The next morning, Xin Yi woke up quite early. Having gone to sleep late the previous night, he hadn't managed much rest. Today, he was still tasked with accompanying Hu Yong to host the foreign envoy delegation, so he didn't dare linger in bed. As he stirred, a dull ache radiated from his waist. Drowsily, he reached out and felt Bai Jiu’s firm, encircling arm, then traced his hand up to Bai Jiu’s face. Bai Jiu had clearly only just woken as well; he let out a low, confused "Mm?" and pulled Xin Yi even closer into his embrace.
It was quite some time before Xin Yi managed to get up. Bai Jiu rose with him, accompanying him through his morning ablutions and breakfast before watching him depart.
Xin Yi rode in a carriage alongside Hu Yong. The day happened to be rather sweltering. Seeing Xin Yi’s tightly buttoned standing collar, Hu Yong tugged at his own lapels and advised, "The Shizi does not often stay in the capital. During this autumn season, the heat in Kyoto tends to linger for a while."
Xin Yi touched his collar and nodded to Hu Yong with a smile, though the tips of his ears suddenly flushed hot. His fingertips brushed against the buttons, his heart filled with embarrassment.
They shared idle conversation along the way until they reached the envoys' residence. Xin Yi and Hu Yong waited a full hour before anyone appeared. The moment Chagatai emerged, he offered profuse apologies, claiming he had drunk too much at the palace banquet the night before and couldn't wake up this morning. Hu Yong quickly offered polite platitudes, saying the Prince should cherish his health and that it was no trouble at all. Once the atmosphere was sufficiently smoothed over, they turned to the question of the day's itinerary. Hu Yong made no mention of their previous excursion to the pleasure district; instead, he suggested the Buer Tea House and asked for Chagatai’s thoughts.
Chagatai naturally did not refuse. With the matter settled, they set off.
As Xin Yi was "mute," he wasn't expected to take the lead; his role was simply to be present. The Emperor’s original intent in summoning him was merely to provide a source of amusement for Dayuan. However, as he held the title of Shizi, he couldn't be kept too far on the periphery. Thus, he ended up seated beside Arslan. While Hu Yong and Chagatai conversed animatedly ahead, a heavy silence hung between the two men behind them.
Xin Yi traced the rim of his cup as if he were listening to the storyteller. Inwardly, he thought that the tea at Buer Tea House was as scalding as ever. The heat made his back slick with sweat, yet he couldn't possibly loosen his collar, so he could only endure it. Arslan, beside him, was faring no better. The ceremonial robes of Dayuan were more than twice as heavy as those of Great Lan; sitting there was a test of sheer endurance.
Midway through, a server came to pour more tea. Whether out of fear of the Lion King’s reputation or simply being new to the tea house, the server’s hands shook violently. Arslan frowned, looking as though he were about to snap, when the person beside him took over.
Xin Yi steadied the pot and gestured for the server to leave. The server hurried away as Xin Yi poured tea for Arslan. His movements were fluid, the tea leaves swirling and bobbing in the cup. Once he finished and set the pot down, their eyes met.
"Much obliged." Arslan lifted the cup and drained it in one gulp without even blowing on it. After a moment, he suddenly asked, "How does Prince Ping treat you?"
Xin Yi smiled faintly. Arslan answered his own question: "He has always been a man who seeks vengeance for the smallest slight. How good could he possibly be?" Seeing Xin Yi’s downcast, calm eyes, he continued, "The Emperor keeps you here likely because he has no intention of letting you return to Beiyang." Finally, he asked, "Where is your father buried?"
*Where is he buried?*
The year his mother died suddenly in the palace, her ashes should have been returned to the Yan Wang Mansion in Beiyang. However, fearing potential unrest, the officials of Shangjin—who had been ordered to the capital—made every excuse to delay. They allowed the capital to retain her remains, which were eventually kept in the Empress Dowager’s palace. His second brother was buried in the Yan Wang cemetery in Xiajin, Beiyang. His eldest and third brothers were buried along the border between Beiyang and Dayuan. His father had died in battle, his body mangled; Prince Ping had sent the remains back to the capital, where the Emperor, citing his "grief-stricken tears," had his father cremated and kept within the palace. Only a cenotaph had been erected in Xiajin.
The family was scattered to the four winds. This was the primary ache that had made Xin Yi willing to come to the capital. He wanted to bring his mother’s and father’s ashes back to Beiyang, to place them at least beside his second brother, to spare them the pain of separation they had endured in life.
