◎Where you are, there I shall go◎
Listening to Li Guiyu’s words, Wang Lianyang and Wang Yunzhi exchanged glances.
After pondering for a moment, Wang Lianyang sighed and nodded, “Then let’s proceed according to your plan.”
“Of course, just to be safe,” Li Guiyu continued, “we should still mobilize all available Wang family troops to the Eastern Capital, garrisoning forces in preparation for battle. If Li Shengzhao wants to fight, then we’ll give him a fight. When he advances to within two days’ distance of the Eastern Capital, we’ll spread the news of Xie Heng’s execution. If he leads troops to attack or sends people to mount a rescue, that would confirm Xie Heng is his man. At that time, Yang Chun and the various great families could be used by us. We’ll also incite unrest in Li Shengzhao’s army morale—how many would want to follow him in rebellion? Then we’ll engage him in direct combat and see who emerges victorious.”
“In that case,” Wang Yunzhi considered, “the matter of Li Shengzhao conspiring with Xie Heng in treason should be proclaimed to the world immediately.”
“Naturally so.”
Li Guiyu responded in agreement.
Wang Lianyang nodded and said with a sigh, “Fight then, we’ll fight them to the bitter end. Li Shengzhao won’t spare us anyway. Guiyu,”
Speaking thus, Wang Lianyang looked at the coldly composed Li Guiyu, her eyes showing affection, “You are now the emperor. Having reached this position, don’t forget your origins.”
Hearing this, Li Guiyu understood what Wang Lianyang was reminding him of. He chuckled softly, “Mother, rest assured.” Then, raising his eyes to meet Wang Lianyang’s gaze quite seriously, “I will not forget.”
“That’s good,” Wang Lianyang said gently, “You and I, mother and son, shall work together with one heart from now on.”
“Yes.”
Li Guiyu nodded.
Seeing that they had said enough, Li Guiyu stood up and bowed, “It’s getting late, Mother. I shall take my leave.”
With that, he turned and departed.
After Li Guiyu left, Wang Lianyang composed her expression. Wang Yunzhi said with some worry, “Aunt, must this battle be fought?”
“Yunzhi,” Wang Lianyang smiled mockingly, reaching out to take Wang Yunzhi’s hand and patting the back of it, “Everything in this world is seized by force. Years ago, the Wang family seized what belonged to the Cui family. Now they want to reclaim it—we have no choice. Your father is gone, and from now on the Wang family,” Wang Lianyang raised her eyes to look at her quite seriously, “belongs to you.”
“I understand, Aunt.” Wang Yunzhi lowered her eyes respectfully, “Yunzhi will certainly remember Aunt’s cultivation and not disappoint Aunt’s high expectations.”
“That child…” Wang Lianyang lowered her voice, “is he well?”
Hearing this, Wang Yunzhi said softly, “Aunt may rest assured.”
Wang Lianyang nodded, merely saying, “Go then.”
After Li Guiyu made his arrangements, the next day, notices proclaiming “Li Shengzhao incited Xie Heng to assassinate the emperor and execute ministers in the palace hall” were posted everywhere. Li Guiyu, in the emperor’s name, summoned troops from all regions to march to the Eastern Capital for the king’s defense.
Meanwhile, Li Shengzhao, with Elder Zhong’s help, restored his appearance and invited his former mentor, Master Yunshan, to come down from the mountain to verify the truth. At the same time, he explained the Cui family’s wrongful case from years past to various places, seeking justice for the Cui clan.
Both sides spread their messages in various locations, each seeking a legitimate reason. As they engaged in this back-and-forth, Luo Wanqing had no mind to pay attention, only waiting each day for news that Zhuisi would send from the Eastern Capital.
She trusted no one else; now she only trusted the Supervision Department’s hidden agents remaining in the Eastern Capital, and Xie Xiuqi.
On the night the war began, she sent people to contact Xie Xiuqi. Two days later, she received confirmation from Xie Xiuqi that Xie Heng was safe.
In the letter Xie Xiuqi sent her, he told her that after Li Guiyu imprisoned Xie Heng, Xie Xiuqi immediately went to find Li Guiyu. Li Guiyu, using Xie Heng’s protection from torture as a bargaining chip, demanded one hundred thousand gold from Xie Xiuqi and required him to pave the way for his enthronement, suppressing rebellious court officials.
Xie Xiuqi agreed, working through the night to gather ten thousand as a deposit. After promising to quickly gather the remaining ninety thousand, he finally obtained permission to send someone to check on Xie Heng’s condition once daily.
