Chapter 17: Gentle Warmth, Gentle Chill - The Closest and the Farthest

The frost left its mark on the plains at dawn. Withered grass stretched endlessly, and the low cries of vultures resembled the mournful notes of autumn, consuming not only the remnants of bodies but also the hearts of men. The stench of blood lingered over Chengyuan, though there was no need to elaborate; the vicissitudes of war had already seeped into the dewdrops on the grass...

In the misty morning fog, Song Baolin, the commander of the Qinglong Cavalry, stepped out of the barracks and stretched lazily in the rising sun: What a splendid victory yesterday was! Not only did they swallow up Wen Tu’s two hundred thousand troops, but they also completely wiped out seventy thousand of the remaining Liang army soldiers. He couldn’t help but click his tongue at the thought. Originally, King Liang had sent one hundred fifty thousand troops to assist the external relatives. Unexpectedly, eight hundred thousand were drowned when the dam at Chengyuan was breached by the Qing army—what a brilliant strategy. Before the Qinglong Cavalry even reached the battlefield, Han Yuesha had already tied down ten thousand of Wen Tu’s flanks with forty thousand troops, then fought against overwhelming odds to engage the main enemy force. The title “War God” of Qing State was indeed well-deserved.

Thinking of this, he glanced toward the main tent: But what truly commands respect is that young lady, heh. Unable to contain himself, he chuckled softly. In the autumn sunlight, white mist drifted—a man as cold-faced and cold-hearted as the Young Master could not escape the word “love.” Recalling how the Young Master had held his beloved on the battlefield, galloping wildly before tenderly carrying her back to the main tent for care—he couldn’t help but shake his head: At that moment, the god-like Young Master was merely an ordinary man fallen deeply in love. However... Song Baolin sighed, taking steps toward the main tent: It seems more than one person has become ordinary...

“General.” The guards at the entrance of the tent saluted with clasped hands.

“Mm.” Song Baolin raised his chin slightly, asking in a low voice, “Still here?”

The guard nodded heavily, a look of helplessness on his face: “They’ve been sitting there all night.”

Lord Ning of Qing State, Song Baolin mused as he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back: Right after the battle ended yesterday, this Ninth Prince rushed over immediately...

“Your Highness!” “Your Highness!” Ling Yiran, dressed in red, with serious brows, ignored the protests from Liu Yao and Song Baolin behind him, flicked his long sleeves, and stormed into the main tent. He narrowed his long eyes, his gaze piercing like arrows directly toward the screen. A rustling sound of clothing came from the silent tent; hearing it, Ling Yiran’s eyebrows twitched slightly, and his fists clenched tightly. Just as he was about to kick the screen, a tall figure darted out from behind. The bright afternoon sun filtered through the oilcloth, casting a faint halo inside the tent, making the two proud figures appear as if gods had descended. One was unparalleled in devilish charm, the other cold and aloof; one was like the flower of Manjusha, stunningly bewitching, the other like the flower of Mandarava, beautifully serene. One red, one white—both equally breathtaking. One bloomed on the banks of the River of Forgetfulness, the other overflowed with beauty in the celestial realms. Though born in opposing extremes, their fates converged: blossoming and fading every thousand years, flowers and leaves never meeting. Love does not follow cause and effect; fate dictates life and death.

Silence reigned, thick with killing intent, causing both Liu Yao and Song Baolin who had followed in to shiver, and the unconscious person behind the screen to curl up. The two locked eyes, neither revealing overt affection nor tender warmth, but rather unwavering determination and hostility so dense it was almost tangible. After an unknown period of time, these two suddenly turned their heads simultaneously—one east, one west—and snorted at the same time.

“Ha~” Liu Yao and Song Baolin exchanged glances, finally exhaling the breath they had been holding.

The soldier serving tea was relatively quick-witted, using the brief respite between the two dragons’ confrontation to tidy everything up at astonishing speed. He quickly bowed and fled from the chilling atmosphere of the tent as if escaping for his life.

The red “dragon” picked up the porcelain cup, elegantly blew on the steam, and smirked with a mischievous glint in his eye, casting a sharp glance: “Lord Ding certainly has deep schemes.”

Thump, Liu Yao’s heart skipped a beat, looking mournfully at his master: Master, at least we are on someone else’s territory, please mind your words. This one... He stole a glance at the seated figure, swallowing hard: And this one is different from the one surnamed Yuan—this is a ruthless character.

