As dawn approached, Zuo Canglang began to run a low fever. No other jailers had entered the area, suggesting someone had intentionally cleared them out. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and raspy. "Who sent you?"
The jailer standing outside the cell door offered no reply. Zuo Canglang continued, "Was it Jiang Sanyi?" Every word she uttered felt like fire and needles piercing her throat, yet she pressed on. "The King has no intention of killing me. If I die, he will certainly investigate. Even if he does not, the generals in the army and the Wen household will surely demand an explanation. When that time comes, do you think the master behind you will protect you?"
The man’s brow twitched slightly, but he remained silent. Zuo Canglang asked, "Do you have a personal vendetta against me?"
Finally, the man turned his head and glanced at her. Zuo Canglang’s pupils constricted. "You are... a man of Xijing!"
The man offered a faint smile and said nothing more. Zuo Canglang’s heart began to race. Though her life had been short, she had brushed with death several times. Yet, only this time did the process feel so agonizingly slow and painful.
If this man was from Xijing, he naturally wouldn't care how Murong Yan investigated afterward. He only needed to return to Xijing to be handsomely rewarded by his own Emperor. Furthermore... she had no means to sway him.
And Murong Yan would not come. He was still in the throes of rage; he wouldn't let his anger subside for several days.
Her cell was under the sole care of this Xijing infiltrator. He brought her meals punctually, but he would place the bowl just beyond her reach, even if she exerted every ounce of her strength. Once the allotted time passed, he would simply retrieve the untouched dishes.
Zuo Canglang’s lips were cracked and bleeding, and her wounds had gone numb. If this continued, even if she were lucky enough to survive, she would surely be left disabled. Moreover, how did a man from Xijing infiltrate this place? Was there someone in the court secretly colluding with the enemy?
Was it Jiang Sanyi who wanted her dead so badly, using such insidious methods?
Near daybreak, she drifted into a fitful sleep. When morning finally arrived, the sound of footsteps echoed outside. Zuo Canglang lifted her head. A young eunuch entered, carrying a medicine basket. He placed it before her and said, "General Zuo, Eunuch Wang sent me to check on you. He also sent some medicine."
Zuo Canglang glanced at the basket, then at the jailer standing not far away. "Come closer and apply the medicine for me," she said. The young eunuch complied, entering the cell and crouching beside her. Just as he was about to begin, Zuo Canglang whispered, "Listen to me. I don't care who sent you or what they want you to do. If you pass a message for me and get Head Eunuch Wang to come here personally, I will make you the Deputy Head Eunuch of the palace once I am released!"
The eunuch froze. Zuo Canglang continued, "Do not doubt me. The person behind you cannot promise you such a position. Besides, if I die, do you think you will be allowed to live?"
The eunuch proved to be remarkably composed. He calmly opened a medicine jar, dipped his finger in—though he didn't actually touch the ointment—and made a show of applying it to her wounds. He whispered back, "General... is this the truth? But... how can I trust you?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "I have no token to give you now. But I am, after all, the wife of Marshal Wen. Is the word of the Wen clan not more trustworthy than that of your master?"
The eunuch thought for a moment and said, "I will pass the message. But you must promise that if you escape this danger, you will not pursue the matter of who sent me."
"Go," Zuo Canglang said. "Be quick. Otherwise, your dreams of wealth and status will vanish into thin air."
The eunuch helped straighten her clothes and left with his basket. The jailer outside seemed to question him briefly, but after a few simple words, the eunuch left the prison undisturbed.
Not long after he departed, Wang Yunzhao arrived in a hurry. Upon seeing Zuo Canglang, he was visibly shaken. "General, you look so haggard, yet His Majesty’s anger has not yet subsided. What is to be done?"
Seeing him was like finding a lifeline in a desperate situation. Zuo Canglang said, "Eunuch Wang, you must persuade His Majesty to come to the prison."
