Chapter 1: Flowing Waters East and West

Hua Zhuyu and An traveled day and night, finally returning to Yu Capital after a month. Along the way, An had already transmitted news of the great victory in the northern frontier back to the court, while the situation in the court was continuously reported to Hua Zhuyu through An’s carrier pigeon messages. Therefore, she was already well aware of the entire court and political situation. Upon arriving at Yu Capital, she changed into eunuch robes and entered the palace under An’s guidance.

The palace halls stretched deep, with layered eaves upon eaves, still maintaining their unchanging majestic grandeur. However, within these walls, imperial power had already changed hands, and things were no longer what they once were.

They walked along the covered corridor until reaching the front of the Hall of Diligent Government. Just as Hua Zhuyu was about to ascend the steps, her peripheral vision caught sight of a figure standing on the high platform. She raised her eyes to look, and saw at the end of the white jade steps a man dressed in black robes embroidered with golden patterns, standing against the railing facing the wind.

Hua Zhuyu walked up the steps one by one, gradually making out this man’s appearance. Still the same flying eyebrows, though they no longer looked arrogant; still the same distinct black and white beautiful pupils, though the bottom of his eyes had lost their fierce aura and gained a trace of steady composure; still the same handsome face, though he no longer looked like the immortal child-like youth of before, but had truly transformed into a mature man.

The deposed Crown Prince Huangfu Wushuang!

He was no longer the former Huangfu Wushuang, no longer the youth full of arrogance and willfulness, but had transformed into a composed and noble man. Huangfu Wushuang saw An, and also saw Hua Zhuyu behind An. The corner of his lips curved up, showing Hua Zhuyu a noble and imposing smile.

When Hua Zhuyu finally stood before Huangfu Wushuang, she knew that what she had just seen was not an illusion. In just a few short months, Huangfu Wushuang had indeed grown much taller, no longer the youth who used to compete with her in height. She hurriedly walked before him and paid her respects.

Huangfu Wushuang stood on the step two levels higher than her, looking down at Hua Zhuyu from above. After a long while, he slowly said, “Little Bao’er! You’ve grown thin.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart immediately warmed. She had been thinking all along about what Huangfu Wushuang would say when they met again. Would he blame her for going to Ji Fengli’s side? Would he order someone to beat her with fifty heavy planks again? She had thought of everything, but never expected him to say, “You’ve grown thin!”

Under the ravaging wind and snow of the northern frontier, she had indeed grown thin and dark, and her skin had become rough. When she appeared in the deep palace as a eunuch in this state, probably no one would suspect she was a woman.

“Your Highness, you have also grown thin,” Hua Zhuyu said sincerely.

Huangfu Wushuang had indeed grown thin as well. Prison life was not easy, even though he was the deposed Crown Prince and imperial nobility.

“Little Bao’er, you have rendered no small service this time. After this Prince ascends the throne, I will immediately confer upon you the title of Chief Eunuch of the Second Rank,” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice drifted down heavily from above.

“Yuan Bao thanks Your Highness for this gracious bestowment,” Hua Zhuyu knelt on the ground and paid her respects.

Huangfu Wushuang reached out and personally helped Hua Zhuyu to her feet.

On the jade stone steps, the two stood one above the other in striking poses, their gazes sweeping over the majestic palace walls.

The sky was high and distant, the palace walls deep and profound.

Who could know how many bleached bones were buried within these majestic palace walls? That vast world outside the palace was her boundless sky. Yet she had no choice but to throw herself like a moth to flame into these deep palace walls.

Hua Zhuyu followed Huangfu Wushuang to the Hall of Diligent Government. The Hall of Diligent Government was solemn and dignified, with furnishings that were simple yet splendid and steady. Incense burners were placed on the writing desk, filling the air with a pleasant fragrance. Huangfu Wushuang walked with his hands behind his back directly to sit behind the golden lacquered dragon desk. His young and handsome face appeared somewhat hazy behind the faint smoke, and perhaps due to the smoke, those black eyes no longer looked as they once did—either filled with fierce aura or pure and innocent—but now had an unfathomably deep quality.

When Huangfu Wushuang was initially confined to the Internal Punishment Court, Right Prime Minister Nie Yuanqiao and Empress Nie had attempted to rescue him, but all efforts failed. Later they could only let him remain confined in the Internal Punishment Court. Yet now, he had not only safely emerged from the Internal Punishment Court, but had also allied with the Right Prime Minister to control Huangfu Wushang and seize control of the Southern Dynasty’s government. Perhaps she had previously underestimated Huangfu Wushuang’s capabilities, thinking him too wayward and incompetent.

