[There are two reasons why I am writing extra chapters in the middle of the novel. It's either I'm bored and decided to make one, and/or it's somehow related but not very significant in the story as a whole. But still, I hope you'll enjoy it. :D]
"Eunuch Xu..." Emperor Yin Renshu calls out to his silly eunuch.
The wine house is still bustling with all these people drinking and being loud. But for some unexplainable reasons, Yin Renshu and Xu Zhengming can still hear each other clearly. Maybe it's true that you can't choose what you'll hear but you can focus on what you want to listen to.
"Hmm?" Xu Zhengming looks at him attentively, waiting for his next words.
Yin Renshu still feels unwell even after throwing up. His mind is in a total mess. He can't think straight or even choose the words to say and do not.
Smiling lazily, the emperor asks casually, "You actually know you're beautiful?"
Xu Zhengming got caught off-guard. He's not expe
"You're late." Court Lady Han wears a long face as she looks at the newly arrived Eunuch Xu.It's been almost an hour and a half since Court Lady Han and the rest of the emperor's personal maids remained standing outside the Pavilion of Literary Glory. They did nothing and will do nothing but to stand outside to wait for his majesty until the ongoing conference ends.Xu Zhengming forced a laugh. With a hoarse voice, he said, "Sorry, Court Lady Han. I won't be late again."Like the past few mornings, Eunuch Xu wakes up with a dry throat again. Every morning, his condition gets worse. Even three cups of water aren't enough to quench his thirst. It feels like, water is never enough. But what is it? What should he drink so that he can feel better? And his teeth, particularly his canine teeth... it feels strange.Setting his condition aside, this eunuch doesn't have an alibi for his tardiness today. He won't deny the fact that he overslept. He retired so late
"Maiden Murong.""Murong Chi!""Murong jiejie?"The maiden was enjoying her peaceful time alone under a tree near the imperial academy. However, she couldn't concentrate on reading anymore because of a nuisance. Her eyebrows twitch and annoyingly closes the book she's reading."Young master Xu, please don't bother me."The young lady wears a rose-pink long dress matched with a pair of snow-white shoes. Her hair is kept in a simple bun without any hair ornaments. Her lower face is concealed with a veil, only revealing her beautiful almond-shaped eyes. The aura around her is solemn. Definitely that kind of aloof and well-behaved classmate that you don't want to bother.However, Xu Zhengming will always be Xu Zhengming. Whether he's sixteen or twenty-three years old, he's always thick-faced, insensitive, and reckless. With a cheerful face, he asks Murong Chi, "Do you really enjoy studying? You spend your free time reading old books."She
Murong Chi can't get rid of the empress' words in her mind. Does she mean to say that she loves Xu Zhengming? Well, she's somehow concerned about him since he's her friend but...Now that she thinks about it, Xu Zhengming is always treating her well. Although he's forced to come with her at first, he willingly sneaks out with her later on. From their first hunting 'together', she figured out that Xu Zhengming isn't into hunting but he's still willing to follow her.Then she just figured out how he follows him around wherever she wants to go. Whenever she climbs trees, he's always reminding her to be careful not to fall and watch for insects. Whenever she's trying to catch fish in the river, he's always following her with their shoes in his hands. Whenever she's running across the woods, he tries his best to catch up and match her pace.And most of all, he's the one who can bring out her real self. With him, she can be careless, be free, be herself. He saw right
"Where's Renshu?" The door of the Lotus Hall closes.This is the first thing that Prince Yin Wenyan asked the moment he entered the hall.The princess immediately reveals herself behind the screen and greeted her brother."Well..." Princess Yin Xiulan doesn't know what to say.Emperor Yin Renshu is still sleeping soundly behind the screen. She doubts that he'll be waking up soon after drinking too much liquor last night."Don't cover him up." His voice is still calm but his face is very serious."I know he acted recklessly again but with his current state, I'm afraid talking to him won't be very effective." Yin Xiulan slightly turns her head to the left side where two men wearing white robes are sitting at the round table. "And besides, we have more important things to tackle."Yin Wenyan turns his head towards the direction as well. That's when he noticed the presence of his two teachers. By then, he immediately clasps his hands and
Xue Clan's Liaodong Xue Sect is just a small clan of cultivators in the lower cultivation world. They're most known for their crafted poisoned weapons, mutating insects, deadly toxins, and antidotes. Rumors had it that their captives are used as their testing body but no one can really prove this.Strange may it seems, this is how they got a strong connection in the imperial palace. Back then, the emperor of the second generation finds their wicked crafts as a potential weapon to defend the empire from possible threats."She's your wife, how come you did not notice this?" Wang Junjie asks the emperor as he pours tea on Sect Leader Zhao's cup."Ah? She's not only my wife, but she's also Wenyan's too! Also, we're forced to marry each other so am I really obliged to look after her most of the time?" Yin Renshu defended himself.Yin Wenyan on the other hand let out a sigh. He rebuts to his brother, "She's the empress, and you are the real emperor. Don't pass
