Chapter 74

A slightly cool breeze swept through, stirring up the fallen leaves on the ground, making a rustling sound.

Song Pianxian stood in front of the Eastern Palace and said to 09: “No need to activate it.”

09 obediently responded and settled down.

She vaguely realized that before the world reached a stable state, the host had already made a decision, and now she could answer directly without hesitation.

There were too many matters to deal with after the Emperor’s passing.

Song Pianxian didn’t have much emotion towards her father’s original body, but she felt a bit emotional.

Some people become more confused as they age, while others suddenly awaken as they grow older, looking back and seeing absurdity everywhere.

It’s hard to say which is more pitiful, but it made Song Pianxian stay alert and not fall into such a state.

After the Emperor was buried in the imperial tomb, Song Pianxian paid respects to the heavens, the earth, and the ancestral temple, ascended the white jade steps, and became the first Female Emperor of Da Li. She wore dark ceremonial robes, receiving the respect of the people, the court officials paying homage, and the myriad states coming to congratulate.

Since the day Song Pianxian ascended the throne, she clearly felt that something, unknown to her, had triggered a switch.

This feeling is hard to describe in words, as if there is an hourglass in her body. From the day she officially became the Emperor, this hourglass was turned over by an unnamed hand, officially starting the countdown.

Those stardusts are the vitality of her body.

Before this, her body was just ordinary and fragile. Although she got sick frequently, a little rest would make her feel better, and it wouldn’t affect her ability to complete tasks.

But after she became the Emperor, she began to weaken.

Song Pianxian couldn’t perceive how much stardust still needed to flow down. She only knew that as time passed, her body would become weaker and plagued by illness.

The way to leave this world seems to have been predetermined.

Fortunately, 09 had already reduced her pain sensation.

“Keep 10% of the pain sensation,” Song Pianxian requested.

09 didn’t quite understand: “Ah? I can directly adjust it to painless for you.”

Song Pianxian succinctly replied:

“I need to retain it moderately.”

People fear death and pursue immortality.

But death is the ultimate deadline in life.

As everyone knows, the deadline is the primary productivity. With an endpoint, people have a sense of urgency, which drives them to move forward with all their might, even to run forward.

Moderate retention is to remind Song Pianxian – of course, it’s also because her life has been too carefree.

Perhaps this is the first time since Song Pianxian lost her memory that she has lived so comfortably and freely in the small world.

In the court, under the joint efforts of her and Feng Yuexian, as Feng Yuexian predicted, where the sword edge went, there was calmness and clarity.

In the palace, the three children were obediently receiving education.

He Qiuchan, who had already been promoted to the rank of imperial concubine, had no intention of severing ties. She deeply understood the importance of maintaining good relations with these two women who controlled Da Li. For this reason, if it weren’t for the difference in generations, she would have considered letting Feng Yuexian adopt Song Yingguang.

Therefore, Song Yingguang spent half of her time living in the Zeluo Building, which is closer to the Eastern Palace. Over time, there was a temporary resting place for Song Yingguang next to Song Ruyan’s room in the Zeluo Building.

As there was only a wall between them, sometimes Song Ruyan could hear Song Yingguang’s nightmares.

Of course, as a Princess, Song Yingguang had palace servants to take care of her, but since Song Ruyan could hear her, she always wanted to check on her.

She took extremely good care of Song Yingguang.

When Song Ruyan entered Song Yingguang’s room, she saw a palace servant preparing a calming soup for Song Yingguang. The bitter taste of the medicine lingered in the quiet night, and Song Ruyan sniffed and approached the bed.

Song Yingguang sat among the silk quilts, her figure thinner over the past two years, showing the first signs of a young girl’s awkward lines.

Perhaps because she enjoyed following Song Pianxian, she seemed to have acquired some of Song Pianxian’s unique calm and elegance, which, although slight, made this teenage girl exude a special charm.

Song Ruyan leaned closer. “Having nightmares again?”

Song Yingguang’s disheveled hair framed her face, damp with sweat, as she nodded gently.

“Still won’t tell me?”

Song Yingguang pursed her lips and smiled. “I’ve told you many times, it’s about being bullied by the Third Prince when I was young, but you don’t believe me.”

Song Ruyan fell silent. She always trusted Song Yingguang, but in this matter, her intuition repeatedly prevented her from fully believing Song Yingguang’s words. Every time she saw Song Yingguang’s nightmares, she would ask.

