Chapter 200 - Do You Still Remember?
The king of Yijun stood there like a rock. He wasn't very intelligent. Speaking about people capable of government affairs, he was the worst among everyone present.
Everything Xie Lianzhen said was clear and logical, and he had nothing to say in response.
Right at this moment, Ding Qingqing sneered. "Young Master indeed talks fancily. One or two sagacious prime ministers - how easy would that be? We should be happy if we could get even one after three generations. Does Young Master think that choosing sagacious prime ministers is the same as choosing fruits in the market?"
"Emissary Ding, don't look down on the heroes of this world!" Xie Lianzhen slowly replied. "I've mentioned it just now; it's possible since the queen has already tidied everything up perfectly. They only need to go by the book, and nothing will go wrong for the next few years. As for sagacious prime ministers, they don't need much talent, they only need to put morality first and be virtuous. There are so many disciples in the School of Mingde, so how could they not pick out a few? Just take yourself, Emissary Ding, as an example. How many smart students did you step on back then? They may not be as scheming as you, but as for other characteristics, they may be better than you, who knows?"
"Young Master, you're thinking that way because you look down on me. If any random smart student could be a sagacious prime minister, then we would already have a bunch!" Ding Qingqing shouted. "King Shi, don't listen to his nonsense. We can't turn back now!"
Lu Mingshu looked at the situation silently. Even though it was the King of Yijun who brainwashed Ding Qingqing into doing this, it's Ding Qingqing who's more unwavering at the crucial point. She can clearly tell that what's done is done. Even if they stop midway, the queen won't let them off. If they just finish it now, they may still have a chance. As long as the King still takes him as a brother, he may be able to make a comeback.
"You're right." Hearing her, the king of Yijun came to see the truth.
"Haish!"
"Why are you sighing?" He planned to ignore it, but he couldn't help asking when he heard Xie Lianzhen sighing.
"Such a pity."
"What's a pity?"
"I pity Jiayan. She won't live a good life from today onward."
The king of Yijun stared at him coldly. "I'm only putting up with you because of Jiayan. You best not cross the line!"
Xie Lianzhen smiled thinly. "King Shi, you should take note. She may be headstrong, but there's still a future for her. Now, because of you, it's all ruined. You thought that you'd win, but did you even think about what would happen if you lost? How will Jiayan survive on her own? I'm afraid that neither the royal family nor the Seventh Truth Platform will shelter her any longer."
"King Shi, don't listen to his nonsense," Ding Qingqing said. "If you can take control, people will only respect State Master more, but if you concede defeat now, his words will be the State Master's fate! This kind of thing… either we do it all the way or not at all."
Seeing the firmness in the king of Yijun's eyes, Xie Lianzhen shook his head. It wasn't hard to get him to do whatever he wanted with his words, but with Ding Qingqing here, it was hard. Even though she was currently muddle-headed, her intelligence still remained.
That's all he could do. Hopefully…
"King Shi, do it quickly!" Ding Qingqing shouted. "His Majesty could escape at any time, and the Seventh Truth Platform elders…! The longer we take, the more unfavorable it is."
The king of Yijun nodded and took up his sword.
Xie Lianzhen grabbed his armrest more tightly, and Lu Mingshu placed her hand on her sword hilt.
Ding Qingqing turned over to stare at them, smiling coldly. If they dare to do something, they'll die too.
The king of Yijun growled, and the sword-light slashed down.
Ding~~~~!
In the blink of an eye, the situation changed.
The rays of light binding the queen suddenly lit up and broke. A ray of sword-light dashed forward.
The ray of sword-light broke the king of Yijun's sword. Even after doing so, it didn't stop; it continued straight toward the king of Yijun. In this critical situation, the king of Yijun tried to dodge at all costs.
"King Shi!" Ding Qingqing's eyes widened in shock. She abandoned Lu Mingshu and Xie Lianzhen, dashing forward to save the king of Yijun.
However, the ray of sword-light was more powerful than she could imagine. It had an irresistible force as it dashed forward. With a Clank!, it dashed through a tree and finally stopped.
The king of Yijun sat on the floor, and he heard the sound of the tree trunk falling beside him. He touched his head, only to realize that half of his crown was gone, and his hair was now loose, draping down his shoulders.
