As they emerged from the palace banquet, Zuo Canglang walked side-by-side with Xu Lang. In public, she and Yang Lianting maintained a careful distance, hardly exchanging a word.
As they passed Nonghua Hall, a low voice suddenly called out to her, "Miss Zuo?"
Zuo Canglang turned her head. Beneath the swaying shadows of the trees lining the tiled path stood a maidservant.
Zuo Canglang had a sharp memory; she recognized the girl instantly as Huiyue, a maid who served Jiang Bilan. Huiyue had previously delivered letters to Murong Yan’s estate on Jiang Bilan's behalf. Zuo Canglang walked over and asked, "Why are you in the palace?"
Huiyue hurriedly pressed a silk handkerchief into her hand and whispered, "Please, Miss Zuo, you must deliver this to the Second Prince on behalf of my lady!"
With those words, she hurried away.
Zuo Canglang gripped the handkerchief and walked back. Xu Lang was still waiting for her. Seeing the strange look on her face, he asked, "What is it? Do you know that little palace maid?"
Zuo Canglang replied vaguely, "I met her once before. Isn't she a servant from Chancellor Jiang’s household? Why would she be in the palace?"
Xu Lang explained, "Chancellor Jiang’s daughter has been betrothed to the Crown Prince as a side consort. The Queen often summons her to the palace for company. It isn't strange for the Jiang family's servants to be here."
Zuo Canglang gave a soft hum of acknowledgment. So, the marriage between those two had truly been severed after all...
Once they left the palace, Xu Lang and the others headed to the Bureau of Military Affairs. Zuo Canglang did not linger for a moment, heading straight for Murong Yan’s estate.
It was already the second watch of the night, and few pedestrians remained on the streets, yet the residence of Prince Qianyi was brightly lit. As soon as Zuo Canglang reached the gates, a servant came forward to take her horse. Zuo Canglang asked, "Has His Highness retired for the night?"
The servant replied respectfully, "In response to the Young General, His Highness has been waiting at the water pavilion."
A faint warmth touched Zuo Canglang’s heart. She stepped into the estate, finding the scenery exactly as she remembered. Though months had passed, it felt as if she had never left.
She walked slowly through the sparse shadows of the trees and flowers. The November wind was already tinged with a frosty chill, yet a flame seemed to burn in her heart, its warmth shielding her from the autumn cold. From a distance, the sound of a zither drifted through the woods. Zuo Canglang followed the graceful melody until she saw a figure sitting by the railing of the water pavilion, playing the zither overlooking the water.
The evening breeze skimmed across the surface of the pond. Dressed in plain robes with wide sleeves, he looked like the very essence of refined elegance amidst the water, moon, and trees.
Zuo Canglang involuntarily held her breath and stopped at the foot of the pavilion. When the piece ended, Murong Yan rose and rested his hands lightly on the vermilion railing. "How long do you intend to stand down there?" he asked.
Only then did Zuo Canglang snap back to her senses. She hurried up the stairs and bowed. "Master." Just as she began to lean down, Murong Yan lightly pressed her hand. "No need for that." The warmth of his fingers was a fleeting touch, yet it seemed to sear through the late autumn air. Zuo Canglang pursed her lips slightly and finally said, "Jinyang is full of prying eyes and wagging tongues, so it was inconvenient for Yang Lianting to come. I hope Master will forgive him."
Murong Yan smiled. "Sit. We haven't seen each other for some time, yet you've learned to answer me with such formality."
Zuo Canglang sat across from him as a servant brought wine. She quickly stood up, lifting the flask to pour for him. Murong Yan sat cross-legged on the floor, his back straight. He didn't move, simply watching her quietly with a gaze so heavy it felt tangible. Zuo Canglang could barely keep her grip on the cool wine flask.
"I am honored by Master’s gift of wine. I shall drink first as a sign of respect." She tilted her head back and drained the cup in one gulp. The wine was incredibly strong, sliding down her throat like liquid fire. Murong Yan’s gaze lingered on her, tinged with a hint of curiosity. "I don't eat people," he said. "What are you so nervous about?"
Zuo Canglang’s face flushed crimson instantly, a wave of shyness spreading until her skin was stained the color of rouge. Murong Yan found it somewhat amusing. He took a light sip of wine and said, "Even a sixty-year-old 'Thousand-Mile Drunk' cannot withstand being gulped down like that."
Zuo Canglang was at a loss, embarrassed. Fortunately, a maid arrived with small side dishes at that moment. Murong Yan said, "Eat something first. Drinking on an empty stomach is bad for the health."
This eased Zuo Canglang’s awkwardness. Suddenly remembering something, she said, "When I was leaving the palace, Miss Jiang’s maid asked me to pass this to Master." She presented the fragrant handkerchief.