Unfortunately, Liu Yao’s unease was not perceived by his exceptionally intelligent master. The red “dragon” took a sip of tea and continued his venomous remarks: “First, pretending to cooperate, deceiving Wen Tu to open the gates of the array.” The word “deceiving” made Song Baolin’s thick eyebrows quiver slightly. He cautiously looked at his Young Master: His expression remained impassive. “Then charging into the main formation and seizing the achievements of General Han Yuesha.” Song Baolin scrutinized further; his master still wore his eternal icy facade, but his gaze gently lingered behind the screen. “Finally...” The seductive eyes pierced like ice spears toward the opposite seat, “Taking advantage of the chaos, you abducted my Ministry of Rites officer, Feng Yunqing!” This statement finally caught the attention of the white “dragon,” whose phoenix eyes widened slightly, clear and radiant: “Ministry of Rites officer?”

Can’t hold back anymore? Ling Yiran slowly curved his lips, teasingly opening and closing them repeatedly, then lightly glanced sideways: “Does Lord Ding not know yet?” Ye Jinglan’s dragon-like eyes turned cold, piercing straight ahead, “Her clever strategies repelled the enemy at Fan City, and the flooding of the Liang army was her ingenious idea.” Ye Jinglan’s heartbeat paused momentarily, a graceful arc appearing at the corner of his lips, silently muttering her name, “Yunqing...” Yunqing? Ye Jinglan coolly swept his gaze, meeting Ling Yiran’s challenging stare. A second silent war began, leaving others unsure whether to stand or sit, trembling with fear.

After a while, Ling Yiran’s gaze shifted, speaking softly: “Most importantly, Yunqing has already agreed.”

One sentence caused Ye Jinglan to furrow his delicate brows and clasp his slender fingers: Yunqing...

Hmph, Ling Yiran let out a light laugh: “Knowing this, Lord Ding.” He raised his distant mountain brows, looking determinedly at his opponent, “Return my court’s Officer Feng to me!” With that, he strode toward the inner chamber. Before reaching the screen, a graceful white figure had already flashed in front of him.

“Exhausted and collapsed.” Ye Jinglan turned his back to him, his phoenix eyes gazing beyond the screen, tenderly looking at the sleeping beauty on the bed, softly saying, “She is tired.”

Ling Yiran was momentarily stunned, a slight pang in his chest. After a moment, he shook his head helplessly: He just couldn’t bring himself to be harsh on her. He stomped back to his original spot, lifted his robe, and sat down, habitually tapping his fingers on the table, softly saying: “I’ll wait right here.”

“Master.” Liu Yao hastily spoke, “Waiting back at the residence wouldn’t be the same? If the adult remains unconscious, then...”

Ling Yiran’s beautiful eyes swept coolly, startling Liu Yao into bowing his head and remaining silent. “Hmph!” The peach blossom eyes narrowed slightly, the handsome pupils turning to meet those cold phoenix eyes directly, “A year can be waited, let alone this short while~”

...

Though the words still lingered in their ears, these two had already sat facing each other in mutual disdain for an entire night. Song Baolin sighed, quietly slipping into the main tent. Whether due to genuine stamina or feigned endurance, the two seated figures appeared alert and dignified. On the other hand... Song Baolin sympathetically glanced at Liu Yao, who was dozing off while standing—this night must have been difficult. The only one who managed to rest peacefully was the young lady. He looked toward the screen, a question forming in his mind:

Being favored by two paragons of heaven—is this fortune, or misfortune?

The sensation of drowning—her body felt as if being forcibly pulled down, an unbearable weight overwhelming her. Slowly opening her eyes, everything around her was still somewhat blurry, dazed and confused. Hugging the quilt, she rubbed her pillow, a medicinal scent wafting into her nose like a gentle breeze dispersing the thick fog in a valley, her consciousness gradually clearing. Xiu Yuan? Her disheveled hair deeply buried in the soft bed, her lips unconsciously curled upward: Mm, it’s him, it’s him...

“Lord Ding is truly taciturn~” His lowered voice couldn’t conceal the smooth tone, Yunzhi—he’s here? Lying down, she listened intently. After a while, she still hadn’t received a response. Smiling secretly, this was Xiu Yuan’s style.

“General Song~”

“Prince Ning.” A deep male voice.

“Do you think this counts as neglect? Hmm~”

“My Young Master is usually like this, Your Highness should not overthink it.”