Wang Yunzhao sighed. "General, His Majesty is in a fit of pique. How could he be willing to come? Even if he did, given his temperament, he certainly wouldn't release you so soon!"
Zuo Canglang said, "Someone in this prison is trying to kill me."
Wang Yunzhao was shocked. "This... preposterous! Who would be so bold as to attempt murder in His Majesty’s own Decree Prison?"
"Keep your voice down, Eunuch," Zuo Canglang cautioned. "Anyone who can reach their hand into this place is no ordinary person."
"I will immediately send men to strengthen the guard," Wang Yunzhao said.
Zuo Canglang shook her head. "Do you know which of them belongs to the enemy? Strengthening the guard will only alert them. They will simply strike faster."
Wang Yunzhao looked conflicted. "General, even if His Majesty comes, you have no other external injuries. Without proof, we cannot simply make him believe your life is in danger. He is already angry; if a quarrel breaks out, it will only make matters worse."
Zuo Canglang pursed her lips. Wang Yunzhao added, "Unless..."
Zuo Canglang looked at him. He said, "General, you have always known His Majesty’s feelings for you. If you are willing to treat him with tenderness, perhaps his anger will dissipate, and you can leave sooner."
Zuo Canglang fell silent. Finally, she asked, "Must I always remain by his side in this identity that can never see the light of day?"
Wang Yunzhao sighed. "General, you are a person of the battlefield. How can you die at the hands of petty scoundrels? Is accompanying His Majesty truly more difficult than your current situation? Moreover, the generals have offended His Majesty quite severely this time. In the future... whether it is Leng Shaojun, the other officers, or the Wen family, they will all need you."
Zuo Canglang lowered her head, resting her forehead against the heavy shackles. Wang Yunzhao continued, "If you are worried about the Queen, you can simply avoid seeing her in the future. Think about it—which emperor does not have a palace full of concubines? With you and her, inside and outside the palace, His Majesty would not be betraying anyone."
Zuo Canglang gave a self-mocking laugh. "That is merely self-deception. But... I will listen to you, Eunuch."
Wang Yunzhao finally stood up. "This old servant shall go and persuade His Majesty at once."
At that moment, Murong Yan was accompanying Jiang Bilan to admire flowers. The daisies in Qifeng Palace were blooming beautifully. Jiang Bilan danced among the blossoms while musicians played. Under the bright autumn sun, Murong Yan sat beneath a canopy, drinking wine while admiring the flowers and the beauty before him.
Wang Yunzhao entered and whispered in his ear, "Your Majesty, General Zuo..."
Murong Yan’s brow furrowed, his smile fading. "What is it?"
Wang Yunzhao said, "Your Majesty, this old servant just went to the prison. General Zuo caught a chill last night and is now unconscious. I fear she..." He carefully watched Murong Yan’s expression. "I fear she might not make it."
The hand Murong Yan held his cup with paused. He turned to look at him. Wang Yunzhao continued, "The prison is damp, and a jailer was careless while cleaning, soaking the General’s clothes. She was already injured. Your Majesty, should we perhaps send a royal physician to check on her?"
Murong Yan snorted coldly. "Check on her for what? Let her endure it herself." Wang Yunzhao was known for protecting her; it wasn't surprising he would exaggerate.
Wang Yunzhao said, "I was thinking that if we send a physician, even if the General truly passes away, others won't be able to blame Your Majesty..."
Only then did Murong Yan stare at him intently. Wang Yunzhao insisted, "Your Majesty, this old servant speaks only the truth."
Murong Yan stood up. Without a word to Jiang Bilan, he turned and left the inner palace, heading straight for the Decree Prison. Jiang Bilan stood silently amidst the flowers.
Murong Yan walked quickly. He didn't believe Zuo Canglang was truly that ill. Yet, for some reason, he suddenly remembered how Consort Rong had been harmed by the deposed Queen Zang in the past.
