The city gates groaned shut behind her with a heavy, muffled thud. Zuo Canglang did not look back. The soldiers of Western Jing surrounded her, their bowstrings pulled taut. She asked, "Did General Ren contact Di Lianzhong?"
Ren Xuan smiled. "How could I possibly contact your Great Yan’s Grand Marshal? You must have miscalculated, General. Ever since we parted at Mayi, I have wished to invite you to Western Jing as a guest. Now, I trust you won't refuse."
Zuo Canglang scanned her surroundings; there were at least a thousand archers nearby. "It is my honor," she replied.
Ren Xuan had no time to dally. While Di Lianzhong had betrayed Zuo Canglang, the two armies were still locked in a fierce siege. Now caught between two fires, Ren Xuan knew he could not hold Suye. Fortunately, not far from the city lay the confluence of the White Wolf River and the Yi River; from there, they could escape toward the Grey Leaf Plains.
It was not a dead end yet.
Her hands bound, Zuo Canglang walked for a distance with the common soldiers until exhaustion began to take its toll. She did not stand on ceremony with Ren Xuan, walking straight to his horse. "General, at least grant me a mount. When you went to Jinyang, I provided a carriage to see you off the entire way!"
Ren Xuan initially thought she was playing a trick. He had crossed blades with her on the White Wolf River before and knew her stamina well. He said immediately, "I cannot give you a horse of your own, but if the General does not mind, you may ride with me."
The words had barely left his mouth when Zuo Canglang said, "Fine."
Ren Xuan was taken aback, but she was already standing by his stirrup, waiting for him to pull her up. With another person behind him—a woman, no less—Ren Xuan felt a bit restless. "In light of the fact that you saved my life once, I owe you a measure of gratitude," he said. "Do not play any tricks, or I fear it will sour our friendship."
Zuo Canglang merely lowered her head, leaning it against his back. Startled, Ren Xuan turned around to find her face pale, her forehead drenched in cold sweat. "What is wrong?" he asked.
Zuo Canglang shook her head, then suddenly lurched to the side and began to vomit. Had Ren Xuan not been quick enough to catch her, she would have tumbled from the horse. Seeing that her condition was truly dire, he reached out and hauled her to the front of the saddle. "Even if you are unwell, you must endure it," he said. "In this pitch blackness, I cannot stop."
Zuo Canglang nodded. In truth, Ren Xuan’s treatment of her was already as merciful as one could expect. "I am fine," she whispered.
Ren Xuan truly could not afford to worry about her. He had to reach the Grey Leaf Plains as quickly as possible; if they were intercepted by the Yan army, the consequences would be unthinkable. Though Di Lianzhong had agreed to let them cross the river, would Wang Nan, Yuan Xi, or Zhuge Jin agree?
He could only accelerate the march, desperate to return to Western Jing.
As dawn broke, Ren Xuan looked down to see Zuo Canglang leaning against him, fast asleep. A soldier brought over dry rations, and Ren Xuan nudged her awake. "Here, eat something."
Zuo Canglang opened her eyes and took the dried meat. She took one bite and vomited again. Ren Xuan sighed. "This won't do! I always thought you were a stout-hearted warrior, but now you're acting as fussy as any pampered lady. Why must you be such a burden?"
Zuo Canglang replied, "I *am* a lady, after all."
Helpless, Ren Xuan turned and shouted, "Physician! Where is the physician? Are you all damn well dead?"
After a long moment, two military doctors came running. Ren Xuan ordered them to check Zuo Canglang’s pulse. She did not offer her hand, but he wasted no time on pleasantries, grabbing her wrist himself. The physician felt her pulse and froze. After a long silence, he turned to the other. "You try."
The second doctor felt her pulse for a long time, his expression equally startled. Ren Xuan demanded, "What is it, exactly?"
The two doctors exchanged a look. "General Zuo is... she is..." Seeing Ren Xuan’s face darken, they finally blurted out, "She is with child!"