“Little Bao’er, when I learned that you had left the Internal Punishment Court for the Left Prime Minister’s residence, I was saddened for a long time. But I believed you would never betray me, and indeed that proved true. This time, if you hadn’t sent advance word of the great victory in the northern frontier, this Prince would never have dared to act!” Huangfu Wushuang said with a smile.

This time, when the Northern Dynasty invaded, Emperor Yan was bedridden with illness, and the Left Prime Minister personally went to the northern frontier to meet the enemy. For Huangfu Wushuang, this was already an excellent opportunity. But if the situation on the front lines remained unclear, considering the safety of the border, he absolutely would not dare act rashly. Upon receiving news of the great victory in the northern frontier, he knew that if he didn’t act now, once Ji Fengli returned to the capital with military power in hand, he would have no more opportunities.

“Does Your Highness plan to ascend the throne in the coming days?” Hua Zhuyu raised her eyebrows and asked.

“This Prince has already ordered the Bureau of Astronomy to select an auspicious day. The twenty-sixth of this month is an auspicious day according to the imperial calendar. Why, Little Bao’er, do you have any objections? You just returned to Yu Capital and rushed urgently to see this Prince—is there something you need to discuss?” Huangfu Wushuang asked in a low voice.

Hua Zhuyu frowned in deep thought. Ji Fengli had led troops to battle the Northern Dynasty, taking advantage of the situation to grasp military power of the Southern Dynasty. Originally she thought he would seize this opportunity to raise an army and usurp the throne, but now it seemed he would not do so. Because the Southern Dynasty had just expelled the Northern Dynasty’s invasion and barely restored order, the people’s hearts yearned for peace—this was definitely not a good time to launch a rebellion. Moreover, Ji Fengli had personally gone to the battlefield to supervise the army and was praised by the common people as a virtuous minister and assistant. If he raised a rebellion now, wouldn’t he lose the people’s hearts and become a traitor to the state? But if Huangfu Wushuang ascended the throne at this time, Ji Fengli could directly lead his army back to the capital and use Huangfu Wushuang’s alleged murder of Emperor Kang and disruption of court politics as justification to launch his rebellion. Therefore, Huangfu Wushuang could not ascend the throne at this moment.

“Your Highness, this palace coup has already exposed your true strength. If Ji Fengli leads his army back to the capital, I wonder if Your Highness has any chance of victory?” Hua Zhuyu asked calmly.

Huangfu Wushuang stood up with his hands behind his back and paced slowly in the hall. His uncle Nie Yuanqiao’s son Nie Ning commanded fifty thousand Imperial Guards in the capital, but another fifty thousand Imperial Guards were commanded by Zhao Yuan, a student of Grand Tutor Wen. If they hadn’t gone through careful planning this time, they wouldn’t have so easily toppled Huangfu Wushang. Now, although the Imperial Guard forces were under Nie Ning’s control, they had no chance of victory against the returning triumphant army.

Huangfu Wushuang shook his head, “I’m afraid there’s absolutely no chance of victory.”

“If that’s the case, then Your Highness absolutely cannot ascend the throne, otherwise Ji Fengli will inevitably seize the opportunity to lead his troops in rebellion. Your Highness can claim that Huangfu Wushang has fallen ill and temporarily manage court affairs on his behalf.”

Huangfu Wushuang pondered gravely for a moment, then nodded, “Little Bao’er speaks truly. This matter indeed cannot be rushed.”

He sat behind the dragon desk pondering for a moment, his mood seemingly much improved. He rose and dismissed the attending eunuchs on both sides, then strode to Hua Zhuyu’s front with a smile, “Little Bao’er, after not seeing this Prince for so long, did you miss me?” As he spoke, he reached out and punched Hua Zhuyu’s shoulder.

Hua Zhuyu cried out and stepped back two paces, covering her struck shoulder, “Your Highness’s strength has improved.”

“Of course!” Huangfu Wushuang rotated his wrist, his bright eyes carefully examining Hua Zhuyu, “Tell me about your experiences on the battlefield.”

The two chatted and laughed, seeming to return to their days in the Eastern Palace.

“Your Highness, I wonder where Emperor Kang’s consorts are currently residing?” Hua Zhuyu asked softly, deeply worried about Dan Hong’s situation.

Huangfu Wushuang hadn’t expected Hua Zhuyu to ask about this matter and was slightly stunned, “Little Bao’er, why do you ask this?”

