#35: Trampling Through the Scenery of the Old Country

The continuous thunder that had lasted for days finally subsided, and outside the window, rain drizzled softly, its gentle pitter-patter seemingly telling someone's story. Beneath the smoky veil of the window screen, a single lamp cast an artistic glow, and Yanqiu gazed at the ink-wash landscape painted on the lampshade, lost in thought.

What should he do?

His fine eyelashes trembled slightly, the mask covering his face was quite cold. His slender fingers moved back and forth on the engraved dagger, then curled up and gently pressed against his chest. Unlike the softness around him, this fabric was somewhat stiff, with a hidden letter inside that could be enough to put someone to death.

“When we arrive in Qingzhou, just present this letter to Lord Zhongjin,” the contact who delivered the antidote told him before departure.

In front of the visitor, he swallowed the monthly antidote, stowed away the suspicious garment, and as usual, lay down to endure, like a dead fish allowing the contact to play with him. Because he knew if he resisted, there would be no antidote next month. He had sought death before; after all, he had once been human and couldn't bear living a life worse than an animal. But the unbearable sensation during a toxin flare-up stripped him of the courage to live again, to be human again...

Until, until that day, when that person gave him this dagger.

“Yanqiu, you are a person, not a slave. If you're bullied, you can fight back; don't just accept everything passively.”

At that moment, his already dead heart unexpectedly stirred. Could he still be human? Did he still have the right to be human?

Eyes brimming with hot tears, Yanqiu caressed the scroll beside him, stroke by stroke, full of reverence.

He had seen and done such dirty tricks like framing and sowing discord more than once or twice. But now, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He would rather taste the unbearable feeling between life and death again, as long as he could follow that master, as long as he could live a few more days as a human.

A few days, just a few days, he was content.

As his thoughts settled, Yanqiu picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and began copying from a yellowed page, stroke by stroke. Apart from this face and body, he wasn’t entirely useless. A sense of pride, peculiar to humans, swelled in his scarred heart, growing stronger.

“Envoy Feng?” The shadow cast on the smoky window screen.

“Who?” Yanqiu responded from the outer room.

“Governor Qian Ping.”

Calmly, Yanqiu gathered the documents on the desk, rose, and opened the middle door, letting the light drizzle drift in.

“What is it?” Yanqiu’s voice was flat.

“Uh...” The short-bearded man outside looked momentarily dazed.

This Yanqiu, despite looking very ordinary, had a pair of bewitching eyes, making him look extremely out of place.

“Governor?” Yanqiu softly reminded.

“Ah!” Qian Ping suddenly came to his senses, half of his body already soaked with raindrops. “I was sent to see if the envoy is comfortable.”

Yanqiu turned aside: “It's raining heavily outside, please come in.”

“Ah, thank you.” Qian Ping entered, his eyes immediately scanning the inner room. “Is the envoy asleep?”

Yanqiu offered a cup of tea and nodded: “Our master has just retired.”

Qian Ping absent-mindedly took a sip, scalding his mouth with the hot tea: “Hiss... Retiring at the hour of You?!”

Yanqiu subtly blocked the entrance to the inner room and spoke cautiously: “Our master has been traveling for several days, plus his health isn’t great, so...”

“Masterrr... ah...” A faint moan came from the inner room, accompanied by creaking bed boards.

Health issues? Qian Ping smirked at the silently lowered gaze of Yanqiu, his mustache slightly lifting. Perhaps he’s in excellent shape.

The sounds from the inner room gradually ceased, and a breathy tone drifted out slowly: “Who’s here?”

“This lowly one is the steward of Governor Qian's residence, dispatched by my lord to check if the envoy is satisfied with the accommodations,” Qian Ping seized the opportunity to step forward, peeking through the door crack. The bed curtain was lifted slightly; Minister Feng, with hazy eyes, leaned weakly against the headboard, behind him the silk blanket formed a humanoid shape. One, two, plus this one in the outer room, the three were complete, and he could go back to report.

“I am very satisfied, but...” Minister Feng’s voice sounded slightly weary. “I wonder if my thirty guards are well accommodated.”

“Please rest assured, Envoy. I have arranged them to stay at the Tao Inn.”

“Tao Inn?” The inner room sighed. “To come and stay separately, is Governor Qian wary of someone?”

Qian Ping’s eyebrows twitched slightly, smiling: “Envoy is overthinking. Although Fen City, as the capital of Qingzhou, nominally falls under my lord’s jurisdiction, in reality, it is controlled by the elder. To let the envoy stay in the outer inn, I fear the outcome would be the same as the last envoy.”

“I see. Please convey my thanks to Governor Qian on my behalf; he is truly thoughtful,” the voice from inside was sincere.

“Certainly, certainly.” Qian Ping smiled awkwardly. “Without further ado, I take my leave.”

“Hmm, no need to see me off.”

Qian Ping bowed to Yanqiu at the door and turned to leave.

This envoy is indeed an inexperienced young man, believing my words so easily. Not yet twenty and already a second-rank official, perhaps the ministers of Qing Country are bewitched by that charming smile, all show and no substance, all show and no substance.

The light footsteps faded into the dark winding corridor, gradually disappearing.

Yanqiu closed the door and turned to look at the man who had walked out from the inner room: “Master will be angry.”

Yanlu rolled his eyes and said irritably: “I should be the one getting angry; playing dual roles, do you know how hard it is for me!”

“You can’t ruin Master’s reputation either.” Yanqiu sat back at the desk, took out the unfinished manuscript, and continued copying.

“Reputation?” Yanlu buttoned up his clothes, sat next to Yanqiu, and put on another mask. “That guy’s reputation is already as black as coal; one or two more stains won’t make a difference.”

Yanqiu glanced at him, his enchanting eyes momentarily pausing. How did he directly put on the second mask without removing the previous one that resembled Master? Shouldn’t he take it off?

“What are you staring at? Mesmerized by me?” Yanlu narcissistically touched his cheek. “I am indeed the most handsome man in Shén Kūn.”

“You...” Yanqiu stuttered.

“Hmm?” Yanlu raised an eyebrow slightly.

Yanqiu hesitated for a moment and ultimately didn’t ask further. “Is it okay for Master to go out alone?” He changed the topic.

“You’ve seen her skills; instead of worrying about her, worry about yourself,” Yanlu stopped, looking strangely at the figure in front of him. “Yanqiu.”

“Hmm?” He responded absentmindedly, continuing to write diligently.

“Don’t fall for Master.”

Yanqiu’s frail body paused slightly, and Yanlu sighed: “There are extraordinary people around her; you...”

“Rest assured, I don’t like men.” Yanqiu replied softly.

But she isn’t one, Yanlu suppressed what he wanted to say, thinking this might be best for him.

“He is a cloud, while I am just grass on the ground. Being graced by the cloud’s shadow for a moment is enough for me.” Yanqiu switched the pen to his left hand, writing fluently. “I respect and admire him, but I will never love him. Such a person cannot be handled by commoners; I understand that.”

“You’re quite smart.” Yanlu praised sincerely, leaning forward to glance at the desk. “Hmm, you can write with both hands?”

“Hmm.”

“Amazing.” Yanlu scrutinized carefully, and upon closer inspection, he stared in awe at the open yellow register and the words Yanqiu was transcribing, unmoving. “You’re copying the imperial handwriting!”

“Master ordered it.”

“What!” Yanlu whispered angrily, lowering his voice. “Does she have a death wish?!”

Yanqiu quietly touched the concealed layer in his chest, a slight smile curling his lips: “But life is already short, isn’t it…”

The fine rain wet the window screen, the smoky hue blending with the ink wash, painting whose mood is unknown.

Inside the earthen house, a solitary lamp flickered like a bean. I lowered my gaze to the long knife resting on my neck, channeling qi to snap it.

“Ding!” The blade broke, embedding itself an inch into the mud wall.

I glanced sideways at the wary retreating men, grinned, and sat down, lifting my robe. “Is this how your righteous army shows gratitude?”

“Put it down!” Qi Dazhi roared. “Minister Feng is one of us!”

“One of us? Just because he talks big, he’s one of us?!” A small man swung his large sword. “Brother Qi, aren’t you too trusting!”

“Jin Ermao, are you ruining my scene?!” Qi Dazhi grabbed the small man. “I trust him willingly, dare you say another word! Huh?”

The small leaders of the righteous army inside the room fell silent, lowering their swords and slouching against the wall corners, their sleeves tucked.

“Qi Dazhi, are you the uprising leader of Qingzhou?” I poured myself a cup of tea, drinking leisurely.

“Yes.” He glared fiercely around, intimidating everyone to avert their hostile gazes.

“What’s your next move?” I glanced at him, seeing hesitation on his face. “Don’t tell me you plan to directly storm the residences of Qian Qiao Zhi and Qian Tong?”

“How did you know?!” A skinny monkey jumped up. “Brother Qi, did you tell this kid? Aren’t you afraid he will report us?”

“Damn it, sit down!” Qi Dazhi jumped, yelling. “I didn’t say anything!”

“Did it need to be said?” I set down my teacup, sweeping my gaze across everyone. “When I left the governor’s mansion, I saw someone keeping watch at the gate. And this civilian house used for gathering is only two streets away from Lord Zhongjin’s residence. Your plans are crystal clear.”

The skinny monkey immediately quieted down, sitting awkwardly.

“Yes,” Qi Dazhi placed his hands on his hips, one forming a fist. “We plan to launch a direct assault on the Qian family’s stronghold and wipe them out!”

“How many men do you have?” I asked.

“Eight thousand.” “Ten thousand!” “Twenty thousand!” The reported numbers grew increasingly exaggerated.

I stood and bowed to Qi Dazhi: “Excuse me.”

“Huh? Minister Feng!” He turned abruptly, blocking my path. “Why the sudden departure?”

I waved my sleeve coldly: “Feng does not collaborate with those who speak recklessly.”

“Minister Feng…” Qi Dazhi’s face reddened slightly. “Three years ago during our uprising, we lost many brothers, so…”

“I just want the actual number.”

He gritted his teeth and whispered: “Five thousand.”

Silence filled the room; the men avoided eye contact, their faces showing reluctance.

“Sufficient.” I looked at their astonished expressions and sat back at the table. “Five thousand men are enough to capture the four states.”

“Four states?” “You’re dreaming!”

“How?” I tapped the table. “Do you not want to?”

“We do!” Qi Dazhi quickly sat down. “But even the State Guard of Qingzhou has eight thousand soldiers, let alone the combined thirty thousand from the other three states.”

“You know Qingzhou has eight thousand soldiers.” I looked straight at him. “With only five thousand men, you plan to charge into a tiger’s den? Are you seeking martyrdom?”

“So what if we die! As long as we kill the Qian traitors!” Someone declared resolutely, prompting the men to clash their blades in agreement.

“Fear you’ll sacrifice yourselves but achieve nothing!” I slammed the table corner forcefully. “These past nights, I secretly investigated. Even the Governor’s Mansion of Qian Tong has numerous courtyards; without detailed maps, you’ll get lost. Not to mention the secret passages and escape doors inside the mansion. Even if you break into the Qian residence, you won’t catch their leaders. Once Qian Qiao Zhi and Qian Tong escape successfully and regroup, they’ll annihilate your five thousand men!”

“Don’t underestimate us!” “Bastard, what do you know!”

“What do I know?” I stood up and sneered. “I know you’ve rebelled three times, and each time you failed! Every time, you were overly eager for quick success, hoping to swallow the elephant in one bite.”

I coldly glared at the reluctant and angry crowd: “I also know that even if you kill Qian Tong and Qian Qiao Zhi, the people of the four southwestern states won’t live happily. The Qian family’s claws are deeply entrenched, exploiting the populace for a long time. The other day, I went to the market and found two types of steamed buns. One called ‘official buns,’ made with white flour, costs fifteen coins each. The other, ‘civilian buns,’ made with bran, costs five coins each. Even the city dwellers of Fen City, the capital of Qingzhou, eat like this, let alone the surrounding farmers.”

