Female Consort Chapter 72: Fall

Yang Qiu fell silent.

Even the Empress Dowager hadn’t expected her to be so bold, to speak her purpose out loud so frankly and directly.

She gave her a surprised glance, a flicker of admiration in her eyes.

But the sisters, Yu Ming and Yu Yan, exchanged a glance and didn’t seem all that shocked, 

Ever since they had seen Li Qingwu choose to stay and tear up the divorce papers, fully aware that Qiu Che’s identity as a woman had been exposed, they had felt that nothing Li Qingwu did for Qiu Che could truly surprise them anymore.

Though, to be fair, this really was quite shocking.

Wu Yiqi gave a thumbs-up. “...I guess the saying is true, no wonder you and Qiu Che are ‘husband and wife’, ah, no, master and disciple. That’s what I meant.”

Everyone here knew that Li Qingwu had been taught by Qiu Che from the ground up.

Li Qingwu gave a slight nod. “You're too kind.”

Yang Qiu gave a helpless sigh. “It's easy to talk about overturning the boat, but how exactly do we go about it?”

Besides, Yang Qiu had always abided by the principle of leaving room for retreat, so that one could still meet peacefully in the future.

Qiu Che’s current imprisonment was largely due to her unyielding and high-profile ways, which had united her enemies against her, determined to take her down at all costs.

Unless there was no other option, Yang Qiu did not want things to escalate to the point of open rebellion.

He had once assumed that, having grown up in the deep palace, Li Qingwu would be more composed and level-headed than Qiu Che.

But now it seemed that both of them shared the same fierce and uncompromising temperament.

Yet Li Qingwu responded with another question: “I heard Prince Zhao arrived in the capital yesterday and submitted an urgent report?”

Yang Qiu paused, then replied, “Yes. My father came because he discovered suspicious movements from both the Southern Yi and the Northern Xiongnu.”

But he knew well that Prince Zhao was no longer just a border commander.

Even if there were disturbances at the frontier, it shouldn’t require his personal return to the capital.

Prince Zhao had always opposed Yang Qiu’s decision to enter court politics. But once Yang Qiu took office, the prince hadn’t stopped him, merely observing the court's dynamics from a distance.

This sudden visit could only mean something in the capital had finally caught his attention. Combined with the unrest at the borders, crisis loomed both inside and outside the court. He had likely come out of concern for Yang Qiu’s safety, determined to pull him away from the treacherous court.

Nominally, the choice was Yang Qiu’s. But in truth, Prince Zhao did not support him staying.

Li Qingwu frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed. “For us, this might not be bad news.”

Everyone present was sharp. Even Wu Yiqi caught on: “You mean...?”

Li Qingwu nodded calmly. “In that case, the second plan likely won’t be needed for now.”

If the Southern Yi and Northern Xiongnu truly joined forces, it would be an unprecedented disaster for Great Xia, caught between them. This was no time for internal strife.

With public pressure mounting, unless the Emperor was truly a fool, he should recognize the real priority: releasing Qiu Che would be the smartest course of action.

Yang Qiu rubbed his temples. “Let’s hope so.”

After the meeting concluded, everyone began to take their leave.

The Empress Dowager walked last, side by side with Li Qingwu, and softly remarked, “You've lost weight.”

Li Qingwu was momentarily stunned and instinctively touched her own cheek. “...That's only natural.”

As long as Qiu Che remained imprisoned, she couldn’t sleep peacefully.

The Empress Dowager sighed. “Looking at you two reminds me of myself and the Lin family girl.”

Li Qingwu asked, “Why do you say that?”

“We were once just as devoted to each other... But the world demands too much of women. When she came of age, she was forced to marry into the Qiu family.”

Li Qingwu’s expression changed slightly.

The Empress Dowager slowed her steps, her voice soft. “Later, she died suddenly in the Qiu household. I was still trapped in the political mire, unable even to investigate the cause of her death... By the time I came to my senses, I couldn’t even protect myself.”

Li Qingwu took a deep breath. “What is it you're really trying to say?”

The Empress Dowager’s tone softened. “Without real power, you can’t protect the people around you. It’s a cruel truth, but surely you understand that by now. You must also know what Qiu Che offered me in exchange for our alliance.”

Li Qingwu stayed silent, already guessing where this was going.

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager said, “She promised that if she ever became Prime Minister, she would help me overthrow the court... and make me Empress.”

She said it lightly, and the last sentence was barely a whisper. “But in truth, I’ve done little for her, just passed along some inconsequential information.”

“If you wish to take her place, given your talent and youth, I would not be unwilling to step aside for you.”

Li Qingwu said nothing for a long time.

The Empress Dowager remained calm, waiting for her answer.

Only when they exited Linglong Pavilion did Li Qingwu finally let out a long breath.

