Killer Queen: Tyrant, prepare to die!

Killer Queen: Tyrant, Please Die! New Year's Bonus Collection

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【sequence】

On New Year's Eve of the 25th year of Jinghe.

This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the Emperor and Empress's wedding.

That year, Bao'er was fifteen years old, and Heng'er and Yao'er were nine years old.

That year, the snow fell exceptionally heavily.

The capital city and its surroundings were covered in a blanket of white.

Red lanterns swayed in the wind and snow, casting a warm glow over the entire city.

-

Part One: Staying Up Late on New Year's Eve - The Emperor and Empress

Kunning Palace.

Shen Qingci leaned back on the soft couch, holding a book in her hand, but she hadn't turned more than a few pages.

Nangong Ye sat next to her, holding a bowl of steaming dumplings in his hands, and kept feeding them to her mouth.

"Want one more?"

"I'm not eating anymore."

"Just one?"

"Nangong Ye." Shen Qingci put down her book and looked at him. "Are you trying to feed me like a pig?"

Nangong Ye said, feeling wronged, "Wasn't I worried you'd be hungry?"

"I just ate eight."

"Eight isn't enough? You were in the Cold Palace back then..."

He stopped speaking before he could finish.

Shen Qingci looked at him.

He also looked at Shen Qingci.

The two were silent for a moment.

Then, they both laughed.

"Ah Ye," Shen Qingci said softly, "There's no need to keep bringing up the past."

Nangong Ye took her hand.

"It's not about mentioning it," he said, "it's about remembering it."

"The more you suffer, the more I will cherish you."

Shen Qingci looked at him.

Looking at the person who had been with her for twenty years.

Outside the window, snow was falling heavily, but inside the house it was warm and cozy.

She leaned gently on his shoulder.

"Ah Ye".

"Um?"

"How many more Lunar New Year's Eves do you think we can celebrate?"

Nangong Ye thought for a moment.

"Many, many more," he said, "until Heng'er gets married, until Yao'er marries, until Bao'er becomes emperor."

"I'm too old to walk anymore, I need your help to come and see the snow."

Shen Qingci smiled.

"Don't find me annoying then."

"No." Nangong Ye squeezed her hand. "I wouldn't bother you, no matter who else I might bother."

Outside the window, fireworks suddenly burst into bloom.

The colorful light shone on their faces.

Shen Qingci looked up.

Nangong Ye looked at her.

He felt that no matter how beautiful the fireworks were, they couldn't compare to the beauty of her profile.

-

【Part Two】New Year's Money - Bao'er and her siblings

In the side hall, three children sat together.

Bao'er sat at the head of the table with a serious expression, with two small red envelopes in front of her.

Heng'er and Yao'er watched longingly, like two little dogs waiting to be fed.

"Brother," Yao'er couldn't help but ask, "when are we going to give out New Year's money?"

Bao'er coughed lightly: "What's the rush? Let me explain first."

Heng'er and Yao'er immediately sat up straight.

"First," Bao'er held up one finger, "you're not allowed to spend your New Year's money recklessly. You have to save it; it'll be useful in the future."

"Got it!" the two younger ones replied in unison.

"Secondly," Bao'er held up her second finger, "remember to thank Father and Mother. It's not something they should do; it's because they love you."

"Okay!"

"Third," Bao'er paused, "Third... I forgot the third."

Heng'er: "..."

Yao'er: "..."

Bao'er blushed for a moment, then quickly regained her composure: "That's basically the gist of it! Here, take the money!"

The two children cheered and rushed over to grab the red envelope.

"Mine! Mine!"

"This is mine!"

"You've taken the wrong one! That's mine!"

"No! There's no name written on it!"

Bao'er watched them scrambling for the food and shook her head helplessly.

Then, he secretly pulled out two larger red envelopes from his sleeve.

This is his own private savings.

I've been saving up for a year.

One is for Heng'er, and the other is for Yao'er.

After they've finished grabbing it, secretly give it to them.

He's the eldest brother, after all.

That's how the eldest brother should be.

-

【Three】Night Watch: Jinshu and Physician Chen

Imperial Medical Academy.

New Year's Eve is a time for rest.

But Jinshu and Physician Chen are still researching a new prescription.

"How about adding one more ingredient?"

"Give it a try."

"What about the cooking time?"

Simmer over low heat.

The two of them stood head to head, staring intently at the prescription covered in annotations, as serious as two students.

The candlelight flickered, illuminating the white hair at their temples.

"The Brocade Letter".

"Um?"

"Tell me, how many people have we cured in our lifetime?"

Jinshu thought for a moment and shook her head.

"Too many to count."

Physician Chen smiled.

"I can't count them all," he said, "but every time I cure one, I feel that my life has not been in vain."

Jinshu looked up at him.

He was old; his hair was completely white, and his face was covered in wrinkles.

But those eyes were still so earnest, so focused.

She suddenly remembered many years ago, at the gate of the Cold Palace, the little imperial physician kneeling on the ground, trembling.

At that time, she cried and begged him to save the Empress.

He was terrified, but he still agreed.

Once you agree, it's for life.

"Doctor Chen," she said softly.

"Um?"

"Thank you."

Physician Chen was taken aback: "What are you thanking me for?"

Jinshu did not answer.

He simply lowered his head and continued looking at the prescription.

But the corners of her mouth subtly curved upwards.

-

[Part Four] Looking North - Desolate and Lonely

north.

The snow was much heavier than in the capital.

Xiao Jue stood on the city wall, gazing south.

He held a letter in his hand.

I just arrived this afternoon; I'm from Beijing.

The letter was written in Shen Qingci's own handwriting:

General Xiao:

"It's New Year's Eve, and the children are all thinking about you."

"Yao'er asked, 'Does Uncle Xiao have any dumplings to eat since he's all alone in the Northern Border?'"

