The entire imperial palace is consumed by fire. A lot of people turned into ashes and there are still some that have yet to get burned. Sooner or later, everyone will get the brunt. And that doesn't exclude the current empress.
The fire also reached Empress Dowager's Hall. Smoke is starting to fill the area within the four corners of the hall so it's already dangerous for the living. Inhaling too much smoke can kill after all.
"Didi..." Empress Xue Chi strokes her little brother's hair for the last time.
He's still unconscious and doesn't have a clue about what's going on. Even though her highness knows that her words wouldn't reach his brother, she still speaks to him. "Whatever happens, don't give up your life, okay? I know it would be tough for you but I know you can make it through. Live freely, don't let anyone control you, alright?"
She smiles weakly. What a shame, she won't witness how will her brother grow into a fine man.
She pulls him while crawling to the secret trap door where the empress dowager hid her. It's dark down there but staying there wouldn't be suffocating. That would be the safest place she could keep him. Since she doesn't have enough strength, she rolled her brother towards the two-meter depth secret underground passage heading towards who knows where. She feels bad for his bad fall but what can she do?
The fire is currently consuming the wooden beams of the ceiling. For sure, in no time, the flames of Yin Renshu's anger will consume the entire hall and turn it into ashes just like the nearby structures.
She closes the trap door.
The wood beams above her start to make a cracking sound. It's more likely to collapse sooner or later. It's only a matter of time before it falls onto her.
Empress Xue Chi really doesn't have any strength left. She can't even manage to get into her feet. In addition, the smoke inside the empress dowager's hall makes it hard for her to breathe, making her body even weaker.
Personally, her highness the empress doesn't have any intentions of running for her life. She had enough, she doesn't want to live this life anymore. She made a lot of wrong choices, chased a dream that wasn't hers, to begin with, and turned her back to the person she truly wants to be with.
She could only silently wish that if next life is really a real deal, she's hoping that by then, she can be truly happy and free. Have a good and contented life, choose her own destiny and be the master of her own fate. To choose the person she wants to be with for the rest of her life.
What a good life could it be.
Empress Xue Chi lost it. Then her shoulder shakes not because of her sobs but because she is laughing. She's laughing to herself. She's laughing because of how pitiful she has become. Here she is, abandoned in this hall after she served her purpose.
She knows it. She's aware of Xu Zhengming's intentions back then but she chose to ignore it. She walked away from him without saying a word. She has the idea that she has a strange feeling towards him as well... but she chooses to leave it all behind along with those good old days.
If only she chose to follow her heart over her mind, her life might be completely different from this one. If only she did what she didn't, she wouldn't have to think about the possibilities now.
The forsaken empress laughed so hard that her tears flow onto her cheeks. It's kind of amusing how she can still shed tears after all the times she cried. She laughs and laughs until her laughter slowly turns into sobs.
"Ming'er... I'm sorry. I regretted it so much. Please forgive me." She whispered in the thin air in between her sobs. Although it's impossible, she still hopes that it would reach Xu Zhengming. "I won't ask for much. I only wish all the best for you. I hope you find happiness by his majesty's side."
The wood beam right above Empress Xue Chi has got to the point where the fire greatly consumed it. Because of this, the massive wood breaks in the middle, and the still-burning debris falls directly on her. At the very least, her highness' head got hit by the heavy beam fragment, causing her to lose her consciousness before she got burned alive.
The fire tornado raged within the walls of the imperial palace for a couple more hours, leaving no structure left erected. Whichever direction one looks, ashes and burned debris are everywhere. May it be the remains of the palace complex or human beings.
This calamity is too strong that it caught the attention of the nearby towns. The citizens that belong to the land of the empire know that there are no other possible people who caused this but his majesty the emperor and his fierce sister, the first princess. They assumed that they are angered and swore to themselves that they shall never offend his majesty and the princess.
If Sect Leader Zhao and Sect Elder Wang didn't come closer to the grieving princess and convince her to stop, who knows how long the tornado lasted?
For a few days, the imperial palace remained as chaotic it is when the calamity ended. It turned into a ghost town. The palace servants, the government officials that were present that time, the imperial soldiers, the emperor's concubines, the innocent guests that only came for his majesty's wedding... they all perished in one night.
As the acting parent, Zhao Yangguang brought his former disciples as well as Xu Zhengming in his turf. It's been three days since that incident happened. However, neither Princess Yin Xiulan, Yin Renshu, nor Xu Zhengming seems to feel any better.
Speaking of which, Princess Yin Xiulan isolated herself in her old room, bawling her eyes out. How could she maintain her cool? She lost her favorite person not long ago, and just three days ago, she also lost their brother.
