As Ye Rong entered the Qianqian Palace, Roga sat calmly on the couch, his expression composed.It had been a month since her miscarriage in November, and their reunion felt distant, their once intimate bond now tinged with unfamiliarity.
Before him on a rosewood table rested a delicate set of purple clay teapots, steam rising from the freshly brewed tea in wisps of fragile vapor, drifting in the stillness.He reached for the teacup, but his hand trembled uncontrollably.
The cup slipped from his grasp, shattering on the floor.Roga stared at the broken pieces for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh.
"How does this satisfy you?" he sneered.
"Have you finally had your fill, devouring the national treasury's grain supplies to satiate the night family’s greed?"
She stiffened, thinking his rage had caused him to throw the cup, and immediately knelt.Her cloak, made of the finest sable from the coldest regions, was a rare treasure capable of melting snowflakes a foot away.
Yet, even such a treasure could not stave off the creeping chill within her heart.The sable, dark as night, complemented her jade-white skin, her eyes dark and gleaming, silent and motionless, yet her posture as she knelt exuded an unspoken authority.
Roga, seething with hatred, raised his half-lowered gaze to look at her. His brow furrowed, his expression tight with a fleeting hint of sorrow, yet it was gone as quickly as it came."Do you think that with the tens of thousands of soldiers under your command, you can wield power over me, climb over my head?
Let me remind you, the Ye family will forever be at my feet, begging for mercy!"She lifted her head, suddenly laughing, her face illuminated by the deep shadows of the hall, her smile twisted and cruel."
Why should His Majesty be so angry?" she taunted. "When the monarch demands the minister’s death, the minister must obey.
Wasn’t my father poisoned by you and the Empress Dowager, and the Duke of Lian? Now that Your Majesty despises me so, why not grant me a cup of the 'Wan Yan Ku,' so I may die and be done with it all?"
The cold of the snow seemed to penetrate the very heart of Qianqian Palace, and his heart froze, aching with a pain so sharp it felt as if it might shatter.He stood up.
The palace, grand and silent, echoed with the hollow sound of his footsteps as his boots struck the dark, mirror-like tiles, his steps wavering yet resolute as he approached her."You know...""I know," she replied calmly, her voice like the stillness of the frozen Taiye Pool. "Not only do I know that, I know much more."
Her words, spoken with such unruffled calm, pierced Roga’s heart, leaving behind a bitter taste, as though he had been struck by a steel needle.
There were some things he had always hoped she would never know, and that she might never discover.All the explanations in the world now seemed futile. In the end, he simply murmured,"That was not your father.
The spirit enshrined in the ancestral hall is your father now."She raised her eyes, her expression tranquil, yet cold."That is not true," she whispered. "That is Your Majesty’s father, not mine. My father is only one—Xie Liulan, the regent whom you poisoned."
He stood close to her yet seemed miles away, so close he could smell her fragrance—dark and subtle, not the sweet scent she once wore, but a strange, withered fragrance like a flower on the verge of falling from its branch, releasing its final, eerie fragrance."It seems," he muttered, "that Xie Liulan taught you nothing but revenge and hatred.
Now, that is all you know, and for that, I pity you."Roga bent forward, his brow furrowing with a vulnerable expression as he softly asked, "How did we come to this? Is there truly no way to undo this?""Father’s death is a grudge that cannot be forgiven," she replied coldly. "The arrow has left the bowstring; there is no turning back."Her eyes, colder than ice, clearer than snow, reflected a single truth:Xie Liulan had raised her to be proud and aloof, yet unlike him, she lacked the patience and restraint.Perhaps, before him, she no longer needed to pretend."So what will you do now? What is the Ye family’s next move? And what do you want from me?"She asked, each question cutting through the air like a sharp blade. He took her hand, pulling her close, his arms holding her tightly.Her dark gown swirled like a blooming flower at the edge of the underworld, her steps leaving a trail of ink-black petals on the floor.His hand remained warm, as it had always been.
The words from the Book of Songs echoed in his mind: “Hold my hand, and we shall grow old together.”But now, as he held her hand, it carried the weight of too many things.He helped her sit, but then slowly stepped away, walking to the window.
The sunlight filtered in, casting a dim glow on his face, and the once vibrant eyes, now tinged with fatigue, lost some of their usual brilliance.
The palace servant, ever vigilant, presented a brazier. Her pale, delicate fingers cradled the hand warmer, encased in a brocade cover.
After briefly warming her hands, she slowly closed her eyes, her raven-winged lashes quivering slightly, leaving a faint shadow of deep blue beneath them.
He turned to gaze at her, his expression complex yet tinged with exhaustion.She opened her beautiful eyes, a faint, nostalgic look drifting across her face.“My request is simple,” she said softly. “My former guard, Ye Tuan, is clever and capable.
I ask that His Majesty confer upon him the title of Marquis of Qingzhou. As for the nephew of the Duke of Suo, Ye Ming, with his remarkable contributions, I ask that he inherit the title of Duke of Lingzhou.”“Is this an ultimatum?”She raised her long brows with a touch of sharpness.“The treasury is all but emptied.
