In the afternoon, Jiang Sanyi was discussing new policies with Zheng Zhizhou and several others. Although Murong Yan favored them, that favor was predicated on their ability to produce results. Neither Gan Xiaoru nor Jiang Sanyi dared to feign compliance while secretly undermining his current decisions. Murong Yan was a man who could turn a blind eye to some things, but one could never touch his "reverse scales"—his absolute taboos.
Jiang Sanyi was reviewing a treatise on land reclamation and redistribution submitted by Zheng Zhizhou when a messenger suddenly arrived to report: "My Lord, news has come from the palace. It is said that the General of Agile Cavalry, Zuo Canglang, offended His Majesty and incited his dragon-like wrath. She has been stripped of her military rank and cast into the Imperial Prison!"
"What?" Jiang Sanyi stood up abruptly. Beside him, Zheng Zhizhou and the others could not hide their shock. Jiang Sanyi asked, "Do we know the reason for the confrontation?"
The messenger replied, "Only Chief Eunuch Wang was present at the time, so no one knows the specifics. However, the matter is absolutely certain."
Jiang Sanyi pondered for a long while before saying, "I see. You may leave."
As the servant exited the room, Zheng Zhizhou said, "Brother-in-law, if this is true, it is a godsend for us!"
Jiang Sanyi replied, "I find this somewhat suspicious. Zuo Canglang just used one Ren Xuan to trade for a massive sum of silver from West Jing; why would she offend His Majesty for no reason? Furthermore, given her relationship with His Majesty, he shouldn't have stripped her of her rank and imprisoned her over a few words."
Qin Muyun, the Minister of Agriculture, added, "Prime Minister, in my humble opinion, regardless of the reason, His Majesty must be in a towering rage right now, and she is behind bars. This is precisely our opportunity."
Jiang Sanyi said, "Her influence in the military is vast. Even if His Majesty imprisoned her, it should only be a warning. He wouldn't truly take her life."
Qin Muyun countered, "It is precisely because her influence is so vast. If the generals in the army learn she has been imprisoned... if they start a commotion, given His Majesty’s temperament..."
A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Sanyi’s eyes. "His Majesty will surely realize that he cannot allow one person to dominate the military. Wang Yunzhao likely won't let the news spread to the army so quickly. Therefore, we shall arrange for a few people to deliver letters to the generals stationed abroad."
That very night, fast riders galloped out of Jinyang City, carrying the news of Zuo Canglang’s imprisonment.
Inside the Palace of Yan, the night was deep. Jiang Bilan stood before the palace gates, watching the stars and moon rise as the air grew increasingly cold.
Huayue draped a cloak over her shoulders and said, "Your Grace, it is so late; His Majesty likely won't be coming. Please go inside. The night is damp with dew; what if you catch a chill?"
Jiang Bilan pulled the cloak tighter. "No, I want to wait a bit longer. He will come. In the past, even if he didn't come, he would always send someone to inform me."
Huayue was nearly moved to tears. "Your Grace, let me go ask Chief Eunuch Wang. Please go inside first, alright? It's so late; His Majesty might have already retired for the night."
Jiang Bilan shook her head. "I must wait. I have to wait. You don't understand. From the time I was a child, my father betrothed me to him, then rejected the marriage, and later agreed to let me marry him again. Whether we were wed or the contract was broken, it was always for the interests of the Jiang family. But when I first met him, we were children. He would sneak into my home every day to hear me play the zither and sing, and he would take me riding. Once, while riding, I fell from the horse, and he flew to catch me."
She looked up at the moon, light and shadow flickering in her eyes. "I fell into his arms, and from 그 moment on, I thought I would be his for the rest of my life. Regardless of whether he was in power or out, whether he succeeded or failed." She turned to Huayue. "Even when we returned to Jinyang and I stood by his side in the Queen's robes, what truly intoxicated me was still my love for him."
"Your Grace," Huayue said with a sob in her voice, "please do not be sad. I will go look for him right now. His Majesty will surely come." She walked forward, gradually leaving the inner palace. Jiang Bilan stood among the sparse flowers and trees, her tears falling under the moonlight.
