Chapter 124: Facing Life and Death Together

Proofreader: Mim

The Empress Xiao Qi was confined to Kunning Palace, her position as empress reduced to a mere title. The Second Princess was ordered to remain in the palace and embroider her dowry, while Prince Lu had his title stripped and was demoted to County Prince. His original fiefdom in Luoyang was reclaimed by the court, and he was assigned a poorer, less significant land. Once the capital stabilized, he was to immediately depart for his new fiefdom. However, this so-called relocation was, in reality, little more than house arrest.

 

The Marquis of Zhenbei’s estate was spared from a full-scale purge due to Qin Yi’s involvement. However, the Marquis voluntarily resigned from his position, and the younger members of the Qi family lost their posts, with some demoted and others dismissed. The Marquis’ household had been keeping its doors tightly shut, fearful of drawing any further trouble. Throughout the capital, an atmosphere of desolation and dread prevailed, with nearly every family mourning the loss of loved ones in the chaos. And yet, they barely had time to grieve before confronting a far graver issue.

 

Punishing Eunuch Liu’s accomplices and those connected to Empress Xiao Qi’s faction was merely a means to appease public anger. But dealing with these individuals wasn’t the end—it was only the beginning of even greater problems.

 

“Your Highness, the troops of Wara beyond Juyong Pass are mobilizing heavily. It is feared that they may soon launch attacks on the border garrisons.”

 

The elite forces of the capital had been lost along with the emperor outside the pass. What remained were fewer than 100,000 elderly, weak, and ill soldiers. How could such a weak force defend the capital?

 

The Great Yan dynasty now faced a crisis of both internal and external proportions. Just days ago, there had already been a rogue general, Hu, who tried to take advantage of the nation’s distress. If the court mishandled any more situations like this, the downfall of the Yan Dynasty would be imminent.

 

With the fall of Xuanfu and the emperor taken captive, the greater threat was not just external but the disruption to internal order within the court. After Qin Yi refused the offer to ascend to the throne in this time of crisis, the remaining half of the imperial court sank into a strange, unspoken silence. Beneath the surface, the people’s hearts were already in disarray.

 

But during this time, Qin Yi had no opportunity to care about the thoughts of his ministers. The survival of the state lay before him—the enemy was growing more arrogant and eager by the day, while the internal court was in disarray. The high-ranking civil officials had perished in the chaos, most of the experienced military leaders had died in battle, and even the promising young nobles who had gone with the army to gain merit had perished. The emperor, lacking both military acumen and the ability to choose capable men, had allowed eunuchs and sycophants to vie for power. Orders from the military were constantly changing, leaving the army in confusion. Eventually, Wara cavalry seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, decimating the army.

 

Faced with both internal and external crises, Qin Yi had no time to lose.

 

Staring at the military map laid before him, Qin Yi remained silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was firm and resolute, “Mobilize the reserve troops from the Two Capitals and Henan to the capital. Deploy the coastal defense forces from Shandong to be stationed at Hejian and Baoding, awaiting further orders. The coastal defense forces from Jiangsu and Zhejiang must immediately travel by water to reinforce the capital. The grain transport forces from Jiangbei and the capital should expedite food supplies to the capital. Open the granaries at Tongzhou and bring in provisions.” He then pointed at several military locations on the map and continued, “Issue the edict: summon the generals from each province to the capital for the defense of the realm.”

 

Due to the heavy losses in senior civil officials, many of the officials in the Six Ministries were newly appointed by Qin Yi. They were well aware that this crisis was unprecedented, so they abandoned their usual arrogance, and all unnecessary formalities were minimized. Once Qin Yi issued his orders, those summoned quickly left to carry out their tasks. The entire palace, especially the Wenhua Hall, bustled with frenetic activity, with countless documents and orders being issued throughout the day. The once centralized power hub of the court, located in the Wenyuan Pavilion, had now shifted to the Wenhua Hall. Everywhere, the palace hummed with the chaotic but orderly efforts to manage the crisis.

 

Qin Yi spent the entire day in the outer court, managing the deployment of troops, provisions, and appointing new military leaders. He had too many matters to handle. For several days, Chu Jinyao hadn’t seen Qin Yi. Pregnant and prone to fatigue, she often found that when she woke up, he had already left, and when she was ready to sleep, he hadn’t yet returned. At first, she thought Qin Yi was simply busy, but after several days of this, Chu Jinyao began to suspect something more.

 

Was Qin Yi deliberately avoiding her?

 

So today, despite her exhaustion, Chu Jinyao insisted on staying awake, refusing to rest even when Linglong repeatedly urged her. Finally, after yawning with tears in her eyes, she waited long enough for Qin Yi to return.

 

When he entered the room, his movements were quiet. He seemed surprised to see her still awake. “Why are you not asleep yet?”

 

He immediately glanced at the attending servants, but Chu Jinyao stepped forward to spare them. “It’s not their fault; I insisted on waiting for you.”

 

Qin Yi looked at her, sighed, and said, “All of you, leave us.”

