On the New Year's Eve of the twelfth year of Tianxu, a blizzard descended from the sky, covering the entire capital city of Dayan with a flurry of pure white snowflakes.
The biting north wind howled by, carrying the golden fireballs burning in the residence of the General of Divine Might, Lu Ruqing, in the northwest of the imperial city, swirling them into the air before extinguishing them, resembling the fireworks lit during a lantern festival.
Yan Ruoxu trembled all over, dressed only in close-fitting clothing, and collapsed onto the icy snow in the freezing night.
An iron arrow with feathered tails was deeply embedded in her shoulder, and crimson blood gushed out, staining the white snow underneath her.
"You didn't expect today to come, did you? Have you ever tasted the feeling of looking up at someone? How does it feel?"
The woman standing before her with a sword smiled triumphantly, seeming unusually complacent and lacking the caution she used to have.
Yan Ruoxu glared at her, words forming on her lips, but she swallowed them back deeply.
At this moment, she was no longer the incredibly distinguished imperial princess. After General Lu Ruqing rebelled and was defeated by Prince Rong leading an army, the entire Lu family committed suicide, including her, the beloved legitimate princess of the late emperor. For conspiring with the Lu family, she was now to be executed.
Yan Ruoxu knew that the more panicked she appeared now, the more pleased Yan Yuyu in front of her would be. Wasn't that why she had always displayed such a dignified and reserved demeanor before her, just so that one day she could gloat in triumph?
No way!
Unfortunately, her hand that had once wielded a sword no longer had the strength to cut down the despicable person in front of her.
"Did you know? The legitimate son of the Lu family, Lu Yuanhan, or rather, your husband, died such a tragic death. Pierced by countless arrows, when the soldiers fished out his corpse from a mountain of bones, tsk tsk, his eyes were still wide open. If it weren't for marrying you, how could he have ended up without closing his eyes in death?"
Yan Yuyu despised Yan Ruoxu's composed and dignified appearance, as if she was always reminding herself that Yan Ruoxu was the Emperor's legitimate daughter, of the highest nobility, and even her demeanor was more dignified than her, a daughter born out of wedlock. How could she not hate her?
Since Yan Ruoxu insisted on being composed until death, she might as well add fuel to the fire and see how long she could endure.
Hearing this, Yan Ruoxu's pupils suddenly widened. Lu Yuanhan! Such a proud and graceful person actually died so tragically.
Her hand clenched into a fist, her nails digging into her flesh, and she wished she could crush them with her teeth.
"Yan Yu, why do you say these things?"
Someone spoke to dissuade her, dressed in silver armor, with his black hair tied up with a water-blue headband. His features were even and balanced, and he bent down to reach out to Yan Ruoxu.
"It is His Majesty's orders. The Princess must leave, but even then, she must leave with dignity."
According to blood relations, Yan Ruoxu should address the man in front of her as her cousin. He was Duan, the late Emperor's illegitimate son. They had rarely met before, and now looking at his unfamiliar face, Yan Ruoxu was momentarily distracted.
Years ago, when her father, the emperor, and her mother, the empress, were still alive, and her elder brother was still the crown prince, on a sunny autumn afternoon, there was a person who came to her with an outstretched hand.
Distant memories flooded into her mind like this.
In the seventeenth year of Song Yuan, during autumn, in the royal hunting ground to the west of the capital city, the famous royal hunting groun
The autumn wind was desolate, the ground covered in golden leaves, and a young girl rode ahead with an unparalleled heroic and vigorous demeanor.
A wild deer, injured by an arrow, panicked and ran through the knee-high grass, closely followed by Yan Ruoxu riding a horse. The wind whipped her soft hair and billowed her clothes as she sat on the horse, preparing to bend her bow for another shot. Suddenly, the injured deer turned and charged directly at Yan Ruoxu.
The startled white horse neighed and stumbled, causing Yan Ruoxu to fall, luckily onto soft grass, only twisting her ankle. However, the deer turned back and aimed its sharp antlers at her, ready to cause serious harm.