"Heng'er said Uncle Xiao has a snow leopard with him, so he's not afraid!"

"Bao'er said she wants to come see you when spring comes."

We all miss you.

"Take care of yourself."

"Qingci"

He looked at the letter, and a smile curved his lips.

Behind him, the lieutenant brought over a bowl of steaming dumplings.

"General, it's New Year's Day, please have something hot."

Xiao Jue took the dumpling and ate one.

"Is it good?" the lieutenant asked.

Xiao Jue nodded.

"The filling was sent from the capital," the lieutenant said with a smile. "Her Majesty the Empress specially had it delivered, saying that even though you're alone in the northern border, you should still enjoy the taste of home."

Xiao Jue's hand paused for a moment.

Then, I ate another one.

Continue gazing south.

The snow is still falling.

He stood in the snow, like a mountain.

A mountain that forever watches over the south.

-

【Five】The Bell Tolls - Eunuch Li

Jixian Academy, the school.

On New Year's Eve, the school was empty.

There was only one old man, sitting in the corner, dozing off.

Eunuch Li.

He is very, very old.

Too old to walk, too old to open my eyes.

But he still likes to stay here.

He stayed in the place he had guarded his entire life.

In his dream, he heard the sound of bells.

It came from afar, from the direction of the imperial city.

The New Year's Eve bell will ring 108 times.

One "one" represents one trouble.

Once you've finished typing, all your worries will disappear.

He listened to the bell and a smile curved his lips.

Suddenly, a voice rang out.

"Eunuch Li."

He opened his eyes.

A young eunuch stood before them, holding a bowl of hot soup.

"Eunuch Li, why are you still here? Her Majesty the Empress wants you to go back to keep vigil for the New Year."

Eunuch Li smiled.

"Old servant," he said, "will stay here and keep watch."

"To guard this school, to guard these children, to guard... this land."

The young eunuch was stunned.

Then, place the hot soup beside him.

"Then drink it and warm yourself up."

Eunuch Li nodded.

The young eunuch left.

He picked up the hot soup and took a sip.

It's warm.

very nice.

He continued to listen to the bells.

One, two, three...

As the bells rang, he seemed to see many people.

Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, Empress, Crown Prince, Princes...

And there was that young man, long, long ago, who wandered the world.

They are all fine.

He's doing well too.

This is enough.

-

[Lu] Lantern Festival - A Thousand Years Later

New Year's Eve, 3024 AD.

A modern metropolis, brightly lit.

A young girl stood in the square, watching the fireworks illuminate the entire city.

Her name is Shen Nian.

She is an ordinary white-collar worker in this city.

After get off work today, for some reason, she suddenly wanted to come here to take a look.

This square is said to have been built on top of an ancient tomb.

The owners of the ancient tomb were a legendary emperor and empress.

She had heard that story.

A tyrant and a deposed empress, hatred and deep love, protection and redemption.

That's so old-fashioned.

But every time she listens to it, she feels inexplicably like to cry.

"Shen Nian! What are you daydreaming about!" Her friend ran over and tugged at her sleeve. "Come on! Let's go eat! To celebrate New Year's Eve!"

She snapped out of her daze and smiled.

"it is good."

He turned to leave.

Suddenly, she stopped.

Two more people appeared in the center of the square.

One male and one female.

Standing side by side.

The man was wearing a black trench coat, and the woman was wearing a red sweater.

A very ordinary outfit.

But for some reason, she couldn't take her eyes off the two people's backs.

The man turned his head and seemed to glance at her.

She couldn't see his face clearly.

But she saw—

He smiled.

That smile was very gentle.

Like moonlight.

Then, he took the hand of the woman next to him.

The two walked side by side and disappeared into the crowd.

Shen Nian stood there, stunned.

Her friend tugged at her arm: "What's wrong? Who did you see?"

She opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

I just subconsciously touched my ring finger.

There, she was wearing a silver ring.

It's a very old style.

She didn't know why she had this ring.

It seems like I've been wearing it since I was little.

Two characters are engraved on the inside:

"Aye"

-

Fireworks burst in the distance.

The bell rang.

The new year has arrived.

-

[Epilogue - Sharing This Moment]

On New Year's Eve of the 25th year of Jinghe.

Beijing.

In the courtyard of Kunning Palace, the family sat together.

Shen Qingci leaned on Nangong Ye's shoulder, watching the children set off fireworks.

Bao'er stood calmly to the side, while Heng'er and Yao'er chased after the fireworks.

Jinshu and Physician Chen sat side by side, whispering to each other.

Eunuch Li leaned back in his chair, dozing off, a smile playing on his lips.

In the distance, the sound of bells could be heard.

One hundred and eight times.

Nangong Ye gripped Shen Qingci's hand tightly.

"Qingci."

"Um?"

I want to spend the new year with you again.

Shen Qingci smiled.

"greedy."

"Yes, I am greedy."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Fireworks burst overhead.

It illuminated this face, and it illuminated that face.

It illuminated the home.

It illuminated the city.

It illuminated this land.

-

At the same time.

The northern border, on the city wall.

Xiao looked towards the south in despair and raised his glass.

"Happy New Year."

He said softly.

Then, he drank it all in one gulp.

-

At the same time.

In the square a thousand years later.

Shen Nian stared blankly in the direction where the two had disappeared.

Her friend called out to her, "Shen Nian! Let's go!"

She came to her senses.

He smiled.

"They're here."

He turned around and blended into the crowd.

Immerse yourself in the myriad lights of homes.

Integrating into this lifetime and the next—

world.

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[New Year's Bonus Chapter - End]

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postscript:

happy New Year.

May everyone who reads this story have someone to accompany them.

May everyone who waits be seen.

May love transcend time.

Forever.