Qin Zhiye smiled coldly and shouted loudly: “Someone come! Arrest Prince Xuan and seize Princess Minrui! They conspired to rebel and harm Imperial Father. Here is the arrest warrant!”
A yellow silk decree fluttered down. Qing Xia looked in shock at everyone present. Suddenly she heard the Prince Xuan mansion retainers cry out in distress, and in great alarm they were about to run toward Qin Zhiyan.
“Close the palace gates!”
Over a hundred men suddenly charged forward. The heavy palace gates were gradually closed. Qing Xia’s heart ached like being cut by knives as she screamed hoarsely: “No!”
With a thunderous sound, the palace gates slammed shut. She could no longer see Qin Zhiyan’s pale cheeks and gentle brows and eyes. In an instant the world spun, Qing Xia immediately collapsed to the ground, her hair flying wildly in the wind. With a miserable cry, she sank into overwhelming darkness.
This was a nightmare.
She saw Qin Zhiyan fall in a pool of blood. In that instant, it was as if the entire world collapsed before her. For the first time in her life, she discovered that a person’s heart could hurt to such an extent—as if a hundred tons of C4 explosives had detonated in her chest. Overwhelming dizziness and pain tortured her spirit, making even standing feel like a powerful luxury.
She should have known long ago that happiness wouldn’t come so easily. Those sufferings existing in fate, one storm after another, always appeared suddenly at the most inappropriate times, then destroyed everything she had. The entire world was dark—no path to heaven above, no door to earth below, unable to find a definite direction in any of the four corners. Her life was once again swept by enormous waves, chaotic and without a trace of hope.
Happiness was always so unreachable, though she had once come so, so close.
After awakening, Qing Xia hadn’t spoken at all. Her head hurt terribly. Some things were frantically clamoring and circling, preventing her from clearly expressing what she wanted to say. She repeatedly told herself not to panic, not to be confused. She needed time, needed a rational mind to sort all this into some kind of order. So she sat quietly like this, motionless, still wearing that gorgeous wedding dress, her hair scattered, eyes silently gazing ahead.
When Qi’an entered, this was the scene he saw. Officials from the Ministry of Justice respectfully unlocked the door. Qi’an nodded slightly. Eastern Qi attendants guarded outside the door while Great Qin officials withdrew, leaving a quiet space. Qi’an lowered his head and bent his waist as he entered. Qing Xia stared straight ahead as if she hadn’t seen him, still gazing blankly forward without any reaction.
The prison cell was fairly clean, with a stone bed, tables and chairs. But having been without sunlight year-round, it inevitably appeared cold and damp. Qi’an pulled over a chair, brushed aside his robe hem, and sat across from her. After deliberating for a long while, he said in a deep voice: “I’ve come to take you away.”
Qing Xia sat quietly, eyes looking ahead as if she hadn’t heard.
Qi’an continued: “Last night after you and Emperor Chu left Taihe Hall, an urgent report came from Yaoshui Palace saying Consort Yao was critically ill. The King of Qin and the Empress went to Yaoshui Palace together. But assassins were lying in ambush there. The Crown Prince was killed on the spot, the King of Qin and Empress were severely injured. The Fourth Prince is acting as regent to handle the case. Consort Yao confessed that she acted on Prince Xuan’s instructions to assassinate the King of Qin and seize the throne. Qin Zhixiang left the northern frontier three days ago, moving east without military orders. Lu Huayang is also not at the southeastern naval camp now—the seventy-two naval forces have secretly come to the northern reaches of Wei River, now less than thirty li from Xianyang. All evidence confirms Prince Xuan’s crime of rebellion. He’s now imprisoned in Shanglü Academy. All Great Qin’s civil and military officials have jointly memorialized demanding severe punishment for the traitor. Court and country are in turmoil. Qin Zhiye has mobilized armies from Xuanqi and Baihui—eight hundred thousand troops are now marching toward Xianyang. Prince Xuan will find it very difficult to turn things around.”
Qing Xia’s brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t speak. Qi’an frowned and said in a deep voice: “Once Prince Xuan’s crimes are confirmed, the entire Prince Xuan mansion will face destruction. Fortunately, you haven’t yet married into Prince Xuan mansion and have the identity of Shuofang City Lord for protection. It’s still not too late to withdraw now.”
Hearing this, Qing Xia let out a light, cold laugh—bitter and desolate. Qi’an frowned tightly, somewhat angrily saying: “You need to be clearheaded. No matter how good your martial skills, you couldn’t retreat unharmed from an imperial army’s encirclement. If Qin Zhiyan were here now, he wouldn’t want to watch you throw your life away uselessly. The overall situation is decided. With your individual meager strength, you can’t reverse heaven’s will. The Qin royal family has constant undercurrents. Even I would find it difficult to interfere. Don’t be like a moth flying into flame, seeking your own destruction.”
