Chapter 60 She finally held this glory in her hands…
The night was as deep as a pool of thick, unyielding ink.
The gale, carrying heavy snowflakes, lashed against the windowpanes, emitting a chilling howling sound.
Even more terrifying was that from time to time, muffled thunder rumbled through the thick clouds, and purple lightning tore through the sky, illuminating the snowy night as if it were daytime, before quickly returning to darkness.
Thunder on a winter night is extremely rare, as if it foreshadows some kind of dramatic change.
Ling Zhenli was jolted awake from her sleep by a particularly loud clap of thunder. Her heart pounded wildly, and her nightgown was soaked with cold sweat.
She sat up, still panting, and remembered what Xue Wenmian had said at the dinner table during the day.
Pei Xuanlin's army was already at the city gates, launching a fierce attack. Some ministers in the court secretly discussed and advised Pei Chang'er to temporarily avoid the enemy's advance and retreat north to plan for the future. However, Pei Chang'er insisted on refusing, saying that she was determined to live and die with the country.
Does that mean... Pei Xuanlin is about to return?
The thought of seeing Pei Xuanlin soon made her tremble with excitement, but she also felt a vague unease.
Some time had passed since the hunt, and she was forced to stay in this place, anxious every day, fearing that Pei Shang'er would use her as a hostage and take her life.
Now, hope is within reach, but the terrible weather and the terrifying thunderstorms are making her anxious and uneasy.
Just then, she vaguely heard a series of indistinct yet clamorous sounds coming from outside the mansion walls. Unlike the wind, snow, and thunder, the sounds were chaotic and disordered, like...
Even if they were to flee, they wouldn't do it in this awful weather, would they?
Ling Zhenli went to bed barefoot, walked quickly to the window, and pushed it open a crack.
A cold wind carrying snowflakes immediately rushed in, making her shiver.
Outside the window, everything was a vast expanse of white, with snow still cascading down like a waterfall. Yet, in the distant, snow-shrouded distance, the horizon seemed to be faintly illuminated by an ominous orange-red light.
It wasn't lights, but rather countless flickering flames.
Has something happened outside?
Ling Zhenli's heart leaped into her throat; the unease suddenly intensified, almost suffocating her.
She desperately needed to do something to calm her agitated and panicked emotions.
During this period, due to various pressures and mental distress, she was particularly depressed and anxious. The Xue family secretly found her a medicine called Diyejia, which was a tribute from the Fulin Kingdom and had a calming effect on her.
But she had already finished all the food that had been sent to her before, and the newly offered food was still in Xue Haoting's hands.
She was going to ask Xue Hao for some.
Ling Zhenli hurriedly put on a thick fox fur cloak, wrapped herself up tightly, and rushed to push open the door.
Tao Xia, who was standing guard by the door, was startled and hurriedly tried to stop her: "Miss, it's so late, and the snow is so heavy outside. Where are you going?"
"I need to go find my brother, I have something important to do." Ling Zhenli spoke very quickly, her anxiety barely concealed.
Tao Xia hurriedly said, "You won't be able to find the young master's residence. He and the master are in the front hall right now."
lobby?
What were they doing together in the front hall in the dead of night?
Ling Zhenli frowned, her ominous premonition growing stronger. Without asking any more questions, she pulled her cloak tighter, pushed open the door, and strode towards the front hall.
The maids had no choice but to follow her, but because she walked so fast, they didn't even have a chance to use their umbrellas.
The closer one gets to the front hall, the clearer the faint noise outside the mansion becomes. It is definitely not the usual hustle and bustle of a night market; it is clearly the sound of war and chaos.
The sound pierced through the wind and snow and the high walls, seeping into Ling Zhenli's ears in strands.
The front hall was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was somber.
Xue Wenmian stood in front of the chair with his hands behind his back, his expression more solemn than ever before. Xue Haoting stood to the side with his brows furrowed, his face equally grave.
"Father, brother."
As soon as Ling Zhenli entered, she was enveloped in warmth. The temperature inside the palace was vastly different from that outside, so warm that she even wanted to take off her cloak.
"Ah Li, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?" Xue Wenmian asked.
"I heard noises outside and couldn't sleep. Why is it so noisy outside? What are those flames?"
Ling Zhenli certainly didn't dare to say that she wanted to ask Xue Haoting for medicine, so she asked about something else that she was curious about.
