Northern Liang, Capital.
Kangning Palace.
“If you harm that young guard, Liang Ye won’t let you off when he returns.”
Tan Yishuang lowered her eyes while embroidering a pouch in her hands. The red flower petals appeared delicate and fresh. A cold smile appeared on her face. “That child looked exactly like my Ah Heng who died young. Unfortunately, the more he grew up, the less he resembled him. He even developed inappropriate thoughts, and the emperor indulged him. What did they take me for? It’s truly disgusting.”
“I’ve told you many times not to let emotions cloud your judgment. I can’t count on that fool Bian Yunxin anymore. Originally, there was still room for redemption on your end, but now you have no choice but to leave,” said the man behind the screen.
Tan Yishuang embroidered the red dots on the flower petals and smiled, saying, “Originally, you didn’t plan to let me live either. If it weren’t for Xiao Heng’er’s rescue, I would have died under those arrows long ago.”
“There’s no need to discuss the past,” that person said. “Surviving was your own ability. I’m here only to show you a way out, considering our past relationship.”
Tan Yishuang unhurriedly embroidered the pouch in her hands, with the lotus seed pod taking initial shape. “No need to make your words sound so pretty. Even Qi Ming, who served you so loyally, was poisoned to death by you. Now that the entire Tan family is dead, what value do I have left that’s worth Daren’s consideration?”
“Haven’t you always wanted to go beyond the border? Help me with one last thing, and I’ll help you leave.”
Tan Yishuang’s embroidering hands paused slightly. “Must it be me?”
“You’re the only one who can do this.”
The needle and thread became messy as Tan Yishuang said flatly, “I’m afraid that after I help you accomplish this, you’ll dispose of me like a hunting dog after catching the rabbit, ending up like Qi Ming.”
The person hidden in darkness laughed, “How do you know Qi Ming is really dead?”
Tan Yishuang suddenly raised her eyes.
The early spring wind still carried a chill, making the willow branches sway lightly, and the tender green buds trembled as they opened in the wind.
Following closely behind the victory report from Southern Chuan came the news of Eastern Chen’s new emperor Shen Xun’s ascension to the throne.
Although rumors said that Imperial Grandson Shen An possessed both talent and ability, was well-versed in both civil and military affairs, was deeply loved by court officials and common people alike, and had been carefully nurtured by Shen Yao for many years, he still died in the palace coup.
“Among Shen Yao’s sons, Shen Xun ranked twenty-seventh and usually kept a low profile. Shen An grew up with this twenty-seventh uncle since childhood. Being close in age, they supported each other. The two of them killed almost all of Shen Yao’s adult sons. Shen An died under Shen Xun’s sword the night before his coronation.”
The secret letter contained just a few words, but beneath them lay rivers of blood.
Even the closest of bonds and deepest family ties ultimately succumbed to power and position.
Wang Dian finished reading the letter and threw it into the fireplace. Watching the rising flames, he tugged at Liang Ye’s ear, “Was your ascension to the throne this brutal?”
Liang Ye’s ears twitched as he changed his position to rest his head on Wang Dian’s lap, pressing his ear underneath. He kicked the armrest of the chair twice, “Hmm, I can’t remember clearly.”
Wang Dian ruffled his hair, “This Shen Xun sounds like someone with deep schemes who is good at hiding his true nature. He probably won’t be easy to deal with.”
“Yu Polu and Shen An were good friends,” Liang Ye’s willow leaf knife spun quickly in a circle before precisely stabbing the Eastern Chen capital on the map. “This war has come to an end.”
Shen Yao had ambitions to rule the world and unify the three kingdoms, but clearly his sons didn’t, or perhaps they weren’t destined to—Yu Polu and Shen An were close friends, and Shen Xun killed Shen An with one sword strike. Everyone knew Yu Polu’s violent temperament; he probably wanted to skin Shen Xun alive now.
When Eastern Chen’s letter requesting peace and troop withdrawal arrived, Jiao Wenbo had just led his troops across the Changshui River in Chengyuan County to reach Chuansong County. To show respect, Liang Ye personally went to welcome him.
