After Qin Su agreed, she sent Emperor Yongle back to rest.
When Qin Su returned from the entrance of the main hall, she looked up without expecting it and met Qin Hao’s gaze.
“First Prince and Seventh Prince, plotting rebellion and treason, executed on the spot. Their associates, executed or exiled to the ninth degree of kinship.”
Overnight, the capital experienced a power shift.
Emperor Yongle was unwell and prepared an edict to abdicate the throne. Crown Princess Qin Su took control of the court and held the power.
In Yong’an Palace, Qin Su stood in the hall, looking down. Emperor Yongle’s face turned pale, and then the teacup in his hand was thrown in front of Qin Su.
It was the first time Emperor Yongle was angry with Qin Su.
“Ridiculous! Ridiculous! I passed the throne to you, not so you could set up a woman as Empress! Such treasonous behavior—how can the people and officials of the world view it? Instead of waiting for you to cause chaos in the world, it would be better if I stripped you of the title of Crown Princess, established a princess’s palace elsewhere, and let you be as reckless as you want!”
Emperor Yongle coughed repeatedly, pointing outside the door and driving Qin Su away. “Leave! Return to Changle Palace and think it over! Do you want Miss Shen or the throne?”
Qin Su didn’t blink as she knelt on the shards of the teacup. “Your Majesty, I want both.”
“You…” Emperor Yongle stood up in panic, seeing the blood oozing from Qin Su’s knees, feeling a surge of anger that made him stagger. “Get up! Do you want to anger your father to death?!”
Qin Su remained kneeling. “Father, I will bear all the consequences of this matter. If you don’t approve, the life you gave me can be taken back.”
“You… you…” Emperor Yongle pointed at Qin Su, trembling with rage. He took a few steps forward, lost his breath, and collapsed.
“Your Majesty!”
“Father!”
Yong’an Palace was thrown into chaos.
When Empress Jin arrived, she saw bloodstains on the ground and Emperor Yongle lying in bed.
“Your Majesty is suffering from an attack of anger. Fortunately, His Majesty is generally in good health, so rest will suffice. However, he must be careful not to get so angry again.”
The imperial physician reported to Empress Jin and then looked at Qin Su sitting nearby. “However, Your Highness’s wounds need to be treated as soon as possible to avoid leaving lasting issues.”
“Your Highness?”
Empress Jin stood in front of Qin Su, and Qin Su opened her eyes.
“Greetings, Your Majesty.”
Qin Su’s head was still aching.
“His Majesty is fine now. Your Highness should first treat your wounds.”
Empress Jin knew what had just happened, but Qin Su always acted according to her plans and preferences, so it was not appropriate for others to intervene.
Qin Su agreed and was helped by Chi Shui to treat her wounds.
The atmosphere was silent and wordless. After returning from the side hall, Qin Su stood in front of Emperor Yongle’s door, staring blankly.
“Your Highness, why did you stop? Is your leg hurting?”
Chi Shui saw Qin Su stop and asked.
“Summon Hua Xi to the palace, and summon Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen to the palace.”
Given Emperor Yongle’s prior actions, Qin Su thought it was prudent to bring Hua Xi into the palace first.
“Your Highness, take it slow.”
Chi Shui worriedly looked at Qin Su, feeling there was no rush and it would be better to take their time.
“How much worse could it get?”
Qin Su was not one to be indecisive. Once she started something, she wouldn’t stop halfway.
Qin Su had made up her mind and wouldn’t change it. After entrusting Emperor Yongle to Empress Jin’s care, Qin Su headed to the imperial study, waiting for Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen to arrive.
After Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen arrived, Qin Su waved her hand and dismissed everyone else.
Chi Shui and others waited anxiously outside, while inside the imperial study, there was silence.
Qin Su watched Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen, who had remained silent since she finished speaking. She didn’t urge them and just waited.
“Is Your Highness speaking as a monarch to us as ministers?”
Prime Minister Shen never expected such an absurd matter. But now that he was in the study, Qin Su couldn’t be joking.
“Correct.”
Qin Su agreed, taking all the blame upon herself. Since her reputation was already tarnished, she might as well let Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen resent her to avoid involving Shen Yi.
“Does His Majesty know about this?”
Prime Minister Shen felt cold all over. Such treacherous and rebellious behavior, how could it be possible?
“Father already knows. No one can change the decisions I make.”
Qin Su only said Emperor Yongle was aware, without mentioning whether Emperor Yongle agreed. She managed to deceive Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen.
“I obey.”
Prime Minister Shen had served the emperor loyally all his life. Hearing Qin Su cite the distinction between ruler and subject, he felt immense pain but could only agree.
“Shen An…”
Madam Shen didn’t expect Prime Minister Shen to truly agree. She grabbed Prime Minister Shen’s sleeve, wanting to say something but was silenced by Prime Minister Shen.