At that critical moment, an iron arrow tore through the air with tremendous force, striking down the frenzied deer, rescuing Yan Ruoxu from imminent danger. Yan Ruoxu, rubbing her injured ankle, was still in shock, pale with relief of narrowly escaping death.
As she struggled to get up, she felt a sharp, piercing pain in her ankle. At that moment, a distinctly knuckled, slender hand appeared before her eyes, belonging to the man who had earlier saved her with his arrow.
He reached out to Yan Ruoxu and, in a deep tone, said, "Princess, are you injured? I arrived too late to your rescue, I hope you can forgive me." At that time, Yan Ruoxu did not recognize him, but he was the legitimate son of the current General of Godly Might and was already a prominent military officer with a distinguished military record.
Yan Ruoxu assumed he was an uncommon relative of the tribe, so with a slight smile, she reached up and grabbed the warm, large hand to pull herself up from the ground, saying softly, "It's alright." It was only the next day that she learned of his identity when her father, the emperor, was rewarding his achievements.
Was he really Lu Yuanhan, the young general who had repeatedly shown great military prowess and made the rebel army tremble? The previously unnoticed young man gradually occupied Yan Ruoxu's thoughts. Unlike the rough and fierce men on the battlefield, he seemed different. His features were gentle, his eyes clear, and even emitted a touch of refined gentleness.
Without knowing when, the fleeting encounters with this young man at the hunting ground began to take root in Yan Ruoxu's heart. The falling snow dyed her black hair silver, and she gazed at her hand with sorrow. She realized they had changed, and the once vibrant couple was now separated in life and death. Would he hate her when they met in the afterlife?
Yes, Lu Yuanhan hated her to the bone, and Yan Ruoxu was acutely aware of it.
"Yan Li, why are you stopping me?" Yan Yusen sneered coldly at the kneeling Yan Ruoxu, and spoke harshly, "If not for you insisting on the imperial marriage, leading to the further strength and influence of the Lu family, causing discord among courtiers and ruining the peace, would there have been the turmoil of today? General Lu was also forced into a hopeless situation and their whole family perished, all because of you. Let's see how you can face them with any dignity!"
Each word was like a sharp blade that fell on Yan Ruoxu's ears. She felt a rush of blood to her throat, and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"No, that's not true," her mind was completely shattered, and she whispered futilely.
At the time of the imperial marriage, everyone said that it was her, the princess, who had acted recklessly and begged desperately in Emperor Yan Li's bedchamber to gain the marriage. But they didn't know the true reason behind it.
That year, the northwestern barbarian tribes were advancing, and the Lu family led their troops to battle with the barbarians at Taoyang.
Meanwhile, in the distant capital of Dayan, the heavily-ill Emperor Ganjing's condition deteriorated, and after a month of battle, he passed away. Immediately following, before the mourning for the late Emperor could end, the Empress Dowager Xu also followed the late Emperor in grief.
Crown Prince Yan Li ascended the throne in haste, and issued several edicts commanding the Godly Might General Lu Ruqing to return and negotiate peace with the barbarians.
General Lu, who had always been pro-war, openly declared that he had no intention of obeying the imperial decree, preparing to confront and resist the barbarians, directly challenging the face of the new Emperor.
In the late night secret chamber of the palace, Emperor Yan Li and his counselors conspired to arrest the Lu family members who remained in the capital and dispatched a military force to support the frontlines, to secretly escort General Lu back to the palace. He urgently needed to handle the Lu family, using their deaths as a warning to others, in order to maintain the dignity of the royal family.
Yan Ruoxu obtained this information from the Empress and rushed into the palace, begged desperately, and even attempted suicide, requesting the Emperor to marry her to Lu Yuanhan.
Under the flickering candlelight, the young Emperor's face turned a sickly yellow. He stood under the west window, looking up at the bright moon, and behind him, the stubborn girl bit her lip and formed a thin line, her watery eyes fixed on his back, tears falling continuously.