Xue Wenmian looked at Ling Zhenli, his eyes filled with complex emotions. He said in a deep voice, "Tonight, heavy snow has caused the city's defenses to slacken. Pei Xuanlin has taken this opportunity to launch a general offensive."
Ling Zhenli's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Pei Xuanlin has attacked the city?!"
“Hmm,” Xue Haoting replied, his voice low. “The city gates have been breached, and Pei Xuanlin’s army is engaged in street fighting with the stubborn defenders inside the city. All the guards that can still be mobilized have retreated to the palace to make a final stand. My father and I are discussing how to deploy defenses within the mansion in preparation for any eventuality.”
The city has fallen! He's in!
The enormous shock left Ling Zhenli stunned for a moment, her heart pounding like a drum. After a brief moment of shock, a wave of ecstatic joy surged over her.
Pei Xuanlin succeeded! Pei Xuanlin is back! He's going to be the emperor, and she's going to be the empress!
"Where is Pei Xuanlin? Has he entered the city? Where is he now? I need to find him!"
Ling Zhenli suddenly grabbed Xue Haoting's sleeve, asking questions repeatedly, her eyes full of urgency.
"Nonsense!"
Xue Wenmian shouted sternly, his brows furrowed, "It's chaos outside! Swords and spears fly everywhere, and you're a girl. Are you trying to kill yourself by running out like this? Stay home and don't go anywhere!"
"But Father, Pei Xuanlin is back. I won't get into trouble." Ling Zhenli still wanted to find Pei Xuanlin; she missed him so much.
"No buts. You can go out when things are calm outside," Xue Wenmian said firmly. "Xue Haoting, send your sister back to her room and send more people to guard her courtyard. Do not allow her to step out of the mansion even once!"
“Ah Li, listen to me.” Xue Haoting also advised, his tone gentle but equally firm, “It’s too dangerous to go out now. Pei Xuanlin has already entered the city, and the situation is settled. Once things have calmed down, he will come looking for you.”
Ling Zhenli wanted to argue, but seeing that Xue Wenmian and Xue Haoting both looked serious, she knew that she couldn't go out tonight. Besides, it was indeed dangerous outside, and even if she ran out, she might not be able to find Pei Xuanlin.
So she bit her lip, suppressing her eagerness and longing, and was half-persuaded and half-helped by the maid to leave the front hall.
Back in the cold room, the sounds of fighting and snow outside seemed even clearer and more jarring, as if they were right next to her ears.
Ling Zhenli was restless and unable to sleep, so she could only walk to the window again and again to look out.
The firelight in the distance seemed to grow even brighter, turning the sky blood red. Her heart remained in suspense, wondering when Pei Xuanlin would be able to settle things outside.
Time passed slowly amidst extreme anxiety.
The snow outside the window, I don't know when it started, gradually became lighter, turning from a torrential downpour into a light drizzle of snow powder.
The thunder gradually subsided, but the wind continued to howl.
Just as Ling Zhenli felt she was about to suffocate in this endless wait, a noise came from outside.
The maid pushed open the door abruptly, her face filled with unbelievable elation, and ran to her to report.
"Miss! The former Crown Prince! The former Crown Prince has arrived! He didn't linger after entering the manor and came straight this way. Miss, please get ready quickly!"
What? !
Pei Xuanlin has arrived!
Ling Zhenli suddenly stood up, a huge surprise flowing through her body like an electric current.
Before she could even think or react, her body acted before her mind could. She grabbed the fox fur cloak she had been wearing and draped it over herself, completely forgetting to put on her shoes, and ran barefoot out of the room.
She was surprised to see Pei Xuanlin so quickly. She thought it would take at least two or three days.
Because she wasn't properly dressed, the moment she stepped outside, the icy air and lingering snow enveloped her, the biting cold reaching her heart. Ling Zhenli, however, seemed oblivious to everything around her, running swiftly through the snow.
She had only one thought in her mind: she wanted to see Pei Xuanlin, and she wanted to see him right now.
Along the corridor, Ling Zhenli ran forward recklessly, the hem of her fiery red cloak fluttering in the wind. The cold stone slabs and the remaining snow water could not stop her.
At the end of the corridor, where the firelight flickered, a tall, familiar figure, the one who haunted her dreams, was walking towards her with the same urgency, radiating the chill of the wind and snow.
His handsome features remained unchanged, but now they carried a more weathered and dignified air, honed by the trials of time. His eyes held the weariness of battle, but the moment he saw her, all that coldness and fatigue melted away, transforming into an intense longing and deep affection that almost overflowed.
