Chapter 37: Using Blood to Atone for Transgressions (1/2)
Chapter 37: Using Blood to Atone for Transgressions
Everyone could only watch on as Princess Changle was about to perish, when a figure suddenly, surprisingly, and miraculously appeared, putting itself in front of Princess Changle, defending her. In a split second, the sharp sword pierced his chest, blood splattering everywhere. In a heartbreaking voice, that man let out a miserable shriek, crying out the words, “Li Hanyou!”
Originally, when Li Hanyou pierced that man’s chest, she was extremely overjoyed. However, after clearly seeing the man’s appearance, she could not help but be shocked. Hearing that man’s shout filled with bitter resentment, Li Hanyou frenetically shook her head. She released the sword in her hand because it felt like scalding iron, and retreated several steps. But under that man’s blood-red eyes, she felt her legs weaken and she collapsed to the ground. At this moment, the man drew his own sword, brandishing and slashing at Li Hanyou. At any other time, this man’s martial arts were far worse than Li Hanyou’s, and Li Hanyou could easily avoid this attack. However, at this very moment, Li Hanyou was completely flustered. Whatever the reason, she could not personally kill this man. As a result, while Li Hanyou’s mind was in a complete daze, the sharp sword shot past her face, leaving behind a deep, fierce wound that cut to the bone. Only then did Li Hanyou return to her senses, rapidly retreating several steps, avoiding the fate of being beheaded. However, she let out a miserable shriek from the sharp pain on her face and deep concern about her appearance being destroyed. Hiding her face in her hands, she collapsed to the floor.
This change caused everyone, including the Fengyi Sect Master, to be astonished. Suddenly, a man cried out, “Qing’er!” It was the Grand General Who Suppresses Distant Lands, Qin Yi. He felt as if something had exploded in his head. Amidst the chaos, he could only see a sword in his beloved son’s chest. With large strides, he walked over, seeking to hold Qin Qing.
However, someone else’s movements were faster. Princess Changle cried out in sorrow, “Big brother Qin! You can’t die!” She was already holding Qin Qing with her arms. However, she wasn’t strong enough. Although she could, with difficulty, hold Qin Qing up, she was on the verge of falling over. Fortunately, Qin Yi arrived at this moment, pulling Qin Qing into his arms. The two supported Qin Qing, allowing him to slowly collapse to the foot of the dais.
The one who had stopped Li Hanyou’s blow was Qin Qing. Qin Qing was different from everyone else. The entire time, his eyes had not left Li Hanyou. At one moment, filled with loathing. At the next, the loving affection that they had shared. As a result, only he had paid any attention to Li Hanyou’s abnormal activity. For some time now, he had longed for death. Moreover, he knew that Li Hanyou’s swordsmanship was superior to his. If he were to use a weapon to block her attack, he would likely fail. As a result, he had steeled his heart and used his body to shield Princess Changle. Based upon his zealotry, he had surpassed the limitations upon the human body, successfully using his flesh to block that killing blow.
When the sharp sword penetrated his chest, Qin Qing could finally let loose the pent-up rage and hatred in his heart. As a result, he ignored the disparity between their martial arts skills. When he slashed with his sword, he did not have any excessive expectations that he would succeed. However, he had still managed to destroy Li Hanyou’s appearance.
Li Hanyou originally hailed from a poor family. As a result, she was not fond of the scent of incense. Although, in order to maintain the proper deportment of a princess of the imperial clan, she had never expressed her dislike, she would always do her best to stay as far away from incense as possible. Although the scent of the Leisurely Fragrance was lovely, for some reason, Li Hanyou did not like its scent. However, if she were to prohibit incense, she worried that she would be looked down upon. As a result, she would painstakingly seize opportunities to patrol or do things on the outside. Therefore, although she was also poisoned, the toxicity level was quite low. After she had taken a general antidote, she was surprisingly able to recover some of her martial arts. By then, however, the Fengyi Sect Master had arrived and begun to negotiate with Li Zhi. Li Hanyou was worried that the Fengyi Sect Master would abandon her and her apprentice sisters. In order to maintain her ability to resist, she had waited to act.