Since today’s meeting had been private, they were both wearing veils, dressed like ordinary women. Standing by the bustling main hall, they didn’t attract much attention.

On the first floor, the storyteller on stage was dramatically recounting “The Qiu Family Patriarch’s Murder of a Young Girl.” The crowd below listened with rapt attention, cheering at every exciting twist.

The noise was close, and yet felt far away.

When Li Qingwu looked up again, her expression was calm as ever. “There’s no need.”

“Politics, unless it involves Qiu Che, I would rather not get involved.”

“Since she made a pact with you, I cannot, in her absence, alter that agreement on her behalf.”

“And besides,” Li Qingwu added softly, “what I want, I’ll win it with my own hands. I don’t need anyone to hand it to me.”

The Empress Dowager paused.

Then she laughed, patting Li Qingwu on the shoulder. “Good... You’ve got guts.”

“I’ll be waiting for the day your era begins.”

Despite her composed exterior, even Li Qingwu was anxious about whether their plans would succeed.

The more one cared, the more one worried.

But she had no other choice now, so she kept quietly fanning the flames of public opinion behind the scenes.

She also sent people to try to reach the Third Prince.

Pretending to make casual visits, she was hoping to pry some information from him.

But whether it was by the Crown Prince’s order or his own fear, the Third Prince refused all contact with her, turning her people away every time.

After reporting back, Fu Ling added cautiously, “The Empress Dowager says another urgent report arrived from the frontier today. The Northern Xiongnu have officially declared war. His Majesty has summoned the Crown Prince to discuss matters. If all goes as expected, the Prince Consort, Miss Qiu, should be released soon.”

“Your Highness, you’ve been managing Nightfall City, taking care of the shop, and working tirelessly for the Prince Consort, all while sleeping only two or three hours a day. If this keeps up, your body won’t hold out much longer. You need rest.”

Li Qingwu flipped through the ledger and shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep even if I tried. Better to stay busy, it keeps me grounded.”

Fu Ling asked, “If you’re so worried, why not go see the Prince Consort at the Court of Judicial Review?”

It was clear she wanted to change the title, but kept slipping back to “Prince Consort.”

Li Qingwu’s hand paused. After a long silence, she said softly, “Haven’t you read those storybooks?”

Fu Ling blinked. “What about them?”

“They always say that when the storm hasn’t passed yet, the protagonist might see their beloved one last time, without knowing it’s the last.”

Fu Ling laughed, a little bitterly. “Do you really believe those books?”

Li Qingwu smiled faintly and turned another page in the ledger. “Maybe... I just worry that if I go, she’ll scold me for not listening. Better not to see her. As long as I can see her again one day, that’s enough.”

Noticing the worry creeping back into Fu Ling’s smile, she added lightly, “Besides, if I go now and get caught, what then?”

Fu Ling had no response.

“But I imagine... the Prince Consort wouldn’t want to see you working yourself into the ground like this.”

Li Qingwu said nothing.

After a long while, she asked, “Still no word from Uncle Jiang?”

Before Fu Ling could reply, a young maid came rushing in, only to be stopped by the sudden appearance of Fu Feng. “Where do you think you’re going?”

The maid cried out, “Your Highness! Please, come quickly, Miss Yao Tai is in trouble!”

Li Qingwu stood up at once, recognizing her as Ah Zhen, Yao Tai’s maid. “What happened?”

Azhen wept as she spoke: “The night before last, Miss Yao Tai developed a high fever. She wouldn’t let us tell you, said you were too busy, didn’t want to distract you. But the fever still hasn’t gone down even now. We called Doctor Chen, and he said… she’s been too anxious lately, and has been pushing herself despite being ill. Her condition has worsened. He’s using ginseng just to keep her hanging on… We need to prepare for the worst.”

Li Qingwu felt as if she might faint on the spot.

She took a moment to steady herself and realized it wasn’t just in her head, she’d gotten up too quickly, and her vision swam with dizziness.

She forced herself to remain composed and strode quickly toward the door. “Prepare the carriage. We’re going outside the city.”

By the time she arrived at the villa, Chen Huichun was sitting in the courtyard, talking quietly to Yang Qiu with a heavy sigh, shaking his head over and over.

Li Qingwu stepped forward. “How is Yao Tai?”

Chen Huichun looked at her with deep regret in his eyes. “Didn’t the maid who went to report to you say anything?”

“I heard you sent word to my master... but it’s a long journey. He likely won’t make it in time.”

Li Qingwu fell silent.

“…How much time is left?”

“The fever comes and goes... at most, two more days.”

But judging from his expression, even though Chen Huichun said “two days,” it felt more like Yao Tai could be gone at any moment.

Still, Li Qingwu clung to a sliver of hope. What if she really lasted two more days?

What if Uncle Jiang made it in time?

Lifting the hem of her skirt, she hurriedly pushed open the door.

