Chapter 10, the high platform dispels the sorrow of the mountains and rivers' hatred

Aunt Xi hesitated for quite a while before saying: "Princess, in fact, Young Master An is not a bad person. That day when you fainted, he held you and almost cried. Later, I had someone take you to the Queen, and he sat alone in your room, looking lost and dazed for a long time.

He almost cried

"Rest assured," An Yichen said softly in my ear, "I will catch him and tear him to pieces to avenge you"

And my heart is about to be crushed

My health has never been very good, and I cannot withstand the shocks of wind and waves. The next day, I developed a slight fever and pretended to be seriously ill, spending the entire day languishing on my sickbed, lacking appetite, and feeling drowsy.

But what was the purpose of Yu Wen Zhao suddenly abducting Jun Yu

I was on the verge of tears, slowly stepping back, pointing at Xu Jingtian and saying: "Aunt Xi, go call someone! I want to behead the one who spreads falsehoods and misleads the public!"

I nodded slightly, supported myself on the white marble railing, and ascended the steps slowly. The steps had not been trodden for a long time, accumulating a thick layer of dust. As I made my way up, I left a long trail of footprints, and even the hem of my pink skirt was rolled up in the dim yellow dust

Xu Jingtian's aged eyes swept around and suddenly became sharp: "What has the princess seen in today's world?"

Mother, Mother! I called softly, and tears could not help but fall down.

It is merely nonsense to suggest that he would personally lead the charge. The only thing that can truly move Yu Wenzhao is his royal bloodline as a legitimate member of the imperial family. As long as Junyu is present, those ministers who feel gratitude towards the court, as well as those who are ambivalent and dissatisfied with the Yuwen clan, will still submit to him.

I pondered for a moment and then said: "The treacherous minister abuses his power, and the petty individuals create chaos"

Yuwen Zhao was submissive and compliant, speaking in a low voice and humbly seeking forgiveness, agreeing to return and severely punish the unworthy son

I exclaimed, "Aunt Xi, do you know this old man?"

But the clothes I so proudly offered him for his escape, he would certainly refuse to wear even if it meant death

Mother, Mother! I cried as I embraced my mother

Yuwen Hongming visibly trembled, his movements slowing down

Those people, who usually obey the Empress in every way, this time acted as if they had gone mad, disregarding the fact that the Empress was right in front of them, and they picked up the Emperor and left. The Empress struggled with them, but ultimately was pushed to the ground and could not get up for a long time

I could no longer afford to pay attention to that old man who spread falsehoods, and I lifted my skirt and rushed towards the Zhaoyang Hall

I fainted

To this day, I have long been skeptical of the truthfulness of this statement

When I was busy peeking, it was a yellow-clad eunuch from my mother's palace, who was frantically shouting at me

I almost laughed upon hearing those words

In addition to my reading, I also indulge in picking peaches and plums, treading on grass and gathering flowers, wandering about in various places

I cannot explain why I say this either. However, I believe that if it were that day when Aunt Xi presented him with this outfit and gently urged him to change and escape, he would certainly have agreed

The phoenix descends, can it bring prosperity to the nation

Because he shares the same pride as I do, a pride so profound that one would be willing to stake their very life in the pursuit of it

The guards wanted to intervene, but those individuals swiftly drew their blades and executed two people, declaring that anyone who defied the regent's orders would be killed without mercy. As a result, they hesitated for a moment and did not dare to stop them. By the time the princess rushed forward to give orders, those individuals had already galloped out of the palace. Ximeng, still in shock, raised her eyes to ask me: "Princess, what should we do?"

I defiantly lifted my head, wanting to break into a nonchalant smile, but tears had already begun to pour down more swiftly, completely obstructing my vision

I was instantly filled with rage, nearly striking this old man's face with my fist: "Are you saying that as a princess of the Great Yan Dynasty, I should go and support another state, to prosper another nation!"

The icy smooth body was embraced in the next moment, and through the somewhat cold clothing, the other person's body temperature gradually transmitted.

The mother, anxious, repeatedly summoned the imperial physician for treatment. When Yu Wen Zhao arrived, she reproached him for not being strict in his upbringing of the child

Yuwen Zhao, in a fit of anger, personally led a group to pursue them out of the city, and only returned to the palace at noon, but he came back empty-handed

It is estimated that the mother hopes to make him uncomfortable in order to provoke his anger, so that he can give Yu Wenhong a good lesson and take revenge for me

Xiao Caiyi has also said this. The father is a good father and a good husband.

