Chapter 238 Return to Yanmen
After this episode, Xiao Qinggu happily gave Shang Yuwan many rewards and approved her many days of sick leave, waiting for her to recover before returning to court.
After all, having your jaw pierced is no joke; if you're not careful, your entire head could fall off.
Shang Yuwan became famous in one battle. At first, there were many rumors about her among the people, but after a while, the rumor that Xiao Qinggu only appointed people based on their merits gradually spread among the people.
After Xiao Qinggu learned of this news, he quietly added some spice to the rumor: The current emperor and the regent were known as the Twin Beauties of Dayu...
Later, Xiao Qinggu finally got some free time and sneaked to Prince Qi's Mansion to find Shang Yuwan to ask about her injury. As a result, as soon as he entered the door, he saw Twelve's expressionless face.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Qinggu asked her curiously.
It's like something was stolen.
Twelve stared at Xiao Qinggu with a dim gaze, without saying a word.
Shang Yuwan smiled helplessly. She was all healed and could go to court tomorrow. "Come in first."
Xiao Qinggu touched his head, said "oh", and followed Shang Yuwan into the house.
After closing the door, Xiao Qinggu rushed towards Shang Yuwan: "Sister-in-law, please save me! Those ministers have been pestering me to find a son-in-law these past two days..."
"Are those people like Qiu Bo Ke submitting memorials again?" Shang Yuwan touched her head. "Don't worry, your sister-in-law will help you check it."
As the Taiqing Emperor of Dayu, Xiao Qinggu naturally had to find a son-in-law for the future of the royal family.
Xiao Qinggu cried helplessly, "But I don't want to find a son-in-law at all. It's okay to review memorials every day, but after I finally finish reviewing them, the master drags me to discuss scriptures and philosophy, play chess, practice martial arts, and learn military tactics... It's so tiring... How can I have time to think about finding a son-in-law, the emperor's husband..."
Since ascending the throne, Xiao Qinggu has been getting up earlier than the chickens and sleeping later than the dogs. After Xiao Qingji left, Qiu Bo Ke came immediately.
Qiu Boke had originally assumed Xiao Qinggu would be a puppet emperor, but he'd never imagined she'd manage to be quite the emperor even without anyone else's help. With his original plan for wielding immense power shattered, how could Qiu Boke allow Xiao Qinggu to smoothly become an emperor free from his control? Naturally, he'd be creating obstacles, waiting for Xiao Qinggu to make a catastrophic mistake and lose the support of the people, allowing him to seize the opportunity and ascend to the throne.
Xiao Qinggu was so tired that he could hardly open his eyes. He also had to fight openly and secretly with Qiu Bo Ke, the ambitious old fox, every day. How could he have the energy to find a lover?
Shang Yuwan teased her deliberately: "Have you never met a man who moved you?"
Xiao Qinggu has already reached the age of marriage, and it is time for the young Mu Ai to become her husband.
Xiao Qinggu replied: "Yes."
"Oh? Whose son is he?"
"Qiu Boke."
Shang Yuwan: “…” It turns out that what was moving was murderous intent.
It was no wonder Xiao Qinggu had such a strong desire to kill Qiu Bo Ke. Ever since she ascended the throne, Qiu Bo Ke had always been stirring up trouble. During the time when Shang Yuwan was away on the expedition, he even blatantly colluded with some people to withhold food and fodder.
But Xiao Qinggu couldn't touch him for now. Qiu Bo Ke had many disciples, only slightly fewer than Bai Li Pu. He was also highly respected, and Xiao Qinggu, whose foothold was not yet fully established, couldn't directly attack Qiu Bo Ke. Currently, there was no suitable candidate to replace Qiu Bo Ke, so he could only fight back silently while gathering evidence of Qiu Bo Ke's disloyalty.
“Knock knock.”
Ji Suxian came from outside the door, "I heard that person is here? I brought roast duck and other meat dishes, do you want to eat?"
Xiao Qinggu's eyes lit up, his arms still hanging around Shang Yuwan's neck: "Eat!"
After everyone sat down at the table, Lu Heying first pricked the food on the table, then picked it up for a closer look and nodded, "No poison."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Qinggu immediately grabbed the chopsticks, picked up a large piece of roast duck meat and stuffed it into his mouth, almost crying with joy.
Ji Suxian was not very familiar with the rules of the palace, and thought that Xiao Qinggu was too busy in the palace to eat: "Don't worry, there's more."
