Zuo Canglang did not sleep the entire night. When the imperial physician arrived, he dared not say much. Murong Yan did not wish to linger in the border city and set out for Jinyang the following day. Zuo Canglang’s shoulder injury was severe, and he did not want the generals in the army to misunderstand the situation. Thus, as she remained silent, Yuan Xi and the others assumed the physician had been summoned due to some overzealous intimacy in the bedchamber; they never suspected anything else.
The journey was long, and with the royal procession leading the way, their progress was slow. Murong Yan was in no hurry. Knowing Zuo Canglang was injured, he took the opportunity to inspect the local conditions of the populace, often staying in various counties for several days at a time.
Since his ascension, Great Yan had suffered fewer natural disasters. Currently, some counties were enforcing mandatory cultivation, and his policies were being effectively implemented.
During the winter, porridge kitchens were established in various regions. Winter was a time of hardship, and it was inevitable that some farming households would face the "green-yellow gap"—the lean period before the harvest. Murong Yan had issued strict orders that no one was to starve to death. Now, upon inspection, while he perhaps could not eliminate all hunger and cold, the majority of those reduced to begging had at least survived the bitter winter.
With the arrival of spring planting, the imperial court could lend out seeds. If the people were industrious, they would soon no longer need to beg.
Murong Yan traveled about with local provincial officials. Knowing Zuo Canglang was injured, he did not take her with him. However, he would accept local specialties and delicacies offered by the officials; as everyone noticed this, the supply of local snacks along the route never ceased.
With these delays, the journey stretched on.
In the palace, Murong Ze had already learned to call for his "Consort Mother," but he refused to utter the words "Queen Mother" no matter what. Jiang Bilan gnashed her teeth in hatred, while Jiang Biyao was immensely proud, often carrying him as she walked through the palace. The Nanqing Palace currently had no master; Ke Qing had moved to a side villa, leaving only Zhitong and the wet nurse to care for Murong Xuan.
Jiang Biyao tried to enter several times, only to be blocked by the Imperial Guard. She flew into a rage. "Presumptuous! I am acting on His Majesty’s orders to manage the affairs of the inner palace alongside the Queen. Do you mean to say I cannot even enter a mere Nanqing Palace?"
Bi Dongting was perfectly polite. "Noble Consort may not be aware, but His Majesty has issued a strict command: no one is permitted to enter Nanqing Palace without authorization. Please, do not make things difficult for your subordinate."
Jiang Biyao was furious. "Bi Dongting! As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, how dare you speak to me in such a manner?!"
Bi Dongting remained neither humble nor arrogant. "I am bound by imperial orders. I ask for your ladyship’s understanding."
Left with no choice, Jiang Biyao could only depart in resentment.
Murong Yan was actually quite well-informed regarding the affairs of the inner palace. When Zuo Canglang left the palace, she had made no arrangements for Murong Xuan, so he naturally had to provide some protection. With the added care of Bi Dongting and Wang Yunzhao, life in Nanqing Palace was peaceful and leisurely.
Zhitong and Weiwei took Murong Xuan out to play every day, but Zuo Canglang had left them with only one instruction: do not take Murong Xuan out of Nanqing Palace.
The two did not dare disobey her words. Thus, they only played with Murong Xuan within the palace grounds. Though Jiang Biyao sought to provoke them several times, she could never find a suitable opportunity.
Xiao Pingzi was also idle, but Zuo Canglang usually gave him plenty of silver, and Da'xi Qin would occasionally toss him a few "melons and dates" as well. He was happy with this lucrative post. Even though Jiang Biyao intended to win him over, he remained unmoved, managing the servants of Nanqing Palace diligently.
By late April, Murong Yan’s return date was still undecided, but Xiao Pingzi received a letter delivered by a gyrfalcon. The handwriting was faint and light, yet it was clearly Zuo Canglang’s script: *Recommend Bing’er into the palace to serve under Eunuch An in the Imperial Study.*
Xiao Pingzi did not know who Bing’er was, but following the address Zuo Canglang had left, he indeed found a girl.
Bing’er was pretty and delicate; entering the palace was not difficult. However, those under Eunuch An were all people who served Murong Yan directly, and this group of servants underwent the strictest training. Planting someone there was not easy, but Xiao Pingzi had silver in hand and connections in the palace. Naturally, it became possible. He spent several consecutive days drinking with Eunuch An, losing no small amount of money to him.