“I was never someone who protects myself wisely.” A low voice slowly sounded. Qing Xia’s eyes were pitch black as she slowly raised her head, staring fixedly at Qi’an. Her lips were cracked, face pale—after just one night she looked haggard beyond recognition. She tugged the corner of her mouth in a desolate smile: “If he dies, what’s the point of me staying alive?”
“You…?”
“Qi’an,” the woman suddenly interrupted him, her gaze sincere: “Go. Qin is about to fall into great chaos. These waters are too deep, too murky. I don’t want you drawn in too.”
Qi’an raised his brows, saying in a deep voice: “What do you plan to do?”
“What can I do?” Qing Xia smiled bitterly, her gaze distant as she looked at the mottled wall opposite, saying leisurely: “Burn bridges behind me, fight with my back to the water—succeed or fail, it all depends on this gamble. I can’t just watch him be framed while doing nothing.”
“Xia’er…”
“Qi’an, help me with one thing.”
This was the first time since their reunion that Qing Xia spoke to him in such a tone. Qi’an was slightly stunned. Looking at her pale cheeks and pitch-black eyes, some heartache that had nearly surged to his throat was slowly pressed down again. He took a deep breath and said: “Tell me. If it can be done, I’ll definitely do it.”
“Help me go see him.” Qing Xia’s gaze suddenly became burning. She extended her snow-white hands to grasp Qi’an’s sleeves, saying urgently: “Go see how he is. Prison cells are very cold. He’s ill and especially fears cold. Take some thick clothes, some lung-moistening ginseng tea and sweet pastries. Also tell him that until the last moment, he absolutely must not give up. Tell him if he dies, I won’t live alone. Even for my sake, he must hold on.”
Qi’an’s eyes flashed with pain for an instant, but he concealed it well. He nodded deeply, almost word by word promising: “I will definitely do this for you.”
“That’s good.” Qing Xia nodded with unfocused eyes, released Qi’an’s sleeves, stared ahead, and murmured to herself: “I need time. There must be a chance to turn the tables. I need to think carefully.”
Then she stared blankly ahead, saying nothing more. Qi’an looked at her for a long while before saying in a deep voice: “The day after tomorrow is the King of Qin’s birthday, but with his injuries, the birthday banquet will likely be canceled. Yan Hui left for his country this morning. Regional princes have mostly departed too. I can wait at most three more days.”
Seeing Qing Xia had no reaction, Qi’an thought for a long time before finally saying: “Emperor Chu led Southern Chu’s Black Guard back to his country last night. You… take care of yourself.”
Qi’an sighed and slowly turned to leave.
“Qi’an.” Qing Xia suddenly called out in a deep voice. Qi’an was startled and stood in place, but didn’t turn around. Qing Xia looked straight ahead, her voice light: “Thank you for being willing to see me at this time.”
“No need,” after a long while, Qi’an said in a deep voice: “I’m just trying to atone. Besides, that day in Southern Chu’s prison, you did save me.”
The prison door was locked again, iron chains making heavy sounds. Footsteps gradually faded, and the entire world became quiet once more.
Qing Xia’s eyes opened wide. A tear slowly rolled down, sliding across her pale, thin cheeks. A bitter taste slowly rose in her heart.
Qin Zhiyan, what should I do? How can I help you? Even he has left—who else will help me?
Though she knew such thoughts were truly shameful, subconsciously she still selfishly hoped he would stay to assist her. When she saw it was Qi’an who entered, she truly couldn’t describe her disappointment and sorrow. She bit her lower lip tightly, forcing herself to calm down, but her body couldn’t help trembling lightly.
Qin Zhiyan, you’ve protected me for so long. I should do something for you now.
In the evening, someone else came to see her. Qing Xia was somewhat surprised. Not eating all day had left her weak all over. She raised her head slightly, and when she saw the person entering was Mu Lian, her heart immediately ached gently.
Mu Lian still wore dark-colored robes, carrying large and small packages. Seeing Qing Xia, she said nothing but placed the items in her hands down one by one. There were hand warmers, thick fur coats, cotton boots, quilts, and a large food container. When the lid opened, rich aromas wafted out—all dishes Qing Xia usually enjoyed.
Qing Xia’s tears immediately fell. She crouched on the ground, reaching through the small door to take all those things inside. Though she had no appetite, she still desperately stuffed those things into her mouth. Tears flowed into her mouth, tasting very bitter, but she continued eating in large bites. The food all accumulated in her throat, unable to be swallowed.
“His Highness asked me to tell you to take care of yourself, eat and sleep well, don’t worry about him. He will definitely rescue you.”
Qing Xia crouched on the ground, large tears rolling down. Even in this situation, the person he worried about most was still herself. How could she believe such a man would have ulterior motives during their wedding? How could she believe he would assassinate the King of Qin while she was still in the imperial city? How could she believe he would hide from her to conspire for the throne?