Going from "Fanservice" to Reality with My Goddess - Chapter 22

Shen Yan (acting as the Crown Prince) stood still for an unknown amount of time before finally stepping through the gates of the palace.

Inside, the hall was hauntingly quiet. No human voice could be heard; only the candle flames burned steadily in the stillness. Shen Yan lifted the door curtain and entered the inner chambers. Raising her eyes, she immediately saw that familiar figure.

The person before her was as beautiful as ever like a brilliantly blooming peach blossom that had temporarily folded its petals, losing none of its charm while gaining a touch of tranquil beauty.

She leaned quietly against the desk, her expression serene, looking as if she had simply grown tired and fallen asleep while leaning over the table. It seemed that if Shen Yan were to walk over and pat her shoulder, or lean down to plant a soft kiss on her cheek, she would slowly wake up and offer her a radiant smile, just as she always did.

The corners of Shen Yan’s lips involuntarily curved upward. But in the next second, that upward arc fell.

When Shen Yan had gone to war, she had faced a narrow escape from death. Upon her return, Yu Nianzhi had thrown herself into Shen Yan’s arms and wept bitterly. But now… who was left to give her a hug?

Turning her head, Shen Yan saw a sachet on the table embroidered with the words “A Harmonious Union for a Hundred Years.” Scattered beside it were several Xiangsi seeds (rosary peas) and a letter.

Shen Yan carefully put the sachet away before picking up the letter.

Yu Nianzhi had left this suicide note using the calligraphy Shen Yan had taught her. Though the paper was thin, it felt as heavy as a thousand pounds in her hand. Shen Yan raised the letter; the first words to meet her eyes were: “To my dear husband.” The handwriting was neat and elegant, a sight for sore eyes much like the woman herself.

When Yu Nianzhi first arrived in Southern Liao, she barely knew a handful of characters, yet now she could write this well. Shen Yan remembered that when she first started teaching her, Yu Nianzhi had jokingly said she would write a letter to her once she learned how. She simply hadn’t had the chance to fulfill that promise until now.

Now, finally, she had her wish.

Shen Yan reached for the seal, but she paused halfway through opening it. This was the first letter the woman had ever written to her and it would be the only one. Ultimately, Shen Yan folded the letter, placed it inside the sachet, and tucked the sachet into her robes, nesting it against her own.

The two sachets overlapped, like two souls who loved each other deeply, clinging together.

Shen Yan lifted Yu Nianzhi in her arms, walked to the bed, and gently laid her down. She whispered a soft reproach: “You’re a grown woman; how could you fall asleep at the desk? What if you catch a cold?” Her tone was full of doting affection, just as it had been many times before.

Shen Yan covered Yu Nianzhi with the quilt and tucked in the corners. She seemed not to notice the coldness of the body in her arms, focused only on the routine actions she would normally perform. She gazed silently at the quiet face on the bed, making no further sound, as if afraid to disturb a beautiful dream.

The atmosphere held a chilling, heavy stillness.

After an unknown duration, a chaotic shouting erupted outside the hall, Wen Jian’s guards had finally caught up. Shen Yan frowned, displeased by the arrival of these uninvited guests.

“Wait for me, wife.”

She leaned down, kissed Yu Nianzhi on the forehead, and walked out of the palace. The noise outside grew closer, soon reaching the front of the hall. Shen Yan looked around, picked up a sword previously discarded by a guard, and stood her ground before the palace.

Facing the confrontation alone against a vast number of guards, Shen Yan knew she had no chance of victory. Yet, she stood before the hall with unwavering resolve. She no longer had anything to worry about.

The guards had come sprinting all the way, but they halted their steps before the palace. Standing before them was only one person. The cool night breeze caught her robes, making her appear excessively fragile, as if a stronger gust of wind might knock her over.

Yet, none of the surrounding soldiers moved.

Seeing the caution in their eyes and their fear to step forward, Shen Yan laughed. “What? Are all of Wen Jian’s subordinates nothing but cowardly rats?”

Only then did one of the guards react, raising his sword and charging forward. As a Crown Prince who had practiced martial arts since childhood and had years of battlefield experience, she initially handled the attackers with ease. However, the disparity in numbers was too great. Gradually, her strength began to fail.

Shen Yan gritted her teeth and persevered, but sweat poured from her brow, her movements grew sluggish, and her clothes became stained with blood both her own and that of others.

As Shen Yan raised her sword once more to deflect an attack, a figure suddenly flashed to her side, raising a blade to strike her down from above. Shen Yan had no way to evade.

In that moment, the guard’s movements seemed to stretch out in infinite slow motion. Looking at the cold gleam of the blade, Shen Yan felt little fear or shock. Instead, she felt the lightness of a long-awaited release.

I did my best, Shen Yan thought, gently closing her eyes. My wife, I am coming for you.

At the critical moment, an arrow suddenly flew from the side. With a whistling wind, it struck the guard’s blade, knocking it aside. Someone ran toward them from the distance, shouting at the top of his lungs: “Bold rebels! Surrender now!”

Shen Yan opened her eyes to the sound. Not far away, a general was leading an army, charging toward them. In the blink of an eye, they arrived. She recognized him as a deputy general she had previously promoted in the army.

The situation reversed instantly.

The deputy general flew to Shen Yan’s side, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, “This subordinate learned Your Highness was in danger and brought the troops immediately. I have arrived late to save you; I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

Arrived late to save me… you truly arrived too late.

Shen Yan did not speak for a moment. The deputy general, unaware of what had happened, remained in his kneeling position, waiting for her orders.

