《Daiyu's Ascent》63. Cousins Are Forever
Advertisement
Shocked stares and gaping mouths accompanied Tang Daiyu's statement. It was common knowledge that Prince Shangwei had never been in the capital before; they couldn't believe what they were hearing.
Prince Yelang's finger flew up as he pointed to his nephew. "You-!"
Feng Yun bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Royal Uncle."
"Feng Yun, so you've finally decided to come to court?"
"I admit, Official Kang spent a lot of time persuading me. I was quite against the idea of being Emperor."
"Then what changed your mind?"
Feng Yun turned ninety degrees to his right. He smiled at his younger cousin.
"Not what, who."
Prince Yelang groaned and pointed at Tang Daiyu. "Stop being so cryptic, she’s already given me enough trouble and a headache for one day."
Feng Yun chuckled and answered, "Tang Daiyu."
This time, Liang Yingzhou's jaw almost dropped. He spun around and stared at her.
"How many influential people have you met?"
She smiled sweetly and asked, "What? Am I rivalling you now, Zhou-ge?"
Stepping forward, she walked past him and came up to Feng Yun. Bowing respectfully, she smirked and said, "Greetings to Older Cousin."
"Older Cousin?!" the entire hall exclaimed.
Even Liang Yingzhou, Kang Lei, and Prince Xie were shocked speechless.
"Younger Cousin, you've grown up."
"He acknowledged her as his younger cousin?!"
Exclaims filled the room.
"She was married to Emperor Rong, who is his cousin. It makes sense that she'd address him as such."
Ripples of agreement wound through the officials and ministers in the room. But their words were proven false by the next question.
"How is Auntie? She was so pretty in the light pink Hanfu and all of the hairpins the last time I saw her."
Shock splashed over everyone's face. "She even acknowledged Court Lady Yu as her aunt?!"
Sadness filled Feng Yun's eyes. "Mother fell ill a couple years ago. She passed away not too long after that."
Tang Daiyu felt like she had gotten the breath knocked out of her. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. I left Jiangzhou after I had her buried. I've been wandering western Heping ever since."
The others in the court were eyeing them both, confused and dumbstruck.
"Then how did Official Kang find you?"
"My mother trusted him, so he's always known. He sent me a message while I was in Chengdu. I hastened to Nanning after receiving it."
"Then what do you mean I changed your mind?"
Kang Lei interjected, "I was reluctant to tell him about you. Though I know Prince Shangwei is worldly, he wasn't aware of everything going on concerning you. I didn't know you two knew each other from before."
"We met only once in our lives," they answered at the same time.
Liang Yingzhou's eyes suddenly darkened with jealously. Kang Lei nodded.
"Of course. Anyways, when I finally mentioned your name, he agreed right away."
Advertisement
Tang Daiyu titled her head, trying to figure Feng Yun out.
He chuckled, "What?"
"I'm surprised you even remember me."
"How could I not? You knew way too much about politics for being a ten year old. It intrigued me. Speaking of which, how is Uncle Ru?"
The entire room fell silent. Feng Yun's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Liang Yingzhou walked up and put an arm around her shoulders. Feng Yun watched, feigning reticence.
"On your journeys in the west, you must not have gotten news of the wider world, Prince Shangwei."
"What do you mean, Master Liang?"
"You know who I am?"
"Of course. You're the one in charge of Uncle Ru's ancestral home, Swift Breeze Sect."
Still unsure of the man before him, Liang Yingzhou said, "Chancellor Ru, Bi Mingyu, and Tang Bao are dead."
Feng Yun's expression changed. He leaned forward and peered at Tang Daiyu. Tears began to well in her eyes, telling him that the martial arts master in front of him spoke the truth. But then, something caught in his mind.
"Tang Bao?"
She looked up and said softly, "Mother gave Father a son ten months after we visited Liangzhou. You turned out to be right. He was so happy when Baobao was born. Many people congratulated him on finally having a son."
"Are you still upset about what I said?"
She shook her head. "No. That's long past. Plus, we've both changed since then."
"Indeed. You wound up as Empress of Heping."
"And now, you'll be Rong's successor. Just from that day we talked, I know you'll set Heping straight. Auntie educated you well. She was right to keep you from court politics. It's destroyed almost everything important to me. I'd rather just leave it all behind me."
"So you'll throw me into the lion's den?"
She chuckled. "I won't abandon you. I'm your younger cousin after all."
Tang Daiyu took a deep breath, turned towards the crowd of officials and ministers, and announced, "By the power of my regency, I declare that on the next auspicious day, Prince Shangwei be crowned as Emperor of Heping."
The others could do nothing but obey her whims. The officials and ministers bowed.
"Her Highness is wise."
Then, Cao Meixin, Bei Qing, Hua Chao-Xing, and Wu Caihong entered the hall. Liang Yingzhou walked over to them.
"Is it done?" he asked.
They nodded. "Yes. All of Prince Yelang's guards have been immobilised."
"Good," Tang Daiyu's voice rang out. "Because I have one more thing to do today."