Yin Renshu isn't doing any better than the princess either. For the past three days, he's always been alone and isn't willing to communicate with anyone in the meantime; not even Xu Zhengming. He's been spacing out like he still can't believe what just happened, and most probably blaming himself.
With an umbrella in his hand, Sect Leader Zhao is heading towards the courtyard of Wan Moli Hua Palace.
"Ming'er." Zhao Yanggunag called out softly as he crouches beside Xu Zhengming who is in the same position as him. "You're exposed to low temperature for too long. The snow is getting heavier too. Let's go inside. I prepared jasmine tea."
Xu Zhengming turns his head slightly to face the sect leader. Just by looking at his face, Zhao Yangguang can tell that he's really disheartened even without Xu Zhengming saying it himself. His eyes no longer have that glint. His usual cheerful aura has left him too. And his lips, all this time, he never smiled like before.
For three days, he's not his usual self. For three days, Xu Zhengming has always been crouching next to Emperor Yin Wenyan's coffin, staring at this empty container that's as cold as the snow around it.
Xu Zhengming once again nailed his gaze on Emperor Yin Wenyan's body. Because of the lack of blood in his body, the deceased emperor has become very pale yet his face remained as gentle as ever.
"I think I'm staying here for a bit, Sect Leader Zhao. I will go after you in a few minutes."
The sect leader let out a sigh which leads to the temporary appearance of fog in front of his face. Even he himself is grieving over his former disciple's death. In fact, the whole Wan Moli Hua Palace is in a state of mourn. However, he also thinks that their life must continue despite the end of a loved one. "Ming'er, I'm so sorry for saying this but Wenyan wouldn't want to see you like this. I hope you understand."
Xu Zhengming's eyelids lowered which caused his eyelashes to slightly tremble. "I understand it, Sect Leader Zhao. But I really wish to stay here for a bit."
Realizing he is unable to convince Xu Zhengming, Zhao Yangguang rises on his feet. "Alright. Don't stay here for too long or else your cold will get worse." He handed the umbrella to the other before changing the course of their conversation. "Also, we'll be discussing about Wenyan's body. We need to return him under the ground where we truly belong."
"..."
Xu Zhengming's dried lips pursed. It's that time already? But he still wants to stay beside him for a little longer. He doesn't want to let go yet.
After some time of thinking, he finally realized that the late emperor actually shows affection towards him. He deeply cares for him. He supports him, and even sometimes spoils him. And he, on the other hand, is silently happy around Emperor Yin Wenyan. He can act all immature and irrational knowing the other has a lot of patience for him. His majesty obviously favors him and treats him unusually nicely compared to any other servants. Unfortunately, it's too late for Xu Zhengming to realize that he likes it when they're together.
How could he not find it out sooner?
Also, is it really the deal that they had that made him agree to their marriage? Marriage is a big word. No one takes that word lightly for it twinned responsibilities and commitment.
Obviously, Xu Zhengming can have as many women as he likes but he still went through the troubles of becoming his majesty's male wife. Truth to be told, there's a part of him that's genuinely glad that he's going to be the emperor's lifetime partner. However, the world is too cruel for this romance to happen. It already ended before it could even start.
"In this world, we are nothing but just a speck of dust in the wind." The sect leader added. "Ming'er, you know we need to bury his body for him to rest in peace. We can't disturb him any further."
"Mn. I cannot argue with that, Sect Leader Zhao." Even though this statement of his is against his will, he still agreed. He can't just be selfish right? The emperor needs to rest peacefully for eternity from now on.
After receiving a response, Zhao Yangguang didn't bother Xu Zhengming any further. He turns his back and took his way back inside the manor.
Sect Leader Zhao may not say it but the way these three acted after Yin Wenyan died pains him. He knows he can't do anything to help them now. Only time can heal their wounded hearts.
On the other hand, Xu Zhengming puts his arm on the edge of Emperor Yin Wenyan's wooden coffin and lays his head on it. His other hand extended towards his majesty's face. However, he stopped halfway. He's afraid to touch him because he knows he's already ice-cold. He doesn't want to feel his coldness. He is just simply not used to it. Yin Wenyan has always been warm towards him, and so Xu Zhengming is still refusing to admit that his warmth is already gone.
After some time, he decided to withdraw his hand. He doesn't have enough courage to touch him now.
He took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. In an unhurried tone and low voice, he utters the name of this person. "Wenyan..." If Yin Wenyan could hear it now, he'll surely happily ask Xu Zhengming to call his name again. "Why did you stop seeing me back then?"
Of course, his majesty didn't respond.
There are a lot of things he wishes he knew before Emperor Yin Wenyan passed away. Things that he thinks he wouldn't know until his last breath.