Knowing that Xiao Qinggu liked to eat meat, he would go to Prince Qi's Mansion whenever he had free time. Shang Yuwan would ask the kitchen to prepare a few more meat dishes every day.
Xiao Qinggu nodded vigorously.
God knows where those rules in the palace that prohibit eating a dish for the fourth time came from, but she was really frustrated.
"That's right."
Xiao Qinggu swallowed the roast duck in his mouth and looked at Ji Suxian, "I heard you are afraid of dogs?"
Ji Suxian's right ear was covered by her hair. She nodded and then shook her head when she heard this.
"I'm not usually afraid, but I'm afraid of those fangs biting me. I was chased and bitten by one when I was a child, but was saved by my senior brother. Ever since then, I've had some fear of wolf dogs."
Ji Suxian really likes those dogs that are cute and well-behaved.
Xiao Qinggu uttered an "oh" and suddenly realized something was wrong: "Master Lu saved you? A hero saving a beautiful woman?"
Ji Suxian curled the corner of his mouth, "Bullshit."
It was Lu Heying who lured the mad dog back then!
Lu Heying: “…”
He clenched his fist to his lips and coughed twice, "Junior sister, speak more beautifully, don't be so vulgar."
Ji Suxian chuckled twice, made a flower shape with her hands, held her face, faced Lu Heying, and said with a smile: "Bullshit~"
Is it beautiful enough?
Lu Heying: "...Yeah, it's beautiful."
Everyone burst into laughter immediately.
It was already late at night when Xiao Qinggu left.
"I'll get more people to investigate those young masters. If that doesn't work, why not ask Cheng Qi for his opinion? He's just using the harem to stabilize the government. If he wants, you can just put on a show and get away with it for now. You can put the issue of offspring on hold under the pretext of being busy with government affairs. My mother said it's best for a woman to have children after she's twenty. Before that, her body isn't fully developed, and giving birth prematurely won't be good for you..."
Xiao Qing's advisor Shang Yuwan asked, "When are you leaving?"
She could see that Shang Yuwan's roots were not in Kyoto, nor was she willing to stay in this city for the rest of her life.
Shang Yuwan was slightly startled, then smiled faintly: "I will leave when he is defeated."
Xiao Qinggu looked at her deeply and said softly, "Okay."
After seeing Xiao Qinggu off, Shang Yuwan returned to his room alone.
She did not undress and go to bed, but sat down at the desk. On the desk was a wooden box containing ninety-nine letters written to her by Xiao Qingxu during his lifetime.
Staring blankly at the letter marked "Fifty-nine" on the table, Shang Yuwan didn't even realize when he started crying.
When I opened the letter, I saw that the handwriting on the paper was crooked and I could only vaguely make out what was written on it.
A light breeze blew, and a crescent moon jumped out from the thick clouds. Silver light fell on the table like silver powder, quietly outlining the profile of Shang Yuwan and the outline of her white hair, as well as the letter wet with tears in her trembling hands.
[My wife Yuwan, showing her trust and comforting her face...]
Shang Yuwan smiled softly, wiped away her tears, and picked up the pen to write a reply.
[My husband Qing preface, seeing your letter is like meeting you...]
After finishing writing, Shang Yuwan took the letter to the place where Xiao Qingxu's bones were enshrined and burned it in the brazier.
The flames were reflected in her half-closed peach blossom eyes. Suddenly, a soft voice sounded in the silent room:
"wait for me."
......
The seasons rotate and time passes by like a galloping horse.
Ten years later in Kyoto, some people were celebrating the fact that the traitor Qiu Bo Ke was finally executed at the feet of Emperor Taiqing.
The whole city of Kyoto was rejoicing. Xiao Qinggu's dragon robe was stained with blood, the long sword in his hand was trembling slightly, and Qiu Bake's corpse lay at his feet with his eyes open.
Shang Yuwan stood beside her, holding tightly in his arms the bone urn that he had snatched back from Qiu Bake.
Yao Lao and Bailipu passed away, Lu Heying lost a leg, Ju Gongcheng lost both eyes, Cheng Yishui died in battle... In the past ten years, they have lost many people, many people, and are no longer the same as before.
Xiao Qinggu suddenly asked, "Are you leaving?"
Shang Yuwan's eyes were a little stunned, and he said softly, "Yeah."
"Where are you going?"
