Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
"Your Majesty, this morning we received reports from our clansmen that a large bird has appeared in the Chaotic Branch Forest to the north of the city, and it has already injured three civilians."
The High Priest's expression was grave as he recalled the divination from last night. He hesitated several times to speak but ultimately held back.
"Bring out the Golden Arrow from the storeroom; I will go see for myself."
"I will accompany you," she said.
The tall horse leaped over the red walls of Langya, and Su Yuan chased after him, finally blocking his path with a smile. "It is dangerous ahead. As a noble, how can I not be by your side to protect you?"
Qingchen was momentarily speechless. After a moment of contemplation, he reached out and pulled her onto the horse's back, instantly enveloped by her fragrance, causing him to stiffen.
Upon reaching the north of the city, the tall horse began to rear up, growing restless.
Qingchen's expression changed. He quickly dismounted and instructed those behind him to retreat to the edge of the forest, forming a line to set up the Golden Arrow.
From a distance, a long cry echoed as the Akin Heron swooped down but froze upon seeing Su Yuan. In that moment, Qingchen shot a Golden Arrow at its wing.
Blood stained a large area, and the once beautiful golden feathers lost their luster.
With a thunderous crash, trees in the Chaotic Branch Forest fell in droves.
The injured Akin Heron, having fallen to the ground, gasped for breath. When the soldiers approached, it spat fire at them and gritted its teeth, saying, "I will not let you go."
Then it shot a fleeting glare at Su Yuan before taking off amidst the chaos.
Emperor Qingchen was slightly taken aback as he glanced at the calm woman standing beside him.
"Su Yuan, do you know that large bird?"
Su Yuan smiled brightly and said, "Your Majesty is joking. How could I possibly know such strange things?"
"Your Majesty, the Shunliu Path has dried up this morning."
"General Baili is in urgent need; the border city cannot hold out any longer."
In court, three memorials were presented in succession, and Qingchen's expression immediately turned as rigid as iron.
The High Priest sighed deeply and took out the People's Register: "Your Majesty, since the great bird attacked the common people in the Chaotic Branch Forest, thousands have suffered over these past months. Although Su Yuan can control the Sun Copper Drum, she is truly not a noble of our Langya... Now, countless citizens are petitioning, pleading with Your Majesty to immediately offer Su Yuan as a Sacrifice to the Gods to ensure the prosperity of Langya in the future."
Emperor Qingchen's expression became stern: "Enough. There is no need to speak of offering a Sacrifice to the Gods again."
Su Yuan was basking in the sun in front of the library when she heard the sound of bowing from outside the courtyard. Assuming it was Qingchen arriving, she did not rise but continued speaking: "A few days ago, I drank a bowl of meat soup that must have had half a jar of salt poured into it. Today, I found that the new dress sent to me had several holes cut into it. Even when I take a stroll in the garden, there are always clumsy things blocking my way. Perhaps I am not suited for the wealth and splendor of this imperial family."
After a pause, she looked up and saw Qingchen coming out from the side gate. She smiled gently, "Perhaps this remote library is truly my place of refuge."
"However, I have discovered something interesting."
She smiled as she handed him a scroll.
Qingchen took it and upon seeing it, his previously serious expression turned even paler. He furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "What is this?"
"You rushed here so hastily to find me; surely someone in court has conspired against me again, and it is something you cannot evade."
Her eyes were filled with a faint smile as she continued, "I thought it best to be a virtuous and courteous woman so as not to put you in a difficult position. This book records that anyone who can control the Sun Copper Drum can offer themselves as a Sacrifice to the Gods in exchange for peace throughout the realm."
"So, Your Majesty, I am willing to offer myself as a Sacrifice to the Gods for the peace and prosperity of Langya."
Qingchen's back suddenly became stiff. Who could manipulate love so skillfully in their hands?
In his eyes, a gentle warmth seemed to unfold as he embraced her, saying, "Though I am powerless, the world of Langya has not yet reached the point where you must sacrifice yourself."
His face wore a gentle smile, dispelling the gloom from earlier in the court: "I promised to protect you."
In that moment, he recalled many things. Since her appearance, every time he awoke from dreams at midnight, it felt as if he could see them.
She would rise earlier than him each day, washing her hands to prepare meals for him, binding his hair, resembling a typical wife from an ordinary family.
She would stand by the door to see him off and then wait for his return, preparing a bath for him to cleanse and change.
After meals, she would accompany him on walks in the small courtyard, holding a lantern and linking arms with him. Just the two of them, walking under the half-lit moonlight...
Perhaps that was the only love he yearned for in this life.
Akin Heron reappeared in the Chaotic Branch Forest, capturing a hundred children and trapping them in an illusion.
He declared that as long as Emperor Qingchen bowed three times before him and offered up Su Yuan, he would release those children.
In an instant, there were complaints throughout Langya about Su Yuan, lamenting that the enchantress was bringing disaster to the country.
Qingchen pondered for a long time and spent an entire night in deep conversation with the High Priest.
The next morning it began to rain. He wore only a thin outer garment and set off alone to the northern Chaotic Branch Forest.
Later, Su Yuan thought that Qingchen must have been using his own method to fulfill his promise to her.
Protect her?
The situation took a sudden turn, the people were suffering, the Shunliu Path had dried up, and battles continued in the border towns.
As an ordinary person, how could he protect her?
It was the biggest rain of July, pouring down heavily, blurring people's vision.
Yet she still clearly saw the emperor, high above, once again lifting his robe and kneeling down.
How much did he love his people to repeatedly trample his dignity underfoot, to… betray her?
Akin maliciously sought revenge, mocking with laughter: "It's a shame you are the Son of Heaven yet so foolish as to treat such a vicious woman as an esteemed guest? Back then, when the Heron Tribe was about to go to war, she single-handedly killed thousands of egrets; the souls that died at her hands are countless."
The Qingchen was momentarily stunned.
In the next moment, a silver needle pierced Akin's vital point, and his complexion changed drastically. However, the Qingchen's gaze turned cold in an instant.
After a long while, he forced a gentle smile and turned to look. The Chaotic Branch Forest was filled with smoke and chaos, blown about by the storm that disrupted his eyelashes.
He called out hoarsely, "Su Yuan, is that you? Who exactly are you?"
Comment 0 Comment Count