At Phoenix Palace, Murong Yan had not visited for three consecutive days. Jiang Bilan sent people out to inquire, but Wang Yunzhao turned them back, claiming only that Murong Yan was busy with military affairs.
Jiang Bilan thought of the recent reprimand her father had received in court and felt a lingering unease. Had he stayed away all these days because he was still angry with her father? After much deliberation, she personally went to the kitchen to prepare a sweet soup to bring to Murong Yan.
However, she did not see him. As she waited outside the study, Wang Yunzhao looked deeply troubled. "Your Majesty, the Emperor truly has urgent matters. Please return for now."
Jiang Bilan replied, "I will not leave until I see him today."
"Your Majesty..." Wang Yunzhao started.
"You still remember I am the Queen," Jiang Bilan interrupted. "Am I now forbidden from even entering the Imperial Study?"
"This servant would not dare," Wang Yunzhao said. "It is just that His Majesty gave orders..."
Jiang Bilan ignored him and walked forward, soup tureen in hand. Xiao Anzi and the others did not dare to stop her. She pushed open the door to the Imperial Study, only to find it completely empty. She froze, and after a long silence, she turned and asked, "Where is the Emperor?"
Wang Yunzhao dismissed the other servants before speaking. "Your Majesty, to be honest, the Emperor knew that Mayi City was in peril and secretly departed for the border. He is not in the palace. He did not inform Your Majesty before leaving for fear of causing you worry."
"If he knew the border was in peril, isn't it even more dangerous for him to go personally?" Jiang Bilan asked.
"Rest assured, Your Majesty," Wang Yunzhao said. "The Emperor’s foresight is beyond our reach. As long as his instructions are followed, there should be no danger."
For some reason, Jiang Bilan felt a bitter taste in her heart. She stopped speaking to Wang Yunzhao and turned back toward Phoenix Palace.
Upon returning to her chambers, she finally realized the source of her displeasure. As the Queen, such a significant event as the Emperor leaving for the border had been kept from her entirely. And the border... wasn't Zuo Canglang the one stationed there? She had heard of a victory just a few days ago, yet Zuo Canglang had refused to return to court.
What did it mean for him to rush there so urgently now?
She turned the thought over and over but found no answer. With no one nearby to consult, she eventually gave up. Looking at the sweet soup she had made with her own hands, then at the palace towers devoid of Murong Yan, she felt as if a piece of her heart had gone missing, leaving only a hollow void.
***
In Mayi City, Murong Yan remained hidden in Zuo Canglang’s tent. Fearing that news of his presence might leak, Zuo Canglang had him dress in the robes of a military physician. Her personal guards assumed he was a doctor found from elsewhere and did not interfere.
Medical supplies in the camp were indeed scarce. Despite the physicians' best efforts to ration them, there were simply too many wounded. Most of the staff were rarely in the camp; some were out foraging for herbs, while others went to purchase medicine from the locals. Murong Yan also left the camp to contact the Swallow’s Nest, instructing Leng Feiyan to notify Mount Gushe to requisition and send more medicinal herbs.
One afternoon, while he was away, Zuo Canglang remained in the tent. The physician had repeatedly warned her not to go out. Knowing the severity of her condition, she complied, sitting up to read. Suddenly, a report came from outside: "General Zuo! There is a man outside the camp claiming to be surnamed Yang, requesting an audience!"
The messenger did not enter, but Zuo Canglang immediately sat up straight. "Surnamed Yang?" She instantly guessed who it was. "Bring him in quickly."
The visitor was indeed Yang Lianting. As soon as he entered the tent, he set down his medicine chest. "I heard you were injured. Why didn't you send word to me?"
Zuo Canglang smiled. "The border is in the midst of war; it wouldn't be right to have you running to the camp." She knew the reality of Mayi City’s situation. Though it seemed calm now, if any outside force chose to test them, the entire city could be leveled in an instant.
"I assumed your camp would be short on medicine, so I brought some," Yang Lianting said.
It was impossible for Zuo Canglang not to be moved. Yang Lianting had chosen almost exclusively wound-care medicines; knowing her personality, he hadn't picked rare or extravagant items. Zuo Canglang said, "It so happens my army is short on physicians. Since you are here, help treat some of the wounded. Once I report this to His Majesty, I will ensure your contribution is recorded."
