That night, Chu Qiao had a dream. She dreamed again of that snowy evening years ago when the corridors of the Sacred Golden Palace were so long and silent. Songs from the front hall were carried by the wind, lively yet gentle. The melody was bright, with luxurious chimes resounding throughout the entire palace.
In her dream, someone held her hand, warm and firm, as if they would never let go for a lifetime.
Fresh red blood flowed from his severed finger, yet he smiled and told her: “It’s nothing, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
That smile was like a mist, enveloping her heart, making her feel such warmth for many years, even when outside was covered in snow across a thousand mountains, or pouring with heavy rain.
When she awoke, tears had soaked half her pillow, leaving faint water stains on the rose-colored cushion, as red as blood-stained rouge.
Chu Qiao sat there anxiously for a very long time. Suddenly, she felt she couldn’t wait any longer.
Even though palace servants had been busy holding umbrellas half the night, they couldn’t prevent the decay of the lotus leaves. Each layer of autumn rain brought another layer of coolness. By early morning, an entire pond of green lotus had completely withered. Black stems and leaves tangled together, bumping against each other, seemingly making even the pond water murky.
The golden chrysanthemums, however, bloomed too early. Despite continuous rain, the cold wind was fierce, and yellow flowers piled up on the ground, withered—whose beauty from which palace or hall, no one knew.
During breakfast, she heard that the newly appointed palace maid had become arrogant with her favored status and offended Li Ce’s taboo. She had been thrown into the cold chamber. Although Li Ce hadn’t ordered her execution, this woman had been quite domineering during her days of favor, and now that she had fallen from grace, the ladies from several palaces had joined forces to play some tricks. With autumn’s chill and the cold chamber being remote without fire or candles, after such torment, heartbreak, and worry, she would likely not survive.
The palace maids discussed this matter only briefly, without much concern such incidents were commonplace here and not particularly surprising.
Chu Qiao felt slightly gloomy. She didn’t know much about Li Ce, and mostly saw only his playful, smiling face. Although she knew this man wasn’t simple, she inevitably let her guard down.
He was, after all, the Crown Prince of Tang, the future ruler of a nation.
After breakfast, she wanted to find someone to arrange a meeting with Li Ce. But before Qiu Sui could leave, Chan’er came running back, panting and exclaiming: “The Princess of Great Xia has entered the city!”
Chu Qiao was startled. Qiu Sui quickly asked: “Which Great Xia Princess? Wasn’t she just driven away? Has she returned so soon?”
“Not that princess,” Chan’er hurriedly waved her hand and said: “It’s the Eighth Princess of Great Xia. She came alone on horseback and had already arrived at Qin’an Palace. The Emperor and Crown Prince have both rushed there. They say she has come for a political marriage!”
Hearing this, Chu Qiao’s mind immediately tensed. Something seemed to snap in her heart, causing an uncontrollable tremor.
That once delicate and fragile golden branch and jade leaf had now become so brave.
Hardship is truly the best catalyst for growth in this world.
Many years later, when historians of future generations opened the heavy historical records, they would still furrow their brows and sigh at this turn of events from that year. Anyone with even slight knowledge of that period of history would not forget this name: Zhao Chun’er, the Eighth Princess of Great Xia. This woman, who had no previous records of brilliance or extraordinary talent, rose to power at a speed that would make any man sigh in admiration. Her resolute and ruthless methods eventually plunged the entire society into a disaster of blood and fire. Her life was like a brilliant meteor, suddenly illuminating heaven and earth, then suddenly fading and dissipating.
People often wondered, if many years later, without the rise of the Beautiful Wang, would the situation of the world have taken a different path because of this woman?
However, history is ultimately history, and no one can change it. Regardless of how future generations evaluate right and wrong, merits and faults, no one can deny the fact that Zhao Chun’er was the only female power holder on the Ximeng Continent who could stand shoulder to shoulder with the Beautiful Wang. Of course, this does not include Nailan Hongye, the Princess of Huai Song, who eventually retreated. In short, this blood and fire scroll of the Ximeng Continent was too long, with countless stars of generals gathered, brilliant and dazzling, filled with love and hatred, flesh and white bones, and Zhao Chun’er was undoubtedly a shining stroke within it.