He entered the Decree Prison, and the guards all knelt in greeting. Murong Yan strode to the cell where Zuo Canglang was held. The water on her body had slowly dried after daybreak, and the jailer had brushed away the salt crystals. During the day, they made sure she looked somewhat normal.
The jailer opened the door. Murong Yan walked in and beckoned for Physician Zhao, who had followed him. The physician asked the jailer to temporarily remove her heavy shackles and stepped forward to take her pulse. After a long moment, he said, "Your Majesty, the General has indeed contracted a chill, and her wounds need to be treated immediately..."
Murong Yan glanced at Wang Yunzhao. A chill? How serious could that be?
He turned to leave, but Zuo Canglang’s fingers curled, catching the hem of his robe. Murong Yan turned back, looking down at her from his height. Wang Yunzhao gave a subtle signal, and the physician, guards, and attendants all withdrew. Murong Yan said, "Weren't you quite brave? What, you can't even last a few days?"
Zuo Canglang said nothing. Murong Yan reached out, intending to pull his robe from her grasp. Her fingers tightened, refusing to let go. Murong Yan crouched before her and sneered, "What, does General Zuo have more advice for this King?"
Zuo Canglang lifted her head. Those cold, handsome features were right before her, and the voice she had yearned for echoed in her ears. She reached out, her cold, pale fingertips sliding across his cheek. Her clothes had soaked and dried several times, carrying a strange scent. Her fingers, however, were as white as polished jade, devoid of blood.
Murong Yan thought he would feel disgusted, but he didn't. How could he be disgusted? Years ago, like startled birds, they had held hands and fled through the smoke and fire of Daji City. They had supported each other, covered in filth, through the marshes of Gray Leaf Plain. They had stood side by side watching the cold moon rise over frontier towns and the northern winds sweep across the Desert River.
He turned his face away. Zuo Canglang gently rested her forehead against his shoulder, slowly burying herself in his embrace. In a voice barely audible, she said, "Take me away from here." Murong Yan stiffened slightly. She whispered, "I am very cold, and it hurts very much. Take me away from here."
Tears fell, soaking into his shoulder, dampening the finely embroidered fabric, and chilling his heart.
He reached out, slowly wrapping his arm around her waist. Her forehead pressed against his chin; she was as cold as ice, yet she was submissive, not resisting his touch. He gradually understood her meaning and found it almost amusing. In terms of beauty and charm, she didn't possess a tenth of Jiang Bilan’s. In terms of talent, her poetry and prose were non-existent; she had only read a few military manuals and was barely literate.
Did this rough soldier, this functional illiterate, truly think that by simply being submissive, she could extinguish his deep-seated resentment?
Yet, he heard his own voice in that dark, damp, sunless cell—low and steady: "Mhm." She was pleading with him, having retracted her scales and claws. Why would he disdain such a trade? Inside and outside this palace, there were women of every shape and beauty; what woman could he not have?
When the lamps were extinguished and the red silk curtains drawn, did it matter who was in his arms?
So, it was likely just a moment of soft-heartedness.
When the heavy shackles were removed from her hands, deep bloody welts were left on her wrists. Zuo Canglang thought she would faint, but she remained conscious throughout. She couldn't stand, so two palace maids came to support her. Outside the Decree Prison, the sunlight was somewhat piercing. She stumbled for a few steps, then turned back.
Murong Yan stood behind her. Their eyes met, both remaining silent.
In Nanqing Palace, Zuo Canglang was attended to by physicians all afternoon. The necrotic flesh was cleared from her wounds, and the blood that flowed out stained the bedsheets red. She didn't know when she lost consciousness; perhaps it wasn't a faint, but merely sleep.
When she woke, there were several foot-warmers around her. It wasn't yet cold in late autumn, but her body was too chilled. She pulled a warmer into her arms, and the heat radiating from it made her feel as though she had returned to the world of the living.
The night was deep. She could only lie on her stomach, unable to move. Footsteps sounded outside. She lifted her head slightly and saw Murong Yan lift the curtain and enter.
