WNST - 119

Jinling. A century-old ancient temple. 

Xie Zhaoqiu had accompanied her father, Xie Zhu, to Jinling some time ago but had only ventured out for the first time today. She was shy and always needed a long time to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings. Today, after much persuasion from her mother, she reluctantly stepped outside to visit the ancient temple for prayers. 

Behind the temple lay a grove, its green leaves lush and vibrant, petals scattered like confetti. Wherever she went, Qiujie carried her painting tube on her back. Upon seeing the beautiful scenery, she couldn’t resist setting up her scroll on a simple stone table and beginning to paint a landscape.

A woman appeared in the grove, seemingly waiting for someone. She wore a light purple jacket and had her hair styled in a slanted “fallen horse” bun, revealing a swan-like neck. At first glance, Qiujie thought the woman exuded an extraordinary aura. Though she stood amidst the beautiful scenery, she didn’t seem to be admiring it. Instead, she appeared like a celestial being, detached from the world, her cold eyes seemingly piercing through the changing seasons. 

The wind of the ancient temple brushed past her garments, and Qiujie found the scene enchanting. Thus, the woman became immortalized on her painting scroll. 

When Qiujie finished her painting and looked up again, she saw that the woman had finally been joined by her companion. Upon closer inspection, she realized it was none other than her father, Xie Zhu. 

The two seemed to exchange a few words, but their voices were too soft for her to hear anything. 

“Father?” Qiujie, without much thought, stepped forward to confirm. 

“Qiujie?” Xie Zhu was momentarily surprised, his expression flickering with unease. He hadn’t expected anyone else to be in the grove, let alone his reclusive daughter. 

“And who might this be…?” Wanyan Pu scrutinized Xie Zhaoqiu—a girl as timid as a fawn, radiating no hostility whatsoever. 

“Your Highness, this is my daughter, Zhaoqiu,” Xie Zhu replied respectfully. 

Upon hearing this title, Qiujie immediately understood who the woman was. Instantly tense, she bowed deeply, addressing her formally: “Your Highness.” 

Wanyan Pu glanced toward where Qiujie had been sitting earlier and said lightly, “Miss Qiujie, were you painting over there just now?” 

Qiujie nodded shyly. 

Xie Zhu quickly interjected, “My daughter has always enjoyed painting—it’s merely a hobby of hers, nothing more than idle sketches.” 

Wanyan Pu had already approached the stone table naturally. “I’ve long heard that Lord Xie Zhu’s daughter is a masterful painter, her works highly sought after in the capital. I must see for myself.” 

Qiujie could only reluctantly follow, casting a questioning glance at her father. 

Xie Zhu stepped closer and whispered an explanation to Qiujie: “Today, Her Highness came to pay respects at the ancient temple. You and your uncles accompanied her. However, the Princess got lost within the temple grounds, and we searched everywhere before finally finding her here in the back grove.” 

Qiujie harbored no suspicions. Even though she rarely ventured outside, she had heard whispers about the current situation. Negotiations weren’t ongoing every day, and during the downtime, the Chancellor acted as an enthusiastic host, arranging for officials to take Wanyan Pu on tours around Jinling, filling her schedule to the brim. 

Wherever Wanyan Pu went, she was trailed by a retinue of ministers—a form of indirect surveillance. It was rare for her to be alone, so Qiujie hadn’t even considered that possibility initially. 

Rumors depicted the Princess of Qi as having skin as dark as iron, pockmarked and muscular, repulsive in appearance and indulgent in lifestyle. Yet upon meeting her in person, Qiujie found her strikingly different—she even exuded an unexpected warmth. 

This dissonance unsettled Qiujie. She struggled to reconcile the figure of hatred with this elegant, affable woman before her. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she felt a pang of frustration. Gently tugged by her father, she reluctantly followed along. 

By now, Wanyan Pu had reached the stone table. The painting depicted a late spring forest, with a lone woman standing amidst the trees. The scene blended seamlessly with the figure, lending the artwork an added layer of poetic depth. 

Initially intending only casual praise, Wanyan Pu now gazed at the painting with genuine admiration. 

She turned to Qiujie with a smile: “Miss Qiujie, is that me in the painting?” 

“I… I didn’t know it was Your Highness when I painted it. Please forgive my audacity for including you…” Qiujie stammered nervously. 

Wanyan Pu remained poised and gracious: “Would you consider gifting this painting to me?” 

Since the dragon-boned ship was nearing completion, Wanyan Jun no longer needed to feign kindness toward the Han people. In a few days, the grand launching ceremony of the vessel would take place, and the army could cross the river to Jinling at any moment. There would no longer be any natural barrier to stop the iron hooves of Daqi. As for Ling’an Wang, that useless coward, he might as well hide for the rest of his life. If he dared show his face, they would seize him immediately. 

