Tan Hua - Chapter 11

After several expansions, the Jingguo Imperial Palace had become the largest imperial palace in history, displaying grandiose architecture, intricate carvings, and a magnificent display of wealth, all reflecting an era of prosperity and abundance.

Jun Qiyu entered the palace in a luxurious carriage drawn by eight fine horses. The carriage was majestic on the outside and splendid on the inside. Only the emperor’s carriage surpassed that of the crown prince.

Jun Qiyu walked straight into the Yihua Hall of the palace, where besides the guards stationed every five steps outside, there were over twenty palace attendants inside.

Seated on the throne was the sovereign ruler of the nation, Emperor Xuanxiao, who possessed a gallant and majestic appearance, further enhanced by his imperial authority.

To his left sat the historical figure, Empress Shen Yu of Jingguo, who, despite nearing forty, looked no different from someone in their twenties, thanks to his naturally gifted appearance. It was said that Emperor Xuanxiao overturned the previous dynasty in a fit of anger, all for the sake of Shen Yu’s beauty.

“Greetings, Father Emperor,” Jun Qiyu bowed respectfully, his tone indifferent.

However, upon seeing Empress Shen Yu, he immediately showed excitement, his eyes sparkling with affection. He respectfully kowtowed to the empress.

“Dad, how have you been these days? Do you miss your son?”

His tone was casual and affectionate, contrasting sharply with his demeanor towards Emperor Xuanxiao.

There was a clear distinction between addressing his father and addressing the emperor, and Jun Qiyu made it clear.

“Enough with the coquettishness,” Empress Shen Yu stopped his excitement and asked, “Where is your Crown Prince Consort on the day of paying respects to the elders? Why isn’t she here with you?”

Jun Qiyu made a dismissive gesture at the mention of Song Liqing.

“He said he’s tired from entering the palace to pay respects. He’s still asleep.”

“Don’t talk nonsense. Does Liqing not understand even this bit of courtesy?” Shen Yu rebuked softly.

“He fell ill after being caught in the rain last night. I asked him to rest at home and not wander around.”

Shen Yu frowned slightly, evidently skeptical, but it was not appropriate to press further.

“Take this back to him and let him recuperate properly. We won’t hold it against him.”

Shen Yu prepared a red envelope, which was bulging. Jun Qiyu didn’t bother to open it and simply put it into his sleeve.

“It’s nothing valuable, just for good luck. I hope you two will live happily together and grow old together.”

“Okay.”

Jun Qiyu responded calmly, but he sneered inwardly.

If he could last half a year, it would be considered that Song Liqing had tough bones.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave, Father Emperor. I’ll come back to talk to you about what I’ve seen and heard on the border these years…”

“Wait,” Shen Yu stopped him, “Why are you in such a hurry? You haven’t even said a word to your father emperor.”

Emperor Xuanxiao, somewhat indulgent but also somewhat helpless, chuckled lightly.

“Humph, I still don’t know him. He’s still sulking over the marriage matter with me.”

Jun Qiyu was neither humble nor overbearing: “I dare not.”

“What are you afraid of? You’ve grown wings in the Western Regions,” Emperor Xuanxiao didn’t argue with him, but said with emphasis, “Qiyu, do you know why I insist on your marriage to Song Liqing?”

Jun Qiyu remained expressionless: “It’s nothing more than a political marriage, a means of influence.”

“It’s good that you know.”

Jun Qiyu remained unconvinced: “I haven’t even thought about it. You were so majestic in your early years, from the North Garrison Prince to the Emperor of Jingguo, fighting and killing more people than I’ve ever seen. Why are you still afraid of such trivial matters now that you’re old? Do you need to play political maneuvers?”

When Emperor Xuanxiao heard the word “old,” veins bulged on his forehead, almost standing up, but was pressed down by Empress Shen Yu.

“Let’s have a civil conversation,” Shen Yu reminded him.

Emperor Xuanxiao suppressed his anger and said carefully, “With Song Qing’s merits and the relationship between him and me over the years, achieving results without bloodshed is the best outcome. Conquering the world relies on marching and brute force, but governing the country is different. It involves the arts of rulership, human sentiment, and worldly affairs, which you are still young and inexperienced in. I’m telling you this not as an explanation but as something you will have to learn sooner or later, as you will eventually control the world.”