“This minister Jiao Wenbo pays respect to Your Majesty!” Old Marshal Jiao was still vigorous despite his age, his voice still ear-splitting.
“Marshal Jiao, please rise quickly!” Liang Ye personally went forward to help him up, laughing heartily, “Zhen has been eagerly awaiting Marshal Jiao’s arrival!”
“If not for the Changshui River freezing over two days ago, this old minister could have arrived two days earlier to properly meet Eastern Chen’s young General Yu!” Jiao Wenbo laughed heartily.
The dozen or so generals behind Liang Ye joined in the laughter, praising the old marshal’s former heroic bearing, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Wang Dian stood quietly on the side, catching in his peripheral vision how the young general called Bian Feng kept staring intently at Liang Ye, even finding an opportunity to support Liang Ye’s arm once. Liang Ye, probably used to mixing with military men, had forgotten his usual aversion to being touched and paid no attention to it.
Wang Dian clicked his tongue in displeasure, and Chong Heng standing beside him also had a face full of resentment.
“Master takes that Bian Feng everywhere every day, makes him a great general, and even personally guides him in martial arts training with kind words,” Chong Heng said gloomily. “When teaching me martial arts, he scolded me every day. Master is playing favorites.”
Wang Dian pulled his sleeves together and glanced at Bian Feng again, saying, “He’s the adopted son of Bian Cang given to Bian Rufeng, so he’s technically half his brother. It’s understandable.”
Wang Dian didn’t understand ancient people’s concept of continuing the family line – after all, nothing remains after death, so it’s better to live happily.
But Liang Ye was fundamentally a person from ancient times, his mind filled with some feudal dregs that weren’t easily changed, and Wang Dian wasn’t in a hurry about it.
At the welcoming feast, wine cups clinked back and forth. With peace negotiations imminent, everyone breathed a heavy sigh of relief, as this war had brought no benefit to Northern Liang.
Wang Dian grew drowsy listening to the group discuss battle stories over wine. Finding an opportunity, he exchanged a glance with Liang Ye before leaving his seat to get some fresh air outside the main tent.
Chong Heng wanted to follow, but Wang Dian had him stay in the tent, and Liang Ye gave him a look, keeping Chong Heng behind.
Thus, he very smoothly met with Quan Ning.
“Well, well, the Emperor of Liang actually let you out?” Quan Ning, dressed in colorful clothes, squatted before an earthen slope, looking like a wild pheasant digging a hole.
Wang Dian blew the dust off a stone slab nearby and sat down. “He wouldn’t dare not to.”
“Never mind anything else, just the fact that you can make that madman so obedient is truly admirable.” Quan Ning cupped his fists in respect.
Heaven knows when he saw that dog who nearly killed him getting scolded terribly yet still swallowing his pride to coax others, he was so gleeful he wanted to set off firecrackers to celebrate. That bastard finally got what he deserved – truly heaven had opened its eyes.
“But it was really unnecessary for you to hire so many people for Liang Ye. Others can hardly get close to him. He’s more likely to kill others instead. All your silver was wasted,” Quan Ning said rather regretfully.
“Spending money to buy peace of mind – better that it was wasted.” Wang Dian pulled up a dry grass from the ground. “The war is over, business is finished, others have left early. Why haven’t you left yet?”
“Nonsense, how can I be the same as them?” Quan Ning leaned back against the mound, took out a water pouch from his waist and took two gulps. “I came to say goodbye to you.”
Wang Dian turned to look at him. “Goodbye?”
“The Jiuxing Pavilion is almost built. You should still be the Pavilion Master.” He took another drink, breathing out alcohol fumes, squinting at the wild grass ahead. “I’m going back to the Southern Frontier.”
Wang Dian asked in surprise. “Why go to the Southern Frontier for no reason? Didn’t you say it was stuffy and gloomy there?”
“People like us can’t survive in places that are too clean,” Quan Ning said, resting on one arm. “Meeting people who are too clean won’t work either.”
