Zuo Canglang returned to the Wen residence to find Wen Xingye watering flowers. Seeing her return, he remarked, "I am not entirely certain of Daxi Qin’s scholarly depth, but regardless, he is a surrendered official of Northern Yu. Though His Majesty has not seen fit to punish him, he clearly has no intention of employing him either. Will having Yixuan and Yirong take him as their master provoke His Majesty’s displeasure?"
"Daxi Qin was the strategic mind of Northern Yu," Zuo Canglang replied. "Though Northern Yu fell, it was not through his failing. Now that he is in Great Yan, he is in dire need of a foundation. He will desire Yixuan and Yirong’s success more than anyone. Since he holds no real status, His Majesty will not pay him any mind. You may rest easy."
Wen Xingye nodded. "You are their mother. I should not have worried over the arrangements you make for them."
With that, he returned to his flowers. A birdcage hung beneath a nearby tree, the birds within chirping incessantly.
The following day was the Qingming Festival. Every year, the palace held a grand sacrificial ceremony. As this was the first year since Murong Yan’s ascension, it was expected to be even more magnificent.
However, the Baiyu Sect, which had always presided over the rites, did not appear. The Saintess, Afei, and the Protector, Nie Shan, refused the imperial decree on the grounds that their "Sect Leader was yet undecided." Murong Yan instead appointed the Minister of Ceremonies to preside over the ritual and invited high monks from Fachang Temple to chant prayers.
This subtle sign of friction was enough to make anyone uneasy.
At Mount Goushe, Yang Lianting could not hide his anxiety. "Afei, now is not the time for stubbornness. Even if His Majesty has his faults, Great Yan is now firmly in his hands. If the Baiyu Sect continues to hesitate, I fear we will be in danger."
Before Afei could speak, Nie Shan interjected, "Physician Yang, you were not in the sect previously, so there are things you do not know. When the former Sect Leader was alive, he never had any dealings with Murong Yan. Why, then, did Murong渊 receive a handwritten letter from Murong Yan addressed to him? Murong Yan intended to kill the Sect Leader from the very beginning! How can the Baiyu Sect offer its loyalty to such a shameless villain?"
"Protector Nie," Yang Lianting argued, "I know you have always harbored resentment over the former Sect Leader’s death. But think—when the former Sect Leader exposed my identity as the orphan of the Yang family to the King of Yan, what was his ultimate goal? It wasn't just to show loyalty; it was to protect us all! Now that he is gone, the hundreds of members of the Baiyu Sect remain. Do you intend to lead them all to their deaths?"
Nie Shan flared up instantly, slamming his hand on the table as he stood. "Yang Lianting! You keep urging us to serve Murong Yan—what is your true motive? If you hadn't been recovering from your injuries at Mount Goushe, why would Murong Yuan have struck down the Sect Leader?! Murong Yan was only able to raise his army because of your family’s grievance! Furthermore, as soon as he took the throne, he exonerated the Yang family. In my eyes, you are nothing but Murong Yan’s lapdog!"
"Protector Nie, I view our members as my brothers and sisters," Yang Lianting said. "I have no intention of harming them!"
Nie Shan turned to Afei. "Saintess, do you also wish for our people to continue serving Murong Yan? I was there when the former Sect Leader died. Not a single member of the Murong clan is a good person!"
"According to the Protector’s words, what should we do?" Afei asked.
"Take our kinsmen and leave Mount Goushe," Nie Shan declared.
Yang Lianting felt a wave of helplessness. "Protector Nie, how many in the Baiyu Sect actually know martial arts? We are a group of frail physicians, women, and children. How do you plan to lead them out of Great Yan?"
"Our Black Gu strikes fear into the hearts of all," Nie Shan said. "I do not believe Murong Yan can truly do anything to us!"
"The art of Black Gu is terrifying, but it is not invincible," Yang Lianting countered. "Sect Leader Mu died at the hands of Cangjian Villa. Since you were there, you should know—if our Black Gu were to face Cang Tianqi of Cangjian Villa, what are your chances of victory? Even if you could wound him with your poison, could you ensure your own life?"
At the mention of Cang Tianqi, the hatred in Nie Shan’s eyes deepened. "There are not many like Cang Tianqi in the martial world! Even if there were, if we all stand together, we might still kill him."
Seeing that he was beyond reason, Yang Lianting turned back to Afei. "Afei, you must persuade our kinsmen. We cannot act on impulse!"
Afei was momentarily undecided. Nie Shan snapped, "Enough! Yang Lianting, you obstruct us at every turn—is it not because you covet the position of Sect Leader? Once we lead our kinsmen away, the spies sent by the court will remain here with you. Won't that suit your desires perfectly?"
Anger rose in Yang Lianting’s heart, but he knew this was no time for temper. "Nie Shan, I cannot stand by and watch you lead our people to a dead end."
"Our people?" Nie Shan sneered. "You are a man of Yan. There have never been any of your 'people' within the Baiyu Sect!"
"Enough! Stop arguing!" Afei finally cried out. She turned to Nie Shan. "Protector Nie, though you are a Protector, I have always regarded you as an elder brother. While Lianting opposes your suggestion, his words are not without merit. There are so many of us; how can we escape Great Yan? It would be better to move a small group first so as not to draw the court’s attention. What do you think?"
