The night’s turmoil ended with both sides suffering losses. Zhao Xun’s palace coup and patricide branded him a court rebel. Even lying in state was omitted—he was hastily buried the next day.
But the Emperor’s funeral still had to be conducted with full ceremony. Lying in state, mourning—everything proceeded step by step.
The nation could not be without a ruler for a single day. The edict the late Emperor had been forced to establish on his deathbed still lacked an imperial seal and could not be counted. Grand Princess Zhengguo took the lead in supporting the late Emperor’s legitimate eldest grandson to inherit the throne. Supporters gathered like clouds in the court, and Zhao Xi thus smoothly ascended the throne, changing the era name to “Churong.”
The new Emperor had barely ascended when he faced the Hexi war. While presiding over the state funeral, reorganizing the court and harem, he frequently summoned court officials to discuss battle strategies, keeping extraordinarily busy for several days in succession.
The new Emperor was only fifteen years old after all. Lacking experience in practical matters, encountering this kind of chaotic special period, he inevitably felt somewhat overwhelmed. But fortunately, he himself knew not to be ashamed to ask questions and had rallied a group of capable and decisive excellent officials. Huo Liuxing was among them.
Because he had previously demonstrated extraordinary talent in opposing the Xiqiang, he was more relied upon by the new Emperor than anyone else in court. For this reason, he practically took root in the imperial palace, sleeping by decree in the outer halls. For quite a while, he hadn’t even been able to return home to the Huo residence.
It wasn’t until ten days later, when Hexi had temporarily withstood the first wave of Xiqiang offensives and the urgent atmosphere in court eased slightly, that Huo Liuxing was finally able to leave the palace and return home.
However, unexpectedly, just as he reached the palace gate, he was summoned back by an oral decree.
Huo Liuxing wished to reunite with Shen Lingzhen, but first, imperial commands could not be disobeyed, and second, Meng Qufei had traveled without stopping for ten days and had just arrived at Hexi today. He was also concerned about the situation there, so he had no choice but to return to Chuigong Hall.
But what Zhao Xi wanted to discuss with him this time was neither the Hexi military situation nor matters related to Meng Qufei.
All the palace servants in Chuigong Hall were dismissed. Zhao Xi personally handed him a letter: “General Huo, this is a secret letter delivered to the imperial palace from Qianzhou in the southwest. The messenger originally intended to deliver the secret letter to my imperial grandfather. Halfway there, he heard that Bianjing had undergone changes and didn’t know what to do, so he delayed for so many days. It wasn’t until this morning that he delivered the message to the palace. Take a look.”
Huo Liuxing received the letter with both hands. Opening it for a glance, he saw in the center a line reading “Operation failed, the Xue family mother and son were rescued by Xiqiang.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he raised his head and exchanged a look with Zhao Xi.
Seeing the question in his eyes, Zhao Xi nodded: “If I haven’t guessed wrong, my imperial grandfather very likely sent people to strike at the Xue family mother and son during his lifetime.”
The late Emperor had superficially feigned benevolence, saying that guilt did not extend to Xue Ce’s wife, pardoned Xue Jie and his mother, and only exiled them to Qianzhou in the southwest. In reality, however, he had secretly dispatched assassins to eliminate this sole Xue family seedling, cutting the grass and pulling up the roots.
Unfortunately, the operation ultimately failed, and instead the Xue family mother and son were rescued by the Xiqiang people.
And now, the sinful late Emperor was no more. This mess of “persecuting the loyal and virtuous” had fallen into Zhao Xi’s hands.
Zhao Xi frowned: “I have already dispatched secret agents to immediately go to Qianzhou to confirm whether the contents of the secret letter are true. However, Qianzhou is far away. This round trip might delay matters. In General Huo’s view, if this is indeed the case, with the Xue family mother and son now in Xiqiang territory, what kind of situation are they in? The Xiqiang people rescued the Xue family mother and son from Daqi’s hands—what do they intend to do?”
Huo Liuxing gently rubbed his fingers and spoke two words with a solemn expression: “Turn them.”
Back when the Xiqiang envoys were in the capital, Xue Jie’s situation had actually never been very good. First at the welcoming banquet, he was used by Daqi as the brick to cast in order to attract jade—thrown out to make a fool of himself. Then during the hunt, he was framed, unable to voice his grievances before the imperial family.