"I saw the wounded in the city. Even if I had six arms, I couldn't save them all one by one. Why haven't you moved them to the rear?" As Yang Lianting spoke, he had already rolled up her sleeve to check her pulse.
"I would need the manpower to move them," Zuo Canglang replied.
Yang Lianting didn't press the issue. "An injury like this... you shouldn't be on the battlefield." Having said that, he gently began to loosen her clothing. "Let me see the external wound."
Zuo Canglang pulled her clothes tight, feeling awkward. "The military doctor already bandaged it. Let it be."
"Can a military doctor compare to me?" Yang Lianting countered.
Zuo Canglang had no choice but to let him unfasten her tunic. "You haven't been with Jiang Xing for long, but your vanity is becoming more like his by the day."
Yang Lianting merely smiled, but after that, conversation died between them. Her wound was exposed before him, along with the surrounding skin. The atmosphere grew somewhat strained. After washing his hands, Yang Lianting said softly, "The arrow was pulled out cleanly enough, but the wound wasn't treated well." He took out his tools and began to snip the stitches the previous doctor had made.
Halfway through, Zuo Canglang couldn't help but hiss in pain. Yang Lianting took a leaf-like object from his chest and handed it to her. "Hold this in your mouth."
Zuo Canglang took it directly between her teeth. The leaf melted the moment it touched her tongue, and she soon felt her consciousness grow heavy. He used a *Suwei* probe to clear the necrotic flesh from her wound. Zuo Canglang initially kept her eyes wide to watch him, but she gradually drifted into sleep. After a great deal of effort, Yang Lianting finished and re-stitched the wound. Exhausted by the task, he simply lay down beside her, still fully clothed, and fell asleep.
Murong Yan did not return to the camp until nightfall. Only a few people knew he was there, and most now assumed he was just another physician; very few recognized him. When he entered Zuo Canglang’s tent, he found Yang Lianting sleeping on the same couch as her.
Zuo Canglang’s forehead was resting against Yang Lianting's shoulder, and she was sleeping soundly.
Murong Yan’s expression slowly darkened. He gave a light cough. Yang Lianting woke first, and seeing him there, he was startled. "Your Majesty?"
Murong Yan said coldly, "As the Master of Radiance, can you enter and leave a military camp at will without my imperial decree?"
Zuo Canglang woke up then. The effects of the medicine had not fully dissipated, leaving her body somewhat sluggish. But seeing the two of them in such a tense standoff, she struggled to sit up. "Your Majesty... I was the one who wrote to him, asking for help with medical supplies. Please, Your Majesty, do not be angry."
Murong Yan let out a cold snort. Though he was displeased, he could not interrogate her in front of a subordinate; it would be beneath his dignity. He said, "You are short on medicine and you do not report it to me, but instead seek aid from the Jade Worship Sect? Zuo Canglang, do you still have any regard for me as your sovereign?"
Zuo Canglang felt as if her body weighed a thousand pounds. She tried to get out of bed several times but couldn't move an inch. Fortunately, her mind was clear. She said, "I sent several requests for aid to my Lord previously, but the military dispatches never reached Your Majesty's hands. Having received no reply for so long, I had no choice but to turn to the Jade Worship Sect. If my Lord must blame someone, blame me."
Murong Yan paused, finally remembering the matter of the intercepted military mail. The fire of his anger slowly died down, and his tone softened slightly. "I will investigate the theft of the military dispatches thoroughly. Sect Leader Yang has worked hard as well. Given the volatile situation at the border, you should return to Mount Gushe."
Yang Lianting glanced back at Zuo Canglang. He was not blind to Murong Yan’s hostility. He bowed again and said, "Yes."
With that, he rose and finally left the tent.
Only then did Murong Yan sit beside Zuo Canglang. Truly unable to get up, she rested her head on his lap. Murong Yan gently stroked her cool, smooth hair. Zuo Canglang looked up at him and asked, "Yang Lianting was only here out of concern for the border soldiers and for Your Majesty’s legacy of victory. Why was Your Majesty so vexed?"
Murong Yan’s heart sank as he realized that what bothered him wasn't Yang Lianting’s presence at all. What he couldn't let go of was the intimacy between her and Yang Lianting. This was not a good sign. Nevertheless, he said, "Though you are friends with him, you must still observe the proper distance between a man and a woman."
