The following day, Murong Yan personally set out for Fangcheng, publicly declaring his intent to once again welcome back the King of Yan.
Bi Chengjing’s faction in the court found no grounds for opposition. Murong Yan was now the sovereign, yet he was also the King of Yan’s own flesh and blood. If he was willing to go in person, it was ostensibly for the best. However, everyone knew that the King of Yan was already mortified and enraged; Murong Yan’s arrival would likely be akin to throwing oil onto a fire.
No one could discern what he truly intended, yet Murong Yan indeed led his troops and departed.
From Jinyang to Fangcheng, they braved the wind and slept in the dew. When they were fifty li from Fangcheng, Murong Yan ordered the army to pitch camp and dispatched an envoy to deliver a message to the city.
Upon receiving Murong Yan’s letter, Murong Yuan once again tore it into shreds. Then, in an act of pure spite, he issued an edict: since the original Crown Princess had perished during the night of the Jinyang coup, Jiang Bilan was hereby invested as the new Crown Princess.
The investiture ceremony was held the very next day.
Even from fifty li away, Murong Yan’s army could sense the festive atmosphere of Fangcheng, decorated with lanterns and colored banners.
Murong Yan threw the imperial bulletin brought back by his scouts onto the ground. Wang Yunzhao hurried to pick it up, saying repeatedly, "Your Majesty... please, quell your anger! In truth, as this old servant sees it, whether Miss Jiang is the deposed Prince’s wife or his concubine makes no difference. Why should Your Majesty be so incensed?"
Murong Yan gritted his teeth. "Do I not know it makes no difference? It is just that Father... Hmph. Even at this stage, he still only recognizes Murong Ruo as his son." He slowly calmed himself. He could not afford to be moved by rage; he could not use this as a pretext to take the initiative and attack Fangcheng. Regardless of the reason, if he deployed his troops, the court historians would surely record it as an act of disloyalty and unfilial rebellion. After a long silence, he whispered, "You are right. It makes no difference."
Wang Yunzhao felt a sense of unease, but Murong Yan suddenly asked, "Where is Ah Zuo?"
Wang Yunzhao was surprised, but he welcomed the change of subject. He quickly replied, "The General and Lady Leng are scouting the terrain around Fangcheng. They have not yet returned."
Murong Yan said, "With her and Feiyan acting together, they will surely rescue Lan’er." Wang Yunzhao smiled and agreed, "Indeed. Even if Zang Tianqi is there, he cannot stay by Miss Jiang’s side every moment. The two Ladies will surely succeed."
Murong Yan continued, "Once Lan’er returns, I can only invest her as Queen." Hearing this, Wang Yunzhao found himself confused by the King's meaning again and did not dare to respond. Slowly, he heard Murong Yan say, "With Ah Zuo’s temperament, if I have a wife, she and I will only drift apart, moving in opposite directions."
Wang Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. "Your Majesty overthinks it. Lady Zuo has always been loyal to Your Majesty. Even if Your Majesty takes a Queen, that surely will not change."
Murong Yan said, "Loyalty? If one seeks but never attains, no matter how great the loyalty, one will eventually grow weary." He paused, then suddenly added, "For all these years, I have never had a woman by my side. In truth, adding her would not be too many." Wang Yunzhao seemed to understand. Murong Yan turned to look at him and said, "Go and make the arrangements. Do it as discreetly as possible, so she does not overthink it."
Wang Yunzhao lowered his head and said submissively, "Understood."
***
Zuo Canglang and Leng Feiyan were scouting the terrain around Fangcheng. Zuo Canglang had been there once before, but she had infiltrated via the moat. That path was now completely unfeasible. Even if Murong Yuan was unprepared, Jiang Bilan certainly lacked the physical strength to swim out through the moat.
