At court, although Murong Yan had dispatched Zhou Xin to station troops at Xiaoji City, he did not launch an immediate attack. In the current political climate, Jiang Sanyi was the one who most desired war; once the remnants of the Wen clan were uprooted, numerous vacancies would open within the military. Murong Yan also needed to cultivate his own confidants immediately.
In truth, he was already deeply dissatisfied with the Jiang family. However, once war broke out, regardless of his personal feelings, he would still have to rely heavily on them. Firstly, there was a shortage of capable men; secondly, no matter how selfish Jiang Sanyi’s motives were, he at least did not dare to betray him.
Gan Xiaoru also hoped for war, sharing a similar mindset to Jiang Sanyi, but he did not oppose peace either. It would not affect him significantly.
Bi Chengjing’s faction was the most opposed to war, for both public and private reasons. However, Bi Chengjing had become exceedingly cautious and did not dare to offer direct, blunt advice.
As for Murong Yan himself, no one could see through his thoughts. As Wang Yunzhao served him with utmost care, Murong Yan asked, "Tell me, this time, is it better to fight, or better not to?"
Wang Yunzhao hesitated for a long while before smiling. "If the generals truly harbor intentions of rebellion, then a battle is naturally necessary. If that is not the case, this servant feels it would be better not to fight."
Murong Yan smiled. "Actually, whether we fight or not, I feel it is quite fine either way."
In his position, one could only move forward, through mountains of corpses and seas of blood, without reverence or fear. If one harbored even a shred of cowardice, it would be the first sign of failure. As for whether he was willing or if he truly wanted it, those were merely trivial details that no longer held meaning.
The following day, Murong Yan personally traveled to Xiaoji City, where Zhou Xin and Shen Yucheng came to receive him. Murong Yan asked, "What is the situation?" as he walked toward the walls of Suoye City.
Zhou Xin said, "It is a bit strange. Suoye City does not look like it is preparing for war."
Murong Yan paced forward slowly. Zhou Xin hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, be careful of an enemy ambush."
Murong Yan waved him off and carefully observed the city gates. He saw pedestrians coming and going as usual. The guards at the gate occasionally checked travel permits and questioned suspicious individuals, but there was absolutely no sign of war preparations. Murong Yan smiled. "Interesting."
Zhou Xin asked, "Your Majesty, shall we attack the city?"
Murong Yan replied, "Send someone into the city to announce my presence. Tell Yuan Xi to come out and see me."
Zhou Xin complied and sent a messenger. A moment later, the commoners near the gate were cleared away. Yuan Xi, along with the various subordinate officials of Suoye City, emerged and knelt in accordance with protocol. Yuan Xi said loudly, "This general, Yuan Xi, did not know Your Majesty had arrived in person. I have failed to welcome you properly; please, Your Majesty, grant me my punishment."
Murong Yan stared at him with great interest. "Yuan Xi, why is the Marquis of Dingguo not here?"
Yuan Xi kept his head lowered. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Marquis and General Zuo are currently resting at the courier station. They likely do not yet know of Your Majesty's arrival. This general will send someone to summon them immediately."
Murong Yan walked forward a few steps. Zhou Xin, Shen Yucheng, and the others shielded him with tense expressions. He said calmly, "A few days ago, I heard you were privately mobilizing troops. Some at court accused you of rebellion. Now it seems Suoye City is quite peaceful."
Yuan Xi put on a look of shock. "Re—Rebellion? Your Majesty, what an absurdity! May I ask who has offered such slander? I beg Your Majesty to allow this general to confront them in court!"
Murong Yan gave a cold sneer. Beside him, Zhou Xin said, "Since it was not rebellion, General Yuan must have a reason for mobilizing troops without authorization, surely?"
Within the military, Zhou Xin was unwilling to fight Yuan Xi and the others. After all, they were all soldiers of Yan; what sense was there in killing one's own? Since Yuan Xi now declared it wasn't rebellion, Zhou Xin naturally hoped he could provide a reasonable explanation.
Yuan Xi said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, someone delivered a letter claiming to be the late General Wen’s final words. We were greatly shocked, but what unsettled us even more was the content."
Murong Yan’s gaze turned piercing. "What was the content?"
Yuan Xi kept his head bowed. "It... it stated that the reason General Wen rode out alone and was shot by the Jing army was... was due to Your Majesty’s coercion!" He clenched his fists, trying his best to keep his voice steady. Everyone around them, including Zhou Xin, underwent a change in expression.
Murong Yan smiled. "And so, you mobilized your troops with the intent to revolt?"
Yuan Xi gritted his teeth and said slowly, "This general would not dare. I knew the matter was of great importance. Your Majesty is wise and benevolent; how could you persecute a loyal official? There must be a conspiracy behind this, but fearing that someone might use the opportunity to sow further discord, I hurried back to the camp."
Murong Yan said, "Raise your head and look at me while you speak." Yuan Xi slowly looked up, meeting his gaze. Murong Yan said, "Continue."
Yuan Xi said, "Upon returning to the camp, I immediately investigated the origin of that letter, which is why I recalled some soldiers. Subsequently, to clear the rumors, I invited General Zuo and the Marquis of Dingguo to Suoye City. Finally, it was proven that General Wen’s letter was a forgery. However, we have yet to find the perpetrator. This general is incompetent!"
Murong Yan watched every subtle expression on his face. After a long silence, he said, "Rise."
