Zuo Canglang was brought all the way to Murong Yan’s old residence by Leng Feiyan. Although he was now the King of Yan, this manor had remained untouched. Leng Feiyan acted with her usual swiftness; after dropping Canglang off, she immediately hurried toward Mount Goushe.
Wang Yunzhao seemed to have prepared in advance, specifically arranging several servants to provide care.
Lying in bed, Zuo Canglang could occasionally hear the sound of firecrackers outside. It was the Lantern Festival; in the entire city of Jinyang, the Wen family were likely the only ones without joy during this festive season.
That night, while she was sleeping, the door was suddenly pushed open. Zuo Canglang struggled to sit up and saw Murong Yan walking in. He had changed into civilian clothes—brocade robes and a jade belt—looking less like a monarch and more like an elegant young lord stepping through the moonlight.
Zuo Canglang felt a twinge of guilt. "My Lord..." Knowing she could not stand, she added, "Forgive your subordinate for being unable to rise and pay respects."
Murong Yan walked to her bedside. After a long silence, he leaned down and pressed his hands lightly against her legs.
Zuo Canglang let out a soft hiss of pain, biting her lip and remaining still. Murong Yan’s expression was grim. After a while, he said, "Before I came, I intended to teach you a lesson. But now it seems you have already learned a heavy one."
Zuo Canglang lowered her head. After a long pause, she said, "Your subordinate is guilty."
Murong Yan said in a low voice, "You are indeed guilty! Guilty of a crime deserving ten thousand deaths! He is my father, after all. Even if you had succeeded and he died by assassination, who else but I would be blamed? Setting aside how history would judge me years from now, how would the remaining officials in court view me today? If assassination were a simple solution to every problem, what have we been working for all this time?"
Zuo Canglang gritted her teeth and remained silent. Murong Yan asked, "Has Yang Lianting been notified?"
Only then did Zuo Canglang reply, "Feiyan went to get him."
Murong Yan nodded. "One instance of hot-headedness is enough. How can a general who doesn't even realize their own importance lead the three armies?"
Zuo Canglang whispered, "But..."
Murong Yan rebuked her, "But what?! Reflect on your actions properly!" With that, he left the room, his footsteps fading into the distance.
Zuo Canglang lay on the bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through the window lattices. He was actually... quite angry, wasn't he?
Not long after nightfall, someone else entered. Zuo Canglang opened her eyes to see Yang Lianting and Leng Feiyan coming in together. Yang Lianting had already heard of Wen Qi’s death and, knowing Murong Yan would send someone to rescue Zuo Canglang, had set out from Mount Goushe early.
He sat by the bed, first checking her pulse and then examining her legs.
Leng Feiyan asked, "How is she?"
Yang Lianting’s brow furrowed deeply. After a while, seeing both of them watching him, he said, "I will find a way." He then glanced at Zuo Canglang and gave a reassuring smile. "Rest first. I’ll write two prescriptions. This injury is a bit complicated; I may need to cut open the flesh to remove the bone fragments."
Zuo Canglang’s gaze was hesitant. Staring into his eyes, she asked, "Is it very difficult?"
Yang Lianting said, "It is a bit difficult, but not beyond my skill. Do not worry."
Zuo Canglang wanted to ask more, but Leng Feiyan cut in, "Alright, if there’s a way, go think about it! Why are you just standing here?"
Yang Lianting gave an affirmative response and went to the outer room. Leng Feiyan followed him out. Zuo Canglang closed her eyes. Yang Lianting only asked Leng Feiyan to help place Zuo Canglang on the couch, then said, "Alright, it’s fine now. Jiang Xing and I are here; you should go back first."
Leng Feiyan was still a bit uneasy, but staying wouldn't help. "Call me if anything happens," she said.
Yang Lianting nodded.
By noon the next day, Yang Lianting carried Zuo Canglang into a secret room and gave her a bowl of medicine. When Zuo Canglang asked what it was, he said, "The Baiyu Sect’s methods involving the Suwei and Nine Needles are a bit frightening. It’s better for you to be asleep than awake."
