Zhao Chengfeng’s clothes were still fairly clean, but several months of living as a commoner had worn him down to skin and bones. He emanated a lifeless, stagnant aura typical of someone approaching death.
“You two can hit the road together. That way you’ll have each other for company on the journey.” Luo Xu was exceedingly pleased.
Luo Ping went berserk. Struggling to evade the yamen runner covering her mouth, she shrieked hoarsely, “Luo Xu, you venomous woman! You’ll die a horrible death! Zhao He will tire of you sooner or later! Don’t get cocky…” The road to exile was long; how was she supposed to survive?!
Before she could finish, a yamen runner kicked her injured leg. “Impudent! Who gave you the nerve to speak to the Commandery Princess like this!”
Luo Xu narrowed her eyes, unable to suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth. “The one dying a horrible death right now isn’t me; it’s you!” Luo Xu bent down and patted Luo Ping’s gaunt cheek, clicking her tongue twice. “This face does look pitifully beautiful! Such a pity… I wonder what you’ll encounter along the way…”
Luo Ping shivered at the malice in her tone, staring at Luo Xu in terror.
Luo Xu ignored Luo Ping’s reaction, straightened up, and said sternly, “Break the commoner Zhao Chengfeng’s legs. Send them on their way early!”
Zhao Chengfeng quietly watched Luo Xu, wanting to find a trace of reluctance in her eyes. But in the end, he failed. In Luo Xu’s eyes, there was only happiness, only delight, not the slightest bit of lingering attachment. The guard beside him walked over to Zhao Chengfeng and stomped down hard, crushing his leg bone.
A painful, shrill scream tore from Zhao Chengfeng’s mouth, like a rusty, worn-out gong—terribly unpleasant to hear. His agonized cry entertained Luo Xu. She laughed so hard she doubled over.
“That’s it. That’s the sound.” She laughed until tears came, wiping them away with a single finger. “That’s the sound I made on the road… To protect myself, I poisoned my own voice until I was mute and ruined my own face.”
As she spoke, her tone gradually calmed. “Repaying evil with kindness… I’m not that kind of fool. Back then on the road, I thought about seeking death several times. It was the thought of revenge that kept me alive. At that time, I secretly swore that one day, I would make those who harmed me experience my pain firsthand.”
Her hate-filled gaze landed on Zhao Chengfeng. “Only by feeling it yourself will you repent, will you realize how great your mistakes were. Only when a knife stabs your own body will you know how much it truly hurts. Then you won’t shamelessly ask for my forgiveness.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I look forward to seeing if, after enduring all this, you can still say things like ‘Let’s start over.'” What Luo Xu hated most wasn’t the entire conspiracy, but that after she had suffered so much, Zhao Chengfeng had said so lightly, “I know you were wronged. I’ll compensate you. I had no other choice back then, did I?”
It was that Zhao Chengfeng, from beginning to end, never felt he had done anything wrong. If he had no other choice, why didn’t he suffer himself, instead of making others suffer?
Zhao Chengfeng and Luo Ping embarked on the road to exile. Luo Xu had specifically instructed that they were not allowed to die. They could only slowly taste, on the long journey ahead, all the suffering Luo Xu had experienced in the past.
Besides the yamen runners escorting them was Nalan Xue, acting as an overseer. Nalan Xue’s neurotic torment made them even more broken.
Along the way, they slept in pigsties, ate pig slop, fought wild dogs for food… walked barefoot over stony ground, and crawled over winding mountains on their crippled legs.
Nalan Xue even put dog collars around their necks. Once she discovered they had thoughts of seeking death, she would torture them in even more twisted ways.
They truly understood what it meant to live a life worse than death, yet be unable to die.
To amuse the yamen runners, Zhao Chengfeng learned to bark like a dog. The moment his dignity was trampled, he finally understood the hate Luo Xu spoke of! So a broken leg hurt this much. So winter rain was this cold.
So being bullied was this terrifying!