To the north of Fangcheng lay a mountain, its highest peak known as the famous Lianli Peak. Murong Yuan’s temporary residence was backed against this mountain. If they could scale it, the task would be simple. However, the mountain was a sheer cliff of a thousand fathoms, incredibly steep. Scaling it would be no easy feat.
She and Leng Feiyan had scouted almost the entire perimeter of the city. Zuo Canglang said, "It seems we can only climb up from Lianli Peak. When we come down, I will bind Miss Jiang to my back; it shouldn't be too dangerous." Leng Feiyan stared at her, watching until Zuo Canglang felt uncomfortable, before asking, "Ah Zuo, do you truly intend to rescue that Jiang Bilan?"
Zuo Canglang paused. Leng Feiyan continued, "Have you considered that if she were to die, His Majesty is currently in need of generals? Though he would be angry, he wouldn't do anything to you. And you would have a very, very long time to stay by his side, mending your relationship bit by bit."
She spoke with extreme seriousness. Zuo Canglang finally understood why Murong Yan had not wanted Leng Feiyan to go alone to rescue Jiang Bilan. If Leng Feiyan went by herself, she would surely kill Jiang Bilan—for Zuo Canglang’s sake.
Zuo Canglang said, "No." What I want is not simply to stay by his side. Just like the vow I made before the ancient Buddha in the Scripture Chanting Pavilion years ago, I only wish for Murong Yan to be happy. Murong Yan’s happiness is all that matters.
Leng Feiyan looked up at the thousand-fathom cliff and said, "I knew you would say that."
After finishing their reconnaissance, Zuo Canglang returned to camp. She found Wang Yunzhao standing outside Murong Yan’s tent, pacing like an ant on a hot griddle. Zuo Canglang was surprised. "Eunuch Wang? What has happened?"
Seeing her, Wang Yunzhao looked as if he had found a savior. "General Zuo! His Majesty has been drinking for half the day and has forbidden anyone from entering. Could the General go in and check on him?"
Zuo Canglang glanced at the tent. It was rare for Murong Yan to drink in solitude.
She lifted the tent flap and entered. Murong Yan’s voice rang out deeply, "Get out!" Once he saw it was her, he beckoned. "Come here."
Zuo Canglang walked to his side. The tent was filled with the aroma of wine; it was clear he had drunk a great deal. She sat down before the low table. Just as she was about to speak, Murong Yan shook his head and made a shushing gesture. "Shh. Do not speak. Drink a cup with me."
He poured wine for her. Zuo Canglang slowly grasped the bronze vessel and took a small sip. Murong Yan was already intoxicated; it was better for her to remain sober.
Murong Yan gazed into her eyes and said, "When she was very, very young, she was already exceptionally beautiful." Zuo Canglang was startled. Murong Yan’s gaze was as intense as the wine. "Back then, my Royal Brother, Bi Dongting, Bo Yuxi... all the princes and nobles treated her like a star surrounded by moons, obeying her every whim."
Zuo Canglang had seen Jiang Bilan. Even without Murong Yan’s description, she could imagine it. That kind of beauty was something other women could not even bring themselves to envy.
Murong Yan said, "At that time, my mother was in favor, yet I was the only one who could not play with her or even speak more than a few words to her. My mother believed that a man preoccupied with female charms would never amount to anything. I often snuck out to find her. I don't remember if it was to see her smile, or simply to defy my mother."
Zuo Canglang listened quietly, and before she knew it, she had finished her cup. Murong Yan refilled it and said, "My mother found out. She was frantic with rage and punished me in every way possible. Flogging, kneeling—she used every method she knew to make me submit. But I still ran out. I didn't know if I liked her; I just wanted to see her."
He drifted into memory. His sharp-featured face, illuminated by the candlelight in the tent, held a strange tenderness. "Finally, Mother begged Father to arrange a betrothal between us. The condition was that I was not allowed to see her again until the wedding." A trace of mockery appeared at the corner of his lips, yet his eyes were clouded with a faint, lingering attachment. "Later, Mother died. I gradually came to understand that she was a flower of peerless beauty, and only the one who stands at the very top can pluck her."
