Chapter 90: Extra · Fireworks
In the late autumn of the fifteenth year of Yongxing, Qi Daoning left the Capital City. As she passed through the city gates, she glanced back at the capital's magnificent walls. The capital was the capital, after all, entirely different from a borderland like Chuzhou. If only her sister could see it too.
The thought flashed through her mind, leading her to think of Qi Daolin, and the warmth in her heart offset the late autumn chill. She mounted her horse and said to her attendant, "Let's go! Back to Chuzhou."
The convoy began to move slowly, embarking on the long road home.
Qi Daoning was in no hurry, practically sightseeing along the way. Her attendant asked worriedly, "My lady, aren't we going a bit too slow?"
Qi Daoning was unconcerned. "What's the rush? Are we rushing back to get a beating?"
The attendant swallowed her remaining words with a strange expression. Even after so many years with Qi Daoning, she still didn't understand what she was thinking. Just as she hadn't understood why Qi Daoning had stirred up trouble in the capital, she now didn't understand why Qi Daoning wasn't hurrying back to beg the family head for forgiveness. But she knew that only the Fourth Lady could change a decision Qi Daoning had made; anything anyone else said was useless. She could only obey.
Halfway through their journey, a message from the family head arrived. Qi Daoning tore open the seal and glanced at it. As expected, it was full of reprimands and a summons to return. Qi Daoning barely scanned it before setting the letter alight.
The attendant asked tentatively, "Sixth Lady, shall we hurry along?" Qi Daoning curved her lips into a smile and agreed.
By the time they reached Chuzhou, it was already the winter month, but being in the south, it wasn't particularly cold. The moment she stepped through the door, Qi Daoning was met with a tirade from Qi Chengming. The gambling scheme had been her idea. When Qi Chengming had first heard her plan, he thought it was just childish squabbling and let her do as she pleased. He never imagined it would cause such a huge mess, even attracting the notice of Lu Songnian. A letter from him had caused Qi Chengming to lose a great deal of face, and that anger naturally had to be directed at the instigator.
Qi Daoning put on a look of guilt and self-reproach, explaining to her father, "...I only wanted to ease the worries of Father and Mother, but my thinking was too simple, and I let the matter get out of control. It was my mistake..."
Qi Chengming's anger subsided slightly. He gave her a cold glance. "If you've erred, you must be punished. Thirty strokes of the cane. Do you accept your punishment?"
"I accept."
Qi Chengming looked at his second son and fourth daughter standing by his side. The former stared at his own nose as if it were the most interesting thing in the world, completely indifferent. The latter stood obediently, looking at the kneeling Qi Daoning with a hint of concern. A thought stirred in his heart, and he said to Qi Daolin, "A'lin, you will administer the punishment."
"Father?" Qi Daolin was shocked, looking hesitantly at Qi Chengming.
Qi Chengming shouted, "Didn't you hear what I said!"
"Yes..."
A servant shrewdly handed over a rattan cane. It was their family's instrument of discipline. Qi Daolin had been a well-behaved child and had rarely felt its sting, but Qi Daochong, Qi Daoning, and their other siblings had been beaten with it quite often. That single, flexible rattan cane was soaked in the blood and tears of all the siblings. Qi Daolin took a deep breath and gripped it.
Qi Daoning walked out of the hall beside her and whispered in her ear, "Don't worry, Sister. I'm used to it. Just strike."
She removed her outer coat with a smile and knelt in the courtyard. Qi Daolin stood behind her, gritted her teeth, raised her arm, and brought the cane down.
Crack. The cane met flesh, making Qi Daoning tremble uncontrollably. She clenched her fists and endured it.
Seeing her sister's body shuddering beneath her thin clothes, Qi Daolin unconsciously lightened her blows. It only took a few strikes for Qi Chengming to notice.
"Qi Daolin! Haven't you eaten? Or do you want to be beaten alongside her?"