“If your rebellion is merely to kill Qian Qiao Zhi and Qian Tong, it’s just venting personal grievances, not pursuing justice.” I sighed, softening my tone. “Moreover, you raise the banner of avenging General Han Baiqing. If you implicate the common people, they will surely blame General Han Baiqing.” I raised my palm to stop their arguments. “Such things, even if you allow them, I will not.”

“What should we do then?” Qi Dazhi shifted his stool, slowly approaching. “How to achieve both?”

I pointed to the teapot in the middle: “Here is Qingzhou.” Using water from the cup, I drew a line to the right side of the teapot. “Qingzhou is near water; five thousand of the eight thousand State Guards are naval forces, guarding against the eastern bank of the Lei River and Mu Zhou of Qing Country.” I flipped three teacups upside down, placing them above, left, and below the teapot. “The northernmost is Shaan Zhou, connecting the remaining territories of former You to Yong. The western Xia Zhou backs onto Yong's inland. Today, Yong is in chaos; the Qian family will concentrate most of their troops in these two states to prevent any mishaps. The southernmost Bin Zhou faces the South Ocean, serving as the Qian family’s escape route.”

“To kill the Qian traitors and seize the four states, you must divide and conquer.” I spread my hands, pushing away the three teacups. “The first step is to isolate Qingzhou.”

“Isolate? Qingzhou is their stronghold; how to isolate it?” someone asked.

“When the Great General Liu Zhongyi of former You was personally executed by Han Yuesha, the hundred thousand You soldiers surrendered. Since then, the Qian family has had no loyal troops. Moreover, Qian Qiao Zhi is a treacherous minister who wants to harm the country; countless people want to kill him. To protect his life upon returning to his clan land, he spent heavily to hire mercenaries. Now, the state guards of the four states only care about profit, devoid of loyalty.”

I lightly caressed the beautiful jade at my waist, lowering my gaze and speaking slowly: “Spring is the time for settling last year’s military pay. I’ve already obtained the timing and route of the transport. With just three thousand men, we can seize the silver. Without their pay, the mercenaries driven solely by profit will surely mutiny, giving us the chance to rise.”

“What’s the second step?” Qi Dazhi asked again.

“The second step is allying with the military,” I smoothed my hair. “Align with the Qing Army.”

“Military?” “Qing Army?”

“Even if mercenaries forget righteousness for profit, they won't let us act freely. If their leader has some brains, they will watch us and the Qian family fight like clams and snipe at Qingzhou, reaping the benefits. Even if we all give our best efforts, we might not match their superior weapons.”

Eyebrows knitted tightly, the men sighed in silence.

“In that case, we can only ally with Qing Country east of the Lei River. Across the river from Qingzhou is one of the Han family lands, Mu Zhou, which has a state guard of fifteen thousand men. At the mouth of the Lei River lies an island named Pier Island, previously inhabited by pirates, now controlled by our navy of Qing Country.” I looked down at the stunned crowd, smiling slightly. “Now you should understand, I came prepared.”

I felt a bit guilty because before my mission, the King had said that unless I had absolute confidence in capturing the four states, neither the Mu Zhou state guard nor the navy would be mobilized. In other words, if I don’t capture Qingzhou first, the King will abandon me as a pawn.

Slightly calming my heartbeat, I continued: “The final step is to rise. Will you help me?”

The skinny monkey looked at those around him, frowning repeatedly: “If you can produce the navy’s token, we will believe you.”

“You’re Jin Ermao, right? Our court has decreed that civil officials must not interfere in military affairs. As Minister of Rites, I absolutely cannot obtain the token.” I took a letter from my sleeve and placed it in his hand. “Please deliver this letter to Lei Liefeng, commander of the navy at Pier Island. When the time comes, whether my words are true or false will become clear.”

I’m betting, betting on Lei Liefeng’s sense of righteousness. Even if the King forbids it, he will come to assist me before the uprising.

Jin Ermao’s eyes flashed: “Why me?”

“Ermao Jun is cautious by nature; entrusting you is naturally the most appropriate choice,” I said softly.

He placed the letter in his inner pocket, giving me a deep look. “Alright, I, Jin Ermao, will trust you once. If you haven't deceived us, when the time comes, I, Ermaozi, will surely risk my life to assist you.”

“Thank you so much for this,” I bowed to him, my long sleeves brushing the ground.

“No, no, no, all these formalities... we common folk aren't used to it, not accustomed at all!” He scratched his head anxiously, causing everyone to burst into laughter.

“Everyone,” I raised my voice. “From now on, we are all in the same boat; if one prospers, we all prosper; if one suffers, we all suffer.” I drew the soul-severing sword across my wrist. “I, Feng Yunqing, am willing to form a blood pact with all of you. From now on, we advance and retreat together, share in wealth and honor. If anyone breaks this oath, may they be struck down by heaven.”

Crimson blood dripped from my left wrist, sliding along the silver blade of the soul-severing sword, staining the earthen ground with a sinister blossom.

Qi Dazhi stepped forward, rolled up his sleeve, and swiped his right hand over the soul-severing sword. “If anyone breaks this oath, may they be struck down by heaven!”

“Damn it, I'm going all out!” “I'll do it!” “Me too!”

“If anyone breaks this oath, may they be struck down by heaven!” The resounding chorus echoed profoundly.

Exchanging a bowl of blood for the acceptance of the righteous army was indeed a profitable deal. Stepping out of the bustling mud house, I stood in the rain. They were truly simple men; if they treated me sincerely, I would not break my promise.

“Feng Brother!” Qi Dazhi followed me out, patting my shoulder warmly. “What about the matter of seizing the silver?”

“Tomorrow, send someone to the Yunlang Paper Shop in Beiyuan, saying that Minister Feng sent them to expedite the delivery.” I flicked my wrist, sending the blood and rainwater flying off the soul-severing sword. “Then the shopkeeper will ask whether you want the 'Night Beauty Stationery' or the 'Cold Moon Shadowless Stationery.'“

Qi Dazhi blinked his big eyes, quietly waiting for the rest.

The face beneath the mask grew slightly warm. I stammered, “Say neither. What my master wants is the 'Night Moon...'“

“Huh?” Qi Dazhi leaned in to listen. “What? What? Speak louder.”

I took a deep breath, using the cool air to dissipate the heat within. “My master wants the 'Night Moon Companion Stationery.'“

“Oh.”

“Dazhi, it's not safe to linger here. Let's disperse.” I turned around, hiding my blush. “There are people watching at the Tao Inn. Although Guyi used the excuse of visiting the pleasure quarters to let you out, we can't stay away from the group for too long.”

“I understand.” He responded, following me out of the residential area.

“After seizing the silver, don't be greedy. Sink the military funds into the river.” Rainwater slid into my collar, bringing a lingering chill. “After all, carrying heavy gold won't get us far. Sinking it in the river ensures no one can retrieve it, making it the safest option.”

“Mm.”

Fen City's dwellings lacked the elegance of former You, bare earthen walls hidden behind luxurious buildings, appearing especially desolate in the pale night.

The rain fell gently, listening to the continuous drizzle.

“My master wants the 'Night Moon Companion Stationery.'“ Dazhi behind me kept repeating silently. “My master wants the 'Night Moon Companion Stationery.'“

With each word he said, my cheeks flushed even more.

“Night moon companion tsk tsk.” He clapped his hands. “What an elegant sentiment.”

This exclamation startled me, my dark robe fluttering in the wind. I swiftly darted across rooftops and corners; the chilly spring rain of February couldn’t dispel the heat from my face. Uncle Song, why did you change the secret code of Mianzhou to such a suggestive phrase, how could you expect me to feel at ease?

Avoiding the night patrols, I leaped down the wall and quickly entered the warm room.

“Master.” Yanqiu obediently handed me a cup of hot tea.

I warmed my hands with the tea. “Is that letter ready?”

“It’s ready.” Yanqiu retrieved a piece of golden-sprinkled stationery from under the desk.

Looking closely, I couldn’t help but smile. “Wonderful, Yanqiu, you're truly remarkable.”

Happiness shone through his brows, making him come alive. Suddenly, he stopped smiling and hesitantly glanced aside.

I raised an eyebrow at Alu, who rarely looked so serious. “What? Still in pain?”

“You... you...!” He pointed at me, his mask blushing. “You had Yanqiu copy imperial handwriting to forge documents, and everything written on them is fake, right?”

“Nonsense.” I gave him a cold stare.

“And you’re still so brazen!” He tugged at his hair, coming over in anger. “Now, even if we survive here, we’ll surely be dead when we return. Forging imperial decrees means extermination of nine generations! Nine generations!”

“If you don’t say anything, I don’t say anything, and Yanqiu doesn’t say anything, who will know?” I pulled out the small seal that Yunzhi threw to me before departure, dabbed it with blood from my wrist, and heavily stamped it on the paper.

“Heav... Chong... Imperial Decree.” Alu leaned over to look; after a moment, his eyes widened. “This is! This is!”

I put away the seal and grinned. “This is His Majesty’s private seal.”

Alu collapsed onto a small couch like a broken puppet.

“Of course, it’s fake.” But only Yunzhi would dare to privately carve an imperial seal. Leisurely folding the letter, I sealed it with wax. “Alright, use this to deal with the old thief Qian.”

“His Majesty tasked you to ally with Qian Tong.” Alu’s eyes were unfocused.

“Yes.” I answered readily.

“But you want to play both sides, getting close to Qian Qiaozhi as well.” His lips trembled slightly.

“Exactly.” I removed my crown, using a dry cloth to wipe my wet hair.

He stared blankly, waving his hands. “So you had Yanqiu copy this letter, stamp it with a fake seal, and then...”

“Then we just need to sit back and watch the fight unfold.” I leaned slightly, letting water drops from my hair slide off. “In the end, those who survive reading this letter will only be you, me, and Yanqiu. Alu, what are you afraid of?”

“...” Alu’s clear pupils reflected my confident smile.

“On the night at the Ancient Zither Terrace, you said I was trying to catch tigers with empty hands. You weren’t wrong. But have you thought about it? As long as those two tigers think I’m not empty-handed, capturing them isn’t impossible.”

“Mas... ter...”

Rain is the shadow of clouds, night is the mood of the moon.

The brisk evening breeze of February carried the lingering shadow of winter, drenching the early spring sentiments.

...

Mountains smiled in spring, waters shimmered blue, peach blossoms laughed in the east wind.

February second, the dragon raises its head. On this day, the twenty-eight lunar mansions’ Azure Dragon ascends, and the Horn Mansion rises above the horizon. It’s a fine day for spring outings, appreciating scenery, and praying for a bountiful year.

“Envoy.”

I stopped, glaring coldly. Qian Ping, the steward of the governor's residence, gave a slight bow. “Going further ahead will take you out of the street.”

“Oh?” I moved slowly forward. “I’d like to see the customs and local conditions of Qingzhou.”

Qian Ping signaled to both sides, and the hidden guards of the governor's mansion sprang out from the bustling market.

“Envoy, this Spring Dragon Festival is a traditional custom of Shén Kūn, nothing more than women returning to their parents’ homes, farmers invoking field dragons, and academies enrolling students—mundane affairs seen everywhere. What’s there to see?” Qian Ping maintained his smile, his mouth stretching wide. “Besides, beyond the You Street, it’s unsafe. Envoy, please don’t disappoint my lord’s painstaking efforts.”

After a light rain, yesterday’s spring shower had washed the sky clean. Beneath the clear azure dome, spring colors began to paint the landscape, green breezes coloring the willows and the spring light. Yet, such warmth failed to seep into the heart.

I gazed at him for a long while, then retreated. “Thank you for your thoughtful consideration, Governor.”

“It’s good that the envoy understands.” Qian Ping smiled.

I nodded slightly and turned back.

Alu whispered by my side, “What’s Qian Tong playing at? A few days ago, he was still treating us warmly, but now he’s guarding against us as if we were thieves. Is he ill?”

I didn’t respond, turning instead towards a noodle stall by the roadside.