Hua Zhuyu remembered that Dan Hong had entered the palace using the identity of Song Qiluo, daughter of the Qingyuan Prefect. According to An, after Huangfu Wushang became emperor, she was originally not selected as a consort and was only kept in the palace as a palace maid. Later, Dan Hong actively approached Huangfu Wushang and was granted the title of Zhaoyi.

“I heard that Song Qiluo, daughter of the Qingyuan Prefect, was granted the title of Zhaoyi by Emperor Kang. When I was wandering the rivers and lakes in the past, I had two encounters with Lady Zhaoyi, and she once saved my life. That day at the Qingjiang Palace, I accidentally recognized her among the selected ladies, but due to my status, I didn’t acknowledge her. Now, I very much wish to see her.”

“Lady Song Zhaoyi? The daughter of the Qingyuan Prefect?” Upon hearing this, Huangfu Wushuang’s expression darkened slightly as he frowned, “You want to see her—could it be that Little Bao’er has feelings for Lady Song Zhaoyi?”

Hua Zhuyu laughed dryly, “Your Highness jests. I am a eunuch and have long lost the capacity to have feelings for others. Seeing her would only be to repay her life-saving grace.”

“Since you are old acquaintances, there’s no harm in meeting. Very well, have Ji Xiang escort you there,” Huangfu Wushuang seemed to breathe a sigh of relief as he spoke slowly.

Hua Zhuyu followed Ji Xiang to an elegant and quiet courtyard in the rear palace. Above the high gate were inscribed three large characters: Yongtang Palace. Dozens of Imperial Guard soldiers stood at the entrance, appearing heavily guarded. Clearly, this palace had been sealed off, and the people inside had all been confined.

“Yuan Bao, you go in by yourself. I’ll return to attend His Highness,” Ji Xiang escorted Hua Zhuyu to Yongtang Palace, then turned back.

Hua Zhuyu took Huangfu Wushuang’s token and slowly entered the courtyard. This courtyard was quite large, with one main hall and two side halls. Several old plum trees were planted in the courtyard, blooming magnificently. The red plums stood proudly, their subtle fragrance drifting through the air, showing that the master of this place had once been favored. According to Ji Xiang, Dan Hong lived in the main hall, so Hua Zhuyu quickly walked toward the main hall.

Just as she reached the entrance, a young palace maid happened to come out carrying a basin to empty water. Seeing Hua Zhuyu, she froze for a moment, and a flash of panic crossed her small face. Clearly, after Huangfu Wushang’s downfall, his consorts were not in a good situation.

“Is Lady Song Zhaoyi in?” Hua Zhuyu asked while ascending the steps.

“Yes, yes she is,” the small palace maid dropped the basin and quickly retreated into the house.

Hua Zhuyu followed the small palace maid inside, hearing a woman’s gentle voice from within: “Little Mei, who has come?”

From behind the screen emerged a woman with a face like a lotus flower, eyes like autumn waves, hair lightly arranged in a cloud-like coiffure, and skin like congealed cream. However, her brows carried traces of light sorrow. Dan Hong was originally a bright and beautiful woman, but since the Hua family’s troubles, every time Hua Zhuyu saw her, she bore a face full of melancholy. She lowered her eyes gently, not looking at Hua Zhuyu, only saying calmly, “Please come in, Eunuch.”

Hua Zhuyu sighed softly and entered the room with her hands behind her back.

“Mei’er, serve tea,” Dan Hong instructed in a low voice.

Hua Zhuyu immediately felt sorrow in her heart. Dan Hong had once been a Zhaoyi, but now she showed such respect to her, a mere eunuch, which couldn’t help but be heartbreaking.

“No need to trouble yourself. I don’t drink tea. I just have a few words to chat with the Lady,” Hua Zhuyu said calmly.

Upon hearing her words, Dan Hong’s expression shook. She raised her eyes in astonishment to stare at her, her lips trembling. After a long while, she said to the attending palace maids, “All of you withdraw. I have something to discuss with this eunuch.”

After the palace maids withdrew, Dan Hong stared directly at Hua Zhuyu, emotions churning in her beautiful eyes. A moment later, she again lowered her eyes to suppress all emotions, her vermillion lips parting slightly, “I wonder what matter the eunuch wishes to discuss?”

“Dan Hong, it’s me!” Hua Zhuyu sighed and said. Obviously, Dan Hong had already felt her voice was familiar, but having never seen Hua Zhuyu’s face beneath the mask, she didn’t dare recognize her.

“General, is it really you?” Dan Hong looked up again in shock, her calm, water-like eyes instantly blazing as if lit with fire, bright and captivating.