Qi Daoning turned her head and whispered to Qi Daolin, "Sister, just hit me. Let's get it over with quickly and go back."
Qi Daolin fought back the heat rising in her eyes and no longer held back, striking down hard, one blow after another. Thirty strokes wasn't actually that many, and it was over soon. As the last strike fell, Qi Daolin weakly released her grip, letting the rattan cane fall to the ground.
Qi Chengming and Qi Daochong had already left. Qi Daoning lay prostrate on the ground, panting. She had borne all thirty strokes without making a sound, only letting out her breath when it was over and collapsing. A soft cloak was draped over her shoulders. She looked up to see her sister looking down at her with a pained expression.
She smiled and, with Qi Daolin's help, struggled to her feet. "Sister, I brought you a gift."
Qi Daolin's heart ached for her. "Forget about gifts for now. Let's go back quickly, I'll apply medicine for you."
Qi Daoning inhaled her sister's scent, the satisfaction in her heart outweighing the pain. She obediently followed Qi Daolin back to her room, where her clothes were removed and ointment was applied.
Qi Daolin gently touched the raised welts on her back, overcome with sadness. She said, "You did this on purpose, didn't you?"
"Sister?"
"I don't believe your nonsense about losing control of the situation. With your intelligence, you must have planned this whole thing from the start, right?"
Qi Daoning chuckled, not denying it.
"Why?" Qi Daolin frowned.
"Ha, our parents and brother are filled with ambition, but their vision is like that of a frog in a well; they can't see that far ahead. They never cared about my plans in the capital anyway. Why let them waste it? It's better to set off a grand firework for my own amusement." Qi Daoning laughed happily as she lay on the couch.
"Is there something wrong with you? Trading a beating for a firework show, was it worth it?" Qi Daolin didn't know what to say to her. She had never quite understood what A'ning was thinking.
"It was worth it. It was so beautiful. I really wish you could have seen it too, Sister."
Qi Daolin sighed. "Father won't let me leave Chuzhou." Though his grand enterprise was not yet complete, Qi Chengming was already on guard against his own children. Daochong controlled the military, Daoning controlled intelligence, and Daolin managed administration, the three of them held in check by one another. Daoning was the wild card, allowed to go out and stir up trouble, while Daolin was Daoning's weakness, and so had to stay at home. He played his hand well.
Qi Daolin carefully lay down on the other side of the bed, avoiding her sister. Qi Daoning turned her head to look at her, surprised. "Sister isn't kicking me out today?"
Qi Daolin was silent for a moment before saying, "I'm not that cruel, am I?"
Qi Daoning squinted, smiling brightly. "Sister is so good."
Qi Daolin sighed. How was she good? As an older sister, she couldn't protect her younger sister; instead, her younger sister had to look after her. What kind of good was that?
She remained silent for a long time, so long that she thought Qi Daoning had fallen asleep. She murmured to herself, "A'ning, how do you think we can ever escape this cage?"
But Qi Daoning wasn't asleep. She heard her words, opened her eyes, and looked at her seriously. "Are you asking seriously, Sister?"
Qi Daolin had only been sighing to herself, but now, seeing the serious look in Qi Daoning's eyes, she suddenly became serious too. An impulse drove her to press on. She hummed in affirmation.
Qi Daoning replied with equal gravity, "There are only two paths, Sister."
"What are they?"
"Escape from here. Or become the one in control." Qi Daoning's voice was quiet, audible only to Qi Daolin, but every word was firm—so firm that it made Qi Daolin tremble.
"That's... how is that possible..." They appeared to be the beloved young ladies of Chuzhou's most powerful family, but in reality, they were merely prisoners in this cage. Their parents relied on them but also guarded against them. There were eyes everywhere. How could they leave? And how could they fight?
Enduring the pain, Qi Daoning reached out and put an arm around Qi Daolin's shoulder, pulling her closer. A nearly inaudible voice entered her ear, "As long as you want it, Sister, I will make it happen for you. Think about it carefully, Sister."