She held the urn of her lover's bones and said, "Go home. Back to the place where we started."
"Return to Yanmen."
Xiao Qinggu was silent for a moment, looking at her long, scattered snow-white hair, without a single strand of black hair visible.
"I'll...see you off."
Shang Yuwan's eyebrows curved slightly, "Okay."
Half a month later, Shang Yuwan handed over the full power of Baijialou to Lu Heying, submitted his resignation to Xiao Qinggu, and prepared to set off for Yanmen with Twelve, Xiao Qingxu's urn, Yang Qianmo and the bodies of Shang Junhu and his wife - Shang Junhu and Lu Xu were Shang Yuwan's parents, and Yang Qianmo was the deputy general of the Zhenxi Army. The relocation of the grave only required Shang Yuwan's consent.
As for Xiao Qingxu's bone urn... he mentioned in his will that he would take it wherever Shang Yuwan wanted to take it.
Xiao Qinggu saw her off at the city gate. They stood face to face, each holding a glass of wine.
They drank it all in one gulp. As soon as Shang Yuwan put the wine glass back on the tray, Xiao Qinggu hugged her tightly.
Shang Yuwan was stunned at first, then gently hugged her back and comforted her softly: "All good things must come to an end. Qiu Bo Ke's death and my leaving here are the best outcomes for you."
Everyone in the world knows that she, the regent, is the most favored and powerful official around Emperor Taiqing. If she continues to stay in Kyoto after Qiu Bo Ke's death, it will inevitably attract criticism, which will also be very disadvantageous to Xiao Qinggu.
Xiao Qinggu held Shang Yuwan's arms tightly and choked out, "I'm not him."
"I won't be him."
Shang Yuwan smiled, pretending not to hear the reluctance and retention in Xiao Qinggu's tone, and gently patted her on the back.
"I know."
"My Lord is Emperor Taiqing."
Shang Yuwan jumped on his horse and looked back after the long team left the city gate.
Xiao Qinggu was still standing there, looking at her reluctantly.
"......" A smile broke out on Shang Yuwan's face. He waved his hand, turned around and never looked back.
Twelve horses were walking beside Shang Yuwan, and suddenly his pupils shrank.
"you......"
Shang Yuwan raised her hand to wipe away the trace of blood from the corner of her mouth, put her index finger on her lips, and smiled gently.
"Shhh."
"I'm fine."
Twelve pursed his lips and ultimately said nothing.
The team gradually walked away, and Ji Suxian appeared beside Xiao Qinggu at some point.
"It's better to let her go."
Xiao Qinggu stared blankly at the direction where Shang Yuwan left without responding.
"All she wanted was to be with her family forever." Ji Suxian sighed softly.
"The fallen leaves return to their roots, the soul returns to its homeland. For her..."
Two lines of tears rolled down Xiao Qinggu's cheeks.
"It's the best ending."
After the team reached the official road that was invisible from Kyoto, Shang Yuwan could no longer ride for the rest of the journey.
Twelve stayed with her in the carriage, taking the blood-stained handkerchief into his hands again and again, and handing her a new handkerchief again and again.
She watched Shang Yuwan drink medicine, spit out medicine, and spit out blood again and again.
Defy fate and snatch people from heaven. The one who uses the secret technique loses all five senses and dies a miserable death, while the one who is snatched back has given everything for his country and family, and has been exhausted for many years. How can he live a hundred years?
Shang Yuwan's voice was very soft: "What do you want to do in the future?"
Twelve hugged Shang Yuwan and put his face against her slightly cold forehead, "To be with you."
This conversation continued until the day they arrived at Yanmen.
After Zhang Jiuquan's death, Shang Mingqi naturally became the General Zhenxi. His appearance and demeanor were no longer as immature as before. He was waiting for Shang Yuwan and Twelve's arrival at the city gate early in the morning.
But.
Under Shang Mingqi's eyes full of expectation and joy, his cousin who had worked hard for the Shang family and the Shang family, and devoted herself to Emperor Taiqing and Dayu for more than ten years... was carried off the carriage by Twelve.
Shang Yuwan was still conscious and asked Twelve: "What do you want to do in the future?"
Shang Mingqi's gradually pale face was reflected in Twelve's eyes, and a tear fell.
"I will be a martial arts teacher in Yanmen, teaching women martial arts and teaching them how to protect themselves without relying on men."
