King Yan kept Wen Qi in the palace for several days, but the patriarch of the Wen family, Wen Xingye, arrived in Jinyang that very night. Though the elder Wen walked with a limp, his temper was anything but crippled. Without a word, he summoned his son and administered family discipline, delivering two hundred lashes. He whipped Wen Qi until his back was a bloody mess of mangled flesh.
It was only thanks to King Yan personally intervening to plead for mercy that the Great General of Yan was not beaten to death.
While Wen Qi was in Jinyang, it wasn't just the generals in the camp who were anxious. Another party was even more desperate to know the movements of the Yan army—indeed, they were consumed by a burning urgency. That was, naturally, the King of Northern Yu.
Da Xi Qin was certain that the ambush had been Wen Qi’s own initiative, and he feared that King Yan would be unable to restrain the general. If the Yan army truly launched an attack now, the consequences would be unthinkable.
The King of Northern Yu, Da Xi Cheng, hastily summoned his civil and military officials to deliberate. His uncle, Da Xi Qin, offered another stratagem: "Wen Qi of Yan is seasoned and meticulous, and our army has just suffered a heavy blow; it is not wise to face him head-on. However, King Yan’s three sons have always been locked in open and secret strife, and the ladies of the inner palace are harmonious in appearance but divided at heart. Your Majesty might as well send an envoy with gold, silver, and jewels to meet the Queen. Deliver a personal letter from the Second Prince to her, claiming that he allied with Northern Yu only to plot for the throne, and that upon seeing Northern Yu’s defeat, he turned back to curry favor with Wen Qi..."
Da Xi Cheng stroked the beads of his ceremonial crown and said softly, "Imperial Uncle is brilliant. We shall also spread rumors, claiming that Wen Qi and the Second Prince have long been in collusion, intending to seize the position of Crown Prince. This battle was merely a way to pave the road for Murong Yan."
The uncle and nephew consulted further and devised yet another poisonous scheme.
Losing no time and trusting no one else, Da Xi Qin personally slipped into Jinyang. Under the guise of a merchant, he bribed Queen Li’s eunuch and secured an audience with her.
When the Second Prince’s letter was presented to the Queen, she was first overjoyed, then her brow furrowed. Da Xi Qin observed her expression and said understandingly, "Your Highness, this is a token of our King’s goodwill toward you."
Realizing she had lost her composure, the Queen’s expression instantly turned cold. "What do you mean by this?"
Da Xi Qin bowed. "This time, General Wen Qi’s trap cost Northern Yu a hundred and fifty thousand soldiers. On the surface, it seems General Wen is a god of war, but in truth, what did he rely on? Everyone knows in their hearts that the one who deserves the greatest credit for this victory is your country’s Second Prince, Murong Yan, is it not?"
The Queen’s eyes darkened slightly, a subtle change that did not escape Da Xi Qin’s notice. "Of course, the Second Prince’s foresight is a blessing for the State of Yan. However, one wonders what King Yan might think... Furthermore, General Wen has been stationed at the border for fourteen years and has never engaged in such a massive provocation. Does the Queen know why he suddenly found such grand ambition the moment the Second Prince arrived?"
The Queen’s gaze was icy as she sneered, "Oh? Pray tell, why did he suddenly find such grand ambition?"
Da Xi Qin bowed again. "Does Your Highness truly not know? The Second Prince and General Wen have long been in secret correspondence. This battle was ostensibly to repel an enemy, yet my Northern Yu never had the heart for conquest—how then could we be an 'enemy'? Did General Wen not lure us into battle simply to establish military merit and popular support for the Second Prince, all to plot for the position of heir?"
The Queen’s heart skipped a beat. Da Xi Qin smiled faintly. "General Wen remained dormant for over a decade, only to suddenly take such a risky move. His intentions are as plain as day, are they not? I have heard that years ago, there was much unpleasantness between Your Highness and the Second Prince’s mother. If the Second Prince ascends, I fear for you and your son... Heh, of course, my King truly does not wish to see Murong Yan ascend either. The blood debt of Northern Yu’s hundred and fifty thousand brave sons will not be settled like this. In that light, it seems we share a common enemy."
The Queen remained silent. Da Xi Qin knew he had said enough and spoke no more on the matter. Instead, he said with a beaming smile, "I have also brought a small token of my esteem. It is a humble gift; please accept it, Your Highness."
As chest after chest of jewels were carried in, the Queen finally took the letter. "I have heard what you had to say. Someone, see the guest out."
Da Xi Qin smiled and turned to seek an audience with Consort Li, the mother of the Fifth Prince, Murong Qing.
*Murong Yan, prepare to die.*
That evening, the Queen held a banquet at the Phoenix Dwelling Palace, inviting the King to admire the chrysanthemums. When King Yan arrived and saw the vibrant summer flowers in full bloom, his mood improved significantly. Under the Queen’s earnest persuasion, he could not help but drink a few extra cups.
Seeing his high spirits, the Queen finally spoke tentatively, "These past few days, I have heard some rumors. I do not know if I should mention them to Your Majesty."
King Yan showed some interest. "What is it?"
The Queen urged him to have another cup before saying, "It is truly for the best that Yan’er could gain experience in the army during this trip to the Northwest."
King Yan nodded. "Consort Rong was clever and wise when she first entered the palace; she has indeed raised a fine son."
The Queen gritted her teeth slightly but said with a smile, "A while ago, when rumors were flying that Yan’er had raised an army in rebellion, I was truly terrified every day."
King Yan frowned. "It was only a ruse to lure the enemy; he had no such intention."
