Morning light crept over the eaves of the Ningyuan Marquis Manor. Ancient trees towered above, and the snow had been neatly swept away. Servants moved about quietly, treading lightly.
Luo Yining opened her eyes, looking down to find herself held fast by a pair of large hands. A weight pressed on her head—Lu Jiaxue’s chin rested atop it as he slept. He wore musk-leather wristguards, and his left thumb bore the familiar archer’s ring. Luo Yining found the ring oddly significant, perhaps because she’d seen it so often on Lu Jiaxue. To her, it symbolized power.
This reminded her of when Lu Jiaxue had been her guardian, lofty and distant, watching her struggle like an ant from the clouds, rarely offering aid. Only when it suited his mood or benefited him would he deign to help. His expression was either cold or indifferent. She had hated him then, feeling powerless.
She tried to move away, but his hand pressed against her waist. He half-opened his eyes, his tone low: “Where are you going?”
Luo Yining felt a strange sense of vindication. Perhaps everyone harbored such base impulses… She was only human, after all.
“I want to return to the Luo family. Will you let me go?” she asked.
Lu Jiaxue seemed suddenly enraged by her words, his eyes changing. He laughed softly, then gripped her throat. Luo Yining felt real force behind his grip, tightening steadily. She thought she might die like this. She hadn’t intended to show weakness, but as she struggled to breathe, she began to fight back instinctively.
Her vision blurred, her body aching, feeling on the brink of death.
Lu Jiaxue released her then. As Luo Yining regained her senses, she gasped for air, tears stinging her eyes.
Having waited years for her return, how could Lu Jiaxue truly harm her? He couldn’t bear to, but he needed her to suffer a little. His grip had been quite light.
“Unpleasant, isn’t it?” Lu Jiaxue’s voice sounded softly in her ear, now seemingly relaxed. “After your death, when I searched for you at the foot of the cliff and couldn’t find you… That’s how it felt. But when I saw you like that… It was worse than dying.”
His state of mind then had been vastly different from now.
Back then, he had knelt on the ground, coughing uncontrollably, unable to stand. He couldn’t protect her but hoped she was still alive.
In stories, people who fell from cliffs usually survived. But she hadn’t. Reality was crueler and more terrifying, offering no hope, and presenting him with a bloody truth. For a long time afterward, he couldn’t bear to look at anything related to her.
His words now felt like the scorching heat from a furnace, painfully searing.
Luo Yining clutched her throat, coughing. The discomfort reminded her of her past suffering, feeling betrayed by the world, with no one to confide in.
Lu Jiaxue helped her sit up. “Uncomfortable, isn’t it? Don’t say such things again.” He continued, “Get up and have breakfast. I have a business to attend to, and you’re coming with me.”
It seemed he truly wouldn’t leave her alone.
The Lu family’s ancestral graves were on a mountain near Beijing, now blanketed in snow. Stone steps led up to the burial ground, marked by grand arched gates and longevity steles. Yining hadn’t known this was their destination. She walked around, noting the area was filled with cypresses and pines, still verdant amidst the snow, and heavily guarded.
Suddenly, Luo Yining spotted a small grave next to the original Lady of Ningyuan Marquis. She approached slowly, her breath catching as she read the inscription—it was her own grave!
She stood silently before her tomb, an odd sensation. She had never been here before, unaware of its existence.
The moment felt complex. Amidst the changes of time, this small resting place for her remained.
If she had truly been laid to rest here, perhaps everything would have ended, peaceful and quiet forever. The thought suddenly struck Luo Yining.
Yet she was grateful to be alive again. She had met so many kind people—Old Madam Luo, Lin Hairu, Luo Shenyuan, Wei Ling—who had brought beauty to her life and were worth everything to her. They had made her life rich and full, unafraid of anything.
As Luo Yining drew closer, she noticed her epitaph:
“Her name was Yining, of Shunde in the capital, daughter of the second-rank scholar Luo. She lived sixteen years and returned to her studies…”
Returned to her studies.
Married him as wife…
It was his handwriting, carved by him.
Even though she no longer loved Lu Jiaxue, seeing this made her tremble. How could she not be moved? This had once been her life.
Lu Jiaxue stood nearby, speaking with his subordinates about the annual New Year’s ancestral worship and grave maintenance. Ancestral tombs were crucial to a family’s prosperity and needed careful attention. After finishing, he came to find her, seeing she had wandered to this secluded spot. “Don’t get any ideas,” he said. “You’ll only torment yourself. It’s too cold here. Come.”
He reached out to lead Luo Yining away, down the mountain path. Fine snow began to fall, mixed with the biting wind.
A carriage waited at the foot of the mountain. Luo Yining knew Lu Jiaxue was taking her somewhere but didn’t know where. Who was this sole survivor from the past he spoke of?