Let us collectively remember this day: the first day of the ninth month, the Chongming Festival of Tang. People climbed high to gaze far, offering sacrifices to deceased relatives, and reminiscing about distant homelands. On the long streets, the fragrance of wine wafted, goods were displayed in abundance, blue and white robes spread throughout the city, solemn and austere, heavy and ancient. On this day, the city gates opened with a rumble. Great Xia’s Eighth Princess Zhao Chun’er, on the fourth day after her sister was driven out of the imperial city, rode her horse day and night, galloping frantically, entering this ancient walled city alone. Holding the golden imperial decree of the Great Xia Emperor, she declared loudly: “I am Zhao Chun of Great Xia, I request an audience with the ruler of Tang!”
Time had passed sparsely. The young girl with hanging tassels had long since grown into an elegant young woman. Today, her sharp and noble features were like the mist and clouds in a painting, with such brilliant and magnificent eyes that made people dizzy upon seeing them.
Yet, who still remembered that long ago, she was once pure and kind, with a clear smile, wearing a lotus-colored long dress, holding a rabbit’s tail, charmingly smiling: “Brother Xun, thank you, Chun’er is so happy…”
Time is so hasty, past events disperse like smoke and clouds. Some things will eventually become the past, some emotions will eventually be buried by white bones, some blood will eventually flow between heaven and earth, and some grievances will eventually gain immortality in death.
—*—*—*—*—*—*—
The continuous cold rain fell on the wide, thick leaves of the phoenix tree, creating a flowing water-like sound. Yan Xun sat on horseback, wearing a rain cape, his clear brows and eyes holding a cold loneliness. A Jing, one horse positioned behind him, quietly reported the newly arrived news.
The sunlight was dim and gray. Yan Xun’s face had an almost transparent paleness, but his back remained straight, like a javelin. His gaze was distant, looking at the city that appeared and disappeared in the thick fog.
That ancient city was hidden among layers of mountains and water mist, like a majestic beast, quietly lurking, waiting for the footsteps of those daring to offend its dignity.
“Master, Li Ce has driven Zhao Yan out of Tang’s borders. The Great Xia military is in an uproar. Several Xia prefectures near Tang’s borders have prepared for battle, but the Xia Emperor has not issued any statements about war and is still preparing for the capital relocation.”
“Mmm,” Yan Xun responded softly, without replying further.
“The Eighth Princess of Great Xia received a pigeon message three days ago and set out overnight, seemingly without obtaining the Xia Emperor’s consent. She is about to enter the city now.”
Yan Xun still didn’t respond. A Jing became somewhat anxious and asked: “If so, the Eighth Princess doesn’t have the royal family’s approval or letter. Should we try to make something of this?”
Yan Xun slightly raised his eyebrow, then slowly turned his head, his eyes like a frozen mirror lake, staring at A Jing, yet with unreadable emotions.
A Jing felt somewhat awkward, but more so nervous. He had followed Yan Xun for many years, but since leaving Zhen Huang, Yan Xun’s temperament and gaze seemed increasingly sharp. This man was like a sharp sword—previously, he was kept in a box, but now, without the box blocking his radiance, his brilliance became increasingly unbearable to look at directly.
“The Xia Emperor will approve. Great Xia will not go to war with Tang. The letter agreeing to Zhao Chun’er’s political marriage will arrive soon.”
Yan Xun’s tone was light, as if making casual conversation, but in that voice was such firm confidence. He looked toward the misty rain of Tang again, slightly furrowing his brow, softly saying: “The Tang Crown Prince drove out the Xia Princess for the sake of a woman. What deep meaning could be behind this?”
A Jing continued: “I heard it’s a woman extremely favored by the Tang Crown Prince.”
“Do you think Li Ce is a fool?” Yan Xun coldly snorted, saying sternly: “There must be some reason behind this, I just haven’t figured it out yet. Li Ce, how could he be someone who would lose his composure over a beauty?”
Yan Xun didn’t know that this time he was overthinking. A person has many facets and can be irrational at times—he was the same.
“Also, according to our scouts, the Fourth Young Master of the Zhuge family has fought over a dozen rounds on Pingui Wasteland, making the caravan there cry out in misery. I heard that a few days ago, one of his friends suffered a sneak attack from those bandits, and he went to settle the score. He should be returning now, but we still haven’t seen the young lady. That little brat from the Ouyang family has appeared several times, always following Zhuge Yue.”
“Keep following them. Where that child is, A Chu is likely to be as well. She has always been stubborn. Once we reach Tang Capital, we’ll have a chance to meet her.”
After speaking, Yan Xun sighed lightly and slowly said: “Knowing where she is puts my mind at ease.”
“Also, Zhuge Yue being so angry must mean he suffered a great loss on Pingui Wasteland. Caravan Leader Yu said A Chu was previously injured. Could it be from those people?”
A Jing was startled and said: “This, your subordinate is not clear about.”
