In front of the Dezheng Hall, Feng Ping had already received over eighty strikes of the cane; his body was a mess of blood. The civil and military officials stood in two rows on either side, not daring to breathe loudly. Suddenly, Jiang Bilan approached, flanked by Cai Ling and Hua Yue, her steps hurried. "Your Majesty!"
The moment Jiang Sanyi saw her, his brow furrowed. He suddenly leaned in and whispered to the eunuch serving behind him, "Go to the Qifeng Palace immediately. Tell the wet nurses to bring the Prince and the Princess here." Knowing his identity, the eunuch hurriedly complied. Jiang Sanyi thought for a moment and added, "When they arrive, they must be crying. Do you understand?"
The eunuch rushed off. By then, Jiang Bilan had already reached the eaves of the hall. Murong Yan sat upright and dignified; when he saw her, his gaze turned cold. He was currently presiding over the matter of a guard colluding with the inner palace; Jiang Bilan’s appearance now almost confirmed that the two of them had been in communication.
He was not unaware of Feng Ping’s character. He had simply never looked into it deeply out of consideration for the man's loyalty. If even that single merit was gone, the man was utterly worthless.
Jiang Bilan glanced at Feng Ping, her fair face turning pale. She said, "Your Majesty, what mistake has Commander Feng committed to provoke such great imperial wrath?"
Murong Yan said, "If I remember correctly, the Queen is still under confinement. Who allowed you to leave the Qifeng Palace?"
Jiang Bilan said, "I have risked death to come here only because I heard Your Majesty intended to beat Commander Feng to death in public. Commander Feng has always been loyal to Your Majesty; I was worried..."
Murong Yan said, "Is the Queen saying that I am mistakenly killing a loyal subject?"
Jiang Bilan was slightly startled, saying, "I would not dare!" Only then did she notice the piercing chill in Murong Yan’s eyes. She knelt on the ground. Murong Yan did not look at her, merely saying softly, "Since the Queen is here, you may observe the punishment together." He raised a hand, signaling the Imperial Guards to continue. The slight hesitation that had been in his eyes earlier had completely vanished.
Just then, the sound of an infant crying suddenly drifted over. Murong Yan was slightly stunned as he saw two wet nurses running over in haste, bowing to him. Murong Yan’s eyebrows arched. "What is this? You wretched servants, to bring the Prince and Princess out in such heat!"
The wet nurses quickly knelt. "Replying to Your Majesty, after Her Majesty left, the Prince and Princess cried inconsolably. We tried every means to coax them but to no avail, and we feared the children would cry themselves sick. Thus, we grew bold enough to run here. We beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness, please forgive us!"
The two children were indeed crying piteously. Only then did Murong Yan glance at Jiang Bilan and say, "Rise."
The corners of Jiang Bilan’s eyes were still wet. She said, "I am guilty, but Your Majesty, Commander Feng was someone the late Empress Dowager left for Your Majesty. He has followed Your Majesty for so many years. Even if I am to be blamed by Your Majesty, I would never dare to remain silent. He has provoked Your Majesty’s wrath and is certainly guilty. However, I feel that Your Majesty perhaps had no intent to kill Commander Feng, but was merely provoked by a petty person. If Your Majesty were to calm down..."
As she spoke while kneeling, Murong Ze and Princess Yide cried even harder. Murong Yan said, "Get up! Take the children back to your Qifeng Palace!"
Only then did Jiang Bilan rise. Knowing Murong Yan favored Princess Yide, she picked up the princess first. Murong Yan took the princess into his arms. The little princess was usually well-behaved, but the wet nurse had followed Jiang Sanyi’s orders and given her bottom a hard pinch on the way, which was why she was crying so much.
Once in his arms, her crying gradually subsided. Murong Yan gently stroked her delicate cheek. Only then did Jiang Sanyi step forward from the ranks and say, "Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince and the Princess are truly young. This matter of life and death should perhaps not take place before their eyes, lest the baleful energy clash with the children's spirits."
Murong Yan said, "Are my children so fragile that a mere bit of baleful energy could affect them?"
