“Mother…” the word sounded bitter in Lan Qi's mouth. She fell to her knees, with her knees hitting the grass beneath her. As if her soul had crashed into the earth, Lan Qi was struck by the reality she had just heard. Empress Na Xing had sent her back to the Palace but not as Princess Li Ming. But as a slave because after her father's death, she is worthless. What do they mean? What does Mother mean—One of the bodyguards approached and grabbed Lan Qi's limp hand. But Xiao Zhun immediately brushed it off.“Lan Qi watch out—” before Xiao Zhun's sword lifted from her waist, Lan Qi quickly restrained the young man. “Enough,” Lan Qi said almost in a whisper. Her eyes were blurry. Her breath was labored and her mind was too empty to decide anything. All that was in her throat was a lump of emotion from the question that exploded as if demanding an answer. Xiao Zhun lowered his head, his brow furrowed in worry as his gaze dived into Lan Qi's thoughts. Without Lan Qi needing to e
The blue bow man's gaze occupied Lan Qi's mind. One by one the memory fragments that Lan Qi had started to merge. “Princess Li Ming, you must leave here immediately. You are not allowed to meet the Queen.” Lan Qi's forehead creased in annoyance, “Why can't I meet my mother? I don't want to let my father die unfairly. I have to kill those robbers, those who killed my father, although I'm sure the Queen must have intervened." “You can't go against Empress Na Xing now. No one can bring down the Queen as long as the Emperor has not appointed anyone to replace his throne. Trust me, Princess Li Ming. You have to hide, disguise yourself and get as far away from the palace as possible.” Lan Qi shook off the blue bow man's grip. His eyes shining under the moonlight looked so beautiful and clear. Like crystals in the deep blue sea. “Why are you saving me now if I can't meet the Queen? Are you—” Lan Qi's gaze fell to the back of the blue bow man. Behind his back, a bow with arrows whose tai
Xiao Zhun dropped her off when they reached a mountain cliff. Far away from the palace grounds—from the palace prison—Xiao Zhun only carried Lan Qi, jumping over the roofs of buildings and tree branches with his strength, and then they arrived at a lonely and dark mountain cliff."Lan Qi—"Before Lan Qi could utter a word, her tears, which had been frozen by the air that had been sprayed on their way, melted away in a single breath.“Xiao Zhun, the palace will be destroyed…” Lan Qi whispered. She fell to the ground, letting her knees hit a rock and she cried with the feeling of her heart being torn apart.Today, the Empress declares herself as the successor to the throne. It was just like what the blue bowman had said—no one could bring down the Empress as long as there was no descendant that the Emperor had officially appointed.Of course, there was no officially appointed descendant because her mother—Empress Na Xing had planned this all out. Lan Qi bit her lower lip, clenching her
"Makes sense. If that Lightning Villain was paid to kill the Emperor, then there's no need to deny it because he does have special powers,” Jing Hua commented further. “That said, the Lightning Villain has strong sword and bow powers and is as fast as lightning. That's why they call it that."Xiao Zhun added, “Some people who have met him have said that the Lightning Villain has been killing since he was a child. But I don't care how great he is, I dare to duel swords with him. I don't think my Snow Tiger sword is that bad.” Taking out a silvery flat sword from his waist belt, Xiao Zhun flashed it. There were thin strokes that thickened and engraved into the iron of the blade. Impressed with a sacred bloodline sword.Was that also what made Xiao Zhun carry Lan Qi that hard on the trip earlier?“It's just that if we can say the Empress is the killer of the Emperor… Now, the question is, why can the Empress kill the Emperor? Why… did your mother kill your father, Lan Qi?”Lan Qi's m
"Just go home. Lan Qi should rest, she's too tired from today."Jing Hua pushed Xiao Zhun who was standing not far from the big tree beside the cottage. He looked slightly at the door and saw the girl lying and her back. Even though she looked asleep, Xiao Zhun wasn't sure if she was really sleeping."I can't leave you two out here unattended. What if there is a palace guard who checks the mountain? There's no way they can't check the mountain,” whispered Xiao Zhun who was being pushed around by Jing Hua.Even though Xiao Zhun had been to Jing Hua's cottage many times and knew the woman's character exactly—what Xiao Zhun thought more of was Lan Qi. The girl had just been crying from the reality crumbling before her eyes. The problem was, Xiao Zhun had been in that position before, and the palace's mysterious affairs until now had always nudged Xiao Zhun to continue to dig deeper."Ever since the Eagle Warrior said that the Zainan Mountains have many wild animals and it is said tha
Under the moonlight, Xiao Zhun examined an invisible ice blade made of ice-type stones. In Xiao Zhun's hand, the blade that was twice as small as his sword was like it was made of a lump of ice but had a sharp and hard edge.Xiao Zhun put his finger on the tip of the dagger and clicked his tongue. “It's filled with something. But I don't know what." He handed the knife back to the silent Lan Qi.In Lan Qi's eyes, there was nothing but a blank stare. Those brown eyes were filled with invisible mist. Making the light reflecting from the irises slightly flash hoarsely.“You… want to talk about it?”Lan Qi took a deep breath, wiping away all the sadness that had been etched into her expression. Humbly, she accepted the ice knife and wrapped it back in the brown cloth she kept under her belt.“I still feel like this is all a dream. In fact, everything is clear. That you are here, I am here, Jing Hua even gave her a warm bed for me. Everything, down to that ice knife. For some reason,
"Xiao Zhun guarding all night?"Jing Hua yawned as she blinked her eyes. She muttered incoherently as she lifted the blanket. "Yes. But it looks like he's gone."So last night, Xiao Zhun was guarding? Lan Qi thought that Xiao Zhun hadn't gone home yet. Wonder if she knows ..."You want to wash your face, Lan Qi?" With a sleepy face, Jing Hua picked up clothes and some flower petals from the wooden cupboard. Jing Hua's long flowing hair was slightly tangled, she looked at Lan Qi who was silent at the doorway.She had been washing her face since a few hours ago. Woke up earlier with a slightly lighter mind because last night's conversation with Xiao Zhun made her fresher. She had also been burning wood for Jing Hua's stove because she knew for sure that this morning that woman would be heating the dumplings that were to be sold later.“I was awake earlier, Jing Hua. I've also been burning wood. It's getting cold outside, the river water is freezing!” Lan Qi exclaimed with a small smile.