"Saburo!"
Ling Zhenli choked out a cry, tears instantly streaming down her face, blurring her vision.
She finally saw him! She finally saw the man she had been longing for day and night!
She threw herself into his arms without hesitation, throwing herself into the embrace she had longed for countless days and nights.
Pei Xuanlin opened his arms and caught her steadily.
He held her close, her body warm beneath the cold cloak, trembling violently and choking with sobs. Pei Xuanlin held her tightly, his grip so strong it felt like he wanted to crush her into his very bones, as if he wanted to make up for all the pain and longing they had endured during their separation.
"Why are you back so late! You didn't say that when you left! Do you know how long I've been waiting for you?! How could you leave me all alone?!"
"Ah Li, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Pei Xuanlin's deep, husky voice rang in her ears, filled with immense excitement and bittersweetness at having regained what she had lost.
All the suppressed longing, the bloodshed on the battlefield, and the seemingly insurmountable distance were released at this moment.
Pei Xuanlin abruptly lifted her tear-stained cheeks, his burning lips, cold as ice and scalding with desire, pressed down hard on hers.
The kiss was brutal and greedy, like a dying person grasping at air, carrying an undeniable possessiveness and a tremor that went to the bone.
As their lips intertwined, salty tears mingled with the ecstatic joy and bittersweetness of regaining what they had lost. Ling Zhenli responded fiercely, biting his lips as if to confirm their true existence through painful contact.
Snowflakes danced and swirled around them, landing on them, only to melt quickly from their burning body heat.
They kissed passionately, as if trying to completely absorb each other's breath, cutting off all the disturbances of the outside world, leaving only their intense heartbeats and rapid breathing in the world.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Pei Xuanlin was slightly out of breath, his forehead pressed against hers, his fingertips lovingly wiping away the tear stains on her face.
"Let's go back inside, let's go back inside."
Pei Xuanlin looked down and saw that her bare feet were on the cold, damp ground, already red from the cold, and even a little blue.
His heart clenched instantly. He scooped her up in his arms, carefully wrapping her cold feet in his cloak, and said in a deep voice to the guards and attendants following behind him, "Go outside and keep watch. No one is to disturb us!"
"yes!"
Pei Xuanlin held Ling Zhenli tightly as they walked towards Ya Yun Xuan.
Along the way, Ling Zhenli hugged his neck tightly, nestled in his warm embrace, felt his strong heartbeat, and felt an unprecedented sense of security and happiness.
She couldn't help but raise her head again and kiss his lips.
Pei Xuanlin responded to her, and the two walked together, exchanging intermittent, lingering kisses, pouring out their unending longing through their kisses.
Back in the warm room, Pei Xuanlin carefully placed her on the soft bed.
He first gently removed her snow-soaked cloak and placed it aside, then took off her cold, wet clothes, and finally pulled a thick quilt over her to wrap her up tightly.
Only after doing all this did he remove his cold, heavy cloak and outer robe.
"Look at you, why are you running outside without even wearing shoes?"
Pei Xuanlin saw that her feet were red from the cold, and felt both heartache and helplessness. He sighed heavily and couldn't bring himself to say anything to blame her.
Ling Zhenli belatedly felt the biting cold and pain, but she didn't care. She just looked up at him with teary eyes and a bright, happy smile on her lips.
"I didn't care about shoes at all. As soon as I heard you were back, I didn't have time to think about anything else. All I wanted to do was see you as soon as possible."
Pei Xuanlin smiled and shook his head, sat down on the edge of the bed, gently took her two jade feet, which were red from the cold, out of the quilt, and without hesitation put them into his warm and strong arms to warm them with his body heat.
His palms were rough but warm as he carefully massaged her cold toes and soles.
"How can you be so careless about yourself?" he scolded softly, his tone full of heartache.
Ling Zhenli said coquettishly, "When I see you, all my ailments disappear. I don't even need to take medicine anymore. You're more effective than any magic pill."
Pei Xuanlin had no choice but to rub her feet for a while longer until he felt they had warmed up a bit, then he called out to the maids guarding outside.
"Quickly prepare the hot spring for bathing, and also prepare some ginger soup."
"Yes," the maid replied quickly and left.
...
The hot spring in the Prime Minister's residence was always warm in winter. After dismissing everyone else, Pei Xuanlin personally carried Ling Zhenli into the warm water.