The moonlight was like frost. Feng Ping, having finished his patrol of the palace perimeter, walked through the osmanthus grove. It was mid-August, near the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the bright moon hung high in the sky. He turned his head and saw, beneath the silver-gauze moonlight, a beauty leaning against a tree full of osmanthus blossoms. She gazed at the stars, her tears falling like pearls, her face exquisitely beautiful. All was silent; night-light butterflies danced and settled on her shoulder, and the wind stirred a few strands of dark hair across her eyes. All the poems in the world could not describe even a fraction of her grace.
Feng Ping could not help but stop. In that moment, it was as if he had seen a celestial fairy; he felt a sense of suffocation.
He took a step back and stepped on a fallen leaf. Jiang Bilan turned around, quickly wiping the tear tracks from the corners of her eyes. "Commander Feng."
Feng Ping lowered his gaze, quickly steadying his mind, and stepped forward to salute. "Your Majesty the Queen. Why are you here so late?"
Jiang Bilan took a deep breath, hiding the traces of her sobbing. "This is the path His Majesty takes when returning to the inner palace."
Feng Ping said, "If Your Grace wishes to know His Majesty's whereabouts, you need only send someone to ask the attendants. Why wait here?"
Jiang Bilan shook her head. "I will wait for him here." Dew dripped from the osmanthus tree, staining her exquisitely embroidered skirt. For some reason, Feng Ping suddenly thought—*her clothes are wet.*
He stepped forward a few paces and said, "Your Grace, His Majesty will likely stay in the Imperial Study tonight and go nowhere else."
Jiang Bilan looked at him. "What did you say?"
Feng Ping replied, "Today, the General of Agile Cavalry, Zuo Canglang, offended the Emperor. She was punished with a hundred military strikes and cast into the Imperial Prison. His Majesty must be extremely furious; he likely won't return to the inner palace, nor go anywhere else."
Jiang Bilan was startled. "Zuo Canglang? Why did she offend His Majesty?"
Feng Ping said, "A few days ago, Prime Minister Jiang wanted to support a martial arts faction to serve His Majesty. Zuo Canglang, fearing that His Majesty would neglect her own followers, naturally had to fight for it."
Jiang Bilan’s delicate brows furrowed slightly. "What does supporting a martial arts faction have to do with her followers? Aren't her people always in the military?"
Feng Ping stepped forward two more paces, catching the faint, intoxicating scent of flowers on her. He said, "Before His Majesty ascended the throne, he cultivated a martial arts faction. The leader of that faction follows her every word."
Jiang Bilan understood. "Is my father trying to uproot that faction first?"
"Yes," Feng Ping said.
Jiang Bilan raised her fair face and gazed at Feng Ping. "In the past, when I asked my father, he never told me this much. Commander Feng... why are you telling me?"
Feng Ping’s pupils were deep and dark, clearly reflecting her image—transparent and clear, like spring water reflecting pear blossoms. He said, "As long as it is something Your Grace wishes to know, what is there that this humble official cannot say?"
Jiang Bilan was stunned. She swore that in that moment, she saw a trace of infatuation in the man's gaze. Since childhood, she had seen countless such looks; some were subtle, some were naked, some gentle, and some wild.
After growing weary of such gazes, she had fallen in love with the feeling of Murong Yan looking at her. It was a calm, restrained tenderness. Later, she gradually became the Crown Prince's Consort, and now the Queen; no one dared to look her directly in the eye anymore.
She had almost forgotten this kind of gaze, yet on this night, it was awakened once more.
She quickly looked away, her cheeks perhaps tinged with a slight blush, but in the dead of night under the hazy moonlight, it was hard to tell. *This man harbors feelings of admiration for me. I should seize this opportunity to ask more questions.*
For some reason, this thought suddenly occurred to her. So she asked, "Is Zuo Canglang currently held in the Imperial Prison? Did His Majesty say how he intends to deal with her?"
Feng Ping asked, "How does Your Grace wish for His Majesty to deal with her?"
Jiang Bilan bit her lip slightly. A thought flashed through her mind that made her heart tremble—she wanted her dead! If she died, would Murong Yan come to the Phoenix Nest Palace every night? Even if he had no love in his heart, for the rest of his life, he would still pour all his tenderness upon her.
And that tenderness would be the only one for a lifetime, belonging entirely to her! Furthermore, she would have endless time to awaken his love and receive his response.
She looked up at Feng Ping. Feng Ping was also looking at her; even under the cover of night, he did not draw closer. He simply gazed at her quietly, waiting for her answer.
