Chapter 10: Chapter 4: Let Me Go

Chapter 4: Let Me Leave

"Are you suggesting? That at a time like this, this Palace should take her own life to atone for her sins?"

Jing Yue'er sneered. Heaven knew she had actually done nothing at all; she had simply woken up from a several-day coma only to find she had once again become a "femme fatale" bringing ruin to the land. Truly ridiculous.

"Your Majesty is virtuous and kind. This official believes..."

"Prime Minister, the so-called blood calamity today was caused by me. Do you intend to demand that I, too, commit suicide to atone?"

The Prime Minister had barely finished speaking when he was met with Jun Lanfeng's furious voice.

"Your Majesty, that is not what I meant. This official knows that Your Majesty's desire to kill is clearly because of the Empress..." the Prime Minister said.

"Then let me tell you: even if not a single brick or tile of the Fafa Temple remains, I will not allow any of you to lay a single finger on the Empress."

Jun Lanfeng sneered, his bloodthirsty eyes burning with boundless rage.

"Your Majesty..." The Prime Minister looked at Jun Lanfeng in disbelief. "Have you forgotten how many emperors of the previous dynasty lost their kingdoms because they placed blind faith in the women by their pillows and favored them above all else?"

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten the ancestral teachings?"

With a heavy *thud*, the Prime Minister knelt on the ground. "Your Majesty, everything must be weighed against the greater good. A single woman can never be equated to the mountains and rivers of this land."

"So you mean to say, even if a person has done nothing, she must bear everything for the sake of my empire?" Jun Lanfeng stood with his hands behind his back, leaning forward with a cold laugh. "Prime Minister, since you are so great, I shall leave this momentous task of sacrificing to the heavens to you."

"If this official were capable, he would certainly go. But in the current situation, it is clearly..."

Hearing this, Jing Yue'er felt a wave of dizziness and nearly collapsed backward. The vast terrace was crowded with court officials; though their mouths were shut, their hearts were undoubtedly watching him.

It seemed that her monopolizing the King's affection had truly incited the jealousy of these people. She recalled hearing that the Prime Minister had a seventeen-year-old daughter, beautiful as a flower, proud and haughty, not inferior to Yan Qingyan—and supposedly three parts more beautiful. Gentle and graceful, she likely had long since grown tired of this arrogant and domineering woman.

In truth, Jing Yue'er was aware that a woman of the inner chambers under this feudal rule was completely out of place with her.

Even with all the rumors circulating about Jun Lanfeng—whispers of impotence or sexual dysfunction—most people preferred to believe they were mere lies. They would rather believe that both Yan Qingyan and she were infertile than believe that the god-like Jun Lanfeng could be lacking in the arts of the bedchamber.

It made sense; once she, Jing Yue'er, was dead, this vast imperial palace would be empty. At that time, countless women would have the chance to enter the palace and become Empresses or Noble Consorts.

However, looking at today's situation, if Jun Lanfeng did not follow the will of the people, even if he could protect her for a moment, he could not protect her for a lifetime. Living at the pinnacle of power, Jun Lanfeng faced too many hardships. Beyond the endless daily affairs, her health was poor; she would frequently fall ill with fevers that left her bedridden for days. His heart was constantly heavy with worry. As his wife, she felt the pain in her heart, but there was very little she could do to help.

Because sometimes, she truly could not even take care of herself!

If she could be like a normal Empress and have a child, perhaps there would be fewer idle rumors.

"Prime Minister, this Palace has a way to make this fire extinguish itself obediently. Do you believe me?" Jing Yue'er narrowed her eyes and smiled, a unique, breathtaking beauty shining within her dark, clear eyes.

The Prime Minister snapped his head up. "Your Majesty, you must be joking?"

Jing Yue'er looked up at the sky and said unexpectedly, "In half an hour, there will be a great rain from the heavens."

"Your Majesty, has the illness made you muddled?" The Prime Minister was caught between laughter and tears.

She turned her deep gaze toward the Prime Minister and gave a desolate laugh. "Do you know that speaking to this Palace like that is enough to warrant death a hundred times over?"

The Prime Minister choked on his words.

"This Palace does not mind. Do you dare to gamble with me?" Jing Yue'er turned and walked forward a few steps. Gazing at the sea of fire, her tone was indifferent.

"What does Your Majesty wish to gamble?" the Prime Minister asked, intrigued.

"A gamble on the rain." Jing Yue'er smiled suddenly. "If there is no rain in half an hour, this Palace will commit suicide on the spot to atone to the world. If rain appears within half an hour, and it is heavy, you..."

"This Palace is not a merciful person; debts must be settled. If you lose, you shall leave your life to this Palace. How about that?"

