Chapter 110, the final chapter combined with the previous one, a very long chapter.
The cool evening breeze in July dispelled much of the heat.
Lady Li Jinghe of Huayang County took her two children and left the capital under cover of night. Li Yunru did not go with her, but only went to see her off.
Looking at her younger sister, whom she had practically raised herself, Li Jinghe felt helpless and said, "I won't try to persuade you anymore. I know you won't listen anyway. I'll just tell you one thing: be careful in everything you do."
"Don't worry, I will."
Li Yunru chuckled and patted her chest, saying, "Don't forget, I'm a real troublemaker, no one can hurt me."
Li Jinghe's eyes were red, and she knew that Li Yunru was just trying to comfort her. Li Yunru didn't act silly, after all, she couldn't afford to delay too much. She explained to Li Jinghe the various matters to be handled in Jiangzuo, hugged her two children, said her final goodbye, and then let her leave.
After the carriage drove away and the group returned to the city, they saw the eunuchs from the Inner Court come over again.
"Your Excellency, where did you come from? We've been looking for you everywhere."
“The weather is nice, let’s take a stroll and enjoy the cool air,” Li Yunru replied, adding, “You must be tired, coming here twice in one day.”
"It's nothing. Isn't this how we do things when we're on official business? Lord Cao of the Palace should understand."
He smiled and looked at Yan Ning, "So, sir, you won't make things difficult for us, will you?"
Yan Ning silently pulled Li Yunru behind her and said, "What if I insist on making things difficult for you?"
The man smiled and looked at the large group of people behind him, which was even more numerous than during the day. He slowly took out an imperial edict from his robes, read it aloud, and said, "This is an order personally issued by His Majesty. County Lady and Lord, do you really intend to disobey the imperial edict?"
There was no way she could possibly be chosen to attend to someone in need of care. With thousands of servants in the palace, it was simply impossible for her to get a chance.
This clearly shows that their true intentions were not what they seemed.
However, it will take time for the troops to arrive, and since my sister has just left, we cannot alert them and cause trouble.
"Please wait a moment, my lord. Let me pack some clothes and say a few more words to my husband," Li Yunru said, softening her tone.
"Let's not go then. Her Majesty is waiting for you. Everything in the palace is of the highest quality; she won't treat you badly."
Having said all that, it would be tactless for Li Yunru to refuse again.
She patted Yan Ning's hand, which was being held tightly, and instructed him, "I'll go into the palace to keep the Empress company for a while. My husband, stay at home and don't worry. Eat well. It's getting chilly at night, so remember to bring an extra fur coat if you go out."
...
This July is destined to be a hot and turbulent one.
On the eighth day of the seventh month, Li Yunru was summoned to the palace.
Empress Yang arranged for her to stay in a side hall of Fengwei Palace, but she never saw her.
On the ninth day of the seventh month, news came from the palace that Crown Prince Xiao Cheng had died. Empress Yang was heartbroken and bedridden. The emperor could not bear it, so he suspended court for three days and stayed by her side. In accordance with the wishes of the Yang family, he ordered the execution of all those involved in the matter. The entire collateral branch of the Yan family was executed, and Yan San was imprisoned to await further judgment.
Just as they expected.
Emperor Wucheng will indeed use this incident to consolidate his power and suppress the Yan family, but he is a smart man and will not go too far to avoid provoking a rebellion.
Yan Jiazi is a capable and useful person. If he didn't possess the power to threaten Yan Jiazi's position, Yan Jiazi would have trusted him wholeheartedly and promoted him to a high position. It's a pity.
He is a member of the Li family.
Before Li Zhao left, he schemed against the aristocratic families and Yan Ning. Yan Ning had benefited from that, so he had to accept everything he was going to do now.
July 15th.
When Crown Prince Xiao Cheng's funeral procession entered the territory of Shangjing, led by the Yang family, Emperor Wucheng personally greeted them at the gate and ordered all officials to pay their respects.
at the same time.
In a side hall of Fengwei Palace, Li Yunru sat by the window, silently counting the days. According to the journey, her elder sister should be arriving in Jiangzuo soon, while Song Ji was leading his troops on his way to the capital.
