goodbye
"Your Highness, Your Highness..."
Liu Ziju was radiating anger. "You still know I'm His Highness? Then why are you framing General Bai like this!"
The maid in front of him was clearly from the Crown Prince's faction. Qu Linghan had no right to compete with Liu Ziju for the position, so he asked Jing'er to bring a chair and found a corner to sit down and watch the show.
"Tell me, who told you to do this?"
The maidservant, with tears streaming down her face, kept kowtowing to Liu Ziju, blood flowing down her forehead and mingling with her tears, making her look utterly miserable.
Qu Linghan immediately recalled Bai Hui's fate in the history books. When the third prince ascended the throne, Liu Ziju was exiled. Those who had followed Liu Ziju, whether big or small, all met with bad ends, let alone Bai Hui, a confidant who had been cultivated since childhood.
The same applies to Bai Hui's nine generations of relatives.
And all of this is inseparable from the Third Prince, and from the efforts of the maid in front of him.
Qu Linghan thought that now that he had her captured, things should be mostly settled.
After a moment of stunned silence, Liu Ziju stepped forward, followed by two guards who were pulling the unconscious maid.
"sister in law."
What does this mean?
"I intend to take the man to the village for interrogation."
"Alright, take him. After all, he's from your palace. We want to use you to sow discord between the three of us and frame Bai Zhaoming for treason..."
Qu Linghan deliberately emphasized the last four words. Over the past year, Liu Ziju had changed and grown a lot. Qu Linghan felt it was time to become an observer and let him solve everything on his own.
"good."
Just as Liu Ziju was about to leave, he turned back, his eyes filled with gloom.
"Why are you back again? What happened?"
Qu Linghan sensed something was wrong and frowned.
"We exchanged letters with the Northwest yesterday, and it seems a victory at the border is imminent, but..."
"Just what?"
"I only heard that Brother Bai Hui went into the enemy camp alone, and although he routed the enemy army, he was also seriously injured..."
Qu Linghan almost collapsed to the ground, but luckily Jing'er was there to support him.
"Madam, please be careful..."
Qu Linghan's face was pale. She tried her best to remain calm, but a few tears streaming down her face betrayed her unease. Qu Linghan brushed Jing'er's hand away, straightened up, and swept her hair back.
“Zhaoming joined the army at a young age and has experienced countless battles; he will surely be safe. Please remember, Your Highness, my wife and I have dedicated half our lives to serving Your Highness…”
Qu Linghan knew that Liu Ziju was a good person at heart, but great kindness can turn into great enmity. Moreover, Liu Ziju had really grown up in the past two years. There is a difference between ruler and subject. How could Qu Linghan tease him as she used to? She could only tell him about their goodness... After all, even the closest brothers in history would eventually be separated by power, interests, different views, and policies.
Qu Linghan didn't want things to go this way, after all, Liu Ziju was destined to become the emperor.
If she and her husband develop a rift with Liu Ziju, will they still be able to live peacefully in Liuchao? She still wants to become the richest merchant in Liuchao.
"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I grew up by Bai Hui's side since I was a child. I know Bai Hui very well. I also know you like the back of my hand."
Liu Ziju looked at the maid behind him who had already fainted.
"Don't worry, I will definitely find out who is framing Brother Bai Hui."
After speaking, Liu Ziju bowed and left.
The candlelight in the room was about to go out, and in the dim light, Qu Linghan stroked the amulet in his hand.
It was something she had made herself for Bai Hui. She remembered that Bai Hui had taken it to the Northwest and won.
He then realized that the amulet was truly useful, and insisted on taking it off and giving it to her to ensure her lifelong safety.
Qu Linghan couldn't refuse him, so he accepted the gift and personally made another one for Bai Hui.
"I wonder if he brought it with him..."
"I wonder how he is now..."
I spent a sleepless night.
...
Early in the morning, Qu Linghan received a secret letter from Liu Ziju.
The letter said he interrogated her all night yesterday, found something on her, and finally managed to extract information about the person behind her, just as Qu Linghan and Lu Shuyu had suspected.
The person behind it all is the Third Prince.
Just like during the imperial examination, rumors circulated that Bai Hui had leaked the exam questions and was unworthy to be the chief examiner. In the end, Pei Wuyang himself came out and admitted that he had framed Bai Hui. Qu Linghan knew that the person behind the scenes was definitely not Pei Wuyang, but the Third Prince.
Although the Third Prince's name is Liu Zicheng, he is not honest or kind at all. It is estimated that he used up all his honesty in his name.
Now that the emperor is barely clinging to life, Liu Ziju, though the crown prince, is fighting between the two factions and is willing to risk his entire fortune.
At this moment, we must fight.
Even if you don't fight, the world will force you to.
As the Crown Prince who was in charge of the country, Liu Ziju quickly informed the world of Liu Zicheng's actions.
However, Liu Zicheng would not lose power because of this; in his view, the failure of a maid was insignificant.
…
Spring has come again, and the Lanxu Pavilion is filled with the joy of new life. Qu Linghan and Lu Shuyu are both beaming with happiness.
Yesterday, Liu Ziju received a secret letter stating that Bai Hui's army would return to the capital tonight.
The situation in the palace was very serious. Although his abilities had improved a lot compared to the past, he still could not achieve an overwhelming victory against the Third Prince when he and his advisors were fighting against him. Liu Ziju had long been praying that Bai Hui could return in good health as soon as possible.
The three of them lit candles early in the secret room of Lanxu Pavilion. The room was well soundproofed, so they couldn't hear the clatter of horses' hooves outside, but they could hear each other's heartbeats.
"I am a little nervous..."