Qi Qing, Yu Wen Zhao had someone take your brother away. Jun Yu was taken away by him! Mother said, suddenly feeling as if all her bones had shattered, she collapsed to the ground and cried out in despair

"Get lost!" Yu Wenhong kicked out one of his feet, knocking down Aunt Xi, and continued his madness. The heavy body and immense panic suffocated me, leaving me gasping for breath, as I could only futilely kick my legs and fearfully evade the strange and terrifying assault

I want to scold him for being excessively rude, daring to embrace me when I am weak and powerless, just like Yu Wenhong, defiling my body

The armor gleamed brightly, the blades were cold, and a group of guards swiftly entered the Zhaoyang Palace. The leader, with a serious expression and deeply furrowed brows, was none other than Yan Yuanfeng

I took down this precious jade and raised it towards Xu Jingtian: "Sir Xu, has the phoenix descended from the heavens, can it bring prosperity to the nation?"

I approached the old man and said with a smile, "Elder, is this place under your care? At last, this high platform can be considered a piece of pure land."

Hmph! Very well, I shall wait for you to obediently become my third brother's wife, Princess Qiqing! I hope you do not disappoint the Yuwen family!" Yuwen Hong said, greedily glancing at my chest before sweeping away with his sleeves.

The common people are displaced, and wars are incessant

Yuwen Zhao's sudden attack must have been well-prepared in advance, and it is likely that they have already gone far by now. My daughter and I do not have a large army at our disposal, making it virtually impossible to catch up with them.

Both Yu Wen Zhao and his son were not in the capital, and my mother was also free. She personally taught me and my younger brother Jun Yu to play the piano and flute, to write and read, which turned out to be quite enjoyable and very comfortable

Yuwen Zhao wants Junyu to go to the battlefield

I secretly instructed Aunt Xi to inquire about the specific situation, but it was An Yichen who, at the third watch of the night, had only regained a fraction of his martial arts skills. While stealthily leaving the palace, he was discovered by the guards and nearly captured. At this moment, a large number of skilled fighters suddenly surged into the palace, fighting desperately to protect An Yichen. After sacrificing nearly half of their lives, they finally succeeded in rescuing An Yichen and escaping from the capital.

When I awoke, I was already in my mother's chamber

"Lord Xu, how do you do?" Aunt Xi has stepped forward to pay her respects to the elder

His cold gaze was probing down from my partially opened collar, gradually igniting a fierce flame, but not out of anger

Unwilling to show weakness? Aunt Xi was puzzled

Yuwen Zhao, upon the sudden appearance of An Yichen in the palace at midnight, was convinced that there must be someone within the palace colluding with the An family to rescue An Yichen. Upon his return, he ordered a thorough investigation into the matter, demanding that the identity of the internal accomplice be uncovered without fail

I can imagine how my mother, like an old bird, protected my younger brother, while the envoy sent by Yu Wenzhao ruthlessly pushed my mother to the ground and forcibly took my brother away

Xu Jingtian avoided answering directly, merely stating: "The late Emperor was a good father."

In a moment of chaos and turmoil, the world is in an unprecedented state of disarray

I spread my arms wide, slowly sweeping around, and once again I ask: "Lord Xu, is the state of the world today truly an auspicious sign?"

Yet even my mother would not have anticipated that her arrangement would completely clear me of any suspicion regarding the rescue of An Yichen.

I want to laugh, laugh at his overestimation of himself, just now he didn't even dare to show his face after I treated him that way, what is he talking about when he mentions tearing Yu Wenhong to pieces?

Why is this happening

My heart raced, and I slowly clenched my fists, asking: "Is it possible that my father, the emperor, is a tyrant?"

When he handed me the collar of my garment, his fingers brushed against my chest, which I usually bound tightly with cloth, now loosened beneath the light fabric.

Only his status as a good emperor is not mentioned

"No need for that." Yu Wenhong's voice suddenly took on an oddly calm tone, and in an instant, he lunged at me, greedily licking my face. His heavy, warm breath hit my face, carrying a strong, unpleasant odor that made it nearly impossible for me to breathe: "I no longer wish to seek her out. Those who find her cannot find her heart. You... have long since become a mere object like your mother, and far more beautiful than she. Why should I seek her again? Why?"

