PCA Chapter 236

“What do you want to do? Are you insane?!” Zheng Yang held Su Cen in his arms, watching the two eunuchs pull gleaming instruments from their box and approach step by step.

 

Castration—a punishment second only to death, not as merciful as a quick death. This was the former top scholar who had won first place, who had spoken eloquently in the great hall with unmatched elegance under heaven. Yet Li Sheng now wanted to castrate him in front of all the court ministers—how was this different from dismembering him on the spot?!

 

Su Cen buried his head and coughed for a long while before he could straighten up. He patted Zheng Yang’s hand, as if comforting him.

 

Zheng Yang suddenly understood—he had deliberately provoked Li Sheng’s anger so that Li Sheng’s wrath would fall on him alone, not implicating others.

 

This madman, this fool!

 

Zheng Yang gritted his teeth and spread his arms to shield Su Cen behind him, assuming a desperate fighting stance with blazing eyes: “Who dares come forward! Whoever dares come forward, I’ll fight them to the death!”

 

The light suddenly dimmed before them as Zhang Jun, who usually knew best how to protect himself, stepped forward. Protruding his belly, he stood immovably before them like a mountain.

 

“If you want to touch them, you’ll have to destroy this old bag of bones first!”

 

“And me!” Wen Xiu sent the young emperor to Zheng Yang’s side, rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward. “A bunch of old men whose lives aren’t worth much—take them if you dare!”

 

The ministers looked at each other and stepped forward in twos and threes, forming a human wall around the young emperor and Su Cen.

 

Seeing this scene, Li Sheng stroked his chin and smiled: “Interesting.”

 

Initially, these ministers had been like a flock of quails, shrinking their necks and letting him manipulate them. With a little favor or a little leverage, they would bow and scrape in obedience. Who would have thought that at the moment of life and death, they would be forced to show some backbone?

 

Unfortunately, it was too late.

 

“Your Majesty, don’t cry,” Su Cen gently wiped away the young emperor’s tears. “The Prince asked me to tell Your Majesty not to be afraid—he will come to rescue you.”

 

“I… I’m not afraid… I believe in Imperial Uncle…” the young emperor said while tears fell, as if all the tears he had held back this year were pouring out at once. “You… don’t be afraid either. I am the emperor… I will protect you!”

 

Su Cen smiled weakly but supported himself on Zheng Yang’s shoulder to slowly stand up. He pushed through the layers of people and walked step by step to Li Sheng.

 

“Do you see? Even though you have a blade, you cannot threaten people’s hearts. Even if you become emperor, you’re destined to be alone. You can’t kill everyone in the world—there will always be people wanting to pull you down from that position. You won’t have peace by day or rest by night, because every time you close your eyes, you’ll see the vengeful spirits coming to claim your life. Do you still want to be such an emperor?”

 

Li Sheng narrowed his eyes and examined the person before him, feeling for the first time in his life an impulse to retreat.

 

He managed to stand firm, his eyes coldly poisonous: “That’s because they don’t know what fear is yet. When they’re scared to their bones, they won’t dare come even as ghosts. I advise you not to think too highly of yourself. Look at Li Shi—isn’t he still cowering outside the city gates, not daring to enter? If he really cared about you, he would have broken in by now.”

 

Hearing this, Su Cen smiled and suddenly turned to look out the window. In the pitch-black night sky without even a single star, Su Cen stared at the darkness as if sensing something, unable to look away.

 

Shouts seemed to cut through Chang’an’s silent night. Something was stirring in the darkness, agitating, brewing.

 

Moments later, cannons thundered and a burst of fire bloomed in the southwestern night sky.

 

At the same time, a guard burst through the door, sliding to his knees upon entry: “Your… Your Majesty, fighting has broken out!”

 

Li Sheng’s expression changed dramatically.

 

Everything around seemed to freeze. Everyone was either delighted or terrified, momentarily not knowing how to react. Only Su Cen withdrew his gaze and smiled lightly at Li Sheng: “You can never win against him.”

 

After a long moment, Li Sheng suddenly flicked his sleeves and burst into laughter: “Look at your good Imperial Uncle, your good Prince—does he care whether you live or die?”

 

The young emperor wiped away his tears and stood up among the ministers: “Ministers, hear my decree.”

 

The entire room instantly fell to their knees.

 

“I am very pleased that so many people still stand with me now. You are all worthy scholars and capable ministers of our Great Zhou. I am fortunate to have you, and Great Zhou is fortunate to have you! What I’m about to say, I want you to swear a blood oath before Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and the former emperor—if you violate it, you are unworthy to be subjects of Great Zhou. If I meet misfortune tonight, the throne passes to Fourth Imperial Uncle Li Shi. Those who die tonight, when Imperial Uncle captures the traitors, shall all receive compensation as national heroes. As long as one person survives, all shall follow Fourth Imperial Uncle’s lead, convey my decrees, and obey his commands. Do you understand?!”

