Chapter 235 (2/2)

”Good, good. The person he liked is indeed capable. No wonder he's only true to you.”

Chu Qiao looked at the beautiful lady who had been consumed by madness, with a sympathetic expression. Through her pretty face, she seemingly read the thoughts at the bottom of her heart.

”How do you intend to deal with Rong'er?”

”He's not just your child. He is Li Ce's child. I will treat him well.”

Zhan Ziming nodded and laughed bitterly. ”Good. My hands are stained with blood. I killed him. If not for Big Brother, I wouldn't have lived on either. Kill me.”

In that instant, Chu Qiao saw her fragmented heart through her resigned smile. Having admired her elder brother since her childhood, she listened to Zhan Ziyu and followed all of his arrangements. However, when she entered the palace, she could not help falling for Li Ce. Perhaps, she had not realized this, up until she carried out the plan to assassinate him. It was only then that she understood what she actually thought towards him. That day, outside Yixin Palace, the sorrow that she felt did not seem to be fake. Alas, out of the two men that she loved, one did not love her, while the other was unable to love her. Ultimately, she was made to be a fool by fate.

”Give Concubine Zhan the poisoned wine.” Chu Qiao turned around decisively and took big steps towards the outside of the palace. The winds blew as the darkness engulfed the landscape. It was brightly lit at the gates of Jinwu Palace, as the shouting became softer and softer. Sounds of a war siren pierced through the air. The smell of debris, blood and deceased souls welcomed her, and surrounded her from all directions.

She held her sword in her hand as she wore her blood-stained outfit. She stood upright, with the soldiers in black to her left and right, as the palace burnt to the ground behind her. Her gaze was cold as she looked towards the horizon. Over the horizon, the lonely regions of the north beckoned. She did not blink, as if she was looking at someone. However, the look in her eyes was empty.

”The demise of Concubine Zhan…” the eunuch declared loudly.

The sun rose, signalling the end to the long night. However, what did it take to dispel the darkness in her heart? Fate was like an unrestrained wildfire, burning her beyond recognition. Those wishes and expectations for the future were utterly destroyed by this fire, along with all her emotions of weakness, sorrow, benevolence, kindness, and her perceptions towards idealism. She would stand up and protect everything she treasured. If anyone dared to step across her boundaries, she would ensure that they paid a heavy price for it.

”Aunt!” the voice of a child sounded out as he leapt into Chu Qiao's embrace. The emperor bawled his eyes out as his cheeks appeared red from all the crying.

”Mother is dead! Aunt, Yi'er's mother is dead!” The child was still young, but he had inherited his handsome features from Li Ce.

She squatted down and embraced the child tightly. Her body was cold, but her heart felt warm. This was Li Ce's child, his empire, his home. He had watched over her for so many years; it was time for her to reciprocate.

”Yi'er, don't be scared. You still have Auntie.”

”Miss.” Meixiang stood at the side, holding another child in her arms.

Chu Qiao stood up and walked over slowly, realizing that the child was Zhan Ziming's son, Li Qingrong. This child, who had been born as the king of Rong, was sleeping soundly, completely oblivious to the storm that his birth had caused. His parents had passed away in succession, leaving this piece of scarred land and a destabilized empire in his hands.

”Miss, look at how soundly Third Prince is sleeping.” Meixiang had taken an adoration to the child as she handed the child over to Chu Qiao, laughing.

Chu Qiao held him in her arms, waking him up. He yawned impatiently, squinting as he looked at Chu Qiao. He was like a carbon copy of Li Ce.

Tears started to well up in Chu Qiao's eyes. She embraced the child tightly, pressing her cheeks against the child's. A feeling of emptiness started to brew in her heart again.

”General, Elder Liu's son, Liu Yuanzong, is standing outside Qinan Gates with a group of scholars and officials. They are asking about what happened. Is the emperor alright?”

Chu Qiao looked up as she reverted back to her cold expression. She said to He Xiao, ”Inform all the elders that the king of Shezheng, Zhan Ziyu, colluded with Concubine Zhan to usurp the throne of the late emperor. Empress Yuan died amongst the chaos, while the emperor is alright. The evil people have been eliminated. Tell the elders not to worry as well.”

He Xiao went about his task swiftly. In a short while, shouts of ”Long live!” started to resonate outside the palace gates.

A bodyguard returned with the following news, ”Liu Yuanzong pledges allegiance to General Chu, along with the entire court of Tang. The conflicts at the southern, northern and Ganguang Gates have stopped. The rebels of the Central Army have been captured. We are awaiting General Chu to deal with them.”

As the palace gates opened, the entire court of Tang stood beneath the jade steps of the palace. As the sun rose high up in the sky, exemplifying Tang's return to a bright future ahead, Chu Qiao held the emperor's hand as they walked up the jade steps slowly.

”Long live the Emperor!”

The golden rays of the sun shone on her black outfit. The word ”Xiuli” was faintly visible on a reddish-white ensign. As the winds blew, the landscape appeared desolate once again.

”Aunt,” the emperor called out crisply as he pointed to the golden chair, cowering in fear. Frowning, he continued, ”I don't want to sit there.”

Chu Qiao squatted and caressed his face gently. ”Yi'er, that seat was made by the flesh and blood of thousands of people. You belong there. Your parents died for it. The Tang Empire lies in your hands now. Everyone here, including your ancestors above in the sky, is looking at you. You cannot refuse this responsibility.”

The emperor was visibly startled by her words. He tugged at her and asked, ”What about Auntie. Don't you want me anymore?”

Chu Qiao helped him up the throne as she said quietly, ”Auntie will help you, but you have to shoulder some things yourself ultimately.”

Chu Qiao turned around as everyone present kowtowed to pay their respects, startling the birds who were circling above the sky. They did not know who they were paying their respects to. Was it the young prince on the throne, or the young lady who had command of the Wolf and Xiuli Armies? There was not a single moment of peace and calm, just like it had been all this while, amidst the mind games that were playing out on this joyous occasion.

As the dust behind this debacle settled, the next move of this game of chess had been made. There was no longer any more room to back out.

Li Ce, rest assured.