Yan Ruoxi
This is a town next to the capital of Louhuang Kingdom. Eunuch Lin, a close eunuch of Emperor Li Lin of Qiankun Kingdom, took the dishes from the waiter and placed them on the table, which was already full of delicious food.
Likewise, those gathered around the table that evening, besides Li Lin, included Empress Chen Yun of Qiankun, Consort Yan Ruoxi of Xian, and Consort Yin Banluo of De. Standing around and serving were Nanny Ming and Zifeng.
A month ago, there were many mysteries about the death of Li Lin's childhood sweetheart Lan Xixi. Lan Xixi and Li Lin were in love with each other. Although they went their separate ways due to one thing, the foundation of their feelings still existed. Chen Yun also felt guilty about exiling Lan Mansion in the past, so they decided to go to Louhuang Kingdom in person to meet the local emperor to investigate the truth of the case.
Upon learning of this, Yin Banluo offered to use the Yin family's power to assist Li Lin in exerting pressure, while Yan Ruoxi offered to bring some of the generals of the Twelve Cavalry for protection. Both gave up their peaceful stay in the harem and offered to accompany Li Lin to coordinate, which naturally delighted Li Lin.
Therefore, at the dinner, Li Lin burst into laughter when talking about this.
"That's why I say this! It's truly a blessing for a virtuous wife to help her husband so much."
"My dear husband, you are too kind. I heard that this late lady had loved Your Majesty since childhood. Later, her family made a mistake and was exiled. Then she met the blacksmith of the Duke's Mansion of Louhuang State and married him. However, in the fourth year of their marriage, she was tragically misunderstood and torn to pieces by a chariot. Could it be that she has never changed her ways? If so, why bother to clarify?"
Upon hearing Yan Ruoxi's words, Chen Yun immediately responded, "Wrong. Lan Xixi did make a mistake, but aside from a bit of jealousy, she's quite normal. However, she was able to get the government to order the wife of the Duke's blacksmith to be torn to pieces. According to Louhuang Kingdom's laws, only prefecture-level officials can carry out such a sentence. She must have offended someone. We don't want other countries to think that the people of Qiankun Kingdom can be manipulated at will."
Chen Yun raised his glass and said, "Let me tell you something interesting. After being beheaded, there's still a very short period of time to think, hear, and see everything around you. So if any of you are lucky enough to be torn apart by a chariot, you'll probably feel a chill down your neck just like Lan Xixi did."
The other women were frightened and moved away slightly. Chen Yun saw their reactions and pointed at them and laughed.
Li Lin stood up, half drunk, patted his clothes and said, "Alright, alright, stop saying such scary things. It's time to act. You all stay here. The Seven Stars will protect the Queen and the concubines. Zifeng, come with me to find the people from the Chamber of Commerce."
Yan Ruoxi immediately stood up and said, "I want to go with you."
Zifeng was about to stop him, but Li Lin allowed him to do so. "Alright, let's go."
This is the home of Chairman Ai, the president of the Chamber of Commerce. Upon learning of a late-night visitor, he arrived at the living room, chattering. Chairman Ai first took in the man's attire and immediately recognized his distinguished background. He adjusted his expression, becoming more modest.
"You guys came to my house in the middle of the night. I wonder what's going on?"
"President Ai, right? My name is Li, and I'm seeking ironware from a merchant in the neighboring kingdom of Qiankun. These are the wives and servants of the manor. As this matter has come so suddenly, I hope I can be a favor to President Ai and seek his help, preferably from a royal merchant."
Chairman Ai twirled his goatee, his eyes flickering between Li Lin and Yan Ruoxi. Having dealt with merchants from all over the world for years, he naturally heard the probing tone in Li Lin's words—how could an ordinary merchant simply ask for imperial ironware? Furthermore, a late-night visit, demanding access to the imperial merchant network, clearly indicated a hidden agenda.
"Sir, you're joking," President Ai said, hunching over the armchair and tapping his fingertips on the table. "Louhuang's imperial ironware is even escorted by special personnel, so ordinary chambers of commerce can't even get close to it. But you, sir... just now said you were from Qiankun? I heard your country has been interacting frequently with ours lately. Could it be that you're here for border trade?"