“Spring Dragon Festival special: Dragon Beard Noodles!” The stall owner shouted loudly, pounding the dough forcefully on the board. “One unbroken strand into your mouth, prosperity for traders, abundance for farmers, good matches for brides-to-be, success for scholars! Try it and good luck follows. Young sir, would you like a bowl of Dragon Beard Noodles?”

I frowned at the obviously mixed-grain dough. “How much for a bowl?”

“With meat sauce, twenty-five coins. Plain noodles, fifteen coins.”

So expensive? In Yundu, twenty-five coins could buy two bowls of beef noodles. It seems the grain situation in the four southwestern states is worse than I previously observed. With flat terrain and abundant water sources, this region was once known as one of the world's granaries alongside our Han family lands. Now, southerners can't afford white flour. It appears the issue isn’t merely due to the Qian family's greed.

“Young sir?” The noodle stall owner asked again. “Would you like some?”

I focused briefly, lifted my robe, and sat down. “Bring...” I turned to look at Qian Ping. “Steward, would you like some?”

He disdainfully eyed the yellow noodles boiling in the water, smirking. “I’ve eaten plenty this morning, Envoy, please enjoy at your leisure.”

“Three bowls of meat-sauced noodles.” I pulled out a stool for Alu and Yanqiu to sit.

“Tsk, the people of Fencheng are really frugal.” Alu sighed lightly, looking at the passersby. “These women returning to their parents’ homes are wearing patched clothes; in Yundu, they wouldn’t dare step outside.”

Following his gaze, I noticed the women on the street with earthy-colored dresses, clutching bundles as if hiding something. Occasionally, amidst the crowded streets, a patch or two peeked out from under their bundles, making one feel somewhat awkward.

“Are you gentlemen from Qing Country?” The stall owner started cooking the noodles.

“Yes.” Alu casually responded.

“No wonder.” The boss covered the pot, coming over to chat. “On the second day of the second month, returning home, which woman doesn’t want to dress up well and bring back valuable things to honor her parents?”

“You mean...” Alu widened his eyes incredulously.

“These are their best clothes.” Yanqiu calmly continued.

The boss sighed, carefully brushing the flour from his hands into a bag, wasting nothing. “When King You was still alive, although Fencheng wasn’t peaceful, life was several times better than now. Back then, my wife returned home dressed properly, with chickens and ducks aplenty. Yesterday, she searched the house for a long time, finding no clothes without patches. Early this morning, before dawn, she left, and without saying a word, I understood. She was afraid neighbors would see, wanting to return in the dark.”

“Growing up, I heard that Former You was extravagant, often dumping moldy and rotten grains into the Lei River. The river water thus gained a wine-like flavor and became known as Wine River.” Alu sighed repeatedly. “Never expected it to become like this.”

The boss placed the cooked sauced noodles on the table, wiping his hands. “Actually, the crops remain the same, but taxes have risen dozens of times. Farmers have no surplus grain, commoners can’t afford fine grains, and that’s how it is.”

I leisurely picked up my chopsticks, blowing at the steam rising from the bowl. “According to you, the official grain in the four states has actually increased instead of decreased.”

“Yes.”

“But we didn’t see any newly built official granaries along the way.” I glanced at Qian Ping haggling in the jade shop.

“Hmph, all those grains go to feed the dogs.” The noodle vendor muttered angrily.

“Dogs?” Yanqiu mumbled while chewing his noodles.

The vendor cautiously looked around, leaning closer. “Yong dogs! Aren’t we in this mess because of the Yong dogs? They not only killed General Han, destroyed You, and looted food. The Qian family members are all cowards, offering the best rice and flour to King Ming, while we can only eat coarse grains!”

So, the four southwestern states had become King Ming’s granary.

“Now the Yong dogs are fighting among themselves, and the Qian family is using us as betting chips, placing all their bets on King Ming. A few days ago, some refugees came from the west, saying King Ming has been surrounded by the royal army and will soon be finished!” The boss wiped the table furiously, his expression stiff. “If this is true, the four states might perish along with him. Even such bitter days will be unattainable.”

I lowered my gaze to the light meat sauce in the bowl, a faint smile curving my lips. No wonder Qian Tong suddenly turned cold towards me. He must have received news of the battle situation, thinking King Yong was on the verge of victory. He considers Qing Country a backup, easily disposable, and currently, my life hangs by a thread.

The seemingly continuous yet fragile Dragon Beard Noodles mirrored the current situation. Leisurely, I wrapped the thin noodles around my chopsticks and ate them in one bite.

“Not broken! Congratulations, congratulations, may your wishes come true!” The boss excitedly exclaimed.

Before I could respond, the sound of horse hooves rang out at the street entrance, and pedestrians fled in panic.

“Make way! Make way!” A gilded carriage slowly approached, whipping freely wherever it passed.

“It’s the Peerless Lady!” The boss hastily packed up his noodle stall.

“Peerless Lady?” Alu grabbed the boss urgently. “Who is she?”

“She’s the eldest daughter of Lord Zhongjin, Qian Furong! When the Peerless Lady goes out on tours, all men in Fencheng tremble. After becoming widowed, her behavior has been licentious, keeping no fewer than a hundred male concubines in her residence. Any handsome man finds it hard to escape her grasp.” The noodle vendor flailed his sleeves, trying to free himself from Alu’s grip. “Let me go, sir, I don’t want to be abducted by her in broad daylight!”

Alu abruptly released his hand, murmuring, “Where does she get this confidence from…”

“Please, Master, avoid her as well.” Yanqiu nervously watched the approaching carriage.

I sipped some noodle broth, licking my lips. “Indeed, my wishes have come true.”

“Huh?” Both looked at me quizzically.

“Just worried about connecting with Qian Qiaozhi, and here comes a Qian Furong.” I walked to the peach tree by the street, plucking a pink flower and sniffing it lightly. “How could I miss this opportunity?”

The whip wind from the carriage driver scattered a rain of flowers. The half-drawn carriage curtains revealed a pair of slightly bright eyes.

The peach blossoms scattered, lightly teasing the spring colors. My long hair fluttered like silk. I slightly turned my eyes, smiling faintly amidst the light green and pink hues.

Those eyes suddenly lost focus, the street quieted. I extended my five fingers, letting the flower ride the wind, allowing the floral rain to scent my flowing robes.

One, two, three—I strolled leisurely forward.

“Someone!” A strange shout from behind caused the carriage to stop abruptly. A trembling female voice called out, “Please invite that young gentleman into the mansion to admire the flowers!”

Instant chaos erupted around me. Qian Ping, with over a dozen guards, pushed through the crowd. I stood there in pretended panic, and in a blink, was shoved into the other carriage by the Peerless Lady’s servants.

“Master!” “Master!” Alu and Yanqiu chased the carriage, shouting urgently, “Return our master to us!”

Alas, who would believe I’m just a weak scholar who got promoted based on looks? Since I’m here, I’ll make the best of it. I’m very resigned, very resigned indeed.

Smoothing out the creases in my clothing, I lazily reclined in the carriage, the pleasant children's rhyme echoing outside the curtain.

“On the second day of the second month, the dragon raises its head, married women rise to apply makeup. Through six markets, past nine alleys, their parental home lies on the street of the marquisates. Wearing jade rings, adorned with gold bracelets, praised by parents, envied by neighbors. Entering the home, bowing to ancestors, wishing eternal health for elders…”

…

The hibiscus trees in the courtyard had just sprouted new buds, their pale yellow tips playfully adorning the branches, appearing especially striking. I wandered through the garden with my hands behind my back, occasionally meeting the gazes of the servants.

This was the lair of Qian Qiaozhi. When I entered, they blindfolded me and led me through winding paths for a long time; the old thief Qian was extremely cautious.

I sat down at an exquisite white jade stone table and began drinking tea. After a couple of sips, hurried footsteps approached. I shifted my eyes, smiling faintly at the newcomer.

The plump and petite Qian Furong stood five steps away, her eyes slightly trembling. “So you really are the envoy from Qing Country?”

I slowly rose and gave a respectful bow. “I am Feng Yunqing, Minister of Rites of Qing Country, holding a second-rank position. I have been dispatched to Qingzhou to foster good relations with Lord Zhongjin. Since you have already presented our King’s confidential letter to Lord Zhongjin, you should be aware of my identity.”

“Mm, mm.” She nodded slightly, the four pairs of tortoiseshell and gold phoenix hairpins in her hair shimmering brilliantly under the warm sun. “Then, is the envoy intentionally following me into the mansion today?”

“Not exactly.” I looked at her with a smile in my eyes. “Governor Qian has been overly protective of me and never mentioned your name. Therefore, until today, I only knew of Qian Tong but not Furong.”

“Hmph! Insufferable!” Qian Furong's face turned ashen as she slammed the stone table hard, causing the jade bracelets on her wrist to clink against the white jade tabletop.

“Madam...” I reined in my smile, looking at her with mild surprise.

“The envoy doesn't know, Qian Tong was originally just a servant in our household. Later, after my elder brother Qian Qun died young, Father had no choice but to adopt a son from the collateral branches of the Qian family.”

Qian Furong was Qian Qun’s full-blooded younger sister. No wonder she looked familiar. No wonder… My chest felt heavy, and the hand hidden in my sleeve slowly clenched into a fist.

“Originally, it wouldn’t have fallen upon him no matter what. My father gave him the name 'Tong,' meaning someone who hasn’t amounted to anything. He then bestowed the courtesy name 'Ziwei,' clearly showing his disdain for him.” Her high cheekbones accentuated her fox-like appearance when she squinted. “If it weren’t for my mediation and persuasive words, how could Qian Tong have gained such power?” She sneered, grinding her teeth. “But after achieving success, he kicked me aside and repeatedly spoke ill of me to Father. Now that the envoy has arrived, he ignores me completely. Truly detestable!”

“Madam, don’t be angry. Perhaps Governor Qian...”

Before I finished, Qian Furong flipped her sleeve, tilting her head towards me with a flirtatious gaze. “Yunqing.”

I stiffly smiled, suddenly feeling a chill in the spring breeze.

“Yunqing, you mustn’t be deceived by that villain.” She batted her eyelashes, feigning an innocent maiden’s demeanor. “He keeps you confined in the mansion to cover your ears and blind your eyes, making you obediently follow his orders.”

I widened my eyes, pretending to look astonished.

“Does Yunqing not know? Recently, Qian Tong, under the guise of recuperating at a villa, has been reveling nightly with the special envoy of King Yong.” Her round figure leaned closer, bringing a soft fragrance.

“Special envoy of King Yong?!” I pretended to exclaim in surprise. As expected.

“In the chaos of Wuming Valley, King Yong personally led the campaign, and the royal army avenged past humiliations by driving back the Ming army hundreds of miles. The front-line situation remains unclear; some say King Ming has already perished.” Her voice grew closer and softer.

“What does Madam mean?” I smiled, glancing sideways.

She encircled my right arm, pressing her soft chest against mine. “Even if King Ming achieves a great victory, compared to him, I’m more inclined towards Yunqing.”

Indeed, she’s not a simple woman. I reached out to gently touch the wisps of hair on her neck, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “Your heart beats like a drum, can Madam hear it?”

Her body trembled, then she burst into laughter. “So does this mean the envoy and I fell in love at first sight?”

“Just as all things flourish in spring, it’s natural for men and women to develop feelings,” I deftly avoided her advances, instead gripping her right hand. “Moreover, Madam and Yunqing are both wanderers in a distant land; understanding and supporting each other should come naturally.”

Qian Furong’s smile slightly froze, her round eyes widening.

“Although Yunqing holds a high official position, due to not being from a prestigious family, I’ve been frequently framed. This mission is merely a scheme by the aristocrats to borrow a knife to kill.” I rubbed her delicate, white, and plump hand; exchanging secrets was the first step in forming an alliance. “And although Madam is a legitimate daughter, ultimately, she cannot compete with the word 'woman.' Not to mention Qian Tong’s treachery; even that half-year-old illegitimate infant is more precious in the lord’s eyes than Madam.” I lightly kissed the back of her hand and asked with a smile, “Tell me, aren’t we kindred spirits? Hmm?”

