Xiao Shuang’s tone wasn’t particularly heavy, but she forcefully threw the book she was holding in her hand.
Unbiasedly, it happened to hit the minister’s head.
The man felt the pain, and his official hat slipped off along with his hair. He didn’t dare to pick it up and could only beg for mercy while trembling, saying, “Minister knows his mistake! Your Highness, please calm down.”
Upon seeing this, the other ministers quickly bowed and apologized, “We overstepped our boundaries. Your Highness, please calm down…”
While listening to the group of people pleading anxiously for her forgiveness, Xiao Shuang showed no extra expression on her face.
She scanned every lowered head, and then with a wave of her sleeve, she sat back on her bed and coldly said, “Step back.”
The ministers felt as if they had received a pardon, hurriedly tidied their official attire from the ground, and quickly took their leave.
Once the ministers were gone, Xiao Shuang picked up her tea, took a sip, and spoke to the figure behind the bead curtain, “The show is over, why are you still hiding behind the curtain?”
A voice came from outside the curtain, “Aunt, I’m not hiding for no reason.”
With everyone gone, Xiao Shuang’s mood seemed to improve, and she smiled as she said, “Stay behind the curtain for now. I will sit here and listen to your explanation.”
Xiao Jin thought to herself, what explanation is needed? In a situation like this, who would dare to barge in directly?
Thinking that she shouldn’t speak out of turn, what she said was quite audacious, “Because Jin’er fears being silenced, she stayed behind the curtain without making any noise.”
“Is that so? But this palace saw you playing with the bead curtain quite happily. You almost tore it down and took it back to the Yan Mansion.”
“You must have misunderstood.” Xiao Jin remained calm and unruffled.
Xiao Shuang couldn’t be bothered to argue with Xiao Jin and instructed the maidservant to push Xiao Jin inside. She also had a servant find some ice and put it in a jade basin to release some cool air, so that the person sitting in the room wouldn’t feel too hot.
The ice emitted a cold air, and the room immediately felt refreshing.
Xiao Shuang finally felt relieved to some extent. She dismissed her personal maidservant and exchanged a few words with Xiao Jin, “The side room was already stuffy, and with a group of people standing in the room, if this palace didn’t take action, they wouldn’t know when they would finally leave.”
“They are your subordinates, naturally, they should wholeheartedly serve you,” Xiao Jin started speaking formally.
Xiao Shuang glanced at Xiao Jin and recalled the words those people had just spoken. She couldn’t help but sneer, “I just don’t know what their intentions are and what effort they are putting in.”
Xiao Jin didn’t respond.
After all, she didn’t come here to eavesdrop on conversations in corners. She had only one thing she wanted to do.
“Jin’er doesn’t care about what those people say,” Xiao Jin met Xiao Shuang’s gaze and said calmly, “You should know that I have never had such intentions before, not in the past, nor now.”
Being an emperor not only required getting up at four or five in the morning for court sessions but also constantly being vigilant against being plotted against.
Not to mention balancing court officials and managing the affairs of the country, which was a mentally and physically exhausting task.
Playing a little game cultivated by the emperor, she only enjoyed being an incompetent ruler in the harem. If she really became an emperor, she was afraid that before she could return home, the Qi Country would have already fallen.
In summary, she didn’t want to be an emperor, nor did she deserve to be one.
Of course, if Xiao Shuang wanted to be the power behind the scenes, Xiao Jin didn’t mind and could accept being manipulated.
After all, she wasn’t the original owner.
The original owner could only leave this palace after dying, but she wasn’t bound by that. As soon as she completed the mission, she could leave at any time.
After understanding everything, Xiao Jin felt much more relaxed.
However, the words she spoke unintentionally carried a hint of mockery, “So, Aunt, you don’t need to worry. The Qi Country will only belong to you.”
Xiao Shuang remained silent. After a while, she said coldly, “Is that how you think of this palace?”
“No.” Xiao Jin placed her hand on her knee and said, “It’s not that Jin’er thinks this way. It’s just that Aunt, you truly don’t know that sitting in a wheelchair and becoming a cripple, even if it’s only for a day, one would resent the heavens and blame oneself for what sins they committed in their past life to end up in such a situation.”