"Your Majesty," she called out. she didn't get up; in truth, she couldn't. Murong Yan ignored her, unfastening his outer robe and tossing it onto a rack. Then he lifted the quilt and climbed onto the couch. Zuo Canglang tried to make room for him, but the slight movement made her break into a cold sweat from the pain.
Murong Yan lay down beside her. She was wearing nothing, her back covered only by medicinal gauze. When his hand reached out, her entire body stiffened.
Fortunately, Murong Yan did not force himself upon her. He merely stroked the skin that was still intact. This long-absent intimacy gave him a surge of excitement he couldn't quite vent. Zuo Canglang remained still as he leaned in, his lips brushing her cheek, then her neck. Her neck was slender and long, and her hair carried the fragrance of a recent washing. His Adam's apple moved slightly, his breathing gradually quickening.
Zuo Canglang’s heart hammered like a drum, but her primary sensation was still pain. His kisses were dense and lingering, his breath in the dim curtains stirring a sense of distraction and confusion.
She grasped his hand, and he squeezed back with even more force, his palm burning hot.
As the two were entangled, Wang Yunzhao gave a light cough from outside. "Your Majesty, the General has slept all day and should have some warm food. This old servant had a bowl of soup prepared; shall I have it brought in?"
Only then did Murong Yan rise and straighten his robes. Once he was presentable, he said, "Enter."
Wang Yunzhao led a palace maid inside, carrying a bowl of Amber Lotus Seed Soup. Murong Yan stepped aside, and the maid brought the soup to the bedside to feed her. Zuo Canglang was indeed hungry; she didn't even use a spoon, drinking a large gulp directly from the rim of the bowl.
Murong Yan watched for a while without saying anything, then slowly walked out of Nanqing Palace. Wang Yunzhao followed him. Only after they had cleared the palace gates did he speak: "The Queen’s side has sent people to inquire several times. Will Your Majesty be going there tonight?"
Murong Yan said, "Yes. I remember there is a pair of Nine-turn Exquisite Bracelets in the treasury. Bring them along and bestow them upon the Queen."
"Understood," Wang Yunzhao replied, immediately ordering someone to retrieve them.
At Qifeng Palace, Jiang Bilan had already sent people to inquire three times. Xiao Anzi at the Imperial Study kept saying the King wasn't there. Finally, Huayue grew anxious. "His Majesty isn't in the study, nor is he in the Hall of Virtuous Governance. Where on earth has he gone?"
Only then did Xiao Anzi reveal, "I heard he went to the Decree Prison this afternoon and released General Zuo. Then he returned to the study for a bit, but he has already left."
Huayue froze. "General Zuo has been released?"
Xiao Anzi glanced at her expression and said, "Yes. I suppose His Majesty’s anger has finally cooled."
Returning to Qifeng Palace, Huayue relayed the news. Huiyun quickly added, "Your Majesty, the King must have released her due to pressure from the court. You have only just recovered; please do not cry and ruin your health again."
Jiang Bilan gave a tragic laugh. "Yes, I cannot cry anymore. Besides this body and this face, what else do I have? And yet I have been wasting them so."
The corners of her lips curled into a smile as she looked into the bronze mirror. After a long while, she said softly, "Huayue, help me with my makeup. Change me into a dress that brightens my complexion. That pink silk gown is good; I shall wear that."
Huiyun and Huayue complied, relieved to see their mistress had regained her composure. "I shall style your hair in a 'falling-from-horse' bun; it will surely catch His Majesty’s eye."
Jiang Bilan nodded, selecting two pearl hairpins and several other pieces of jewelry, carefully applying her floral makeup.
Jiang Bilan stood at the entrance of Qifeng Palace, her makeup exquisite. Weizhu, seeing her waiting there, felt a pang of pity. "Your Majesty, please go back inside. I will wait for you. As soon as His Majesty returns, I will come and inform you."
Jiang Bilan shook her head. "I will wait myself."