Nie Shan thought for a moment. "Fine! I will lead a portion of our people out of Great Yan first. Once we are settled, I will return for the rest of you."
Afei nodded. Yang Lianting opened his mouth to speak but ultimately remained silent.
By nightfall, Nie Shan had indeed contacted a merchant caravan heading out of the pass. Thirty or forty sect members disguised themselves and mingled with the caravan, intending to head east through Yuhou Pass. Yang Lianting hesitated for a long time. Nie Shan was not a bad man; his loyalty to Mu Qingxie was beyond question.
However, if he allowed Nie Shan to lead the Baiyu Sect out of Great Yan, Murong Yan would be furious. He would conclude that the sect was not under his control. What would he do then?
After much deliberation, Yang Lianting sent word to Murong Yan. Upon receiving the letter, Murong Yan took one look and handed an order to Leng Feiyan.
Leng Feiyan first sent men to keep a close watch on the caravan. She possessed a terrifying level of patience, following them for an entire month. Just as they were about to exit Yuhou Pass, she set an ambush. Nearly a hundred men used foot-triggered crossbows, unleashing a volley of ten thousand arrows that slaughtered everyone in the caravan. Then, they doused the site in oil and set a fire, burning everything to ash.
Black Gu might be fearsome, but against a calculated ambush and top-tier experts, a Gu master was ultimately too fragile.
Nie Shan’s group vanished. No sign of them alive, no bodies found dead. Gradually, Yang Lianting stopped dreaming of him. He simply persuaded Afei: "Since Protector Nie has sought another path, you might as well show goodwill to His Majesty for now. Regardless of whether it is sincere, it will at least ensure the safety of everyone on Mount Goushe."
Afei considered it and finally nodded. Within a few days, the Baiyu Sect began to publicly support Murong Yan. Soon after, because there was still no word from Nie Shan, Yang Lianting assumed the position of Sect Leader with the support of Afei and the sect members.
On the day he was inaugurated, neither Leng Feiyan nor Zuo Canglang attended. Zuo Canglang stayed away because there was still a rift between the sect and the court; as the General of the Agile Cavalry, her presence would only aggravate tensions. Leng Feiyan did not go because she was still at Yuhou Pass.
Yuhou Pass was a land of the Donghu people, known for producing jade. She bought many fine jades locally, but soon lost interest and tossed them all to Wugu. Wugu urged her several times to return to Jinyang, but Leng Feiyan grew annoyed and simply sent him back alone.
After Wugu left, she met a young hunter. He was sturdy and capable of wrestling tigers and driving off bears. Leng Feiyan played along for a few days but eventually found it dull. Just as the young man had prepared tiger skins and bear gallbladders to marry her, she prepared to leave Yuhou Pass.
However, shortly after entering the pass, someone suddenly chased after her. Leng Feiyan turned around to see a long-lost face.
"Yanyan! It really is you!" It was actually Cang Ge! He flipped off his horse and grabbed Leng Feiyan’s hand. "Where have you been all this time? I’ve been looking for you everywhere!"
Leng Feiyan sighed. The anxiety in his eyes could not be faked; perhaps he really had been worried about her all this time. She pulled her hand back. "Aren't you supposed to be marrying a princess? Why aren't you staying in your precious Cangjian Villa instead of looking for me?"
Cang Ge said urgently, "I never wanted to marry any princess. That was my father’s decision. I have already informed him that I refuse the match. Come back with me."
"You say you won't marry, and your father just agrees?" Leng Feiyan asked.
"Whether he agrees or not, I will never change my mind," Cang Ge said. "Yanyan, every word I said to you was true."
In that moment, his expression was so earnest it was almost frightening. Leng Feiyan whispered, "Cang Ge..."
Cang Ge pulled her into his arms. "Trust me. I will be the one you can rely on for the rest of your life."
Leng Feiyan slowly returned his embrace. After a long silence, she said, "I never doubted that."
Cang Ge could no longer travel freely to Jinyang. Murong Yuan was currently in Fangcheng, less than fifty li away. Cang Tianqi had remained by the old King's side; had it not been for the death of his other son, Cang Xiao, he would not have summoned Cang Ge.
"I'll take you to see my father!" Cang Ge said.
"At this moment, I fear Master Cang might find it inconvenient," Leng Feiyan replied. "I should stay outside. It won't be too late to see him once the situation has stabilized."
Cang Ge thought about it and, fearing his father might give Leng Feiyan a cold reception, agreed. Leng Feiyan then asked, "I heard Murong Yan’s troops are nearly at Fangcheng. Won't it be dangerous to go there now?"
Cang Ge held her hand, cherishing her return with all the tenderness he possessed. "I will settle you safely. Do not enter Fangcheng for now; stay here at Yuhou Pass."
Leng Feiyan pondered for a moment. "Cang Ge, have you ever thought... Cangjian Villa is just a martial arts family. Why must you involve yourselves in the affairs of emperors?"