The rising steam, like a light veil, enveloped the bath in a hazy, warm glow.
The water was slightly hot, just the right temperature to soothe the skin and dispel the last trace of chill.
Ling Zhenli leaned lazily against the smooth white marble pool wall, her black hair sticking wetly to her snow-white shoulders and neck, her cheeks flushed red from the steam.
Pei Xuanlin was behind her, his strong chest pressed against her back, his arms wrapped around her waist.
The warm water enveloped every inch of her skin, like countless gentle kisses. She leaned back, touching the solid warmth—a reliance that needed no confirmation.
His breathing became clear in the empty room, intertwined with the soft sound of water rippling slowly. His breath fell on the back of my neck, and the skin there became unusually sensitive, as if I could sense the change in breath brought by his lips as they approached.
Warm, humid, with a heart-fluttering intimacy.
The water seemed to possess its own will, pushing and embracing, making the two already close bodies even more inseparable. Ripples spread outwards, crashing against the pool walls and gently bouncing back, creating a hypnotic rhythm. Her consciousness seemed to drift and rise with the waves.
Your hair is messy.
Pei Xuanlin raised his hand, his fingertips lightly brushing against the strands of hair that had fallen across her cheek, gently tucking the unruly strand of dark hair behind her ear. Ling Zhenli stared at him with wide eyes, a half-smile on her face.
"Your hair isn't messy; I think it's your heart that's in turmoil."
The air seemed to become viscous and flowed slowly.
His gaze fell on her slightly parted lips, a heavy look carrying an unspoken longing, yet restrained and lingering in place.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that all of a sudden?"
Her breathing quickened slightly, her eyelashes trembled, and the less than an inch between them seemed to be filled with an invisible magnetic force, attracting them closer, yet they were suspended by the last shred of reason just before they were about to touch.
In the silent stillness, only the sound of their intertwined breaths grew clearer, their warmth brushing against each other's cheeks.
His kisses began on the back of her neck, warm, moving slowly and persistently downwards.
"Have you been taking good care of yourself while I wasn't by your side?"
The sensation felt less like exploration and more like confirmation, tracing it over and over until the warmth subtly shifted, sliding towards a more hidden place, to visit a quietly awakening spring.
"I don't need to take care of myself; there are plenty of people to take care of me."
The water there suddenly changed; it became warmer and thicker.
"I sent you so many letters, but you didn't reply to any of them. I'm so sad."
"How could I? I'm in the capital, right under Pei Chang'er's nose, I wouldn't dare go back."
She tilted her head back, her neck tense, and a very soft sob escaped her throat, like being burned, or like a silent invitation. His fingertips moved more clearly, and he found the hidden pearl.
Pei Xuanlin lowered his head: "I'm sorry, it's all my fault for being too arrogant. I forgot that Pei Shang'er would go crazy and overturn the table, causing you to suffer."
The resistance of the water made all movements slow and heavy.
Ling Zhenli leaned against him: "It's okay, she didn't make me suffer any grievances, and you're back now, and I'm fine too, so don't blame yourself anymore."
Each forward thrust is amplified by the resistance of the water waves, and each brief retreat brings the subtle sensation of water filling the gaps, in a continuous cycle.
"Yes, we'll never be apart again."
The swaying water distorted the light and shadow, making them break and then overlap.
Ling Zhenli's consciousness floated on the warm water, sometimes clear, sometimes blurry.
She was guided by a reassuring force, propelling her into the depths of the mist, her fingertips unconsciously tightening, gripping the edge of the pool.
As that last warmth finally washed over her, she parted her lips slightly, and all her sounds turned into a sigh like ripples on water. Fine ripples spread from her heart to the tips of her hair, bringing a gentle shiver.
Everything gradually calmed down.
The water rippled gently again, and a tired yet satisfied warmth permeated every part of my body.
Ling Zhenli remained leaning against Pei Xuanlin, feeling the steady heartbeat coming from his chest behind her, gradually synchronizing with her own.
The misty air enveloped this moment, turning it into a warm dream.
After a long while, the water gradually calmed down, leaving only tiny ripples and their still-beating hearts. He continued to hold her from behind, gently kissing her shoulder blades, tenderly embracing her silently.
The two were naked and facing each other, embracing tightly in the water. Ling Zhenli lay on his broad chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and finally felt a real sense of security.