 

The attendants all breathed a sigh of relief and quietly withdrew. But even after the room was empty, Qin Yi kept his distance from Chu Jinyao, unlike his usual habit of naturally coming to her side.

 

Chu Jinyao’s suspicions grew stronger. There was indeed an invisible barrier between them. If they didn’t clear the air today, who knew how long Qin Yi would continue this self-imposed coldness.

 

“Your Highness, today the servants reported that the Second Princess tried to visit Kunning Palace to see the Empress, but she was turned away.”

 

Qin Yi replied indifferently, “If she was stopped, then so be it. She’s been spoiled and unmanageable for too long.”

 

The Second Princess had been restless lately, throwing tantrums and making demands. However, she was only a princess, and even Prince Lu had been demoted. How could she possibly resist the overwhelming power of the court? Chu Jinyao mentioned the Second Princess merely to start the conversation.

 

“Your Highness, I sometimes feel sorrowful when I look at the women in the palace. Even the Second Princess, born of the empress, faces such hardship. What hope is there for others? The Empress, once the favored wife of the emperor for over ten years, blessed with both affection and children, had everything—love, children, status. Yet now, her phoenix seal has been taken away, her authority to receive noble women in court revoked, and she can’t even see her own daughter. I know you probably don’t like hearing this, but as a woman living in the palace, I can’t help but feel empathetic. This is the fate of women in the palace. No matter how glorious we may appear, in reality, we are all like fragile towers of cards, dependent entirely on external forces. If someone powerful enough wishes us dead, we die.” Chu Jinyao looked directly at Qin Yi and continued, “It used to be the emperor who held such power. Now, that person is you.”

 

The light in Qin Yi’s eyes grew cold. “Who’s been filling your head with these thoughts?”

 

“No one. And besides, does someone really need to tell me this?” Chu Jinyao looked at him steadily and said, “Right now, it’s the Empress who’s fallen. But someday, it could just as easily be me. If you think about it, I’m not all that different from her. I entered the palace and quickly rose in favor, relying on your affection and beauty to garner respect and fear from others.”

 

Qin Yi finally relented to Chu Jinyao’s persistence. He sighed, moved closer, and gently held her shoulders, guiding her to sit on a couch. “You’re overthinking things. You’re not like them, and I’m not like the emperor. Nothing like that will happen.”

 

“Right now, nothing will happen. I’ve only been married to you for a year, and I’m carrying your child. Of course, I’m safe for now. But what about the future?” Chu Jinyao gently pushed his hand away, turning to face him with intense determination. “I have no illustrious family background, no outstanding talents or wisdom. All I have is you. As long as you trust me, and we continue to be honest with each other, I can navigate the thin ice of the palace. But if one day you stop confiding in me, then what difference is there between me and the Empress?”

 

Qin Yi had never been left speechless like this before. He had been unsure of how to face Chu Jinyao these past few days, and with so many pressing matters in the outer court, he had tried to avoid her, waiting until she was asleep before returning. Every night he would stand beside her, watching her as she slept. She was the person he most wanted to protect, yet he had exposed her to such danger. He began to question whether his decision to take her from Lin Xiyuan and make her the Crown Princess was truly in her best interest. He had never even asked her how she felt about the arranged marriage. To this day, he didn’t know if she had wanted to accept the imperial decree.

 

He had planned to sort out his feelings before confronting her. But he hadn’t expected Chu Jinyao to be so direct, forcing him to confront the issue head-on. Qin Yi had no choice but to respond, “That’s not what I meant. Who has been sowing discord between us? How could I possibly think that way? I’ve just been reflecting… maybe I’ve been too presumptuous.”

 

Chu Jinyao had never expected to hear such words from Qin Yi. He was indeed strong-willed and sometimes domineering, but for him to admit something like this? With his prideful nature, it was surprising.

 

She realized that something unusual was happening. No one is made of iron, and for Qin Yi to say such things, the pressure on him these past days must have been immense. Chu Jinyao softly asked, “Why?”

 

Qin Yi paused, his gaze deep and complicated, as if it contained an overwhelming intensity that he quickly masked. He finally said, “I’ve issued an order: the capital must be defended at all costs. If any official attempts to send their family out of the city, they are to be shot.”

 

Chu Jinyao didn’t see anything wrong with this. “During wartime, strict measures are necessary. If we allow panic to spread, no one will be willing to stay and defend the city.”

 

Qin Yi stroked her hair in silence. Then suddenly, Chu Jinyao understood: “Are you worried about me and the child?”

 

Qin Yi didn’t answer directly, but instead asked, “Do you blame me?”

 

Chu Jinyao was momentarily taken aback, but then her anger flared. “Your Highness, if you had sent me away, then I would have been upset with you! I am the Crown Princess. I may not claim to be noble or selfless, but I should at least stand by your side. If you flee the city, I will go south with you. If you defend the capital to the bitter end, then I will wait for you here, no matter life or death. Whether we live or die, our family will stay together.”

