Chapter 55
Proofreader : Mim
The candlelight flickered as a gentle breeze carried the sound of bamboo rustling outside the window.
On the day Xie Lanxu returned to the city with the two siblings, Li Xiangsheng and Li Cien, he once again took up residence in the Bamboo Courtyard within the Duhu Mansion.
On the wooden table next to the long couch lay an opened letter and a strand of severed black hair.
The two siblings stood in front of him, unable to hide their concern as they watched Xie Lanxu read the mysterious message that had suddenly appeared in the Bamboo Courtyard.
Finally, Xie Lanxu shifted his gaze from the letter. He held the letter and envelope close to the candle flame, setting them alight before tossing the burning paper into the waste basket beneath the couch.
“Your elder sister is safe. Everything is proceeding smoothly.”
The two siblings simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.
“Moqi Chuanmin has summoned me to leave the city in the dead of night, alone, and head to Xian Naiyue Mountain. He will send someone to meet me there.”
“That’s too dangerous alone! Let me go with you,” Li Xiangsheng furrowed his brow. “I can pretend to be your carriage driver.”
“That would be unwise. If you pose as the driver, the rebels might kill you to eliminate loose ends,” Xie Lanxu replied calmly. “Stay behind and follow the plan.”
Although still uneasy about Xie Lanxu venturing out alone, Li Xiangsheng had no better alternative.
The three of them reviewed the plan once more. Xie Lanxu then bathed, burned incense, and changed into a fresh set of clothes.
Everyone in the Duhu Mansion knew his identity, so no one stopped him when he left the estate.
When he reached the city gate, his carriage was halted by the guards.
“Your Highness, where are you going so late?”
One of the guards peered into the carriage through the lifted curtain but saw only darkness. Inside sat Xie Lanxu alone by the door, his expression as composed as ever.
“I forgot several important maps at the Xipeng Horse Ranch. If they were to fall into enemy hands, the consequences would be grave. I must retrieve them tonight,” Xie Lanxu said with his usual calm and dignified manner.
The guards, trusting his noble status and his words, did not probe further and opened the city gates.
The coachman sitting at the front of the carriage was short and wore a felt hat that obscured his face. With the crack of a whip, the carriage rolled slowly out of the city.
—-
At the foot of Xian Naiyue Mountain, shadows from the trees loomed ominously. A group of ten men lurked under the night’s cover.
“You think… Xie Lanxu might not come?”
“He’ll come. I heard the captive woman is someone he deeply cares about.”
“She’s just a woman. How many could he not get? If it were me, I’d never come!”
“Don’t compare yourself to him. That’s Xie Songzhao’s son! Back in the day—”
The speaker’s voice abruptly stopped as everyone turned sharply toward the sound of approaching hooves.
Clip-clop. Clip-clop.
Out of the misty darkness emerged a tall, slender figure riding a fine horse.
His clear, cold eyes were sharp as blades, radiating an aura so intense it made the men instinctively hold their breaths, fear creeping into their bones.
“I am here,” Xie Lanxu said. “Where is Moqi Chuanmin?”
—–
A young soldier hurried into the grand tent where wine goblets clinked and conversation flowed.
Kneeling before the king, he reported: “Your Majesty, there’s an old woman and a young girl outside the camp claiming to be descendants of the Yi Kingdom’s royal family. They speak authentic Yizhou dialect.”
“What?” Moqi Chuanmin was momentarily stunned. He had expected Xie Lanxu but instead was met with a strange pair of visitors. “Bring them in.”
When they entered, it was not what Moqi Chuanmin expected—a trembling elderly woman and a girl of around twelve or thirteen.
The granddaughter, timid and frightened by the presence of generals in the tent, kept her head down as she carefully helped the elderly woman forward to kneel before the king.
“How dare you not kneel in greeting!” one of Moqi Chuanmin’s guards barked.
The old woman, with her white hair and wrinkled face, slowly knelt with her granddaughter. Only then did Moqi Chuanmin realize the woman’s eyes were clouded and sightless.
“I am Moqi Dunzhu, paying respects to Your Majesty,” the elderly woman said in the Yi Kingdom dialect.
“Who are you? Why are you at my camp?” Moqi Chuanmin asked in the Central Plains dialect.