Ren Xuan was stunned. It took him a long while to release Zuo Canglang’s hand. "What?" The doctors dared not speak, and Zuo Canglang herself was shocked. She had been intimate with Murong Yan many times, yet she had never conceived. This time, of all times...
But if the people of Western Jing knew this was Murong Yan’s flesh and blood, what would they do?
As she remained silent, Ren Xuan turned to the doctors. "Bullshit! If you dare spread such rumors, I’ll chop you both to pieces!"
The doctors, hardly believing it themselves and terrified by Ren Xuan’s fury, scrambled away. Ren Xuan then turned to her. "Didn't your husband pass away several years ago? I remember sending his remains back myself. How are you pregnant? Failing in your wifely virtues, are we?"
Zuo Canglang slowly masked her inner astonishment. "I was so young when I was with him; I didn't know any better. I viewed him as a mentor; my respect for him outweighed any marital affection."
Ren Xuan remarked, "Marshal Wen was indeed a man worthy of respect, a paragon of loyalty. But cuckolding him is still wrong."
Zuo Canglang glared at him. "None of your business!"
Ren Xuan studied her face. Seeing that she did not seem panicked, a seed of suspicion grew in his mind. In truth, the moment the doctor mentioned the pregnancy, he had been wondering who the father could be. Who was the most likely candidate?
Spies in Jinyang had reported that Zuo Canglang had been imprisoned twice, only to be reinstated almost immediately. As a mere General of Agile Cavalry, she had dared to seize the Grand Marshal's military authority the moment she arrived at Mayi without a second thought. She had lost the great city of Suye just like that—who gave her such audacity?
He didn't believe for a second that no ministers in court had impeached her. Why did she still dare to be so reckless?
And why would that sovereign trust her so implicitly? If the child in her womb belonged to Murong Yan, it all made sense.
Zuo Canglang was a person of significant weight, but if she carried Murong Yan’s offspring, her value would be immeasurable. Furthermore, since his ascent to the throne, Murong Yan had presented himself as a man of singular devotion, even going so far as to abolish the imperial harem to favor one person.
If he was having an affair with the widow of his deceased general, the scandal would be spectacular. To cover such a thing up, perhaps he would truly be willing to trade Suye.
His mind whirred. He asked casually, "Who is the father?"
Zuo Canglang extended her five fingers, tapping them one by one as if in deep thought. With a serious face, she said, "That... depends on the month."
Ren Xuan’s expression instantly turned a kaleidoscope of colors. "You... you..."
Zuo Canglang asked, "Can your doctors tell how many months along it is?"
Ren Xuan felt like strangling her, but her response made his previous theory waver. If she were Murong Yan’s woman, would Murong Yan allow her to lead such a chaotic private life? Then again, he felt this woman’s words could not be trusted. He was utterly confused.
Zuo Canglang tugged at his sleeve. "Let them check again. At least let me know who the father is!"
Exasperated, Ren Xuan flung her hand away. "Get lost!"
After a brief rest, the army continued its march, crossing the White Wolf River and the marshes toward the Grey Leaf Plains. Zuo Canglang could not stand the slightest smell of fish or meat and vomited violently. Ren Xuan complained incessantly, "Don't be such a nuisance! I didn't even serve my own wife when she was pregnant!"
Zuo Canglang’s face was pale from vomiting, and she barely spoke during the journey. However, her mind remained sharp. She was actually pregnant; the feeling of another life growing inside her was truly miraculous. Yet it had to happen now, at her most difficult hour.
Falling into the hands of Western Jing—even if Ren Xuan remembered her favor for saving his life—what about the Emperor of Western Jing?
The enmity between Western Jing and Great Yan was long-standing. Her hands were stained with the blood of the Jing people. Once they learned of her pregnancy, how would they treat her?
Murong Yan... Her stomach was empty, leaving only a bitter yellow bile that numbed all other senses. Yet suddenly, she thought of him. If... if he knew of this child’s existence, what would he do?