It's a beautiful day. Green grasses dominate the ground and the blue skies look as majestic as ever. The spring breeze carries the faint floral fragrance. Truly a scenery worth remembering.Xu Zhengming finds himself in a familiar and nostalgic place. He can't even remember the last time he came in here. The field doesn't look like it changed a thing or two from the last time his eyes saw its beauty. Though this place is admirable, he doesn't feel at ease at all. In fact, he feels sadness instead.In the middle of the meadow, he sees a lady with a solemn expression on her face. Her pair of almond-shaped eyes are quite similar to Xu Zhengming's. The longer he stares at her, the more he sees their resemblance. His heart starts to pound faster. He's so happy just by seeing her, so happy that his happiness turns into sadness and hopelessness."Mother..." He whispers in the thin air. He can't bring himself to call out louder. He's afraid that if she glances in his di
Right after their meal, Xu Lin brought the children with him to the nearest foster home he knows which is outside the town. To get there, the four of them have to ride in a horse carriage. Of course, Xu Zhengming followed them and rides as well.Throughout the travel, they just chatted and chatted. Random topics are tackled such as one's favorite food, favorite color, the most embarrassing moment they had, and a lot more childish topics. From a solemn atmosphere, it turns into laughter, then to excitement, and then to amusement. It's clear to see that the children feel comfortable with Xu Lin now.It was already late at night when they arrived at their destination. The three even fell asleep in the carriage while on a long journey. Xu Lin regrets that he has to wake the children up from their sleep.It really is a big relief that he knows someone who manages an orphanage for unfortunate children like the Yin siblings. He can feel at ease to leave them here becau
"Your highness, his majesty the emperor and her highness the first princess has come!" Empress Xue Chi's court lady announce from the outside of her hall.The door slides open and the royal siblings made their entrance. With the help of her court maid, he tried her best to rise into a sitting position. Thanks to the ground Yueguang Hua, which the empress dowager sprinkles on her incense burner, she's feeling somehow better now. Still, she doesn't know how the empress dowager got a hold of it from the emperor, or does the emperor even knows that the spirit herb is gone. Actually, she has the idea that maybe it's the reason why he finally visits her in her hall. To confront her about the missing flower."Your highness." The emperor greets while the princess bows silently. She bows to the other two to return the greetings.Yin Wenyan continues, "We wish to have a word with you for a little while. Is this timing not to your convenience?"Empress Xue Chi shake
The sun hasn't even risen yet our beau is already awake. His hands are occupied with making spring rolls, dumplings, and of course, his favorite wonton noodle soup. Today is the 3rd day of June, Yin Wenyan's birthday. Although he's been awake for a couple of hours now, he's still not done preparing the food. It is because he's been extra careful not to create unnecessary sounds that may awaken the still asleep birthday celebrant. After Yin Wenyan came to see Xu Zhengming in his bookstore, the former emperor declared something bold. He stated that since this beau pulled him back to life from Death's grip, the oh-so-great Xu-xiansheng should take responsibility. In other words, Yin Wenyan just wanted to live the rest of his life with him. Just like his brother, Yin Renshu, Yin Wenyan refused to go back to the imperial palace. According to him, he had enough of the heavy responsibilities and political matters. Well, after everything he's been through, he deserve
It's a rare sight to see Empress Yin Xiulan having a bouquet of freshly picked flowers in her left hand. And as usual, her right hand holds her fan. As bright as the sun shining up in the sky, her face doesn't have a hint of grumpiness. In fact, she isn't wearing a fierce face today. Instead, she's making an unusual happy face. Like any other traveler that finally comes home after a long journey.She's alone, walking in the deepest part of the woods. Although the weather is fair, the area is kind of dark due to huge trees that are blocking the sun rays.When she arrived at her destination, her majesty the empress crouched down in front of a small mound. It's the late Lieutenant General Liu's grave.She puts the flowers on top of it and speaks like someone really is listening to her. "It's been three years, Liu Chen. I wonder if you got into the wheel of reincarnation already." The wind blows gently, making the locks of her hair wave in the air for a short while.