She raised her eyebrows, her eyes gleaming. “Everyone says I, Qian Furong, am unparalleled in wealth and beauty. Only Yunqing truly thinks of me.” She clasped her hands together, enclosing mine. “Furong wishes to assist you in healing. What does Yunqing think?”

“I couldn’t ask for more.” I leaned over to pluck a purple cineraria, placing it in her cloud-like hair. “Overwhelmed with joy.”

She giggled coquettishly, her charm flowing.

“Madam!” A loud shout came from outside the garden. “Governor Qian has come to take the envoy!”

The laughter abruptly stopped. “I know.” Qian Furong’s expression soured, and she waved a hand behind her. Immediately, servants came forward to blindfold me.

“Yunqing, don’t worry. Let me speak to Father again to try and get you out of that villain’s mansion.”

“Thank you so much, Furong.” I lifted the corner of my mouth, letting her lead me forward.

“You and I hit it off immediately; there’s no need for such formalities.” Her slickness far surpassed Qian Tong’s. “If we hadn’t been interrupted, you and I...” She held my hand, her fingers full of flirtatious gestures.

“Ah, Yunqing deeply regrets it too.” I sighed insincerely, inwardly relieved.

While half-heartedly testing and getting closer, I silently memorized the route in my mind. By the time I heard Qian Tong’s voice, a mental map had basically formed.

“Envoy!” The overwhelming stench of alcohol hit me, making me hold my breath for half a moment. Qian Tong had indeed been indulging in debauchery these past few days. “Furong, when you abduct people, you should open your eyes wide and verify their identities!”

“Hmph! How dare you lecture me?” Qian Furong sarcastically emphasized her tone. “Qian Tong! Ziwei!”

“You!” Although blindfolded, I could piece together Qian Tong’s furious expression from his tense tone.

It seems Qian Tong is quite sensitive about his given name and courtesy name. Very good.

“Heh heh.” Qian Tong laughed sinisterly. “I don’t stoop to the level of women.”

“You!”

“Someone, remove the envoy’s blindfold!” Qian Tong roared.

“Wait! Wait! No hurry!” A distant urgent call came. “Lord Zhongjin has commanded that the envoy from Qing Country be lodged in the tea garden of the Marquis Mansion!”

Has the old fox finally made a move? I lowered my face, unable to suppress the upward curve of my lips.

“But the envoy visited Qingzhou and should be hosted by the governor of Qingzhou!”

“Qian Tong, you are merely the governor of one state; above you is still Lord Zhongjin.” Qian Furong pulled my hand, sneering. “Even a dog’s bark looks to its master. Don’t assume you’re guaranteed to win!”

“Qian, Fu, Rong!”

Escaping from the wolf’s den and entering the tiger’s lair—just as I wished.

The door of the central courtyard slowly closed, and at that moment, I heard the sound of the gentle breeze.

Muted...

...

Outside the window, a ribbon of brocade water shimmered with moonlight, the wind playing with the ripples like strings of a zither. I propped my chin in my hand, my long hair softly falling beside the bed.

Since entering Qingzhou, I haven’t been able to sleep peacefully. Whenever I close my eyes, memories of the past quietly seep into my dreams. I don’t want to sleep, refuse to sleep, and dare not sleep.

To be safe, I no longer removed the mask from my face. I gently touched my cheek and casually glanced through the crack in the window. Qian Tong is ambitious but untalented, rough and rash; Qian Furong is lustful and greedy, with lofty ambitions. Neither of them is difficult to deal with. The only one who hasn’t shown his true colors yet is that old fox Qian. Capturing him won’t be easy.

Suddenly, a shadow flashed across the window.

Who? I focused, sat up, and opened the window to look. Amidst the white camellias stood a person, slender and exuding a unique charm.

Putting on my coat, I jumped out of the window and slowly approached under the moonlight. The dark shadow stretched behind me.

He faced away from me, tearing at his clothes with both hands, emitting muffled sounds.

What is he doing? I squinted again. He lit a match, pulling an envelope from the seam of his clothes and slowly set it alight. The fire illuminated the cover, clarifying the ink characters.

“To Lord Rong.” I tightened my jaw.

The person in front of me suddenly trembled and collapsed onto the ground. “Mas...”

I stomped out the sparks and carefully read the contents under the moonlight. Sentence by sentence, cold sweat broke out on my forehead. It detailed my vow to seize the four states, while His Majesty refused outright. If Old Man Qian sees this, the promise I forged in His Majesty’s handwriting would crumble. Not a single killing word in the text, yet every sentence was lethal. Removing the ladder after climbing the roof—a very insidious plan.

I clenched my fists tightly, nearly crushing the paper. My eyelids twitched uncontrollably as I stared at the kneeling figure before me.

“You.” My voice trembled slightly, still shaken.

He lifted his face, revealing exquisite true features. “Master.”

“You’re a man of the Seventh Prince?” How stupid, how stupid I’ve been, always thinking whoever delivered something was their spy, never realizing...

“Yes.” His bewitching eyes were calm.

I looked at the match in his hand and asked again, “Then why are you burning this letter?”

He softened his gaze and curved his lips. This was the first time I saw him smile, clear and pure, unlike his overly beautiful appearance. “Yanqiu has rolled in filth since childhood, and my body has long been dirty. Gradually, I thought I was also an animal. Until I met Master, I realized I could still be human.” He deepened his smile, suddenly radiant. “Being human means having a conscience. Yanqiu will not harm Master.”

My brows slightly moved, much of my previous anger dissipating. “You...”

“Master, please ask whatever you wish. Yanqiu will answer truthfully.” His eyes were limpid, clearer than the shallow stream under the moon.

“Tell me your origins in detail.” I was somewhat afraid, not wanting anyone around me to hide anything anymore.

He obediently nodded, sitting straight. “Ever since I can remember, I lived in a brothel. It’s said my biological father was a gambling addict, and I was sold for three taels of silver, which is why I was called Sanliang.” His eyelashes were thick, black, and long, as if painted on. “At the age of eight, I was deflowered by someone surnamed Xie. Later, he redeemed me and brought me back to the sect.”

My eyes widened abruptly. “Riyao Sect!”

“Yes.” He looked at me in slight surprise and continued. “Two years later, I, along with three other brothers, was sent as a gift to the Seventh Prince, becoming his spy.”

“The famous Four Young Gentlemen of the capital?” I remembered a colleague from the Ministry of Rites mentioning: Spring returned to the Left Chancellor, Summer was taken by the Young Marquis of Autumn, while Autumn and Winter went to the Third Prince. Even cousins didn’t trust each other; the Seventh Prince was indeed suspicious.

“Yes.” He nodded. “The brother who entered the Marquis’s residence with me, Mi Dong, had a very good nature and took care of me. To avoid suspicion, he pretended to bully me in public, deliberately competing for favor to make the Marquis lose interest in me. He tried to protect me by standing out, but it attracted fatal consequences. The Marquis noticed something amiss, and using the incident involving a concubine, he killed Brother Dong.” His voice grew hoarse. “Then he sent me to Master’s residence.”

In other words, the Third Prince deliberately diverted trouble to my residence so he could watch from afar and borrow a knife to kill.

“Yanqiu has finished speaking.” He bowed, and when he raised his head again, his forehead bore traces of dust. He calmly closed his eyes, his expression serene. “Master, proceed.”

I stared unblinkingly at his tranquil beauty, sighing softly.

He extended his neck, his fine skin glowing softly.

I bent down, snatching the match from his hand, lighting the wick and burning the remaining draft completely. The ashes floated lightly, thinly covering the immaculate white petals of the camellia; in the night, this black-and-white contrast wasn’t jarring.

Such minor flaws, why bother? I smiled.

“Mas...ter...”

“Forget it.” I waved my sleeve to dispel the smell of smoke. “As long as you don’t betray me, I’ll still consider you family. In the future, if you are bullied or threatened, tell me, and I will solve it for you.”

“Master...” The moonlight in his eyes suddenly overflowed. “Master is unexpectedly merciful.”

“Get up.” I looked at his tattered clothes and added, “These clothes can’t be kept either.”

“Mm.” His lips faintly curved, holding the “moonlight” spilling over his cheeks.

The dark night brightened once again. I stood with my hands behind my back, watching the last trace being consumed by the flames.

Kicking away the remaining ashes, I turned and walked out of the camellia grove. “Let’s go back to sleep.”

Walking to the stream, footsteps still hadn’t followed. I turned back and saw Yanqiu kneeling halfway on the ground, his body trembling like a fallen leaf.

“Yanqiu?” I supported his body. “What’s wrong with you?”

Fresh red blood gushed from his nostrils. He instinctively wiped it, but it flowed more and more. “Being able to be human, Yanqiu is... content...”

“Shut up!” I pressed several major acupoints on him, lifting him and flying towards the residence.

“Alu!” I kicked open the door.

Alu rolled off the screen bed, mumbling incoherently. “Hmm... is it dawn already? So fast...”

“Light the lamp!” I placed Yanqiu on the bed, shouting urgently.

“Huh?”

“Quickly light the lamp!”

Under the hazy lamplight, Yanqiu lay pale, his furrowed brows unable to contain the intense pain. Though the bleeding had stopped, he still convulsed.

“What is this?” I glared at the small moving lump under his skin.

“I don’t know!” Alu, drenched in sweat, held down Yanqiu, who was on the verge of self-harm. “Don’t move! Just bear with it!”

I took out Yanqiu’s dagger and heated it over the candle flame on both sides.

“Don’t mess around if you don’t understand!” Alu growled in frustration.

The small lump wriggled and burrowed into his sleeve. I tore open Yanqiu’s middle garment and saw it quickly moving, heading towards his left chest. I channeled my qi, forcing the strange creature back to his left shoulder.

I gripped the dagger tightly and swiftly cut open the protruding area, then picked out the foreign object with the tip of the blade. The round black ball bounced to the floor, suddenly revealing teeth and whiskers. The monster crawled forward, hitting the table leg, its teeth and whiskers violently trembling. In no time, a chunk of the solid wood leg was gone.

“It’s a Taotie Worm!” Alu released the gradually relaxing Yanqiu.

I raised my left foot and crushed the monstrous thing. “Taotie Worm?”

“The Taotie Worm, also known as the Heart-Eating Worm, is nurtured with human hearts and livers. Once matured, it is implanted in a human body. The mother worm reproduces monthly. Without medication to suppress it, the offspring worms will directly burrow into the heart, causing the poisoned individual excruciating heart-devouring pain.” Alu sighed deeply. “How perilous, how perilous.”

“Suppress? Meaning the offspring worms can’t be killed.” I pondered, then cursed. “Damn it!” Grabbing the dagger, I rushed to the bedside and shouted, “Hold him down!”

“Huh?” Alu was stunned, and just then, Yanqiu began convulsing again.

One, two... More than ten small lumps bulged under his delicate skin; all the previously suppressed offspring worms had awakened. I summoned my qi again, and under the candlelight, the silver dagger gleamed brightly.

The spring breeze blew through the tea garden; it would be a sleepless night tonight.

...

The beauty on the bed was still asleep. Thinking of his body covered with scars under the silk quilt, I couldn’t suppress my anger.

“He still has a bit of a fever.” Alu reached out to touch his forehead.

“A few wounds are still festering. How much medicine do we have left?” The fine wolf-hair brush dipped in some ink as I slowly drew on a palm-sized piece of paper.

“Only enough for three days.” Alu sighed. “Fortunately, he disobeyed the Seventh Prince’s orders.”

“Mm.” Closing my eyes, I recalled the roads I had walked these past few days.

“Before departure, the Ninth Prince instructed me that if Yanqiu shows any unusual movements, he must be killed.”

I opened my eyes and glared fiercely.

“This...” Yanlu scratched his head. “The prince has always been extremely accurate in judging people, and since it concerns you, I...”

A petal of camellia drifted in through the window, gently kissing Yanqiu's bloodless lips. Looking at his peaceful sleeping face, I softly said, “From now on, he is my younger brother. Anyone who wants to touch him will have to get through me first.”

