LF Chapter 1

Chapter 01: Overture (1)

In the first month of Shaozheng year nine, the heavy snow had just stopped, and the Tai Zhang Palace, covered in a blanket of white jade, was eerily silent.

Inside Chengming Hall, thousands of candles flickered, reflecting the unease in Jiang Yinghua’s frail frame.

“You released the fifth?” Your Majesty questioned coldly.

“No, Third Brother died in a fire in the Imperial Prison, it was my dereliction of duty,” Jiang Yinghua replied stubbornly, kneeling on the bright blue stone tiles of the hall.

“Your audacity grows daily, daring to commit the crime of deceiving the Emperor.” Your Majesty descended from the throne, throwing a Jade Thumb Ring at Jiang Yinghua’s feet.

Upon seeing it, the person on the ground paled, eyes lowered, silent.

After a long while, she asked in a trembling voice, “You…killed him?”

“You still have the heart to care about him? Memorials impeaching you are already piled high!” Your Majesty rebuked sternly, face dark.

“Elder sister, I did release Third Brother. He was my only brother. I eliminated all his supporters. He is no longer a threat to you. Why? Why are you so heartless? He was also your own brother! If you say the laws of the nation are merciless, then I will accept this crime of deceiving the Emperor today, and the mouths of the court officials will naturally be silenced.” Ignoring the reprimand, the person before her choked out these words.

Inside the hall, Jiang Jingche, tall and slender in magnificent robes, stood forlornly. The flickering candlelight stretched her shadow long, casting it vaguely on the ground. She gathered her sleeves, walked alone to the window, and gazed at the stars in the silent snowy night.

After a long silence, she sighed deeply and said softly, “Hua’er, you are confused. A centipede, though dead, does not fall. If you release him today, the Tai Zhang Palace will become the tomb of us sisters.”

Jiang Yinghua remained silent, feeling that the heated hall was even more sinister and terrifying than an ice cellar.

“I have already sent people to deal with this matter. The border regions are bitter and cold. You should resign from your military post and stay in the capital. You are not young anymore, it’s time to get married.” Your Majesty’s tone lost its previous harshness, replaced with a hint of concern and helplessness as an elder.

Jiang Yinghua was stunned, not by the removal of her military power, but by the words “get married.”

“The King of the East Sea has sent a letter requesting protection from our court, willing to have the Prince of Yun’an marry into our family and become your Prince Zhao’s consort. In the future, the East Sea Kingdom will be your vassal state. I have already agreed to this marriage. You two will marry in March of this year.” Your Majesty continued, ignoring her shock.

“What if I am unwilling?” From the moment she entered the hall until now, Jiang Yinghua raised her head for the first time to look directly at Your Majesty, her voice soft but firm.

“I am not discussing this with you, this is my decree.” Your Majesty commanded with a stern face.

“It is also a marriage that I have approved of.” The doors of the hall creaked open, and the Empress Dowager’s voice approached from afar.

On one side was the Imperial Edict, on the other was her mother’s command. Loyalty and filial piety pressing down, truly ruthless. Jiang Yinghua laughed bitterly.

“I do not desire military power, nor do I desire a fiefdom. Now that Your Majesty sits firmly on the throne, I wish to relinquish my title as Prince. I already have someone I love, and I beg to be excused from this command.”

After a moment of thought, Jiang Yinghua bowed and apologized.

“Someone you love? Are you referring to Yan Wanzhi? You cannot marry her, she is a woman.” Your Majesty chuckled.

“I have long known. I love her as a person, regardless of gender. I was born into the Imperial family, and I have no control over anything. Gain or loss, I take it lightly, but only this love, I beg Elder Sister for mercy.” Jiang Yinghua boldly spoke these shocking and absurd words calmly, yet every word was filled with blood and tears.

There was no anticipated storm of fury; Your Majesty was much calmer than she expected.

“Hua’er, I do not care whom you love. If you resist the marriage, I will kill her. Bring the Military Seal. The Prince Zhao Manor has been arranged properly. You should rest early. Tomorrow’s court will not be easy to endure.” Your Majesty threatened softly.

“The Military Seal, I, will not give it. If you harm her, I will return my life to you and Mother.” Jiang Yinghua gritted her teeth and spoke stubbornly.

The Empress Dowager had been watching the sisters’ tug-of-war with cold eyes and finally spoke at this moment.

“She was the one who killed your Third Brother and reported your private release of the wanted criminal to the Emperor. Hua’er, you are foolish.” The Empress Dowager paced slowly, her phoenix eyes filled with anger as she coldly gazed at her.

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Yinghua collapsed to the ground.

“Someone, take Prince Zhao’s Military Seal and escort her back to her manor for self-reflection.” The Empress Dowager’s majestic voice echoed in the hall.

Jiang Yinghua allowed the palace servants to do as they pleased, searched for the Military Seal, and was placed in a carriage back to her manor.