If His Majesty is waiting for the wealth of the Duke of Suo’s estate to replenish it, that is no longer possible. Hence, I believe His Majesty will see the necessity of agreeing to my terms.”A wave of weariness swept over him, for their relationship had become one of predator and prey.
If they ceased to struggle, might their animosity fade away?If they ceased to fight, could they start anew?Roga narrowed his eyes, his smile fading into something more restrained.As she had pointed out, the arrow had already left the bow; many matters were beyond his control.“Go now,” he said quietly.“I take my leave, Your Majesty.”“What do you truly want?”His sudden question halted her, causing her to pause as the palace attendants assisted her departure.She slowly turned back, her eyes blank for a moment, as if lost in thought.
After a long pause, she spoke softly:“If we were but commoners, we would not have to endure this.”His eyes, already heavy with fatigue, flickered, but his face remained impassive.“A different life might not suit either of us. The lives of common people are far harder than you imagine.”
“Yet a life of mutual love between husband and wife, a peaceful existence, even with simple meals, is the greatest happiness this world has to offer. You… you will never understand.”
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Without another word, she turned and walked away, not looking back.To glance back would only bring more heartache, needless sorrow.
Six years passed, and on the fifth day of the first month,The Famen Temple, a royal site of worship, welcomed only the nobility of the Li kingdom, and commoners were rarely seen there, making the temple an oasis of serenity.
In the courtyard, rows of tall paulownia trees stood, their barren branches heavy with the scent of decay.
The temple, filled with incense smoke, hummed with the faint sound of Buddhist chants.
The eternal flame in the lamp flickered like a lotus floating on the surface of life.
The copper censer burned incense, sending soft ash into the air, the smoke rising in thin tendrils, swirling around the prayer curtains, while the Buddha in the hall smiled as he held a lotus blossom.
Su Qingfu, in a posture of devotion, knelt before the Buddha. The jade ornaments in her hair swayed slightly, and her jewelry made a soft, melodic sound."May the Buddha’s spirit protect me, and forgive my wrongs.
Please bless the Su family with eternal prosperity. The heavens have destined my solitary life, but I must be compensated for it. Now, power is the only thing that can calm my restless heart. The Ye family not only controls tens of thousands of soldiers but is also amassing a vast fortune.
My son, too, has begun to distrust me, and the Fu family is secretly investigating the Su family. Over the years, I have discreetly gathered wealth to prepare for this day.
Now, I must open the private vault. Buddha, it is not only for dealing with the Ye family and the Fu family, but also for my son. No one shall stop me... even if that person is my son... Buddha... please bless me."The abbot, his white brows like a pair of snow-covered mountains, murmured softly, his voice reverberating with the Buddha's words.Even the most revered mother of the nation, before the ancient Buddha and the quiet glow of the lamp, was but an ordinary mortal.
Su Qingfu kept her head lowered, hands clasped in prayer, her voice wavering as she whispered to herself.Then, silence.Her heart, emptied as though hollowed out, fell into a deep peace.She rose, a faint smile of reassurance on her lips, though loneliness lingered in the depths of her eyes.The warm sunlight streamed in, creating a soft haze in the air, yet the incense ash in the censer had already grown cold.
On her return to the palace from the royal temple, a sudden snowstorm engulfed the streets. Her carriage arrived at the Su residence just in time for shelter.Inside the study, the warmth of the fire provided a stark contrast to the heavy, gray light outside. The intricate carvings of the window panes cast dappled shadows, enveloping Su Qingfu as she sat in the center.She wore a crimson robe of hundred cranes brocade, its dark, blood-like hue only deepening her solemn demeanor.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy with the gravity of her presence.Seated before her were her cousin, Su Qingbai, and her brother-in-law, Wu Chuyu.Su Qingbai, a pale and thin middle-aged man, bore the sickness of years lived in the political maelstrom.
His face was marked by the signs of age and stress, his once sharp features now dulled by time."Does Her Majesty have something on her mind? I’ve been bedridden these days, unable to pay a visit. But I see that Her Majesty’s complexion has improved."He gave a mock bow, his tone light and somewhat flippant, though Su Qingfu had grown accustomed to it.Su Qingbai, however, shot him a disdainful glance, his brow slightly furrowed.
Wu Chuyu, unperturbed, cast his bleary gaze about before speaking again,"Your Majesty, why isn’t the virtuous consort here today?""That child is too naïve," Su Qingfu replied coolly. "I fear she might reveal too much before the Emperor, so I left her in the palace." As she mentioned Wu Xianfei, her brow furrowed ever so slightly, her eyes growing cold. Her well-maintained hands grasped the Buddhist prayer beads, their greenish hue reflecting the dim light.
She stared at them for a moment, then spoke again,"The Ye family’s movements have grown increasingly suspicious, and the Emperor’s attitude lately... He has not visited the Jing Shou Palace for a month. I am deeply worried.""How may this humble servant assist Your Majesty?"Su Qingbai, who had lost his mother at a young age and was always fond of his elder cousin, responded with complete deference to her words."Prepare in advance.