In the haze, a blue shadow flashed, and An Yichen stood before me, his gaze even deeper than before, entirely inscrutable and complex, silently fixed on my face

I glanced and snorted, saying: "He is not stubborn, he just refuses to show weakness"

Do you know me? As I lowered my head, I caught sight of the purple phoenix jade around my neck. On this warm spring day, the neckline of my pink gauze dress was quite low, making the exquisite jade, adorned with gold and pearls, immediately visible.

She has already been promised to the Third Young Master! She is your third sister-in-law; if you bully her, how will you face your brother in the future! Aunt Xi was on the ground, tugging at Yu Wenhong's clothing

I want to push away his embrace, but my hands and feet are growing weaker, and even the sound of my own crying seems so distant

"Master Liu, hurry and invite Lord Yan here! Go at once!" I clenched my palm, filled with sweat, and instructed Liu Sui.

Zhaoyang Hall, in such beautiful weather of early spring in March, yet exudes an air of despondency and melancholy

I spent the entire night under the watchful eyes of Yuwen Zhao, half awake and half asleep, and I figured that no matter how suspicious he might be, he would not suspect me.

"Eldest son, you cannot do this, you cannot do this!" Aunt Xi anxiously called out, pulling on Yuwen Hong with all her strength

As I basked in the languid spring breeze, gazing at the picturesque scenery around me, I felt a sense of tranquility and delight. To my surprise, I noticed a hunchbacked old man in a corner, methodically brushing away the dust and debris from the high platform. Upon further inspection, I saw that the marble offering table in the center was also tidied up meticulously, and the large bronze incense burners on either side still emitted wisps of fragrant smoke, rising continuously.

He kidnapped Junyu, certainly intending to preserve this trump card and maintain his own power

Aunt Xi stepped forward and sincerely asked: "May I ask Lord Xu again: since this is an auspicious sign that can benefit the nation, even if the court has some shortcomings in virtue, it should still be somewhat redeemable. Why then have national affairs deteriorated to this extent?"

On this day, Aunt Xi walked far away, and suddenly saw ahead a stone-built high platform, towering to a height of 10 zhang, majestic and magnificent; all around was spacious, with lush green grass, vibrant wildflowers, and countless butterflies fluttering about, dazzling like a colorful rain spread across the ground, creating a remarkable spectacle

Aunt Xi hesitated and reminded, "Your Highness, there are no outsiders here, Lord Xu... why not just share some heartfelt words with us?"

Upon reaching the high platform, the sky in March appeared even more clear, resembling blue water glass, radiating a soft and delicate light.

Xu Jingtian continued to ask: "Why are sycophants able to wield power, and why do petty individuals create chaos?"

I sighed quietly, pretending to be asleep, not listening to my mother's sharp voice gradually lowering, slowly turning into faint breaths

Why is this happening

Aunt Xi glanced at me, reluctantly got up, staggered to send him out, and rushed over to close the door

But his heartfelt words are truly driving me crazy!

March is precisely the time when the garden is filled with fragrant blossoms and vibrant branches

"What is it?" Aunt Xi asked, "Why are you making such a fuss?"

At the end of February, I had grown quite weary of my confinement, so I declared that my illness had fully recovered. My mother, already aware that my condition was not serious, allowed me to move back to my own quarters

I heard my mother angrily accusing Yu Wenzhao. Her voice, which had always been gentle and soft, had turned sharp and high-pitched: "Yu Wenzhao, if you want the lives of my daughter and me, you can just say it outright; there is no need to force us like this! What empress dowager, what princess, I know we have long become a laughingstock in the world, but do you really want your Yu family to be a joke as well? Is the engagement between Qi Qing and Yu Wenqing truly just a piece of waste paper? If so, you might as well sell Qi Qing to a brothel; if we are to be embarrassed, let us all be embarrassed together!"

Ximeng curled up in a corner, crying inconsolably

Why not inform the guards? I gritted my teeth

On the night of New Year's Eve, the guards searching for assassins did not dare to look at me, let alone touch me. At this moment, what I faced was the eldest son of the powerful Yuwen family, Yuwen Hong

I coldly watched the departing figure of Yu Wenhong, my heart filled with a clear chill, and for a moment, I did not feel fear; I could only tremble uncontrollably, and finally, tears crawled out from my eyes

The hunchbacked old man squinted his murky eyes, scrutinizing me closely. Suddenly, his gaze fixed on my neck, and he immediately broke into a beaming smile: "So it is the Phoenix Princess who has arrived! This old man failed to welcome you, failed to welcome you!"

