Inside Jiang Ci’s body, the faint internal energy was stimulated by Wei Zhao’s infused true qi, causing it to circulate more rapidly. She gradually felt her spirit returning, and her complexion was no longer as pale. Softly, she said, “I feel much better, Third Master. You should focus on healing yourself and not waste any more true qi on me.”
Wei Zhao slowly withdrew his right hand, his expression somewhat disdainful. “If you’re going to come back as a military physician, then don’t act like a sickly person!”
Jiang Ci, unwilling to back down, suddenly yanked the silver needle from Wei Zhao’s leg with force. Wei Zhao sat up abruptly, anger flashing in his eyes. “You—”
Jiang Ci waved the silver needle in her hand and smiled. “It’s been long enough, Lord Wei.”
Wei Zhao said nothing, forcefully pulling out the silver needles one by one and tossing them to Jiang Ci. Noticing some of the needle marks still oozing blood, she was about to lean down when Wei Zhao gently pushed her away, saying coolly, “It’s late. You should go rest and not return to the medical tent.”
Jiang Ci smiled noncommittally, tidying up her things. “Third Master, you should rest early. I’ll come back tomorrow morning.”
“Alright.” Wei Zhao replied instinctively, then promptly closed his eyes. After hearing her footsteps fade away, seemingly having exchanged greetings with Zong Zheng, he slowly opened his eyes again. He gazed at the tent ceiling, lightly stroking his right leg, when suddenly a flicker of hatred crossed his brow. With a swift motion, he struck out with his palm, knocking a beetle from the tent ceiling.
The thick clouds obscured the moon, and after the midnight hour, the Huan army launched another full-scale attack. This time, the Huan army employed some tricks, feigning an assault on Zhenbo Bridge with part of their forces while the main force attempted to ambush about three miles east of the bridge. Fortunately, Cui Liang had been prepared, making timely arrangements. The Longfeng Cavalry was mobilized, and after a fierce battle, they managed to push back the Huan army’s main force.
The sounds of battle gradually faded. Cui Liang observed the Huan army’s main force retreating in an orderly fashion and knew that they had safely weathered the night. After giving Chen An a few more instructions, he rode back to Zhenbo Bridge. The night was deep, and the dew was heavy, with the croaking of frogs echoing. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back by the west bank of the river, gazing at the Huan army camp across the river, letting out a long sigh.
Ning Jianyu approached, patting his shoulder with a smile. “What’s wrong? Missing someone special?”
Cui Liang turned back, smiling. “Jianyu, you became famous at a young age, with your white robe and silver spear, striking fear along the border. I heard in the capital that the young ladies of Chengjun would sneak into the military camp just to catch a glimpse of you. Is that true?”
Ning Jianyu awkwardly chuckled, and Cui Liang burst into hearty laughter, feeling much lighter. He then turned his gaze back across the river, smiling faintly.
Ning Jianyu saw clearly and called out, “Ziming.”
Cui Liang smiled. “If we can hold out for a few more days, we should be fine.”
Ning Jianyu was puzzled, and Cui Liang turned to him. “Tonight, we’ve made it through. Jianyu, you can rest easy and go back. I also need to get some good sleep.”
Ning Jianyu hurried to catch up with him, and the two chatted as they walked. Suddenly, Cui Liang exclaimed, stopping in his tracks, his face filled with surprise. Ning Jianyu followed his gaze and saw Jiang Ci emerging from Wei Zhao’s tent, carrying a medicine box and jars.
Jiang Ci took a few steps out, making eye contact with Cui Liang, her face flushing slightly. She quickly looked down, then raised her head again, smiling. “Brother Cui, General Ning, you’re still awake at this late hour?”
Ning Jianyu nodded with a smile. “Little Ci, you’re still awake too.”
As Jiang Ci walked past them, Cui Liang patted Ning Jianyu’s shoulder. “Jianyu, you should head back first.” He then caught up with Jiang Ci, leading her to a quieter spot. Cui Liang spoke in a low voice, “What’s going on?”
Jiang Ci looked up at him, her gaze clear and her words calm. “Brother Cui, I’m not leaving. I want to stay here.”
“Why?” Under the lantern light, Cui Liang noticed a hint of blush on Jiang Ci’s cheeks, and his concern deepened.