Everything is almost over.
But Yan Ning...
She thought of the people in prison...
Today is the fifteenth, the time when the Tong Sheng Gu poison takes effect. Even though he said that he had medicine given to him by the sage Sun, which had a miraculous effect on the poison, and that he survived the poisoning on his way back to Jiangzuo from Shangjing by relying on it and Zou Ping's care, she still felt worried.
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. There was no bleeding, but it hurt a little. However, she thought that this was nothing compared to what Yan Ning had endured.
He has no one to take care of him in prison. How will he get through this?
Everyone's focused on Crown Prince Xiao Cheng's return to the capital with his coffin today. Could I sneak a peek...?
But then she remembered the earnest words Yan Ning had given her the day before they parted.
"They will use you and me as hostages to force me to hand over military power, but remember, Liyang, no matter what happens, no matter what anyone says to you, do not listen. Keep this tiger tally safe and wait patiently for Songji to bring people into the capital. Everything will pass."
He guessed that Empress Yang would definitely bring her back to the palace, coercing her into being a hostage to force him.
He told her to wait.
But what about him?
Li Yunru tucked her hands into her wide sleeves and gripped the tiger tally with the inscription.
Will he listen to her or ignore her?
Li Yunru said, "I'm not worried about you at all. It's you who often acts on emotion. Don't give in to your emotions first."
But I'm still worried about him.
His situation is different from ours; he is in prison. If that's the case, will they torture him?
Torture and poisoning... Li Yunru dared not think any further.
Having experienced the effects of the poison multiple times before, Yan Ning found a clean corner to sit down and lean against on the night of the 14th.
He should be thankful that he did have enough leverage to make people want to move against him but dare not. After imprisoning the man on the grounds of the death of Crown Prince Xiao Cheng, he did not torture him. He had secretly brought the medicine, but it was taken away again. When it took effect, he could not control it and was in great pain. In less than half an hour, he was covered in sweat. A day passed, and when Emperor Wu Cheng came, he was barely alive, pale-faced and barely breathing.
He frowned and asked the jailer, "What happened? Did you torture him?"
The jailer cried out that he was innocent, "Without your instructions, sir, how could I dare? I just don't know what happened, but it was like this last night."
These were people imprisoned on the emperor's personal orders. They were afraid that if someone got into trouble and died, they would have no way to explain themselves, so they reported it to the emperor.
With reports coming in layer upon layer, and the Crown Prince Xiao Cheng's spirit returning to the capital today, everyone is so busy they can't find anyone.
He thought the day would just pass by like this, but unexpectedly, someone came over late at night. The jailer had no chance to see the emperor, so he naturally didn't recognize him. He could only tell from the man's clothes that he was a high-ranking official, so he hurriedly cried out that he was innocent and defended himself.
Emperor Wucheng did not want to get entangled with them any further, and seeing that he could not get any information from them, he waved his hand and told them to leave.
After the person left, closing the door behind them, Emperor Wucheng walked up to Yan Ning. He didn't say anything or make any move, just stood there watching.
The once upright and refined gentleman has become a prisoner, but it seems that nothing can change his mind.
Amidst the excruciating pain, Yan Ning felt a burning gaze. He opened his eyes groggily and saw Emperor Wu Cheng standing before him.
"Changjun is awake?" he asked.
Now that the emperor and his minister were talking openly and without any preamble, he spoke directly: "Liyang misses Changjun terribly in Fengwei Palace and begs the Empress to let her see you. But you know that you have offended not only me this time, but also the Yang family. In the past, your Yan family suppressed the Yang family, and people have long been dissatisfied with you. As for today's situation, the Empress refuses, and I am powerless to do anything about it. If Changjun were to transfer his military power in Jiangzuo, perhaps I could confront him and allow you and your husband to reunite as soon as possible."
The poison hadn't subsided yet, and Yan Ning felt as if his internal organs were being torn apart, with something crawling inside, causing both pain and itching. This made it difficult for him to maintain his usual gentlemanly demeanor, but he still forced himself to sit up and face Emperor Wucheng.
