Chapter 100

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Chapter 100: Title

When Lian Rong left, Wuyang still told her, “Crown princess… no, Gu Meisheng is now the Southern Emperor’s consort; it happened just a few days ago, the Southern Emperor has announced it to the world.”

Lian Rong responded with a sound and turned, disappearing into the thick night.

Wuyang felt as if something had tightly squeezed her heart. Regardless of Lian Rong being sincere or using her, she only hoped for her happiness. Ever since Gu Hengbo appeared, she knew that this straightforward crown princess would surely bring her misfortune. Sometimes she wondered if her master had remained lonely for thirty years just to wait for her, after all, fate is something no one can explain. Just like their first meeting, which was well-planned, and how their marriage became a natural result.

Perhaps her master would never tell her this, but at least love was real. She had followed her for so many years; if she couldn’t see this, she wouldn’t deserve to stand by her side.

Returning to Prince Rong’s residence, Wuyang saw a white figure approaching her from afar. She halted; she recognized this person, the secondary princess Ning Yu. She stood still as Ning Yu came closer and nodded slightly, saying, “Wuyang greets the secondary princess.”

Ning Yu nodded to the coldly dressed woman before her. This woman didn’t often appear in the residence; indeed, they had only met once.

“I returned to Ning’s residence a few days ago. I heard the prince returned to the capital. Qian Yue mentioned she went to the palace; are they returning together now?” Her voice was gentle and serene, creating a very comfortable feeling.

Wuyang showed little expression, but her respect was clear. “The prince left the palace immediately after coming out.” She had been waiting here for her master. After hearing her words, Ning Yu looked visibly disappointed.

But she said nothing more and did not ask many questions. “It’s fine. If you see her, please tell her to be careful. I will wait for her return in the residence.” With that, she turned and left.

Wuyang stared at that resolute and stubborn figure, realizing she was fully aware. Her master was never one to toy with others’ feelings. She had known for a long time that she had feelings for the Empress, but that affection had long gone unreciprocated until Gu Hengbo’s arrival. During that time, she had not been close to any other woman, not even in a flirtatious manner. She was someone serious about love and also someone extremely indifferent to it; once she had feelings for someone, anyone who developed feelings for her would get hurt.

This was evident from the many men who had pushed themselves to the edge to take the imperial examination, resulting in some dying from overexertion. She had always been indifferent to their struggles. How young had she been then? After everything she had experienced, her heart had become as hard as iron. No longer did she care about emotions; how could she care for such a weak woman who was delivered to her home by the emperor himself?

Calm and decisive as Wuyang was, she found it hard to cope with everything happening now. She didn’t know what Lian Rong planned next, but she knew in her heart that Qian Yue knew all the events that had unfolded.

However, all she could think about was worrying for Lian Rong and for Gu Hengbo being trapped in Nanyin’s palace; everything else seemed unimportant.

Qing Feng leaned against a pillar, watching her like a fool standing on the stairs. “Feeling troubled, aren’t you? I feel worse than you.”

Wuyang glanced at her. “What are you troubled about?”

Qing Feng’s eyes turned red. “If something happens to my master, I wouldn’t want to live either.”

Wuyang’s lips twitched. “She isn’t dead yet, and you’re already eager to die with her.”

Qing Feng glared at her. “What nonsense are you talking about? How can you use such words so casually?”

“You need to take your medicine,” Wuyang said, preparing to leave, but Qing Feng pulled her back. “Be honest, what did she say to you? Does she not want me anymore?”

Wuyang shot a glance at her hand. “Let go of me! I’m not in a good mood.”

Qing Feng pouted, not pleased. “Why are you acting so fierce?”

Wuyang smoothed out her wrinkled clothes. “She wants you to go back to the Northern Region to protect Madam Dou’s safety. Pack your things and leave tomorrow.”

Qing Feng’s eyes widened. “I can protect Madam Dou, but how can I leave at such a critical moment?”