Whether it was the wind or something else, Yanqiu's beautiful eyelashes trembled slightly, and the white camellia petal slid down his neck along his smooth skin.

“I understand, I understand, you're protective of your own.” Yanlu took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the bed. “We need to return before his next episode. Previously, you were just a blind cat bumping into a dead rat; we don't know if that barbaric method caused any damage.” He peered out the window. “Who flies kites with pictures of the moon on them?”

The moon? I stopped writing and looked over.

“A pitch-black paper with only a crescent moon—it's too shabby.” Yanlu sighed again. “I didn’t expect the people of Fencheng to be so poor already.”

Night Moon Companionship... meaning the silver seizure plan succeeded. Although my eyes twitched slightly, my heart couldn’t help but rejoice.

With a light touch, I sketched a rough outline of Lord Zhongjin’s mansion on the paper, then wrote the uprising details in the blank spaces. After some thought, I added three words: Lack of Medicine.

Finally, I rolled the paper into a strip and sealed it with wax.

“Within seven days, the great matter will surely succeed.” My lips curved slightly.

“Huh?”

“Yanlu, don’t you think the food here is much more abundant than at Governor Qian's place?”

“Tsk, no matter how abundant, it's still prison food. What's good about it?”

I casually raised an eyebrow: “Good, of course good. This is a signal from the old fox. If it were before, he would have killed me without hesitation. But now, with King Ming’s life uncertain and the military funds mysteriously gone, he is in dire straits both inside and out. Besides me, who else can he rely on?”

“No matter whom he relies on, you must not rely on that Qian Furong.” Yanlu said mysteriously. “Previously, to save your life by seducing that old woman, I had nothing to say. But lately, getting too close to her isn’t good. Today, she invited you to fly kites. If she gets impatient and pins you down right there, what will you do?”

“Then naturally it'll be your turn.” I looked at him seriously.

“Me? Me!” Yanlu growled through gritted teeth. “I sell my skills, not my body!”

“Oh, then I’ll do it.” Lazily lying down.

“How are you going to do it? Tell me how you’re going to do it?” Yanlu angrily grabbed his hair. “Do you even have the ability?”

I helplessly spread my hands: “There's no way.”

“I'll do it.” A weak voice came from the bed. Yanqiu pulled back the covers, revealing his chest wrapped in bandages. “Anyway, I'm used to this kind of thing.”

“When adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt!” Yanlu roared.

“The older one goes.” I took a sip of tea, fourteen, sixteen, and another unknown number. Though someone refuses to say, their age is definitely above twenty.

Yanlu's mask turned bright red, his eyes, face, and mouth all twitching at once.

“I'll go.”

I glanced at Yanqiu, who spoke up: “Respect the elderly and the virtuous.”

“Hmph.” Yanlu sneered as he approached. “I’m old, you’re virtuous. Those in office should lead by example, so whoever holds the higher rank goes.”

“Right, rank crushes people.” I patted my forehead and smiled wickedly. “Yanlu, I order you to sacrifice yourself for this task. Disobey, and you will be executed without mercy!” Seeing Yanlu rendered speechless, I kindly added, “After all, in this situation, women are the ones who suffer. You just grit your teeth and close your eyes; it'll be over quickly.”

Yanlu extended his ten fingers, his face somewhat ferocious. Yanqiu leaned against the railing; his waterfall-like long hair swayed with soft laughter, and rosy clouds faintly bloomed on his pale face. Yanlu and I exchanged smiles, delighted at his rare liveliness.

“Envoy.” A calm call from outside the garden broke the rare joy. “My lord sent me to escort the envoy into the garden.”

“My lord?” I focused but asked, “Not the Peerless Lady?”

“Today is the thirteenth day of the second month, the birthday of Wenchang. Our lord has specially set up an altar in the garden to worship the Wenchang Bodhisattva for our young master's wisdom. Almost everyone in the family is here, including our young miss. The lord wishes to invite the envoy to witness the ceremony. Does the envoy honor us with your presence?”

This statement was polite and considerate, seemingly showing Qian Qiaozhi's care for my loneliness in a foreign land, kindly inviting me to join the festivities. In reality, it was the old fox signaling his submission, pulling me onto the pirate ship with him.

I responded, went inside to change into my official robes, and fastened the jade belt symbolizing my rank around my waist. I must hold back, I cannot impulsively kill him. I took a deep breath to suppress the agitation in my heart and walked out with a smile.

“Take me there.” Yanqiu stood neatly by the door, his beautiful face unmasked. “This appearance will also shift the target.”

“Aqiu.”

As soon as I spoke, he froze.

“My Feng Yunqing's younger brother is not to be trampled upon by anyone.”

“Master...”

“Aolu, Aqiu, rest assured. Now, in the lord's eyes, I am the Wenchang Lord.”

The clouds in the sky are unpredictable, the water on the ground formless; ten years east of the river, ten years west of the river. Qian Qiaozhi, this time I will teach you what “seeking help from others is not as reliable as relying on oneself” means!

...

“Look! Look! This child has prominent forehead angles, truly naturally intelligent!”

“It’s true, Tianbao isn’t as noisy as other children; he looks like a steady child.”

After the ceremony, the women of the Qian family surrounded the little boy adorned with gold and silver, chattering and seeking favor.

“Hmph, isn’t he just a mute.” A long-faced lady mocked.

Tianbao’s biological mother, Qian Qiaozhi’s beautiful seventeenth concubine, immediately frowned but dared not say much.

“Madam Governor speaks her mind straightforwardly, Concubine Madam should not take it to heart.”

“That’s right, that’s right.”

“Look, the longevity line on our Tianbao’s palm extends to his wrist; he will surely become a star of longevity!” The women smoothed things over.

“Oh, bring him to me to see.” Madam Governor took the child, her bright red nails lightly brushing past the corner of the child’s mouth. “Thin lips and short jawline, clearly a short-lived fate.”

The seventeenth concubine snatched the child back, her pretty face cold and stern. “Niece-in-law should choose her words carefully, one cannot be too arrogant.”

“Auntie should heed my advice.” Madam Governor arrogantly glanced at her. “One must know when to yield.”

“You!” The seventeenth concubine turned pale, her slender body trembling uncontrollably.

“We're leaving!” Madam Governor swaggered away, and most of the congratulatory ladies followed.

I gently touched the jade pendant at my waist and looked aside. Similar situations were happening among the male guests. Qian Tong was full of smiles, drinking and chatting with everyone, unable to hide his smugness.

“Here, let this old man toast the envoy.” Qian Qiaozhi, over sixty years old, initiated conversation.

I masked the murderous intent in my eyes, forcing a smile until blood seeped from my clenched teeth, the sweetness filling my mouth. I raised my cup to clink with his, the spiciness sliding down my throat almost igniting the fire in my heart. Patience is a knife above the head, cutting me bloody piece by piece.

“Eat, eat.” The old fox put on a wrinkled smile; I wished I could punch his cheekbones.

“Lord, you are too kind.” My smile stretched high; a shallow smile could never conceal genuine feelings.

“Ah!” Qian Qiaozhi suddenly sighed, slowly putting down his jade chopsticks. “Failure to educate is the father’s fault. My son Qian Tong neglected the envoy, and this old man is truly ashamed.” His cunning old eyes gleamed, and he stole a glance at me.

I sneered without changing my expression: “Governor has been triumphant lately; how could someone as insignificant as myself enter those lofty eyes...”

“Don’t belittle yourself, envoy.” He pretended to comfort me, leaning slightly forward. “Seeing a pearl covered in dust pains this old man deeply.”

“Oh?” The stench of corruption on him nearly made me frown. I suppressed the rising acid in my chest, waved my sleeve to pour him wine. “I wonder which hero can recognize a hidden gem?”

Qian Qiaozhi signaled a servant beside him, and the low table in front of me was moved closer.

“Ding.” He actively clinked cups with me. “Wishing to obtain the pearl!”

“Not easy, indeed.” I moistened my lips with wine, half-leaning, half-sitting at the table. “Having entered the mansion for over ten days, Yunqing finally awaits the lord's favor.” The old fox's vigilance was strong; if King Ming hadn’t delayed his news, would he seek me like this?

“Envoy misunderstands this old man; it’s all that wretch...”

I raised my hand to stop the old fox's rebuttal and smiled: “Let’s not mention the past. Yunqing has only one question for the lord: Is the lord sincere?”

The old fox’s face tightened, and he sternly declared: “If I lie, may I, Qian Qiaozhi, die without a whole corpse!”

I stared deeply at him, repeatedly pondering this poisonous oath. After a while, I toyed with the jade cup and softly opened my mouth: “So even if King Ming is still alive, the lord won’t hesitate anymore?”

His old eyes trembled slightly, quickly masked by a false smile: “Of course not!”

The uprising is imminent; I must make the old fox willingly stick his neck into the noose, ensuring he has no backup plans. Determined, I gently swirled the jade cup, eyeing the rippling golden fragrant liquor: “Yunqing truly feels sorry for the lord.”

The wine cup paused at his lips, and Qian Qiaozhi gazed intently.

“People of Former You all say the lord is a treacherous villain, framing loyal and good people for personal gain, regicide and betrayal for luxury.” I casually watched his increasingly dark face and continued, “The four states’ citizens also say the lord is a tyrant, imposing heavy taxes solely for personal wealth, oppressing the people relentlessly while indulging in pleasures.”

Seeing the old fox nearing the brink of explosion, my tone suddenly shifted, sighing repeatedly: “Heaven knows how big a black pot the lord has carried, and for how long.”

His face softened slightly, and confusion filled his eyes.

“Who pushed General Han off the cliff during the Battle of Qiancheng? Who conspired with Jing to break the treaty, forcing King Min of You to slit his own throat? Who did not send troops to protect the four states but instead swallowed their resources greedily? Who plotted rebellion, making the lord gamble everything yet live in constant fear?” I stepped closer and solemnly stated, “Who forced the lord to risk everything and live in constant fear?”

Qian Qiaozhi's eyes widened abruptly, as if enlightened.

“Catching a scapegoat and gaining a huge advantage unexpectedly. Such a good deal, who wouldn’t want it?” I turned my gaze to him. “So, Lord, you stink while others smell sweet, impoverishing the four states and enriching elsewhere. Unfair, very unfair.”

The old fox thoughtfully put down his wine cup, lowering his eyes in contemplation.

“Yong obtained sixteen states of Former You. On the surface, King Ming monopolizes twelve states, but in reality, he controls all of them. The lord’s remaining four states are merely milking cows to Chen Shao’s eyes, to be slaughtered when famine strikes. Even with the lord healthy, it’s like this. And the lord wants to entrust his only son—this is undoubtedly sending a lamb to the slaughter, offering oneself to be eaten clean.” I sipped some wine and shook my head slightly.

He clenched his fists tightly, his old eyes slightly unfocused.

First, bitter medicine, then a sweet treat—that’s the trick to persuasion. Speaking sincerely, I pressed on: “King Ming dares to ride high over the lord because he’s ruthless with soldiers, and what the lord lacks is precisely soldiers. The secret letter—the lord should have seen it. Our king is willing to return all of Liu’s surrendered army; those are the lord’s loyal troops.”

“Really?” He raised his tone, excitement gleaming in his eyes.

“How could the king’s imperial decree be false?” I feigned panic. “Even if you gave Yunqing a million guts, Yunqing wouldn’t dare to falsify the king’s intentions.”

“Good, good.” He laughed, his face full of wrinkles. “Very well, very well. Your humble servant thanks His Majesty for his great kindness.”

“Lord, don’t rush. All this depends on Yunqing returning home to report, but...” I pressed down his raised hands and turned my gaze to the spirited Qian Tong below. “Whether Yunqing has the chance to leave Qingzhou is still unknown.”

The old fox coldly glanced over, his sparse beard trembling slightly: “Envoy, rest assured. Matters of the Qian family are under my control; Ziwei is not a threat.”

