The next morning, after the dawn court session, Wang Yunzhao personally came to request Zuo Canglang’s presence for a private audience in the Imperial Study. It was not the first or second time Zuo Canglang had met Murong Yan alone, so she immediately followed Wang Yunzhao toward the study.
Suddenly, Wang Yunzhao spoke. "Does the General know why His Majesty has summoned you this time?"
Zuo Canglang paused slightly. "Is it regarding the gathering of the various lords at the Wen residence last night?"
"The General is indeed clever," Wang Yunzhao said. "Since you know what concerns His Majesty, have you thought of how to answer him?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "No member of the Wen clan remains in court. The Duke of Dingguo is merely a retired official with no power or influence, holding nothing but an empty title. Even if former subordinates gather at his manor, what cause for concern does His Majesty have?"
"General," Wang Yunzhao said, "there is still someone from the Wen clan in court. Not only are they in court, but they also hold heavy military command, their word is law within the army, and their influence spans the entire government!"
Zuo Canglang was finally struck by his words. She stopped in her tracks and gazed at him slowly. "What do you mean by that, Chief Wang?"
Wang Yunzhao sighed. "General, though I am but a man of incomplete parts, even I can see that your feelings for His Majesty run deep. Furthermore, you once stayed by his side. I wish to ask the General one thing: if His Majesty were willing to grant you the rank of Consort, would you be willing to resume your former ties with him?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Chief Wang, I am a soldier. My mind is clear when arranging troops on the battlefield, but I do not have so many twists and turns in my heart when I speak or act. If you have something to say, please speak plainly."
Wang Yunzhao said, "If His Majesty were willing to disregard everything to grant you the rank of Consort, you would be willing to stay by his side, would you not?"
Zuo Canglang idly snapped a peach blossom branch. "I suppose I would."
"Then that is it," Wang Yunzhao said. "Since you are willing to accompany His Majesty and are not one to haggle over titles, why can you not simply follow his lead? Why must you insist on drawing such a clear line between you?"
Zuo Canglang walked forward slowly, fallen petals drifting onto her clothes. "Because if I did, I would not dare to look the Queen in the eye. I would feel as though I were stealing the favor and... and the love that belongs to her."
Wang Yunzhao said, "General, the Queen is in the inner palace, while you are in the outer court. If His Majesty does not mention it, I do not mention it, and you do not mention it, how would she ever know?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "I would know. If I know, then the sun, moon, and gods know; the hearts of all generations would know. My mind is made up; there is no need for further persuasion, Chief."
Wang Yunzhao sighed deeply once more. "General, your power currently reaches the heavens. However, the old subordinates of the Wen clan are, after all, loyal to their former master. Bi Chengjing’s faction will not help you; rather, they are a constant threat, waiting to kick you while you are down. By rescuing Chancellor Bi, you have already created a rift with Chancellor Jiang. Lord Gan always moves with the wind. General, if you do not secure His Majesty’s favor... this is like cooking with oil over a fierce fire. It looks magnificent, but once the flames touch your body, I fear you will be burned to ash."
Zuo Canglang stared into his eyes and said, "Though your words are filled with the utmost kindness, Chief, I do not understand them."
Wang Yunzhao said nothing more. Zuo Canglang continued, "I have followed my Lord since I was sixteen, from the time his power was meager until he ascended to rule the world. My Lord observes all things with profound insight. Does a subject’s loyalty truly need to be proven by offering oneself to the sovereign’s bed?"
"General..." Wang Yunzhao began, but Zuo Canglang did not let him continue.
"Chief Wang, no matter where I am or what position I hold, my heart toward my Lord will always be sincere. If he still does not believe this heart of mine, he may take a blade and carve it out!"
Wang Yunzhao hurriedly said, "What kind of talk is that, General? It was my own loose tongue that provoked you. I deserve punishment, I deserve punishment!"
Zuo Canglang huffed. "Hmph. It seems there is no need for me to go to the Imperial Study after all."
"My General!" Wang Yunzhao cried. "This is absolutely not the time for a temper! Come, come, His Majesty is still waiting for you."
Upon arriving at the study, Zuo Canglang knelt in greeting. Murong Yan set down his vermilion brush and looked up. "Who has offended you? You’ve come to me with a face full of anger."
Wang Yunzhao quickly spoke up. "This old servant spoke out of turn and provoked the General with idle chatter. I beg Your Majesty for punishment."
Murong Yan chuckled. "Then you truly should be punished. Seeing that my General of the Flying Cavalry has only just recovered from her injuries, you go and provoke her. If she were to be sickened by anger again, would I not be left with no one to lead my three armies?"
Wang Yunzhao bowed repeatedly. Zuo Canglang said, "The Chief is teasing me. He treats us like an elder would; I wouldn't dare be truly angry with him."
Murong Yan smiled as well. "Rise. There have been many trivial matters these past few days, and since you have been unwell, you haven't frequented the palace. If I hadn't summoned you today, I fear we might have grown distant."
Zuo Canglang stood up. Murong Yan looked up again, their eyes meeting. He finally set aside his scrolls, reached out, and said, "Come here."
Zuo Canglang walked to him. He took her hand, his broad, warm palm enveloping hers. Zuo Canglang stiffened and slowly pulled her hand away.
Murong Yan asked, "Do you have nothing to say to me?"
Zuo Canglang did not understand what he was asking. She kept her head lowered, standing with her hands respectfully at her sides. "What I had to report was already stated during the morning court. There is nothing that requires a private report."
Murong Yan nodded. "I heard that last night, the Wen residence was as busy as a marketplace, quite lively indeed. Why don't you tell me just how lively it was?"