After some time, Eunuch An finally caught the hint. "Eunuch Ping, you have something to say to me, don't you?"
Xiao Pingzi said with a grin, "To tell you the truth, a distant younger cousin of mine has entered the palace. She’s currently just a low-ranking maid, working very hard every day. I can’t bear to see a girl like a flower doing sweeping and laundry every day. Eunuch An, do you think you could make an arrangement?"
Eunuch An’s expression slowly turned serious. "Eunuch Ping, duties in the Imperial Study are not easy. One cannot afford the slightest negligence. If one happens to anger His Majesty, heads will roll."
Xiao Pingzi discreetly tucked several banknotes into his hand. "The girl is very clever. You can take a look first, Eunuch An. If it doesn't work out, just pretend I never mentioned it today."
Eunuch An also knew that he was one of Zuo Canglang’s people, and everyone knew how Murong Yan felt about Zuo Canglang. He thought it over and finally said, "Fine, let her come and try. But Eunuch Ping, it’s not that I’m not giving you face—if she really isn't up to it, I won't keep her."
Xiao Pingzi agreed repeatedly.
Thus, after Bing’er had spent ten days or so cleaning the palace courtyards, she was brought to serve in the Imperial Study. However, because she had been in the palace for such a short time, she could not possibly serve the Emperor directly; she was only permitted to clean the study for the time being.
In mid-May, the injury to Zuo Canglang’s shoulder had improved slightly, but from then on, she would never be able to exert strength with it again. Murong Yan was still lingering with her in Xiaoji City. He said, "The weather is getting hot. I fear you won't be able to endure the summer heat. In a few days, we shall return to Jinyang."
Zuo Canglang asked, "Is Your Majesty truly intending to return to Jinyang?"
Murong Yan paused slightly, then gave a light laugh. "You go back first."
Zuo Canglang remained silent. He turned back toward her, his hand stroking upward from her hand to her shoulder, then to her back. Finally, he said, "You won't go back either, alright? Accompany me on a trip to Western Jing."
Zuo Canglang did not seem surprised by this. Currently, Zhou Xin was leading troops to attack Wuzhong, and Western Jing was also attacking Guzhu. Although both sides had agreed not to infringe upon one another, such a covenant between two nations that had been at war for years was as thin as paper.
Now, everyone was racing against time, seeing who could conquer their enemy nation the fastest. Once successful, they would inevitably turn their spears around and point them at each other. Murong Yan’s lingering in the Yan lands and his delay in returning to the palace appeared on the surface to be an inspection of the people and a chance for Zuo Canglang to recover. In reality, he was closely monitoring the progress of both wars.
Zuo Canglang shifted her body to move away from his hand. "In my current state, going would only be a burden to Your Majesty."
Murong Yan was somewhat displeased. "You are unwilling to go with me?"
Zuo Canglang stared into his eyes. "Originally, I could have."
Murong Yan’s tone softened. "Since I have invited you to go with me, I naturally have the ability to protect you. That is not something you should worry about."
Only then did Zuo Canglang say, "Since Your Majesty has already decided, why bother asking me?"
Murong Yan pulled her into his arms, his right hand gently stroking her chin. "Tell me, between Ren Xuan and Zhou Xin, who will be the first to claim victory?"
Zuo Canglang lowered her head, glanced at the hand toying with her chin, and turned her face away. "I don't know."
Murong Yan pressed her into his chest. "Still throwing a tantrum!" Having said that, he lowered his head and kissed her.
The situation between the Yan and Jing armies was currently delicate. Military correspondence was frequent, written by Ji Guang and Zhuge Jin themselves. This was part of the covenant between the two sides, but by June, as both wars entered their final stages, the exchange of letters began to dwindle.
After Zhou Xin took Wuzhong, a portion of the Wuzhong forces surrendered while others fled. Soon, the state of Wuzhong was reorganized into Wuzhong Commandery, with some districts being incorporated into surrounding commanderies. Murong Yan hardly paused; he immediately sent troops to cross the White Wolf River and press upon the borders of Feima Slope.
Jian Yang of Western Jing was not surprised by this—he had the same intention. In such an era, who could trust anyone? A piece of paper? Don't make me laugh.
In terms of national strength, Western Jing was originally far stronger than Great Yan. However, Western Jing’s subsequent attempts to cross the White Wolf River to invade Yan had been costly in both money and manpower, exhausting the people for no gain. This had a significant impact on their national strength. Although Great Yan had also been constantly at war, the cities, grain, and gold seized after their battles allowed them to sustain war through war. The impact of the conflict on Great Yan was actually minimal.