“The lord is truly vigorous despite his age.” I tilted my head back, finishing the fragrant liquor, a cold smile emerging at the corner of my lips.

I’m waiting, waiting for you to destroy your own left and right arms!

“Father.” A coquettish voice almost made me spit out my wine. Qian Furong wore a peach-colored spring dress, her bosom partially concealed. “Today, your daughter invited the envoy first, but unexpectedly, Father took him away. No, daughter is not satisfied.”

“Oh?” Qian Qiaozhi looked at me and then at her, stroking his beard with a smile. “Envoy, don’t accompany this old man. Young people should talk together.”

“Thank you, Father.” She threw me a flirtatious glance and asked coyly, “May the envoy honor me by flying kites together?”

My eyebrows arched, full of bright smiles: “It would be my pleasure.”

Spring breeze and green willows pass leisurely; amidst the chaotic flowers, a flying oriole appears.

A tree of pear blossoms, a tree of white; a petal of fragrance lands on the lips. I focused on the kite with the Night Moon Companionship, extending my tongue to taste the petal, chewing its fragrance absentmindedly.

“Yunqing...”

The same two words called by this woman made people quite uncomfortable. I hid my displeasure and turned to meet Qian Furong’s admiring gaze.

“Mm?” My wide robe fluttered slightly, and I overflowed with a gentle smile.

“Do you like this kite?” She held a mandarin duck-shaped kite, her flirtatious eyes looking at me.

“Madam, do you have pen and ink?” I took the kite and examined it from both sides.

“Someone come, bring ink!”

Taking advantage of the moment when she and her servants were distracted, I stuffed the wax-sealed paper strip into the kite’s wind whistle.

“Yunqing.” Qian Furong gathered her sleeves, elegantly grinding the ink with her orchid fingers.

I slightly raised an eyebrow, wielding the brush to write two large characters half a foot square.

“To... sleep?” She elongated the last syllable, tilting her head to look.

“Mandarin ducks sleep together, Furong.” I picked up the kite to test the wind direction, smiling downwards. “You tell me, after success, is there a possibility between you and me?”

“Yunqing.” Her left arm received a soft touch, and she leaned close obediently, her eyes full of spring. “Falling in love with you is too easy.”

Easy is good. I basked in the spring sunlight and smiled.

The kite rose halfway into the air, and the panting maidservant handed the reel to me, her face flushed. The purple official robe fluttered in the wind; I pretended to clumsily drop it, and the reel spun rapidly, sending the kite soaring straight into the clouds.

“It’s a dumb kite!” Qian Furong complained.

The wind whistle didn’t sound, just as I expected.

“Ah, it got tangled with someone else's!” The maids pointed to the two entwined kites in the sky, shouting.

“What family’s black kite, such bad luck!” Qian Furong humphed and cut the tethering wax line.

The wind carries a thousand miles on a single thread, the lazy flowers and drunken willows sleep with whom.

Even if your Qian Mansion has strict hidden guards, I can still achieve my goal.

“Yunqing.” Qian Furong’s eyes turned cold, looking towards the pear blossom bushes.

Under the warm spring light, the entire tree was white as snow and jade, making the seventeenth concubine's spring attire appear even more crimson, vividly bloody and glaring.

Qian Furong’s venomous gaze penetrated the quiet treasure. She pursed her thick lips: “Rest assured, in a few days, these four states will become part of my dowry as the Peerless Lady.”

She curled her five fingers, and with a snap, thousands of petals fell from the branches like snowflakes...

...

“Uh...” I bent over, retching dryly; the sour water in the spittoon was tinged with blood.

“After eating a meal, I've been throwing up ever since.” Yanlu handed me a cup of warm water. “It's been two days already; someone who doesn’t know might think you’re pregnant.”

My eyes brimmed with tears as I glared at him resentfully.

“Don't talk nonsense,” Yanqiu had even learned to roll his eyes.

The hardest thing to endure over these sixteen years has been drinking and chatting with the old fox. The food tasted like it was carved from my parents’ flesh, and the wine seemed drawn from Huamei’s blood. Every bite, every sip made me want to retch. The rancid meat and wine fermented in my stomach, forcing me to vomit everything out, wishing I could expel my entire stomach.

“If you can’t handle alcohol, don’t drink it. It’s better than coming back to suffer,” Yanlu lit the wick, and the dim room suddenly brightened considerably. “I was woken up at the second watch last night, and when I looked today—wow! The number of guards in the garden doubled. A group passes by every half moment; clearly, something’s happened!”

Holding the teacup, I took sip after sip. An unusual silence thickened in the dark night, quietly spreading under the lamplight like diluted ink, layer by layer deepening.

I raised my eyelids slightly and glanced at the full moon in the clouds: “It will be tonight.”

Suddenly, sharp metallic sounds rang out, followed by chaotic shouts from outside the garden.

Yanlu frowned and leaped onto the roof.

“Yanqiu, quickly pack our things,” I set down the teacup, speaking sternly.

“Yes.”

“Master, it's terrible! The Qian Mansion is in chaos!” Yanlu shouted, rushing into the room. “There are torches everywhere outside the garden, and armed men fill the hidden corridors!”

I shoved some items into his hands: “Later, you take Yanqiu to Yunlang Paper Shop and release this seven-colored firework.”

“And you?” Yanlu’s face turned serious.

“Master...” Yanqiu’s hand went limp, and the bundle fell apart on the ground.

“I am Qian Qiaozhi’s life-saving talisman.” I bent down and helped him pick up the clothes.

“It’s too dangerous!” Yanlu stepped right in front of me. “Just as His Highness predicted, you women really are here to gamble with your lives!”

Again, a rain of clothing fluttered before my eyes, leaving Yanqiu stunned as if struck by lightning.

The shadow on the ground suddenly moved. Yanlu raised his hand like a blade and abruptly struck towards the back of my head. I sidestepped to avoid his surprise attack and coldly said, “One, trust me and then leave with Yanqiu; two, get beaten by me and still leave with Yanqiu. Choose one.”

The mask on Yanlu’s face trembled, and after a while, he reluctantly lowered his hand. “Sigh!”

The sounds of fighting grew closer. Suddenly, the locked courtyard gate was kicked open, and three or four men dressed in blue short jackets rushed into the tea garden.

“The guards from Governor Qian's mansion?” Yanlu exclaimed. “The Qian family has rebelled!”

“Kill! Spare no one!” Several flashes of silver light streaked through the air as the blue-clad men were surrounded by ochre-clad servants who arrived shortly after.

The flying swords injured the tea camellias in the garden. Leaping sparks climbed onto the branches, and flames consumed the half-open fragrant flowers.

“Qian Tong killed our young master; not one of them shall escape today!” the leader of the Marquis's guards shouted loudly.

“Don’t speak nonsense!” Seeing they were no match, the blue-clad men spat blood and cursed, “That old dog Qian deceived our master into coming here to kill him. He’s worse than an animal!”

One man suddenly broke through the encirclement, raising his sword and charging towards me. “Betraying my lord and siding with the old dog, Qing kid, pay with your life!”

I folded my arms and watched as, just before reaching me, he was cut down by a blade from behind. His eyes remained wide open, seemingly unwilling to accept his fate. That head rolled and rolled, plopping into the brocade water. The ochre-clad servants were ruthless, swiftly eliminating the blue-clad men. The previously fragrant tea garden had become like a noon market, filled with a strong smell of blood.

“Envoy!” The leader holding his fist saluted me. “Tonight will not be peaceful. We have orders to escort you to a temporary safe location.”

As I stepped out of the garden, I smiled and looked back. Under the bloody moonlight, Yanqiu stumbled out, his bewitching eyes full of shock. He stood frozen, tightening his grip on the bundle again and again. Yanlu stood by the door, taking a deep breath, then hooked Yanqiu’s slender waist and flew outside the wall.

With that, there was no longer any worry. I curved my lips and stepped over the scattered remains on the ground. My heart excitedly thumped, eager for revenge. Blood debts must be repaid with blood. Ten years—it felt like an eternity.

Silently, the guards behind me suddenly collapsed. Seeing the bodies without a trace of blood, I couldn’t help but be greatly alarmed. Who could have killed three people so seamlessly right in front of me?

Focusing and holding my breath, I cautiously surveyed the surroundings, my right hand resting on my waist.

“Uh...” One by one, the remaining three fell.

Facing such skill, I would surely lose unless I used my mental blade. But I had promised Xiuyuan—I promised him. Damn it, we were so close to success.

Here it comes...

My heartbeat paused as I drew my soul-severing sword. A warm palm pressed against my waist, precisely pushing the sword back. I was forcefully pulled into the artificial mountain outside the corridor.

“Shoo!” With a whistle, the vibrant seven-colored fireworks clearly illuminated those phoenix eyes.

“Xiuyuan...” I greedily roamed over his handsome face, unable to contain my joy.

“Where’s the wound?” His voice was somewhat hoarse.

“Huh?” I looked back, puzzled.

His beautiful face seemed to be suppressing some emotion, his elegant long eyebrows yet to unfurl. He lowered his eyelashes slightly, and silvery moonlight hung on his slightly curled lashes, giving him an air of mystery. “You forced me,” he suddenly spoke.

“Huh?” Before the words left my tongue, that cold, mesmerizing face loomed large.

He extended his long leg between mine, pinning me like a panther. I stood frozen against the fake mountain, with no way to retreat. By the time I came to my senses, my collar had already been undone.

“You... you... you!” I stuttered, beginning to doubt whether this person was an impostor.

He urgently scanned my exposed skin, his eyes devoid of lust. “Where’s the wound?” His tone was soft and quivering, filled with tenderness.

“Wound?” I finally grasped the crux of the issue.

He raised his hand, pinching a palm-sized piece of paper between his fingers: “It says 'lack of medicine' on it.”

That wax paper... I lowered my gaze. The lower part of his brocade robe was slightly dusty. With his cleanliness obsession, he must have traveled day and night.

A sweet taste flooded my heart. This man...

“Qingqing.” He fumed, his unstable breathing gradually becoming clearer.

Knowing I couldn’t stop the incoming attack, I suddenly hugged his narrow waist, my ears filled with his rapid heartbeat. “Xiuyuan.” A cool sensation washed over my back—did this man intend to strip me naked? Such ruthless hands. “Xiuyuan,” I blushed and tightened my arms anxiously, “The one injured isn’t me.”

The pressure on my body lessened. “Not?”

“Not!” I raised my head, looking back with utmost sincerity.

His expression relaxed, and he untangled the knot in his brows, his lips curving into an easy smile. “Hmm.” His phoenix eyes were full of springtime charm as he gently adjusted my collar. “I was too hasty just now.”

My face flushed as I tightened my belt. “The one injured is Yanqiu. You must save him.”

“Alright.” His voice was clear as water.

“Kill!” A distant shout echoed like a stormy sea. “Vow to kill the Qian traitors! Avenge the General!” The sound of doors being battered was short and powerful, as if breaking through the night's confinement.

“Envoy!” An urgent shout came from the corridor. “Envoy!”

I nodded slightly at Xiuyuan, then responded shakily, “Here!”

As the light approached, I staggered out from behind the artificial mountain.

“Envoy, you must be frightened.” I recognized this person—he was one of Qian Qiaozhi’s close guards. “Rebels have caused chaos. Envoy, please follow me to a safe place.”

Before I could respond, he lifted my right arm and immediately took off.

“What exactly is going on!” I furiously questioned, glancing behind me stealthily. Xiuyuan’s kung fu was enviable.

“Our young master was poisoned to death the other night. The nanny succeeded and then committed suicide by poisoning herself, but we found Mistress Mu Bo’s jewelry on her. The news of the young master’s death was kept secret by Lord Qian, who lured Qian Tong to the mansion today. Before they could strike, they were discovered by the household soldiers he brought, almost allowing him to escape.” The guard’s face was cold, his eyes full of murderous intent.

“And now?” Although Qian Furong’s method of framing was a bit cliché, it was quite effective.