Murong Yan took it, unfolded it to read, and then tucked it casually into his sleeve. In that instant, his gaze became like clouds obscuring the moon—all clarity vanished. Zuo Canglang had some understanding of Jiang Bilan’s character, so she whispered, "Did Miss Jiang ask to meet Master in private?"
Murong Yan used some clear dew to dilute the wine in her cup. "Mhm."
Zuo Canglang asked, "When... will Master go to the meeting?"
Murong Yan replied, "Tonight at the hour of the Monkey, beneath the Sutra-Chanting Pavilion."
Zuo Canglang was slightly stunned, but eventually asked, "Is Master... going?"
"I'm going," Murong Yan said. He turned to look at her. "Eat first."
They waited until the time was right, then Zuo Canglang followed him out of the estate, heading straight for the Sutra-Chanting Pavilion.
The streets were deserted; Jinyang felt like an empty city. Zuo Canglang walked behind Murong Yan, the scent on him drifting and floating like a dream. Only the sound of their footsteps filled her ears, but even that sound was faint, rhythmic like a heartbeat.
Even though she was merely accompanying him to a tryst with the woman he loved, this journey together was the most enchanting of a thousand beautiful dreams. The scent of osmanthus drifted from somewhere unknown, and the wind shook a string of sweet dew from the trees.
She felt nothing else; for a moment, the hazy night of late autumn melted her soul. There were no passersby; he was her only destination.
The Sutra-Chanting Pavilion was now in sight. Zuo Canglang stopped in her tracks. Without looking back, Murong Yan said, "Come here."
Zuo Canglang froze. After a long pause, she asked, "Won't I be disturbing Master and Miss Jiang?"
Murong Yan said, "She won't come."
Zuo Canglang was surprised. "But she clearly asked to meet Master..."
Murong Yan said, "Jiang Sanyi is a meticulous man. Now that the date for her marriage to my Royal Brother is set, he will be exceptionally cautious. Lan'er... cannot possibly come out."
Zuo Canglang fell silent. After a long while, she asked, "Since Master knows Miss Jiang won't come, why bother waiting here?"
Murong Yan looked up at the Sutra-Chanting Pavilion, which stood equally silent in the night. He smiled. "She may not come, but I will certainly wait."
Time ticked by. The night grew darker, then slowly began to pale. Wind and dew dampened their clothes, yet he remained standing beneath the pavilion, his plain brocade cloak fluttering in the wind like unfurling wings. Zuo Canglang murmured, "Master... will surely wait until Miss Jiang arrives." But as dawn approached, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.
Murong Yan smiled and suddenly said, "There is an ancient Buddha statue inside the Sutra-Chanting Pavilion that is said to be very efficacious. Do you want to go in and see?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Yes!" Whatever you say is good, as long as you can take shelter from the wind and rain.
Murong Yan’s silhouette leaped, treading over the flying eaves and bracket sets of the pavilion. Like a streak of blue smoke, he vaulted onto the second floor.
Zuo Canglang followed him, only then realizing that his martial skills were actually quite formidable. Murong Yan led her into the building, bypassing the halls filled with gods and buddhas until they reached the final prayer hall. The ever-burning lamps flickered, illuminating the heavy, solemn statues. Zuo Canglang asked, "Is it this one?"
Murong Yan replied, "Mhm."
Zuo Canglang walked before the statue, pressed her hands together, and bowed. Looking back, she saw Murong Yan still standing at the entrance of the hall. She asked, "Won't Master come over to pray?"
Murong Yan shook his head. Zuo Canglang asked, "Does Master not believe in gods and buddhas?"
Murong Yan said, "What I want, Buddha cannot give. What Buddha gives, I do not want. There is no point in believing."
Zuo Canglang, however, solemnly lit a stick of incense. Murong Yan remained standing outside the hall. Outside the window, the rain pattered softly; the world was as quiet as a painted scroll.
Zuo Canglang stood before the Buddha, gazing into the ancient statue's eyes for a long time. The Buddha continued to smile, eyes downcast, gentle and merciful. Murong Yan said, "Let's go. What wish did you make that required so much time?"
Zuo Canglang didn't answer, instead asking, "If Master were to make a wish, what would it be?"
Murong Yan said, "I never make wishes." He had lived through his most difficult years deep within the palace. Those contemptuous gazes had tempered his heart into iron and soaked his soul in venom. From then on, he was powerful and clear-headed, having forgotten how to pray.
Zuo Canglang walked out of the pavilion with him. The rain had not stopped. Murong Yan said, "Wen Qi won't stay in Jinyang for long. You should return to the Bureau of Military Affairs and wait for him."
Zuo Canglang stopped and said, "Yes." She hadn't expected to be walking in a rainy night and wasn't wearing much.
