Journey to the West 81 Cases: Chronicles of the Western Kings (Sifang Pavilion) - Chapter 12
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- Journey to the West 81 Cases: Chronicles of the Western Kings (Sifang Pavilion)
- Chapter 12 - The third wish of King David's Jar: Resurrection of the Dead
Qu Zhisheng opened his mouth, glanced at Long Shuangyue Zhi, then looked at the coffin in the grand hall. He no longer hesitated: “Father King, let’s begin! After Second Brother is resurrected, I hope you will keep your promise and let us leave.”
“Of course! Of course!” Qu Wentai was overjoyed, “I will send the Grand General personally to escort you to Guazhou. Third son, where is the King David’s Jar?”
Qu Zhisheng sighed deeply, “I will fetch it now.”
He took Long Shuangyue Zhi’s hand, ready to leave. Suddenly, Zhu Gui whispered, “Third Prince, perhaps it’s better to have the princess wait here!”
Long Shuangyue Zhi glared angrily at him and forcefully pulled away from Qu Zhisheng’s hand. Qu Zhisheng said nothing, reluctantly glanced at her, then turned and left the ancestral temple.
Everyone waited silently in the grand hall; no one spoke, and silence filled the air. Qu Wentai gently stroked Qu Deyong’s body, grief-stricken.
Before long, Qu Zhisheng returned with the King David’s Jar. The Jar was heavy, carried by two palace guards and placed in the center of the grand hall. To Xuanzang’s surprise, along with Qu Zhisheng came Ashu.
After visiting Wang Xuanci’s residence, Ashu left on his own to find familiar Sogdian people. Xuanzang was too preoccupied to pay him any mind. Seeing Ashu return, Xuanzang felt relieved and whispered, “Ashu, why have you come?”
“Master,” Ashu said joyfully, “I finally found you. I’ve been waiting at your residence, but you didn’t return. Seeing how late it was, I went to the Third Prince’s palace and luckily found out you were here.”
“You’re a good child,” Xuanzang said, patting his head.
At that moment, Qu Wentai pulled Xuanzang aside and whispered, “Master, we can begin.”
Xuanzang’s heart tightened as everyone’s gaze fell upon the King David’s Jar covered in black silk. Qu Zhisheng lifted the silk, and the dazzling light of the King David’s Jar filled everyone’s eyes.
At that moment, everyone held their breath.
At that moment, the wind ceased, and the sun lost its light, draining color from the sky and earth.
At that moment, faint cries of gods and ghosts echoed in their ears, as if countless spirits were kneeling and worshiping…
At that moment, in an ordinary farmhouse courtyard in the royal city, Wang Xuanci snapped a wooden slip in his hand. He looked down at the words on the slip and sighed softly, “The Western Regions are plunged into blood and fire from now on!”
At that moment, in the most luxurious mansion in the royal city, Mohe Duo was slicing roasted lamb with a silver knife. Suddenly, he erupted in rage, slamming the knife into the meat and shouting, “Guards!”
A subordinate entered, saluting with crossed hands, “Yes!”
Mohe Duo ordered, “Mobilize all the Auxiliary Ling troops and surround the palace for me!”
“Yes!”
A moment later, the entire mansion erupted into chaos. The Turkic cavalry was one of the most powerful armies of the era, with individual soldiers unmatched in quality. At Mohe Duo’s command, a thousand Auxiliary Wolf troops began preparing armor, saddling their warhorses, and readying their weapons of blades, bows, and arrows.
Mohe Duo held a piece of lamb in his mouth and a silver knife in his hand, striding out of the mansion surrounded by the Auxiliary Wolf troops. Seeing the situation, the chief official of the Gaochang ritual department hurried over with a conciliatory smile, “Great Leader, what are your orders? Just give direct commands; there’s no need for such a commotion.”
Mohe Duo glanced at him askew and ordered, “Open your mouth!”