Despite her smile, Song Yingguang’s face couldn’t hide its paleness. Song Ruyan’s hands trembled as she brushed the hair away from her face.

Song Yingguang nuzzled her fingertips with her cheek.

Suddenly, Song Ruyan dared not move, and awkwardly asked, “Why isn’t the calming soup ready yet?”

“I just had a nightmare, and you’re already here. The medicine can’t be ready that fast.”

Song Ruyan nodded awkwardly, feeling a bit dazed.

It seemed like the confident and spirited girl who followed Feng Yuexian during the day had turned into a timid puppy at night, beside Song Yingguang’s bed.

Song Yingguang curled her toes under the covers and gently leaned into Song Ruyan’s embrace, resting her head on her shoulder.

Song Ruyan suddenly felt at a loss. “Are you… feeling dizzy?”

What’s going on? Could it be that Song Yingguang’s constant presence by the Emperor’s side has affected her health?

Her constitution needs to be strengthened. Song Ruyan worriedly looked at her, with a compassion she didn’t even realize she had in her eyes.

In a place where Song Ruyan couldn’t see, Song Yingguang’s eyes flickered. She gently tugged on Song Ruyan’s clothes corner and whispered softly:

“…I’m still a bit scared, can I lean on you?”

“Oh, I see…”

Song Ruyan’s throat felt dry. Perhaps she was too nervous and at a loss. She subconsciously seriously considered whether she had any reason to refuse. After thinking about it, it seemed that she didn’t. So, she could only let Song Yingguang lean on her.

After all, they were good sisters who had grown up together. What’s wrong with leaning on each other, hugging each other a bit?

Song Ruyan felt there was no harm in it, and even after realizing this, she quietly adjusted her posture to make Song Yingguang more comfortable to lean on.

At this point, the two were approaching adulthood, while the Emperor’s body was deteriorating day by day. It was better in the past couple of years, but starting from this year, there was one day out of three when she had to rest in bed.

Therefore, Lady Ronghua almost never left the Emperor’s side. With the Emperor’s acquiescence, Lady Ronghua took charge of the Palace of Mind Nurturing.

The Great Li now had two masters.

There were dissenting voices, but Song Pianxian, while reforming the government, was not stubborn and would only listen to voices of approval. Among the civil officials, there were some who dared to offer criticism.

In response, Feng Yuexian played the role of the stern-faced one.

For those talented, there was advancement in disguise. For those who couldn’t be moved, they were threatened.

All the filth was blocked by her.

Song Pianxian was like a clear breeze and bright moon, shining like a star.

She was the pure moonlight lifted by Feng Yuexian’s own hands.

Feng Yuexian searched high and low for famous doctors for Song Pianxian.

But regardless of which famous doctor, or even the so-called ancestral remedies offered by courtiers to the Emperor, none had any effect on Song Pianxian’s body.

It could be said that the medicine was ineffective.

When Song Pianxian once again fainted in the Palace of Mind Nurturing, Feng Yuexian’s face tightened, wishing she could dig up King Chu and crush his bones to ashes.

Only she knew that Song Pianxian’s figure was becoming increasingly fragile, with a waist so delicate that Feng Yuexian dared not exert any force to hold it, or even dare to move her around in bed.

Now, looking at Song Pianxian’s pale and translucent sleeping face, she dared not touch her.

As if in the next second, this person would disappear like an illusion, lightly, with a snap, disappearing from sight.

For some reason, although she rarely parted from Song Pianxian, she always feared that Song Pianxian would disappear.

Perhaps because Song Pianxian was too delicate.

As Song Pianxian’s condition worsened, this sense of crisis became even stronger.

Now, the places where Song Pianxian often appeared were almost all filled with imperial guards, such as the Palace of Mind Nurturing and the Ganqing Palace. It could be said that they were surrounded on all sides.

But her sense of crisis did not diminish in the slightest.

There was a thin string in her mind, getting tighter and tighter—

“Why are you unwilling to seek medical help again?”

As Song Pianxian drank the Old Duck Clear Nourishing Soup, she swallowed the soup and looked at Feng Yuexian, saying:

“All the doctors willing to heed the decree to enter the palace have come. Isn’t it still futile? Now with the imperial physicians taking care of me, it’s enough. There’s no need to go to great lengths.”

Previously, to reassure Feng Yuexian, she issued a decree to seek famous doctors. Feng Yuexian’s side was also searching, and even the courtiers were pondering their rise to power, instructing their subordinates to inquire in various places.

