“At fourteen, I told myself I’d rather be poisoned by food than by alcohol. And I succeeded—the chaos of drunkenness vanished, along with all shameful acts!”
Rong Huo, upon hearing this, asked, “But surely someone tried to poison your food instead?”
“Yes, but they failed. Even I didn’t know that frequent drinkers of Bajiu can resist all poisons!” Qing Yun stood up, looking down at the still sobbing and eating Rong Huo. As he turned to leave, just before his silhouette disappeared around the corner, he added, “However, now the fiery taste of Bajiu has burned into a flame in my heart. With each sip, that fire grows more intense and wild. Sir, if you don’t want to be reduced to ashes too, you’d better obey. The secret of that battle isn’t some great responsibility. Your silence only proves your foolishness. I won’t always be this kind to you, so take care.”
With that, Qing Yun’s towering figure melted into the darkness. When Rong Huo looked back in terror, all was silent!
Only half a ray of the setting sun’s glow remained.
The fire of the red lotus had already consumed his entire being,
How could he avoid it now?
In this chaotic world, who truly knows heaven’s will?
My fate is my own, and the fate of all living beings is also mine.
If heaven is heartless, so can I be.
If heaven is unchanging, so is my heart.
With a sword in hand, why would I be confused?
A long cry, waiting for one strike in this mortal world.
Rong Huo sat dazed at the table, full from eating, his thoughts gradually clearing. He shook his head and sighed, “Young master, you manipulate the fierce currents and play with the nations of the great desert. Is it just to burn away that bitter, strong alcohol in your chest?”
That night, with fading shadows and flickering yellow windows, Rong Huo sat in the room Qing Yun had arranged for him, gazing at the white moon in the clear sky, sighing incessantly.
**Chapter Seven: The Flute Melody of Guanghan**
331 CE, Ningdu, Yunpei.
Winter Solstice, Festival of You.
As the sun set, Guanghan Palace looked like a phoenix bathing in firelight. The magnificent building complex perched proudly on Chang’e Mountain is somewhat fantastical and hazy. The grey stairs, carved with intricate patterns, seemed to push the humble human heart with each step. Standing beside the tall, majestic palace columns and looking inside, anyone would be overwhelmed by emotion, simply because of the indescribable grandeur and solemnity. Since the division of the five states, only Yunpei had truly reached the pinnacle of art and culture. From sculpture, painting, song, and dance, every aspect displayed a flourishing scene. And all of this had only advanced since Na Zhan took personal control of the government. For fourteen years, Na Zhan had been like an emperor to the people of Nanmo.
Zhan Bie stood anxiously in front of the great hall of Guanghan Palace. His tiger-like back and bear-like waist made the two people standing to his left and right glance at him from time to time. After what seemed like an eternity, a maid came running out, bowing and greeting the three men one by one.
The three hurriedly bowed and asked in unison, “Where is His Majesty?”
Unexpectedly, the maid trembled, looking very flustered. After choking for a while, she stammered, “In response to the three lords, His Majesty is currently enjoying the sunset with Jiapin Consort in Huayu Palace!”
According to Yunpei tradition, all consorts in the king’s harem who were granted palace names would be recorded in history as official records. So it was evident that Zhenqu You Jia’s status was now very different from before.
However, this did not deter the three men from seeking an audience with the king, especially one of them, a middle-aged man. Though his beard was graying, his body was steady and balanced, clearly a martial artist. This man shouted angrily, “What woman needs the king to accompany her to watch the sunset every day! Go and announce us again. This old man won’t leave today without seeing His Majesty.”
Zhan Bie and the other man nodded in agreement.
Hearing this, the maid quickly retreated.
But soon, the maid came out again, this time with a hint of contempt. She stood firmly in front of the three men and said, “General Hua, Jiapin Consort instructed me to tell you this: You’re not young anymore and have been retired for many years. You should be enjoying your twilight years. Please don’t rely on your age to cause trouble, coming to the palace to disturb people’s peaceful dreams. One day, it might ruin the reputation you’ve built with your life!”
As soon as she finished speaking, General Hua’s face darkened, his snow-white eyebrows furrowing, almost unable to stand due to this undisguised humiliation.
Before Zhan Bie and the other man could look at him, the maid continued, “Prince Chang, Jiapin Consort said that you are of royal blood, and it’s not appropriate for you to wander around the back palace from time to time. If rumors upset His Majesty, it could affect your future. Please be cautious in your words and actions!” Similarly, as soon as she finished, the handsome and dashing Prince Chang also stepped back, his face turning pale!
At this point, Zhan Bie anxiously looked at the maid, “What about me? Has His Majesty read my letter?”
The maid finally turned to him and bowed slightly, “Jiapin Consort said that His Majesty will read your letter. As an ambassador from afar, you should rest well. After accompanying His Majesty to watch enough sunsets, there will be a day to meet you. No need to be anxious!”
Hearing these mocking words, Zhan Bie felt as if struck by lightning, his expression as embarrassed as the previous two. Later, he seemed to be in a trance as the maid led him away to rest as if his brain hadn’t fully processed what had happened.
From that day on, Jiapin of Huayu Palace in Guanghan instantly became a hot topic of conversation among the common people. The “Three Rebukes of Huayu Palace” became a popular subject for storytellers in teahouses and taverns near the royal city of Ningdu.
Not long after, Huayu Palace began to bustle with visitors. The news of King Na Zhan’s exclusive favor spread like wildfire, and soon everyone knew. And a woman’s glory quickly brought supreme benefits to her family. The Zhenqu people of southern Mo, relying on Yunpei’s support, drove away the Zhiken people in one fell swoop and seized the small oasis they had coveted for a long time. Although, in Na Zhan’s eyes, it was merely worth a speck of dirt under his fingernails.
Na Zhan adored this woman because her body and soul came for him alone. Her purity, arrogance, and unique charm were worthy of a lifetime of romance with him. So he summoned her night after night, entangling with her endlessly. In this sense, she should have dominated the three thousand beauties in Guanghan Palace, feared by all! But it wasn’t like that at all, because there was a thorn in her heart, and that thorn’s name was Huang Beishuang.
The wind kept blowing, but it couldn’t blow away the leisurely flute melody floating over Chang’e Mountain. So clear, so calm, even the flowers and grass rustled in harmony, dancing along.
Huaiyue Pavilion, located at the top of Chang’e Mountain, was just a small square pavilion with no walls to block the wind, surrounded by grass. However, when the sky darkened, the beautiful moon would invite itself, and starlight would comfort. In this dry and cold season, just a cup of ice wine and a high song could make all the world’s joys and sorrows cry out.
“Move aside!” This voice carried a cold warning, the speaker unable to suppress their anger.
However, the eight guards kneeling on the ground, led by Lian Huan, remained unmoved. Three maids quickly arrived upon hearing the commotion, fearing that the disturbance would disrupt their master’s elegant mood. Ye Pei responded politely, “Greetings, Jiapin Consort!” The three knelt forward, not minding the gravel on the stone steps piercing through their thin silk clothes and into their knees.