Chapter 156: Lady Lüqi

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“Your Majesty, urgent news just arrived from Zezhou—Zezhou has fallen!” A figure resembling a royal guard hurried over to their side, speaking with urgency.

“So soon…” Yunwu exclaimed in surprise. Although the fall of Zezhou was inevitable, the speed was shockingly brazen. “Sire, perhaps we should set out early to Taixi, which borders Zezhou. The Ji Kingdom’s next target might well be there…” Yunwu spoke cautiously.

“Are you trying to dictate to me?” Zuo Qiu Liye glanced at him coldly. His gaze was frosty, reflecting his foul mood—there was no desire to mask it with a smile.

“I dare not!” Though close to His Majesty, the subordinate wouldn’t dare utter even a hint of defiance.

“Ji Wuqing is indeed swift. Any other news from Zezhou?”

“Your Majesty, Elder Yue sent word—the young master is likely captured by the Ji Kingdom, vanished without a trace,” the man reported.

“Very well. Since Gongshen Ling’er is so fond of making trouble, let her have at it. At this point, reinforce the troops guarding Taixi. Inform Elder Yue to manage Taixi well. I will meet with him as soon as possible,” Zuo Qiu Liye commanded.

As for Gongshen Ling’er, he seemed indifferent to her fate.

The situation was indeed dire for the Wu Kingdom.

Inside the room, Xuexue overheard their conversation. Zuo Qiu Liye did not seem intent on hiding anything from her.

Judging by his words, he planned to take her to Taixi—the place most likely closest to Zi Qing’s whereabouts.

Ze Zhou.

The Ji Kingdom’s forces swiftly took the city of Zezhou. They did not ravage or pillage; such acts were the bane of bandits. Instead, they merely took control as if replacing the city’s lord, maintaining order and discipline.

The city was quiet. Citizens knelt silently along the streets, heads bowed, bodies trembling uncontrollably.

At the head marched the soldiers’ steeds, followed by a striking woman.

She wore a deep purple robe, tattered and disheveled, bearing a hint of misery, yet still resplendent and noble. She stood tall, her long skirt trailing elegantly on the ground, bearing an air neither humble nor arrogant. Her long hair hung loose, veiling her face and lending her an aura of mystery.

Her hands were bound as she followed behind the horses—an unmistakable captive.

She gazed at the kneeling populace, biting her lips tightly. Her fierce pride nearly shattered. She was Gongshen Ling’er, the proud young mistress of the Wu Kingdom’s secret pavilion. When had she ever been subjected to such humiliation?

Could this even be called a war?

The Wu Kingdom had essentially surrendered without a fight. The Ji troops marched in openly and arrogantly—an immense insult and mockery to her.

Soon, she was brought to the Tianfu Pavilion in Zezhou.

“Young Mistress Gongshen, long time no see,” came a cold, somewhat polite voice.

Hearing this, Gongshen Ling’er turned to look at the speaker. “You are…”

The man slowly approached. The guards assigned to watch over her stepped aside, giving them space to converse.

“It’s me. I hope you still remember,” his cold eyes studied her. He seemed surprised by her current state. “I never imagined our reunion would be under such circumstances.”

“I never thought that Yu Bufan of the Imperial Painting Bureau would become a strategist under the Ji King’s command. Have you forgotten who you are?” Gongshen Ling’er’s gaze was sharp and hostile, her cold eyes flashing with a faint glimmer of frost.

Undeniably, though now a captive, Gongshen Ling’er’s innate noble bearing still shone through.

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“Precisely because I remember clearly that I made the right choice. Your actions, however, are quite astonishing. It seems you have forgotten who you are, young mistress,” Yu Bufan said disdainfully, a note of contempt in his gaze.

“What do you mean?” Her delicate brows lifted in confusion.

“Let me be blunt. Do you think the king captured you to see you? Even if it were to punish you, he neither has the time nor the inclination to look at your face. So, save your little schemes…”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about…”

“You do,” Yu Bufan said, “Jealousy among women is truly terrifying, isn’t it? Coveting something that never belonged to you is even worse.” His cold glance and casual tone enraged Gongshen Ling’er.

He had struck a nerve, crushing her innermost feelings beneath his feet.

Suddenly, she smiled—noble and graceful. “That’s who I am. I don’t see my actions as shameful. Perhaps I’m just not clever enough, but the living always have more chances than the dead. Don’t you agree…”

The living have more chances than the dead…

“Unfortunately for you, young mistress, even alive you have no chance…” Luyi had died, but she had his eternal devotion.