Liang Yingzhou turned towards him and mouthed, What are you doing? This isn't part of the plan.
She ignored him.
"And what is that?" Prince Yelang snarked. "Who else do you plan to kill Daiyu? First you assassinated Emperor Jianyuan, thank you for that, and then my son. Who's next?"
Advertisement
She spun towards him. "Someday soon, I will see you off to the afterlife, Father-in-law. But today, I have a different, more important matter."
Whipping around towards the exit, she roared, "BRING IT IN!"
Soon, cart loads of the false evidence were wheeled in by Shuo Zhang, Xia Dongya, and the other Chang exiles. Officials and ministers parted to let them through. Liang Yingzhou and the others watched as Tang Daiyu faced Prince Yelang.
"Behold! All of the false evidence you and Rong made against my father, against my family. Did you really think I'd let you or him destroy it? No. Once I found it, I had some allies help me move it out of the palace and to a safe place. I knew I would use it to make you pay one day. And now... that day has finally come. After today, my father, my mother, and my baby brother can finally rest in peace."
Turning, she swept her arm in a wide arc. "Take a look! These are all falsified accounts, lies, about my father's treason to Emperor Jianyuan. You'll notice that the handwriting matches Prince Yelang's and Emperor Rong's."
The ministers and officials slowly did as she asked. When they saw she was right, they turned on Prince Yelang.
"Your Highness, explain this!"
"How could you have done this?"
"If you hadn't done this, would Heping have suffered so much backlash from the tensions with Chang?"
Prince Yelang glowered at Tang Daiyu. He whipped his arm out. Sharp, needle-like, hidden weapons flew from his long sleeves. She didn't notice them, but both Liang Yingzhou and Feng Yun did. Even though Liang Yingzhou had great speed, Feng Yun was still closer. He gasped and dashed in front of her. The hidden weapons continued to fly towards them. But then, they suddenly stopped in mid-air, not moving and not falling to the ground. Prince Yelang stared, shocked.
When Liang Yingzhou got to her side, he asked, "Ah Daiyu, are you okay?"
She nodded slightly. Feng Yun turned around.
"What just happened?"
Then, both men noticed that she had gone pale.
"Ah Daiyu."
"Younger Cousin."
"What is it?" they asked.
Her eyes were locked on the frozen hidden weapons. Iced Rigour Mortis Technique?
Tang Daiyu swallowed slowly. Then, she began to walk forward, feet dragging along the ground Liang Yingzhou and Feng Yun watched, nervous, as she approached the weapons. Her hand reached out, shaking. When her hand neared the weapons, it stopped. She quickly retracted her hand.
It is Iced Rigour Mortis Technique. Which means... Shifu must be here.
"Ah Daiyu."
Liang Yingzhou drew her back. "What is this?"
Her bottom lip quivered. "A unique skill from Hei Siwang. It's a freezing move called Iced Rigour Mortis Technique."
"Ah Daiyu, you didn't-"
She shook her head. "No. I know of it, but I never learned it. Shifu must be here."
"Indeed, for how could I let anyone kill my disciple?"
Everyone spun to see Pei Xinhui holding a sword to Prince Yelang's neck. His eyes latched onto Tang Daiyu.
"Xiao Tang, glad you accepted my offer four years ago?"
"You helped me find a reason to live on. Thank you, Shifu."
"Then tell me, what would you like me to do with him?"
He nodded towards Prince Yelang.
Hatred burned in her heart. But as she looked at Liang Yingzhou, Xia Dongya, Shuo Zhang, Feng Yun, and the others, the overpowering desire for revenge began to die out.
She sighed and said, "Two Blood Hit."
Pei Xinhui stared at her incredulously. "Do you not want to avenge your family? They died needlessly. You've had hatred in your heart and revenge on your mind for the past four years. Why only Two Blood Hit?"
"It'll still kill him. But it'll take time. I'd rather he suffer like I did. The loss of your family is something that doesn't go away easily. If it does, then you're truly an unfilial person."
Pei Xinhui sighed. "Very well, Xiao Tang."
He withdrew his sword and dropped it off to the side. Stepping in front of Prince Yelang, he slammed his palms against his chest, breaking his heart meridians. When it was done, Pei Xinhui grabbed his sword and stepped down. He stopped in front of Tang Daiyu.
Proudly, he said, "Xiao Tang, it's a momentous day for you. Congratulations."
Sadness filled his eyes. He began to cough and covered his mouth with his sleeve.
"Shifu!" she cried.
Her hands shot out. She grabbed his arm. As he lowered it away from his face, she saw the blood dyed onto his blue scholar robes. Her features softened with concern, and she looked up into his eyes, scared.
"No," she breathed. Tears began to well in her eyes. She shook her head fervently. "No."
Feng Yun and the others were confused. But Liang Yingzhou made a guess. He stepped up to be at Tang Daiyu's side.
"Is it the effects of Hei Siwang?" he asked quietly.
Pei Xinhui nodded. "Yes. My peak has passed. Based on my current calculations, I only have a few months left."