Qi Daoning fell asleep. But Qi Daolin could not. She replayed A'ning's words in her mind over and over. She knew this truth as well as anyone. But no matter which path she chose, it would be fraught with thorns. How could she possibly walk it? And what gave A'ning the confidence to speak with such conviction?
Some things are like seeds. Once they sprout, they grow wildly, unstoppable by any depth of soil.
"A'lin, A'lin?"
"I am here, Father." Qi Daolin returned to her senses and answered respectfully.
Qi Chengming gave her a strange look. His fourth daughter was steady and reliable, never making mistakes in official business. Zoning out in the middle of a discussion was unheard of. "What are you thinking about?"
"It's nothing. I just remembered something I need to verify later," Qi Daolin said, her expression unruffled.
Qi Chengming didn't press the matter. They had already finished discussing business. He suddenly felt he should show some concern for this sensible daughter of his. After a moment's thought, he said, "A'lin, how have you and A'wen been recently?"
"...The same as always. Quite good." A'wen was Qi Daolin's husband in name only. Neither of them liked the other, and they had long ago agreed to stay out of each other's lives, only putting on a show to appease their elders.
"It's not my place to say, but you're at that age. You should be thinking about heirs. You and A'wen have been married for several years now, how is it that there's been no news?" Qi Chengming was genuinely worried. "If A'wen doesn't suit you, should we add a few more attendant consorts?"
A wave of irritation washed over Qi Daolin, but she dared not show it. She merely said, "I understand, Father. I will do my best."
Qi Chengming tapped his fingers on the desk, his tone a warning. "I won't interfere in your private affairs, but watch yourself. Do not forget your status."
"...Yes."
Later, Qi Daolin would wonder when she had started to change. It was probably at that very moment. Her life had been just as bland and tasteless before, filled with the same brutish interference, the same suffocating control. But why, on that particular occasion, did a different thought arise in her mind? She pondered it for a long time but couldn't find an answer. In the end, she could only attribute it to Qi Daoning. Because as she kept retreating, Qi Daoning was always there behind her.
She would never forget it for the rest of her life. The day she told Qi Daoning of her decision, the usual playful and mocking expression on her younger sister's face vanished. First, her face was a blank slate, then it was flooded with joy. She said, "Sister, you've finally woken up."
Qi Daolin had always possessed a sharp mind. Paired with Qi Daoning—one orthodox, one unorthodox—the power they unleashed was unparalleled. From the winter of the fifteenth year of Yongxing to the summer of the sixteenth, in just half a year, they formed alliances and carried out deceptions. By the time Qi Chengming realized what was happening, they had him surrounded in his own estate with their troops.
Carrying Qi Daochong's head, Qi Daolin walked into the main hall, reeking of blood. Her father and mother sat at the head of the hall, watching her in silence.
She threw the bloody head onto the floor and said to her parents, "Father, Mother, is this enough to prove my ability?"
Qi Chengming's hand, hidden beneath his sleeve, trembled slightly. He had wished countless times for Qi Daolin to be more decisive and courageous, but now that she had truly become ruthless, he felt a chill run through his entire body.
"Is this a palace coup? Or a rebellion?" Qi Chengming remained silent. It was Wu Hongyan who reacted more quickly, asking in a cold voice.
Qi Daolin began to laugh. Her cheeks were still stained with blood, making her smile appear both eerie and bewitching. "What are you saying, Mother? How would your daughter dare? I have only come to ask Father and Mother for what is rightfully mine." The dignity that should never have been controlled, but which they had toyed with in the palm of their hands.
"Very well. You are now my sole heir," Qi Chengming said after a moment of deliberation.
Qi Daolin cut him off. "Wrong, Father. I don't want the heir's seal. I want the family head's seal."
"Insolence! Where does that leave me and your mother!" Qi Chengming was predictably enraged. He stood up and pointed at her, cursing.