He raised his cup and drank with Zuo Canglang. "So, even now, I do not understand. Have I walked this path until today for the sake of the world, or for her?"
Zuo Canglang said, "I believe Your Majesty need not understand. Your Majesty will eventually pluck that flower, regardless of whether the initial intent was for the world or for her."
Murong Yan’s smile deepened. He reached across the table and grasped her hand. "They do not understand how a longing accumulated day by day can ferment in a person’s heart, driving them to a feverish madness." Zuo Canglang lowered her head, looking at his right hand covering the back of hers. She heard him whisper, "But you understand."
Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan applied a slight pressure, pulling her toward him. His right hand brushed through the stray hairs on her forehead. "You are the one who understands."
In that moment, his eyes captured her soul, the light and shadow swirling like a vortex. Zuo Canglang’s eyes grew warm. Yes, she understood. He was so close; his warm breath, carrying the scent of wine, brushed against her face, and she felt intoxicated.
A flush spread across her cheeks, her skin glowing like the clouds at dawn. Murong Yan lifted the flask, took a few gulps himself, then brought the spout to her lips to feed her. Zuo Canglang opened her mouth; half the wine went down her throat, while the other half trickled down her slender neck and into her collar.
Murong Yan’s gaze followed the trail of the clear, cold wine, his eyes growing hazy. Then, he lowered his head and gently licked away the line of wine. Zuo Canglang felt as if she had been struck by lightning. She pushed him lightly. "My Lord."
His breath was hot and burning. "Shh, don't speak."
His tongue was also fiery; it lapped up the wine and seemed to drain all the strength from her body. Zuo Canglang braced her hand against his chest. He whispered, "Don't reject me. Ah Zuo, you like me, don't you?"
Zuo Canglang slowly withdrew her hand. *Yes, I like you. From the moment I saw you on the Southern Mountain all those years ago. Ten years later, this love is as fresh as ever, and the pain is negligible.*
She closed her eyes. In that moment, her heart and mind saw only this person, this face. Could she choose not to be sad? If it were possible, let me burn my bones to fuel a fire, just to dispel your momentary loneliness.
Wang Yunzhao stood outside the tent. Hearing that the sounds within were no longer right, he immediately withdrew the soldiers from the perimeter. It was not until the sky was pitch black that Zuo Canglang emerged. Her clothes and hair had been straightened, but her face still bore a look of disarray. She did not greet Wang Yunzhao, passing him by in silence.
Wang Yunzhao understood, but he did not dare ask. He turned and entered Murong Yan’s tent. Murong Yan’s clothes were hanging neatly on the rack; the bed was not as chaotic as he had imagined.
Wang Yunzhao hesitated to speak. Murong Yan opened his eyes and raised an eyebrow. "What is the meaning of you standing there fidgeting?"
Wang Yunzhao quickly apologized and came over to help him dress. Murong Yan turned and saw a bloodstain on the bed. His brow furrowed slightly. "In the future, pay attention to Ah Zuo’s diet."
Wang Yunzhao did not understand. Murong Yan said, "The kingdom is newly established, and the situation is unstable. It is not the time to branch out and have children. Moreover, she is technically Wen Qi’s wife; if there is a complication, it will be very troublesome."
Wang Yunzhao understood then. "This servant will see to it."
Murong Yan nodded and added, "Young people are prone to overthinking. It is enough that you and I know."
Wang Yunzhao knelt. "Yes."
***
Zuo Canglang returned to her own tent, her heart feeling full and swollen with a joyful ache that made her feel as if she might burst into tears. A single gesture of his, a look, a word—every syllable could be savored a thousand times over.