The carriage interior was warm and enclosed, obscuring the view outside. Lu Jiaxue sat inside, listening to reports from his subordinates, still concerning frontier matters. Unable to leave, Luo Yining sat far from him, slightly parting the curtain. She realized they had arrived outside the Meridian Gate.
Was Lu Jiaxue taking her into the palace?
She was surprised. The carriage passed through a long corridor, entering the palace through a side gate.
Lu Jiaxue separated from her then, heading to Qianqing Palace to report to the Emperor. He instructed two old servants to guard Yining. They held her in a sedan chair, proceeding through passageways to Jingren Palace.
Palace maids brought freshly cultivated camellias.
The Empress reclined on an imperial yellow cushion embroidered with phoenixes and birds in the side hall. The room was warmed by charcoal braziers, and a slender-necked Ru kiln vase held budding red plum blossoms. She held a fur-covered hand warmer, languidly commenting, “Today’s red plums aren’t well-trimmed. The buds haven’t opened.”
The attending headmaid bowed, replying, “Your Majesty, it’s too cold. The buds are reluctant to open. They’ll improve once the charcoal fire warms them.”
The Empress pondered this.
A maid entered, announcing, “Your Majesty… the person the Commander wanted you to meet has arrived.”
The Empress straightened, unable to resist Lu Jiaxue’s request. She sighed softly. “Bring them in.”
Curious about who could be so important to Lu Jiaxue, she dismissed her attendants. Soon, two sturdy old women escorted a young woman in.
Luo Yining wore a scarlet sable cloak. She stood at a distance, quietly observing her surroundings. She had been to Jingren Palace before, during that fateful incident that led to his offer of marriage. In hindsight, everything seemed interconnected.
The Empress ordered tea brought for her. As Luo Yining removed her cloak, the Empress’s eyes widened.
Wasn’t this… Lu Jiaxue’s adopted daughter? The one she had disregarded, even planning to make a secondary consort for the Third Prince!
Luo Yining curtsied, “Your Majesty, it’s been a long time.”
She sat down, pouring herself tea from the pot on the kang table. Steam rose from the cup as she spoke, “I’ve come to see you. Lu Jiaxue wants you to tell me about what happened at the Ningyuan Marquis Manor years ago.”
The Empress was surprised to hear her address Lu Jiaxue so directly. If she was his adopted daughter, his attitude seemed far from paternal. Another girl, Zhao Mingzhu, also claimed to be his adopted daughter, yet he showed no interest in her affairs. The two old women seemed more like guards than servants.
She sighed, “Very well. I don’t know why he’s dragging an innocent like you into this, but if you want to hear it, I’ll tell you. Just remember to forget everything once you leave here.”
She changed her perspective, distancing herself from the narrative.
The Empress had her maid replace the charcoal in the brazier. The room grew so warm it induced drowsiness, like basking in the sun on a pleasant afternoon. Everything felt cozy and safe.
Those tense, turbulent past events seemed less harrowing in this setting.
Yining watched the Empress’s face intently as she slowly unfolded the story. She found herself increasingly speechless.
From the Empress’s account, Yining pieced together a complete narrative that aligned with the clues she knew, explaining previously puzzling aspects. For instance, why Lu Jiaxue didn’t remarry after supposedly killing her, and the strange looks Lu Jiaran sometimes gave her.
She asked the Empress several questions, growing more convinced that her story might be true!
Lu Jiaxue truly hadn’t needed to kill her. With his abilities, he could have obtained the Marquis title without using her death as leverage. The person who killed her… was someone she had never suspected!
It wasn’t him!
What did all her years of hating Lu Jiaxue amount to? What of her so-called acts of revenge?
He had done nothing, yet suffered the loss of his wife and endured numerous hardships. In their past, he had truly loved her.
His secrecy and deception were merely protection. The past’s teasing and warmth, the present’s cold indifference—all were merely twists of fate.
Seeing Luo Yining’s silence, the Empress added, “It’s been many years. Much of it is hazy in my memory… There might be some inaccuracies.”
Noticing Luo Yining’s strange expression, she asked, “Are you… feeling unwell?”
Luo Yining stood. “Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I’m fine, but I should take my leave.”
The recent cold and travel had taken their toll, and she felt slightly dizzy. She hadn’t fully recovered in Datong.
The Empress noticed two bracelets, one gold and one jade, on Luo Yining’s wrist beneath her scarlet sleeve—an unusual combination. Was this Lu Jiaxue’s preference? She said, “There’s no rush. You look pale. Let me have my maid examine you. She’s skilled in medicine.”
She summoned Nanny Xu, and Luo Yining, seeing the Empress’s insistence, sat down again.
Nanny Xu, waiting outside, entered to check Luo Yining’s pulse.
