Chapter 85 Assassination.
She waited outside until the end of the school term, when the teachers inside had finished answering the students' questions and the last person came out to pack up their things. Only then did she take a step forward and call out, "Fifteenth Sister."
Her voice trembled slightly as the Fifteenth Princess turned around, revealing the face of a woman in her fifties, her eyes as cold and desolate as stars. "Sister, you've finally come."
Lingyi didn't understand why she said that at first, until she returned to her residence with her and saw Aunt Liu Cui lying on the bed.
Her hair was completely white, and she had become confused, even calling the young maidservant who served her "Miss".
The Fifteenth Princess dismissed the maid and said to Lingyi, “My aunt has followed me all these years, enduring scorching heat and bitter cold without interruption, which has taken a toll on her health. Two years ago, she fell ill in a nearby village and never recovered. Before that, she was affected by miasma while traveling to Yunzhou, and even her eyesight gradually deteriorated. It was then that I met the Thirteenth Sister and settled here. Since two months ago, she has not recognized anyone, and this month she has even had difficulty eating rice and noodles. I took her pulse, and her body has reached its limit, yet she has refused to leave. Only today did I realize that she was waiting for you.”
Lingyi sat down by the bed and took Aunt Liucui's thin hand in hers. "Aunt Liucui, I'm late..."
She had always called Liu Cui "Auntie" since she was a child, but in fact Liu Cui was only ten years older than her.
She was illiterate, yet she worked hard to support her family during her childhood.
Aunt Liu Cui's previously clouded eyes gradually regained their light, though her gaze remained unfocused. "Lingyi, is that you? You've come?"
Lingyi tore off her mask and smiled at her: "Yes, I'm here."
Aunt Liu Cui wanted to reach out and touch her face, but she didn't have much strength. Lingyi quickly bent down so that she could touch her eyes, nose, and mouth little by little. As she touched her, she smiled, "It's Lingyi, Aunt's good Lingyi." After she finished smiling, tears streamed from her sunken eyes, "All these years, Aunt hasn't been by your side, you've suffered so much..."
Lingyi comforted her, "Auntie knows I'm very delicate and prone to crying. How could I let myself suffer? Over the years, I've been an Imperial Noble Consort, the most honorable position I could ever have. The methods Auntie taught me back then were really useful. With them, how could I possibly suffer?"
Aunt Liu Cui was still worried. Her lifeless eyes were wide open as she tightly gripped Ling Yi's hand and asked, "Are you really doing well? But why do I keep dreaming that you're secretly hiding under the tree in Chonghua Palace, crying?"
Lingyi fought back tears and forced a smile, saying, "How could that be? Dreams are all fake. I'm doing very well. Didn't you see Huan'er? He's my child."
“Huan’er, Huan’er…” Aunt Liu Cui finally remembered, “It’s him, it’s him. He looks like you, and even more like Miss. But he’s not as well-behaved as you were when you were little. How could you be so well-behaved, so well-behaved that it breaks my heart…” She sighed deeply, “My little Lingyi, she’s always so heartbreaking! And Fifteen, one after another, they all break my heart. Miss, you always say you feel sorry for me, you feel sorry for me… but I can’t bear to leave them. If I’m gone, who will look after them?”
She started to get confused again, and Lingyi could no longer hold back her tears, but she didn't stop her. "Aunt, we are all fine. Don't be sad to leave us. Go find my mother. She's been waiting for you!"
The fifteenth princess stood by the bed and said, "Go in peace. If there is a next life, don't meet us again, and don't look at others anymore. Take good care of yourself and live only for yourself."
A quarter of an hour later, Aunt Liu Cui peacefully closed her eyes.
She appeared fierce, but was actually quite timid. The two sisters couldn't bear to see her rest in peace, so they burned her body to ashes, put the ashes in a jar, and scattered them under the locust tree.
She left home too early and no longer remembers whether she was sold by her parents or abducted, let alone where her hometown is. What she remembers most is a big locust tree in front of her house. She has mentioned more than once how delicious the locust flowers her mother steamed for her were; she will never forget that taste in her next life.
Over the years, she followed the Fifteenth Princess, traveling east and west, always searching for that locust tree.
Perhaps she never found it, or perhaps she did, but she no longer recognized it.
In the end, he could only lie under this locust tree and find his final peace.