She spoke with such calm, as if she were discussing the weather rather than gambling with lives. Such a mindset was indeed rare in this world.

"Yue'er..." Jun Lanfeng tugged at her sleeve.

Jing Yue'er turned and gave him a reassuring look.

"Prime Minister, what do you think?" she asked calmly.

The Prime Minister considered it for a moment, then suddenly cried out, "This official only hopes that the Empress's word will be her bond."

"Good! This Palace was actually worried the Prime Minister might go back on his word. However, I have the Emperor to preside. Even if you try to renege, you will have no choice!"

Jing Yue'er looked toward Jun Lanfeng.

"Rest assured, Yue'er. If you win, I will personally execute this unrepentant old fool," Jun Lanfeng promised.

The Prime Minister said nothing. He stood up and looked at the clear, cloudless sky. It had been several months since it had rained in the vast Fafa Temple. Even the wells in the temple were nearly dried up. To say rain would appear within half an hour—no one would believe it, least of all him!

Naturally, the Prime Minister hoped Jing Yue'er would lose. That way, even if Jun Lanfeng wanted to protect her, he would have no way to do so.

"Very well. Set up the altars. For the next half hour, keep the incense burning without interruption. Within half an hour, the heavy rain shall arrive!" Jing Yue'er commanded.

"Amitabha, this old monk shall go at once," Master Minghui said, accepting the order.

Jing Yue'er turned and walked back to the Eastern Hall. "Lanfeng, come sit with me."

"Where is the Empress going?" the Prime Minister asked.

"After wasting so much breath with you, this Palace is parched and hungry. Do I need to ask your permission to eat?" Jing Yue'er raised an eyebrow.

The Prime Minister said nothing. Only after Jing Yue'er had left did he glance toward the distance. "What is there to be proud of? To have the heart to eat at a time like this... only you could do it."

"Of course!" Nangong Yu walked over. "Otherwise, how could she become Empress while you only became Prime Minister?"

"General Nangong jokes. Have you wanted to be nothing but a general all these years?"

The Prime Minister's voice was low, intentionally provoking Nangong Yu. "General Nangong, in this official's view, this world will sooner or later be destroyed by that demonic Empress."

"I am a man of small vision, and indeed, I am only destined to be a general. As for the Prime Minister, you hold your own life too highly. That is very dangerous," Nangong Yu said coldly. "I, on the other hand, feel the probability of the world being destroyed by the Prime Minister is much greater."

"You..."

The Prime Minister's face turned green with rage, but Nangong Yu did not respond. He walked a short distance away and ordered his soldiers to help fight the fire.

***

Not far away, Jing Yue'er was devouring a table of vegetarian food, eating with no regard for her image. If one were to count, it had truly been a long time since Jun Lanfeng had seen her like this.

"Slow down!" Jun Lanfeng reminded her while placing food in her bowl. "Yue'er, no one is going to snatch it from you."

"Oh!" Jing Yue'er acted as if she hadn't heard him and continued eating.

In front of others, she was dignified and polite, but in front of Jun Lanfeng, she never knew what "image" meant. For this, Jun Lanfeng rubbed his temples helplessly.

"Yue'er, the sky doesn't look like it's going to rain. Will there really be rain within half an hour?" Jun Lanfeng couldn't help but ask.

"How could there be rain?" Jing Yue'er suddenly slowed down and looked at Jun Lanfeng with a smile. "I just wanted to take the opportunity to eat something so that running away would be more convenient."

Jun Lanfeng was left speechless.

"Lanfeng, it seems I can no longer stay in the imperial palace." Jing Yue'er pouted helplessly, but her tone suddenly carried a hint of sadness. "Let me leave. Otherwise, I feel I will be forced into a life I cannot live."

"Yue'er..." Jun Lanfeng sighed. "You are safe by my side. Even if this Fafa Temple burns to the ground, no one can do anything to you. The Prime Minister's claims are completely baseless."

"But can you protect me this once, and protect me forever? If the Fafa Temple is destroyed, I, Jing Yue'er, will inexplicably become a sinner to the world. One day, this palace will become my grave."

Jing Yue'er gave a bitter laugh. "I find it strange, as if the whole world has a grudge against women. As long as there is a mistake, they blame it on me. Is it because they see my kin are old and I have no backing to bully me?"

Jun Lanfeng froze, feeling a sudden, sharp pang in his heart.

She wiped her hands and leaned against Jun Lanfeng's shoulder. "Actually, I know you live a very tiring life every day. But..."

For a moment, she lifted her eyes to look into his deep gaze and said innocently, "Do you know? In my past life, although I was also controlled by others, as long as I completed my tasks, no one bothered me. Because of that, by the age of twenty, I had traveled to every corner of the Divine Land. Back then, I was unrestrained. No one could ever target me."