These were all groundwork quietly laid by Ya Lichong while in Bianjing, with the purpose of guiding Xue Jie to harbor dissatisfaction toward the Zhao family.
Now, the late Emperor not only pushed Xue Ce out to take the blame but also secretly sent assassins after Xue Jie and his mother. These actions were indeed enough to arouse Xue Jie’s hatred toward the Daqi imperial family.
Moreover, Xue Jie’s character was not mature, especially unable to overcome romantic entanglements. He still constantly thought of Shen Lingzhen. He not only resented the late Emperor but had also never liked Huo Liuxing, who married Shen Lingzhen.
Shen Lingzhen had once asked why it was always the Xue family that suffered disaster. Now it seemed the reason had emerged: because when the late Emperor was alive, the Huo family and the Daqi imperial family were in opposition. But Xiqiang’s enemies included both the Daqi imperial family and the Huo family. So if Xiqiang intended to select a target to turn, this target could not be someone who supported the Huo family while opposing the Daqi imperial family, nor could it be someone who supported the Daqi imperial family while opposing the Huo family. It would be best if, like Xue Jie, they were hostile to both sides.
Now Xiqiang had taken advantage of the late Emperor’s assassination attempt to rescue the Xue family mother and son, precisely to make Xue Jie useful to Xiqiang and play an effective role in the Hexi battle.
Zhao Xi pinched the bridge of his nose: “Based on General Huo’s understanding of Young Master Xue, do you think there’s a possibility he could be turned?”
When people encounter great disasters and calamities, they can change. Huo Liuxing was not confident enough to say “no” on Xue Jie’s behalf. After a moment, he shook his head: “This subject cannot make a definitive judgment.”
Zhao Xi let out a long breath: “Young Master Xue is General Xue’s only son. All his martial arts and battle tactics were inherited from General Xue. He is also very familiar with Daqi’s great rivers and mountains, its terrain and topography. If he is truly turned by Xiqiang, I fear it would be no small threat to Hexi. Although my imperial grandfather scattered the soldiers under the Xue family, if these scattered troops hear that Young Master Xue has raised an army, it’s not impossible they might respond.”
Huo Liuxing remained silent without speaking.
If one stood in the Xue family’s position and looked at Zhao Xi’s current attitude, it might again seem like a superior being suspicious. But to be fair, from the current situation, he did not think Zhao Xi’s suspicions excessive.
After all, Xue Jie was not alone. If Xiqiang used his mother’s life as a threat to force him to rebel against Daqi, even if he originally did not wish to do so, he would still have to consider whether to submit.
“But Hexi is currently in the midst of war, and I have just ascended to the throne. If I mobilize those scattered troops again to guard against Young Master Xue, I fear it will easily shake military morale, won’t it?”
Huo Liuxing nodded once: “Right now there is no news of Young Master Xue from the Xiqiang side. Your Majesty had best hold your troops and not move. Otherwise, arousing the dissatisfaction of those scattered troops would be counterproductive.”
“But with Young Master Xue in Xiqiang territory, he’s like a firecracker that could explode at any moment, impossible to guard against…” Zhao Xi paced back and forth in the hall with a headache. His gaze fell upon Huo Liuxing’s legs and suddenly stopped. “General Huo.”
Huo Liuxing looked at his expression and seemed to sense what was coming.
Sure enough, Zhao Xi stared at his legs and said: “Without you at Hexi, I truly cannot be at ease. Are you willing to make a trip to the front lines?”
Huo Liuxing followed his gaze and looked at his own legs.
Zhao Xi said: “I think, General Huo, it’s time for these legs to be healed. I know Divine Physician Luo has been hiding in the capital for a long time. I’ll give him three days to treat your legs. Once they’re healed, you’ll depart. What do you think?”
Huo Liuxing shook his head with both amusement and helplessness.
The late Crown Prince had truly known the Huo family’s affairs like the back of his hand and had meticulously explained everything to Zhao Xi before his death.
What Zhao Xi was saying now was that he would pretend not to know the truth about Huo Liuxing’s legs. The public explanation would be that during these days, Divine Physician Luo, who traveled the world, had just happened to arrive in Bianjing and treated Huo Liuxing.
As long as he, the Emperor, expressed no objections to this, naturally no one would dare question how exactly this person who had been disabled for twelve years was healed by Divine Physician Luo’s miraculous hands.