Standing under that locust tree, the Fifteenth Princess suddenly asked, "When I gave you acupuncture, did you blame me?"
Lingyi said, "I have never blamed my sister, and I have always remembered that only by living is everything else possible. If it weren't for that, I would have been better off dead, but Huan'er and Lin'er would have been in unknown straits long ago. No matter what, I will always feel only gratitude towards my sister."
The fifteenth princess said, "Because you are alive, people in this world benefit from you every day. Now even the court in Jiangnan has female officials. I sit there teaching every day, looking at those faces in front of me, and I am proud of you at all times."
Lingyi said, "When I went to Zhuozhou, I saw my sister practicing medicine and I have always admired her. Along the way, if I hadn't been looking up to you, there would be many things I would never have thought of or been able to do."
The fifteenth princess smiled brightly, "Alright, alright, it's a rare occasion for us to meet, let's not waste time flattering each other here, come with me."
Lingyi and she went to the room next to Aunt Liucui's. There were two stacks of books on the floor and one scroll on the table that was only half-written.
The Fifteenth Princess said, “These books record the medical books I’ve read and the illnesses I’ve encountered over the years. I’m almost finished writing them, and I just happened to meet you, so I don’t need to find someone to deliver them to you. You should print tens of thousands of copies of these books, not only to have female physicians teach them in girls’ schools in various places, but also to distribute them to the people for free so that they can read and learn from them at will.”
Although she was never affectionate with people, she had never been this assertive before.
Lingyi sighed, “No matter how dynasties change, the Imperial Medical Academy always belongs to the same few families. The so-called medical families are not because they save lives, but because their medical skills are only in the hands of a few. For the sake of their family interests, they have always been strict and unwilling to pass on their knowledge. Sister, you have broken down these barriers and popularized your medical skills. If they can be passed down from generation to generation, I wonder how many lives you can save.”
The Fifteenth Princess said, "That's why only you can do this, so those medical families won't dare to slander or sabotage it."
Lingyi asked, "Sister, don't worry. I will make arrangements as soon as I return to the capital. Within three years, these books will be distributed to all the counties and prefectures of Daxian! But you are still so young. Why are you starting to write medical books so early? Didn't you say before that medical knowledge is boundless and not always effective? Many illnesses may seem to improve at the time, but it may take some time to see if they have left any hidden problems. We need to observe for several years before we can draw a conclusion. Why are you in such a hurry now?"
The Fifteenth Princess said, "That was originally my plan, but Aunt Liu Cui suddenly fell seriously ill, so I had to stay here. I teach during the day and record at night, which makes my days fulfilling. I'm handing it over to you sooner rather than later, in case I go out to practice medicine again and don't know when I'll have time to revise it. It's better to leave it for future generations to repair and correct, so it doesn't become just my own opinion."
Ling Yi said, "Don't worry, even these, I will have someone make copies and take them to the Imperial Hospital for separate review before they are printed."
The fifteenth princess said with satisfaction, "Now that you are doing things so properly and thoughtfully, I am even more at ease."
The two rarely met, but they talked about medical books and women's studies, without mentioning their own lives.
Only when they parted did their reddened eyes reveal their reluctance to separate, and in the end, they said the same thing again.
"Live well."
"Only by living well can we meet again."
.
He left the palace at the end of summer and returned to the capital in early winter.
After returning from his trip to Jiangnan, Qin Lie beheaded several officials, punishing some and rewarding others. One local clerk, who had gained his favor, was directly promoted to a fourth-rank official.
While he was making sweeping changes in the imperial court, he suddenly decided to build a palace in the inner palace. He had kept it a secret for a long time, but when the palace was completed, he took Lingyi there. Even though they were an old married couple, Lingyi was still blushing with embarrassment.
—What mirror palace? It's clearly a brothel! The hall is full of mirrors, even above the bed.
Lingyi knew exactly what Qin Lie was planning!
Qin Lie was quite pleased with himself, thinking that people really need to travel around to make discoveries.
This trip to Jiangnan solved his problem of liking certain poses but not wanting to miss seeing the princess's expression.
The next day happened to be a day of rest for all the officials. Qin Lie stayed with Lingyi all night, and the two woke up in bed together the following day. Lingyi touched the lines at the corners of his eyes and reminded him, "Your Majesty is not as young as you used to be. You should pay more attention to your health in the future."