“In just one day, not to mention a month or a year. Even if one has a high position and a wealthy life, no one would be willing to spend their entire life in a wheelchair.”
“All of this, Aunt, you probably already know, but you don’t care. Or rather, in your eyes, it’s a necessary sacrifice for the grand plan.”
“I can understand your feelings. However, before you take action, at the very least, you should inform the person who went to the Yao Country. Let her know that the arrow in her back was shot by you, so she doesn’t need to struggle and can naturally accept it.”
….
Xiao Shuang looked at Xiao Jin sitting in the wheelchair, and in many moments, she even had the illusion that the person in front of her wasn’t Jin’er, but someone else.
But even if it were someone else, she was still the one she had personally cultivated.
Xiao Shuang had regrets about Xiao Jin.
However, during the late hours of the night, as she sat on the steps and watched the flowers wither overnight, she understood that she didn’t need to repent in this lifetime because if she didn’t fight, everyone by her side would die.
After a while, Xiao Shuang coldly laughed, “When enemies shoot their arrows from behind, do they still need to inform you?”
“So, you’re my enemy too?”
Xiao Jin looked at Xiao Shuang and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. She had never believed in Xiao Shuang, the only one who believed in her was the deceased original owner.
After Xiao Shuang finished speaking, there was silence for a long time. Because she knew that trusting others was not a mistake in itself, it was just a foolish act that would inevitably come with a price someday.
“But, I also once believed in many people I shouldn’t have.” Xiao Jin looked up at Xiao Shuang and noticed a faint smile on her lips. “At that time, I was young and naive, the legitimate daughter of the Duke’s family, deeply loved by the Emperor. I never suffered any hardships since childhood.”
“Everyone praised me, saying that I was talented and superior to the Emperor’s other children.”
Xiao Jin thought of the fragments of memories, especially the Princess Zhao Yang, and indeed, it was true. There would be no harm without comparison. Compared to other sons of the Emperor, they were indeed ordinary in the presence of Xiao Shuang’s brilliance.
Xiao Shuang continued, “The Emperor often summoned me to the study, showing me the memorials and praised me in front of the courtiers, saying that I was his beloved daughter, shining as brightly as the legendary Vermilion Bird.”
“The Emperor favored Princess Zhao Yang, it was something that the entire court knew. I saw it with my own eyes, and it made me feel proud. Although my mother often advised me to avoid contact with the court officials as much as possible, those people were quick to flatter and please me, telling me how highly the Emperor valued me. I never truly took my mother’s words to heart.”
As Xiao Jin listened to Xiao Shuang’s account and combined it with the scenes she had witnessed in her memories, she felt that her aunt was being too modest when it came to her family background. If she remembered correctly, Xiao Shuang’s mother’s maiden name should be Ye. She was the one who inherited the first rank and held some military power over the capital region.
Of course, at the same time, she was also the maternal family of Ye Juege and Ye Suyu.
From the perspective of the higher powers, this kind of family would naturally be feared by the old Emperor.
Xiao Shuang continued, “The Emperor taught me archery, taught me the importance of clear rewards and punishments, and how to govern. When I was fifteen, the Yao Country’s army invaded our borders, and the Emperor personally led the troops. Among all the princes and princesses, he only took me.”
“If we talk about ambition, I didn’t have such great ambitions. I just wanted to live a peaceful life. But the Emperor gave me ambition. He never hesitated to involve me in anything, allowed me to cultivate my own faction, and even transferred Tang Yu and Tang Ling to the Princess’s residence to assist me. He even told those old ministers that among all the princes, none could compare to me, and he wanted to make an exception and establish me as the Crown Princess.”
“So I never thought that I wasn’t the beloved daughter in the Emperor’s heart.”
Xiao Shuang’s tone was light, but Xiao Jin had seen the memories, and at this moment, she couldn’t help but find it ironic.
“However, those ministers who have been in the court for so many years couldn’t see through the truth. I, being in the midst of it all, would never have imagined that the Emperor was merely using me as a target, wanting to use me to eliminate the rebellious factions colluding with the Ye family.”
“It wasn’t until my grandfather was stripped of power, and his trusted allies were exiled one by one, while the Mu and Lu families who accused me gradually grew stronger, that I realized the favoritism and preferential treatment I received from the Emperor were nothing more than sugar-coated poison.”