Jiang Sanyi said, "Your Majesty is correct. The Eldest Prince is a son and will naturally inherit Your Majesty’s heroic stature and courage. However, the Princess is a daughter after all, and is inevitably more delicate."
Murong Yan lowered his head and saw Princess Yide gnawing on his hand. He used his prayer beads to gently tap her head. After a moment of thought, he finally said, "Stop."
Feng Ping had been beaten until only a breath of life remained; he was a bloody mess and could no longer speak. Jiang Sanyi said, "Speaking of which, what the Queen said just now has some merit. Commander Feng has followed Your Majesty for many years and has always been diligent. I wonder what matter has provoked Your Majesty’s great displeasure?"
Murong Yan glanced at Wang Yunzhao. Only then did Wang Yunzhao open the imperial decree and read Feng Ping’s crimes to the public. They included the abuse of private punishment at Fachang Temple, fabricating charges, deceiving the monarch, and attempting to frame Zuo Canglang.
As for the matter of illicit communication with the inner palace, it was unseemly, so he did not state it explicitly.
After Jiang Sanyi finished listening, he said, "If that is the case, Commander Feng indeed deserves his punishment. However, Your Majesty, Fachang Temple was destroyed long ago for colluding with rebels. Your Majesty personally ordered the temple to be burned and it has been sealed off until now. Last night there was a light rain and the mountain path was slippery; for what reason did General Zuo go up the mountain in the middle of the night?"
Murong Yan did not speak. Jiang Sanyi continued, "As the Commander of the Imperial Guard, and given that General Zuo is highly trusted by Your Majesty, seeing her leave the palace privately for a place like Fachang Temple, it is perhaps understandable that Commander Feng would follow to investigate."
Murong Yan said, "That damnable wretch—it is rare for the Imperial Father-in-law to defend him so."
Jiang Sanyi was startled, realizing Murong Yan was beginning to suspect a connection between them. He hurriedly said, "To be honest, Your Majesty, I have something... I wish to say but dare not."
Murong Yan asked, "What is it?"
Jiang Sanyi said slowly, "When the rebels were being captured last time, although Leng Feiyan was brought to justice, the primary offender, Murong Ruo, has been a fugitive and has not been caught. Jinyang City is strictly guarded; unless he has the power to fly or tunnel through the earth, he could never have escaped. Therefore, he is likely still in the city. And Fachang Temple was previously destroyed for harboring rebels, so... as for General Zuo’s purpose for going up the mountain this time, I dare not speculate wildly, yet I cannot help but harbor doubts in my heart."
Murong Yan was stunned. Jiang Sanyi said, "Your Majesty, since this entire affair started because of General Zuo, why not have her come here for a confrontation? If Commander Feng truly deserves to die, it will leave no room for idle gossip."
As soon as he said this, his partisans naturally echoed him. Gan Xiaoru’s faction did not object either—Feng Ping was not one of theirs, and neither was Zuo Canglang. They didn't care who lived or died. Furthermore, if they objected now and Feng Ping was saved, wouldn't they be making an enemy for no reason?
Thus, the officials all agreed; not a single one objected.
Murong Yan’s brow furrowed slightly. Jiang Sanyi was right; Murong Ruo was still in Jinyang, and Zuo Canglang had originally returned to save Leng Feiyan and the others. This time she went to Fachang Temple—was it truly just to burn incense and paper to offer sacrifices to old friends?
He said in a deep voice, "Send someone to the Nanqing Palace to summon her."
Wang Yunzhao hurriedly ordered a eunuch to fetch Zuo Canglang.
At the Nanqing Palace, Zuo Canglang was slightly surprised. She asked the eunuch before her, "You are saying His Majesty has summoned me to the Dezheng Hall?"
The eunuch bowed and said, "Replying to General Zuo, that is correct."
Zuo Canglang stood up. Wei Wei was quite worried. "General, will there be any trouble?"
Zuo Canglang said, "It is nothing." She turned to look at Ke Qing and said, "Ke Qing, come with me."
Ke Qing answered and followed Zuo Canglang out the door. Wei Wei quickly said, "I’m coming too!" After saying that, she followed behind the two of them and left the Nanqing Palace.