The man gave a bleak smile and said, "Your Majesty has just lost your son, yet you're thinking of these things. Don't you think that's too heartless?"
Emperor Wucheng laughed and said, "Among the aristocratic families, only the eldest son seems so naive. Could it be that excessive intelligence is bound to cause harm?"
He said, "Xiao Cheng is my child, so naturally I am grieving. But I am the emperor, and I should hold real power. With three thousand beauties in the harem, what kind of child can't I have?"
Before ascending the throne.
Even though he rose to the position of prime minister under the Yang family, he was still cautious and restrained in everything he did. His concubines and children were discovered by the Yang family and ordered to be killed, which made him even more frustrated and unfulfilled.
Having become emperor, he should have possessed a vast empire and been revered by all people. However, powerful clans held sway, and the Yang family used their favors to coerce him. The two key military powers, the lifeline of the empire, were in the hands of Li Zhao's old friend. Huo Qi was a ruthless and reckless man who refused to acknowledge his regime. He had not visited the capital once in three years, and countless orders he issued were like stones sinking into the sea, just as when he intercepted Emperor Xuan's order.
The other one is in Yan San's hands.
The past situation was complicated, and he couldn't figure out the situation. He could only put his mind at ease and think that he would definitely be able to take power after three years. He never expected that it would be so difficult to hold this position. The Yang family controlled everything about him, including the harem. He relied on the Li family, whom he used to look down on, and Yan San, who had betrayed the Yan family, to make them oppose the aristocratic families, so that he could have a moment to catch his breath.
This is so painful!
How can an emperor be so frustrated, constantly being controlled by others!
Might makes right!
Only when military power is in his own hands will those powerful families be wary of him!
As for that child, he did have some feelings for him, but the child had been spoiled by the Yang family and never respected himself, only recognizing his uncle's family, so he didn't need to feel sorry for him.
In the future, even without Yang Shi, he could have countless children.
Yan Ning: "..."
“Changjun, you are a smart man, you know what to choose. Military power should belong to me, to the Son of Heaven. I could have taken it back directly, but I was considering your interests…”
"Your Majesty is not worried about me, but about yourself, about the powerful families, about the Yang family..." Yan Ning said, "Since Emperor Xuan's reign, military power in Jiangzuo has been something everyone has been pursuing. For this, several parties have been vying for control, with their own people being planted in the middle to disrupt morale. This has caused more than 30,000 troops to be scattered and ineffective, and the economy of Jiangzuo has stagnated for many years, only able to survive by relying on the small benefits offered by the powerful families. Why this strife? Because everyone wants it, but no one wants to expose their ambitions, fearing that they will be discovered and become the target of everyone's attacks. Your Majesty is the same. You are afraid that if you act too directly, once discovered, you may be like Emperor Xuan... or even worse, directly purging the court of corrupt officials."
"Over the years, you've seemed to value me and Li Xun highly, but in reality, you've only been using us to handle your conflicts with powerful families and consolidate your own power."
He looked at Emperor Wucheng and said, “Actually, Your Majesty is a smart man, so you should know that I cannot hand it over to you. Not to mention that this is the dowry that Emperor Xuan gave to Lady Liyang, even if it wasn’t, it represents real power in my hands. Why would I easily give it up?”
"You've finally spoken out." Emperor Wucheng said, "But Changjun, aren't you afraid of death for being so frank? You yourself aren't afraid, but what about the Yan family, your mother, your sister... and Liyang?"
“If I don’t hand it over, His Majesty will have reservations, and they will still have a way to survive. In the current situation, if I hand it over, I’m afraid the outcome will not be as I wish.”
"How stubborn!"
Emperor Wucheng was furious and strode away.
Lady Yang stayed at Fu'an Palace for a long time, holding the coffin and weeping uncontrollably, until she returned to Fengwei Palace a day later.
Li Yunru carried in the soup that the palace servants had cooked. When she saw her, she was extremely surprised, but Li Yunru remained calm.
"Didn't Your Majesty summon me to attend to your illness? This is my duty."
She took it, snorted, and said, "The county magistrate is truly flexible and adaptable."
