The stream flowed with a gentle murmur, the locust trees cast deep green shadows, and the drooping willows swayed softly in the breeze.
The carriage crossed the long bridge over the river and stopped at the riverbank. As the servants and guards withdrew, Zheng Biyu lifted the carriage curtain, scanned the surroundings, and signaled that Li Xuanzhen could disembark.
Li Xuanzhen wore a plain headband and neither new nor old narrow-sleeved cloth robe. He jumped down from the carriage as a guard brought over a horse with a quiver and other packages attached to the saddle.
Zheng Biyu remained seated in the carriage and said coolly, “Your Highness, I can only escort you this far.”
Li Xuanzhen turned to look at her: “Yu Niang, thank you.”
Zheng Biyu smiled: “Your Highness need not thank me. I am merely repaying the kindness you showed me back then.”
Li Xuanzhen thought of that man and froze momentarily.
The wind was strong by the bridge. Zheng Biyu raised her hand to tuck away the strands of hair blown loose at her temples. “Da Lang, I am grateful that you didn’t kill Zheng Wu back then.”
…
Zheng Wu was the Zheng family’s hereditary servant who later became Zheng Biyu’s guard. When she first married, Zheng Wu escorted her to the wedding, watching as she and her husband entered the bridal chamber for their wedding night.
Zheng Biyu had never spared Zheng Wu a second glance. She was the legitimate daughter of a noble family, of distinguished birth with a virtuous reputation. She was destined to marry into a prestigious family as its mistress – how could she demean herself by showing favor to a household servant?
The day after her wedding, Zheng Wu left.
He joined the army, following the Zheng family’s young master to war, starting as the lowest-ranked soldier and gradually accumulating military merits. He fought valiantly and was quickly promoted, but in those chaotic times, there were too many men like him. He was, after all, just a servant of the Zheng family. No matter how hard he fought, he only ever became a minor officer serving under the Zheng family’s young master.
Zheng Biyu’s first husband died at the hands of the Li family. A few days before the city fell, Zheng Wu came to find her.
“My Lady… the Zhao family is no match for the Li family… the Wei army will breach the city in a few days.”
He stood at the bottom of the steps holding a sword, covered in blood, his manner awkward but his bright black eyes fixed steadily on Zheng Biyu.
Finally, he gathered his courage and spoke those words: “Come with me. I’ll take you away and treat you well for the rest of your life.”
Zheng Biyu had been well-versed in proper conduct for ladies since childhood and had never done anything improper.
That night, she found courage from somewhere unknown, lifted her skirts, and descended the stone steps one by one until she stood before Zheng Wu.
Zheng Wu’s heart soared with joy.
They stood gazing at each other without speaking.
Just as Zheng Wu was about to say something, footsteps suddenly rang out. People sent by the Zheng family had infiltrated the Zhao mansion and found them. They knelt at Zheng Biyu’s feet: “My Lady, our distant relatives now serve under the Wei Army’s General and are highly trusted. The master sent us to inform you that the Wei army is unstoppable and the Zhao family’s fate is sealed. Please do not be alarmed – Wei Army’s General Li has ordered that no one is to harm you.”
Like a gust of wind had blown through, the flame that had just ignited in Zheng Biyu’s heart was immediately extinguished.
She stayed at the Zhao mansion, waiting for her clan members to collect her.
Zheng Wu left without a word.
Soon after, the Zhao family fell. The Li family sent people to propose marriage, and Zheng Biyu married Li Xuanzhen.
On their wedding night, she sat in the bridal chamber, elegant and proper. Li Xuanzhen sat beside her, handsome and composed. Both were so indifferent they bordered on cold. Even the women offering congratulations became awkward and dared not make any teasing remarks.
At midnight, with the red candles burning high and all guests gone, Zheng Biyu watched the flickering candlelight and, for some reason, suddenly felt tears well up in her eyes.
Li Xuanzhen glanced at her, stood up, and said, “You should rest first.”
Zheng Biyu was startled.
At that moment, sounds of fighting and shouting came from behind the courtyard wall, with someone yelling about an assassin.
Li Xuanzhen lifted the curtain and went out.
Shortly after, Zheng Wu was brought before Li Xuanzhen, bound tight. The guards questioned him, but he remained silent.
Li Xuanzhen raised his sword.