Seeing Xin Yi make no move to answer, Arslan understood. His lion-like eyes looked at the teacup in his hand again and again. In the end, he said no more, only letting out a long, silent sigh in his heart.
After their meal, they headed toward Xiaoxiao Tower to walk off the food and enjoy the scenery. The carriages moved slowly. Before long, another carriage suddenly lunged out from a side path, crashing straight into Arslan’s. The horses were startled, neighing loudly as they prepared to bolt. Arslan lunged out from behind the carriage curtain, grabbing the out-of-control reins and hauling the horses to a halt just before a dangerous drop.
"Ah," the perpetrator said in a gruff voice from his own carriage. "I didn't expect to run into the Lion King even in Kyoto. Is the Lion King injured?"
Arslan’s gaze was like a torch. "I also did not expect to encounter Commandant Meng here." He turned his gaze toward the curtain behind Meng Chen. "I presume Lieutenant Ji Bai is also present."
The surrounding onlookers fell silent.
Anyone with eyes could see this was a Beiyang carriage. Beiyang’s fierce reputation was known far and wide, and their relationship with Dayuan was one of absolute mutual hostility. Even setting aside the Yan Wang lineage, their past grievances were complex and bitter. Now that they had met in the capital and a provocation had been made, even the Capital Guard might not be able to restrain them.
As expected, the curtain was lifted to reveal a figure sitting ramrod straight. The face was somewhat delicate, but a deep scar across the brow—Ji Baiyue—marred it.
"That the Lion King still remembers Ji Baiyue is truly an honor."
"The lieutenant of the Eldest Young Master, Xin Jing—who in the Dayuan army does not know him? During the Battle of Wanze, Lieutenant Ji Bai’s 'Gale-Piercing Arrow' was truly enough to shake the heavens and move the gods." Arslan’s tone held a hint of admiration, but his words took a sharp turn. "However, after Xin Jing’s death, Lieutenant Ji Bai was no longer seen moving along the border. Did you crawl back to hide in Lijin?"
It would have been better if he hadn't mentioned it, but the moment he brought up Xin Jing’s death, Ji Baiyue’s eyes flickered with a cold, turbulent light. He traced the scar on his brow with a finger and sneered, "What business is it of yours!"
Arslan did not rise to the bait, nor did he get angry. He truly admired Ji Baiyue. This man’s archery was extraordinary; he had repeatedly taken the heads of enemy generals from the front lines, earning the reputation of "Cloud-Piercing, Gale-Breaking." He was also highly skilled in troop formations and had been Xin Jing’s right-hand man and most trusted general. However, after Xin Jing died, the Three Fords of Beiyang had split the Beiyang army into three regions to be managed separately to compete for supervisory power. Ji Baiyue had taken over the command of Lijin in Xin Jing’s stead and rarely appeared at the border again.
After all, without the Yan Wang Mansion, who could unite the forces of the Three Fords to command Beiyang? The Emperor was wary and made no move, while the Crown Prince plotted to divide and weaken Beiyang’s military strength. For a brilliant general to be relegated to the rear was a profound waste.
Xin Yi had already stepped down from his carriage and was watching quietly from the side. When Ji Baiyue’s eyes fell upon him, they flickered with intense emotion for a split second. Xin Yi felt he only bore a thirty-percent resemblance to his eldest brother, yet it was apparently enough to shake this man to his core.
Xin Yi knew of Ji Baiyue, but they had only met a few times.
"Your Beiyang has lost its alpha wolf." Arslan dismounted, casting a glance at Xin Yi. "To think you have fallen into such a state of despondency."
Ji Baiyue’s eyes grew even colder. "What state? No matter the state, it is better than the thirty-two tribes fleeing in panic along the glacial borders. The Lion King is a man who has weathered many storms; surely you understand the concept of the wheel of fortune turning? As they say, a fine blade must be tempered many times. Beiyang, this blade, has not yet finished its tempering. No matter how anxious the Lion King is, it is useless. Furthermore, the Lion King now spends his days on Mount Canaan watching eagles fly and rabbits run, keeping company with sheep and cattle. I would like to offer a reminder: Lion King, do not let your warblade grow dull. One never knows when we shall meet again; perhaps tomorrow we will see each other on the battlefield."
