“Sister!!!”
The heart-wrenching cry echoed through the valley as the flames engulfed Cangnan Valley. Zhao Tuo tightly gripped Meng Yu, who was trying to rush into the fire. Meng Yu, skilled in martial arts, engaged in a fierce struggle with Zhao Tuo. Silent and resolute, Zhao Tuo countered all her moves, firmly blocking her from plunging into the sea of fire.
It was already too late.
Shortly after leaving the valley, they heard the thunderous roar of explosions behind them. Meng Xuan had planted explosives in advance, waiting for them to depart Cangnan Valley. As soon as they left, she wiped out the valley. When they circled back, all that remained was a roaring blaze. The once serene groves of acacia trees and bamboo houses were now reduced to ashes. Waves of heat washed over them, leaving behind only despair.
“Sister!”
Meng Yu’s cries had already torn her throat. She couldn’t overpower Zhao Tuo, couldn’t rush into the fire to save her sister. Collapsed on the ground, she could only emit hoarse screams, as if that one word was all she could ever say.
The pain of losing a loved one was irreplaceable. Qin Yuanxi and his group could only accompany her, waiting for her to vent her emotions, waiting until she could cry no more. They waited until dusk fell, until the moon rose, until dawn. Meng Yu cried and cried until she had completely exhausted her strength, unable even to shed tears.
“Want some water?” Qin Yuanxi attempted to console her, unsure of what else to say.
He had ordered them to set up camp where they were, intending to stay with the young girl until she regained her composure, then console her gradually.
But Meng Yu proved much stronger than he anticipated. Overnight, she seemed to have matured. Gazing at the ruins of Cangnan Valley, she accepted the water offered by Qin Yuanxi and drank it all in one go.
Meng Yu looked at Qin Yuanxi. “Did my sister ask you to take care of me? I won’t cause you trouble. Let’s go, don’t delay your journey because of me.”
Her voice was now hoarse, speaking mature and steadfast words, yet her stubborn gaze concealed a hint of helplessness.
Qin Yuanxi embraced her. “Yes, from now on, you’re my little sister, the princess of our Great Qin. Don’t cry anymore, okay? Your sister would be upset if she saw you like this.”
“I-I won’t let my sister down. I won’t cry anymore.”
Saying she wouldn’t cry, but Qin Yuanxi’s shoulder was warm with tears. He sighed inwardly.
Meng Yu agreed to continue the journey, and Qin Yuanxi didn’t want her to linger in this sorrowful place any longer. After a quick tidy-up, they prepared to depart. However, just as the carriage was getting ready, unexpected visitors arrived from outside Cangnan Valley.
“What’s going on? Why—”
Before Qin Yuanxi could grasp the situation, Meng Yu lunged forward with her sword. The newcomer skillfully intercepted her strike, and a fight followed.
“Ah Tuo, go help! Don’t let that girl get hurt.”
“She doesn’t need my help. Don’t worry.” One against two was not honorable, especially when the opponent seemed weaker. Zhao Tuo refrained from interfering. After a few exchanges, the newcomer succumbed to Meng Yu’s blade.
“Ah Yu, calm down! Stop fighting. What happened? Where’s your sister? Where’s Ah Xuan?”
“My sister, hmph, you’re not worthy of mentioning her!”
Meng Yu’s sword almost pierced the newcomer’s throat, but at the last moment, it veered off, leaving only a bloodstain on their neck. With resentment in her voice, Meng Yu said, “My sister is dead. What, are you here to offer condolences? Sorry, Cangnan Valley doesn’t welcome anyone with the surname Ye. Get lost!”
“What?”
The surnamed Ye turned pale, stepping back. “How is that possible? How could she? When I left, she was fine. How could this happen?”
“How could this happen?” Meng Yu twirled her sword and sheathed it, approaching the surnamed Ye coldly. “Were you referring to when she destroyed her voice to detoxify you? Or when she broke her martial arts to break through the Fourth Layer of the Heaven’s Heart Technique for you? Or when she returned completely drained and aged prematurely after seeing you off?”
“Ye, you’ve betrayed my sister. You were just fooling around with her. You made her fall in love, but our clan’s priestesses can’t afford to love. And now that you’ve caused her death, satisfied?”
“Do you know? Just then, I wanted to kill you, chop you into eighteen pieces, grind you into minced meat. Do you know why I didn’t? Because you can’t die. You have to live well, live a long life, endure continuous suffering. You’re not qualified to meet my sister!”
Meng Yu’s sword grazed the person’s cheek, leaving a trail of blood. “You’ll never have the right to meet her!”
Meng Yu turned away. Qin Yuanxi, seeing her red eyes, whispered something to Zhao Tuo. Zhao Tuo stepped forward, took the sword from Meng Yu’s hand.
In the urgency, Qin Yuanxi covered Meng Yu’s eyes, guided her onto the carriage. Outside, a desperate scream pierced the air, but when Zhao Tuo returned, he had no sword in hand.
“Did you kill him?” Meng Yu strained to look out. “He shouldn’t die so easily, shouldn’t get off easy!”
“No, no.” Qin Yuanxi hurriedly restrained her. “Don’t look, young girl. I didn’t kill him. Just gave him a taste of it, fulfilling my promise to your sister. He won’t die.”
Meng Yu didn’t believe it. She pulled back the curtain and saw the surnamed Ye writhing in pain, clutching his groin, a pool of blood nearby. Before she could observe further, Qin Yuanxi dragged her back.
“Don’t look. He’ll suffer for the rest of his life.”
