After Feng Ping and Duanmu Shang left the Imperial Study, Wang Yunzhao came forward to refill the tea. With a smile, he said, "The Duanmu family is certainly well-informed. It was only the day before yesterday that this old servant passed Your Majesty’s orders to Commander Feng, yet Duanmu Shang arrived today with Zang Tianqi’s head in hand."
Murong Yan glanced at him and said, "Are you trying to remind me that there might be some sort of deal between him and Feng Ping?"
"How could this old servant possibly need to remind Your Majesty?" Wang Yunzhao replied. "I simply feel that while the Duanmu family can indeed be used by Your Majesty, Leng Shaojun was, after all, raised by your own hand. As they say... old friends are better than new acquaintances."
Murong Yan gave a faint smile but did not pursue the topic. Instead, he asked, "What do the imperial physicians say about Lan’er’s condition?"
Since the last palace banquet, Jiang Bilan had been ill. Her condition fluctuated, and despite the many prescriptions written by the physicians, she showed no signs of recovery. Wang Yunzhao quickly replied, "The physicians say it is merely a case of excessive worry, nothing serious. Her Highness has a delicate constitution, so it is only natural that her recovery takes some time."
Murong Yan frowned. "Worry? Within the palace or without, what could possibly cause her such excessive worry now?"
Wang Yunzhao remained silent. Murong Yan said, "I will go see her."
In recent days, whenever he was free after the morning court, he spent most of his time at the Phoenix Palace. Wang Yunzhao was not surprised and quickly followed him.
***
Zuo Canglang had made a trip to Mayi City. Ren Xuan had been detained in Great Yan for quite some time. The faction led by Jiang Sanyi intended to execute him immediately to demonstrate Great Yan’s military might. Zuo Canglang disagreed; instead, she sent people to Western Jing to spread news of his capture far and wide. Ren Xuan was a veteran general of Western Jing and held considerable prestige.
Previously, the Emperor of Western Jing had refused to pay the high ransom demanded by Great Yan, which was indeed exorbitant. But as public sentiment grew more heated, he could not afford to demoralize his army or lose the hearts of his people. Left with no choice, he gritted his teeth and paid a massive sum to redeem Ren Xuan.
Western Jing sent an envoy, but this time there was none of the past arrogance of an emperor visiting a vassal state. Murong Yan did not even allow him to enter Jinyang. Since Zuo Canglang had been handling the matter all along, he simply left it to her.
Zuo Canglang brought Ren Xuan to Mayi City, where the two sides exchanged gold, silver, and prisoners beneath the city walls. As he was leaving, Ren Xuan turned back and said, "The next time we meet on the battlefield, it won't be this easy."
Zuo Canglang smiled and replied, "It is easy, and yet it isn't. I am nineteen this year, while you, General, are nearly forty. As long as I live well, you will eventually be defeated by time without me even having to fight."
Ren Xuan was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, he suddenly gave a bitter smile and said, "If one day... Great Yan can no longer tolerate you, come to Western Jing and find me."
Zuo Canglang was never one to lose a war of words. She replied, "I was just about to say the same to you, General. If Western Jing should fall in the future, come to the State of Yan. My Emperor will surely not mistreat you."
The Western Jing envoy was furious and about to speak, but Ren Xuan raised his hand to stop him. Before departing, he looked at Zuo Canglang once more and said, "This time was my oversight, but there will certainly be a day we meet again. Take care, General."
He gave a solemn salute, and Zuo Canglang cupped her hands in return. "Take care."
Below Mayi City, he rode a hundred paces before turning back one last time. Beneath the ancient city gates, Zuo Canglang stood tall and resolute in her white robes and light armor, her plain cloak fluttering in the wind.
***
After Ren Xuan returned to Western Jing, Zuo Canglang transported all the gold, silver, jewels, and silks sent by Western Jing back to Jinyang. Yuan Xi escorted her along the way. While they were resting at a small teahouse on the ancient Jin-Ji Road, they overheard people gossiping.
"At this year's Martial Arts Assembly, someone from the Duanmu family actually won! The Hidden Sword Manor’s centuries of foundation have been destroyed just like that."
Yuan Xi and the others cared nothing for the affairs of the martial world, but Zuo Canglang suddenly asked, "Brother, are you saying that someone from the Duanmu family won this year's Martial Arts Assembly?"
