Chapter 75: Protecting You (Finale)
“Protecting you… one last time…”
All the fear and anxiety that had accumulated along the journey finally settled when she met his star-bright eyes, filled with unwavering trust.
Xuan Rui raised his arm, his wide sleeve nearly concealing his beloved completely within the night’s shadows. He bent his head to whisper brief instructions in her ear before turning a gaze full of disdain toward Pei Ya.
At that moment, the eunuch was leading the Southern Army in paying respects to their commander, too preoccupied to notice them.
“Long live the Crown Prince! May you live a thousand years!”
“We pledge our lives to follow the Crown Prince, to eradicate the rebels and march back to the capital!”
Due to Zhang Liang’s previous death, the Southern Army was seething with rage. One general glared hatefully at Xuan Rui and shouted, “This humble general requests permission to kill this traitorous dog, to avenge General Zhang and our fallen comrades!”
Li Youqing tensed. During her days in Yancheng, Pei Ya had only assigned someone to monitor her without restricting her movements. She had witnessed firsthand the Southerners’ hatred for the Northwestern Army, while Pei Ya continuously brainwashed her, urging her not to side with the rebels but to return to her father and brother’s imperial authority, lest she become condemned through history.
Outwardly, she pretended to waver, agreeing to negotiate with Xuan Rui while secretly working for the Crown Prince. Yet inwardly… her long-held convictions had already crumbled. She cared not for worldly judgments, especially since Pei Ya’s arguments were full of holes. Xuan Rui hadn’t overthrown the Li family’s rule—the current Crown Prince was her own blood brother. By kinship and reason, what cause had she to help the former Crown Prince seize power?
A strong hand pulled her behind him. A flash of blade light preceded the general charging at Xuan Rui, their swords clashing.
Almost instantly, the thick scent of blood assaulted her senses.
Li Youqing had never doubted Xuan Rui’s prowess. Lowering her gaze, she saw the young general’s head roll to a stop at her feet, blood staining the hem of her skirt.
The crowd fell into dead silence.
Rumors had long circulated that the Northwestern Wolf King could single-handedly hold off thousands. Though tales couldn’t be fully believed, none had clearly seen what transpired before he had disarmed and slain his opponent.
The night wind cut sharply, chilling to the bone, yet Xuan Rui radiated heat like a wrathful deity emerged from hell.
“Who else wishes to try? Step forward.” Xuan Rui’s voice was low as his gaze swept the crowd, his left hand still firmly holding Li Youqing’s.
Warm, and slightly damp with sweat.
The man who always remained calm and steady on the battlefield had been unable to suppress his tension throughout this journey, until this very moment.
In truth, he had no absolute certainty of bringing Li Youqing away safely. Only knowing they wouldn’t harm her life had allowed him to gamble everything.
What truly made him nervous was whether she would be willing…
He suddenly regretted deeply—ever since arriving in the capital, he’d been entangled in endless matters, never finding opportunity for an honest, open conversation with her.
Then, a tickling sensation spread through his palm.
Li Youqing was quietly tracing characters in his broad hand.
“I trust you…”
Xuan Rui shuddered, exerting great effort to keep the corners of his mouth from lifting.
No one in the Southern Army dared challenge him further.
Pei Ya stepped forward. Facing Xuan Rui, he appeared increasingly effeminate and frail, like a wisp of ghostly mist in the darkness.
“Prince Rui, we meet again.”
Inferiority breeds extreme arrogance.
Contrary to his appearance, his aura was not that of someone long accustomed to subservience.
Under the brilliant moonlight, Xuan Rui and Li Jing stood like dragons among men, making that faint shadow appear all the more insignificant.
After Li Jing approached, Pei Ya silently took a step back.
Li Youqing despised rootless men like him the most. Having feigned allegiance to Li Jing’s side all along the journey, she was thoroughly disgusted.
Fortunately, since childhood, she had grown accustomed to living a hypocritical life.
“Eunuch Pei is truly a loyal and righteous man,” Xuan Rui chuckled lightly. In good spirits today, he had no intention of shedding blood in these wild mountains. “Since you intend to escort the Crown Prince back to the capital, why take such a roundabout route and subject His Highness to the hardships of travel?”
Pei Ya gave a sinister smile, his fingers stroking the jade pendant at his waist—a token of the forces he had secretly amassed. “Your Highness jests. The situation in the capital is complex now, with the Fourth Prince controlling the court. If we return openly, wouldn’t we be walking into a trap? Only by gathering our forces in secret can we strike a decisive blow.”