Jiang Ci averted her gaze under his scrutiny, looking towards the medical tent. “Since Brother Cui has taken the time to teach me medicine, I want to stay here and contribute in any way I can.”
Cui Liang sighed inwardly and spoke softly, “Have you seen the Xiang Lord?”
“I have. The Xiang Lord has allowed me to stay.” Jiang Ci beamed, her face brightening. “Brother Cui, I chose to come back on my own. You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
Cui Liang remained silent for a long time before suddenly smiling. “If that’s the case, let’s stay together. From today on, I will officially teach you medicine.”
Jiang Ci was overjoyed but couldn’t find the words to express her gratitude. Cui Liang patted her on the head, and they exchanged smiles.
Jiang Ci playfully blinked and asked, “Should I call you Master then?”
Cui Liang chuckled wryly. “Am I that old?”
“Not old at all!” Jiang Ci quickly replied. “Cui Xueyuan is in his prime, a young talent, just—” She noticed Cui Liang reaching out to flick her forehead and laughed as she ran away.
Pei Yan woke up very early the next day. After Cui Liang and Ning Jianyu inspected the front lines, they arrived early as well. After Ning Jianyu reported the military situation, the three of them had breakfast together. Pei Yan called for An Lu to enter the tent. “Go invite Lord Wei.”
A moment later, Wei Zhao entered slowly. Pei Yan stood to greet him, smiling. “Is Third Master feeling better?”
“Just some flesh wounds. Thank you for your concern.” Wei Zhao replied with a faint smile.
Ning Jianyu suddenly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Wei Zhao. Wei Zhao sidestepped to avoid it, smiling lightly. “General Ning is too courteous; I cannot accept such honor.”
However, Ning Jianyu turned back to Wei Zhao and bowed deeply again. Wei Zhao frowned slightly, rolling up his sleeve to help him up.
Seeing Wei Zhao’s impatience, Cui Liang quickly stepped in. “Lord Wei, please take a seat.”
Ning Jianyu continued to gaze at Wei Zhao, his handsome face serious. “I know Lord Wei dislikes these formalities, but my gratitude is genuine and not feigned.”
Wei Zhao sat down beside Pei Yan, lowering his head to smooth his plain robe, speaking leisurely. “Young Master loves formalities, and those he brings along are just as ungracious!”
Pei Yan laughed heartily, then sighed. “If it weren’t for Third Master’s rescue that day—”
Wei Zhao waved his hand. Pei Yan shook his head, changing the subject. “In any case, it’s all my fault as the commander. I underestimated the enemy, panicked in the face of events, missed the opportunity for battle, and let my emotions cloud my judgment. The fault lies with me. Fortunately, everyone worked together to overcome the difficulties. It’s truly a great fortune for Pei Yan!”
Tian Ce entered the tent, and Pei Yan said, “Tell me in detail how Qingmao Valley fell.”
Tian Ce recounted carefully that day when the Huan army pretended to launch a strong attack, forcing the Longfeng Cavalry back to the valley to lure the Huan army into an arrow formation. However, the Huan army suddenly charged through the valley with cavalry wearing vine armor, which could withstand the powerful crossbow bolts. An Cheng, in a hurry, led twenty thousand men to pursue, but the main force of the Huan army followed closely behind, wielding the same powerful crossbows as the Longfeng Cavalry. Caught off guard, the Longfeng Cavalry suffered heavy casualties, fighting and retreating, their camp burned, and despite their desperate resistance, they were forced back to Hexi Prefecture. They didn’t have time to close the city gates, and the main force of the Huan army arrived, leading to the fall of Hexi Prefecture.
Tian Ce ordered someone to fetch the vine armor and the powerful crossbows seized from the Huan army. Cui Liang took them and examined them closely, letting out a low sigh without speaking.
Pei Yan glanced at him and turned to Ning Jianyu. “Have the troops been sent out?”
“They were sent out the day before yesterday. I estimate the Huan army has already breached Jingzhou and Hanzhou. I had them take the mountain routes to notify Tong Min to hold the situation in Longzhou and be cautious about Niu Bi Mountain, not to come recklessly.”
Tian Ce said, “Lord, if Tong Min’s twenty thousand men can’t come, and if the Huan army blocks Meilin Crossing, the thirty thousand men south of the Xiao Jing River won’t be able to arrive in a short time. We might be a bit short-handed.”