Huayue muttered angrily, "His Majesty usually returns to the inner palace as soon as he finishes his official business. That wench must be seducing him to keep him from leaving. She was nothing more than a maid in His Majesty’s manor; at best, she’s a bed-warmer. To think she’s learned such fox-like tricks!"
Jiang Bilan said, "Do you think I am not heartbroken enough?"
Huiyun quickly comforted her. "I feel that Your Majesty shouldn't even be angry over her. She is of lowly birth and is now a widow; His Majesty won't even grant her a formal title..."
As the mistress and servants spoke, Murong Yan returned with Wang Yunzhao. Jiang Bilan did not rush to meet him but instead leaned against the palace gate, making it obvious she had been waiting for a long time. Murong Yan stepped forward quickly, taking her into his arms. "The wind is strong out here. Why are you waiting here?"
Jiang Bilan leaned into his embrace, appearing as delicate as if she had no bones. "Waiting in the palace is so anxious. Watching from here, knowing His Majesty must pass this way to return, brings me peace of mind."
Murong Yan kissed her forehead and took her hand, finding it cold. He tucked it into his robe. "Foolish girl, you are not allowed to wait outside anymore. If I return to the palace, the first place I go will be Qifeng Palace. That is the only path I take."
Jiang Bilan’s eyes sparkled with a smile as she asked shyly, "Truly?"
Murong Yan stroked the simple yet exquisite hairpin in her hair; her beauty was like a painting. He lowered his head, his kisses falling softly on her forehead. "Of course. You are my wife, the Queen of Great Yan. In this inner palace, who else but you could hold my heart?"
Jiang Bilan slowly wrapped her arms around his waist. When he spoke these words, he was still as tender as ever, every word dripping with affection. She forced herself to smile sweetly, but as the corners of her mouth rose, she felt like weeping.
That night, she could feel that Murong Yan’s desire was stronger than usual. He rarely showed such fiery passion, yet Jiang Bilan felt only despair. That woman had reportedly received a hundred strokes of the military cane and was currently too injured to even leave her bed.
So, was it only when she could not satisfy him that he would vent his inner fire here?
As Murong Yan turned and fell asleep, she remained awake the entire night.
The next day, Murong Yan rose before dawn to prepare for the morning court session.
Jiang Bilan wanted to help him dress, but Murong Yan said, "It is still early. The Queen should sleep more." He allowed Wang Yunzhao to attend to him instead. Wang Yunzhao was accustomed to these duties and soon had him dressed. As the two left Qifeng Palace, Jiang Bilan finally got out of bed and dressed herself.
The sky was not yet bright, but the Imperial Guard patrolled every half hour.
Jiang Bilan left Qifeng Palace and sent Huayue to find Feng Ping. Feng Ping arrived quickly; as the Commander of the Imperial Guard, it was easy for him to avoid notice. Jiang Bilan waited in a secluded spot. When he arrived, she asked, "Did Commander Feng not say he had a way to put that person to death?"
Feng Ping bowed to her. "This official did not expect His Majesty to release her so quickly. Given His Majesty’s personality, he should have kept her imprisoned for at least a month. This is truly strange."
Jiang Bilan said, "Was one night not enough for you to succeed? Now, not only is she not dead, but she has moved into the palace with great fanfare. And His Majesty stayed in Nanqing Palace for half the night!"
Feng Ping said, "Your Majesty, she is, after all, the General of Agile Cavalry. If something happened to her, His Majesty would surely find the culprit to appease the anger of the military. Even if we want her dead, we must consider the consequences. Perishing together is not an ideal outcome."
Jiang Bilan snapped, "And now? What do we do now?"
Feng Ping said, "Please remain calm, Your Majesty. This person is cunning, but as the mistress of the inner palace, you will always have opportunities to deal with her."
Jiang Bilan said in a rage, "You said you would help me, and this is how you help?! Get out! I never want to see you again!"