Layer by layer, Song Pianxian estimated that most of the renowned doctors in this world had been approached.

But today, Feng Yuexian had to send people out again to search for any overlooked talents.

She wasn’t such a stubborn person, so why was she like this? Song Pianxian naturally understood in her heart.

Song Pianxian softened her voice, as if soothing an anxious and restless big cat:

“I’ve seen so many doctors before and after, and those with talent, I’ve seen them all.”

Feng Yuexian stared at her:

“I don’t know why, but when it comes to seeking medical help, you always seem more sober than me.”

Feng Yuexian’s words were faint, but in her black eyes, there was suspicion and scrutiny that hadn’t been seen in a long time.

Her chin lifted slightly, her eyelids half-lowered, and she gave a faintly mocking smile.

Song Pianxian fell silent for a moment.

She knew Feng Yuexian was somewhat saddened.

Although Song Pianxian’s demeanor could be attributed to her resignation, to giving up hope of being cured—perhaps that’s how others saw it—Feng Yuexian was her confidante. Whether it was a trace of evidence or intuition, Feng Yuexian sensitively detected that something was wrong.

Although with Song Pianxian’s abilities, she could come up with all sorts of explanations to brush off this conversation, Feng Yuexian would definitely believe her.

Because Feng Yuexian would definitely believe her, she shouldn’t deceive her.

Song Pianxian sighed softly, reaching out to cover Feng Yuexian’s hand.

As soon as their hands touched, Song Pianxian was startled.

The hand beneath hers, usually warm from years of martial arts practice, was now icy cold.

Song Pianxian instinctively gripped it tightly.

“I…” Song Pianxian started to speak, revealing a rare helpless expression. What else could she say?

Feng Yuexian had no memories about the Quick Transmigration Bureau.

Feng Yuexian looked at Song Pianxian, waiting for her next words, her expression very focused.

But Song Pianxian didn’t continue.

Feng Yuexian smiled self-deprecatingly.

Then, she saw Song Pianxian seeming anxious, leaning towards her, the brocade quilt slipping.

“Yuexian, I can’t say more now, but you need to know, you need to believe.”

Song Pianxian took a slight breath, coughed twice, a flush appearing on her face, her chestnut-colored pupils clear and resolute.

Almost every word was uttered deliberately:

“We will meet again.”

We will meet again…

Hum—

Song Pianxian’s calm and firm voice entered Feng Yuexian’s ears, accompanied by a dull buzz.

In that instant, she sensed that in her mind… something seemed to be about to emerge.

But it was just a moment, and soon, this unusual sensation vanished, never to be found again.

Feng Yuexian’s eyes flickered, and when the buzz subsided, she looked at Song Pianxian.

Yin Bing walked in, sensing the heavy atmosphere. She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, “Madam, the county princess has returned from the northwest and wishes to speak with you about something.”

Feng Yuexian turned her head. “I am busy today—”

“You may go,” Song Pianxian said. “Important matters take precedence. We can talk later.”

Song Pianxian advised.

Firstly, she might not be able to articulate anything else at the moment, so it’s better to sort out her thoughts.

Secondly, Song Ruyan’s trip to the northwest involved many matters, including the situation of the northwest army, which were closely monitored by the court and were also for the public good.

Feng Yuexian glanced at Song Pianxian.

She raised her hand to cover Song Pianxian with the brocade quilt, draping it over her thin shoulders and gently patting them.

“Wait for my return.”

Song Pianxian smiled at her and nodded.

Seeing her nod, Feng Yuexian turned and left quickly, her steps brisk.

Yin Bing hurried to follow behind her. For the past two years, her mistress had been like this. Every time she left the Emperor’s side, she walked much faster, and her actions became more decisive and efficient, as if she wanted to finish her tasks quickly and return to the Emperor’s side.

It seemed that only by the Emperor’s side could her mistress find a moment of peace.

Almost as soon as Yin Bing’s figure disappeared at the doorway.

Song Pianxian, holding the brocade quilt, suddenly felt an irresistible, heavy drowsiness wash over her.

She was powerless to resist, her eyelids like black curtains slowly falling, obscuring her view of this world.

As Song Pianxian’s consciousness plunged into the abyss, a strange and indifferent female voice echoed in her mind:

“Execute the forced logout command.”

“Forced exit, execution completed.”

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Translator: Glariosa
Editor: Ruu

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