Arslan did not get angry but laughed instead, patting his horse’s mane. "Indeed, the wheel of fortune turns. Today you can mock Dayuan’s past flight along the glacial borders, but is it not possible that tomorrow Dayuan will mock your current state of complacent security? Beiyang has ten million people, yet it had only one Xin Jing. When Xin Jing was alive, he still couldn't cross Mount Canaan where the sheep and cattle dwell. What have I to fear now?"
"You say the Young Master couldn't cross Mount Canaan?" Ji Baiyue suddenly stepped down from the carriage, closing in on Arslan step by step. "The Young Master’s whip lashed across Wanze. If not for the interference of treacherous officials, would you still be worthy of the title 'Lion King' today? Arslan!" Ji Baiyue’s voice was cold and sharp. "In the past, you were worthy of being called a hero. After the Young Master, you are nothing but a tethered old lion!"
"Cease your nonsense!" Chagatai’s voice rang out, filled with uncontrollable rage. "You Beiyang brat!"
Hu Yong hurried to intervene. "Easy now! Easy, everyone! Don't fight, please don't fight."
Arslan showed no sign of anger. The Lion King remained silent, as if tacitly accepting the words. Up close, the scar on Ji Baiyue’s brow was startling. He said, "I must also thank the Lion King for the 'gift' at Wanze. As long as this scar remains for a lifetime, I will use that lifetime to sharpen the Beiyang blade." He leaned in close for the final words, whispering each one distinctly: "You. Will. All. Pay. With. Your. Lives!"
From beginning to end, Arslan did not say a word or make a sound.
"What is going on here!" Xiao Jin finally arrived, leaping off his horse and rushing to the two men, but he couldn't pull them apart. In his anxiety, he slapped his thigh. "Why must you two do this! Are you going to have a brawl in the middle of a Kyoto street? You are both famous seniors, don't—"
As he spoke, the sword at his waist suddenly gave a sharp *clack-clang* as it was thrust between the two men. The blade somehow slid out halfway, its cold glint physically forcing them apart. Xiao Jin’s tongue tied. "Eh, eh! This... who moved my—"
Looking back, he saw only Xin Yi standing behind him, looking elegant and harmless. Xiao Jin abruptly caught his voice and changed his tune. "Wait, no, who bumped into me!"
*Good grief!*
Who knew Xin Yi had such a trick up his sleeve!
Ji Baiyue stepped back a few paces, brushing past Arslan and Xin Yi. He said to Meng Chen behind him, "Let’s go."
Meng Chen hurried off the carriage, tossed the whip to Xiao Jin, and chased after him, shouting, "Little Marquis Huiyang, I leave this to you!"
"Call me 'Lord,' Lord Xiao!" Xiao Jin caught the whip, coiled it in his hand, and properly sheathed his sword. He said to Arslan, "I hope the Lion King’s mood isn't ruined. Shall we proceed?"
Arslan looked at Xin Yi again and again. He said, "I nearly misjudged you."
Xin Yi’s dimples appeared faintly, as if he hadn't heard.
Without a word, Arslan simply untied his horse. Without even using the reins, he flipped onto its back and followed the carriage.
Hu Yong had to accompany Chagatai and bore the heavy responsibility of calming his anger. Cleaning up this mess naturally fell to Xin Yi. Seeing the carriages disappear into the distance, Xiao Jin immediately jumped up and down, pointing at Xin Yi in frustration for a long time before finally squeezing out: "You're something else, aren't you!"
Xin Yi raised his left hand, which had been hanging at his side. Between his fingers was a slip of paper. He read Ji Baiyue’s note, then smiled at Xiao Jin, saying modestly, "I'm alright."
"You fellow," Xiao Jin shivered. "The moment you're away from Bai Jiu, you're like a different person."
Xin Yi put his hands behind his back and sighed, his tone sounding worldly. "It's just that I present a different face to different people. You aren't like this when you see Sister Yan, are you?"
"My sister isn't 'together' with me." Xiao Jin puffed out his chest and slapped it loudly. "In the future, if I have a wife, I'll dare to be bossy in front of her too!"
"Is that so?" Xin Yi laughed. "I'll remember that. I'll be sure to pass that along to your future lady."
After they chatted idly for a while, Xiao Jin suddenly thought of something. "Why did that Ji Baiyue ignore you?"
Xin Yi had already crushed the note into nothingness. He said, "He was being shy."
"..." Xiao Jin decided to shut up. He ordered a new carriage for Xin Yi and immediately hopped on his horse to get out of there, not wanting to speak another word to this man.
Xin Yi regretfully climbed into the carriage, thinking to himself that he would have to start holding back again.
***
**Glossary**