Zuo Canglang was still uneasy and said, "No, I want to be awake."
For some reason, Yang Lianting’s expression made her feel inexplicably anxious.
Yang Lianting said, "Very well then."
He took out a jade box and showed Zuo Canglang the Suwei inside. "This creature will secrete a gel-like substance at the fractures to fuse the broken bones back together. However, your leg bones are severely shattered. I must cut open the flesh to expose the cross-sections..."
Zuo Canglang looked at the Suwei in the jade box. The gu insect was milky white and fleshy, though quite small. She said, "Give me the medicine!!!"
Yang Lianting suppressed a smile and fed her the black medicinal soup. Zuo Canglang felt a wave of drowsiness, and a sensation of numbness swept through her body. She slowly closed her eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep. Only then did Jiang Xing enter from outside. He was a man of the "wicked path" and rarely appeared in public. Since the plague in Daji City, his relationship with Yang Lianting had become something akin to master and apprentice.
Yang Lianting only sought him out for extremely difficult cases, and generally, such patients required a great price to recover.
Jiang Xing didn't ask questions. He walked straight to Zuo Canglang, gave her a brief glance, and then looked at her legs.
Yang Lianting said, "I’ve examined them. The bones are shattered to such an extent that even with long-term use of the Suwei, the best result would merely be walking like an ordinary person after three to five years."
Jiang Xing said, "Is that not enough? Being able to walk after such an injury is a blessing earned over several lifetimes."
This was why even Murong Yuan hadn't worried about her escaping; everyone knew her legs were crippled and she could never be like a normal person again.
Yang Lianting looked at her face. She hadn't received even basic medical treatment for days, and she had been carried all the way from Fangcheng to Huatai, and then from Huatai to Jinyang. The bone fragments had shifted, deformed, and fused together. Jiang Xing was right; being like an ordinary person would already be a great blessing.
He pursed his lips slightly and said softly, "No, that is not enough."
Jiang Xing asked, "What do you intend to do?"
Yang Lianting said, "She is a person of war and slaughter. A pair of legs that can only walk is useless. I have a method that might restore her to how she was before."
Jiang Xing nodded. "Yang Lianting, I’m starting to like you more and more."
Not long after, some people carried in an object covered with a black cloth. Yang Lianting had them place the black cloth bag on another bed and gave them some silver. Once they left, he opened the bag. Inside was a person.
A young girl.
Jiang Xing wasn't surprised at all. He walked over and felt the girl’s bones. Yang Lianting slowly picked up a small silver knife, heated it over a lamp, and leaned down to slice open Zuo Canglang’s calf. Jiang Xing used small forceps to pick out the bone fragments one by one. Her legs, from the knees down, had not a single intact part.
Jiang Xing remarked, "What kind of deep hatred leads to such injuries?"
Yang Lianting did not answer. The two of them spent more than half the night just clearing the bone fragments. These fragments could not remain in the flesh; otherwise, they would cause intermittent pain for years to come.
Yang Lianting’s forehead was drenched in sweat. Seeing that dawn was approaching and Zuo Canglang was about to wake, he brought more medicinal soup. He tried to feed her, but in her deep sleep, she could not swallow. Yang Lianting took a mouthful himself and transferred it to her mouth. The medicine was incredibly bitter. Mouthful by mouthful, he slowly fed her the entire dose.
Jiang Xing said, "Tsk, tsk. Can you not be so sentimental while I'm here?"
Yang Lianting ignored him. After feeding Zuo Canglang, he wiped her face clean, washed his hands, and resumed cleaning the wounds.
Once all the bone fragments were removed, Yang Lianting checked repeatedly. His steady hands finally slowed down. Jiang Xing ignored him. After a moment, Yang Lianting resolutely walked to the other girl, leaned down, and sliced open the skin of her legs.
The sound of the blade moving against the girl’s skin was hair-raising.