“Oh?” Pausing for a moment, the teasing tone rose again: “Lord Ding, is speaking really that difficult?”

Silence reigned. Just as I thought this question would go unanswered once more, a voice as clear as spring water suddenly rang out: “Tired.” After a brief pause, realization dawned, and I covered my mouth with the quilt, my lips curving higher: Not difficult, but tired. Xiu Yuan really is... Yunzhi’s attempt to tease had backfired, leaving him speechless. “Hahaha~” Laughing silently lest I hurt myself, after a while, I rubbed my slightly sore cheeks, still smiling, and just as I was about to take a deep breath after lifting the quilt, two pairs of bright black eyes stared intently at me. Stunned, I momentarily forgot to breathe, feeling my face burn like firewood, growing hotter.

Big eyes stared into small eyes, big eyes into phoenix eyes, “Thump, thump, thump...” The silence was broken only by the sound of heartbeats. Unable to decipher the brilliance in Yunzhi’s eyes or the shimmer in Xiu Yuan’s gaze, I could only roughly discern their laughter. After a while, they both simultaneously withdrew their gazes, turned their heads, and glared at each other as if looking into a mirror.

“Hmph!” They said in unison.

Finally unable to hold it back, I turned around, hugging the pillow, letting my hair cover my face, taking the opportunity to laugh fully.

“Liu Yao~” A voice filled with laughter came through.

“Your Highness.”

“Take the clothes inside.”

“Yes.”

Hmm? Clothes? Wiping the corner of my eye, I sat up halfway, long hair spilling onto the bed. Looking down at the undergarment on my body, then at the blood-stained outer robe at the foot of the bed, I suddenly looked up at Xiu Yuan. His phoenix eyes sparkled, his thin lips curved slightly, gazing deeply back at me. My face flushed red again, lowering my head to open the bundle Liu Yao brought in. This is? Puzzled, I looked at Yunzhi.

He coolly glanced at the foot of the bed, his deep voice stating: “This is the ceremonial robe of the Ministry of Rites official, delivered just yesterday.”

Picking up a red rope knot wrapped in the clothes, fiddling with the dangling coral beads, I looked at him in confusion: “What is this?”

“The color of the robe and the material of the crown are the same; different knots represent different ranks. For fourth rank officials, it’s a pale blue outer robe, white jade crown, and a string of fragrant knots.”

Nodding in understanding, I spread out the clothes, raised my head seriously, and looked at them both, silently thinking: Leave. Xiu Yuan nodded slightly, turning away with a gentle smile, like refreshing spring water. Glaring at someone who remained oblivious, his eyebrows arched, he grinned wickedly. Ignoring our angry stares, he continued unaffected. It wasn’t until Xiu Yuan gave him a cold glance that he finally turned and left with a flick of his sleeve.

Quickly putting on the official robe, tying up my long hair, hanging the red fragrant knot on the buckle of my left shoulder blade, carefully attaching the mask and fake Adam’s apple, and once everything was neatly arranged, I stepped out from behind the screen.

“Yunqing.” Xiu Yuan softly murmured, “Are you hungry?”

Looking at the steaming food on the table, the hunger in my stomach grew stronger. Smiling, I nodded: “Mm.”

Yunzhi glanced at the corner of the table, smiling indifferently: “Little Yunqing can eat here“

“What?!” Grabbing his sleeve, “My brother is injured? Where? Is it serious?” My mind raced, unable to compose myself.

Yunzhi glanced at the sleeve corner, his eyes slanting to one side, a strange smile spreading across his lips: “You’ll know when you get back.”

Anxious, I bowed slightly: “Xiu Yuan, I’m leaving first.”

“Mm.” He stood up, escorting me to the tent entrance. As we brushed past, a voice as clear as a cold spring whispered in my ear: “See you tonight.”

Surprised, I looked at him, my heart swayed by the shimmering light in his eyes, involuntarily responding: “Okay.”

The three of us walked in an unusual silence, quiet yet somewhat eerie. The faint autumn sun shone over Chengyuan, the plains dotted with patches of grass, a line of departing geese, distant mountains bathed in autumn hues, gently warm and gently cold. Not long after leaving Mianzhou camp, the Han family army flag came into view. Further ahead, a military camp even larger than the combined forces of the two armies lay crouching to the north of Chengyuan, forming a tripod stance with the other two camps.

Thinking of my brother, I quickened my steps. Suddenly, the person in front stopped abruptly, almost causing me to bump into him.