Seeing the elderly couple forced into such a situation, Qin Su felt some compassion, but it was still better than causing them pain for the sake of their daughter.
“The elderly couple should go back and prepare. The imperial edict will arrive soon.”
Qin Su didn’t want to say more and had Chi Shui escort the elderly couple away.
“Your Highness, why go through this? If Miss Shen knew, she would surely be upset.”
After escorting Prime Minister Shen and Madam Shen away, Chi Shui returned to the imperial study to see Qin Su leaning on her hand, resting her eyes, frowning deeply, clearly exhausted.
“If I can bear it alone, why involve An Ping?” Qin Su stood up. “Go check on Father.”
As Qin Su spoke, she had just taken a step when the whole world seemed to spin, and Chi Shui exclaimed in alarm. In the next moment, Qin Su lost consciousness and everything went dark.
In Yong’an Palace, Emperor Yongle slowly woke up and exchanged a few words with Empress Jin. Suddenly remembering Qin Su, he grew irritated. “Where is Qin Zi Xun? Summon her to me! I must correct her headstrong nature!”
“Her Highness has been headstrong for quite some time, hasn’t she? Isn’t it all because of Your Majesty’s indulgence?”
Empress Jin held the medicine bowl, gently blew on it, and handed it to Emperor Yongle. She sighed and said, “Her Highness might not be able to come immediately. The imperial physicians have gone to her side, and we don’t know how she is.”
“What’s wrong with Zi Xun? Is it her leg? This child is going to infuriate me to death!”
Upon hearing Empress Jin’s words, Emperor Yongle tensed and stopped drinking the medicine, wanting to go check on her.
“Your Majesty, please drink the medicine first. It’s not her leg, but she suddenly fainted in the Imperial Study and lost consciousness. The imperial physicians haven’t reported back yet.”
Empress Jin restrained Emperor Yongle, saying, “Your Majesty can wait a bit longer. Her Highness has always been healthy; it shouldn’t be anything serious.”
Emperor Yongle was quite upset by Empress Jin’s words. “It’s precisely because Zi Xun has always been healthy, never even catching a cold, that her sudden fainting makes me worried.”
“What use is it for Your Majesty to go over? It could be a heart issue; does Your Majesty have a cure for it?”
Empress Jin looked at Emperor Yongle, almost saying it outright.
Emperor Yongle took a deep breath and downed the medicine. “Zi Xun is so headstrong, once she decides on something, she won’t be swayed. What happened…”
Emperor Yongle looked at Empress Jin midway through his speech. “How do you know what happened with Zi Xun? Have you known about this all along?”
“Your Majesty is well aware of Her Highness’s temperament; she never hides her interests. It might just be that Your Majesty, as a man, failed to notice.” Empress Jin took the empty medicine bowl from Emperor Yongle’s hand and passed it to a servant.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Emperor Yongle felt that Empress Jin was deliberately trying to upset him today.
“Tell what? Just my wild guesses, how could I dare to speak without evidence?”
Empress Jin’s confidence left Emperor Yongle speechless.
Emperor Yongle held a grudge against Empress Jin for a while, but she ignored him, and he lost his steam. “Alright then, have Miss Shen come to the palace and explain things to Zi Xun. Let Zi Xun give up on this matter.”
“Your Majesty thinks it’s easy,” Empress Jin replied calmly. “Her Highness’s temperament is such that she won’t heed others’ opinions once she wants something. If Miss Shen’s words had any sway, things wouldn’t have come to this; perhaps Miss Shen herself is being forced. Your Majesty should think about how to appease the Shen family.”
“Being forced? What grievances could the Shen family have? My Zi Xun is not unworthy of Miss Shen!”
Emperor Yongle couldn’t tolerate any negative words about Qin Su and contradicted Empress Jin.
Empress Jin gave Emperor Yongle a helpless look. “Only Your Majesty believes so under the heavens. But weren’t you just saying you wanted to correct Her Highness’s temperament?”
“I…”
Emperor Yongle choked on his words and, angered, huffed and said nothing.
Just then, a flustered young eunuch rushed in from outside. “Your Majesty! The princess’s old injury has flared up, she’s in critical condition!”
“What?!”
That startled Emperor Yongle, who hurried out without even putting on his outer robe. He slipped on his shoes and rushed out, with Eunuch Li carrying a large cloak running behind to dress Emperor Yongle. Empress Jin followed anxiously to Changle Palace.
Outside Changle Palace, people were rushing about, all looking flustered. Emperor Yongle was equally anxious and asked the first imperial physician he saw, “How could the old injury suddenly flare up?”
An imperial physician had just finished writing a prescription and asked someone to prepare the medicine. Upon hearing Emperor Yongle’s question, he quickly turned and saluted, replying, “Your Majesty, the princess fell into cold water, which triggered the old injury and caused a high fever. The delay in treating the injury and the subsequent blood loss and anxiety caused the old injury to flare up severely.”
