The document is clear to the world

Chapter 74

My hand was pulled from behind; the hand was so rough, it hurt. I turned around and stared blankly at him. When had he come to me? He grabbed my hand and forcibly pulled me away. I held my internal energy and stood firm. He frowned, his eyes turning colder. He put an arm around my waist and pulled me to his side. I breathed a sigh of relief in surprise, my feet slipping. He led me straight down the steps of the hall, ignoring everyone around us. I pressed my face against his chest, and the tears I had been holding back for so long slid down his chest. No one reacted in time. The only one who did react, Lu Li, remained silent, letting us walk away as if no one else was there…

I suddenly really want to see his expression.

We sat by the flower bed in Yangchi Palace, and it was unusually quiet, just the two of us.

"Why are you stopping our plans?" His voice remained cold.

"No matter who you are, I don't want to see you die in front of me again." I sighed. "Even more, I don't want—life to be lost."

“That doesn’t warrant doing this.” His expression softened slightly, though it remained stiff. “If I hadn’t acted before you, you probably would have—”

I smiled and said, "I know—you won't let me die easily. Even if I do die, many of you will still be alive, and that will be worth it."

"You actually thought of the whole world..." he sighed.

I froze for a moment. "Someone taught me about 'the world'."

The moonlight was cold and clear. He stared intently at me, but something stirred deep within his eyes. I felt a profound stillness all around me; a few magnolia trees stood nearby, and when the wind occasionally blew, I could almost clearly hear the orchids falling to the ground.

“Go back to Liao. Lu Hong won’t let the empire he’s about to seize fall into your hands. No one can touch what’s his. If you don’t leave now, you might really be stuck. Leave while Lu Li still has the power.”

I hurried past the imperial physician as we passed through the Imperial Garden, heading towards Lu Li's bedchamber. I followed, only to notice a faint glow beneath my feet. Crouching down, I realized it was blood. The bloodstains stretched from Shangyang Palace all the way to Chaoyang Palace. Was there an assassin? I quickened my pace. For whom did my heart race? The doors of Chaoyang Palace were wide open, the bloodstains extending into the palace… I hid in the shadows, peering inside.

"The imperial physicians are all waiting in the outer room." It was Xiao Si's panicked voice.

"Don't alert any outsiders—" Lu Li's voice was very weak, "Close the palace doors tightly for me."

“Master, I told you that it was poison, and you should have used less of it, but why wouldn’t you listen?”

"Hurry up and go." He coughed suddenly, spitting out a mouthful of black blood... He had been poisoned. In the main hall, he had been suppressing a laugh the whole time.

He realized the Liao Kingdom's plan, so he risked his life by being poisoned along with Yelü, so as not to implicate the relations between the two countries or endanger the country.

I walked into the hall step by step, and stood before him. From his blood-stained hair to his pale, cracked lips, his coughing, trembling chest, and his tightly clenched hands, I took it all in.

"What's wrong with you?" My voice was trembling. I knew he was poisoned, so why did I still ask him...?

He propped himself up with one hand and gripped my shoulder tightly. "Are you—have you gone mad today?"

I was taken aback, staring at him in bewilderment...

"You knew the Khan had drugged himself, didn't you—" He gripped my shoulder so tightly it hurt, I felt like my bones were about to break. "You knew perfectly well, so why didn't you run far away? Why did you insist on stealing the wine? Why did you insist on testing it yourself? Do you—want to die?"

“Then tell me what I can do—” My voice was still trembling, “If I expose him, will you let him go? If I don’t stop him, he will die, and the world will be in chaos—you taught me about the world—so what else can I do?”

His face was contorted with pain, and his voice was hoarse. “You don’t need to step forward. I will handle it—the world remains as stable as a rock.”

"What kind of solution is this, to fight to the death with them? Do you think the Liao people will give up if you die with them? Can you really sacrifice yourself to save the world? You are a human being—not a god."

He coughed softly, and a mouthful of bright red blood gushed out...

I turned around, and his voice, laced with gasps, said, "If you can't even control your own woman, how can you govern the world! No matter who you are or who you are, right now—you're still my woman, and I have the right to care whether you live or die. Unless—"

I gritted my teeth, unless something—

“Unless I’m dead—” There was no anger, no sadness, it was said seemingly casually, in a light tone, just like his style.

Chapter Thirty-Four: Return

Chaoyang Palace... bathed in light...

He was still sitting at his desk writing something when his hand suddenly trembled, his shoulders relaxed slightly, and a mouthful of blood fell onto the paper.

The crimson bloodstains spread rapidly on the snow-white Xuan paper. Unlike the purplish-black bruises in the basin that had been brought out earlier, this blood was a pure red, as bright and beautiful as cinnabar.

He coughed lightly, clutching a handkerchief to his lips. He crumpled up a handful of blood-stained Xuan paper from the table and tossed it into the basket next to the small table, where a pile of waste paper had accumulated. I went over, poured some tea, and handed it to him. He took it with his head down, drank a couple of sips, and then tried to bring me the blood-stained handkerchief as well.