She lay down on her bed fully clothed, her mind wandering for who knew how long until the night was deep. Just as she felt a hint of sleepiness, someone lifted the curtain and entered. Zuo Canglang sat up and saw Murong Yan. Her face flushed red, and for a moment, she was at a loss. Perhaps she should act as if nothing had happened and step forward to salute him. But she couldn't.
Murong Yan walked to her bedside and suddenly reached out, slowly drawing her into his embrace. Zuo Canglang’s entire body went stiff. He whispered, "The soldiers said you didn't eat dinner. Being out on campaign is exhausting enough; how can you not eat?"
Zuo Canglang slowly pulled away, seemingly trying to avoid him. "This subordinate will go now."
She moved to stand up, but Murong Yan pulled her closer. "A few moments won't matter. Stay with me first." As he spoke, he lowered his head to kiss her. Zuo Canglang turned her face away. "My Lord, tomorrow Feiyan and I will surely rescue Miss Jiang. When that time comes, Your Majesty will have a beautiful lady by your side to keep you company. Why must you..." Her words trailed off as a sharp pang of pain hit her. This might be the last night of tenderness. Once he welcomed back his greatest love, he would surely make her Queen.
And she was but the widow of a fallen general, destined to have no future.
Murong Yan took her hand. Her hands were rough, yet her fingers were slender. He kissed her fingertips and said, "Though it was unexpected, you are my first woman. Before this, I never imagined having this kind of relationship with any woman other than Lan’er." Zuo Canglang kept her head low. He kissed her bit by bit, saying, "But when that woman is you, it is enough to bring me joy."
Zuo Canglang trembled slightly. Murong Yan felt a touch of softness in his heart. On the battlefield, she could pierce a willow leaf from a hundred paces without missing. Yet now, having shed her armor, she was so submissive and green before him. That maidenly state—holding back tears of pain with a hint of grievance—made it impossible not to be moved. He hungrily bit at those red lips, the pleasure as intense as the first time, surpassing even the day he ascended the throne as the King of Yan-Dai.
***
The next day, Murong Yan led his troops toward Fangcheng. Zuo Canglang and Leng Feiyan scaled the sheer cliffs of the Guling Ridge, passed through Lianli Peak, and infiltrated Murong Yuan’s temporary residence in Fangcheng.
It was not easy. The path was filled with jagged rocks and brambles, with vultures circling overhead. But they had prepared thoroughly and made the journey without major incident.
Once they descended the mountain, the Fangcheng palace lay before them. Within that palace lived the woman Murong Yan loved.
Jiang Bilan—the legendary beauty who could topple kingdoms. It was said that no man could resist her smile, and no man could bear her tears. Was this fratricidal war in Great Yan not caused precisely by this "kingdom-toppling" beauty?
Zuo Canglang slipped into the residence, with Leng Feiyan providing cover. At that time, the palace was exceptionally quiet. Murong Yuan and Murong Ruo had both gone out of the city to face the enemy; presumably, a war of words was taking place beneath the walls of Fangcheng. It was only natural for the residence to be quiet.
Jiang Bilan was dressed in a gown of fine, snow-white gauze, her hair styled in an elegant cross-bun. A phoenix crown sat upon her head, its golden wings swaying with her every step, looking as if they were alive.
She gazed at the person who had broken into the palace. Tears like willow catkins falling onto an inkstone filled her beautiful eyes, but she was not afraid. She sat upright, maintaining the dignity of a Crown Princess. "I recognize you. You are his guard."
Zuo Canglang pursed her lips and said respectfully, "Miss Jiang."
Jiang Bilan looked her up and down, her words calm. "Did he send you?"
Zuo Canglang reached out a hand to her. "His Majesty has ordered this general to come and rescue Miss Jiang."
On the phoenix throne, Jiang Bilan was already weeping. She made no sound as she cried, merely tilting her face up slightly as tears fell like pearls. Her beauty was breathtaking. Zuo Canglang did not know how to comfort such a beauty; she could only step forward. "Time is of the essence. Forgive my rudeness!"