“Sanlang,” she asked softly, her fingers unconsciously tracing circles in the water, “didn’t the city just fall tonight? Things shouldn’t be completely calm outside yet, and the palace is still holding out, so why are you here to find me now?”
Pei Xuanlin lowered his head and kissed the top of her wet hair, wrapping his arms around her even tighter.
"We can't break into the palace tonight. The people inside are just putting up a last-ditch effort. The situation is already decided. I missed you so much, so I came here. Don't you miss me?"
His voice was deep and affectionate, once again captivating Ling Zhenli's mind. She raised her head and kissed his lips, responding to his equally surging longing with her actions.
In the misty steam, the two kissed passionately once more, confirming each other's presence and love in the most direct way.
...
The next day.
Ling Zhenli woke up to Pei Xuanlin's gentle calls and kisses.
Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with warmth. The wind, snow, and thunder of last night had vanished completely, as if it were just a dream.
"Ah Li, wake up, it's time for lunch."
Pei Xuanlin had already gotten up and dressed neatly, and sat on the edge of the couch, his eyes full of doting and tenderness. "I specially brought a lot of delicious snacks and side dishes from Jiangnan, just waiting for you to taste them."
Ling Zhenli opened her eyes, and her beloved was right in front of her. She smiled and agreed, "Okay, let's go try it."
After getting up, Pei Xuanlin personally served Ling Zhenli, helping her with her washing and grooming, drawing her eyebrows and doing her makeup, choosing clothes for her, and even kneeling on one knee to carefully put on her silk stockings and embroidered shoes. Every movement was extremely gentle and caring, as if she were a fragile treasure.
The two were deeply in love and had lunch together.
During the meal, Pei Xuanlin carefully served her food and recounted his experiences in Jiangnan, his gaze never leaving her for a moment.
Just as he put down his chopsticks, a general came to report that the palace gates had been breached one after another, and the remaining resistance was being quelled. He requested that His Highness move to the palace to take charge of the situation.
Upon hearing this, Pei Xuanlin's expression instantly turned cold and dignified.
He stood up and said to Ling Zhenli, "Ali, wait for me in the manor. I'll be right back."
Ling Zhenli suddenly felt a void in her heart, an emptiness. She grabbed his sleeve tightly, the color draining from her face, her eyes filled with unease: "No, I don't want to be here alone. Please take me with you, Sanlang, please, don't leave me alone again, I'll be scared."
The trauma of separation was too deep. Ling Zhenli had finally enjoyed half a day of happiness, but now that it was about to disappear again, she could no longer bear even a moment of separation. She burst into tears, her face streaked with tears, and clung tightly to Pei Xuanlin as if he would disappear if she let go.
Seeing her like this, Pei Xuanlin couldn't bear to see her sad and in tears, and all considerations about danger and inappropriateness were put to the back of his mind.
He sighed, pulled her into his arms, and wiped away her tears: "Okay, okay, don't cry. I'll take you with me, but you have to stay by my side and never leave my side, understand?"
Ling Zhenli immediately stopped crying and smiled, nodding vigorously.
During the days Pei Xuanlin was away, she begged so many people and asked so many questions, but Pei Xuanlin was the only one who didn't use grand principles or talk about safety to appease her after abandoning her.
Pei Xuanlin is still the best.
The palace was now in complete disarray.
The once solemn and sacred palace is now littered with traces of fighting, bloodstains, and corpses that have been partially cleared. A faint smell of blood and gunpowder permeates the air.
Pei Xuanlin's army has completely taken control of the situation, and the soldiers are patrolling and taking inventory in various places.
However, a small group of people still gathered on the highest tower of the city wall, stubbornly resisting.
Pei Shang'er was dressed in imperial robes and held a longbow. Her hair was disheveled, and she looked somewhat disheveled, but her eyes were still wild, like a trapped beast at the end of its rope.
Pei Xuanlin's army pressed in, completely surrounding the city walls.
Princess Pei Shen'ai of Wuyang was also in the formation. The fact that she was able to break through so quickly was largely due to the fact that she had three thousand Northwest Army soldiers under her command.
At this moment, Pei Shen'ai raised her head and shouted, "Pei Chang'er, your power is gone! Quickly present your surrender document, write your abdication edict, and return the Pei Tang empire to its true master!"
"The real master? Hahahaha!"