Jun Qiyu said unexpectedly, “Yes, only I am sacrificed.”

Emperor Xuanxiao asked back, “What have you sacrificed?”

“Freedom,” Jun Qiyu paused before adding, “Happiness.”

Emperor Xuanxiao was infuriated again. If it had been a few years earlier, he might not have been able to control his temper.

“Do you know what you’re talking about? That day, in front of all the courtiers, he endured your humiliation. It shows that his heart is broader than yours,” Emperor Xuanxiao rebuked, “You can’t distinguish right from wrong.”

Jun Qiyu was ready to retort, but when he saw the worried look in Shen Yu’s eyes, he swallowed his excessive words.

He only responded with a sarcastic tone, “Thank you for the lesson, Father Emperor.”

Emperor Xuanxiao let out a sigh of anger, saying, “Enough, now that the marriage is done, you must treat them well. Don’t wait until their hearts turn cold and regret it.”

Shen Yu added, “Your father is a cautionary tale.”

“Oh… Ah?” Emperor Xuanxiao was momentarily stunned, then nodded, “Your father is right.”

“Oh, understood,” Jun Qiyu didn’t care at all and said indifferently, “But, if one day he himself doesn’t want to be the Crown Prince Consort, you can’t blame me, right?”

“You…”

After arguing for a few more words, Jun Qiyu left the Yihua Hall.

Since childhood, he had admired Emperor Xuanxiao, the majestic ruler, but since returning from the Western Regions, he found that the relationship between them had become increasingly strained, with disagreements everywhere.

…

As the sun set in the west, the Qilin Mansion was bathed in golden light.

Song Liqing sat by the window, watching the sun sink, and the room fell into darkness. He lowered his gaze, feeling lost.

“Ah!”

Xiao Di, who came in to light the lamp, was startled.

“Young Master! It’s you. Why didn’t you call for a maid to light the lamp? Huh? Aren’t you supposed to go to the palace today to pay respects to the Emperor and the Empress? … You didn’t go!?”

“I… I’m tired today,” Song Liqing tried to cover it up.

Without Song Liqing saying anything, Xiao Di lit the red candle in the room and saw the wounds on his face, in addition to the bruises from last night’s bowing, there were also several scratch marks and a swelling.

“Young Master! How did you end up like this? Is it the Crown Prince, did he lay his hands on you?” Xiao Di couldn’t contain her anger, “This won’t do, you have to go to the palace, file a complaint, let the Emperor and Empress make a decision for you!”

“Xiao Di.” Song Liqing pulled her hand, “Let it go.”

“How can I let it go? If you don’t speak up, the Crown Prince will only become more unbridled and more ruthless!”

Song Liqing looked at the light of the candle and sighed softly.

“Emperor and Empress are technically my elders, but they are ultimately Qiyu’s parents. Who do you think they will side with? Besides, if I go to the palace to complain about such trivial matters, how would they look at me?”

“But the Crown Prince, he’s just… too much!” Xiao Di felt a sense of shared enmity.

“He can be as excessive as he wants because he’s the Crown Prince, the future ruler, but I can’t. If I act like a child, being petulant and arguing endlessly, those two will only grow further apart, and the day of separation will be imminent.”

After saying that, Song Liqing patted Xiao Di’s hand.

“What about the medicine you brought today? Help me apply some. I look like this, I can’t even show my face to people,” Song Liqing joked self-deprecatingly.

But Xiao Di looked at his forced smile, his pale face, feeling extremely heartbroken.

“Okay.” Xiao Di obeyed the order, “This is from the Imperial Physician’s Hospital. I heard it’s a prescription from Doctor Bian.”

“That’s even better.”

With the ointment applied, the fiery pain of Song Liqing’s wounds finally felt a hint of coolness.

Bang!

The door was kicked open heavily, and Jun Qiyu came in, bringing a gust of wind that made the candle flicker. 

Author’s Note:

Thank you for your support~ I won’t name everyone individually~