Li Lin was about to continue his discussion when Yan Ruoxi, unable to contain herself, took a half step forward and said coldly, "President Ai, to be honest, the ironware we want is related to the blacksmith shop at the Duke's Mansion four years ago. You must have heard of that blacksmith's late wife, Lan. This matter concerns the interests of both countries. I hope President Ai will show his generosity and help spread his reputation."
As soon as these words were spoken, the smile on President Ai's face froze. He suddenly looked up at Yan Ruoxi, his eyes filled with warning, as if hardened by ice. "Young lady, be careful with your words! The Lan family is a serious criminal convicted by the imperial court. Their death sentence of quartering by a chariot has been announced throughout the state. Who dares to get involved?"
Li Lin's heart sank. He glared at Yan Ruoxi fiercely, then turned to Guild Master Ai and said with a smile, "I'm sorry for being impatient. To be honest, I came here to find that blacksmith to make some special ironware. I heard that his craftsmanship is unparalleled in Louhuang Country. I just don't know if he is now..."
"He's long gone from the Duke's Mansion," Guild Master Ai interrupted him, his tone suddenly harsh. "After the Lan family was convicted, the blacksmith was expelled from the Duke's Mansion and his whereabouts remain unknown. If you're truly here for business, please discuss ordinary ironware. If you ask any more questions, I'll excuse myself."
Yan Ruoxi walked up to President Ai and stared at him with a gloomy face. Murderous aura rushed towards him, and President Ai also bowed slightly.
"President Ai, let's be honest. You also believe that the Lan family's case was their fault, so you're afraid to publicize it, right? But think about it. There's no need to be hesitant about this matter with foreigners. We just want a deal. Do we really have to disrupt our business relationship?"
Yan Ruoxi wanted to say more, but Li Lin secretly grabbed his wrist. He knew that if he continued to pester her, he would be exposed, so he forced a smile and said goodbye: "I apologize for being rude. I will visit you another day."
Back at the inn, Yan Ruoxi shook off Li Lin's hand and angrily whispered, "Husband, why bother wasting time talking to him? You just revealed your identity and put pressure on him, and he still dared not speak?"
"Idiot!" Li Lin suppressed his anger. "We're here to investigate a case, not to declare war! If you shout that, the whole state will know tomorrow that someone is investigating Lan Xixi!"
Yan Ruoxi took out two cups from the side and said, "They are the same cup. It's as if the other party has already guessed our intentions. Hiding the truth will only make us distrustful. Not pouring water into the cup will make the cup useless. So I guide the other party to pretend to be from a foreign country. If he lets down his guard, won't that allow us to have a good conversation?"
"Really?" Li Lin snatched the two cups and put them back on the table. He then continued, "Talking about trust or not is not important at all. What matters is that the other party says what he is afraid of saying!"
Chen Yun sighed softly beside him, "Now that things have come to this, let's go to bed. But I'm afraid... I won't be able to sleep well tonight."
Sure enough, at dawn the next day, the clanging of armor could be heard outside the inn. Zifeng banged on the door and shouted, "Master! This is bad! Our brothers stationed outside the city have been surrounded by the Louhuang army and have all been detained!"
Li Lin jumped up from the bed so suddenly that his long hair couldn't catch up with him: "How ridiculous!" He understood instantly that it must be President Ai who reported the case to the authorities overnight and deliberately exaggerated the facts to frame him.
"One more thing. Madam Yan and Madam Yin have already gone to negotiate with the Military Judge!"
Chen Yun, however, was remarkably calm. She had already changed into a plain dress and said to Li Lin, "Brother, please wait here. I'll go to the Governor's Mansion."
Li Lin held her back, "Ying'er, you can't go!"
Chen Yun gently broke free from his hand, her fingertips stroking her temples. "Your Majesty, have you forgotten? I am the Queen of Qiankun Kingdom, and I have the Phoenix Seal as proof. They can disown the Virtuous Consort and the Sage Consort, but they cannot disown the Queen. However... if I don't return within three hours, you must immediately return to Qiankun Kingdom to call for reinforcements."
On the other side, Yin Banluo and Yan Ruoxi threw out the Yin family token when they saw the governor. Yan Ruoxi said bluntly: "I am the virtuous concubine of Qiankun Kingdom, and the twelve cavalrymen are my guards. Are you detaining the imperial army to provoke a war between the two countries?"