Zuo Canglang was stunned. It seemed she only now understood why he was angry. After a long moment, she actually laughed. "My Lord, are you jealous?"
Murong Yan leaned down to gaze at her. He waited until her laughter faded before saying, "Yes."
His expression was so solemn that Zuo Canglang fell silent. Murong Yan slowly kissed her, her cool tresses spilling across his knees, entangling him.
***
Once the medicine had completely worn off, Zuo Canglang was finally able to move freely. She sat up, and Murong Yan asked, "What are you doing?"
"Going out to patrol the camp," Zuo Canglang replied.
Murong Yan frowned, but he knew this was necessary. She had to patrol frequently to maintain morale and to ensure that any foreign spies hidden in the camp would not dare to act. He personally helped her dress, saying, "I will go with you."
Zuo Canglang hummed in agreement and walked out with him. Murong Yan had never personally seen how she commanded her troops. But once they were out, every soldier she passed stood perfectly straight; even the wounded showed no signs of dejection. After all, they had just won a great victory over Xijing, and the Yan army’s morale was at its peak. It was no wonder Xijing and Guzhu did not dare to attack recklessly.
Occasionally, Zuo Canglang would pat a soldier's shoulder; their cold armor was covered in frost. Murong Yan accompanied her through the ice, snow, and endless yellow sands. The wind cut like a blade, bone-chillingly cold. As she walked through the ranks, her posture remained as upright as ever. By the time they finished the patrol, even her eyebrows were frosted with ice crystals. Murong Yan gently wiped them away. At that moment, her cheeks held a sickly flush from her fever, but her gaze was resolute and sharp.
He felt as though a string in his heart had been lightly plucked, leaving a lingering vibration that would not fade.
Another ten days passed before Zuo Canglang could walk properly. The army had survived nearly a month on the provisions originally seized from Mayi City. The supplies Murong Yan had brought were mostly untouched. Xijing, unable to endure the stalemate any longer, withdrew its army west of the White Wolf River.
Guzhu followed suit, retreating to Xiaquan Mountain. The crisis of Mayi City was finally resolved. When the enemy retreated, the weather was so bitterly cold that water froze instantly. Icicles hung outside the tents, some as thick as a wrist, others as thin as a finger. Zuo Canglang plucked one; it was so cold her fingers went numb, yet she couldn't bring herself to throw it away.
Murong Yan said, "Throw it away, or you'll fall ill again."
Zuo Canglang walked forward and said, "I am the General of Agile Cavalry now, and you are just a common soldier by my side. To dare speak to me in such a tone—do you think I don't enforce discipline? Strip off your outer robes and run a hundred laps around the tents."
Murong Yan laughed. "Fine. Once I return to Jinyang, you shall run five hundred laps every day. I'll subtract my hundred from today; you can run the remaining four hundred yourself later."
Bickering as they went, they unknowingly reached the top of Mayi City’s walls.
Beyond Mayi City lay Pingdu Pass. The frozen White Wolf River looked like a jade ribbon, surrounded by scattered oases and then a vast expanse of yellow sand. The cold wind whipped against their faces, and sand blew into the city, making it seem even more desolate.
Below the wall, Yuan E and several soldiers were burning bamboo, which made loud cracking sounds. Looking up, Yuan E saw Zuo Canglang standing on the wall. Because of the distance, he didn't recognize Murong Yan and simply shouted, "General! It's New Year's Eve! Come down and set off some firecrackers!"
Zuo Canglang smiled and called back, "No, you all enjoy yourselves." Then she turned to Murong Yan. "It's New Year's Eve."
"Indeed," Murong Yan said. "Our General Zuo isn't having a very comfortable New Year."
Zuo Canglang looked around. "But at least this New Year's gift isn't bad."
Murong Yan said, "You have gifted me a city. When we return to Jinyang, I shall appoint you as the Great General."
Great General was the rank formerly held by Wen Qi. Zuo Canglang said, "I don't want that. If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward this subject... if many years from now the world is at peace and I am still alive, I ask that Your Majesty allow me to grow old here, guarding the border."