After a few moments, Nanny Xu made a surprised sound. Her position serving the Empress relied on her expertise in women’s health. She could detect any irregularities instantly.
Nanny Xu slowly released her grip and said with a smile, “This young lady is pregnant and must not catch a cold. She needs to rest quietly to nurture the fetus.”
Luo Yining, who had been only half-listening, suddenly realized what Nanny Xu had said. Pregnant?
Nanny Xu paused briefly before advising, “Your pregnancy seems a bit unstable. Have you been taking your prenatal medicine regularly? This must be your first child, so you may not know the importance of proper care. You must take the medicine on time.”
Just then, they heard a eunuch announcing someone’s arrival. It was Lu Jiaxue coming to fetch her.
As the side hall was a reception area, Lu Jiaxue entered. Still wearing his gray squirrel fur cape, he asked with a slight smile, “Did the Empress tell you about that matter?”
Luo Yining looked up at him, suddenly feeling nervous. She was pregnant… with Luo Shen Yuan’s child! If Lu Jiaxue found out…
Her heart raced, but it was too late to stop Nanny Xu, who bowed and said, “Pardon my rudeness. This must be the Marquis’s wife! My lady, since you’re pregnant, you must not skip the prenatal medicine. General, please take note of this.”
The smile instantly vanished from Lu Jiaxue’s face.
“Prenatal medicine…” he murmured.
“Yes, the pregnancy is unstable at two months. This is a crucial time for careful monitoring,” Nanny Xu added.
Lu Jiaxue forced a smile. “I understand. Thank you, Nanny. We’ll take our leave from the Empress now and visit again when we have time.”
He turned to Yining and extended his hand. Seeing her hesitate, he smiled and said, “Aren’t you getting up?”
Lu Jiaxue practically dragged Luo Yining out of Jing Ren Palace. Though he wasn’t walking particularly fast and his expression revealed nothing, the atmosphere around him was as heavy as an impending June storm. Luo Yining wondered if she was imagining it, as he said nothing even after helping her into the carriage. There was no extreme reaction. Instead, he instructed the driver, “Go through the gate ahead.”
As they approached the open vermilion palace gate, Lu Jiaxue suddenly embraced her from behind.
Luo Yining saw several figures emerging from Qian Qing Palace. As they drew nearer, she immediately recognized him among them. Tall and handsome, he wore court robes. He seemed to have lost some weight, though it might have been her perspective. Officials surrounded him as he descended the steps, his lips slightly pursed, still appearing reluctant to speak. He was now closest to her, perhaps only fifty paces away.
Luo Yining suddenly lost control. It had been so long since she’d seen him! She wanted to call out his name. She was right here! But Lu Jiaxue covered her mouth, calmly saying, “He can’t hear you.”
Luo Yining struggled until tears came to her eyes, her lips moving desperately, but only muffled sounds escaped.
Luo Shen Yuan seemed to sense something and glanced back, but seeing nothing, he walked on. In the distance, people waited with a sedan chair. Despite his teacher’s suffering, his power had grown considerably; the sedan chair could now enter the palace.
A man knelt outside Qian Qing Gate, his thin clothes barely protected against the heavy snow. Luo Yining immediately recognized Yang Ling. Many of the Qing Liu Party had already retreated; few persisted. Luo Shen Yuan’s sedan passed by without stopping. The bearers remained indifferent as Yang Ling’s frail figure swayed, seemingly unable to support himself.
Xu Wei was about to be executed. This was Yang Ling’s last chance to intervene. As expected, Luo Shen Yuan ignored him, just like in her previous life. Yang Ling would still die, and after his death, the court’s outrage would be suppressed by Wang Yuan. All of this was happening so close, right before her eyes!
Lu Jiaxue finally relaxed his grip. Luo Yining broke free and wanted to strike him.
He caught her hand, saying, “Don’t fight me. You’re pregnant, remember?”
“I had someone check your pulse last night,” Lu Jiaxue sighed. “I’ve known for a while. I’ve just been holding back. Don’t provoke me.”
He pulled her into his arms and said quietly, “His teacher will be beheaded at noon, yet his power grows. Is your third brother an upright official? His nature is the same as mine; he’s not a good person either.”
Indeed, he wasn’t a good person… Luo Yining had always known. How many good people were around her? She wasn’t particularly virtuous herself. Lu Jiaxue, who used every means at his disposal, was even worse.
Lu Jiaxue gently stroked her hair, his gaze turning cold as he looked up. “Luo Shen Yuan may be flourishing now, but if I wish, he still can’t win. About your pregnancy… I want to kill him… Leave Beijing with me, and I’ll spare him.”
With his military power and years of unrivaled status, Lu Jiaxue truly had no equal.