The military commander was a lean, middle-aged man with extensive social experience. He sneered after hearing this and waved his hand to his subordinates, "Capture him! You dared to impersonate a member of the Qiankun Kingdom's royal family and collude with the invading army to disrupt our country's public order. Your crime is even more serious!"
Swords and spears surrounded them in an instant, and Yan Ruoxi and Yin Banluo turned pale - they never expected that the other party would not recognize their identities at all, but instead treated them as fish that had walked into a trap.
Yin Banluo took out the token and said, "This is the token of the Yin clan of Yudong, Tufan Kingdom! It is connected to your Linqiu City Yin clan. Do you recognize it?"
The military commander saw the token and a murderous look flashed in his eyes. He pointed at Yin Banluo and said, "The Yin family has always been a noble family of both countries. Now a loser has joined Qiankun as his concubine. Could it be you? If so, then this general has nothing to fear!"
"Useless? Ridiculous! I have already won over the two Yin clan generals and the famous Shang Yu in Qiankun State. Are you afraid that you will judge the military governor's office? I am not here to discuss with you, but to make a request!"
"This generation of the Yin family is nothing to be feared. You? Has there been any news of any trouble abroad?"
Yan Ruoxi took out a knife from his waist and prepared for battle.
"Everyone, disperse!"
At a command, Chen Yun emerged from the doorway and quickly entered the hall. Chen Yun, dressed in plain clothes but with an imposing demeanor, was threatened by several soldiers with knives. The military commander frowned, "Another one seeking death?"
Chen Yun didn't stop, but walked to the side of the military commander. She pulled the phoenix seal from her sleeve and slammed it on the table beside her. "Queen Chen Yun of Qiankun Kingdom, here. The Twelve Cavalrymen are guards personally sent by Her Majesty, not an invading army. Chairman Ai made a malicious report. I ask the commander to investigate."
The military commander's face suddenly changed when he saw the Phoenix Seal, but he forced himself to speak: "It is against the rules for the Empress to bring troops into the country late at night without an ultimatum. Now that we have the witnesses and evidence..."
Chen Qian slammed the ultimatum from his waist onto the table to interrupt him, then approached the military commander.
"The witness is a false accusation, and the physical evidence is a frame-up. Putting aside your lack of courtesy, I am the Empress, so it is normal for me to have such protection, right? Could it be that you, Military Judge, are disregarding the relationship between our two countries? Or are you ignoring this ultimatum?"
Chen Yun slowly drew the sword from the governor's waist and placed it across his neck. "If the governor insists on convicting me, you will force our country into war. My blood, as the queen, will serve as a sacrifice for peace between our two countries. However, I ask the governor to consider whether Louhuang can afford the consequences."
The blade sliced through the skin, and blood oozed out. The military commander was so frightened that he quickly stepped back: "Your Majesty, this is unacceptable! Let's talk things over nicely!"
Chen Yan's eyes were like torches: "Let my people go, otherwise today will be the day I die."
A soldier nearby leaned over and whispered to the governor, "Governor, I think the Queen is right. We don't need to take credit for this. Instead, we can report it to the Emperor as soon as possible."
The military commander thought for a moment and said, "That's right. We just want to take the credit, not to the point of shedding blood."
He looked at the blood dripping from Chen Yan's neck, gritted his teeth and waved his hand: "Let them go! Let them all go!"
At this time, Chen Yan took the things back without saying a word, and then turned and left. The military commander whispered a few words to the people around him.
When they returned to the inn, the wound on Chen Yun's neck was still bleeding. Li Lin rushed over and hugged her, his voice trembling: "You scared me to death!"
Yan Ruoxi knelt on the ground, her head bowed low: "Husband, you should question the other party about the injury."
"Questioning?" Li Lin suddenly let go of Chen Yun and kicked over the table next to him. "Do you know how many people you almost killed? The twelve cavalry generals were detained, and you and Panluo walked into the trap. If it weren't for Yun'er's life, we would all be buried in a foreign land! What on earth do you want to do?"
Yan Ruoxi trembled all over, tears welling up in her eyes: "I want to help Your Majesty find out the cause of Lan's death!"
"Are you trying to solve the case or bring honor to your Twelve Knights? Answer me!"
Facing Li Lin's angry questioning, Yan Ruoxi showed a little weakness, but still refused to accept it. "I just want the Twelve Cavalrymen to have a better life. I don't want to be treated as a discarded pawn by you in the future!"