For the first time, she felt lost. She could not even imagine what his reaction would be.
***
In Great Yan, Yuan Xi broke through the eastern gate of Suye, and the armies of Di Lianzhong and Wang Nan followed into the city. However, the Western Jing forces had vanished without a trace. Daxi Qin, knowing Di Lianzhong would move against him, rushed to Yuan Xi’s side. "General Yuan! Ren Xuan has abducted General Zuo!"
Yuan Xi was shocked. "What?! How is that possible?!"
Not only he, but all the surrounding officers were stunned. Yuan Xi said, "If Ren Xuan is retreating, he must cross the White Wolf River and escape through the Grey Leaf Plains. Everyone, follow me! Pursue the Jing army!"
Daxi Qin thought for a moment and said, "General, Ren Xuan is a veteran. If he plans to retreat through the Grey Leaf Plains, he will not be unprepared. Furthermore, the Jing people know the terrain of the plains far better than we do. If we pursue now, even if we catch them, our losses will be heavy. And we might not even save the General."
Yuan Xi argued, "Are we to just let him take the General away?"
Daxi Qin glanced at Di Lianzhong. There were words he did not say—since Di Lianzhong had colluded with Ren Xuan to frame Zuo Canglang, he certainly would not give them a chance to rescue her. By now, Ren Xuan was likely far away. Moreover, Yuan Xi was also a rival to Di Lianzhong; if he dared to harm Zuo Canglang, would he not harm Yuan Xi as well?
If Di Lianzhong were to cut off Yuan Xi’s retreat later, it would be a disaster.
Di Lianzhong’s expression was also grim. He had intended to send Yuan Xi on a pursuit. Now, he spoke: "His Majesty tasked General Zuo with the Xiaoyuanshan campaign. Since she has been captured, I shall take charge of military affairs. Generals, hand over your command seals so that I may reassign the garrisons."
Yuan Xi moved to protest, but Daxi Qin gave him a look. Though dissatisfied, he remained silent. Wang Nan and the others also had grievances, but with Zuo Canglang gone and Di Lianzhong holding the rank of Grand Marshal, they had no choice but to let him collect the seals.
Yuan Xi, standing alone, could only comply.
Di Lianzhong was satisfied with this outcome. Captured and taken to Western Jing, Zuo Canglang had little hope of survival. She had slaughtered the people of two Western Jing cities; their Emperor would never let her return alive. With her gone, a great enemy was removed. As for Yuan Xi and the others, they could be dealt with later.
Otherwise, losing two major generals—the General of Agile Cavalry and the General of Chariots and Cavalry—at once might provoke Murong Yan to uncontrollable rage.
He said, "Since the enemy has fled, let us first report back to His Majesty."
***
The day Ren Xuan’s army entered the Grey Leaf Plains was the fifteenth day of the eighth month.
It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, but the morale of the Jing army was low. Although their casualties were minimal, the campaign had been futile. Instead, Great Yan had seized Xiaoyuanshan, Jiming Prefecture, and other lands from Wuzhong and Guzhu. Western Jing had gained almost nothing.
As they approached the capital, Ren Xuan ordered a prisoner's cart and had her locked inside.
The commoners of Western Jing had long heard that Ren Xuan had captured Zuo Canglang, and crowds gathered along the road to watch. Naturally, in their fury, they threw objects at her. Fortunately, the cart provided some protection, and Zuo Canglang, by ducking, escaped with only minor injuries.
She remained very cautious. Ever since she learned she was pregnant, even though she felt no different physically, she could not suppress a burgeoning joy at becoming a mother. This emotion, coming from nowhere, made her feel both incredibly gentle and incredibly strong.
Ren Xuan, riding his horse, occasionally looked back at her. He actually admired this person, but as they served different masters, there was nothing to be done.