Hua Zhuyu nodded and smiled, misty tears rising in her eyes, “Dan Hong, it’s me.”

“So this is what you look like,” Dan Hong’s gaze seemed glued to Hua Zhuyu’s face, looking for a long time. The joy in those autumn-water pupils was so intense, “It’s good that the General is safe. Dan Hong has been worrying about your safety day and night.”

“You’ve suffered during this time. Why didn’t you consult with me before entering the palace so rashly and actually becoming Emperor Kang’s consort?” Hua Zhuyu reproached.

“General, I’m not suffering. Dan Hong is willing to do anything for the General. But did you really become a eunuch?” Dan Hong seemed to suddenly realize Hua Zhuyu’s current identity as a eunuch. She pressed her forehead and retreated several steps, collapsing into a chair, her beautiful eyes filled with desolation and heartache.

The hall was somewhat dim. The afternoon winter sunlight streamed through the windows, illuminating Dan Hong’s face. Several teardrops slowly slid down her cheeks, sparkling crystal-clear in the sunlight.

Dan Hong’s tears made Hua Zhuyu’s heart extremely conflicted. She thought that in this lifetime, no matter what, she probably could never compensate Dan Hong for the harm she had caused her.

She couldn’t reveal her true gender to Dan Hong, so she could only let her believe she was a eunuch. Only then would she completely give up hope. But unexpectedly, she was so heartbroken.

“Dan Hong, do you have any feelings for Huangfu Wushang?” Hua Zhuyu stood in the hall for a moment, then slowly asked.

Dan Hong hastily wiped the tears from her cheeks and shook her head. Hua Zhuyu felt slightly relieved—this was for the best.

“Since that’s the case, you shouldn’t remain in the palace any longer. Stay well in Yongtang Palace for the next few days. In a few days, after I settle in, I’ll find a way to petition Prince Wushuang to let you leave the palace.”

“I won’t leave the palace!” Dan Hong suddenly stood up, her lotus steps carrying her lightly to Hua Zhuyu’s front. “I won’t leave! If before I still wanted to leave the palace, now that you’re here, I can’t leave even more.”

“No!” Hua Zhuyu turned away, no longer looking at Dan Hong’s heartbroken face. “You must leave the palace!”

“Wherever the General is, that’s where I’ll be,” Dan Hong said stubbornly.

Looking at Dan Hong’s obstinate expression, Hua Zhuyu felt extremely reluctant to cause her pain. She picked up a teacup, drained the tea in one gulp, slowly placed it on the table, and said slowly, “Dan Hong, I’ve wronged you. There’s something I’ve hidden from you for a long time.”

Dan Hong had never heard Hua Zhuyu speak in such a heavy and difficult tone. The smile at the corner of her lips slowly froze, and she asked somewhat in surprise, “General, what is it?”

Hua Zhuyu said with extreme difficulty, “Dan Hong, I am a woman.”

The color drained completely from Dan Hong’s face in an instant. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief. She shook her head and smiled sadly, “General, even if you’ve become a eunuch, even if you can’t marry, you can’t stop me from loving you. I’m willing to spend my entire life by your side. You can’t tell me you’re a woman just to make me give up.”

“I’m not deceiving you! It’s true!” Seeing that Dan Hong still didn’t believe her, Hua Zhuyu sighed and raised her hand to pull out the hairpin binding her hair. Her black hair cascaded down, and with her bright eyes and white teeth, she was clearly a woman.

Dan Hong’s body swayed, nearly fainting to the ground. She barely managed to support herself against the nearby table to steady her form. Supporting herself on the table, she murmured over and over, “This isn’t real, this isn’t real…” Her voice grew lower and lower, finally turning to sorrowful weeping.

Hua Zhuyu knew that Dan Hong finally believed her. She slowly walked to Dan Hong’s front, reached out to touch her shoulder, and said, “Dan Hong, I shouldn’t have hidden this from you for so long. Back then, because Father specifically instructed me never to reveal my female identity, otherwise it would be the crime of deceiving the emperor and would implicate the entire Hua family. That’s why I kept it secret from all of you. I should have told you earlier—then you wouldn’t have entered this deep palace for my sake.”

“General!” Dan Hong raised her head to look at Hua Zhuyu, smiling miserably. “Let me be alone for a while, will you?”

Hua Zhuyu nodded, reached up to arrange her hair in a topknot, and slowly withdrew from the room. The courtyard was completely silent without a trace of human sound. She stood in the long corridor with her hands behind her back, gazing up at a bare tree in the courtyard, lost in thought.