Wuyang touched her head like an elder instructing a younger one. “If something happens to Madam Dou, the crown princess won’t be well. If the crown princess isn’t well, our master won’t be at peace, and if our master is not at peace, then none of us will be.”

Qing Feng’s face scrunched up again. “Fine then, you make it sound very serious. I will pack tonight and hurry over.”

Wuyang finally smiled, “That’s the right attitude! Who knows when we’ll meet again? Behave well, and if the master is happy, maybe she will consider marrying you off to me.”

Qing Feng raised her head in realization. “What did you say?”

Wuyang pressed her lips together. “Nothing, it’s getting late; hurry back to sleep. Traveling at night is dangerous, you should leave tomorrow morning.” Without waiting for Qing Feng to respond, she turned and left, the smile vanishing from her lips. Going to the Northern Region should be safer. Xiao Zhan, please be well.

In the year of the thirteenth spring of Eastern Emperor Mingyuan, the Eastern Emperor passed away, and the nation mourned. Crown Prince Lianyang seized power in the court. Since the Eastern Emperor had passed in his sleep and did not leave behind a will, it was only a matter of time for the Crown Prince to ascend to the throne.

According to Eastern Region law, the Crown Prince should observe a period of mourning for three years. However, a nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. No one could guarantee that other nations wouldn’t suddenly declare war, so they had to shorten the mourning period from three years to one.

Inside Mingluan Palace, there were sounds of crying everywhere. All the concubines sat on both sides, holding handkerchiefs and sobbing. The queen sat at the top, having already realized that the Eastern Emperor was gone. She appeared unusually calm. "What is the use of crying? The emperor is watching us from above. He was never at ease with your fighting during his life, and now you still won’t let him rest in peace," she said.

As her words fell, the concubines cried even harder. They were perhaps not mourning the emperor who had passed away, but grieving for themselves. How many among them truly loved the emperor with sincerity like she did?

Duan Rulan did not rise to her position just because of her looks and cunning. The Eastern Emperor loved her, and she loved him in return, but he was a sovereign ruler. All she could do was stand quietly behind him. When Lian Yue staged a rebellion, he did not imprison her because of their past as husband and wife; he chose to neglect her. Little did he know that this neglect hurt her more than if she were tortured to death. "Heavenly Majesty, how could you be so cruel, leaving me alone to face this cold palace?"

The current Empress was Third Prince Lian Chen’s mother; she also had a younger son, Lian Fei, who was only eleven. Now that the emperor had passed and her older son was missing, who could tell her what to do? Lianyang seemed like a different person now. Would he help her find her son? The thought made her cry until she almost fainted. A palace servant rushed over to support her. "Your Highness, please don’t cry. Let’s return to your chamber to rest. Perhaps when you wake up, everything will be better."

The servant’s words struck a chord with the other concubines, and one by one, they rose to take their leave. The maid was right; perhaps after a good sleep, things would look better.

The queen dismissed everyone from the hall. She sat alone on the phoenix chair, gazing at the empty hall, realizing that from now on, she would truly be alone.

The sound of footsteps broke her thoughts as Lianhua, dressed in a plain palace outfit, slowly walked in. "I come to greet Mother."

The queen was taken aback, her eyes misting with tears. "Changqiu, come here to Mother," she said softly.

Lianhua approached and sat beside the queen, her reddened eyes revealing she had also just been crying. "Mother."

The queen embraced her, sighing. "Changqiu, don’t be afraid. Even without your father, Mother will protect you. When your second brother finishes his year of mourning and ascends, we will arrange your wedding. Don’t worry; with your royal uncle around, no one will force you to marry far away."

Lianhua shook her head. "Now that Father is gone and Lian Yue is held in Tiangong Division, how can I leave you alone in this deep palace? I want to stay by your side."

The queen patted her back, tears flowing uncontrollably. "Changqiu, Mother is truly tired."

Lianhua closed her eyes. "If you’re tired, then rest."