“...” Yunzhi narrowed his eyes dangerously, his entire being exuding thick anger. After a while, he ground out a few words between clenched teeth: “Xiu Yuan? Hmm?!”

Eh? Speechless, my eyes were drawn to those fiery demonic pupils...

Looking at my tall brother in front of me, I furrowed my brows slightly. Ruthless slaughter, life-and-death battles—being a marshal, being a general, even fighting until all enemies fell should not allow the proud figure to slacken even a little. Is this the fate of the Han family men? Thinking of this, my heart couldn’t help but feel sorrowful. Sighing softly, I looked at his broad back—it’s fortunate that this time it’s only an arrow wound.

“General Han!” A loud roar shook my eardrums. The northern camp belonged to Yi’s late-arriving Biao Hu General Li Benzong. Tonight, Li Benzong, the fierce tiger general of Yi State, had invited the generals of both armies to a banquet, unknown what his intentions were.

“General Li.” Compared to the boisterous and fearsome-looking Biao Hu General, my brother resembled more of a scholarly commander. Only those who had fought alongside him knew that on the battlefield, Han Yuesha lived up to his name, ruthless and deadly.

Li Benzong appeared friendly, patting my brother’s shoulder: “Ah, I’ve heard much about Brother Han’s prowess, but I didn’t expect you to reach Chengyuan in less than a month.” My brother’s face paled slightly, politely smiling. Li Benzong gave him a heavy punch on the shoulder, a trace of malice flashing in the corner of his eye, “You’re really something! Tonight, don’t disappoint me, Brother. No return until drunk! No return until drunk!”

My brother’s brow furrowed slightly, forcing a smile: “I am honored by General Li’s high regard, and humbly accept.”

“General.” Speaking solemnly, I clasped my hands, “During wartime, drinking less is both a rule and a military courtesy. I hope the General will adhere to it.” With that, I shot a glare at the bearded man. Seemingly crude, but actually malicious—you must have known my brother was wounded by an arrow and pretended to be friendly to deliberately test him, truly despicable.

Li Benzong’s eyes bulged like copper bells, his two black eyebrows twisted into a rope: “Where did this young upstart come from, daring to meddle in the affairs of the General! Step back!”

Anger turned to laughter; I clasped my hands: “I am an official of Qing State in charge of military etiquette and ceremonies. One who receives the king’s salary should be loyal to the king’s matters.” Looking straight into his eyes, I spoke loudly and slowly, “Surely, General Li understands this principle?”

Li Benzong’s nostrils flared, his expression awkward.

“Minister Feng.” My brother cleared his throat, “Tonight, I shall restrain myself. General Li is well-meaning, so don’t dwell on it.”

Slightly nodding: “Yes.”

The black velvet curtain hung over the plains, and the bone-chilling autumn cold ravaged the stars at the horizon, making them tremble and huddle together. In the distance, a group of figures approached, and as they drew nearer, it became clear—it was nightfall approaching. Those smiling phoenix eyes stirred ripples in my heart; in the fleeting moment of passing by, the cool hand hidden in my sleeve was suddenly gripped tightly. A fleeting warmth spread through my heart.

Before I could gather my thoughts, a warning-like firm squeeze came on my other hand. Turning my head, I met fiery handsome eyes. “Qingqing~” A low growl of frustration.

Sitting below Yunzhi, I glanced towards the host general. Li Benzong stood holding a wine cup, his voice booming like a bell: “The battle of Chengyuan was truly brutal. Although I did not personally experience it, judging from General Han’s forces now reduced to less than seventy thousand, this battle must have been catastrophic.” Facing the wind, the bearded man glanced at our table, a hint of schadenfreude on his face. “And the Qinglong Cavalry of Mianzhou, having rushed thousands of miles, must surely be exhausted after such a fight.” Hearing this, I lightly chuckled, looking at Xiu Yuan. Our eyes met for a moment, and I was momentarily mesmerized.

“Alas, what a pity! What a pity that our troops encountered countless mountains and obstacles along the way, delaying the opportunity to engage.” The heavy sigh startled me awake. Li Benzong widened his round eyes, feigning regret: “Otherwise, how could General Han lose tens of thousands of soldiers, and the Qinglong Cavalry of Mianzhou become so utterly exhausted?” His words implied that their Yi army was the key to victory or defeat. If Yi hadn’t hesitated back and forth trying to pick up scraps, how could they have been blocked north of Lew River, unable to advance? Hmph, he was just patting himself on the back. Scanning around, none of the generals from our Han family army or the Qinglong Cavalry who had experienced that bloody battle showed anything but disdain.