Jiang Bilan said, "I loathe that person. I loathe her so much I don't want to see her even once."
She still felt that the words "death" and "kill" were too cruel, so she chose more indirect phrasing. As a lady of the inner chambers and a daughter of a high-ranking family, she had severely punished servants and doubted people's hearts, but she had never personally killed anyone. The death of Weizhu last time had felt terrifying to her.
And this time, she simply couldn't bring herself to say those two words.
Feng Ping said softly, "A person who earns Your Grace's loathing should not exist in this world in the first place." Jiang Bilan was slightly taken aback. Feng Ping continued, "She is now a prisoner. It would actually be very easy for Your Grace to handle her."
Jiang Bilan looked up. Feng Ping smiled and said, "She received a hundred military strikes. Even if the Imperial Guard didn't dare to strike with lethal intent, she is already heavily wounded. Conditions in the prison are harsh, and His Majesty won't change his mind so quickly. Your Grace only needs to have a word with the jailers... for someone with such heavy injuries, a simple bout of cold could very easily take her life."
Jiang Bilan found herself trembling. She tried hard to suppress the unease in her heart and said, "But... I do not know anyone in the Imperial Prison."
Feng Ping said, "But Your Grace knows me. Do you not?"
Jiang Bilan stared into his eyes. "You... can you really..."
Feng Ping said, "By then, Your Grace likely won't have to stand in the wind and dew in the middle of the night anymore."
Jiang Bilan bit her lip and said, "Then... I shall wait for Commander Feng's news."
Feng Ping said, "This humble official respectfully sees Your Grace off."
Jiang Bilan turned away, her fragrant scent fading. Her long silk sash was lifted by the wind, brushing past his side. He reached out, and his fingertips were left with a cool, silky sensation.
In the Imperial Study, Murong Yan was buried in his work, reviewing memorials. Little Anzi entered light-footedly, intending to trim the candle wicks. Without even raising his head, Murong Yan said in a low, heavy voice, "Get out!"
Little Anzi looked at Wang Yunzhao tremblingly. Wang Yunzhao shook his head at him, and he quickly retreated without a sound. Wang Yunzhao thought for a moment, then went over to refill the tea, saying, "Your Majesty, it is so late. You should rest."
Murong Yan said, "That wretched creature still refuses to beg for mercy."
Wang Yunzhao said with a smile, "Though Your Majesty is angry, you still harbor some concern for General Zuo in your heart."
Murong Yan said, "I have spoiled her for too long."
Wang Yunzhao said, "Your Majesty, General Zuo has always been a thoughtful person. Her disrespectful words today were because she regards Your Majesty as family. A child will always be a bit more willful in front of their own family. Though it is vexing, it is also somewhat endearing. If she were to hide her thoughts from Your Majesty, wouldn't that seem distant?"
Murong Yan said, "Did she look like she came to reason with me today?"
Wang Yunzhao said, "Did Your Majesty not also grant her a hundred military strikes? Each one fell solidly upon her body. Even a man of iron could not withstand that."
Murong Yan snorted coldly. "The Imperial Guards were all trained by her. Who would dare to beat her to death?"
Wang Yunzhao smiled and massaged his shoulders. "Your Majesty has your own discretion; naturally, they wouldn't dare use heavy hands. However, even with mercy shown, injuries to bone and sinew are unavoidable. After the incident at the Bright Moon Terrace, the General has been coughing constantly. Her injuries had only just healed, and now in the prison..."
Murong Yan said, "It is late. I will rest in the study and go nowhere else. You may leave as well."
Wang Yunzhao understood his meaning; this was a tacit permission for him to visit the prison. Leaving the study, he went straight to the Imperial Prison. Though it was late, he was still able to see her. The jailers welcomed him in, and he reached the cell, seeing Zuo Canglang imprisoned by the door, wearing a heavy cangue.
Her wounds hadn't been fully treated, and now her clothes were stuck to the injuries, with dark bloodstains covering her back.
Wang Yunzhao sighed softly. "General."
Zuo Canglang raised her head, her long hair matted and stuck to her face. She tilted her head slightly. "Chief Eunuch Wang."
Seeing her lips were parched and cracked, Wang Yunzhao hurried someone to bring fresh water to feed her. "General, why go to such lengths?"
