A single candle flickered in the room, casting a dim, amber glow. Within the deep shadows of the bed curtains, Zuo Canglang wordlessly grasped the hand at her waist. Only after the maid had closed the door and departed did she whisper, "Your Majesty!"
"Hmm?" Murong Yan murmured.
Zuo Canglang moved his hand away. "Your Majesty is now the sovereign of a nation. To sneak into the chambers of a late official’s widow in the dead of night... I fear it is beneath your dignity."
Murong Yan turned over to lie flat beside her, cushioning his head with his hands. "After my mother passed away, I was settled in Yangquan Palace. Only Wang Yunzhao was there to look after me. He was my mother’s confidant, and because of that, everyone in the palace bullied and harassed him. He was frequently punished and often had no time to care for me."
Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan almost never spoke of such things. Certainly, the two of them had never shared a bed like this, lying side-by-side and talking.
Murong Yan smiled faintly. "Sometimes, when I was starving, I would go to the imperial kitchens to steal food. If I didn't recognize the maid delivering a meal, I never dared to touch it. In the winter, the palace charcoal was always withheld. Almost all of my mother’s collection of books was burned by my own hands just to keep warm. To this day, nothing of her legacy remains."
He spoke with a cold, detached indifference, as if describing something as light as drifting clouds. The resolve Zuo Canglang had felt to drive him out slowly softened.
Murong Yan took her hand. "Once, the Queen beat Wang Yunzhao until he had only a breath of life left. When the servants carried him back to my palace, I truly thought he was a dead man. I was seven years old then. I sat beside him for a long time, thinking I should go to the Imperial Academy of Medicine to get some herbs. I used my small tunic to wrap up every medicinal herb I could get my hands on. I didn't know what was useful; it was a chaotic mess, but I boiled it all and made him drink it."
As he spoke, a trace of a smile actually appeared at the corners of his mouth. "He was lucky, I suppose. He managed to pull through."
Recounting those years of lonely hardship within the cold, magnificent palace walls, his voice carried a hint of self-mockery. "I left the palace to establish my own residence when I was twelve. Once, when I visited the orphan camp, you begged for medicine for Yang Lianting. I don't know why, but I suddenly remembered that moment. In that instant, I believed you truly wanted him to live."
"My Lord," Zuo Canglang whispered, gripping his hand in return.
Murong Yan squeezed her hand back. "I only mean to say that I have done many undignified things in my life. By comparison, this act of 'stealing fragrance and jade' tonight could almost be considered refined."
Zuo Canglang found herself caught between laughter and tears. Murong Yan turned on his side to face her, his hand reaching out to brush through her loose, flowing hair.
"Ah-Zuo," he called softly.
His voice was low and husky. Zuo Canglang felt as if she were under a spell, able only to watch with wide eyes as he drew closer and closer. He slowly pressed a kiss to the space between her brows.
She reached out to press against his shoulder, but Murong Yan caught her hand and kissed it gently. In the flickering, hazy candlelight, she felt as if all her strength had been drained away. Slowly, she closed her eyes.
His kisses fell upon her forehead and brow. His right hand reached for the silk ties of her inner garment, but after brushing against the knot several times, he finally turned back and lay flat beside her again.
"Forget it," he said. "You are already restless and unable to stay still. If I aggravate your injuries, you'll have to stay in bed for several more days."
Zuo Canglang bit her lip. Murong Yan gently nudged her head, letting her rest against his shoulder. He closed his eyes and fell into a quiet sleep. His breathing was right by her ear, creating a fleeting illusion... of a lifetime spent together, morning and night.
***
In the Yan Palace, it was already the third watch. Jiang Bilan had brewed a bowl of silver ear soup and instructed Huiyun to deliver it to the Imperial Study. She had heard from Wang Yunzhao that Murong Yan was discussing military affairs with his generals; at this late hour, she expected him to be retiring soon.
Huiyun carried the soup tureen to the study, only to find the interior pitch black, with no sign of anyone inside. Thinking Murong Yan had already gone to sleep, she was about to turn back when she encountered Xiao Anzi, the eunuch responsible for the study's writing materials.
She hurried forward. "Eunuch An?"
Xiao Anzi turned. Seeing it was the Queen’s personal maid, he quickly bowed. "Sister Huiyun? It’s so late and the dew is heavy; what brings you here?"
Huiyun replied, "Her Majesty heard that the King had not yet rested and specifically ordered me to bring some soup. I didn't expect to be so late; it seems His Majesty has already retired."
Xiao Anzi said, "Her Majesty truly keeps the King in her heart. However, His Majesty isn't in the study today. He left the palace this afternoon."
Huiyun was startled. "Left the palace? Did His Majesty have urgent business?"
Xiao Anzi realized he had spoken too much. "That, this servant does not know. How can we servants manage the affairs of our masters? However, His Majesty often travels outside the palace to observe the hardships of the common people. It happens from time to time."
Huiyun thought about it and decided it made sense. She thanked him and returned to the Phoenix Resting Palace with the soup. When Jiang Bilan heard that Murong Yan was not in the palace, she found it slightly strange, but she didn't dwell on it and went to bed early.
The next day, before dawn, Murong Yan had already risen and quietly slipped out of the Wen Manor.
Fearing he might be discovered, Zuo Canglang sat up in bed and listened for a long time. Only when she was certain there was no commotion outside did she lie back down. However, with the sudden absence of the person beside her, her heart felt strangely empty. She closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her. Upon reflection, she realized she had actually forgotten to ask him about Xue Chengjing’s imprisonment.
