Although Gaoliang was only a secondary capital, its population still reached nearly one hundred thousand, and the city also contained a magnificent and splendid palace.

This night marked the final night of revelry that the victorious Xianbei emperor had granted to the soldiers who fought for him. At this very moment, when countless people who had been trapped in the besieged city and unable to escape had endured three hellish days of struggling and crying out in despair and terror, hoping for dawn to come quickly, the great hall of Gaoliang Palace was tonight brilliantly lit with lamps and filled with dancing maidens.

Emperor Murong Xi of Northern Yan held a banquet in the hall, exchanging cups with his ministers and generals. Behind several tables beside him sat in order the Han minister Zhang Ji whom he trusted greatly, and several of the most powerful Xianbei nobles from the Tuhe, Wei, and Ruojiu clans, with other Yan officials seated as attendees. Just as the atmosphere reached its height of excitement, a guard entered from outside, reporting that Murong Ti had returned with his troops. Knowing he had defied the imperial decree and killed Emperor Xia, his crime was unforgivable, and being too ashamed to face the emperor, he was now kneeling outside the city gates awaiting the emperor’s punishment.

Everyone already knew about his brutal murder of Emperor Xia. Upon hearing news of his return to beg forgiveness, they all stopped drinking and turned their gazes unanimously toward the Great Yan Emperor Murong Xi, who sat in the center of the great hall.

Murong Xi, who once bore the title of the North’s fiercest general, had a robust build and imposing presence. When the guard entered, he was smiling broadly, toasting across the distance with Duke Tuhe who sat closest to his right. Behind him stood twenty personal guards whose martial skills were exceptional, their vigilant gazes constantly sweeping across the faces of everyone in the great hall, not even sparing the darkest corners.

Duke Tuhe was the leader of the Xianbei Tuhe clan. According to rumors, Murong Xi possessed secrets from before the fall of Former Yan. When he initially fled north taking advantage of Northern Xia’s declining power, things had not gone smoothly and few responded to his call. It was only after gaining his assistance first that he was able to successfully rally his former troops and make a comeback. After he reestablished the Yan state, he not only granted the Tuhe clan members high offices and generous salaries, but just recently had intentionally arranged for one of his sons to marry a Tuhe clan woman, forming a marriage alliance between the two families. Suddenly hearing the guard’s report, the smile slowly faded from his face. He set down his wine cup and waved his hand, signaling the dancing maidens in the hall to stop their performance. His gaze swept around his assembled ministers as he said, “Prince Lingzhi has defied orders. What do you all think should be done?”

Murong Ti was the younger brother of the Former Yan emperor who had been destroyed by Northern Xia, and was enfeoffed as Prince Lingzhi. Since the emperor had no sons, he had once been established as Crown Prince. Though he only held this position briefly before Yan was destroyed and he was captured along with other royal family members, his status remained unchanged. Now that Yan had been reestablished with his former uncle Murong Xi as emperor, Murong Ti’s position had become somewhat awkward.

The many Yan officials in the hall looked at each other, and for a moment no one responded. After a while, Chancellor Zhang Ji spoke: “Before Prince Lingzhi set out on campaign, Your Majesty gave clear orders to capture Emperor Xia alive to assist in attacking Luoyang. If he had killed him accidentally in the chaos of battle, that would be one thing, but to torture him to death in such a manner not only ruined Your Majesty’s grand plan but showed complete disregard for Your Majesty. According to our Great Yan laws, he should be dealt with severely as an example to others!”

As soon as Zhang Ji finished speaking, Duke Tuhe said, “I have always admired the Chancellor, but his words are biased. The Chancellor is not of our race, so how can he understand our people’s bone-deep hatred for the Xia Jie? Moreover, Prince Lingzhi is young and impetuous. When enemies meet, hatred flares especially bright, and it’s natural that he couldn’t restrain himself for a moment. I believe he had no intention of offending Your Majesty. But defying Your Majesty’s command is indeed fact. Since he knows his error and confesses to Your Majesty, in my opinion, dozens of strokes of the rod to make him remember this lesson would suffice. What does Your Majesty think?”

These Xianbei royal family members and nobles seated here had all suffered humiliation from the Jie people to varying degrees when their state fell. At that time, to survive, they could only grovel servily, but now that they had turned the tables, they all harbored bone-deep hatred for Northern Xia. Earlier, when they learned that Murong Ti had tortured his enemy to death in such a manner, they all secretly felt satisfied. It was only because of Murong Xi’s earlier orders that they dared not show it openly. Now seeing Duke Tuhe taking the lead in defending Murong Ti, they all voiced agreement, with sounds of approval rising and falling throughout the great hall.

