Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 1157 - 726: Piercing the Day_2
CHAPTER 1157: CHAPTER 726: PIERCING THE DAY_2
The figure dressed in a golden python jade robe, the Crown Prince...
Unexpectedly... unexpectedly reached out at this moment and touched the gold-plated National Seal...
.....
Atop the mountain, vast and boundless, the jeweled architectures shrouded amidst dreamlike clouds and mist.
On the rear mountains of Kunning Palace, large fields of flowers are planted, their sea of blooms unyielding even in late autumn, sprawling across every ridge and slope. Alas, under the dim skies and veiling drizzle, the colorful splendor of days past has faded, resembling instead the ink-drenched landscapes crafted by grand masters. A single stroke of bright crimson within evokes the vivid brilliance of a dragon’s eye.
A woman walks alone on this mountain, her vermilion cloak swirling in motion. Her tall and slender frame sways with grace, and her unbound ebony hair cascades to her waist as she treads through the pathless flower fields toward the pavilion at the summit.
When Li Qingyan finally reaches the pavilion at the peak, there are already many awaiting her. Grouping around the woman within the pavilion, the kneeling palace maids scattered among the sea of blooms resemble stars encircling a moon in reverence.
The Empress of Dayan, mother of the realm, her own birth mother.
Time, like a blade, has carved indelible marks upon the face of the woman, yet unable to diminish her beauty. Adorned with a jade jadeite phoenix crown, clothed in a true red sleeveless robe, and draped in a gilded dragon and phoenix cape, her noble identity is clear for all to see. Her movements exude dignity and majesty, brightening even the muted heavens above.
Li Qingyan does not favor this mother of hers.
There are many reasons why, but ultimately, it might simply be that their personalities clash, making her uncomfortable.
Just like now.
The Empress’s slender eyes sweep across the scene. Upon catching sight of the plain attire and crimson cloak, her exquisite brows instinctively furrow imperceptibly, seemingly displeased by the casualness of the woman standing before the pavilion.
Having spent her youth in the Northern Frontier with infrequent visits to the capital, each return made her feel uneasy under her mother’s gaze.
Today was no exception. Her mother continued as she had always been, gripping firmly onto everything she could control, even matters as trivial as attire.
With such thoughts passing, Li Qingyan solemnly bowed deeply before the Empress in greeting:
"Mother."
No matter how much distaste she felt, the woman before her was ultimately her biological mother. Furthermore, as a member of the royal family, tradition dictated that she should pay her respects to the Empress first upon returning to the capital. Having been back for two months, it was already far too late.
Seated within the elegant pavilion, the Empress gazed at her daughter kneeling before her. Her voice was faint:
"Two months in the capital, yet this palace has yearned for you since your return. However, it seems Wu Yuan, you did not wish to see this palace."
Li Qingyan lowered her gaze, her voice soft yet melodious:
"Mother, your daughter contracted illness at the battlefield. Had I come hastily, I feared disturbing your phoenix health."
"How thoughtful."
The Empress’s tone revealed no hint of affection or anger. She looked down at her daughter from above, making no sign for her to rise, then asked, "This palace hears that the Crown Prince sought you out, and not just once."
Maintaining her usual brevity and deference, Li Qingyan replied, "Indeed, my royal brother came to me."
"You did not meet him?"
"No."
"Why did you not meet him?"
"Bound by illness, I could not see him."
"....."
The chill of the mountain wind grew sharper, with sparse rains falling and stirring waves through the flower fields.
The Empress leaned lightly back against her chair, taking a deep breath. Her previously calm voice carried traces of coldness:
"Before you left for the Northern Frontier, this palace had warned you that the son of a mere palace maid went there to seek military power. If possible, this palace did not wish for him to return to the capital. If you did not eliminate him, he would find ways to eliminate you. You dismissed these words as if they were nothing. And now what? He returns with ten thousand armored warriors. He has co-opted the Imperial court ministers, and even your father, the Emperor, has begun entertaining thoughts of changing the heir! You should know how venomous the heart of the palace maid’s son is, and you should be aware of the consequences for you as the Crown Prince’s sister if he gains power."
"....." Li Qingyan said nothing.
The Empress exhaled a slow breath, her tone turning earnest as she instructed:
"Qingyan, there is still time. This palace will summon your brother here, and today you siblings must discuss strategies to deal with the palace maid’s son within this Kunning Palace..."
"You’re afraid?"
"....."
The clear voice carried a gentle chill, soft in tone, yet striking enough to halt the Empress’s words mid-sentence.
