As Zuo Canglang stepped out of the Hall of Virtuous Government, she had only walked a few paces before Jiang Bilan emerged as well. Accompanied by her children, the Queen was surrounded by a retinue of no fewer than ten attendants. Following protocol, Zuo Canglang stepped to the side of the path to let her pass. Jiang Bilan walked slowly up to her and said, "Do not be too pleased with yourself. I will make sure you learn who truly has the final say in this palace!"
Zuo Canglang kept her head bowed and replied, "Your Majesty’s lecture is noted. If anyone is to be pleased, it should be Your Majesty." Seeing that Jiang Bilan did not grasp her meaning, Zuo Canglang continued, "One should enjoy their success while they can. Otherwise, when the earth gives way and the towers crumble, I fear the opportunity for such pleasure will be gone. Your Majesty... heh, you had best enjoy these few days while they last."
Hearing this, Jiang Bilan’s eyebrows arched in fury. "You... you wench! How dare you!"
Zuo Canglang smiled thinly. "In the future, there will likely be many more occasions for such audacity. I ask for Your Majesty’s forbearance."
While Jiang Bilan was consumed by rage, Zuo Canglang departed with her two maids.
That night, news arrived from within the palace that Feng Ping had succumbed to his severe injuries. Jiang Bilan stood dazed by her window. She was still under confinement, and no one would visit the Southern Serenity Palace. In truth, with so few concubines, the palace had always been desolate.
Yet, for some reason, even as summer approached, she felt an exceptional chill. The wet nurse brought her two children to accompany her. She held Murong Ze and glanced at Murong Jiao, but felt a strange lack of spirit.
That man would not be coming to her tonight, would he?
Indeed, Murong Yan did not go to the Phoenix Nest Palace. When he entered the Southern Serenity Palace, he saw two gyrfalcons perched on Zuo Canglang’s arm. One was the bird he had gifted her, but the other was entirely grayish-black with a fierce gaze—a complete stranger to him.
Murong Yan teased the bird and asked, "Where did this one come from?" Gyrfalcons were rare, and one of such quality was rarer still.
Zuo Canglang replied, "I do not know. It was likely lured here by Your Majesty’s bird. It has been circling outside with mine for several days, and only today did it finally grant me the favor of coming down to play."
"You always did love such things," Murong Yan said. "Once your leg has healed, I shall take you out hunting." Zuo Canglang gave a soft affirmation and released both birds. Murong Yan suddenly asked, "Now that Feng Ping has been executed, the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard is vacant. Who do you think is suitable?"
Zuo Canglang served him soup and said, "Your Majesty must not be lazy. I have been away from court for a long time and am no longer familiar with the palace personnel. I shall not breathe a word on the matter."
Murong Yan broke into a smile. "Between Lan Jinrong and Han Jin, who do you think is more appropriate?"
Han Jin was recommended by Gan Xiaoru and had always been diligent and meticulous. Lan Jinrong was originally the Deputy Commander; his abilities were naturally beyond question. However, because he had been suppressed by Feng Ping and lacked connections to either Jiang Sanyi or Gan Xiaoru, he had no background and thus no one to recommend him.
Zuo Canglang said, "The Commander of the Imperial Guard bears the heavy responsibility of guarding the palace. Your Majesty has a discerning eye and surely has a candidate in mind. If this person is recommended by the ministers, the benefit is that they will do their utmost to assist him. The drawback... is that I fear the affairs of the palace will become whispers in the ears of outsiders. If this person is Your Majesty’s own man, without roots or ties, he will surely be absolutely loyal and capable. However, being without roots makes him simple, yet ultimately a bit isolated and without support from any side."
Murong Yan nodded. This was the reason he had tolerated Feng Ping so much. Firstly, the man was a confidant; secondly, he was bold enough to attach himself to other elites, cultivating his own network. Even the Imperial Guard occasionally encountered difficult cases where imperial favor alone was sometimes insufficient.
However, Feng Ping had overstepped in his sycophancy, touching Murong Yan’s "reverse scale," which made the Emperor feel he could no longer be kept.
As he fell into silent contemplation, Zuo Canglang plated food for him. "The affairs of the world are endless," she said. "If Your Majesty worries over every single one like this, when will the sorrow end?" Having finished, she picked up a piece of fish, removed the bones, and held it to his lips.
Murong Yan said, "You, on the other hand, have become quite carefree."
Zuo Canglang smiled. "As long as I hide behind Your Majesty, there will always be someone to shield me from the wind and rain. Why should I trouble myself with such concerns?"
Murong Yan nodded and took her hand. "Since returning to the palace, your temperament has indeed softened a great deal."
