Chapter 40
Early in the morning, Li Xinjun was awakened by the palace maids. They carried in the elaborate red phoenix robe, a symbol of the Empress, along with countless golden hairpins, ornaments, and other accessories. A young maid named Xiaoqian, her face beaming with excitement, urged Li Xinjun to get ready for the wedding.
“Your Highness, please follow me. I will help you bathe and dress.”
Li Xinjun didn’t resist. She followed Xiaoqian to the bathhouse and allowed the maids to wash and prepare her. After bathing, she put on her usual clothes, not the phoenix robe, leaving Xiaoqian confused.
“Your Highness, today is your wedding day. Why are you wearing your everyday clothes?”
Li Xinjun didn’t answer. She simply put on the phoenix robe over her regular clothes, concealing them from view. The robe, luxurious and regal, transformed her, highlighting a hidden elegance she had never displayed before. She sat down at the dressing table and allowed Xiaoqian to style her hair, apply makeup, and adorn her with jewelry.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was unrecognizable. She thought of Song Ling, far away. How she wished Song Ling could be the first to see her in this wedding attire. But it didn’t matter. She believed that one day, she would wear a wedding dress for Song Ling, and only for her. This robe didn’t belong to her.
Ready, she walked through the grand hall, past the kneeling officials, her head held high. Hongli, standing on a raised platform at the front of the hall, was delighted to see her. The woman he loved was finally wearing the phoenix robe, walking towards him, the center of attention.
He smiled at her, his usual gentle smile, and Li Xinjun smiled back. Hongli’s heart soared. He thought she had finally accepted his arrangements for their future. He extended his hand towards her. The officials, kneeling before them, chanted,
“Congratulations on your wedding day, Your Majesty and Your Highness! May the Great Qing prosper for a thousand generations, and its people live in peace and prosperity! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!”
Hongli beamed, his heart overflowing with joy. He had never thought the officials’ chants of “Long live the Emperor!” could sound so beautiful. He watched as Li Xinjun approached, his happiness immeasurable. From this day forward, this woman would be his Empress, the Empress of the Great Qing Empire.
Li Xinjun reached the foot of the platform and looked up at Hongli. She stopped walking and, in a shocking move, removed her crown and then shed the phoenix robe. The officials gasped, their whispers filling the hall.
“Silence!” Hongli roared, his face contorted with anger.
The officials immediately fell silent, fear gripping their hearts. They stared at the couple, wondering what Li Xinjun was planning.
“Empress, what is the meaning of this?” Hongli demanded, his voice cold with fury.
“Your Majesty, I ask you, do you honor your word? Is your word your bond?”
“As the Emperor, my word is law! Why are you asking this now? Put on your robe and proceed with the wedding ceremony!”
“Then I ask you, Your Majesty, do you remember your promise to grant me a wish?”
“You!!!”
“I beg Your Majesty to grant my wish. Let me leave this place.”
Li Xinjun stood tall and proud, her gaze unwavering, unafraid of the Emperor’s wrath.
“Impossible! I have already announced our wedding to the world! You are wearing the phoenix robe! I cannot retract my decree! Put on your robe and complete this ceremony before I lose my patience! I will grant you your wish another day.”
“Brother Hongli, please allow me to address you one last time. I have always considered you a friend, a confidant. You know my heart. Why do you force this upon me? We will both be unhappy if we are forced to be together.”
Li Xinjun, setting aside her pride, pleaded with him to let her go, to let them both go. Hongli, hearing her call him “Brother Hongli” again, felt his anger soften. He remembered their time together, their easy camaraderie, their shared laughter. He sighed and softened his tone.
“Do you love her that much? Even though she’s… You don’t mind? Do you realize that your love will not be accepted by society? How will you face the world?”
“Brother Hongli, she is the only one for me. Even if the whole world condemns us, I won’t waver. Even if we have to leave the Qing Dynasty forever, I will never abandon my love for her.”
“What am I to you? Why won’t you give me a chance?”
“Brother Hongli, I know you care for me, but my heart already belongs to someone else. My feelings for you have always been platonic. I hope you understand.”
“Are you sure you won’t regret this?”
“I have no regrets!”
“Fine! Since you are so resolute, I will grant your wish. I will retract my decree and set you free. But I never want to see you again! I order you to leave the Qing Dynasty immediately and never return!”
Hongli, his heart breaking, turned away, unable to look at her. He looked at Mark, who was standing among the officials. He knew that Mark was about to depart for Britain. He ordered Mark to take Li Xinjun with him, as a final act of kindness, fulfilling her wish to be with Song Ling. He then turned and left the grand hall, ignoring the murmurs of the stunned officials.
Li Xinjun, overwhelmed with gratitude, knelt and kowtowed three times, thanking the Emperor for his mercy. It was her final act of respect, not to Hongli, but to the Emperor of the Great Qing.
She spoke briefly with Mark, asking him to wait for her at the docks. She then turned to Grand General Duoluo, who was standing in a corner of the hall, waiting for her. She ran to him and embraced him tightly. She knew that this would be their last meeting. She would never see her beloved grandfather again. Tears streamed down her face. Grand General Duoluo patted her back gently, comforting her.
“Child, I can’t protect you anymore. Take care of yourself, okay?”
“Grandfather, I’m sorry. I can’t stay here and serve you any longer. Please don’t blame me.”
“Sigh, how could I blame you? You’re pursuing your own happiness. I only wish you well. This old fool… I didn’t realize sooner… I thought you liked… Oh well, it doesn’t matter now. Just be careful. Britain is not like the Qing Dynasty. It’s full of foreigners. Stay close to Mark. Once you’ve found Song Ling and settled down, write to me and let me know you’re safe, okay?”
“Yes, I will! Grandfather, you must take care of yourself. Thanks to your kindness, I was able to experience the love of family again. I’m unworthy. I won’t be able to repay your kindness.”
“Silly girl, I’m not alone. I’ll have my good-for-nothing son come back from the border to keep me company. And besides, I’m still strong and healthy! What are you worried about?”
“Grandfather~ I have to go now. Take care.”
“Yes, go now. I won’t see you off. I don’t have anything to give you, except this. Take it.”
Grand General Duoluo took out a jeweled dagger and handed it to Li Xinjun. It was a gift from the late Emperor, a symbol of his honor and a treasure that he had cherished for many years. It represented not only the late Emperor’s recognition but also his years of service on the battlefield.
Li Xinjun accepted the dagger, knowing its significance to Grand General Duoluo. She tried to refuse, but he insisted, pushing it back into her hands. Li Xinjun, touched by his gesture, hugged him again and then left the palace.
She returned to her mansion and quickly packed her belongings and some silver. She hadn’t brought much money when she escaped with Song Ling. Now, with time to prepare, she gathered as much as she could, ensuring that they wouldn’t have to worry about finances. She then went to the dungeon and looked at Uncle Wang, who, as usual, growled upon seeing her.
“Roar! Roar! Roar!”
“Uncle Wang, I’m leaving. You must listen to Brother Wu and the others. Without me to look after you, life might be difficult. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure they continue to feed you blood. You won’t go hungry. This is our last meeting. I won’t be coming back. Take care.”
“Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar! Roar!”
Uncle Wang, watching her leave, roared frantically, as if sensing her departure. Li Xinjun ignored him and instructed the servants to load her belongings onto the carriage. She then set off for the docks.
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