The chief official, bewildered, obediently opened his mouth, and Mohe Duo stuffed the lamb into it. With a swift motion, he plunged the knife into the official’s throat. The official widened his eyes, clutching his throat as blood surged forth.
Mohe Duo kicked him over and shouted, “Let’s go!”
The Auxiliary Wolf troops mounted their warhorses one by one. Like drinking strong wine, their barbarity and valor were immediately unleashed. Each held a torch, galloping wildly through the streets. In the darkness, they resembled a flaming dragon, tearing through the narrow streets.
In the royal palace temple, the ritual was underway.
Qu Wentai, Xuanzang, Long Shuangyue Zhi, Zhu Gui, and others stood aside, each with a solemn expression, some even with a hint of fear. Qu Zhisheng stood beside the King David’s Jar, caressing its surface, and said slowly, “Bring Second Brother out.”
Before Qu Wentai could command, Zhu Gui led a few eunuchs over and lifted the coffin lid. Since the body was still, the lid had not been nailed shut. Standing on stools, the eunuchs bent down and lifted Qu Deyong’s corpse out, placing it on a wooden board in the center of the hall.
Qu Deyong had only been dead for three days, during a severe winter when water froze instantly. Though his body was stiff, his face still looked lifelike. At the time of his suicide, a short knife had been thrust into his chest. The queen had pulled it out, leaving a deep scar. His clothes were soaked in blood, which had turned a reddish-brown by now.
Qu Wentai looked at Qu Deyong’s body, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He wiped his eyes, filled with anticipation. Just then, a palace guard rushed in hastily and whispered something in his ear. Qu Wentai gave a cold smile, “Understood. Leave these matters to the Grand General!”
The guard acknowledged and bowed before leaving. Seeing Qu Zhisheng hesitating, Qu Wentai couldn’t help but urge, “Third Brother, hurry. Mohe Duo’s army has already surrounded the palace. If we delay, you and Shuangyue Zhi won’t be able to escape!”
Qu Zhisheng startled, immediately ceased hesitating. He drew a short knife from his waist and cut his own finger. As blood flowed, he placed the wound at the mouth of the jar. The blood was quickly absorbed by the tin seal on the jar, following the patterns of the King David hexagram. The King David hexagram greedily absorbed the blood, seeming ecstatic. Each person couldn’t help but shiver at the sound of the voice.
Xuanzang, observing this strange phenomenon, glanced at Zhu Gui. Zhu Gui also stared blankly, his eyes filled with fear, utterly lost.
“Akamana, come forth! I need you!” Qu Zhisheng shouted loudly.
As soon as the words fell, smoke suddenly began emanating from the jar. Wisps of smoke, like living beings, swirled around the King David’s Jar. Moments later, the smoke grew denser, enveloping the entire jar. Slowly rising, it soared seven feet high, forming a massive mushroom cloud before everyone’s eyes. Within the cloud, strange movements seemed to occur, eerie and inexplicable.
“My prince, Akamana salutes you,” a deep voice suddenly echoed from within the smoke.
Iron hooves thundered, shaking the earth.
Mohe Duo’s Auxiliary Wolf cavalry galloped down the main street and arrived at the gates of the palace. With a command, people and horses moved in unison, splitting off to both sides and tightly encircling the palace gates.
Mohe Duo rode up to the palace gates and shouted, “Qu Wentai, come out and see me!”
Suddenly, drums on the palace walls resounded with a thunderous boom, shaking the hearts of those present. Along with the drums, torches flared on the palace walls, revealing a dense formation of soldiers, each with bow drawn and arrow nocked, aimed downward. General Zhang Xiong stood atop the palace walls, bowing to those below, “Mohe Duo, what is the meaning of this? Why lead an army to besiege our palace?”
Mohe Duo was taken aback but chuckled, “So, it’s Zhang Xiong! You were prepared, after all? Excellent, excellent! That saves me some trouble. Zhang Xiong, have Qu Wentai come out to see me!”
Zhang Xiong smiled, “Great Leader, King of Gaochang is unwell and currently recuperating. It’s inconvenient for him to receive guests. Moreover, with you leading an army to besiege the palace, if His Majesty is startled, what will become of us?”