Inside the tent, Zheng Biyu sensed something and came out. She recognized Zheng Wu and her breath caught.
Zheng Wu saw her and stared at her unblinkingly.
Zheng Biyu stood frozen but did not speak up to stop Li Xuanzhen.
As the long sword fell, she clenched her teeth without making a sound.
Zheng Wu remained silent as well.
He didn’t die – the sword only cut off a few strands of his hair.
Tears streamed down Zheng Biyu’s face.
Li Xuanzhen gestured for others to withdraw, untied Zheng Wu’s bonds, and turned to look at Zheng Biyu.
“You may leave together.”
With tears in her eyes, Zheng Biyu walked step by step to Li Xuanzhen and knelt before him.
“What about the Young Master?”
Li Xuanzhen held his sword, his face showing neither anger nor hatred as he calmly said: “As long as my wife is a legitimate daughter of the Zheng family, that’s enough. Yu Niang, I am not a good husband. If Yu Niang only seeks the honor of being the Young Master’s wife, I promise to respect and treat you well. Beyond that, I have nothing else to give. Since Yu Niang’s heart belongs to another, you shouldn’t force yourself. I will handle everything that follows, and your father won’t send people to hunt you down.”
“I’ll have Qin Fei escort you away. You can first seek refuge in Southern Chu, and later I’ll marry another Zheng daughter. The Zheng family will continue to prosper.”
Zheng Biyu sobbed quietly. Zheng Wu was overjoyed as he took her hand and led her away.
No worries about consequences, no pursuing soldiers, no guilt about potentially bringing harm to her family… Everything Zheng Biyu had feared would not come to pass. She could lay down all her burdens and leave with Zheng Wu.
But as she stepped through the courtyard gate, she stopped.
Zheng Wu stopped too, looking down at her. His expression changed from wild joy to confusion to bewilderment, shock, anger, disappointment, and finally to utter despair.
He knew Zheng Biyu too well – she was born cold and calculating, rational and restrained.
She was a noble lady – if she abandoned her status to leave with him, how would they live? How would they face society’s judgment?
Marrying Li Xuanzhen made her the Young Master’s wife of the Li family. She might later become the Crown Princess, or even rise with her husband’s status to become the mother of a nation. How could she be willing to give up all this for a lowly hereditary servant?
Zheng Wu smiled self-mockingly and gently released Zheng Biyu’s hand.
“There is proper order between noble and base, one must not overstep. This servant was foolishly presumptuous. I beg the Young Master and Young Master’s wife’s forgiveness.”
Zheng Biyu watched his silhouette disappear into the pitch-black night, wiped away her tears, returned to the bridal chamber, and sat motionless all night.
Years later, Zheng Biyu accidentally heard the terrible news that Zheng Wu had died.
Zheng Biyu’s face remained expressionless as she made a slight sound of acknowledgment. She continued chatting and laughing with the women at the gathering, returned to her chambers, and held her son while coaxing him to eat hot millet porridge, still wearing a smile.
She smiled all day until midnight when she suddenly woke from a dream calling out Zheng Wu’s name.
A handkerchief was offered to her. Li Xuanzhen looked at her, his phoenix eyes showing no mockery or contempt, and said: “Yu Niang, my condolences.”
Zheng Biyu burst into tears.
…
By the long bridge, willow branches swayed gently in the mist.
Li Xuanzhen stood beside his steed and asked, “Yu Niang, have you ever regretted it?”
Zheng Biyu shook her head: “Your Highness, I have never regretted it.”
She understood herself – even if she could do it all over again, she would make the same choice.
“Da Lang, I don’t regret it… but whenever I think of Zheng Wu, I feel like there’s a space in my heart that nothing can fill, no matter what I try to fill it with.”
Zheng Biyu looked at Li Xuanzhen and said sincerely: “I no longer have the chance to make amends, so no matter how you and Zhu Lvyin quarreled before, I still hope you can be together with the woman you love.”
In these years, Li Xuanzhen had treated her well. Though she was a second-time bride who nearly left with another man on her wedding night, he knew everything about her and understood that what she sought was glory. He had never mocked or looked down on her.
She was grateful to him and pitied him. She remained clear-headed and rational, her heart aged beyond its years. As long as the household remained stable, she didn’t care about the women who fluttered around him.
How wonderful that he still had the chance to pursue love!
