She Holds the World After Being Reborn
Chapter 296 - 295: From Now On, Your Wife, Don’t Be Like Me

Chapter 296: Chapter 295: From Now On, Your Wife, Don’t Be Like Me

The Emperor’s voice was high and mighty, as if he himself were an old, rust-ridden sword, yet he had his own convictions and the pride of an emperor.

No sooner had the sound faded than Zhang Lanyi, cradled in Lai Fu’s arms, violently spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and then fainted away.

Yan Wanqing’s complexion turned ashen.

She stood opposite the Emperor with her army, and in the end, they both suffered a mutually damaging defeat.

Yan Lingzhen pushed her way out from the crowd of courtiers, her face pale, and threw herself down in front of Zhang Lanyi—her silver needle continuously plunging as sweat visibly beaded on her forehead.

Xiao Pingfeng looked up at the Imperial Edict in her hand, his handsome face awash with complexity.

The court officials murmured amongst themselves, lost without their pillar of strength.

Only the Emperor stood resolute, laughing heartily as he, in the presence of the assembly, picked up the Dragon Seal from the table and smashed it against his own head—

A man can be killed but not humiliated.

Everything happened in the blink of an eye; Yan Wanqing watched with wide eyes as the Emperor, his head covered in blood, collapsed upon the Dragon Throne. Xiao Pingfeng, shouting ’Imperial Father’, rushed to his side. She, with her limbs gone cold, held the Imperial Edict in hand before the court officials, branded as a heinous criminal.

Yan Wanqing, the legitimate daughter of the Yan Family, once known across the land as the female Zhuge Liang, colluded with Empress Zhang Lanyi in rebellion and was said to have forced the Emperor to his death—news that swiftly traveled throughout the realm.

...

Amidst a room filled with the scent of medicinal herbs.

Yan Lingzhen had dark circles under her eyes and looked utterly exhausted. She placed the Empress’s wrist back under the quilt, then turned to face the hopeful eyes of those around her and shook her head, helpless.

It took her several months just to figure out Song Huaxu’s Thousand Mechanism.

This poison was even more vicious, and she had no time to develop an antidote.

Zhang Lanyi was beyond saving.

"Everyone, please leave. For my final moments, I wish to be alone," Zhang Lanyi said softly, leaning against a cushion.

Her heavy phoenix crown had been removed, and at that moment, her long hair draped loosely over her shoulders, making her appear gentle and tranquil.

Yan Wanqing was the first to move.

She walked out of the great hall, head bowed, and others, coming to their senses, followed.

"...Sister," Yan Lingzhen stepped forward and grabbed her hand, only to find it ice cold.

Yan Wanqing’s exceptionally beautiful face was unreadable.

Yan Lingzhen felt a deep sorrow and spoke softly, "I’m sorry, sister."

"...It’s not your fault," Yan Wanqing replied, gripping her hand firmly. "I didn’t consider everything thoroughly."

If only she had been more meticulous, the Empress might not have died.

During that time, she had been preoccupied with her affairs with Xiao Pingfeng, indulging in romance and neglecting the bigger picture.

"Xiaoliu... could you let me be alone for a while?" Yan Wanqing asked gently.

Yan Lingzhen looked at her in the sunlight, her face pale and nearly translucent, and slowly let go of her hand. "...Alright."

Yan Wanqing forced a smile and walked away from the crowd, toward an unknown direction.

Yan Lingzhen stood behind her, her gaze laden with concern as she watched her retreating figure.

Inside the silent great hall.

Zhang Lanyi, looking at the man kneeling before her, lifted a radiant smile. "You’ve come."

She extended her hand, and Yan Jing took it with both of his, pressing it against his cheek.

Yan Jing’s eyes were bloodshot, his jaw shadowed with stubble, his face haggard, the whole of him looking utterly debased.

"Your hair has grown so much," Zhang Lanyi withdrew her hand and gently caressed his thick short hair.

The once bald head was now covered with thick and dense hair, somewhat prickly to the touch.

Yan Jing choked up, "Lanyi..."

"I am going to break my promise." Zhang Lanyi looked intently at the man she had loved for half of her life, "I had said that once I became Empress, I would take you into the harem and let you marry me, but I can’t do that now."

"Yan Jing... after I die, find a woman to start a family with, she’d better not be like me."

"I don’t want to hear this!" Yan Jing shouted lowly, interrupting her, his gaze filled with obstinacy as he looked at Zhang Lanyi: "You know I don’t want to hear this!"

Zhang Lanyi pursed her lips, and tears fell from her eyes, splashing on the back of his hand.

Yan Jing trembled as if scalded by the touch.

"Can’t you not be like this?" Zhang Lanyi said softly, "I am already satisfied to have avenged my father, so Yan Jing, can you send me off with a happy heart? I very much like the way you look when you smile."

"You can’t be so selfish," Yan Jing shook his head and looked viciously at her.

Zhang Lanyi, with trembling lips, continued, "But I have always been selfish, you should have gotten used to it by now. After I die, burn me to ashes and scatter them at the foot of Southern Mountain. When the mountain winds blow, I will rise with the wind and see the outside world... I don’t want to be trapped in this vast Imperial City after I die; that would be too sad."

"Shut up!" Yan Jing rose suddenly, his eyes bloodshot, he cupped Zhang Lanyi’s cheeks in his hands, and his lips covered hers: "Don’t talk anymore! I don’t want to hear a single word!"

It was a kiss filled with despair.

Yet Zhang Lanyi, like a young girl, looked up and kissed her lover.

He was the only ray of light in her dark life.

That year, the Emperor had punished her by sending her to Southern Mountain to transcribe Buddhist scriptures.

He came from the mountains in his red monk’s robe and became the cinnabar mole in her heart for years to come.

In this love filled with taboos, they fulfilled each other as carefully as possible in the mortal world.

How she wished that one day, she could walk hand in hand with him around Southern Mountain openly and honorably. Even just walking hand in hand would make her feel that life was worthwhile.

But she was a person confined by hatred to her cramped corner, all her wishes taking place within its dark shadows.

Her lover, for her sake, discarded his monk’s robe and left the sacred temple.

And for her, he made compromises and lived in dark corners.

At his age, he should have been married with children, surrounded by a happy family.

But because of her... he was still alone.

"Yan Jing, I am very cold..." Zhang Lanyi murmured.

Yan Jing held her tightly in his arms, as helpless as a child: "I’m holding you, don’t be afraid, please don’t leave me... Lanyi, I can’t live without you."

Zhang Lanyi struggled to wrap her arms around his waist: "...don’t seek revenge from your senior, you can’t beat him, Yan Jing... live on well, I hope you can live in the sunlight..."

She and he no longer wanted to meet in the night.

Yan Jing sobbed.

Zhang Lanyi smiled reassuringly, her eyes half-open and barely able to stay open.

"...so cold, can you take me outside to bask in the sun?"

The sun must be strong today.

Yan Jing nodded his head and lifted Zhang Lanyi up, walking towards the main hall entrance.

The moment they stepped over the threshold and the sunlight hit them, the hands wrapped around his waist completely loosened... Yan Jing’s entire strength left him, and he knelt on the bluestone pavement holding Zhang Lanyi rigid in his arms.

All those around focused their gaze on him, seeing the silent Empress in his arms, they all knelt down.

With a sorrowful tone, Lafu announced, "The Empress has passed away—!"