“Nonsense!” Mohe Duo burst out, “Do you think I’m unaware? Qu Wentai is now using the King David’s Jar! Damn it, I’ve hinted to him both openly and subtly, but he pretends not to understand! I want the King David’s Jar. Do you understand now?”
Zhang Xiong looked puzzled, “Great Leader, if you want the jar, go find the Third Prince! Gaochang Palace isn’t like the Khagan’s big tent. If you want to come, just come! Why bring so many soldiers and horses?”
“Zhang Xiong! Fine, fine!” Mohe Duo couldn’t contain his anger, “Are you playing games with me? Let me tell you, I’ve said my piece. If Qu Wentai dares to use the King David’s Jar to make his final wish and release that demon, I will lead the Auxiliary Wolf cavalry and flatten your Gaochang royal city!”
Zhang Xiong was now furious and slammed the wall, “Mohe Duo! Don’t push your luck too far! Is the King David’s Jar your family’s property? As a vassal state of the Western Turkic Khaganate, Gaochang has paid tribute to the Khagan’s court every year for decades. We pay you Turkic for protection, which is the ironclad rule of the Western Regions. Now you see us with a treasure, and you bring troops to snatch it. Do you have no regard for the customs of the steppe? Do you have no regard for the Khagan court?”
Mohe Duo hesitated for a moment, then suddenly laughed, “Hahaha, Zhang Xiong, you are indeed loyal to Qu Wentai. Let me ask you this, once he resurrects Qu Deyong, given your relationship with him, will there still be a place for you in Gaochang?”
A hint of sadness flickered in Zhang Xiong’s eyes, but his expression remained unchanged, “This is an internal matter of Gaochang, and it’s none of your concern. Great Leader, the King David’s Jar is absolutely impossible for you to obtain. Please withdraw your forces quickly! With your troops alone, you cannot conquer the palace!”
“Oh really? I’ll just have to try!” Mohe Duo shouted, “Men, bring the battering rams!”
The Auxiliary Wolf soldiers were prepared. Two large carts carrying battering rams, each as thick as a man’s embrace, slowly approached the palace gates. These battering rams were manned not by the Auxiliary Wolf soldiers, but by nearby commoners and merchants who had been forcibly recruited. These people cried out as they pushed with all their might under the whip of the Auxiliary Wolf soldiers.
Zhang Xiong remained composed. With a wave of his hand, horns blared from the city walls. As the horns sounded, a rumbling vibration swept through the streets and alleys of the royal city. Mohe Duo was taken aback. Torches flickered as countless cavalry surged forward, and rooftop archers aimed their bows and arrows at them.
Mohe Duo roared in anger, “So you’re a tiger from the Western Regions! I’ve underestimated you! Zhang Xiong, I’m right here. If you have the guts, shoot me dead! Otherwise, I will break this palace! Bring the rams!”
Qu Zhisheng stared blankly at the swirling smoke before him and slowly said, “Akamana, I am about to make my third wish to you.”
The smoke churned, accompanied by a booming laughter that seemed unusually cheerful, “Beloved prince, you are the most trustworthy person in heaven and earth. I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Speak, prince, state your wish.”
Qu Zhisheng began his final struggle, his expression changing on his face, causing everyone to nervously watch him. Qu Wentai even sweated profusely, trembling all over. Xuanzang calmly observed Qu Wentai. Sensing his gaze, Qu Wentai nodded to him, finally relaxing.
“Let my elder brother come back to life. Can you do that?” Qu Zhisheng finally uttered these words.
“Hahaha,” Akamana laughed, “Prince, as I have said, I possess omnipotent powers over heaven and earth. Bringing the dead back to life is the simplest of tasks.”
“Really?” Qu Zhisheng silently looked at the body on the ground, then glanced at Qu Wentai again, resolutely stating, “Then bring my elder brother back to life! My father longs for him! Everyone needs him… they don’t need me…”
As he spoke these words, he felt a pang of bitterness.
