“I owe a great debt to two of her friends. When her friends met with calamity, I’m willing to give my remaining thirty years of life to them both. But those two later learned she didn’t have much time left and were willing to transfer half their lifespans to her.”
“If unsuccessful, all three would suffer, but since those two were willing to risk death for her, I’ll fulfill their wish.”
In the Buddhist hall, Feng Suzhen lay unconscious among the prayer cushions. The guards had long been dismissed. That woman faced the two of them, speaking softly while slowly opening her hand. Three oil lamps emerged from her palm and rose up, two of them tilting to pour their oil into the third.
Finally, those two lamps disappeared into the air, and the remaining one slowly descended beside the prayer cushion.
The wick flared to life with blue flames dancing gently, like a blue lotus gradually blooming.
Cold yet warm.
The woman half-crouched, took out a dagger from her bosom, cut deeply across her own wrist, then brought the wounded wrist to Feng Suzhen’s mouth.
“If the flame turns red, she’s about to wake up. You can return her to those who need her. If the flame goes out, it’s just a corpse. Do as you will. No need to return it either, lest it hurt people again. The human heart is most frightening and most fragile.” She turned and left.
“Elder!” She suppressed her still racing heart and called to the woman who had reached the door.
“Elder, am I very old?” The woman’s voice came faintly, followed by a laugh. “Yes, I am old.”
She had always given off an eerie, frightening feeling, but this soft laugh sounded like a young woman feigning sorrow for new poetry.
“Elder…” She hesitated, “Sister, how long must I watch over her?”
“She was already severely injured. My blood has healing properties and can help her organs recover, but I myself am nearly depleted. Three to five years, or perhaps no effect at all – no one can say. I hope her karmic merit is sufficient and heaven shows mercy.”
The woman frowned and covered her heart, then disappeared outside the door.
If not for Feng Suzhen sleeping here for five years, she would think it was all a dream.
But the flame finally turned red. She had someone send word to Quan Feitong. Quan Feitong should know how to find Lian Yu.
She wanted to find that woman. She wanted to ask her about Li Zhaoting.
To ask about her and Li Zhaoting’s future.
Li Zhaoting treated her well, but since the Lantern Festival, he never again summoned her to share his bed. Of course, he didn’t favor other concubines either. He spent every night in the imperial study, though the Empress Dowager didn’t know.
“Chang’an, Wuyan and the others…”
“Cousin and the others said they want to find the best daughter’s red wine to return and drink with old friends.” Xuanwu smiled and quietly withdrew. Lian Xin whispered in her ear.
Suzhen’s eyes filled completely with tears.
This cup of wine had been awaited too long! Great kindness needs no thanks. Between her and them was shared loyalty, friends who could drink together and share water. She had so many things to ask them about their experiences after parting, and that elder’s story – it must be very exciting.
“What about you and my brother?” she asked Lian Xin.
Lian Xin lowered her eyes slightly: “We’ll talk when Zhuque returns. But no matter what, I won’t seek death as easily as before.”
“When I went to kill those two villains, I didn’t expect to survive. But I forgot about all of you who love me. Susu, I’m sorry to you and Sixth Brother.”
She slowly raised her head again, her eyes showing regret, strength, and indescribable sorrow.
Suzhen said nothing, only held her tighter.
Her princess had truly grown up. But some things, even the best of friends, as outsiders, couldn’t interfere with.
But Suzhen’s joy didn’t last long. Since she awoke, Lian Yu completely ignored her. This time she had thoroughly angered Lian Yu!
Before she woke up, he had Qilin take Lian Xi away.
No one knew where he sent Lian Xi. From now on, Xuanwu, as Suzhen’s personal property, used several packages of private snacks and wine but couldn’t extract anything from Qinglong and Baihu. Both kept their mouths sealed. Even with all Suzhen’s cunning schemes, there was no way.
Xiao’an sent people with many gifts but didn’t come personally. Given their special relationship, this woman was experienced and knew to avoid suspicion.
Except for Little Zhou who still had no news and Huo Yan who was still traveling, soon Wuqing, Tieshou… everyone returned.
However, Lian Yu didn’t attend any of the gatherings.
The bedroom where she awoke was originally Lian Yu’s, but he simply moved out. He didn’t go to the adjacent study either, but drove Lian Jie from the neighboring house to Lian Qin’s place.
The Lian brothers, who had originally cried with joy upon seeing her and hugged her while nibbling on her, couldn’t help feeling resentful. Thanks to her, not only did they have to squeeze into one room together, they couldn’t see their adorable little niece either.
She took the initiative to find Lian Yu. Getting word early, by the time she arrived, he had already left, avoiding her.
For several days running, she couldn’t find him.
She asked Wuqing and Leng Xue to help, but they all said she deserved it. Especially Leng Xue – after their initial meeting when he hugged her so hard her ribs nearly broke, he wanted to cut ties with her. Only after much pleading did he coldly make up with her.
Except for Qilin and Little Zhou who were still out on missions, everyone helped plead for her, but to no avail.
After five days, Suzhen finally couldn’t stand it and had Xuanwu relay a message: if he still refused to see her, she would wander the martial world with Leng Xue.
“Master says Master’s wife can do whatever she wants. He doesn’t care.”
Xuanwu returned with his head hanging low.
Suzhen felt like punching cotton with nowhere to apply force. Guilty as she felt, she couldn’t help getting somewhat annoyed. She smacked Xuanwu’s head: “Tell him I’m leaving, but if he dares give away my daughter, I’ll never forgive him!”