Tang Daiyu let out a choked sob. Liang Yingzhou caught her as she doubled over. She looked at Pei Xinhui, anguished.
"Shifu, is that why you returned to the south?"
He nodded. "I had planned to return home to Guangzhou and not come back. But when I sensed that you had finally switched qi's, I came back."
She straightened and asked, "How did you know?"
He gave her a weak smile. "I'll always know, Xiao Tang."
Then, his eyelids fluttered, and he collapsed into her arms.
Advertisement
The Gods' Chosen Few
This is a story about six summoned humans from modern earth to a world of magic, monsters, and gods'. There are five large cities in four kingdoms. There's the Fire kingdom to the south. Almost completly a desert known for their cheifs, fire mages, and their mostly beastkin kingdom blessed and watched over by the fire god Pyritis. Then there's the Air kingdom full of trees the size of mountains to the east known for their magnificent carpenter's, archer's, wind mages, and mostly elves living there watched over by the air goddess Zephra. After that there's the Water kingdom against the ocaen to the west known for their massterwork alchemy, massive navy, and water and ice mages mostly populated with humans cared for by the water goddess Aquatis. Finally the earth kingdom in the massive mountains to the north known for their expert blacksmithing, earth mages, and being mainly filled with dwarves protected by the earth god Teran. There are temples of healing throughout all the four kingdoms that worships the goddess of light and life Rayanna. There is also a sixth goddess who isn't mentioned any longer due to the zealots killing innocents in her name in the name of Nyx goddess of death and darkness. There is one massive city built on the corner of all four kingdoms where many people live and the kingdoms' kings' and queens' come to meet and conduct political business as well as meet and realx as friends. It also serves on major purpose. It is used to summon heroes from another world. The kings' and queens' have been notified by the head preists of their respective gods that it's time to summon heroes to help quell the rising army of zealots. Hi there ladies and gentlemen. This is my first time writing and uploading a story on Royal Road. I'm looking for constructive criticism and helpful input. I'm looking forward to a long and amazing journey from here on out.
8 161Step Father
"One" he says going a little faster. He sits back up and goes deeper. "Twwooo" i moan out. "Threee" and i let loose. I scream out his name. I feel him fill the condom up inside of me. He groan out yelling out curse words. He leans back down. "You, baby girl, i love you"
8 451Languor || Zhong Chenle
Mafia!au (completed)lan·guor/ˈlaNG(ɡ)ər/The state or feeling, often pleasant, of tiredness or inertia.'If this languid feeling is because of you, let me feel it down my veins longer.'#1 on #chenle 23/12/2020#1 on #nctchenle 23/12/2020#1 on #nctjisung 23/12/2020#1 on #jaemin 29/12/2020#1 on #nctrenjun 14/04/2021 (13/04/2022)#1 on #psychopath 05/03/2022#9 on #nct 08/11/202121/April/2020 - 17/December/2020
8 122At The Lions Gate
In the 20th century America reinvented itself. Devastated by depression, scarred by war, rocked by a revolution, Americans banded together to preserve their country and their freedom. They had faith in themselves, faith in one another, and for those who believed…faith in God. This novel tells the story of one American who lived through those turbulent years….years that would test his character and the character of a nation. For Josh Sanders it begins in 1935. A star athlete in school, pro football is a ticket out of poverty during the Great Depression; but when his father, a WWI veteran, is killed during a robbery, Josh’s spirit is broken, and with it his boyhood dream. To honor his father Josh joins the war effort in 1942, distinguishing himself as a fighter pilot, until a fateful decision near the end of the war changes the course of his life once again. But many years later, after a stint as a boxer and a failed marriage, Josh finds his calling…at a time when the country is at war with itself. The year is 1968. King and Kennedy have been killed, race riots are breaking out, and Vietnam has become an albatross, causing massive protests across the country. In the streets of San Francisco Josh watches a crowd of students march for peace. As a veteran he’s conflicted, toward the war and those who oppose it. But when he encounters Rosy Goldin, a spirited young protester in need of help, a voice from the past calls him to action. His good intentions are soon tested when Rosy falls in love with the fugitive anti-war activist Erick White, a young man determined to oppose the war at all costs, against the wishes of his own father. Fearful of what happens to Rosy, Josh confronts Erick, unwilling to be part of his plan to escape…until he meets the boy’s father. A high-powered criminal attorney, Karl White is also a flag-waving patriot demanding that his son follow the law. But as White makes his case Josh is jolted by a painful war-time memory, a crisis of conscience that will soon determine the fate of Rosy Goldin and Erick White.
8 108Old Friends (K/DA x male Reader)
This story is about (Y/N) (L/N) a navy seal and old friend of the K/DA girls. they meet again after a decade without contact. will (Y/N) learn to trust the four girls again? And how will the four react when they find out what Y/N has been doing for the last 10 years?*I do not own any pictures and/or videos shown in this story. All credits goes to their respective owners
8 69Poor Quality Art Lol
by poor quality I mean, Amazon Fire tablets have horrible cameras, and I guess my art sucks too but whatever-Cover art is mine
8 79