The army passed through three prefectures and four provinces before finally arriving at the capital of Western Jing. Soldiers dragged her from the cart and bound her tightly with hemp ropes. Ren Xuan stood before her, looked at her for a moment, then took a waterskin from his saddle and gave her a drink. "Our Emperor... sigh, take care of yourself."
He could not let her go; she was too dangerous. If they fought again in the future, who knew how many more Jing people would die at her hands.
Zuo Canglang nodded. "I will do my best."
Ren Xuan opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, he only patted her shoulder.
However, the Emperor of Western Jing proved to be far more difficult than imagined. Zuo Canglang had just stepped off the cart and was stretching her limbs when a soldier arrived to report: "General Ren, His Majesty has ordered that the Yan prisoner Zuo Canglang be taken to the execution grounds to undergo the ultimate penalty of *lingchi*, as a sacrifice to the souls of our fallen soldiers."
Ren Xuan was shocked, but knowing his sovereign, he could say nothing. He could only watch as the soldiers dragged Zuo Canglang toward the execution grounds.
Zuo Canglang did not struggle. The execution grounds were nearby, and the Emperor had clearly prepared in advance; the executioners and officials were already present.
She was shoved to the center of the grounds, where a white cloth had been laid out. A soldier stepped forward and roughly sliced her clothes open with a knife. Surrounded by the jeering populace, the weight of those leering gazes was enough to break any woman’s sanity.
She bit her lower lip as her garments were removed one by one, the crowd cheering loudly. The sun was fierce, and the cold blade pressed against her skin as it shredded her clothes. The executioner’s eyes held a bloody excitement.
The Emperor of Western Jing slowly entered the grounds. Zuo Canglang realized then—he didn't just want to kill her; he wanted to humiliate her. He wanted her exposed before the world so that even if she returned to Great Yan, the mere mention of Western Jing would be an eternal nightmare. Only by making her beg for mercy in terror could he gauge her true value.
Zuo Canglang slowly suppressed her trembling and stopped struggling. She even stood tall, remaining calm as the scraps of her clothing fell to the ground.
The surrounding noise gradually died down. The Emperor took his seat above. He did not speak, and the presiding official dared not delay. Someone brought a fishing net and cast it over her, binding her tightly to a wooden pillar. The executioner laid out knives of various sizes and thicknesses, picked one up, and tested the edge with his thumb.
From the tribunal, the official gave the order: "Commence the execution."
The shimmering blade pressed against her eyelid. The first cut of *lingchi* was to remove the eyelids, so the condemned could not close their eyes to the torture.
As the blade touched her, Zuo Canglang heard her own heartbeat. She did close her eyes; the fear was uncontrollable. She admitted it—the Emperor of Western Jing was a formidable opponent. Hearing footsteps, she opened her eyes to see the Emperor standing before her.
A person without clothes has no dignity. Thus, he stood there in his magnificent robes, radiating imperial majesty, while she was in a wretched state—how could she have any leverage for negotiation? This was his goal.
Zuo Canglang met his gaze. He was about thirty years old, his every movement exuding an oppressive aura. Standing close now, his lips curled slightly. "I have long heard that General Zuo is a master of strategy. I did not expect you to be so young." His gaze traveled downward, measuring every inch of her body. He maintained his imperial poise, yet did not hide his predatory intent.
Zuo Canglang forced a bitter smile. "I have long heard of Your Majesty’s civil and military brilliance, which awes the world. I did not expect you would need to strip a woman bare before you dared to meet her."
The Emperor’s eyes narrowed. "Facing death, and you still have a sharp tongue."
Zuo Canglang said, "A person’s courage always grows when they are about to die. It is better to say certain things before death than to have nowhere to say them after."
She knew he wanted to negotiate. By embracing death, she could regain a slight advantage. However, judging by this man’s methods, she feared Murong Yan would have to pay a steep price to get her back. Sure enough, the Emperor spoke: "I wonder which part of the General the King of Yan is most interested in. I intend to send that part back first, to give him a surprise."