Wang Dian understood, “It’s because of your Seventh Young Master, right?”
“He’s not mine anymore, was never mine to begin with,” Quan Ning smiled. “He has someone in his heart, won’t let go even in death. I won’t go seek that embarrassment.”
Wang Dian sighed and patted his shoulder.
Quan Ning seized the opportunity, grasping his hand and leaning in to blow an ambiguous breath at him, smiling, “Someone full of schemes and plots like you suits me best.”
Wang Dian closed his eyes at the strong alcohol fumes, allowing him to hold his hand, and said leisurely, “I’d very much like to experience the life of wandering the jianghu, but Liang Ye would probably have to work hard to chase me down again. If you’re not afraid, I’m not afraid either.”
Quan Ning awkwardly let go of his hand, looking pained, “You’re too boring, can’t even take a joke.”
“Wasn’t I just joking with you?” Wang Dian also leaned back, squinting at the crystal-clear blue sky above. “The capital isn’t a clean place either. Since Liang Ye can’t leave, I have to stay with him.”
Quan Ning clicked his tongue at this, “So you’re not trying to kill him anymore like you were at the beginning?”
Wang Dian just smiled. Quan Ning stared at him for a while before joining in the laughter, nudging his shoulder and holding out the wine pouch, “Want a drink?”
Wang Dian turned to look at him.
Quan Ning smiled, “I have pitifully few friends, you barely count as one. Consider this a farewell drink.”
Wang Dian took the wine pouch and took a gulp, which burned his throat. “What terrible wine.”
“I spent a fortune getting this strong liquor from your northern region! Not recognizing goods,” Quan Ning complained bitterly. “Even if you liked it, I wouldn’t share it with you. Liang Ye killed all the horses I got.”
Wang Dian touched his nose and smiled awkwardly, “I gave it a good burial place.”
“…” Quan Ning pointed at him with the wine pouch, “You and Emperor Liang are both heartless creatures.”
“That’s why we’re twins,” Wang Dian smiled.
Quan Ning’s teeth ached even more at hearing this, “Chaos! Your palace is absolute chaos!”
Wang Dian burst out laughing.
The two shared the pouch of wine, chatting on and off as the sky gradually darkened. The previously warm wind turned cool, and the strong alcohol fumes slowly dispersed into the early spring’s woody fragrance.
When the wine was finished, Quan Ning got up from the ground and patted the mound, saying seriously, “Sorry, brother, borrowed your spot for a drink. If you’re unhappy, go find him – he’s especially rich.”
“Get lost!” Wang Dian stood up and patted the dirt off his clothes, only then realizing the stone slab he’d been sitting on was someone’s tombstone. He apologetically bowed to it, saying drunkenly, “My sincerest apologies, really sorry, I’ll burn some paper money later to make amends, burn you a villa in the afterlife…”
“What kind of damn place did you find…” Wang Dian started cursing, then caught himself halfway and quickly said to the mound, “Ah, I didn’t mean your place isn’t nice…”
Quan Ning burst into loud laughter, and Wang Dian kicked at him.
Quan Ning’s colorful clothes were dazzling. He twirled the wolf tooth in his hand, “Really don’t want it?”
“No, no,” Wang Dian waved his hand drunkenly. “Liang Ziyu has been unreasonably jealous about this thing, it’s annoying.”
Quan Ning chuckled as he tucked the wolf tooth into his front collar, cupped his fists and bowed, “With this farewell, who knows if we’ll meet again in this life. Take care.”
Wang Dian squinted in the sunset light and bowed seriously, “Take care.”
Quan Ning smiled freely, picked up the wine pouch and turned around swaying, waving his hand while facing away, laughing loudly, “Don’t forget to put up a new tombstone for our brother – you sat on it, be careful he doesn’t come looking for you at midnight!”
“Get lost!” Wang Dian cursed with a laugh.
Then he watched that elongated shadow grow increasingly distant, finally disappearing into the sunset glow.