“Hmph, naturally, it’s done.” The guard glanced back at the Qian mansion gates. In that instant, Xiuyuan had already concealed himself to the right. Without a trace, I shifted my body to block him completely. “Although those rebels are numerous and powerful, the mansion’s layout is complex. Even if they enter, they won’t find their way for a while.”

What if they had memorized the map long ago? I thought happily.

“We’ve arrived.” The guard descended lightly, bringing me into a pavilion. He reached under the table, and with a muffled sound, the heavy stone table slowly moved aside, revealing a descending staircase that seemed endless.

“Thump, thump, thump.” Footsteps echoed eerily in the vast underground, producing a ghostly resonance.

I secretly glanced back. In the dimness, those phoenix eyes were calm as a pond, possessing a magical power that reassured.

When we reached the bottom, many corpses lay sprawled on the flat ground, and the stench of blood was overwhelming.

Surveying the surroundings, I froze in place. Flames danced wickedly in the copper basin, beams of light intersecting and shining directly onto a stone wall. A blood-soaked human figure hung upside down on an iron hook like an animal, with a whole human skin nailed beside it.

My pores prickled as I stiffly turned away, desperately trying to suppress the urge to vomit.

“Qian Tong was skinned alive,” the guard sneered. “This is the consequence of opposing Lord Qian.”

Cold air surged underground, and I covertly circulated Qi to keep my meridians active.

“Yunqing! You’ve finally come.” Qian Furong strode over arrogantly. “Longbing, my father ordered you to lead twenty-four elite guards to cover the rear and ensure the safety here.”

“Yes.”

These twenty-four were all experts. I glanced behind me and then followed Qian Furong into the hidden door.

It resembled a royal tomb. Every ten steps along the walls hung a torch; areas near the light were slightly brighter, while those further away were dimmer. Connecting dozens or hundreds of ten-step sections with uneven lighting formed a serpentine passage.

“Envoy.” Qian Qiaozhi’s hair and beard were completely white, showing his aged appearance. Even torturing Qian Tong probably wouldn’t quench his thirst for revenge.

“In just a few days, how did Your Excellency...” I hid my astonishment behind my sleeve.

“Ah.” His old eyes welled with tears, rolling and rolling but never falling.

“Wu,” mournful cries echoed through the passageway. The seventeenth concubine, having lost her son, collapsed crying into her maid's arms.

“Stop crying, let’s go quickly,” Qian Furong said cheerfully, glancing at her.

Including the guards, there were only ten people in our group.

“Your Excellency, what is this?” I slowed my pace.

“Ah, staying in the mansion is likely unsafe now.” Qian Qiaozhi spoke weakly. “This secret passage leads to the Lei River embankment, where boats are always ready. Once we board and reach Binzhou, I hope the envoy will seek reinforcements from His Majesty to help suppress the rebels.”

“These rebels are at most a few thousand. As long as the provincial army moves, they can be suppressed instantly.” I feigned ignorance. “Why take the long way, Your Excellency?”

“Ah!” Qian Qiaozhi’s tears flowed freely, his eyes filled with sorrow. “That day, the envoy hit the nail on the head. My downfall lies in having no loyal troops, so I implore the envoy to assist fully, saving my entire family.” He choked up and bowed deeply to me.

Looking at his hunched back, I stopped moving forward.

“Envoy?” The old villain’s expression grew tense, afraid I wouldn’t agree.

“Peerless Lady,” I said softly.

“Yunqing, what is it?” Qian Furong turned around, her plump body casting a large shadow.

I lifted her hand and smiled, “Madam, there’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right now.”

“A step to heaven?” She widened her eyes, raising her tone.

Everyone in the walking group stopped, looking at us in confusion.

“Yes,” I chuckled slightly, pointing to the stooped old man five steps away. “Killing him will lead to a step to heaven.”

“Envoy, have you gone mad?” Qian Qiaozhi looked up, utterly shocked.

I gripped Qian Furong tightly, not giving her a chance to retreat. “You orchestrated the poisoning of your own brother and framed Qian Tong. Even if you succeeded, then what?”

“Mad! Mad!” The old villain ranted, his dry lips trembling uncontrollably.

The seventeenth concubine shook off her maid’s support and stared intently.

“What nonsense are you talking about, Yunqing...” Qian Furong tried to break free, her mind unsettled. “Tianbao was clearly killed by Qian Tong’s people, what... what does it have to do with me?”

“Furong, what are you afraid of? If the heavens collapse, I’ll hold them up for you.” I smiled at the old villain. “You killed one Tianbao, but who knows, your father might have another child late in life—a Dibao, Jinbao, Yinbao. Qian Tong is dead. Who will you frame next?”

“West Wind! South Wind!” Qian Qiaozhi gritted his teeth and shouted.

Two figures shot like lightning toward us. I stood still, glancing sideways. At the moment they closed in, I drew my soul-severing sword, executing a move called ‘Snow Frozen Cold Wind,’ followed by another called ‘Frost Cold Southern Sky,’ slicing through them.

The long sword cast shadows on the earthen walls, exaggerating the dripping blood.

I flicked my wrist and shook the sword. Muted...

A melodious death knell echoed through the passageway.

One, two, and finally four guards attacked together. An unprecedented thrill surged in my heart. Sword shadows wove like fabric as I danced on the edge of darkness. One move, three forms, dancing with the flickering flames. Four figures fell like withered leaves, layer upon layer, until they finally succumbed to silence.

“Help! Help!” Qian Qiaozhi turned around, shouting hoarsely. “Longbing! Longbing!”

His raspy voice echoed through the passageway, then softly dissipated, met with no response.

I flipped and blocked their escape route, smiling warmly at Qian Furong. “Now, as long as you kill him, you can rightfully possess the four states.”

Qian Furong’s eyes widened more and more, gleaming with a beastly light. “Yes, Tianbao’s dead, but there’ll be a Dibao, Jinbao, Yinbao. My father’s eyes will never see me, this legitimate daughter. Maybe...”

“Furong!” The old villain looked at her incredulously, his head twitching suddenly. “You! You!” His hunched body slowly slid down.

“You! Really you?!” The seventeenth concubine screamed heart-wrenchingly, her eyes turning crimson. “Give me back my son! Give me back my son!” She pulled out a golden hairpin and charged at Qian Furong, her hair disheveled.

Qian Furong slapped the frail seventeenth concubine to the ground. “Who do you think you are? Just a tavern girl who bore a mute son and wants to compete with me? Overestimating yourself!” She clenched her teeth and kicked hard at the seventeenth concubine’s abdomen.

“Miss!” The seventeenth concubine’s maid, infuriated, knocked Qian Furong to the ground. “You poisonous woman! I’ll kill you for my mistress!”

The two women fought like rabid dogs, biting and clawing at each other. Their once beautiful faces were soon covered in bloody scratches.

“Ah!” The seventeenth concubine on the ground clutched her stomach, writhing in pain. “Master, it hurts! It hurts so much!”

Qian Qiaozhi lay on the ground, his mouth and tongue askew, unable to speak.

“Pain!” The seventeenth concubine’s osmanthus-white dress gradually soaked red, and she looked at the blood beneath her in panic. Her despair stirred pity in my heart. I staggered with my long sword and moved to help her up. Suddenly, Qian Furong headbutted the maid, knocking her down, and scrambled to her feet. With a ferocious glare, she kicked the seventeenth concubine away.

“Bitch! Let you give birth! Let you give birth!” She went berserk, kicking harder and harder to vent her anger. “Everything! Everything is mine! Everything in the Qian family is mine!”

I sent this madwoman flying with a palm strike and reached out to check the seventeenth concubine’s nose—she had no breath left. Behind her, blood trailed across the ground, soaking her red-stained silk dress.

Qian Qiaozhi lay on his back, his body no longer able to move. Only his eyes stared fixedly, watching how his mad daughter destroyed his last bloodline—watching, watching, unwilling and unresigned.

“Miss!” The maid collapsed over the seventeenth concubine's corpse, wailing loudly. “You!” Her eyes were filled with bloodshot veins as she crawled to pick up the golden hairpin. “Ah!” She let out a heart-wrenching scream and charged at Qian Furong on the ground.

The scream was abruptly cut off as a long sword pierced through the maid’s abdomen. Qian Furong held the dead guard's sword with both hands, her pale face staring at the impaled woman.

“Kill...” The maid opened her mouth, spraying blood directly at Qian Furong. She raised her right hand and stabbed downward fiercely.

Qian Furong's eyes bulged slightly; the golden hairpin was stuck in her throat, and her limbs twitched. Almost simultaneously, the two facing each other slumped down, heading together to the netherworld.

This place truly seemed like an underground tomb. Everyone else had been sacrificed, leaving only me and the tomb's master.

I slowly crouched down, locking eyes with those vengeful old ones: “Qian Qiaozhi, you have done only one good thing in your life.”

His mouth drooped like someone who had suffered a stroke, saliva hanging down thinly.

“Though the means were cruel, you did kill Qian Tong after all.” I sighed, mustering a genuine smile. “Ten years of waiting for this wish to be fulfilled—what could be more joyful than that?”

A flicker of light flashed through his gradually dimming old eyes. Since you are so unwilling, I'll give you a reason to be convinced.

I rested my chin on my hand and looked at him, suppressing the corners of my lips: “I didn’t originally bear the surname Feng. Ten years ago, I was only six years old, helplessly watching my mother being tearfully shot by my father, watching my father battle the battlefield riddled with arrows, watching the woman who raised me die in disgrace by slamming into a doorframe, watching my brother angrily kill that beast, watching the remaining family members fall one by one before me. Then I was forced to jump off Leiyue Rock. Ten years of honing my sword—I've been waiting for this day.”

His gaze became unfocused, unable to gather any light anymore, finally closing his eyelids slowly.

“It seems you’ve remembered.” I stood up and swung my sword to sever his head. “Dying without a whole corpse—this vow is not made lightly.”

Everyone lay heavily asleep, their bodies forever unable to change from their eternal rest.

My footsteps echoed through the dark passageway, each sound resonating as if traveling through past years.

A red rose floated before my eyes, trembling, blooming in the backyard of the Han mansion.

The flames at the entrance danced eerily. I stepped out of the ten-year memory, exhaustedly turning the circular dial on the stone wall.

“Gah... gah... gah...” The hidden door groaned and slid open to one side.

That dark figure stood upright by the door, the firelight casting the only warmth on his handsome face amidst the battlefield.

Silently facing each other, I quietly gazed into his eyes, my eyes slightly moist. He stood there, his phoenix eyes soft and bright like the moonlight. After a while, he raised his left hand, looking at me expectantly. A cold tear gently trickled down my cheek, lingering like the last autumn leaf reluctant to fall. The bitter emotions weighed heavily on my heart, floating like distant mist, unwilling to dissipate.

“It's all over.” His clear voice fell like the wind, brushing away that tear, like raindrops parting the mist.

One step, two steps, I slowly stepped out of the shadows, out of the dreamlike dark passage. I confidently extended my right hand, and he faintly curved his cool lips, gripping my hand tightly in return. Our two figures were reflected on the cold stone walls, as if we were standing in the underworld. As we passed by the iron hook where Qian Tong's corpse hung, Xiu Yuan pulled me into his arms, his strong arms tightening to stop my uncontrollable trembling.

“Don't look,” he whispered in my ear.

I instinctively buried myself in his chest: “I didn't kill anyone from the Qian family.”

“Mm.”

“I really didn't kill them.” I repeated, unsure of whom I was trying to convince.

“Mm, I believe you.” Xiu Yuan supported me as we walked step by step upward.

The scent of decay lingered in my heart, filling me with fear: “Perhaps one day,” I clutched Xiu Yuan's brocade robe, a trace of sorrow sliding down my lips, “I might also become a demon who kills without mercy.”

“No.” His voice was concise and certain.

I looked up at him, seeing his phoenix eyes deep and warm like a spring pond: “Because before that happens, I will pull you back.”

Like a wisp of smoke rising from the wasteland, quietly guiding the way ahead, subtle yet profound. A crack seemed to open in my suppressed chest, revealing my wildly beating true heart. Almost impulsively, I crashed into his embrace, hugging his slender waist with all my strength, never wanting to let go.