Li Lin grabbed Yan Ruoxi's arms, pinching them tightly with his fingers. "Have I treated you badly? Have I ever neglected you? I've rewarded you generously and taken good care of you. Your father was even posthumously honored, yet you repeatedly embarrass everyone. What else is there to complain about? Do you even want so many generals and sisters to die with you?"
Yan Ruoxi also knew that her recklessness had brought about a lot of consequences. She could only kneel down and apologize, even crying bitterly.
Li Lin was stunned. Seeing her sobbing, his anger suddenly dissipated. Chen Yun held his arm and whispered, "Brother, calm down. Ruoxi meant well, but she used the wrong method. You all should go back and rest!"
Then Chen Yun hinted to Yin Banluo with his eyes, and Yin Banluo and Zifeng immediately took the lost Yan Ruoxi away.
At night, Yan Ruoxi sat by the window, staring at the moonlight outside in a daze.
"Father, mother, I don't know how to deal with my husband. You never told me that being a wife is so full of twists and turns."
Yan Ruoxi, a military general, had always been humble and clever, but her straightforward personality always caused her problems at critical moments. Only after calming down did she realize that her behavior today was indeed inappropriate.
"If His Majesty divorces me, I don't know what to do. The Yun family army has been devastated because of me. I did something wrong."
"Ruoxi, can you come in?" There was a knock on the door and Chen Yan called out. Yan Ruoxi walked to the door while wiping her tears.
As soon as the door opened, Chen Yan walked in carrying a medicine box. "Ruoxi, apply the medicine for me."
After a while, Yan Ruoxi closed the door and came over to apply the medicine.
Chen Yun said, "A flesh wound will heal in a few days, but you need to think more about the consequences of your actions in the future. Some things won't heal on their own like a flesh wound."
Yan Ruoxi held her hand and choked up, "Sister, what happened today...I was reckless. If it weren't for you, I..."
"We should be of the same blood," Chen Yun said gently. "Being too eager for quick success will only lead to harm. Only by being more calm and composed can you truly help your husband. Go ahead, come to my bed tonight! And apologize sincerely."
Yan Ruoxi nodded, her eyes red: "Don't worry, sister, I will change my temper in the future."
Afterwards, Yan Ruoxi went to find Li Lin with a pot of wine. She knelt at the door of the study and said in a nasal voice, "My husband, I am here to apologize."
Li Lin asked her in and saw that her eyes were swollen like walnuts. He sighed, pulled her to sit next to him, and reached out to massage her shoulders. The sudden concern made Yan Ruoxi flattered and speechless.
Li Lin said, "You were truly wrong about what happened today. But considering that you sincerely wanted to help me... from now on, learn more from the Madam and be less impulsive."
After saying that, she pressed a bottle into Yan Ruoxi's hand. "This bottle contains the Madam's medicine. It can calm the mind and induce sleep. The Madam was worried that you would be restless and unable to sleep tonight, and she also wanted to mend our relationship, so she gave it to me. But I hope that you will understand the Madam's concern for you, and I also want to comfort you in my own way."
Yan Ruoxi grasped Li Lin's sturdy arm, leaning her head against it, her tears soaking his robe. "Actually... I do all this not just for the Yan family, but also... because I'm afraid I can't keep up with you. I'm not as smart as the Madam, not as talented as Wei Ningshuang, not as famous as Zhen Yin, and certainly not as influential as Yin Banluo. I can only do my best to make you take a second look at me."
In the candlelight, Yan Ruoxi's profile showed an unprecedented fragility. Li Lin's heart softened, and he patted her back gently: "Silly girl, I have never disliked you. But from now on, don't risk your life again."
The warmth of this moment reminded Yan Ruoxi of the man she had once pledged eternal love to, who ultimately married someone else. Now, the man before her had no meaningless promises, only genuine concern. She decided to change herself and accept her own weaknesses.
The moonlight outside the window was like water, reflecting the figures of the two people leaning on each other.
During the day, Xiao Hong, the emperor of Louhuang, was sitting in his study, pinching his beard.
"What? The Emperor of Qiankun is bringing a large army?" He clenched his fists, his brow furrowed. "We can't let this national scandal get out, and we can't let other countries bring their troops into Louhuang territory at will. Come! Prepare for an emergency court meeting!"
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