The night was as cool as water, and the Yan Palace was silent. However, the Jiang residence was brightly lit. Previously, the maid Weizhu had sent word that Murong Yan had gone to Jiang Bilan’s palace at night, which had greatly pleased Jiang Sanyi and his wife, Lady Zheng. But after learning that Murong Yan had only shared dinner with her and did not stay the night, the family began to feel uneasy again.
Jiang Sanyi made several inquiries but received no definitive news. Furthermore, Murong Yan had not mentioned the matter of appointing a Queen in court recently.
As Jiang Sanyi held no official post, he could not attend court and had to rely on reports from his former students and friends. Lady Zheng said, "Husband, we cannot simply wait like this. Bilan was previously involved with the deposed Crown Prince... and now she is living in the palace without a clear status. If this continues, what will become of her?"
Jiang Sanyi waved his hand. "I know!"
As the couple spoke, a palace messenger suddenly entered. Murong Yan was heading to the hunting grounds and had summoned Jiang Sanyi to accompany him.
Lady Zheng hurried to invite the messenger to the parlor for tea while she helped Jiang Sanyi change into hunting attire. "Husband, you must remember to inquire on Bilan’s behalf. The fate of our entire Jiang clan now rests solely on her!"
Jiang Sanyi snapped impatiently, "You talk too much. Do you think I wouldn't worry about it myself?"
Murong Yan led his officials to the hunting grounds. Jiang Sanyi glanced around and saw Jiang Bilan, dressed in red hunting attire, following behind Murong Yan. The high-ranking ministers of the court were all in attendance. He scanned the crowd; those standing closest were undoubtedly Feng Ping, Zuo Canglang, Xue Chengjing, Zhou Xin, and Gan Xiaoru.
The military generals were mostly stationed elsewhere, so there was no need to mention them. Among the civil officials, it was clear that Gan Xiaoru’s faction was closer to Murong Yan.
As soon as Jiang Sanyi arrived, Murong Yan smiled and said, "Minister Jiang, I remember that you manage a horse ranch and that your skills in riding and archery are no less than those of a general. You must return with a full haul today."
Jiang Sanyi hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment, catching a glimpse of his daughter. Seeing her behind the young monarch, the two appeared to be a match made in heaven, a perfect pair. It was strange; how had he not noticed before that this lad possessed such a magnificent and regal bearing?
The hunting ground was for the exclusive use of the Yan royalty, located in Coiling Dragon Valley in the eastern suburbs of Jinyang. Murong Yan and Jiang Bilan had originally been riding separate horses, but Jiang Bilan missed her targets twice in a row. After all, she was a lady of the inner chambers and lacked the necessary strength.
Murong Yan took her slender hand and suddenly pulled her onto his horse. His arms encircled her waist as they drew a single bow together. Jiang Bilan let out a startled cry, her face flushing crimson as she hid in his embrace, too shy to even look where the arrow flew.
Xue Chengjing and other elder ministers shook their heads inwardly. They were all waiting for Murong Yan to formally announce Jiang Bilan as Queen so they could voice their opposition. Murong Yan simply refused to bring it up. Now, by bringing her out so publicly and showing such affection, it seemed his mind was already made up.
Zuo Canglang rode alongside them. Jiang Bilan’s laughter rang out like silver bells, but Zuo Canglang did not look over. Most of the prey in Coiling Dragon Valley was specially raised and did not flee from humans, lacking any wild nature. For military officers, such a hunt was merely an outing, offering little excitement.
Furthermore, since Murong Yan was riding with a lady, their pace was not fast. Zuo Canglang let her horse wander at a leisurely gait. Murong Yan occasionally looked back, and seeing her lack of interest, he said, "General Zuo seems distracted today. Could it be that you are displeased because I haven't set a prize?"
The surrounding ministers laughed in unison. Zuo Canglang immediately bowed from her horse, saying, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject would not dare."
Murong Yan said, "Speaking of which, when Marshal Wen campaigned against Wuzhong, he obtained a divine bow called the Nine Dragon Tongue. The Marshal presented it to my father, and it is still kept in the palace. Since General Zuo finds me stingy today, I shall bring it out as the prize. Whoever achieves the greatest haul today shall be rewarded with this bow."
His words left everyone pensive. Everyone knew that in terms of riding and archery, no one present was a match for Zuo Canglang. By saying this, he was essentially gifting it to her. However, since it was a relic of Marshal Wen, no one said much.
Hearing this, Zuo Canglang bowed and said, "I thank Your Majesty."
Murong Yan said, "Look at that, she’s already giving thanks, as if she has no regard for the civil and military officials of my Great Yan. You all must work hard as well; do not let our General Zuo look down on you."
