When life has been seen through and the mortal world left behind, wash the cups and pour another round, then sing softly. The splendor of the Six Dynasties fades into smoke when I look back on the past.
Jiu Hezi
I swore at the Star-Picking Tower that I would never become emperor in this life. You need not remonstrate with me any longer.
Zhu Ke, that divination years ago already warned you this day would come. If rivers and seas flowed backward and the sun and moon turned back, would you regret it?
Ying Yue, do you remember the Siege of Fengshi? Yuan's fifty thousand cavalry stood before the city, while our emperor had no more than nine thousand soldiers. The battle was a matter of life and death, and the future uncertain. From atop the city wall, I said that even if it meant descending into the asura hell, through a sea of blades and blood, I would follow him through life and death. Even now, I have not changed my mind. Even if the past returned and rivers and seas flowed backward, if I met him for the first time again, I would still accompany him on the road that brought him here.
He was only waiting for someone. But the person he was waiting for would never come back.
He will ride a mighty steed, leading soldiers loyal to him, and plant his banner on the humble city walls. From that day on, he will rule the world. He will surely drape me in the most beautiful wedding gown and lead a crimson sedan chair down the Vermilion Bird Avenue, making me the happiest woman in the world.
"Ha... ha..." It sounded to him like the funniest joke in the world. "You think he really marched south for your sake? Raised an army to conquer Weimiao for you? Do you know how little a woman is worth when weighed against an empire? How could a song of sweet Wu dialect compare with all the world submitting at his feet, bowing and chanting his praises? Very well, I will let you see with your own eyes what it means to fly into a rage for a beauty!"
Will you come back?