“Before the new dynasty is stable, Li Guiyu will temporarily not break relations with me. The imperial prison is personally guarded by Li Guiyu’s trusted men, prepared for a siege rescue strategy, making it difficult to break him out. Enter the Eastern Capital quickly to increase our bargaining power.”
Having received Xie Xiuqi’s letter, Luo Wanqing finally calmed her heart and led the army straight toward the Eastern Capital.
Various factions maintained ambiguous attitudes toward both sides. Along the route, cities offered almost no resistance, allowing Luo Wanqing to pass directly through their territories. In less than ten days, Luo Wanqing reached Huaishui City, only two days’ distance from the Eastern Capital.
When approaching the vicinity of Huaishui City, before the great army had even pressed forward, they could see from afar several people in official robes standing by the roadside.
Li Shengzhao reined in his horse and exchanged glances with Luo Wanqing beside him. Understanding Li Shengzhao’s meaning, Luo Wanqing spurred her horse forward, stopping before the several officials and frowning, “Who are you people?”
“This humble one is Zhong Huai, magistrate of Huaishui City. I have been respectfully waiting here for His Highness Shengzhao. Please, my lord, kindly inform him.”
The leading elder, dressed in crimson official robes, bowed to Luo Wanqing and stated his purpose.
This elder appeared to be over fifty, accompanied by two aged officials, clearly having waited here for quite some time.
Luo Wanqing looked back at Li Shengzhao, then dismounted and said in a somewhat gentler tone, “You may follow me.”
The three elders expressed their gratitude and followed Luo Wanqing to Li Shengzhao.
Zhong Huai paid his respects to Li Shengzhao, studying him carefully for a moment, then smiled, “Years ago, this humble minister once saw Your Highness in the palace. Does Your Highness still remember?”
Li Shengzhao looked at Zhong Huai, nodded, and said calmly, “Master Zhong was once in the Censorate and even impeached this prince.”
Hearing this, Zhong Huai’s expression finally relaxed. Together with the officials behind him, he respectfully bowed, thus confirming Li Shengzhao’s identity.
Hearing the three men’s greetings, Li Shengzhao understood their purpose. Knowing this was not a suitable place for conversation, he looked around and decided to make camp on the spot.
Everyone entered the forest to rest. Li Shengzhao brought the three officials along with Luo Wanqing and others into the command tent. After inviting the three officials to sit, Li Shengzhao asked, “What brings you three gentlemen here?”
“His Highness Shengzhao leads troops here. Though Huaishui City is small, whether to surrender or resist requires a decision. Therefore, this humble minister came specifically to ask Your Highness several questions for reference.”
Zhong Huai spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly.
This was within everyone’s expectations. Recently, many cities have had officials proactively offering their cities, mostly following this procedure.
However, this was the first time encountering an official who remained so composed when facing Li Shengzhao.
Li Shengzhao paid it no mind, merely raising his hand with a smile, “Please speak.”
“I’ve heard that six years ago, the Wang and Zheng families colluded with enemies and betrayed the country, blocking news from the borders, causing the entire Cui family to be wrongly accused. When victory was announced at Jade Gate Pass, the ten border cities still stood. General Cui preserved the nation’s security, leading one hundred thousand soldiers and civilians to climb mountains and circle Kunlun, where they remain to this day. Is this matter true?”
“It is true.” Li Shengzhao nodded, then continued, “I still have their treasonous correspondence and rubbings of my uncle’s military journal. Survivors who went to Kunlun back then still live. If Master Zhong has doubts, you may verify these at will.”
“I understand,” Zhong Huai sighed, showing some emotion, “I knew back then that General Cui was not a traitor. Since Your Highness was wrongly forced to flee, this humble minister naturally must recognize Your Highness as Crown Prince. But I must ask a second matter—”
Zhong Huai raised his head, his gaze sharp and quite serious. “What exactly is the relationship between Your Highness and Xie Heng?”
Hearing this, Li Shengzhao’s movements paused slightly. Luo Wanqing sharply raised her head, looking at Zhong Huai and directly asking, “Why does Master Zhong ask this?”
“This humble minister upholds his duty. Huai City will only surrender to the Son of Heaven who should rightfully inherit the throne. Therefore, I must ask—Xie Heng’s regicide and execution of ministers in the palace hall, such acts of rebellion and defiance, were they instigated by Your Highness?”
“Certainly not.”
Upon hearing this, Qingya immediately spoke up in denial, “What Xie Heng did, His Highness knew nothing of. It has absolutely no connection to His Highness.”