When he looked up and saw it was me, he was taken aback. He simply handed the tea back and hid the handkerchief in his sleeve with one hand.

"Give it to me," I sighed softly.

He frowned slightly and didn't say anything. I snatched the handkerchief, turned my back, and vigorously scrubbed it in the basin of water beside me.

"I'm fine..." he said, suppressing a cough, his voice low.

"I'm not worried about you," I said, pursing my lips.

I hung the washed handkerchief to dry by the brazier, then turned to see him staring blankly at me, a faint trace of blood still clinging to the corner of his mouth. I shook my head, walked over, and gently wiped his mouth with my own handkerchief, my voice indifferent, "Who are you trying to fool with this act?"

"It will get dirty..." He didn't seem to care about what I said, as if he knew that some of my words could be ignored without thinking.

"What are you afraid of? You can just give me a few more when you come back, right?" I rolled my eyes at him.

He smiled slightly. "...Why did you come?"

“If you don’t care about seeing me, I’ll leave now and have someone else line up eagerly waiting to serve you.” I deliberately turned around. He quickly got up and blocked my way with one hand. He smiled at me somewhat awkwardly.

"I mean, shouldn't you be sending the Liao envoys out of the capital at this time?"

I pressed him down into the chair. We turned a corner. "Does this make you so worried about whether I send it or not? I'm just here to make sure you're dead. Then I'll snatch the child back."

"You still have our daughter in your heart?" Lu Li shook his head with a smile.

I was about to ask him what the hidden meaning in his words was when I saw Xiao Si stride in with a sealed military report. Lu Li's gaze sharpened instantly, and before Xiao Si could reach him, he went around the desk to meet him and ripped open the seal. The hall was so quiet that only my own breathing could be heard. The way he focused on the report was the air of a monarch. I stepped aside and sat down, poured myself some tea, and watched his reaction. Sure enough, after reading the report, he seemed relieved and waved for Xiao Si to leave. He put the report back on the desk, walked around the hall, and sat down next to me. His expression towards me was much more pleasing.

"Stop." I quickly interrupted him. "Don't try that. I don't have that kind of heart. I don't understand why Lu Hong insists on getting involved in this mess."

"You came to Chaoyang Palace today just to tell me this, didn't you?" He did change his tone. "Second Brother personally led a large army to meet the Liao army, and the Liao army withdrew."

I picked up a piece of tea and put it in my mouth. "Lu Hong hadn't even set up camp on the border when they withdrew their troops. I told you the Liao army isn't easily intimidated."

"I will remember your kindness, Second Brother."

I clapped my hands. "Now, your royal father should be able to return to the palace, and the storm has passed."

"It'll be over in the next day or two." He nodded and even poured me some tea himself. "However, I can't avoid this battle with my second brother."

I took several sips before finally peeking out of the teacup and said, "Do you really think that Commander Yao alone can turn the tide?"

"It's Fourth Brother. This time, Fourth Brother will be in charge."

I found the tea bitter and astringent, so I avoided the topic, knowing in my heart that it must have been my fourth brother who had asked for it. He didn't say anything more, got up, went to the desk, and handed me a roster.

"What?" I took it and looked at the roster; it was actually my jade disc.

"Let's go back to the manor together tomorrow." Lu Li calmly took a sip of tea. "When the Emperor returns, will you still be able to stay in the palace?"

Playing with the booklet in my hand, I laughed, "From the legitimate wife to a concubine, my status has really plummeted."

"These days won't last much longer, will they?"

He remained calm and composed. I looked up at him, but suddenly felt I didn't understand him anymore. Knowing full well we couldn't travel together, why did he insist on keeping me by his side? Was it premeditated, or did he have another reason?

The Emperor arrived in the capital in May. He left quietly, only to return just as quietly, leaving the officials puzzled yet不敢随口议 (不敢随口议 means "dared not discuss it casually"). Lu Li returned home the night before the Emperor went back to the palace. In the carriage, it was just the two of us. We were already familiar with the scenery along the way. I secretly looked at his thoughtful face and said softly, "Although I don't know your intentions, I am confident that you won't harm me."

He looked at me without saying a word, then slowly reached out a hand and gently took mine, his voice barely audible, "You little rascal... you really don't know what's good for you. You're not afraid that I'll betray you for the sake of the world, are you?"

I trembled and met his gaze; his words struck my heart, one by one.

"What you fear is that I will betray the world for you!"

I was stunned and couldn't utter a single word.

Yes, now that I've chosen this path of no return, I no longer harbor any hope of escaping unscathed. If Lu Hong wins, everyone will survive. But if he loses, I hope that the person before me will, just as he did with my father and brothers back then, resolutely let go of my hand and go to pursue his empire.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and he squeezed my hand. "We're home."

In the darkness, he led me step by step without uttering a word. We walked through the familiar corridor, a path I had walked countless times in my dreams, never feeling unfamiliar. Many years had passed, yet the mansion remained unchanged.

