Chapter 121: The Struggle Between Cuckoo and Magpie

 

T/NOTE:- Hello dear readers, I am extremely sorry about no updates till now. Tbh I heard a negative news about an actor that I admired, as someone who followed good morals and always did good things I never imagined that the person I admired would do something like that. I was hurt thinking about it and as a overthinker i thought a lot about it which affected my mental health. So I thought to take a break from all socials. I just want to suggest that if something affects your mental health then it is important to take a break from it & not let it affect your health or daily life as they dont deserve our affection or dedication.❤️

Now I am all good and I will continue with the same schedule. Thank you so much for your comments.❤️

 

“Who gave her the dagger?”

 

After Qin Yi asked this question, he could still feel the sensation of his heart almost stopping just moments ago. Even now, his hands were cold.

 

In his entire life, he had never been this afraid of losing something. Qin Yi couldn’t bear to imagine that if he had arrived just a moment later, in just a few fleeting seconds, he might have lost Chu Jinyao forever.

 

The shadow guards all knelt down in unison, heads lowered, remaining silent, ready to accept any punishment.

 

“I took the dagger myself,” Chu Jinyao finally spoke, realizing that there were still many people around. She tried to push Qin Yi away, but his arm, wrapped around her waist like iron, refused to budge. Chu Jinyao could only say, “There are too many people here. Let go of me first.”

 

Qin Yi knew Chu Jinyao had been through a lot today, and this wasn’t the time to upset her further. He held back his anger, deciding to address the matter later when they were alone.

 

Qin Yi had been deeply frightened, and now that the immediate danger had passed, he felt an overwhelming relief that they were both safe. Chu Jinyao’s attempts to push him away were ignored as he carefully examined her from head to toe, ensuring she was uninjured. After a while, realizing she wasn’t succeeding in moving him, Chu Jinyao sighed and gave up, asking, “Why are you here? Are you hurt?”

 

Qin Yi didn’t answer her question. His gaze scrutinized every detail until he was certain that Chu Jinyao was unharmed. Finally, he let out a long breath of relief and said, “You scared me to death. No matter what happens, I’m here. How could you threaten yourself with a dagger?”

 

At a moment like this, Chu Jinyao certainly couldn’t say it was “so as not to burden you.” If Qin Yi heard that, he would surely be even more upset. Seeing that Qin Yi was dressed in full armor, his clothes were intact, and he was moving swiftly without signs of injury, Chu Jinyao felt her heart slowly ease. She nudged his arm gently, signaling to him, “Someone is here to see you. You should take care of business first.”

 

The imperial guards who had come to report on the battle had been standing silently for a long time, waiting for Qin Yi to finally turn his attention to them. Seeing that, they immediately straightened up and prepared to give their report. Qin Yi, too, knew the situation was urgent. Reluctantly, he let go of his concerns and carefully settled Chu Jinyao before striding over to the guards.

 

The news that the emperor had been captured alive by the Wara was akin to a sky falling on the empire. Even far away in the outer palace, where Chu Jinyao was surrounded by obedient palace maids and eunuchs, the news had already stirred panic. One could only imagine the chaos inside the capital. The palace concubines, upon hearing the news, reacted as if struck by lightning, some even trying to take their own lives. Meanwhile, the six major ministries and civil officials in the Imperial City had completely broken down. The confusion in the capital at that time defied description. Qin Yi had to control the situation in the harem, command the imperial guards, and calm the fleeing, wailing officials, all while preventing any opportunistic unrest in the city. He was desperate to rush to Chu Jinyao’s side immediately, but was tied down by all these matters. Finally, when things were somewhat under control and the officials began thinking with their heads again, Qin Yi faced another problem: There was no one left to deploy.

 

The capital had thirty thousand troops stationed within it, considered the finest the empire had to offer, equipped with the best weapons and armor, including the elite firearm-equipped Shenji Camp. However, all these forces had been taken by the emperor, and they were utterly destroyed in Xuanfu. Two centuries of military buildup by the Yan Dynasty had been wiped out in an instant.

 

Qin Yi was furious, so much so that he could hardly breathe. He couldn’t fathom what the emperor had been thinking—taking thirty thousand elite troops, only to be captured alive by a band of nomadic raiders? Fortunately, Qin Yi had some experience leading soldiers. In this critical moment, he managed to scrape together a makeshift force by pulling some soldiers from the Jin Yi Wei and the imperial guards, forming a barely functioning unit, which he immediately took with him to leave the capital. As he was departing, a group of civil officials knelt on the ground, crying and begging him not to leave, saying that with the emperor’s fate uncertain, the crown prince should not leave the palace. Qin Yi ignored them. With Chu Jinyao still outside the city, there was no way he could rest until he saw her safely with his own eyes.