Without further ado, she half-supported and half-dragged her out of the residence.
The terrain of Lianli Peak was steep. Jiang Bilan’s arches were delicate, making walking very difficult. Zuo Canglang held her up. Behind them was a bottomless abyss; if pursuers appeared, they would be in grave danger. She did not want to alert anyone.
They followed a small path upward until they reached the summit of Lianli Peak. From that height, they could see the situation before the gates of Fangcheng. Murong Yuan had already begun to engage Murong Yan. Jiang Bilan stood atop the thousand-fathom cliff, gazing at the gate where corpses littered the ground.
"Miss Jiang, the city is dangerous. Let us leave." Zuo Canglang took off her outer robe and tore it into strips, preparing to bind Jiang Bilan to her back to descend the cliff.
Jiang Bilan merely stared at the city walls and suddenly said, "What virtue or talent does Jiang Bilan possess to have become a Baosi or Daji, bringing ruin to the nation?" As she spoke, she lightly lifted her skirt and, without warning, took a step forward. Her fragrant form tilted, and she plummeted toward the abyss.
Zuo Canglang was shocked. By the time she reacted, she had already leaped, catching Jiang Bilan in her arms. The wind howled in her ears. Her arrow scraped against the cliff face, sending out a long trail of sparks. But it could not stop their fall. The wind roared until suddenly, the world went dark. Her arrow had wedged into a crevice.
The grass was thick and deep, and sunlight had not reached this spot for countless years. In the darkness of the split cliff face, a hissing sound made their skin crawl.
No matter how fearless Jiang Bilan had tried to be, she now lost her composure. Her piercing scream quickly attracted the swarms of snakes. Zuo Canglang felt a chill over her entire body. Those slimy creatures flickered their tongues as they crawled toward them in the dim light—various patterns, but all with the same cold gaze. There was no foothold in the crevice; the two of them were wedged in the middle. She held Jiang Bilan still, and she forced herself to remain motionless.
In the darkness, something slimy coiled around her foot. She felt it crawling up her calf. Zuo Canglang drove an arrow into the mud wall of the crevice, carefully hoisting Jiang Bilan upward. Jiang Bilan gripped her shoulders tightly and suddenly realized that Zuo Canglang’s clothes were soaked through; the person holding her with all her strength was also trembling.
The snakes gathered in greater numbers. Zuo Canglang’s clothes were drenched in sweat. Her hand supporting Jiang Bilan grew numb until she lost all sensation, yet she could not move. Suddenly, it felt as if she were a child again. A young boy and girl, limbs bound, thrown into a cave as a sacrifice to the Mountain God. That hissing sound was like snakes and insects crawling over her skin—a nightmare that lurked in her heart, never to fade.
She did not know how much time had passed when a voice drifted from the distance. "Your Majesty, the wild grass here shows signs of being disturbed. They should be nearby."
"Ah Zuo?" It was his voice, like a sliver of light in the night.
"My Lord," she spoke every word with extreme caution, for a sudden sound would trigger an attack from the snakes. "Miss Jiang is here as well. There are many snakes here. Be careful."
"Bilan?" He reached out and grasped Jiang Bilan’s fair wrist. With a gentle pull, he brought her out of the crevice.
"Are you... alright?" His voice was tender and concerned, just as it had been in their youth. Jiang Bilan’s voice was low, so low it carried a faint sigh. "Why did you bother to save me?"
Zuo Canglang gripped her silver arrow tightly, her hands slick with cold sweat. A snake slithered over her sleeve. She bit her lip hard, finally unable to stop herself from whispering, "My Lord?"
But there was no answer. Only silence. He had forgotten her.
Fifteen minutes of darkness felt as long as a lifetime.
When Leng Feiyan found her, she could hardly believe her eyes. "Ah Zuo!"