In front of the Dezheng Hall, the civil and military officials stood on either side. Murong Yan sat under the eaves, holding Princess Yide in his arms. Jiang Bilan was also coaxing Murong Ze. Zuo Canglang walked slowly toward them, the eyes of the officials instantly falling upon her.
Having shed her military uniform, she wore plain clothes with red embroidery, her face free of powder or rouge, as crisp and cool as a mountain spring. Zuo Canglang’s gaze met those of the officials, then she glanced at Feng Ping under the eaves before looking at Princess Yide in Murong Yan’s arms. Understanding dawned in her heart. She stepped forward and bowed. "This humble subject, Zuo Canglang, pays respects to Your Majesty and the various Lords. For what matter has Your Majesty summoned me?"
Murong Yan asked, "Last night, you went to Fachang Temple privately to offer sacrifices to rebels. Do you admit your guilt?"
Zuo Canglang knelt and kowtowed. "This humble subject admits my guilt. For this, Your Majesty has already punished the Nanqing Palace with a one-month reduction in stipend. I have already instructed everyone in the palace to be frugal with expenses."
Murong Yan paused. Indeed, he had already punished her for this last night. However, Zuo Canglang held no rank in the palace; where would she get a stipend? By saying this, anyone could see his intent to protect her. Beside them, Jiang Sanyi said, "General Zuo, you knew full well that Fachang Temple was a den of rebels. The traitors have already been wiped out by Your Majesty’s personal order, and the temple has been sealed because of it. In the middle of the night, why did you go up the mountain?"
As he spoke, he watched Zuo Canglang’s expression closely. Given her deep affection for Murong Yan, if she were suspected by him, she would surely be heartbroken. Yet for some reason, her anger and sorrow were both perfectly measured.
Zuo Canglang said, "My mistake has already been punished by His Majesty. For Chancellor Jiang to speak this way now, do you feel His Majesty’s handling of the matter was unjust?"
Jiang Sanyi was speechless for a moment, then quickly said, "It is just that Murong Ruo is still in the city, and as far as I know, he once hid in Fachang Temple. The General originally came here to save the rebels; now that you have left the palace for the mountain in the dead of night, it inevitably makes one suspect other motives."
Zuo Canglang said, "I wonder what motives the Chancellor suspects I have?"
Seeing her refuse to admit anything, Jiang Sanyi could only say, "Such a coincidence makes it hard to believe. Does the General intend to help Murong Ruo escape Jinyang? Perhaps... there is even a prior agreement."
Zuo Canglang said, "An agreement? Back when Murong Ruo was still the Crown Prince, his power was immense. When Lord Jiang was working diligently and loyally assisting him, I had no agreement with him. During the battle of Fangcheng, I followed His Majesty to rescue the Queen, stormed the city, and executed the deposed Queen Zhang. At that time, Chancellor Jiang had just decided to defect from his old master to follow His Majesty. Even then, I had no agreement with him."
Her voice was sorrowful yet steady, every word clear. "Now, he has not a single soldier in his hand, nor a single coin on his person. A desperate rebel who has reached the end of his rope—and I am supposed to have made an agreement with him now?"
Jiang Sanyi’s heart sank. He felt that today, she seemed different somehow. But for a moment, he couldn't put his finger on it. Zuo Canglang raised her head to look at Murong Yan and said, "If Your Majesty had not appeared in time last night, I would have already died under Commander Feng’s blade. Could it be that Your Majesty’s personal arrival was also something I intentionally arranged?"
Murong Yan’s gaze softened slightly. He said, "It was merely a routine inquiry; is it worth such indignation?"
As soon as his tone softened, Jiang Bilan, standing before him, began to shed tears—he was treating this wench with such tenderness in front of all the officials. She said, "You have followed His Majesty for many years; you have always known His Majesty’s temperament like the back of your hand! Besides, would a person like you be unprepared? I fear that if His Majesty had not come, you would have staged a different performance altogether."
Murong Yan said in a low voice, "Queen, watch your words."