I was filled with joy and asked Aunt Xi, "What place is this? I have never been here before."

If this continues to develop, in the future, I too will surely become a plaything of the Yuwen clan

Yuwen Hong suddenly pushed his hand, and he was already standing up, his pupils having returned to their icy coldness

Yuwen Hong ultimately failed to find Du Mo'er, and he himself was confined at home by Yuwen Zhao. It was not until after the Lunar New Year that Huangfu Junzhuo assembled troops at Liuhe, directly threatening the capital, that Yuwen Hong was finally dispatched to join Cai Bingde in resisting the forces of King Liu.

An Yichen is correct; my mother is a plaything of Yuwen Zhao. It is by relying on this that she has maintained the pitiable Great Yan Dynasty and our unfortunate siblings.

After the third watch, the palace was filled with the sounds of battle, causing Yu Wen Zhao to awaken. He personally went to oversee the fighting, which continued until the fourth watch before finally quieting down, leaving behind dozens of corpses. Among them were palace guards and unidentified assassins.

Aunt Xi smiled and said: "This is the Qintian Platform. In the past, important ceremonies and divinations were held here. Due to the rules set by our ancestors, women were not allowed to enter, which is why the princess has never been here. In recent years, there have been continuous changes in the palace, and after Yu Wen Zhao came to power, he claimed that the people of the Qintian Monitor were merely idle, thus disbanding the Qintian Monitor, which led to the desolation of this high platform."

Yuwen Zhao was at a loss, merely smiling as he held his mother in his arms, offering gentle words of comfort

I cannot save Junyu, I cannot protect Junyu! I am willing to be pointed at by a thousand people, just to protect you and him! Yet I still cannot do it... Mother cried silently.

Liu Sui understood the gravity of the matter, hurriedly agreed, and quickly ran off

Xu Jingtian slowly placed the Purple Phoenix Jade back into my hand, chuckling dryly, and after a long while said: "Miss Xi, I mentioned that the heavens bestow auspicious omens of the phoenix, which can prosper a nation, but I did not specify whose nation it would prosper, nor whose country it would benefit"

I seized the opportunity and shouted, "Uncle Yuwen has always said he would treat me well, is this how he treats me? He wants me to marry his youngest son and then sends his eldest son to bully me!"

At the end, the mother said: "Do not try to deceive me with talk of severe punishment or retribution. Your own son is, after all, flesh of your flesh, and you would not punish Hong'er for the sake of Qing'er's wife. Just remember, Qi Qing is my daughter, my precious darling. If you two dare to harm her again, I will not spare you, even if it costs me my life! At worst, I will fight to the death; I would rather go to meet the late emperor than live on in humiliation at your hands!"

Mother spoke, already sobbing softly

I cautiously stepped into the hall and immediately saw my mother, my gentle and elegant mother, unparalleled in the world, slumped in the center of the empty grand hall. Her moon-white garments tightly wrapped around her slender body, the intricate hem of her skirt drooping helplessly on the bright red carpet embroidered with golden threads, resembling the broken wings of a bird, heavy feathers scattered on the ground. The palace maids huddled far away, only weeping in the corner.

What use is there in bringing a ten-year-old child, who has not experienced the storms of life, does not understand warfare, and cannot wield martial skills, to the battlefield?

In February, Li Shuanghuai, who had been expelled from the capital region, joined forces with Bai Fuwei in Mingzhou and launched an offensive from the south to the north. Meanwhile, Jia Tong in Cangzhou was also mobilizing troops, clearly intending to support Bai Fuwei. Yu Wenxie fought hard for a long time but could not hold on, retreating for thirty miles. Yu Wenzhao, unable to rest easy, led over 13,000 troops from the capital garrison on February 16 to rush to the aid of Mingzhou and Yuezhou.

I was filled with both anger and hatred, my mind a chaotic mess, yet I did not dare to ask my mother. I only helped my aunt Xi to support my mother, taking her back to her room to rest. It was not until she cried herself into a daze and fell asleep that I went to find Xi Meng to inquire in detail.

Mother is so light that I easily pulled her into my embrace. That frail body leaned against me, trembling, convulsing, and in deep sorrow

Aunt Xi pulled me and laughed, saying: "How could you not recognize him? This is the esteemed Xu Jingtian, the head of the Astronomical Bureau. On the day you were born, the Emperor was greatly astonished and invited Lord Xu to come and see you. That day, a phoenix descended as an omen, and the prophecy of prosperity for the nation was indeed proclaimed by Lord Xu."

