At the Hall of Virtuous Governance, Jiang Bilan’s brows furrowed the moment she reached the entrance. Hai Yun and Zhao Zien had already been subjected to dozens of strokes by the Imperial Guard; their backs were a gruesome mess of blood.
Seeing her approach, the two men looked as if they had found their savior. "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, save us!"
Jiang Bilan frowned slightly, slowly pulling away from their reaching hands. She walked into the hall alongside Zuo Canglang. Murong Yan sat upon the high throne. Yuan Xi, Zhu Chujin, Zheng Chu, and other high-ranking generals were seated below. Jiang Bilan offered a graceful bow. "Peace be upon the King."
The generals rose to salute her. Behind her, Zuo Canglang knelt. "This subject, Zuo Canglang, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy eternal peace."
Only then did Murong Yan speak softly, "Rise." As Zuo Canglang stood, he gestured for her to take a seat to the side. Jiang Bilan walked over to stand beside him. Murong Yan asked, "Why has the Queen come as well?"
Jiang Bilan bit her lip and said softly, "I heard reports from the palace servants that those in Nanching Palace grew lazy and neglected the General. As the mistress of the six palaces, I cannot escape the blame for failing to manage my subordinates strictly. I have come specifically to ask for Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Before Murong Yan could speak, Yuan Xi interjected from the side, "Your Majesty, the servants of Nanching Palace did more than just 'neglect' the General." He was about to continue when Zuo Canglang coughed twice.
"General Yuan," she said, "justice and truth are for His Majesty to decide. We, as subjects, need not say more."
Yuan Xi apologized and fell silent. Murong Yan’s expression was indeed quite grim. In the past, Zuo Canglang had always protected his image within the military. No matter how much grievance she suffered in the palace, she never mentioned it to outsiders, nor did she want anyone to notice.
But this time, she had practically brought the conflict into the light, forcing him to give an explanation to both the civil and military officials.
He spoke, "The recent events at Nanching Palace have left Us shocked and enraged. We ordered Chief Eunuch Wang Yunzhao to investigate, and it was found that a group of servants were currying favor by following the trend of the moment. The General and I have shared many years of friendship; despite a few arguments, how dare you servants presume to bully her? It is truly an unpardonable crime. Now, We shall hand these people over to the General. You may decide their punishment as you see fit."
Wang Yunzhao presented the register to Zuo Canglang. Previously, when the two of them had issues, they were always settled behind closed doors. In the end, it was always Zuo Canglang who silently yielded. This sudden formality felt solemn, yet profoundly distant.
Zuo Canglang took the register and said, "Your Majesty’s heart is as clear as the moon; this subject is deeply moved. As the General of Agile Cavalry and a second-rank military official of Yan, I secured three strategic passes of Northern Yu during the battle of Mount Xiaoquan. Though I was captured in the previous engagement, I did not disgrace the national prestige. I do not know where I have offended you all to cause such resentment. The royal palace is the residence of the Heavenly House." She swept her gaze over the kneeling eunuchs and maids. "You may insult me, but you cannot defile the sacred name of the Son of Heaven of Great Yan. The former can be forgiven; the latter must be executed."
The people below were struck with both terror and shame. Zuo Canglang’s military achievements were known to everyone in Yan, and they were no exception. However, living within the palace, the Queen’s power was immense, and Zuo Canglang had always been forbearing and inactive, treating others with kindness.
Those who feared trouble naturally feared the Queen more.
Now that she had spoken such words, it was clear she did not intend to leave them a path to life.
The dozen or so maids and eunuchs from the Imperial Kitchen trembled like chaff in the wind. At this point, they cared for nothing else and cried out repeatedly, "Your Majesty, spare us! Your Majesty the Queen, save us!"
Jiang Bilan’s face turned pale, but she still gritted her teeth and said, "You death-seeking servants! Whatever the General decides is your deserved punishment."
Zuo Canglang said, "I thank the Queen for her understanding. Being on the battlefield, I am no stranger to death and injury. But those who fall beneath my arrows are all enemies and rebels. Now, making such a decision within the palace walls, my heart is also uneasy. Your Majesty resides deep in the palace and has always been more sensible. With Your Majesty’s words, my heart is much more at ease."
Jiang Bilan turned to look at her. Sure enough, the servants below heard this and began to shift their direction. "Your Majesty! Back then, Sister Huiyun came to instruct us, forbidding us from sending meals to Nanching Palace! Later, every meal we sent out had to be inspected by Sister Huiyun!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Jiang Bilan’s expression changed drastically. "Presumptuous! Drag them out and beat them to death!"