He couldn't breathe properly, and cold sweat was running down his face. His heart was still racing. A bit… just a bit more, and my head would be the thing cut in half.
"Do you both really think that I would be completely defenseless?" The queen rubbed her wrist, which was bruised from the binding. She exhaled, and the sword on the ground returned to her hand.
"That's impossible!" Ding Qingqing looked at the queen in disbelief. She was the queen's personal servant, so she knew the queen like the back of her hand. There was no such thing in the past!
Ding Qingqing thought for a while, and she suddenly shouted in surprise. "You were on guard against me from the beginning!"
The queen sighed. "Qingqing, do you think you're my only informant? Because you've been in a position of power for too long, have you forgotten the fear and trepidation you used to face? What makes you think I was unaware of you and the king of Yijun having a clandestine love affair in the palace?"
"I gave you a chance. It's okay to seek pleasure with him, but you shouldn't have become a love-struck idiot and done such things with him! Do you even know how capable the king of Yijun is? Fucking blind moron, you're such a disappointment!"
Ding Qingqing bit her lips. She was extremely unresigned.
"You already knew that we were going to set a trap at this time?"
"I didn't," the queen said softly. "But since I dared to let you stay beside me, I was more than prepared for anything."
After a long silence, Ding Qingqing started, "I have nothing to say, I'm not as skillful as you."
The queen walked to her slowly and looked at her. "Why would you do this? Would the taste of love really send your spirit and soul upside down? With your intelligence, don't you feel wronged to be together with a useless guy like him?"
"Isn't Your Highness the one who knows the answer better than me? After so many years, despite everything that the king gave you, and even after you had the little prince, the most important thing in Your Highness's heart is still the man who died at the Yin Mountains!"
Lu Mingshu saw Xie Lianzhen tightening his fist. His veins had already popped out.
The man who died at the Yin Mountains… is that his father?
"Do you dare to say that you wouldn't give up everything you have now and go with him if he ever comes back? I'm sick and tired of this ice-cold royal life. All I wish for now is a hug… to feel some warmth."
"Indeed touching," the queen said coldly. "I think the thing that you're sick and tired of is being under someone else's control, right? Greed is not a sin, but lying to yourself is so lamentable."
"Heh." Ding Qingqing smiled gloomily. "Your Highness is right; I'm greedy. I want both love and power. Humans have endless greed. When I was poor, all I hoped for was to get into the School of Mingde. After I got selected into Mingde, I wished to get into the palace. After that, I wanted to be the best female official. After I got the highest position of what a female official could be…"
"You wished for unlimited power," the queen said softly. "Qingqing, I have always told you that having desires is not a bad thing, but you can't let them control your life. You must always have your original intention in mind. Such a pity that you have forgotten it all."
"What about Your Highness? Do you still remember your original intention?" Ding Qingqing looked up at her. "Leading a royal life and having the whole world in your palms… do you still remember why you became the queen of Zhongzhou?"
Chapter 201 - Future
Do you still remember why you became the queen of Zhongzhou?
The queen replied, "Qingqing, what do you plan to do with this question? Plant a thorn in the King's heart, or to make me feel guilty?" She stared at Ding Qingqing, the pity once in her eyes gone. "Psychological attacks are not always useful against everyone. You think too highly of yourself."
The queen took out an item and threw it in the air.
Huge fireworks burst forth in the air, forming a ball before shooting away.
After a short period of time, rumbling could be heard from their surroundings. The barrier was breaking down.
Lu Mingshu's eyes widened in surprise. She had a totally new opinion of the queen.
Watching the barrier breaking down, she saw that, even though the queen wasn't aware of when the king of Yijun would take action, she was well-prepared since the start.
Both of them were absolutely no match for her.
There was also no chance of them turning over a new leaf.
The king of Yijun sat by the tree trunk with disheveled hair, looking into space lifelessly.
He didn't even spare Ding Qingqing a glace.
Ding Qingqing felt bitter and astringent. She laughed at herself in pain.
As soon as she finished laughing, she shot out a ray of light, going toward Xie Lianzhen.
Her actions were too secretive, and there wasn't even any killing intent. Even the queen couldn't react in time.