“What do you mean?” Luo Yining asked. “I’m carrying Luo Shen Yuan’s child, you…”
Lu Jiaxue’s expression was complex.
His tone was flat. “…Yining, I can overlook this. I’ve waited for you for fourteen years. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Lord Luo, is something wrong?” asked a guard walking beside the carriage, noticing his distraction.
“It’s nothing,” Luo Shen Yuan shook his head and asked, “Has the Imperial Guard reported back?”
“Yes, they say the General has been making arrangements in Datong,” the guard replied. “I’ve burned the secret message, my lord.”
Luo Shen Yuan closed his eyes briefly before saying, “We’ll go to Datong tomorrow.”
“My lord, that Yang official… it’s quite pitiful,” the guard hesitated. “He refuses to leave despite the cold. The weather is so harsh.”
Luo Shen Yuan remained silent.
As soon as Luo Shen Yuan arrived home, someone rushed to deliver news, panting, “My lord… something’s happened… in the palace!”
Luo Shen Yuan tensed slightly. Just at noon, Xu Wei had been beheaded at the market.
The only person who could be in trouble at the palace now was Yang Ling.
His speculation proved correct. After his mentor’s execution, Yang Ling had remained silent for a long time before deciding to remonstrate with Wang Yuan, even at the cost of his life. Their teacher had never been corrupt, devoting his life to state affairs, yet this was his fate. Everyone in the capital knew that Lord Xu had worn the same official robes for years. He always greeted people with a smile and enjoyed boiled soybeans with wine – his only indulgence. Meanwhile, those who were truly corrupt, selling offices and framing officials, were too powerful for anyone to challenge, allowing them to persecute loyal officials!
But how could the Emperor listen to him? Instead, irritated by his persistent complaints, the Emperor flew into a rage. Since Yang Ling wanted to remonstrate to the death, he ordered him to be beaten half to death!
Yang Ling was struck with killing sticks, as thick as a wrist, capable of rupturing internal organs. He was nearly at death’s door before being dragged to prison.
Luo Shen Yuan went to see him in the Ministry of Justice prison.
His sedan chair rushed to the Ministry. When Luo Shen Yuan saw Yang Ling, his pupils constricted. Yang Ling was in an even more pitiful state than he had imagined, his back a bloody mess of exposed bone. He was truly on the brink of death.
Remonstrating that death meant death if unsuccessful.
If someone hadn’t deliberately used excessive force, it wouldn’t have been fatal. The executioner’s heavy hand was clearly under orders.
Luo Shen Yuan approached him. Yang Ling raised his head, and seeing Luo Shen Yuan, he managed to say, “…I thought… thought the Emperor would listen…”
Luo Shen Yuan replied, “The close eunuchs are Wang Yuan’s men. They control all reports to the Emperor.”
He thought Yang Ling was foolish; Xu Wei shouldn’t have chosen such a fool. Yet this man was willing to stand up and sacrifice his life. Yang Ling suddenly grasped Luo Shen Yuan’s hand, smiling, “I wanted to do something. The teacher was so good to me… I couldn’t let him down. Compared to you, I’ve always been too weak… I did this on purpose… My death by beating… They’ll surely be outraged when they find out. The court won’t be able to suppress it.”
This was Yang Ling’s plan – to use his death to incite the Qing Liu Party and rouse the apathetic officials.
He had little strength left. Ointment had been applied to his back and buttocks, but the bleeding wouldn’t stop. He had lost too much blood; there was no saving him.
He was really about to die!
Luo Shen Yuan said, “Why go to such lengths… There would have been a way eventually.”
Yang Ling asked, “What… way?” He closed his eyes, exhausted. “They’ve all started… to fear… I just thought, Xuan Rong, I can’t go back… She’ll be angry again… She always gets angry when I don’t return on time…”
“I’m sorry to her…” Yang Ling said, “No time left to be with her…”
Luo Shen Yuan tightened his grip on Yang Ling’s hand, unable to speak.
Finally moved by Yang Ling, he slowly knelt.
“Don’t speak. I’ll call for the best doctor. The ointment has worn off. Where’s the medicine?” His voice was hoarse. “Bring more medicine, quickly!”
Yang Ling’s eyes grew heavy, barely able to open.
“You’re smarter than me… You don’t like me, but I’m dying. You must kill him… Don’t let him off…”
Luo Shen Yuan squeezed his hand tightly.
“It hurts so much, I can’t turn over. It’s so uncomfortable…” Yang Ling mumbled.
Luo Shen Yuan closed his eyes. He watched as Yang Ling gradually fell silent, his hand going limp. Calmly, he said, “I will.”
In this world, there must be a righteous force.
Not everyone fears death or craves vain glory. There are always those with unyielding integrity. Luo Shen Yuan stood up.
What came next would be his responsibility.