From that time on, there was one more person beside Princess Changping.

After Qun Qing entered the palace, she often saw the prince consort accompanying the Princess. He didn’t like extravagance, only wearing the simplest black casual clothes. He was taciturn—it seemed the more others noticed him, the more he wanted to shrink back.

At palace banquets, the dazzling light of golden cups flowed across Princess Changping’s flower-painted cheeks. Ling Yunyi sat beside her, quietly drinking. This pale youth made Qun Qing think of the bronze lion-tiger beasts guarding gates—as if a kind of suppressed power was stored in his body.

Yang Fu pulled Qun Qing’s hand, showing off her new study companion to her eldest sister, wanting to find a military general to teach Qun Qing swordsmanship.

Princess Changping smiled and set down her wine cup, summoning Qun Qing forward: “A bit of self-defense skill—why bother others? This is what the prince consort excels at most. Qingqing, come, call him teacher now.”

Qun Qing looked at Ling Yunyi’s instantly frozen face. After hesitating a moment, she called out “Teacher.”

After waiting a long while, Ling Yunyi finally gave a barely audible “mm,” and he didn’t look at her directly, but rather at the golden goblet clutched in his hand.

“The prince consort’s personality is just like that—quite introverted, and he doesn’t like dealing with others. Every day he seems unhappy.” After leaving the door, Yang Fu shook Qun Qing’s hand and said: “I heard the Crown Prince Nuo raised in the temple is already as tall as my waist. The prince consort is still that way—doesn’t look at all like someone who became a father. If he’s very fierce to you, tell me and I’ll go complain to Imperial Sister.”

Qun Qing said: “It’s fine. I’m not afraid.”

Learning skills was most important. As for the rest, she would endure it. She could endure.

Even so, every day when walking toward the archery grounds to bow before the silent Ling Yunyi, Qun Qing’s heart still pounded a bit. So much so that when Ling Yunyi suddenly gripped his sword and turned around, she was startled and stepped back, nearly sliding down to sit in the snow.

Ling Yunyi paused, examining the young girl’s frozen-red cheeks up and down. His silent gaze finally showed a trace of ripples: “Does your Father often beat you?”

Qun Qing said: “Replying to the prince consort, no one in my family beats me.”

“Then what are you afraid of me for? I won’t beat you either.” The prince consort held a wine flask in his right hand, took a drink, and the pale face was burned into two patches of red glow, making him appear even more languid. “In military camps, rewards and punishments are clear. Only when mistakes are made will punishment be received.”

Qun Qing glanced at that purple-gold wine flask hanging at his waist. It seemed after marriage, he began carrying wine constantly.

“For example, like this.” Ling Yunyi looked at her and without warning drew the short sword at his waist, attacking toward her face. Qun Qing immediately drew her sword to block according to the moves she’d learned, but was still a bit slow. Her arm was slashed open and she was pushed back several steps, sitting in the snow.

Only then did she understand the meaning of receiving punishment for mistakes. He was very averse to her being distracted.

“Stand up.” Ling Yunyi was unwilling to waste words with her.

Qun Qing endured the pain and climbed up, made a slight bow, and picked up her sword to attack again. Day after day, from the beginning of winter until the coldest days of winter, the prince consort’s long-unchanged expression finally showed change.

In the sound of bells ringing, Qun Qing only felt the whistling wind and the stinging pain of wounds. Ling Yunyi glanced at the bloodstains seeping through her tattered sleeve. He seemed somewhat surprised that despite such pain she still didn’t stop her offensive. His eyes also became serious. The weapons moved faster and faster, stirring up snow like splashing spray, until Qun Qing tumbled and fell to the ground.

The fluffy snow was three feet thick. Qun Qing’s fall didn’t hurt, but she was utterly exhausted. With difficulty she climbed up to see Ling Yunyi turn his head and laugh in the sunlight. That smile held several parts mischief—a light expression never seen ordinarily, though it quickly vanished.

“You know you can’t win but still fight?” His tone became very gentle. “You’re somewhat like me when I first joined the army.”