Moreover, the traitor in Lido Prefecture had already been uncovered. Although Zhang Yuehui hadn’t yet been captured, he was no longer capable of causing trouble. 

Wanyan Jun now felt certain of victory. The completion ceremony of the dragon-boned ship was to be held with great fanfare, showcasing the might of the nation to crush the morale of the commoners and lay a solid foundation for ruling Lido Prefecture in the future. 

However, an order from Wanyan Pu arrived in Lido Prefecture through a messenger—completely contrary to expectations. Due to the smooth progress of negotiations, to demonstrate sincerity in pursuing peace, she ordered Wanyan Jun to cancel the completion ceremony, and the dragon-boned ship would not be launched for the time being. 

This left Wanyan Jun somewhat perplexed—how could Wanyan Pu make such a foolish decision? 

The dragon-boned ship was a significant bargaining chip in the negotiations. Whether or not the Qi army could cross the river determined the level of threat posed to the Yu dynasty. The greater the threat, the higher the price they would demand for peace. Even if the negotiations were proceeding smoothly, why would she willingly cripple their position? 

After a brief surge of anger, Wanyan Jun realized something was amiss. 

This instruction had been transmitted openly, meaning the message was effectively public knowledge—from Jinling to Lido Prefecture. 

In the back-and-forth of negotiations, both sides kept their bargaining chips strictly confidential. Such an open transmission of information seemed utterly unlike Wanyan Pu—it was too reckless. 

Something about the entire situation felt suspicious. Wanyan Jun began to form a new hypothesis—perhaps Wanyan Pu had learned something in Jinling that necessitated the cancellation of the completion ceremony. But with all covert communication channels cut off, she had no choice but to use this method, omitting details and sending the directive to Wanyan Jun in this roundabout way. 

Was there some hidden motive behind the completion ceremony that couldn’t be spoken aloud? 

Wanyan Jun immediately grew wary. 

---

Five days later, Bingzhu Bureau planned to execute the Nirvana Plan in Lido Prefecture. 

This was revealed to Wanyan Pu by Da Man. 

But what exactly was the Nirvana Plan, and who would carry it out? Everything remained unknown. 

Wanyan Pu could only speculate. Five days from now was the scheduled completion ceremony for the dragon-boned ship. Perhaps Bingzhu Bureau intended to exploit the large gathering of people to pull off some covert operation under everyone’s noses. 

Regardless of the specifics, the first priority was to disrupt the enemy’s plans. The primary task was to cancel the completion ceremony. 

With her usual channels of communication blocked, Wanyan Pu faced an urgent situation. She had to transmit the message somehow. Thus, she resorted to a bold approach that Shen Zhizhong couldn’t obstruct or refuse, delivering the message openly into Wanyan Jun’s hands. 

The meditation room was an ideal meeting place—quiet, free from disturbances, and unlikely to draw attention. 

Inside the meditation room, Wanyan Pu skillfully whisked tea with a tea whisk, though her gaze remained fixed intently on the person before her. 

“Come to think of it, I’ve had this question for a long time. The Han people believe that the moon wanes when full, and water overflows when brimming. Why do you go against this principle and name yourself ‘Da Man’ (Great Fullness)?” 

“I am aware of my own limitations. Since I have gone against the ways of my ancestors, I will walk this path to its end. I do not seek mediocrity. Even if I must resort to any means necessary, I will achieve the state of ‘Great Fullness’ as I envision it.” 

Wanyan Pu smiled and respectfully offered the freshly prepared tea to Da Man. 

“Try it. Does this cup of tea satisfy you, Master?” 

Da Man accepted the teacup and took a sip. 

“This tea of yours has been brewed with great skill. There is nothing more I can teach you.” 

“The culture of the Han people is vast and profound. There is still much for me to learn. In the future, I will rely on you to help pave the way forward and create a new era of prosperity together.” 

“Though the road ahead is long and arduous, I will not shy away from the task.” 

The two raised their cups in a silent toast, exchanging a knowing smile. 

Da Man suddenly recalled something and asked, “Regarding the matter I discussed with you last time, has Ya Jiu made any progress?” 

---

Three days before the Nirvana Plan. 

Luo Ci had previously been sent by Zhang Yuehui to take over operations in the southwest. Zhang Yuehui had always treated his subordinates well, so this arrangement wasn’t unfair to Luo Ci. Moreover, Luo Ci was loyal. Upon learning that his master was in trouble, and since he happened to be near Lido Prefecture, he immediately rushed to assist. 

When Luo Ci finally met Zhang Yuehui and Nan Yi, the two were in a pitiful state, resembling beggars. They had even narrowly avoided detection by Qi soldiers patrolling the area. The soldiers hadn’t recognized them as the once-famous masters of Gui Lai Tang. 

