BXG - 77

◎ Return to the Capital ◎

Three days later, Song Chang’s third secret edict arrived in Zhou Tan’s hands.

Chu Lin was urgently summoned from the western camp by Yan Fu. After reviewing the edict, he understood its gravity and decided to mobilize troops to accompany Zhou Tan back to Bian capital as soon as possible.

Qu You silently reflected that she had once advised Chu Lin against meddling in the chaos of Bian capital. But with Song Chang’s direct order, this journey was impossible to refuse.

Before their departure, Yan Fu and Xu Zhi held a private discussion with Zhou Tan and Qu You.

Chu Lin’s return to the capital was to protect Song Chang, but his safety in Bian capital was far from guaranteed. As Emperor De’s health deteriorated daily, it was unclear when Zhou Tan’s hidden imperial decree would come into play.

Before then, they planned to send soldiers disguised as merchant caravans to Bian capital to prepare for a potential palace coup.

Upon learning of Qu You’s departure, Wang Yiran cried several times—Ruozhou was so distant from Bian capital that future meetings would be difficult. He Yuankai consoled her, saying that if he were promoted, there might still be opportunities to visit Bian capital.

Their departure was rushed; they carried fewer belongings than when they arrived. To avoid raising suspicion, they chose to leave under the cover of night. As the carriage moved, Qu You lifted the curtain to look back at Ruozhou, its lights twinkling faintly in the distance. Her heart swelled with emotion.

Zhou Tan sat silently beside her, not glancing back even once.

“Arriving here was calm and carefree, but leaving feels heavy with sorrow,” he murmured softly. “I thought this day wouldn’t come so soon.”

A flicker of light passed outside the curtain. Qu You lowered her hand, lost in thought.

So it wasn’t just her who had grown attached to these worry-free days.

But some things simply couldn’t be avoided.

Restoring order to the court and preventing it from falling into the hands of a tyrant was for the sake of the realm.

The Tanghua Reforms , correcting the flaws left behind in Gu Zhiyan’s decrees, were for the welfare of the people.

No one could explain why some individuals were seemingly born destined to bear extraordinary missions. Throughout history, spanning five millennia, societies had endured turmoil, yet there were always those willing to endure hardship willingly.

What did they pursue? For what cause did they sacrifice?

Martyrs gave their bodies and souls—not for themselves, but for this “Way.”

At some point, Zhou Tan took her hand.

Qu You thought to herself that she was an utterly ordinary person.

She wasn’t a scholar obsessed with academia, unable to understand why her mentor devoted her life to studying virtual historical figures, choosing lifelong solitude over marriage to remain close to a distant “him.”

Nor was she Nietzsche’s “Übermensch.” Though she admired martyrs who built bridges toward higher ideals, even during heartfelt conversations atop Jinghua Mountain with Zhou Tan, her feelings remained admiration—she deeply understood their sacrifices but doubted her own ability to follow suit.

Over the past year, Zhou Tan had spoken with her late into the night. He said that on their wedding day, the first time she saw him, he had sensed something in a dream—as if guided by fate to recognize a kindred spirit.

But his affection likely began after she beat the drum on Yujie Street.

Qu You had repeatedly asked herself: She wasn’t from this era, so why should she seek justice for them? She could no longer recall her exact emotions at the time. Vaguely, she remembered deciding while watching Zhi Ling write with water in Fangxin Pavilion.

Perhaps it was even earlier—when Gu Xianghui fell from Fanlou, she already couldn’t stand idly by.

In the quiet depths of night, Zhou Tan tenderly brushed her face and whispered, “You are not ordinary—at least, you heard the cries in the darkness.”

Thinking this, Qu You finally smiled.

If she were Zhou Tan, under these circumstances, she too would have returned to Bian capital without hesitation. Just as she was Qu You, curious about the truth of history and unable to ignore the cries in the dark, even though she cherished the tranquility of Ruozhou, she wouldn’t look back once.

They held hands, silently rushing through the spring night toward their respective “Way.” And because their paths aligned, perhaps this could be considered a form of ultimate romance.

________________________________________

For four days, the Crown Princess had been bedridden after suffering a shock.

Song Shiyu pressed his fingers to his temples before the flickering candlelight. Suddenly, a subordinate entered and announced, “Young Lord Zhou has returned to Bian capital.”

“What?” Song Shiyu set aside his scroll, visibly startled. “Father’s secret edict went to Zhou Tan?”

Though gravely ill, Song Chang was not entirely incapacitated. His influence extended into the inner palace, but he dared not act rashly.

For instance, Song Shiyu knew only that Emperor De had issued three secret edicts, but he didn’t know where they were sent.

Song Shiyu stood up, contemplating aloud. “Gu Zhiyan’s student, top scholar of three examinations, the lingering thorn unresolved in the Lamp Case, the Jade-Faced Wraith of the Ministry of Justice, the man who toppled Fu Qingnian…”

A sharp clatter interrupted his thoughts—a chess piece had fallen. Absorbed in thought, Song Shiyu’s wide sleeve had swept across the board, scattering the pieces.

“Given Father’s nature, any involvement in these matters should have cost Zhou Tan his life,” Song Shiyu muttered, eyes downcast, unsure whether he spoke to himself or the subordinate. “I assumed sparing him and exiling him from Bian capital was a precaution against me. But at such a critical moment, how can the most trusted person be Zhou Tan?”

The subordinate remained silent, equally puzzled.