…
After finishing the morning court session, Tang Qi made a trip to the Imperial Beast Garden. After Luo Ping was dealt with, the Book of the World underwent a major change. Tang Qi only then discovered that the Book of the World had deviated because of the “Destruction” System.
In the normal Book of the World, Luo Xu was the female lead, not a villainess. Zhao Chengfeng was a paranoid male lead she was meant to redeem. But none of that mattered anymore.
The System felt its work was done and, believing it had no more use, clamored to shape-shift. Yet it stubbornly refused to become a cat or a dog; it had to be a wolf.
It argued that in the last life, there were no wolves in cities. This time, born into royalty, only by being a majestic wolf could it live up to its identity.
Pestered to no end, Tang Qi could only make a pretense of visiting the Imperial Beast Garden, pretending to happen upon a snow-white wolf cub, and brought it back to the Imperial Harem.
When she arrived at Qianyuan Hall, Luo Xu was reviewing the imperial harem’s account books. Tang Qi touched her nose and placed the wolf, transformed from the System, on the floor.
“A puppy?” Luo Xu was pleasantly surprised. Tang Qi coughed. “No, it’s a white wolf.”
Luo Xu was curious. She picked up the wolf cub, which was barely larger than a palm, and examined it. “It’s so cute.” For aesthetics, the System had transformed into a white wolf, pure white all over, with eyes like brilliant stars.
Tang Qi said, “I wanted to get you an animal companion to relieve boredom. By chance, I saw it at the Imperial Beast Garden. You could say it was fate.”
The little wolf cub whined and burrowed into Luo Xu’s arms, gently licking her fingers with its tongue. Luo Xu marveled, “It seems to really like me.”
“Woof, woof!” Of course! The System likes Luoluo the most.
Tang Qi reached out and stroked the wolf’s head. Amidst her delight, Luo Xu had a flicker of concern. “What does it eat?”
“Woof, woof!” Steamed deer antler, steamed lamb, steamed bear paw, roast duck, roast chicken, roast goose—anything edible is fine. I’m not picky.
Tang Qi’s hand trembled slightly, and the corner of her mouth twitched involuntarily. She discreetly flicked the System’s head. “It’s so small, goat’s milk will do.”
The System: …Wronged. Whimper, whimper.
Luo Xu adored it, unwilling to put it down. “Then what should we call it?”
“I’ve already thought of one. Its whole body is snow-white, and its bone structure is astonishing…” Following Tang Qi’s words, the wolf cub stood up, striving to show off its handsomeness.
It wanted to be called ‘Hegemon’ (Batian). Of course, ‘Howling Moon’ (Xiao Yue) was also acceptable! It was such a handsome white wolf, after all!
“Call it… Husky!” Tang Qi’s words took a sudden turn. The little wolf froze, turning its head stiffly to look at Tang Qi, seemingly wanting to confirm if this was real.
Seeing that Luo Xu didn’t understand the word, Tang Qi took the initiative to explain. “Look, it’s a wolf. When it scares people, it looks very cool. Bringing it into battle could even boost the soldiers’ morale. Compared to other pets, it’s quite surprising/astonishing.”
She spoke with a straight face. “So, it’s called Husky.” (In Chinese: Husky – Ha Shi Qi, where “Ha Shi” sounds like “scaring” and “Qi” sounds like “surprising/astonishing”).
Luo Xu nodded, her expression full of admiration. “It’s a great name. It sounds majestic and exceedingly handsome. Little Seven, you’re truly amazing.” She picked up the System wolf. “Little one, you have a name now—Husky. Happy?”
“Woof, woof!” I don’t want this name! I don’t want it!
But apart from Tang Qi, who smiled slyly, no one could understand its protests. Luo Xu said with delighted surprise, “Little Seven, it likes the name.”
“Indeed!” Tang Qi’s smile narrowed her eyes.
“Woof, woof!” I didn’t! I don’t want to be called that! I’d rather be called ‘Little White’. Unfortunately, no one understood the System’s agony.
After dinner, Tang Qi reviewed memorials in the study, while Luo Xu continued to check the imperial harem’s accounts. The two had a clear division of labor. In the midst of their busyness, they occasionally shared a knowing smile.