Jiang Sanyi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please appease your anger. Her Majesty is, after all, a lady of the inner chambers, naturally kind and simple. When the General was not in the palace, Her Majesty managed the inner palace with thoroughness and care. But the General is, after all, a person of great talent and strategy. In terms of schemes, courage, or being smooth and seasoned, an ordinary woman likely cannot match even a fraction of the General’s ability. When Her Majesty occasionally visits her family, she is often uneasy, always fearing the baleful aura the General carries. If there are any lapses in her words or deeds, I ask the General to be patient."
Hearing this, Murong Yan frowned again. This was the reason he had always indulged Jiang Bilan; in the end, she was just a weak woman from a sheltered background. No matter what, how could she compete with Zuo Canglang? If he showed even a bit of bias, he feared Zuo Canglang would devour her until not even a bone remained.
Hearing this, Zuo Canglang said, "Chancellor Jiang’s words make this humble subject feel quite bitter. Her Majesty is innocent and pure, but in the end, she has a father who is a first-rank official in the court and a brother who holds military power. She has a loving mother and siblings at home, and a pair of children in her arms. What kind of fortune is required for that? The Chancellor says I am skilled in calculation, but I followed His Majesty at the age of fourteen. For seven years I fought in the south and north, sustaining over twenty battle wounds. Yet I have no parents above, no children below; my husband is not a husband, and my home is not a home. After the world was settled, I returned my power to the current Emperor. Now I am alone, with nothing to my name. If I were truly skilled in calculation, then over all these years, what exactly have I calculated for myself?"
A single tear slowly rolled down her cheek, and she spoke no more.
Jiang Sanyi was at a loss for words. Murong Yan said softly, "Rise and speak. Your legs were already in bad shape; don't keep kneeling like this."
Zuo Canglang thanked him for his grace. As she moved to rise, her legs seemed numb, and her body tilted slightly. Murong Yan handed Princess Yide to the wet nurse and reached out to support her. Seeing the tear tracks on her cheeks, he said, "Enough, you are no longer in the army, yet you have picked up this habit of crying."
He reached out to wipe away her tears. Jiang Sanyi suddenly realized what was wrong—her sorrow, indignation, and grievance, every emotion was so perfectly timed.
He could only say, "Why must the General belittle herself? At the age of seventeen, the General served as the Great Yan’s General of the Agile Cavalry. Your influence in the army is vast and complex, and you have the Wen clan as your backing. Even His Majesty regards the General with special favor. Now, even after being away from court for over a year, your return still brings undiminished imperial favor. To call such favor 'having nothing to one's name' is perhaps an overstatement."
Zuo Canglang said, "Currently, I hold no official rank or position. It is only because His Majesty remembers our old ties that he has given me a roof over my head. How can I compare to Chancellor Jiang? Previously, when the Retired Emperor was on the throne, the Chancellor served as the Right Prime Minister, holding great power. Later, after following His Majesty, the Chancellor was not only moved to the position of Left Prime Minister but also became the Imperial Father-in-law. His eldest son has entered the military, and the Chancellor’s prestige in court is such that a single word from him brings the agreement of all officials, without a single voice of dissent. Truly, you are above ten thousand and below only one. By comparison, am I not considered to have nothing to my name?"
Jiang Sanyi’s heart skipped a beat, knowing this was bad—earlier, when he suggested Murong Yan summon Zuo Canglang for a confrontation, indeed not a single person had objected.
Sure enough, Murong Yan said in a heavy voice, "Enough." He glanced at Jiang Sanyi. "Engaging in a war of words before the assembled officials—what kind of decorum is this?"
Jiang Sanyi had no choice but to kneel and beg for forgiveness. Zuo Canglang was about to kneel as well, but Murong Yan took her hand. Such intimacy before the court officials made his intentions clear. The officials looked at one another but could only pretend not to see. Murong Yan patted Zuo Canglang’s hand and said, "You go back first. It is time for the medicine on your legs to be reapplied."
Zuo Canglang bowed slightly and slowly left the Dezheng Hall. As she passed by Jiang Sanyi, he looked up, and their eyes met. For the first time, Jiang Sanyi saw the snow-bright, sharp edge in her eyes.
He was stunned. The hem of her robe brushed against his face, like the kiss of a wolf.
***
