“The reason you and the young prince were caught by the old Buddha was because you had planted informants in the hall, and the Empress Dowager discovered them,” Cang Yue replied calmly.
Sunlight danced through tree branches. Xu Qiu’er lowered her lashes, sorrow reflected in her gaze directed at Cang Yue’s face. “It’s… all… my… fault…” Her voice carried self-blame and helplessness. “From now on, we are blood-related, Hao Li.”
Xu Qiu’er did not open her eyes, gathering all her strength, “Who?”
Ning’er frowned, not understanding who Xu Qiu’er was referring to. Cang Yue respectfully said, “Ling’er, who serves by the lady’s side.”
Xu Qiu’er closed her eyes and tried to turn away. Ning’er hurried forward to help her turn but pulled at the wound. The intense pain was nothing compared to her heartache. The wound was torn open and could not close. Xu Qiu’er swallowed her pain and said, “Leave no survivors, not even their family. Betray me, and I might spare your life. But betray someone more important to me than my own life, and your entire family will pay the price.”
Ning’er gasped, unable to believe this was their lady. She opened her mouth, “My lady…”
“From now on, call me master…”
Xu Qiu’er fell asleep.
The quietest dogs are the most likely to bite silently. Xu Qing’er, just wait…
As the early morning sun broke through the mist, the Golden Wall Kingdom remained dark. Xu Qiu’er could now sit up, though not for long. Her wound was healing, and no one knew what had happened.
In the small kitchen, Ning’er said, “No, this will make my lady sick. I must tell her that the young prince is dead.” She put down what she was holding. These days, she struggled to find words to describe her lady. Unexpectedly, Guan Yue blocked her. Ning’er tried to push her away, but Guan Yue, being a martial artist, was stronger.
Ning’er anxiously said, “Let me go, I need to tell my lady.”
Guan Yue coldly replied, “You think the master doesn’t know?”
Ning’er was confused and angry. She had held back her tears in front of her lady, but now she was on the verge of breaking. “Guan Yue, what is your heart made of? You were sent into the palace by the young prince. Your master is gone. How can you not be sad?”
Guan Yue observed her coldly. “Our mission is to protect the master. Our master is Autumn Concubine. Even if someone dies before us, we won’t shed a tear. We live solely for her. Do you think the master will let this go? She survived because she has a reason to live.”
“You…”
Guan Yue turned and left. Servants shouldn’t say too much. The young prince sent them to Autumn Concubine, and their loyalty was to her. Even in the face of death, they would act only to protect her. The old Buddha once prevented them from saving her, but the young prince gave his life for hers, making her life more important than anything else.
In the Ruo Autumn Hall –
“The person has been brought,” Cang Yue said, waiting for Xu Qiu’er’s command.
Xu Qiu’er, in pain and disheveled, struggled to move. Cang Yue stepped forward to support her. “Let him come in,” she said softly.
“This subject greets my lady,” Gong Sun Jin Yu bowed.
“Come here.” Though unsure of her intent, he approached. As he neared her bed, Xu Qiu’er slapped him with all her strength. Cang Yue tended to her wounds, having reopened with her movement. Her lips pressed into a pale line, and her gaze was icy. “Do you know why I struck you?”
“This subject knows.”
“Good. I don’t keep useless people. Gong Sun Jin Yu, I trust you. I want them all dead—none left.”
“This subject will do everything to fulfill my lady’s wish. I would die a thousand deaths.”
Her lips curved coldly. With fierce determination, she commanded, “Find a way to gain the Crown Prince’s trust. At any cost.”
“Why silent?” Her eyes blazed with fury. Gong Sun Jin Yu looked up, surprised, “This subject does not think my lady should harm herself so. The young prince…”
Slap.
Xu Qiu’er’s movement caused her to lean slightly down.
Cang Yue steadied her, signaling Gong Sun Jin Yu not to provoke her further. He pressed his lips together silently. Xu Qiu’er had Cang Yue help her lie down, facing away from Gong Sun Jin Yu. Moments later, warm tears flowed from her eyes, sliding to her temples and dampening her pillow.
Nostalgic memories like a dream awaken with nowhere to pursue. Unable to bring the past to the present, the gap in those beautiful memories hurts when touched, piercing to the bone. The most beautiful things are never meant to be fully experienced; once they are, they can never be forgotten. They forever intertwine in life, creating a painful nostalgia that keeps the heart submerged in memories, unwilling to face reality.
I have carefully translated the text into English, maintaining the original style and structure:
I have been to a beautiful shore beyond description, haunting me in this mortal world. Such a profound experience makes one reluctant to let go but eager to continue pursuing. However, the most beautiful moments disappear the fastest, and once gone, only midnight dreams remain, awakening with heartbreaking sorrow.
In the end, I want nothing, only to exchange all my living moments to return to the past.
“If you understand, you should know what I want.”
Jin Yu closed her eyes and retreated.
“Cang Yue…”
“This servant is here.”
“How many years have you and Guan Yue followed Hao Li?”
“Fourteen years. Our lives were saved by the young prince.”
“Were you sad when the young prince died?”
“The young prince sent us into the palace, so we belong to the master. The master’s life is the only life that matters. We are not sad; only the master is our ultimate responsibility.”
Xu Qiu Er forced a smile.
“Go bring Ling Er here.”
“Yes.” Cang Yue lowered her head and retreated.
“Where is she?” Cang Yue asked.
Guan Yue brought Ling Er and Cang Yue said, “Bring her in. The empress wants to see her.”
“Yes.” Guan Yue pushed Ling Er into the main hall.
“Empress, Ling Er has arrived.”
Xu Qiu Er touched the wound in her heart. Cang Yue supported her as she carefully helped Xu Qiu Er onto the rosewood chair and covered her with a tiger skin blanket.
The person kneeling on the ground waited for ten minutes in silence before secretly raising her head. Her gaze met Xu Qiu Er’s, who surprisingly smiled at her. Ling Er felt cold sweat and signaled to Guan Yue, who recited, “Liu Ling Er still has a mother, a brother, a newborn nephew, and a sister-in-law.”
The hall was silent, sunlight casting shadows on the wall. Soft orange light fell on her jade-like face, sliding from her forehead along her brow, mixing with her alluring lips. Her long eyelashes trembled, casting shadows beneath her eyes. “Oh, her mother is still alive, so that’s how it is…” Xu Qiu Er said softly.
Ling Er, crying and prostrating, tried to speak but was unable. Xu Qiu Er signaled to Guan Yue, who threw something down. Ling Er’s eyes widened before she fainted.
“Are they all dead?”
“Not a single one left.”
Xu Qiu Er lowered her eyelids, her lips curving in a mix of praise and mockery. “Xu Qing Er, just wait and see how I will thank you.”
“Empress, Concubine Qing requests an audience.”
“No.”
Ning Er had just left when Qing Ya forcefully entered, pushing Ning Er aside: “You useless slave, get out of my way.”
“Ning Er, please bring Concubine Qing in,” Xu Qiu Er said, rising with Cang Yue’s support.
“Xu Qiu Er, how did my brother die?” Qing Ya approached Xu Qiu Er’s bed but was stunned at her appearance. How could she have become so thin in just a few days? Cang Yue lowered her head, blocking Qing Ya’s approach. “How did my brother die? How could he suddenly fall ill? How did he die in your Autumn Hall? Xu Qiu Er, explain this to me.”