Zuo Canglang said, "There was a reason I had to do it."
Wang Yunzhao said, "Just because His Majesty met with Duanmu Shang? Actually, if the General thinks about it, even if His Majesty supports the Duanmu family, what impact would it have on Lady Leng? She is still the blade in His Majesty's hand; His Majesty has simply gained another one."
Zuo Canglang said, "No. The Duanmu family has been suppressed by the Hidden Sword Villa for too long. Once they rise, they will take every precaution. Over the years, the Swallow's Nest has done too many things that cannot see the light of day. Once they bring those matters into the open, the Swallow's Nest and the Swallow Tower will become unorthodox, demonic sects. And Feng Ping knows about Leng Feiyan. Once they expose Feiyan's identity, His Majesty will not only abandon the Swallow's Nest but will also certainly abandon Feiyan. But Feiyan knows too much; His Majesty will never allow her to spread that knowledge."
Wang Yunzhao suddenly shuddered. "Are you saying... the Duanmu family will eradicate the Swallow Tower?"
Zuo Canglang felt a bit cold and huddled her body slightly. "They will. Without the Duanmu family, His Majesty might have brought the Swallow Tower into the light, gradually turning it into a legitimate business; it wouldn't be impossible for it to become a prestigious, righteous sect. But Feiyan is proud. By comparison, the Duanmu family is naturally more useful. And they are already a prestigious, righteous sect."
Wang Yunzhao said, "Lady Leng is proud... so the General knew."
Zuo Canglang said, "Therefore, no matter what, I must fight. I cannot allow the Duanmu family to dig up the old cases of the Swallow's Nest. I didn't have the time to slowly persuade him. The Duanmu family has already won the martial arts assembly and will soon become the new leaders of the martial world. If I used other methods of persuasion, His Majesty would only need to delay for three to five days for the Duanmu family to completely nail the Swallow's Nest to the pillar of being an evil sect."
So, how could she not have known it would enrage him? How could she not have known it would cause the trust they had painstakingly rebuilt to fracture once more?
Wang Yunzhao sighed. "General, if you are in prison, won't the other generals be terrified? Once they are terrified, they will surely submit petitions one after another. General, most of Great Yan's military power is currently in your hands. Whether it is Yuan Xi, Xu Lang, or Wang Nan—which of these generals isn't close to you? You are coercing His Majesty."
Zuo Canglang said, "If I take a step back today, Feiyan will be forced into a passive position at every turn. As things stand, I can only worry about what is right in front of me."
The next day, even before the morning court session, military reports from various regions arrived like snowflakes. Murong Yan opened them one by one, his gaze gradually darkening. Every single one was a memorial from the generals in the army, without exception, all pleading for Zuo Canglang's leniency.
General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan Xi, Grand General of the Upper Army Zhuge Jin, Grand General of the Central Army Zheng Chu... all the way down to Zhou Xin, not a single person was missing. Then there was the headquarters of the Jade Worship Cult on Mount Goushe; Yang Lianting had sent four consecutive memorials to pay his respects.
Murong Yan threw the memorials to the ground and sneered, "These people... hmph, very well."
Wang Yunzhao didn't dare to offer any advice. Murong Yan simply swept all the reports off the desk. Outside, a palace attendant announced that Wen Xingye, the Duke of Ding, requested an audience. Murong Yan leaned back slightly against his chair and said, "Let him in."
Wen Xingye entered leaning on a cane and knelt with great effort to pay his respects. "This humble official, Wen Xingye, greets Your Majesty."
Murong Yan looked down at him coldly for a long time before saying, "Speak. What do you want to say to me now?"
He did not tell him to rise. Wen Xingye could only remain kneeling as he said, "In response to Your Majesty, I was shocked to hear that my daughter-in-law, Wen-Zuo Shi, offended Your Majesty. I have come specifically to the palace to beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Murong Yan said, "Beg for forgiveness? How do you intend to do that?"
Wen Xingye said, "A daughter-in-law's mistake is due to my lack of strict family discipline. I should share the blame."
"Family discipline?" Murong Yan said in a low voice. "If we speak of family discipline, I shouldn't wrong you; she is, after all, someone who came from my side!"
Wen Xingye said, "Your Majesty, regardless of the circumstances, please consider her youth and lack of experience, and forgive her this once."