After a long time, Shen Yan finally spoke: “Those who surrender shall be spared. Capture Wen Jian alive.”

“This subordinate obeys!” The deputy general rose and issued orders to the troops behind him.

Shen Yan said no more. She turned quietly and walked back into the grand hall. With the assistance of the deputy general’s troops, the battle was over without suspense. The troops took control of the situation, and Wen Jian was brought to the palace gates, bound tightly.

The crowd waited outside the hall. Seeing that Shen Yan had no intention of coming out, the deputy general hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. He kept his footsteps very light. Upon entering the inner chamber, he saw Shen Yan sitting quietly by the bed. A person was lying on the bed, but their face was obscured by the angle.

The deputy general wondered who was resting in the hall, but he didn’t dwell on it. He called out softly, “Your Highness the Crown Prince?”

Hearing his voice, Shen Yan frowned, reflexively wanting to scold him, but she caught herself just before the words left her mouth. She turned to the deputy general and asked softly, “What is it?”

The deputy general lowered his voice in turn. “Your Highness, Wen Jian has been captured. He is just outside the hall.”

“Good,” Shen Yan replied. She took one last look at the person on the bed before rising to follow him out.

Wen Jian was now tied up securely, kneeling dejectedly on the open ground outside the hall. He had long since lost the smug, arrogant look he had in the main hall earlier. He looked wretched, his body trembling uncontrollably. Upon seeing Shen Yan, he shook even harder, barely able to maintain his kneeling posture.

He had originally thought victory was in his grasp, never expecting such a turn of events. Recalling his previous actions, he was filled with regret. He struggled to stay prostrate before Shen Yan, weeping bitterly and begging for his life.

Shen Yan looked at the man before her terrified and tear-streaked. He was a pathetic sight.

I haven’t even shed a tear, Shen Yan thought. What right do you have to cry?

“Drag him away and lock him in the Imperial Prison,” Shen Yan ordered simply. “I will deal with him personally when the time comes.”

“This subordinate obeys.”

Shen Yan turned to leave, but then added, “Make sure to watch Lord Wen closely. I want him alive.”

It was the first time the deputy general had heard Shen Yan speak with such a tone. He couldn’t help but shudder and immediately responded loudly, “This subordinate understands! Please rest assured, Your Highness!”

Only then did Shen Yan leave, returning once more to the palace.

Now that the situation was settled, the deputy general sent men to handle the aftermath. By the time everything was prepared, the sky was beginning to turn gray with dawn.

The deputy general, unable to hide his exhaustion, wanted to report to Shen Yan. He then realized she hadn’t come out since entering the hall. Knowing Shen Yan’s mood was clearly off today, he feared an accident and approached the palace again.

He was startled when he looked into the inner chamber. Shen Yan was still sitting by the bed in the exact same position as when he first entered; she seemingly hadn’t moved at all. The person on the bed remained lying there quietly, showing no sign of waking.

The deputy general swallowed. Just as he was about to speak, Shen Yan suddenly moved. He saw her look out the window as the first light of the rising sun filtered into the hall, gently draping over her.

Shen Yan said softly, “It’s the sunrise. Wife, can you see it?”

The person on the bed remained silent and motionless. After a long silence, Shen Yan lowered her head again.

The deputy general paused for a moment. Just as he was hesitating to speak, he heard Shen Yan ask, “Is everything arranged?”

He replied immediately, “Everything has been cleared and settled.”

“Well done. You’ve worked hard. Go back and rest.” Shen Yan did not turn around, still facing the bed.

“This subordinate obeys.” The deputy general hesitated, then added, “Your Highness, while clearing the palace personnel just now, I found the young Prince Feng Huan. He has been crying and demanding to see you and the Princess. Do you think…”

“There is no need,” Shen Yan interrupted. “Within three days, take him away from the capital. Send him to Rong Prefecture; let him live there as a man of leisure.”

She understood that Feng Huan was merely a puppet chosen by Wen Jian. Even if it hadn’t been Feng Huan, it would have been someone else. But she still couldn’t help herself…

Shen Yan paused, then continued, “He is never to return to the capital.”

Shortly thereafter, the new Emperor ascended the throne, and the whole world celebrated. Everything seemed to find a new lease on life.

Many years later, the stories of those who came before were passed down through generations. The lives of royalty, nobles, and generals were always subjects of great interest. Among them, one Emperor was particularly admired by posterity.

The History of Southern Liao records that there was once an Emperor known by the title “Emperor Yan.” This Emperor ascended the throne in his twenties and was known for his integrity, brilliant strategy, and mastery of military tactics. During his reign of over ten years, the world was at peace, and the people were prosperous and happy. Everyone loved the monarch, believing him to be a divine being sent from heaven to protect Southern Liao. During Emperor Yan’s reign, he abolished the imperial harem and kept no women, devoting his life’s energy to the affairs of the state. The national power of Southern Liao became unmatched. Unfortunately, heaven was jealous of such talent; Emperor Yan passed away in the year 432. Having no children, he passed the throne to a nephew.

The legend of Emperor Yan was passed down to future generations, and he was revered as a mentor by subsequent emperors and admired by countless scholars with ambitions for the court. People sincerely admired his grand strategies and respected his selflessness.

No one noticed the small note at the very end of the history books: “Emperor Yan had no personal cravings. He favored only the Xiangsi seeds, and trees of Mutual Longing were planted throughout the palace. When the flowers bloomed, the Emperor would often go to watch them. No one knew the reason why.”

“Cut!” Duan Yi called out for the final time.

And with that, Love Sickness was officially a wrap.