Zuo Canglang leaned half-against his shoulder. "Once one sees their own heart clearly, one becomes transparent."
Murong Yan said, "Regarding Feng Ping’s matter today, I had to ask a few questions in front of the ministers. Do not take it to heart."
Zuo Canglang poured him more wine. "What is Your Majesty saying? To be able to stay by your side, what does such a small grievance matter?"
Murong Yan lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead. Zuo Canglang was slightly startled, but she understood his intent. Since her return, because of her leg injury, Murong Yan had not stayed overnight at the Southern Serenity Palace. Tonight, it seemed he intended to.
She closed her eyes, allowing him to kiss her tenderly. Murong Yan’s desire flared; he abandoned the meal and carried her directly into the inner chambers. Wang Yunzhao dismissed all the servants. Ke Qing bit her lip and finally followed the others out.
It had been a long time since Murong Yan had been intimate with her. He placed her on the couch and moved over her. Their lips and teeth intertwined as Zuo Canglang wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling the intense union, the pressing of skin, and the mingling of body heat. Beads of sweat broke out on his forehead; she reached out to wipe them away, her gaze blurring under the flickering lamplight.
The next morning, Murong Yan rose to prepare for the morning court. While Wang Yunzhao was helping him dress, Zuo Canglang remained in bed, lying on her side facing him. "I wish to visit the Wen Manor today," she said. "Madam Wen is still at the nunnery. I want the Duke of Ding to bring her back sooner."
Murong Yan nodded. "This matter should indeed not be delayed further. Go then."
After he had dressed and departed, Zuo Canglang slept until broad daylight before rising and heading straight to the Wen Manor.
At this time in the court, Jiang Sanyi’s faction was exceptionally uneasy. Feng Ping’s death was like a warning bell, reminding them that their own heads were not so securely attached. Jiang Sanyi had served Murong Yuan before; he had already stood on the wrong side once, and facing such a situation again, he could not help but feel a sense of impending gloom.
Furthermore, given Jiang Bilan’s temperament, Jiang Sanyi feared she might do something foolish while confined to the Phoenix Nest Palace. After much thought, Zheng Zhizhou said, "Brother-in-law, I heard Zuo Canglang returned to the Wen Manor today. You must find a way quickly; we cannot let her continue being so arrogant!"
Jiang Sanyi replied, "She holds no office in court now. Even if we wanted to find fault with her, it would not be easy. Besides, Lan’er is still under confinement."
Zheng Zhizhou said, "But the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard is currently vacant. No matter what, we cannot let her seize the initiative!"
Jiang Sanyi sighed. "At the time, I only thought that since Feng Ping had followed His Majesty for so long, he held significant weight in His Majesty’s heart. How could I have known he was so incompetent, leaving us with no one in the palace now!"
Zheng Zhizhou said, "Currently, the most likely candidate for the position is Deputy Commander Lan Jinrong. We only need to make plans early and win him over. It shouldn't be too late."
Jiang Sanyi thought for a moment and finally agreed. "Go and see to it. This must be done discreetly; His Majesty must not find out."
Zheng Zhizhou complied and indeed prepared a generous gift before going to seek out Lan Jinrong.
When Zuo Canglang arrived at the Wen Manor, Wen Xingye and the others met her at the gates. Though they hadn't seen each other for some time, there was no sense of estrangement. Zuo Canglang asked, "Is everything well in the manor?"
Wen Xingye replied, "We are all getting older. Yi Rong is following the Marquis of Jinyu, and Yi Xuan is in the army. Everything is fine."
Zuo Canglang nodded. "I will be brief. Tomorrow, bring Qiu Shu back to the Wen Manor."
Wen Xingye was startled and hesitated. "Then you..." He paused, then spoke plainly: "Have you made up your mind to enter the palace as a consort?"
Zuo Canglang was not surprised that he knew of this relationship, but thinking of how he had never mentioned it before, she felt a pang of bitterness. "I will not be a consort, but I must enter the palace."
Wen Xingye sighed deeply. "In truth, you and Qi’er only ever had the name of husband and wife. Over these years, what you have done for the Wen family... can be considered more than enough. I should have nothing to say. But A-Zuo, that palace is a cage. Why must someone like you trap yourself within it?"
"I have my own plans," Zuo Canglang said.
Wen Xingye was about to persuade her further when Zuo Canglang added, "After Feng Ping’s death, the position of Commander of the Imperial Guard is vacant. His Majesty has no suitable candidate for the moment."
Wen Xingye said, "But since neither you nor I are in court, how can we intervene in such matters?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Find a way to contact the elder Lord Xue Chengjing. Tell him that if His Majesty summons Xue Dongting, he must enter the palace."
