783 - I Am This Murim’s Crazy B*tch

"I don't particularly hate him." Not really about hating or not hating, although I do have some regrets about the Emperor, well, a bit of regret. Anyway, yeah. "When Sister collapsed and when every doctor shook their heads and left, the Empress was, well, not in her right mind." There was no joyous occasion in the Forbidden City. Or rather, there shouldn’t have been. Because the Empress’s eyes sparkled dangerously. If you just looked at her smiling lips, it felt like she would slap the person and scream, beat this ungrateful wretch, how dare she grin when the princess is in danger, Yeon Sul was so good to you, and you repay her like this. All the courtiers exchanged glances in silence as the Empress’s behavior was outrageously tyrannical. It was no exception with you, Haran. Your sister collapses, and yet you idly relax, embroidering leisurely? Nobody asks you to clean her bedsores, but could you not at least pray or participate in a rite, wishing for your sister's well-being? How can someone be so cold-hearted? "Oh. Um." It was a classic depiction of a family crumbling under the weight of a severe illness. The loss of a family member is significant, yet among them, certain types of loss are more profound. Just as there is the phrase "well-conducted mourning in a funeral," losing someone after accepting and making peace with the farewell heals quickly, though it's sad, it’s not wholly painful. But the unexpected losses, the longest suffering from a chronic disease that drags everyone into misery, are perhaps the worst of them. "Honestly, if I said I didn’t resent my sister, it would be a lie. I kind of hoped she would depart swiftly, because clinging to life did no favors for my sister, our mother, or me. It was painful for all of us." "Yeah. That could… happen." "And the Emperor too." The Emperor didn’t show much reaction. He would call for this skilled doctor, and when they left, he’d summon another; the extent of Yeon Sul’s involvement in the Emperor’s affairs seemed limited to getting reports once a month. As such an emperor, would he be any different from the Empress? How could your daughter be dying, yet your face remains unchanged; perhaps it’s because she was never your cherished child, so you might even be slightly relieved. When was the last time you even saw Yeon Sul’s face? What good is an emperor if he can’t cure an illness, and what’s the use of being Heaven's Son or the celestial dynasty? But the Emperor merely remained silent, continuing his daily duties... "But, they say the Emperor can’t sleep. I don’t know what that means. For Mother, she’s always had someone to share her sorrow with. Father, he didn’t." Watching his father grow thinner and more skeletal, young Haran thought someone had to stand by his father’s side. And young Haran knew how to offer that comfort. The warmth of someone who had once come to Haran's place and lain beside her, saying, don't you want to go to your room to sleep, it's nighttime, don't talk to me because I'm sleepy, yet in hindsight, it was indeed a heartwarming memory. Seeing his young daughter hiding in her chamber, the Emperor, perhaps cornered himself, or maybe unable to refuse the warmth of Haran’s heart, couldn't send her away. "He laid me on the bedding, sitting on the grand chair, watching. Said if he could just see me sleeping there, maybe he’d fall asleep too. But you know, he had so much to say. Or maybe he needed someone who would listen, even if it was unintelligible blabber. Before that, I never knew the Emperor to be so talkative." Haran giggles softly and unusually, "Just like someone." “Don't look too sorry now. In fact, Sister, well, the impostor, it seems, yeah, even if a fake, it was alright. Mother became gentler because of it. Truthfully, Mother’s such a fiery personality, maybe Father just managed to bear with it all.” "Uh-huh." "Because Sister has no memory of it, I thought I had to defend the Emperor. If left alone with Mother, the Emperor might only be remembered as someone who just hated my sister." The various ancient masters would say: A sovereign should exert his strength for the people. To love, to pity them, to tend and guide them with compassion. But does the sovereign really need to do such a thing for the people? And if so, in what way should he do it? In Zhongyuan(Central Plains)(中原), a king is heaven, earth, the world itself. If the world works for the people, whom should it work for, and whom shouldn’t it? If gaining profit for one person means causing harm to another, if the heavens move for an individual, then the world will inevitably inflict harm upon another individual. Thus, perhaps the world, heaven, should remain indifferent. Because when heaven favors someone, someone is bound to pay the price, the ground beneath can give way, and the sky might crack open, leading vast bloodshed, with countless lives filling the world’s bellows with blood. Therefore, heaven just needs to stay vast in its place, and earth should hold firmly beneath, supporting from below. This is how a ruler can take care of his people, without bias, unable to wrap anyone in favor. This is the impartiality of heaven that is ultimately beneficial for humanity; it's the mandate 天道 (法). And so, for nearly 3500 years of Zhongyuan’s(Central Plains)(中原) history, despite over sixty unified dynasties, only four of them endured for over two hundred years. None have lasted over three hundred years. Yet, if the reign of the Zhou continues, soon even young men will witness, for the first time in a long history, the realization of the country’s three-hundred-year anniversary. "We must only be princesses to the Emperor, me included. One day, I too shall be given as a gift to a distant foreign land, fulfilling my duties as the celestial bloodline. Well, it's because I