Zuo Canglang’s heart sank. He looked her over, his gaze lingering on her chest. In that moment, the hair on her neck stood on end.
Noticing her gaze, he smiled. "It seems the King of Yan is very familiar with this place."
Zuo Canglang bit her lip. He chuckled, turned to take a knife himself, and slowly drew the blade across her left arm. Blood seeped out, dripping into the dirt. Zuo Canglang clenched her teeth, forcing herself not to make a sound. The Emperor sliced a piece of flesh from her arm and another from her calf, placing them on a tray. Then, while wiping his hands, he said, "Send these to the King of Yan."
An attendant asked, "Your Majesty, shall we send a letter as well?"
He tossed the blood-stained silk into the tray. "No need. This King of Yan is not like his father; letters are useless. Let him decide for himself." Having said that, he glanced at Zuo Canglang again. "The General has just arrived in our humble country. I hope this welcoming ceremony was to your liking."
With a wave of his hand, men came forward to take her down and throw her into the dungeon.
Her infamy in Western Jing was great. Now, with her clothes in tatters and her limbs bound, the two jailers looked at her with burning eyes. One said, "I’ve lived this long and never played with a general. How about we..." He gave his companion a lewd nudge.
The other was tempted but hesitant. "I fear the superiors will find out. It might be hard to explain."
The first one chuckled. "She slaughtered the people of our two cities and killed so many of our brothers. Playing with her is doing Heaven's work."
As they approached, the touch of their hands was nauseating. Zuo Canglang closed her eyes. *Murong Yan...* For some reason, she just kept repeating that name in her heart.
*It turns out I do not believe in the gods of this world. Though I burn incense and chant sutras, my shrine holds only you.*
She closed her eyes. Suddenly, someone entered the cell and roared, "Stop!"
The two jailers jumped, immediately releasing her and kneeling. "General Ren! General, have mercy! We were just acting out of righteous indignation, wanting to punish this enemy general..."
The newcomer was Ren Xuan. He didn't care to argue with the jailers and simply told them to get out. As they scrambled away, he knelt beside Zuo Canglang and took out medicinal salve to stop her bleeding. Zuo Canglang said, "General Ren, when you stayed in Jinyang for two months, did I ever subject you to the slightest humiliation?"
Ren Xuan looked ashamed. "I have done my best. Do you think my Emperor is like your King of Yan, listening to my every word?"
Zuo Canglang said, "I know you cannot control what he does. But... I implore the General, do not let me be humiliated by such lowlifes."
Ren Xuan sighed. "I will give the orders."
Zuo Canglang nodded. In an enemy nation, his help was as much as she could hope for. Yet she still had to use her past favors to coerce him, hoping to protect the life in her womb. For that, she could not afford to care about noble principles like doing favors without expecting a return.
***
In Jinyang, a wooden box arrived from Western Jing. Murong Yan opened it before the court. Inside were three substantial pieces of flesh.
The court was horrified. Yuan Xi and the others were moved to tears. "Your Majesty! The dog emperor of Western Jing tortures the General so! Your Majesty must find a way to rescue her immediately!"
Even Xia Changyou could not bear to look. "Your Majesty, Western Jing sending the General’s flesh must be an intent to negotiate. Please, Your Majesty, receive their envoy as soon as possible to discuss the ransom."
Jiang Sanyi scanned the room and finally stepped forward. "Your Majesty, the General’s military achievements are great; we must certainly ransom her. However, Western Jing’s move is intended to intimidate. If Your Majesty is too eager to negotiate, they will surely demand an exorbitant price, which would be detrimental to Great Yan."
As soon as he spoke, his faction voiced their support. Yuan Xi was furious. "By your logic, are we to just watch the General suffer in Western Jing?"
Di Lianzhong coughed lightly and stepped out. "Your Majesty, both Chancellor Jiang and General Yuan have points. In my humble opinion, since Western Jing is using intimidation, they do not intend to take the General’s life yet. Your Majesty can offer a compromise—negotiate while considering other strategies."
