Feng Yun gaped at her. "What do you mean? Tang Daiyu, what sort of demonic deal have you made?"

She looked at him sadly. "Older Cousin, it wasn't a deal, but a repayment."

"But you seem like you're on the verge of death! You almost match Prince Yelang!"

She gave a dry chuckle. "It wouldn't be wrong to say that."

"When did this happen? You weren't like this before?"

"I've managed to hide my condition for a week and a half already. But as my body gets weaker, it'll become more difficult for me to keep up pretenses."

"How long do you have left?"

"That depends on how long I can remain strong. For right now, you don't have to worry, Older Cousin. I'm not crossing the Bridge of Helplessness over to the Yellow Spring just yet."

"Don't make such jokes, Tang Daiyu! You're the Empress of Heping. You chose to stay and serve China. How could you let yourself come to this?!"

"One will do anything for family," she mused sadly.

"What family would ask this of you?"

Her eyes flashed as she snapped, "Who said it was asked? I did it because I wanted to."

"Is this why you hurried to send the masters off? You didn't want Master Liang to know about your illness?"

She sighed and nodded. Then, she began to cough again. Feng Yun watched, helpless, as more blood sprayed from her lips. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Zhou-ge would know instantly what I've done."

And save me.

"I don't want him to have to witness me being like this. It's already bad enough that you do. I had planned to keep it from everyone, but obviously, that didn't work."

"Do Hua Chao-Xing and Wu Caihong know?"

She shook her head. "I suppose they're going to have to find out sooner or later. As my maids-in-waiting, they're usually always with me. I dismissed them when I could barely control it any longer."

Almost as if they knew they were being spoken about, her two maids appeared. They gasped at the sight of their lady and ran over to her.

"Gentle," Feng Yun commanded. "Be gentle."

They nodded and worried over Tang Daiyu. When she finally manage to appease them, her body convulsed, and blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Feng Yun wiped it away. "Are you sure there's nothing to be done?"

She nodded resolutely. He sighed. Hua Chao-Xing and Wu Caihong wept.

Embarrassed, Tang Daiyu said, "Please, don't cry. I'll still be your lady for some time."

"But for how long, Younger Cousin?"

~~~

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

A couple weeks later, with Feng Yun's aid, Tang Daiyu sat down on the throne in the Main Hall. He stood right at her side, there for her in case something happened. Her deathly pallor was now unmistakable, and she coughed once.

"Announcing His Majesty, Emperor Tiandao!" Sima Qianlu proclaimed.

Into the Main Hall walked Liu Jin. When he approached the dais, he bowed.

"Greetings to Empress Lihua."

"Emperor Tiandao, welcome to Heping."

He straightened and eyed her. His eyebrows furrowed with surprise and concern.

"If Her Majesty isn't feeling well, I could come back another day."

Tang Daiyu shook her hand. "It's fine. I'm glad you could come all the way here."

"Lord Shuo asked me to."

Sadness filled her eyes and she asked softly, "Is that the only reason why you came?"

"Tang Daiyu, you killed both of my parents. I can never forgive you for that."

"Your mother plotted my family's demise, and your father executed my parents in front of me when I was thirteen. I could never forgive them for that."

Liu Jin sighed. "Death surrounded our families, didn’t it?"

She gave him a wan smile and nodded. He sighed.

"So you're still Empress?"

"I'm Empress in my own right, now. I have full power of emperor and empress."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you."

After a pause, he asked, "If I may, where is Master Liang?"

"He returned to Nanchang. Feng Yun advises me."

Liu Jin turned towards Tang Daiyu's companion and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings to Prince Shangwei."

"You're too kind, Your Majesty."

Suddenly, Tang Daiyu swayed. Her eyelids fluttered. Feng Yun dashed forward and gripped her shoulders. She turned her head to look at him.

"I can't do this much longer," she whispered.

"Hold on, just for a little longer," he murmured.

She swallowed and nodded.

Liu Jin watched their exchange. When she turn back to face him, she smiled. Feng Yun kept a hand on her shoulder to support her.

"I hope that, in the future, Heping and Chang can coexist peacefully," Tang Daiyu said sincerely.

"That is my wish as well."

"Even though I sit as Empress?"

"Yes. I care about the Chang citizens. Stability will be brought to both countries if we can establish peace."

"Then it must begin with us."

He nodded solemnly in agreement. Tang Daiyu, with Feng Yun's help, stood and descended the dais. She walked over to Liu Jin and bowed.

"I'm sorry for having caused you pain."

He bowed as well. "I apologize to you and the Tang family on the behalf of mine."

They each straightened.

"Tang Daiyu?"

"Yes?"

"As you know, I never wanted to be Emperor. So, I've decided to-"

Liu Jin’s hands shot forward as she collapsed. Catching her in his arms, he looked to Feng Yun.

"What's wrong with her?"

"She's just recovering from an illness. I had suggested that we wait to meet with you until she felt better, but she insisted on not making you wait."

Liu Jin looked down.

"Will she be okay?"

"Yes," Feng Yun lied and gently took her from him. "I should take her back. Sima Qianlu will show you to your rooms."

"Okay."

"When she feels a little better, you can finish telling her what you were going to say."

"It's fine. I trust that you'd relay the message to her."

"Alright. What is it?"

"I've decided to abdicate. Following my late mother's wishes," he looked at her unconscious form in Feng Yun's arms. "Tang Daiyu will ascend the throne of Chang as its sole ruler."