"Father will naturally still be Father, and Mother will naturally still be Mother." Qi Daolin seemed not to hear him, remaining calm and composed. "I know what Father and Mother want. A'lin will surely achieve your desires for you. I only need your cooperation."
"Our great enterprise is not yet complete, and you want to discuss this with us now?" Wu Hongyan's tone softened as she lamented.
"Mother, it is precisely because it is not yet complete that we must clarify things first. A ship cannot have two captains steering in different directions. If we are to advance further, internal strife is absolutely unacceptable." Qi Daolin spoke slowly, causing Qi Chengming and Wu Hongyan to lower their guard.
Outside, Qi Daoning and her soldiers had surrounded the place completely. She leaned against the door, listening indifferently to the conversation inside, her hand never leaving the hilt of her sword.
Faced with armed soldiers on one side and Qi Daolin's persuasion and promises on the other, Qi Chengming and Wu Hongyan finally decided to hand over the family head's seal.
Qi Daolin sat in the study, toying with the small seal. Qi Daoning sat opposite her, watching with her chin propped on one hand.
Qi Daoning took the seal and sighed, "The power to control all of Chuzhou, the authority that has constrained us for so many years, turns out to be this small."
"Yes, just this small, yet it trapped all of us," Qi Daolin sighed in agreement.
"Sister, how big do you think the emperor's imperial seal is?" Qi Daoning raised an eyebrow.
"Who knows?"
Qi Daoning laughed loudly. "Then let's go and see. There's a pair of sisters in the capital too. How about we have the Wei sisters give up their seats for us?"
But Qi Daolin didn't laugh. She was still worried. "A'ning, do you really think we can succeed?"
"Sister, does that matter? It's execution of nine generations either way. Rather than die being implicated by that bunch of fools, I'd rather bloom like a firework before dying. What do you say?"
"You're right."
When Gao Yunqu arrived in Chuzhou, she was stopped outside the prefecture. Seeing the situation, she knew something was amiss. She sent a message back to the court while trying to negotiate with the Qi sisters.
Qi Daolin and Qi Daoning stood side by side on the high wall of the pass, looking down at Gao Yunqu below, a lone rider in a fluttering scarlet robe.
"I'm actually a little envious of this lord," Qi Daolin said to Qi Daoning. "At least her faith and her path forward are perfectly aligned. That's why she has the confidence to shout at us."
"Will you answer her, Sister? This Lord Gao is a rising star in the capital. Such an opportunity is rare," Qi Daoning replied.
Qi Daolin took her words to heart. She showed herself and shouted down to Gao Yunqu, "My lord, I am under my father's orders. I'm afraid I cannot comply."
"A father is a father, a child is a child. If a father's command is wrong, should the child carry it out without a second thought?" Gao Yunqu responded at once.
"But my lord, our dynasty has the law of collective punishment. Even if I do nothing, my parents' crimes will fall upon me. If I'm to die anyway, why not fight for a chance? If you were me, my lord, what would you do?"
Gao Yunqu thought about it seriously but felt that anything she said would be futile. So she said, "I choose to have no regrets in my heart. My principles, my Dao, demand my loyalty. I must be loyal to my own heart, even if it means betraying my parents and teachers, even if I am not understood, even if I must offer up my life. Lady Qi, by choosing to stand there, are you truly free of guilt?"
This time, it was Qi Daolin's turn to be silent. She lamented to Qi Daoning, "As expected of Lord Gao. I am far inferior."
No more words came from the top of the wall. Instead, ten thousand arrows were fired. Gao Yunqu was forced to turn and retreat. The rain of arrows landing behind her declared the failure of negotiations.
A month later, Gao Yunqu was joined by reinforcements from the Quzhou army and Fang Jian, who brought an imperial edict from the capital.