Pei Chang'er let out a shrill and maniacal laugh. She suddenly drew back the bowstring, the arrow tip pointing directly at Pei Xuanlin below. "Pei Xuanlin, you traitorous minister! This empire was passed down to me by my father. I am the rightful emperor! You, Pei Xuanlin, are a usurper and a traitor, deserving of death by everyone! You still want me to abdicate? Keep dreaming! Even if I die, I will never hand over this empire to a bunch of scoundrels!"
She was already at her last gasp, but her frenzied rage in desperately defending the dignity of the emperor was still terrifying.
Pei Xuanlin's face was ashen, but his eyes revealed a murderous intent.
He slowly raised his hand, and the guard beside him immediately handed him a powerful bow. He nocked an arrow, drew the string, and aimed at the crazed figure on the city wall.
No further words are needed; only a complete end can bring this all to a close.
Standing beside him, Ling Zhenli's heart clenched. Pei Shang'er knew her secret, the people she had killed, and the evil deeds she had committed. If Pei Shang'er were to recklessly shout these things out at the last moment, even if Pei Xuanlin ultimately won, these things would become a thorn in their side forever.
She must die, she must die now!
Almost instinctively, Ling Zhenli, with astonishing speed, snatched a bow and an arrow from the hands of the soldier beside her who was watching the spectacle.
Her movements were as fast as a ghost, even before Pei Xuanlin could lift the bowstring.
"Whoosh!"
An arrow shot out with a sharp whistling sound.
Almost at the same instant, Pei Xuanlin's arrow also left the bowstring.
Two arrows, like two deadly streaks of light, shot one after the other with perfect accuracy towards Pei Shang'er on the city wall!
The first arrow, from Ling Zhenli, pierced Pei Chang'er's throat, completely silencing any words she was about to utter.
The second arrow came from Pei Xuanlin; the sword pierced her heart with a single, powerful strike.
Pei Shang'er's body stiffened abruptly, and the madness and anger on her face instantly froze, transforming into extreme astonishment and resentment.
Her mouth was open, but she could no longer make a sound; only blood gushed from the holes in her throat and heart.
The bow in her hand fell to the ground, her body swayed, and then she plummeted straight down from the high city tower...
Downstairs, several guards rushed forward and managed to cushion her fall with their bodies and shields before she hit the ground hard, thus preserving her body intact.
An emperor thus fell from grace.
With the emperor dead, the last will to resist of the remaining guards completely collapsed, and the remaining soldiers in the palace threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender.
The outcome is decided.
Seeing that the last glimmer of hope had been extinguished, General Chen Rao sighed, threw down his weapon, stepped forward, and knelt down to beg for forgiveness from Pei Xuanlin.
Empress Dowager Chen Xiang was also searched out of her palace by soldiers and brought before Pei Xuanlin.
Inside the Taiji Hall.
Chen Liniang knew her daughter was dead and they had lost, but she still tried her best to straighten her back and maintain her last bit of dignity.
She looked at Pei Xuanlin in front of her, her eyes filled with deep hatred and resentment, and sneered, "Third Brother Pei, you dare to rebel."
Pei Xuanlin's gaze was icy, his killing intent still lingering: "You are the one who plotted rebellion! Guards, take him away and execute him!"
"Who dares!" Chen Xiang shouted. "I am Emperor Renzong's Empress, the current Empress Dowager. Do you dare to kill me?"
Pei Xuanlin coldly and slowly drew the sword from his waist, its cold light reflecting on his expressionless face.
Although the murder of the Empress Dowager violated the rules of propriety, in the face of palace upheavals, only bloodshed could lay the foundation for a new dynasty.
"Your Highness, please wait!"
Pei Shen'ai, still mindful of their past relationship, hurriedly stepped forward to dissuade her, "Your Highness, although Chen Shi deserves to die, she is still the Empress whom Emperor Renzong married through proper channels, your own aunt, and the Empress Dowager of the country. If she is executed on the spot, it may damage Your Highness's reputation. Instead, imprison her in the Cold Palace or send her to guard the Imperial Mausoleum, letting her live out her remaining days. This would preserve the last shred of dignity for the royal family!"
Pei Xuanlin paused slightly, a hint of weighing his options flashing in his eyes.
However, Chen Liniang did not want to continue living. She said sternly, "Pei Shen'ai, I don't need your fake kindness. The victor is king and the loser is villain. Kill me if you want. Don't even think about letting me live a miserable life! Pei Zhen, you murdered your aunt today. In the future, the historian's pen will be as iron, and you will be cursed for all eternity!"