 

His intuition had been right. When he arrived to find Chu Jinyao pressing a dagger to her throat, his blood had nearly frozen in his veins. Even after holding her in his arms, feeling the warm, real beating of her heart, Qin Yi was still shaken, filled with lingering fear.

 

He had been so close. Just the thought made his emotions surge uncontrollably, and he almost couldn’t forgive himself. Chu Jinyao had said she wanted to return to the palace, so why had he delayed? Why hadn’t he taken her back immediately?

 

So even as he approached his subordinates, Qin Yi’s face was still icy. Seeing this, the guard wasted no time in delivering the report as quickly as possible.

 

After hearing the report, Qin Yi frowned and turned to glance back at Chu Jinyao. Sensing his gaze, she looked up, meeting his eyes. Chu Jinyao gestured for Linglong and the others to pause, then quietly took two steps toward him. “Your Highness.”

 

Looking into Qin Yi’s eyes, Chu Jinyao spoke softly, “The bigger picture is more important. If there is still fighting to be done, you should take the men and go.”

 

General Hu was nothing more than a self-serving opportunist—full of ambition, but lacking the strategy to match. His judgment of the chaos was flawed from the start. Such a man couldn’t shake the foundation of the Yan Dynasty, but leaving an ambitious troublemaker like him to wreak havoc near the capital, harming the people, was unacceptable.

 

Clearly, Chu Jinyao had picked up on what the guard had reported and was kindly encouraging him to prioritize the larger situation. But Qin Yi had just rescued her—how could he feel at ease leaving her here now while he pursued rebels?

 

Sensing the couple had something private to discuss, the guards discreetly retreated, giving them space to speak. Though Chu Jinyao felt awkward, she knew the situation was critical and there was no time for such considerations. She stepped closer and gently adjusted Qin Yi’s collar, straightening his armor. Then she stepped back with a smile and said, “I’ll be waiting for you here. Please return quickly.”

 

Qin Yi’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Ignoring the cold and hard armor he wore, he bent down and embraced Chu Jinyao briefly before releasing her. “Alright, I promise. I’ll be back soon.”

 

With that, Qin Yi mounted his horse and began to ride off. Chu Jinyao couldn’t help but take two steps forward, tears suddenly welling in her eyes. “Your Highness, please be careful. The child and I will be waiting for your return.”

 

Qin Yi paused for a moment but didn’t look back as he spurred his horse forward. The iron-clad cavalry behind him quickly formed up, and within moments, they had vanished into the heavy night.

 

Linglong and the others discreetly wiped away their tears before stepping forward to support Chu Jinyao. “Your Highness, the night wind is strong, and you can’t afford to catch cold in your condition. Let’s go inside.”

 

In just a short time, the situation here had completely transformed. The menacing group of guards left behind by Qin Yi and the respectful deference shown by the imperial soldiers were enough to ensure the safety of this small village.

 

With the crown prince himself having arrived, what was there to fear? The village head immediately offered up his own house for the crown princess to rest in. Fully armored imperial guards formed a protective circle around Chu Jinyao, keeping the curious villagers at bay. Lu Ge’er had already been brought back, and when Chu Jinxian saw that her child was safe, she let out a long sigh of relief. Supported by attendants, Chu Jinyao was about to head inside when she suddenly heard a weak voice: “Your Highness, what should we do with this person?”

 

Chu Jinyao turned around, and the imperial guards parted like water, revealing someone hidden in the back.

 

Standing silently, Chu Jinyao could only hear the wind passing through.

 

Lying on the ground, Chu Jinmiao was also looking at Chu Jinyao. Years ago, they both lived lives of luxury, with silk clothes and ample food. Chu Jinmiao had even been more favored than Chu Jinyao at one point. But now, despite both of them wearing simple civilian clothes, Chu Jinmiao knew that certain things had irreversibly changed.

 

For example, though Chu Jinyao wore plain clothes beneath, the cloak wrapped around her was a pure, unblemished black, embroidered with clouds and dragons. Chu Jinmiao recognized it as Qin Yi’s cloak, which she had personally seen him place on Chu Jinyao’s shoulders. An inexplicable emotion welled up in Chu Jinmiao’s heart. She had been the first to hear about the crown prince’s consort selection. Years ago, in the Prince Huailing ’s residence, she had been the one closest to the prince. Yet this regal, god-like figure had passed her by without a second glance, devoting all his attention to Chu Jinyao. If Chu Jinyao hadn’t returned, wouldn’t she have been the second-di daughter of the Changxing Marquis household? Shouldn’t the crown princess title have been hers? Why? Why did Chu Jinyao have to return?

