After listening to the report, Shu Shenhui watched the corpse covered by a shroud being carried away through the back mountain gate, then emerged from the side hall again. His expression remained normal, but his steps carried some gravity. The two guards quietly followed at a distance behind him. When he reached the Luohan Hall where the sermon had been held earlier, his pace slowed, and he finally stopped.
A crimson figure stood near the giant incense burner in front of the hall. Two palace maids waited nearby. She gazed ahead, seemingly lost in thought. The surrounding cypress trees stood densely, blocking out the sky and sun, making this figure appear even more slender and fragile.
Shu Shenhui stepped forward again, walking toward her. The woman also saw him. Her silk skirt rustled slightly as she turned to meet him.
“Wan Niang, why didn’t you return with the Empress Dowager just now?” he asked.
Wen Wan was the daughter of the late Grand Tutor Wen Jie. She had known Shu Shenhui since childhood, and rumors said their feelings were deep. A few years ago, no one even thought Lady Wen would become Lord Qi’s princess consort. But later, for unknown reasons, there was never any movement. With Wen Jie’s death, only one elder brother remained in the Wen family, serving as a secretary in the Ministry—a position neither high nor low. This speculation gradually faded from people’s lips.
Wen Wan curtsied with a gentle smile: “The Empress Dowager commanded me to stay and find several volumes of sutras to bring back to the palace.”
Given her family background, not to mention her exceptional beauty and talents, it was natural that Empress Dowager Lan was very fond of her, often summoning her to the palace as a companion and reading partner.
Shu Shenhui nodded slightly: “Have you found them all?”
“I’m still missing one volume. Just now, young master Wu Qing went to the Scripture Pavilion to fetch it for me, but hasn’t returned yet. I’m waiting for him here.”
Shu Shenhui nodded again, then looked at her.
“I remember you were weak in health a few years ago, easily developing lung dryness and cough when the weather turned cool. How have you been these past two years?”
“Nothing serious. A few days ago, A’Sao invited a physician, who also examined me while he was there. After taking two doses of medicine, I’m much better.”
“Thank you for the Regent Prince’s concern.”
She curtsied in thanks.
Shu Shenhui told her to dispense with ceremony, then said: “Good that you’re well. The Imperial Medical Bureau should have newly prepared autumn pear syrup. I’ll have Zhang Bao send some to you and your sister-in-law later—it can be used regularly to moisten the lungs.”
“I thank the Regent Prince on behalf of A’Sao as well.” She said with lowered eyes.
Shu Shenhui glanced at her, seeming slightly hesitant. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly said: “Wan Niang, come with me to the Scripture Pavilion.”
Wen Wan was startled, quietly raised her eyes to glance at him quickly, then softly agreed.
Shu Shenhui instructed the two guards not to follow, then turned toward the Scripture Pavilion. Wen Wan silently followed behind. When they reached the nearby pavilion, the young monk who had gone to fetch the sutras was just coming out with scrolls in his arms. Encountering Shu Shenhui, he bowed and stepped aside.
Shu Shenhui ordered him to take the scriptures to the palace maids, then led Wen Wan directly inside.
“Please sit.”
He sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion and pointed to another across from him.
Wen Wan slowly walked over and knelt properly on it.
Shu Shenhui raised his eyes and gazed at her.
A shaft of autumn sunlight slanted in through the half-open south window beside her, light and shadow floating, illuminating Wen Wan. A pearl flower by her temple reflected a faint rosy glow, making her beautiful face even more lovely.
“Does Your Highness have something to say?”
After waiting a moment, Wen Wan asked softly.
“Wan Niang, I am not a good match. You need not wait for me in vain anymore.”
The young Regent Prince gazed at the beautiful woman before him. With a smile on his face, he spoke.
Wen Wan stared steadily at the man opposite her. He continued: “Your lifelong happiness has always been Teacher’s greatest concern before his death. If there is a suitable person, marry early. Not only would Teacher be comforted, but you would have lifelong security.”
Having said this, he stopped.
In the vast and deep scripture tower, time seemed to freeze. A black-headed sparrow that had flown in by mistake fluttered past the south window, startling her back to awareness. Her face quickly showed a smile.
“I’ve also heard that His Highness the Regent Prince is to marry General Jiang’s daughter. Is it true?”
Though she spoke with a smile, her slightly pale face, drained of color, still revealed her turbulent emotions at that moment.
Shu Shenhui’s gaze carried some reluctance and pity, but without hesitation, he nodded: “Yes, the old Virtuous Prince has gone to propose on my behalf. He arrived more than half a month ago. If nothing unexpected happens, Jiang Zuowang’s side shouldn’t refuse me.”
Wen Wan still wore a smile at the corners of her lips as she rose from her seat.
“This subject congratulates His Highness the Regent Prince. I have also long heard of the female general’s reputation and deeply admire her. May Your Highness and the female general form a good match and enjoy marital bliss for a hundred years. The Empress Dowager is still waiting for my return. I take my leave first.”
Having said this, she bowed her head slightly and stepped toward the exit with hurried steps.
“Wait a moment.”
Suddenly, a voice came from behind.
Wen Wan’s steps stopped at the threshold. She raised one hand to support herself against the door, her back also pausing, but she didn’t turn around.
“The Jiang family daughter is the most suitable person for the position of Regent Princess.”
After a moment, he continued speaking behind her.
Wen Wan finally slowly turned around, but didn’t speak.
He remained sitting as before, his gaze fixed on her face.
