Silent Lover (The Silent Concubine) - Chap 109
=Chapter 109 – The Demon Star
Chapter 109 – The Demon Star
Less than half a month later, the messengers Emperor Ye had sent to Yunmeng in the southern kingdom reported back urgently. They had indeed found Jun Shanling at the bottom of Yunmeng Lake. The tomb was intact and untouched by tomb raiders…
However, the underwater tomb couldn’t be entered immediately. If they attempted to excavate it forcefully, the contents might be destroyed. The only solution was to drain the lake first, which was no small project. The governor of Huguang had already gathered over a thousand laborers, but it was not a task that could be completed overnight.
Xiao Xiye had no time to rejoice as he was preoccupied with the chaos caused by the Northern Frontier Army…
Jun Xuanxiao had deliberately allowed himself to be captured, successfully diverting the Emperor’s attention and causing the Jing Army to relax their defenses. By the time they realized that the Northern Frontier Army had quietly crossed the Yellow River and entered the heart of the central plains, it was already too late…
Upon his return, Jun Xuanxiao led the Northern Frontier Army on a rapid advance, covering a hundred miles a day, quickly reaching Juyong Pass, less than a hundred miles from the capital…
Emperor Ye had thought his army of two hundred thousand could easily suppress the mere fifty thousand Northern Frontier troops, but his illusions were shattered by their iron hooves…
The Northern Frontier Army was the elite force of the Great Jing, trained to be a formidable iron army in the northern region, with high cohesion. The Jing Army, though larger in number, was hastily assembled from various factions. Several of the Emperor’s promising generals were no match for Jun Xuanxiao’s strategic brilliance…
Xiao Xiye stopped seeking Shen Yu’s advice, while Jun Xuanxiao’s tactics continued to evolve, always gaining the upper hand…
Fortunately, Juyong Pass was an excellent defensive barrier against external enemies, temporarily keeping the Northern Frontier Army at bay. If it fell, Jun Xuanxiao could reach the palace within seven days…
Rumors spread through the palace, claiming the Emperor was bewitched by a demon, and this demon had been brought back from the North by Prince Zhenbei. It was said that Prince Zhenbei had rebelled in a rage over this demon, intending to reclaim it…
These rumors quickly spread throughout the capital. Officials and commoners alike lamented the betrayal, believing that the Emperor and Prince Zhenbei, once sworn brothers, had turned against each other over a demon. The tea house storytellers elaborated on the tale, describing this demon as having the appearance of a man with the beauty of a woman, unable to speak, and so enchanting that even a single glance could be mesmerizing…
Throughout history, every foolish king who lost his country had a demon by his side that brought disaster…
To confirm these rumors, the Chief Astronomer observed the stars at night and found that the demon star in the north shone brightly, almost eclipsing the light of the Pole Star. He rushed to the Emperor, declaring it an omen of chaos and disaster for the Great Jing!
Xiao Xiye kicked the Chief Astronomer out of the palace in a rage…
The Emperor, so blinded, faced petitions from officials and citizens, urging him to order the execution of the demon to save the Great Jing from calamity.
Even the court ministers, despite their doubts, began to believe, as Prince Zhenbei was on the verge of capturing the capital. They could do nothing but cling to the hope that executing the demon would bring them some sense of security and divine intervention…
Emperor Ye, increasingly anxious and weary, only found solace in the Qilin Pavilion at night. The mute one never made noise, making him the best listener…
Shen Yu ignored the rumors outside. Aside from the occasional hostile glares and harsh words from the palace maids and eunuchs in the Qilin Pavilion, the rumors didn’t affect him much…
“Your Majesty… please, look at Yu’er. He hasn’t slept for two days, and he just coughed up blood! If you don’t help him, Yu’er won’t survive!”
Shen Yu looked up. It was Empress Jiang’s voice, hoarse from crying as she knelt outside the Qilin Pavilion…
“I’ll be back soon.”
Xiao Xiye set down the flag on the strategy board and stood up. Shen Yu hesitated briefly, then followed him out…
Empress Jiang held a tightly wrapped child, only the flushed little face visible. She cried so hard her vision blurred, kneeling and begging…
Accompanied by several palace maids, and supported by Concubine Shen, Empress Jiang pleaded…
“Yu’er has been sick for so long, I am worried too, but I am not a doctor. The imperial physicians all say it’s just a cold. What can I do?”
Empress Jiang glared at Shen Yu, sobbing, “The imperial physicians keep saying he’ll get better, but Yuer gets worse every day. He coughed up blood just now!”
Shen Yu then noticed the bloodstains on the Third Prince’s mouth and clothes…
“The Chief Astronomer said he’s cursed by the demon star! How else could an ordinary cold not get better?!”
“Nonsense!” the Emperor shouted angrily. “Everything is blamed on the demon star, even illness?!”
Empress Jiang pointed viciously at Shen Yu, shouting, “I am not speaking nonsense! It’s this demon! Since he entered the palace, Yu’er has been bedridden. Why won’t you listen to your loyal ministers and instead be deceived by his lies? Do you have to wait until he kills all your children?!”
Xiao Xiye replied impatiently, “Then why are the other princes fine, and only Yu’er is sick?”
“The Chief Astronomer said Yu’er’s name clashes with the demon star! This curse is meant to kill my son first…” Empress Jiang, her hair disheveled, cried with her face pressed against the Third Prince.
Xiao Xiye paused, muttering “Yu’er, Yu’er,” with a flicker in his eyes. Seeing the Empress’s pitiful state, he couldn’t bear it…
“Maybe it’s just a coincidence… He needs to reduce his fever; don’t wrap him in so many clothes.”
Xiao Xiye, losing confidence in his words, reached out to touch the Third Prince’s face, but quickly withdrew his hand…
The Third Prince had no breath left.
The term “煜儿” (Yù’ér) is a diminutive or affectionate form of the name 煜 (Yù), which means “bright” or “glorious” in Chinese. The suffix “儿” (ér) is often used as a term of endearment, especially for children. So, “煜儿” (Yù’ér) can be translated as “little Yù” or “dear Yù,” indicating affection and tenderness, likely used by parents or close family members when referring to a child named 煜.
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