"Take me away, alright?"

She could never have imagined that Jun Lanfeng would not persuade her to stay, but instead...

"Yue'er, actually, I am tired too. Truly!"

Jun Lanfeng tried to use a smile to hide the immense loneliness in his heart. "This throne seems supreme, but the daily infighting is not the life I want. What I want is to travel the mountains and rivers with Yue'er, to accompany you to every corner of the Divine Land, and to do what we most desire, without anyone interfering in our lives."

"But if you leave, the world will surely fall into chaos. With our current strength, once someone else gains power, there will be no place for us in this world. Even with Wanyue, my brother may not tolerate us once he gains power. I know his attitude toward you very well. You know it too."

A single tear fell onto Jun Lanfeng's hand, making his fingertips tremble. He sneered, "Why must you analyze things so clearly, stripping away my last bit of room for imagination?"

Jing Yue'er said nothing; it seemed she no longer knew what words could comfort him.

"After you finish eating, I will escort you down the mountain. Go!"

He sighed and proactively released her. "Outside the palace, perhaps those who find difficulty in you will be fewer. I think a Yue'er like that would be happier."

Her hand holding the pastry trembled. Standing seven inches away from him, she watched his retreating back, feeling as though his heart were bleeding as he spoke those words. To send away one's beloved—what immense torture that was. It went without saying. Her own inner thoughts revealed everything.

Within the half-hour, Jun Lanfeng proactively prepared wealth for Jing Yue'er. He also sought out Master Minghui to find another secret path down the mountain.

Jing Yue'er gazed at a willow tree in the courtyard, watching the ripples on the emerald pond. Despite the spring scenery, there was a quiet beauty akin to autumn—a stillness that made one's heart ache. The sun was particularly strong today, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead.

"Let's go, otherwise they will come causing a scene soon," Jun Lanfeng reminded her from behind.

For the first time, she did not dare turn around to look at him. She just stood there. Heaven knew how much one could ache to stay, to the point of being unable to take a single step—as if one glance would make them unable to resist embracing the other.

Jing Yue'er could not even bear to look back at how free she once was, nor could she bear to look back at how free Jun Lanfeng used to be.

She only remembered someone once telling her in a dream: *Yue'er, if time could flow backward, I would want to take you to see the old me. Then, you would know how much the current me has changed for you.* The ruthless and cold Jun Lanfeng of the past had long since become a blur to her.

The only things she remembered were the thousand ways he was tender and doting by her pillow; the genuine affection with which he saved her from fire and water time and again; and the fact that he trusted and embraced her every single time.

How wonderful it would be if love were nothing but sweetness!

"Lanfeng, what if I can't bear to leave?" Jing Yue'er smiled, without turning around.

"I will have someone escort you," he replied with a smile, handing the bundle to a hidden guard beside him. "We shall not meet again."

With those words, he turned and walked out of the courtyard with his hands behind his back. His silhouette was elegant, but who could see the hesitation in his steps? Yes, only he knew how much he loathed to part!

However, in the next second, he could never have imagined that a figure would come running and embrace him tightly. In that moment, he didn't know how many tears soaked his robes. He only knew that her presence was pressed against his back, and her voice was slightly hoarse. A woman who was strong enough to command his respect was now sobbing behind him, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Actually, I have always known you are fragile," Jun Lanfeng said, unable to bear turning around, staring instead at the front of the courtyard. "But sometimes one must be strong. Everyone knows the palace is not suitable for you. If you stay, too many old fossils will target you."

Tears blurred her vision; for the first time, Jing Yue'er knew what it felt like to cry until she was speechless.

"Actually, with your intelligence and talent, you aren't afraid of those old fossils at all." A slight curve appeared on his calm lips. "Yue'er, you usually seem arrogant and domineering, but your heart is cleaner than anyone's. You don't like fighting with those people; you are tired of fighting. You wish to be isolated from the world forever."

If anyone in this world understood her best, it was the man before her. In his presence, Jing Yue'er held no secrets; she stood before him completely exposed. Perhaps even her deceased mother did not know her this well!

Indeed, she was tired of fighting. Back when she had dealt harshly with Jing Li'er, she ultimately could not bring herself to kill her.

However, Jing Yue'er also knew that by leaving him like this, she would likely never be able to embrace or stay by his side again in this lifetime.

"Actually, emotions aren't that important. A person as capable as Yue'er, what could there be that she cannot forget?"

He gently pried her hands loose and did not look back once, walking straight out of the courtyard.

"Your Majesty, it is time to leave," the hidden guard said.

"I suddenly don't want to go," Jing Yue'er smiled.