Pei Yan replied slowly, “I’ve thought it over. It seems we are currently in a passive and difficult situation, but in reality, the Huan army has been stalled by us at Hexi Canal and has reached the end of their strong crossbows.”
Cui Liang’s expression returned to calm as he nodded. “Yes, the Huan army has successively breached Huan Yan Pass, Qingmao Valley, and Hexi Prefecture, suffering heavy losses in several fierce battles. Their morale has been affected, and from the recent offensive, there are signs of a shift towards a stalemate and then a stable defense.”
“Hmm.” Pei Yan said, “Ziming’s analysis is correct. The deeper the Huan army penetrated, the more states and prefectures they occupied, the less manpower they would have, and food supplies would also become a significant issue. If they want to transfer troops from within the country, it won’t be done in a short time. They can’t afford to fight us to the death here and will likely adopt a defensive strategy, waiting for reinforcements before launching a strong attack.”
“So, as long as we can hold out for these few days, we will have at least a month of buffer time.” Tian Ce nodded.
Wei Zhao smiled lightly. “And what about a month later? When the Huan army’s reinforcements arrive, will we fight them to the death?”
Pei Yan sneered. “As long as we can endure these few days if Yu Wen Jinglun wants to defend, I won’t let him. He can take advantage of my absence to seize Hexi Prefecture, but I can also take back Hexi Prefecture before his reinforcements arrive!”
The five of them discussed for a long time and decided to follow Cui Liang’s defensive strategy from the past few days. Ning Jianyu, Tian Ce, and Cui Liang would head to the bridgehead and along the ditches.
As the three exited the tent, Pei Yan stood up, poured a cup of tea for Wei Zhao, and smiled. “The military situation probably reached the palace the night before last. I wonder what orders the Emperor will give.”
Wei Zhao pondered for a moment and said, “The remaining camps in the capital will not be transferred north again. The troops in Yujian Prefecture are also not easy to move, and the Suhai Marquis mainly commands the navy. I estimate that if the Emperor truly wants to transfer troops, he will only bring people from the Hongzhou area.”
“If that’s the case, it will be easier to handle. Duke Xuan Yuan He Zhenwen has always been friendly with me, and I saved his life once, so it shouldn’t be a big problem.”
Wei Zhao nodded. “The key is that we need to endure these few days. Once the reinforcements arrive, we can use them as a surprise force, and perhaps we can take back Hexi Prefecture.”
Pei Yan smiled. “Third Master is indeed my confidant.” He took a sip of tea and looked directly at Wei Zhao. “Although Third Master doesn’t like to hear it, I still want to say thank you.”
Wei Zhao tilted his phoenix eyes slightly, glancing at Pei Yan. He then lowered his head, brushed his robe, and said leisurely, “Our game of chess isn’t finished yet. If you die, who will play chess with me?!”
Pei Yan smiled and said, “Third Master has such refined interests; I, Pei Yan, will accompany you to the end!”
“Good morning, Brother Zhou!” Outside the tent, Jiang Ci’s cheerful voice rang out as she greeted the Longfeng Guards, bright and lively.
Wei Zhao stood up and said indifferently, “Young Master, please rest more. I’ll take my leave first!”
“Thank you for all your efforts, Third Master.” Pei Yan slightly bowed, and the two exchanged knowing smiles. As Wei Zhao brushed past the entering Jiang Ci, his expression remained indifferent, and he exited the tent.
Jiang Ci saluted Pei Yan, who took the medicine bowl from her. Noticing her complexion, he frowned slightly. “Did you go to the medical tent again last night? Have you eaten breakfast?”
Jiang Ci didn’t answer but smiled as she skillfully changed the medicine and performed acupuncture on Pei Yan. Suddenly, he called out, and Zhou Mi entered. Pei Yan instructed, “Have someone bring another breakfast over.”
Jiang Ci didn’t refuse. When the food arrived, she devoured it hungrily and then came over to remove the needles from Pei Yan. Just as she was about to turn around, Pei Yan said, “Sit down.”
“Does the Xiang Lord have any further instructions? The medical tent is busy, and I need to hurry back.”
Pei Yan was momentarily taken aback and then extended his left arm. “Did you insert the needles incorrectly? It seems to be hurting a bit.”
Jiang Ci came over to examine it, puzzled. “It’s not wrong; how could it be hurting?”
Pei Yan inhaled sharply, frowning. “It seems to be getting more painful.”
