Love and Crown

Xiao Huan passed away in the winter of the second year of Dexin.

Since the nineteenth year of Virtuous Blessing, the empire had continued to flourish until the autumn of the twenty-eighth year of Virtuous Blessing, when Xiao Huan coughed up blood onto a memorial he was reviewing in the Imperial Villa.

Cang Cang, who was sitting beside him, watched as he covered his mouth with his hand, yet the bright red blood still slipped through his pale fingers, dripping onto the rice paper before him, staining the impeachment regarding Liu Shi'an, the governor of Liaodong, who had arbitrarily executed a general on the battlefield.

Just as he had punished Qi Chengliang ten years prior, he punished this trusted minister whom he had personally nurtured. Yet when he personally attended the execution ground where Liu Shi'an was beheaded as a public warning, he coughed up blood again and collapsed into the arms of Xiao Qianqing beside him.

In the emergency, Crown Prince Xiao Lian took over the regency for the first time, presiding over court affairs.

Years of toil had drained his already frail body. In the spring of the twenty-ninth year of Virtuous Blessing, when Xiao Huan's condition slightly improved, he appeared in the Qianqing Palace of the Forbidden Palace for the last time. This time, he issued the Imperial Edict announcing his abdication in favor of the Crown Prince, thereafter retiring to the Imperial Villa and no longer personally handling state affairs.

The last three years of his life were spent in the Azure Retreat Palace with Cang Cang, who had also retreated into seclusion.

After ascending the throne, Lian's reign was not smooth. Natural disasters arose frequently, and border disturbances were unending. At an age barely past his capping ceremony, he shouldered burdens no lighter than those his father had once borne. Though he had the assistance of his uncle and the chief minister, it was still no easy task.

For the first two years, Xiao Huan would occasionally guide him as he had before his abdication.

Until one day, Lian, as usual, brought a thick stack of memorials to the Azure Retreat Palace, leaving the most difficult problems for his father. Xiao Huan leaned on the couch, meticulously explaining and annotating them late into the night. Enlightened, Lian rose to take his leave but heard no response. Only then did he realize his father, pale-faced and unconscious, had collapsed against the soft couch.

At that moment, Lian anxiously lifted his father and called for the imperial physician, finally understanding why Li Mingshang had insisted on his father's abdication and rest—this body had indeed deteriorated to such an extent.

From that day onward, Xiao Lian truly became an emperor. He no longer relied on his father's strength, no longer doubted his own judgment, standing firm, resolute, and wise.

Years later, when he had established his own prosperous dynasty, he recalled the night he had watched his father collapse and suddenly shed tears. He knew his father had not only entrusted the future of the nation to him but also the efforts of his entire life.

Yet after the first year of Dexin, Xiao Huan's health continued to decline. He began to suddenly fall unconscious—one moment chatting idly with Cang Cang, the next losing consciousness, not waking for hours.

This condition only ceased after the autumn of the second year of Dexin. Just as Cang Cang rejoiced at his improved health, she discovered Xiao Huan one morning, suppressing his coughs and covering his lips as blood seeped through at the bedside.

Each episode of unconsciousness could have been the one from which he never woke. To prevent it, he had to take a toxic medicine to suppress the symptoms. Every day of Xiao Huan's life was bought with blood coughed up and excruciating pain.

That day, holding his frail body, Cang Cang wept aloud for the first time in two years. Xiao Huan only smiled faintly, gently wiping her tears away. "Cang Cang, as long as I can be by your side..."

Cang Cang shook her head, holding him silently as tears fell.The weakened heart meridian endured the erosion of medicine, and the palpitations that had plagued him for years recurred frequently. His long-depleted body left even Li Mingshang helpless, watching as he coughed up more blood with each agonizing spasm of his heart, his complexion growing as pale as snow from autumn through winter.

When the second heavy snowfall finally arrived, Li Mingshang glanced at the overcast sky and said, "Call Lian and Qing over."

As he spoke, Cang Cang stood beside him under the eaves. The world before her eyes blurred suddenly, and after a long silence, she replied softly, "Alright."

Yet a day later, it wasn’t just Lian and Xiao Qianqing who arrived—many others came as well. Hong Qing and Ying, the newlywed Shi Yan, the white-haired Feng Wufu, Grand Secretary Zhang Zhuduan, and finally, stepping slowly into the courtyard, Su Qian in plain white robes.

Lifting her gaze, Su Qian smiled. "I’ve come on behalf of everyone at Phoenix Come Pavilion to bid farewell to the White Pavilion Master." As she spoke, a glimmer of light flashed at the corner of her eye before vanishing into her white sleeves.

Cang Cang smiled. "Good. But he’s not in the best spirits, so take your time."

A fire was lit in the outer hall, and Jiao Yan served freshly brewed tea. Leaving the waiting guests behind, Cang Cang stepped into the inner chamber.

Xiao Huan, who had just suffered another bout of palpitations at dawn, was resting against brocaded cushions with his eyes closed. Hearing the sound at the door, he opened his eyes and smiled faintly at Cang Cang. "Who’s here?"