Murong Xi looked around once more, and seeing that Zhang Ji seemed about to speak again, he interrupted: “The Grand General’s words also have merit. Let him administer forty military rod strokes to himself, and this matter will be concluded.”

His expression became solemn: “If there is a next time, no matter who it is, don’t blame this Heavenly King for showing no mercy!”

Everyone responded in agreement.

His orders were quickly transmitted. The Yan officials began singing Murong Xi’s praises. Murong Xi showed slight satisfaction on his face and ordered the feast to continue. After the banquet ended deep in the night, Murong Xi, half-drunk, was making his way to his sleeping chamber under escort of his twenty personal guards who never left his side day or night, walking with somewhat unsteady steps, when Zhang Ji called to him from behind.

Zhang Ji approached and said, “Your Majesty earlier did not heed my advice, yielding to the crowd and changing your mind, allowing this city to be given to the troops as reward—that I can accept. But this Murong Ti, you absolutely must not show mercy again! This man is extremely scheming and definitely not one who will remain content with his station. If Your Majesty does not take this opportunity to eliminate him, you may suffer his retaliation in the future!”

Zhang Ji came from a northern aristocratic family and was renowned for his keen intelligence. Murong Xi admired his reputation and visited him three times before finally persuading him to serve as an official in Yan. The current system of official ranks and laws in Yan were all established under his supervision, and Murong Xi usually showed him considerable respect. But tonight, seeing him relentlessly pursuing Murong Ti and urging him to kill him, even following him here, he felt somewhat displeased. He laughed and said, “The Chancellor worries too much. I have always understood my nephew. Based on my judgment of his character, he would certainly kill Emperor Xia to vent his hatred—this is precisely why I sent him on this campaign, to test him. If he had restrained himself and not killed because of my orders, that would have been truly suspicious. Rest assured.”

Zhang Ji shook his head: “I fear it’s not that simple. Perhaps he discerned Your Majesty’s true intentions and deliberately acted according to Your Majesty’s wishes, torturing Emperor Xia to death to deceive Your Majesty.”

Murong Xi waved his hand: “The Chancellor overthinks!” Seeing that Zhang Ji seemed about to speak again, becoming somewhat impatient, he added, “My agreement to give the city to the troops this time also had my considerations. Chancellor, rest assured, this is the last time. After we take Luoyang, there will be no more such incidents! I’m tired and need to rest. The Chancellor should also retire early.”

Zhang Ji had no choice but to leave reluctantly.

Murong Xi watched his retreating figure, then turned and returned to his sleeping palace with support from his attendants, draping his arms over the shoulders of two beauties who came to greet him as he swayed toward the interior. Behind him, two of his twenty guards followed step by step without leaving his side, while the rest remained to guard outside the palace.

At this moment, another set of footsteps approached from behind, and a woman’s voice called out: “Your Majesty, please wait. Your niece has something to report.”

Murong Xi turned and saw Murong Zhe standing below the palace steps, so he dismissed the beauties: “It’s so late, what matter do you seek me for?”

Murong Zhe quickly walked up to Murong Xi and bowed: “It’s so late that I shouldn’t disturb Uncle’s rest, but I have something I truly cannot wait until tomorrow to say. My brother made an error this time, defying Uncle’s orders. Whatever punishment he deserves, my brother should accept, and I dare not have the slightest complaint. But I heard that at tonight’s palace banquet, someone openly slandered my brother and questioned his loyalty to Uncle. This sticks in my throat like a fishbone, and even if Uncle finds fault with me, I must defend my brother before Uncle.”

Murong Xi anticipated she had come about this matter and consoled her: “Zhang Ji is just straightforward by nature, and with his prejudices, he said a few extra words. Don’t worry, I won’t listen to him. Tonight’s punishment of your brother had no ulterior motive—the law demanded it, and without punishment, I couldn’t satisfy the crowd.”

Murong Zhe said gratefully: “Thank you, Uncle. There is one matter I’ve never dared tell you before, fearing your reproach. But tonight, with my elder brother suffering such injustice, even risking your anger, I must speak.”

“What matter?”

“Uncle must know about the news that the Southern Dynasty’s Eldest Princess unfortunately perished during the national chaos?”

In his youth, Murong Xi had fallen in love with Xiao Yongjia at first sight. Over the years, though his life had experienced great ups and downs, because of that earlier unrequited love, Xiao Yongjia had become an unforgettable beautiful shadow in his heart.