“Alas, let’s not dwell on the past!” Li Benzong shook his head. “Come, come, let me toast all my brothers here!”

I raised my wine cup, taking a small sip. It burned fiercely—it was strong liquor. Secretly opening my mouth, I let my tongue soak in the cool autumn night air to dilute the burning sensation. Glancing inadvertently, I saw Yunzhi lounging, half-smiling, his gaze hazy.

“Before we drink this second cup, I have a promise to make!” Hmm? Narrowing my eyes to scrutinize. “The three families of Qing, Yi, and Mianzhou have always been on good terms, and I will not abandon my brothers. Once we enter the capital region, our southern army of Yi will surely charge ahead for the Ninth Prince, for General Han.” He raised his cup, nodding towards us. “For the Marquis of Mianzhou, for General Song.” Then he clasped his hands towards Xiu Yuan’s side, “We will gladly lead the charge, clearing the path ahead!” After saying all this, it turned out he was there to snatch military achievements. So? Want to snatch food from the tiger’s mouth? Let’s see if you have the ability. Li Benzong, your name suits you well—Li Ben Zhong, seems like you need to be struck to ring, and ring to hurt.

“Come! Let me finish this cup first!” He drank the strong liquor with gusto, setting down the bronze goblet only to find no one responding. “What?” The bearded man looked somewhat embarrassed. “General Han? Is the wine not to your liking?”

My brother smiled faintly, the firelight turning his deep eyes a dark red: “Yes, this Yi liquor is rather strong, and I’m not quite used to it. It would be perfect for sacrificial offerings.” With that, he stood up, raising his cup to the moon. “The living are not fortunate, but the dead rest eternally. Han Yuesha borrows General Li’s fine wine to offer a toast to our brothers under the nine springs.” With a graceful flick, the sparkling wine traced a broken arc in the air, landing as a heart-wrenching splash. All the generals stood, pouring the rich liquor into the air. Through the lingering haze of the fragrant wine, I seemed to see the spirits of heroes: compared to the fallen, no one present could claim to be a hero.

Everyone sat down simultaneously, the dull thud startling Li Benzong into place. After a while, he awkwardly laughed: “Yes, yes, it’s not easy, those who passed were truly not easy.” He clutched the bronze goblet, slowly sitting down. “Well, drinking alone is boring.” Li Benzong cleared his throat, shouting loudly, “Someone, bring a sword dance for entertainment!”

“Yes, General!” A thunderous roar, and dozens of men marched in formation. Each standing eight feet tall, exuding the valor of northern men. The leader was broad-shouldered and burly, with a stern face. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply, loudly declaring: “This subordinate Li Xian will humbly perform today!” With that, he unsheathed his long sword, waving it behind him. Military drums sounded, and under the glow of the four-cornered braziers, the bronze armor shimmered coldly. These ten men either performed solo drills or paired sparring, creating a dazzling display of swordplay that left one’s eyes dazzled.

Li Benzong stepped down to pour a cup of wine for my brother, raising an eyebrow as he glanced inside: “A bunch of greenhorns, poorly trained. Please forgive them, Brother Han.”

“Hmm~” My brother grabbed Li Benzong’s thick wrist firmly. “Brother Li, why be so modest? From what I see, that Li Xian has fierce swordsmanship and solid skills—he’s quite promising material.”

“Oh? Does Brother Han think so?” A glint of triumph flashed in Li Benzong’s eyes. “That Li Xian is my nephew, just twenty years old, and has some talent. This child admires you the most.” Saying this, he gave my brother another heavy punch. Clutching the wine cup tightly, glaring fiercely, my brother’s lips twitched slightly—it seemed the wound on his shoulder had reopened. Mister Li, you really are despicable! Tossing my head back, the fiery liquor burned its way down my throat, igniting a blaze in my heart.

“It’s rare to meet today, so please, Brother Han, do not hesitate to instruct and teach my nephew well.” Without waiting for my brother’s consent, he waved to the field. “Xian, seize this excellent opportunity!”

That Li Xian’s lips curled into a sneer as he charged with his heavy sword, appearing as if fighting for his life. Taking advantage of my brother’s severe injury to provoke him—if he lost, it wouldn’t be shameful since it was to the renowned General Moon Killer; if he won, it would crush our morale and boost theirs. Mister Li, you want to make a foolproof deal, but I’ll make sure you lose everything!