"It is the ability to assess the situation and act accordingly." Li Yunru said, "When the country is in decline, the ability to assess the situation and act accordingly is especially important, and it is the foundation for survival."
Are you talking about yourself, or about me?
Before she could speak, Li Yunru found a seat and poured the medicinal soup into a teacup, handing it to Madam Yang, saying, "This is to admonish myself and also to persuade Your Highness."
"Your Majesty and His Majesty have been married for many years and have had five daughters and one son. Now, most of the daughters are married and living outside the capital, so they can't be relied on. The Crown Prince is also dead. Do you think... His Majesty will let this go so easily?"
You are his bedmate; you should know more about many things than we outsiders. His Majesty is not one to repay evil with kindness.
On the contrary, they will definitely seek revenge!
In the past, he believed that Emperor Xuan had wronged him, and that he would sacrifice himself and unite with the powerful families to bring him down. He disregarded their past relationship and did not care about the favor Emperor Xuan had shown him by elevating him to the position of prime minister, allowing him to stand alongside the powerful families in the court. Instead, he used this power to suppress and expel the court officials that Emperor Xuan had promoted.
Such a person, enduring until today in the Yang family, remaining chaste for only Yang... whether willingly or not, is unknown, but there must be some ulterior motives involved.
Otherwise, Yan Ning wouldn't have been given such important responsibilities in recent years, leading to so many problems.
After all, being a live-in son-in-law is not easy.
Lady Yang lowered her eyelids, thinking of many things: Emperor Wu Cheng's attitude towards Xiao Cheng's death, and the look in people's eyes when she personally killed several of his concubines and children...
But she still maintained her composure and said, "Are you trying to sow discord between me and His Majesty?"
Li Yunru had observed all of her expressions and, having grasped about 70-80% of the situation, calmly took a sip of tea and said, "I'm just reminding Your Highness that we are both women, and we are the same. We cannot bear to see our husbands with other women. This is a requirement for fidelity in our relationship. I respect this point of yours and do not wish for you to suffer any harm because of it."
After she finished speaking, she lifted her robe and stood up, saying, "I have said all I need to say. Your Majesty may think about it further."
"Aren't you afraid Yan San will die?"
As Li Yunru walked to the door, she heard Empress Yang's voice drifting over. Because she had just finished crying, it was a little hoarse and hard to hear clearly.
"Afraid."
Li Yunru did not turn around, but stopped and stood there. Behind her was the dim palace, and in front of her was the endless palace wall. The faint light of dawn had not yet risen, and there was no light. It was very cold.
She stood tall and straight, like a pine tree, and said, "This is not something I can decide. If he dies, I will live in his place. We are husband and wife, two bodies as one. He will live here with me forever."
"And what about you?"
Li Yunru said, "We, husband and wife, will live and die together, so this can be considered a perfect ending."
...
July 20th.
The once bustling and prosperous capital city was shrouded in a gloomy atmosphere.
The emperor ordered the execution of Li Shi and Yan San on charges of treason. Led by Yan Erlang and Wang Wulu, the powerful families jointly submitted a petition listing a hundred crimes committed by the person who ascended the throne, demanding that Emperor Wucheng release them and abdicate in favor of a more worthy successor.
The powerful families led by the Xiao and Yang clans strongly supported Emperor Wucheng's regime. The Jiangzuo army advanced all the way into the capital and besieged the imperial city. The two sides were locked in a fierce struggle for nearly half a month.
A thousand-mile dike was destroyed by an ant's bite. Refugees and displaced people took advantage of the chaos to rise up in rebellion, looting the granaries of two powerful families. Ultimately, losing their rear support, they were defeated and Emperor Wucheng wrote his abdication letter in the Xuan Shi Hall, handing over power to the former crown prince, Li Xun.
The martial regime lasted only five years. Apart from the land tax reform and the equalization of taxes for monks and temples, it had few achievements. Instead, it was plagued by frequent disasters and a large influx of refugees. This was a sign of Heaven's injustice in sending down calamities.
Empress Yang wept bitterly, overwhelmed with grief at losing her son and power, and committed suicide by taking poison in Fengwei Palace.
Thus, the couple were able to see each other again.