Jiang Ci grew anxious. “I’ll go find Brother Cui to take a look.”
Pei Yan grabbed her arm. “Ziming is at the bridgehead, fighting fiercely right now. What do you need him for?”
Jiang Ci wanted to go to the medical tent to find Physician Ling but remembered that all three military physicians were currently treating severely injured soldiers. As she hesitated, Pei Yan coldly said, “Why do you always need to ask others for help? Can’t you look at the medical books yourself?”
Jiang Ci was reminded by his words and quickly pulled out a medical book from the bottom of her medicine box to study. Pei Yan slowly retracted his left arm, observing her closely, and suddenly smiled. “I didn’t like reading when I was young either.”
Jiang Ci flipped to a page with acupuncture points and casually replied, “The Xiang Lord is joking.”
“It’s true. As long as my mother wasn’t strict, I would take An Cheng and the others up the mountain to hunt. When I was ten, I even hunted a fierce tiger. The tiger skin is still in the cellar of Longfeng Mountain Manor.”
Upon hearing “An Cheng,” Jiang Ci paused for a moment, then calmly said, “The Xiang Lord is truly talented. If you want to learn something, as long as you put your heart into it, you will surely learn it quickly.”
Pei Yan became interested and began recounting amusing stories about hunting tigers on Baolin Mountain, but inevitably mentioned An Cheng, which made him somewhat melancholic.
Jiang Ci noticed that he still had some pent-up feelings. Remembering what the medical book said about people with such pent-up emotions needing gentle guidance to relieve their worries, she chatted with him casually while reading the book. Once Pei Yan finished his story, she closed the book and said seriously, “You didn’t misidentify the acupuncture points. It seems the Xiang Lord’s condition is improving, and the pain and itchiness are likely due to the healing process. Do you feel any tingling along with the pain?”
Pei Yan nodded. “Exactly.”
“That’s right.” Jiang Ci smiled. “The Xiang Lord is indeed a master of internal cultivation. Even with a fractured collarbone, you’re healing so quickly. It seems we can reduce the dosage of medicine and the frequency of acupuncture.”
Pei Yan was taken aback, and Jiang Ci had already tidied up her medicine box. “If the Xiang Lord is improving, you can move around more. Don’t be like before, pretending to be injured out of habit; be careful not to develop other ailments.” She said this without looking at Pei Yan and turned to exit the tent.
Pei Yan shook his head slightly, smiling as he walked out of the tent, watching Jiang Ci’s figure disappear into the distance. He then looked up at the blue sky and floating clouds, taking a deep breath. Turning to An Lu and the others, he said, “Let’s go check the bridgehead.”
In the gentle breeze and warm sun, Pei Yan led the Longfeng Guards to patrol the Zhenbo Bridge and the Hexi Canal. Seeing the marquis personally visiting the front lines despite his injuries, the soldiers’ morale soared, and the tension and fatigue of their defense seemed to vanish. Chen An was especially delighted, drawing back his massive bow and shooting several arrows, sending the Huan army across the ditch into disarray. The Longfeng Cavalry seized the opportunity to sound the horns and beat the war drums, creating a thunderous momentum that weakened the Huan army’s spirit, and their offensive that day also eased.
As Cui Liang had predicted, in the following days, the Huan army’s offensive weakened. The Longfeng Cavalry endured the most difficult days, and the heavy atmosphere that had enveloped the camp gradually dissipated.
Pei Yan’s injuries improved, and he busied himself daily with troop deployments and supplies, discussing defense strategies and preparations for counterattacks with Cui Liang and others. However, his left shoulder still occasionally ached, so he always sent for Jiang Ci to come and perform acupuncture. Their conversations gradually increased, with Pei Yan speaking more often while Jiang Ci mostly listened quietly. Pei Yan still frequently mentioned An Cheng, but his mood had noticeably improved, no longer burdened by the previous gloom. Jiang Ci knew he was gradually recovering from the pain of defeat.
Wei Zhao’s leg injury healed remarkably quickly, and within a few days, he was moving normally. However, Jiang Ci still visited him daily, and Wei Zhao allowed her to perform acupuncture. Jiang Ci inquired in detail about his feelings after the treatment, and Wei Zhao patiently answered every question, but aside from that, he rarely spoke to her. When Jiang Ci offered to wash his clothes and other tasks, he merely responded lightly, not refusing.