"Xing'er…!"
Suddenly, a sword-light shot toward them. Lu Mingshu dodged, creating a ray of sword-light and defending Xie Lianzhen.
However, this was Ding Qingqing's absolute attack, and she was a realm lower. How could she be able to block this attack?
Pop! The sword-light shield lit up and disappeared.
Lu Mingshu felt pain in her chest, and everything around her seemed to turn gray.
Xie Lianzhen opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't speak, as if his brain had exploded.
He watched her drop to the ground, watched blood flowing out of her chest, just watched….
Xie Lianzhen could remember what happened afterwards. He vaguely remembered how the queen lost her mind in fear.
Actually, the queen does love me! It's such a good feeling, that somebody cares about me, misses me. I'm not all alone by myself as if the whole world has abandoned me.
Tan Yubing just finished packing her luggage. She stood at the door, hesitating.
"What's wrong, Senior Aunt Tan?" Shao Zhengyang saw her standing there and came to ask.
Tan Yubing sighed. "Junior Nephew Shao, do you think we should head to the main palace?"
"Erm… weren't we just sent back from there?" Shao Zhengyang hesitated.
"But we're leaving soon. I can't rest easily if I don't get to see her."
"Yeah." Shao Zhengyang nodded. "I don't even know how to explain to Senior Uncle Liu!"
They wanted to go and take a look, but the main palace wouldn't budge a bit from their rules, so both of them were now in a dilemma.
Finally, Tan Yubing made up her mind. "Let's go take a look. Even if they block us again, at least we went."
"Yeah…."
Both of them once again went to the main palace and requested that the imperial bodyguard help them make a request to meet Lu Mingshu. While they were doing so, a servant girl came out.
"Eh? Are both of you guests from Nine Jade Palace?" The servant girl smiled.
Tan Yubing immediately went up to her. "Indeed. Miss is…?"
"This servant is now attending to Miss Lu." She then took out a letter. "I assume that you're Miss Tan?"
"Yes."
"Miss Lu asked this servant to pass this letter to Miss Tan and convey a message to you."
Tan Yubing took the letter. Seeing the words "For dearest master," she knew that it was for Liu Jizhen.
"Please speak, Miss."
"Miss Lu said, 'I'll need to trouble Senior Aunt Tan to pass this to my master, for him to at least be at ease. Secondly, Senior Aunt Tan need not to worry. I'm fine.'"
The servant girl mimicked how Lu Mingshu spoke. The 80% similarity made Tan Yubing laugh. "Sorry to trouble Miss. Please tell her that I'll pass the message to her master on her behalf, and rest well and be at ease." After pondering for a while, she put a piece of jade in the servant girl's hand. "Junior Niece Lu has nobody here in Zhongzhou. Please take care of her well, Miss."
The servant girl smiled and gave it back to Tan Yubing. "Please be at ease Miss Tan, the queen has already given me instructions. This servant will be sure to serve her well. If I do well, the queen will reward me."
Tan Yubing saw that she wouldn't take the jade, so she roughly knew what was going on. This should be the queen's workers' principal? She stopped insisting.
At noon, the various sects left the Flying Imperial Palace with their disciples.
This marked the end of the Qilin Festival. The Flying Imperial Palace that was bustling with life quieted down quickly.
The servant girl who came to pass a message to Tan Yubing walked back to the palace.
In the Flying Imperial Palace, decorated with flowers and trees, a conversation could be faintly heard from the servant's corridor.
"Older sister, I heard that you have been posted at the queen's side? You really do have great fortune!" The voice was filled with envy.
"Younger sister has good fortune too!" The second voice laughed. "Serving Miss Lu will bring you a great future."
"How could I compare to elder sister? I heard that Emissary Ding has been transferred away. If elder sister does a good job, you may…"
"There are so many talents around Her Highness, how would I get the chance?" she said modestly. "Contrariwise, it's a good opportunity for younger sister, seize the chance!"
"Elder sister is being too polite. Miss Lu…. No matter how good I do, I'll need to leave the palace too, haish!"
"What's bad about leaving the palace?" the elder servant girl said. "To be honest, if Miss Lu leaves the palace, it will still be a good future for you. Please do not have the idea of slacking off."