Feng Ping took two steps forward. "Your Majesty. She has just been released; His Majesty will inevitably show her some care, and she herself is now alert. We must not strike now. You must keep your composure." He stood very close. Jiang Bilan pushed him away. "Leave!"
Feng Ping couldn't help but grab her fair wrist. Jiang Bilan was startled and struggled to pull away. The sky was still dark, with a few stars still hanging in the air. Her clothes carried a faint, lingering fragrance. Feng Ping felt a sudden impulse to pull her into his arms, but he quickly let go.
He knew exactly what kind of man Murong Yan was. If it were discovered he harbored such thoughts, his death would be unimaginably gruesome.
He slowly took a step back. "This official has offended you. But please know, Your Majesty, that I am working on a plan."
With that, he bowed and withdrew.
Jiang Bilan’s wrist throbbed with pain. Feng Ping was a soldier by trade, and his martial skills were excellent. How could she, a noble lady raised in luxury, withstand his strength? She felt resentful, then suddenly turned to Huayue. "I heard General Zuo is injured and staying in Nanqing Palace. Since there is nothing to do now, let us go and pay her a visit."
Huayue complied. Jiang Bilan thought for a moment and added, "Have someone prepare some ginseng and deer antler. Let no one think I, the Queen, am petty."
Huayue immediately ordered several tonics to be packed.
At Nanqing Palace, Zuo Canglang was sleeping when a loud voice announced from outside, "Her Majesty the Queen arrives!"
A palace maid rushed in. "General! General! The Queen is here. Quickly, get up to receive her!"
Zuo Canglang had no choice but to get out of bed. She had just thrown an outer robe over herself when Jiang Bilan lifted the curtain and entered. She could only kneel on the floor. "This official greets Her Majesty the Queen."
Jiang Bilan gave a non-committal hum but did not tell her to rise. Instead, she looked around the room and sat down on a stool by the table.
For the first time, she looked at Zuo Canglang with the eyes of a woman observing her husband's other woman. Thinking that Murong Yan had been here with her last night, she felt as if a cold, venomous snake was crawling through her heart. She looked at those hands that drew bows and held swords, wondering if he had kissed them last night.
Had her hands also traced every contour of his body?
Was it she who had seduced Murong Yan into dallying on this very couch?
These thoughts gnawed at her like ants. She said slowly, "I heard the General was injured, so I came specifically to see you. Is the General feeling better?"
Zuo Canglang remained kneeling. In truth, the wounds on her back had not healed at all. Every time she bowed, her skin would split open and bleed again. But she could only stay kneeling. She said, "In response to Your Majesty, this official is much better."
Even the sound of her voice filled Jiang Bilan with an indescribable loathing. She said, "That is good. The General will likely be recuperating in Nanqing Palace for some time. Are the servants diligent? I shall assign a few more people later, lest they serve you poorly and neglect the General."
Zuo Canglang kowtowed again. "I am grateful for Your Majesty’s concern, but the servants in Nanqing Palace are sufficient. There is no need to send more."
As she moved, blood slowly began to seep through the medicinal gauze and her robe. Jiang Bilan saw it but pretended not to, continuing, "The General need not be polite. As the mistress of the six palaces, it is my duty to look after every corner."
Zuo Canglang listened to her idle chatter. Outside, the physicians had intended to come and change her dressings, but seeing Jiang Bilan there, they didn't dare enter. Eventually, Jiang Bilan ran out of things to say and simply picked up a book to flip through.
It wasn't until near noon that she finally stood up. She glanced at Zuo Canglang and said, "Look at my memory. I was so focused on chatting with the General that I forgot to tell you to rise. General, please stand up."
Zuo Canglang braced herself against the floor and forced herself to stand. Jiang Bilan said, "It is late; I shall return now. I will come to chat with the General again later."
Zuo Canglang could only bow. "This official respectfully sees off Your Majesty."
By the time Jiang Bilan walked out, Zuo Canglang’s back was completely soaked with blood.
***
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