The officials naturally responded in kind, and the atmosphere improved considerably.
Zuo Canglang was quite interested in the Nine Dragon Tongue. She did not stand on ceremony, drawing her bow and chasing prey through the light grass and scattered trees.
Before long, the sun reached its zenith. Jiang Bilan was drenched in sweat, her jade-like cheeks flushed. For her, this weather was too hot. Murong Yan said, "You are tired. Return to the camp first. After the hunt is over, I will come to fetch you."
Jiang Bilan reluctantly let go of his hand and said, "I shall wait for Your Majesty."
Murong Yan said, "When it is just the two of us in the future, there is no need to call me Your Majesty."
Jiang Bilan looked up at him, her face filled with emotion. When Murong Yan had been in dire straits, her father had given him no shortage of trouble, yet he had never said a word. Later, she had married the deposed Crown Prince as a secondary consort and was soon elevated to primary consort, yet even now, he still treated her with the affection of their childhood.
Her delicate hand gripped the fabric at his waist. Seeing the crowd behind them, she couldn't do much, but her eyes were as shimmering as autumn waters. "Brother Yan..."
Murong Yan pulled her gently into his arms and patted her back with endless tenderness.
Once Jiang Bilan was sent back to the camp, he spurred his horse forward and suddenly said, "General Zuo, since the Nine Dragon Tongue is the prize, I also have the right to compete for it. Do not celebrate too early!"
Zuo Canglang was startled, but Murong Yan had already drawn his bow. Another wild deer fell. Historically, when an emperor hunted, his personal guards would carry arrows marked for the emperor's use. A large portion of the prey they caught would be counted toward the emperor's tally.
This was to ensure the monarch did not lose face.
Murong Yan had been hunting all along, and with this added, winning would not be easy. She frowned slightly and truly began to take it seriously.
The two of them galloped through the mountains and forests. At some point, they gradually distanced themselves from the Forbidden Guard. Wang Yunzhao and the others did not keep up.
Zuo Canglang shot down a river deer with an arrow. Turning around, she saw Murong Yan following behind her. When their eyes met, Zuo Canglang quickly averted her gaze. No one spoke, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward. She rode forward, her ears involuntarily listening for the sound of his horse's hooves.
Murong Yan dismounted and washed his hands in a clear pool covered by shallow grass. "Slow down, watch your leg. I don't want a general with a broken leg." Zuo Canglang dismounted but did not approach. Murong Yan wiped his face and hands, then asked, "Why are you standing so far away? Do I eat people? Come here."
She finally approached slowly. Murong Yan raised his hand, using a damp silk handkerchief to wipe the sweat and dust from her forehead. At the cold sensation, Zuo Canglang couldn't help but take a step back. Murong Yan slowly wiped her face clean and said, "What are you hiding for? You look like a calico cat."
Zuo Canglang stood still. The vegetation was silent; only a wild goose flew across the sky. He was so close that she could see her own silhouette in his pupils. Murong Yan said, "I know you want to act as if nothing happened. But look at yourself, look at how we are now. Ah-Zuo, some things are done and cannot be undone. What is the use of pretending to be indifferent?"
Zuo Canglang was trembling, but what else could she do besides pretend? She said, "That year, in front of the Scripture Chanting Tower, Miss Jiang asked to meet Your Majesty. Your Majesty said that she might not come, but you could not fail to wait. Your Majesty has walked this path to this day, yet you are still willing to defy all opinions to make Miss Jiang your Queen. Your Majesty's devotion to Miss Jiang is the dream I have longed for all my life."
Murong Yan froze. Zuo Canglang continued, "What woman in this world would not wish for a devoted man like Your Majesty, to live and die together, to stay by each other's side for a lifetime? I understand Your Majesty's meaning; Your Majesty wishes to remind me to disregard status, so that our interactions can be kept from prying eyes. But Your Majesty, I have never cared for status, nor do I believe I should remain chaste for anyone. I simply do not wish to become the sole stain between Your Majesty and Miss Jiang. Nor can I personally defile my own dream or mock my own gods."
Tears finally welled in her eyes, but she slowly stepped back and knelt in a deep bow. "I am willing to give everything I have to help Your Majesty obtain all that you love, all that you desire, all that you long for, and all that you hope for—everything."
Murong Yan looked down at her from his height, silent for a moment. After a long while, he reached out to help her up. With his right hand, he pressed her firmly against his shoulder and said, "Silly child..." He gently stroked her hair and whispered again, "Silly child."