Listening to this, Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but glance at Qingya. She knew this was an expedient measure. Setting aside that what Xie Heng did was indeed his own doing, which Li Shengzhao didn’t know about—even if Li Shengzhao had instigated it, he couldn’t possibly admit it.
Xie Heng wouldn’t let them admit it either, or else all his sacrifices would have been in vain.
Yet hearing Qingya deny it so decisively, Luo Wanqing still couldn’t help but clench her fists in her sleeves.
She vaguely felt as though she was drawing ever closer to the ending of her dream.
Xie Heng seemed like a solitary island. She strove to swim toward that shore, yet could never reach it.
She lowered her head and picked up her teacup, taking a sip to suppress her emotions.
Hearing Qingya’s words, Zhong Huai seemed relieved, “That’s good. This puts my mind at ease. I shall go count the provisions in the city today and send supplies to Your Highness tonight. Please rest in Huai City for a few days and don’t advance to the Eastern Capital just yet.”
“Why?”
Li Shengzhao raised his eyes, somewhat puzzled.
Hearing this, Zhong Huai’s expression grew solemn. “Prince Guang’an sent official orders to all regions today, requiring government offices to post notices announcing Xie Heng’s execution the day after tomorrow.”
At these words, Luo Wanqing shot to her feet, “What did you say?!”
Zhong Huai frowned, keenly staring at Luo Wanqing, “Why is this lord so agitated?”
“Just somewhat shocked,” Qingya covered for Luo Wanqing, smiling, “Is Master Zhong worried that if we enter the Eastern Capital now, people might mistakenly think we’re going to rescue Xie Heng?”
“Exactly.”
Zhong Huai nodded seriously, “Currently, there are still royal princes at the borders and great families in various regions. If Your Highness wishes to ascend the throne legitimately, it’s inappropriate to advance at this time. Please remain here and wait until after Xie Heng’s execution before making arrangements.”
“Very well.”
Qingya smiled in agreement, then stood to escort Zhong Huai, “Then, Master Zhong, please go count the provisions.”
“Yes.”
Hearing this, Zhong Huai left with his men alongside Qingya.
Once they left the tent, Luo Wanqing immediately stood up, “Your Highness, we must rush there immediately.”
After she spoke, everyone remained silent. Zhuque looked left and right, seeming at a loss.
Luo Wanqing stared at Li Shengzhao seated above, that sense of unease drowning her again. She tentatively said, “Your Highness, the main army needn’t go, but we must send people—even to rescue him secretly.”
“Has Madam received word from Grand Tutor Xie?”
Just as Luo Wanqing finished speaking, Qingya entered through the tent flap.
Luo Wanqing turned to look. Qingya was walking into the tent, and she stared at him as he said, “If Grand Tutor Xie cannot rescue him, we cannot send people from here.”
“Why?”
“Madam should understand,” Qingya looked at Luo Wanqing calmly, “every person we send there, even if only a corpse remains in the Eastern Capital, will become evidence that we attempted to rescue Xie Heng.”
“So what?”
“Hasn’t Madam seen yet?” Qingya frowned, “Zhong Huai came to test us. He deliberately came to tell us this news, waiting for us to send people to rescue the young master. There must be Li Guiyu’s people in the army. As soon as you leave…”
“So what?!”
Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but shout in a low voice, “Do you think I’m staying here truly to seek revenge with you all, to compete for the realm alongside you?! Who are you, and who am I—why should I sacrifice my life for you?!”
“Then you may leave.” Qingya looked at her calmly, so composed that it frightened Luo Wanqing. He reminded her, “Just don’t go rescue the young master.”
Hearing this, Luo Wanqing stared at Qingya in a daze.
She suddenly remembered the past, in the back mountains of the Supervision Department, seeing Qingya daily sitting behind Xie Heng, brewing tea and smiling gently.
She swept her gaze over everyone present. She looked at Li Shengzhao, at Qingya, at Xuanshan, at Zhuque…
She remembered each of them surrounding Xie Heng, yet at this moment, they all sat here, seemingly having long accepted a certain outcome.
“You never thought to rescue him?”
Luo Wanqing blurted out. Hearing this, Zhuque hurriedly said, “Of course we’d rescue him if we could! But…”
As Zhuque spoke, somewhat helplessly, her eyes reddened, “But… the young master won’t let us rescue him. The young master has sacrificed so much—if we ruined it…”
“But he’s going to die.”
Luo Wanqing said incredulously, looking at Zhuque, “He’s about to be executed. What could be more important than his life?”
“That’s from your perspective.”
Qingya spoke calmly. Luo Wanqing turned to look at him as he said softly, “It’s you who doesn’t want him to die, not himself.”