Cang Cang deliberately feigned annoyance. "That same group of people who never stop worrying about you. Still clinging to hope—how bothersome!"

Xiao Huan chuckled softly, shaking his head helplessly. "Well, there’s nothing I can do about that."

Cang Cang walked over with a smile, sitting by the bed and lifting him gently to rest against her shoulder, making it easier for him to speak.

The first to enter were Hong Qing and Ying. Though Ying was usually oblivious, this time she understood it was farewell. Silently, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Xiao Huan’s waist. "Brother."

Xiao Huan raised a hand to pat her shoulder lightly. "Little Ying."

Hong Qing took Ying’s hand, forcing a smile. "Your Majesty, I’ll take good care of her."

Next, Shi Yan and Su Qian entered alone. The children from the imperial villa were called to the outer hall, and Feng Wufu led them in. While Xiao Yan remained composed, Xiao Xie’s eyes were swollen from crying. Ran and Can, still young, crowded together at the bedside, tears brimming in their eyes.

Xiao Huan coughed softly, comforting each of them in turn. Worried he might overexert himself, Cang Cang quickly had Xiao Yan take the younger ones out.

Finally, Lian and Zhang Zhuduan entered. Lian, still in his court robes, stepped forward and knelt by the bed. "Father."

Xiao Huan smiled at him before turning his gaze to Zhang Zhuduan behind him. "Zhuduan, Lian is still young. The future of the empire will depend on your guidance."

Zhang Zhuduan knelt properly and bowed deeply. "This humble servant understands."

Xiao Huan smiled faintly, then coughed. Hearing the exhaustion in his breath, Cang Cang quickly grasped his hand. "Brother Xiao, do you need to rest?"

Xiao Huan shook his head slightly, turning his smile back to Lian. His voice was weak but firm. "Lian, always remember—you are the Emperor of Great Wu."

Lian had remained kneeling since entering, biting his lip to hold back his grief. He nodded firmly.

With an approving smile, Xiao Huan coughed again, blood seeping from the corner of his lips.Lian was startled and quickly called out "Father," rushing over to wipe the blood with his sleeve, but it seemed endless. Xiao Huan turned his head slightly and took a light breath, saying, "Lian, you should go out now..."

Knowing he had long been exhausted, forcing himself to endure the blood he coughed up while speaking for so long, Cang Cang signaled Feng Wufu, who had not left, to help Lian up and lead him out. She also had him escort Zhang Zhuduan out as well.

Feng Wufu wiped his tears, walked to the door, bowed respectfully, then retreated and closed the door behind him. Only she and Xiao Huan remained in the room.

Placing his cold hand on hers, Xiao Huan coughed lightly and smiled. "Cang Cang, I'm sorry..."

Holding his hand against her cheek, Cang Cang chuckled. "Why apologize? You promised me ten years, and now it's been thirteen... I'm already more than satisfied."

His gaze lingered on her face with deep affection as Xiao Huan coughed softly.

Raising her hand, she gently wiped the blood from the corner of his lips, then leaned down to kiss his bloodstained, pale lips. Smiling, she said, "Brother Xiao, I'll go with you."

She had said these words thirteen years ago, and now she repeated them without the slightest hesitation, her tone utterly calm.

His eyes flickered slightly as Xiao Huan coughed softly, eventually smiling. "Cang Cang..."

Cang Cang leaned down and pressed her lips to his cold, pale ones. The kiss carried a faint metallic tang of blood, lingering longer than usual.

After this meeting, Xiao Huan held on for another month. Each time his heart ached, he would cough up blood, yet he stubbornly swallowed his medicine, never showing a trace of pain. His gaze when looking at Cang Cang remained as gentle as ever.

By the end of that month, the New Year was approaching. On this day, heavy snow fell again, blanketing the earth in silver.

Xiao Huan had been coughing up blood intermittently since the previous night. By the next morning, the blood had thoroughly stained the white silk handkerchief in Cang Cang's hand.

Helping him sit up, she personally washed and dressed him, then brought warm water for him to rinse his mouth. The moment the water touched his lips, he leaned forward and spat it out—crimson streaks dispersing in the blue-and-white porcelain bowl.

Jiao Yan, standing nearby, turned her face away, quietly wiping her tears.

Unable to eat, Xiao Huan no longer resisted when Cang Cang stopped urging him. She draped a snow-white fur cloak over him, lifted him into a wheelchair, and took him to the pavilion at the center of the lake to watch the snow.

The ponds in the Imperial Villa were all fed by hot springs, never freezing even in winter. The pavilion's heated floors kept the chill of the lake breeze at bay.

Xiao Huan had no strength left. Cang Cang carried him down onto the soft rug spread in the pavilion, wrapping her arms around his waist and letting him lean against her chest as they watched the snowflakes drift down onto the misty lake, dissolving into the water and vanishing.

Lying in her arms, Xiao Huan coughed softly, too weak to lift his hand to cover his lips. Fresh blood spilled from the corner of his mouth, staining the white fur cloak.