The Queen smiled gently, projecting an image of motherly kindness. "Indeed, I hope so as well. Although Consort Rong harbored much resentment toward Your Majesty back then, this child is your flesh and blood after all. He is a pitiful child; Consort Rong gripped his hand tightly before she died. It must be hard for him, having witnessed his mother’s terrible and tragic death, to truly hold no grudge against Your Majesty."
King Yan froze. Of course there was a grudge. Those eyes, whenever they looked at him, always made his spine go cold. It was as if that dead woman was still living inside the boy!
Every time the boy called him "Father King," he could feel the mockery in those words without even looking.
Murong Yuan felt a wave of irritation and stood up to leave. Unable to focus on his official reports, he went to the Emerald Screen Palace of Consort Li, the mother of the Fifth Prince. Consort Li was naturally attentive. After they had shared some wine, she asked tenderly, "I heard Yan’er has returned?"
Murong Yuan gave a grunt of affirmation. She smiled again and instructed the maid behind her, "My brother sent over that pair of Concentric Jade discs today. Fetch them quickly and send them to the Second Prince’s manor."
Murong Yuan snorted coldly. "Since they were a gift from your brother, just keep them. Why send them to him?"
Consort Li smiled radiantly. "He is deeply devoted to the daughter of the Jiang family. Having returned in such haste, he surely hasn't prepared a gift. These beautiful jades would be perfect for him to give to his lady. At my age, what use do I have for Concentric Jade?"
Murong Yuan thought of the entanglement between Murong Yan, Jiang Bilan, and the Crown Prince, and his mind grew troubled. But seeing the beauty before him, he could not help but take her slender hand. "What, do I and my beloved consort not deserve the words 'One Heart'?"
Consort Li’s face flushed like a sunset as she sat shyly in his lap. "My heart was given to Your Majesty long ago. Our blood is mingled and our souls are bound; what need is there for jade to speak for us?"
Charmed by her grace, Murong Yuan pulled her into his arms. "Only you understand my heart."
Consort Li sighed softly. "It is a pity my Qing’er is far inferior to Yan’er in archery and horsemanship. Every time I see Yan’er, I truly adore him. He is so brilliant and wise; he achieved such great merit the moment he arrived at the Northwest camp. My Qing’er, alas, only likes to read books and spends all day studying the classics with the masters of the Imperial Academy."
The thorn in Murong Yuan’s heart, which had been smoothed over, was pricked once more. Consort Li shook her head, her face full of motherly love and helplessness. "Look at Yan’er, how well he gets along with General Wen. I heard he led only a thousand soldiers to lure the enemy into the city. Heavens, the enemy had an army of over a hundred thousand. When General Wen set fire to Daji City—that city is so high and deep, and it was the middle of the night—I truly shudder just thinking about it. If it weren't for absolute trust and rapport, who would dare entrust their life entirely to a stranger? Our Yan’er is simply too clever. He always has total certainty in everything he does."
These words were like needles hidden in silk. They did not just prick the thorn in Murong Yuan’s heart; they carved out a piece of his flesh.
*Of course he had total certainty. If the Northern Yu army had won, he could have taken the throne in the chaos. If Wen Qi won, he could claim military merit. That letter to the King of Northern Yu was so earnest in every word—who could guarantee that he didn't have a shred of such intent in his heart at the time?*
*Wen Qi guarded the Northwest for fourteen years without daring to act recklessly. Why did he become so bold the moment the boy arrived? Had the two of them been conspiring for a long time, or was this specifically to build a foundation for him?*
*Years ago, Consort Rong had been busy winning over officials; he wasn't unaware of it. Had she truly already stretched her hand into the military camps?*
His suspicion flared violently. He immediately ordered, "Someone! Take Murong Yan to the Imperial Prison to await judgment!"
the eunuch was stunned but immediately went to deliver the decree. Consort Li acted entirely bewildered. "Your Majesty, what are you doing?"
Murong Yuan did not wish to stay a moment longer and turned to leave her Emerald Screen Palace.
That night, at the manor of Lord Qianyi, a eunuch arrived late to announce the decree, accompanied by the Imperial Guard to make the arrest. Zhou Xin and the other guards were about to draw their swords when they were stopped by Murong Yan’s gaze. He accepted the decree submissively, then whispered to Zuo Canglang beside him, "After I enter prison, you go with Wen Qi."
Zuo Canglang pressed her lips together and did not speak. Murong Yan sharpened his tone: "Repeat it back to me!"
Zuo Canglang bit her lip and finally said, "I heard you."
Murong Yan nodded and strode forward, escorted by the soldiers toward the Imperial Prison. Zuo Canglang could not help but follow for a few steps. Murong Yan looked back and saw the starlight like a painting. Beneath the glow of ten thousand stars, the anxiety in her eyes was a river he could almost reach out and touch.
It drew him to look back once more.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 温行野 | Wen Xingye | Wen Qi's father. |
| 达奚铖 | Da Xi Cheng | The King of Northern Yu. |
| 俪妃 | Consort Li | Mother of the Fifth Prince, Murong Qing. |
| 栖凤宫 | Phoenix Dwelling Palace | Qifeng Gong; residence of the Queen. |
| 翠屏宫 | Emerald Screen Palace | Cuiping Gong; residence of Consort Li. |
| 诏狱 | Imperial Prison | Zhaoyu; a high-security prison for those arrested by direct imperial decree. |
| 同心璧 | Concentric Jade | A jade ornament symbolizing "two hearts as one." |
| 潜翼君 | Lord Qianyi | Murong Yan's noble title. |
| 周信 | Zhou Xin | One of Murong Yan's subordinates/guards. |
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