[This part is set somewhere in time within the story.]
Today's weather is fine, perfect for outings. The sky is a lot brighter than Xu Zhengming's future but not as bright as Prince Yin Wenyan's gentle face. And so, Prince Yin Wenyan asked Xu Zhengming out for lunch. The prince heard about a restaurant that serves delicious dishes yet the prices are not too expensive. He thought this is a good time to ask him out because he's worried that his eunuch might be bored to death inside the imperial palace.
They are now waiting for their order that is currently being prepared in the restaurant's kitchen. As usual, Xu Zhengming ordered the most expensive dish that their cook can offer without knowing what kind of dish it is. He didn't even bother to look at their menu. Yin Wenyan on the other hand ordered a bowl of wonton noodle soup, some spring rolls, and dumplings.
[Fun fact: The triplets' favorite food is Wonton Noodle Soup.]
It became their favorite food sin
Princess Yin Xiulan, together with her brother, Prince Yin Wenyan, didn't waste any more seconds and headed towards the Lotus Hall. The princess personally ordered Lieutenant General Liu Chen to keep an eye on the empress and make sure no one can get close to her while they're gone. While they're on their way, the princess can't keep it to herself any longer and asked her brother. "Wenyan, there's this one thing that's bothering me." "Speak." Her brother said. "I as well is in debt to Lin-dage and wishes to help his son as much as I could, however..." She thinks carefully about how to put her words before letting those out of her lips. "I really think you're being too emotional when it comes to Eunuch Xu. Don't get offended, I'm just telling the truth but I really think that you've changed since he came along... or am I just imagining it?" Prince Yin Wenyan is silent for a while. After thinking for a moment, he replies without looking at her. "No. I d
The moon shines so brightly in the night sky. The entire imperial palace is serene only to be interrupted with hurried steps of an imperial official. It was Princess Yin Xiulan's trusted subordinate and confidant, Lieutenant General Liu Chen. His sweat is forming on his forehead and his heartbeat is getting faster as he gets closer to the Lotus Hall. It's either because he's running as fast as he could or he's nervous about how the princess general would react once she learns that the Empress disappeared in the princess' room back at the Department of Justice. Meanwhile, in the Lotus Hall, Prince Yin Wenyan, Princess Yin Xiulan, and Eunuch Xu Zhengming are present. Emperor Yin Renshu was secretly transported into the emperor's hall. And in there, he is peacefully sleeping. Regaining the energy he lost. The three are silently sitting on the round table in the middle of the hall. No one speaks, and the awkward atmosphere around them seems unbreakable. E
"Take him down? What does your highness mean?" The empress dowager cannot remain silent anymore. "Dethrone him." The grand empress dowager said with a straight face. Hearing this short response from the elder, she's still unsatisfied. "Your highness, I am not getting against you, however, are you planning to let the empress rule the rest of the span of the eighth generation?" The grand empress thinks for a while. She thinks it's not that bad but she seems she doesn't like the idea very much. "That idea is good as well. We can control her like a puppet behind the stage after all. However, I have another thing in mind. The seventh prince is a strong candidate to be the next emperor." "The seventh prince?" The empress dowager tries to recall who was it. It didn't take too long for her to picture out the figure of the seventh prince of the eighth generation. The said prince is only a thirteen-year-old child. "Is your highness talking about the youngest so
The empress lost her consciousness and her body fell down on the cold floor once again as soon as Eunuch Yu made his way into the secret room through the roof.The empress dowager's eyes are nailed at the eunuch. Eunuch Ye Feng was dead many years ago yet some of his facial features remained and stayed the same when he was still alive. The only difference is that he was overflowing with life back then and now, his face contains no emotion at all.Memories start to flash in the empress dowager's mind.Back in her younger years, she often met him in the night market. Ye Feng came from a family of merchants and she on the other hand came from a clan of cultivators. They move in different worlds and they could only meet at night where the Ye family opens their business and when she's on her way back from hunting.If there's one thing they have in common, it's the love for music.She still remembers how the garden in Xue Sect looked like in the old time
The crashing sounds of the leaves of the trees outside are all they can hear. There are no other people in the imperial library aside from them so the room is very serene. He also hears her silent sobs. He feels the warm tears on his chest. He strokes her hair and planted a small kiss on her head. "I see, you've been strong for a long time." He said in a low voice, almost whispering. This voice, this very voice that she misses the most, sounds soothing as usual. "I'm sorry it took me some time to get in the palace. But it's okay now, I'm here. I won't let you feel lonely again." Xue BaiHua couldn't utter even a single word. She's afraid that if she did, her voice would break. "I am aware of your position as the imperial noble consort but I also know that you're lonely. The emperor only has his eyes on her majesty." He said in a husky voice. Sincerity is evident in his eyes but she can't see it. "Sometimes, we can't have the person we admire the most."
"We can't use poison on the emperor as it will probably arise new rumors against us. I still care about my image and reputation so we must be careful." The grand empress dowager said that dragged the empress dowager back to reality.She got her mind flooded with the memories of the past that she did not notice that she's already spacing out. Many years have passed but her anger and resentment never faded. The empress dowager believes that everything comes with a price regardless of whoever the person is in question. May that person be as low as Eunuch Ye, or as high as the Grand Empress Dowager. However, she can't let her feelings get in her way towards her sweet revenge. She must be patient, endure it a little more, and suppress it a little longer. She feels that the justice she's been waiting for is now coming after all.The grand empress dowager looks down at the unconscious empress on the floor indifferently. She looks at her like she's some disposable tool that ca
In the maids' quarters, Court Lady Han suddenly opened her eyes and immediately rises into a sitting position. Beside her is her roommate, also his majesty's maid. The maid opens her eyes in a sleepy manner, awaken by Court Lady Han's sudden and hurried movements. "What is it Court Lady Han?" The maid said as she closes her eyes back yet her ears are still waiting for her response. "His majesty! I dreamed of him, being dirtied by a pig!" She said. Her voice is a little hoarse. Perhaps it is because she just woke up that her throat feels dry. Or perhaps she got a cold from Eunuch Xu? She angrily said in the back of her mind, "Eunuch Xu, you really didn't do anything well, did you?" The truth is, he indeed dreamed of his majesty but what dirtied him is not actually a pig. It's Xu Zhengming. How did our Mingming dirty him in her dreams? Who knows? But it must be quite interesting. (A/n: Sorry children! XD) "Aiyah, Court Lady Han, we keep on telli
"I'm really sorry, your majesty! Please forgive me! Please forgive me!" Eunuch Xu pleaded as he kneels before Prince Yin Wenyan. The prince, on the other hand, forces a smile. "I told you, you don't have to apologize. I understand, Eunuch Xu." He tried to help him rise to his feet multiple times but the eunuch refuses to get up and continues to ask for forgiveness. Xu Zhengming shakes his head as his hold on the other's robe tightens. The eunuch is very thankful that the emperor or is now in a good mood. If it happens that he's in the bad mood at this moment, his majesty might point his sword at him again. In just a couple of hours from now, it would be daybreak already. The princess general has long retired in her quarters. Her brother, Prince Yin Wenyan, remained in the Lotus Hall, looking after Xu Zhengming until he regains his consciousness. When the eunuch sucked enough blood from the prince earlier, his aggressiveness faded, and suddenly fell un
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