Looking at her expression, Qing Xia suddenly felt a flash of alarm, but just as she was about to move, her neck suddenly felt cold. A green-headed small snake that had emerged from Lie Yunji’s sleeve placed its sharp venomous fangs steadily at her throat.
“Hehe, truly unexpected. The renowned Grand Marshal Xia Qing, who single-handedly led ten thousand weary troops against three hundred thousand allied forces from all sides, has actually fallen into my hands. The wonders of worldly affairs are truly unfathomable.”
A coquettish voice suddenly whispered softly in her ear. Ousi Lanya smiled as she gently caressed Qing Xia’s cheek, her tender white fingers like scallion stems holding a small string of golden bells. She shook them lightly, and Lie Yunji’s eyes rolled back as she collapsed softly to the ground.
Qing Xia frowned and said gravely, “You hypnotized her?”
“Hypnosis?” Ousi Lanya raised an eyebrow and smiled, “What is hypnosis? I don’t know such things. What I use is called soul-enticing technique. It’s not only useful on women, but especially effective on men. What, is Grand Marshal Xia also an expert in this area?”
Qing Xia snorted coldly, her eyes scanning around, immediately conceiving dozens of escape plans.
“Grand Marshal Xia, please don’t try any tricks with this little woman. You are a great general and should be trustworthy. Since you’ve fallen into my hands, you must obediently listen to me. Otherwise, even if I were willing, my little Qing would not agree.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the green snake suddenly flicked its tongue twice at Qing Xia threateningly. Qing Xia frowned and said coldly, “Even if I don’t escape, do you think you can get out of this Southern Chu military camp?”
Ousi Lanya suddenly laughed coquettishly, “Since I could get in, I can certainly get out. Grand Marshal Xia needn’t worry about that.”
With that, she clapped twice. The floor covered with thick carpet was suddenly torn by a blade, and two burly men in animal hide robes immediately climbed up from the dark cave below. They came behind Qing Xia and bound her hands.
Qing Xia’s eyes immediately sharpened as she glared at Ousi Lanya, wishing she could flay her alive.
Ousi Lanya smiled, “Grand Marshal Xia, don’t be angry. To wait for you, I dug hundreds of tunnels and waited here for many days. Since Lanya has gone to such great lengths to invite you, please do me the honor and come with me.”
A silk handkerchief was immediately pressed over Qing Xia’s mouth and nose. The woman struggled briefly twice, her body trembled, and she fainted.
The group quickly disappeared into the underground tunnel beneath the tent, sealing the entrance, sprinkling yellow sand, and replacing the carpet. The fine knife marks were covered by thick fur, making them impossible to detect without careful examination. Everything in the tent remained as before—incense burning lightly, oil lamp crackling—showing no trace of struggle.
The entire Chu camp was quiet. No one knew that on this night, someone had quietly come and someone had quietly left.
On the night of October 27th in the eighth year of Shenshang, Chu Li signed the Celestial Wolf Trade Agreement with the Xiongnu tribal leaders, opening border markets for mutual trade. The Xiongnu honored the Southern Chu Great Emperor as the Northern Ci Heavenly Khan, presenting his honorary title in the golden tent, with yearly tribute and worship to show respect. This title, somewhat humiliating and servile for the Xiongnu people, was thus spread across the grasslands in this laughable, hasty manner. The merciful executioner Chu Li agreed to trade with the Xiongnu—this winter, they need not worry about going hungry.
No one knew what consequences today’s decision would bring. Five years later, when the Northern Ci Great Emperor’s cavalry trampled through the Helan Mountains, the entire northern grasslands would tremble beneath his feet. Only then would these nobles deeply understand that this harbinger of chaos had already taken root in the grasslands five years earlier. The grassland people who had opposed the Central Plains for generations, after five years of indoctrination, had completely forgotten how their ancestors had drawn bows, shot arrows, and ruled on horseback. Now they lived in houses that sheltered them from wind and rain, learned to raise horses for sale and cultivate mulberry fields, no longer willing to shed their golden blood in conquest and slaughter.
Many historical changes often result from important figures’ self-satisfied nonsense. The Xiongnu nobles lifted a stone, prepared for five years, and finally dropped it hard on their own feet. The Northern Ci brothers they honored as Heavenly Khan and welcomed into the golden tent had already been sharpening their blades five years earlier, placing the blade against their necks.
However, what no one knew was that the signing of the Celestial Wolf Alliance also involved coercion and suppression from another force. The hand from Xianyang City reached very far—Qin Zhixiang stood behind the Xiongnu, once again adding bricks and mortar to his ally’s power. No one knew what he intended to do; even he himself didn’t know.
Atop the Xianyang city tower, Qin Zhixiang released the carrier pigeon in his hands, his lips tightly pressed, slowly raising his head to look at the lofty sky and silent night, his voice faint with the weight and vicissitudes of years.
I have trusted you all my life, and this time is no different.
Ousi Lanya did not return directly within the pass but instead went against expectations, heading deeper into the desert.
