Chapter 435
**Chapter 433: [Epilogue] Li Qingxun (11)**
Li Qingxun quickly sprang into action.
The fifty or so people in the marriage envoy became her sharp "blades." One by one, she gradually subdued the surrounding barbarian tribes, training soldiers, forging weapons, and expanding her territory.
A formidable force began to take shape.
In less than five years, she had conquered nearly a hundred tribes and declared herself queen. Once her power was stable, she launched an attack on the Yelang Kingdom. With her formidable military strength and strategic propaganda, the decaying Yelang dynasty ultimately crumbled, becoming part of her realm.
Li Qingxun personally led her army into the imperial capital of Yelang, where she confronted the elderly emperor with white hair.
What was the point of marrying into Yelang?
It was far more satisfying to conquer it.
The old emperor hurled insults at Li Qingxun, but with a swift stroke, she ended his life. She ascended the throne, and a new kingdom, the Southern Chu, was born.
After the establishment of Southern Chu, Li Qingxun waged wars abroad while Zhang He'an managed domestic affairs for her. Together, they formed a powerful alliance, and within two years, the situation in Southern Chu was completely stabilized.
The territory of Southern Chu expanded to the borders of the Qing Kingdom, with only a river separating the two nations.
At this time, the emperor of Qing was the former third prince, Li Ang.
When he learned of Li Qingxun's ascension, he was left speechless in shock. He could hardly believe that his younger sister had such immense capability and ambition.
Amidst his astonishment, Li Ang couldn't help but feel a sense of worry. Years ago, when Qing had sent her off to marry, perhaps Li Qingxun had harbored resentment. If she decided to attack Qing, war would surely reignite.
After much contemplation, Li Ang wrote a diplomatic letter to Li Qingxun, subtly probing her intentions.
By this time, the situation in Southern Chu had stabilized, and Li Qingxun had ceased her military campaigns, turning her focus to mining resources. Upon receiving Qing's letter, she returned to the palace at night to discuss it with Zhang He'an.
Li Qingxun asked, "Does he think I'm going to attack Qing?"
Zhang He'an, brushing her hair, replied, "So, do you want to attack Qing?"
Li Qingxun pondered for a moment, shaking her head regretfully. "The political situation in Qing is stable, their military strong, and the people are living well. Qing has close ties with Yue; if I were to forcefully send troops, the chances of victory would be slim."
So, no attack.
She was a lover of peace.
"Ah, could you give my shoulders a bit of a massage?" Li Qingxun said, stretching her neck. After years of being on the move, her body was starting to feel the toll.
Zhang He'an patiently massaged her shoulders.
In the warm glow of Chang Le Palace, the night was tranquil, and the sounds of insects filled the spring air. Li Qingxun gazed at Zhang He'an in the silver mirror; nearly ten years had passed, yet Zhang He'an's beauty remained untouched, like wine that grew richer with age.
She felt a flutter in her heart.
Turning around, she playfully kissed Zhang He'an's long neck, naturally shifting the scene back to the bed, where they indulged in playful antics.
...
Months passed, and Li Qingxun sent diplomatic letters to both the emperors of Qing and Yue, sincerely inviting them to the "Three Kingdoms Leaders' Meeting and Trade Fair."
Southern Chu was rich in resources, with abundant gold, silver, and gemstones; Qing thrived in commerce and grain production; Yue was known for its cotton and developed livestock industry.
Recently, Li Qingxun had been trying to manufacture instruments, requiring a lot of materials from both Qing and Yue. Opening trade with the two kingdoms was the best way to acquire what she needed.
The letters were dispatched.
Both Tuo Ba Yu of Yue and Li Ang of Qing responded positively, willing to accept the invitation. Now, the three kingdoms stood in a state of equilibrium, and peace was the long-term solution.
The meeting was set in a small place called Mingzhou, a border area with no county administration. Soldiers were stationed early to ensure the safety of the emperors.
After ten years, Li Qingxun met Li Ang and Tuo Ba Yu once more.
She greeted Li Ang with a smile, "Third brother, long time no see."
Li Ang felt a mix of surprise and wariness.
His emotions were complex, but he ultimately managed a friendly smile. "Sixth sister, it's good to see you."
Tuo Ba Yu looked at Li Qingxun.
They had met twice in Liangzhou City years ago, when Li Qingxun was still youthful, riding her horse through the streets, reciting heartfelt poetry about the welfare of the people. She had rejected his proposal, choosing to stand on her own as a queen.
Tuo Ba Yu felt a twinge of regret.
All three emperors were ambitious, not weak or foolish. After three days of discussions, an agreement was reached.
As night fell, a grand celebration banquet commenced, with the three emperors taking their seats. Li Ang spotted Zhang He'an, whom he hadn't seen in years.
Zhang He'an sat beside Li Qingxun, who had drunk quite a bit. Without a word, Zhang He'an quietly replaced her wine with tea to sober her up. Li Ang watched Zhang He'an's actions, intrigued.
Rumors swirled outside, claiming that the Empress of Southern Chu had forcibly taken the Chancellor of Qing, trapping him in her harem.
But Li Ang knew Zhang He'an well.
No one could force him.
Zhang He'an willingly chose to stay by Li Qingxun's side.
As the banquet concluded, Li Qingxun was quite drunk. Burping, she called out to Tuo Ba Yu and Li Ang, "Wait up, I have something to say to you two..."
Tuo Ba Yu and Li Ang halted.
Li Qingxun, in her drunken state, declared, "My harem in Southern Chu is empty. If you two are interested, you can join me. I promise I won't treat you poorly... Heh. That dog Zhang He'an won't let me find a young lover, hmph, but I not only want to find one, I want to take the emperors of other nations as my consorts... Heh."