Yao Tai was half-reclining on the bed, pale lips drained of color, staring blankly out the window.

Li Qingwu called her name. She blinked, coming back to herself, and gave a faint, rueful smile. “Worrying you again.”

Li Qingwu walked to her side and sat by the bed, grasping her hand tightly. “You didn’t even tell me! How could I not worry?”

“I didn’t want to burden you… You’ve been so busy lately. Just look at those dark circles under your eyes,” Yao Tai said gently, even managing a smile.

She tried to comfort Li Qingwu with mock lightheartedness. “Don’t worry too much… Lord Qiu will be fine. Trust me, okay?”

Li Qingwu’s eyes turned red. She gave her a sideways glare. “Don’t tell me you’re pretending you can tell fortunes again?”

“You still remember that?” Yao Tai laughed, bright as ever. “Of course. I’m a visitor from beyond the stars, remember? I’ve seen all sorts of things. Oh, and I just had a dream.”

“What dream?”

Yao Tai’s eyes drifted as she recalled. “Not a good one… so I won’t say. But dreams always mean the opposite of what they show. Trust me.”

Li Qingwu didn’t reply.

Yao Tai’s moments of wakefulness didn’t last long. Soon, she drifted off again.

Li Qingwu stayed at her bedside deep into the night, calling her name now and then, terrified that she might not open her eyes again.

Thankfully, though Yao Tai’s complexion never improved, she always managed to respond.

Not long after, Yang Qiu knocked softly and entered.

“Your Highness, you should rest. I’ll keep watch.”

Li Qingwu hesitated, then nodded. “Alright.”

She was exhausted. Worried she might miss any changes in Yao Tai’s condition, she lay down in the room next door.

But no matter how she tossed and turned, she couldn’t fall asleep.

Thinking about how she still needed to check on the shop again tomorrow, Li Qingwu finally lit a stick of incense and forced herself to drift off.

She was woken at dawn by Fu Ling.

“Your Highness, Your Highness, ”

Li Qingwu opened her eyes groggily. “...What is it?”

“His Majesty issued a decree this morning. Lord Qiu has been reinstated!”

Li Qingwu shot up, fully awake. “Really?!”

Fu Ling nodded enthusiastically, eyes bright with joy. “Yu Ming and Yu Yan have already gone to bring him home. Your Highness, should we return to the capital...”

Before she could finish, Yang Qiu knocked at the door again.

Fu Ling opened it. “Lord Yang... what is it?”

Yang Qiu looked past her, his expression weary. “Miss Yao Tai… would like to see Her Highness one more time.”

Li Qingwu’s heart, just beginning to soar, plummeted instantly.

But when she pushed the door open, she was stunned to find Yao Tai sitting up with a bit of color in her face. Upon hearing the noise, she smiled as if nothing were wrong, just like always. “You’re here?”

Li Qingwu sensed something.

She walked forward slowly, then stopped halfway.

“You…”

“Lord Qiu’s been released, hasn’t he?” Yao Tai beamed. “That’s wonderful. See? I told you everything would be alright.”

Li Qingwu paused, then nodded and quietly sat down beside her.

Then Yao Tai said, quite casually, “I think I’m going to die soon.”

“My body suddenly feels full of energy, completely different from before.”

She sighed. “Don’t make that face. Honestly, I have no regrets left. So you shouldn’t be sad either.”

“For me, living with this pain was more of a torment.”

“If I really die, don’t cry for me,” Yao Tai said softly. “Being able to meet all of you… was already more than enough.”

Li Qingwu opened her mouth, but no words came.

Qiu Che had been freed. Her beloved was safe.

But now her friend was going to leave her.

They sat in silence for a long time.

Then Yao Tai tilted her chin. “Look outside.”

Li Qingwu was a beat slow, but finally turned her head.

Outside, the world was blanketed in white.

“It’s snowing,” Yao Tai said.

It was the capital’s first snowfall of the year.

Li Qingwu stared for a long time. Then she heard Yao Tai speak again: “That dream I had… I saw you leaving the capital. The day you left was the day it snowed like this. In the dream, I even told you I could tell fortunes, and you scolded me for lying.”

Li Qingwu’s eyes brimmed with tears in an instant.

“I wasn’t lying,” Yao Tai’s voice was faint now, as soft as a breath. “You’re all going to live happily. Peacefully. For the rest of your lives.”

“Your Highness…”

“Truly… I’m so glad I met all of you.”

And the moment Yao Tai closed her eyes and stopped breathing, Li Qingwu felt like she’d forgotten how to breathe too.

She sat there in a daze for a long, long time.

When she finally stood, her legs gave out beneath her.

Somewhere in the haze, she heard Fu Ling cry out, “Your Highness, Your Highness! What’s wrong?!”

“Someone, hurry! Her Highness has fainted!”