Chapter 27: The Death of the Palace Lord

The woman before them was slightly older than the Ice-Beauty, draped in a flowing crimson robe with wide sleeves that fluttered as she moved. Her features were exquisite, and her dark hair was pinned up carelessly with a single jade hairpin, radiating a brilliance that was simply breathtaking. Her gaze, sharp as a blade, fixed upon the Ice-Beauty as she shouted angrily, "Shuang’er, you dare betray me!"

The Ice-Beauty’s expression was tinged with sorrow. Shaking her head, she replied, "Sister, you must stop before it’s too late. Please, let this end."

The woman in red was none other than Leng Xiangning, Mistress of the Palace of Blossoms and Moon. The “Shuang’er” she addressed was her younger sister, Leng Aoshuang.

Leng Xiangning’s anger only deepened at these words. Spotting Shen Qianmo supporting Xie Mingyu, she barked, "How dare you, wretched woman! You dare to steal away my Rui Lang—prepare to die!"

Before the words had faded, she struck at Shen Qianmo with a speed that left no room to react. Yet Meng Yuanheng was swifter still; in an instant, he shoved Shen Qianmo and Xie Mingyu aside and met Leng Xiangning’s attack head-on.

Leng Xiangning was forced back several steps by Meng Yuanheng’s palm, shock flashing across her face. She had struck with all her strength, yet this young man had parried her with apparent ease. He was clearly not to be underestimated.

"Who are you?" she demanded. She had never heard of such an outstanding young man in the martial world.

Meng Yuanheng ignored her question, keeping Shen Qianmo firmly protected behind him. With a cold snort, he said, "So the Mistress of the Palace of Blossoms and Moon is mad after all."

So she was the Mistress? Having been insulted out of the blue, Shen Qianmo was at a loss. And who was this "Rui Lang"? She glanced at Xie Mingyu and suddenly felt she understood. Why hadn’t he, unlike the other scholars, been locked in a stone cell, but was instead allowed to rest comfortably on a couch? Most likely, Leng Xiangning had mistaken him for her Rui Lang. She truly must be unhinged.

Hearing Meng Yuanheng’s mocking words and seeing Xie Mingyu and Shen Qianmo so close, Leng Xiangning’s rage boiled over. In a frenzy, she lunged at Shen Qianmo, her attacks vicious, as though she wanted to tear her to pieces to vent her fury.

Meng Yuanheng’s eyes flashed dangerously as he engaged Leng Xiangning. The two became locked in a fierce and tangled fight; for a time, victory was uncertain.

After dozens of exchanges, Leng Xiangning began to tire and faltered, growing both anxious and enraged. Maddened, she cried out to Xie Mingyu in a voice full of anguish, "Rui Lang, why do you betray me again and again?"

Xie Mingyu, baffled by suddenly being cast as this Rui Lang, replied solemnly, "Mistress Leng, you truly have mistaken me for someone else. I am not your Rui Lang."

At his words, Leng Xiangning threw her head back and laughed, tears mingling with her laughter, her face full of desolation.

"Rui Lang, are you truly so heartless? Very well, if I cannot have you, then no one else shall!"

With that, her figure flickered like a ghost as she appeared before Xie Mingyu, her palm slamming toward his chest.

Shen Qianmo was now certain that Leng Xiangning was indeed unstable, her actions bordering on mania or delusion. In the blink of an eye, Leng Xiangning was upon Xie Mingyu.

"Cousin!" Shen Qianmo cried.

But at the last moment, Leng Aoshuang darted forward, shielding Xie Mingyu. Leng Xiangning’s palm struck her squarely in the chest.

With a sickening sound, Leng Aoshuang coughed up blood, her body sinking slowly to the ground.

"Miss Leng! Miss Leng!" Xie Mingyu cradled her, falling to his knees, panic etched across his face as he wiped the blood from her lips with trembling hands.

Leng Aoshuang’s complexion, already pale, grew even more ashen, the blood at the corner of her mouth a stark contrast. She managed a faint smile at Xie Mingyu, whispering weakly, "Master Xie, as long as you are unharmed, that’s all that matters. My sister… she is to be pitied. Please don’t blame her."

She then turned to grasp Leng Xiangning’s hand, pleading, "Sister, I beg you, please—don’t kill again."

"Shuang’er!" Leng Xiangning froze, her sister’s blood spattering her face. Slowly, the wildness faded from her eyes, clarity returning as her mind cleared. As she took in what had just occurred, she gave a mournful cry, coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, and collapsed in agony beside Leng Aoshuang. Blood poured from her lips, and soon her breath was weak and shallow.

Shen Qianmo started forward to check on the sisters’ injuries, but just then the sound of fighting erupted outside. A group burst into the hall, breaking through the ranks of palace maids and surging inward.

Shen Qianmo saw that it was a squad of constables and guards from the magistrate’s office, led by Feng Ze, Lu Ziqing, and Chang Dong. Situ Gong was there as well; evidently, Chang Dong had worried for Meng Yuanheng’s health and brought him along.

Upon entering and seeing the carnage, the group was momentarily stunned. Recognizing Meng Yuanheng, they first paid their respects.

"Greetings, Prince Xuan."

Meng Yuanheng looked as though he couldn’t be bothered with them. Shen Qianmo, unable to stand his attitude, nudged his arm, signaling him to respond. Did he really intend to keep them kneeling forever?

With a stiff face, Meng Yuanheng finally replied, "There’s no need for formalities."

The palace maids, seeing both their Mistress and Madam gravely injured, were thrown into panic and distress. They clustered around the fallen sisters, kneeling and wailing in terror.

"Qianmo, thank heavens you’re unharmed!" Feng Ze’s bloodshot eyes lit up at the sight of Shen Qianmo, his relief and excitement plain to see. He had watched helplessly as Shen Qianmo vanished before his eyes that day, powerless to do anything, the frustration eating away at him. He’d wanted to follow Prince Xuan and leap after her, but scoured the mountain for an entrance in vain, his usual composure utterly shattered.

After so many days apart, Shen Qianmo caught the concern in Feng Ze’s gaze and offered him a gentle smile.

Lu Ziqing, who did not know Shen Qianmo, simply ignored her and addressed Situ Gong directly. "Master Situ, please come here." Skilled in medicine, Situ Gong might yet be able to save the sisters.

Situ Gong stepped forward to examine their wounds. Leng Aoshuang had suffered internal injuries, but fortunately none were fatal. After giving her some restorative pills, she soon began to recover.

But for Leng Xiangning, he could only shake his head and say to Shen Qianmo, "Forgive me—I am powerless."

Hearing this, Leng Aoshuang was overwhelmed by grief and collapsed over her sister, sobbing. Leng Xiangning clasped her hand, tears filling her beautiful eyes.

"Shuang’er, I’m sorry. I’ve let you down," she whispered.

Leng Aoshuang, her face awash with tears, could only shake her head, unable to speak.

"Shuang’er, remember this: All love is but a flower in the mirror, a moon reflected on water—never cling too tightly. It was my failure to see this that brought about my downfall. You—must never repeat my mistake." With her final strength, Leng Xiangning uttered these words, gazing into the distance, her eyes filled with endless regret. At last, she slowly closed her beautiful eyes.

A peerless beauty, gone like a fading fragrance.

Leng Aoshuang’s weeping was heart-wrenching, her cries joined by those of all the palace maids, who knelt around them, mourning bitterly.