“Zi Xun never mentioned this to me…”
Emperor Yongle felt unsteady and was immediately supported to sit down by Eunuch Li.
Empress Jin patted Emperor Yongle’s back. “Her Highness never complains about her troubles, never speaks of her injuries. On the battlefield, one faces death constantly.”
“Is Zi Xun’s life in danger?”
Emperor Yongle now cared about nothing else, his mind only on Qin Su’s well-being.
“Uncertain. The divine physician from Zhengyang Palace is inside. Whether Her Highness can pull through depends on tonight.”
The imperial physician saluted and took his leave to oversee the preparation of the medicine.
“It has come to this…” Emperor Yongle was full of regret as he stared at the closed doors. “If Zi Xun makes it through, I will go along with whatever she wants, no matter how outrageous.”
“Let’s hope so.”
Empress Jin was also full of worry. “Since Your Majesty has agreed to this, why not have Miss Shen brought into the palace? People often say that those who have a loved one on their mind are reluctant to leave. If Her Highness meets Miss Shen, she might be happier.”
“Nonsense!” Emperor Yongle glared at Empress Jin. “Zi Xun will be fine. I refuse to believe she wouldn’t care about me!”
“Yes, Your Majesty is right.”
Empress Jin sat aside and remained silent.
Emperor Yongle was upset for a while and said, “Why haven’t you summoned that Shen family girl over here yet?”
Empress Jin: …
She glanced at Emperor Yongle and had to remind herself to control her emotions. She sent someone to summon her.
In Qin Su’s sleeping quarters, Qin Su lay quietly on the bed, wrapped up like a dumpling with gauze. Hua Xi, who was by her side, could only kneel by the bed and pray to the gods.
“Qin Su, open your eyes! If I can’t cure you, I’ll lose my head. For the sake of my life, you can’t just let go like this. Please wake up! I bet my entire future marriage; if you can wake up, I, Hua Xi, will remain unmarried for the rest of my life.”
—
When Shen Yi entered the palace and approached Changle Palace, she still didn’t know what had happened. After paying respects to Emperor Yongle and Empress Jin, the Emperor didn’t acknowledge her, but Empress Jin allowed someone to lead Shen Yi inside.
When Shen Yi entered, she saw Qin Su on the bed, still unconscious, and Hua Xi by her side constantly checking Qin Su’s pulse.
“What… what happened?”
Shen Yi was overwhelmed with fear, and her legs felt weak as she walked toward Qin Su.
“Miss Shen…”
Hua Xi explained Qin Su’s injuries to Shen Yi. “The princess was too stubborn. She took this serious injury lightly; it nearly cost her her life at the time. She didn’t pay much attention to it, but after all this time, it has caught up with her.”
Shen Yi leaned beside Qin Su’s bed, feeling the world around her blur. She gently traced Qin Su’s brow, unable to comprehend how someone so full of life just days ago had ended up in that state.
Seeing that Shen Yi was struggling to accept the situation, Hua Xi stopped speaking and just gave a brief reminder. “I have cleaned the princess’s wound again. If she doesn’t develop a fever tonight, she should be fine. If she does, it’ll be up to fate.”
As the sun set, everyone stayed in Changle Palace. It was going to be a sleepless night.
Qin Su felt like she had been dreaming for a long time. The dream was so long that she thought she had been given another life. She dreamt of endless bloodshed, countless cries of anguish, and plumes of smoke filling every corner of Da Yong’s floating bridge. She dreamt of her legendary sword losing its edge, of her thousand-mile divine steed Hongyun collapsing from exhaustion, of her hands covered in endless blood, and of heads hanging from the walls of Shengjing City.
The heads of Qin Yan, Qin Hao, Qin Heng, Qin Huan, Qin Jing, Qin Yun, Qin Wen, Qin Jun, and Qin Yu were displayed in the center, while civil and military officials’ heads were placed on both sides. The fleeing citizens were covered in blood as they ran out of the city, like a scene from hell.
Qin Su saw herself wearing a dragon robe, standing on the city wall, smiling as she threw someone off the wall. The white skirt fluttered, and the person met Qin Su’s gaze—it was Shen Yi.
Qin Su watched the gruesome scene, but she felt numb, like a puppet. She was trapped in that hellish place, lost in darkness, with no escape.
“Xun’er!”
“Qin Su!”
“Zi Xun!”
“Your Highness!”
Voices echoed from all directions, trying to wake Qin Su. She stumbled to her feet, looking around, but couldn’t see anyone. The voices were familiar to her, but she couldn’t remember who they were.