“Prince, have you made up your mind?” Akamana asked, “This is your final wish. After resurrecting the dead, you must unseal the tin and release me!”
Here’s the continuation of the translation:
“I’ve made up my mind,” Qu Zhisheng said expressionlessly, “I will release you.”
The demon did not reply. Instead, the smoke began to churn more violently. At that moment, a flash caught everyone’s eyes. Several thin columns of smoke suddenly shot out from the swirling mass, as fast as lightning, silently striking Qu Deyong’s eyes, nostrils, mouth, and wounds.
In that instant, the scene became extremely eerie. The five smoke tendrils resembled long tentacles, seeming solid despite being smoke. It wasn’t until some time passed that the connection between the tendrils and the smoke gradually faded, slowly breaking apart, and the five tendrils disappeared into the air.
“Akamana, what is happening?” Qu Zhisheng asked in astonishment.
But Akamana did not respond. The smoke enveloping the King David’s Jar also slowly dissipated and dispersed. The hall returned to its usual appearance. Everyone exchanged glances, as if they had just woken from a bizarre nightmare.
Qu Wentai hurriedly rushed to Qu Deyong’s corpse, softly calling out, “Deyong, Deyong!”
Everyone held their breath, their hearts pounding, silently watching the changes in the corpse. After a long while, Ashu suddenly exclaimed, “He moved! His fingers moved—”
At the palace gate, it had already turned into a hell on earth.
Mohe Duo’s men had broken through the city gate, but Zhang Xiong had not ordered the arrows to be fired. Given Mohe Duo’s special status, regardless of the reason, Gaochang would struggle to withstand the wrath of the Turks if he were injured. Thus, even the cavalry of Gaochang did not move out; they only aimed their bows and arrows from the rooftops, forming an encirclement around the Auxiliary Ling soldiers.
Mohe Duo was extremely brazen. Seeing that Zhang Xiong dared not shoot arrows, he simply stood at the city gate himself and ordered the battering rams forward. Zhang Xiong did not stop him, only watching coldly. No matter how thick the gates of the Gaochang palace were, they could not withstand the battering rams’ assaults. After a dozen or so strikes, the city gate shattered with a resounding crash, and the Auxiliary Wolf soldiers cheered.
However, just as the Auxiliary Wolf cavalry urged their horses to charge into the palace, they suddenly discovered that several layers of antlers and barriers had been erected within the gate opening! Countless pikemen lay in wait behind the barriers, ready with their long spears. Each one was shielded by a shield bearer holding a large shield!
“Is this all you’ve got?” Mohe Duo laughed loudly, commanding them to charge forward.
But what happened next left him dumbfounded. The antler spikes protruding outward slowed the pace of the Auxiliary Wolf cavalry. As the front soldiers dismounted to move the barriers, they were unexpectedly met with the long spears of the pikemen. In the blink of an eye, the steel blades pierced flesh with a series of stabbing sounds. The Auxiliary Wolf soldiers screamed in agony, falling to the ground one after another.
The Auxiliary Wolf soldiers finally realized that while the enemy dared not kill Mohe Duo, it didn’t mean they wouldn’t kill them. They quickly drew their bows and began to shoot arrows. The Gaochang shield bearers lined up their large shields, creating a dense clattering sound like popping beans, deflecting most of the arrows. Mohe Duo, furious, ordered an attack. Immediately, both sides engaged in a brutal melee within the city gate opening.
The Auxiliary Wolf soldiers were much more elite than the Gaochang palace guards and outnumbered them. However, Zhang Xiong capitalized on their numerical advantage by choosing the narrow gate opening as the battlefield. Here, the advantage of greater numbers was nullified, as even the most elite warriors couldn’t avoid the dense forest of spear thrusts in such close quarters. With just over a hundred palace guards, they managed to block over a thousand Auxiliary Wolf cavalry outside the palace walls!