Murong Yan unexpectedly led the campaign in person. With Xu Lang and Zhou Xin’s confidant, Shen Yucheng, as the vanguard generals, he personally led the reinforcements to directly attack Feima Slope. This time, it could be said that he had poured out the entire military strength of Great Yan. The defenses of every city were as hollow as paper. Even Bi Dongting’s Imperial Guard had forty percent of its strength diverted.
Of course, Murong Yan was a man who always possessed the courage to stake everything on a single throw. Furthermore, if he did not seize the initiative, Western Jing would surely attack once they caught their breath. This move seemed like a risky gambit, but it was played brilliantly.
Zuo Canglang accompanied the army on the western expedition, though she no longer appeared in the military ranks. Murong Yan kept her almost entirely within his own tent. Usually, she traveled by carriage. He sought intimacy every night but no longer handled any military affairs in her presence. However, to the outside world, this was Murong Yan’s personal expedition, with Zuo Canglang as the Vice Commander and Xu Lang as the vanguard.
What a formidable formation this was!
Jian Yang was panicked when he saw the military reports. He immediately ordered Ren Xuan to return and rescue Feima Slope—once Murong Yan captured Feima Slope, Great Yan would have a foundation west of the White Wolf River. By then, it truly would be a fight to the death between Western Jing and Yan.
However, it was not easy for Murong Yan to take Feima Slope. It had long been a border city of Western Jing; how could its defenses not be tight? The height and thickness of its walls could rival those of the Jing capital. Xu Lang and Shen Yucheng were both young generals; they led the troops in a continuous three-day siege without showing any signs of fatigue.
At night, Murong Yan entered the tent. Zuo Canglang was leaning against the head of the bed with her eyes closed, resting. Murong Yan walked over, picked her up, and placed her on his lap. "Has the physician been to see you? Does it still hurt?" he asked softly. Zuo Canglang did not speak.
Since her last injury, he had begun to enjoy holding her in his arms like this, talking to her as if she were a beloved plaything. Even if she ignored him, Murong Yan did not take offense. He said, "Do you think we can take Feima Slope this time?"
Zuo Canglang did not want to entertain him and closed her eyes, feigning exhaustion. Murong Yan simply carried her onto the bed. He had not removed his armor; the iron was cold, but his voice was very warm and soft. "It’s been three days. Ren Xuan is likely already on his way back."
Zuo Canglang finally spoke. "Your Majesty intends to take the opportunity to seize Guzhu, doesn't he?"
Murong Yan was stunned for a moment, then he rubbed her head. "Jian Yang was startled by my momentum; he will certainly order Ren Xuan to return and save Feima Slope. Zhou Xin and the others have just taken Wuzhong, and I imagine Ren Xuan has only just gained control over Guzhu. Isn't capturing an unstable Guzhu a much smaller loss than capturing Feima Slope?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Is Your Majesty not worried about other nations taking advantage of the vacuum?"
Murong Yan laughed. "Wealth is found in danger; is peace not the same?"
Sure enough, a few days later, reports arrived that Ren Xuan had led his troops away from Guzhu to reinforce Feima Slope. Murong Yan immediately ordered Zhou Xin to attack Guzhu, which had just been conquered by Western Jing. His own soldiers outside Feima Slope maintained a siege without attacking. Jian Yang was furious and also mobilized the entire nation’s military strength toward Feima Slope, preparing to surround and annihilate Murong Yan.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Murong Yan withdrew immediately, leading his army back to Liangzhou. During Ren Xuan’s pursuit, although the Yan army suffered some losses, they were prepared, so the damage was not severe. Meanwhile, Guzhu was taken by Great Yan.
With a minor defeat, Murong Yan had stolen the fruits of their six months of campaigning.
However, these two battles also exhausted the surplus grain Great Yan had stored over two years until almost nothing remained. The Yan army was forced to plunder the lands of Guzhu and Wuzhong to replenish military supplies. For this, the original inhabitants of Guzhu and Wuzhong were filled with resentment; though they had lost their homes, they were unwilling to surrender to the Yan army.
They continued to engage in guerrilla warfare in the surrounding areas.
Having secured the cities, Murong Yan no longer paid mind to these small factions. He quickly redeployed his soldiers back to various cities to bolster their defenses, preventing Western Jing from taking the opportunity to attack.