He paused, then added, “The Green Dragon Fort in the outskirts is a century-old stronghold. Its terrain is perilous, easy to defend but hard to attack. The fort leader is an old acquaintance of mine, and thousands of elite troops are hidden within. It is the perfect base for our uprising.”
“The fort is backed by a cliff and faces a rapid river. Its walls are built with glutinous rice lime mixed with blue stone, hard as iron. Inside, there are hidden rivers and tunnels. It was this integrated offensive and defensive layout that allowed it to evade three sieges in the past.”
Li Jing stepped forward, his expression as calm as a deep pool. When his gaze swept past Li Youqing beside Xuan Rui, it lingered only for a moment before withdrawing. The turmoil in his eyes was forcibly suppressed, leaving only a trace of imperceptible detachment. His tone remained steady and unruffled: “The journey back to the capital is perilous. If you wish to avoid involvement, you may leave now. I, Li Jing, will not force you.”
He stood straight, his back as upright as a pine tree, as if that glance had been purely an elder brother’s concern for his younger sister. Yet only he knew that every time he saw her standing side by side with Xuan Rui, a faint, lingering pain would stir in a corner of his heart that had endured for years.
A glimmer of subtle insight flickered in Li Youqing’s starry eyes, yet her tone remained frank and pure: “Imperial Brother has cared for me since childhood. How could I stand by and watch you walk into danger?”
She deliberately avoided the profound depth that flashed in Li Jing’s eyes, wrapping the long-understood, weighty affection inconspicuously in the guise of “brotherly affection.”
Xuan Rui tightened his grip on her hand, the warmth in his palm finally putting him at ease.
A hint of calculation flashed in Pei Ya’s eyes as he feigned sincerity: “With Your Highness’s assistance, our great cause is certain to succeed! Tonight, we rest here. At dawn, we depart for the Green Dragon Fort.”
As the night deepened, the campfire in the mountain forest gradually died down. Li Youqing nestled in Xuan Rui’s embrace, tracing the patterns on his armor by the faint moonlight. Her voice was hushed, carrying a tone of cold clarity: “Pei Ya’s words are half untrustworthy. His eagerness to win us over likely means the Green Dragon Fort is already set with an ambush.”
Xuan Rui held her tighter, his chin resting on her hair. His voice was low and resolute: “I’ve made arrangements. Xiao Ziqi’s reinforcements are already on the way. The Green Dragon Fort is merely a decoy to lure the enemy out. Tonight, we need only wait and observe.”
Li Youqing nodded, found a comfortable position in his arms, and gradually drifted into sleep.
Not far away, beside a tree trunk, Li Jing stood alone, his silhouette exuding an almost suffocating loneliness in the night.
He stared fixedly at the embracing figures, his fingers gripping the hilt of his sword so tightly that his knuckles turned pale and blue, with red marks pressed into the tiger’s mouth of his hand by the hilt.
The desire to possess her had once grown wildly in his heart, bordering on obsession.
But watching her and Xuan Rui understand and love each other with perfect harmony, seeing the radiant smile in her eyes that he had never seen before, that crazy obsession was repeatedly shattered by reality.
Until this moment, he was finally pushed to the brink of giving up.
Since he couldn’t have her, he would protect her one last time.
The next morning, the army set off.
By noon, a majestic fortress built against the mountain appeared in their sight. The fortress walls, constructed from blue stone, stood three zhang high, with the three powerful characters “Green Dragon Fort” hanging above the gate. In front of the fort was a rushing river, and behind it a steep cliff—truly a strategic stronghold where one man could hold off ten thousand.
“This is Green Dragon Fort,” Pei Ya said, pointing at the fortress with a proud smile. “With this barrier and the elite soldiers inside, even if the capital sends a large army, we can hold them off for months.Upon entering the fort, Xuan Rui keenly sensed something amiss. Though the soldiers appeared respectful, they were all tense, their weapons subtly poised for attack.
He subtly moved closer to shield Li Youqing.
Li Youqing, feigning curiosity, surveyed the fort’s layout, but her eyes were clear as a mirror, taking in the hidden hostility of the soldiers.
The evening banquet was held in the Hall of Gathering Righteousness within the fort. The fort master frequently toasted, his words full of loyalty to Li Jing.
Pei Ya sat nearby, chiming in occasionally, but his gaze kept drifting toward Li Youqing with a malicious smile.
Li Jing sat in the host’s seat, his expression still calm, though his hand holding the wine cup paused slightly when Li Youqing and Xuan Rui exchanged glances.
A few drops of wine spilled from the cup, spreading into a small wet spot on the table before he steadied it.
Suddenly, the fort master smashed his cup and shouted, “Now!”
