Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Since the downfall of the Regent, two years have swiftly passed under the Empress Dowager's rule behind the curtain.
Now, all industries are thriving, the border wars have ceased, and the tribes have submitted.
Song Yang is expected to return to court soon, and the Young Emperor is beaming with joy. The Empress Dowager cannot help but ask, "What has you so happy?"
" Minister Song is truly valiant. He lured the snake out of its hole and removed the Regent, and now he is fighting for me outside, safeguarding our empire," the Young Emperor expresses his admiration for Song Yang.
Seeing the confusion on the Empress Dowager's face, he elaborates on how Song Yang endured humiliation and worked as a minor physician in the palace, meticulously fortifying the capital so that the Regent had no opportunity to act. He recounts how Song Yang cleverly created a trap that forced the Regent into a corner, leading to his complete downfall.
The Empress Dowager, lost in thought, asks, "Aren't you afraid he might seize the throne?"
"Mother, what are you saying... Minister Song is a loyal minister and a fine general. He originally intended to remain at the frontier, but I would not allow it; I naturally rejected his request," the Young Emperor replies earnestly.
The Empress Dowager is unsure how she made her way back to her chamber. She initially thought that Song Yang coveted power, yet after the Regent's demise, he has not sought any authority at all.
She realizes she has misunderstood him.
Recalling the moment she unknowingly stabbed him with her sword, anger rises within her.
For so many years, he has been trying to atone for his father's mistakes in his own way. Did he ever consider that his silence and concealment infuriated her more than open honesty?
Just then, palace servants hurriedly report that General Song's old wounds have flared up again; he was ambushed on his way back to the city and is beyond saving.
Her body sways dangerously, nearly collapsing to the ground, but a maid behind her catches her.
She demands sharply, "Say that again!"
The servant trembles as they reply, "They say General Song... has recently... passed away."
"Nonsense! He is clearly a physician with exceptional skills."
In just a short while, the Empress Dowager felt as if her strength had been completely drained, her mind echoing with the thought: How could Song Yang possibly die so easily?
"I heard... I heard that the old injury was a sword wound, deep and severe. The wound wasn't treated in time, leading to a lingering illness," a palace maid cautiously added.
The Empress Dowager suddenly fell silent, her expression blank. That sword strike was one she had delivered without hesitation before departing.
She recalled the words of the Young Emperor, and everything Song Yang had silently done for her. Her heart felt as if it were being sliced piece by piece. She had yet to settle accounts with him; she hadn’t even addressed his concealment. How could he leave her like this?
Never before had she hated him so much for bearing everything alone, for even in death, he had to make her heart ache.
After a moment, she found her voice again and coldly laughed, "Even if he is dead, I must see his body. Announce it—immediately send someone to bring the coffin back to the capital."
Her face was filled with desolation, her voice choked with emotion. The palace maid wanted to look away but gasped when she raised her head.
The Empress Dowager had unconsciously coughed up blood. Just as she wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth, she coughed again and then fell into unconsciousness.
When she awoke again, a palace maid reported that Triumphant Return to the Capital's convoy had encountered bandits in the outskirts of Jiangnan. They had narrowly escaped, but Song Yang's body had fallen off a cliff and could not be found.
Upon hearing this, darkness enveloped her once more.
When her vision returned, she quietly gazed out the window at a tree full of blooming Western Crabapple Blossom flowers. Suddenly, memories flooded back to that spring when he returned from Jiangnan, speaking of its beautiful scenery. When she expressed her longing for it, he had said, "If one day I find the opportunity, I will surely take you to explore every river and stream."
Her heart ached unbearably. It wasn’t that his feelings for her were shallow; rather, they were too deep. He would rather let her misunderstand him than allow her to hold onto any hope.
But Song Yang, how could I let you have your way?
A few days later, news spread through the palace that the Empress Dowager had fallen ill and moved to a secluded palace to recuperate.
A month later, the mournful bells tolled throughout the palace, announcing the passing of the Empress Dowager.
Upon hearing the news, the Top Aphrodisiac Master, who had originally planned to organize his belongings and head to the capital for a visit, abruptly halted his work and set the entire building ablaze.
When he was rescued in a disheveled state, he found an Enchanting Woman disguised as Romantic Young Master standing before him.
Furious, she stood on her tiptoes, tugged at his ear, and spoke in a fierce whisper, "Xiang Gong, you have made me search high and low for you! So you’ve been here in this brothel, embracing women left and right, have you?"
He gazed at her lively features, her eyes sparkling with mischief. After calling out "Wife" playfully for a while, he said, "I possess no talents but this skill. To support my family, some sacrifices must be made, right?"
The beautiful woman disregarded his escape from the fire and his excuses. Ignoring the stares of passersby, she yanked his ear and dragged him straight back to the inn.
Thus, Master Song Yang not only mastered the art of creating aphrodisiacs that could make one feel as if soaring through clouds while enjoying intimate pleasures but also gained a reputation for being afraid of his wife.
Upon returning to the inn, the woman—who was none other than the Empress Dowager—fumed as she chastised him: "Feigning death? Huh? Making aphrodisiacs? And even outside the palace? Now you've burned yourself in a fire! Song Yang, you've really outdone yourself; you've made me worry for nothing!"
After finishing her tirade, she turned away from him, ignoring his presence.
He spoke sweetly for quite some time before she finally turned back around and said, "From now on, you are not allowed to flirt with other women or sell aphrodisiacs!"
"Then… what should I do to support you?" he asked.
With a sly smile, she replied, "Open a brothel."
Comment 0 Comment Count