“Are you here just to mock me?” Gongshen Ling’er tried to conceal her anger, but this humiliation was unlike any she had ever known.

“Just here to see an old friend and catch up,” he replied.

“…”

The sunset dyed the horizon crimson, like the color of spilled blood.

Their shadows stretched long on the ground, intertwining.

She sat by the window, watching the scene outside—the shadows of branches on the ground. It reminded her of that dream, where a shadow claimed to be the incarnation of a vengeful spirit. What did that mean?

Perhaps nothing at all—just her overthinking…

Drawing back the curtain, she leaned against the wall, clutching the blanket on her lap, uncertain what to do.

She turned to see Zuo Qiu Liye dozing with narrowed eyes, leaning against the wall, his body swaying gently with the carriage.

Surprisingly, his peaceful expression was somewhat pleasing—the man seemed softer somehow.

Yet seeing the bite marks on his lips made her shudder. She decided it was best to keep her distance.

After days of travel, enduring wind and dew, Zuo Qiu Liye appeared unhurried, moving calmly as if assured of his next move.

At last, after passing through forests and hills, they reached a town.

The place was bustling, streets crowded with people and lively markets adorned with fascinating trinkets.

The carriage slowly stopped before a lavish inn. Xuexue peered outside, puzzled—is this Taixi?

No, by what she heard, Taixi was under siege, with the Ji Kingdom advancing. How could a war-torn land be so leisurely?

“Xiaoxue, have you taken a liking to this carriage? Want to sleep in it tonight?” Zuo Qiu Liye teased, his alluring eyes twinkling with concealed amusement. “Or do you think this is Taixi…”

Just as she suspected, this was not Taixi.

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She composed herself, feeling a touch of disappointment.

“Your Majesty, may I ask where this place is?” If he was not heading to Taixi, where was he taking her?

Had he abandoned the Wu Kingdom’s cities?

“Does it really matter to you, Xiaoxue, if this isn’t Taixi?” he replied, answering a question with a question. This was the Wu Kingdom; even if she knew where she was, it would be as if she did not.

Stepping down, Xuexue noticed another carriage inside the inn’s courtyard—a vermilion vehicle inlaid with gold and jade. Its curtains of gauze and tasselled red sachets exuded a woman’s seductive aura.

What place was this?

It seemed more like Zuo Qiu Liye’s domain.

“Your Majesty,” came a soft, coquettish voice.

At the sound, Xuexue turned to see a slender woman running down. She wore the distinctive garments of the Wu Kingdom—her flowing skirt fluttered like a lark in flight.

As she approached, Xuexue fixed her gaze on the woman’s face—a poetic and picturesque countenance, radiant with a birdlike joy.

“Greetings, Lady Lü Qi,” Yunwu and the guards greeted the woman with respect.

“No need for formalities, Lord Yun is always so polite,” Lady Lü Qi smiled like a blooming flower, her laughter clear and joyful.

“I dare not,” Yunwu responded hastily.

Lady Lü Qi seemed no ordinary consort; she appeared to be Zuo Qiu Liye’s favored companion, yet commanded Yunwu’s respect.

Moreover, as a palace consort, would Zuo Qiu Liye grant her the freedom to leave the palace at will?

“Is this the legendary blind woman?” Lady Lü Qi looked at Xuexue with curiosity. “Though you don’t seem truly blind. Hello, may I address you as Empress Xue?”

Xuexue nodded slightly in response. She had not expected her reputation to have spread so far, known even by this woman who seemed more than a mere consort.

Judging by her intuition, Lady Lü Qi was likely an ally of Zuo Qiu Liye. After all, he never truly regarded women highly; even his favorite consorts would likely be looked down upon by Yunwu, rather than respected as this one was.

As they say, like master, like servant.

“Yunwu, take Xiaoxue to her room to rest,” Zuo Qiu Liye instructed quietly while observing. “Also, ensure her safety.”

“Yes.” Yunwu gestured to Xuexue. “This way, please.”

Xuexue followed silently. Shortly after, she heard a male voice—likely Elder Yue’s.

“His Majesty is so considerate; Elder Lü’s expression shows a hint of jealousy,” the soft voice teased. “No, I should say Lady Lü Qi now.”

Elder Lü, Lady Lü Qi?

That woman had once been part of the secret pavilion…

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