“Kill! Kill them all!” Mohe Duo shouted angrily, urging his troops on.
The Auxiliary Wolf cavalry, equally enraged, urged their horses into a frenzy. They leaped over the antlers, horses and men impaled on them, almost tearing through the spear and shield defense line with their suicidal charge. Yet the well-trained palace guards replenished their ranks without hesitation, engaging the Auxiliary Wolf soldiers in close combat. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the gate opening was filled with layers upon layers of bodies—human and equine—forming a gruesome barrier almost a person’s height high.
Mohe Duo was beside himself with rage but helpless. At that moment, Zhang Xiong suddenly burst into laughter. “Mohe Duo, I have good news for you. The final wish of the King David’s Jar has been granted. My second prince has been resurrected!”
Mohe Duo stood dumbfounded, and the soldiers fighting were equally stunned, frozen like a solid wave. The entire night seemed to die silently, with only the trembling light of torches flickering.
In the ancestral temple of the palace, everyone was enveloped in a tremor of souls and fear. Even Qu Wentai was shocked by the resurrection of the dead, staring in horror at Qu Deyong’s body, too terrified to rush forward. Amidst the joy of regaining what was lost, an indescribable fear shook him to the core.
The only person remaining calm was Xuanzang. His steadfast meditation endured the brief tremors, quickly returning to tranquility. He chanted the Heart Sutra aloud: “Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, when deeply practicing Prajna Paramita, clearly saw that all five aggregates are empty, thus transcending all suffering and distress. Shariputra, form is no different from emptiness, emptiness no different from form; form is exactly emptiness, emptiness exactly form. Sensation, perception, mental formations, and consciousness are also like this. Shariputra, all dharmas are marked by emptiness; they neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, neither increase nor decrease…”
Xuanzang’s chanting grew louder, resonating through the entire hall with a profound and mysterious chant. Gradually, everyone’s minds settled down. At that moment, Qu Deyong’s entire arm began to move, his eyelids fluttered, as if trying to open but forcibly held back by some ghostly force.
The atmosphere in the hall turned icy cold. Despite their inner joy, everyone was drenched in sweat, including Qu Wentai. Xuanzang’s chanting intensified: “Shariputra, all dharmas are marked by emptiness; they neither arise nor cease, are neither defiled nor pure, neither increase nor decrease. Therefore, in emptiness there is no form, no sensation, perception, mental formations, or consciousness; no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind; no sights, sounds, smells, tastes, objects of touch, or dharmas; no realm of the eyes and so forth up to no realm of consciousness; no ignorance and also no extinction of ignorance…”
As he uttered the word “extinction,” Qu Deyong suddenly jerked his body upright. His mouth opened wide, spewing a mouthful of black blood, before collapsing motionless onto the wooden boards.
A gasp escaped from everyone present. Xuanzang paid no attention, continuing to recite the sutra. Qu Wentai, unable to restrain himself any longer, rushed forward and shook Qu Deyong’s shoulders desperately. “Deyong! Deyong—”
The crowd exclaimed in shock once more. Qu Deyong slowly opened his eyes, his gaze unfocused, as if his soul had not fully returned. But this sight overwhelmed Qu Wentai with mixed emotions, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. “Deyong! You’re alive! Deyong! Deyong—”
Qu Wentai sobbed uncontrollably, the joy of regaining what was lost almost leaving him at a loss for words. Just then, Qu Zhisheng’s startled cry pierced the air. “Father, be careful—”
Qu Wentai looked at him in bewilderment, but everyone’s horrified gaze directed at his back made him turn around abruptly. He was startled to find that Qu Deyong had somehow sat up, his eyes emitting a blood-red malevolent aura, his hands clutching Qu Wentai’s neck!
Qu Wentai’s eyes widened in terror, struggling to breathe. Qu Deyong’s face twisted, eyes bloodshot, emitting a low growl from his mouth. His arms, like iron bars, squeezed Qu Wentai’s neck with tremendous force. Qu Zhisheng shouted and rushed forward, along with Zhu Gui, Xuanzang, Long Shuangyue Zhi, and even Ashu. They all tried desperately to save Qu Wentai, grabbing at legs and arms, but even their combined efforts couldn’t restrain him.