"Brother, please, I can't marry anyone else because my heart already belongs to Lu Yuanhan. If you don't agree, I'll die tonight and go to meet our father and mother. Even if I'm underground, I'll wait for him."
Although Yan Ruoxu had already given her heart to Lu Yuanhan, unfortunately, he did not associate with imperial royalty. During festivals and banquets, he never attended, and Yan Ruoxu did not know him very well. It was only because of the urgent situation that she lied about being privately engaged to Lu Yuanhan.
Closing his eyes, Emperor Yan Li seemed to recall his early years, the days of carefree laughter and joy with his beloved sister during their youth. "Ruoxu, do you know who the Lu family is? Lu Ruqing came from a humble background as a civil official, originally just a little county magistrate in Xucheng. However, due to military achievements, he rose rapidly. His deep cunning and meticulous thoughts are chilling. Lu Yuanhan, his legitimate son, has been influenced by him since childhood. How could he be a good person? If he genuinely cared for you, he wouldn't be so reckless."
"No," Yan Ruoxu shook her head, gripping a silver sword against her delicate neck, a glint of light sparkling in her eyes. "What's wrong with us being in love?"
Facing his beloved sister, Emperor Yan Li seemed to remember the carefree days of their youth, deeply moved by her words. "Ruoxu, I've heard that Lu Yuanhan had been engaged to a cousin from his mother's family since he was young. Even if we agree to the marriage, it's really not appropriate."
With these words, Yan Ruoxu knew that her brother's heart had been swayed. She tightened her grip on the sword, and the sharp blade left a bloodied mark on her fair skin. "Brother, please grant our request. With our parents gone, you are the only one I can rely on."
Yan Ruoxu continued, crying in sorrow, her beautiful eyes now swollen from tears, even more pitiful and heart-wrenching.
After hesitating for a long time, the newly crowned Emperor Yan Li, with a weary and helpless sigh, finally said, "Alright, give him another chance. Tomorrow, I will issue a decree for the marriage, and they must return to the court as soon as possible. Otherwise, I'll have no choice."
Three months later, the Godly Might General, Lu Ruqing, finally returned triumphant, having achieved a great victory at Taoyang, silencing any lingering doubts. The new Emperor made no further objections.
Yan Ruoxu also entered the General's residence in her bridal attire, adorned in splendor.
On the wedding night, the woman Song Qiaoer, who had previously been engaged to Lu Yuanhan, drank poisoned wine and died in a corner of the residence amidst the joy and laughter.
At that moment, in the bridal chamber, the flickering candlelight cast a warm glow over the room. Yan Ruoxu, in her splendid red dress, sat nervously on the bridal bed, waiting for the person in front of her to lift the red curtain.
Suddenly, there was commotion outside the door, and a voice shouted, "Young Master, Miss Song has committed suicide!"
The man, dressed in a groom's attire and a high bun, immediately turned and ran out, causing a gust of wind that blew open a corner of the red curtain. Amidst the flickering red candlelight, Yan Ruoxu only saw a resolute figure, then he dashed out of the room.
That was the beginning of Lu Yuanhan's hatred towards her.
He grew up with Song Qiaoer, and they were truly in love since they were young; Yan Ruoxu was the one who forcibly seized love. Lu Yuanhan hated her with the status of the royal princess, pressuring them to break up, and ultimately causing Song Qiaoer to die from drinking poison.
After the marriage, Lu Yuanhan would rather spend the night in the military camp than return to the bedroom. He was a native of the Central Plains, and although he was a rare fierce general in the military, he also enjoyed poetry, painting, chess, and calligraphy in his spare time, writing elegant and free-spirited characters.
Yan Ruoxu, this kind of fiery woman, was not the one he loved at all.
Moreover, some political and trivial matters later further deepened the estrangement between the two. Although Yan Ruoxu had explained the situation that night, she had no real evidence, making it sound more like a weak defense.
Half a year after the marriage, Lu Yuanhan took a concubine just because she bore a slight resemblance to Song Qiaoer, and he favored her supremely, even more than his legal wife.