 

Below, people were already crying and collapsing in a heap. After a moment, Wen Xiu led everyone in raising their hands to swear: “This subject… swears before Emperor Taizu, Emperor Taizong, and the former emperor that if Your Majesty… if Your Majesty meets misfortune, we will certainly follow the sacred will, support Prince Ning Li Shi to inherit the throne, obey his commands, and restore order to the court. If we violate this, we are unworthy to be subjects of Great Zhou!”

 

“Good, very good. All rise.” The young emperor lifted his chin and smiled at Li Sheng. As long as one breath remained here, the throne would never fall to Li Sheng.

 

Li Sheng watched all this coldly, then laughed coldly: “How do you know whether the person you’re waiting for can even arrive here alive? Do you think mere Zhichong Prefecture forces can contend with my imperial guards! Guards!”

 

Bai Chou entered carrying a set of battle armor and personally helped Li Sheng dress.

 

Su Cen suddenly understood why Li Sheng was dressed this way.

 

He was waiting—he had been waiting all along.

 

There would inevitably be this battle between them, either you die or I live. He had waited too long for this battle, longer than he had wanted to be emperor, so long that hearing news of Li Shi breaking in actually made him momentarily excited beyond control.

 

The qilin silver armor, majestic and imposing, perfectly countered the dragon-scale black armor Li Shi usually wore in the northern desert. He had dreamed of fighting Li Shi blade to blade, in front of everyone, cutting him down beneath his horse and trampling him thousands upon thousands of times!

 

When he grasped that black iron spear, he was so excited he shed tears.

 

Flicking his silver armor, he strode forward toward his destined battle.

 

After Li Sheng’s figure disappeared into the darkness, the ministers who had just been ready to die hadn’t yet recovered their senses. Li Sheng had actually left, just abandoned them and left.

 

Zheng Yang was gently patted on the shoulder by Su Cen, his legs going weak and nearly unable to stand.

 

The young emperor stared blankly in the direction Li Sheng had left and asked Su Cen: “Do you think Imperial Uncle will win?”

 

Su Cen stood with the young emperor and nodded with certainty: “Yes, the Prince is Great Zhou’s finest general—invincible in battle, unstoppable in attack.”

 

The distant sounds of battle gradually drew nearer, the cannon fire grew denser. Someone was ramming the city gates, arrows whistled through the air, some were begging for mercy, others were shouting.

 

The entire city of Chang’an was submerged in a sea of fire, with no one sleeping peacefully.

 

Everyone here, and in every corner of Great Zhou, waited anxiously for fate’s arrival.

 

That night seemed exceptionally long, yet also seemed to reach dawn in the blink of an eye.

 

At daybreak, two eunuchs entered, looking somber and restrained. When Zheng Yang asked how the fighting outside was going, no one paid attention, only saying they should quickly change into court robes—morning court would proceed as usual.

 

The cannon sounds outside seemed somewhat quieter, but the air was full of the smell of saltpeter and sulfur. The group was herded by over a dozen guards into Hanyuan Hall. The sky was still not very bright, and the dark hall was empty.

 

Soon two eunuchs entered to light the lamps in the hall one by one, panicked and hurried, trembling, afraid that being even a moment slow would cost them their lives.

 

The entire hall lit up with flickering lamplight, making people’s shadows even more ghostly and demonic.

 

Finally finishing lighting the last lamp, the two eunuchs ran outside.

 

Before they could descend the Dragon Tail Road, someone slit their throats with a blade.

 

Someone outside shouted loudly: “The new emperor arrives!”

 

Everyone looked toward the hall entrance to see Li Sheng slowly approaching, surrounded by several trembling eunuchs, wearing dragon robes and a crown with twelve tassels.

 

Everyone’s hearts grew cold.

 

Su Cen stepped forward: “Where is the Prince?!”

 

Li Sheng ignored him and stepped past him to ascend that supreme position step by step. With a flick of his sleeve, a nearby eunuch immediately announced: “The new emperor ascends the throne—all ministers bow in welcome.”

 

Everyone looked at each other—not one person knelt.

 

Li Sheng was not angry, looking benevolently at the people in the court.

 

Su Cen could no longer care about these absurd scenes before him. Breaking free from the crowd, he ran outside.

 

He didn’t believe it… Li Shi wouldn’t lose, much less die. He must be waiting somewhere—he had to find him!