When Luo Ci saw the two together, he understood most of the situation. When he had left Lido Prefecture, he had suspected that his master would meet his downfall because of this woman—and sure enough, his fears had come true. 

He even felt a pang of regret. Perhaps he should have risked defying his master and killed her back then. That way, this situation wouldn’t have arisen. 

His master was still the same formidable figure who commanded the winds and rains. Luo Ci’s loyalty to Zhang Yuehui wasn’t just born of duty; it also stemmed from admiration for his strength. 

But it was too late to dwell on such thoughts now. Fortunately, the southwestern operations had been separated earlier, and Luo Ci had safeguarded the last remnants of Zhang Yuehui’s business, ready to assist in his resurgence. 

“Just don’t let anything unexpected happen,” Luo Ci thought to himself.

Artists are sensitive beings. Qiujie could sense that Wanyan Pu truly admired her work, devoid of any flattery. Given her status, why would she need to feign appreciation for a secluded young woman’s talent? Moreover, unlike others who might dismiss her abilities due to her gender, the Princess treated her art with respect and sincerity. Had Qiujie not known her identity, she might have genuinely appreciated this woman’s poise and confidence—qualities she often envied but lacked herself. 

Yet deep down, she hesitated to part with her painting, especially to give it to someone from Qi. 

Xie Zhu, well aware of his daughter’s inner conflict, knew better than to risk offending their esteemed guest. After all, even Shen Zhizhong bent over backward to accommodate Wanyan Pu’s requests. A mere painting wasn’t worth causing friction. He quickly intervened: “It is an honor for my daughter if Your Highness takes a liking to her work. How could we possibly refuse?” 

With her father’s words sealing the matter, Qiujie had no choice but to remain silent. Lowering her head, she carefully rolled up the painting and handed it to Wanyan Pu, then hastily excused herself. 

“My mother awaits me ahead. I dare not disturb further discussions between Father and Your Highness. Please allow me to take my leave.” 

“Then I shall convey my greetings to your esteemed mother,” Wanyan Pu replied graciously. 

Qiujie bowed and hurried away. 

Watching Qiujie’s retreating figure, Wanyan Pu spoke half-seriously, half-jokingly: “Lord Xie, your family truly lives up to its reputation as a distinguished household—each member possesses remarkable talents.” 

For some reason, Xie Zhu’s face tensed slightly, and he forced a smile. “Your Highness flatters us.” 

Wanyan Pu sobered her expression and spoke earnestly: “Your daughter clearly did not wish to gift me the painting but felt compelled to do so because of my position. This has reminded me of something—Lord Xie, regarding the matter you mentioned earlier, I now have a plan.” 

Qiujie walked far ahead, her mind restless. Glancing back once, she could no longer see the Princess or her father, yet an unsettling feeling lingered in her heart—a vague, ominous unease. 

---

News of the negotiations in Jinling reached Lido Prefecture, signaling that dividing the land along the river was becoming inevitable. However, since Lido Prefecture lay north of the river, it would likely fall under Qi jurisdiction. 

This news spread rapidly among the populace, sparking fierce reactions. The imminent change of rulership loomed large, leaving people unable to protect themselves through neutrality. Fear gripped everyone, and anti-Qi sentiment grew increasingly fervent. 

Wanyan Jun abandoned his usual conciliatory policies, reverting to the violent suppression tactics favored by Gushe. Particularly harsh measures were taken against the ringleaders of dissent, such as the patriotic students shouting slogans of national loyalty—one arrest per sighting—to quash all anti-Qi rhetoric.

Since the dragon-boned ship was nearing completion, Wanyan Jun no longer needed to feign kindness toward the Han people. In a few days, the grand launching ceremony of the vessel would take place, and the army could cross the river to Jinling at any moment. There would no longer be any natural barrier to stop the iron hooves of Daqi. As for Ling’an Wang, that useless coward, he might as well hide for the rest of his life. If he dared show his face, they would seize him immediately. 

Moreover, the traitor in Lido Prefecture had already been uncovered. Although Zhang Yuehui hadn’t yet been captured, he was no longer capable of causing trouble. 

Wanyan Jun now felt certain of victory. The completion ceremony of the dragon-boned ship was to be held with great fanfare, showcasing the might of the nation to crush the morale of the commoners and lay a solid foundation for ruling Lido Prefecture in the future. 

However, an order from Wanyan Pu arrived in Lido Prefecture through a messenger—completely contrary to expectations. Due to the smooth progress of negotiations, to demonstrate sincerity in pursuing peace, she ordered Wanyan Jun to cancel the completion ceremony, and the dragon-boned ship would not be launched for the time being. 

This left Wanyan Jun somewhat perplexed—how could Wanyan Pu make such a foolish decision? 