No matter who was Emperor, human lives would always have different values. For a child like this, people would fight to sell her for fifty taels of silver.
He pursed his lips, quickly peeling back the muscle and sinew wrapped around the leg bones, and then severed the intact bones. Jiang Xing watched him quietly. Not much time had passed, but Yang Lianting was no longer the youth who would vomit at the sight of a live dissection.
Facing living flesh and blood, he had become composed.
Yang Lianting took the leg bones and grafted them onto Zuo Canglang’s broken legs. Jiang Xing marveled, "Excellent. A very good fit."
Yang Lianting shook his head. "No... it's not enough."
The next day, Zuo Canglang woke up in the evening. Her legs felt soft and were wrapped in thick medicinal gauze. She touched them and found that the bones seemed to be gone. Yang Lianting walked in. Zuo Canglang asked, "Yang Lianting, what are you doing? Why does it feel like my bones are missing?"
Yang Lianting fed her a bowl of meat porridge and said, "The fragments had to be cleared first. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Zuo Canglang said, "If it doesn't work..."
Yang Lianting fed her another spoonful and said, "I am the physician; I know better than you if it will work. No more talking."
Zuo Canglang ate a little. After letting her rest briefly, Yang Lianting began the next round of bone replacement. Finding leg bones from a young girl wasn't hard; the key was the knee area, which allowed for no margin of error.
*But... it won't fail. I have practiced medicine for two years and saved countless lives. How could I allow you to spend the rest of your life confined to a bed?*
Half a month later, the day finally came when Zuo Canglang woke up and felt as if there were bones beneath her legs again. She pressed down with her hand and looked up to see Yang Lianting sleeping beside her in his clothes. For the past half month, he had either been flipping through medical texts or brewing medicine, followed by long hours of clearing bone fragments. He had barely rested.
Zuo Canglang leaned her head against his shoulder. He patted her gently and immediately fell back asleep.
With his personal care, Zuo Canglang’s leg injuries healed quickly. By late February, she could walk freely. Yang Lianting personally changed her dressings every time. Zuo Canglang asked, "How is the situation with the Baiyu Sect?"
Yang Lianting knelt on the floor, examining her legs as he spoke. "The wounded soldiers sent by the Lord have gradually integrated into the sect. Most are practicing medicine and have begun to intermarry and assimilate with the Baiyu followers."
Zuo Canglang nodded. These wounded soldiers were different from the original Baiyu followers. They could grow into Yang Lianting’s confidants, whereas the original followers found it difficult to accept an outsider.
Yang Lianting re-wrapped her legs and suddenly asked, "The Lord came by a few days ago. You were sleeping, so I didn't wake you."
Zuo Canglang asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Yang Lianting said, "Next time... don't be so foolish."
In those days, Murong Yan indeed rarely visited the Deyi Hall. He was too busy with court affairs. Since Wen Qi’s family had arrived in Jinyang, he naturally couldn't let them return to Huatai. Murong Yan granted them another manor in Jinyang to reside in, complete with a full staff of stewards and servants.
The Wen family did not object. Wen Xingye knew they could no longer leave.
Wen Qi’s former subordinates—Yuan Xi, Zhuge Jin, Zheng Chu, Yan He, and others—were grief-stricken. However, the consensus was that Wen Qi’s death was due to the fall of Suye City and his inability to face the Emperor. Therefore, the ones ultimately responsible were those who had lost the city.
If the crime lay with others, one could seek revenge. When the guilt lay with oneself, it was the most helpless of situations. Murong Yan released them from prison, and when they requested to guard Wen Qi’s tomb, he granted it.
Wen Qi’s former soldiers were also broken up and reorganized into new units. Murong Yan had fulfilled his promise to Wen Qi; after his death, not a single member of the Wen family or his former subordinates was implicated.
This won him even more public support. The scholars who had previously criticized him gradually fell silent. Some great recluses and sages began to seek official positions.
Murong Yan was busy implementing new policies, so it was only natural he had no time to spare.
