Chapter 1: The Six Kingdoms

Brilliant sunlight bathed the vast expanse for ten thousand li, with a single line of flying eaves slanting upward into the endless sky.

The flying eaves were topped with yellow glazed tiles bordered in green, with water spouts beneath the watchtowers, connecting to round palace pillars below. The two pillars were joined by carved flying dragons, their heads extending beyond the eaves while their tails entered the hall, soaring and leaping with imperial majesty.

The great hall stood ten zhang high, with Han jade cloud bricks extending like white clouds. The hall’s roof gleamed with deep yellow and emerald green precious tiles, crowned at the center with an arched flame pearl finial. Two bright pillars before the hall bore coiled golden dragons, while the Sanskrit ceiling with its dragon caisson sparkled brilliantly within.

Inside the hall, the window frames and wall bands, throne screens and frames, incense burners and pavilions were mostly deep black, harmonizing perfectly with the brilliant golden splendor that met the eye, adding to the imperial solemnity and grandeur with its majestic bearing.

The north governed by water in the cosmic system, its element black.

This was the Northern Wei imperial palace.

According to Northern Wei’s governmental system, the palace should properly be called a royal palace since they had not yet proclaimed imperial status. However, except for not having declared themselves emperor, Northern Wei’s architectural standards, ceremonial protocols, and legal codes all followed imperial specifications.

Northern Wei’s ambitions were clear to see.

As noon approached, warm breezes gently stirred. In the depths of the vast hall, behind a priceless famous embroidery screen titled “Flying Dragon Overlooking the Court” created by You Hui, the premier embroiderer of Zhongchuan, sandalwood smoke curled upward as a man and woman played chess in silence.

After a long while, a black obsidian thumb ring gleamed as it tapped against the precious agarwood chessboard with deliberate sounds.

A corner of an amber-colored sleeve embroidered with bright yellow chi-dragon patterns in autumn fragrance brocade lightly brushed across the board. Slender fingers picked up a black stone, followed by soft laughter and a decisive “clack” as it was placed. “Move!”

The woman across from him tilted her delicate head slightly, her dark eyebrows rising as her eyes flowed like water across the board. After a moment, she wrinkled her pretty nose and said with mild reproach: “Your Majesty’s chess strategy is far too profound. You’ve lured this consort into your trap. Poor me—my several large dragon formations charged left and right, yet still cannot escape Your Majesty’s net.”

“If you cannot escape my chess net, how could I ever escape your web of affection?” The man across from her looked up with a trace of a smile playing in the pale sandalwood smoke. His features weren’t particularly handsome, but his eyes held a subdued brilliance, deep as the sea.

“This consort is equally ensnared by Your Majesty,” the woman replied tenderly, her expression combining a maiden’s innocence with a woman’s charm. Her radiant smile was bright and sweet, filled with the joy of complete devotion.

The man smiled wordlessly, reaching out to gently pat the snow-white hand that emerged from her clove-colored sleeve embroidered with golden lotus patterns. The woman’s smile was as soft and elegant as her garment’s hue, her manner gentle and graceful. Lowering her head to study the chess position again, she suddenly laughed: “Your Majesty’s chess skill is extraordinary. You usually favor a steady, prudent style, but today you’ve been unusually different—attacking fiercely with swift moves that caught this consort completely off guard.”

“Your chess style is quick and often brilliant, but sometimes too hasty,” the man said gravely. “When I changed my approach, you were immediately flustered. Your loss was inevitable.”

The woman laughed charmingly: “Yes, this consort accepts your instruction.”

She blinked, her expression adorable with a hint of playfulness. “Though this consort lost, gaining Your Majesty’s guidance is more valuable than winning.”

“Concubine Chun, this is your finest quality—you’re never petty,” the man smiled. “Among the palace consorts, though many have more noble births than you, none can match your generous spirit.”

“This consort thanks Your Majesty for your favor,” Concubine Chun smiled and curtsied lightly. “The other sisters are nobly born with proper upbringing, each having qualities this consort lacks. The Empress is noble and gracious, Sister Concubine Rong is kind and gentle, Sister Concubine Yu is clever and wise…”

“Enough, enough! I praise you once and you praise a dozen others, afraid of leaving anyone out,” the man interrupted with mixed exasperation and amusement. “We’re playing chess privately in my chambers. When I compliment you, are you worried it’ll reach the harem and upset someone?”