Murong Yan untied his cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan leaned down slightly to tie the cloak's ribbons for her. In that moment, his face was right before hers, his breath soft yet chilling. Zuo Canglang gripped the edge of the plain fabric, forgetting to refuse and forgetting to thank him.
Not long after leaving the Sutra-Chanting Pavilion, the sky brightened. Early-rising commoners began their daily chores. Jinyang was like a sluggish infant, slowly opening its eyes in the morning light. Zuo Canglang passed through Taiping Alley, leaped over a wall, and slipped into Deyi Hall.
The workers at Deyi Hall didn't open the doors this early; the interior was still very quiet. She slipped into Yang Lianting’s small courtyard, only to find that he already had a guest—Leng Feiyan was there, drinking wine.
Seeing her arrive, neither Yang Lianting nor Leng Feiyan looked surprised. There was even a cup prepared for her on the table.
Leng Feiyan said, "I say, there should be a limit to choosing romance over friends, shouldn't there? We've been waiting here for you half the night!"
Zuo Canglang smiled wryly. "My mistake. I'll penalize myself with three cups." She picked up the cup, and Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting raised theirs to clink with hers. After the wine went down, Leng Feiyan said, "Now that you're back from the Northwest, what do you have to show your two best friends?"
Zuo Canglang felt a bit awkward. "I really don't have anything. I came back in such a hurry. If you don't believe me, ask Yang Lianting—there was nothing in Daji City but dead people!"
Yang Lianting was used to Leng Feiyan’s antics and didn't join in. Leng Feiyan stood up, pulled two golden hidden weapons from her waist, and handed them to Zuo Canglang and Yang Lianting. Her tongue remained sharp: "I have to give you gifts even though you're the ones coming back from afar. Sigh, what's the use of knowing you two!"
Zuo Canglang laughed as she took the weapon. Finding it was made of pure gold and shaped like a flying swallow, she asked, "What is this?"
Leng Feiyan said, "A token of the Swallow's Nest. Keep it safe. If necessary, you can go to any branch for help."
Zuo Canglang nodded. "This is a precious gift."
Leng Feiyan snorted. "I've established a 'Swallow Tower' and recruited a bunch of desperate outlaws who sell their lives for money. But the price is deadly high. If either of you has an enemy, don't forget to give me some business."
Zuo Canglang couldn't stop laughing, but she still cautioned, "I think a sword has two edges. While such people are useful, it's best not to associate with them too much."
Leng Feiyan said, "I know what I'm doing. Hey, you spent the whole night at Master's place—what were you doing?"
Before she could finish, Zuo Canglang, who knew her all too well, immediately snapped, "Shut up!"
Yang Lianting remained expressionless, wearing a look that said, *I have never heard of the person standing before me.* Leng Feiyan grabbed Zuo Canglang’s hand, grinning mischievously. "Hey, speaking of which, between Wen Qi and Master, who is... stronger?"
Zuo Canglang replied casually, "Marshal Wen is skilled at leading troops, but his martial arts aren't particularly outstanding... Master rarely shows his skills, but..." She looked up and saw Leng Feiyan’s malicious grin. Her face turned beet-red instantly, and she aimed a kick at her. "Leng Feiyan, I'll tear your mouth apart!"
Leng Feiyan laughed as she rolled and dodged. "I was just asking! If you've finished a meal and I ask how it tasted, I get beaten? Where is the justice? Where is the justice?!" After a while, she yelled again, "I'm an expert now! If you keep messing around, I—I'm going to scream!"
Yang Lianting was exasperated and didn't bother with them. A moment later, he heard Leng Feiyan shouting, "Damn it, you actually dared to tear my mouth! Ah—you scoundrel! If you ruin my cherry-blossom lips, are you going to compensate me with your bloody great maw?"
The two of them rolled into a heap. Seeing that Zuo Canglang was about to hit the edge of the bed, Yang Lianting reached out to cover it with his hand as a buffer.
Women, sigh... women...
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 浓华殿 | Nonghua Hall | A hall within the palace. |
| 绘月 | Huiyue | Jiang Bilan's maidservant. |
| 潜翼君 | Prince Qianyi | Murong Yan's title. |
| 少君 | Young General | A respectful term used by Murong Yan's servants for Zuo Canglang. |
| 千里醉 | Thousand-Mile Drunk | A type of strong wine. |
| 唱经楼 | Sutra-Chanting Pavilion | A religious building in Jinyang. |
| 申时 | Hour of the Monkey | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (though context suggests a nighttime meeting, likely a typo in the source or referring to a specific timing). |
| 德益堂 | Deyi Hall | The medical hall where Yang Lianting stays. |
| 燕子巢 | Swallow's Nest | The name of the token/organization. |
| 燕楼 | Swallow Tower | Leng Feiyan's mercenary organization. |
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