Better to be cautious than sorry.""Shall we make use of the private vault?"Wu Chuyu hesitated for a moment before asking.The private vault, which contained the accumulated wealth and weapons of the Su and Wu families, could only be accessed with Su Qingfu’s approval."Naturally, we must. This will likely be a tough battle."Su Qingfu’s voice was soft and clear, her smile faint yet tinged with an underlying strength that the two men could clearly feel beneath the surface."Then, may I ask for Your Majesty’s seal?"The imperial seal, the symbol of the Empress Dowager’s power and the key to the Su family’s authority, was required to unlock the private vault.Su Qingbai unfolded a piece of parchment, and Su Qingfu, with a swift motion, wrote her command and sealed it with her mark.Unperturbed, Wu Chuyu stepped forward two paces, deliberately bumping into the edge of the table.
The tea, which had been resting there, spilled instantly, cascading across the surface with a soft, splashing sound. It flowed down the table, spilling over, and splashed across Su Qingfu’s robes, filling the air with the delicate scent of tea."Forgive me," he said with feigned innocence, "I am so clumsy. I hope I didn’t burn Your Majesty?"The tea was still warm, and Su Qingfu winced in pain, letting out a soft cry. She looked down at the stains that marred her gown.
Her expression, which had always been calm and composed, finally showed a flicker of distress. Yet, she restrained herself, saying nothing. With Su Qingbai’s assistance, she rose and made her way to the back hall to change.Meanwhile, Wu Chuyu hastily took the blank sheet of paper that Su Qingfu had left behind on the table, seized the imperial seal, and pressed it upon the paper.
Then, without a hint of concern, he quickly tucked it into his robes, as if nothing had happened, and resumed his seat.He watched quietly as Su Qingfu and Su Qingbai returned to the study, and as they rewrote the confidential documents and sealed them with the imperial mark.
Inwardly, he smiled coldly, though his face betrayed none of his thoughts.After the imperial carriage bearing Su Qingfu departed, Wu Chuyu did not return to his own residence but instead headed for the secluded Yu Hua Tower.He dismissed the eager innkeeper with a wave and ascended to a private room on the second floor.Once the door was closed behind him, he found himself alone with the man who had been waiting for him there.
The night had fully fallen, and the room was lit only by the flickering glow of the candles. The man stood by the window, his shadow stretching long across the wall as the candlelight danced.Perhaps it was the wavering light that gave him the illusion, but Wu Chuyu felt the man’s presence to be overwhelmingly imposing, his figure almost suffocating.
A mocking voice broke the silence: "It seems the esteemed Lord Wu’s task has been carried out smoothly."The man slowly turned, his eyes fixing on Wu Chuyu. In the dimly lit room, the flickering candlelight illuminated his dark, cat-like eyes, which glistened with a sharp, predatory gleam.
Wu Chuyu stared back, his gaze steady, yet at that moment, the man appeared as an imposing sculpture, glowing with an eerie radiance."General, I trust you’ve been waiting long?" Wu Chuyu asked, though the light behind him made it difficult to discern Mo Xiehuai’s expression.
Nevertheless, the coldness in the general's tone was unmistakable. Sweat began to bead on Wu Chuyu’s forehead, but he dared not wipe it away. "The task you entrusted to me is complete.""Thank you for your efforts, my lord. Please, take a seat. Don’t linger by the door," Mo Xiehuai replied, his voice smooth, though there was something unsettling about it.
Wu Chuyu sat, his body trembling slightly as he placed the paper with Su Qingfu’s imperial seal before Mo Xiehuai.The general’s long, slender fingers, covered in white silk, took the paper with a smooth grace, tucking it into his robe. His face, like a finely painted portrait, softened into an elegant smile."I will see to it that your request is fulfilled, Lord Wu.""Then... I ask that General Mo speak favorably of me to King Feirong of the Northern Di.
The Wu family has always been loyal to His Majesty. And when it comes to the Su family... will you spare them? After all, they are..."Wu Chuyu’s words faltered, and Mo Xiehuai raised an eyebrow, as if puzzled by his hesitation.
Then, Mo Xiehuai’s smile twisted, no longer kind but cold and tinged with a bloodthirsty edge."Is that so, Lord Wu? Has the Su family kept you under their thumb all these years, and now you wish to honor your former masters?"A sudden chill ran down Wu Chuyu’s spine, and he stiffened, weakly muttering,"Hmph, I only hope, General, that you leave no one alive.""That goes without saying," Mo Xiehuai replied, his voice low and firm, filled with an unspoken assurance that made Wu Chuyu’s head spin.After Mo Xiehuai left, Wu Chuyu remained, slumped at the eight-immortals table, feeling as if all the strength had drained from his limbs.
No matter how high the Wu family’s status, he could not shake the feeling that the secret letters he had exchanged with King Feirong of the Northern Di had somehow ended up in the hands of others. Now, he was left with no choice but to obey this man... and the Ye family.