It is well known that the Huangfu clan and the Yuwen clan are in collusion, and the royal family acts entirely in accordance with the arrangements of Yuwen Zhao, making it unnecessary to use Junyu to threaten us. Therefore, what reason does he have to abduct Junyu?

Yan Yuanfeng arrived very quickly, even much faster than I had anticipated

Aunt Xi was tidying up the room and unexpectedly found the eunuch costume I had given to An Yichen that day. She smiled wryly and said, "That child is quite stubborn. If he had put on this outfit that day, I fear the chances of him getting through unnoticed would have been much higher, wouldn't it?"

The old man took a closer look at Miss Xiyan and smiled, saying: "So it is Miss Xiyan, who is by the side of Her Majesty the Empress. In the blink of an eye, there are already wrinkles on your forehead! How can we not grow old? How can we not grow old?"

Today, I escaped from Yuwen Hong, but tomorrow I cannot escape from Yuwen Qing

At this point, the mother is likely to have no choice but to take the good and leave.

The most noble surname of Huangfu has been tarnished to the level of dust beneath one's feet, utterly despicable.

He must be crying for his own incompetence! Even though he hates me to the bone, with his self-righteous and chivalrous personality, seeing me humiliated yet not daring to come forward to help, he must be feeling so frustrated that he is almost going mad.

At this time, I have grown older, sleeping in the warm chamber. Although Yuwen Zhao is shameless, he still has some reservations, and naturally cannot indulge fully; it is certain that he must feel quite displeased in his heart

In this peaceful world, where the gentle breeze caresses the willows and the fragrance of a hundred flowers wafts through the air, how many dangers, unknown to us, lie in wait?

Xu Jingtian took the precious jade, squinted his eyes towards the sun and remarked: "Indeed, it is a good omen from heaven, which can bring prosperity to the nation. This purple phoenix soaring into the sky is undoubtedly a sign of good fortune."

It seems that when a gentle woman occasionally loses her temper, the effect is much more effective than gentle words and soft statements

I hurriedly covered my chest with my clothing and forced a smile, saying: "If not, I will go help Brother Yuwen find someone. If she is indeed still in the palace, I will definitely help Brother find her out."

He usually dotes on my mother and me, but in times of crisis, profit comes first; Junyu is far more important than us

The inner servant replied in a flustered manner: "The regent prince has sent a message, stating that the situation ahead is urgent and requests the Emperor to personally lead the expedition!"

The last two rhetorical questions sounded unbearably painful, as if they suppressed the resentment accumulated over countless years. Yet his actions grew increasingly rough and rude alongside his painful words. I struggled and screamed, trying to evade, but I could not escape that repulsive mouth of his. My hands were firmly pressed against my head by his left hand, unable to move, while his right hand was forcefully kneading my just-developed chest, causing me to scream in pain.

In this case, Yu Wen Zhao must believe that the current capital is already in a perilous situation, and it could lose this trump card at any moment

Xu Jingtian's aged eyes were already flashing with a strange light. He answered to himself: "Since ancient times, when a ruler favors sycophants, the state affairs become chaotic; when state affairs are chaotic, petty individuals rise up; thus, the chaos originates from above, rather than from below"

Yuwen Zhao, feeling helpless, had no choice but to flatter me obsequiously. He even sought out renowned folk doctors to treat me, and various tonics were sent to Zhaoyang Palace at a flowing price.

Xu Jingtian asked again: "Do you, Princess, know the root cause of the suffering and displacement of the people, and the continuous warfare?"

Xu Jingtian ignored my anger and continued to sweep the floor, muttering to himself: "The building has collapsed, how can one go against the heavens? It is a sin, a sin!"

I am at a loss. This question seems to be too profound

Just as I was about to continue my questioning, I suddenly heard someone on the stage shouting: "Princess! Princess!"

That evening, Yu Wen Zhao stayed overnight in his mother's chamber. As my mother was worried, I was accompanied by Aunt Xi and slept in the warm chamber within my mother's quarters, just a wall away from Yu Wen Zhao and my mother's room, where even a sneeze could be heard clearly. Before the age of six, I slept there to allow my mother to care for and check on me at any time; later, my father, feeling that I was a nuisance as a little girl, had someone move me out.

Mother struggled to lift her head, her high bun disheveled, strands of hair hanging down, her complexion as pale as paper, her once spring-like eyes now stiff and lifeless like a dead wave