"Elder sister is too flattering…." It was obvious that the younger servant didn't believe her words.
"I'm not joking around with you," the other said in a serious tone. "Think about it; she saved Young Master's life! Even if she commits a crime in the future, Her Highness will surely defend her. Because of Young Master, as long Her Highness is here, Lu Mingshu can do whatever she wants. Staying beside her will guarantee you a good life."
"That's what you say, but Young Master's condition seems to have worsened, right? Miss Lu's only injured, but it has been days and there still isn't any news about Young Master. "
"Shh!" The elder servant warned her seriously. "Don't talk nonsense! Young Master is just tired and went back to the Seventh Truth Platform first."
"Elder sister, we are only talking privately. It's not like I'm going to tell any others, so it doesn't matter. Tell me the truth, what illness is Young Master down with? He's in this situation, and Miss Lu's future… haish. If I was her, I wouldn't wish to exchange the queen's view of me for that…." It was unknown from her tone whether she was envious or taking joy in calamity.
The elder servant girl pulled the vines that were hanging. "Xiangcao, just say it if you don't wish to serve Miss Lu."
The little servant girl jumped in shock and kneeled immediately. "Have mercy on me, elder sister! Younger sister dares not shoot my mouth off again!"
The servant girl groaned. "If you don't want to live, it's fine, but don't drag others down with you too," she said, ignoring the other's apology and leaving quickly.
At the side hall, Lu Mingshu was already awake. She leaned against the headboard and looked at the flowers blooming in the courtyard in silence.
"Miss Lu." The servant girl bowed. "Your letter has been passed to Miss Tan."
TLs note: A new start for Lu Mingshu! What will happen next? :3
Chapter 202 - Won't Keep You Any Further
"Got it," Lu Mingshu answered unenthusiastically.
The servant girl kept quiet and rearranged the cushion.
"No need for the trouble," Lu Mingshu said. "Go ahead with your chores, I'll rest on my own." She proceeded to stand up.
"Let this servant help Miss up."
Lu Mingshu waved her head. "It's just a minor injury. During the competition, I had to fight with an injury too. I'm not that pampered."
She lifted up her blanket and got down the bed. The servant girl hurried over, draping a jacket on Lu Mingshu shoulder and helping her comb her hair.
She saw Lu Mingshu sit down beside the window and checked that everything was fine, then left with ease.
Seeing the servant's girl cautious attitude, Lu Mingshu somewhat felt like laughing. Does she think that I'm a porcelain doll?
The fragrance of flowers came through the courtyard to the room. She closed her eyes and inhaled the smell.
When she opened her eyes, someone had entered the room.
A deep blue gown, reflecting a bright and clean face under the sunlight like jade.
Xie Zhanghui slowly pushed the wheelchair closer, stopped it in front of the window, and left. The servants who were nearby had all left.
"Are you okay?" Surprisingly, Lu Mingshu was the one who started the conversation. She spoke in monotone; not too intimate nor estranged.
Xie Lianzhen smiled. He reached out and grabbed a flower, handing it to her. "I'm fine now. You?"
"I was fine to start with."
Lu Mingshu took the flower and fiddled with it.
"When are you planning to leave?"
Lu Mingshu looked up at him.
Her ice-cold eyes seemed gentle paired with the beautiful flower.
Xie Lianzhen looked back at her. "I prepared something for you," he said softly.
Lu Mingshu continued to stare at him even though they were separated by the window.
"Are you happy now?" Xie Lianzhen smiled.
Lu Mingshu nodded.
"Will you come to Zhongzhou again?"
"If I have the chance," she said.
"Okay."
Neither of them continued the conversation.
A distinct whistle could be heard from the sky. Both of them looked up to see the Nine Jade Palace's emerald-colored vehicle flying past their head, sending wave-like patterns across the sky.
After it could no longer be seen, Xie Lianzhen looked down and sighed.
"I'll get going."
"Mmm."
"I'll be going into seclusion after this, so I won't send you off. I'll get them to pass you the things I prepared."
"Okay."
Xie Lianzhen smiled thinly. "You're still not willing to talk much even now, huh?"
Lu Mingshu pondered for a while before starting. "…I don't know what to say."