The relationship between the two, which was already tense, became even more volatile because of this concubine.
Yan Ruoxu only sought a little genuine affection from her husband, but when this woman born in a flower boat easily obtained what she had sought all her life, she exploded in anger. Lu Yuanhan would rather have a substitute than give her any warmth.
Was she too naive? Her reckless devotion in front of Lu Yuanhan's cold-heartedness, was it not ridiculous?
The cold wind stiffened Yan Ruoxu's cheeks, and she coughed violently, blood staining her lips.
The poisoned iron arrows that had entered her body were showing signs of toxicity, causing severe pain throughout her body and profuse sweating on her forehead.
Prince Duan's son, Yan Li, looked on with a hint of sympathy for this once noble cousin.
"Princess, you were truly mistaken. How could the Grand General be involved in such a major event of rebellion without your knowledge? You are the daughter-in-law of the Lu family, and also a member of the Yan clan."
"Even if you concealed the truth, why support it in secret? If not for this, how could His Majesty have done such a thing?"
Upon hearing Yan Li's words, Yan Ruoxu's expression darkened; she wasn't just mistaken, she was completely wrong.
Perhaps, it all started from that spring day's hunting.
Without that surprise meeting that day, she wouldn't have disregarded everything and beseeched the Emperor to avoid marrying into the General's family. Maybe there wouldn't have been the disaster with Zhou Tai today.
The two of them could have lived without ever meeting, each leading a peaceful life.
And she would never have devoted herself to one person, paid any price, and ended up abandoned and dying like this.
If there were another life, Lu Yuanhan, I would never approach you again. I would let go of your hand and wish you a peaceful life. I also hope you don't torment me and let me be well.
Yan Ruoxu spat out a mouthful of blood, clutching her chest in agony.
She looked at the sky filled with goose feather-like snow, trying to make her voice sound calmer. She said slowly, "The matter of Zhou Tai is not that simple. The Lu family did not rebel, and I did not support it in secret, and His Majesty is no longer the same."
Before she could finish speaking, Yan Yuxuan shot her a harsh look. "What do you mean?"
Yan Ruoxu smiled bitterly and said nothing more, using the little strength left in her body to lunge at the silver sword in Yan Li's hand.
As the blade pierced her chest, a large amount of blood gushed from Yan Ruoxu's chest, draining her last bit of strength.
As Yan Li hastily stepped back, the blade was pulled out, and even more blood poured from Yan Ruoxu's chest, the warm blood on the cold ground, and the golden flames, and it was the last scene in Yan Ruoxu's eyes.
The author's remarks:
In the "Qing Cheng" novel, the next book will be released soon. Please feel free to bookmark the column~
-----------------Synopsis------------------
When the Tang State Duke's legitimate granddaughter, Su Yan, married into the Eastern Palace, the ten-mile red wedding, the festive city, was quite splendid.
But until Su Yan went from the Prince Consort's imperial concubine to empress, and finally ended up dying in bed as an over ninety-year-old, she had never really been close to the Supreme ruler, Luo Jin.
After her death, her soul floated and finally saw the truth she had never known before.
For example, she always thought that Luo Jin had another woman in his heart, only to find out after death that the other woman was her.
And Luo Jin had always refused to be close to her, thinking that she was still attached to her former lover, the literary prodigy.
They originally meant to fulfill each other, but ended up missing each other.
Once reborn, she returned to the spring day when the peach blossoms were blooming.
Luo Jin's face turned red and then pale.
Su Yan thought for a moment, did she just say that the literary prodigy was better than Luo Jin...?
This was bad.
Daily life:
Su Yan often said that Luo Jin needed to pamper her, not at all like the decisive king of the past dynasty.
Luo Jin hooked her lips and teased her with her delicate hair beside her.
"Who demanded my kisses and hugs last night? Hm?"
Suddenly, Su Yan blushed.
Reading Notes:
1. Sweet romance;
2. Each other's first love;