His expression suddenly grew serious as he gazed at Concubine Chun for a long moment, sighing: “I know… your days in the palace aren’t easy due to your background. Once I’m through with current affairs, I’ll promote your rank. Then those petty people won’t dare gossip about you…”

“Your Majesty!” Concubine Chun quickly knelt, her eyes already red when she raised her head. Her snow-white face resembled a jade lotus flower, delicate and vulnerable. “This consort has suffered no grievances. Your Majesty must not think such things. The sisters in the harem all treat this consort well. Even occasional small unpleasantries arise only from their concern for Your Majesty, hoping for equal imperial favor…”

“Mm, I understand. I’m tired too…” The man smiled as he listened, pushing the chessboard aside. “I always know your heart… You may withdraw.”

Rising obediently, the woman bowed respectfully and gracefully withdrew. At the hall entrance, she turned back with concern: “Your Majesty seems melancholy today. May this consort help share Your Majesty’s worries?”

The man appeared lost in thought, his fingers caressing a freshly opened letter beside his couch, replying absently: “Mm… she’s returned…”

“Who?”

Startled, the man realized he’d spoken carelessly. Waving his hand dismissively: “Nothing. You may go.”

With a gentle smile, the woman stepped through the hall doors, turned past the corridor, her clove-colored gown decorated with pale ink branch and silver flower patterns flowing elegantly across the nine-curved gallery, her posture graceful and serene.

But once out of sight, her expression suddenly turned icy cold, frost seeming to cover her features. The charming smiles and gentle warmth vanished without trace, swept away by wind.

“Your Majesty,” a palace maid asked softly from behind, “you had three chances to win earlier. Why didn’t you…?”

“Ruishen,” the woman turned to look at her, “your chess skills have improved—you could even spot those opportunities.”

“Your Majesty is Northern Wei’s finest chess player. Serving you, this servant has naturally learned some moves,” the maid smiled. “It’s just unfortunate that Your Majesty conceals your abilities, always yielding the title of finest player to His Majesty.”

“Why would I compete with him?” The woman’s cold smile held deep mockery. “Showing off before a ruler is tantamount to seeking death. I’m not that foolish.”

She paced thoughtfully through the flower gallery, delicate fingers plucking a tender bloom, slowly crushing its red petals between her fingertips.

Raising her hand to the sunlight, she examined it repeatedly. Ten slender fingers like jade, each nail full and lustrous as pearls, now stained with the flower’s crimson—even more delicate than flower petals… Such tender youth, such captivating beauty, so deserving of protection and cherishment… But who would protect it?

She laughed coldly, each laugh colder than the last.

“He was distracted today, his chess game completely chaotic. When I tested him with a question, would he tell me? But does he think I don’t know? The Western Liang Empress didn’t die, and it’s making him uncomfortable.”

The maid bowed her head obediently in silence.

Looking up at the western sky’s smoky clouds, the woman’s beautiful face filled with strange longing and unwilling pride.

“All these years, hiding my abilities and dealing with those vulgar powder-faces in this dark, oppressive Northern Wei palace, day after day discussing whose son is whose, constantly managing competition for favor and rank… Such a waste of my intelligence and ambition… Ruiyi of Western Liang, Qin Chang Ge—how fortunate you are! Born in turbulent times, destined from birth to shoulder world-saving missions. Your school amazes the world with its renowned reputation. Wherever you go, people revere your distinguished background and willingly follow you. The emperor you chose became your husband. Though he could possess all the world’s beauties with imperial authority, he ignores his six palaces, devoted to you alone through life and death… I’ve heard your legendary story, my desk piled with various unofficial histories written by market scholars making their living from your life. I know you thoroughly—with merely a woman’s body, you became a divine empress in life, a legend in death, and now return to stir up the six kingdoms again. How many more miracles will you create?”