She knew this revelation was an enormous blow to Dan Hong and could only give her time to slowly accept it. However, she was also reluctant to leave just like that.

She stood in the corridor for an unknown length of time until the sky gradually darkened. Finally, she heard gentle footsteps behind her. She slowly turned around to see Dan Hong approaching with red eyes, walking to her front before slowly stopping.

“I suddenly feel it’s wonderful that the General is a woman. This way I don’t need to persist in wondering why the General doesn’t love me. It seems it wasn’t that Dan Hong lacked charm, was it?” Dan Hong looked at Hua Zhuyu, her long eyelashes still seeming to hold teardrops, though the corner of her lips curved into a bitter yet proud smile.

“Dan Hong!” Hua Zhuyu felt warmth in her heart and tightly grasped Dan Hong’s hand. “Listen to me and leave the palace.”

Dan Hong shook her head. “No, even if the General is a woman, I still want to remain in the palace to contribute what strength I can for the General.”

Hua Zhuyu sighed deeply, knowing she couldn’t persuade her for now. But if there was an opportunity, she would definitely request that Huangfu Wushuang allow Dan Hong to leave the palace.

The days in the palace were more peaceful than those on the battlefield, yet this tranquility was merely superficial. The court ministers were already divided into several factions, and now Huangfu Wushuang, acting under Emperor Yan’s banner and using Huangfu Wushang’s serious illness as justification, had temporarily taken control of the government.

Several court ministers repeatedly requested to visit Emperor Kang Huangfu Wushang to check on his condition, but Huangfu Wushuang politely declined, claiming the illness was contagious. However, these ministers persisted as before, with several kneeling daily at the entrance of the Hall of Diligent Government to petition.

If this had been the former Huangfu Wushuang, he would have long since flown into a rage and driven the ministers away. But now, he remained composed, neither angry nor acknowledging them.

Hua Zhuyu returned to Huangfu Wushuang’s side once again, serving as an attending eunuch. Regarding Dan Hong’s departure from the palace, Hua Zhuyu had approached Huangfu Wushuang several times, but he refused to agree. This caused Hua Zhuyu great anxiety, and she considered whether she could secretly smuggle Dan Hong out of the palace.

On this day, after Hua Zhuyu finished serving Huangfu Wushuang while he reviewed memorials in the Hall of Diligent Government, they heard a military report arrive from outside, stating that Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli’s army had returned to Yu Capital and established camp fifty li outside the city.

Huangfu Wushuang raised his sword-like eyebrows, placed the memorial in his hand on the dragon desk, and paced continuously around the room with his hands behind his back.

In the silent room, his footsteps were sometimes slow, sometimes urgent, matching Hua Zhuyu’s current heartbeat that fluctuated between fast and slow. Finally, they would meet again. This meeting would no longer be as battlefield comrades fighting the enemy together, but as political enemies in a life-or-death struggle.

Hua Zhuyu knew that Ji Fengli’s influence in the court was absolutely not to be underestimated, and overthrowing him would not be easy. However, even if the path ahead was endless darkness without a trace of light, she still had to walk forward step by steady step.

“Little Bao’er?” Huangfu Wushuang’s voice suddenly rang out. Hua Zhuyu turned around abruptly to see that Huangfu Wushuang had somehow approached her and was leaning against the side of the dragon desk in front of her, squinting as he observed her. “What are you thinking about so intently?”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart paused slightly, then she steadied herself and said, “Nothing, Your Highness. The Left Prime Minister has returned to court with his army—what does Your Highness plan to do?”

Huangfu Wushuang returned to sit on the dragon throne, crossed his legs, leaned back, and said, “Fortunately Little Bao’er reminded me. Now that this Prince hasn’t ascended the throne, the Left Prime Minister has no justification for rebellion even if he wanted to. So this Prince isn’t afraid of him now.”

Hua Zhuyu bowed with a smile, then frowned and said, “Your Highness has imprisoned Emperor Kang—this matter has probably already reached the Left Prime Minister’s ears. It’s just that they lack concrete evidence. Therefore, Your Highness must still act carefully, otherwise, once he obtains concrete evidence, there will be trouble.”

Huangfu Wushuang nodded thoughtfully, “Little Bao’er speaks very truly. It seems we’ll need to ask the Grand Emperor to come forward this time.”

Hua Zhuyu bowed and said, “That would be excellent.” As long as Emperor Yan came forward, they could stabilize Ji Fengli. Actually, Hua Zhuyu had always believed that Emperor Yan still held high hopes for Huangfu Wushuang. Initially confining Huangfu Wushuang to the Internal Punishment Court was merely a necessary action.