Qun Qing said: “This journey is to protect Princess Bao’an. If an assassin approaches, should I also retreat because I can’t win?”

Unexpectedly, these words made the smile in Ling Yunyi’s eyes immediately disappear.

He nodded, picked up her sword, and laughed lightly: “True. Since it’s for use in the palace, your martial arts—learning to this point is also sufficient.”

Qun Qing took the sword with its scabbard. But Ling Yunyi raised the blade higher, using the sunlight to see clearly the inscription on it. Things bestowed by Princess Changping were all palace treasures. This sword was also valuable.

“Truly a good sword.” He praised, then suddenly shoved the sword into the scabbard with such force that it numbed Qun Qing’s hand. “Only a pity it can only be used in this golden cage.”

Qun Qing seemed to sense the resentment in the prince consort’s heart. Her heart felt uneasy, but when she looked up at him again, he stood in place as silently as usual, like a sculpture.

“Go change clothes.” Ling Yunyi seemed unwilling to deal with her anymore.

Qun Qing’s jacket and skirt were already soaked through by snow water. She quickly went to change. When she returned, seeing many more people had been added to the archery grounds, she hid behind branches to observe.

This group wore brocade caps and sable furs—all children of the Ling family. Ling Yunyi’s former brothers had entered the palace to pay respects. They followed behind Princess Changping, constantly flattering the Princess.

Princess Changping wanted to tour the plum garden herself. She took a bow and arrows from a little inner attendant’s hands and gave them to Ling Yunyi, only calling for several people to compete with swords before the targets for amusement.

But after that noble and magnificent figure gracefully departed, the atmosphere in the archery grounds changed completely. They drew bows and shot arrows, saying: “Never thought the most fortunate would be the prince consort. Too naive in childhood—what good is reading sage books? Not as good as this handsome face.”

“Besides being handsome, one must also be brave and skilled in battle—best to have achievements repelling the Rong. Which of you has that?”

Another person laughed: “Handsome or skilled in battle—what was gained is just marrying into the imperial family. This crown prince is already grown, yet the Ling family still hasn’t been enfeoffed. Our father doesn’t even have real power! On the surface he’s prince consort—calling him a male favorite also works. When Princess Changping changes her heart someday, he’ll be discarded like worn shoes. For a man to reach this point is truly pitiful.”

Historically, making marriage connections with the imperial family meant the entire family could rise. It was all because Ling Yunyi petitioned Princess Changping not to enfeoff the Ling family. Yang Yi was unwilling to let aristocratic families grow too powerful and was happy to go with the flow. These people lost the opportunity for official promotion for nothing—their hearts were full of resentment.

Ling Yunyi was already excluded by the family. Like this, every time they met, undercurrents were inevitable.

Arrow after arrow pierced through ice and snow, nailing into targets.

No matter how much they mocked or hinted, Ling Yunyi didn’t respond, his eyes full of indifference.

“Since ancient times, beauties match heroes. Princess Changping choosing our younger brother is reasonable. I’m rather envious—this Princess Changping holds such towering power, yet at night doesn’t she still have to be pressed beneath our brother? I wonder if Princess Changping is like other women…” Saying this, several people all laughed.

Before the laughter fell, it suddenly changed pitch.

Ling Yunyi suddenly turned the arrow around. The sharp arrow grazed past the speaking person’s face. Fresh blood splattered out and that person immediately fell. Everyone around was shocked, shouting and crowding over.

Ling Yunyi’s face was pale, looking at him gloomily. In his eyes burned flames like red clouds. One word spat from his mouth: “Get out.”

Such a scene naturally alarmed Princess Changping.

After these several people scrambled away, in the snowy ground only two people remained—the one in black was Ling Yunyi, and the one whose clothes swayed like a goldfish tail was Princess Changping’s skirt.

Her flowing shawl and hem were like drifting sunset clouds, brushing across Ling Yunyi’s face. She teased: “Angry? Why get so worked up?”