With another cold laugh, she suddenly whispered: “How wonderful… I’ve always regretted not being born in that era, regretted entering the palace after you had already died. Now that you’re still alive, how wonderful… Great chaos approaches, winds and clouds stir—this is when heroes emerge. Qin Chang Ge, wait and see. I will make you witness that I, Wanyan Chunzhen, though not born with your advantages, will do better than you. I will make you understand that I am the most capable woman on the entire continent, surpassing all others. I will make you kneel at my feet, offering Western Liang’s imperial seal with both hands, calling me—Your Majesty!”

In the depths of the great hall where light was dim, the nine-dragon couch still held the chessboard, though black and white stones had been returned to their containers. The man remained seated, contemplating in the curling smoke.

After a long while, he spoke: “What do you think?”

Though no one was visible opposite him, an aged voice suddenly responded.

The answer: “This woman conceals her abilities.”

“I’m not referring to that,” Northern Wei’s ruler raised his eyebrows, looking directly toward the other side of the screen. “She’s been hiding her talents for ages—did I truly not know? Whatever games she wants to play, let her. She cannot cause real trouble. I’m asking about the other two matters.”

“The other two matters are actually one,” the aged male voice drifted near and far, ethereal and elusive. “You’re agitated? You fear her?”

Wei Tianqi fell silent, finally saying: “Father Emperor essentially died by her hand, and He Buyu once prophesied she was our Northern Wei royal family’s… ” He suddenly stopped, looking up with a light sigh. “He Buyu… has also come. The matter with Tianzi was indeed my oversight.”

“No amount of consideration would have helped,” the old man’s voice carried mockery. “Prince Jin’s affair and her matter erupting almost simultaneously—do you really think that’s coincidence?”

“It’s not?” Wei Tianqi was shocked. “Isn’t she still overseas recovering? How could she have orchestrated this too?”

The old man remained silent for a long while, letting the oppressive atmosphere thicken inch by inch. Finally, like breaking ice, he spoke with quiet but fierce intensity: “She has returned.”

“She has returned.”

Deep gold thick velvet carpet, luxurious and rich, bloomed with even more passionate red flowers. Upon the carpet, a youth with jade-like skin and seductive silk-like eyes.

The black-haired man spoke these words languidly, then seemed to collapse from exhaustion, leaning against the charming, graceful youth with ruby lips and pearl-white teeth, sipping jade pear dew from a golden cup the youth attentively offered.

He looked up, his elegant flying eyebrows black as dawn sky.

His countenance seemed beyond description with words like handsome, refined, distinguished, or comely typically used for men. He gave the impression of flowing movement—flowing clouds, flowing wind, flowing glances and garments… At first glance quite ordinary, yet at second look absolutely incomparable in beauty, with different charms in stillness and motion. Appearance became secondary compared to his unparalleled spirit and bearing.

Fierce mountain winds scattered his hair, some strands drifting into his wine cup, others brushing the youth’s cheek. The youth gently caught them with snow-white teeth, glancing at him with giggling laughter, then carefully used his own sleeve to clean the hair from the cup.

The man smiled, placing his hand on the pavilion railing beside him, reaching out in a gesture of catching floating clouds, rewarding the youth by stroking his hair.

The boy’s shy, sweet murmur…

This was Mount Jiucheng, where people dwelt in ethereal emptiness.

Mount Jiucheng rose majestically with myriad ravines, yet at its absolute peak stood a delicate, exquisite octagonal white jade pavilion, like a white jade hairpin emerging from nowhere, slanted across the summit.

Before them, seas of clouds rolled and churned; below, pine winds roared in waves. Among the protective embrace of ten thousand mountains, one pavilion stood firm. Dwelling within, even without speaking one could hear thunderous sounds like tidal flows, rising and falling endlessly. In such a place, one’s worldly heart was cleansed, all things seemed small, and the four seas’ vastness—the world’s breadth—appeared no larger than a mustard seed.

Such a place of elevated mood and broad spirit should host reclusive poets chanting, worthy men drinking together, or contemplatives resting on stones and sipping streams, raising cups to toast the moon.

Instead, someone had filled it with music, dance, beautiful boys, and brocades, indulging in every sensual pleasure and romantic joy.

This was truly… rather discordant.

But there was something even more discordant.