“The Left Prime Minister has truly defeated the northern army this time—we should properly celebrate,” Huangfu Wushuang said with focused eyes. After speaking, he summoned officials from the Ministry of Rites and gave orders for the celebration.

On November 28th, Left Prime Minister Ji Fengli led the northern expedition army in a magnificent triumphant return. The army temporarily camped fifty li outside Yu Capital. At the chen hour, they received an imperial edict from the palace. This edict was written by the bedridden Grand Emperor Yan, ordering the army to remain encamped temporarily and commanding Ji Fengli to bring officers of third rank and above into the palace for an audience.

In the temporarily erected tent, Ji Fengli led the assembled generals in burning incense to receive the edict. After the eunuch who delivered the edict departed, Tang Yu and Lan Bing’s expressions were grave.

Ji Fengli, however, smiled calmly and ordered Ji Shui to set up a chess board. Lan Bing sat across from Ji Fengli, picked up a white piece, and said, “I thought that after Your Excellency played chess with Yuan Bao, you would never play with me again.”

Upon hearing this, a sharp coldness flashed through Ji Fengli’s eyes. He raised his hand to place a black piece and smiled, “How could that be? We’ll have to compete daily from now on.”

Lan Bing frowned, “Your Excellency, I originally thought Huangfu Wushuang would seize the opportunity to ascend the throne, but unexpectedly he managed to restrain himself. Now, I’m afraid everything must be reconsidered.”

“Huangfu Wushuang’s last-minute change of mind probably has to do with Yuan Bao,” Tang Yu said quietly.

Ji Fengli placed a black piece, his lips curving slightly as he smiled coldly. Finally, as he had said, when they met again it would be a fight to the death.

“Your Excellency, we just received a secret report from the palace. When Huangfu Wushuang seized the palace this time, he used the Thunder Cavalry. Without the Thunder Cavalry’s secret participation, our forces wouldn’t have been tripped up so easily. Emperor Yan truly still favors Huangfu Wushuang—otherwise how would the Thunder Cavalry have mobilized?” Tong Shou reported.

The Thunder Cavalry was a special force secretly trained by Emperor Yan when he conquered the realm. This army was brave and skilled in battle, hence the name Thunder Cavalry. After the realm was pacified, Emperor Yan specially exempted this force from inclusion in the Southern Dynasty’s military organization. Since then, this Thunder Cavalry had disappeared without a trace. However, Ji Fengli believed that Emperor Yan would never easily abandon such a force. After years of investigation, he finally discovered this force was hidden on southern water islands, secretly recruiting soldiers for years, with strength not to be underestimated.

Lan Bing smiled with curved lips, “Finally forced the Thunder Cavalry to mobilize.”

Ji Fengli held a chess piece, toying with it in his hand for a moment, then placed it on the board with a snap, saying slowly, “I’m afraid it’s not the entire force.”

Tang Yu pondered, “Your Excellency, if we only bring generals without soldiers into the capital, won’t there be danger?”

Lan Bing said calmly, “No, now that military power is in our hands, they wouldn’t dare act rashly. Moreover, Your Excellency’s reputation is at its peak right now. Unless they can find heinous crimes to charge you with, they won’t make a move.”

Ji Fengli nodded, lowering his head to look at the chess game on the table. Black and white pieces crisscrossed like a battlefield filled with smoke, two armies fighting fiercely, neither yielding.

This court battle seemed even more dangerous than the battlefield—one wrong step could result in total defeat. He picked up black pieces, both attacking and defending.

Lan Bing’s white pieces held steady in the center, their formation already dragon-like, seeming ready to break through the clouds and soar skyward.

Ji Fengli held black pieces, charging into the middle game.

Lan Bing rested his chin in contemplation, immediately seeing the black pieces’ intention to capture territory. He smiled faintly and picked up white pieces, capturing several of Ji Fengli’s black pieces. Simultaneously, he positioned white pieces to cut off the black pieces’ retreat, surrounding them completely.

Tang Yu and Tong Shou squinted at the board, both frowning tightly—the black pieces’ defeat seemed certain. Ji Fengli calmly picked up a black piece and said quietly, “Ji Yue, prepare the horses!”

Ji Fengli’s gaze fixed on the board, his sight sweeping across it before placing a piece to break into the white pieces’ center. With his final black piece, he placed it heavily on the board with a distinct sound, then stood with his hands behind his back, his robes sweeping past in a wave of clear coldness.

Lan Bing looked down to see that somehow the black pieces had severed his white dragon. Staring at the board, he sighed, “Your Excellency, I’ve lost.”