The man was initially reluctant to answer, but seeing they were government officials, he became more polite. "Are you officers interested in the affairs of the *jianghu* as well? At yesterday's assembly, not a single person from the Hidden Sword Manor was present. The head of the Duanmu family, Duanmu Rou, emerged victorious. It seems the title of the martial world's number one will undoubtedly belong to the Duanmu family this term."
Zuo Canglang asked, "Were there no other masters participating besides the Duanmu family?"
The man replied, "Of course there were! The *jianghu* is full of experts, but besides the Hidden Sword Manor, who else could defeat Duanmu Rou?"
Zuo Canglang asked no more. Yuan Xi said, "Those martial arts folk are always fighting every year. Why do you care about this?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Don't mind me. You take these goods back to Jinyang first. I have something to attend to and will catch up later." Having said that, she left the teahouse and departed on her own.
Yuan Xi couldn't stop her and could only shout, "Be careful!"
Zuo Canglang used the token of the Swallow Nest—the pure gold Flying Swallow Buckle—to find a contact point, hoping to reach Leng Feiyan. But she was unsuccessful. Even the members of the Swallow Nest did not know where she had gone.
Zuo Canglang then investigated the Duanmu family and discovered that Jiang Sanyi’s second son, Jiang Yi, had paid them a visit. Shortly after, Duanmu Shang had followed Feng Ping into the palace to meet the Emperor.
Zuo Canglang did not regroup with Yuan Xi but rushed directly back to Jinyang.
At that time, Murong Yan was at the Phoenix Palace accompanying Jiang Bilan. As her health remained poor, Murong Yan held the medicine bowl to feed her personally. Outside, Wang Yunzhao reported, "Your Majesty, General Zuo requests an audience outside the palace."
Jiang Bilan’s body stiffened slightly. Murong Yan said, "Counting the days, she should be back by now. Tell her that if there is nothing else, she should go home first. We will discuss matters at the morning court tomorrow."
Wang Yunzhao hesitated for a moment but complied. He stepped out of the Phoenix Palace and said to Zuo Canglang, "General, His Majesty asks that you return to your manor first. Other matters will be discussed at the morning court."
Zuo Canglang said, "I have an urgent matter that must be reported to His Majesty immediately. I ask the Chief Manager to announce me once more."
Wang Yunzhao said, "General... Her Highness is currently ill. You see..."
Zuo Canglang insisted, "It is a very important matter. I must trouble the Chief Manager."
Wang Yunzhao had no choice but to enter Jiang Bilan’s bedchamber again. "Your Majesty, the General says there is indeed an urgent matter that must be reported in person."
Murong Yan thought for a moment and finally handed the medicine bowl to the maid, Cai Ling. "I will go out to see her and return shortly. Drink your medicine first."
When he spoke, his tone was gentle and considerate, his eyes full of concern. Jiang Bilan felt a sudden urge to weep. She nodded softly. "Brother Yan..."
Murong Yan patted the back of her hand and rose to leave. As the pearl curtain was lifted and then fell back into place, Jiang Bilan’s tears finally escaped. *If what Father said is true, then have you ever loved me?*
*Even a little bit—have you ever loved me?*
***
Murong Yan stepped out of the Phoenix Palace and saw Zuo Canglang kneeling outside. "Rise. What is so urgent?"
Zuo Canglang said, "At yesterday's Martial Arts Assembly, I heard that the head of the Duanmu family took the top prize. They are likely to replace the Hidden Sword Manor and lead the martial world of Great Yan."
Murong Yan said, "I have never cared for the affairs of the *jianghu*. You know this."
Zuo Canglang countered, "If Your Majesty does not care for the *jianghu*, then why did Duanmu Shang come to seek an audience?"
Murong Yan’s expression instantly soured. "We haven't seen each other for days, and now that we finally meet, you intend to question me in such a tone?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Now that Your Majesty’s foundation is stable, it is the perfect opportunity for the Swallow Nest to leave the shadows and transition into a legitimate force. However, the Swallow Nest’s influence is vast and complex. If the Duanmu family rises to power, they will never allow them the chance to go straight. I find it truly incomprehensible that Your Majesty would receive the Duanmu family at this time and allow them to lead the martial world."
