During a lull in the palace banquet, Jiang Bilan received a note from her maid, Huiyue, asking her to meet in a pavilion outside the hall. The handwriting belonged to Jiang Sanyi. After a moment’s thought, Jiang Bilan decided to go.
Inside the pavilion, Jiang Sanyi demanded, "Do you have any idea what the current situation is? You are the Mother of the Realm; your general returns in triumph, and you ask her to repent for her sins?"
Jiang Bilan replied, "Since you know I am the Mother of the Realm, is this how you should speak to me?"
Jiang Sanyi let out a cold sneer. "Lan’er, you are even more foolish than I imagined." As Jiang Bilan glared at him, he continued, "If you wish to seek your own death step by step, the Jiang family will not accompany you. If you persist in this behavior, I will recommend your younger sister, Biyao, to enter the palace and attend to His Majesty."
Jiang Bilan finally flared up. "What did you say?"
"Think about it carefully," Jiang Sanyi said.
Jiang Bilan countered, "It was you who impeached her in court. I merely gave her a few words of advice... If you weren't my father, and if our bloodlines weren't tied, why would I even bother with court affairs?"
Jiang Sanyi asked, "Because of me? Then for whose sake did I impeach her?"
Jiang Bilan froze. "What do you mean?"
Jiang Sanyi explained, "In the current court, the remnants of Wen Qi’s old faction have already been brought under her command. She wins battle after battle; her prestige is fast approaching that of Wen Qi in his prime. After this great victory, His Majesty must bestow rewards. But she is already a Senior First Rank General of Chariots and Cavalry. Any higher, and she becomes the General of the Guards. An eighteen-year-old holding a first-rank military post! Furthermore, she saved Xue Chengjing’s life. Though the Xue family remains silent, they have a blood feud with us, yet they are forced to be grateful for her life-saving grace."
As Jiang Bilan’s expression grew increasingly bewildered, Jiang Sanyi added, "Think about it. Once she enters the palace—even if only as a consort—will your position as Queen not become as flimsy as paper? In the future, between your child and hers, whom will the military choose to support?"
Jiang Bilan argued, "But why would she enter the palace? Isn't she Wen Qi’s wife?" Her voice trailed off as her face slowly changed. "Are you saying... His Majesty and she are having an affair?!"
Jiang Sanyi remained silent. Jiang Bilan insisted, "Impossible! Brother Yan treats me with deep affection. Besides, he was the one who personally agreed to establish Zuo Canglang as Wen Qi’s primary wife. If he had an affair with her, how could he have agreed to let her marry a dead man’s spirit tablet?"
"I have said my piece. Think on it yourself," Jiang Sanyi said, turning to leave.
Jiang Bilan stood rooted to the spot, still finding it ridiculous. If Murong Yan had Zuo Canglang in his heart, why would he have raised an army in a fit of rage to force the palace, risked his life to personally fetch her from Fangcheng, and insisted on crowning her as Queen despite the opposition of all the ministers?
She walked slowly back toward the palace, recalling every detail since her return to Murong Yan’s side. He treated her with nothing but tenderness and consideration. He granted every request she made in the palace, never once going against her wishes.
How could it be possible for him to have another woman in his heart?
Returning to the banquet, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Zuo Canglang. The general was speaking in low tones with Yuan Xi. Yuan Xi was slapping his thigh occasionally; back then, they had been guarding the banks of the Yi River to prevent Western Jing from mimicking Zuo Canglang’s surprise attack on Xiaoji City from the Huiye Plain, and thus they had missed the Battle of Mayi.
He looked full of regret, but Zuo Canglang smiled. "With powerful enemies surrounding us, are you worried there will be no more battles to fight?"
She glanced around, and seeing that neither Wang Yunzhao nor Murong Yan was present, she reached for Yuan Xi's wine cup to take a drink. Yuan Xi quickly snatched it away. "Chief Steward Wang gave orders—you aren't allowed to drink." He turned and called a palace servant to refill her cup with plain water.
That night, Murong Yan ordered Zuo Canglang to stay in the Nanqing Palace. Jiang Bilan’s heart skipped a beat. She didn't want to think about her father’s words, but they were like sharp needles buried in her heart. She said, "Madam Wen has been fighting abroad for so long and hasn't returned to her estate in ages. Why doesn't Your Majesty let her go home to reunite with her family?"
