At Nanqing Palace, Zuo Canglang had just finished her midday meal when an attendant announced the King’s arrival. She was somewhat surprised; she had assumed that even if Murong Yan’s anger toward Jiang Bilan hadn’t subsided, he would at least stay a while longer to accompany Murong Ze. She hadn't expected him to leave Qifeng Palace so soon.
As she prepared to kneel, Murong Yan entered. Zuo Canglang caught a glimpse of Wang Yunzhao’s expression, which seemed slightly off—as if Murong Yan had just unleashed a terrifying temper. However, noticing Zuo Canglang’s gaze, Wang Yunzhao immediately masked his unease and offered her a reassuring smile.
Zuo Canglang didn't dwell on it. Once Murong Yan was seated, she asked, "Your Majesty didn't eat much at noon. Would you like another bowl of soup?"
Murong Yan didn't answer. Instead, he turned to Wang Yunzhao and said, "I will take my nap here at Nanqing Palace."
Wang Yunzhao quickly replied, "Understood." He turned and led the palace servants away.
Only then did Murong Yan pull Zuo Canglang into his arms. Zuo Canglang furrowed her brows; she was highly sensitive to the scent of blood and felt a very faint metallic tang clinging to him. She ordered Keqing to bring warm water and personally attended to Murong Yan, wiping his face and hands.
When Murong Yan submerged his hands in the water, she saw faint traces of blood beneath his fingernails.
Doubt flickered in Zuo Canglang’s heart, but she didn't ask. Murong Yan lay down on the couch. Although it was the height of the August heat outside, the hall remained pleasantly cool. Zuo Canglang lay down beside him, and Murong Yan suddenly turned, pulling her into a tight embrace. He hovered over her, his kisses falling like a violent storm.
Zuo Canglang’s body stiffened slightly. "Has Your Majesty seen the Eldest Prince?" she asked.
Murong Yan didn't answer. He simply sealed her lips with his own, his right hand tearing at her clothes with brutal force. Zuo Canglang saw a strange, flickering light in his eyes. She slowly raised her hand to touch his face. Her fingertips weren't particularly smooth, and Murong Yan paused for a moment. His movements gradually softened. Just as he was about to speak, Zuo Canglang pulled his head down, continuing their kiss. Then, with a roll, she pressed him beneath her.
She rarely took the initiative. Murong Yan lay back on the bed, the gloom in his eyes slowly dissipating, replaced by a touch of interest as he watched her. As she tentatively caressed and kissed him, he could no longer restrain himself. "Come," he rasped.
Zuo Canglang slowly kissed the tip of his nose. The clarity in his eyes vanished as he gradually sank into a sea of desire.
Standing guard outside the hall, Wang Yunzhao heard the considerable commotion within and had to signal the palace servants to move further away. Weiwei covered her mouth, her face flushed red, yet she couldn't stop giggling. Wang Yunzhao shot her a glare. Nearby, Keqing’s face was also slightly flushed, but her expression was troubled and uncertain.
Wang Yunzhao glanced at the two of them, sighing inwardly at how unpredictable a young woman’s heart could be. Amidst the awkwardness, an inner attendant came running in and whispered in his ear. Weiwei’s ears were sharp, but she only managed to catch the words "Fuhe Hall." The rest was spoken too softly for her to hear.
Wang Yunzhao’s expression turned solemn, and he whispered an order to send a royal physician there.
Once the attendant had left, Weiwei said, "Manager Wang, the one in Fuhe Hall... His Majesty has never granted her a title, nor does he allow her to leave..."
Before she could finish, Wang Yunzhao interrupted, "Is the King’s business something a little girl like you should be asking about?"
He was usually a kind-hearted man, and since Weiwei was one of Zuo Canglang’s people, she wasn't particularly afraid of him. She muttered, "But even if I don't ask, the General will find it strange."
Wang Yunzhao finally said, "His Majesty has his own plans; don't ask too many questions. When you have the chance, advise the General not to overthink things."
Weiwei hummed in response. Seeing that he truly had no intention of elaborating, she dropped the subject.