However, the more she listened, the more Li Hanyou became annoyed. Princess Changle had first transmitted the emperor’s secret edict before poisoning the Fengyi Sect disciples, causing all of her efforts to attain the glory, splendor, wealth, and rank that Li Hanyou desired to be wasted. If she could not kill Princess Changle, it would be difficult for her hatred to diminish. However, when she spoke to remind the Fengyi Sect Master, her words fell upon deaf ears.1 She had always been a proud and arrogant individual. Momentarily, hot anger muddled her mind, surprisingly seizing the opportunity to try to kill Princess Changle. Originally, this sword of hers could only succeed. To her surprise, her sword had been stopped by Qin Qing.
Regardless of how heartless Li Hanyou was, Qin Qing was her husband. Even if she did not have any true feelings for Qin Qing, their relationship was still there. She had no desire to assume responsibility for murdering her husband. In reality, she had initially intended to wait until the rebellion had been successful to use her power and influence to force Qin Qing to take her back. After all, Qin Qing was a perfectly suitable candidate as a consort. Even if Qin Qing refused to accept such favors and she desired to kill him, she wouldn’t personally do so. Naturally, there would be those willing to do so.
Under the heavy guilt and shock from killing her own husband, combined with the chaotic state of her mind, Li Hanyou actually forgot to evade, allowing her face to be marred by a deep wound.
These unforeseen changes caused the tense atmosphere intensify. Everyone gripped their weapons tightly, preparing for the explosive beginning of a melee.
By now, Fan Huiyao’s qi and blood flow had stabilized. She callously stated, “Li Zhi, do you desire for this seat to begin slaughtering?”
Li Zhi’s body trembled. Speaking one word, one sentence at a time, he ordered through gritted teeth, fuming with rage, “No one is allowed to move indiscriminately!” Under Li Zhi’s command, the bloody melee that was about to erupt was forcibly suppressed. However, the atmosphere in the audience chamber was stifling, causing no one to dare breathe heavily.
In a daze, I gazed at Qin Qing. Opening my right hand, I discovered that my right hand was dripping with blood. Just now, when Princess Changle was being attacked, I could only watch on helplessly, completely forgetting everything else. After I came to my senses, I discovered that the fingernails of my right hand had pierced the skin of my right palm. Sparing no effort, I rose to my feet, urgently requesting, “Xiaoshunzi, help me go over.”
With an ashen complexion, Xiaoshunzi came over, helping me walk to Qin Qing’s side. As of now, Qin Qing was unconscious. Kneeling on the floor, I checked Qin Qing’s pulse. After quite a while, I raised my head, catching sight of Princess Changle’s tear-filled eyes and the look of hope in Qin Yi’s eyes. Helplessly, I shook my head and said, “General Qin has been pierced in the heart and lungs. There is no way to reverse the situation. If Grand General is willing, this lowly official can use acupuncture to allow General Qin to regain consciousness for a short period of time.”
Feeling as if his life was departing, Qin Yi was left speechless for a moment before he replied, “Daren, please use acupuncture.”
I sighed, accepting the meteorite hairpin from Xiaoshunzi, using it to poke Qin Qing several times. After a short while, Qin Qing coughed several times, opening his eyes. Trembling, Qin Yi’s hand gently caressed Qin Qing’s face. Tears flooded down his aged face, as he said, “Qing’er, this is all father’s fault. In the past, I was always busy and away in battle, and was unable to provide a proper education for you, allowing you to be deceived and toyed with by others. And now, you’ve …” Qin Yi could not continue.