This made him smile.
He held out his hand as if he wanted to have a handshake with her, but he held back and put it down.
"I'll get going."
"Okay."
"Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Lu Mingshu watched him leave silently, slowly disappearing from her sight. She looked down at the flower in her hand and sighed. She then entered the Heavenly Wheel.
The six-colored streamers surrounded her. The Heavenly Wheel was still as peaceful as ever.
She placed the flower on the ground and leaned on the tree.
"Xiao Sang."
"Here."
"Were you ever a human?"
For the first time ever, Xiao Sang didn't give her an answer.
But Lu Mingshu didn't mind. She just wanted to have a chat.
She bent her legs and fished out a thin, dark green disk.
"It's quite troublesome to be a human!" She liked talking to Xiao Sang, perhaps because it was like talking to herself. "I wanted to end this righteously and formally, but who knew I would get it in this way."
Ding Qingqing had still been in good condition. With her intuition, Lu Mingshu decided to fix her attention on Ding Qingqing, so when Ding Qingqing tried to attack Xie Lianzhen, Lu Mingshu saw everything.
She didn't know that a human could react so quickly. It was so fast that she almost couldn't keep up with herself as she activated her spiritual tool and took the attack for Xie Lianzhen.
It looked scary, but in fact, Ding Qingqing's attack didn't injure her that badly. The shock she received was just too overpowering, which was why she fainted.
"I used to hate him. The people who tried to stop me during the challenger's fight were either him or the queen. Even though he did help me out, I hated feeling like I was prey!"
She loathed the Nine Jade Palace because it was a place filled with rules and regulations that had to be followed strictly. The Zhou Family or the elders, they were all playing a game called "power." They had high positions and took pleasure in the game. One had to follow their rules closely; fairness and freedom didn't exist there.
Someone like Xie Lianzhen, who was just as engrossed in that game, why wouldn't she loathe him?
But…
"Why would he… do that for me?"
Before she fainted, she heard him screaming like a wounded beast, pouncing on Ding Qingqing like he wanted to take her down with him.
Twelve years - his legs recovered twelve years ago, and he had never once stood up. However, he did it that day.
He was aware that Ding Qingqing was in the Spirit Realm, having higher cultivation than him. What he did was like digging his own grave.
Why would he do such things after constantly toying around with me?
She had never taken his courting seriously, and he only longed for Lu Mingshu due to curiosity. But now…
"You're afraid of someone else's sincerity?"
"I guess?" Lu Mingshu smiled. "Such a fickle person like me isn't fit to take someone's feelings for me. I'll feel guilty."
"You pity him?"
"Nope." Lu Mingshu shook her head. "He forced me into that position. I was just helping myself out."
For a long time, she always hoped that she would gain enough bargaining chips to move the queen and stand a chance of speaking for herself. She didn't wish to scheme against others and use their feelings to accomplish her goal. It would just become an addiction.
Xie Lianzhen knew this well, yet he left her with no choice but to act like that. If it wasn't for this incident, she may have needed a long time to win her war.
Not that it would've been a difficult task. She already had Xie Lianzhen's weakness, all she needed was the right time.
Ding Qingqing's rebellion simply gave her a chance to get out earlier and see another side of Xie Lianzhen.
"I… do not have a heart of stone. Somebody put me above their own life. I should be touched."
Finishing, Lu Mingshu mocked herself. "This also counts as using other's feelings, huh? I shouldn't do this in the future."
Half a month passed, and Lu Mingshu went to bid the queen goodbye.
The queen had already recovered from the betrayal, and she was in glowing spirits.
The king of Yijun was imprisoned in the Seventh Truth Platform, and Ding Qingqing lost her place as an emissary and was sent to accompany him. Perhaps it was with evil intentions, or perhaps the queen gave them her blessings.
For this matter, the king of Zhongzhou respected the queen's decision totally.
"Not staying for a little longer?" The queen hummed as if she had never forced Lu Mingshu to stay.
Lu Mingshu shook her head. "No. I'll become lazy if I stay for too long."
The queen nodded. "Since you have already made up your mind, I won't keep you any further. Shan, send her off for me."
Xiahou Shan came out. "Okay."