***
At the hunting camp, Jiang Bilan felt only exhaustion. She was accompanied only by a maid named Weizhu. These were people she had been accustomed to using back at the Jiang residence. Seeing her dizziness, Weizhu said, "Miss, please rest first. I will go find the imperial physician right away!"
Jiang Bilan nodded. Not only was she dizzy and weak, but her stomach was churning with waves of nausea. She covered her mouth to retch, but nothing came out. Weizhu was about to leave when she suddenly thought of something. She turned back and asked, "Miss, your... how long has it been since your monthly cycle came?"
Jiang Bilan froze. "Why do you ask that?"
Weizhu grew anxious and whispered, "Miss! You couldn't be..."
Jiang Bilan was startled. As if remembering something, her face turned deathly pale. "My cycle... indeed, it hasn't come for over two months."
Weizhu said, "Then we cannot call the imperial physician. Miss, please endure it for now. Tonight, I will ask the Madam to come to the palace and let her decide what to do."
Unease filled Jiang Bilan's heart. Without waiting for Murong Yan to return, she urgently ordered Feng Ping to send someone to escort her back to the palace. Knowing that Murong Yan treated her with extraordinary regard, Feng Ping did not dare to be negligent and immediately dispatched a portion of the Forbidden Guard to escort her back.
Weizhu immediately went to fetch Lady Zheng. Although no one from the Jiang family currently held office, Murong Yan, fearing Jiang Bilan might be unsettled in the palace, had specially permitted her mother, Lady Zheng, to visit frequently.
Lady Zheng had been like an ant on a hot griddle at home, waiting for news from her husband. Now, having received the message from Weizhu, she immediately entered the palace.
Jiang Bilan lay on the bed, her complexion poor. Although Lady Zheng was not trained in medicine, she had raised four children. After hearing the symptoms, she immediately knew things were bad. For a moment, she cursed the deposed Crown Prince for his incompetence and fretted over their current situation.
With the coronation as Queen imminent, if news of a pregnancy broke out now, wouldn't the Jiang family's efforts all come to naught?
Lady Zheng’s forehead was covered in sweat. She asked tremblingly, "From the looks of it, the child is only about two months old. When did you and His Majesty share a bed? Perhaps there is still time..."
Jiang Bilan’s face was ashen. "He... he... he and I have never done it."
Lady Zheng was truly frustrated by her daughter's lack of initiative. "You’ve been back in the palace for so many days, why haven't you been more attentive!"
Jiang Bilan was already panicking. "I tried to keep him, but he seemed very busy as soon as he returned. How could I... in such a matter..."
Lady Zheng was a mother after all. "Fine, things have come to this; we must find a way quickly." Jiang Bilan gripped her hand, her palms slick with sweat. "Mother, will... will he want my child?"
Lady Zheng looked at her as if she were a fool. "My child, he is the King of Yan now! You are carrying the child of the deposed Crown Prince, and you want to become the Queen! Your child would be his eldest legitimate son! That child would very likely be the future Crown Prince! Do you think he would let this child live?!"
Jiang Bilan’s lips trembled. "But he knows I was married to Brother Prince! Since he knows... perhaps..."
Lady Zheng pushed her away. "Regardless, you must return to the residence for a few days."
Jiang Bilan asked, "Can I stay until... after I give birth?"
Lady Zheng was so angry she couldn't say a word. She turned and left.
In the evening, when Murong Yan returned to the palace, Wang Yunzhao noticed that the white silk handkerchief in his sleeve was still damp while helping him change. He couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, how can you put something so wet directly into your sleeve? You are strong and healthy now, but when you reach a certain age..."
Though he was a servant, he was the one who had raised Murong Yan since childhood. Sometimes, his speech inevitably carried a hint of an elder's concern. Murong Yan was also startled. Zuo Canglang had used that handkerchief. He hadn't thought anything of it and had simply tucked it into his sleeve.
Was it because at that moment, when that silly child had solemnly said, "I am willing to give everything I have to help Your Majesty obtain all that you love, all that you desire, all that you long for, and all that you hope for," he had also been distracted?
He paused but did not dwell on it further, only asking, "Bilan returned to the palace early. Is she unwell? Has an imperial physician seen her?"
Wang Yunzhao bowed. "In response to Your Majesty, when she returned, this old servant already ordered a physician to go over. However, I heard that Miss Jiang was merely tired and was resting, so the physician did not see her."
Murong Yan nodded. "Let's go take a look."
At Qifeng Palace, it was already the first watch of the night when Murong Yan arrived. Jiang Bilan and Lady Zheng hurried to the door to greet him. Just as they were about to kneel, Murong Yan said, "No need." He helped Jiang Bilan up with one hand and turned to Lady Zheng. "I have always ordered people to properly look after the old Jiang residence, but due to many affairs, I could not do so personally. Madam, have you become accustomed to being home these past few days?"