didn’t like that fate, I manipulated things to stay. Not that I have any room to say such things." "Trickery?" "That's a secret. But, sister is no longer Yeon Sul, right? I wonder if the Emperor might be relieved. Although, how could I truly know the Emperor’s thoughts? It’s just my own speculation." With that, Haran pulled a cord to call the court maidens, subtly signaling the elegant conclusion of her conversation. "When you were awarded the princess's title, you were just ten years old. The Emperor said he would restrain your light-hearted demeanor with a heavy duty, but how often has an immature sovereign been given a princess's rank?" ---- Qing's heart grew even heavier. Qing was easily swayed by affection, and found the Emperor's straightforward and impassive behavior comforting. But what if it were otherwise? An unfeeling Emperor who does not love his people. He eradicates all challengers to maintain heaven as heaven, earth as earth, and innocent blood is shed whenever the skies and land tremble. Though, in the end, it might prevent the world's collapse and avert great wars. In reality, the state was in tatters; in the Central Plains, there was always at least one citizen outside the government office protesting some injustice. Corrupt officials unabashedly took bribes—after all, in the Central Plains, it wasn’t hidden and was boldly exchanged upfront, forming vile collusions. Even if one runs a business honestly, without luck or connections, they could become penniless overnight; if they stop at being a beggar, they'd be lucky, as escaping criminal charges itself might be considered merciful. Thus, everyone mocks the earnest as naive or unable to navigate the world. Even martial artists, though slightly less so among those in righteous sects, are, after all, private armed groups collecting protection fees for controlling areas. Yet somehow, the nation continues. It's almost surprising that it hasn’t collapsed. Is there a need to maintain one unified Central Plains, a singular dynasty? The land is too vast to govern? Why not divide it? However, the Central Plains inhabitants’ obsession with its unity is almost instinctually insane. Once divided, there's an inevitable return to war. And wars in the Central Plains are brutal. Even the treatment of captives was such that they were buried alive, seen as commonsense. Digging and burying with captives required minimal effort, an efficient method. A people who've carelessly sacrificed millions through history. Indeed. It would be simpler if there was one clear villain to hate. One could just grumble about the Emperor's terrible politics and think about the next decade when it arrives, calmly ignoring it all. Facing the indifferent Emperor’s expression through the ceremonies left Qing deeply conflicted. It was again the day for an audience. The previous audience had been canceled due to excessive honors being conferred, proposing the title of crown princess. It had nearly been resolved by having Qing’s immediate lady-in-waiting appointment and marriage ceremony when the Emperor abruptly decided to cancel with a simple refund request later. Even though the ministers suspected it as a strategy to curb martial influence, they reluctantly agreed, as initially not proceeding was preferable. The Emperor’s new plan wasn’t bad either. And thus finally, the heavenly voice echoed through. Young hero Ximen Qing is merely a vagabond. Yet this vagabond has repelled formidable foes. Knowing full well it was a hopeless battle, he faced invincible enemies, driven by a spirit to defend the nation and its people. Thereby, with the heavens blessings, he achieved the miraculous feat of overcoming these foes. In commendation, the Emperor himself grants a title to young hero Ximen Qing. A eunuch standing below the Emperor expertly unfurled a scroll. What was written there was Heavenly Flower(天華). Hmm, nothing particularly new. No, actually, it would have been troublesome if it were new. “Your majesty’s grace is boundless.” But it wasn’t over yet. Seomun Cheonhwa(天華) despises corruption and upholds righteous justice, exhibiting the traits of a great hero. Moreover, disregarding personal disadvantage, he showcases the spirit of a valiant warrior. In appreciation, the Emperor intends to employ young hero Ximen Qing for the world's benefit. Qing’s eyebrows knitted tightly. This was a sign of offering an official position. Sima ChungBong had been adamant about never accepting such a position. But wasn’t ten years promised; why offer a position now? Isn’t there a discrepancy in your promise? The Emperor continued. “To Ximen Qing, I bestow the title of Twelve Provincial Inspector, to oversee and monitor the nation’s corruption.” Twelve Provincial Inspector! Hmm, what’s a Twelve Provincial Inspector, anyway? Inspector plus royal secret agent? Something like that? Nonetheless, Qing had been advised never to accept an official position. So, Qing was about to shout out, expressing gratitude but stating a lack of qualification by drawing in breath. “Your Majesty! This cannot be! Forgive my audacity! But please heed this veteran’s words!” A booming voice preempted hers. Everyone turned their heads abruptly. There stood an old warrior, unusually dressed in full military garb and a hero’s headband tightly fastened, ready for battle. Qing, still kneeling before the Emperor, pondered. Hmm. Should I turn around now or not? She hadn’t learned how to handle unexpected intrusions during a royal court session, especially with her curious mind... The instant Qing hesitated, a shocking voice forced her to twist and turn her body. "Ximen Qing, that woman is a wicked traitor! Grant me permission to execute this vile criminal immediately!" Suddenly becoming implicated in treason, Qing inadvertently turned to see a familiar face. Why? Was it Fan Yak Gong?