“Da Lang, Princess Wenzhao is still alive. You still have a chance for redemption. Understand your own heart, don’t let hatred blind your eyes. The dead cannot return to life – don’t leave yourself with regrets.”
Li Xuanzhen was lost in thought for a moment before mounting his horse.
“Yu Niang, all these years I refused to spare Li Zhongqian, and finally Ayue was forced into a diplomatic marriage. Why did she still risk sending her guards to warn me?”
Zheng Biyu lifted her chin: “Does Your Highness think the Seventh Princess should harbor hatred towards you and the entire court, watching silently as the Northern Rong launched a surprise attack on Great Wei, making the entire nation and millions of common people pay with their lives?”
She smiled.
“Your Highness, you underestimate people.”
Li Xuanzhen gathered the reins: “Indeed, I underestimate people. I always told myself that Li De was the Emperor, he had his inevitable constraints, the realm was not yet unified, and I could not kill him for personal revenge, so I targeted Li Zhongqian first. The position of Crown Prince was bought with mother’s life – no one could take it away.”
He fell silent for a long while as memories of these past years flashed through his mind.
“Ayue gave me chances… if I could have accepted her goodwill calmly then, none of what followed would have happened.”
He had been too stubborn.
“How am I any different from Li De?”
In these chaotic times, a fine young man should think of restoring the realm, pacifying disorder, and saving the common people from disaster – not losing sight of right and wrong due to his mother’s dying wish, living in confusion. Even when Ayue was forced into a corner, she could still decisively choose righteousness over personal revenge. He had ambitions to end the chaos, yet his mind was narrow, allowing subordinates to scheme against loyal officials.
How can one govern the world when one cannot even manage one’s household?
He was trapped by his inner demons, completely unworthy of being heir to the throne.
“Yu Niang, you are a good mother.” Li Xuanzhen gently kicked his horse’s belly. “Teach our son well, don’t let him become like me.”
Zheng Biyu nodded: “Don’t worry.”
The steed began walking, gradually moving into the distance.
Just then, thunderous hoofbeats came from the direction of the city gate. Dust swirled wildly as dozens of riders galloped toward them.
“Crown Prince—”
Commander Pei at the front shouted: “Stop!”
Li Xuanzhen didn’t look back.
Commander Pei roared: “Your Highness, by Imperial order, if you take one more step forward, we will shoot!”
Li Xuanzhen still didn’t look back.
Fast horses rushed to the bridgehead. Commander Pei gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice: “Fire!”
The Imperial Guards responded, drawing their bows. A series of sharp whistles rang out as arrows flew like a locust storm toward Li Xuanzhen.
Li Xuanzhen rode westward, his silhouette resolute and solitary.
Ayue was still alive. He still had a chance for redemption. Whether or not she would forgive him, he had to save her.
The Li Xuanzhen of before was already dead.
Commander Pei ultimately couldn’t bring himself to deliver a fatal shot. He could only watch Li Xuanzhen’s figure disappear into the misty willow smoke before returning to the palace to report.
“Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has left.”
Li De’s sword wound on his shoulder hadn’t healed. Upon hearing this, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The position of Crown Prince that Tang Ying had exchanged her life for – Li Xuanzhen gave it up just like that.
Half a lifetime of his effort wasted just like this!
All alone… all alone…
Li De stared at the bright red bloodstains on the memorial, his hands trembling.
Even his most beloved son had abandoned him.
Incense smoke curled up before the imperial desk.
…
Li Xuanzhen left Chang’an, riding hard, eating and drinking in the saddle, reaching Liangzhou as quickly as possible.
The local officials in Liangzhou were shocked. Li Xuanzhen summoned the garrison commander and issued orders one by one, which the officers received.
He changed to a good horse, filled his waterskins, brought along several spare horses with empty saddles, and set out westward.
When the majestic Qilian Mountains appeared on the horizon, he put on a felt hat and thick fur coat, continuing day and night without rest.
The Northern Rong maintained strict vigilance, forbidding Han people from entering. Fortunately, he had received intelligence from his guards before departing. He avoided the enemy’s checkpoints and guard posts along the way, entering the Helung region without serious incident. When occasionally encountering Northern Rong patrol units, if questioned, he would kill them without a word, steal their horses, and quickly change direction.
The wilderness stretched boundlessly in all directions, the wind howled, and between heaven and earth, no other colors could be seen, as if he were the only person left.