Lady Zheng quickly said, "In response to Your Majesty, everything in the residence is fine. Even the servants and horses are all accounted for. My husband and I mention this often, never failing to be moved by Your Majesty's immense imperial grace."
Murong Yan nodded. Lady Zheng took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, my parents are elderly and miss Bilan dearly. May I be so bold as to ask Your Majesty's permission for Bilan to return home for a few days?"
Murong Yan said, "Bilan has lived in the palace for so long; it is only natural to miss her family. In that case, you shall return with your mother for a few days."
Jiang Bilan knelt to give thanks. Murong Yan did not stay for dinner at Qifeng Palace, saying he did not wish to disturb their mother-daughter reunion.
Leaving Qifeng Palace, Wang Yunzhao whispered, "Logically, Master Jiang should be strongly in favor of Miss Jiang staying in the palace. Why, after only a few days, do they want to take her back?"
Murong Yan glanced at him and said, "You have been talking quite a bit lately."
Wang Yunzhao quickly slapped his own mouth. "Before Your Majesty, this old servant always says whatever comes to mind."
Murong Yan said, "Jiang Sanyi has his own reasons for what he does. There is no need to pay it any mind."
***
Jiang Bilan followed Lady Zheng home, and Lady Zheng told Jiang Sanyi about the matter. Jiang Sanyi asked, "Besides you, who else knows about this?"
Jiang Bilan said, "No one else, only my personal maid, Weizhu."
Jiang Sanyi turned to Lady Zheng. "Has Weizhu returned as well?" Lady Zheng nodded. Since Jiang Bilan had returned, would she remain in the palace alone? Jiang Sanyi said, "Let her take care of Bilan until she is fully recovered. Furthermore, do not let her have contact with anyone else."
Lady Zheng nodded. Jiang Bilan asked, "Father, what about my child?"
Jiang Sanyi left her with only two words: "Abort it!"
Jiang Bilan was stunned, tears falling. "Father, this is your grandchild."
Jiang Sanyi gripped her shoulders and said softly, "Bilan, the lives of the entire family now rest on you alone! Do you know that this child will bring the destruction of the entire Jiang clan upon us?!"
Jiang Bilan shook her head. "Father, he is also of Murong blood."
Jiang Sanyi finally lost his patience. "Shut up! This is a wicked obstacle! Do you think Murong Yan can swallow this insult?"
Jiang Bilan cried out, "I can ask him! If he cannot swallow it, he doesn't have to marry me! Is this my fault? Was it my fault that I married Brother Prince? You all forced me! What did I do wrong?!"
Jiang Sanyi was furious. "Shut up! Do you think you haven't brought enough shame?! Do you want the entire household to know?!"
Jiang Bilan turned to run out, but Jiang Sanyi stepped forward, grabbed her arm, and dragged her back to her bedroom, throwing her forcefully onto the bed. "A man, no matter how much he loves you, will not disregard such a thing! Keeping this child is like leaving a thorn in his eye and heart! Even if he agrees out of sentiment, how will you have Murong Yan and the child interact in the future?! You do not understand today, but you will thank me later! You will understand that everything your father does is for your own good!"
Jiang Bilan struggled. "Was marrying me to the Crown Prince for my own good?"
Jiang Sanyi roared, "That was because you and the Crown Prince had already committed illicit acts!!"
Jiang Bilan wept bitterly, "It was you who drugged me! You are despicable, shameless!"
Jiang Sanyi did not want to speak further. He ordered Lady Zheng to secretly find a doctor and brew the medicine. Jiang Bilan refused to drink it no matter what. When the commotion grew too great, Jiang Sanyi dragged her from the bed and kicked her in the stomach.
Jiang Bilan immediately clutched her stomach and collapsed to the floor, her face deathly pale. Lady Zheng screamed, "Bilan!"
Jiang Bilan curled into a corner, clutching her stomach, her eyes filled with terror and despair.
Jiang Sanyi pulled Lady Zheng up and barked, "Think it through yourself!" They went out together and locked the door.
Jiang Bilan sat for a long time before blood began to flow from her body. She reached out to touch it; her hand was stained red. Pain—excruciating pain.
She wailed loudly, crawling to the door. She tried to open it, only to find it locked.
This wasn't real. This had to be a dream, the most terrifying dream. She pounded on the door. "Father! Mother!"
Bloody handprints were pressed one by one onto the carved wooden door as she cried out frantically.