 

These memories were like venomous snakes, gnawing at her heart day and night. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on them. Realizing she needed to save herself, Chu Jinmiao tried to speak: “I have committed no crime. You cannot sentence me based solely on your word.”

 

“Is that so?” Chu Jinyao shot her a cold glance. “You attempted to harm the crown princess. What more evidence do you need? Take her away—I don’t want to see her again.”

 

There were many ways to make sure someone was never seen again, but Chu Jinyao’s tone and demeanor left no doubt as to which method she preferred. Panic-stricken, Chu Jinmiao began to struggle and shout, “I am your elder sister! As a woman, you should be kind and gentle. If you kill your own sister, how can the imperial family accept such a daughter-in-law? And what about our mother and second brother’s feelings? Are you going to sever ties with the family just because you’re the crown princess?”

 

“Whether or not the imperial family accepts me is between me and the crown prince, not you. And besides, you’re a Su now, with only a younger brother. Where is this ‘second brother’ you speak of? You’re not even in the Changxing Marquis family records.” Chu Jinyao’s gaze remained icy. “Take her away. Execute her.”

 

Hearing this, Chu Jinmiao felt as if she had been plunged into an icy pit. She struggled desperately, screaming, “You dare! You think you can just decide the fate of a noble-born woman based on your whims? As crown princess, are you not afraid of public outrage if you act so rashly?”

 

“You, alone, represent public outrage? And even if people criticize me, I cannot let you live.” Chu Jinyao’s gaze fell on Chu Jinmiao, her eyes devoid of warmth. She softly added, “This woman has committed treason, and is unfilial and disloyal. Execute her immediately.”

 

Terror filled Chu Jinmiao’s eyes. She didn’t want to die. She tried to shout more, but her mouth was quickly covered, and she was dragged away. Chu Jinxian, meanwhile, focused solely on comforting her child, acting as if nothing had happened. Linglong frowned—this filthy matter should not soil the crown princess’s eyes, especially while she was pregnant. Linglong took a step forward, gently supporting Chu Jinyao’s hand. “Your Highness, the wind outside is strong. Let’s go inside.”

 

Chu Jinyao nodded, pulling the cloak tighter around her as she walked back inside.

 

Even Chu Jinmiao’s death failed to garner any attention from those around her. They only cared that her death shouldn’t be witnessed by the crown princess, who was with child. Cold wind howled over the open plains, the sound resembling faint cries.

 

Where good and evil cannot coexist, one must destroy the other.

 

—

 

In the cold night, General Hu was finally caught by Qin Yi. The general had a wound on his shoulder and was already at the end of his strength. Looking at the young crown prince before him, who seemed to blend into the night, General Hu couldn’t help but say, “Why should some be born as kings and others as peasants? Fate creates heroes. I am no worse than your Qin ancestors. Why is it that when they rebelled, they were hailed as righteous, but when I rise, I am labeled a traitor?”

 

General Hu indeed had ambition and courage. If he had been born two hundred years earlier, he might have risen as a powerful warlord. But as Qin Yi slowly approached him on horseback, the clouds overhead parted, and the moonlight illuminated his armor. In that moment, Qin Yi appeared like a cold, unfeeling statue—beautiful and beyond mortal comprehension.

 

“My ancestors seized the throne because the royal family of the time was incompetent, and the people suffered. Had you lived in a time of chaos, you might have succeeded. But you were born in the wrong era.” Qin Yi drew his sword, pressing its sharp edge against General Hu’s throat. “The Yan Dynasty is neither devoid of popular support nor lacking in successors. As long as I, Qin Yi, live, this empire will not fall into chaos.”

 

He sheathed his sword, the blade so fine that not a drop of blood clung to its edge. A moment later, one of the Jin Yi Wei stepped forward to report: “Your Highness, all the rebels have been captured.”

 

“Leave a few alive to be interrogated in the capital. Execute the rest on the spot.”

 

“Yes, Your Highness.”

 

—

 

Chu Jinyao sat by the fire for half the night, despite many attempts to persuade her to rest. She was determined to wait for Qin Yi. At dawn, he finally returned, still carrying the scent of iron and blood. As he dismounted, the men behind him, all tall and strong, immediately followed suit, standing silently in respect. In the midst of the somber atmosphere, Qin Yi walked up the steps to where Chu Jinyao waited, extending a hand to her. “I’m back. Let’s go home.”