Among those charming boys who smiled seductively, danced gracefully, sang softly, or tuned instruments, amid the precious carpets, beauties, golden cups and jade vessels, sat a man rigidly upright with grave expression. He didn’t spare a glance for the beautiful boys who laughingly pressed close to him, instead staring directly at the languid man, frowning: “Yuan, I know she’s returned. I came to discuss serious business with you, but before we talk, could you please dismiss these… people first?”

“Come, drink,” the lightly-dressed man seemed oblivious to his displeasure, lazily raising his hand with the grace of plucking a swaying flower from its branch. “This jade pear dew is a famous Southern Min brew, made from pear blossom morning dew, nine times steamed and dried—extremely precious. It’s best consumed exactly three days after opening the jar. I sent thirty riders from Southern Min, three days and nights changing horses but not riders, arriving at Eastern Yan at the perfect moment. Now this wine is rich and mellow, fragrant with lingering taste—the world’s finest fragrance. If you don’t drink, you’ll regret it to death.”

“Not drinking won’t kill me, but not discussing this matter first will!” The man’s patience snapped as he roared: “Bai Yuan, honored National Advisor, please be serious!”

A light laugh.

The pale gold-robed man suddenly pushed away the boy, took up his jade wine cup and slowly stood, pacing to the front railing.

His black hair flew wild in the wind, his loose, unbeltedrobes fluttering like banners. Facing the sea of clouds below and surrounding mountains, he smiled with an air of calm superiority, drinking the fine wine in one gulp.

Pointing at the boundless blue sky, verdant mountains, and rolling clouds below, Bai Yuan intoned: “Here lies the mineral-rich eastern region of the continent with its continuous mountain ranges—Eastern Yan, the nation of fierce customs ruled by a female sovereign. This mountain is Eastern Yan’s premier peak, the summit of Mount Jiucheng’s main peak. From this ten-thousand-zhang precipice, an entire kingdom’s territory lies beneath my feet. This pavilion is my exclusive domain—in all Eastern Yan, no one may set foot here without my permission. Now you sit high in my pavilion, enjoying my delicacies, observing my beauties, tasting my famous wine, yet know not how to cherish it. Yi Qingcheng…” He turned back with regret, his expression full of sighs. “How foolish you are!”

“Don’t call me by that name!” Yi Qingcheng roared in embarrassed anger. “I’m called Yi Cheng!”

“Oh… forgive me, I forgot you changed names,” Bai Yuan showed no trace of apology, raising his eyebrows at him. “But Qingcheng, you’re still like when we were children—you miss the point. My meaning is, having reached my current position, what matter could make me—die if not discussed first?”

“But she is—”

“She is human,” Bai Yuan cut him off swiftly. “Since she’s equally human, why should I be nervous?”

After staring at him for a while, Yi Cheng leaned defeatedly against the railing: “Fine, I’m the fool. From childhood to now, I’ve never known what you’re thinking or what you’ll do. Like now—you clearly despise beautiful boys most, yet pretend to adore them desperately, letting the whole world attack Eastern Yan’s National Advisor for having… such preferences… Fine, I know you’re doing it because you serve a female ruler… Anyway, since you’re not concerned, whatever I say is useless. I’ve always listened to you anyway—command me as you will, even unto death.”

“Not so serious,” Bai Yuan poured himself another cup, smiling. “I could let anyone die before you—in all Eastern Yan, you’re my only friend with whom I can speak truth. If you died, I’d die of loneliness.”

“Speak truth?” Yi Cheng laughed coldly. “Then why maintain this boy-lover charade even before me!”

“Can’t help it—it’s habit,” Bai Yuan shrugged. “When false becomes true, true becomes false; when nothing becomes something, something becomes nothing.”

His face clearing of resentment, Yi Cheng gazed silently at Bai Yuan for a long moment, saying quietly: “Yuan, why must you—”

“Enough, drink,” Bai Yuan interrupted, personally pouring wine with a smile. “Beautiful times and scenery, fine wine and beauties—none should be wasted. Mm… that beauty too is not to be wasted.”

Glancing up at him, Yi Cheng finally couldn’t resist probing: “Regarding her, do you truly have no opinions?”

“I do.”

“Hmm?”

“She’s very beautiful.”

“You!!!”

“Alright, don’t look at me like you want murder. I’ll tell you,” Bai Yuan finally spared poor Yi Cheng, leaning lazily against the pavilion railing with growing confidence in his smile.