Jian Yang was beyond livid. He had half a mind to execute Zhuge Jin, but Ji Guang was still in the Yan army camp. In the end, the two monitors were treated like hostages. Fortunately, they had also captured the Retired Emperor of Great Yan, Murong Yuan, from Guzhu. In his rage, Jian Yang naturally subjected him to no small amount of humiliation. Luckily, he did not lose his reason entirely; instead, under the pretext of supporting Murong Yuan’s restoration, he granted him an army. In the two small cities remaining of the old Guzhu lands, Murong Yuan declared himself Emperor once more, with the national title of Northern Yan.
Murong Yan did not take these two small cities seriously. With one arm around Zuo Canglang, he unfolded a military letter with the other. After reading for a while, he laughed and said, "Father really does have some tricks. Not only does Western Jing support him, but the remnants of the Wuzhong and Guzhu armies have also defected to him."
Zuo Canglang had rarely spoken to him lately; she simply leaned against his chest and drifted off. He rubbed the top of her head with his chin and said, "That day I wanted to kill him, you did everything to stop us from committing patricide. Although I understood your meaning, look now—hasn't it caused a lot of trouble?"
Only then did Zuo Canglang speak. "Is Your Majesty blaming me?"
Murong Yan stroked her cheek and said softly, "Of course not. I am reasoning with you. Perhaps you feel that some things I do are aggressive, but Ah-Zuo, a monarch governing a country cannot possibly make everyone happy and prosperous. Perfection is but a dream; one must always sacrifice a small portion of people to achieve the stability and peace of the entire nation. I also wanted to spare Xue Zhan; I didn't want to slaughter everyone at Fachang Temple. Or rather, I also hoped Leng Feiyan could escape Jinyang and leave Great Yan, as long as she never appeared before my eyes again. But think about it—really think about it—if I had spared Xue Zhan, how many more Xue Zhans would have appeared? If I had spared Leng Feiyan, how would the other forces loyal to me see it?
If Xue Zhan had handed over Murong Ruo from the beginning, he alone would have borne the name of the unrighteous, but he could have saved many, many others. So, the one who killed the monks of Fachang Temple was not me, but him. Do you understand?"
Zuo Canglang laughed mockingly. "By that logic, when the Retired Emperor spared Your Majesty’s life years ago, it was also because he lacked the insight to recognize your character. Therefore, the person who caused this boundless slaughter is also him, and it has nothing to do with Your Majesty or Master Xue Zhan."
Murong Yan thought for a moment, then with a *pa* sound, he tapped her on the head. "Don't speak anymore!"
Zuo Canglang truly stopped speaking. After a long while, he said softly, "Kiss me." Zuo Canglang did not move. He pinched her chin with his right hand, lifted her head, and kissed her forcefully. He had become much more tolerant of her lately; even if she spoke back or used cold sarcasm, he did not take it to heart. The most he would do was seek intimacy without restraint.
In the depths of the kiss, he whispered hoarsely, "Ah-Zuo, I love you. Especially the way you are now."
Between his words, there was a sense of being lost in infatuation. Zuo Canglang turned her face away, seeing only the straight silhouettes of the guards outside the tent reflected on the white canvas.
*You like the way I am now, but do you care whether I like myself this way?*
*Of course you don't. From childhood until now, has there ever been anyone you truly cared about in your heart?*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
:--- | :--- | :---
无终 | Wuzhong | A state/region conquered by Yan.
孤竹 | Guzhu | A state/region initially taken by Jing, then seized by Yan.
飞马坡 | Feima Slope | A strategic border location of Western Jing.
白狼河 | White Wolf River | A geographical boundary between the warring states.
南清宫 | Nanqing Palace | The residence where Murong Xuan is being raised.
御书房 | Imperial Study | The Emperor's private office/library.
安公公 | Eunuch An | A high-ranking eunuch in charge of the Imperial Study.
冰儿 | Bing'er | A girl planted as a spy/servant by Zuo Canglang.
沈玉城 | Shen Yucheng | A general and confidant of Zhou Xin.
北燕 | Northern Yan | The puppet state established by Murong Yuan with Jing's support.
慕容渊 | Murong Yuan | The Retired Emperor (Murong Yan's father).
季广 | Ji Guang | A monitor/official involved in the covenant.
诸葛锦 | Zhuge Jin | A monitor/official from Western Jing.
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