Spinning my body, I leaped onto the tip of the sword in an instant, balancing on one foot. Looking down, the view was exquisite. The sound of clinking cups suddenly stopped, leaving only the rhythmic beat of military drums. The wine burned in my sorrowful gut, swirling a hundred times before a faint heat rose to my cheeks. Smiling against the wind: “I am Feng Yunqing.” Turning my gaze lightly, I looked at Li Benzong beside me. “I’ve long admired the fame of the Li family of Yi State, and today, meeting you, your reputation holds true.” Sneering at Li Xian, I narrowed my eyes slightly. “Youth without audacity is wasted youth. I’ll take advantage of this drunken courage to exchange techniques with Brother Li.”

Li Xian’s owl-like eyes narrowed, and he violently shook his sword—it seemed he was quite angered. Chuckling lightly, I stepped onto the sword and mercilessly kicked towards his jaw. Following a swift somersault, I landed steadily. Watching him drift away like a light feather in the wind, I raised my right hand to catch the falling heavy sword. Stepping to the rhythm of the drums, I twisted and danced: “A scroll of military strategy, two stone-hard bows, a seven-foot silver spear, a golden saddle with flowered steeds.” Sidestepping lightly, I plunged into the remaining nine men, lifting my sword tip and dancing with my heart’s desire. “Gazing far across ten thousand miles of battlefield, the winds and clouds dissipate as we march forward.” Leaning on the sword, I kicked and swept down a row of ‘bronze’ warriors. “In the autumn night, the river stirs with joy, killing all the flowers is the west wind?” Swaying gracefully, the sword flew lightly. “Swallowing the clouds in my chest, breathing in defeated enemies, the sword’s light pierces the sky.” Bending over with the blade horizontally, amidst the daze, I only saw a pair of warm phoenix eyes, a smile on the lips. “Under the endless cold moon, emotions run deep; through ten years of war, the heavens and earth remain the same.” Pointing my sword downwards, “Pouring wine to honor the lonely graves.” Narrowing my eyes to look upwards, I swiftly spun and pointed my sword to the sky, a slight sneer curling my lips. “Even if the enemy numbers in the millions, in casual talk, a thousand-year legacy is still determined. Ask yourselves!” Harnessing my qi, the bronze brilliance pierced through the drum and soared towards Li Benzong. His eyes widened, and the hair by his ears was cleanly cut. Standing tall, I gently smiled, “Why must one flaunt brute courage?”

The faint firelight illuminated Li Benzong’s sallow complexion. Slightly bowing my head, I clasped my hands and stood: “I am young and weak, and my sword technique is yet to be mastered. I apologize for startling the General.” Turning around, I looked at Li Xian still unconscious several zhang away, sneering. “Yunqing is merely a ceremonial official; these mere tricks have amused the young general.” With that, I flicked my sleeves and returned, the table erupting in cheers.

Hmph, stealing chickens only to lose rice—Li Benzong, let’s see how much color remains on your face! The alcohol fumes clouded my head, dizzy and disoriented, and before I realized it, I tripped over the corner of the table, about to fall. I tapped my foot lightly, about to steady myself, when my waist was suddenly embraced, and I fell straight into a musk-scented embrace. Dazedly gazing at each other, my cheeks still warm.

“Be careful~” A low, melodious tone, his peach blossom eyes intoxicating, a slight lift at the corner of his mouth. Struggling to rise, I was pressed down firmly. His slender fingers brushed over my temples, tucking the stray strands of hair behind my ear. His seductive eyes turned provocatively towards me. Slamming the table, I abruptly stood up. Following his gaze, I looked across the table. Xiu Yuan took a small sip of the strong liquor, his posture upright, his phoenix eyes cold and sharp. The cup was gently placed down, and at the instant the base touched the table, the sturdy wooden table suddenly split in half. Momentarily stunned: channeling energy through objects, truly astonishing internal strength. “Clang, clang, clang,” the bronze goblet rolled to the ground, and everyone was dumbfounded. The night was so silent that it seemed one could hear the sighs of the autumn moon.

The cool breeze brushed against my face but couldn’t dispel the alcohol haze in my mind. “Report!” The hoarse shout pierced the silent banquet, sounding especially jarring. Blinking my eyes, I gradually regained clarity amidst the dizziness.