“Not only has she returned, she was never at some ridiculous overseas immortal mountain. That’s not her style.”

He flicked his wrist, sending half a cup of remaining wine arcing out of the pavilion into the adjacent precipice.

Soundless.

“You hear no sound, correct?” Bai Yuan smiled with infinite meaning. “Great sound has no voice, great form has no shape. This bit of wine, falling into endless depths, will have no echo at all. Some people are like abysses—what you see is forever only the surface veiled in clouds and mist. Your unauthorized moves against her will be like this wine—soundless and dissolved.”

Pouring another cup, he splashed it onto the charcoal brazier warming the wine beside him.

A loud hiss as the fire mostly died, rising steam that shrouded half the pavilion.

In the white mist, Bai Yuan’s face appeared and disappeared like a deity’s.

“For such people, this is the approach—wait for them to ignite, then douse with wine.”

Bai Yuan smiled.

“Listen—how resonant.”

He took a final sip of wine, looked up, and delivered his final explosive statement to Yi Cheng.

“She is in Western Liang.”

“Where is she now?”

This was a female voice—bright, crisp, each word clear as white nails driven into ebony, decisive and sharp, with killing intent between the teeth.

A gentle breeze stirred the railings, carrying the fresh, slightly fishy scent of seawater, causing the exquisite crystal curtains to chime melodiously. Before the curtains stood a woman in pearl crown and magnificent robes, leaning against the railing. Her water-blue satin moonlight skirt was adorned with pearls forming a pattern of twin phoenixes chasing the sun, each pearl thumb-sized, perfectly round and brilliant—every one worth a fortune.

Behind her rose white stone palace pillars far exceeding normal construction, along with an equally tall and broad shrine. Fierce red dragons coiled around the roof, extending into vast space, while jade galleries and floors of uniform water-colored cloud brick surrounded a bay of thousand-qing blue water—not ordinary pool water, but seawater directly connected to the Li Sea.

“Reporting to the Princess,” a man answered carefully, hardly daring to breathe: “They say she’s overseas recovering…”

“Overseas?” The woman laughed coldly, turning around.

“We are overseas! She’s in the Li Kingdom? Ridiculous!”

The hall’s height and breadth made her already tall figure appear somewhat delicate and small, yet the man cowered as if seeing a giant, bowing his already low waist even lower.

One of Li Kingdom’s actual power holders, Princess Jianxi Chu Fengyao, gazed down sternly at the much taller man.

“Go find my seventh brother… This princess has a premonition he didn’t die, and upheaval approaches… Though Li Kingdom is isolated overseas, this time we likely cannot remain uninvolved. I give you three months—afterward, either the Grand Marshal position awaits you, or the executioner’s blade on Tianshui Plaza’s Twin Fish Hundred Executions Platform awaits you. Choose!”

“The Crown Prince returns? Ruiyi lives?” In Southern Min, atop the red demonic fire-shaped altar, High Priest Yinli’s dry, wooden face showed a sinister smile.

He rose, beckoning extremely gently, conjuring a cluster of black-red demonic flames at his fingertip, shaped like a three-legged serpent.

Tracing with his finger, the serpent’s form shifted into a bizarre pattern.

He cackled—laughter like a woman’s.

“This woman… I can never predict her accurately… Oh yes, where are my escaped, colorful gu beauties? Where are you?”

“Ruiyi lives?” Bei Tang Xiao pressed his hands against the military map, looking worriedly at Zhongchuan surrounded tightly by four kingdoms, muttering constantly: “Charging left and right, barely holding on as is. Now this news appears… Western Liang has grown strong these years through peace and prosperity, already capable of conquering the world. Originally I hoped that as allies who submitted, Western Liang might grant us breathing room. Now this killing deity lives… This woman isn’t like ordinary women—she has less mercy than men… She always chooses the most efficient path, never considering sentiment. Zhongchuan will definitely bear the brunt… We’re finished…”

“Your Majesty,” among the equally worried ministers below, after exchanging glances, an old minister tentatively suggested: “Perhaps… a marriage alliance? Princess Mingwei is now our kingdom’s greatest beauty… If Your Majesty could bear to part with her…”

“Bah!” Bei Tang Xiao spat viciously. “I could bear it! If it could truly preserve Zhongchuan, I could bear it! But what terrible advice are you giving? Marriage alliance? Don’t you know Xiao Jue is utterly devoted to Qin Chang Ge, and Qin Chang Ge is an extreme jealous woman? Marriage alliance? You suggest it today, she’d destroy you tomorrow. What could drag on three months would see us destroyed in one day because of your marriage suggestion!”