Murong Yan froze. On the ancient city wall, their eyes met. The casual dialogue suddenly felt profoundly sorrowful. These two people standing side-by-side, spending the New Year together, had no future. It was as if a thorn had unexpectedly pierced his heart. For a single moment, he almost wanted to promise her forever.
He turned his face away to look at the frozen White Wolf River. This world was desolate, and the human heart was even more fragile. The road ahead was full of hardships; only those who moved forward without deviation, fixed on a single direction, could reach the end. No matter how beautiful the scenery along the way, it was all a veil of delusion.
Murong Yan should not be captivated by the scenery of these side paths. And yet, a dull ache spread from his heart to his fingertips, a branching, creeping pain.
***
After New Year's Eve, Murong Yan hurried back to Jinyang ahead of the others. Zuo Canglang followed later with the army.
The day the army returned to Jinyang was during the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival was approaching, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year had not yet faded. Murong Yan personally went to the West Flower Gate to welcome the army into the city. Civil and military officials stood on either side, and citizens lined the streets. Seeing the grand display at the city gate, Zuo Canglang immediately dismounted. She walked quickly to Murong Yan and knelt. "My Lord."
Murong Yan helped her up. Acting as if they hadn't seen each other in days, they strictly observed the etiquette of sovereign and subject as they entered the city together. Jinyang was a sea of people. Zuo Canglang took every step with extreme stability, not wanting anyone to notice her injuries.
That night, Murong Yan held a grand banquet for his ministers at Mingyue Tower. Jiang Bilan, dressed in her finest regalia, attended alongside him.
At the head of the hall, the Emperor and Queen sat side-by-side. Zuo Canglang sat among the military officers. Wang Yunzhao, ever meticulous, had filled her wine pot with plain water. She took only one sip and stopped. From time to time, ministers came over to toast her.
Soon, the pot of water was empty, and Wei Tongyao and others poured her actual wine. Zuo Canglang drank one cup, and from above, Murong Yan spoke: "Enough. Though this is a victory banquet, one must still drink in moderation."
Since he had spoken, no one dared to offer Zuo Canglang more wine. The musicians began to play, and palace maids in beautiful dance attire began to perform. Jiang Bilan glanced at Zuo Canglang. She knew Murong Yan was protecting her, and she knew Zuo Canglang was heavily injured and shouldn't drink much. But she still felt a knot of resentment in her chest.
After several courses, she spoke: "I heard General Zuo was injured?"
Zuo Canglang quickly rose and replied, "To answer Your Majesty, it is a minor injury, nothing serious. I am honored by Your Majesty’s concern."
Jiang Bilan said, "The General has fought for the country and achieved great merit. I have always held great admiration for a heroine such as yourself. Whenever I read poems of distant border expeditions, I find myself yearning for it."
Zuo Canglang replied, "The border and the capital are merely different sights. While Your Majesty envies the battlefield, does Your Majesty not know that all the women in the world envy you?"
Her etiquette was perfect, her words appropriate. Jiang Bilan finally smiled, looking as elegant as a fragrant orchid. "The fate of most people is not in their own hands. But the General is different; you hold a powerful army and can decide the fates of others. I know the General was born to be a soldier, and bloodshed is inevitable. However, even a commander should kill sparingly and with caution. Your victories at Huiye Plain and Mayi City will surely be remembered through the ages, but those humiliated women and slaughtered civilians... does the General truly never have nightmares? Have you never dreamed of them?"
Zuo Canglang froze. The atmosphere in the hall turned awkward. But immediately after, Zuo Canglang bowed slightly and said, "This general will keep Your Majesty’s admonition in mind. In future campaigns, I will certainly be more cautious."
Jiang Bilan was satisfied. "In that case, tomorrow I shall arrange for the monks of Fachang Temple to perform a rite for the soldiers who fell in this war, to deliver their souls. The General can also copy several volumes of scriptures for the innocent civilians who died at Huiye Plain and Mayi City, to pray that they may soon escape the sea of suffering and be reincarnated."
Zuo Canglang was stunned, momentarily forgetting to respond. The surrounding officials didn't know what to say either. Finally, Murong Yan spoke: "Queen, General Zuo is still carrying injuries. These matters can wait until later."
Jiang Bilan looked around the room. Her face slowly began to redden, and she pursed her lips, speaking no more.
***