Li Yunru left the palace and ran towards Yan Ning's residence, but she encountered someone at the palace gate. He was sitting in a carriage and waving to her.
Why aren't you resting at home?
She hurried over, jumped onto the carriage, and sat down next to him. She saw his deathly pale face and his thin figure. His robes looked as if they were just hanging on him. It had only been a little over half a month. One could imagine how he had been living these past few days.
Yan Ning reached out and cupped Li Yunru's face in his hands, a smile on his face, and said, "When Madam returns, we should come to pick her up in person, that's how we show our sincerity."
"fool!"
Li Yunru felt both heartache and moved, and rushed into the man's arms. The couple then leaned on each other and went home.
Yan Ning had been tortured in prison and suffered two relapses of the poison, leaving her extremely weak. She spent more than two months recuperating at home before her condition improved slightly.
However, the troubles left by the previous dynasty did not diminish. The Xiao and Yang families retreated to Hongnong and continued to occupy the area. Refugee uprisings sprang up like mushrooms after rain. Helpless, Emperor Li Xun had no choice but to ask the Yan and Wang families to step in.
Yan San was among them.
“I know that making this decision at this time is very inappropriate, but continuing like this is not a solution either. I can only trouble Changjun to make the trip.”
"He can't go!"
Li Yunru refused without hesitation, "His health has only just improved and he needs to rest. Besides, it's rare to find Dr. Sun, who is in the capital helping to treat his ailments. He certainly can't just leave."
Li Xun: "..."
"We've used up all the capable people in our court, even that Wang Wu..."
He disregarded past grievances and ignored the hatred of having his wife stolen and killed, and appointed him to quell the rebellion. However, he could only alleviate some of the chaos. If there were no other way, he would never have dared to make this trip.
"I'll go!" Li Yunru said.
Li Xun stared at her in disbelief, "Rui Lin'er, you..."
Li Yunru's expression was firm. "My brother trusts me, so he has given me the authority to go."
"It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that... this is no joke, and have you considered whether Changjun would agree?"
"I believe in Liyang."
Yan Ning emerged from behind the house, supported by someone, and said, "Why don't we give it a try, Your Majesty?"
Since even he said so, Li Xun had no choice but to agree.
Li Yunru left the capital the next day to quell the rebellion, and it took her half a year to return in the dead of winter.
"You're waiting outside again, in this cold weather." Li Yunru's tone was slightly reproachful, but he didn't seem to mind. He smiled and said, "When Madam returns, she will come to greet me personally."
The man draped a fox fur coat over her shoulders, put a hood on her, and wrapped her up like a warm, airtight dumpling. He then led her into the carriage and handed her a hot water bottle to warm her hands.
The carriage was spacious, and some calming incense was burning, its aroma soothing and refreshing.
Li Yunru chuckled and teased, "Yan Changjun, I've noticed you seem to have gone a bit silly. You only ever say these two phrases over and over again."
"Are you crazy? Will the princess take care of me?"
Li Yunru turned her head away, "I won't raise them."
Yan Ning lowered her eyelids, her eyes filled with disappointment.
"Haha, just kidding." She pinched his cheek. "Don't say you're stupid, even if you were paralyzed, this princess would take care of you."
Yan Ning said, "Then let's not."
"Hmm? Why?"
Yan Ning: "I'm afraid I won't be able to serve the princess well. If you start keeping another beauty, I won't be able to do anything but watch. I'll be so angry that I'll faint."
"That makes sense."
She nodded in agreement, "I can take care of a few more. I happened to meet some nice young men on this trip. When we're all together, they can take care of you, saving me the trouble."
"No, you really plan to raise it?" Yan Ning asked anxiously.
“Didn’t you say so?” Li Yunru said matter-of-factly.
"I was just saying it offhand."
Li Yunru said, "You said it casually, which means you have this idea. Since you don't trust me, I will naturally do as you wish."
"You..." Yan Ning's face flushed red with anger, and she clutched her chest, crying out in pain.
Knowing he was faking it, Li Yunru still enjoyed it. She put down the hot water bottle, reached out and hugged him, and the two embraced.