His fury erupted, his black beard bristling. After a while, he slumped defeatedly into his chair: “Let’s wait and see… Our ‘Hidden Foxes,’ trained all these years—time to put them to use…”

The phrase “Ruiyi lives” arose like thunder from the highest heavens, shocking the entire continent, startling the six kingdoms, causing the highest rulers of all six nations to toss and turn sleeplessly. It alarmed these supreme figures scattered across the continent to simultaneously—with different attitudes but equal gravity—discuss and begin considering how plans and responses must change in coming years due to the Western Liang Empress’s survival.

Yet the destined center figure of the continent’s attention, the protagonist of this Count of Monte Cristo Western Liang version, currently sat on a small coffin with complete obliviousness to her central role, using a large coffin as a table with her son, playing a card game called “Fight the Landlord” with homemade playing cards.

“I told you this isn’t a bomb—three cards trying to make a bomb?”

“The little and big jokers were clearly removed—where did you produce them from?”

“Spade three goes first, not heart three!”

The Crown Prince looked dejected, rubbing his little nose. Getting lectured by mean old mother, losing consistently until now—really damaging to confidence… Suddenly his eyes brightened as he proudly slapped down several cards: “Straight flush!”

Qin Chang Ge smiled very gently: “What excellent cards… But Crown Prince, why does your finger keep covering the second card? Perhaps that card looks rather abstract and is too shy to show itself? Come, let mother appreciate it—tsk tsk, red hearts mixed with a black spade—what a fine straight flush…”

“A pair of fours trying to beat my pair of aces? Crown Prince, do you think ace is one, and one is smaller than four?”

“Crown Prince, I’m out of cards. Come here—nose!”

Baozi tragically offered his face with heroic resignation.

Offered his handsome face already covered pathetically with countless paper strips.

Qin Chang Ge mercilessly stuck another strip firmly on her son’s straight nose, giggling as she examined it from both sides: “Good, good—strict layout, proper positioning, fluttering in the breeze, pitiable to behold…”

“Pitiable… I’m pitiful…” Baozi stood with vacant, tearful eyes, climbing onto the ever-smiling Chu Feihuan’s lap. “Godfather, you’re still laughing…”

Someone’s gaze turned darkly murderous. With deep frustration: “Xiao Rong?”

“Mm?” Baozi blinked his big innocent eyes.

Taking a deep breath, the Western Liang Emperor felt genuinely angry. Here he was, sneaking out daily after court like some young hothead to pursue a woman at a coffin shop. The woman was politely kind but seemed equally warm to the egg-seller at the door. That was one thing, but why did even his own acknowledged son seek comfort on someone else’s lap instead of his own when frustrated?

More frustrating still—he couldn’t show his jealousy openly. For the mighty Western Liang Emperor to be upset over someone’s politeness and his son climbing the wrong lap? The thought was too embarrassing to voice.

After much consideration, he settled on a more dignified explanation: “Xiao Rong, you’re Crown Prince now, future ruler of Western Liang. This shameless behavior needs correcting…”

“Is Your Majesty questioning my educational methods?” A beautiful face leaned over with charming smiles, full of curiosity.

“Uh… not at all! I mean Rong’er’s flexible, spirited nature is fine. Our Western Liang differs from other nations—as the world’s foremost power, Rong’er as imperial heir should have such confidence…”

“Naturally—after all, he’s made in Ruiyi.” Qin Chang Ge’s eyes sparkled as she delivered this stunning response without modesty.

In the room’s stunned silence, Qin Chang Ge tossed aside her cards, elegantly stretching while gazing at the dark, rain-threatening sky, murmuring: “The oppression before a storm… It’s been strangely quiet lately. Mm, I know you can hardly contain yourselves… Oh right, Your Majesty—you won’t need to visit coffin shops much longer, because I’m preparing to become a civil servant…”