But how could they be stopped now? Another person cried out, "Your Majesty, every word Sister Miaohong said is true! The few times this servant sent food, Sister Huiyun complained it was too lavish and ordered people to slap this servant’s face. I have witnesses!"
Beside Jiang Bilan, Huiyun’s entire body was shaking. Everyone knew what it meant for such things to be dragged out in public.
Just as Jiang Bilan was about to speak, Murong Yan spoke first. "Bold servants! To dare bite your masters when death is at your door! Drag them out and behead them!"
As the Imperial Guards were about to drag them away, Zuo Canglang suddenly said, "Wait. Your Majesty, in this subject's view, what these people say may not be entirely false. The Queen is a lady of a prestigious family, noble in birth and naturally kind; she would never do such a thing. But precisely because Her Majesty is so lenient, it is inevitable that cunning and treacherous people would surround her. Otherwise, these palace servants have no personal grudge against me—why would they disregard Your Majesty’s reputation and face to bully me?"
Murong Yan turned his head to meet Zuo Canglang’s gaze. Her expression was calm, but she did not back down an inch. After so many years, they knew each other too well. He understood that today, she would not let the matter drop.
In front of Yuan Xi and the others, if he intentionally protected the guilty, it would likely incite public anger. And she had very delicately balanced the line—she didn't target Jiang Bilan directly. If she had, he certainly wouldn't have yielded. Instead, she targeted a servant, which was just within the limits of his tolerance.
This kind of calculation infuriated him, but it hadn't reached the point of an outburst.
His voice gradually grew cold. "So it seems someone has been feigning authority using a borrowed name?"
Huiyun was terrified, looking at Jiang Bilan as if for a lifeline. Jiang Bilan said, "Your Majesty, Huiyun is my dowry maid; she has been by my side since childhood. How could she do such a thing? This... this must be a deliberate frame-up by these servants! I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly! Perhaps..." She looked at Zuo Canglang. "Perhaps someone behind the scenes instigated them to say this to slander me!"
Murong Yan looked at Zuo Canglang again, his gaze applying pressure, hoping she would at least not publicly deliberate this matter in front of Yuan Xi and the others. After all, it involved the Queen; discord in the harem was a loss of face.
Zuo Canglang merely responded to his gaze with a calm and soft look, saying, "The Queen has a point. Even for palace maids and eunuchs, lives are at stake. We cannot settle this lightly. Since this servant claims to have witnesses, it seems we must summon them for a confrontation."
Hearing this, Jiang Bilan breathed a sigh of relief. "Exactly!" At the very least, she was the mistress of the harem. Over the years, her people in the palace were like Zuo Canglang’s people in the army. Who in this palace would dare defy her if she wanted them to say something?
Zuo Canglang nodded and said, "In that case, let the flogging of the Imperial Physician and the Vice-Physician be recorded for now. They are not martial artists; eighty strokes would likely take their lives. This subject implores Your Majesty to take them back for re-interrogation. Once the results are out, whether they should be killed or imprisoned can be decided then."
Jiang Bilan took a slow step back, suddenly realizing her goal—if Hai Yun confessed that her previous miscarriage was caused by her own consumption of abortifacients, that would be the most terrifying thing! Furthermore, the matter of faking the months of Zuo Canglang’s pregnancy was Jiang Sanyi’s idea, with news passed by the Duanmu family. Once that was uncovered, the consequences would be unthinkable.
She slowly gritted her teeth. Zuo Canglang did not rush her, merely looking at Murong Yan, waiting for his command.
Murong Yan said, "The Queen is pure by nature and was inevitably deceived by wicked people. Such a lowly wench cannot be kept."
Huiyun’s legs went weak. Jiang Bilan cried, "Your Majesty!"
Murong Yan said, "Since ancient times, when domestic servants use clever words to charm their masters, it is often because the master is unclear on right and wrong or weak of will. As the Queen of Great Yan, you must not only be a motherly model for the world but also an exemplar for all women. Now that such a thing has happened, the Queen should also reflect on herself."
As he spoke, Jiang Bilan wailed, "Your Majesty..."
Murong Yan said, "Why are you still standing there? Drag this wench down immediately!"