Ji Fengli strolled out of the tent, mounted his horse, and led the generals toward the capital.

That night, the palace held a banquet to celebrate the soldiers’ triumphant return. This victory celebration was grand in scale.

In Qianqing Hall, silk and bamboo music played while flowing light overflowed with color. Emperor Yan sat upright on the dragon throne in the center of the great hall. Since that night at Qingjiang Palace when he was injured by the tiger, he had been bedridden, no longer managing state affairs, and had even passed the throne to Huangfu Wushang.

Beside Emperor Yan sat a red-robed consort, one of Emperor Yan’s former concubines with the title Lady Liu. After Emperor Kang ascended the throne, she became a dowager consort. But looking at her age, she appeared only in her thirties, with a charming face and seductive smile, diligently pouring wine for Emperor Yan and speaking to him with sweet smiles.

Hua Zhuyu stood attending beside Huangfu Wushuang, secretly observing Emperor Yan. Emperor Yan had always been stern and extremely strict, and now in illness, he was even more humorless. Even with Ji Fengli’s great victory and return to court, there was no trace of joy on his face.

Huangfu Wushuang read aloud the commendation for the northern expedition soldiers on Emperor Yan’s behalf, then bestowed rewards on Ji Fengli and the assembled generals. All soldiers were promoted three ranks, and Ji Fengli was additionally rewarded with a thousand taels of gold and a thousand measures of pearls.

After Ji Fengli and the generals expressed gratitude and received their rewards, the grand banquet officially began.

On the red carpet in the center of the hall, singing and dancing palace ladies moved gracefully to ethereal music.

After rounds of toasting, Ji Fengli suddenly stood and raised his cup, saying, “The Grand Emperor recently suffered from illness, but now appears to have recovered completely. This is truly a blessing for all people under heaven. The Grand Emperor has also arranged such a grand banquet for us humble ministers—we are deeply grateful. I respectfully toast to the Grand Emperor’s longevity and prosperity.”

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu looked toward Ji Fengli and saw him raise his cup toward Emperor Yan with a faint smile.

Dowager Consort Liu beside Emperor Yan was smiling and speaking something in his ear. Emperor Yan seemed to pay no attention to Ji Fengli’s words whatsoever. After a long while, he nodded slightly, picked up the cup before him, drained it expressionlessly, and said coldly, “Beloved minister, you have rendered great service in pacifying the north and are truly a pillar of the state. I am weary—the ministers may continue enjoying themselves.”

Dowager Consort Liu smiled as she helped Emperor Yan rise and supported him as they walked toward the palace exit.

All ministers rose to kneel and respectfully see off the Grand Emperor.

While the hall continued its prosperous celebration, Hua Zhuyu’s heart drifted to the bloody battlefield—this prosperity and wealth had been bought with the soldiers’ blood.

Huangfu Wushuang sipped his wine, a brilliant smile appearing on his face as he said to Ji Fengli, “Left Prime Minister, this Prince just happened to hear soldiers mention that the Left Prime Minister married in the northern frontier? I wonder where the Left Prime Minister’s wife currently is? Why hasn’t she entered the palace for an audience?”

Upon hearing this, Hua Zhuyu’s heart jumped, not knowing where Huangfu Wushuang had heard this matter.

Ji Fengli calmly lowered his brows, his gaze imperceptibly sweeping across Hua Zhuyu’s face before rising to bow to Huangfu Wushuang, “Your Highness, my marriage was interrupted and never completed.”

Huangfu Wushuang raised his eyebrows with interest, “Even if the marriage wasn’t completed, she’s still your intended wife. This Prince will immediately send someone to summon the Left Prime Minister’s wife for an audience. Ji Xiang, go deliver the edict.”

Ji Xiang responded and bowed as he withdrew.

Hua Zhuyu never expected that Jin Se had also returned to Yu Capital with Ji Fengli. She had originally thought that when Jin Se said she wouldn’t marry Ji Fengli, she wouldn’t follow him back to Yu Capital. She felt her disruption of the wedding that day should have made her intentions clear to Jin Se. Why did Jin Se still follow Ji Fengli to Yu Capital, placing herself in this dragon’s pool and tiger’s den?

“Your Highness, why don’t you let this servant go deliver the edict instead?” Hua Zhuyu said softly.

Huangfu Wushuang frowned, “Little Bao’er, your face is so pale—are you ill? The night is deep and the wind cold; don’t go anywhere.”