These words struck Luo Wanqing’s heart like a blow. She suddenly felt afraid, her lips trembling involuntarily, “No… he promised me…”
“We’ve long been prepared.”
Qingya spoke with a smile, suppressing countless emotions in his eyes, yet maintaining the same smile as he gazed at Luo Wanqing, “Madam, every one of us here has long been prepared to die at any moment. We live not for ourselves, but for the Cui family’s unfulfilled wishes, to complete what the Cui family left unfinished.”
“You’re talking nonsense!”
Luo Wanqing shouted angrily, breathing rapidly as she cursed, “You speak so lightly—now it’s him dying, not you!”
“Then does Madam wish for me to die?”
Qingya asked. Luo Wanqing was stunned, then heard him say calmly, “If my death could calm Madam’s fury and make you stay in the army to assist His Highness, Qingya would die without regret.”
Speaking thus, Qingya drew his usual jade dagger from his sleeve, pressing it to his throat while gazing tenderly at Luo Wanqing, “Please give the order, Madam.”
Hearing this, Luo Wanqing stared at Qingya in shock.
She couldn’t help but say, “For your great cause, anyone can die?”
“Yes.”
Qingya answered without hesitation.
Luo Wanqing found herself speechless. She swept her gaze over these people before her, suddenly feeling they weren’t living beings.
They were merely shells left in this world, numb and unfeeling, executing the wishes of the dead at any cost.
Pushing Li Guiyu to the throne, promulgating the Great Xia Code, and seeking justice for the Cui family.
For this, whether they lived or died simply didn’t matter.
They didn’t value their own lives, nor others’, much less Xie Heng’s.
From the very beginning, Xie Heng was the sacrifice they had chosen.
From the moment Cui Zigui made him exchange blood, from the moment they placed all their hopes on this one person, they had all become like vengeful spirits, attached to him.
Unable to truly live, unable to truly die.
Everyone’s lives became flames to burn him, and he stood atop the altar’s pyre, gradually exhausting all expectation for the mortal world.
She suddenly understood the state of mind in which Xie Heng had chosen death in the previous life.
A world where no one expected him, where no one waited for him—what was there to cherish?
Better to begin with him, using his blood to inaugurate the era of the Great Xia Code.
She looked at Qingya, retreating in terror, unable to help, saying, “You’re all mad… you’re all mad… You won’t go, so I’ll go. I won’t go mad with you.”
As she spoke, she turned to run. Qingya shouted sternly, “Luo Wanqing, if you truly cherish him, you should follow his wishes.”
“Then does he cherish me?!”
Luo Wanqing couldn’t help but turn and shout back, “When he made these choices, did he think of me even once?! I don’t care what he thinks! You’re right,” Luo Wanqing finally admitted, “I don’t want him to die, so I’m going to save him.”
As Luo Wanqing finished speaking and rushed toward the tent flap, Zhuque saw this and finally called out anxiously, “Madam! The young master left a letter.”
Hearing this, Luo Wanqing’s footsteps halted. Zhuque hurried forward, handing the letter to Luo Wanqing with trepidation, “The young master said if you and His Highness had a major conflict, then to give you this letter.”
Luo Wanqing looked at the letter, already knowing what he would write.
She didn’t want to take the letter, yet seeing Xie Heng’s handwriting, seeing “To My Beloved Wife” written on it, she thought for a long while before finally snatching the letter and turning to leave.
Luo Wanqing took the letter and rushed back to her room, tearing it open angrily through her tears. When she unfolded the letter and saw his familiar handwriting, all that anger strangely subsided in an instant.
“My wife Qingqing, seeing this letter is like meeting in person.”
“It has been a long time since we met. My heart yearns for you, my darling. Wanting to write with brush and heart, I know not where to begin. When you see this letter, I will already be trapped in the Eastern Capital’s prison, facing mortal danger. Li Guiyu will surely use me as bait to lure elder brother into rescue attempts, thereby destroying his imperial foundation. With Qingya presiding, though our elder brother is soft-hearted and kind, he should remember our mission. Only you, my darling, will never abandon me.”
“However, having reached this day, it is already a critical moment. Our great cause is built upon white bones as steps—my life is no more precious than others’. I know you are unwilling, but I also beseech you—please, my darling, do not sacrifice our cause for my life, do not obtain what I do not desire.”
“To live bearing guilt, walking alone—this was Heaven’s decree. To steal one year together was already a great fortune. My body is not solitary; my heart has no regrets. Where you are, there I shall go.”
“Xiniang, wait for me.”