Qin Lie didn't have the delusional desire for immortality that some emperors had, and he never minded his age, but he wouldn't allow her to say he was old in bed. He immediately tried to display his prowess again. Lingyi felt weak all over and quickly stopped him, coaxing him for a long time before he finally calmed down.
Finally, she rested her head on his arm and looked up at the mirror that had made her feel so ashamed the night before.
On the mirror, where every detail is perfectly reflected, a tall figure embraces a delicate woman, her snow-white skin contrasting with pale chestnut, as if they were a match made in heaven, destined to be together forever.
He happened to be looking over there, and their eyes met in the mirror.
He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, saying, "I have to pass on my instructions. A hundred years from now, you will be buried in the same coffin as me. When you cross the Bridge of Helplessness, I will hold your hand so you won't be afraid. When you meet Meng Po, I will let go of your hand until you drink the Meng Po soup and let you be reincarnated."
Lingyi said, "I thought the Emperor was going to hold my hand and we would be reborn as humans together."
Qin Lie said seriously, "That won't do. What if we end up as twins? Wouldn't that be troublesome? I want to be born next door to you, just a wall away, with our parents arranging our marriage in the womb. We'll be born in a peaceful and prosperous era, grow up together as childhood sweethearts, and then grow old together in deep affection, living a happy life."
Lingyi asked, "Your Majesty is already the supreme ruler, is your life not fulfilling enough?"
Qin Lie countered, "And the princess? Does she feel content at this moment?"
Lingyi smiled and said nothing more.
At the end of the year, Qin Lie returned from Jiangnan, bringing with him the last two medical books written by the Fifteenth Princess.
Lingyi carefully placed the book on her lap, looked calmly at Qin Hong, and asked, "Did she leave peacefully?"
If Princess Fifteen had not been nearing her end, why would she have written a book? It wasn't just Aunt Liu Cui who endured those harsh winters and scorching summers, and the poison of the miasma didn't only harm Aunt Liu Cui's body.
She pretended not to know, just so that her fifteenth sister could leave in peace.
One sentence brought Qin Hong back to a time more than a month ago.
Snow is a rare occurrence in Jiangnan. The fifteenth princess removed her mask, changed into women's clothing, and prepared some light wine.
This was the first time he saw her true face, and also the last.
He has protected her for so many years, yet she still doesn't love him. This is the only thing she can do for him.
She handed the book to him, asking him to take it to the capital and give it to the Imperial Noble Consort.
Finally, after hesitating several times, she finally spoke: "In my life, I have done what I wanted to do and gone where I wanted to go, so I have no regrets. The only thing I am worried about is my younger sister in the palace. If possible, Brother Qin, could you please look after her for me?"
Qin Hong honestly replied, "I should have agreed, but as an Imperial Noble Consort, with my third brother around, she doesn't need my care."
Upon hearing this, the Fifteenth Princess simply smiled, a smile more beautiful than he had ever imagined. Qin Hong felt a pang of sorrow, his eyes reddening as he said, "It's come to this... I apologize for being so talkative. I promise you! Even if I can't protect her, I can at least protect Prince Rui in the future!"
That night, the two drank pot after pot of warm wine until almost dawn.
It turns out that when she drinks too much, she becomes more talkative, and she laughs heartily when she talks about the interesting and strange things she's encountered while practicing medicine.
The two talked for a long time, but Qin Hong never said the one thing he wanted to say most.
He wanted to ask her, since their meeting in this life was already destined to be impossible, could she promise him in the next life?
But looking at her smiling face, he couldn't bring himself to speak.
Even if there is an afterlife, he only wishes for her happiness and well-being. As for whether the person by her side is him or not, it doesn't really matter.
His narration was gentle and calm: "She knew her physical condition from the beginning, so she took medicine and passed away peacefully without pain."
"That's good then." Lingyi remained silent for a long time before asking, "Where is she buried?"
The Fifteenth Princess had no particular attachments; she died and that was it, not caring where she was buried. Qin Hong, however, had his own selfish motives. He brought her ashes back, thinking that he would be buried with her ashes after his death, which would be a way of giving himself closure in this life.