 

Just as he ran out of the hall, the Danfeng Gate ahead was suddenly smashed open with a thunderous crash!

 

Large troops poured in with banners flying and battle cries shaking the heavens. One person led on horseback, wearing black armor that gleamed brilliantly in the rising sun from Dragon Head Plain, too dazzling to look at directly.

 

Arriving before the Dragon Tail Road, that person dismounted and, like every morning court before, climbed step by step to the summit. Beneath his feet was a bright path, behind him ten thousand zhang of radiance.

 

Su Cen felt all strength drain from his body as he slowly slid down along the hall door.

 

Until a hand wearing a black jade thumb ring reached out to him, pulling him into an embrace.

 

When they entered the hall, the old ministers were nearly crying themselves hoarse, calling out “Your Highness” over and over, unable to say anything else.

 

The young emperor threw himself over, not caring that the black armor was ice-cold, refusing to let go.

 

Finally, Li Shi used some effort to get him to release his grip, then scooped him up with one arm, holding him like when he was small.

 

Zheng Yang also wanted to rush over but was frozen in place by Li Shi’s cold stare.

 

Indeed, nephews and grand-nephews were treated differently!

 

Li Shi held Su Cen’s hand with one hand and carried the young emperor with the other—where would he have energy to receive Zheng Yang’s embrace?

 

After settling everything, only then did he look up.

 

Li Sheng still sat smiling at the people below, truly having some imperial dignity.

 

“You really did come to attend my enthronement ceremony.”

 

“Yes, a truly lonely ruler,” Li Shi climbed the imperial platform step by step, looking down at Li Sheng on the dragon throne. “Song Fan is dead, Bai Chou is dead too, your Secret Door has been completely eliminated, all rebellious imperial guards have surrendered. You’ve become emperor of yourself alone.”

 

“I haven’t lost! I am the legitimate heir—I am Crown Prince Chongde’s son!” Li Sheng flicked his sleeves and declared: “From now on, all the countless subjects of Great Zhou will come to pay homage to me!”

 

The troops outside had followed closely behind. Qi Lin led his forces to surround the hall completely, keeping his eyes fixed on Li Sheng to prevent this man from lashing out desperately when cornered.

 

At the end of his rope, this was already a dead move—he had indeed lost.

 

Li Sheng sat on the dragon throne laughing heartily: “Just you people… just you people think you can capture me? You wild spawn of that despicable villain—what are you worth!”

 

Suddenly a cold light flashed—hidden beneath those dragon robes was actually a dagger!

 

“Protect His Majesty!”

 

The great hall instantly erupted in chaos!

 

But Li Shi merely blocked in front of Su Cen and gently pressed the young emperor into his embrace.

 

Moments later, blood splattered as Li Sheng slit his own throat upon the dragon throne.

 

This chair had always been born alongside blood.

 

Li Sheng’s entire life—intoxicated by it, obsessed with it, and ultimately dying upon it.

 

His gaze finally stared blankly toward the outside of Hanyuan Hall. So this was the view from this position.

 

Only after the Three Guards of Tuduo entered to clean up the great hall did Li Shi set down the young emperor, instructing as usual: “Forget about morning court today. You have one day to recover—from tomorrow, everything returns to normal.”

 

The young emperor pouted at Li Shi, golden tears spinning in his eyes.

 

Unable to bear it, Li Shi patted his head: “You did well.”

 

Having said this, without further delay, in front of everyone, he took Su Cen’s hand and walked away.

 

Su Cen noticed the burning gazes from various directions behind him, feeling like thorns in his back, yet found it amusing. These people had truly misplaced their deep affections, expecting Prince Ning to comfort them one by one, to share heartfelt tears with them. They never imagined that after completing his duties, Prince Ning only wanted to go home and sleep.

 

Comforting the ministers—that was the emperor’s job.

 

Outside the great hall, the sunlight was pleasant. Su Cen squinted slightly—the night had been too long, and he was momentarily unaccustomed to the light.

 

Li Shi accommodated him, walking slowly down the Dragon Tail Road shoulder to shoulder, step by step, as if they had walked for half a lifetime.

 

Descending the final stone step, Su Cen’s restless heart finally settled.

 

He looked over with a gentle smile: “Where are we going?”

 

“Home,” Li Shi said. “To pull weeds and patch holes.”

 

Over half a month later, Chang’an finally emerged from the shadow of Prince Yu’s rebellion. Li Sheng’s remaining followers had been completely eliminated, and the Secret Door had vanished entirely.