A barely perceptible smile appeared on Shang Yuwan's lips.
"......That's good......"
Shang Mingqi endured the heartache and welcomed Shang Yuwan and Twelve back to Zhenxi Mansion. Shang Yuwan felt much better after entering Zhenxi Mansion.
The 12th monk Mingqi called a doctor to take Shang Yuwan's pulse, who said that his pulse was stable and normal. The 12th monk Mingqi was filled with joy, thinking that Shang Yuwan's health was gradually improving and that he only needed to rest and recuperate.
But after they had properly buried the bodies of Shang Junhu, Lu Xu, Deputy General Yang and Xiao Qingxu, Shang Yuwan suddenly disappeared.
Twelve went crazy and turned Yanmen City and the cities near Yanmen upside down by himself, but still couldn't find anyone.
Shang Mingqi was so anxious that he sent all his trusted men out to look for the person, but there was still no news.
After Xiao Qinggu learned the news, he immediately offered a reward to anyone who could bring Shang Yuwan back to Yanmen. The Baijialou and Yuan Ji's men also went out to search for Shang Yuwan, while Cheng Qi and others also secretly searched for her.
Dayu was in an uproar because of Shang Yuwan's disappearance.
Three days later, the twelve ghosts went to the graves of Shang Junhu and Lu Xu as if by magic.
A few loud thunderbolts flashed in the dark clouds, and she saw a figure in the distance in the gray, drizzling rain.
The figure had white hair and lowered his head, staring blankly at Lu Xu's grave.
Twelve pairs of pupils suddenly shrank and they ran forward frantically.
"Miss!!!!!"
A drop of water slid down the man's chin and he turned around after hearing that.
The exposed face had a pair of beautiful peach blossom eyes, the red mole on the forehead disappeared, and Twelve's thin, ecstatic face was reflected in the gray eyes.
Shang Yuwan pulled the corners of his mouth, and as his eyelids gradually drooped, his body also fell down.
Twelve rushed over and stretched out his arms to catch Shang Yuwan's falling body.
"Miss? Miss!!!"
Shang Yuwan was carried on Twelve's back. She heard her extremely anxious voice, "Don't be afraid, I will take you back now! I will take you back now!"
"......twelve."
Shang Yuwan's eyes were half closed and his voice was weak.
But Twelve heard every word clearly.
"You also want to be happy..."
The moment the last word was uttered, Shang Yuwan's hands dropped completely.
Twelve's eyes went blank and his pace gradually slowed down.
"..." Her feet suddenly stopped, like a tree that had taken root there, not moving at all, allowing the drizzling rain to soak her thoroughly from the outside in.
As thunderclouds rolled in, the rain grew heavier. Shang Mingqi and his men rushed here and saw Twelve's expression, as empty as a piece of rotten wood.
"...Twelfth Sister."
Shang Mingqi burst into tears and stepped forward and said, "Let's take my cousin home."
Twelve was stunned and didn't react.
Shang Mingqi took a few steps forward and gently held the lifeless Shang Yuwan in his arms.
Feeling the slightly cool temperature on his back leaving him, Twelve suddenly came to his senses and snatched the person back from Shang Mingqi.
"Get away! Don't touch her!"
Twelve held the person tightly in his arms and glared at Shang Mingqi.
"She's fine! She just, just..."
She and Shang Mingqi looked at each other, and both saw each other's tearful eyes in their blurred vision.
There was dead silence all around, and feeling the cold body in his arms, Twelve could no longer deceive himself.
Shang Yuwan died.
She died too.
Twelve held the person in his arms, stunned for a long time, and suddenly burst into a shrill cry.
Like the cuckoo crying blood, like cloth being torn.
None of them noticed the lingering trace of a satisfied smile on Shang Yuwan's lips.
After Shang Yuwan's death, Emperor Taiqing was inconsolable, vomiting for three days and unable to eat. After burying Shang Yuwan, Twelve's face never smiled again, and he quietly worked as a martial arts teacher in Yanmen City, teaching only women martial arts.
Baijialou was taken over by Emperor Taiqing, and Lu Heying and Ji Suxian became imperial physicians in the palace.
Yuan Ji didn't say a word for seven whole days.
After Cheng Qi learned of Shang Yuwan's death, he didn't say a word for several days.
He couldn't figure it out.
How could such a powerful person disappear so suddenly?
Like a gust of wind, it scatters all over the world with a gentle blow.
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