Murong Yan replied, "She is injured, and the borderlands were cold and harsh; she hasn't been able to rest properly. It is more convenient for the imperial physicians to look after her in the palace."
Jiang Bilan pressed, "But if she returns to the Wen estate, the physicians can go there just the same."
Murong Yan glanced at her and said, "It is late. It won't be too late to leave tomorrow. Wang Yunzhao." Wang Yunzhao responded immediately, and without waiting for further instructions, he sent people to lead Zuo Canglang to the Nanqing Palace to settle in.
For some reason, the smile on Jiang Bilan’s face vanished. Murong Yan had personally gone to the border for Zuo Canglang. At that time, the border city was in dire peril; what kind of danger had he braved by going there alone?
All these years, Zuo Canglang had been the one by his side. Did the two of them truly have an unspeakable relationship?
As she brooded, Murong Yan took her hand. "We haven't seen each other for many days, yet Lan’er seems a bit distracted." Jiang Bilan snapped back to reality and saw his gaze—deep and tender. She pursed her lips, her fair face lowering. "You left without a word. I am your wife, the Queen of Great Yan. Why won't you tell me anything?"
Murong Yan lightly stroked her hair. "These past few years have left you displaced and unsettled; I did not want to cause you more worry. Lan’er, from now on, I will keep you forever within a golden house and pepper-scented chambers. Henceforth, the wind and rain of the world shall have nothing to do with you."
Jiang Bilan gazed into his eyes. When he spoke these words, every syllable rang with sincerity. Her eyes grew slightly moist. "Brother Yan."
Murong Yan pulled her into his arms, gently patting her back. "The ancients said that a short parting is better than a wedding night. On such a beautiful evening, does the Queen truly intend to stand here and talk to me?" Tears still shimmered in Jiang Bilan’s eyes, but a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Murong Yan swept her up in his arms and walked slowly through the palace path lined with lush trees and flowers.
The un-faded winter plums brushed against the ends of her hair, leaving behind a faint, lingering fragrance.
After a night of intimacy, Jiang Bilan wanted to ask him about Zuo Canglang several times, but she didn't know how to begin. What had he been doing with Zuo Canglang during those days at the border?
Though her heart was filled with tenderness, the thought that he might have shared such passion with another woman felt like a needle prick.
The next day, the monks of Fachang Temple arrived to perform the rites as Jiang Bilan had ordered. Jiang Bilan thought for a moment and said to Huiyun, "Since General Zuo is in the palace, summon her to accompany me in offering prayers."
Huiyun obeyed. Before long, Zuo Canglang arrived with long, steady strides. She wore the court robes of a Senior First Rank military official—purple robes over light armor—looking exceptionally upright and resolute. Jiang Bilan watched her intently. Zuo Canglang reached her in a few steps and knelt. "Your Majesty."
Jiang Bilan took a deep breath. "General Zuo has arrived. The masters are ready. General, please join me in chanting sutras and praying to deliver the souls of the departed."
"This subject obeys." Zuo Canglang looked around and knelt on the prayer mat behind her. The monks began their chanting, and Jiang Bilan handed her a scroll of scripture. The hall was set with memorial tablets for the fallen soldiers, covered in talismans. The scent of incense and candles filled the hall, cloying and inescapable.
Zuo Canglang was not someone accustomed to such places; she felt a throbbing pain in her temples. However, she had no choice but to follow along with the chanting. This kind of ritual required kneeling for two or three hours—it was more grueling than charging into battle.
While the masters were performing the rites, Jiang Bilan suddenly said, "Speaking of which, the General hasn't seen her parents since returning, has she?"
Zuo Canglang was startled—parents? I don't have—then she thought of the two elders of the Wen family and realized. She bowed slightly. "To answer Your Majesty, I entered the palace in haste yesterday and have not yet had the chance to pay my respects to my parents."
Jiang Bilan said, "It is all His Majesty’s fault, being so anxious to keep Madam Wen in the palace to recover."
Zuo Canglang was taken aback. Although she held the status of Wen Qi’s wife, the people around Murong Yan never addressed her by that title. What did Jiang Bilan mean by saying this so suddenly?