At that moment, the palace was relatively peaceful. However, the Jiang Manor was in an uproar. Madam Zheng, Jiang Sanyi’s wife, wailed, "Master, Zhizhou is still in prison! You must find a way!"
Jiang Sanyi’s face was livid. "You still have the face to cry! Look at the daughter you raised—she is utterly beyond help! She actually killed Princess Yide to frame Zuo Canglang! Zuo Canglang is incredibly cunning; would she fall for such a trick? The current King’s mind is hard to read, but his affection for the Princess was genuine. And she—she cut off her own support and let Zuo Canglang reap the benefits instead!"
Madam Zheng washed her face with tears. "But Master, if not for her, how would our Jiang family have reached such heights?"
Jiang Sanyi sighed. "Do not be overly anxious, Madam. Although His Majesty has stripped me of my post, he hasn't shown a desire to kill us yet. We still have a chance."
Madam Zheng said, "Speaking of which, His Majesty hasn't deposed Lan'er from her position as Queen. Once his anger fades in a few days, perhaps..."
Jiang Sanyi replied, "You are muddled, Madam. Lan'er is likely finished. Even if she keeps the title of Queen, his favor... I fear it will never return to her."
Madam Zheng was shocked. "But Lan'er is still so young! There will be plenty of opportunities in the future! Master, you cannot abandon her!"
Jiang Sanyi said, "Have Biyao come here."
Jiang Biyao was nineteen this year. Normally, a girl of her age would have been married long ago. However, she had remained at home. Even though matchmakers had worn down the threshold, Jiang Sanyi had always claimed he couldn't bear to part with his beloved daughter and wanted to keep her a few days longer.
Naturally, he had his own plans. Back then, as the Left Chancellor, his daughter was the King’s sole favorite and the Queen, and she had already borne the Eldest Prince. Every high official in the court followed his lead; he didn't need to marry off his other daughter to form an alliance.
Now, this daughter had finally reached the time to be put to use.
By the time autumn arrived in the tenth month, the case of Qin Muyun was finally concluded. Over a hundred officials, great and small, were implicated. Murong Yan issued a decree reappointing Bi Chengjing as the Left Chancellor and Daxi Qin as the Grand Minister of Agriculture. In this, he was more brilliant than Zuo Canglang had imagined—he knew that if he only appointed Daxi Qin as the Granary Master, the entire Ministry of Agriculture would still be under his control. It was better to bestow a great favor directly.
At the same time, however, he appointed Le Yangxun, a cousin of the former Empress Dowager Rong, as the Director of the Secretariat, siphoning off some of the authority of the Left Chancellor and the Grand Minister of Agriculture.
As for Jiang Sanyi, Murong Yan did not pursue the matter of his embezzlement. Instead, on the grounds of dereliction of duty, he demoted him three ranks to Grand Secretary, in charge of the selection and transfer of officials. When the imperial edict arrived, Jiang Sanyi breathed a great sigh of relief.
The political landscape of the court had shifted significantly. Although Jiang Sanyi was now only a third-rank Grand Secretary, his authority was still substantial; in fact, anyone wishing to plant their own people in the court fell under his supervision. However, his official rank and power were no longer what they once were. While Gan Xiaoru’s faction hadn't suffered vital damage, they had long been suppressed by Jiang Sanyi. His subordinates were mostly ritual officials like the Minister of Ceremonies and the Grand Augur, responsible for sacrifices and stargazing. Their hold on power was not heavy.
Bi Chengjing, returning to the position of Left Chancellor, was even more cautious due to his previous fall from grace, becoming exceptionally diligent in state affairs. Jiang Sanyi, of course, dared not be careless either, ordering his household and associates to restrain themselves. For a time, the court appeared quite industrious.
In the military, Yuan Xi and the others were receiving ninety percent of their pay. From top to bottom, the soldiers were deeply grateful. For a moment, even if hearts remained divided, the political situation was remarkably stable.
During the autumn harvest in the tenth month, Murong Yan held an ancestral sacrifice at Chengtian Pavilion. In the past, such grand ceremonies were presided over by Master Xue Zhan. But now that Fachang Temple was gone, the Saintess of the Baiyu Sect naturally came to preside over such matters.