Yuan Xi stood up. Murong Yan took the lead, preparing to enter the city. Zhou Xin said, "Your Majesty, beware of a trap."
Murong Yan shook his head and continued forward. Yuan Xi followed behind him. Suddenly, Murong Yan asked out of the blue, "Did Zuo Canglang tell you to say that?"
Yuan Xi was startled. "Your Majesty, this is the truth. I would not dare speak falsely."
Murong Yan smiled and said nothing more.
At the entrance of the courier station, Zuo Canglang and Wen Xingye knelt to welcome him. Murong Yan walked slowly to her and stopped. Zuo Canglang did not look up. After a long while, Murong Yan said, "Rise. You have worked hard these past few days."
Zuo Canglang supported Wen Xingye as they stood up together. Murong Yan said, "Where is the letter? Let me admire whose handiwork it is."
Yuan Xi said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the letter is at my residence. I will go fetch it now."
Murong Yan gave a hum of affirmation. Once Yuan Xi had left, he entered the courier station. Zuo Canglang followed behind him. When the others had fallen back a few paces, he suddenly asked, "If you hadn't intervened, regardless of whether the letter was true or false, with Yuan Xi’s temperament, he would have already raised his banners, wouldn't he?"
Zuo Canglang was slightly stunned. "General Yuan does not dare to betray Great Yan, nor betray Your Majesty."
Murong Yan said, "Does not dare? Hmph. He thinks his sense of righteousness is as heavy as a mountain; what is there he wouldn't dare?" Zuo Canglang fell silent. After a long while, he suddenly asked, "Ah-Zuo, you traveled all this way to stop this war—for what purpose?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "I was merely entrusted by General Yuan to escort the Marquis of Dingguo here to identify General Wen’s handwriting."
Murong Yan ignored her evasion and said to himself, "Yuan Xi is not a man skilled at lying. To make a man like him say those words just now was truly difficult for him." Zuo Canglang froze. He smiled and said, "If the letter were truly a forgery, then the look in his eyes when he sees me would not be filled with hatred." He turned his head, staring into her eyes. "Ah-Zuo, you have exhausted your schemes—is it for Great Yan, or for me?"
Before Zuo Canglang could speak, Murong Yan suddenly grabbed her hand. She tried to pull back, but he increased his strength. "Regardless of your reasons, I will take it as being for me. In truth, I don't even need to see the letter to know what Wen Qi wrote. At this point, explanations are useless, but if you speak of fault, I am not in the wrong."
Zuo Canglang said, "I do not know what Your Majesty is talking about."
Murong Yan led her toward the inner room. "No, you know better than anyone. Did Wen Qi leave you a separate letter?"
Zuo Canglang’s blood turned cold. Murong Yan said, "What I want to say is, you needn't be so quick to be moved. Because if I were him, in that situation, I would have done the same. Let me guess—he likely left two letters. One to incite the Wen clan remnants to rebel, and another to advise you to prioritize the country?"
Zuo Canglang tried to wrench her hand away, but he held it in a death grip until red marks appeared on the back of her hand. He sneered, "What, you don't like hearing this? Let me tell you why. When Wen Qi died, my father’s defeat was already certain. He could have gathered his old subordinates and fought to a desperate end. But to me, it would have meant nothing more than a few more deaths and a few more battles; it wouldn't have mattered at all. But he—his parents, his wife and children, his friends, and his trusted generals—they would have all died by my hand, one by one. He is dead, but the one who truly saved the lives of Yuan Xi and the others, the one who saved these innocent soldiers, was me!"
Zuo Canglang trembled slightly. Murong Yan smiled faintly. "What, you can't bear it? In that position, he could neither fully trust me nor did he have the strength to contend with me. What could he do? He could only use a final display of tragedy to win over the naive you! So he left two letters, feigning a request, merely because he feared I would go back on my word. He used you to protect the interests of this group of people."
Zuo Canglang finally spoke. "I do not know if what Your Majesty says is true or false. But I do know that the human heart is like a mirror; if one harbors darkness within, then everything one sees, hears, and thinks will be darkness."
Murong Yan gazed into her eyes, and finally, he slowly pulled her into his embrace. His voice was very low, possessing a soul-stirring, blurred quality. He said, "This matter, whether true or false, I will no longer pursue. If I say it, perhaps you won't believe me. I have endured in a hundred ways, plagued by gains and losses, all for this tiny, scattered shred of sunlight." Zuo Canglang’s spine stiffened slightly. He took her hand and pressed it against his waist. "I don't know how, after walking this path, I ended up in this state. In truth, in Murong Yan’s life, there is nothing to regret about the rises and falls, the glory or the shame. It is just..."
He did not continue. This version of Murong Yan seemed to be begging to be loved, appearing both ridiculous and pitiful. He had many opportunities to kill her, and countless reasons why he should.
But he could not bring himself to do it.
He hated that child who hid in the dark corners, weeping softly; he hated that toddler who craved a faint glimmer of light and warmth. He thought that child had already died, rotting away in some dust-covered corner of Zhangwen Hall. But he didn't know when it started—every time he looked at her, every time he held her, that child reappeared.
Many years later, Murong Yan had become cold and powerful, capable of controlling everything. Only that child remained curled up in the perennial shadows of Zhangwen Hall, decaying while struggling to survive, clinging to the few instances of tenderness that Murong Yan had encountered along the way.
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The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 118 | A Shred of Sunlight | Novela.app | Novela.app