Instantly, hidden doors on both sides of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness swung open, and countless soldiers armed with sharp blades swarmed out, surrounding them.
Pei Ya stood up, sneering, “Prince Rui, Third Princess, didn’t expect this, did you? Green Dragon Fort has long been under my control! Today, you will die here, helping me seize power!”
Li Jing’s face changed slightly, but he remained composed, drawing his sword. “Pei Ya, you’ve betrayed me!”
“Betrayal?” Pei Ya scoffed. “I never pledged loyalty to you! You were merely a pawn to draw the attention of various factions! Once I eliminate you, I’ll use the Crown Prince’s banner to gather forces and take the capital in one stroke!”
Xuan Rui shielded Li Youqing behind him, wielding his spear to engage the soldiers. His spear techniques were fierce and unstoppable, quickly cutting a path through the enemy.
Li Jing’s swordplay was steady yet desperate, each move executed with full force. Only one thought occupied his mind—this was his last time protecting her. Even at the cost of his life, he would ensure her safety, completely severing this deeply buried obsession within him.
Li Youqing hid behind Xuan Rui, watching the clash of blades without fear, instead calmly observing the battle.
She drew the dagger Xuan Rui had gifted her from her sleeve and, taking advantage of the chaos, stabbed at the approaching soldier—a stark contrast to her usual delicate demeanor. She had never been a dodder vine needing to cling to others; she had merely grown accustomed to concealing her edge around those she trusted.
Pei Ya watched the stalemate on the battlefield with growing impatience. He knew Xuan Rui was peerlessly brave—if he couldn’t capture him quickly, he would surely die once reinforcements from the capital arrived. His eyes darted, landing on Li Youqing, and a scheme formed in his mind.
Slipping quietly behind Li Youqing, the cold gleam of his dagger flashed as he thrust it toward her back. “Third Princess, don’t blame me for being ruthless—blame yourself for standing in my way!”
Xuan Rui sensed the danger behind him and tried to turn to rescue her, but his spear was locked in place by his opponent’s weapon, leaving him immobilized.
When Li Youqing turned in alarm, she saw only the dagger whistling toward her with a chilling gust. Her body froze—she could have dodged it, but in that split second, she caught a glimpse of the desperate resolve in Li Jing’s eyes, a look of release and solitary courage after letting go of all his obsessions.
At that critical moment, his figure shot forward like an arrow from a bow, shielding her completely.
Thud—
The dagger plunged deep into Li Jing’s back, piercing through his chest. Blood gushed out instantly, staining Li Youqing’s skirt and splattering across her cheeks. The warm droplets felt piercingly cold against her skin.
“Imperial Brother!” Li Youqing screamed, her voice breaking beyond recognition. Tears flooded out like a breached dam, and all her pretenses crumbled in that instant. “No! How could you be so foolish!”
Li Jing turned with difficulty, the wound in his chest still bleeding profusely. His face was as pale as paper, his lips trembling, yet he maintained a final composure, his eyes now filled with a profound sense of release. He looked at Li Youqing, wanting to speak, but in the end, only managed a faint smile, his voice as frail as a candle in the wind. “Protecting you… one last time…”
Li Youqing shuddered violently, her tears flowing even more fiercely. All the details she had deliberately ignored or feigned ignorance about now surged into her mind—his candid confessions, his subtle hints, his unwavering protection, the possessiveness he couldn’t hide in his gaze, and finally, this tragic act of sacrifice.
So this was how he had chosen to let go—with such finality.
“I understand… I’ve always understood…” Li Youqing sobbed uncontrollably, her hands clutching his collapsing form tightly, her nails nearly digging into his robes. “Imperial Brother, don’t say any more! I’ll take you to the imperial physician right now! You’ll be fine! You have to be fine! It’s my fault—I’ve wronged you!”
“It’s no use…” Li Jing shook his head gently, the light in his eyes gradually fading, yet his gaze remained fixed on her, carrying a tenderness born of relinquishing all attachments. “Xuan Rui… will protect you… I… am at peace…”
Before he could finish, his eyes remained open, directed toward Li Youqing. That once fervent, intense love, which had ultimately transformed into selfless sacrifice, became an eternal regret.
“Imperial Brother! Imperial Brother, wake up!” Li Youqing shook his body frantically, pressing her hands desperately against his wound to stop the incessant flow of blood. Yet the blood gushed out like a fountain between her fingers, staining her hands crimson and soaking her heart. “You can’t die! How could you leave like this! Imperial Brother! I beg you, wake up! Don’t abandon me!”
Her wails, piercing and despairing, echoed through the hall, tightening every heart that heard them.
