In Fangcheng, Murong Yuan asked in a low voice, "Have we still not made contact with Wen Qi?"
Crown Prince Murong Ruo replied, "Currently, the region from west of Yuyang to Xiaoji City is held by Murong Yan. Communication with Suye City is extremely difficult. For the time being, no news has returned."
Murong Yuan looked toward Cang Tianqi, who stood nearby. "Hidden Sword Manor is filled with masters. Is there no one who can slip into Suye to deliver a message?"
Cang Tianqi replied, "This humble subject shall immediately dispatch my eldest disciple, Cang Xiao, to Suye to deliver the letter." Murong Yuan nodded. "You have worked hard these past days."
Just as Cang Tianqi was about to respond, someone entered from outside, kneeling in salute. "Your Majesty, Your Highness, there is a letter from Hidden Sword Manor that must be presented to Manor Master Cang."
Cang Tianqi stepped forward and took the letter. Upon opening it, he saw it was from his son, Cang Ge. Aside from reporting on the manor's affairs, the letter mentioned a girl named Yan Yan. Between the lines, his intent to marry her was clear.
Cang Tianqi shook his head and tucked the letter away.
Murong Yuan asked, "Is there trouble at the manor?"
Cang Tianqi quickly reported, "It is nothing significant. My son has simply taken a fancy to a girl. With the rebels causing such chaos, he still has the mind for such romantic trifles. It is my family's misfortune." Though he spoke this way, there was little actual reproach in his tone.
After all, Cang Ge was of marriageable age. Furthermore, with Cang Feng missing for many days without word, his fate was likely grim. Cang Ge was his only remaining son; it was a good thing for him to carry on the family line.
Murong Yuan observed his expression and understood his thoughts. He suddenly remarked, "Speaking of which, your second son, Cang Ge, is indeed a man of striking talent."
Cang Tianqi treated both his sons well. Although Cang Ge had never been as diligent in his martial training as Cang Feng, the father held no particular bias. Hearing Murong Yuan’s praise, he immediately said, "Your Majesty overpraises him. My son is headstrong and still lacks experience in the ways of the world."
Murong Yuan said, "My daughter, Princess Shu, happens to be fifteen this year. She is of a suitable age for your son."
Cang Tianqi was momentarily stunned. This meant...
Murong Yuan turned and commanded, "Someone, invite the Princess here."
A eunuch took the order, and before long, Princess Murong Shu arrived. Despite the turbulent times, her gait remained graceful and her bearing exquisite. Murong Yuan asked, "What do you think? Is my Princess worthy of your son?"
Cang Tianqi was shocked. Though Hidden Sword Manor was a prestigious martial family, they were still considered wilderness hegemons. When had they ever been graced with the honor of marrying a princess?
But today was different. Murong Yuan’s power was waning, and it was a time when Hidden Sword Manor was to be heavily relied upon. Cang Tianqi pondered briefly. Although Murong Yan currently seemed unstoppable, once Wen Qi was able to extricate himself, the tide would immediately turn.
He pursed his lips slightly and said, "The Princess possesses a celestial grace. This humble subject only fears that my son is too unrefined to be worthy of Her Highness's royal blood."
Murong Yuan laughed heartily. "Minister Cang is too modest. In that case, tomorrow I shall have the Queen issue an edict to betroth the Princess to Cang Ge. You and the Queen are already cousins; this shall only double our kinship."
Cang Tianqi knelt. "This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"
That night, Cang Tianqi drafted a letter and had it rushed to Hidden Sword Manor, flatly rejecting Cang Ge’s plan to marry Leng Feiyan.
Cang Ge was stunned. Before he could even ask for details, the Queen’s decree arrived the following day, betrothing him to Princess Murong Shu. Cang Ge knelt on the ground as if struck by a bolt from the blue. It was only after his mother, Lady Xie, signaled him repeatedly that he finally accepted the decree.
He unfurled the edict, and seeing no mistake, turned to his mother. "Mother, I must go to Fangcheng."
Lady Xie asked, "Are you unhappy with this match?"
Cang Ge said angrily, "Father clearly received my letter. How could he make such a preposterous decision?"
Lady Xie sighed. "Child, His Majesty is currently trapped in Fangcheng and needs your father. In the past, for people of the martial world like us to marry a princess would have been nothing but a fool's dream."
Cang Ge replied, "I will never marry any princess. Mother, I already... I already have someone in my heart. I will bring her here tomorrow; you will like her."
Lady Xie’s voice sharpened. "Cang Ge! Your brother has vanished without a trace. I have always hoped he was safe, but I know that is just self-consolation! The burden of Hidden Sword Manor must now fall to you. But in terms of martial arts, you are not your brother's equal. Have you seen the swordsmanship of the Duanmu family of Mount Yilu? In the future, without the support of the imperial court, could you alone maintain the glory Hidden Sword Manor enjoys today?"
Cang Ge froze. Lady Xie continued, "I know the girl my son chose must be very, very good. But now is no longer a time when you can afford to be willful."
Cang Ge turned his head and said softly, "Mother, I will train hard. I don't need anyone to support me."