Cui Liang gave Jiang Ci several medical books, and during his free time, he would visit the medical tent to teach her personally. Sometimes, when he spoke of particularly insightful points, Physician Ling and the others listened intently, and “Cui Junshi” became a name that resonated throughout the Longfeng Cavalry.
One evening, a sudden downpour began. Jiang Ci was speaking with Pei Yan in the main tent when she heard the heavy rain outside. “Oh no!” she exclaimed, jumping up to run out.
Pei Yan slowly walked to the tent entrance. An Lu thought he was going to the bridgehead and helped him put on a rain cloak. However, Pei Yan merely stood silently, watching as Jiang Ci hurriedly gathered the clothes drying by the tent and, shortly after, saw her sprinting into Wei Zhao’s tent, clutching his white robe.
Pei Yan gazed at the white mist of rain, remaining silent for a long time before turning back into the tent. He sat at the table, staring at her medicine box for a long time, suddenly feeling a bit thirsty. He reached out to grasp the teapot on the table but found it empty.
Shaking his head, he reached forward again, picked up the teapot, and slowly poured water into a teacup. The pale green tea flowed through the air, “whooshing” as it filled the sky-blue cup, drowning out the violent sound of the rain outside.
When Jiang Ci rushed in, Wei Zhao frowned slightly but said nothing.
Jiang Ci unfolded the white robe she was holding and smiled. “Fortunately, I got it in quickly; it’s not too wet.” She draped the robe over the back of a chair.
Wei Zhao approached, looking down at her quietly. Jiang Ci felt shy under his bright gaze and lowered her head. Suddenly, Wei Zhao reached out and removed her military hat.
Jiang Ci then realized her hat had gotten wet in the rain, and her hair was damp, half wet, and half dry. She decided to let it down and was just using her hands to comb through her dark hair when a long, fair hand offered her a wooden comb.
Jiang Ci took the comb, and Wei Zhao no longer looked at her, returning to his chair to read.
As Jiang Ci smoothed her long hair, waiting for it to dry a bit before tying it back up, she suddenly recalled past events and said with a smile, “Third Master, you owe me something.”
Wei Zhao replied lightly, “Alright, I’ll pay you back later.”
Jiang Ci was taken aback, leaning over the desk to look up at Wei Zhao. “I haven’t said what it is yet; how does Third Master know what to repay?”
Wei Zhao continued to read, his voice calm and steady. “What kind of hairpin do you want? Once we reclaim Hexi Prefecture, you can buy it yourself, and I’ll cover the cost.”
Jiang Ci was stunned, suddenly realizing that the wooden comb in her hand looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed the small wooden comb she had used when she stayed in the peach orchard of Wei Manor.
When she looked up again, Wei Zhao quickly averted his gaze, turning away.
The rain pounded against the tent roof, creating a loud “pattering” sound, and the candlelight inside the tent dimmed slightly. Yet, Jiang Ci could see a hint of redness behind Wei Zhao’s ear and vaguely heard his breathing grow heavier. She felt her heart race, and the wooden comb in her hand seemed to burn her palm.
The book in Wei Zhao’s hand had not been turned for a long time; the thin volume felt as heavy as a stone, pressing down on him, making it hard for him to breathe. Suddenly, a hurried voice from outside the tent called, “My Lord, Master Yi has arrived.”
Wei Zhao was startled and quickly regained his composure, coldly saying, “Yi Wu, come in. You may leave.” He then looked at Jiang Ci.
Jiang Ci snapped back to reality, hurriedly putting on her military hat and secretly slipping the wooden comb into her sleeve. She brushed past the entering Yi Wu and ran toward her tent.
Yi Wu was soaked through and stepped forward to salute. “My Lord!”
“Speak!” Wei Zhao’s gaze was sharp as an eagle, fixed on Yi Wu.
“Yes.” Yi Wu stepped closer. “The military situation has reached the palace; the Emperor has fallen ill.”
Outside, a flash of lightning struck, and Wei Zhao suddenly stood up. “Fallen ill?! What illness?!”
“According to the imperial physician’s diagnosis, the Emperor fell ill due to the military situation’s shock, leading to anger affecting his heart, and the medicinal pills he previously took caused a combined outbreak of fire and cold toxins. When I left the capital, the Emperor was still unconscious. I’ve inquired, and it seems this time, it’s likely very serious.”