Hua Zhuyu felt anxious but knew that things had reached this point, and she probably couldn’t prevent what was to come no matter what. She remained restlessly in the hall for a while, then bowed and whispered, “Your Highness, my chest feels somewhat tight. I’d like to wait outside.”

Huangfu Wushuang’s brows knitted with extreme concern, “After the banquet ends, I’ll summon the imperial physician to examine you.”

Hua Zhuyu bowed, “Your Highness, that’s unnecessary. I’ll be fine after walking around outside.”

Huangfu Wushuang reluctantly nodded his permission. Hua Zhuyu smiled faintly as she withdrew, inadvertently raising her eyes to see several gazes of varying depths directed at her, their expressions full of mockery and ridicule. Only then did she realize that her whispered conversation with Huangfu Wushuang appeared extremely intimate to others. If it had been any other eunuch, perhaps people wouldn’t think this way, but since the rumors about the demon causing imperial downfall had emerged, it seemed that anything involving her and Huangfu Wushuang would always attract such speculation.

Hua Zhuyu smiled coldly to herself, raising her eyes to meet those gazes with a cold, sharp look that forced those ministers to look away. As she turned to leave, her peripheral vision caught an even colder gaze directed at her. She looked up to see Ji Fengli lowering his eyelashes slightly and raising his head to drain his cup in one gulp.

Outside Qianqing Hall, night had just fallen. Cool air rushed toward her, dispelling the unpleasantness and stuffiness in her chest. Hua Zhuyu turned past the long corridor and wandered slowly along the palace pathways.

Less than half an hour later, she saw Ji Xiang and several Imperial Guards escorting Jin Se toward them. She quickly stepped forward to intercept Ji Xiang, “Ji Xiang, I have a few words to say to the Left Prime Minister’s wife.”

Ji Xiang smiled, “Very well, then Ji Xiang will go attend His Highness first.”

Hua Zhuyu led Jin Se to a spot under the corridor eaves and frowned, “Jin Se, listen to me—you must find a way to leave Yu Capital. Don’t stay here any longer. When I disrupted the wedding that day, it was to tell you that staying by his side is dangerous. I thought you wouldn’t come to the capital.”

Jin Se raised her eyes, her face deathly pale, complex emotions in her dark eyes. After a long while, she slowly said, “I understand Miss’s meaning, but it’s difficult for me to break away and leave.”

“Do you still have feelings for him?” Knowing that Jin Se had feelings for Ji Fengli, Hua Zhuyu asked worriedly.

Jin Se lowered her eyelashes slightly and said sadly, “What if I do? He never had feelings for me. So I’ll leave eventually and forget him.”

Hua Zhuyu’s heart ached. She stepped forward and grasped Jin Se’s hand, but for a moment didn’t know what to say to comfort her.

The night had deepened, the cold moon was silent, and cold stars flickered.

“So this is where my wife is.” Words gentle as spring breeze drifted leisurely from ahead.

Ji Fengli strolled along the corridor toward them, the wind lifting his robes, a sharp aura flowing through the air. He walked with leisurely steps, stopping before the two women, reaching out to remove the cloak from his shoulders and gently draping it over Jin Se’s shoulders, saying softly, “The night is cool and windy—how could we let you catch cold?”

Under the dim lamplight, a blush immediately rose on Jin Se’s face. She shyly lowered her head and said tremblingly, “Si’er will be more careful in the future.”

Only then did Ji Fengli turn to look at Hua Zhuyu, a faint smile rippling in his deep, ice-pond-like eyes, “Eunuch Bao, you may release this minister’s wife’s hand now. Eunuch Bao already disrupted the wedding once—are you planning to elope with this minister’s wife this time?”

Only then did Hua Zhuyu realize she was still holding Jin Se’s hand. Upon hearing his words, she slowly released it and smiled brilliantly at Ji Fengli, “The Left Prime Minister misunderstands—this servant was merely talking with your wife.”

Ji Fengli took Jin Se’s hand and walked past Hua Zhuyu. In the instant they brushed shoulders, he hummed softly—that sound carried several parts aloofness, several parts self-mockery, several parts ridicule… He embraced Jin Se and quickly departed, their tall figures soon disappearing into the night.

Hua Zhuyu stood in the wind, watching their embracing figures depart, feeling as if someone had pinched her heart—inexplicably painful. She turned gracefully, pulled her robes closer, and walked alone in the opposite direction. The wind rushing toward her seemed even more desolate than the northern frontier winds.

In the night sky, fireworks bloomed brilliantly, their momentary splendor making the night sky radiant and beautiful. Yet that beauty was ultimately so distant and ethereal that she could never touch it.