She stepped forward and pulled Zuo Canglang up from the crevice. Zuo Canglang looked as if she had been washed in water, her face terrifyingly pale. Leng Feiyan pulled a black-and-white patterned snake from her sleeve and sliced it in two with her sword. Then she checked the wound on Zuo Canglang’s arm. "Is it venomous?"
She quickly pulled snake medicine from the leather pouch at her waist. Seeing a row of needle-like tooth marks on the arm, it didn't look like a venomous snake. But Zuo Canglang’s expression at the time frightened her. She lowered her head, sucked the wound for her, and then applied the medicine.
Cold sweat continued to pour from Zuo Canglang. After a long while, she pushed Leng Feiyan away and said, "I am fine."
Leng Feiyan snapped, "You don't look fine at all!!"
She saw bloodstains on Zuo Canglang’s trouser leg. Lifting the fabric, she found a gash caused by a sharp rock. It had been bleeding for some time, and there was sand in the wound. She said, "Your leg! We must get down the mountain immediately!"
Zuo Canglang shook her head. "You go first. I will go down myself."
Leng Feiyan said, "Go down yourself? Can you even walk! Come here, I'll carry you!"
Zuo Canglang said, "The Swallow’s Nest and the Swallow Tower are already drawing a lot of attention. If you appear before people now, it will arouse suspicion. Go. Do not worry about me. His Majesty is nearby; the soldiers won't be far. I can walk."
Leng Feiyan paused, then slowly helped her up. Zuo Canglang limped forward. Leng Feiyan stood there, silent and unmoving, until Zuo Canglang disappeared into the tall grass.
Zuo Canglang’s estimation was correct. Before she had walked even a mile, she found soldiers waiting with horses. Zuo Canglang avoided their reaching hands. A metallic taste in her mouth made her want to gag. She asked, "Is there any wine?"
A soldier offered a flask. Zuo Canglang opened it and downed half in one go. The remainder she poured over the wound on her right leg to wash away the dirt.
When she returned to her tent, her only thought was to bathe. The smell of earth and snakes seemed to envelop her, making it difficult to breathe. But there were no such conveniences in the camp. She found a nearby lake and bathed in the cold water. By the time she changed her clothes, it was night. Murong Yan did not come. Of course he wouldn't; having been reunited with Miss Jiang after so long, his precious treasure recovered, they surely had endless things to say. How could he remember anything else?
Zuo Canglang rested in the barracks. By the middle of the night, she developed a fever. She realized it, but calling for a military doctor would cause a commotion, so she simply endured until dawn.
Soldiers were not fastidious. After daybreak, she went to the military doctor to have her wound dressed and to get a prescription for the fever.
Murong Yan had indeed stayed with Jiang Bilan. The two of them leaned against each other, talking for most of the night. Jiang Bilan’s tears fell like pearls. "Brother Yan, I am so afraid. My father, my mother, my brothers... they are still in Fangcheng. With me here, the King and the Crown Prince will surely make things difficult for them..."
Murong Yan gently patted her back. Wang Yunzhao, standing nearby, corrected her, "It is the King of Yan and the deposed Prince."
Murong Yan didn't mind. He said softly, "Be good. Write a letter first, and I will have someone deliver it to your father in Fangcheng. I have no intention of driving my father to ruin, but your father and the others must make a decision soon. I promise you, as long as your father returns to the court, he will remain a high-ranking official, as powerful as ever. I will also make good arrangements for your two brothers."
Jiang Bilan sobbed, her snake-like arms tightly encircling his neck. "Brother Yan, you... my father and the Ki... the King of Yan... you don't blame him?"
Murong Yan shook his head, comforting her with total tenderness. "How could I, Lan’er? If I am King, you shall be Queen. How could I despise my wife’s family? Besides, I know my father-in-law all too well. His following my father was born of necessity. I promise you, this matter is settled; I will never pursue it. Look, even Wen Qi’s family is safe and sound, are they not?"