Xuanwu tentatively said: “Are you really leaving? Today a group of soldiers returned. Master should personally reward them and will be outside for a while. Why don’t you go—”
Before he finished speaking, Suzhen had already pulled Lian Xin and run out.
This was originally a desolate border city, an extremely large area.
Due to erosion by wind and sand, it had become an empty city for nearly ten years. Lian Yu led troops to plant trees and channel water, completely transforming the environment. He also developed the surrounding land and expanded the city walls, eventually moving the entire army from their original small location here.
Relative to the Great Zhou heartland, the borders were inherently barren. With the imperial army unable to provide complete protection, they were often raided by foreign tribes. The people of nearby cities suffered greatly and continuously sought refuge here.
Five years later, this had become five cities. Under Lian Yu’s policies, all aspects of society – scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants – developed comprehensively. Many border cities knew only of the Jade King and had broken free from imperial control. Lian Jie and Lian Qin each governed cities and territories, but both had serious brother complexes and spent most of the year with the commander-in-chief.
Lian Yu ultimately spared Murong Jinghou’s life. Murong Jinghou voluntarily requested to guard one of the cities, never to meet again unless on urgent business. Murong Jin still accompanied Xiao’an. Lian Yu proposed that when Murong Jin married, as her maternal family, he would provide a grand dowry for her wedding.
Lian Jie’s mother, Consort Ai, and elder sister Lian Yue were arranged by Lian Jie to a small town in Jiangnan. Lian Yue declared she would find Huo Chang’an, remaining stubbornly obsessed. Stolen things always have expiration dates.
Lian Yu also ordered Wuqing to go deep into the martial world – first to inherit the spirit of the Court of Justice by solving cases the authorities couldn’t handle and pleading for the people, while also recruiting righteous heroes and training them as new agents, developing another Six Fan Gate. Should the court make any moves against Lian’s army, they would strike first.
Hearing Lian Xin talk about events after their separation, Suzhen felt excited. Lian Yu’s residence and those of key personnel were built together, resembling a small imperial city with elite soldiers and guards.
Along the way, guards continuously saluted Suzhen with great respect.
Lian Xin quietly explained: “They all know you’re Sixth Brother’s wife.”
The carriage traveled for half an hour before reaching outside the city walls. The two got off.
Darkness surrounded them, crowds surged like a tide. Countless civilians had already gathered around. In the center, Lian Yu led the Lian brothers, Yan Da, General Liu and veterans to welcome the army that had just won a nearby battle and returned triumphantly.
Soon, the troops appeared in everyone’s sight, writhing like dragons, winding toward them. This expedition was led by young generals Lian Yu had trained – born from poor border roots with rough, dark skin, but utterly uncompromising in battle. Seeing Lian Yu, he quickly dismounted and shouted loudly: “Master!”
Jade King!
The soldiers immediately followed with great cheers.
At Xiao’an’s glance, Yan Da and Gao Chaoyi seized the moment and stepped forward, kneeling: “Master, please issue the call and raise troops to return to the capital, reclaiming the glory that rightfully belongs to you.”
Xiao’an came out with Hong Gu and suddenly knelt down: “Yu’er, with your talents and strategies, you should be like your dynasty-founding ancestors – no, you can certainly surpass them, leading Great Zhou to become hegemon among all nations, leaving your name in history. Now you’re foolishly guarding this territory for someone surnamed Li. We have growing military strength. With your popular support, you can surely win this battle for the throne.”
“Five years of rest and recovery is enough. Raise your troops, my son! Reclaim the glory that belongs to you!”
Lian Jie and Lian Qin exchanged glances, both knowing Lian Yu’s heart and couldn’t help frowning.
Just as Lian Jie was about to speak, Lian Yu had already strode forward and knelt before Xiao’an.
“Mother,” his appearance was incomparably handsome, but the sharp composure between his brows was like the sharpest sword, the hardest stone.
“Those who know their sons know your heart. I’ve never guarded Li Zhaoting, not even our Lian family’s ancestral foundation. What I guard are the common people of this realm. My battle with Seventh Uncle and Quan Feitong – how many soldiers died, how many civilians were affected – hundreds of thousands. But that battle had to be fought; it was a war to defend the nation. If Wei Chenghui were still alive, such treacherous ministers who poison Great Zhou’s people – then the fighting would have to continue. But Li Zhaoting’s father should have inherited the throne but was usurped by the previous emperor. Today, his son returns to the throne with new decrees that aren’t foolish. As long as he can keep the people safe and prosperous, I can tolerate it. If we two engage in warfare again, even if I defeat Li Zhaoting, how many more soldiers and civilians will die? Can you imagine? The neighboring wolf nations of Wei and Chu have always eyed Great Zhou covetously. If they invade while our Great Zhou military and people are severely wounded, that would be the disaster of national destruction. Even if I could still repel them, how many more soldiers and civilians would die? What price would our Great Zhou pay?”
“Now, leading troops to guard our homeland, I’m still doing what I did before. Aside from a title, how much has really changed?”
“Mother, history is just. If what Lian Yu does is worthy of remembrance, I can naturally achieve legendary status. If I were unworthy as a nation’s ruler yet unable to protect the nation’s peace, what meaning would ancestral temples and royal titles have a thousand years hence?”
“Rest assured, if Li Zhaoting cannot tolerate me, then I’ll pull him down from the throne again. Mother, Great Zhou has always been under my control. The only difference from before is that I haven’t worn the golden crown.”