Qun Qing had heard that Princess Changping and the prince consort had been at odds for many years.

Ling Yunyi suddenly knelt in the snow: “This subject wishes to garrison the northwest, to guard the border peace for Great Chu.”

The sudden silence indicated Princess Changping’s displeasure.

“But there are many who can protect the country—you’re not the only one. Prince consort shouldn’t think too highly of yourself.”

It seemed they were arguing about this matter.

Seeing Ling Yunyi kneeling motionlessly, Princess Changping forcibly used her round fan to lift his face, smiling as she looked into his eyes: “If you truly hate me, why did you just defend me?”

Because other palace people were around, Ling Yunyi glanced at her then immediately looked at the ground. No one could casually look directly into Princess Changping’s eyes, nor could they move or shout randomly, but his body was taut like a bowstring, almost trembling, as if forcibly enduring.

The eight inner attendants and palace maids Princess Changping brought—not one moved a step.

Qun Qing felt the Princess Changping before her eyes seemed to become a beast tamer, and kneeling before her trembling was a wolf that had been chained.

Mediocre men could not arouse Princess Changping’s interest. She knew Ling Yunyi was unhappy, and what made Changping happy was precisely the untamed part in his heart.

She wanted to tame him.

Using her intimidating beauty, extravagant lifestyle, using her towering power that captivated all living beings.

Perhaps she didn’t hope for a harmonious marriage. Marriage was just a bit of interest beyond political affairs for her.

Could such a Princess Changping have anticipated that in the future, Ling Yunyi would truly dare to become a wolf and bite back at her?

In any case, after that day, Princess Changping still agreed to let the prince consort go to war.

One day, Yang Fu’s hairpin fell during an afternoon banquet. When palace lamps were being lit, Qun Qing carried a lantern and pushed open the doors of Liangyi Hall to search. The swaying lamp dimly illuminated the fruits and wine on the desk.

The hall was filled with wine fragrance. Behind the desk, Princess Changping’s wide sleeves flowed open. Her whole person leaned slantingly on Ling Yunyi, her left hand holding a cup, her right hand grasping the prince consort’s collar, feeding him wine. After a moment the prince consort seemed unable to bear it anymore. His arm pressed her toward himself, his eyes seeming to contain only her. He pushed the desk askew. Then both discovered someone beside them and froze.

Qun Qing was greatly shocked. Her feet seemed rooted and couldn’t move. She quickly extinguished the lantern and knelt down, apologizing softly.

Ling Yunyi’s face flushed red. He immediately wanted to erupt, but Princess Changping behind the desk stopped him. She sat up, her delicate hand smoothing her loose long hair, showing not the slightest sign of anger. This was the first time Qun Qing saw her like this—intimidating like a demon.

She smiled looking toward Qun Qing, her eyes flowing, smile gentle. She poured a cup of wine, plucked a green plum and dropped it in the wine: “I ask you, do you know what green plum wine signifies in Great Chu?”

Qun Qing said: “This servant doesn’t know.”

“It signifies wishing for safety. Hoping the person will also return whole like the green plum.” Princess Changping said without changing expression. “The northern border has no mercy for blades and swords. Just now I was giving the prince consort a farewell.”

Qun Qing quickly agreed.

“Come, Qingqing, this cup of wine is yours. Go play with Seventeenth Lady.” Princess Changping smiled and handed her the wine cup.

Qun Qing’s hands sweated as she clutched the wine cup and left, walking all the way to moonlight before still seeing that green plum rippling in the clear waves.

She looked back once to see two beauty-marked palace maids smilingly close the heavy hall doors, henceforth separating passion from cold, sweetness from betrayal.

That winter, Ling Yunyi led troops to garrison the northwest—this was what he had always wanted. Only from then on, separated by distance from Princess Changping until he secretly joined hands with the Li family, using rescue as pretext to support the Substitute King, seizing the realm. Princess Changping set fire to the Substitute King and jumped into the river, perishing.

