Chapter 52: Returning Once More

"You wish to save him, and I want Chuxue to return to normal—we each have our purpose." Que Emperor spoke coldly, and Mingyue replied, "You mean to re-enter the Canglan Illusion?"

"I don't care where we enter, as long as we achieve our goal."

Mingyue was naturally willing, but she did not intend to deceive Que Emperor and said, "Do you understand the true meaning of entering the Canglan Illusion again? Only those who wish to create the Yearning Incense can ignite the Soul Lamp and enter the Canglan Illusion. And to rescue the few strands of Qi Chuxue’s soul that are trapped, only a matching illusion will do. In other words, only you can do it. She chose this path in order to forget her feelings for you. If you use this method to save her, it means that after rescuing her, you will no longer have even the slightest feeling for her. Her place in your heart will be lower than any of your concubines. I am not so petty; come to me again after you have thought it through. Of course, not a hair on Qin Shi's head must be harmed."

When Mingyue finished speaking, she withdrew. She knew this was no easy choice and Que Emperor needed time.

Back in the main hall, Mingyue finally had an appetite and ate all the porridge and pastries Zihua had prepared. Having not eaten for a long time, she could not eat much at once, so Zihua brought her food every few hours. When she finished eating, she crawled back onto the couch, wrapped herself in the blanket, and turned inward. In truth, she secretly hoped Que Emperor would make his decision soon. Yet, to be honest, she was not even sure if this method would work. If they still could not find Qin Shi, what then?

Mingyue buried her head in the blanket and drifted off to sleep. In a daze, she felt someone pull her head out and whisper, "Mistress, wake up."

"Qin Shi!" Mingyue’s eyes flew open, but in front of her was only Zihua.

Zihua’s gaze darkened. "I’m sorry, Miss Mingyue, it’s only Zihua. Sleeping like this isn't good for you. Also, the fresh porridge and pastries are on the table. Once you finish them, that should be enough for now."

Having said this, Zihua withdrew, but Mingyue just sat clutching the blanket, lost in thought.

She had many little habits; she did not remember how she was before, but after awakening, Qin Shi had always been by her side, reminding her each time. Whenever she liked to sleep with her head buried under the covers, he would come and gently uncover her. When she drifted off in the bath with her head resting on the tub’s edge, he would quietly lift her out. She never liked rising early and often planned to skip breakfast, but he would always set the porridge and pastries by her bed, calmly watching until she finished eating—even if she went back to sleep afterward. Now, with Zihua waking her, she felt utterly unaccustomed.

Would the one she was used to ever return?

Mingyue lowered her gaze to her hands, the feeling of helplessness slowly consuming her.

Fortunately, only a few days passed before Que Emperor sought her out again. Compared to their last meeting, he was noticeably more haggard, fatigue etched between his brows.

"Let it be today," he said.

Mingyue rejoiced inwardly but maintained a calm façade as she nodded. When she saw Qi Chuxue in Que Emperor’s arms, she finally understood the urgency behind his decision. Chuxue had returned to her original innocence, but now with a hint of foolishness. She clung tightly to Que Emperor’s sleeve, repeating, "Ziqi, Ziqi, will you marry me? I'll ask Father to agree; I don't care if you have wives and concubines. Father loves me so much, he will surely agree."

If Chuxue had only repeated the first sentence, it would not be so bad. But she kept mentioning the King of Qi, which for Que Emperor—who had personally destroyed Qi—was hardly a pleasant thing.

Remembering the two nights and a day she had spent in the death cell, Mingyue laughed and said, "By the way, was the King of Qi killed by His Majesty’s own hand?"

Que Emperor pursed his lips and said nothing, but Chuxue began to wail and protest, "Father is dead? How could Father die? He loved me so much, he wouldn’t die! You’re lying! You’re a liar! Ziqi, help me find Father, then the liar can’t fool me anymore!"

Que Emperor held Qi Chuxue tightly in his arms, shooting Mingyue a cold glance.