Only then did the Imperial Guards respond, stepping forward to drag Huiyun away. Huiyun went completely limp, her hands death-gripping Jiang Bilan’s, her lips trembling incessantly, but no sound came out. Soon, she was dragged outside the hall. Wails of agony echoed from outside, followed quickly by silence.
Jiang Bilan bit her lip so hard it bled, looking at Zuo Canglang with a gaze bordering on venomous. Zuo Canglang rose and cupped her hands. "I thank Your Majesty for returning justice to this subject. Since these maids and eunuchs were merely following orders, I believe killing them would be useless. Why not just exile them from the palace?"
She was perfectly respectful. Murong Yan said, "Since the General has already made a decision, let it be as you say."
Zuo Canglang kowtowed again and looked back at the eunuchs and maids. They also realized what had happened and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude. Wang Yunzhao immediately ordered people to lead them out and send them back to their hometowns.
Murong Yan stood up and said, "Since the matter is settled, everyone is dismissed."
With that, he was the first to leave. Jiang Bilan followed closely behind. Passing the palace doors, she saw Huiyun lying on the blood-stained steps, her body covered in gore and a hole in her head still oozing blood. Feng Ping had clearly not let her suffer long, delivering a fatal blow to the head first. Seeing the corpse in such a state, Jiang Bilan couldn't help but lean on her maid, Huayue.
Once Murong Yan, Jiang Bilan, and the others had left, Yuan Xi stood up and said, "General, His Majesty seemed quite displeased today."
Zuo Canglang said, "In the past, I always thought that as long as I was loyal and yielding in every way, he would trust and tolerate us. No matter who he appointed in court, I always believed he had his reasons. But regarding the matter of Di Lianzhong, I will never compromise."
Yuan Xi said, "That dog truly needs to be dealt with, otherwise who knows how many more soldiers will die because of him. It’s just that he is the Grand Marshal now, and seeing His Majesty’s expression just now, he seemed annoyed with you. I fear that for a while..."
Zuo Canglang said, "Before long, His Majesty should send him to take over the defenses of Mount Xiaoquan and Jiming Prefecture, to further plot for the former lands of Northern Yu."
Yuan Xi frowned slightly. "Why is the General so certain?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Because Di Lianzhong has no military merit. Right now, the vital passes of Northern Yu are all in our hands. The cities that follow can be considered level ground. It is the perfect time for him to establish merit."
Yuan Xi finally looked at her closely and said, "Does the General already have a plan? Do you want him to suffer another defeat in the State of Yu?"
Zuo Canglang said, "No. If there is a defeat, it will be his defeat alone."
Yuan Xi didn't understand, but he didn't ask further. He rarely understood Zuo Canglang’s words anyway. He simply said, "In any case, when the time comes, the General just needs to tell me what to do."
Zuo Canglang nodded. Yuan Xi thought for a moment and then said cautiously, "You are a bit strange today."
Zuo Canglang asked, "What is it?"
Yuan Xi said, "In the past, you wouldn't make His Majesty unhappy."
Zuo Canglang pulled her cloak tighter around her. "Have I made him unhappy so few times?"
Yuan Xi said, "It’s not that. It’s just that in the past, when you made him unhappy, you were usually unhappy yourself."
Zuo Canglang froze.
***
In the Imperial Study, Murong Yan sat by the desk while Wang Yunzhao served him cautiously. He took a sip of tea and casually pushed the teacup off the table, shattering it on the floor. Little Anzi was startled and quickly knelt, not knowing what had happened.
Wang Yunzhao shook his head at him, signaling him to clear the shards and withdraw. Murong Yan barked, "Summon Di Lianzhong to the palace."
Wang Yunzhao opened his mouth but finally only answered with a "Yes." Although the two hadn't fought today, it was different from before. In the past, when they argued or had a cold war, Zuo Canglang would yield, and it was always resolved between the two of them behind closed doors. But this time, she had used the military to intervene, causing their relationship to undergo a fundamental change from the petty squabbles of lovers.
It wasn't something a few words from him could reconcile.
When Di Lianzhong entered the palace, Jiang Bilan and Jiang Sanyi were on the path outside the Hall of Virtuous Governance, feigning a chance encounter. Jiang Bilan was trembling all over. "Father! Huiyun is dead! Zuo Canglang killed her!"
Jiang Sanyi said, "She just lost her child; it’s inevitable she needs someone to vent her anger on. Don't mind it."
Jiang Bilan said, "But Huiyun and I grew up together; we were like sisters..."
Jiang Sanyi sneered. "A servant is a servant; where do sisters come in? Your sister is Jiang Biyao, who is still unmarried."