Tuo Ba Yu: ...
Li Ang: ...
Tuo Ba Yu looked at Li Qingxun and thought to himself that if he weren't an emperor, he might actually consider her proposal. After all, there were countless women in the world, but a unique woman like Li Qingxun was truly rare.
Zhang He'an's expression turned cold as he helped the inebriated Li Qingxun away.
The next day, when Li Qingxun woke up, her head throbbed painfully, the hangover making her feel miserable. She irritably pressed her temples and called out, "Zhang He'an, I need some hot water."
After calling several times without a response from Zhang He'an, a clever palace maid entered, bringing a cup of hot water to her bedside. "Your Majesty, hot water is here."
Li Qingxun frowned. "Where's Zhang He'an?"
The maid lowered her head and replied softly, "He took you back to your room last night and then went to the study alone."
Li Qingxun was puzzled.
In the past, they always slept side by side, and she would see his face in the morning. Today, the sun seemed to rise in the west; how could Zhang He'an be sleeping in the study?
Li Qingxun, with her carefree nature, didn't think much of it, assuming Zhang He'an had something to attend to.
After finishing her hot water, she began to eat breakfast.
After a hearty meal, Li Qingxun sent someone to check on the troops, preparing to return to Southern Chu the next day. As night fell, Zhang He'an still hadn't shown up, and Li Qingxun began to sense something was off.
She headed to the study to find Zhang He'an.
In the study, Zhang He'an wore a deep red robe, his black hair held up with a wooden hairpin. The candlelight flickered brightly as he held a brush, writing on rice paper.
The incense in the bronze burner was fragrant and elegant.
Li Qingxun leaned against the pillar of the study, feeling as if Zhang He'an was a painting.
He was captivating, beautiful.
Clearing her throat, she approached the desk. "What are you busy with today?"
Zhang He'an paused his writing, slowly lifting his head. His obsidian-like eyes held a sadness that Li Qingxun couldn't comprehend.
Her heart felt as if it had been gently pricked by a knife.
She asked, "Don't look at me like that... What happened? Is it that Qing is forcing you to return?"
Zhang He'an shook his head slowly.
He set down the brush and suddenly asked in a soft voice, "Ah Xun, are you tired of me?"
Li Qingxun was taken aback.
She moved closer to Zhang He'an, puzzled. "Stop talking nonsense, when have I ever grown tired of you—ah, Zhang He'an, don't give me that look, making me seem like a heartless person."
Zhang He'an lowered his gaze.
He looked so wronged and sad, like a person who had thrown caution to the wind for love, only to be abandoned by their true love.
Li Qingxun racked her brain, trying to recall what she might have done wrong in recent days to provoke Zhang He'an's wild thoughts—after much contemplation, she suddenly remembered her drunken ramblings from the night before.
She had been quite tipsy, seemingly wanting to take the emperors of Yue and Qing as consorts...
Li Qingxun cursed inwardly.
Drinking ruins everything!
She grasped Zhang He'an's hand, trying to reassure him. "Don't overthink it; I was just talking nonsense! You can't take what a drunk person says seriously! Besides, Tuo Ba Yu and Li Ang are both over thirty, old and ugly; how could I possibly like old, dried-up meat?"
Zhang He'an replied, "I'm thirty-five this year too."
Li Qingxun's head throbbed. She really wasn't good at comforting a jealous man. She could only tug at Zhang He'an's sleeve, awkwardly saying, "That's not what I meant! Zhang He'an, get a grip! Don't play the victim; I won't fall for that."
Zhang He'an pulled his sleeve away. "Then go find a younger boy."
His tone was increasingly like that of a wronged wife.
Li Qingxun: ...
Li Qingxun was at a loss for words. She simply grabbed Zhang He'an's collar and kissed him to silence him.
Zhang He'an wrapped his arms around her waist, responding slowly.
Before long, the study became a battlefield, the palace lanterns burning late into the night.
The saying that couples often argue at the head of the bed and make up at the foot of the bed held true throughout history.
On the way back to Southern Chu the next day, Li Qingxun lay in the carriage, her body sore. Zhang He'an patiently massaged her back and legs. Li Qingxun, slowly coming to her senses, lifted her eyelids. "Were you deliberately playing the victim last night?"
Zhang He'an continued to massage her, hiding a smile at the corners of his mouth. "No."
The carriage continued south.
Zhang He'an held Li Qingxun's hand and softly said, "Ah Xun, promise me you'll never leave me, okay?"
Li Qingxun squinted her eyes. "We'll see; maybe I'll die before you."
...
Li Qingxun's casual remark unexpectedly turned prophetic.
Not long after returning to Southern Chu, Li Qingxun's health suddenly deteriorated severely. Years of battling in the barbarian tribes had exposed her to toxic miasmas in the mountains, and the accumulated toxins in her body began to manifest after she turned thirty.
Li Qingxun's body started to weaken.
In truth, she didn't care much about life and death. Everyone dies; she was no exception.
Perhaps she would be lucky enough to return to the modern world after death.
After establishing Southern Chu, Li Qingxun began to develop resources like oil within the kingdom, attempting to build a modern civilization within a feudal dynasty. Unfortunately, productivity was too backward; despite her modern knowledge, she couldn't even produce the simplest plastic bag.
Li Qingxun calmly prepared for her own funeral, but Zhang He'an's obsessive madness began to show.
He couldn't accept Li Qingxun leaving him and tried every means to save her.
He prayed to gods, consulted oracles, sought out immortals and medicines, and tried every method available.
But Li Qingxun continued to wither away.
She passed away at the age of thirty-five.
The entire nation mourned.
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