Liu Ziju hadn't seen Bai Hui for a year, and he felt both longing and fear. Liu Ziju couldn't quite describe the feeling; in short, it was longing, an extreme longing.
Lu Shuyu slapped Liu Ziju's hand.
"Madam, why did you hit me?!"
Liu Ziju looked at Lu Shuyu with a wronged expression.
A year is enough time for so much to change: Qu Linghan's naiveté, the political situation in Liuchao, and even Liu Ziju and Lu Shuyu getting married within that year...
"Ling Han hasn't even said anything yet, and you're already acting all wronged!!!"
Qu Linghan glanced at Lu Shuyu, smiled, and remained silent.
After a long while, a rhythmic knocking sounded on the door of the secret room.
One shot, stop, two shots, stop, three shots...
Only five people knew about the existence of this secret room: Qu Linghan, Liu Ziju, Lu Shuyu, Bai Zhaoming, and Jing'er.
Only four of them knew the code for the knocking sound: Qu Linghan, Liu Ziju, Lu Shuyu, and Bai Zhaoming...
Now that all three of them are here, the person at the door must be Bai Hui.
The tears welling up in Qu Linghan's eyes made it difficult for her to see anything clearly. The knocking at the door continued, and Qu Linghan even thought she was hallucinating. It wasn't until Lu Shuyu reminded her that she wiped away her tears, walked to the door, and opened it.
As soon as the door opened, Qu Linghan was enveloped in the shadow cast by Bai Hui's tall figure. Bai Hui was dressed entirely in black, even wearing a black cloak that completely concealed his appearance. Qu Linghan didn't look up at Bai Hui, not because she was afraid, but because she didn't know how to face him. From the moment the door opened, Qu Linghan could clearly smell the blood on Bai Hui. Qu Linghan was terrified, terrified that when she opened her eyes she would see a wounded Bai Zhaoming. If that were the case, she would hate herself, hate herself for not taking care of him, hate herself for her protective charm not working...
Bai Zhaoming broke the silence first. He lifted his black cloak, cupped Qu Linghan's face in his hands, and gently wiped away her glistening tears.
"Don't be afraid, I'm back."
......
The four of them sat together in the secret room. Lu Shuyu suddenly sighed.
"This is what our Lanxu Pavilion should be like! With the four of us together, what can't we accomplish?!"
Qu Linghan and Bai Zhaoming both laughed, but Liu Ziju remained silent for a long time before finally speaking.
"Brother Zhaoming, it's all my fault, you got hurt..."
Lu Shuyu echoed his agreement after hearing this.
"Yes, Mr. Bai, I was so moved that I forgot to ask how your injuries are healing..."
Bai Zhaoming suddenly stood up, took a step back, and bowed to Liu Ziju.
"It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness."
Liu Ziju was stunned; his brother Bai Hui had never bowed to him so deeply before.
Qu Linghan and Lu Shuyu exchanged glances, and Liu Ziju lunged forward to help Bai Hui up.
“Your Highness, I, Bai Zhaoming, have always been your advisor. From now on, you will have to walk this path alone for a while.”
"Brother Zhaoming, what are you talking about?"
Before Liu Ziju could react, Bai Zhaoming took several letters from his person.
"This is evidence that the Third Prince Liu Zicheng is selling weapons to the Sitonghu people..."
The words had barely left his mouth when all three were stunned. If this were to get out, Liu Ziju would lose one of his most formidable rivals, meaning he could ascend the throne effortlessly...
Liu Ziju took the letter. Qu Linghan knew that in the past he had one foot in the throne, but now it was different; he was already sitting on the throne.
"It is ultimately inappropriate for me to announce this matter, but Your Highness, please just say so, and I, Bai, will take care of the rest for you."
Liu Ziju agreed, then said goodbye to Qu Linghan and the other person, and left with Lu Shuyu.
Qu Linghan knew that history had finally turned to the page that belonged to Liu Ziju...
That night, the lights flickered, and her figure was graceful.
Qu Linghan supported Bai Hui, who had several new wounds on his back.
Does it hurt?
Bai Hui didn't speak, but Qu Linghan understood him.
Having won the heart of this one person, Bai Hui felt that ending his life like this wasn't so bad.
So the two of them busied themselves, their faces glistening with sweat, until dawn. They couldn't bear to part; the warmth of each other's embrace made them drift off to sleep. The days passed by, and life got better and better, filled with hope...
Shortly thereafter, Liu Ziju obtained the evidence and announced to the world that even if the Third Prince did not withdraw, he would only end up being despised by everyone.
Another spring arrived, and the emperor, having lingered on his deathbed, was finally able to ascend the throne smoothly, as Liu Ziju did.
History has been rewritten. Bai Hui did not die, and perhaps Qu Linghan will even be mentioned in the history books.
Lu Shuyu successfully married Liu Ziju and became the only one in the harem. Zhao Shicheng and Liu Chuyu fell in love, and Liu Ziju directly arranged their marriage.
As for Qu Linghan and Bai Hui, the two of them were enjoying themselves immensely, traveling and sightseeing.
Qu Linghan stayed by Bai Hui's side in Liuchao until his first gray hair appeared, his first wrinkle appeared, and his legs could no longer carry him, until he peacefully closed his eyes and told her...
"To have met you in this life, to be together until old age, is the greatest fortune."
She was able to return to her original world without any regrets. She woke up at home, looking at the design plans in front of her, when suddenly there was a knock on the door. Qu Linghan dragged her tired body to open it.
"What a coincidence, we've run into each other again."
Tears suddenly welled up in Qu Linghan's eyes.
"haven't seen you for a long time."
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