Cang Ge spoke as they walked. "My father and the Queen are cousins. Previously, His Majesty always looked after Cangjian Villa. Now that he is in trouble, how can we stand by and watch? Though we are but men of the wilderness, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a surging spring. Since ancient times, loyalty and righteousness have never been divided between the martial world and the imperial court."
Leng Feiyan fell silent. There were as many reasons for persistence as there were people in the world.
Leng Feiyan settled at Yuhou Pass and sent word back to Murong Yan. Upon receiving the news, Murong Yan summoned Zuo Canglang to the palace.
By the time Zuo Canglang entered the palace, night had already fallen. Colorful palace lanterns were hung high, yet their scattered light only made the shadows seem deeper. As she walked through the silent corridors, she suddenly remembered the Qingming Festival two years ago. The Queen had intentionally excluded them, leaving no place for Murong Yan at the banquet. He had left the Hall of Resplendent Magnificence with her, saying, "I have passed through here countless times, but this time is better than any before. This time, at least I have you."
She was momentarily lost in thought until the young eunuch behind her whispered a reminder, "General, His Majesty is waiting in the Verdant Garden. We should hurry."
Zuo Canglang hummed in response and quickened her pace.
In the Verdant Garden, Murong Yan was buried in official reports. Hearing her enter, he merely beckoned her over. "Since Wen Xingye is unwilling to go to Fangcheng, the matter there must still be resolved."
"The situation is stabilizing," Zuo Canglang said. "Fangcheng is already within your grasp, Master. It’s just... it seems the King of Yan has no intention of compromising. If you engage him in battle, regardless of the outcome, I fear you will be branded as disloyal and unfilial."
"That is why I do not wish to raise a hand against my father," Murong Yan said. Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan continued, "I only want to bring her back. A-Zuo, she has been away from me for too long."
Zuo Canglang lowered her head. After a long pause, she said, "Your Majesty’s deep affection for Miss Jiang is known to all under heaven. However, I believe that even if battle is joined, as long as the King of Yan has a single breath left, he will never hand her over."
Murong Yan looked up at her and said slowly, "That is why I want you to bring her back."
Zuo Canglang was stunned. Murong Yan explained, "I will go to see my father personally. When he sees me there, he will be on full alert. But while his focus is entirely on me, he will inevitably overlook other things. Fangcheng is small and cramped. Take a few people, slip inside, and bring her out."
"Infiltrating the city is simple," Zuo Canglang said, "but Miss Jiang does not know martial arts. Why not send Feiyan? If she takes action, wouldn't it be easier?"
Murong Yan stared into her eyes and said softly, "Feiyan is currently at Yuhou Pass. But you are the one who must save her. A-Zuo, she is very important to me. I can only entrust her to the person I trust most."
Zuo Canglang pursed her lips and bowed. "I will bring Miss Jiang back without a scratch."
Murong Yan nodded, then added, "It is late. Stay the night at Nanqing Palace."
Zuo Canglang looked troubled. "But... General Wen has not been gone long. I am still in mourning. Staying in the palace might invite gossip."
"Gossip?" Murong Yan leaned in close. At such proximity, Zuo Canglang could see the fine patterns in his eyes. Feeling awkward, she leaned back to avoid him. "Master."
Murong Yan smiled. "Do you intend to remain chaste for Wen Qi?"
Zuo Canglang lowered her gaze. "No. I simply do not wish to bring shame upon the deceased. Furthermore, Your Majesty deposed the former Crown Prince precisely because he forcibly took a subordinate's wife. Your Majesty leads a righteous army; the former Crown Prince lost support because he strayed from the path. Your Majesty should not, at this time..."
As she prepared to continue, Murong Yan grew impatient. "Enough. You certainly have a wealth of reasons. But A-Zuo, you are not Wen Qi’s wife. The title of 'Madam Wen' is nothing but an empty name."
"I know," Zuo Canglang whispered.
"And yet," Murong Yan said, "you are defying an imperial decree for the sake of that empty name."
Zuo Canglang knelt. "I have erred."
Wang Yunzhao personally escorted her to Nanqing Palace. "I did not know what color of gauze curtains or window paper the General prefers, so I took the liberty of choosing some. Please look around, General; if anything is not to your liking, I will have the servants rearrange it."
"Manager Wang," Zuo Canglang said, "back at the manor, we all regarded you as an elder. Now that you keep calling yourself 'this old servant,' I feel as though you are trying to drive me away."
Wang Yunzhao smiled but replied, "As the General said, that was 'back then.' This is no longer the Prince’s manor. His Highness has become His Majesty, and you are a General commanding a powerful army. There is, after all, a difference between monarch and subject, master and servant."
Since he spoke so pointedly, Zuo Canglang asked, "Manager Wang, is there something you wish to say?"
Wang Yunzhao checked to ensure no one was around before whispering, "General, since ancient times, the heart of a monarch has been hard to fathom. You actually rejected His Majesty’s decree to stay in the palace for the sake of the Wen family’s reputation. General, he is the King of Yan now. A monarch’s word is final!"
Zuo Canglang stood frozen as Wang Yunzhao bowed to her and turned to leave Nanqing Palace.
***