“If you want to charge forward, I will accompany you. If you get tired of charging, I will stand guard for you.” His warm tone overflowed softly, filling my heart. “Don't be afraid, Qingqing.” He cupped my face, his gaze warming like the gentle sunshine. “No matter what path you choose, you will never walk it alone again.”

“Xiu Yuan...” Love surged like a tide, unknowingly transforming my arid heart into a vast sea.

He pressed his hand on the torch embedded in the stone wall, smiling as elegantly as leisurely clouds: “Are you ready?”

I turned to face the dark stone gate, nodding confidently toward him.

As the stone gate opened, a sudden blaze devoured the shadows behind me. Shouts and screams filled the air, everywhere was soaked in blood. There was no longer any fear of falling, for there was always someone walking beside me.

...

“The righteous army vows not to disturb the common people!”

“Please, dear townsfolk, rest assured and sleep peacefully!”

The messengers of the righteous army galloped through the streets, their loud announcements echoing through the six main streets and nine avenues. Wearing a fitted mirror armor, I rode across the city on Ta Yong. Along the streets, houses and shops hurriedly closed their doors, emitting frantic sounds of bolts being latched.

“Whoa!” I tightened the reins, narrowly avoiding colliding with A Lu rushing over.

“So fast?” I dismounted and quickly ascended the city tower.

“The Qingzhou state army is stationed just fifty miles away in Xi County. They arrived shortly after we seized the city gates.” A Lu closely followed behind. “What about the Si Gate?”

“We can already see the Qingzhou navy's flag.” I answered without pausing.

The Si Gate was the only water gate in Fencheng. Although the righteous army occupied this gate, they lacked naval protection. If the Qingzhou navy attacked with armored ships, it wouldn't take long to breach it. Therefore, three thousand out of five thousand righteous soldiers were stationed there, which is why Xiu Yuan dressed me in silver armor and sent me away from the Si Gate.

I rushed to the battlements, leaning against the parapet to look down. Beneath the cassia moon, a finely embroidered flag fluttered in the dense crowd below.

“Fan?” I read the large character on the flag aloud.

“Fan Ye, the Left General of the Qingzhou State Army.” Guyi pointed to the left. “Master, look over there.”

“Feng? You?” Two more large flags appeared.

“Feng Jia, You Tuzhi, the Middle General and Right General of the State Army.” Guyi nodded firmly, speaking clearly. “These three generals didn't attack the other gates separately but gathered under the You Gate. This is because the You Gate has the lowest wall and minimal repairs, making it easy to attack. Master, why don't we gather the righteous army from the other gates here to fight together?”

“No.” I squinted against the night wind. “Defending the city requires stability. How could we abandon the other gates? If the enemy discovers it, it will be too late to regret.”

“Below us are three thousand elite Qingzhou troops, while on the city wall, we have only eight hundred stragglers.” Guyi couldn't help but raise his voice. “Look at their siege towers and assault vehicles, then look at the broken weapons in the hands of our righteous army. Without concentrating our forces, how can we possibly withstand them?”

“Guyi,” I pointed to the scene below and asked with a smile, “Tell me, what do you see?”

“Master, are you joking?” He glared indignantly.

I turned around, my tied-up long hair flying in the wind. My stern gaze swept around, causing the soldiers to lower their heads.

“What? Are you scared?” I clasped my hands behind my back and walked along the battlements. “Have you ever thought about why the Qingzhou State Army is flying private banners instead of military flags? Hmm?”

Two or three people looked up, their eyes full of doubt.

“Have you also thought about why, despite having more people and sharp siege weapons, they are not attacking even though they are encamped beneath the city walls?”

“Why?” A young man holding an iron halberd spoke up, drawing everyone closer.

“Why?” “Why?” “Master, please tell us.”

“Using private banners means they are fighting not out of duty but for personal gain.” I leaned against the cold city wall, eyeing the scene below. “With selfish intentions, they start hesitating. Anyone who has fought knows that in siege battles, the first to attack suffers the greatest losses. Fan, Feng, and You each refuse to bear this loss and become stepping stones for others, thus hesitating and only surrounding but not attacking.”

“And,” I looked eastward, “they know that once the navy breaches the Si Gate, the You Gate will naturally fall. They just wait for the gate to open so they can march in brazenly and plunder.”

“So the key lies in the Si Gate?” A Lu interjected.

“Yes.” The Si Gate was the throat, and Xiu Yuan was my lifeline, so I couldn’t afford to sit idle. Thinking of this, I said gravely, “A Lu.”

“Master.”

“You take people to the Qian Mansion and bring everything valuable here.”

“Yes.”

“Guyi.” I called again.

“Master.”

“Bring ten carts of oil.” I looked at the moat winding around the city and faintly curved my lips. “I have a clever plan.”

Dark clouds shrouded the round moon in the sky, momentarily breaking through like shattered glass. I drew my sword, and each soldier carried a jar, pouring kerosene into the moat under cover of darkness.

Suddenly, a blinding light erupted from the left rear, revealing shadows hidden by the moon. My heart pounded as I looked behind me; orange flames soared skyward, illuminating the eastern horizon like daylight.

“The navy is here!” “Here!” Excited shouts rose from below the city walls, and the soldiers who had been sitting despondently quickly rose.

“Raise!” “Raise!” Following the orders, massive siege towers and assault vehicles slowly assembled.

“Fan Family Army, prepare!” “Feng Family Army (You Family Army), prepare!”

“Ding! Ding! Ding...” Dozens of silver lights streaked across, and huge iron claws hooked onto the drawbridge. “Go!” With a roar, hundreds of soldiers pulled the ropes under the claws, attempting to lower the bridge. Once the drawbridge fell, the effectiveness of the moat would vanish, exposing the fragile city walls to their powerful siege equipment.

I stood solemnly, pulling the bowstring taut and letting A Lu ignite the cloth on the arrowhead.

“Fire!” At my fierce command, the flaming arrows from my hand and the soldiers’ torches flew towards the kerosene-soaked drawbridge, landing in the oil-covered moat.

In an instant, the moat became a fiery belt, scorching flames leaping upwards, frightening the Qingzhou soldiers away from the embankment. The tongues of fire licking the drawbridge ran down the ropes attached to the iron claws, burning through the lines and dropping onto the soldiers, eliciting continuous cries of pain.

“Calm down! Calm down!” The three armies’ officers shouted upon seeing this. “Retreat! Retreat! We’ll wait for the gate to open!”

Half an hour later, the drawbridge was reduced to black ash. Due to emulation from other gates, the oil film on the moat had increased rather than decreased. The blazing flames grew higher and higher, reddening the faces of the righteous army near the battlements. Several zhang west of the fiery river, the soldiers bearing the three surnames dismounted and lazily leaned on their weapons.

“Master, we’ve brought everything.” A Lu panted heavily.

“Good.” I turned to look at dozens of boxes filled with gold and jewels, then at the flushed faces of the righteous army, and waved my sword again.

Yin...

With a sword cry, gold and silver light flew off the city tower, smashing into the ranks of the Fan army below.

“Money!” “It’s real! It’s real!” The Fan army stirred excitedly.

“Gold ingots! Enough for me to visit the courtesan ten times!”

“Damn it, what are the Feng army doing coming over?”

“What are the You army grabbing! This is my territory, put the ingot down!”

“To hell with your territory! Get out, Fan army!”

“You've taken enough, it’s time for us Feng (You) army!”

“Damn it, looking for a fight! Brothers, charge!”

“Screw you, really coming?” “We’ve disliked you Fan army for a long time!”

“Stop fighting! Just draw your swords!”

I watched the mercenaries below greedily turning on each other, calling out softly, “Guyi.”

“Master.”

“Now you should understand. True elite troops aren't defined by their weapons but by their hearts. Those below aren’t even stragglers, just bandits.” I sneered disdainfully, confident that with another thousand men, I could encircle them all.

“Boom!” An unexpected deafening explosion startled me in place, reflexively causing the soldiers on the wall to squat down.

“Boom!” Another earth-shaking blast.

“It’s from the direction of the Si Gate!” A Lu shouted.

“Boom!”

Flames soared to the sky in the east, distorting the night sky with smoke and fire.

“Boom!”

“Master!” Guyi and the dozen guards accompanying him surrounded me.

“Hehe!” I cracked a grin, facing the night wind, laughing loudly, “Hahaha!”

“Master?!”

“Boom!” Each explosion closer than the last, shaking the soldiers of the three surnames to stop their brawl.

“They're here!” I spread my arms wide, standing against the wind. “The navy of Qing Country has arrived!”

“Ah!” For the first time that night, the righteous army revealed smiles. “Great! Great!”

“Why are you so certain?” A Lu cast a skeptical glance at me, then lowered his voice. “Are you fooling people again?”

I stopped his inquiry, signaling everyone to listen carefully.

“Boom!”

How invigorating the sound of cannons! Now, among the capable users of ship cannons on the Divine Kun, there’s only him.

Thunder and lightning struck.

“Report!” A loud shout came from beneath the city walls.

“What are you shouting about!” The commander's voice was evidently unstable.

“A large army has been spotted ten miles away!”

“Damn it all to hell!” Under the Fan banner, the silver-helmeted general furiously whipped his horse. “Fight? Fight what fight! Now people from Xia and Shan are coming too! How can we monopolize anything now!”

“Boss! Boss!” The cavalryman covered his head to dodge the whip. “From Xia and Shan to here takes at least two days. How could they arrive now? Impossible!”

This statement made the general stop his whip. The guards held torches, the firelight reddening his brow, somewhat resembling a dying ember flare.

“Go! Investigate again!” Fan Ye shouted.

Before he could close his lips, a golden streak shot like a meteor straight at him.

“Boss!”

Fan Ye's eyes widened in shock, the golden tail feathers still trembling slightly in his mouth, the arrow tip piercing his neck, dripping with dark blood, viscous and falling.

“Charge!” A thunderous unified roar shook the forest, drowning out the cannon sounds from the east.

“It’s the general!” The righteous army cheered like children, their eyes full of admiration.

Leaping to stand atop the battlement, unlike my mother’s despair ten years ago, I proudly raised my head, welcoming the banner with the character “Han” as a victor.

My long hair flew horizontally as I raised my sword high, exchanging a smile with Yue Sha, known as the “Divine Archer,” across the flames.

The carved bow stretched like a full moon, aimed northwest, shooting down the celestial wolf!

Xiu Yuan, is your mood now like mine, as cool as the water at night…

The twin palaces mirrored dragon and phoenix shadows, trampling the beautiful scenery of the old country.

Zhang Mi’s “Chronicles of the Warring States? Record of Famous Ministers”: On the seventeenth day of the first month of the twenty-fourth year of Tian Chong, Feng Yunqing was dispatched to Qing. Amidst the internal turmoil of the former Yong dynasty, Lord Zhongjin ostensibly submitted to King Ming, while Governor Qing secretly colluded with the Yong ruler. The road ahead was perilous, yet Qing chose to venture into the tiger's den. On the twenty-third night, camping at the Ancient Zither Platform, Qing eliminated the traitors, rallied the righteous army, and entered Fencheng. Imprisoned in two mansions, Qing remained composed, manipulating situations with ease over cups of wine. Her radiant smile charmed all who saw her. Cleverly instigating the Qian family's downfall, on the fifteenth night of the second month, the Flower Festival Night, she led the righteous army into the mansion to exterminate the Qians. Qing personally led the militia to fight until the third watch, when Admiral Lei Lifeng and General Han Yueshao of the Qing navy arrived with reinforcements. In the following five days, the Qing army pressed forward with one breath, capturing sixteen states of the former You. In June, Former Jing Min Wang ascended the throne, offering the six states of You as tribute; thus, the forty-three states of You were entirely annexed by Qing. Qing possessed both wisdom and bravery, achieving military feats rare among civil officials. Upon returning from Qing, her illustrious reputation overshadowed all officials. Truly unparalleled, no equal exists in this world.