The guard remained silent for a long moment before suddenly saying, "But Your Majesty, if you don't leave now and it doesn't rain later, I'm afraid... you won't be able to leave."

Jing Yue'er frowned, picked up her bundle, and smiled. "Then let's go."

***

Jun Lanfeng watched the incense burning on the altar, slowly turning to ash. Half an hour was almost up. He had no heart to care about how long the fire would burn; all he cared about was whether Yue'er had left safely.

"Your Majesty, the half-hour is almost over. The sky does not look like it is going to rain," the Prime Minister teased.

Jun Lanfeng stood with his hands behind his back, as if he hadn't heard.

"Your Majesty, why has the Empress not come?" the Prime Minister continued. "Could it be that she lost and does not dare to face us..."

Before he could finish, he caught Jun Lanfeng's gaze. "Prime Minister, watch your words. Otherwise, do not think that because you are a founding official, I will not dare to deal with you!"

"Your Majesty, one must accept the terms of a bet..." the Prime Minister said.

"Accept the terms?" Jun Lanfeng raised an eyebrow, scanning him with interest. "To hear those words from your own mouth, with so many people watching... if you intend to renege, I will kill your entire family."

"Your Majesty, this official naturally will not renege," the Prime Minister said, his voice trembling.

"Gui Yu, how much time is left?" Jun Lanfeng asked.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the time of a tea-drinking is almost up," Eunuch Gui replied.

"Fine. If there is no rain after the time of a tea-drinking, even if I cannot give you the Empress's life, I will give you mine," Jun Lanfeng said, his voice trembling slightly.

The Prime Minister was instantly shocked. "Your Majesty, this official would not dare!"

"What is there to dare? Have you not been coveting my empire for a long time?" Jun Lanfeng laughed deeply. "You are merely waiting for the right moment; did you think I didn't know? Today you dare to threaten to kill the Empress; what happens when one day I am displeased with you? Will I not dispose of you just the same?"

The Prime Minister knelt on the ground, shivering. "I am being wronged, Your Majesty!"

"Don't give me that nonsense." Jun Lanfeng gritted his teeth, his face ashen. The resentment he had been suppressing was slowly being released. "I am telling you, the reason I dare to gamble my life with you is because I believe absolutely that the Empress has the ability."

"But Your Majesty, look at the sky—where is there any sign of rain? It is clearly bright and cloudless. Even within two hours, it might not rain."

"A mortal's perspective."

Jun Lanfeng sneered. "To fight the Empress like this... I think you are simply tired of living!"

The Prime Minister fell silent.

Minutes and seconds passed. The Prime Minister glanced at the sky from time to time. Seeing it was still clear, he wiped away cold sweat.

However, at the very last moment, the dark clouds shifted and thunder rolled. Without warning, within the time it took to drink a cup of tea, raindrops began to fall *patter-patter*.

"It's raining! It's really raining..." a man shouted amidst the raindrops and thunder.

"Your Majesty, it really is raining! The Empress's words were so accurate. Truly too accurate!" Nangong Yu could not help but praise. "Heavens, this Empress is practically a goddess from the heavens. She can even summon the rain on time!"

Jun Lanfeng looked at the dark, cloud-filled sky, unable to hide the joy in his heart. He tilted his head back, letting the rain strike his robes. After composing himself for a long time, he finally turned around. "Prime Minister, how do you explain this?"

Around the vast terrace, countless people cheered. Countless people jumped up in celebration.

"Amitabha, this rain has come at just the right time. It has saved half the wealth of the Fafa Temple. Otherwise, this old monk truly feared I would have to atone with my life." Master Minghui turned and left, overjoyed.

Only the Prime Minister remained, kneeling alone on the ground. He didn't dare even to breathe heavily, his hair disheveled by the rain. He looked like a drowned rat, a sight that left onlookers feeling exhausted just looking at him.

"Old man, if I do not make an example of you today, I would truly be failing to avenge the insults you hurled at the Empress."

Jun Lanfeng curled his lips, his tone more unhinged and excited than ever before.

"Your Majesty, this old official was merely acting out of sudden urgency. This old official did it for the sake of the Fafa Temple! If it were not for me, would the Empress have prayed for rain for this temple?" The Prime Minister made one last desperate struggle. "Your Majesty, this old official has followed you for so many years, giving silent devotion. Even without merit, I have my hardships. Please, Your Majesty, spare this old official this once. Spare me this once!"

The death-fearing old man was nearly scared to death.

"Then, Prime Minister, if this Palace had lost, would you have spared me?"

In the rain, a voice sounded—a voice so familiar. It was clear and pleasant, possessing a softness that was not ordinary. For a moment, Jun Lanfeng felt as if his ears were malfunctioning.