No, this wasn't a dream. This was real.
She wept, her heart breaking.
Jiang Sanyi naturally did not keep her locked up for long. Soon, elderly maids entered to attend to her. Jiang Bilan’s lips were slightly parted as she stared at them blankly. Lady Zheng sat by the bed, holding the medicine to feed her. "Bilan, don't resent your father. We are doing this for your own good. He... look at him these days, his hair has already turned mostly white."
Jiang Bilan’s gaze fixed on her face, looking her up and down as if she didn't recognize her. She smiled, her pale face looking like a fragile porcelain doll. "Before, when you taught me to paint and I didn't want to learn, you would beat me mercilessly with a thin vine. You said it was all for my own good. Then you taught me to play the zither. If I didn't play well, you wouldn't let me eat. I played and played until my fingers were dripping blood. You said it was all for my own good. Later, with dancing, singing, and needlework, you always said everything was for my own good."
Lady Zheng sighed, holding her hand. "My child, Mother knows you have suffered much. But have you thought about what it was all for? We did it so you could marry a husband who is like a dragon or a phoenix among men! You suffered so much, yet you would throw it all away for a child?"
Jiang Bilan pushed her hand away. "I found my husband, and I love him. But you made me marry the Crown Prince and even drugged me!"
Lady Zheng said, "We didn't drug you! Perhaps the Crown Prince did it, but your father didn't know! Think about it, the Crown Prince was powerful then. Even if your father had the intent, would he have the courage to frame the Crown Prince?!"
Jiang Bilan closed her eyes, tears sliding down. "You just want me to be Queen. I understand now."
Lady Zheng patted her hand and said, "It’s good that you understand. How can one sit upon the phoenix throne of the Mother of the World without hardship and sacrifice?"
Jiang Bilan sneered. "I understand. I am tired. You may leave."
Lady Zheng wanted to say more, but seeing her eyes closed, she could only push the door open and leave. As the sound of the door closing reached her, Jiang Bilan opened her eyes, staring at the top of the pink gauze canopy embroidered with sun, moon, and star patterns.
She was a daughter of the Jiang family. The purpose of a Jiang daughter's existence was to find a husband whose abilities could benefit the clan and to stabilize her own position.
As for happiness? Ha, who cared?
Jiang Bilan began to desperately look forward to the day of her coronation. She did not want to stay in this home for another moment.
***
Murong Yan was indeed very busy. Agriculture in Great Yan was relatively backward compared to the surrounding nations. Most people still lived by nomadic herding and hunting, with fishermen along the Bohai coast.
He sent people to nations with developed agriculture to invite families who had farmed for generations and secretly brought back seeds, intending to improve Great Yan’s farming tools and crops.
Due to the climate and environment, he had been testing the fields recently, so Jiang Bilan had not seen him.
On this day in court, Murong Yan awarded the divine bow, Nine Dragon Tongue, to Zuo Canglang. Zuo Canglang truly could not put the bow down; no martial artist could resist the temptation of a divine weapon. Holding the bow, she felt an immediate urge to test it, wishing she could fly to the training grounds.
Murong Yan refused to give her the chance. As soon as the morning court ended, he ordered the civil and military officials to accompany him to the fields to test the planting, calling it "stretching their bones," though it actually saved a lot of labor for the field testing.
With Murong Yan present, everyone worked with great fervor, but agriculture is governed by nature and would not show results overnight.
Zuo Canglang carried baskets of straw ash over to spread. Before long, she was covered in sweat. Murong Yan said in a low voice, " I told you to come just to fill the ranks; are you planning to change careers and become a laborer?"
Zuo Canglang was puzzled. Was it wrong for her to work hard? Murong Yan made a gesture with his index and middle fingers as if to poke her eyes out. "You still dare to glare at me? With so many grown men here, does the heavy lifting need to fall to you? If anything goes wrong with your wound again, you can find a place to go die on your own. Get to the side!"
Zuo Canglang asked, "Then why did Your Majesty call me here? You might as well let me go to the training grounds to test the bow!"
Murong Yan said, "We were too far apart in court. I felt like I hadn't seen you for a few days, so I called you over to take a look."
Zuo Canglang froze. His gaze pierced through her, yet seemed to pass over her, looking elsewhere.
Jiang Sanyi was also hoeing weeds. Occasionally, his gaze drifted, and he saw Murong Yan speaking with Zuo Canglang. He was slightly startled—Zuo Canglang had just carried several loads of straw ash, so she was naturally not very clean. Yet Murong Yan stood so close to her.
Furthermore, the position where Wang Yunzhao stood, whether intentionally or not, blocked the view of the crowd.
***