It's been one week. Since the Emperor's death, all news was spread through the mayors of each city. The news was such a stir that several cities attended the funeral of His Royal Highness. All the eunuchs, palace attendants, ministers, and officials were busy taking control in spreading this news. However, Guo Fen could only stand among the darkness, between the corners of the room to silently watch all their pretense moves. "Are you going to stand there all day?" Guo Fen turned his head. He found Empress Na Xing wearing a hanfu cloth and her hair in an upward bun with various trinkets and gold earrings hanging from her ears walking closer to him. Guo Fen turned his eyes away, looking straight at the small pond of the Empress pavilion. No palace guard could step on this place. The Empress's Pavilion was the Empress's most private place. If not for all of this, Guo Fen might not have received this special treatment. "Or did you see something you didn't tell me about?" Empress Na X
A few days after Bai Lianhua said her name was Hei Lianhua, she wanted her mother to also pretend to be her aunt. Bai Lianhua carefully tells the plan to uncover Bai Naxing's past through Detective Han Wu. Even though it was several days until the day Bai Naxing would marry the future emperor Li Ming Lao, people were too busy to think about where Bai Naxing had appeared from.No wonder the last time she was about to look for Bai Naxing at the Wine Shop and the Spring Maiden's name Bai Naxing, even her mother—Gao Renwei seemed to have forgotten. It must have been since the day the palace officials came to ask about the betrothal with Bai Naxing, everyone had shut their mouths and eyes. She didn't know how dirty it was, but the evidence that twelve-year-old Bai Naxing had been sold to a brothel couldn't just disappear.Unfortunately, recently, if there were people who spoke ill of the future emperor or empress, they would be immediately executed. Apart from being labeled as disrespec
“Lianhua,” Yao Yupan called when the girl was staring at the black painting in her room. Bai Lianhua got up from the chair and turned to the doorway where her mother was standing."There's someone who wants to meet you."It must be Detective Han Wu, Bai Lianhua muttered. She didn't say anything and walked past her mother. But just as she was about to take a step, Yao Yupan grabbed her hand.With a worried look, the woman whispered softly, “You're not involved in any trouble, are you? That person seems to be from the palace.”Bai Lianhua's eyes swept across the terrace at the front of the residence. The figure of a large man with broad shoulders and slightly white hair standing back."Take it easy, Mother. I'm not causing any trouble.""You know that person?""Yes. I was the one who invited him here.”"What for?" Yao Yupan grew even more worried. “I know you've been angry with your half-sister, but… you have to listen to what your teacher says. Don't live with grudges."Bai Lianhua was
The sound of a burning fire broke the silence of the night. Guo Fen suddenly didn't realize he had been crying. While beside him Rong Mei was silent as if she could feel again the sadness her teacher had felt. In front of him, Bai Lianhua's nearly half-a-century-old face did not change. Guo Fen felt that this woman was almost like the granny lotus in Guo Fen's imagination all along.It's the saddest thing to hear granny lotus doesn't get a happy ending.“Then now, where is granny lotus? Are you looking for her in that palace? Bai Naxing is so ruthless! Besides her daring to kill her own mother—although I'm actually a little happy about that part—she really is a cruel woman! What your father said was right, Bai Naxing has a terrible devil's heart,” exclaimed Guo Fen who suddenly understood the emotion that was evident in every story of Bai Lianhua.As a child who had just escaped from a band of bandits, it turned out that his life was not as bad as Bai Lianhua's. All this time he t
As soon as Bai Lianhua came back from the lotus swamp hut, she rushed home hoping to think of a plan to face Bai Naxing. Even though her half-sister was almost as tall as the sky—as she was about to become the future empress, Bai Lianhua didn't care. She must find granny lotus and free her. But before Bai Lianhua's mind cleared of all the tightness in her chest, from the door of her residence, a woman—her neighbor, cried out in panic with wide eyes.“Lianhua! Lianhua! Quickly help your mother! She—she—” With the nervousness that was shouted out like that, it was clear Bai Lianhua's heart was getting restless. She saw that there were several people standing in front of the door of the house. Bai Lianhua pressed in. Her thoughts became increasingly chaotic when she walked to the edge of the room where her father was. As she ran, from the hallway came a woman's voice crying. She knew that voice very well.Suddenly, her heart pounded and her hands clenched into fists. When she reached the