As the situation stabilized, old officials like Bi Chengjing brought up the matter of bringing back the Emperor again. Murong Yan made no comment, continuing to stall. Everyone’s concern was obvious—Murong Yuan had been on the throne for over twenty years, and some veteran officials still feared a total purge.
After court adjourned, Murong Yan finally stepped into Deyi Hall again. Zuo Canglang and Yang Lianting were eating. With four dishes and a soup, the two were chatting and laughing, making for a lively scene.
When he entered, Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting both stood up to pay their respects. Murong Yan glanced at Zuo Canglang and finally asked, "Are you alright now?"
Yang Lianting answered first, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Ah-Zuo’s leg injuries have healed. With another month of recuperation, she will be restored to her former state."
Murong Yan sat down at the table and said, "You have done well."
Yang Lianting said, "I thank Your Majesty for the praise. Lianting was merely doing his duty."
Murong Yan nodded and said, "Rise and sit."
Yang Lianting stood up. Zuo Canglang was about to rise as well, but Murong Yan said, "You stay kneeling."
Zuo Canglang had no choice but to remain on her knees, but Yang Lianting breathed a sigh of relief. Murong Yan acting this way meant he no longer intended to punish her.
As Yang Lianting stood by, Murong Yan asked about the Baiyu Sect. Yang Lianting answered truthfully. But when asked about the sect's current attitude, he hesitated slightly. "The death of Sect Leader Mu Qingxie has left them terrified. Getting them to fully submit to Your Majesty may take some time. But I guarantee I will persuade the followers as quickly as possible."
Murong Yan said, "Mu Qingxie is dead, and the Holy Maiden of the Baiyu Sect is innocent and naive. You have lived on Mount Goushe for so long; have you still not won their hearts? I only want to know: how much longer until you become the Sect Leader?"
Yang Lianting paused. "The Protectors and Elders will not easily accept an outsider as Sect Leader. Currently, they intend to have one of Mu Qingxie’s disciples, the Protector Nie Shan, take the position."
Murong Yan said, "Regardless, the position of Baiyu Sect Leader must be held by you personally. Do you understand?"
Yang Lianting pursed his lips slightly and bowed. "Yes."
Only then did Murong Yan look at Zuo Canglang, who was still kneeling. "You can get up too. Don't kneel until you're a cripple again." Zuo Canglang stood up. Murong Yan looked her over again and said, "One after another, not a single one of you is easy to manage."
Both of them lowered their heads. Murong Yan said, "Since your injuries are healed, return to the palace. Yang Lianting, don't stay in Jinyang for long. Go back to where you belong when you're done."
Yang Lianting bowed. "Yes. However, there are still some points regarding Ah-Zuo’s leg injuries that require attention. If she is to be cared for by the imperial physicians, I would like to discuss the details with them."
Murong Yan hummed in agreement and said, "Continue eating."
The two sat at the table to eat. Murong Yan didn't ask the servants for extra utensils; he would eat at the same table as Zuo Canglang, but if it were three people, he wouldn't join them even if a place was set.
The next day, Zuo Canglang moved back into Nanqing Palace. After Yang Lianting gave his instructions to the imperial physicians, he returned to Mount Goushe. In the morning, Zuo Canglang was urged by the palace attendants to wake up for the morning court session.
Murong Yan did not dare use people from Bi Chengjing’s faction. Bi Chengjing had always stood by Murong Yuan; once his people entered the military, it would lead to endless future trouble.
He also didn't dare use Gan Xiaoru’s people, as they lacked the ability. Yan was currently in the midst of internal strife. If Wen Qi hadn't held back Western Jing at Suye for months and exhausted their supplies, the Western Jing forces would have invaded long ago. Tribes like the Tuhe, Guzhu, and Wuzhong were currently fighting over the old lands of the Yu Kingdom, but how could they not covet the fat prize that was the State of Yan?
If they weren't preoccupied, how could Yan enjoy its current peace?