North and South were enemies, and naturally sent spies to each other. Last year, news of Xiao Yongjia’s death naturally reached him as well. At the time, he had mourned for a while and ordered people to set up a memorial hall to worship her—this was no secret.

Murong Xi suddenly heard his niece mention her, which seemed rather random, and for a moment didn’t understand, looking at her with puzzlement.

Murong Zhe continued: “Uncle should remember that when the Southern Dynasty erupted in religious rebellions and Jingzhou rebellion, after I delivered Uncle’s message to Li Mu, I secretly went south to gather intelligence. At that time, my brother instructed me that since the Eldest Princess was Uncle’s old friend, she must not come to harm, and told me to pay special attention to her along the way. Though her status was noble, at that time the Southern Dynasty was precarious as stacked eggs, and even the emperor had fled Jiankang with his officials—who knew what might happen?”

“After I reached Jiankang, I secretly watched over the Eldest Princess. She was about to give birth then, and Gao Qiao had sent her to the mountains for confinement. I saw that all was well with her and was about to leave when, by pure chance, I encountered enemies who wanted to harm her, taking advantage of the chaos. The Eldest Princess was about to give birth, the situation was extremely dangerous, and Gao Qiao was trapped by warfare. If he were defeated or even killed, the Eldest Princess would be helpless and defenseless—wouldn’t that be dangerous? At that time I remembered my brother’s instructions, and Uncle had always cared greatly for the Eldest Princess, so as an expedient measure, I had no choice but to bring her back first…”

As Murong Zhe spoke, she secretly observed Murong Xi’s expression. Seeing his eyes gradually widen with excitement showing on his face, she continued: “I went through countless hardships to bring her to our side with the best of intentions, but unexpectedly the Eldest Princess misunderstood me and thought it was Uncle’s doing. Later, when the Southern Dynasty’s situation stabilized, my brother and I were in a difficult position. Simply sending her back might not win favor with the Southern Dynasty but could create trouble instead. But delivering the Eldest Princess to Uncle might cause Uncle problems and bring Uncle’s reproach for our unauthorized decision…”

“How is she now? Where is she?”

Murong Xi interrupted Murong Zhe’s words.

“Immediately bring her to see me…”

“No, no! Better that I go see her! Quickly!”

Without waiting for Murong Zhe to respond, Murong Xi was already unable to contain his urgency and strode outside.

…

In the pitch-black deep night, a man hurried through a winding, deep courtyard and finally arrived before a residence.

The doors and windows were tightly shut, with dim yellow lamplight showing through from inside.

Murong Zhe stopped and said in a low voice: “The Eldest Princess is inside.”

Murong Xi quickly climbed the steps and gently pushed open the door. After walking just a few steps inside, he immediately saw a woman sitting in the room.

The woman had elegant eyebrows and phoenix eyes, a full head of black hair, and the lamplight revealed a beautiful face. Though her cheeks were slightly fuller than the girlish appearance in his memory, Murong Xi still recognized her at once.

The woman in the room was indeed truly the Southern Dynasty’s Eldest Princess Xiao Yongjia!

Several days ago, Xiao Yongjia’s child had been forcibly taken away, and she herself had been brought from the residence where she had been under house arrest for over half a year to this place. Having endured anxious waiting until now, when she saw Murong Xi appear, she was startled, then recognized him, her eyes widening suddenly as she sprang to her feet in fury: “Murong Xi, it really is you! Did you order Murong Ti to bring me here? Where have you taken my child? What exactly do you want?”

Her brows were tightly knitted, her face full of anger as she immediately launched into stern rebuke, but Murong Xi seemed completely oblivious. His eagle-like gaze fixed directly on her for a moment, then suddenly he seemed to come to his senses. He laughed heartily several times, ordered a maidservant standing in the dim corner of the room to leave, then turned and commanded his personal guards to retreat completely and not follow him inside. He closed the door behind him and walked toward Xiao Yongjia with a face full of smiles: “Eldest Princess, Murong Xi has the fortune that in this lifetime, I can meet you again in this place! Don’t worry, I will never harm you, much less harm your child. Don’t you know yet? I have now reestablished the Yan state and become emperor of Great Yan. As long as you’re willing to follow me, I’ll raise your child as my own…”

Seeing his flushed face and gleaming eyes as he approached her step by step, Xiao Yongjia retreated in terror.

“Murong Xi, have you lost your mind? What is my status, and you dare treat me this way? No matter how bad the Southern Dynasty might be, my husband will never watch me suffer such humiliation, and there’s Li Mu—you must know who he is to me, right? If you dare lay a finger on me today, he’ll make sure you die without a burial place in the future!”