Yan Xun frowned slightly, with a hint of cold ruthlessness in his eyes. He stretched out his slender fingers to rub his temples, saying softly: “Go investigate. If it’s true, then eliminate the caravans in that area. Finish up for Zhuge Yue, and consider it a wedding gift for Li Ce.”
“Yes!”
The air after the rain was very fresh. Yan Xun looked at the misty, majestic city walls and smiled faintly, saying slowly: “Long time no see.”
His smile was faint, but there wasn’t a hint of laughter in his eyes. His words were extremely vague—long time no see—but it wasn’t clear who he was referring to. The ancient city of Tang? Or the people inside the city?
In the rainy ninth month, among the overlapping mountains, the ancient capital inherited for thousands of years once again exuded the vitality of youth. Yan Xun, leading a group of people under the name of Liu Xi, a wealthy household from Xianyang, approached this ancient city with luxurious carriages, horses, gold, silver, and brocade.
He didn’t know that the light sigh he had finally let out that day had already exposed his identity. The young woman had changed her route after parting, following behind him all the way. Now, she was already inside those city walls, quietly waiting for him.
Affairs of the world are always so wonderful. Fate, like a giant hand, forcibly brought everything together, waiting for the joy and awkwardness of reunion after separation. All emotions seemed to be waiting for a breakthrough point, seeking the greatest degree of explosion.
The wheels turned, and in the blink of an eye, Tang Capital was just at hand.
At the same time, on the ancient road less than a hundred miles behind Yan Xun, a cavalry of more than two hundred people was galloping rapidly.
The purple-clad man leading them had sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, crimson lips, and a gaze as sharp as an eagle, galloping at the forefront.
The cavalry stopped at the foot of a mountain. Zhu Cheng came forward and said in a low voice: “Fourth Young Master, we should arrive by evening.”
Zhuge Yue nodded and said: “Go prepare.”
Just as Zhu Cheng withdrew, a small head peeked out from the arms of one of Zhuge Yue’s subordinates, shouting: “Uncle, have we arrived?”
Zhuge Yue turned his head to see Mo’er’s hair blown into a mess, his little face flushed red, but his eyes no longer as young and innocent as before.
He nodded: “Almost.”
The child turned his head to look at the somewhat muddy road ahead, suddenly raised his finger, and shouted: “Uncle, there’s a rainbow!”
Zhuge Yue focused his gaze and saw a rainbow emerging through the clouds on the horizon, with floating light, like a woman’s dazzling smile.
Zhuge Yue’s hand brushed the Moon-Breaking sword at his waist, severely whipped his horse’s back, and coldly shouted: “Hya!”
Hooves rolled, dust flew, and in the blink of an eye, people were already a hundred paces away.
At this moment, on the streets of Tang Capital, a man wearing scholarly blue clothes with a book sack on his back and sweat all over his forehead was being frantically chased by a group of officials.
The man was panting, not running very nimbly, obviously a scholar who didn’t exercise much. As he ran, he shouted, dropping books all over the ground, looking quite miserable.
A passerby stopped a street vendor and asked puzzledly: “Shopkeeper, what crime did that man commit to be chased like this by officials?”
“Oh, him!” The vendor’s expression brightened, immediately becoming animated. He spoke volubly in an extremely loud voice, attracting passersby from all around.
“This bookworm is from out of town. He seems to have lost his wife and has been posting pictures on the streets looking for her these past few days. The Crown Prince is about to have his grand wedding, and the authorities don’t allow him to post randomly. Yet he repeatedly disobeys. He’s already been thrown in jail twice. He was just released today, and look, his old problem has recurred.”
Hearing this, the surrounding people immediately began discussing, some saying the scholar was pedantic and foolish, some saying this person valued relationships deeply, and others saying the authorities were too strict and unreasonable.
The scholar’s movements weren’t very agile, but his mind was quite clever. Having been caught many times recently, he had somewhat summarized some experience. After running for a while, the officials found the person they were chasing had disappeared, which made them somewhat resentful, cursing as they walked back.
Just then, the vendor suddenly felt someone pulling behind him. He turned around and immediately found someone crouching in his vegetable basket, looking furtive, yet still trying to communicate with him. Covering his mouth, the person said softly: “Brother, what you said is incorrect. The person in the picture is my friend, not my wife. Saying such things casually damages my friend’s reputation. She is unmarried, and her reputation is extremely precious. You cannot speak without basis!”
“Ah!” The vendor immediately changed color, as if bitten by a dog, suddenly shouting: “He’s here! Officers, that person is here!”
In an instant, the long street was once again in an uproar…