Wiping some of it away with her handkerchief, knowing he was used to suppressing it, Cang Cang held the cloth beneath his lips and smiled. "Brother Xiao, don't hold back. Let it all out."

Curving his lips slightly, Xiao Huan coughed again, blood welling up. Before long, it soaked through the handkerchief Cang Cang held, yet the coughing didn't stop—bright red trails streaked down his jaw and into his collar.

This relentless coughing came from holding back for too long. Cang Cang didn't know how much he had endured, but she held him close, listening to his soft coughs, gently nuzzling his cheek with hers. "Brother Xiao, promise me you won't hold back anymore, alright?"A faint smile curved his bloodstained lips as he gently grasped her hand. Xiao Huan looked at her and softly chuckled, "Cang Cang..."

Lowering her head, Cang Cang lightly kissed his brows and eyes, smiling as she said, "Brother Xiao, enough..." She carefully lifted him in her arms, continuing to smile, "It's alright... Brother Xiao..."

Without another word, Xiao Huan simply gazed at her, his deep eyes filled with tenderness.

They remained in the pavilion the entire day, her holding him lightly, him leaning against her shoulder. Between faint coughs, the light in his bright, deep eyes shimmered, never leaving her face.

From dawn till dusk, they nestled together, Xiao Huan lying weakly in her embrace.

As dusk deepened, Cang Cang brushed aside the raven-black hair at his temples, wiping away the traces of blood from his lips with her fingers before pressing a tender kiss to his cold, pale lips. "Brother Xiao, shall we go to the seaside?"

With a faint smile, Xiao Huan slowly clasped her hand, his voice soft yet clear. "Cang Cang..."

A lantern approached slowly from the lakeshore, carried by Xiao Qianqing. His features were indistinct in the heavy snow as he stood silently outside the pavilion.

Cang Cang smiled at him, shifting her sore legs and waist to better support Xiao Huan against her shoulder. Cradling him in her arms, she stood and nodded. "We're going to the seaside."

Silent, Xiao Qianqing looked at Xiao Huan in her arms, his bloodstained robes a stark contrast to his serene, snow-like countenance.

After a pause, he spoke. "The boat is ready."

Just as Cang Cang nodded and was about to pass him, he suddenly spoke in an uncharacteristically somber tone, devoid of any levity. "Brother Huan, the children... and I."

Though he didn't reply, Xiao Huan smiled and raised a pale hand toward him.

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Qianqing also raised a hand, clasping the cold fingers in his.

The faint sound of wind through the snow filled the air, the world around them silent and still.

For the first time, the Virtuous Blessing Emperor and the Regent Prince clasped hands as adults, their unspoken understanding sealed in this first and only handshake—a promise spanning decades to come.

With a smile, Xiao Huan closed his eyes and leaned lightly against Cang Cang's shoulder. Xiao Qianqing took a deep breath, releasing his hand and letting it rest at his side.

Cang Cang gave him a final smile before carrying Xiao Huan toward the carriage waiting by the lakeshore.

The North Sea wasn’t far, but the carriage moved slowly through the heavy snow. Cang Cang held Xiao Huan close, kissing his closed eyelids.

For two days and nights, every jolt of the journey took its toll on Xiao Huan’s fragile body. Yet he never lost consciousness, growing weaker until even speech was beyond him. His deep eyes remained fixed on Cang Cang with quiet warmth.

The snow never ceased, blanketing the world in silver. Finally, the sound of crashing waves reached them through the carriage window. Cang Cang kissed Xiao Huan’s pale, bloodless lips, her smile still as bright as a young girl’s after all these years. "Brother Xiao, we’re almost there."

His chest rose and fell with labored breaths, a faint smile lingering on his lips as he weakly squeezed her hand.

The body in her arms, always cool to the touch, had grown icy. Neither the warmth of the brazier nor her own embrace could chase away the cold. Cang Cang lifted the carriage’s leather curtain, gazing out at the white-capped waves crashing against the rocks, the snow still falling tirelessly from the sky.She smiled and lowered her head, kissing his relaxed brows and eyes. With a laugh, her gaze seemed to look back at the sea of crabapple blossoms that once filled Daiyu City: "Brother Xiao, we've arrived."

Empress Ling of Great Wu chose a unique way to bury both her beloved and herself.

On a snowy day, she cradled the dying Emperor Virtuous Blessing in her arms, traveling by carriage for two days and two nights to reach the seaside. There, she set a large ship adrift in the still-unfrozen North Sea—a vessel piled high with fuel and dry firewood.

Amid the heavy snow by the shore, Emperor Virtuous Blessing passed away peacefully in her embrace. She then lifted her beloved and boarded the ship, igniting the firewood drenched in kerosene beside her.

The vessel erupted into towering flames, and the unfurled sails carried the burning ship deep into the sea.

Those who witnessed it that day said the tongues of fire, swirling in the snowstorm, blazed as brilliantly as flowers, painting both sky and sea in hues of crimson.