Lady Xie’s gaze was kind, yet tinged with sadness. "Cang Ge, if given time, even your father might not be a match for Duanmu Rou of the Duanmu family."
Cang Ge was stunned. Lady Xie said, "He has never spoken of this to you, has he? Child, do you not know your father’s character? In all these years, when has he ever forced you to do something against your will? If it were not a matter of absolute necessity..."
Cang Ge stammered, "But... but I have already given my promise to another. Mother, I cannot..."
Lady Xie said, "A princess marrying into our family is a grand occasion for the Manor. But it does not have to affect your love. If you keep her in a residence outside the Manor, I doubt the Princess would take issue with it."
Cang Ge did not wish to say another word and strode out. He lingered outside Leng Feiyan’s courtyard for a long time. When he finally resolved to push the door open and enter, he found the room empty. He called the servants to inquire, but no one knew of her whereabouts.
She had left.
At the Swallow's Nest, Wugu’s face soured the moment he saw Leng Feiyan. "So you finally remembered to come back!"
Leng Feiyan gave him a cheeky grin. "I was just out having some fun. Where else would I go if not here?"
Wugu snapped, "I thought you were so infatuated with that second young master of the Cang family that you’d forgotten which way the gates of the Swallow's Nest even opened!"
It was no wonder he was angry. Ever since he had joined her, Leng Feiyan had been a hands-off manager, often putting in inconsistent effort. This time was even worse—she had simply run off with Cang Ge.
Leng Feiyan let him scold her like a child without getting annoyed. She laughed and said, "How could that be? Even if I forgot the gates of the Swallow's Nest, I’d always remember you!" As she spoke, she flicked Wugu’s chin. Wugu’s face turned pale with rage. "Do you have any idea what kind of place Hidden Sword Manor is? Is that a place for you to just play around?"
Leng Feiyan grew impatient. "Enough, enough, don't go on forever. What news is there from Cang Tianqi’s side?"
Wugu replied, "Our people spotted someone in Panlong Valley who looks like Cang Xiao of Hidden Sword Manor. He seems to be taking a shortcut through the Southern Mountains to reach Suye City."
Leng Feiyan nodded. "Kill him. Search him thoroughly for any letters."
Wugu snorted coldly. "You were just all lovey-dovey with that second young master, yet you show no mercy to his senior brother."
Leng Feiyan sighed. "Wugu, your tone makes me suspect you’re jealous. A man like Cang Ge is fine for a bit of fun, but did you really think I’d live happily ever after with him? Personal matters don't interfere with public duty; I am a woman of principle."
Hearing the phrase "fine for a bit of fun," the veins on Wugu’s forehead nearly burst. "News came back from Fangcheng. Your little lover is planning to marry the Princess."
Leng Feiyan suddenly reached out and drew the scimitar from his waist. Wugu took a step back. "What are you doing?" Leng Feiyan pulled the blade out, her thumb rubbing the edge. "Look, you’ve used this blade, but that doesn't stop me from using it too, does it?"
Wugu stared at her, not understanding her meaning. Leng Feiyan said, "So what does it matter if he marries a princess? It’s not like the Princess will break just from being used, right?"
Wugu was so incensed he let out a roar. "Leng Feiyan, in what way are you even a woman?!"
Leng Feiyan doubled over with laughter. The scimitar spun in her hand, leaving a beautiful afterimage before clicking back into the sheath at his waist in the blink of an eye. She suddenly looked back, her red lips like fire and her eyes like stars. She squinted and gave him a flirtatious glance. In that moment, she was seductive to the bone, as if all the world's charm had been distilled into her. Wugu was like a man struck by lightning; he remained dazed long after she had walked far away.
When Zuo Canglang went to find Leng Feiyan, she was practicing her martial arts. Seeing her enter, Leng Feiyan said, "Spar a few rounds with me."
Zuo Canglang sat on the grass, hugging her knees. "No."
Leng Feiyan glared at her. "Why not?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "I don't wish to invite humiliation."
Leng Feiyan scoffed and stopped her practice. She grabbed a towel to wipe her sweat and asked, "What is it?"
Zuo Canglang got straight to the point. "I want to open a gap between Suye City and Fangcheng. Do you think we have a chance of capturing Wen Qi alive?"
Leng Feiyan was taken aback. "Cang Tianqi is always by his side. Even if you haven't met the man, you’ve seen Cang Feng. Cang Feng’s skill isn't even half of his father's. If Wen Qi is on guard and Cang Tianqi is involved, our chances of success are slim."
Zuo Canglang knew this was the likely outcome and fell silent. Leng Feiyan sat down beside her and asked after a moment, "Was this the Lord's order?"
Zuo Canglang shook her head. "If we must do it, what is the best way?"
Leng Feiyan said, "There is a Duanmu family at Mount Yilu, do you know of them?" Zuo Canglang shook her head; she knew little of the martial world. Leng Feiyan continued, "They are a family of sword gods, though their fame is slightly below that of Hidden Sword Manor. If we could find their people and work with the Swallow Tower, we might have a chance."
Zuo