The atmosphere on the journey back to the capital grew noticeably serious. Meng Yu spoke less, and though Qin Yuanxi tried to engage her in conversation to ease her emotions, it didn’t have much effect. After a few days, the young girl suggested they forgo the carriage, knowing they were in a hurry. Riding horses would suffice; her riding skills were adequate.
No matter how Qin Yuanxi tried to persuade her, it was futile. She was afraid of causing them trouble, and her maturity was heart-wrenching.
In the end, it was Zhao Tuo who resolved it with one sentence.
“No need. His leg is injured and he can’t ride. The carriage won’t delay us.”
Although the leg injury had long healed, Qin Yuanxi couldn’t focus on much else at the moment. He followed Zhao Tuo’s lead and comforted the young girl, persuading her to stay on the carriage for the journey back.
The carriage was indeed much slower than riding horses, sometimes causing impatience. When Zhao Tuo drove the carriage, Qin Yuanxi would sit beside him, chatting about some matters regarding Xiao Bao. Zhao Tuo had reverted to his old self, a man of few words but fiercely loyal. He complied with whatever Qin Yuanxi said, and when Xiao Bao was mentioned, his expression softened noticeably.
Qin Yuanxi didn’t know what the future held, but reaching this point already satisfied him.
The return journey passed swiftly. Qin Yuanxi had barely set foot in the palace before Prime Minister Wang came to request an audience.
Just as he caught his breath, he had to make his way to the study to meet the old prime minister.
“During my absence, has anything urgent arisen?”
The Prime Minister wore an uneasy expression, mingled with a hint of joy. “Things in the court have been running smoothly. Urgent matters in the regions have been temporarily dealt with. But there’s one thing, Your Majesty. During Your Majesty’s absence from the palace, I made a slight move. Now that Your Majesty has returned, I rushed to report it.”
“What is it?”
“It’s about the selection of consorts, Your Majesty. Did you forget?”
“Indeed, I forgot.” Qin Yuanxi slapped his forehead. “So, during my absence, are people still intending to send their daughters into the palace?”
Qin Yuanxi frowned, evidently displeased. “How could I forget about this?”
“Not at all.” Prime Minister Wang chuckled. “Before Your Majesty left, some palace maids disappeared inexplicably, sparking rumors outside. Upon Your Majesty’s departure, I intentionally spread some gossip. Now, they’re all uncertain, and a few have quietly contacted portrait artists, intending to withdraw their daughters’ portraits.”
“Excellent work, Prime Minister.”
Qin Yuanxi’s spirits lifted upon hearing this. He had only been concerned about Zhao Tuo’s illness before leaving, without giving much thought to other matters. Now that he had returned, he realized he had a royal wedding to plan. It was time to make arrangements. The old prime minister had shown remarkable foresight. He hadn’t neglected state affairs while attending to other important matters. Qin Yuanxi felt he deserved a raise.
“Tomorrow’s morning court will proceed as planned. I’ll issue an edict to sever ties between the harem and the previous dynasty. At the same time, I’ll urge these families to promptly send their daughters into the palace.” Qin Yuanxi emphasized his appreciation for Prime Minister Wang. “During my absence, Prime Minister, you have worked diligently. Once this matter is settled, I’ll have to invite you for a cup of matchmaker’s wine.”
The Prime Minister wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead and said, “I dare not, I dare not. It’s my duty to share Your Majesty’s burdens.”
Qin Yuanxi gave a token of encouragement, praising the Prime Minister’s efficiency, then hurriedly headed back to the harem after a pat on the backside.
During his absence, Xiao Bao had already learned to stand. The little one grew exceptionally fast, looking entirely different from before Qin Yuanxi left the palace. Holding his child, tears welled up in his eyes.
Perhaps due to the prolonged absence, Xiao Bao felt unfamiliar with him and was reluctant to be held by Qin Yuanxi for long, almost crying when held for a while. Qin Yuanxi quickly tried to comfort the baby, intending to pass him to the nursemaid, but the little one turned and nestled into Zhao Tuo’s arms instead.
As Qin Yuanxi watched his son nestle into Zhao Tuo’s embrace and instantly stop crying, his expression vividly changed.
Jealousy? A bit. Sour grapes? Quite a lot. Yet, no matter how many emotions he felt, he couldn’t show them in front of his son. He watched Zhao Tuo play with the child, keeping him entertained all day. When the little one grew tired after dinner, he dozed off. Qin Yuanxi sighed, feeling a mix of emotions, leaning slightly on Zhao Tuo’s shoulder, lightly tapping him.
“Why is it that my child is so fond of you? When we were outside the palace, you hardly remembered him. Even that little toy, I bought it, yet he knows to play with it when he’s with you? Crafty little rascal!”
The tone was truly sour, like breaking open a vinegar jar, enough to make one’s teeth ache.
Both had been away for days, so why such a stark contrast in treatment?
“Was there anything urgent for Prime Minister Wang to enter the palace?” Zhao Tuo attempted to change the subject, opting for a rather direct method. He didn’t quite understand why Xiao Bao seemed more affectionate towards him, but since he couldn’t solve this mystical problem, he could only evade it.
“The Prime Minister, huh.” Qin Yuanxi squinted mischievously, concealing a smirk. “What else could it be? The matter regarding the selection of consorts I mentioned earlier.”
“Selecting consorts?”
In a vast hall, sourness permeated the air. Observing Zhao Tuo’s awkward expression, Qin Yuanxi felt like he had turned the tables.
Sweet victory!
Hello, everyone ヾ(＾∇＾). I hope you enjoyed the story! If you’re feeling generous, please buy me a coffee, share/comment on my translated works! Check out the link below for early chapters. (๑>ᴗ<๑)