His arms tightened around her as if he wanted to melt her into his embrace. "It has been so difficult for us to be together. How could I have the time to blame the people who raised you?"
Jiang Bilan’s tears flowed like a spring. "I will write the letter immediately. Father will surely understand."
Murong Yan nodded. Of course he would understand. He was, after all, a man who understood things better than anyone.
***
In Fangcheng, when Jiang Sanyi received the letter from his own daughter, the deposed Prince was still searching for Jiang Bilan in the residence. Jiang Sanyi was an old fox, always one to trim his sails to the wind. Now that Murong Yuan’s cause was lost, he only followed him because he wasn't sure Murong Yan would give him a way out.
He re-read the letter. Murong Yan’s affection for his daughter had not changed. Even though his daughter was now Murong Ruo’s wife, he was still willing to make her Queen. If this was true, then upon returning to court, he would still have high office and wealth—he would even be a relative of the Emperor.
Murong Yuan’s situation was dire. If the deposed Prince were to be compared to Murong Yan in terms of civil or military talent, he was likely no match at all. There was no need for Jiang Sanyi to sink with this ship. In the capital, even a brainless brute like Yuan Xi, who had nothing but martial skill, was flourishing as the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
And look at himself! Huddled in this tiny Fangcheng, living hand-to-mouth, fearing every night that rebel soldiers would burst in and take his family’s heads. He sighed, thought it over again and again, and finally set pen to paper to reply.
The next day, at the fourth watch, the former Right Chancellor Jiang Sanyi signaled with a fire and opened the gates of Fangcheng. Murong Yan led his troops inside, storming the palace. The garrison of Fangcheng surrendered.
In this one battle, the factions of the former King of Yan, the Crown Prince, and the Queen were almost entirely wiped out. The deposed Prince and Murong Yuan were left with only a remnant of their forces, fleeing in panic toward Tang County. Murong Yan captured Wen Weishu. By this point, of all the ministers who had followed Murong Yuan, all had either defected or died; not one remained.
The palace in Fangcheng was simple. Murong Yan and Zuo Canglang entered together. Queen Li sat upon the phoenix throne, wearing a dragon-and-phoenix pearl crown and a red phoenix robe embroidered with gold, adorned with a ceremonial scarf and golden dragons and phoenixes. Seeing Murong Yan, she sat regally. "You have come."
Murong Yan looked around and smiled. "It seems my Royal Brother has escaped once again."
The Queen smiled, her heavy makeup masking her fine lines. Her beauty was intense and dazzling. "You are always late."
Murong Yan approached the pearl-adorned throne, his black pupils reflecting the heavily made-up Queen. "Not too late. Is Mother not still here?"
The Queen laughed, the golden wings of her crown trembling. "I know you have always hated me for that slut’s death. But Murong Yan, what of it? She lost long ago. I am the true Queen! She will forever be nothing more than a consort!"
Murong Yan smiled. "Mother is right. If I let you die like this, you will be the Queen until the moment you die. Forever the Queen." The Queen’s expression changed. Murong Yan leaned in, his hands braced on the cold but magnificent armrests of the throne. His handsome face was terrifying. He whispered, "How about I help you find a new husband?"
The Queen’s eyes flashed with a venomous light—a look that was all too familiar. For a moment, Murong Yan even thought he was looking at that other woman again. As his mind wandered, a stream of blood trickled from the Queen’s mouth. Murong Yan moved to pull away, but she suddenly grabbed his hand. "Murong Yan, I... even if I become a vengeful ghost..."
Murong Yan didn't even pull his hand back. He just looked at her with cold mockery, waiting for the usual cliches.
She gasped for breath, the venom in her eyes slowly fading. She said, "Even if I become a vengeful ghost, I will protect my Ruo’er." Her expression gradually softened as she whispered, "Why should a prince fear drinking at the city bridge? Let us avoid the shocks of favor and humiliation in this world."
