Volume 9, Chapter 608 – Empress (Part 2)

Consort Jin was both shocked and enraged, scolding them loudly: “So this was a trap all along! You plotted against your own elder and younger sisters like this, aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?”

“Retribution? Running off after only three days of mourning, showing neither loyalty nor filial piety, that’s what truly invites retribution.”

The First Prince, Lin Guo, sneered with disdain, then turned to Steward Ma and ordered, “Go. Make sure you arrest the Sixth Princess in full view of everyone. I want the entire imperial capital to know she is an unfilial daughter.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

Steward Ma accepted the command, taking two expert guards with him as he left.

“Just to be safe, you all should assist Steward Ma as well.”

The other three princes turned to the bodyguards behind them and gave similar instructions.

“Yes!”

The guards obeyed immediately and followed after Steward Ma.

Consort Jin collapsed helplessly into a chair, tears of despair streaming down her face.

Lin Ran left the imperial palace, turning back every few steps, her face dazed and lost in thought. Failing to fulfill her duty as a daughter, how could her heart possibly find peace?

“Sixth Princess!”

Lin Ran was well known throughout the Western Radiance Dynasty, so the passersby quickly recognized her. Many stepped aside respectfully and offered formal bows.

“Mm.”

Lin Ran absentmindedly returned their greetings, walking like a soulless puppet toward the city gates.

“How strange! Why is the Sixth Princess leaving the palace?”

“What’s wrong with that?”

“Are you stupid? The emperor just passed away a few days ago! According to custom, shouldn’t she remain in the palace to observe mourning? Leaving like this makes her look disloyal and unfilial.”

“You don’t understand. She’s a cultivator. She doesn’t need to follow common customs.”

“Nonsense! Cultivators are still born of their parents, aren’t they?”

“Exactly! Even cultivators must uphold filial piety. And as the Sixth Princess of the dynasty, she should be even more mindful of her image!”

“Well, now she’s done for. Walking out so brazenly, whether or not she’s punished, she’s certain to lose the people’s support. Without that, she’ll lose any right to inherit the throne. Seems the Western Radiance Dynasty won’t be seeing an empress after all.”

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Along the way, the gossip spread quickly, and soon people were pointing and whispering everywhere.

But Lin Ran, lost in her thoughts, didn’t notice any of it.

“Sixth Princess, may I trouble you to stay a moment?”

Suddenly, a hoarse voice called out from behind her.

Lin Ran paused and turned with confusion, only to see a figure in black, wrapped tightly from head to toe. Not even the person’s gender could be discerned.

“What advice does Your Excellency have?”

Lin Ran asked warily.

“Sixth Princess, may I borrow a moment of your time? I have an urgent matter to discuss.”

The mysterious stranger’s voice was calm.

“Not interested.”

Lin Ran turned on her heel and started walking away. She wasn’t some naive little girl who would casually follow an unfamiliar “strange uncle”.

“What about the one who killed your father? Are you not interested in knowing that?”

The stranger’s voice rose slightly.

Lin Ran froze in her tracks, roots growing beneath her feet. With a hint of fragile hope, she asked, “You know who the killer is?”

“This isn’t the kind of topic we should discuss in the middle of the street.”

The stranger’s tone was steady.

After a brief silence, Lin Ran turned back, saying, “Lead the way.”

The stranger didn’t waste words and walked toward a nearby inn.

They entered a luxurious private room. Lin Ran carefully set up a Divine Sense barrier and crushed a Sound-Blocking Talisman before sitting down and asking, “Speak. Who killed my father?”

“It was me.”

The stranger’s reply was calm, yet shocking.

“What?”

Lin Ran shot to her feet, summoning her sword in fury. “How dare you! Regicide is punishable by extermination of nine bloodlines, and you have the audacity to deliver yourself to my door?”

“Aren’t you curious why I killed him?”

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The stranger poured herself a cup of tea unhurriedly.

“Why did you kill him?”

Lin Ran gritted her teeth, forcing herself to stay calm. Perhaps, deep down, she feared there was more to this than she knew.

The stranger remained silent, removing her hat and veil instead, revealing a stunningly familiar face.

It was none other than Qi Huang.

“It’s you?”

Lin Ran was stunned, staring wide-eyed. After a pause, she asked with trembling voice, “Was it truly you who killed my father?”

“Yes. I killed him.”

Qi Huang’s voice was firm, without hesitation.

“Why? Was it just because of the Imperial Consort decree? I know he caused you trouble, but surely that wasn’t enough to deserve death?”

Lin Ran’s lips trembled as she asked.

“Do you see me as someone that petty?”

Qi Huang let out a bitter laugh, then grew solemn, meeting Lin Ran’s gaze. “Before I answer that, I want to ask you something. Have you been keeping any secrets from me?”

“Secrets?”

Lin Ran’s expression shifted uneasily, her eyes darting away.

“Do I need to remind you?”

Qi Huang’s face darkened slightly, disappointment flickering in her gaze. If the Sixth Princess lacked the courage to admit mistakes, she was unfit to rule.