This action sounds incomprehensible and even contrary to ethics and morality, but Lingyi has no objection to it. She even bows to him and says, "Thank you for protecting her all these years. I am very grateful."
Qin Hong said, "I should be grateful that over the years, there has been someone I have been willing to accompany and protect."
Qin Hong informed Lingyi of the death of the Fifteenth Princess without authorization, and Qin Lie only found out later.
He was initially worried that Lingyi would be upset by this, but to his surprise, she accepted it very calmly without shedding a single tear.
During that period, she became increasingly silent, often remaining silent all day and eating less and less. Qin Lie asked Huan'er and Lin'er to spend more time with her, and she gradually recovered. Even so, six months later, she would still occasionally drift into a daze, followed by a long sigh.
In the blink of an eye, it was the ninth year of the Tiansheng era. The retired emperor died of illness in the imperial palace, and it is said that his death was not very honorable.
Qin Lie didn't reveal the specifics to Ling Yi. However, on that night, all the concubines who had served the emperor that night followed the retired emperor to their deaths. The palace maids and eunuchs who served the retired emperor also died for their master. The rest of the people in the palace were either imprisoned or exiled.
Qin Lie's anger even reached the palace. The thought of those imperial concubines gave him a headache, and he wanted to find out what they had done wrong.
Lingyi, having guessed most of what had angered him, advised, "The Emperor Emeritus once guarded Jizhou, resisting the Turks for decades, and was a great general deeply loved by the people—an indelible achievement. But after becoming emperor, his position rose too high, and everyone else became mere dust beneath his feet, inevitably causing him to forget his roots. Even my father, if not for his last ten years of perverse rule, wouldn't he have been a wise ruler? Qin Lie, though you are not as incompetent and tyrannical as them, ask yourself honestly, isn't your murderous intent becoming increasingly difficult to control?"
Qin Lie suddenly woke up with a start, his face turning pale. After a long while, he sighed, "Fortunately, the princess reminded me."
He didn't want to see those concubines anymore. In the end, those concubines with children were allowed to go out and live with their children, while those without children were sent back to their hometowns. Only the two of them and the Empress Dowager remained in the palace, making it seem increasingly empty and quiet.
Qin Lie began to reflect on himself from this point on, and sometimes he would ask Ling Yi before dealing with ministers whether he had been too eager to kill.
Lingyi laughed at him for going too far, but little did she know that the following year, her murderous intent was even stronger than Qin Lie's.
It was a peaceful night until Li Shaobao stumbled over to deliver the news.
—The crown prince was assassinated, and Prince Rui was seriously injured.
"The Crown Prince was assassinated, so why was Huan'er injured?" Lingyi asked in a trembling voice.
Qin Lie advised her, "Princess, don't be anxious. I'll go and take a look first."
Lingyi said, "I'll go with you!" She had a nightmare before Li Shaobao came over, so how could she wait for news in the palace now?
When she first went to Prince Rui's mansion, she found Huan'er lying unconscious on the bed, his clothes soaked in blood.
She almost collapsed to the ground immediately. Qin Lie quickly supported her and asked the hurried imperial physician, "How is Prince Rui's injury?"
The imperial physician said, "Your Majesty, Prince Rui's injuries are extremely dangerous. Although most of the wounds are on his limbs, he has lost too much blood, and his heart pulse is weak and intermittent. If he can hold on through the night, his life should be safe; otherwise..."
Lingyi could no longer bear to listen; her face turned ashen.
Qin Lie was afraid that something might happen to Huan'er, and even more afraid that she would be emotionally distressed, so he ordered the imperial physician to come and treat her.
Lingyi, forcing herself to stay awake, said, "Don't worry about me, do everything you can to save Prince Rui! Your Majesty, please rest assured. My child is still struggling between life and death, how can I fall before him?"
Fortunately, Huan'er survived despite the near-death experience, but her leg injury was severe, and she will be unable to walk properly in the future.
His face was pale, but he comforted Lingyi instead, "Your son is truly blessed to have survived such an injury. Mother, you don't need to worry too much. It's just that I can't ride a horse to fight anymore. This is just as good as it means I won't put myself in danger again. I can stay by your side every day and won't make you worry anymore."
Lingyi sat by his bedside, tears streaming down her face. This time, Qin Lie did not try to persuade her, but instead clenched his fists behind his back, his expression extremely solemn.
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