Thus, while Yan appeared calm on the surface, it was actually as precarious as a pile of eggs. If there was no capable person to command the military, the first defeat would likely lead to a total collapse.
Who would replace Wen Qi was of vital importance. While everyone was debating, Zuo Canglang reappeared in court. Almost everyone stared at her legs. It was Gan Xiaoru’s faction who greeted her warmly. Zuo Canglang nodded and took her place in the rank of Colonel.
Bi Chengjing’s faction almost visibly pricked up their ears—what was Murong Yan’s purpose in having her attend court now?
He wouldn't be thinking of letting this seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl take over Wen Qi’s command, would he?
After Murong Yan arrived, he first asked, "I heard that Official Zuo’s leg injuries were severe. Are you better now?"
Zuo Canglang hurriedly bowed. "Reporting to Your Majesty, my humble ailment has been cured. I thank Your Majesty for your concern."
Murong Yan said, "That is good. Yan is currently in a state of reconstruction, and the military has many soldiers but few generals. Knowing you are well puts my mind at ease."
No one in court spoke. These words revealed blatant favoritism, yet he hadn't mentioned a specific promotion, so who could say anything?
Murong Yan shifted his gaze to Wen Xingye, Yuan Xi, and the others. "Speaking of which, Official Zuo was also a subordinate of General Wen, coming from the same lineage as General Yuan and General Zhuge. Now that General Wen’s parents, wife, and children are in Jinyang, you are all one family. You should visit often and look after the elderly and the young."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked. It was as if only now did people remember that Wen Qi had taken Zuo Canglang as a concubine!
But everyone could see what that "taking a concubine" had meant at the time. Now, Murong Yan was lying through his teeth to insist on this relationship—what was his intent?
The officials didn't even dare to whisper. Until the court was dismissed, no one dared to say a word.
Wen Xingye returned to the Wen manor and didn't even eat lunch. Madam Wen knew he was in a bad mood and brought a bowl of soup, intending to offer some comfort. Wen Xingye suddenly said, "Call Qiushu here."
When Wen Qi’s wife, Yu Qiushu, entered, Wen Xingye said slowly, "Over these years, Qi’er was often away. You handled all the affairs of the manor, large and small. You’ve been wronged, child."
Qiushu’s eyes were still red, and her voice was hoarse. "Why does Father-in-law say such things? From the day I married into the Wen family, I have been a Wen. Serving my parents-in-law and managing the household is my duty."
Wen Xingye stood up. His voice carried an indescribable exhaustion; great grief is often invisible. "Qiushu, it was Qi’er’s fortune to marry you, and the fortune of our Wen clan. But I must do something that will wrong you."
Qiushu looked up at him. "Please speak, Father-in-law. At this point, what is there that I cannot accept?"
Wen Xingye said, "Previously, when Qi’er took Zuo Canglang as a concubine, I did not agree. But now I know that she indeed holds a position of importance before Murong Yan. Moreover, Murong Yan clearly intends to use her. Under the current circumstances, the King will surely bestow rewards upon the Wen clan, perhaps a title or a marquisate. But there is no one of the right age in the Wen family to hold power. Thus, this position will become a mere empty title. The Wen manor is a house of generals and has enjoyed glory for many years; how many people envy us? Once power falls into other hands, five or six years from now when Yixuan enters the military, who will be willing to return it?
He might never achieve anything in his life—and that would be the best outcome. More likely, they would send the young boy to the front lines and find a way to kill him. There is no cleaner way to handle it."
Qiushu’s body trembled slightly. Wen Xingye’s gaze was somber and resolute. "But if Zuo Canglang is in our household, this official rank will not be an empty title. Qi’er’s prestige in the military and among the people will endure. If she does not die, by the time Yixuan and Yirong reach adulthood, the Wen clan’s influence will still be there, and the Wen manor will not fall into ruin."
Qiushu clenched her hands tightly, then slowly released them. Wen Xingye said softly, "There is no medicine for grief, but one must always look forward."
