Faced with Su Yunying's relentless questioning, Yu Xiyan's body trembled uncontrollably.
Looking at the image of herself in the mirror—blushing, smiling sweetly, and gazing at Lin Feng with affection—she felt, for the first time, that her own face was utterly disgusting.
In the scene, Yu Xiyan took the initiative to hold Lin Feng's hand as the two of them strolled beside the lake.
Like a couple deeply in love, they whispered sweet words to each other.
From time to time, they gently rubbed their noses together, displaying an unmistakably intimate affection.
Just then, Shangguan Qiuyue arrived on horseback.
Ignoring Lin Feng completely, she walked straight to Yu Xiyan and bowed.
"Your Majesty, regarding the Pojun Manor—"
Before she could finish, Yu Xiyan's expression turned cold.
Her pleasant time with Lin Feng had been interrupted.
"Didn't I already say that matters concerning Pojun Manor are not to be reported to me anymore?"
Looking troubled, Shangguan Qiuyue glanced at Lin Feng before lowering her voice.
"Your Majesty... half an hour ago, Shen Zhao personally led one hundred thousand Iron Flame soldiers through Chang'an and has already begun marching toward the Yellow Springs Pass."
"What did you say?"
"He actually dared?"
Yu Xiyan's expression instantly froze.
The tenderness on her face disappeared, replaced by overwhelming fury.
Shangguan Qiuyue shivered.
"The entire city already knows."
Yu Xiyan's face turned icy.
She clenched her teeth tightly.
"Shen Zhao... why must you oppose me again and again?"
"For the sake of power and reputation, are you truly determined to drag the Great Yin Empire into irreversible ruin?"
"Transmit my decree."
"Order him to withdraw immediately and report to the palace to explain himself!"
Shangguan Qiuyue hesitated.
"Your Majesty... I'm afraid that's impossible."
"The news of the Iron Flame Army's expedition has already spread throughout the empire. Within days, every realm will know."
"If we recall the army now, it will deal an enormous blow to Great Yin's prestige."
"I ask Your Majesty to reconsider."
Hearing this, Yu Xiyan gradually calmed herself.
Throughout the exchange, Lin Feng remained silent, simply admiring the scenery over the lake as though everything around him had nothing to do with him.
After a long silence, Yu Xiyan finally spoke.
"Very well."
"Very well indeed, Shen Zhao."
"You've truly left me no room to maneuver."
"Since that's the case..."
"I'll grant you your wish."
"We once agreed that Pojun Manor would be under your sole command."
"The imperial court has no authority over your troops."
"If you insist on provoking Jiuyou..."
"Then go."
"Neither I nor the Great Yin Empire will bear any responsibility for you or anything Pojun Manor does."
Shangguan Qiuyue frowned slightly but still accepted the order before withdrawing.
Once she had left, Yu Xiyan sighed deeply and turned to Lin Feng.
"Xiaofeng..."
"Why does he always oppose me?"
"I've always believed I've treated him well."
"Why is he still dissatisfied?"
"Must I hand him the empire itself before he'll finally be content?"
Lin Feng smiled gently.
"Don't be angry, Sister."
"He simply doesn't understand how terrifying Jiuyou truly is."
"Once he experiences it himself, he'll naturally retreat."
Yu Xiyan sighed again.
"I'm only worried that after provoking Jiuyou..."
"I'll be the one left to clean up his mess."
"If Sister trusts me..."
"Why not let me persuade him?"
"You?"
"No."
"Shen Zhao hates you to the bone."
"If you go, won't he simply humiliate you again?"
"As long as I can ease Sister's worries..."
"A little humiliation means nothing."
"Please don't worry."
"But..."
"Sister, I swear."
"I'll convince Shen Zhao to abandon this expedition."
"For the sake of all living people, I have to try."
"Xiaofeng..."
"I truly don't know how to thank you."
"As long as Sister can smile..."
"I'd do anything."
"It's settled."
"Time is precious."
"I'll leave immediately."
After saying that, Lin Feng smiled warmly, bid Yu Xiyan farewell, and headed toward the gates of Chang'an.
Yu Xiyan's entire body felt cold.
Watching the events unfold again, she found everything absurd beyond words.
Unable to hold back any longer, Su Yunying asked,
"Why?"
"Why did you do that?"
"Did you truly hate him that much?"
Yu Xiyan took a deep breath before answering slowly.
"What would an outsider like you understand?"
"The situation back then was far more complicated than you imagine."
"If you had encountered Lin Feng..."
"What would you have done?"
Su Yunying answered without hesitation.
"I would have stood firmly by Shen Zhao's side."