"See? You can't even accept it just thinking about it, yet you still have to say things like that to make yourself uncomfortable."
"I missed you." He wrapped his arms around her waist, nuzzled her neck, and whispered, "Half a year has been such a long time, being alone every day..."
"I know."
And wasn't she the same?
"But if that's the case, why did you agree to let my brother go that day?"
This was beyond Li Yunru's expectations. When she spoke, she even thought that she might have to coax him a lot, but she didn't expect that he would agree without any effort. However, he simply helped her pack her things quietly and sent her away from the capital the next day.
Yan Ning said, "I remember you once said that if we men can do it, you women might be able to as well. Now the facts prove that you were right."
Her performance was exceptional, no less than that of the men. Even Wang Wu wrote to her several times, praising her for her fortitude, courage, and resourcefulness.
He held the person's hand and said earnestly, "In the past, I always wanted to keep you by my side and take on everything myself. As long as you were behind me, that would be enough. But the world is ever-changing, and no one knows what tomorrow will bring. So, Liyang, only when you hold the sword in your own hand can it become a weapon to protect yourself. In anyone else's hand, it may become a knife to stab you at any time."
"Aren't you afraid something will happen to me?" Li Yunru asked.
Yan Ning pointed to her chest. "You forgot, I can feel it. It's just a matter of time. As for time... I can wait for you for three years, so I can wait for you for half a year, or even longer."
"Oh my, that's so cheesy."
She snuggled in, completely wrapped herself in his cloak, feeling the familiar warmth and heartbeat, slowly closed her eyes, and slept the most peaceful sleep she had had in the past six months.
...
In the winter of the first year of the reign of Emperor Zhao, Li Xun, remembering the merits of Lady Liyang in suppressing the rebellion, bestowed upon her the title of Princess Liyang, granted her a dragon-headed sword, and allowed her to enter the court to participate in government affairs.
In the second year of the Qiande era, the princess proposed a period of recuperation and development, which was supported by her husband Yan Ning and Lady Wang, and was subsequently implemented.
In the same year, Princess Liyang established a girls' school, with Cui Wan, the eldest daughter of the Cui family of Qinghe, serving as the female teacher to take on the responsibility of education. She also opened up trade routes, appointed the Du family's merchant caravan as imperial merchants, and ordered them to lead a delegation to Rouran. Du Sanniang lived up to expectations and, after several years of hard work, persuaded Rouran to form an alliance, opened trade routes, and ended the long-standing war situation.
In the eighteenth year of the Qiande era, Emperor Zhao, Li Xun, fell seriously ill and remained bedridden. Crown Princess Li Xi personally attended to his needs, tending to his medicine and staying by his side constantly. Ultimately, however, she could not save him and passed away three days later. Li Xi ascended the throne and, in accordance with the late emperor's wishes, reopened the Qianling Mausoleum, burying him with his wife, Lady Liu. Li Xi's mother, Princess Liyang, entered the court with the Dragon Head Sword, acting as regent. Her husband, Yan Changjun, and Yan Sanlang, both serving as tutors to the young emperor, assisted him.
(over)
-----------------------
Author's note: It's really over, it's really over!
It's been such a long journey from a single idea to over 300,000 words, haha! Ignoring the naive power struggles in the ending, the author simply wanted to give the female lead a real opportunity to gain actual power.
The story was set up as a happy ending from the beginning; the male and female leads were destined to be together. However, the author wanted the female lead to go through various trials and tribulations, to grow and mature, and not just receive the male lead's unwavering love in the end. She should also gain real power. As the female lead, she should get what she wants. [Milk tea emoji]
I thought about the second female lead's ending for a long time. She did do a lot of bad things, but I didn't actually write her as a villain. So I still tend to give her a good ending, allowing her to truly use her talents instead of choosing to fight with others in the backyard. As for punishment, what could be more cruel than marrying a heartless husband? She has already been punished and deserves what she is entitled to in her position.
Personally, I feel this one is much more complete than the first one. Completion is more important than perfection. See you in the next one! [Orange Heart][Orange Heart][Orange Heart]
My next novel, "The Tenth Year After Transmigration," has started. Feel free to add it to your favorites!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