Jiang Bilan faltered. Jiang Sanyi continued, "In any case, once she gives birth, the King cannot refuse to acknowledge the child. And once he does, the military will surely support her child. At that time, let alone you, even the King might not be able to decide who becomes the Crown Prince. Where would your place be then? Therefore, losing a Huiyun to remove a thorn in your side is not a loss."
Jiang Bilan was stunned. Jiang Sanyi said, "Confidants can be cultivated continuously. To lose your soul over a dead maid—where is the dignity and majesty of the Queen?"
Jiang Bilan asked, "So now, what should we do?"
Jiang Sanyi said, "His Majesty will go to your palace tonight. Go back and prepare."
Jiang Bilan said, "Tonight? But... His Majesty hasn't been to the Resting Phoenix Palace for a whole month. Tonight..."
Jiang Sanyi said gently, "Listen to your father. Go back."
Jiang Bilan thought about it and finally nodded. Jiang Sanyi added, "I’ve ordered some silver to be sent to the Resting Phoenix Palace. Spend it where it needs to be spent; don't be stingy."
Jiang Bilan nodded and said, "Father and I share the same blood; we flourish or wither together. I remember." At this moment, she finally felt Jiang Sanyi’s reliability. Compared to him, even Feng Ping seemed green.
Jiang Sanyi said, "I am very gratified that you can think this way."
That night, Murong Yan actually went to the Resting Phoenix Palace. Jiang Bilan had dressed up specially and prepared his favorite foods. Murong Yan walked over and said, "We haven't seen the Queen for many days. Has the Queen been well?"
Jiang Bilan didn't quite understand his thoughts, but regardless, his coming was the best thing. She said, "I have failed to manage the harem properly; I am truly ashamed. Today..." As she spoke, tears began to fall again. "Regarding the matter of Huiyun, I truly did not know. It caused Your Majesty to lose face before the generals. I am guilty..."
Murong Yan helped her up and said, "It cannot be entirely blamed on you."
Jiang Bilan interlocked her fingers with his and said, "I thought the harem was just about trivial matters. Even if the servants were ignorant and slightly neglected the General, the General could have told me directly or informed Your Majesty. Palace matters are, in the end, family matters. Who would have thought the General would bring General Yuan and the others over, pressing us step by step? I..." She wept like rain. "Even now, my heart is still pounding with fear..."
Murong Yan gently patted her back. "Military matters are for Us to handle. The Queen need not worry."
With a wave of Jiang Bilan’s hand, a servant brought out a meticulously prepared soup. Seeing it, Murong Yan said, "We haven't been here for over a month, yet the Queen is so well-prepared. It surprises Us."
Jiang Bilan said, "Even if Your Majesty does not come for a lifetime, in my heart, you are there every day, every night, every moment."
Murong Yan was slightly stunned. After a long silence, he gently pulled her into his arms and said, "Silly child."
The two of them dined together, sharing a moment of affection.
At Nanching Palace, Wei Wei said angrily, "What does His Majesty mean by this? Although he lightly reprimanded the Queen today, he stayed at the Resting Phoenix Palace tonight to show his favor! This is clearly..."
Zuo Canglang served herself some soup and said after a while, "What are you shouting for? Come and eat."
Wei Wei was still indignant. "Doesn't she just have a pretty face! Besides playing the zither, dancing, singing, writing poetry, painting, knowing how to cook a couple of dishes, knowing how to... what else can she do that compares to our General..."
Zuo Canglang: "..."
Ke Qing came over and saw her just sitting there. She asked, "General, why aren't you eating?"
Zuo Canglang said, "I suddenly don't feel like eating anymore."
The next day, Murong Yan appointed Di Lianzhong as the commander-in-chief to head to Jiming Prefecture and recover the former lands of Northern Yu. Before the departure, Murong Yan led the civil and military officials to the West Splendor Gate to see them off. Zuo Canglang was naturally among them.
Yuan Xi and the others stood behind her. Xu Lang said, "The General really guessed it right. This defeated general—what face does he have to go back to Mount Xiaoquan!"
Yuan Xi said, "Right now, the former lands of Northern Yu are as thin as paper. Even if he wins, it’s only because our General cleared the path for him. Does that even count as military merit?"
Zuo Canglang turned to look at him and said, "He has no generals under him. Even if His Majesty appoints him as commander, he will surely appoint others as generals."
