capture their shadows. But it was enough that their figures had been left behind in the height of summer and spring of a certain year, at sunset. Perhaps it was the pearl hairpin in their hair fluttering in the wind, or the butterfly that landed in their hair, its tail wings fluttering in the light and shadow, or the hem of the young man's clothes flying in the wind.
The group left footprints, one after another, sinking into the snow and mud, as they tacitly made their way through the deep alley toward the palace gates. The "young man" clad in armor once again left the most fervent gaze of his youth upon the jewel in his heart.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