The dragon-boned ship was a significant bargaining chip in the negotiations. Whether or not the Qi army could cross the river determined the level of threat posed to the Yu dynasty. The greater the threat, the higher the price they would demand for peace. Even if the negotiations were proceeding smoothly, why would she willingly cripple their position? 

After a brief surge of anger, Wanyan Jun realized something was amiss. 

This instruction had been transmitted openly, meaning the message was effectively public knowledge—from Jinling to Lido Prefecture. 

In the back-and-forth of negotiations, both sides kept their bargaining chips strictly confidential. Such an open transmission of information seemed utterly unlike Wanyan Pu—it was too reckless. 

Something about the entire situation felt suspicious. Wanyan Jun began to form a new hypothesis—perhaps Wanyan Pu had learned something in Jinling that necessitated the cancellation of the completion ceremony. But with all covert communication channels cut off, she had no choice but to use this method, omitting details and sending the directive to Wanyan Jun in this roundabout way. 

Was there some hidden motive behind the completion ceremony that couldn’t be spoken aloud? 

Wanyan Jun immediately grew wary. 

---

Five days later, Bingzhu Bureau planned to execute the Nirvana Plan in Lido Prefecture. 

This was revealed to Wanyan Pu by Da Man. 

But what exactly was the Nirvana Plan, and who would carry it out? Everything remained unknown. 

Wanyan Pu could only speculate. Five days from now was the scheduled completion ceremony for the dragon-boned ship. Perhaps Bingzhu Bureau intended to exploit the large gathering of people to pull off some covert operation under everyone’s noses. 

Regardless of the specifics, the first priority was to disrupt the enemy’s plans. The primary task was to cancel the completion ceremony. 

With her usual channels of communication blocked, Wanyan Pu faced an urgent situation. She had to transmit the message somehow. Thus, she resorted to a bold approach that Shen Zhizhong couldn’t obstruct or refuse, delivering the message openly into Wanyan Jun’s hands. 

The meditation room was an ideal meeting place—quiet, free from disturbances, and unlikely to draw attention. 

Inside the meditation room, Wanyan Pu skillfully whisked tea with a tea whisk, though her gaze remained fixed intently on the person before her. 

“Come to think of it, I’ve had this question for a long time. The Han people believe that the moon wanes when full, and water overflows when brimming. Why do you go against this principle and name yourself ‘Da Man’ (Great Fullness)?” 

“I am aware of my own limitations. Since I have gone against the ways of my ancestors, I will walk this path to its end. I do not seek mediocrity. Even if I must resort to any means necessary, I will achieve the state of ‘Great Fullness’ as I envision it.” 

Wanyan Pu smiled and respectfully offered the freshly prepared tea to Da Man. 

“Try it. Does this cup of tea satisfy you, Master?” 

Da Man accepted the teacup and took a sip. 

“This tea of yours has been brewed with great skill. There is nothing more I can teach you.” 

“The culture of the Han people is vast and profound. There is still much for me to learn. In the future, I will rely on you to help pave the way forward and create a new era of prosperity together.” 

“Though the road ahead is long and arduous, I will not shy away from the task.” 

The two raised their cups in a silent toast, exchanging a knowing smile. 

Da Man suddenly recalled something and asked, “Regarding the matter I discussed with you last time, has Ya Jiu made any progress?” 

---

Three days before the Nirvana Plan. 

Luo Ci had previously been sent by Zhang Yuehui to take over operations in the southwest. Zhang Yuehui had always treated his subordinates well, so this arrangement wasn’t unfair to Luo Ci. Moreover, Luo Ci was loyal. Upon learning that his master was in trouble, and since he happened to be near Lido Prefecture, he immediately rushed to assist. 

When Luo Ci finally met Zhang Yuehui and Nan Yi, the two were in a pitiful state, resembling beggars. They had even narrowly avoided detection by Qi soldiers patrolling the area. The soldiers hadn’t recognized them as the once-famous masters of Gui Lai Tang. 

When Luo Ci saw the two together, he understood most of the situation. When he had left Lido Prefecture, he had suspected that his master would meet his downfall because of this woman—and sure enough, his fears had come true. 

He even felt a pang of regret. Perhaps he should have risked defying his master and killed her back then. That way, this situation wouldn’t have arisen. 

His master was still the same formidable figure who commanded the winds and rains. Luo Ci’s loyalty to Zhang Yuehui wasn’t just born of duty; it also stemmed from admiration for his strength. 

But it was too late to dwell on such thoughts now. Fortunately, the southwestern operations had been separated earlier, and Luo Ci had safeguarded the last remnants of Zhang Yuehui’s business, ready to assist in his resurgence. 

“Just don’t let anything unexpected happen,” Luo Ci thought to himself.