When they returned to the house where Qin Shi was, Mingyue reminded, "Let me warn you: if we are interrupted again, none of us will make it out."

Que Emperor nodded. At a slight gesture, a shadow guard appeared behind him. Que Emperor whispered a few words into his ear, and the guard vanished like the wind.

"No one will disturb us now."

"Good. Later, let Zihua care for the noble consort, Your Majesty. You go forward, light the Soul Lamp in Qin Shi’s hand, and recount the story between you two—from the very beginning."

Once Que Emperor handed Qi Chuxue over to Zihua, Mingyue gave him the fire striker. The clear lamp wick was once more set ablaze. Mingyue looked at Qin Shi, and this time, she took his hand.

The blood-stained hexagram began to spin, white mist spreading in its wake.

Mingyue found herself alone in the palace of Qi once again, in the very chamber Chuxue had first brought her to. This time, however, she stood inside the inner chamber. Having learned some things beforehand, Mingyue was no longer unfamiliar with the people before her.

Que Emperor rose and said to the King of Qi, "I hope Your Majesty will consider carefully. If war can be avoided, that is best. I believe you feel the same."

The King of Qi nodded bitterly, about to speak when a commotion sounded from the outer hall. His expression changed, and he immediately instructed the crown prince to escort Que Emperor out through a quiet side passage.

Mingyue knew that the commotion was Chuxue, but this time she could only follow the crown prince and Que Emperor out of the palace via a secluded path. After escorting Que Emperor outside, the crown prince turned back.

A shadow guard appeared at Que Emperor’s side and said quietly, "News from Shu has arrived."

Que Emperor nodded, and the two walked away from the palace, one behind the other. The streets were crowded, and the shadow guard stayed close. Near a turning, a boy in the bustling market suddenly called out, "Your brocade pouch fell!"

Mingyue noticed Que Emperor was not wearing a brocade pouch, yet he still glanced back.

"Master, it’s crowded here. Best we return soon."

Que Emperor withdrew his gaze and left quickly. Upon reaching their lodging—a modest house, the same Chuxue would later visit—the shadow guard closed the door behind them as Que Emperor entered.

"What news?"

"Gu Yanyong has agreed to assist. Once Your Majesty’s army is deployed on the Shu border, she will deliver the Shu imperial seal, as well as... the life of the King of Shu."

Que Emperor nodded, tapping his right hand lightly on the table, then said, "Send some men to help her, spread some false rumors to confuse the enemy, and give her more leeway."

"Yes, Master. May I ask how long you intend to stay here?"

Que Emperor furrowed his brow in thought. "Let’s wait and see. Who knows if the King of Qi, that paper tiger, will agree. If he does, all of Qi will be ours. If not, we’ll have to settle for cooperation with the Emperor of Luo. Is the court stable?"

"For now, the court is calm, except that the Grand Preceptor sometimes opposes the Prime Minister’s policies."

"Keep a close watch. The Prime Minister, the Grand Preceptor, and those noble families—keep an eye on all of them."

Que Emperor waved the shadow guard away. Over the next few days, he stayed inside, poring over a map. Mingyue glanced at it: it was a map of the Que Empire and its neighboring states at the time. Without Qin Shi by her side, Mingyue found herself bored, especially since Que Emperor was a man driven only by ambition, with little interest in amusement.

She did not know how many days passed in this way. Guessing the day when Chuxue would come was near, a shadow guard came to report the latest news: a woman was searching through the inns, carrying a portrait of Que Emperor.

"Do we know who she is?"

The shadow guard shook his head. "We just found out. Some men have been sent to investigate."

Que Emperor set aside his map and rose to leave. The guard, sensing his intent, hurried forward to block his way. "Master, we don’t yet know her purpose. You mustn’t risk yourself."

"It’s nothing. You may follow behind me."

Que Emperor had not walked far before he saw Chuxue, looking somewhat dejected. From Que Emperor’s perspective, Mingyue suddenly found Chuxue astonishingly beautiful in that moment.