Chapter 119: Xian Yue’s Profound Fortune

Year 13 of Tianshun, envoys from the Northern Desert brought a group of dancing girls to pay respects.

The young Emperor Jing saw that the dancing girl had captivating eyes, and after a dance, he couldn’t forget her.

He took her into his harem, ignoring his ministers’ objections.

Later, he gave her the title of consort and the name ‘Ci’.

But in truth, Consort Ci had been a pawn from the start.

Plus, she was very clever herself, so she quickly won the emperor’s favor.

Before two years passed, she was carrying the emperor’s child.

Consort Ci had always wished to give birth to a son, but unexpectedly, it turned out to be a girl.

From the moment this princess was born, she never received love from her mother consort.

Even as a child, she was greatly hated.

Emperor Jing was busy with state matters, and for a time, didn’t think about his children.

He only gave her the title of princess, calling her Xian Yue.

Luckily, her royal brother cared for this little sister and would often play with her in the palace when idle.

Xian Yue slowly grew up in this setting.

But later, things went even worse.

In Year 21 of Tianshun, Consort Ci finally gave birth to a son.

The Northern Desert Tribes then pressed Emperor Jing to make Consort Ci the Empress.

From that time, Emperor Jing started to suspect something.

After that, he distanced himself from Consort Ci.

Xian Yue also suffered.

Her daily allowances were cut greatly, and she became more alone in the deep palace.

Then, the Northern Desert raised troops and marched south, starting the war.

This pushed everything toward its end.

Consort Ci was sent to the Cold Palace.

Within half a year, she couldn’t stand the suffering and hanged herself.

Her son was killed by assassins on a snowy night, though no one knew who sent them.

Only Xian Yue escaped, perhaps because Emperor Jing suddenly showed mercy and didn’t kill her.

Xian Yue’s house arrest ended, but she became a hated outcast.

She could only hide in her quarters, going nowhere.

Her royal brother cared no more for her and didn’t even visit.

Xian Yue said, “That year I hid from people, and as you once said, I wrote a story about the Great Sage.”

“I sent it with someone to sell to the manager of the Purple Cloud Pavilion outside the palace.”

“I heard about it,” Chen Changsheng said.

“It was well done.”

Xian Yue sighed and forced a smile.

“My first draft was bad, but the editor from Purple Cloud Pavilion polished it.”

“Then people slowly began to like the story.”

“At that time, teahouses and taverns were all telling it.”

“When the palace maids told me, I was so happy.”

“That was probably the happiest moment of my life.”

“What happened next?”

“Later…”

Xian Yue recalled the past.

“At the frontier pass, the Great Jing army lost badly, and the kingdom was in danger.”

“In this mess, I got dragged in.”

“During talk at the imperial court, they finally decided… to give me poison to die.”

These things had nothing to do with her.

But when war broke out, she became someone everyone said should die.

“I was forced to drink that poison wine.”

“In less than half an hour, the poison took hold, and I died.”

“I wanted to flee, but in this deep palace, where could I run?”

Xian Yue laughed helplessly.

“Luckily, I met Swordsman Grandpa then.”

“He pleaded for me with the Yin Attendants and helped protect my three souls and seven spirits, so I didn’t suffer soul disintegration.”

“Later, I heard Swordsman Grandpa say this imperial palace would soon be destroyed.”

“Then all those I hated would have to die.”

“So I thought to stay and see.”

“I never expected to meet you again.”

“I’d given up hope.”

Xian Yue said, “When I was alive, I often went into the library pavilion.”

“I thought you might return…”

But he never came back.

This was one of her regrets.

Chen Changsheng said, “I was stuck with small worries and never returned.”

“You’re here now,”

Xian Yue smiled.

“You are the only person I care about anymore.”

She realized no one treated her well.

Not her mother consort, her father, or her royal brother.

Some stayed far away from the start, others drifted apart over time.

But that brief meeting in the library pavilion became her one memory.

To Xian Yue, he was very important.

Chen Changsheng said, “I never thought I’d be remembered like this.”

“I feel honored.”

Xian Yue paused and asked, “I still don’t know your name.”

“My full name is Chen Changsheng.”

“Then what do others call you?”

“As an immortal, it must be different, right?”

Chen Changsheng replied, “Actually, it’s not much different.”

“Most call me Mr. Chen.”

“Mr. Chen…”

Xian Yue murmured and then blurted out.

“What I really mean to say is, to have met you in this lifetime, Mr. Chen…”

She looked at the green-robed gentleman before her.

“Xian Yue had profound fortune.”

Chen Changsheng froze at this.

He’d never realized that short encounter could leave such an impression on her life.

Chen Changsheng sighed softly, unsure how to answer.

He reached out and patted Xian Yue’s head.

Xian Yue showed a faint smile, content in that moment.

Chen Changsheng asked, “What do you plan now? Or is there something you can’t let go? I might help.”

“Besides you, there seems nothing else.”

Xian Yue smiled sadly and said no more.

Chen Changsheng said, “Life passes quickly, and I am just a passerby.”

“In comparison, there might be another person worth the princess caring for.”

Xian Yue looked at him, puzzled.

Everyone had abandoned her.

She couldn’t think who else was worth caring for.

If anything, it was probably just hatred.

On the desk, the crown prince wore a four-claw dragon robe.

Scattered memorials lay after being reviewed.

Emperor Jing was old and weak, so during busy times, some reports were handled by the crown prince.

Sometimes he worked until dawn.

Maybe too worn out, he collapsed onto the desk and fell asleep.

The door suddenly swung open with a gust of cold wind.

Yan Ruchu, lying on the desk, shivered from the chill and slowly opened his eyes.

Lifting his head, he saw a green-robed gentleman standing nearby.

Yan Ruchu was startled and scrambled up, stepping back.

“You, who are you!?”

He quickly called out, “Guards! Guards!”

Chen Changsheng said, “Your Highness, no need to shout. No one can hear us speak.”

Yan Ruchu froze for a second and retreated another step.

Chen Changsheng said, “Sit, Your Highness. I’m no assassin.”

“I just want to talk about a matter.”

Yan Ruchu frowned.

“Who are you really?”

“What do you think?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Yan Ruchu sized him up.

He didn’t look like a court official or an assassin.

But how had this man come here?

He couldn’t figure it out.