 

Qin Yi’s eyes flickered with emotion, and he was at a loss for words. He gripped her hand so tightly that it almost hurt her. “When I first heard that the Lin family intended to make you their concubine, I was shocked and furious, thinking I couldn’t let you make such a foolish mistake. So I wrote back to the capital. I’ve never asked you since—did you ever want that?”

 

Chu Jinyao was startled, then she couldn’t help but laugh. But when she saw the darkening expression in Qin Yi’s eyes, she quickly stifled her laughter and said, “Your Highness, just look at yourself. What woman wouldn’t want to marry you?”

 

Though Qin Yi’s face remained stern, there was a hint of a smile in his eyes. “Nonsense.”

 

It was nonsense, indeed. Qin Yi loathed the way people ogled him, whether they were men or women. Yet somehow, when the same remarks came from Chu Jinyao, they didn’t seem so unpleasant.

 

“Alright, no more nonsense.” Chu Jinyao’s tone grew serious. “Do you remember when we first met?”

 

“Of course.” Qin Yi’s expression was teasing. “You were incredibly unruly back then, especially towards me.”

 

Embarrassment colored Chu Jinyao’s face, but these were words she had wanted to say for a long time, though she had always felt too shy. After the events at Changhe Garden, however, she realized that if she didn’t express her gratitude and feelings, he might never know them.

 

“Your Highness, this may not mean much to you, but for me, meeting you was like a frog at the bottom of a well catching a glimpse of the sky. At that time, I really relied on and was grateful to Qi Ze. When you left, I was despondent for a long time, regretting that you were just a fleeting encounter in my secluded life, while I was nothing more than a passerby to you. Later, I thought that my life would continue in such a manner until I met you again. When you were willing to rescue me from the humiliation of becoming a concubine, I was truly thankful. At that moment, I thought that even if you only wanted me to be a puppet princess, I would be content. I would accept whatever people you favored into the household. But then, that night, you told me your name was Qi Ze …”

 

From the stunning young man of her youth to the hero who saved her, and now to the steady companion of her life—he was always there.

 

As she spoke, tears welled in Chu Jinyao’s eyes. Qin Yi silently pulled her into his arms. She clutched at his black prince’s robe, her voice thick with emotion. “I was so happy when you chose to marry me, whether it was as the Crown Prince or as Qi Ze. My foster parents never treated me as a person, and I’m not close to my biological parents either, so really, all I have is you…”

 

“There, there, don’t cry.” Qin Yi’s heart ached as he held her. He hadn’t expected to hear such a confession from her. As she became more important to him, he realized that he also mattered greatly to her.

 

As Chu Jinyao’s tears flowed, they turned to anger. “But you deliberately avoided me. You even thought of sending me away!”

 

“No, I didn’t mean it. I’ve changed my mind now.”

 

“Will you still come home late on purpose and avoid seeing me?”

 

“I won’t.” Qin Yi silently thought to himself, it was hard for him too. It was like raising a delicate orchid, wanting to give it the best of everything, but fearing that anything less than perfection would harm it. In trying to balance everything, he hadn’t realized that in her eyes, the most important thing was the person caring for the flower.

 

“Jinyao, I’m afraid too. I’m afraid that if I fail this time, I’ll end up hurting you.”

 

Still nestled in his arms, Chu Jinyao spoke in a muffled voice, “Well, I’m afraid of losing you. If we can stay together from life to death, and you only have me, maybe that’s exactly what I want.”

 

Qin Yi chuckled softly, his chest vibrating gently. “Alright.”

 

What this “alright” meant, only Qin Yi knew.

 

As the capital hastily prepared for battle, the Wara forces, after much deliberation, decided not to pass up the advantage that had seemingly fallen into their laps. They brought the emperor to Juyong Pass, claiming they were returning him to the capital, and demanded that the border garrisons open the gates.

 

An urgent military report was delivered to Qin Yi’s desk. He stared at the document for a long time before slowly writing the word “Reject.”

 

He knew it was a step into the abyss, but he had no other choice. Just like when he had deposed Empress Xiao Qi a few days ago, he knew that stepping forward meant certain death. But in order to stabilize the situation and quell unrest, Qin Yi had no alternative.

 

Three days after rejecting the Wara, they launched an attack on Juyong Pass and Datong. With the emperor in their hands, the Yan Dynasty generals hesitated to take decisive action. Five days later, Baigoukou, Zijing Pass, and Juyong Pass all fell, leaving the capital exposed and on the brink of collapse.

 

Qin Yi personally took command, arraying his forces outside the capital’s nine gates—Yongding, Desheng, Anding, and others. Behind him stood the walls of the capital; if they fell, there would be no more defenses left.

 

The choice now was clear: national ruin or redemption, life or death. When Qin Yi left the Ciqing Palace that day, Chu Jinyao had helped him adjust his armor. Would that be the last time they ever saw each other?

 

Thus began the famed Battle of the Capital, recorded in history for generations to come.