Xiao Jin listened quietly, looking at the faint smile on Xiao Shuang’s face, unable to determine whether her expression was one of hatred or mockery. But she was curious about one thing, “How did Aunt manage to make a comeback after that?”
“I haven’t been foolish enough to reveal all my cards yet. Naturally, I still have capable individuals by my side. That’s what the Emperor hoped for,” Xiao Shuang replied.
“After all, he still needs me as a whetstone for his sons. If I can’t even contend against him, then I naturally don’t deserve to ascend the throne.”
“Unfortunately, my brothers are a group of fools who can’t rise to the occasion. It’s pointless to use me to sharpen their abilities,” she continued disdainfully.
Xiao Jin pondered for a moment and asked, “Does that include that person as well?”
Xiao Shuang knew who Xiao Jin was referring to but maintained an unchanged expression, saying, “I took notice of Xiao Ye(current Emperor). At that time, he was frail and sickly, and his mother’s background wasn’t considered favorable. He was constantly disregarded by Emperor Taizong. So, I had the intention of supporting him.”
Xiao Jin was somewhat surprised. After all, in a feudal dynasty, it was a capital offense to directly address the emperor by name and title.
But then she realized that Emperor Qi was gravely ill, on the verge of death. Even if someone were to call him by his full name, it was unlikely anyone would know.
Xiao Shuang seemed to have the same thought and said nonchalantly, “So, I helped Xiao Ye, allowing him to shine in front of Emperor Taizong. He was quite astute and quickly attached himself to me. But afterward, he joined forces with Emperor Taizong to plot against me.”
At this point, Xiao Shuang glanced at Xiao Jin and said, “You’ve already read Prince Shen’s secret letter, so you should know about what happened back then.”
Xiao Jin was slightly stunned and then asked, “Do you know that Prince Shen would give me the secret letter?”
“If he wanted to save his daughter, the only bargaining chip he could use was the hidden secrets from the past. He would undoubtedly seek your help before he died,” Xiao Shuang explained.
I see.
Xiao Jin understood. Whatever she knew was probably done with Xiao Shuang’s tacit approval. The only thing that Xiao Shuang probably didn’t anticipate was the fragmented memories provided by her system.
Speaking of that past event, Xiao Shuang’s voice carried a hint of weariness. “Emperor Taizong, considering me his so-called beloved daughter, never directly harmed me, only those around me. First, it was the Ye family, then Fengxuan.”
“I couldn’t show too much favor towards the Fengxuan. If others found out, it would surely bring harm to her. But Emperor Taizong was my biological father. He understood me too well and didn’t hesitate to use Prince Zhi of Yao Country to test me repeatedly. I endured for a long time, but eventually, I couldn’t bear it any longer.”
“So, you killed Prince Zhi?”
Considering that Prince Shen’s mention of things in the letter was limited, Xiao Jin still asked knowingly.
“This palace did kill him indeed, but now I think I should have spared his life. This palace often thinks, what if? What if Emperor Taizong stops testing and spares this palace?”
Xiao Shuang’s tone gradually turned cold. “But he never intended to spare this palace. After this palace killed Prince Zhi and offended him, he would retaliate and order Fengxuan to go for a marriage alliance, trying to force this palace to use its trump cards and commit treason.”
“But he didn’t expect that this palace didn’t recall Tang Ling, who was hiding in Yao Country, but let her act in advance.”
Xiao Jin knew what Xiao Shuang was referring to, but still had to play along. “Is Aunt talking about the turmoil in Yao Country?”
Xiao Shuang nodded. “At that time, Nan Jin was not under the control of this palace, and the timing was not ripe. If Nan Jin had failed, Tang Ling would also die, and the hidden chess pieces that had been buried for many years would be ruined. But since Emperor Taizong took action, this palace had to do so.”
“This palace wants Emperor Taizong to know that even though this palace is a princess of Qi Country, everything is based on the interests of Qi Country. But if pushed to the limit, this palace, in anger, doesn’t mind flipping the chessboard and destroying everything.”