Zhao Xi saw his lingering concerns and added: “General Huo, rest assured. Your crime of deceiving the sovereign—you deceived my imperial grandfather. I knew the truth from the very beginning, so I haven’t been deceived by you. Just stand up with peace of mind.”
Huo Liuxing nodded: “This subject respectfully obeys the imperial decree and will set out for Hexi in three days.”
Zhao Xi nodded, then seemed to remember something. He turned back and rummaged through the desk to find a painting: “The position I promised you—I absolutely haven’t forgotten. It’s just that the timing hasn’t been appropriate these past few days, so I haven’t yet issued the rewards and appointments. However, last night when I had some free time, I personally drafted and painted the insignia for the position of Grand General. Take a look—are you satisfied?”
Having just ascended to the throne after all, he still retained his youthful spirit. At this moment, Zhao Xi looked a bit like a child seeking praise.
Huo Liuxing smiled as he accepted the painting. Just as he was about to look closely, his expression suddenly changed drastically.
Because in the center of the painting was precisely the winged tiger that he had once pondered and researched for so long, searching the great rivers and mountains north and south without finding. This pattern was identical, not a stroke different, from the family crest of Shen Lingzhen’s lifesaving benefactor.
Zhao Xi was startled: “General Huo, what’s wrong?”
Huo Liuxing looked at him as if struck by lightning: “This was painted by Your Majesty’s own hand?”
“Naturally.”
He steadied his mind and continued asking: “Why did Your Majesty think to paint a tiger with wings?”
This stumped Zhao Xi. He said thoughtfully: “There’s no particular special reason. I just first painted a tiger, looked left and right and felt something was missing, so I added these wings. I felt only this way could it match my Daqi’s Grand General.”
Huo Liuxing persisted in asking: “Then where does Your Majesty plan to use this insignia?”
“I’ve only just made an initial sketch—I haven’t really thought about the specifics.” Zhao Xi pondered for a moment. “In any case, this is a reward for General Huo, so you may use it as a family crest. Oh, I think this insignia carved on a helmet would be very imposing. If you like it, I’ll have someone custom-make one for you, though for this expedition I’m afraid there won’t be enough time…”
Whatever Zhao Xi said next, Huo Liuxing no longer heard clearly. Those questions he had once turned over and over unable to figure out now had an answer that was difficult to believe yet impossible not to believe.
There was absolutely no possibility Zhao Xi had seen that cloak in advance. And looking at his manner, whether it was the design of the insignia pattern or the idea of carving it on a helmet, both should be ideas he had just now conceived, and were uniquely created for him, Huo Liuxing, alone.
In other words, in this world, aside from him, no one else had the qualifications or possibility of using this insignia.
Huo Liuxing thought, if there truly existed such an absurd miracle in this world, then Shen Lingzhen’s lifesaving benefactor might not be someone else, but precisely himself.
All the way from the imperial palace to the Huo residence, he went through this matter from beginning to end, discovering that after making this assumption, every link fit together seamlessly.
Handwriting, scars, sword, techniques, insignia… including those lines in the poem: “At Yusai and Yangguan the beacon fires rise, barbarian cavalry enters Hexi” and “The general on horseback strikes his sword and departs, not breaking through Loulan, never ceasing forward.”
The person who saved Shen Lingzhen was him—only not the him of that time, but the future him who had already become Grand General.
The carriage stopped steady before the Huo residence, but Huo Liuxing remained completely motionless, unable to come to his senses for a long time, until he heard a jubilant voice: “Young master, His Majesty has finally let you come home!”
Shen Lingzhen and Huo Liuxing had not seen each other for many days. Hearing that he had arrived at the residence gate but had not descended from the carriage for a long time, she personally came to welcome him. Stepping on a small stool, she climbed onto the carriage and joyfully lifted the curtain.
But she saw Huo Liuxing’s face paler than she had ever seen before.
“‘Rather remain long drunk in southern dreams, still treating death’s parting as life’s separation, waking also yearning deeply, dreaming also yearning deeply…'” Huo Liuxing stared blankly at Shen Lingzhen, reciting this poem as if to himself.
Shen Lingzhen was stunned: “Young master, what happened? Why are you reciting poetry as soon as you see me?”
Huo Liuxing gazed fixedly at her, then suddenly pulled her over in one motion, holding her tightly in his embrace, with force enough to make his entire body tremble.