Her words completely enraged Pei Xuanlin. Without further hesitation, he flicked his wrist, and a flash of sword light appeared!
The sharp blade precisely sliced open Chen Xiang's throat.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Pei Xuanlin before collapsing limply to the ground, her blood quickly staining the white marble floor tiles beneath her.
Pei Xuanlin wiped the blood off the sword expressionlessly, then turned his gaze to Chen Rao, who was kneeling to the side with a deathly pale face.
"Chen Rao, what else do you have to say?"
Chen Rao kowtowed heavily, his voice hoarse: "This sinful subject deserves to die ten thousand times, and even a hundred deaths cannot atone for it. I dare not ask Your Majesty for forgiveness, but I only beg Your Majesty to grant this sinful subject one last request, considering that this sinful subject has also shed blood for the Pei Tang dynasty."
"explain."
"This sinful subject is willing to die to atone for his sins, but my wife, Xie, has little to do with this matter. Moreover, Xie Yu's child is not my biological child, but rather Xie's child with her ex-husband. She has no blood relation to the Chen family. I beg Your Majesty to show leniency and allow this sinful subject to divorce Xie, so that she and her child may have a way out!"
Tears streamed down Chen Rao's face. At that moment, he seemed to be nothing more than a man who wanted to protect his wife and children.
Ling Zhenli stood beside Pei Xuanlin, and her heart stirred when she heard Xie Daojian's name.
Although she didn't choose to marry Xie Daojian, she couldn't bear to watch him die. Xie Daojian was ultimately good to her; otherwise, he wouldn't have relaxed the city gate's defenses at the crucial moment, giving Pei Xuanlin an opportunity last night.
Ling Zhenli stepped forward, gently tugged at Pei Xuanlin's sleeve, and whispered, "Third Brother, Chen Rao certainly deserves to die, but Lord Xie secretly helped him, which can be considered a merit. Besides, he is not of the Chen family bloodline, so let's spare his life?"
Pei Xuanlin looked down at her, his gaze softening instantly.
He pondered for a moment; he had never refused Ling Zhenli's request before.
"Very well." He looked at Chen Rao and said coldly, "Chen Rao's crimes are heinous. Drag him away immediately and behead him as a warning to the public! His wife, Xie, shall be stripped of her title and banished from the capital, never to return. As for his son, Xie Yu..."
After a long while, he finally made up his mind.
"Since Xie Yu is not a son of the Chen family and has indeed made some minor contributions, he can be spared the death penalty, but his official rank will be reduced by three levels, and he will be allowed to remain in office for observation to see how he performs in the future!"
This was already an extraordinary act of mercy. Upon hearing this, Chen Rao felt as if a heavy burden had finally been lifted from his shoulders, and he kowtowed deeply.
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
Immediately, Chen Rao was dragged away by the soldiers.
After dealing with all of this, Pei Xuanlin took Ling Zhenli's hand and smiled at her. Ling Zhenli nestled beside him, looking at his profile and smiling back.
It's good that all of this is finally over.
...
Daming Palace Zichen Hall
Night falls
Pei Xuanlin seemed to want to devour Ling Zhenli completely, so he leaned down and kissed her lips. This time, it wasn't a storm of plunder, but rather a tender and patient kiss.
He carefully traced the shape of her lips, gently prying open her teeth with the tip of his tongue, inviting her to dance with him.
A deep, lingering kiss left Ling Zhenli weak all over, her consciousness beginning to blur. She could only cling helplessly to his shoulder, letting out soft sobs.
His kisses moved downwards, with utmost devotion, passing over her chin and neck, finally settling on the violently undulating clouds.
Even through the thin nightgown, his hot breath sent shivers down her spine.
"Sanlang..."
Ling Zhenli unconsciously called his name, her voice so soft it could melt water.
"It's all over now, and we can finally be together properly."
A warm glow flowed slowly through the room.
The soft nightgown slipped off quietly and piled up beside the tatami mat.
The lingering clouds, carrying a comforting warmth, slowly descend, brushing past the smooth shoulder line and across the waist.
"I love you so much, Ahri."
He pressed his breath against her earlobe, his warm breath teasing her sensitive nerves with sweet words.
"Will you feel uncomfortable?"
"No……"
Dew-kissed fingertips began to wander, lightly brushing the edges of newly opened petals, the touch as light as a butterfly's wing.