The strength in her grip suddenly vanished, and her hand fell. The mockery in Murong Yan’s eyes flickered like a spark, then slowly froze and died out.
He stared coldly at the terrifyingly magnificent corpse on the phoenix throne. After a long silence, he reached out and removed the crown from her head. "The deposed Queen Li has committed suicide to avoid punishment. She is to be buried in a small coffin to the east of Fangcheng. No monument or sacrifices are permitted."
Guards entered and carried the body away. Seeing the pearls and jewels on her clothes, they couldn't help but secretly pluck them and stuff them into their sleeves. This generation’s favored Queen was reduced to such a wretched state after death.
As the army entered the city, the scene was inevitably chaotic. Murong Yan watched the troops for a while, then suddenly asked Zuo Canglang, "She couldn't have failed to realize I would humiliate her. Why did she stay alive to wait for me?"
Zuo Canglang was also surprised and blurted out, "She... she must have been buying time for the deposed Prince and the King of Yan to escape."
Murong Yan said, "Speaking of which, my Royal Brother has always been quite filial. Even in a hurried escape, how could he leave his mother behind?" He turned abruptly and strode back into the palace. The hall was empty. He leaped onto a roof beam and found several spots where the dust had been disturbed by the brush of a sleeve.
When the Queen died, someone had been on this beam.
Murong Yan laughed. "My Royal Brother has always prided himself on his status, yet he has taken to being a 'gentleman of the rafters.' Tsk tsk." He turned to Zuo Canglang and chided, "General of the Chariots and Cavalry, you actually didn't think of this!"
Who could have thought of that! Zuo Canglang knelt. "This subordinate is guilty and willing to accept punishment!"
Murong Yan nodded. "The palace is poor. I shall fine you a year’s salary."
Zuo Canglang: "..."
Seeing her look of disbelief, Murong Yan laughed again. "Don't be like that. Am I not also doing this job as King of Yan-Dai at a loss? Sigh, so much effort and worry; I don't even know what for."
It was rare for Zuo Canglang to hear him grumble, and her eyes crinkled with a smile. Murong Yan looked down, and seeing her secret smile, he gently tilted her chin up. Their eyes met. Zuo Canglang felt her heart race and her breath become unsteady.
Murong Yan said, "Well, I have no money, but I can use something else as collateral for now."
Zuo Canglang’s face instantly turned beet red. "My Lord!"
Murong Yan chuckled and kissed her forehead. Zuo Canglang knew she should push him away, but his embrace was so steady—as if to kiss his eyes could halt a lifetime of wandering. She closed her eyes. Murong Yan’s kiss deepened as he drew her closer.
From outside came the sound of hurried footsteps. Wang Yunzhao’s voice rang out from beyond the hall, "Miss Jiang, His Majesty is busy. Please wait a moment..."
Jiang Bilan’s voice carried a hint of a sob. "Brother Yan! Brother Yan!"
The footsteps drew closer. Murong Yan suddenly pushed Zuo Canglang away and turned to walk out of the hall. Zuo Canglang took a step back, her heel striking a circular palace pillar.
It actually hurt a little—more than her wounds.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 连理峰 | Lianli Peak | A mountain peak near Fangcheng. |
| 姜散宜 | Jiang Sanyi | Jiang Bilan's father, the former Right Chancellor. |
| 燕代王 | King of Yan-Dai | Murong Yan's title as the new ruler. |
| 骠骑大将军 | General of the Chariots and Cavalry | Zuo Canglang's military title. |
| 梁上君子 | Gentleman of the rafters | A Chinese idiom for a thief or someone hiding on a roof beam. |
| 罚俸 | Fine of salary | A common punishment for officials in ancient China. |
| 霞帔 | Ceremonial scarf | Part of the formal attire for noblewomen/queens. |
| 唐县 | Tang County | The location where Murong Yuan and Murong Ruo fled. |
