Volume 1 Chapter 12 - Killed by Your Own Hands

Volume 1 Chapter 12 - Killed by Your Own Hands

The crisp sound of clashing cups echoed in the hall. Lu Chang glanced at the Empress Dowager quietly sipping tea and then at the figure in light blue standing outside the hall for a long time. Unable to resist, he spoke up, “Empress Dowager, should I summon Prince Lan Zhe? If you don’t want to see him, I’ll send him away. Having a man standing outside the Empress Dowager’s hall for so long isn’t good for your reputation.”
“Clang!” The cup lid paused its sliding. After a moment, Leng Jiu calmly said, “Let him in.”
“Yes!”
Lu Chang gestured for a young eunuch to deliver the message. Leng Jiu continued to slide the cup lid, creating a crisp and oppressive sound that seemed to pierce through the soul, making people feel extremely stifled.
“Lan Zhe, pay respects to the Empress Dowager!” Lan Zhe raised his head, glanced at the noble figure reclining on the couch, then lowered his head, bowing respectfully.
There was no sound above his head, and Lan Zhe dared not raise his head. Leng Jiu continued to slide the cup lid. The clear sound echoed, creating a profound sense of oppression that made people feel choked.
“Empress Dowager, should I dismiss him? It’s not good for the Empress Dowager’s reputation if a man stands at the entrance for so long, even though he’s Prince Lan Zhe.” Lu Chang asked cautiously.
“Dismiss him,” Leng Jiu replied indifferently.
As Lan Zhe left, Lu Chang couldn’t help but worry about the Empress Dowager’s state of mind. The situation in the palace was too chaotic recently. The Empress Dowager seemed to be in control, but who could guarantee that she wouldn’t be affected?
“Clang!”
The cup lid stopped again, and after a while, Leng Jiu put down the teacup. “You may rise.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”
Leng Jiu looked at Lan Zhe with an indifferent and arrogant expression, devoid of the familiar warmth and intimacy. “What business brings Prince Lan Zhe here?”
Lan Zhe looked at her cold and distant demeanor, feeling a bit complicated. The lively and approachable woman who used to lie on the high wall and listen to his music was now the Empress Dowager. He should have realized it earlier—the elegant and noble temperament she displayed, how could it be possessed by a palace maid? Moreover, Prince Xuan treated her as an equal. He didn’t want to guess and didn’t want to believe, but in that awkward moment, he discovered her true identity. The shock at that moment couldn’t be described in words.
Once again, he bowed, “Prince Lan Zhe has come to express gratitude to the Empress Dowager for saving his life.”
“I didn’t save you. I’m just investigating the truth,” Leng Jiu replied coldly.
“But the Empress Dowager saved Lan Zhe in a moment of danger. It is truly a great favor. If the Empress Dowager has any requests, Lan Zhe will not refuse,” Lan Zhe said, expressing his gratitude.
Leng Jiu nodded, half-true and half-false, questioning, “As a mere proton with low status, what can you do for me? Or perhaps, what can you accomplish?”
Lan Zhe’s body trembled, remaining silent for a long time.
After a while, Leng Jiu rose from the soft couch, descended the seven-step stairs, and stood in front of him. The gorgeous hem of her clothing slid past his feet. “The purple orchids in the garden are in full bloom. Would Prince care to appreciate them with me?”
“At your command!”
Watching Leng Jiu playing with the orchids with her back to him, Lan Zhe couldn’t resist asking the question in his heart, “Empress Dowager, is there a palace maid named A Jiu in the palace?”
Leng Jiu, still manipulating the orchids, responded without looking at him, “Yes, so what? Or what if there isn’t?”
Certainly, here is the English translation of the modified passage:
“Leng Jiu, forgive me! It was Lan Zhe who overstepped!”
After Lan Zhe finished speaking with his head lowered, he suddenly smelled a fragrance. Only then did he notice there was now an orchid in front of him. Following Dan Kou’s slender fingers, he saw the graceful appearance of Leng Jiu and those clear yet captivating eyes. He couldn’t help but ask, “What is the Empress’s intention?”
Leng Jiu looked at the orchid in her hand and said, “In my opinion, you are like an orchid. Your aura is elegant and lonely, just like the secluded orchid in an empty valley. Unfortunately, you have inevitably been tainted by the world’s extravagance. What I love the most is the elegance that remains untainted by the mortal world after passing away. However, as beautiful as the orchid is, it is too fragile, and thus, it will never earn my favor!”
Lan Zhe looked at her without avoiding her gaze and said word by word, “Does the Empress know that even an orchid has its own grievances? Many things cannot be achieved merely by one’s wishes!”
Leng Jiu, not missing a beat, replied, “Are you complaining about fate? Or are you willing to be controlled throughout your life? Then you are truly disappointing!”
She handed the orchid to him and turned away, saying, “If you still wish to see Ah Jiu, become someone who can control your own destiny. Otherwise, Ah Jiu will forever be dead, killed by your own hands!”
Lan Zhe held the orchid in his hand, watching her disappear into the sea of flowers. In his heart, there was a faint, piercing pain. Silently, he tightened his grip, seemingly making a difficult decision. Eventually, he left in another direction, his back straight and resolute.