Xiao Jin remembered yesterday when she asked Tang Ling to solve the chess game, but the other party overturned the chessboard as a way to end it. She couldn’t help but feel that these two people were indeed somewhat alike.
Ruthless.
Although Xiao Jin came to ask Xiao Shuang for the antidote, as a qualified listener, she had heard everything by now and still asked, “And then?”
“And then?” After many years, Xiao Shuang looked at Xiao Jin sitting in front of her and saw a familiar expression and gesture, as if seeing every inch of light and shadow on the surface of Taiye Pond.
But she just said softly, “There is no ‘and then,’ and later there was a heavy snowfall, and this palace lost.”
Xiao Jin remained silent.
Because she knew that Xiao Shuang was not looking at her, but through her, looking at another memory.
Xiao Shuang said, “Jin’er, do you know? This palace doesn’t like the ending of destroying everything, but since ordering to release the poisoned arrow at you, this palace has been prepared for it.”
“This palace is not afraid of death, but there are some things that this palace will resent for a lifetime.”
“You can resent me, but if you can still walk, the people of the Fourth Prince’s faction won’t believe me. Only when you are pushed into a desperate situation, and I support another heir apparent, will it be logical.”
“In the past, Emperor Taizong and Xiao Ye used me to eliminate the powerful families. A few months ago, Xiao Ye wanted to use you to bring down the Mu family.”
“He made a good calculation, and I played along with his intentions. However, he didn’t know that Cocunbine Mu would die, Xiao Yi would be trapped in the ancestral manor forever, Xiao Cheng’s hand would be crippled, and Crown Prince would go against him in secret.”
“A lingering sickbed, wife separated from son, it’s the final gift I give to my dear younger brother. Before taking his last breath, he shouldn’t forget it.”
….
When they came out of the room, it was already dusk.
Xiao Jin raised her head and could see the setting sun boiling like blood, slowly descending from the mountain peak with an extremely heavy pace.
During their conversation, Ye Juege had already treated the wound on her forehead.
She pushed Xiao Jin out of the courtyard but saw a group of pure white snow cranes at the corner.
Girls love to look at beautiful things, and Ye Juege was no exception. She couldn’t help but point to the crane group and said with a smile, “Your Highness, look over there, so many beautiful immortal cranes.”
Xiao Jin followed Ye Juege’s gaze and, in a daze, was dazzled by the reflection of the crane wings, causing a stinging sensation in her eyes.
She then covered her eyes with her hand and shook her head, saying, “The cranes kept in the courtyard cannot be considered immortal cranes. Only those that fly in the sky and soar into the clouds can be called immortal cranes.”
Ye Juege looked at the snow cranes strolling in the courtyard and said, “But why does it feel like they don’t want to fly up to the sky?”
“Maybe because they want to stay in this courtyard. After all, here they are fed by the little novices for many years, and there is a familiar scent of incense.”
Ye Juege said, “But if they stay here, they won’t have freedom.”
“How do you know that this is not the freedom they chose after all?”
Ye Juege pondered for a long time, always feeling that her Her highness words were elusive, like tongue twisters. She understood and yet didn’t.
Xiao Jin, on the other hand, felt somewhat melancholic because it was the first time she wanted to leave and didn’t want to leave.
Stay, but also afraid to stay.
Xiao Jin held the antidote given to her by Xiao Shuang, but she didn’t take it immediately.
Instead, she closed her eyes and sat comfortably in the wheelchair, basking in the sun.
She enjoyed the dying radiance of the Dali Temple under the sunset, and when she opened her eyes, she found the scene to be exceptionally beautiful, bringing her a sense of contentment.
There was just one thing that wasn’t quite perfect.
If Chu Shao could appear before her at this moment, she believed she would definitely take the antidote, stand up, and embrace her.
Unfortunately, it was a pity.
Xiao Jin concealed the antidote in her sleeve, turned her head, and found Ye Juege still standing there watching the cranes.
Helplessly, she said, “Looking at you like this, it seems like you’re having a hard time parting. Stay a little longer before you go.”
It was unclear whether she was talking about someone else or herself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Translator’s note: Sigh… Xiao Shuang is also pitiful. Emperor Qi deserves more than that; he deserves to be tortured before he dies. Sigh…
TO BE CONTINUE…Â
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