“What is the matter?” Li Benzong slapped the wooden table, but it only made him appear weaker.

“Reporting to the General! The Jing State’s Flying Tiger General has just captured Tongzhou and is heading towards Yuan City.”

“What?!” This time his anger was unmistakable; his round eyes bulged, and his bristling beard trembled.

“Oh~ Is the General not aware yet?” Yunzhi swirled the wine in his cup, smiling indifferently. “After the battle of Chengyuan, General Yuan Tengfei immediately led his troops north to support the king.” This must be your idea, Yunzhi. “To put it bluntly, the civil war in Jing State is merely their internal affair; we are merely invited to witness it.” He glanced toward the head seat. “The capital region should naturally be cleared behind closed doors by them.” This way, it gives face to King Jing while depleting the number of Jing soldiers—a truly fail-safe deal.

“May I ask what gift General Li has prepared for King Jing?” Yunzhi dipped his fingertip into the strong liquor, his gaze coolly piercing the opponent across the table. “I heard that Lord Ding sent Empress Dowager Wen as a gift.” Shocked, I looked at Xiu Yuan incredulously. His phoenix eyes were clear, gazing directly at me, as if I could see through to the bottom of his heart. On one side, blood washed over Chengyuan; on the other, striking at the snake’s vital point—everything had been meticulously arranged before the battle. “Speaking of giving gifts in pairs, this palace certainly won’t lag behind.” The smooth tone struck Li Benzong’s face once again. “The young prince with Wen lineage is already on the official road to Yuan City~”

The wind blew, extinguishing the fire in the brazier; the person at the head seat looked pale, as if his inner flame had suddenly been extinguished.

The Yi army camp was shrouded in thick darkness, pitch-black.

The hem of the night seeped into the King of Jing’s palace, and even deeper into the heart of King Wu Ling of Jing.

“Your Majesty, we have arrived.” A delicate-skinned eunuch softly reminded him.

The corpulent King Wu Ling of Jing kicked open the main hall door of Fengming Palace and stormed in with pent-up hatred. What greeted his eyes were dusty windows and pearl curtains clinking in the west wind. Wu Ling’s thick lips quivered slightly as he slowly approached the inner chamber. In the darkness sat a woman. Her hair was styled intricately without a single strand out of place, her slender waist held upright. This was the former empress dowager Wen, who once wielded power that overshadowed the heavens and dominated the court. Before the civil war began, she had already left the capital and hidden in Tongzhou, the Wen family stronghold. Today, delivered back by the Qinglong Cavalry of Mianzhou, she was no longer in her former glory, instead exuding a profound sense of desolation.

Wu Ling stood with his hands behind his back and coldly spoke: “Mother.”

Empress Dowager Wen sat straight on the couch, seemingly deaf to this low call.

King Wu Ling’s chubby face twitched slightly, and he roared in a fit of rage: “Mother!”

Still no response; the Wen family remained silent.

“Hmph! Hmph! Hmph!” Wu Ling breathed heavily, taking steps closer to the beauty’s couch. “Does Mother still think I am that weak and powerless king? Look, look!” He spread his arms, smugly surveying the desolate and empty bedchamber. “This place is no longer the center of the dynasty!” He grabbed the narrow shoulders of Empress Dowager Wen and roared furiously through gritted teeth, “You are no longer the empress dowager who controlled the government!” With both hands pressing harder, he violently shook her until her hair was disheveled. “Mother, wake up! The Wen family is ruined, destroyed by your own hands, and also by my own!” He sat down beside the couch, picking up a lock of the empress dowager’s hair and playing with it delicately. “Mother, as long as you repent, as long as you look at me more, cherish me more, I will certainly not mistreat you. Mother.” King Wu Ling wriggled his obese body and leaned on Empress Dowager Wen’s knees, his tone childish, like a child’s. “Mother, Mother.”

Just as he coquettishly whined, a flash of ferocity appeared in Empress Dowager Wen’s eyes. She lunged forward and bit fiercely onto Wu Ling’s thick earlobe.

“Ahh!” The mournful scream of a slaughtered pig echoed through Fengming Palace.

King Wu Ling rolled on the floor, covering his ear, warm blood seeping between his thick fingers. Trembling, he glared at the bloody-mouthed empress dowager, who now resembled a demon. “Mo...ther...”