Qin Su didn’t know where to go; she just walked through the ruined streets of Shengjing City, her eyes numb as she looked around. She didn’t know how long she followed those voices until she blinked, opened her eyes, and found herself standing in the grand hall.
On the dragon throne in the Jinlin Hall, she saw another version of herself, wearing a blood-stained dragon robe and sitting on the throne. The entire hall was filled with blood, and civil and military officials stood in silence. When Qin Su stepped in, everyone turned to look at her. She saw that everyone was either riddled with blood holes or had exposed bones in their necks, with blood flowing freely.
Everyone’s bodies were gray and decayed; they stared at Qin Su like malevolent ghosts from hell.
Without any hesitation, Qin Su walked towards the dragon throne, coming face to face with herself.
Past midnight, Shen Yi and others stood by Qin Su’s bed, Hua Xi’s hand trembling as she checked Qin Su’s pulse.
Qin Su had been running a fever all night, and her forehead remained scorching hot. Numerous basins of cold water had been brought in and out of Changle Palace, but there were no signs of Qin Su’s fever subsiding; instead, her pulse grew weaker and weaker.
“She’s awake!”
When Hua Xi’s hand touched Qin Su’s wrist, someone in the crowd shouted. Qin Su opened her eyes.
“Xun’er?!”
Emperor Yongle stood by Qin Su’s bedside, calling out to her anxiously. But Qin Su’s eyes remained empty. Before Emperor Yongle could call out again, Qin Su closed her eyes once more, leaving everyone in a frenzy.
Hua Xi took a deep breath, calming her heart that was about to burst out of her chest. She checked Qin Su’s pulse again. “She’s stabilized…”
Hua Xi collapsed beside Qin Su, feeling as if the weight on her shoulders had been lifted. “She’s stabilized!”
As the morning sun rose, Qin Su’s bedside was filled with people who had fallen asleep in various positions. When Qin Su opened her eyes, the scene startled her.
Shen Yi was leaning beside the bed, her head resting on her arms. Qin Su reached out to rub Shen Yi’s head, then kicked Hua Xi, who was asleep at the foot of the bed.
Hua Xi had just laid down and groggily got up. “What’s going on?”
“What’s going on here?” Qin Su looked at Emperor Yongle, who had fallen asleep sitting up, and Empress Jin and others who were dozing off at the table, and asked Hua Xi.
“You’re awake?” Hua Xi was still not fully awake and rubbed her eyes to look at Qin Su. Her sluggish mind finally registered, and her movements froze. Her drowsiness vanished, and she opened her eyes wide in surprise. “You’re awake!!”
The exclamation startled everyone in the room.
Amid the commotion, Qin Su finally understood the sequence of events and shook her head with a helpless smile. “You all are making too much of a fuss over nothing.”
…
As soon as Qin Su said that, the room fell silent. Everyone looked at Qin Su with a hint of displeasure.
Realizing she might have said something wrong, Qin Su blinked and wisely kept her mouth shut.
Everyone started to disperse; after all, Emperor Yongle had just fainted from anger and hadn’t slept all night, so he was escorted to rest first. Eventually, only Qin Su, Shen Yi, and Hua Xi remained in the room.
Hua Xi repeatedly checked Qin Su’s pulse, confirming that she was fine. She stretched and yawned. “I’m exhausted; I need to rest too.”
After Hua Xi left, only Shen Yi remained at Qin Su’s bedside.
Qin Su raised her hand, and Shen Yi carefully avoided Qin Su’s wound, resting her head against Qin Su.
“Were you frightened?”
Qin Su gently stroked Shen Yi’s back. The unexpected event had taken her by surprise. She initially only felt a slight pain and didn’t take it seriously but had no idea she had nearly lost her life.
Listening to Qin Su’s heartbeat, Shen Yi wiped away her tears on Qin Su’s clothes. “I was ready to follow you.”
Qin Su’s heart felt heavy and sunk.
“There won’t be a next time. I promise to be with you. We both need to live long and prosper.”
Qin Su, who had spent her life on the edge of a blade, felt fear for the first time. She tightly held Shen Yi in her arms. With her and An Ping’s wedding approaching, Qin Su couldn’t imagine how she would feel if she died at that moment.
Shen Yi hid her face in Qin Su’s clothes, muffling her voice as she answered. Qin Su could even feel Shen Yi’s tears seeping through her clothes, burning her skin.
Qin Su lifted Shen Yi’s face, smiling as she kissed Shen Yi’s red eyes. “An Ping is beautiful even when she cries.”
After the life-and-death ordeal, there were some benefits for Qin Su, such as Emperor Yongle finally relaxing his stance.
This is a fan translation, the novel does not belong to me. Support the author by donating to the site linked on the synopsis page. You can also donate to me if you appreciate my work and help get the funds to donate to the authors. I would also appreciate it if you left a comment!
Baihe Tales 