Qing Xia didn’t know where their destination was, but she knew that this way, the chances of encountering Chu Li became increasingly slim.
Ousi Lanya’s group consisted of twenty people in total. Including herself and Lie Yunji, there were twenty-two, all disguised as merchants traveling from the Central Plains to the Western Regions. Qing Xia rode on a camel with her hands and feet bound, hidden beneath her clothing. Every day, Ousi Lanya would feed her a bowl of medicinal soup that prevented her from speaking for short periods. With Qing Xia in her hands, she didn’t struggle or suffer, being very cooperative. Lie Yunji remained unconscious and drowsy throughout. Qing Xia heard Ousi Lanya proudly mention that she had captured the dying Lie Yunji outside the manor of Yu Tianze, a major Southern Chu clan member. This witch had been audacious enough to go to Yu Tianze’s residence to kill and set fires, suffering severe injuries, which was why she was so easily captured.
Hearing this, Qing Xia’s heart trembled slightly. The Yu clan was a famous major family in Southern Chu. Huo Lie of the Nanjiang Fire Army was his nephew, and the Fire Army’s matriarch, Lady Huo, was his younger sister, called Yu Chuwan before marriage. She had been a famous beauty in Southern Chu back then. If not for the previous Chu Emperor’s preference for men, she might have entered the palace as empress. With her family’s backing, Yu Chuwan had always been arrogant and domineering. When Chu Li was crown prince, he had even had a romantic relationship with her.
However, Qing Xia first heard this name eight years ago when she was still in the Southern Chu harem. She had accidentally witnessed Yang Feng arguing with his brother, repeatedly mentioning what seemed to be a grudge against this Yu Tianze. The reason why Lie Yunji would provoke this Southern Chu power figure was self-evident.
Looking at Lie Yunji’s brows still tightly furrowed even in sleep, Qing Xia couldn’t help but sigh softly. There were many devoted people in this world, and though Lie Yunji had a bad reputation, she valued affection and loyalty more than most.
After another twenty-odd days, Qing Xia no longer held hope that Chu Li would catch up. She carefully considered all the details of that moment and finally realized heavily that she had left not a single clue—no signs of struggle, no letters or messages, not even a trace of foreboding or impropriety. Given Chu Li’s nature, he would probably think she had left without saying goodbye again, departing from him.
Qing Xia dared not think how heartbroken he must be, consoling herself that this was better—at least better than dying before him and making him sad.
Worldly affairs were strange and mysterious. Her current state of mind was no different from Qin Zhiyan’s back then. She only hoped Chu Li wouldn’t be like her, foolishly searching and bitterly waiting.
A month later, the group reached Pishan. Beyond it lay Great Qin territory, what would later be called Afghanistan. Ousi Lanya didn’t cross Pishan but ordered the group to turn back. They acquired some Western Region goods in a nearby town, disguised as merchants returning to the Central Plains, and set out on the return journey.
Qing Xia could finally determine that their destination was still within the pass. Ousi Lanya’s journey was merely to avoid Chu Li. Her regard for this woman who had repeatedly gained the upper hand grew increasingly cautious.
One morning, Ousi Lanya received a letter delivered by a great eagle. After reading it, her expression became grave. She no longer made cold remarks but instead urged faster travel, discarding all but the essential goods for disguise, traveling day and night without rest, no longer caring about concealing their tracks.
On this day, passing through a small city on the Wusun border, everyone was exhausted. Ousi Lanya reluctantly announced they would rest for the night, and the men cheered as they headed to the inn. At that moment, a group of horsemen suddenly passed by. Qing Xia’s sharp eyes caught sight of an upright figure, startling her. She focused her gaze and widened her eyes.
The person was young, looking to be in his early twenties, wearing a large fur coat, followed by over ten Xiongnu men, all on tall horses—clearly nobility. The young man also saw Qing Xia. His gaze paused, his face immediately showing joy. He called back to his subordinates and spurred his horse to gallop through the street, reaching the group in a few bounds.
Ousi Lanya’s eyes darted as she stepped forward, her golden snake sword pressed firmly against Qing Xia’s lower back. She spoke before Qing Xia could, laughing coquettishly, “I wonder what brings you gentlemen here? Do you perhaps know my sister?”
Qing Xia remained expressionless. The young man’s eyes moved between Qing Xia and Ousi Lanya before suddenly smiling, “I don’t know her. I just thought this woman looked good, but seeing you, I don’t think so anymore.”
Ousi Lanya breathed a sigh of relief, still smiling coquettishly, “Oh, this lord is too kind. I’m just a merchant traveling north and south. What little beauty I had has been blown away by wind and sand. How could I catch your eye? Please don’t tease me.”
The man laughed heartily, “I was thinking of bringing you back to my tent, but since you’re unwilling, I won’t force you. Such matters are only interesting when both parties are willing. Alright, I’m leaving. Tudun, doesn’t Lulu Ha from the Hami stronghold have a woman who can squeeze out water? Take me there quickly.”