"For no other reason than because he was the one accomplishing something truly great."
"He was willing to risk his life for it."
Yu Xiyan merely shook her head.
"You can say that because you never experienced it."
"But tell me honestly..."
"If you had met Lin Feng before seeing his true nature..."
"Wouldn't you also have been completely deceived by him?"
"You would have fallen deeper and deeper into his trap."
"You might even have done worse than I did."
"At least..."
"I never truly wanted Shen Zhao to die."
"But you..."
"Could you honestly say you would have handled it any better?"
"I doubt it."
"You'd probably have been fooled so completely that you wouldn't even recognize yourself anymore."
Su Yunying remained silent.
Just then, as though confirming Yu Xiyan's words, the Kunlun Mirror shifted once again.
Both women looked up.
A vast mountain forest appeared before them.
Within it stood a simple palace.
"This place..."
"It feels familiar."
"I think I've been here before..."
Suddenly Su Yunying's eyes widened.
"I remember now."
"That's... Dragon Abyss Valley in the Southern Region!"
As she stood there in shock, another beautiful woman appeared in the scene.
Unlike Yu Xiyan, whose every movement radiated the majestic dignity of an empress, this woman was dressed far more simply.
She possessed breathtaking beauty.
Yet compared to Yu Xiyan's icy elegance, she carried a warmth and innocence that made her seem much closer to ordinary people.
A pure smile never left her face.
"That's..."
"Me?"
Su Yunying froze.
The woman in the mirror was unmistakably herself.
Yu Xiyan also stared at her in disbelief.
"That's you?"
"Why are you appearing inside the Kunlun Mirror as well?"
Su Yunying shook her head blankly.
"I... don't know."
Her heartbeat quickened uncontrollably.
Every scene shown by the Kunlun Mirror had one thing in common.
They all revolved around Shen Zhao.
Could it be...
Did I also...
At that moment, fear gripped her heart.
She was terrified of seeing herself hurt Shen Zhao just as Yu Xiyan had.
If that were true...
She would never have the face to see him again.
She would willingly stay as far away from him as possible, never giving herself another chance to hurt him.
Meanwhile, Yu Xiyan was equally shaken.
She had also realized that every vision in the mirror was connected to Shen Zhao.
But what she had never expected...
Was that the Phoenix Perch Empress, whose previous life had been so fleeting...
Also had ties to Shen Zhao.
For the first time, Yu Xiyan felt an inexplicable hostility toward Su Yunying.
In the vision, Su Yunying stood on high ground anxiously waiting.
After a long while, someone came running toward her, panting heavily.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
She hurried over.
"Well?"
"Did you find anything?"
"How is Brother Shen?"
"Brother Shen?"
Yu Xiyan was stunned.
Who exactly was this "Brother Shen"?
The way Su Yunying addressed him sounded incredibly intimate.
Could it be...
In her previous life...
Su Yunying had also shared a close relationship with Shen Zhao?
Yu Xiyan's thoughts became a tangled mess.
Su Yunying herself also grew increasingly nervous.
She dreaded witnessing any scene where she might have harmed Shen Zhao.
"Your Majesty," the subordinate reported,
"I've confirmed everything."
"Marshal Shen has already led the Iron Flame Army toward the Yellow Springs Pass."
"The decisive battle between Pojun Manor and Jiuyou is about to begin."
"Brother Shen and the soldiers of Pojun Manor are true heroes."
"They fear no evil from Jiuyou."
"They deserve everyone's admiration."
"I'm certain he'll return victorious."
Su Yunying blushed faintly.
Silently, she offered a prayer for Shen Zhao's safety.
"It's a pity my cultivation is too weak."
"If I went now, I'd only become Brother Shen's burden."
"How can I help him?"
Just then, the subordinate continued.
"There's one more piece of intelligence."
"Lin Feng intends to send a secret message to Jiuyou."
"He plans to reveal all of Marshal Shen's deployment plans at the Yellow Springs Pass."
The moment Su Yunying heard this, her face darkened with anger.
"What?!"
"That bastard!"
"How dare he scheme against Brother Shen from the shadows!"
"No!"
"We have to stop him."
"We absolutely cannot let that rat ruin Brother Shen's entire plan!"
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition:
" Little Joy: The Worse I Behave, the Stronger I Get "
" The Blessed Beauty's Endless Heirs "
" Houtarou Oreki in the Classroom of the Elite "
" Rebirth: The Top Financial Empire—Recruit Employees (18+) "
" Naruto: Fourth Raikage—You Know My Methods Better (18+) "
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
many more are available 105+
patreon.com/RoyalStories
(End of Chapter)