"Rest in peace, Wenyan."
Xu Zhgengming rises on his feet and left the courtyard.
"Renshu, are you out of your mind? That won't do!"
Wang Junjie yelling is the first thing that Xu Zhengming heard when he slides the door of the main hall open. In fact, this is the first time that he heard Sect Elder Wang yell. Well, this only happens once in a blue moon after all.
So, Yin Renshu, Princess Yin Xiulan, the sect leader, the agitated Sect Elder Wang, and the remaining four other sect elders are gathering in the main hall. They are currently discussing what to do with the late emperor's body.
"But he wasn't supposed to die yet."
Yin Renshu admits it. His brother indeed was a better emperor than he was. He did a lot for the empire more than he ever did. He also admits that he hates it when he weighs his merits and compares it to Yin Wenyan's. He can never win, even when it comes to Xu Zhengming.
However, it's too early for him to leave this world. And so, Yin Renshu has thought of something... but it's related to dark arts.
Initially, the agenda of this gathering is to discuss what time exactly would they say their farewells to the fallen emperor, and that they should bury him within this day. And then here comes Yin Renshu. He'd like to do the same thing which their Lin-dage did for the sect leader.
Elder Ling Chyou shakes her head in disappointment and disagreement. "Renshu, it's not up to us if a person is supposed to die or not."
"Death is inevitable. It's always been a part of human life." Elder Fu Huan also speaks. "I cannot argue with Sect Elder Ling, Renshu." He's always been ethical and values morality more than anything else. And so, personally, he is not in favor of Yin Renshu's suggestion.
"And it's dark arts we're talking about here. Do you know the risks it may arise? You just never change. You're still a troublemaker." Elder Mo Jiao asked the most obvious question to have Yin Renshu reminded.
Sect Elder Mo is the disciplinarian type of superior. Back then, she won't even let the triplets eat whenever they caused a mess or get entangled with trouble as punishment. From then until now, her words are harsh when she's talking with any of their former disciples. However, deep inside, she really cares about them and would not want any harm for them.
Elder Shi Minzhe nods. "In the worst-case scenario, you'll end up like your Wang-shifu in the past."
Everyone in the room, except for Xu Zhengming, knows that Elder Wang Junjie had suffered from qi deviation. His qi deviation was caused by using dark arts just to get Zhao Yangguang's soul back to this world. His condition back then was quite worrisome. He coughed blood and got nosebleed whenever he uses the slightest amount of his spiritual energy.
If Sect Elder Ling didn't dedicate herself to doing research for a cure, finding the rarest ingredients, and consuming too much of her time, Wang Junjie probably died a long time ago.
Yin Renshu knows this very well. However, he's still willing to do it. "But... but I know that he still wants to do a lot more than what he's done." He paused to purse his lips before he continues. "And for once, I want to repay his kindness and sacrifices he did for me and Xiulan all these times."
His gaze landed in Xu Zhengming's direction. "And besides..."
And besides, he couldn't bear to see Xu Zhengming lose his brilliance.
Xu Zhengming flinched when he noticed that Yin Renshu is staring at him. He looks down on the wooden floor. He knows this person is the real Emperor Yin Renshu but his face is too alike with his brother. He's being reminded again.
Zhao Yangguang noticed that Xu Zhengming is really disheartened with his majesty's death. Seeing him like this makes him sad even more.
"Forty days." The sect leader speaks. "Within forty days, the soul of the dead is still wandering in the mortal world. Find him, and bring him here."
"What are you---" Sect Elder Wang got agitated once more but halted halfway when the sect leader raised his hand, telling him to shut the fuck up.
"It's okay. This is my second life after all. I have to pay my debts." Zhao Yangguang gives him his usual smile before he looks at Yin Renshu. "By then, I'll handle the rest."
"I'll be forever grateful to you, shizun."
"Don't give me thanks yet, Renshu. It's really up to Wenyan if he wants to go back to life or not. In short, he may not even show up in front of you. Even if he did, there's still a chance that he doesn't want to return to his mortal vessel." The sect leader explained. "Renshu, Xiulan, and Ming'er... you're the ones who have a bigger chance of persuading him. Are you willing to search for Wenyan?"
Princess Yin Xiulan, Yin Renshu, and Xu Zhengming all agreed without any second thoughts. With that, the sect leader did some incantations and cast a spell on them which enables them to see the unseen.
"Go forth. I'll get his body ready. Hurry, or else I'll die of exhaustion." Zhao Yangguang joked but it's not really impossible for him to die because of this. The preparations include the nonstop passing of spiritual powers to wake his majesty's dead cells and keep his body warm.
"Yes, shizun."
"Understood, shizun."
"Yes, Sect Leader Zhao."