Murong Yan looked at the wooden box again; the flesh inside had turned a ghastly white. Western Jing would not take her life, of course. But if they didn't kill her, how else would they torture her? That Western Jing Emperor, who had forced Murong Yuan to call him "Lord Father," was no benevolent soul.
But was now truly the time to name a price?
If he offered a price now, he would be at a disadvantage at every step. And even if he did, what price should he set? What was that person truly worth?
He did not decide in court. After the session ended, he suddenly asked Wang Yunzhao, "Where is Leng Feiyan?"
Wang Yunzhao had clearly expected the question. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Young Master of the Tower left Great Yan the moment she learned of General Zuo’s capture. A message from the Yan Tower two days ago confirmed she is already in Western Jing."
Murong Yan said, "Send Duanmu Shang to rendezvous with her, and order Duanmu Rou to assist."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Wang Yunzhao replied.
Murong Yan turned back and added, "Warn the Duanmu clan: I can tolerate their power struggles with the Yan Tower, but I expect them to know the time and place."
Wang Yunzhao’s expression turned solemn. Murong Yan rarely gave such blunt warnings. He bowed. "Understood."
The next day, Murong Yan sent a reply to Western Jing, offering to cede Mayi in exchange for Zuo Canglang. This letter shocked both Great Yan and Western Jing. Yuan Xi and the others in the military were silenced.
Ceding land was of a completely different nature than paying a ransom. The Emperor of Western Jing was also surprised by the letter. He smiled. "It seems this General Zuo is indeed very important."
Ren Xuan could not fathom his thoughts. "But Mayi is now sandwiched between Xiaoyuanshan and Suye, both of which are held by Great Yan. Even if we take the city, how can we defend it?"
The Emperor only laughed. "That is why he threw out this city—to let us counter-offer."
Ren Xuan said, "The man is indeed cunning. How does Your Majesty intend to counter?"
The Emperor said, "Did they not just seize three cities from the former lands of Yu? We want Xiaoyuanshan, Jiming Prefecture, and Kongzhou. As for Mayi, it was originally a city of Western Jing; order him to return it."
Ren Xuan frowned. "This King of Yan is not like his father, Murong Yuan. I fear he will not accept such terms."
The Emperor said, "If he doesn't, then next time we shall trouble General Zuo to send back something even more substantial. Even if he doesn't accept, Wen Qi’s old subordinates will force him to."
Ren Xuan could not help but shudder.
***
Zuo Canglang stayed in the dungeon for several days. The jailers finally stopped harassing her. However, in such an environment, she could never sleep well, and the food was wretched. She forced herself to eat; she would not allow herself to be defeated by her own body.
She had been in Western Jing for over a month. Fortunately, she was very thin, so her belly was not yet prominent. But when she touched it carefully, she could clearly feel the difference.
Murong Yan made a second concession, agreeing to cede Xiaoyuanshan and other lands but refusing to give up Mayi. The Emperor of Western Jing was quite satisfied with this result, yet he still did not yield easily.
One night, as Zuo Canglang drifted between sleep and wakefulness, she suddenly caught a strange scent. Startled, she immediately covered her nose and mouth. Moments later, someone entered. Zuo Canglang opened her eyes in shock to see Leng Feiyan, her blade dripping with blood, scanning the cells!
Zuo Canglang could hardly believe her eyes. "Feiyan! Why are you here?"
Leng Feiyan sliced through the iron lock with one stroke. "Talk later. Can you walk?"
Zuo Canglang stood up, feeling waves of dizziness. Leng Feiyan didn't wait for her to walk; she stepped forward, hoisted her onto her back, and said, "Hold on tight!" She dashed out. Outside, jailers lay scattered across the floor. The people of the Yan Tower were ruthless; they left almost no one alive.
Zuo Canglang was alarmed. "By staging a jailbreak like this, even if we get out of this dungeon, how can we possibly escape Western Jing?"