That night, after accompanying Bai Junhui to paint for a while in the garden of the village in front of the lake, people passing by were no longer interested in seeing Bai Junhui's work. Whereas in the past, Bai Junhui's ideals were so honorable that he was like a noble who had extraordinary talent. Moreover, now people prefer to forget about Bai Junhui and don't want to get involved in anything. Actually, things weren't that bad, at least Bai Lianhua could focus on monitoring her father.After dinner, Yao Yupan cleaned up the dining area and Bai Junhui helped her for a bit. Although the man's movement was still a little weak, he was able to move more nimbly. Although it is not known whether the effect of the egg of the turtle goddess can completely erase the wound inside Bai Junhui, Bai Lianhua can only hope. Bai Lianhua went to the lotus marsh and gave her the box her father had just given her. She had promised that today she would have to practice some moves under the moonlight.
The turtle goddess egg given by Granny Lotus turned out to be very effective. Within a few hours after Bai Junhui consumed it, he was able to sit up and look back at his painting. When Bai Lianhua brought food to the room, she saw her father packing up the painting tools into the basket that he used to bring when he wanted to paint outdoors."Father, where are you going?"Bai Junhui turned his head, he smiled happily. Although his face is still a little pale, he already looks healthier and fitter."I want to go to the park. You want to come?"Bai Lianhua naturally wanted to come along. She and Bai Junhui together went to the park where he had painted Gao Renwei for the first time. Bai Lianhua didn't know this garden had once witnessed Bai Junhui fall to his knees at Gao Renwei's beauty.Painstakingly, Bai Junhui placed a wooden canvas stand in front of the calm waters of the lake while the sunlight gently bathed the vast meadow. From behind him, Bai Lianhua saw her father's weak and s
After that incident, Bai Junhui was busy painting all the time. Even Yao Yupan, who was worried because her ex-husband never ate together again, wondered what was going on. At first Bai Lianhua didn't want to tell, but because it seemed that this matter couldn't be covered up for long either, Bai Lianhua explained everything.“Then… is your father going there?” asked Yao Yupan a little worriedly.Bai Lianhua shook her head hard. “No,” with a heart already burning with hatred because of her half-sister's behavior, let alone coming, just to see her, Bai Lianhua would never allow her father to have any further contact with that demon.“No wonder a few days ago, there was news that King Li Ming Lao would be carrying out a marriage. The celebration was so exciting. At the Civil Palace, several lanterns and decorations have been installed to celebrate the day. Because on the same wedding day, King Li Ming Lao will ascend the throne to become Emperor. But… in that case, it's good for Bai
"Surprised, huh?" she replied softly. On her lips, tugged a sly smile. The scene three years ago—when the girl was still wearing a pink hanfu, walking out of the Wine Shop and the Spring Maiden in Li Ming City's palace market had almost disappeared. Her stature was completely different and it made Bai Lianhua freeze. Inside the house, her father stood with a gloomy face. It was as if he had heard something that Bai Lianhua had missed."What are you doing here?" asked Bai Lianhua straightly.Without answering, Bai Naxing raised a hand, and a maid who had been crouching beside her held out a scroll. Bai Lianhua accepted that and unrolled.It was clearly a wedding invitation. But what took Bai Lianhua by surprise was that the wedding invitation was made very formal and had an imperial seal. Bai Lianhua's eyes almost popped out, she gripped the scroll tightly and then looked at Bai Naxing in front of her. The girl smiled sweetly."You will definitely come, won't you?" she said withou
Three years after Bai Lianhua brought Bai Junhui back to Shanyi Village, last night was the point where Bai Lianhua could feel her father was truly back here. Even though his soul was occasionally left in the Li Ming city palace, sometimes he still muttered while painting things that smelled of Gao Renwei, but Bai Lianhua has started to understand little by little how her father let go of his stupidity and a broken heart. Every now and then Bai Lianhua would ask granny lotus about a love affair and why humans would succumb to such things, but then granny lotus would just laugh and say, “You're the only one who seems too smart to be fooled by something called love. You're very ambitious, but you're also naive at times. Feeling disappointed because your father left you first build a stronghold high on your own expectations. Makes you more focused on protecting and protecting people from feelings they might be experiencing as you are experiencing too. It's a virtue that can lead astray, L