Wen Xingye froze. "Are you saying... His Majesty might appoint Chengjing’s son as the Commander of the Imperial Guard?"
He shook his head. "That is impossible. Setting aside that Chengjing was dismissed for a crime and his family is currently under house arrest under the guise of 'convalescing,' His Majesty arrested Chengjing and killed his wife—Dongting’s mother. With such hatred and enmity between them, how could His Majesty be without suspicion and appoint Xue Dongting as the Commander?"
Zuo Canglang said, "Xue Chengjing served in court for decades. In terms of intellect, he is no worse than Jiang Sanyi. If he is willing, this can be done."
"Do you already have a strategy?" Wen Xingye asked.
"Just remember to pass the word for me," Zuo Canglang replied.
Wen Xingye agreed. Just then, Zuo Canglang gave a sharp whistle. The grayish gyrfalcon circled down from the sky and landed. Zuo Canglang said, "In the future, if there is news, I will send word via this bird. I brought it today to recognize the house. There may be palace spies in the Wen Manor; you must be careful in everything."
Wen Xingye couldn't help but be alarmed. "A-Zuo, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Zuo Canglang said, "You surely cannot truly wait for Jiang Sanyi’s grandson to ascend the throne of Yan in the future, can you?"
Wen Xingye’s heart sank. He had always known Zuo Canglang was Murong Yan’s person, so there were many things he hadn't dared to say to her directly. Seeing her speak this way now, he hesitated and asked, "His Majesty is in his prime; why do you speak of such things?"
Zuo Canglang blinked. "I am being far-sighted."
Wen Xingye didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
She did not stay long at the Wen Manor. After saying those few words, she departed. Wen Xingye still saw her to the gates. The elderly Madam Wen looked worried. "Can we really bring Qiu Shu back? I haven't seen her for so long; I miss her too."
Wen Xingye said, "They are both kind children. Our Wen family has wronged her. Now that A-Zuo has spoken, it seems she really can return. No need to wait for tomorrow; take some people to the nunnery this afternoon and bring her home."
Madam Wen thought for a moment and said, "Then A-Zuo..."
Wen Xingye patted her shoulder. "The mere status of 'Madam Wen'—how could that ever satisfy her eyes?"
The couple looked at each other and stood side-by-side, watching Zuo Canglang walk further and further away until she gradually disappeared down the long street.
After Qiu Shu returned from the nunnery, the first thing she did was see Wen Yi Rong. Yi Xuan was in the army, and Yi Rong was now thirteen years old. Under the strict tutelage of Da Xi Qin and Wen Xingye, the child had grown into a young man. When mother and son met, they could not help but embrace and weep.
Once the tears subsided, Wen Xingye said, "Stop crying, this is a happy occasion. You are finally home."
Qiu Shu wiped her eyes and nodded. She was actually a strong woman; with Wen Qi away for years, she had been the one managing the Wen Manor inside and out. She said, "If there is time, I wish to enter the palace to thank her."
She was extremely sensible and knew that back then, she had to leave. In truth, if not for Zuo Canglang, her two children would likely be gone by now.
Wen Xingye said, "That is certainly possible. Regardless of what she decides, she has been a benefactor to our Wen family. If you can, it is good for you two to visit each other often."
Yu Qiu Shu stroked Yi Rong’s head and said, "Though I was in the nunnery, I have always missed my family. I know a bit about the affairs outside. I was thinking... perhaps I can do something to help her. That would be for the best."
Wen Xingye nodded and sighed. Finally, he picked up a birdcage and went out under the pretext of walking his bird, secretly heading toward the residence of Xue Chengjing.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 栖凤宫 | Phoenix Nest Palace | The Queen's residence (lit. "Perching Phoenix Palace"). |
| 蓝锦荣 | Lan Jinrong | Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard. |
| 韩进 | Han Jin | A candidate for Commander, recommended by Gan Xiaoru. |
| 薜成景 | Xue Chengjing | A former high-ranking official currently under house arrest. |
| 薜东亭 | Xue Dongting | Son of Xue Chengjing. |
| 余秋淑 | Yu Qiu Shu | Madam Wen's full name; Wen Qi's wife. |
| 温以戎 | Wen Yi Rong | Wen Qi and Qiu Shu's son. |
| 温以轩 | Wen Yi Xuan | Wen Qi and Qiu Shu's other son, currently in the army. |
| 逆鳞 | Reverse Scale | A mythological reference to a dragon's sensitive scale; touching it provokes lethal rage. Refers to a person's ultimate taboo or weakness. |
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