Jiang Bilan smiled. "However, the two elders of the Wen family are not your blood relatives after all, so it’s no wonder the General doesn't keep them in mind. But General, one must not forget their roots. If not for the Duke of State, you would still be nothing more than a concubine of Commander Wen. Even though you now hold high rank and are busy with military affairs, you should still find time to visit. Commander Wen has passed away; you should fulfill the duty of filial piety in his stead."
Zuo Canglang didn't understand her angle, only saying, "I thank Your Majesty for the reminder."
Jiang Bilan continued, "The two elders at home are of advanced age, and the Duke of State has many old battle wounds. Does the General know what medicine the old gentleman uses? What foods the two children like? Even if you were to personally cook a bowl of soup, I imagine their hearts would be warmed. I heard that last time, simply because Commander Wen’s eldest son spoke rudely to you, the Duke of State used the family discipline on him. Yet you not only stood by and watched, but also forbade anyone from treating his injuries. General, hearts are made of flesh; how could you treat General Wen’s orphan like that?"
Zuo Canglang had no choice but to stand and then kneel again. "Your Majesty’s lecture is correct. This subject is guilty."
Jiang Bilan said, "The General is a martial person; it is expected that you might lack delicacy. Once you finish copying the scriptures later, the General should return to the estate. As an official of the outer court, staying overnight in the palace frequently will easily invite gossip."
Zuo Canglang began to vaguely understand her meaning. "This subject understands."
Jiang Bilan felt as if she had punched a bale of cotton; Zuo Canglang seemed to have no intention of engaging with her at all. In truth, Zuo Canglang really didn't know what to say to her; everything Jiang Bilan asked her to do felt like entering a completely alien world.
Jiang Bilan was about to speak again when an announcement came from outside: "His Majesty arrives!"
The monks stopped their chanting, and Jiang Bilan hurried to receive him.
Murong Yan walked into the hall, reached out to help Jiang Bilan up, and then glanced at Zuo Canglang. "Everyone may rise."
Zuo Canglang stood up. Murong Yan led Jiang Bilan to sit down together, and Zuo Canglang tactfully stood to the side. Murong Yan said, "Government affairs have been busy, so I couldn't attend to your side. Are you accustomed to living in the palace?"
This kind of warm yet distant concern was the normal attitude of a sovereign toward a subject—albeit a highly valued one.
Zuo Canglang bowed. "To answer Your Majesty, everything is well."
Murong Yan smiled. "The General is injured; there is no need to stand. Someone, bring a seat."
Zuo Canglang looked up at Murong Yan, then lowered her eyes again. Murong Yan said, "Chanting and praying is merely a gesture of the heart. General Zuo is injured; having shown your intent is enough." He knew Zuo Canglang hated these long, tedious rituals most of all. But Jiang Bilan was the Queen, after all; since she had gone to the trouble of preparing this, he had to give her some face. That was why he had only come after the morning court session.
Zuo Canglang said, "To answer Your Majesty, since returning to Jinyang, I have not yet had the chance to pay my respects to my parents at the estate. I ask Your Majesty’s permission to return to the estate to recover, so as not to worry the elders at home."
Murong Yan was slightly surprised. He glanced at Jiang Bilan, who was also looking at him. He smiled and said, "The General’s filial piety is commendable. In that case, you may return to the estate."
Zuo Canglang thanked him for the favor, rose to take her leave, and left the palace for the estate.
Jiang Bilan watched Murong Yan’s expression, and he was looking at her too. In his pitch-black pupils, her world-toppling beauty was reflected. Yet at that moment, she realized she could not tell whether he was happy or angry. She thought back carefully and was suddenly struck with fear—from the moment they met until now, it seemed she had never been able to read his true emotions.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
绘月 | Huiyue | Jiang Bilan's maid.
姜碧瑶 | Jiang Biyao | Jiang Bilan's younger sister.
卫将军 | General of the Guards | A high-ranking military title, superior to the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
薛成景 | Xue Chengjing | A character mentioned as being saved by Zuo Canglang.
金屋椒房 | Golden house and pepper-scented chambers | Allusions to the luxurious quarters of Han dynasty empresses; "Golden House" refers to the story of Emperor Wu of Han and Chen Jiao.
南清宫 | Nanqing Palace | A palace building within the imperial complex.
绘云 | Huiyun | Another of Jiang Bilan's maids.
法常寺 | Fachang Temple | A Buddhist temple.