Zuo Canglang knew he would ask about this. She simply said, "Your Majesty, several lords did come to the Wen residence last night, presumably to inquire about the matter of the King of Yan. I thought that since the Duke of Dingguo is retired and holds no official post, it was at most a bit of idle talk. Therefore, I did not attend."
"Idle talk?" Murong Yan’s voice sharpened. "As my General of the Flying Cavalry, people gather at your residence to discuss treason, and you actually think it is just 'idle talk'? You forced me to obtain the list of those names from elsewhere!"
Zuo Canglang knelt on the ground. "My Lord!"
Murong Yan did not tell her to rise. Looking down from this angle, her features lacked their usual steely resolve, possessing instead a young woman’s refined gentleness. Murong Yan reached out and slowly stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. Zuo Canglang slowly turned her face away, avoiding his touch.
Murong Yan said, "Do you know what I am thinking at this moment?"
Zuo Canglang lowered her head. "I do not know. I ask my Lord to enlighten me."
Murong Yan said, "I am thinking, if I were to grant you the rank of Consort, would you be willing to stay in the inner palace and accompany me forever?"
Zuo Canglang was stunned. She looked up, finding Murong Yan’s gaze distant and profound. "If it were possible, would you be willing?"
"I..." When Zuo Canglang spoke again, she felt every word was a struggle. How could she not be willing? That was a dream she had dreamt countless times. But... she said, "But I am currently the widow of General Wen. You have conquered the world and proclaimed your deep devotion to the Queen to all people. To turn around and take the wife of a deceased subject as a consort... whether in terms of sentiment or righteousness, it would bring no benefit to you. Furthermore, the Queen is also deeply devoted to you. If you truly took a consort, I fear it would break her heart."
Murong Yan said, "So, you are actually willing, aren't you?"
Zuo Canglang fell silent again. Murong Yan continued, "If you are willing, and you do not care for titles, why do you keep avoiding me?"
Hearing that their conversation had turned into private matters, Wang Yunzhao quietly withdrew. He not only closed the door but also sent away all the attendants guarding it.
Zuo Canglang said, "Because if I did, I would develop boundless, delusional desires. When my Lord appears in public with the Queen, hand in hand in love, I would be heartbroken."
She looked up, her eyes reflecting the clusters of lamplight like blooming flowers. "For that which I desire but cannot have, though I yearn for it day and night, I can ultimately endure. But could my Lord truly bear to place me in a shadow that can never see the light—to let me live a life of guilt, resentment, and self-pity?"
Murong Yan slowly withdrew his hand. Zuo Canglang said, "In fact, before I arrived, Chief Wang had already mentioned these words to me."
Murong Yan asked, "What did he say?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "Chief Wang said that it is like cooking with oil over a fierce fire; though the surface is glorious, once the fire catches, it results in being burned to ash. Therefore, he said I should secure my hold on Your Majesty by any means."
Murong Yan’s brow furrowed. Zuo Canglang said, "Now that there is no one else in the room, there are some things I wish to ask my Lord directly."
Murong Yan felt a flicker of interest. For the first time in his life, someone was questioning him with such grievance, anger, and yet unwavering trust. Was this... a heart-to-heart?
He said, "Ask."
Zuo Canglang asked, "Does my Lord doubt my loyalty?"
As she asked this, she looked up at him, the light in her eyes like stars. Murong Yan suddenly felt a strange impulse. He wanted to pin her down right there, tear away her clothes, and enjoy her to his heart's content, listening to her toss and turn with endless cries of sorrow.
This emotion came without reason. He had thought he had long since lost the capacity for desire. Before this, whether it was Zuo Canglang or Jiang Bilan, he accepted them, but it was merely acceptance—never a craving.
He leaned back against his chair. Though the sudden surge of desire surprised him, it was not enough to sway him. He spoke slowly, "It was just a few words from Wang Yunzhao. Though his language was inappropriate, his intentions were good. Yet here you are, storming into my presence to throw a tantrum. Do you expect me to apologize to you?"
Zuo Canglang fell silent. She did not believe Murong Yan would doubt her loyalty. If offering herself was merely a way to "secure" him, then what did all those years of love carved into her very bones and blood count for?
Her face flushed. Murong Yan reached out and flicked her forehead. "Get up! Are you really waiting for me to apologize?"
Zuo Canglang stood up, her eyes slightly red. Murong Yan said, "I haven't said a word, yet you've gone and made yourself feel wronged first. The ancients did not deceive me; truly, only women and small men are difficult to deal with."
Zuo Canglang lowered her head and remained silent. Murong Yan said, "The Duke of Dingguo is old, and the Wen clan is full of loyal martyrs. Whether for the sake of General Wen’s mentorship of you or for the sake of the loyal souls of Great Yan’s soldiers, I wish to grant him a life of wealth, peace, and a good end. But while you are at the Wen residence, you must offer some counsel. My patience has its limits."
Zuo Canglang knelt again and said, "I will certainly persuade my father-in-law to never again have any involvement with the matters of the King of Yan."
"Father-in-law?" Murong Yan sneered. "You certainly are protective of him."
Zuo Canglang said, "I am protecting him," Murong Yan’s expression darkened, but she continued, "and I am protecting my Lord’s eternal reputation even more."
Murong Yan was so frustrated he laughed. "That sharp tongue of yours!"
With that, he reached out and gave her mouth a light slap. He started the motion with force but landed it with extreme gentleness. Those moist, soft lips rubbed against his palm, smooth and full of elasticity.
In that fleeting contact, a rosy flush bloomed on Zuo Canglang’s cheeks. And that strange desire entangled him once more.
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The Abandoned Empress General | Chapter 54 | A Question of Loyalty | Novela.app | Novela.app