After Zhao Yangguang explained what will happen to them, they immediately fled back to the imperial palace. The sect leader also emphasizes that Emperor Yin Wenyan's soul might be a little strange than he is when he's still alive. Some of these possibilities are losing his eyesight, being unable to talk, slowed comprehension, and the possibility that he still does not realize that he's already dead. Nevertheless, they must convince his soul to store itself into the soul trapping pouch that the sect leader gave them, and bring him back to Wan Moli Hua Palace. "Hana." Sect Elder Wang stands beside the sect leader. Zhao Yangguang is busy passing spiritual energy to Yin Wenyan's body. "You're doing that for a while now. Let me take over for at least a few hours." The sect leader just gives him his signature smile, giving him assurance that he's doing just fine. "I can handle this for a little longer. I'll just call for your help when I feel exhausted, is
The entire imperial palace is consumed by fire. A lot of people turned into ashes and there are still some that have yet to get burned. Sooner or later, everyone will get the brunt. And that doesn't exclude the current empress. The fire also reached Empress Dowager's Hall. Smoke is starting to fill the area within the four corners of the hall so it's already dangerous for the living. Inhaling too much smoke can kill after all. "Didi..." Empress Xue Chi strokes her little brother's hair for the last time. He's still unconscious and doesn't have a clue about what's going on. Even though her highness knows that her words wouldn't reach his brother, she still speaks to him. "Whatever happens, don't give up your life, okay? I know it would be tough for you but I know you can make it through. Live freely, don't let anyone control you, alright?" She smiles weakly. What a shame, she won't witness how will her brother grow into a fine man. She pulls hi
The cold blow of the wind sends chills to everyone's spine. The snow is falling down, an indication that the winter season has officially started. It almost seems that the weather just waited for his majesty's last breath before it decided to make the people feel its extreme cold. Although it's getting chilly, it doesn't bother Xu Zhenging at all. He's still staring at Emperor Yin Wenyan's empty container that's starting to lose its remaining warmth. The usual gentle face of his majesty remained even until the end of his last moments. In fact, he just looks like he's just sleeping soundly. However, Xu Zhengming refuses to give in and is still holding on to the little bit of hope he has. He leads his head on his majesty's heavily wounded chest, hoping for at least a weak heartbeat. He listens attentively, waited for a little while but he heard nothing. He's really gone... Leaving his regrets and unfulfilled dreams behind. Of all times, why does he have
The connection between Emperor Yin Wenyan and his sword weakens due to the failure of passing enough spiritual energy. Through the incantation that the emperor cast, his blade was occupying the deceased eunuch while he's dealing with the empress dowager. Now that the connection is slowly dying, his holy weapon falls onto the roof tiles. Anyone who'll come and see it will say that it only looks like a common sword now that it doesn't possess the majestic aura. "Your majesty...?" Xu Zhengming could only whisper in the thin air. Even though the surroundings are quite dark, the gentle moonlight that is reflected on his majesty's face enables him to recognize him. But as far as he knows, his majesty the emperor is right in front of him. He even talked to him just now. "Who's that..." The silly beau is too confused that he doesn't even know what exactly he has to ask. Although he doesn't know what's happening anymore, he felt his heart is getting unsettled.
While the vicious eunuch, empress dowager, and his majesty the emperor is matched in a death battle on the roof, underneath it has a different scene going on. Princes Yin Xiulan hurried to Yin Renshu and Xu Zhengming's side. She completely forgot her brother that is fighting to the death with the empress dowager. She even forgot her main reason for going to the empress dowager's hall: to find a way to dispel the activated array. "He's about to go berserk again!" At first glance, Princess Yin Xiulan knows it. She witnessed this before and there's no doubt about it. "What should we do? We don't have Yueguang Hua with us." Since this they didn't encounter such poison before... a poison that could turn the victims into monsters, they didn't know many ways to treat it. The spirit herb, Yueguang Hua, the cure for all medicinal plants, is the only thing that they know that could cure Xu Zhengming. Unfortunately, this flower only grows in the wild. In a place that th
Everyone is having a rough time due to this chaos that has risen. Emperor Yin Wenyan didn't have it easy as well. He can barely keep up with Eunuch Ye. Dealing with this monster for an hour or two will do but he's afraid he can't keep up for the third hour. If this continues, he will eventually get exhausted. The deceased eunuch sensed the order of the empress dowager. As her mere pawn, the creature suddenly backed off from the emperor and immediately headed out of the Union Hall. Emperor Yin Wenyan didn't see this coming. He didn't know why Eunuch Ye suddenly runs out of the hall at full speed. Of course, his majesty won't let him go just like that. He chased after him, hoping on the roof from eves to eves. He followed him closely until they reached the Empress Dowager's Hall where his sister and the empress dowager are in combat. Without any forewarnings, Eunuch Ye grabs the empress dowager on the waist and took her with him away from her opponent.
Even though it's in the middle of a chilly night, droplets of sweat are forming on the Empress Dowagers' forehead. She's hiding in a dark corner while she's concentrating the flow of her spiritual energy in her body. There's one more thing that she needs to do before this night ends. The empress dowager is trying to recreate one of the most dangerous weapons that her clan made: the Crimson Javelin. The weapon does not look too different from a normal javelin, except that it has the same color as blood, and it's very deadly. Once injured with this weapon, the victim tends to die in a short time. A poison will quickly circulate in the victim's body and when it reaches the heart, it will immediately turn the organ into an iron (literally), making it an agonizing death due to lack of oxygen. There's no remedy made for it. The javelin doesn't look special in terms of its physical form at all. In fact, it's just a long shaft with a sharp-pointed end. The main diffe