Murong Yan’s face gradually darkened. "As the General of the Agile Cavalry, you are overstepping your bounds. Do I need to explain my every action to you?"
Zuo Canglang froze. Murong Yan continued, "Since my ascension, I have favored and trusted you too much, to the point that you have gradually forgotten the proper roles of monarch and subject. That is why you dare to barge into the inner palace and question me so aggressively—and over a matter that is entirely outside your jurisdiction."
Seeing things were going poorly, Wang Yunzhao quickly interjected, "Your Majesty..."
"Silence!" Murong Yan barked.
The eunuch instantly fell silent. Murong Yan looked at Zuo Canglang again. "Someone, come! General of the Agile Cavalry Zuo Canglang has neglected etiquette and abandoned her station. This is an act of gross disrespect. Strip her of her military rank immediately and throw her into the Zhao Prison to await her sentence!"
The surrounding Imperial Guards were shocked and did not dare move for a long moment. Murong Yan snapped, "Can you no longer hear my words?"
Only then did the soldiers rush forward to seize Zuo Canglang. Wang Yunzhao cried out, "General!" He knew Murong Yan was in a towering rage; if Zuo Canglang did not kneel, admit her fault, and beg for mercy, he would not let this go. He *could* not let it go.
But Zuo Canglang merely shook off the guards' hands. After a long silence, she said, "Your Majesty, has the time finally come for us to burn the bridge after crossing it?"
Murong Yan exploded in fury. "Bastard! Men, drag her down and give her one hundred military strikes!"
One hundred strikes, if delivered with full force, were enough to kill anyone. However, the Imperial Guards were still dazed; no one truly dared to beat Zuo Canglang to death. The first few strikes were heavy, but the subsequent ones gradually lightened. After all, before entering the palace, she had been the Emperor’s most favored official; the sudden transition to prisoner was far too drastic.
Zuo Canglang endured the hundred strikes. Her mouth was filled with blood, yet she did not beg for mercy, gritting her teeth and taking the punishment in silence.
Murong Yan ordered her to be shackled and thrown into the Zhao Prison. The news spread almost instantly, causing an uproar throughout the court.
The Zhao Prison was a place for high-ranking criminals—former royalty, relatives of the emperor, and rebellious officials. Zuo Canglang was dragged in by soldiers and tossed into a narrow cell.
Even though the Imperial Guards had shown some mercy, her back was still a mess of torn flesh and blood. She spat out the blood in her mouth, and then a jailer came to fit her with a heavy cangue. Once the device was on, she could neither stand straight nor sit properly. She tilted her head, wiping the blood from her face against her sleeve.
A short while later, a man looking like a physician rushed in carrying a medicine chest. "General, Manager Wang sent me to check on your injuries."
Zuo Canglang said, "No need. I won't die!"
The physician ignored her and had the soldiers open the cell door. He pulled back the fabric from her back to reveal a bloody mess. The conditions in the prison were crude, and fearing discovery, he could only hurriedly stop the bleeding.
As he was treating the wound, a head jailer suddenly entered. "His Majesty has spoken: this prisoner has committed gross disrespect, and no one is allowed to visit. Leave at once!"
The physician glanced at Zuo Canglang again and said quickly, "Manager Wang said that His Majesty is currently in a fit of rage. You must soften your stance, General, and say a few kind words. At the very least, you must give him a way to back down gracefully."
Zuo Canglang said nothing. The jailer said, "Go, don't make things difficult for us."
The physician had no choice but to leave in a hurry. The cell door was locked once more, leaving only a sliver of daylight in the room.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
端木柔 | Duanmu Rou | Head of the Duanmu family.
姜毅 | Jiang Yi | Second son of Jiang Sanyi.
诏狱 | Zhao Prison | The Imperial Prison, specifically for those arrested by imperial decree (often high-ranking officials).
大不敬 | Gross disrespect | Lese-majesty; a serious crime of showing irreverence to the sovereign.
军棍 | Military strikes | A form of corporal punishment involving flogging with a heavy wooden staff.
彩绫 | Cai Ling | A maid in the Phoenix Palace.
飞燕扣 | Flying Swallow Buckle | A token of the Swallow Nest (Yanlou).
过河拆桥 | Burn the bridge after crossing it | Idiom: to discard those who helped you once their usefulness is over.