The battle was not easy. Chuzhou was easy to defend and hard to attack. A direct assault would cause too many casualties and might weaken the border forces in Quzhou. Gao Yunqu and Wei Licheng discussed for days and finally decided on a two-pronged approach. They had the Imperial City Guard and Quzhou Army scouts follow Xie Min along remote mountain paths to infiltrate Chuzhou and find an opportunity from within. The main army would feign an attack as a diversion, focusing on depleting Chuzhou's military supplies and morale.
Another half-month passed. Xie Min and her people ran into Zhong Yao's forces. The two joined hands and took the Wazhai Stronghold. They then split into two groups. One followed Xie Min to infiltrate the city and incite the old soldiers there to rise up. The other, led by Cheng Zhaoyang, had Imperial City Guard soldiers disguise themselves as people from Wazhai to infiltrate the various passes and stir up trouble when the opportunity arose. Chuzhou fell into chaos. Qi Daolin and Qi Daoning were forced to retreat and defend Chuzhou city.
On the fourth day of the seventh month, the grand army broke through Chuzhou's gates and poured into the prefecture, surrounding Chuzhou city. On the seventh day, the army breached Chuzhou city and captured Qi Chengming, Wu Hongyan, and the Qi sisters alive at the Qi estate. Chuzhou was thus pacified.
Qi Daolin and Qi Daoning were locked in adjacent cells. For some reason, their superiors had locked Qi Chengming and his wife far away on the other side. But for the two sisters, this was a good thing. At least they didn't have to listen to their parents' unpleasant words.
They leaned their heads together through the bars, speaking in low voices.
"Sister, do you regret it?"
"It was my own choice. What is there to regret?" Qi Daolin sighed softly. "But I should have told you to leave before the great battle. You're still so young."
Qi Daoning reached out and touched her cheek. "Sister, I would not have left. Where you are, I will be. We live and die together."
"Alright. Mutual destruction is a death I chose for myself. It's better than living a muddled life." Qi Daolin hugged her knees, pressing her cheek against Qi Daoning's palm.
"Sister, did you know? I was so happy the day you made your decision. No matter which path, I was prepared. No matter what you chose, I would have been very happy."
"Because I was finally willing to choose?"
"Yes, yes." Qi Daoning smiled happily.
Someone walked in from outside, approaching from a distance. The two looked up and saw Fang Jian standing outside their cells. Fang Jian had been in charge of their interrogation, so they naturally recognized her.
Because they had been extremely cooperative, Fang Jian was relatively friendly towards them. Having heard their story, she felt a degree of sympathy.
She spoke, "The verdict is basically set. The sentence will be announced in court on a chosen day."
Qi Daolin, as if chatting with a friend, looked composed and asked, "Death by a thousand cuts? Or execution by waist chop?"
"Her Majesty is merciful. Immediate execution by beheading."
"Her Majesty is indeed merciful."
Fang Jian looked at them with pity and suddenly asked, "Do you have any last wishes?"
Qi Daolin did not speak. Qi Daoning asked, "What is the verdict for Qi Chengming and Wu Hongyan?"
"Also beheading."
"Oh," Qi Daoning replied. Fang Jian felt she sounded a little regretful. But a moment later, Qi Daoning added, "Lord Fang, I'd like to ask, can we watch them be separated from their bodies first?"
Fang Jian was taken aback. She had never heard such a request. "Why?"
Qi Daoning and Qi Daolin exchanged a look. In that single glance, Qi Daolin understood what Qi Daoning was thinking. She continued, "We want to make a clean break with ourselves."
Fang Jian thought for a moment and replied, "I will do my best to try."
"Thank you, Lord Fang."
Their lives had been wrong from the very beginning. One wrong step after another, until the day Qi Daolin made her choice. Only then did they live for themselves, for once. They were like fireworks, so brilliant and dazzling, yet lasting only for an instant.
Author's Notes
This was the originally planned setting, but I later changed it to a HE (Happy Ending) because I hadn't figured out how to write the political intrigue.
This is the last BE! I swear!
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