 

Later, Su Cen learned from Qu Ling’er that Song Fan had died from stray arrows, and that arrow hadn’t even been aimed at him. That night after Su Cen entered the palace, they had followed Li Shi’s arrangements to evacuate all the civilians along Zhuque Avenue, and the Huang family was among them. The Secret Door people, in their rage and humiliation, had actually used bows and arrows to kill civilians. Huang Wan’er, holding her child, had fallen behind and happened to be within range.

 

The expected agony never came, nor did the child’s crying in her arms stop. Huang Wan’er tremblingly opened her eyes to see a pair of smiling peach blossom eyes looking at her.

 

Afterward, Huang Wan’er changed her son’s surname. That person had said his son couldn’t possibly be surnamed Huang, but since he didn’t even know his own name, they might as well use Bai—coming clean and pure, living clean and pure, no longer entangled with people like them.

 

Su Cen understood—he had finally known what he wanted.

 

Later, people borrowed Li Sheng’s reign title that had only appeared for a moment, calling that political upheaval the “Tiancheng Rebellion.”

 

The East and West Markets reopened, Zhuque Avenue was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers. Prince Ning still had the final word in court, and the young emperor still shed golden tears when scolded. Fortunately, now there was someone to turn to for help—whenever the young emperor was severely reprimanded, he would ask “What do you think, Beloved Minister Su?” Su Cen would awkwardly step forward to smooth things over, and Imperial Uncle’s scolding would become less severe.

 

The imperial examinations, delayed for nearly a month, were finally put on the agenda. Due to the “Tiancheng Rebellion,” half the court ministers had initially sided with Li Sheng. Later, these people were either dismissed or investigated. Great Zhou urgently needed a batch of new officials to fill the previous vacancies, so this round of imperial examinations seemed especially important to everyone, making the chief examiner even more crucial.

 

Unexpectedly, for such an important position, everyone unanimously pushed Su Cen forward.

 

Lord Su was truly at a loss whether to laugh or cry. He was neither a Ministry of Rites official nor from the Hanlin Academy—having someone from the Dali Temple who worked on criminal law host the imperial examinations—what kind of assignment was this?

 

But faced with the ministers’ enthusiasm, nearly buried by their collective spittle, unable to refuse any longer, Su Cen could only compromise. He would serve as deputy chief examiner, while the chief examiner would be the four-dynasty veteran minister Ning Yi, finally silencing the critics.

 

Lord Su now lived in Xingqing Palace, the reason being that his small residence had been completely occupied by Qi Lin and Qu Ling’er. Qi Lin had been expelled from Xingqing Palace due to the Princess Ning affair and, having nowhere to go, could only become a live-in son-in-law with Qu Ling’er.

 

From then on, the two lived their shameless little life together.

 

Ultimately, Qi Lin had been expelled because of him, and moreover, he had long since given this residence to Qu Ling’er. If he continued to stay shamelessly, it would be rather tactless.

 

Qu Ling’er, with tears and snot while efficiently packing his things, called a donkey cart at the door and sent everything into Xingqing Palace in one go.

 

Seeing Li Shi’s meaningful smile, Su Cen righteously declared he was just staying temporarily for a few nights—once he found a good house in Chang’an, he would naturally move out.

 

He had miscalculated Chang’an’s land prices—every inch was worth gold. He was no longer the Su family’s second young master, and with his current salary, he’d probably have to wait until he was seventy or eighty to afford a house.

 

He would have to endure living under the same roof as Prince Ning for quite some time.

 

The third watch drum sounded. Su Cen poked his head out from the fragrant curtains to catch his breath, his lotus-like shoulders slightly exposed, his eyes misty with moisture.

 

“I… I can’t take it anymore. I have morning court tomorrow,” Lord Su complained. “If you continue being so unreasonable, I… I’ll report you to His Majesty!”

 

Prince Ning chuckled softly: “Report me for what? Being invincible in a hundred battles? Or for never ceasing the drums and flags?”

 

Su Cen leaned down and bit hard on the man’s shoulder: “Report you for being an old fox spirit who exploits people!”

 

The old fox’s eyes narrowed slightly as he flipped the person over and pressed him beneath him: “I exploit only you.”

 

Except for this one light in Xingqing Palace, the entire city of Chang’an had quietly fallen asleep. The night watchman struck his wooden clapper, calling out: “The air is dry, beware of fire, sleep well through the night, peaceful Chang’an.”

 

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【End of Main Text】

 

T/N: Thank you for following Su Cen and Li Shi’s journey from the imperial palace to exile and back home again. It’s been wonderful bringing their love story to life in English.

Farewell to our beloved characters, and thank you for reading ₍₍⚞(˶˃ ꒳ ˂˶)⚟⁾⁾

[Extras on the way~]

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