The old woman shook her head, lips pressed together, while the girl looked confused.
“You don’t understand the Central Plains dialect?” Moqi Chuanmin switched to the Yi Kingdom dialect.
“Your Majesty,” the young girl said timidly, “My grandmother and I live deep in the mountains. We only go into town to purchase supplies when needed. We don’t know the Central Plains language and rely on gestures to communicate when necessary.”
“You claim to be descendants of the Yi Royal family?”
“My grandmother’s mother was the daughter of King Wencheng’s seventh son. During the chaos of war, she was left behind in Mingyue Tower and separated from her family. Later, she married a royal guard who risked his life to protect her. She passed away in childbirth,” the young girl said slowly. “For years, my grandmother has awaited the day Your Majesty would restore the Yi Kingdom and reclaim Mingyue Tower. Now that Your Majesty has risen in rebellion, we have come to offer our humble services in rebuilding our homeland.”
Notes:
- Moqi Chuanmin (万俟传敏): A fictionalized name for the rebel leader. The surname Moqi (万俟) is rare and historically significant, used by certain noble clans during China’s early dynasties.
- Mingyue Tower (鸣月塔): Likely a fictionalized location, serving as a strategic region under siege. Names like this often carry poetic or symbolic connotations in Chinese literature, such as “Ming” (bright) and “Yue” (moon).
- Yi Kingdom Dialect (翼国话): This reflects historical kingdoms and regions within China that had distinct languages or dialects. It highlights cultural diversity and reinforces the “exotic” and foreign tension within the story.
- “King Wencheng” (温诚大王): This fictional king’s lineage establishes a link to the Yi Kingdom’s royal history, lending credibility to the old woman’s claims.
After the war, the Yi Kingdom’s royal family split into two factions. One faction remained in Mingyue Tower and intermarried with the local population, while the other migrated to nearby prefectural cities. This migration greatly weakened the strength of the Fuguo (Restoration) faction of the Yi Kingdom. Those who remained in Mingyue Tower and survived through the generations have now almost entirely become lackeys of the Yan Empire.
The elderly woman and young girl before him clearly belonged to the group that remained behind.
Moqi Chuanmin largely believed their story but tested them further by asking about several court secrets. The old woman answered flawlessly, which solidified his trust.
This pair of grandmother and granddaughter were not only of royal blood but were also intimately familiar with the layout of Mingyue Tower and the surrounding forests. Moqi Chuanmin had been fretting over the lack of a suitable guide to lead his army. With these two, all the pieces seemed to fall into place perfectly.
He could barely contain his excitement and ordered his men to take the pair away to be treated well.
“Congratulations, Your Majesty! The heavens have truly blessed us,” the strategist said with a bow. “With this grandmother and her granddaughter, we now have the perfect guide. If we can convince Xie Lanxu to join us, our attack on Mingyue Tower will be assured!”
“Exactly!” Moqi Chuanmin could not suppress his joy.
“Has Your Majesty considered how to persuade Xie Lanxu? I fear relying solely on his servant girl may not be sufficient,” the strategist asked.
“Worry not. I have my plans,” Moqi Chuanmin said confidently.
Just then, a messenger entered and reported that Xie Lanxu had arrived alone.
Moqi Chuanmin burst into laughter. “Quick! Invite him in!”
The lively atmosphere within the tent fell silent. Conversations ceased, and all eyes turned toward the figure who entered—some wary, some hostile.
Amidst the oppressive tension, Xie Lanxu walked in with measured steps, his expression untroubled and composed, until he stopped a few paces before Moqi Chuanmin.
Moqi Chuanmin and Xie Lanxu locked eyes, and the former’s heart trembled. Though he had heard often enough of the resemblance between the deposed crown prince and his son, seeing his son in person was still a shock. Xie Lanxu’s demeanor was like a serene river under the moonlight, exuding a calm dignity that demanded respect.
Unconsciously, Moqi Chuanmin straightened his posture and stepped down from his throne to meet him.
“I used somewhat unconventional means to bring you here, Your Highness. I hope you do not take offense,” Moqi Chuanmin said with a smile as he descended the steps. “I know you must be wary of me, but I assure you, I bear you no ill will. Strictly speaking, we are cousins. I once had the honor of meeting your late father a few times, and you are indeed the image of him.”