Previously, when the Baiyu Sect handled sacrifices, they would arrive on the day of the event and leave immediately after. This time, however, Yang Lianting and A-Fei arrived three days early. A-Fei was disgruntled throughout the journey. "I knew it, you have something on your mind. Are you still thinking about your sweetheart? Hmph!"
After talking for a while and seeing no reaction from Yang Lianting, she couldn't help but turn back to look at him. "What's wrong with you?"
Yang Lianting remained silent for a long time before saying, "Since the incident with Feiyan, she hasn't contacted me once. I even had to find out where Feiyan was buried on my own."
Seeing his low spirits, A-Fei softened her voice and comforted him, "Are you afraid she resents you and won't listen to your explanation?"
Yang Lianting said, "I..."
A-Fei leaned into his arms. "But Lianting, you did your best, didn't you?"
Yang Lianting replied, "I didn't do my best." If he had used the full strength of the Baiyu Sect at the time, they might have been able to rescue Leng Feiyan.
However, once the Baiyu Sect’s black venom was used, there would be no way to deny their involvement. Although he had rushed to Jinyang City overnight, he had never dared to act—if he had, it would have surely dragged the entire Baiyu Sect down with him. Could he have stood by and watched A-Fei’s clansmen walk into a dead end?
He lowered his head and said after a long silence, "I have no face to see them."
A-Fei embraced him. "Lianting, I know you're sad. But I was truly moved that you chose the Baiyu Sect that night. If... if it had been Zuo Canglang who was surrounded that day, what would you have chosen?"
Yang Lianting was silent for a long time. "I..."
A-Fei said, "You would have saved her, wouldn't you?"
Yang Lianting said, "Yes." A-Fei jumped up and punched him. After the blow, she said crossly, "Can't you just coax me a little!"
Yang Lianting caught her slender wrist and slowly pulled her back into his arms. A-Fei pressed her face against his neck, punched him twice more, and finally held him tight.
In the royal study, Murong Yan asked Wang Yunzhao, "I heard Yang Lianting and the others have entered Jinyang City?"
Wang Yunzhao quickly replied, "Indeed. Sect Leader Yang has already sent a formal request for an audience to the palace."
Murong Yan asked, "Has he seen A-Zuo?"
Wang Yunzhao said, "He sent a request to her as well, but the General said that being in the palace makes coming and going inconvenient, so she had a maid decline it."
Murong Yan nodded. "No private meetings either?"
Wang Yunzhao quickly added, "None. The General has been in the palace these past few days and hasn't seen any outsiders."
Murong Yan mused, "They haven't seen each other for quite some time. Why are they avoiding each other like this?"
Wang Yunzhao couldn't guess the meaning behind his words and didn't dare to comment. Murong Yan stood up. "It's rare for him to return. Let him wait for me at Taoran Pavilion."
Wang Yunzhao acknowledged the order. Murong Yan added, "Have A-Zuo go there as well."
Yang Lianting had sent one request to Murong Yan, but three to Nanqing Palace, all of which were rejected by Zuo Canglang. Now, receiving Murong Yan’s summons, he hurried into the palace. At Taoran Pavilion, Yang Lianting and A-Fei were granted an audience.
Murong Yan sat in the center of the pavilion, with Zuo Canglang seated at his side. When Yang Lianting saw her, he was momentarily stunned. She was dressed in silk as white as snow, her makeup seemingly casual but actually quite exquisite. Her attire and grooming were nothing like before. Only her posture remained as straight as ever, and her movements still carried the grace and strength of her former self.
Murong Yan invited him and A-Fei to sit. "Lianting and A-Zuo are old acquaintances. I know it is inconvenient for you to enter the palace, so this summons isn't for official business. Consider it a family banquet; there is no need for formality."
Yang Lianting acknowledged this and sat down with A-Fei. A-Fei glanced at Zuo Canglang. The style and color of the cups before her were a matching pair with Murong Yan’s. According to protocol, they were items meant for a Queen. She was startled and stole a glance at Yang Lianting—judging by this setup, she wasn't just a general; she was clearly a favored consort.