Zhao Yi’s health declined day by day. Essentially all government affairs were handed over to Tang Qi. A year after the coup, he discussed abdicating with Tang Qi, wanting to become the carefree Grand Emperor.
Emperor Gaozu of the Great Qi reigned for thirty-one years and passed the throne to Emperor Linwen, Zhao He. Zhao He changed the era name to Yongjia. — History of Qi
After Tang Qi ascended the throne, she initiated water conservancy projects and reformed the land system. Initially, there was opposition from many court officials, but under her iron-fisted methods, the voices of dissent gradually diminished.
At the same time, she swiftly rooted out parasites among the powerful families and promoted scholars from humble backgrounds. She widely established academies, reformed the imperial examination system, and provided a path for scholars across the land to realize their ambitions.
After her ascension, Luo Xu took charge of the imperial harem. Although she did not have the title of Empress, she held the authority. She also helped Tang Qi considerably in the front and rear courts, developing agricultural tools and increasing commoners’ income and labor power. She also used hidden weapons to win over people from the Jianghu, changing the situation where those in the Jianghu did not respect the court.
The two worked together seamlessly, jointly governing the realm. The Great Qi prospered, with advancements in handicrafts, agriculture, commerce, and military affairs.
As the Great Qi grew powerful, surrounding small states paid tribute and acknowledged the Great Qi as their sovereign.
Beneath state affairs, the Capital’s gossip scene remained as lively as ever. They were now betting on when Luo Xu would fall out of favor.
They thought Tang Qi was human, and humans have desires. Especially since Tang Qi was the Emperor, she could have anyone she wanted—there was no need to be hung up on just one person. There had been Empresses in previous dynasties with countless handsome male concubines.
After Tang Qi ascended the throne, people continuously, openly or secretly, presented various beauties to her—men and women, all shapes and sizes. To everyone’s astonishment, all officials who sent beauties were demoted by Tang Qi under various pretexts.
The court officials were baffled. Could it be that Tang Qi didn’t like beauties? Ultimately, they attributed it to her still having a “novelty” feeling toward Luo Xu. There had been past Emperors who exclusively favored one person, but such exclusive favor never lasted long.
The court officials waited and waited. In the third year of Yongjia, Tang Qi appointed Luo Xu as Empress.
The ministers opposed, but under the joint efforts of Tang Qi and the Marquis of Zhenbei, these dissenting voices gradually faded. Luo Xu smoothly became Empress.
That same year, the Emperor and Empress held their grand wedding, granting a general amnesty.
In the fifth year of Yongjia, the Grand Emperor Zhao Yi passed away. Tang Qi knelt on the ground, watching Zhao Yi slowly breathe his last. An indescribable heaviness filled her chest. It wasn’t the dark loneliness she felt when Luo Xue passed away in the last life; it was a feeling she couldn’t quite name.
It was as if something had departed from within her. She could bear it, but it still pained her.
Amid the cries of the palace staff, Luo Xu held Tang Qi’s hand. “Little Seven, cry out loud. Don’t hold it in.” Tang Qi touched her own face and only then realized she was actually crying.
She was not Zhao Yi’s daughter. Yet, it was undeniable that she had felt a father’s love from Zhao Yi.
After Zhao Yi’s passing, Tang Qi was despondent for a few days. Afterward, she began personally teaching Zhao Yi’s son, her youngest brother, Zhao Jian. Luo Xu brought Zhao Jian to live with Tang Qi in Qianyuan Hall. The three of them were like an ordinary family of three.
After Luo Xu finished playing with Zhao Jian and returned to her bedchamber, a palace servant reported that someone from a side hall requested an audience. Luo Xu was somewhat surprised. As the Empress, she regularly received visits from officials’ wives, but such an abrupt request for an audience was a first.
She went to the side hall and saw the Luo couple waiting there. In just a few years, the two had aged drastically beyond recognition. Luo Huaimin’s hair was completely white.