Counting it up, that farewell night was indeed the last time the two met as husband and wife.

Princess Changping truly gambled and lost. By rights, Ling Yunyi could even sacrifice his own child—he should have been an untamable wolf from the beginning. Yet Qun Qing didn’t know why, with great power in his grasp, he would become like this.

After Qun Qing finished speaking with Lu Huating, she looked toward that plain-robed monk. His appearance was withered, like a handful of burned-out ashes. Only the posture of holding the wine cup vaguely showed the appearance of that youth in memory, but the hand holding the cup already showed the trembling senility of old age.

Li Huan bestowed wine on Ling Yunyi: “I ascended the throne not long ago—a thousand threads and ten thousand strands. If not for this, I wouldn’t trouble General Ling—I’d go supervise the northern border battle myself. Even if you don’t want to go, I also order you to write out the Rong army’s weaknesses, lest frontline soldiers sacrifice themselves for nothing.”

Ling Yunyi looked respectfully at Li Huan once, only silently receiving the cup.

The sage had issued an edict—others dared not disobey. Ranked close officials all rose to drink a cup together, all urging Ling Yunyi to go to war.

Qun Qing plucked a green plum fruit from the plate and placed it in Lu Huating’s wine cup.

Xiao Yunru turned her head to look, asking curiously: “Lord Qun, why drop a green plum into the wine?”

“Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, green plum wine is meant to pray for safety. Hoping the person will also return whole like the green plum in the wine.” Qun Qing’s voice flowed clearly through the hall. “This subject and Minister Lu wish to give General Ling a farewell.”

The officials looked at each other, saying in surprise: “There’s also this meaning? Never heard of it before.”

Amid the scattered discussion, Qun Qing felt Ling Yunyi’s gaze come over, carrying words she couldn’t understand, stopping on her nineteen-year-old profile.

She no longer wore old Chu palace dress, but Da Chen official robes.

Amid the congratulatory sounds, it seemed Ling Yunyi drank the wine in his cup in one gulp, heavily knelt down, and said hoarsely: “承蒙圣人不弃—this subject is willing to be the vanguard and receive the order to go to the northern border.”

Li Huan breathed a sigh of relief. All around immediately became jubilant and encouraged.

Even the pipa music of the singing and dancing performers became more lively.

Yet another person with jingling ornaments prostrated afterward, seemingly having mustered tremendous courage: “This consort wishes to accompany the expedition to the northern border.”

Li Huan saw it was Yang Fu. His just-relaxed expression immediately froze.

“Noble Consort doesn’t know martial arts. What could you do if you went? Stop making trouble.”

Qun Qing felt Yang Fu’s gaze hesitantly drifting, meeting hers. Then Yang Fu looked firmly toward Li Huan: “This consort… this consort knows that because of my status as an old Chu princess, even with Your Majesty’s favor, I’m still mocked by palace people. Better to go persuade eldest sister—perhaps it will benefit the war situation.”

“No one dares mock you.” Li Huan said urgently. “You clearly know Yang Yi is seeking revenge. Blades and swords have no mercy—what possibility of persuading surrender is there? Do you want to die?”

Yang Fu said: “But eldest sister’s letter was sent to me. I’ve already betrayed eldest sister, yet hide in the palace without even the courage to face her. How will this consort conduct herself in the future?”

After she finished speaking, the hall fell completely silent.

On Yang Fu’s pear-blossom-with-rain face, a smile slowly emerged.

For her, Li Huan had infatuation, had doting affection, but only lacked respect. This was the first time she saw respect for her in Li Huan’s gaze.

She obtained what she wanted. Dying at Princess Changping’s hands might even leave behind a posthumous name. Thus she wouldn’t have to endure humiliation in the palace, nor struggle between Da Chen and Chu imperial families. Thinking of this, she couldn’t help laughing.

“Granted.” Li Huan’s expression was solemn. He appointed two people to accompany and protect Yang Fu. “I ask Noble Consort to take care. I will light lamps and pray for blessings in the palace, waiting for your return.”