The rain fell heavier, and Wei Zhao slowly sat back down, numbly listening to Yi Wu report on the situation in the capital, remaining silent.
“Have you confirmed this? Is it an illness?!” After Yi Wu finished speaking, Wei Zhao asked coldly with a sneer.
“The Yan Hui Hall is guarded by Jiang Yuan and his men. I requested to see the Emperor under the pretext of delivering military news, and it was the Crown Prince himself who came out to receive the military situation. I heard that Old Marquis Pei has been assisting the imperial physician in treating the Emperor inside. I secretly looked at the medical records from the Imperial Hospital, and it is indeed a very serious condition. The remaining ‘Xianhe Grass’ in the palace has also been used, but it seems there has been no improvement.”
“Who is currently attending to the Emperor in Yan Hui Hall?”
“It’s the inner servant Tao who is attending, while Jiang Yuan has brought the Guangming Division guards outside. Even Concubine Wen cannot enter. I inquired with Prince Zhuang, and he is currently grieving for the late Duke Gao, seemingly having fallen ill as well. He only sent a message to me: it’s a real illness.”
“A real illness?!” Wei Zhao laughed coldly, unable to tell whether it was resentment, joy, or anger. He struggled to suppress his emotions, pondering for a long time before asking, “During this time, has Xiao Bei been sleeping with him?”
“Yes, the Emperor has been increasingly favoring Xiao Bei lately, distancing himself from A Nan and the others.”
“Xiao Bei has already recognized Inner Servant Tao as his godfather. You should have Xiao Bei go find Inner Servant Tao and say that he has learned of the Emperor’s serious illness and wants to personally serve the medicine. Have Inner Servant Tao find a way to arrange for him to enter the palace and confirm whether the Emperor is truly ill and to what extent. Just remind him to be cautious and not let Pei Zi expose any flaws to that old fox.”
Yi Wu nodded. “Yes, rest assured, my lord. Xiao Bei is very clever; among the few young men sent by Ping Shu, he is the smartest.”
Wei Zhao struggled to control his trembling right hand and said softly, “Has the Suhai Marquis entered the capital?”
“He is expected to arrive with the navy in the next few days.”
Wei Zhao pondered, “Jiang Yuan’s brother is not easy to deal with.”
“Yes, the Suhai Marquis is known for his uprightness, but he is a bit indulgent towards his younger brother.”
Wei Zhao asked, “What about the people I had you send to Jiang’s residence? How did that go?”
Yi Wu lowered his head. “Jiang Yuan has practiced celibacy since childhood and cannot engage with women until he is twenty-five. This kid is very cautious and has kept his distance from women. I tried several methods, but none worked to get them inside. I almost exposed our plans; a beautiful courtesan even committed suicide by poison.”
Wei Zhao fell into thought for a moment and said, “Jiang Yuan is not as simple as he appears. When the Emperor appointed him as the commander of the Imperial Guards, I sensed something was off. However, I still haven’t figured out which side he is on. For now, continue to find ways to get people inside and have our men from the Guangming Division keep a close watch on him. Report to me immediately if there’s any movement.”
“Yes, I will arrange it.”
Wei Zhao thought for a moment, then took a jade token from his waist and handed it to Yi Wu. “Take this back. The Prince will see you. Just say that the loss of Hexi is not so simple. Ask him to find a way to stabilize the Hexi troops retreating to the capital. I will find a way to restore justice for the Gao family in Hexi.”
Yi Wu accepted the jade token and leaned closer, whispering, “The Rong family has opened their granaries to distribute grain and donate money and goods. Master Sheng left a secret message asking for your instructions. Should we at ‘Tong Sheng Hang’ do the same?”
Wei Zhao leaned back against his chair, pondering. “Did the Rong family do that?”
“Yes, I sent someone to keep an eye on the Xiang residence. The head of the Rong family celebrated his fiftieth birthday, and after Madam Rong returned to the Rong residence, the next day, the Rong family announced the opening of their granaries and donations for military supplies.”
“Hmm, have Sheng Lin donate a portion as well, but don’t let it be too much; we don’t want to expose our intentions.”
“Yes. Master Sheng also asked about how to handle Xue Yao’s family. It seems Xue Yao left some things behind before he took his own life, and Master Sheng is worried it might cause trouble.”
Wei Zhao appeared somewhat fatigued, closing his eyes and saying lightly, “Kill them.”
