“Do I need to report to you, my daughter-in-law, what I want to do?” She played with the jade ring on her finger, asking ambiguously.
“Are you talking about Dong Fang Che?”
“No! He is my other son, clever and intelligent, the heir I chose, but unfortunately, fate had other plans. At ten, he became mentally disabled. Perhaps it was my retribution.” She sighed, her beautiful eyebrows furrowing, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.
“Why?” Ling’er asked, confused.
“Because he witnessed me killing the young prince! Perhaps heaven was fighting against me. That year, I lost my most beloved Xi and lost Che.” Her expression reflected deep pain.
“Is the throne really that important to you?” Ling’er couldn’t understand why she would use such cruel methods to secure her son’s position.
“Yes! In your eyes, I’m cruel and ruthless, mad for glory and wealth. But palace intrigues are beyond your comprehension! The principle of ‘winners are kings, losers are bandits’ is one you should understand. For my son, I’m willing to sacrifice everything!”
“She suddenly turned her face, the smile at the corner of her mouth erasing her previous sadness, and coldly asked: ‘Although you are now the Queen of Meng Qi, how much do you really know about Che?’
Her words left Ling’er momentarily speechless. How much did she really know about him? Beyond the past tenderness and indulgence, what kind of person was he?
Oh? Compared to me, you can still be considered a loyal friend! But I want you to watch your friend die before your eyes and experience the feeling of wanting to save them yet being unable to do so! She laughed coldly, her sharp eyes fixed on her, a blood-thirsty smile playing at the corner of her mouth.
‘You’re overestimating your own status! Although I, Lan Ling’er, am neither a noble lady nor a heroic figure, I still know what honor means! From what I see, Your Majesty the Empress seems unaware of this!’ She deliberately challenged her.
‘It seems that if I don’t teach you a lesson, I won’t be able to establish myself in the palace!’ She was enraged, casually waving her hand and signaling two eunuchs.
‘Your Majesty! Your Majesty!’ The stone door opened again, and a young eunuch rushed in, his face pale, hands trembling, stumbling on the steps.
‘What a fuss! Speak quickly!’ She was clearly displeased with his panicked intrusion, her eyebrows slightly raised as she spoke coldly.
‘Your Majesty!'”
The young eunuch leaned close to the Empress and whispered in her ear. The proud smile faded, and her noble eyebrows furrowed. Her delicate fingers gripped her phoenix robe tightly; she seemed to have encountered some trouble.
“I promise to release your friend! But you must do as I say, or I will crush them!” The sudden turn of events forced her to set aside her hatred.
“Okay!” It was worth dying for to save them, but what could make her, a ruthless woman, give up her intention to kill?
Her eyes scanned the scene, waiting quietly.
The stone door moved slowly, a subtle melody playing between the door and the floor.
“Mother, since you wanted to see Ling’er, why didn’t you tell me first so I could have her dress up? Why come personally?” He spoke calmly, his eyes fixed on the Empress.
“Che’er, I’m just inviting my daughter-in-law to a meal. Surely, you don’t suspect your mother’s intentions?” The Empress walked down, pointing to the sumptuous meal and smiling.
“Mother is thoughtful! Only, next time you want to have a meal with Ling’er, could you notify me first? It would save me some worry!” He saw through the Empress’s intentions but spoke conventionally as she was his biological mother.
No! Her feet trembled as she stepped back.
Although she had always wanted to die before, facing death directly made her afraid. She could have gone to the Pure Land without hesitation, but now she was no longer the same Lan Ling’er. She had a husband who doted on her completely.
“Then I’ll drink!” She seemed to be pushing forward with a fierce gaze as she picked up the wine cup.
“No, don’t!” someone rushed forward, slapping the cup away, spilling wine on the ground.
“You want to harm only me. Why torment Yi Qing? Let them go!” She was willing to sacrifice everything to achieve her goal.
“Drink this wine!” another voice said, pouring more wine into another empty cup.
“Fine, I’ll drink!” She gulped down the cup on the right.
“Yi Qing, why? Why be so foolish?” As she put down her cup, Yi Qing’s cup also fell, trembling.
“I hate you! I want you to regret this for a lifetime!” A lifetime of feelings possessed by the woman before her. She was truly unwilling.
“Yi Qing!” Too consumed by sadness and triumph, the three women didn’t notice Dong Fang Ce’s arrival. He embraced her falling body, calling softly.
“Brother Ce, why did you deceive me? I loved you so much. I could die for you, so why did you marry this woman?”
Blood seeped from her mouth, her heartache obscuring the pain of her internal wounds. Lying in his arms, she felt them drifting further apart.
“No! Yi Qing! Don’t speak, I’ll take you to the imperial physician, you’ll be fine!” He lifted her, his gaze locking onto Ling’er’s.
His beautiful eyebrows furrowed, filled with reluctance and heartache. But he left without looking back, leaving all his feelings beside her. Ling’er, wait for me! he silently thought.
“Why does your back wound my feelings? Why does your love end in helplessness? When we turn back, will everything have already flowed away?” A familiar song echoed in her mind as blood trickled from her lips.
“I forgot to tell you, both cups of wine were poisoned. Yi Qing was poisoned first, but her poison was ordinary. You — my good daughter-in-law — have been poisoned with the world’s most potent poison — Yi Shang. You won’t survive past a single incense stick’s time. Rest assured, after you’re gone, I’ll hold a proper memorial service!” She laughed madly, her face showing no pain — she was the master of life.
“Ling’er! Ling’er!” It was Luo Ran’s voice! She wanted to respond, but gradually lost consciousness…
Though the spring equinox had passed, the cold wind continued its assault. Carriages passed on the road, yet the street remained desolate.
“Brother, what should we do now?” Yan’er wiped the sweat from Ling’er’s face, worry filling her heart.
“Do you remember what father said?” Luo Ran leaned against the doorframe, speaking softly.
“Are you talking about the ‘Grudge Fate’ jade?” Yan’er stood up in shock.
“Yes! It can cure any poison.” Luo Ran’s words opened a path of hope.
“But father said there’s only one jade in the world. How can we find it? It’s the second day already. We used our family’s secret method to temporarily preserve Ling’er’s life, but after five days, she’ll die! What should we do?” Tears rolled down Yaner’s face as she sat beside Ling’er, heart aching at her pale countenance.
“There must be a way!” Luo Ran called out deep within.
“Master, this is a new medicine I prepared. Please try it on the princess!”
“What antidote? All of you are useless!”
The usually calm Luo Ran struck the medicine bowl from Yu Shan’s hands, his eyes wild.
“Master, I’m sorry!” Yu Shan trembled, crouching to pick up the broken porcelain bowl.
“Brother, what’s wrong with you? Yu Shan meant well; how can you blame her like this?” Yan’er defended Yu Shan, concerned about Ling’er’s poisoning yet feeling her brother was unjust.
“It’s okay! There’s still some medicine in the pot, I’ll bring it!” Yu Shan said, blinking back tears and forcing a smile as she turned to leave.
“Brother, you’ve gone too far!” Yan’er saw Yu Shan’s grievance and worried her brother was lost in his emotions.
“Yu Shan, I’m sorry! I’m in a bad mood!” Luo Ran called out to her retreating figure, acknowledging his mistake.