She cried out “Imperial Brother” over and over, repeatedly confessing her pretense and remorse.
She finally understood that this man, once stubborn to the point of obsession, had ultimately proven his love with his life, and her rejection had become an eternal debt she could never repay.
“Ah—!” Xuan Rui erupted in uncontrollable rage, letting out a deafening roar as he broke free from his restraints with a violent surge of strength. His spear pierced through Pei Ya’s chest like a bolt of lightning. Pei Ya stared in disbelief at the spearhead protruding from his chest before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
The rebel army, now leaderless, quickly disintegrated, surrendering their weapons one after another.
Xuan Rui walked over to Li Youqing, his heart aching as he watched her clutching Li Jing’s corpse, weeping as if her very soul were being torn apart. Gently, he reached out to help her up.
“Don’t touch me!” Li Youqing shoved his hand away abruptly, her eyes hollow and desperate. “I killed him! If I hadn’t followed him here, he wouldn’t have died! It’s my fault! It’s all my fault!”
She collapsed over Li Jing’s body, crying so violently she nearly fainted. Her voice grew hoarse, no longer able to form complete words, reduced to broken, intermittent sobs—each one piercing Xuan Rui’s heart like a needle.
That belated remorse threatened to consume her entirely.
“Qingqing, it’s not your fault,” Xuan Rui said hoarsely, kneeling down to embrace her gently. “It was Pei Ya’s scheme. It was his doing.”
When reinforcements from the capital arrived, they witnessed this scene: Li Youqing holding Li Jing’s body, weeping as if the world had gone dark, her entire being seeming to have lost its spirit, while Xuan Rui stood guard beside her, his eyes filled with sorrow, silently shielding her from all irrelevant disturbances.
Upon learning of Li Jing’s death, the new emperor issued a decree posthumously honoring him as the “Loyal and Brave Prince,” burying him with full honors in the imperial tomb and suspending court sessions for three days as a mark of mourning.
Li Youqing personally kept vigil over Li Jing for three days and three nights without sleep, food, or water. She grew gaunt, her eyes hollow, as if all light had vanished from them.
Xuan Rui did not try to dissuade her, knowing this was Li Youqing’s way of expressing her devotion to Li Jing and atoning for her guilt.
He remained by her side throughout, handling all arrangements and silently protecting her. When she missed Li Jing, he would sit with her by the grave, listening as she poured out her guilt and longing. When she was restless, he would walk and talk with her, soothing her wounded heart. When she paid her respects to Li Jing, he would stand quietly nearby, shielding her from wind and rain, offering her warm tea.
He knew that Li Jing’s shadow would remain in her heart forever. All he could do was love her well in Li Jing’s stead and protect her for a lifetime.
Three years passed in the blink of an eye.
Xuan Rui came before Li Youqing and knelt on one knee: “Qingqing, three years have passed. Imperial Brother, watching from heaven, would surely want you to be happy. I know he will always live in your heart, and I am willing to continue protecting you in his place. Will you marry me?”
Li Youqing gazed into the sincerity and tenderness in his eyes, tears once again tracing paths down her cheeks—this time, tears of relief and happiness. She recalled Li Jing’s final smile and Xuan Rui’s unwavering companionship over the past three years, then nodded gently. “I do.”
On the wedding day, the capital was adorned with lanterns and decorations, its streets emptied as crowds gathered for the celebration. Dressed in vibrant red bridal robes and a phoenix crown, Li Youqing was escorted by palace maids as she walked step by step toward Xuan Rui.
A trace of lingering sorrow lingered between her brows, yet it was overshadowed by anticipation for the future. Xuan Rui stood before the mansion gates in his wedding attire, his gaze burning with intensity as he watched her, his eyes brimming with unwavering tenderness.
During the ceremony, he held her hand, and amid the officiant’s chants, they pledged a lifetime commitment to each other. The glow of red candles illuminated their faces as they exchanged smiles, transforming all past hardships and trials into marks of happiness.
Their married life was tranquil and warm. Shedding his former harshness, Xuan Rui devoted all his gentleness to Li Youqing.
He withdrew from court affairs, retreating with her to a secluded villa on the outskirts of the capital. There, they spent their days reading, gardening, and fishing, living like an immortal couple.
Occasionally, they would visit Li Jing’s grave together, bringing his favorite wine and pastries, sharing snippets of their lives.
Li Youqing would softly tell Li Jing that she was truly happy. Though her Imperial Brother had departed, he would forever live in her heart as the most cherished person in her life.
The land remained peaceful, the world serene.
【Author’s Note】
Wishing you great fortune in the Year of the Snake!