“Wan Niang, you should also know that after Father Emperor’s death, during Elder Brother’s years on the throne, without Father Emperor’s awesome might, the Grand Marshal increasingly relied on his position and past merits to become arrogant. He also held real power. Elder Brother several times wanted to reclaim the scattered military authority, but faced heavy resistance, and nothing came of it. When the current Emperor succeeded, the Grand Marshal paid him even less heed. From the capital’s various departments down to local officials, countless forces secretly gathered around him. Without removing him, let alone Father Emperor’s dying wish, even court stability would be difficult to maintain.”
“The Sage-Martial Emperor’s dying wish?”
She hesitated, then finally asked softly.
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Father Emperor had two great wishes in life. One way to unify the realm and bring all people under one rule. The second was to drive away the Beidi and reclaim the lost territories of the northern provinces, so they would never dare look south again. Unfortunately, heaven didn’t grant him enough years, and Father Emperor ultimately couldn’t fulfill all his wishes.”
Wen Wan’s eyes showed deep concern as she turned around and finally faced the man opposite her again.
“I understand. Your Highness’s current situation is very difficult. The Grand Marshal, he…”
“The Grand Marshal has been executed.” He said flatly.
“What did Your Highness say? The Grand Marshal, he—” Wen Wan was shocked beyond measure, losing her voice as her words cut off abruptly.
“He has been executed, just moments ago today.”
Wen Wan’s eyes widened in complete shock, unable to say a word.
He too fell silent, seemingly lost in some memory. After a moment, he looked up at her again.
“Wan Niang, when I was seventeen, I went to inspect the borders around Yanmen. I remember on the day of my return, Father Emperor, despite his illness, summoned me through the night. He had me report everything to him in detail, no matter how small. That night’s conversation lasted until dawn. He didn’t say it explicitly, but I knew his health was truly weak then—otherwise, he would have made that trip himself. Later, on his deathbed, he kept sighing. He passed away with regrets in his heart.”
“Your Highness, do you want to fulfill the Sage-Martial Emperor’s wish and avenge past humiliation?”
Wen Wan asked softly.
He nodded, then shook his head.
“That’s right, this is Father Emperor’s dying wish, and I must do everything in my power to accomplish it. But this isn’t only to fulfill Father Emperor’s wish—it’s also to reclaim Great Wei’s northern gateway, to achieve true lasting peace in the northern borders, so that the countless subjects of our Great Wei who have lived there for generations, and their children and grandchildren, can be secure in their homes and content in their occupations in the future, no longer suffering from warfare, worrying day and night about when their families might be destroyed and they might have no place to call home!”
He paused. “I know there have been many complaints in the army in recent years due to years of defensive positions without offensive action. Why hasn’t the court been able to fight freely these years? Because there were many internal constraints, and the time wasn’t right. That’s why today we seek change, painful as scraping poison from bone. Only by doing this and removing the corruption can our Great Wei embark on the path of harmony between people and government. Before that, we can only prepare and feed our horses, waiting for the day of the future attack!”
Wen Wan opened her beautiful eyes wide, staring at him in a daze.
“I understand now. Your Highness intends to make great use of General Jiang in the future.” She murmured.
He didn’t respond, apparently acquiescing, and continued: “Wan Niang, you and I have known each other since childhood. People aren’t plants or trees—how could I be unaware of your feelings for me? Moreover, since childhood, I studied under the Grand Tutor alongside Elder Brother, receiving his devoted teaching. His kindness was profound. You are both talented and beautiful, with an orchid heart and wise nature. If I could have such a virtuous woman as a companion, what more could life ask for?”
“However—” He paused.
“Since my northern inspection at seventeen, I have resolved. Our great rivers and mountains—how magnificent they are! How can we allow foreign invaders’ horses to trample them, let alone hand them over willingly? Even a grain of barren sand must be fought for inch by inch! Since Great Wei has received heaven’s mandate and established itself over the nine provinces, reclaiming lost territory and expelling enemy invaders is the achievement our generation must complete!”
“Wan Niang, if Father Emperor were still alive and had accomplished what he wanted to do, if I were still just Prince Anle who needed only to enjoy peace and happiness, I would marry you. There are countless young men from prestigious families in the capital who admire you, including many outstanding ones, yet you remain unmarried. I know I have delayed you. Long ago, I wanted to apologize to you more than once, but never found the opportunity to speak—”
Tears could no longer be suppressed and fell from Wen Wan’s eyes like rain.
She shook her head vigorously. “No, no, Your Highness! You need not say more—I truly understand, I completely understand! Please don’t blame yourself! It’s not that you delayed me. It has nothing to do with you. Your Highness has always treated me with propriety. It was I who harbored inappropriate hopes in the past, causing Your Highness unnecessary trouble. I understand now!”
“The position of Regent Princess can indeed only be filled by that female general.”
She turned her face away and wiped the tears from her cheeks.
“Your Highness, I must thank you for speaking to me frankly today.”
Shu Shenhui looked at her, his gaze full of guilt.
“Wan Niang, if you encounter any difficulties you cannot handle in the future, feel free to send word to me.” His words were extremely sincere.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I’m leaving now.”
Wen Wan curtsied deeply once more, took one last look at the young man opposite her, then turned and left.
She truly left.
Shu Shenhui said nothing more.
He only rose from his seat and stood in place, watching that crimson figure depart.
Outside the south window, autumn trees stood desolate and silent.
The beauty had gone far away, no longer visible. Yet he still didn’t move, standing alone for another moment. After a long while, he slowly sat back down, solemnly contemplating, lost in thought, his figure motionless.
A spider climbed on a web spun in the dark corner of the scripture tower’s northwest, spinning silk and weaving, busily working. Suddenly, it slipped and fell from the web. The connected spider silk swayed back and forth in the air several times before finally breaking. The spider dropped with a thud onto the scripture rack below.
“Come out!”
Shu Shenhui suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, and spoke in a low voice.