It was only when Qu Deyong roared loudly and shook his arms that everyone was flung away like sacks of flour, and Qu Wentai was finally released from his grip, narrowly escaping death.
Everyone was thrown violently to the ground, unable to get up. The palace guards outside sensed trouble and rushed in, surrounding Qu Deyong immediately. Qu Wentai hastily shouted, “Back off! Back off! Don’t hurt him—”
The guards exchanged uncertain glances but reluctantly withdrew as ordered, though they remained on high alert just outside the door, ready for any further developments.
After tossing everyone aside, Qu Deyong staggered to his feet. His face remained contorted in pain, as if enduring intense agony, yet he seemed unsure of what to do next. His eyes scanned the motionless crowd with a vacant expression.
Qu Wentai, filled with shock and anger, turned to Qu Zhisheng. “Third son, what is going on?”
Qu Zhisheng, still examining Long Shuangyue Zhi’s condition, looked equally bewildered at his father’s question. “I… I don’t know! Should we find Akamana and ask?”
“You ask! Hurry up and ask!” Qu Wentai urged repeatedly.
Qu Zhisheng hurried to King David’s Jar and knocked on its body. “Akamana, come out, come out!”
There was no response from King David’s Jar. Qu Zhisheng was puzzled. “Does it still need blood?”
Qu Wentai walked over swiftly and handed him a knife. Qu Zhisheng took it, cut his finger, and let the fresh blood drip into the mouth of the King David Hexagram. The blood was quickly swallowed down. The Jar’s body then glowed with a bloody light, and the eerie veins like human blood vessels began to shimmer in a crimson glow, but there was still no smoke.
Qu Zhisheng shouted, “Akamana, come out! What’s going on? What’s wrong with my second brother?”
King David’s Jar remained motionless, showing no signs of change.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. Qu Zhisheng glanced at his father.
Zhu Gui spoke up, “Third Prince, is this perhaps your fourth wish?”
“Huh?” Qu Zhisheng scratched his head. “Could it be? No wonder it’s not responding to me.”
“It seems likely,” Zhu Gui said. “Perhaps the Second Prince just revived and needs some time to adjust! Your Majesty, even this old servant cannot explain such eerie matters.”
Meanwhile, Qu Deyong stood there blankly, seemingly like a walking corpse. Qu Wentai looked at him with a troubled expression and sighed with some relief, “Well, at least he’s alive. As long as he’s alive, no matter what happens, I can always find a skilled physician to treat him and get him back to normal. Deyong, come, let’s go home with Father!”
As he moved to approach, a loud rumble came from above as the roof of the family temple suddenly burst open. High Chang’s roofs were built solidly with a mixture of mud and willow planks, quite thick. The sudden rupture caused countless chunks of earth to crash down noisily. Qu Wentai, who was in poor health and not very agile, was quickly grabbed by Zhu Gui, who swiftly pulled him behind for protection. Falling debris covered Qu Deyong’s head and face, but he only stared blankly upwards, unsure of how to react.
Before anyone could recover their senses, a figure swooped down through the hole. The person landed right in front of Qu Deyong. It was none other than the Empress Yuwen, her head full of white hair, dressed in gorgeous yet soiled palace attire.
Xuanzang wiped off the dirt from his face and couldn’t help but smile bitterly; he had experienced this Empress’s boldness firsthand. Never did he expect her to remain unchanged after being trapped in the harem for several days.
“You scoundrel!” Qu Wentai erupted in fury.
But the Empress paid him no heed. Upon seeing Qu Deyong revived, her pallid face lit up with indescribable joy. She immediately embraced Qu Deyong, exclaiming ecstatically, “Deyong! Deyong!”