Qiushu bit her lip. After a long time, she said, "I understand. Father-in-law wants her to become Wen Qi’s legal wife, is that it?"
Wen Xingye gritted his teeth. "Only in this way can she represent the Wen clan. Only then will Yixuan and Yirong truly have someone to look after them. And her temperament is not as cruel and fickle as Murong Yan’s. Qiushu, I am already a broken man, and I am old. An old man who refuses to die has the will but not the strength to block the wind and rain."
Qiushu knelt on the ground, tears flowing continuously. But when she spoke again, her words were clear: "I am willing... to yield the position of legal wife... as long as Yixuan and Yirong are safe..." She broke into uncontrollable sobs.
Wen Xingye looked away, staring out the window. This man, as unyielding as iron, also had tears in his eyes.
The next day, in the royal court, Murong Yan, Bi Chengjing, and Gan Xiaoru finalized the rewards for the Wen clan. Murong Yan said, "General Wen’s military achievements were illustrious, and his death in battle is a loss I mourn deeply. The Wen clan is loyal and heroic. I hereby enfeoff Wen Xingye as the Duke of State Stabilization, with a fief of five thousand households. I also grant gold..."
Before he could finish, Wen Xingye suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, this old official has something to say." Murong Yan nodded, signaling him to continue. Wen Xingye closed his eyes and then opened them, steadying his emotions. He said slowly, "When Qi’er was alive, he favored his beloved concubine, Lady Zuo, immensely. He intended many times to elevate Lady Zuo to the status of an equal wife. However, tragedy struck suddenly before he could inform Your Majesty. Now that Qi’er has passed, his legal wife, Lady Yu, has requested to step down and leave the household. Qi’er’s great ambitions remain unfulfilled, but this small wish is something I hope to complete for him."
Zuo Canglang was startled, suddenly realizing Wen Xingye’s intention. She said, "I..." She had only uttered one word when she heard Murong Yan say, word by word, "Since it was General Wen’s dying wish, it should be followed."
Wen Xingye said, "I am old and useless. Having received the monarch's bounty all my life, I can no longer serve with loyalty. My daughter-in-law, Lady Zuo, is well-versed in military strategy. I ask Your Majesty to grant the rewards intended for Qi’er to someone who can still serve the country. Let it be the Wen family’s continued service to the nation."
Murong Yan now fully understood his meaning. He scanned the officials and said softly, "Granted. Enfeoff Wen Xingye as the Duke of State Stabilization, with a fief of five thousand households and ten thousand gold pieces. The eldest daughter-in-law of the Wen clan, Zuo Canglang, is brave and skilled in battle with outstanding military merits. She is ordered to take command of the former troops of the General of the Guards and is appointed as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry."
As soon as this decree was issued, the court was in an uproar. The Censor-in-Chief, Bo Zhengshu, petitioned, "Your Majesty, General Wen’s loyalty is enough to move heaven and earth, and the Wen clan should indeed be rewarded. However, Madam Wen is young, after all. I fear she cannot handle such a heavy responsibility..."
Murong Yan gave him a look, and Bo Zhengshu immediately sensed something was wrong. He looked left and right, seeing that the usually stern and upright Chancellor Bi Chengjing remained silent, while the cunning and veteran Chancellor Gan Xiaoru also kept his head down. He was suddenly at a loss... *Where did I go wrong?*
Gan Xiaoru finally stepped forward and petitioned, "I believe heroes come from the youth. Xiang Tuo could be a teacher to Confucius at age seven. Madam Wen’s wisdom and strategy are extraordinary, her martial arts and tactics are outstanding, and she is familiar with the generals in the army. Naturally, she can preside over military affairs."
Bo Zhengshu looked toward the Left Chancellor, Bi Chengjing, for help, but Bi Chengjing remained unmoved, silently acquiescing. After court was dismissed, Bo Zhengshu chased after Bi Chengjing. Once they were alone, he asked, "Chancellor Bi, the King has appointed a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl as the General of the Chariots and Cavalry! Why didn't you protest just now?!"