The servants began serving the dishes. Zuo Canglang rose to pour wine and serve food for Murong Yan. Murong Yan asked a few questions about the Baiyu Sect, but Zuo Canglang hardly spoke. It wasn't appropriate for Yang Lianting to bring up the matter of Leng Feiyan. Throughout the entire banquet, the two of them didn't exchange a single word.
When the banquet ended, Murong Yan said, "Very well, I still have matters to attend to, so I shall leave first. You are old friends; if you have things to catch up on, do so. If it gets late, you may stay in the palace."
Having said that, he rose to leave. Zuo Canglang stood up to see him off, but as she prepared to kneel, she suddenly stumbled. Yang Lianting had just reached out his hand when Murong Yan already caught her. "What is it?"
Zuo Canglang said, "I feel dizzy." Murong Yan practically held her in his arms. "How could you suddenly feel dizzy out of nowhere?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "Perhaps I caught a chill from the wind at Mingyue Terrace last night. I wish to return first."
Murong Yan saw that she didn't want to speak with Yang Lianting. He turned to Yang Lianting and said, "In that case, I will have someone show you around the palace."
After leaving the arrangements to Wang Yunzhao, he supported Zuo Canglang as they walked toward Nanqing Palace. Once they reached a secluded spot, he asked, "You grew up together; why are you unwilling to even say a few words to him now?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Grew up together? That was years ago. Times have changed."
Murong Yan asked, "Do you resent him for standing by during the matter with Leng Feiyan?"
Zuo Canglang straightened her posture. "No."
Murong Yan said in a low voice, "Leng Feiyan conspired with the remnants of Hidden Sword Manor in an attempt to rescue Murong Ruo! Did she not deserve to die? Yang Lianting merely didn't rescue her, and you resent him so much. Do you also resent me?"
Zuo Canglang pulled her hand away. "I just resent him! After years of friendship, he actually watched coldly as Feiyan went to her death! What 'old friendship' is there to speak of with such a heartless person!"
Murong Yan said, "How can you be so willful? Do you still side with the rebels even now?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Before, as the commander of the three armies, I had to consider the big picture. But now, I am just a woman. What if I am willful? Even if Feiyan got what she deserved, I still despise him. Does Your Majesty insist that I put on a fake smile and act hypocritically with him?!"
Murong Yan wiped his face. "Why so agitated? You're spitting all over my face."
The anger hadn't faded from Zuo Canglang’s face, but hearing this, she pulled out a silk handkerchief to wipe him. Murong Yan said, "Don't bother. My face was already soaked by your licking last night anyway."
Zuo Canglang’s face instantly turned crimson. He looked at her closely, then laughed again. "What am I to do with you? You're becoming more and more like a typical woman." He reached out and picked her up. "Let's go. Oh, that temper of yours."
Back at Taoran Pavilion, A-Fei was both angry and anxious. "That Zuo Canglang! And to think I once respected her as a heroine among women! This person... she's simply unreasonable! She clearly wasn't giving the Baiyu Sect any face!"
Yang Lianting said, "She isn't that kind of person."
A-Fei shoved him away. "You're still defending her! Yes, yes, you've always had lingering feelings for her! Look at her status now!"
Yang Lianting said, "A-Fei, you don't understand her."
A-Fei was so angry she pinched him. "Only you understand her!"
In the evening, at Dezheng Hall, Murong Yan was reviewing memorials when Wang Yunzhao came to report, "Your Majesty, Sect Leader Yang and the Saintess have left the palace."
Murong Yan said, "Mhm. Have someone keep an eye on Yang Lianting’s movements. Murong Ruo’s whereabouts are still unknown; it’s best to be cautious."
Wang Yunzhao acknowledged the order, then asked softly, "Regarding Nanqing Palace... do we still need to keep someone watching in secret?"
Murong Yan said, "Withdraw them. Just have Keqing pay attention."
Wang Yunzhao breathed a sigh of relief. "Yes."
Murong Yan thought for a moment and added, "I saw that she had no appetite today. Have a royal physician go over to check her pulse. She has never cared for her own health; you will have to be more attentive to such matters."
Wang Yunzhao quickly complied. Lifting his head slightly, he noticed that when the King mentioned that person, his gaze was remarkably soft.
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