“What is your purpose in seeking an audience with This Palace?” Luo Xu asked, puzzled. Luo Huaimin was a lowly sixth-rank minor official in the Ministry of Works, without opportunities to attend court sessions. She hadn’t seen these two for a very long time.
After all, they were her birth parents, and she had instructed others to look after them to some extent.
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress.” Luo Huaimin and Mother Luo hurriedly bowed upon seeing Luo Xu. Luo Xu calmly told them to rise. Mother Luo carefully scrutinized Luo Xu from head to toe, then lowered her head without speaking.
Luo Huaimin cupped his hands. “Your Majesty, your servant has submitted a memorial requesting retirement due to old age and will soon return to my hometown. Today, I’ve come to see Your Majesty to bid farewell.”
Tears welled in Mother Luo’s eyes. Over the years, they had hated, they had resented. Finally, in their midnight dreams, they understood what they had truly done. It was their favoritism that had pushed their own flesh and blood further and further away.
Now, she didn’t seek Luo Xu’s forgiveness. She just wanted to see Luo Xu one last time before they left.
“Seeing Your Majesty well brings great joy to your servant.” Mother Luo wiped her tears. “It was mother… it was your servant who made mistakes, who harmed you all.” Inequality breeds discontent; it is not scarcity but unfairness that causes trouble.
It was her favoritism that chilled Luo Xu’s heart. And it gave Luo Ping ideas she shouldn’t have had.
Luo Xu’s fingers trembled slightly. Pain, helplessness, sadness warred within her heart, finally dissolving into acceptance.
“Knowing you didn’t completely abandon me, I have already forgiven you. It’s just… we are not suited to continue being a family.” Luo Xu sighed. “I will ask His Majesty to allow you to return to your hometown honorably. I bid Lord Luo and Madam Luo a safe journey!”
A few days later, Tang Qi restored Luo Huaimin’s rank to a senior second-rank official and approved his retirement to his hometown.
…
Many believed Luo Xu would soon fall out of favor. They waited one year, two years… ten years, twenty years. The Imperial Harem remained occupied only by Luo Xu.
Tang Qi and Luo Xu spent a lifetime together. In front of outsiders, Tang Qi called herself “Zhen.” But before Luo Xu, she was always the original Tang Qi.
In the thirtieth year of Yongjia, Tang Qi passed the throne to her younger brother, Zhao Jian. She faked her death with Luo Xu, and the System, which transformed back into a white wolf, embarked on a journey with them to travel everywhere. They visited every corner of the Great Qi, saw the lotus flowers in Jiangnan, ate lychees in Lingnan. Finally, they returned to Barren Mountain.
Under Tang Qi’s governance, Barren Mountain had also changed. It was no longer just a barren, rocky wilderness. There were now reclaimed barren fields, and specks of green had made the mountain much more beautiful.
The little hut from their early days had been battered by wind and rain, leaving only broken walls and ruins. The two repaired the house and settled in. Tang Qi went up the mountain to hunt, and Luo Xu bought a loom in Barren Mountain Town. She wove cloth every day, just as they had talked about in the beginning.
They lived there for ten years.
In this life, Luo Xu lived to be ninety-six. Her fair, delicate hands had become withered and yellow, covered in spots. She looked at Tang Qi’s aged face. In a trance, she seemed to see the hunter from years ago who had opened the door for her and invited her inside. “Little Seven, the first time I saw you, I thought you were beautiful. Now… you are still so beautiful.”
Tang Qi held her hand. Luo Xu’s gaze was already unfocused. “You said… we were lovers in our last life. Next life… will we meet again in the next life?”
“I will find you!” Tang Qi promised in a low voice. “Wait for me. I will definitely find you.”
“Mm. I have a birthmark on my chest. You must…” Luo Xu breathed her last in her arms.
Tang Qi shed tears. Below, a crowd of palace servants knelt.
The day after Luo Xu died, Tang Qi settled all affairs and passed away in her sleep. Zhao Jian buried the two together in the imperial mausoleum.
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