On this day, he hadn’t eaten for three days and was exhausted, hungry, cold, and thirsty. As he crossed a snow-covered mountain ridge, he suddenly heard a sharp sound.
An iron arrow cut through the wind and snow, shooting toward him.
Li Xuanzhen leaned back to dodge the arrow, falling from his horse.
The steed was startled, rearing up with a high-pitched neigh.
Several dark figures sprang up from the snow, rushing to the mountain path to catch the frightened horse. One of them walked up to Li Xuanzhen and brought down his sword with fierce intensity.
The bitter wind blew aside the messy hair on his face, revealing a pair of cold phoenix eyes.
Li Xuanzhen rolled to dodge the long sword and tore off the mask covering his face.
The other person recognized him and froze for a moment. Then rage blazed up in his phoenix eyes as he raised his sword horizontally, his face twisted.
Li Xuanzhen looked at him without making any counterattack: “Li Zhongqian, Ming Yuenu is still alive.”
He had been having people follow Li Zhongqian, knowing he was searching for Li Yaoying’s body in this area. He had come to Helung specifically to tell Li Zhongqian this news.
Hearing his sister’s name, Li Zhongqian’s whole body shook. He forcefully stopped his sword mid-swing, his phoenix eyes wide with rage as he stepped forward and grabbed Li Xuanzhen’s collar: “What did you say?”
His voice was hoarse, his eyes blood-red, and his gaze sinister as if he wanted to devour Li Xuanzhen’s flesh.
“I’m not lying to you.” Li Xuanzhen said word by word, “I swear on my life, she’s still alive. When the Yelu tribe was destroyed, she was taken by Haidu Aling. The news came from the Northern Rong side, it’s true.”
Li Zhongqian said nothing, his eyes so red they seemed about to drip blood, his hand gripping Li Xuanzhen’s collar trembling wave after wave.
He looked at his guard beside him, his movements strange.
The guard knelt on the ground, voice quavering as he nodded to him: “Young Master, you’re not dreaming! You haven’t gone mad! The Seventh Princess is still alive!”
A glimmer of light flashed in Li Zhongqian’s blood-red eyes. “Ming Yuenu is still alive…”
These days he had dreamed of Little Seven again and again – dreamed of her lying across his knee acting spoiled, dreamed of her happily learning to walk, dreamed of her waking from unconsciousness and seeing his face, her eyes lighting up: “Brother, you’re still alive!”
He dreamed of her sitting alone crying in a tent, surrounded by crude Yelu tribesmen, crying out his name, asking him to save her. He wanted to save her but his body wouldn’t move, he could only watch helplessly as she suffered.
Every time he woke from these nightmares, he saw only a vast grey wilderness.
Sometimes he dreamed of searching and searching, looking for a long time without finding her, when suddenly someone tapped his shoulder, giggling: “The Seventh Princess is still alive? What are you looking for?”
In the dream, Li Zhongqian was overjoyed – yes, he was so foolish, Little Seven was still alive!
After waking, he would lean blank-faced against the cave wall, savoring the dream he had just had.
The more beautiful the dream, the more heart-wrenching the moment of awakening.
Li Xuanzhen suddenly appeared before him thousands of miles away – he thought this was another strange dream.
The guard knelt at his feet, telling him this was not a dream.
Little Seven was still alive.
Li Zhongqian turned his head to stare directly at Li Xuanzhen, his phoenix eyes flickering with cold murderous light. Silver flashed as his sword fell.
Li Xuanzhen flew backward, dodging this vicious strike.
“Ming Yuenu is in the Northern Rong territory. Li Zhongqian, with just these few men, how will you rescue her? Even if you could save her from the Northern Rong, how would you return to the Central Plains?”
He stood in the snow, his expression calm.
“Without a guide, without direction, how long would it take you to find her? A year? Two years?”
“Li Zhongqian, my people are in the Northern Rong capital right now. I have ways to reach Yizhou within two months. If you kill me, who will lead you to save Ming Yuenu?”
Li Zhongqian’s pupils dilated.
Li Xuanzhen said: “The accounts between us will have their day of reckoning. For now, I only want to rescue Ming Yuenu first.”
Li Zhongqian lowered his sword.
Nothing was more important than Little Seven’s safety.
Little Seven, don’t be afraid. Wait for your brother. Brother is coming to save you.