Ex-Wife is a Big Villainess
Chapter 683 - 339: The New Generation Shura

Chapter 683: Chapter 339: The New Generation Shura

Before Jiang Shouzhong and his entourage ascended Zhenxuan Mountain, a significant upheaval unfolded in the faraway Capital.

The court suddenly issued an order to seal the Ran Mansion, placing all its inhabitants under control.

Initially, Emperor Zhou Chang had no intention of targeting the Ran Mansion. After all, Old Madam Ran was the Commandery Princess of Dazhou’s only Different Surname Prince, her status was distinguished, and there was no need to invite undue controversy.

However, one incident altered Zhou Chang’s decision.

Li Guanshi had suddenly appeared beside Ran Qingchen.

Fearing disruption to his plans, Zhou Chang was compelled to resort to this measure, forcing Ran Qingchen to return to the Capital.

Of course, he did not directly arrest the Ran Mansion’s members but instead deployed soldiers to confine them within the estate.

The charge against them was that Ran Qingchen had colluded with the Demon Clan, necessitating a thorough investigation by the court.

Petitions for clemency, including those from Yuan Anjiang and others, were uniformly rejected.

Yet, to the Emperor and everyone else’s surprise, shortly after the Ran Mansion was imprisoned, the Ran Family publicly issued a statement declaring a severance of ties with Ran Qingchen.

In other words, Ran Qingchen had been expelled from the family and was no longer a Ran.

Even the Emperor was somewhat bewildered by this turn of events.

By all accounts, given the affection Old Madam Ran held for Ran Qingchen, she would not have made such a heartless decision. Unless, of course, her intent was to use this method to prevent her granddaughter’s return to the Capital.

But such a maneuver was undeniably naïve.

Subsequent investigations revealed that the statement had been issued solely by Ran Mansion Master Ran Jinyi.

It was his attempt to protect the family’s interests.

Upon learning of this, Old Madam Ran fainted in anger.

Understanding the situation, Emperor Zhou Chang was both exasperated and amused. After some deliberation, he even dispatched palace physicians to care for Old Madam Ran, lest her vexation over her elder son led to fatal consequences.

Naturally, this move also served as a way to keep her under surveillance.

It must be said—the method of confining the Ran Mansion proved effective.

Learning of the Ran Mansion’s predicament, Ran Qingchen soon returned to the Capital and went straight to the Imperial Palace to "surrender."

...

A fine drizzle, like smoke and mist, gently washed over the majestic and grand palace structures.

Raindrops slid down the eaves, dripping in threads that seemed both disconnected and continuous, striking a melodic rhythm resembling musical notes of palace tunes.

A woman in a blue skirt knelt quietly on a meditation cushion, gazing at the rainy mist outside in a trance.

Ran Qingchen had not been deliberately locked away.

At this moment, she resided in a restricted palace enclave named "Tongxin Palace."

Since Zhou Chang’s ascension, this palace had been constructed. From start to finish, no one had ever inhabited it, yet palace attendants cleaned and maintained it daily, preserving its immaculate state.

Within the courtyard, flowers of all seasons received meticulous pruning.

Whether spring, summer, autumn, or winter, the grounds presented a scene of vibrant life any time of year.

Though devoid of a resident’s care, the desolate palace courtyard thrived under the attendants’ diligent upkeep, every blade of grass and leaf brimming with vitality, as if quietly awaiting the return of a noble occupant.

Clad in simple attire, Zhou Chang emerged slowly from the rain and mist, his gaze fixed on the elegant and tranquil young woman before him.

For a moment, he seemed to see someone else’s figure.

The same ethereal and distant demeanor.

Zhou Chang waved off the palace maids serving nearby and stood behind Ran Qingchen, speaking softly:

"This palace is called ’Tongxin Palace,’ built for your mother back then. A union of kindred hearts is like the harmony of a zither and harp, resonating in perfect accord. It signifies eternal love, unwavering devotion, never to part. Time well spent, not wasted on regrets, nor regrets for the beloved."

Ran Qingchen’s eyelashes trembled faintly as she remained silent.

Zhou Chang sighed and murmured, "But your mother betrayed me, and she betrayed your father, Ran Jinyu, as well."

Ran Qingchen’s lips parted slightly: "My mother did not betray my father."

Zhou Chang smiled faintly and plucked a flower leaf from beside him, speaking calmly: "Jiang Wan and I sought to master the Sword of the Masses. Jiang Wan chose Ran Jinyu to practice the Sword of Mortality."

"At times, I envy and resent Ran Jinyu. Yet I also sympathize with him. Perhaps, he sympathizes with me too."

Ran Qingchen opened her mouth but said nothing.

She recalled what Li Guanshi had told her.

Before heading to the Imperial Palace, Li Guanshi had said to her:

"Qingchen, think carefully before you take the next step. Your life will be completely rewritten. You will gain much, but you will lose much as well. Just like your mother."

"What did my mother lose?"

Ran Qingchen asked, puzzled.

Li Guanshi’s expression grew distant, a faint sorrow gracing her flawless countenance as she spoke softly:

"Your mother never truly loved anyone. She wanted to love but did not dare to because she feared losing what she pursued and hurting others as well. In the end, she lost even more and hurt even more people. Thus, her only choice was death."

"Because to live was to feel guilt. And with guilt, one cannot chase the so-called Sword Dao. Only in death could she find release and peace. Perhaps the only person she truly loved was you."

Ran Qingchen had not understood Li Guanshi’s words at the time.

But at this moment, she seemed to grasp their meaning.

Her mother had always loved only the sword in her hand.

The sword heart must be free of emotions, and so she entered the mortal realm, choosing Ran Jinyu.

The sword is not solely for killing; it can save lives as well. Therefore, she assisted Zhou Chang in ascending the throne, sparing the people of the world from the pain of war, granting them peace.

This was the so-called Sword of the Masses.

Zhou Chang plucked one petal at a time, speaking slowly:

"Though I belittle your mother before others, claiming that I abandoned her—even within my own heart, I tell myself repeatedly that such a woman is not worthy of my longing."

"Yet each night, her face appears before me as I sleep. I wish to forget, but I cannot. I wish to hate, yet I cannot bring myself to."

Ran Qingchen thought of herself.

At this moment, was she not the same?