There was no more resentment in Qin Qing’s eyes, only peacefulness and calm. He serenely replied, “Father, this is all because this child was fond of a beautiful woman, causing both His Imperial Father and Father to fall into such a desperate situation. Right now, this child understands the mistakes that I have made and will die to atone for my sins. Father, please do not feel sorrow for this child.” His words were incredibly coherent, while his face grew flushed. Everyone knew that these were the last moments of lucidity before death.2 Qin Yi found it difficult to endure the sorrow and grief that he was feeling, but he did not know what to say.
Qin Qing’s gaze fell upon Princess Changle. He smiled and said, “Your Imperial Highness, Qin Qing was originally childhood sweethearts with Your Imperial Highness. However, Qin Qing was blunt and stupid, unable to understand the painstaking efforts and sacrifices on the part of Your Imperial Highness for the country and the people. Contrary to what is expected, I actually spoke words of harsh criticism. No wonder Princess became disappointed with Qin Qing.”
In a gentle voice, Princess Changle replied, “Big brother Qin, there is no need to speak of matters of the past. You are still Our Big Brother Qin. Although Changle once blamed you, you ignored the bitterness of our past and saved my life. Changle does not know how to thank you properly. Big brother Qin, if you have any outstanding affairs that need to be settled, please feel free to tell Changle.”
Qin Qing’s eyes dimmed somewhat. He remarked, “Your Imperial Highness, Qin Qing was incompetent and neglected my duties, causing such a disaster to fall upon my family. I beg the Princess to remember my honored father’s past loyalties and ask His Imperial Majesty and His Imperial Highness, the Prince of Yong, to blame the Qin family because of Qin Qing.”
Holding her face, weeping, Princess Changle declared, “Big brother Qin, do not worry. We will definitely plea for leniency on behalf of the Qin family before Imperial Father and older brother.”
At this moment, Li Yuan spoke up, “Qin Qing, you save Our beloved daughter. In addition, if it weren’t for the Qin family’s contributions to the rescue of Our Imperial Presence, we would not have been able to so swiftly pacify this rebellion. We will only reward the Qin family. How can We blame them? There is no need for you to worry.”
Qin Qing’s gaze turned to Li Zhi. In a serious demeanor, Li Zhi stated, “General Qin, this Prince vows here to never charge the Qin family with any crime without cause. General Qin Yong saved this Prince’s life, while the elderly general has been known for his wholehearted loyalty. You have also saved my sister. This Prince’s heart is completely filled with gratitude, and will definitely not repay kindness with ingratitude.”
Only with these promises did Qin Qing finally relax. Reaching out his hand, he grabbed onto Jiang Zhe’s hand. In a weak voice, he said, “Brother Jiang, I, Qin Qing, have always looked down upon you. However, today, I was completely won over. Her Imperial Highness, the Princess, has endured a pitiful fate. You must not turn your back on her. Do not hesitate to advance because of your different statures and supposed proper etiquette.” As he spoke, his voice fell away. Outside of me, it was unlikely that there was that many people who heard what he had said.
I grieved. Although I had long known of Li Hanyou’s real identity, I had never thought of reminding Qin Qing. I had watched idly as Qin Qing had fallen deeper and deeper in love with her. Utterly remorseful, I murmured, “General Qin, do not worry. My feelings for the Princess are sincere. I will definitely not forsake her. As long as Jiang Zhe is alive, I will ensure that the Qin family does not encounter disaster.”
Hearing my whispered promise, a satisfied smile appeared on Qin Qing’s face. Taking another look at his father, he stated, “Father, this child is going to take his leave.” As he finished speaking, Qin Qing’s eyes closed, his breathing weakened. In the blink of an eye, he had departed for the underworld.
Qin Yi shouted, “Qing’er!” The grief-stricken shout combined with Li Hanyou’s mourning cries traveled a long distance. With raging hot anger in his eyes, Li Zhi callously stated, “Sect Master, Li Hanyou chose this moment to murder. It would be quite unreasonable for her to be let off. Sect Master, please hand over Li Hanyou to this Prince for punishment.”