He led me into the east courtyard, pushed open the gate, and my steps faltered, as if I had stepped into the former main courtyard. He seemed to see what I was thinking, pulled me to open the door, and said calmly, "There's no need to disturb anyone. This courtyard and house are modeled after the old ones."

I followed him inside, lit a candle, and stared blankly at the ash on the candlestick. This place was clearly inhabited. Lu Li had already changed out of his court robes and into casual clothes and sat to the side, saying indifferently, as if not offering an explanation, "I occasionally come to stay for a few nights."

I carried the candlestick to the table and sat down beside him. He glanced at me, then quickly turned his head away. "It's getting late. You should go to sleep. I'll be in the outer room. Call me if you need anything."

He got up and picked up a set of pillowcases from the bed. Only then did I realize there were two sets of pillowcases on the bed, and I couldn't help but chuckle. He even brought the pillowcases from the main courtyard; he really was a person who clung to old things. I stopped talking, half-reclining on the couch fully clothed, feeling at ease with the familiar scent surrounding me, and easily drifted off to sleep. The dream was chaotic, filled with old memories, many faces moving through those old scenes.

I woke up in the early morning and went out into the inner room to see Lu Li sleeping in the wicker chair. My heart softened, and I walked over quietly, reaching out to touch his eyes and brows. My hand froze in mid-air, unable to reach him. Just as I was about to pull my hand away, he suddenly grabbed it and placed it to his lips. I felt the warmth and saw the corners of his mouth curve into an arc.

"Your hands are still so cold." She stood up as she spoke. "I still have to go to the palace. You... wait for me at home."

Watching his figure disappear, I felt an overwhelming sadness welling up inside me.

Chapter Thirty-Five: Holy Wrath

Lu Li spent the entire day attending to state affairs before the Emperor. I sat at the table in the inner room from morning until sunset. As the last rays of the setting sun scattered across the western sky, I stepped out of the room. Xiao Si was waiting at the gate of the outer courtyard. "Master said that you cannot go out for the time being."

Seeing Xiao Si's serious expression, I had a pretty good idea of what was going on, so I let him come into the yard to talk.

"Why aren't you with your master?"

"My master sent me back to inform you that you are not allowed to enter the palace these days."

The hand that was preparing the tea paused in mid-air, and he asked, seemingly casually, "What? Has something happened in the palace?"

Xiao Si subconsciously bit her lip, holding the teacup, trembling for a long time, without drinking the tea or saying a word.

"It's cold." I casually pushed another cup of tea over. "I told you not to drink it if it's cold. What if something happens?"

With a "crack," the cup in Xiao Si's hand fell to the ground, and he knelt down as well. "Our Princess Consort has been making a scene with the Emperor for quite some time, talking about Madam Yan. Several other princes' wives have also been adding fuel to the fire. Since the Prince's re-election, he has been receiving training at Chaoyang Palace. We are heartbroken to see how much the Prince cares for you. If you truly care about the Prince, you should leave the Prince's residence. This is not a place for you to stay. I have taken the liberty of making the decision. The sedan chair to take you away is waiting outside the courtyard."

I smiled, narrowing my eyes. "Is this your decision, or your queen's?"

Xiao Si's brows furrowed. I knew in my heart that he was just a servant, and making things difficult for him would be useless. I straightened my sleeves, sat up from the chair, and looked out the window. "Oh, the sedan chair is all ready?" I turned around and looked at Xiao Si, who was now trembling and dared not raise his head.

I shook my head. "Are you that afraid of that woman?" I said, then walked around the table and stood in the doorway. Using the last glimmer of twilight, I called out, "Let's go. Don't keep the sedan bearers waiting."

"Madam, have you come to your senses?"

"What do you mean, 'connect'?" I rolled my eyes at him. "Have a sedan chair escort me to the palace. Don't let him out. Can't I just go in? Is there some kind of lawlessness in this mansion?"

The main hall was brightly lit. Standing outside the hall, Eunuch Chang saw me, paused for a moment, then sighed softly. "You've come."

"It's been a long time, Your Excellency." I nodded with a smile. "Is His Majesty inside the palace?"

"They're all there," Eunuch Chang cautiously reminded me. "Several gentlemen are kneeling there, pleading for Seventh Master's life."

"May I come in?" I asked in a low voice.

Eunuch Chang glanced around and leaned close to me. “Miss, you should find somewhere to hide first. It’s not a good time right now.”

I gently adjusted my hair and finally smiled, "If it's not suitable now, then there will never be a suitable time. Please inform them for me, Eunuch."

"girl--"

"Thank you, sir." I bowed to him.

Eunuch Chang sighed and shook his head, leading me to the main hall. He turned back and gave me a meaningful look before lifting the curtain and stepping into the hall. There, I saw all the princes kneeling before a side hall with its curtains drawn. I glanced around; Lu Li was not among them. I lifted my hem, adjusted my sleeves, and knelt down properly, proclaiming in a clear voice, "This servant, Yan Zheng, respectfully wishes Your Majesty ten thousand years of blessings and peace!"