“Jing’an, investigate tomorrow. Look into the origins of Zhou Tan’s deceased parents in Lin’an,” the Crown Prince instructed, frowning. “I only know his mother supposedly hailed from a prestigious family in Jinling. But if that’s all…”

He didn’t continue, instead asking, “Has he entered the palace yet?”

The subordinate replied, “Young Lord Zhou is accompanied by General Chu Lin’s troops, so our people couldn’t touch him. After entering the city, he went straight to the inner palace. By now, he must have already seen His Majesty.”

Song Shiyu showed no signs of panic. His slender fingers toyed with a heavy gold and jade ring, and he sneered. “Even if he has seen the Emperor, what of it? For years, Chu Lin has cared for nothing but warfare. The Bian capital camp has long been under my control—he won’t be able to defend the imperial city.”

The subordinate responded, “Your Highness’s plans have been years in the making; they cannot be undone by just a few people.”

Unexpectedly, Song Shiyu suddenly asked, “Did Zhou Tan’s wife accompany him back?”

The subordinate, puzzled by the question, answered nonetheless. “Naturally. Young Lord Zhou brought only his wife and one guard into the capital. All household staff remained in Ruozhou, likely because he’s uncertain about the situation in Bian capital.”

“If their bond were as strong as rumored, Zhou Tan wouldn’t have allowed her to return with him,” Song Shiyu said confidently, his tone assured. “It’s clear she must be worried about her family here in Bian capital—unlike Zhou Tan, who has no kin, she certainly does.”

When the Crown Prince mentioned Qu You, the subordinate recalled something. “After Miss Chun entered the residence, the Spring Rain Pavilion closed its doors. Our people searched it thoroughly but found no trace of Miss Gao… A few days ago, a badly disfigured female body was fished out from downstream of the Bian River. The figure resembled her, but we couldn’t confirm it, so we haven’t reported back yet.”

“Gao Ze’s daughter, though intriguing, was too stubborn and inflexible to survive for long.” Song Shiyu waved dismissively, then added with an amused smirk, “I have another matter to attend to now… Tell Song Qi to take a group of men and surround the Qu residence.”

The subordinate was taken aback. “The Qu residence?”

The Crown Prince yawned lazily. “Go ahead.”

Seeing that he had no intention of explaining further, the subordinate dared not ask more questions. Just as he was leaving, he caught a faint whiff of tranquil plum blossom fragrance.

Instantly, he slipped behind the screen by the door. When Ye Liuchun entered, he quietly inquired and hurried off.

Though trusted by the Crown Prince, encountering his concubines directly would still be improper, especially someone as sensitive as Ye Liuchun.

Ye Liuchun hadn’t noticed him, but knowing how much the Crown Prince valued this subordinate, she immediately bowed. “I’ve come at an inconvenient time. Has my arrival disrupted Your Highness’s affairs?”

She excelled at reading moods and, having interacted with the Crown Prince for years, understood his thoughts well. Knowing resistance was futile after being forced into the residence, she chose to serve him willingly, even fabricating flattery like “long harbored admiration” to please him.

Though aware it wasn’t genuine, Song Shiyu relished her feigned submission, deriving satisfaction from forcing her compliance.

“No harm done. Why are you here, Liuchun?” Song Shiyu settled back at his desk, idly playing with the candle flame beside him. “I haven’t visited you in a few days. What have you been up to?”

Ye Liuchun gently fanned herself with her round fan, enveloping his senses with the pleasant aroma of Princess Xinyang’s plum blossoms. “Recently, I’ve been attending to the Crown Princess. She’s gravely ill, Your Highness. If you find time, perhaps visit her.”

Song Shiyu reached out abruptly, pulling her close. Ye Liuchun’s eyes flashed with disgust, but her expression remained gentle, coyly resisting. “Is Your Highness in a good mood today?”

“I’ve tasked people with searching thoroughly for Miss Gao’s whereabouts, but we haven’t found her yet. I know you two share deep sisterhood, so naturally, you’re concerned. If she truly can’t be found, don’t grieve too much, Liuchun.” He inhaled deeply near her neck, revealing a sinister smile. “However, your other dear friend has returned to Bian capital today.”

Ye Liuchun gasped. “Youyou is back?”

Song Shiyu scrutinized her expression, smirking. “Indeed.”

“But didn’t she leave for Ruozhou with Young Lord Zhou?”

“The Emperor is gravely ill and summoned Zhou Tan back to the capital.”

Ye Liuchun remained silent. Having known Zhou Tan since Lin’an and later receiving vague hints from Bai Shating, she could guess some details. Unsure how much Song Shiyu knew, she chose silence.

Thinking of Bai Shating, a wave of sorrow washed over her.

Song Shiyu noticed her reaction and deliberately remarked, “Are you thinking of your beloved Bai Lang?”

Ye Liuchun forced a smile, intending to deny it, but Song Shiyu continued, “He should have arrived at his post in the south by now. Living a life of indulgence—eating, drinking, reveling, and visiting courtesans—he’s long forgotten you entirely. Your devoted heart, Liuchun, has been wasted on an ungrateful man unaware of your feelings, thinking you sought wealth by entering my residence once he fell out of favor.”

“Now that I am here, my heart and eyes see only you, Your Highness.” Ye Liuchun maintained her composure, speaking softly. “Past matters are behind us. With your affection, I am envied by all women. Why trouble myself over such a person?”

Song Shiyu found her words deeply satisfying, uncaring whether they were sincere or not. He lightly kissed her neck, lowering his voice. “Liuchun pleases me most. To cheer you up, in a few days, I’ll invite your dear friend to stay in the residence with you. How does that sound?”

Understanding the implication behind his words, Ye Liuchun stiffened involuntarily.