Is this okay?
"You still ask?"
The warm pressure, sometimes light, sometimes heavy, caressed the tender calyx. Dewdrops shimmered in the morning light, teetering on the trembling stamens, as if they were about to slide down the curve at any moment.
Her whispers broke into fragmented syllables, like the sobbing of the wind through the leaves.
The vine-like, supple form outlines captivating curves in the morning light, each arc conveying an unspoken longing. The air is filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees, mixed with the fragrance of some flowers.
The shadows of the branches and leaves cast dappled light, swaying gently with the rhythm. The whole scene resembles a flowing ink painting, hovering between haziness and clarity, with all the lines soft and all the sounds becoming the murmurs of nature.
Just when she felt she was about to collapse, she opened her misty eyes in a daze and saw him quickly removing the remaining restraints from her body.
In the candlelight, his body was tall and strong, with smooth and powerful muscle lines, broad shoulders and a narrow waist, making him very handsome.
He covered her soft body again, gazing deeply into her eyes.
"Ah Li, look at me," he commanded, his voice hoarse.
She raised her eyes to meet that deep gaze.
The next moment, it was as if the two had finally found the missing part, and they fit together perfectly.
A warm halo of light gently enveloped them, blurring the boundaries of the close figures and casting lingering shadows on the ground.
A thin layer of sweat seeped out where skin touched, creating a sticky feeling that strangely made people not want to separate.
Their sweaty bodies pressed tightly together, intimately connected. He sighed contentedly in her ear, gently kissing her temples and her sweaty forehead.
Ling Zhenli lay limp on the couch, her whole body numb and unable to move even her fingertips, but her consciousness was floating in an extreme state of happiness and peace.
At that moment, she truly felt that all the gloom of the past had dissipated.
...
Day 2
The sky was already bright, and the brilliant morning sun pierced through the carved windows, bathing the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace in a warm golden glow.
Tiny dust particles danced leisurely in the beam of light; everything was tranquil and beautiful.
Ling Zhenli woke up first, slowly opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Pei Xuanlin's sleeping profile.
He was right beside me, his breathing steady and long. A trace of fatigue still lingered between his handsome brows, but he had already relaxed, shedding yesterday's murderous aura. The sunlight outlined his clear features, and a warm halo fell on his slightly pursed lips and long eyelashes.
She moved slightly, and Pei Xuanlin immediately woke up, his vigilance honed over the past few days. However, when he turned his head and saw that it was her, his sharp eyes instantly turned into endless tenderness, like spring water melting away the ice.
"Awake?" His voice was hoarse from the morning. He reached out and pulled her closer, his fingertips lingering on her cheek. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Ling Zhenli nodded in his arms, greedily absorbing the reassuring scent emanating from him.
My gaze went over his broad shoulders and towards the bright sky outside the window.
The eaves of the palace were clearly silhouetted against the azure sky, with birds occasionally flitting merrily by.
Everything is different now.
Yesterday's fighting and death have been washed away by the sunlight. The palace servants are quietly cleaning up Taiji Palace. Ling Zhenli, unwilling to live in Taiji Palace, has chosen to live in the larger and more magnificent Daming Palace. Pei Xuanlin, who has always indulged her, naturally obeys her and moves in.
Pei Xuanlin lowered his head and kissed the top of her head.
“The preparations for the coronation are already underway outside. Your trouble in changing the palace has made it difficult for your brother-in-law to set up the palace again.”
Ling Zhenli was amused by him: "I just think that too much trouble has happened in Taiji Palace. Daming Palace is magnificent and spacious, much better than Taiji Palace."
"Yes, yes, this Daming Palace is really nice, and most importantly, you like it."
Ling Zhenli smiled, then became puzzled: "You are now the emperor, why don't you hold the morning court today?"
"Tomorrow is the coronation ceremony. We need to prepare the main hall today. How about it, Empress, do you want to go and take a look at our coronation ceremony?"
The word "Empress" landed heavily on Ling Zhenli's heart, rippling outwards in layers of waves.
She's going to be empress; she's finally made it through.
The sun shone brightly, her beloved was by her side, she was the empress, the ruler of heaven and earth, and this glory was finally in her hands.
Ling Zhenli buried her face deeply in Pei Xuanlin's chest, her lips curving upwards uncontrollably.
"Okay, let's go take a look together."
That's wonderful; in the long river of history, she is also one of the victors.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