The expression in the Empress’s eyes shifted between astonishment and confusion at this moment. She even doubted she had misheard, but soon the voice repeated:
"Since you dared to act against Li Zhaoyuan and his mother back then, Mother, you should not be afraid now. Or perhaps you should have eradicated them entirely then."
Li Qingyan spoke while rising from the slightly muddy flower field, brushing the raindrops off her cloak. She met the gaze of the Empress of Dayan without flinching.
In truth, what her mother had said was correct, at least from the perspective of the Crown Prince. But why must she stand on the side of the Crown Prince?
The Empress’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parted: "You..."
"Mother."
Li Qingyan casually interrupted her mother’s words, her voice light as she replied, "I care not for court politics, only for who can destroy the Sects."
After a brief moment of stunned silence,
The Empress regained her composure, though her brow furrowed deeply as she locked her gaze onto her insolent daughter, her presence stern and commanding:
"The Crown Prince is your only brother, the future Emperor of Dayan! Do you not recall it was this palace that convinced your father to allow you to lead troops, smoothing the voices within the palace, all for the sake of helping your brother ascend to the throne!"
Li Qingyan silently stared at the Empress for a few moments, then suddenly laughed.
"Mother, you have been dormant for twenty years. Why now, of all times, would you rekindle your lust for power?"
The pavilion plunged into sudden silence.
Fine rain drizzled, and the gentle wind softly caressed.
The Empress’s fingertips trembled slightly, her eyes partly squinting as she hissed: "What did you say?"
Li Qingyan thought for a moment, then responded with a chuckle:
"Indeed, allowing me to lead troops was your doing, but was it not for yourself? Twenty years ago, when Father was gravely injured upon returning to the capital, the Prime Minister vanished without trace, and the Crown Prince took up the role of Supervising the Country. Mother, your actions during that time when you held court from behind the screen — Qingyan is not entirely unaware."
"....."
The words visibly stirred anger within the Empress, her body faintly trembling.
Li Qingyan, unconcerned, adopted a serious and resolute tone, enunciating each word with purpose:
"Mother, there are matters your daughter should not make overly explicit. However, to rule a kingdom, to rule the kingdom as it stands now, mere skills in palace intrigue and scheming are far from sufficient. If the Crown Prince ascends to the throne, chaos will ensue, and the nation will crumble."
Twenty years prior during that incident, the two most powerful figures of the court — Emperor and Prime Minister — fell victim to the schemes of the Sects. The Emperor was gravely injured and near death, while the Prime Minister mysteriously disappeared. During the vacancy of power, the Empress had sought to execute the ambitions of Empress Wu.
However, unfortunately, though the Emperor and Prime Minister were silenced at that time, Xu Yuan’s mother was still alive.
She stopped her.
Yet, as Li Qingyan had stated before — she truly did not care who ultimately ruled. Even if her mother had consolidated power fully during that era, it didn’t matter to her. What mattered was her mother’s inability to possess the capacity and vision to govern the empire beyond courtly schemes.
With these thoughts passing,
Li Qingyan lightly exhaled, her clear gaze turning toward the direction of the Golden Throne Hall.
The Empress furrowed her brows deeply, her expression tinged with anger. But after taking a deep breath, she maintained her composure and dignity:
"Since you’ve made your decision, then why come to this palace today?"
"Because you are, after all, my mother."
"This palace demands the truth."
"...Well then, I am waiting for someone’s choice."
"....."
The Empress pondered briefly, recalling that today seemed to be Xu Changtian’s day for court attendance. Her expression instantly darkened as she asked sternly:
"Wu Yuan, you wouldn’t be..."
"Mother, I am Li Qingyan."
Li Qingyan turned back calmly, her long hair swaying with the wind, her gaze cold and tranquil: "I am indeed waiting for him, but not out of sentiment."
The Empress remained silent for a moment, deeply lost in thought, before finally speaking in a low voice: "This palace does not understand, does not comprehend what exactly you’re waiting for... Xu Changtian’s court attendance, what could possibly result from that."
"That is precisely why I cannot choose the Crown Prince. Neither he nor you possess the resolve or vision to shoulder the responsibility of governing the world."
Standing atop the mountain slope, Li Qingyan raised her hand lightly, extending a slender finger toward the direction of the Golden Throne Hall, her voice drifting ethereally:
"Mother, look."
"...."
The Empress fell silent, instinctively turning her gaze.
In her steadily widening eyes,
A radiant light resembling a piercing sun speared through the Golden Throne Hall, which had stood steadfast for a thousand years!