Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In the twelfth year (195 BC), Emperor Gaozu of Han passed away.
Crown Prince Liu Ying ascended to the throne, with Lu Zhi as the Empress Dowager. Following Liu Bang's last wishes, she reinstated key founding ministers like Xiao He and Chen Ping, implementing a policy of non-interference that catered to the people's desires without burdening them, leading to a stable governance and livelihood in the Han dynasty.
However, within Lu Zhi's Langhua Palace, there was a special palace maid.
"Lu Zhi, you venomous woman, you heartless viper! May you never find peace in death!"
Qi Ji's once soft and melodious voice echoed through the empty hall. Though her long hair had been cruelly shorn, she still appeared delicate and enchanting.
Lu Zhi gracefully descended the jade steps and stood before her with a slight smile. "You are right; I do have a heart as cold as a viper's. Over the years, I have been consumed by jealousy—jealous of your beguiling eyes, jealous of your alluring figure that seems so fragile, jealous that while I wept in solitude, you reveled in my husband's embrace.
Qi Ji, do you know? I have waited for this day without leaving a trace!"
Suddenly, she drew a rusty sickle from behind her. The handle was covered in rust, yet the blade gleamed ominously.
"Years ago, when the Former Emperor was just a mere village chief struggling to make ends meet, I stood in the fields with this very sickle, bending low to toil and harvest for him. He was always so pleased after having his fill. Now, with this same sickle, I will take you from him. Do you think he will be happy?" She closed her eyes, pushing aside the image of Qi Ji's pale face twisted in fear. With a swift motion, she struck down—an act fueled by years of unrequited love turned into hatred.
"Please! No! Empress Dowager, I beg you, don’t!"
With one arm severed, Qi Ji trembled from fear and pain. She stumbled backward and pleaded, "I know I was wrong; please spare me. Isn't Bo Ji also sent away to the fief of King Zhao? You can send me back to him..."
"King Zhao?"
Lu Zhi gripped the bloodied knife, her resplendent golden phoenix robe stained with dark purple spots. "Are you feeling regretful? If your Ruyi had become the Crown Prince, it would be you, Qi Ji, holding the knife against me here in Langhua Palace today!"
Thinking back to that day when Liu Bang spoke of his affection for King Zhao and his pity for Qi Ji, as well as how she had knelt before the loyal ministers, offering herself for the sake of the Crown Prince, and traveled to Shangshan to seek the Four Haos' protection for him, a pang of bitterness tightened her grip on the sickle.
Qi Ji's legs were slowly severed by Knee-Length.
"Ah!" Unable to endure the excruciating pain any longer, Qi Ji finally fainted on her back.
Lu Zhi continued to hold the sickle, murmuring to herself, "Do you prefer such a fragile woman? I could be that way too! Have you ever given me a chance to be weak? For whom have I become this way? Don't you love her? I want to see how you will love her without those hands that can entice you, those legs that can wrap around you, those eyes that can send you longing glances, those ears that can hear your sweet whispers of love, and that tongue that can seek your affection. How will you love her then?"
With blood on her hands and the pain from countless dark nights haunting her once gentle heart, she released all her hatred and resentment, along with her past fears and disappointments.
In this moment, she finally achieved her long-desired goal of becoming the powerful and exalted Empress Dowager, with no one left to obstruct her from doing anything.
After years of playing the virtuous Liu Hou, she now faced all her inner anguish and bitterness head-on.
In Langhua Palace, where the scent of blood filled the air, she finally broke down in tears, unable to contain herself!
Comment 0 Comment Count