Yuan Xi was startled and quickly asked, "Who?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Jiang Qi is one. But after the last failure, Di Lianzhong will surely learn his lesson and use one of our people to avoid a divided army. Among the generals, the seasoned ones are hard to control. He will likely choose a young general—either Wang Nan or Xu Lang."
Both Wang Nan and Xu Lang were stunned. Wang Nan said, "He wants us to be under his command and follow his orders?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Under his command." Both of them frowned, but Zuo Canglang added, "But follow my instructions."
Before they could say more, Di Lianzhong knelt at the front and said, "Your Majesty, I suffered a setback last time. Although I later took Suye, it led to General Zuo being captured by the enemy and suffering all kinds of humiliation." He spoke with ill intent in front of everyone, causing Yuan Xi and the others to change their expressions.
Di Lianzhong continued, "But I have great admiration for the late Commander Wen’s battle strategies and have long yearned for the generals who served under him. For this expedition, I wish to ask Your Majesty for a vice-general. I hope Your Majesty will grant this."
Murong Yan said, "Speak."
Di Lianzhong scanned the crowd. Actually, Daxi Qin was the most useful, but that man was deeply calculating and usually close to Zuo Canglang—Daxi Qin’s two disciples were Wen Qi’s sons. Zuo Canglang had personally sent them to the Marquis Jinyu’s manor; he hadn't forgotten. That man might not show his hand, but his reputation had spread far even back in Northern Yu. As a martial officer, if he tried to scheme against a strategist, it would likely end badly for him.
Therefore, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I wish to use Lieutenant General Wang Nan as my vice-general. I ask for Your Majesty's permission."
Murong Yan said, "Granted. Wang Nan, take the order!"
Wang Nan quickly stepped out and knelt. While bowing to receive the order, he was secretly shocked. Zuo Canglang’s guess just now was not off by a single bit! But she said to follow her instructions—Jinyang was over a thousand miles from Jiming Prefecture. Battles were unpredictable; how could he follow her instructions?
He took the military order and walked to Zuo Canglang’s side. Seemingly saying goodbye, he whispered, "General, what should I..."
Zuo Canglang reached out, straightened the red tassel on his helmet, and smiled. "It is time for you to establish your own merit. Go and return quickly."
Wang Nan was confused. "General!" She didn't want to say more, and Wang Nan had no more time, so he had to walk to Di Lianzhong’s side.
Di Lianzhong had planned this all along. He hadn't spoken of it earlier to prevent Zuo Canglang from coming up with some scheme. By suddenly requesting the general now, even if Zuo Canglang had any tricks, she wouldn't be able to use them, right?
By taking Wang Nan out this time, he would place one of his own confidants beside him as a deputy. At the right time, he would have Wang Nan die in battle. With his death, another position would open up in the army, and his own confidant could take the military merit for himself. Combined with Jiang Qi, he would finally have some influence of his own.
He glanced at Zuo Canglang and gave a cold snort, unable to hide the smugness in his heart.
The army set out, heading west.
Zuo Canglang stood at the front of the military officials, not wearing armor. The cold wind pierced through her clothes, and she clutched her hand warmer tightly. Once, she had treated treading through snow and frost as nothing, but now, not being on horseback, she could no longer withstand the cold. After seeing off Di Lianzhong, Murong Yan turned around. Their gazes met briefly and then slowly pulled apart.
He boarded his carriage to return to the palace. To his left was Left Prime Minister Jiang Sanyi, and to his right was Right Prime Minister Gan Xiaoru, with Wang Yunzhao serving him closely. He looked back; Zuo Canglang was not behind him.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 德政殿 | Dezheng Hall | Hall of Virtuous Governance; a main hall for court affairs. |
| 栖凤宫 | Resting Phoenix Palace | Qifeng Palace; the Queen's residence. |
| 骠骑将军 | General of Agile Cavalry | Zuo Canglang's high-ranking military title. |
| 中常侍 | Palace Attendant | A high-ranking eunuch position, here referring to Wang Yunzhao. |
| 绘云 | Huiyun | Jiang Bilan's personal maid. |
| 画月 | Huayue | Another of Jiang Bilan's maids. |
| 瑾瑜侯 | Marquis Jinyu | Daxi Qin's noble title. |
| 西华门 | West Splendor Gate | A gate of the imperial palace. |
| 鸡鸣郡 | Jiming Prefecture | A strategic location/prefecture. |
| 王楠 | Wang Nan | One of the young generals under Zuo Canglang. |