Murong Xi stopped and stared at Xiao Yongjia for a moment. The flush from excitement on his face slowly faded, and his gaze also darkened.

He snorted: “Am I, Murong Xi, one who fears trouble? Gao Qiao is probably half-dead by now, a useless cripple. As for your son-in-law Li Mu, sooner or later I’ll face him in battle. When that time comes, you’ll see clearly who is the true hero of this world!”

Xiao Yongjia’s face gradually paled, her body swaying slightly: “Murong Xi, you’re determined not to let me return?”

Murong Xi quickly stepped forward to support her shoulder, but she shoved his hands away. He rubbed his palms and looked at her with gradually softening eyes: “Since you’ve come to my place, you should stay peacefully. Don’t worry, I won’t force you. I see you’re somewhat weak—you should rest here and recover your health. Once you’re better, I’ll have your child returned to your side.”

Xiao Yongjia was filled with bitter anger, her hands clenched tightly into fists, her body trembling slightly.

Murong Xi called toward the door, and soon the maidservant entered again.

“Serve her well! If there’s the slightest negligence, I’ll hold you responsible!”

Murong Xi’s eyes remained on Xiao Yongjia as he sternly instructed the maidservant.

The maidservant appeared somewhat frightened, bowing her head low, quietly acknowledging the order with her hands tucked in her sleeves as she quickly walked toward Xiao Yongjia. As she passed by Murong Xi’s side, she suddenly raised her head, and the candlelight revealed a pair of pupils as purple as a night rainbow.

At this moment, Murong Xi’s gaze remained fixed on Xiao Yongjia and did not notice the maidservant’s suddenly revealed eyes.

But this maidservant had gotten too close to him.

An instinct honed through years of battlefield experience suddenly gave him a premonition that danger was about to strike.

He immediately turned around.

But it was already too late.

Just as the maidservant raised her head, her right hand that had been tucked in her sleeve flicked slightly, and a dagger with a blade gleaming bluish appeared in her palm.

When Murong Xi saw those familiar purple eyes clearly, the maidservant’s hand moved as fast as lightning. In the blink of an eye, that dagger had silently pierced through his clothing and plunged deep into his chest, instantly disappearing to the hilt.

The dagger was poisoned.

Murong Xi roared, and his arm that had killed countless people was only raised halfway when he felt his heart go numb. That numb sensation seemed to instantly spread throughout his entire body. He suddenly lost all strength, and his body that had once been tall and immovable as a mountain peak crashed backward to the ground.

Murong Xi felt all the blood in his body rapidly cooling and slowly congealing. He opened wide his eyes filled with fury and disbelief, staring fixedly at his nephew, Murong Ti disguised as a maidservant, and said word by word: “Do you think those people can support you to power?”

Murong Ti looked down from above with Buddha-like compassionate eyes at his uncle who was struggling desperately on the ground: “Uncle, your idea of using Han people’s wisdom to help you govern the realm was correct. But you didn’t realize you employed Han people too early. Your Yan state’s foundation is unstable, and what you need to rely on now are still those barbarians who only know how to kill and plunder. From the day you began favoring Han people, your former subordinates started becoming alienated from you. Moreover, if they knew you were content with maintaining the status quo and unwilling to lead them to plunder the wealth and beauties of the south, do you think those people would still be as loyal to you as before?”

“Even if you had no designs on the Southern Dynasty, you should have painted them a picture to keep them obedient.”

Murong Xi’s body convulsed several times on the ground as he murmured: “You covet the Southern Dynasty… do you think you can defeat Li Mu…?”

Murong Ti narrowed his eyes, his thin lips curving into an exquisite and elegant arc.

He smiled and said: “Why would I fight someone I know would be very difficult to defeat? Once I become emperor of Great Yan, I need only bide my time and wait for the right moment, or give it a gentle push, letting the Southern Dynasty people solve their own invincible war god, and then I’ll make my move. Wouldn’t that be much easier?”

“Uncle, you were called the North’s fiercest general, but do you know why you fell into my hands? Because you never used your brain.”

He looked with sympathetic eyes at Murong Xi, who had gradually stopped struggling on the ground, reached out his hand to slowly close his eyelids, then slowly stood up. Looking toward the pale-faced Xiao Yongjia nearby, he said: “Eldest Princess, I apologize for the trouble. I’m afraid you’ll need to stay here a while longer. Don’t worry, tonight I’ll return your child to you. Please make yourself comfortable.”

His tone was quite respectful. After speaking, he gave her a slight smile, then turned and gracefully departed.