*Lust truly clouds the judgment,* she thought; the ancients were not wrong at all.
She tossed and turned, beginning to wonder again who the assassins were this time. Before she knew it, the sky was bright. The imperial physician sent over more medicine. Old Madam Wen continued to care for her personally, and Wen Yixuan and Wen Yirong came to pay their respects before heading to Daxi Qin’s manor for their studies.
A new day had begun.
In the Yan Palace, after the morning court session, Jiang Sanyi specifically sought out Feng Ping. Murong Yan had not assigned Xue Chengjing’s case to anyone for trial; currently, the Xue family and Wan Lou of the Directorate of Palace Buildings were being held in the Imperial Prison.
The two men walked to a secluded corner of the palace grounds. Once they were alone, Jiang Sanyi asked, "Commander Feng, I wonder how the investigation into Prime Minister Xue’s case is proceeding?"
Feng Ping remained somewhat guarded. "His Majesty is overseeing it personally. They are merely confined in the prison; no torture has been used."
Jiang Sanyi was naturally anxious. He was currently only the Acting Prime Minister; if Xue Chengjing managed to overturn the case, he would be left with nothing. He whispered, "Xue Chengjing has been in prison for several days, yet His Majesty hesitates to deal with him. Does Commander Feng know the reason?"
Feng Ping remained silent, deep in thought. Jiang Sanyi continued, "Commander Feng, you haven't exactly been thriving by His Majesty's side all these years, have you?"
Feng Ping froze. Jiang Sanyi had struck a nerve. As the Commander of the Imperial Guards, he was merely a fourth-rank military official. It was only because he guarded the palace that no one dared to slight him.
But compared to Zhou Xin or Zuo Canglang, he seemed insignificant. Especially Zuo Canglang—so young, yet already commanding a massive army. He said in a heavy voice, "What do you mean by this, Lord Jiang?"
Jiang Sanyi said, "Commander Feng, in the imperial court, if one stands alone, one will be restricted at every turn. Currently, among the military officers by His Majesty's side, there is no place for you. But His Majesty will eventually grow old. My daughter is now the Queen, and there are no other concubines in the harem. Once she gives birth to a Crown Prince and the realm eventually passes to him, you will not have to remain huddled within these palace walls. Becoming a Marquis or a Minister would be within your reach."
Feng Ping said, "Lord Jiang, if these words were to reach His Majesty’s ears, I fear it would be most improper."
Jiang Sanyi smiled with his hands behind his back. "In terms of martial arts, I am not your equal, Commander Feng. But as for taking root in the court, that is not your strength. If a man in court has no roots, he will fall as soon as the wind blows."
Feng Ping seemed to hesitate. Jiang Sanyi did not rush him. After a long silence, Feng Ping finally asked, "What does Lord Jiang want me to do?"
Jiang Sanyi said, "Even if His Majesty determines Xue Chengjing is guilty, he may not necessarily order his execution. But if this man does not die, the future troubles will be endless. If Commander Feng..." He leaned close to Feng Ping’s ear and spoke in a low voice. Feng Ping’s expression gradually turned solemn.
Two days later, news came from the prison: Xue Chengjing had contracted the plague and was bedridden. When the news reached the Wen Manor, Wen Xingye’s family was eating. Upon hearing this, he could not sit still and immediately prepared to enter the palace to see Murong Yan.
Zuo Canglang, who could finally manage to walk, couldn't catch up to him. She simply shouted, "Don't go!"
Wen Xingye said, "Prime Minister Xue has served as an official for forty years; he has always been upright and incorruptible. I have been friends with him for many years. How can I bear to watch a man of his age die of illness in prison?!"
With that, he turned to leave. Zuo Canglang finally said, "I will go to the palace. You stay here."
Wen Xingye turned to look at her. "Your injury..."
Zuo Canglang shook her head. She ordered the servants to bring her court robes and, after dressing properly, headed to the palace.
At that time, Murong Yan was discussing matters with Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi. Xiao Anzi very respectfully asked her to wait outside the door. When officials sought an audience, they were traditionally required to wait on their knees. Zuo Canglang was no exception. She knelt under the corridor; the wind outside was biting, and before long, she began to cough.
When the doors to the study finally opened, Gan Xiaoru and Jiang Sanyi stepped out together. Seeing Zuo Canglang, Jiang Sanyi was taken aback. Just then, Wang Yunzhao emerged from the inner room. Seeing Zuo Canglang kneeling outside, his expression changed instantly, and he immediately glared at Xiao Anzi.
Xiao Anzi was terrified. Wang Yunzhao, seemingly afraid that Murong Yan would see her like this, hurried over to help Zuo Canglang up. He smiled and said, "Oh, General Zuo, you are still carrying injuries. Why are you kneeling here in the draft? Let this old servant help you inside."
Zuo Canglang leaned on his arm to stand. "I haven't attended court for many days. I felt better today, so I thought I would come to the palace. Manager Wang, is His Majesty free?"
Wang Yunzhao said repeatedly, "He is free, he is free. Please, General."
Jiang Sanyi watched as Wang Yunzhao escorted Zuo Canglang inside, his mind racing—*What is this person doing in the palace at a time like this?*
Amidst his thoughts, he smiled at Gan Xiaoru. "Manager Wang and General Zuo seem to be on quite good terms."
Gan Xiaoru glanced at him with a knowing smile but said nothing more. He simply cupped his hands. "Lord Jiang, after you."
***