Murong Yan asked, "And if I do not forgive her?" Wen Xingye was stunned. Murong Yan continued, "Will these generals also gather at the Wen Manor tonight, just like those old fools under Bi Chengjing?"
Wen Xingye's expression changed. Murong Yan said, "Leave. I know what I am doing when it comes to dealing with my own officials."
Wen Xingye had no choice but to bow again and slowly retreat.
Murong Yan said, "I see it clearly now. For the sake of Leng Feiyan, she has truly thrown all these people into the fray."
Wang Yunzhao said, "Your Majesty, I went to see the General last night. She is weak from her heavy injuries, yet she was still murmuring about Your Majesty. Your Majesty, perhaps... let her out first."
Murong Yan sneered. "What's the rush? A person as shrewd as she is won't die so easily. Let her stay in prison for a few more days; it's a good chance for her to reflect."
Wang Yunzhao said no more.
That afternoon, Wang Nan rushed back to Jinyang to seek an audience with Murong Yan. Soon after, Xu Lang also returned. They were colonels stationed near Jinyang, so they arrived quickly. Murong Yan used the excuse of them leaving their posts without permission to give them each fifty military strikes.
The two didn't dare say anything and silently accepted the punishment.
That night, military reports from various places continued to arrive. Murong Yan ordered Little Anzi to burn them all. Then he said, "Call Duanmu Shang."
When Duanmu Shang entered the study, Murong Yan's expression was already very calm. He knelt on one knee. "Duanmu Shang greets Your Majesty."
Murong Yan said, "In a few days, Duanmu Rou will take over as the leader of the martial arts alliance."
Duanmu Shang kowtowed again. "Thanks to Your Majesty's cultivation, the Duanmu family will forever be grateful for your imperial grace."
Murong Yan said, "I didn't call you here to hear that." Duanmu Shang was quite surprised. Murong Yan continued, "Being in the martial world, have you ever heard of the Swallow Tower?"
A light flashed in Duanmu Shang's eyes. Feng Ping had certainly told him about the Swallow Tower and the Swallow's Nest. He said, "In response to Your Majesty, I have heard of it."
Murong Yan said, "After the Duanmu family takes power, do not touch it. Do not attempt to move against anyone inside. I hope you can coexist in peace. Even in the martial world, it is not always necessary to face each other with swords."
Duanmu Shang was confused. He had heard from Feng Ping that Murong Yan was actually dissatisfied with the leader of the Swallow's Nest. Why did he sound like he was protecting them today?
However, despite his confusion, he remained prostrate and said, "This subordinate understands."
That night, Zuo Canglang was still in a fitful sleep. Wang Yunzhao had sent someone with a message saying that Murong Yan had already given instructions to the Duanmu family. She finally felt relieved; the heart that had been hanging in suspense for days finally settled. She leaned against the cangue, feeling pain all over her body. But what could be done about the pain? She could only endure it.
Murong Yan was currently in a fit of anger; the fact that he hadn't given her another beating was already good enough. She couldn't ask for more. She closed her eyes. With the heavy cangue on her, she couldn't sleep well anyway. She could only close her eyes to rest her spirit.
Outside, a jailer began splashing water into the cells. Usually, they splashed water to clean the cells, but this time, he splashed the water directly onto Zuo Canglang.
Zuo Canglang shuddered, feeling a sharp pain from her wounds. There was a large amount of salt in the water. She trembled slightly, her whole body tensing up. The jailer splashing the water was a stranger; he stood outside the cell and splashed her almost every fifteen minutes.
Just as her body temperature began to warm her soaked clothes, she was plunged back into icy water. Large amounts of salt formed crystals in her wounds. Shivering, she raised her head, but the jailer didn't look her in the eye. He simply stood outside the cell with an expressionless face, silent.
Zuo Canglang suddenly realized—someone wanted to kill her!
It wouldn't be Murong Yan; she ruled him out without needing a reason, even though there were many reasons to prove he wouldn't harbor murderous intent.
Who would want to kill her?
It was cold. The wet clothes clung to her body. The massive blood loss and heavy injuries meant her breath didn't carry even a hint of warmth. The wounds on her back had gone numb, but wearing the heavy cangue, she had nowhere to hide. In that moment, she lost her dignity and her toughness; she curled into a ball, her entire body shaking violently.
***
**Glossary**