Empress Dowager Wen spat out a piece of white flesh: “Shut up!” She growled through clenched teeth, step by step approaching the fallen Wu Ling. In the dim light, those beautiful eyes flashed coldly: “What are you? How dare you call me ‘Mother’?!”

Wu Ling froze on the spot, feeling as though a venomous snake had bitten his heart. He stuttered: “Mother...”

“Shut up!” The Wen family screamed, covering her ears, her disheveled hair falling to her neck. “You wretch!” She frantically kicked and beat King Wu Ling. “It’s all your fault! All your fault! You killed my Yanyan!”

Wu Ling rolled on the ground, clutching his head, screaming repeatedly: “Yanyan? Yanyan?” Suddenly, he kicked, knocking Empress Dowager Wen to the ground. Half-kneeling, he crawled toward her. “Since childhood, you always talked about Wen Yuyan, loved her the most, spoiled her the most. When I was ten, just because I pushed her down, you whipped me with willow branches all night.” Wu Ling pressed down on Empress Dowager Wen’s shoulders, roaring with bloodshot eyes: “Why! Why! I am your biological son! How could I be inferior to a wench!”

The Wen matriarch raised her small palm and slapped him hard. “Slap!” Wu Ling froze. “Wench?!” The Empress Dowager’s chest trembled violently as she slowly rose. “Wench?!” She glared fiercely at the collapsed King Wu Ling on the ground. “How dare you, you wretch, call my biological daughter a wench!”

“Biological daughter...” Wu Ling repeated this phrase in a broken voice. “Biological daughter...” After a moment, he suddenly raised his head. “Then me?”

“Yes!” Empress Dowager Wen looked at him with disgust. “If it weren’t to overthrow Consort Ru back then, I wouldn’t have needed to steal the heavens and replace the sun, sending my biological daughter to my brother’s house to be raised. I had to bear a son, only a son!”

Wu Ling’s face turned deathly pale, his eyes hollow and soulless.

“I arranged for Yuyan to marry into the palace so that my daughter could stay close by my side and ensure that the royal bloodline of Jing flowed truly with Wen blood. After raising you for years, I originally planned to give you a way out, forcing you to abdicate when Mi grew to ten, allowing you to live out your remaining days in the palace. But who knew?” She narrowed her eyes and sneered, shaking her head. “Who knew you would be ungrateful and insatiably greedy!” Two streams of tears slid from the corners of her eyes. “My Yanyan, my Yanyan...” She covered her face and wept bitterly. “My Yanyan was killed... Wuu...”

Each sob sounded like a heavy hammer blow, shattering Wu Ling’s already fragile heart into pieces, then grinding them into powder, scattering them in the empty hall with the wind.

Suddenly, the Wen matriarch dropped her hands and pounced on him like a wild beast: “You ungrateful wretch!” Like a mother lion who had lost her cub, she wildly tore at Wu Ling’s thick earlobes. “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” Her sharp teeth bit off another chunk of flesh. “Ungrateful scum, annihilating my Wen family! You will die a miserable death!” The excruciating pain in his ear jolted King Wu Ling awake. A sharp pain shot through his throat; looking down, he saw that the mad Empress Dowager had bitten his neck. He tried to push her away with his hands, but unexpectedly, she possessed immense strength. At this moment, King Wu Ling’s eyes turned red with rage. He let out a painful roar, twisted his fat waist, and pinned the empress dowager beneath him.

“Ahh!” The pain in his throat caused Wu Ling to instinctively jerk his neck, slamming his head to the ground: once, the Wen matriarch did not let go; twice, the pain was still unbearable. Wu Ling’s heart was long gone; he was nothing but a beast, repeating the same motion over and over. Listening to the sound of his skull colliding with the ground, his thick lips twisted upward in a grin. “Hehe~ Hahaha~” The terrifying laughter echoed through Fengming Palace, making the eunuchs guarding the door shiver and tremble.

Even as his face was stained with blood, even as the relentless bite on his throat loosened, he continued relentlessly. Grinning menacingly, he repeatedly bent down and rose, bent down and rose...

In Zhang Mi’s Chronicles of the Warring States, it is written: In the first year of the chaotic era, on the 27th day of the eighth month, Empress Dowager Wen passed away, posthumously titled ‘Guilty Empress.’ On the 28th day of the eighth month, Crown Prince Wu Mi died prematurely at the age of five. Do not see the high walls and deep courtyards. In one autumn, warmth and chill intertwine; kinship and ethics, the closest become the farthest. Alas! What sorrow.