Outside, the palace guards rushed forward to apprehend the Empress. Qu Wentai sneered coldly, waving them off to wait and see if Qu Deyong would strangle the Empress to death. Unexpectedly, Qu Deyong looked at her expressionlessly, his face showing a strange expression, seemingly in pain, struggling to utter, “Yubo…”
This situation was a mix of joy and sorrow. While Qu Wentai was stunned, the Empress was overjoyed, holding onto him and shouting, “Deyong, you’re back! That’s great! That’s great!”
Qu Deyong just stared blankly at her, murmuring, “Yubo… Yubo…”
The Empress realized something was wrong and turned to Qu Wentai, asking, “What’s wrong with him? What have you done to him?”
“Nonsense! This is how he became after being resurrected!” Qu Wentai was torn between joy and resentment, shouting, “Let him go! Guards, take her down!”
The surrounding palace guards surrounded the Empress and Qu Deyong, about to rush forward. The Empress sneered coldly, drawing a dagger and pressing it against Qu Deyong’s neck. “Qu Wentai, don’t force me again, or I will die with Deyong!”
Qu Wentai was taken aback. “You… put down the knife! Quickly put it down!”
The Empress gave a bitter smile. “We’ve had enough of living in this world, and I’m tired of it. If I can die with Deyong, it would be my blessing!”
“No, no, no!” Qu Wentai was alarmed. “Please put down the knife and let’s talk!”
“Let them all disperse!” The Empress commanded sternly. “I’m taking Deyong with me!”
“You… Where are you taking him?” Qu Wentai asked.
“Where else can I go?” The Empress smiled sadly. “My homeland is gone, my family is scattered, and our love has been broken. This lonely palace is where I will end my life. In this world, only Deyong will accompany me. Qu Wentai, order your men to disperse. I’m taking him back to the harem!”
“Oh…” Qu Wentai finally breathed a sigh of relief. Though reluctant, he dared not provoke the Empress further at this moment. He waved to the guards, “Disperse, let them go!”
The Empress led Qu Deyong away, wary of her surroundings. Qu Wentai called out loudly, “Yubo, if you dare take Deyong away, there will be no mercy!”
Ignoring Qu Wentai, the Empress continued leading Qu Deyong away. Qu Wentai stumbled after them, watching their backs, and wearily waved his hand. The guards followed.
No one had expected such a turn of events and were left bewildered. However, for Qu Zhisheng, none of these matters bothered him. Seeing Qu Wentai seemed to follow them, he hurriedly shouted, “Father, what about me? When will you let me and Shuangyue leave?”
Qu Wentai hesitated, turned around, looked at him with a complex expression, and sighed softly. “Third son, if you wish to leave, then go!”
Qu Zhisheng was overjoyed, taking Long Shuangyue’s hand, both of them kneeling down together. “Your son bids farewell to Father!”
“Let’s go! Let’s go! Gaochang is on the brink of destruction. Leave a bloodline for our Qu clan!” Qu Wentai said wearily, “Third son, the Huoqiu are surrounding the palace now. You can’t leave through the main gates. Let Zhu Gui take you out through the wells and canals!”
Qu Zhisheng kowtowed heavily a few times and stood up with Long Shuangyue.
Qu Wentai instructed again, “Zhu Gui, take as much of the gold, silver, and treasures from the palace as you can. Enough for the rest of Third Son’s life. He won’t farm or trade. When he gets to the Tang Dynasty, he might not even manage a common official position. Make sure to arrange everything properly for him!”
“Yes, Your Majesty. I understand,” Zhu Gui’s eyes were also red.
“Ah!” Qu Wentai looked softly at his son, “Zhu Gui, you’re Third Son’s maternal relative. If you want to accompany him, go together! At least there will be someone to take care of him.”
Zhu Gui cried, “Your Majesty, the princess’s grave is still here. This is where I’ll die in Gaochang!”
He was referring to the princess, Qu Zhisheng’s mother and Qu Wentai’s second queen. Qu Wentai felt uncomfortable, “As you wish.”
Storyteller Niasser's Words
EXTRA long chapter!
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