Lin Ran opened her lips slightly, then lowered her sword, her voice faint: “Yes, I kept something from you. My father, for the sake of his pride, secretly ordered someone to awaken the Source of Yin Miasma at the Pingshan Mass Burial Ground, intending to eradicate Huangtian County entirely.”

Qi Huang smiled faintly, this proved her judgment of Lin Ran wasn’t wrong.

“I… I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

Lin Ran bowed deeply, her voice trembling.

“In that case, do I need any other reason for killing him?”

Qi Huang’s words were sharp, leaving no room for doubt.

Plop…

Lin Ran’s knees gave out, and she collapsed into a chair. Her long hair fell messily around her pale face, her expression hollow. She knew the person before her had killed her father, yet she had no grounds to retaliate. The agony in her heart was indescribable.

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“To tell you the truth, my Shadow-Retaining Mirror doesn’t just let me spy on others, it records everything, too. Not only do I know about this matter, but I also have clear evidence of him using war to persecute young men.”

Qi Huang laid everything bare.

Lin Ran shut her eyes tightly, as though hoping darkness would shield her from the truth she didn’t want to face.

“Now you understand, I didn’t kill him for revenge. I killed him for the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Qi Huang’s voice carried an unshakable weight.

“So? Is that why you came to find me?”

After a long silence, Lin Ran finally opened her tear-filled eyes.

“Of course not. The main reason I came is to discuss the future of the Western Radiance Dynasty. Your father is gone, the princes are tearing the palace apart over the throne, and foreign nations are taking advantage of the chaos. The people suffer more with each passing day. As the saying goes, ‘A nation cannot go without a ruler for even a single day.’ We must choose a new emperor immediately.”

Qi Huang stated firmly.

“And what does that have to do with me?”

Lin Ran asked expressionlessly.

“You’re the most suitable candidate. I intend to support you in becoming the next ruler of the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Qi Huang’s gaze burned with conviction.

“Sorry, but I’m a woman and a cultivator. I have no interest in sitting on any throne.”

Lin Ran shook her head firmly. She might not hate Qi Huang outright, but she couldn’t forgive her either.

“Then why do you cultivate?”

Qi Huang shifted her approach.

“To protect the Western Radiance Dynasty.”

Lin Ran answered without hesitation.

“Then haven’t you thought about this? No matter how powerful you are, you can only handle external threats. What about the internal chaos? History has shown us: strong nations fall from within. If you refuse the throne, how will you resolve the dynasty’s internal strife?”

Qi Huang’s voice was cutting, each word deliberate.

“I understand your goodwill, but I truly have no interest in becoming empress.”

Lin Ran hesitated briefly but stood and turned to leave. Competing for the throne meant clashing swords with her brothers, possibly killing her own kin. That was a burden she couldn’t bear.

Qi Huang sighed softly. Everyone had their own path, and she wouldn’t force Lin Ran’s hand. But she knew it wouldn’t be so easy for the Sixth Princess to stay uninvolved, her Shadow-Retaining Mirror had already shown her the palace was rife with traps.

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Lin Ran walked out of the inn, her mind heavy, only to find herself surrounded. She blinked in confusion when she recognized Steward Ma and his men.

“Steward Ma, what brings you here?”

Lin Ran steadied herself and asked as calmly as she could.

“By order of the First Prince, we’re here to apprehend the Sixth Princess and bring her back to face judgment.”

Steward Ma’s tone was flat and formal.

“Face judgment? For what crime?”

Lin Ran was stunned.

“According to the customs of the Western Radiance Dynasty, when parents pass away, their children must stay home and mourn without leaving for three full years. You, however, abandoned mourning after only a few days. That makes you unfilial! And as a princess, you’re both daughter and subject, so you’re also disloyal! Disloyal and unfilial, you must be punished.”

Steward Ma recited his lines smoothly, as if he had rehearsed them beforehand.

“But weren’t you the ones who told me to leave the palace?”

Lin Ran’s voice shook in disbelief.

“Us? When did we ever say that? As a royal, the Sixth Princess should understand that evidence is required for such claims. If you can’t provide proof, we’ll have to add slander to your charges.”

Steward Ma turned the tables without hesitation.

“You insolent servant! How dare you play tricks on me!”

Lin Ran’s fury flared, but then a realization struck her, draining the color from her face. “Heh… I see now… so that’s how it is. My dear brothers… my own kin… To seize the throne, you’re willing to cast aside every shred of familial love and resort to such despicable schemes.”

“Your Highness, please come quietly with us. Otherwise, even if you manage to escape, the Imperial Consort will be accused of failing to raise you properly.”

Steward Ma added coldly.

“Let’s go.”

Lin Ran didn’t resist any further. Accepting her fate, she followed Steward Ma and his men back the way she came.

“Lin Ran, oh Lin Ran… you’re far too naive. Do you really think they’ll spare you and your mother once you return?”

Qi Huang sighed softly as she continued to observe the palace’s movements through her Shadow-Retaining Mirror.