Bi Chengjing said in a low voice, "First, because she is the King’s person; the King trusts her. Second, because the King wants to use this to prove he has no intention of a grand purge. This is to put at ease the hearts of the other Yan Wang partisans, the followers of the deposed Crown Prince, Wen Qi’s former subordinates... and even us. Third, General Wen’s former subordinates are more willing to follow this person. Emotionally, she is General Wen’s wife. In terms of ability, she has repeatedly achieved miraculous feats in the army. In terms of interest, she will not persecute Wen Qi’s old subordinates to build her own power—because Wen Qi’s old subordinates *are* her power."
Bo Zhengshu was speechless.
The next day, the former Madam Wen, Yu Qiushu, left the household and became a nun at the Yunshui Convent, taking the dharma name Xuanji. In Nanqing Palace, palace maids were assisting Zuo Canglang with her grooming. She sat before a bronze mirror, looking at the blurred face within. Murong Yan walked in from outside. As Zuo Canglang was about to rise, he gestured for her to stay seated. He stood behind her, also looking at her in the bronze mirror.
In that dim, yellow mirror, their shadows suddenly became a pair. Zuo Canglang said, "My Lord, I..."
Murong Yan said, "Since General Wen’s death, his former subordinates and kin have been uneasy. Now that you are married to him, it will first settle people's hearts, and second, allow you to lead the three armies with a legitimate title. To have the hearts of the masses united is very good. In all of Yan, past or future, no one but you will ever reach such heights at the age of seventeen."
Zuo Canglang met his gaze. He wore the typical Murong Yan smile—gentle and composed. Her eyes reddened, but Murong Yan remained silent.
*Don't bring up those... requests that would make things difficult for me. By my side, one woman who solves problems with tears is enough. Another one... would be too many.*
Zuo Canglang withdrew her gaze and followed with a smile. "Yes, I... I also think it is... very good."
She was married from the palace, wearing a phoenix crown and embroidered robes, to perform the wedding ceremony with Wen Qi’s memorial tablet. Murong Yan personally presided over the wedding, and all the civil and military officials were in attendance.
Zuo Canglang was dressed in her wedding finery, the bright red veil blocking her vision; she could only see the swaying pearls. The matron of honor supported her, but then someone said softly, "I will escort her."
That voice carried the magnetic quality of a mature man, seemingly able to draw in one's soul. A rough but clean hand took hers, supporting her as she walked slowly out the door. She followed slowly, the warmth in her palm heart-wrenching.
Firecrackers roared, but no one offered congratulations. After all, no one could wish for a woman and a memorial tablet to be blessed with children soon.
Upon entering the hall, Murong Yan’s hand slowly let go, and the coldness rushed in to fill the void. She bowed to heaven and earth with the memorial tablet. When she was led by the matron of honor toward the bridal chamber, she suddenly looked back.
The feast ended in sorrow as the parting began, but in the end, it was only one person’s departure.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
正妻 | Legal Wife / Primary Wife | The main wife of a man, holding higher status than concubines.
素尾 | Suwei | A type of medicinal gu insect used by the Baiyu Sect.
九针 | Nine Needles | A specialized medical technique.
定国公 | Duke of State Stabilization | A high noble title (Duke of Dingguo).
骠骑将军 | General of the Chariots and Cavalry | A high-ranking military title, historically second only to the Great General.
下堂 | Step down / Leave the household | Refers to a wife leaving her husband's family, often through divorce or renouncing her position.
平妻 | Equal Wife | A secondary wife with status nearly equal to the primary wife.
铉寂 | Xuanji | The Buddhist dharma name taken by Yu Qiushu.
卫将军 | General of the Guards | A high military rank.
都御史 | Censor-in-Chief | A high-ranking official responsible for oversight and impeachment.
Enjoying the story? Rate this novel:
The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 35 | The Legal Wife | Novela.app | Novela.app
