Volume One, Chapter Four: Farewell This Year
“Chengdu!” It all happened so suddenly that Yang Xiangning couldn’t steady him. She knelt down hurriedly and cradled Yuwen Chengdu in her arms, her voice choking with sobs. “Chengdu... someone, please...”
“Chengdu...” She was nearly weeping. Facing the collapse of the dynasty, the plight of her brother, and her husband’s injury, she was on the verge of breaking down.
“Quick! Bring someone!” Guards rushed in at the doorway and carried Yuwen Chengdu into a nearby inner chamber, then sent someone to summon the imperial physician.
But Yang Xiangning was stopped at the door...
“How dare you! You even dare to block a princess!” Concerned for Yuwen Chengdu’s condition, her anxiety turned to wrath at being barred entry. Moreover, she knew these men were loyal to Yuwen Huaji. If she didn’t assert her authority now, the world might soon forget whose realm this was.
“Apologies, Your Highness, but the Prime Minister has ordered that General Yuwen be confined to the residence from this day forward. As for you, please return to Chen Zhao Hall!” The guard, though merely a messenger, showed blatant disrespect to Yang Xiangning. Clearly, everyone around Yuwen Huaji no longer regarded the royal family but followed him wholeheartedly in his claim to the throne.
Fury blazing, Yang Xiangning glared at the guard. The imperial physician had already entered, yet she was still kept outside.
“How dare you behave like this! Do you know whose realm this is? Do you still respect the emperor?” At this moment, she embodied more than herself—she represented the dignity of the royal house. Such insolence from Yuwen Huaji’s followers was intolerable.
The guard sneered disdainfully, head bowed but tone ruthless. “The realm is in chaos. Who it belongs to, I truly do not know... but I follow the Prime Minister!”
In truth, he spoke the truth.
Yang Xiangning herself knew that this world could hardly still be called the Yang family’s.
Her imperial brother, sovereign of the land, was under house arrest within the palace, unable even to move freely. And she, the eldest princess, was left here to be bullied by a mere guard.
The realm was in utter turmoil. Who would rule it in the end?
A sharp, persistent pain crept into Yang Xiangning’s chest. She gasped and pressed her hand to her heart. Now was no time for distraction; she needed to check on Yuwen Chengdu.
“If you say you follow Yuwen Huaji, then answer me: after he proclaims himself emperor, who will Yuwen Chengdu be?” After a moment’s thought, Yang Xiangning asked slowly.
The guard was momentarily confused but answered truthfully: “General Yuwen is the Prime Minister’s only son, naturally the Crown Prince, the future emperor!” As he spoke, he bowed slightly to show respect.
Yang Xiangning smiled faintly, stepped forward, and pointed at herself. “And who am I?”
“You are a princess...” The guard suddenly sensed something amiss.
Yang Xiangning swiftly finished his thought for him. “I am a princess now, yes, but don’t forget, I am also Yuwen Chengdu’s wife. By your logic, in the future, I will be the empress. Tell me, then, what will you do?”
It was a veiled threat. Although Yang Xiangning despised Yuwen Huaji’s betrayal and had no intention of becoming empress, in these desperate times, such words might be the only way to resolve the matter.
The guard hesitated, then without further resistance stepped aside.
Yang Xiangning hurried inside.
The imperial physician was examining Yuwen Chengdu’s pulse, his expression grave, occasionally shaking his head. Yang Xiangning’s heart tightened painfully.
“Imperial physician, what is his condition?” she asked anxiously.
The doctor ceased his examination, rose, and sighed deeply. “The general’s internal injuries are more severe than before. The treatments over these days have had little effect. His mind is troubled beyond measure. I fear this wound will be very difficult to heal...”
“What should we do now?” Yang Xiangning’s hands trembled. She dreaded any misfortune befalling Chengdu.
“At present, only continued medication and gradual treatment remain. How much he recovers depends on his own fate...” The doctor’s face was heavy with regret. Once a fearless warrior, Yuwen Chengdu was now gravely wounded and slow to heal.
“Moreover, given his current state, he must not suffer any emotional shocks or return to the battlefield. He likely cannot endure even a short time...” The doctor warned earnestly.
Yang Xiangning nodded, tears streaming down her cheeks. She moved to sit beside Yuwen Chengdu’s bed.
Taking his cold hand, she wished to transfer all her warmth to him. “Chengdu...”
Meanwhile, Yuwen Huaji, clad in golden armor, sat astride his horse, surveying his troops.
He glanced left and right with a blank expression, contemplating for a moment before raising his sword. “Advance!”
Their grand plan was about to begin. The first step: to surround Jiangdu Palace!
Though seated beside Yuwen Chengdu, Yang Xiangning could not avoid hearing the clamor of soldiers outside. Clearly, these actions no longer required secrecy.
She could no longer remain calm. Rising, she instructed the guards at the door, “Take good care of the general.” Then she mounted her horse and rode toward Jiangdu Palace.
No matter what, Yang Xiangning would not allow Yuwen Huaji to succeed. Even at the cost of her life, she would protect the Yang family’s realm.
Galloping to Jiangdu Palace, it was as expected: Yuwen Huaji’s forces had surrounded it tightly.
Yang Xiangning employed the same words she had used with the guard earlier, compelling the soldiers to withdraw and clear a path, allowing her to enter the palace.
She hurried to the inner chamber of Yang Guang, where indeed Yuwen Huaji was present—standing beneath the platform while Yang Guang sat on the Dragon Throne.
The doors were wide open, the surroundings unguarded; Yang Xiangning entered directly.
“Your Majesty!” She first saluted her imperial brother.
“Rise...” Yang Guang gave her a faint, inscrutable smile, then turned his attention back to Yuwen Huaji.
“What you said just now, is that... how exactly?” Yang Guang’s words were muddled.
“Your Majesty, the realm is in great turmoil. For Your Majesty’s safety, I ask you to entrust me with the most coveted treasure within this palace!” Yuwen Huaji spoke grandly, maintaining a veneer of legitimacy.
Yang Xiangning realized the final moment had not yet arrived.
Catching her breath, she quickly deduced what Yuwen Huaji referred to...
The Imperial Seal...
With the seal in hand, he would become emperor...
Yang Xiangning watched Yang Guang anxiously.
To such words, Yang Guang showed no great reaction. Instead, he picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and idly sketched on paper as if oblivious to Yuwen Huaji’s declaration.
“In that case... do not blame me for being rude...” Yuwen Huaji clapped his hands. In an instant, many soldiers entered, swords drawn, entering the hall without saluting the emperor.
Yang Xiangning hurried closer to Yang Guang, seeking to protect him. “Imperial Brother...”
But Yang Guang remained composed, unflustered.
A tense silence fell over the hall.
Suddenly, soldiers stepped forward to drag Yang Xiangning away. She stood in front of Yang Guang, struggling fiercely, but was struck by a soldier’s fist and knocked unconscious.
“Xiang’er!” In her last moments before losing consciousness, she heard her brother’s desperate call...
Imperial Brother... Great Sui... Chengdu...
Everything was now so distant. After losing consciousness, she knew nothing of what followed... no awareness at all...
Is this how it ends...?
No... but what else can be done...
Is Great Sui truly doomed to fall...?
Her love for Great Sui defied words and was beyond most people’s understanding...
They had done all they could...
Now, as time had reached this point, it seemed all was fated and unchangeable.
Yet, upon reflection, life had once shone with so many brilliant memories, a prosperous age that once illuminated all corners...
Decades had passed, and everything had changed. But if one thinks carefully, what was the original form of all this...
[End of excerpt.]