Leng Feiyan didn't look back. "We have to try!" More men rushed them from ahead. Despite carrying a person, she was incredibly agile. Her blade flashed, and several men fell dead.
"Master! This way!" someone called out ahead. It was Wugu. Zuo Canglang remembered then—Wugu had been a Western Jing general; it wasn't surprising he could infiltrate this prison. Leng Feiyan followed him swiftly out of the dungeon. The Yan Tower had deployed many people for this mission, nearly turning the place into a bloodbath.
Leng Feiyan did not stop. Once outside the prison, she placed Zuo Canglang directly into a wooden crate. Zuo Canglang was worried. "Where are you sending me? What about you all?"
Leng Feiyan brandished her sword. "I spent a month and a half preparing for this rescue. Have a little faith in me!"
Zuo Canglang fell silent. Leng Feiyan said no more and closed the lid. Zuo Canglang knew nothing of what followed; the crate moved forward, soon leaving the Jing capital. Behind them, the sounds of commotion rose; someone had surely discovered the escape.
But she could do nothing now. She leaned against the crate, listening intently to the sounds outside.
The carriage traveled for about a day and a night, the road becoming increasingly difficult. Zuo Canglang was dizzy with hunger. Finally, the crate opened. The bamboo hut was unfamiliar, but a familiar face stood inside. Zuo Canglang braced herself against the crate and stood up. "Yang Lianting!!"
Unable to control herself, she threw herself into his arms. Yang Lianting caught her, then froze. "You..." He reached out to check her pulse. After a long silence, he said, "You are with child, yet you are still out fighting wars. You have no regard for your own body."
He did not ask who the father was. For a woman like her, who followed one path to the end, who else could the father be?
He lifted her out of the crate and realized she was shockingly light. "You're about to be a mother," he said. "Look at what you've done to yourself."
Zuo Canglang replied, "Don't nag me. I was in a dungeon; no one was making me whatever I wanted to eat."
Yang Lianting asked, "What do you want to eat now? I'll make you something."
Zuo Canglang didn't hesitate. "Lotus root soup."
Yang Lianting went silent again. After a while, he said, "We don't have any."
...
He finally managed to make her a bowl of osmanthus porridge. While she ate, he prepared medicine. "The King sent Zhou Xin to meet us. Drink your medicine and we'll leave."
Zuo Canglang gulped down the porridge and asked, "I don't know if Feiyan and the others made it out. If the Emperor finds I'm gone, he'll lock down the capital. They won't be able to escape. We should wait for her."
Yang Lianting said, "Her skills are better than yours. Don't worry."
Zuo Canglang sighed. "How can I not worry?"
The three of them had traveled together, shared wine and songs. No matter the danger or the distance, they would always come for one another. How could she not worry?
When she finished the porridge, Yang Lianting had the medicine for her wounds ready. Without ceremony, he pulled back her robes. Zuo Canglang was unashamed before him, baring her injuries for the medicine. Yang Lianting looked at the wounds—flesh that had been brutally carved away.
"Look at these scars," he said. "Do you really think you're made of iron?"
Zuo Canglang said, "It's been a long time, and you've become so talkative. Just apply the medicine quickly; I want to go out."
Yang Lianting snapped, "Go out? Do you even know where we are?! You're going nowhere!"
Zuo Canglang said, "Quzhou, I assume."
Yang Lianting was stunned. "How did you know?"
"Based on the distance we traveled, we should be around here," she said. "And north of Quzhou is nothing but rugged mountains. If one wants to escape, this is the best route."
Yang Lianting smiled bitterly. "Fine, I believe you know the way. But you are pregnant... and your body is weak. Zhou Xin has prepared everything. You should go back with him first."
Zuo Canglang looked at him steadily and said softly, "No matter what, I must leave Western Jing with Feiyan. If I leave, the King will not care who else is left behind."
The look in Yang Lianting’s eyes slowly turned solemn. Finally, he nodded. "We will wait for her together."
***
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