“Where is Li Zhi?” Xie Lanxu asked plainly.
“Rest assured, Lady Li Zhi is perfectly fine.”
Moqi Chuanmin clapped his hands, and Li Zhi was quickly brought in.
She had been changed into a bright, extravagant ruqun (traditional attire usually worn by concubines), her face washed and hair redone. A thin veil had even been provided to conceal the scar on her cheek, giving her the appearance of someone unharmed.
“The evening banquet will begin soon. Lady Li Zhi will serve you tonight,” Moqi Chuanmin said with a smile.
The two guards flanking her stepped aside, and Li Zhi walked calmly toward Xie Lanxu.
When she reached him, their eyes met briefly, and without words, they shared a silent understanding. Under the cover of his flowing sleeves, Xie Lanxu grasped her hand tightly.
“Come, let us all take our seats!” Moqi Chuanmin announced cheerfully.
The generals in the tent returned to their seats, each with a low table before them laden with dishes and wine. The table prepared for Xie Lanxu was placed directly across from Moqi Chuanmin’s throne. Li Zhi knelt silently behind him, appearing every bit the obedient servant.
“The first cup of wine,” Moqi Chuanmin proclaimed, raising his goblet, “is to honor our brave soldiers! May this campaign bring us swift and decisive victory!”
The generals lifted their cups in unison. Xie Lanxu, however, remained still. Seeing this, Moqi Chuanmin did not take offense. Instead, he smiled knowingly, as though expecting this reaction.
“The second cup of wine,” Moqi Chuanmin continued, “is to toast our honored guest—our future ally, the Emperor of Cui Kingdom.”
Though he had not named him outright, Moqi Chuanmin’s gaze fell directly on Xie Lanxu.
“You must have mistaken me for someone else, King Moqi,” Xie Lanxu said coolly. “There is no Emperor of Cui Kingdom here—only a humble horseman from the grasslands.”
“Why must Your Highness be so modest?” Moqi Chuanmin put down his goblet, his tone earnest. “If the Cui Kingdom were to be restored, who but you could claim its throne? The current emperor of Yan is nothing but a power-hungry traitor. In his youth, he seized the throne when the Cui royal family was weak, slaughtering the Cui dynasty’s kin. In his later years, he grew paranoid and indulgent, neglecting the state and falling for slander. The former crown prince, virtuous and capable as he was, was wrongfully killed, denied even a complete body for burial!
“Does Your Highness not wish to avenge your father? Does the thought of reclaiming your ancestors’ legacy not burn within you?”
“Your words are easier said than done,” Xie Lanxu replied, his voice tinged with mockery. “Do you truly think grand ambitions can be achieved with mere rhetoric?”
“Of course not,” Moqi Chuanmin said confidently. “Since the Cui Dynasty fell and the Yan Emperor usurped the throne, Fuguo factions have been active across the land. The largest among them is an organization called Tianmen. Most of the recent anti-Yan movements have been orchestrated by them.”
“As the last rightful heir of the Cui Dynasty, are you saying this Tianmen has not yet contacted you?”
“If this all-powerful Tianmen had reached out to me, would I still be herding horses in Mingyue Tower?” Xie Lanxu’s calm retort seemed to satisfy Moqi Chuanmin.
The rebel leader laughed loudly. “This is precisely why I have gone to such lengths to invite you here! We are kindred spirits, Your Highness. If you and I join forces, I will pledge my kingdom’s full support to help you restore the Cui Dynasty. Once that day comes, our two nations will be bound by everlasting peace. Is that not a blessing for both our peoples?”
“Furthermore,” Moqi Chuanmin added, his voice lowering conspiratorially, “there is one more secret I doubt even Your Highness knows. To show my sincerity, I will reveal it now—”
“For centuries, rumors of the Cui Dynasty’s treasure have circulated among the people.”
Pausing for effect, Moqi Chuanmin smiled as he let the silence stretch, savoring the attention in the tent.
“I assure Your Highness,” he finally said, “the treasure is real.”
Behind Xie Lanxu, Li Zhi’s eyes widened sharply.
Moqi Chuanmin leaned back on his throne, stroking his beard as he smiled. After reveling in the quiet and their collective anticipation, he said slowly, “This treasure alone is worth ten Yan imperial treasuries.”
