The Language of the Lost Valley

"You are destined to ascend the throne. That position was always meant to be yours." Ever since Rong Yan could remember, people had been telling her this. Rong Yan listened to them, then turned to look at Empress Ning Xu, seated high above her, and fell silent. Years later, after nearly a decade of training and hardship, Rong Yan returned to the capital as an adult and bowed her head before the empress she admired. Rong Yan dropped to one knee and said, "Your Majesty, for the rest of my life, I am willing to wage war across the realm for you. I will not rest until it is unified." Looking into Ning Xu's eyes, Rong Yan saw complicated emotions she couldn't understand. Ning Xu swept away with her sleeves. "Since you have already made up your mind, I can no longer control you." Later, she defeated the enemy forces and shattered the conspiracy. The late emperor's edict read: "I hereby name Prince of Zhenbei Rong Yan crown prince and heir to the throne." Rong Yan set the imperial edict ablaze. "The late emperor's edict says that Crown Prince Rong Jun shall inherit the throne." "Rong Yan! How dare you commit regicide?" "Mother, he was never my father to begin with. You know that, don't you?" Later, with the war in Beimo growing urgent, Rong Yan volunteered to lead the iron cavalry and smash through the gates of Beimo's capital. She would not rest until the land was reclaimed. "One day, I'll find something. I'll brush aside the dust and dirt, and bring her back to life." he Theme: The struggle between love and power