Yi Wu disappeared into the rain-soaked night. The tent flaps fell, and a strong wind rushed in, mingling with the heavy rain. Wei Zhao could no longer control his trembling body; the pain in his heart intensified. He breathed heavily, clutching his chest, and slowly knelt on the ground. The sound of raindrops hitting the tent roof was like waves crashing, overwhelming him and making it hard to breathe.
In the candlelight, his handsome face twisted slightly, and his jewel-like eyes were now shrouded in a layer of bloody red. He seemed to hear the popular folk song from the capital:
“In the West Palace, there’s a phoenix tree, inviting the phoenix to roost;
The phoenix nods once, the dawn moon dances in the gentle breeze;
The phoenix nods twice, the flowing clouds roll in crimson;
The phoenix nods thrice, captivating the nation and the city;
Oh phoenix, oh phoenix, why can’t you enjoy the beauty of the lord?”
Wei Zhao’s hands trembled uncontrollably, the palace maids’ mocking rendition of “The Phoenix Rests on the Parasol Tree” intertwined with the “Phoenix Song” sung by the clansmen at Luofeng Beach, piercing through the thunderous rain and echoing in his ears.
The burning imprint in his heart was unbearable. His cold fingertips slowly brushed against the scar on his neck, the old wound searing his fingertips and reddening his eyes.
He suddenly drew the dagger from his waist, and his white robe tore with a “rip” down to his shoulder.
In the candlelight, he slowly turned his head to look at the bite mark an inch from his left collarbone. After a long time, he tilted his head and chuckled lightly, his laughter filled with resentment and unwillingness. “You can’t die like this. Your life is mine; only I can take it! Didn’t you say that in this world, only I can sleep with you in the same grave? How can you not wait for me?!”
His eyes grew increasingly blood-red, and with a flash of cold light, the dagger cut into the bite mark, blood flowing down and slowly soaking his white robe.
The wound on his shoulder felt somewhat numb, but the imprint in his heart still throbbed painfully. As the dagger sliced deeper, it seemed to want to carve out that bite mark. Blood flowed continuously, yet it still couldn’t bring him peace.
Wei Zhao raised his head, gazing at the white robe that Jiang Ci had washed and draped over the back of a chair. He seemed to see her gentle gaze like the moonlight quietly drifting over a lotus pond or like a gentle stream flowing over rocks. The dagger froze in place and then “clinked” as it fell to the ground.
He slowly reached out, but his fingertips could not touch that white robe. The moonlight drifted past, unseen, and the mountain spring flowed away silently.
Wei Zhao felt the fire in his heart leap and struggle, and a look of painful despair gradually appeared on his face.
The heavy rain continued to pour, and the candlelight slowly flickered out. Wei Zhao lowered his head, staring at his hands, his expression growing increasingly disgusted. The candlelight flickered twice more, illuminating his hands, which were stained with blood, and then, with the extinguishing of the candlelight, they were plunged into deep darkness.
Outside the tent, a flash of lightning struck, and Wei Zhao suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with blood and rage. He leaped up, drawing the long sword from the wooden pillar, and like a ghost, he dashed out of the tent.
The rain poured down heavily, and Jiang Ci sat dazed in the tent, her hands continuously rubbing the small wooden comb.
Did the peach orchard, once dyed pink in the light rain, bear a bountiful harvest? Were there still fish swimming in the clear stream?
A thunderclap startled Jiang Ci, and she jumped up, putting on her rain cloak. Just as she lifted the tent flap, she saw Wei Zhao’s figure rushing through the heavy rain towards Zhenbo Bridge.
Jiang Ci vaguely saw him holding a sharp sword and, unsure of what had happened, worriedly chased after him.
Ning Jianyu and Cui Liang, wearing rain cloaks and accompanied by dozens of men, stood by the Hexi Canal observing the water level. Despite the heavy rain, the Longfeng Cavalry continued to patrol along the Hexi Canal as arranged by Cui Liang.
Cui Liang straightened up and said, “Tell the soldiers not to let their guard down; these next few days are crucial—”
A white shadow flashed past them, darting towards the bridgehead. Ning Jianyu exclaimed, “Lord Wei!”
Wei Zhao seemed not to hear. With a swift motion, he reached out and pulled a Longfeng Cavalry soldier off his horse. He leaped onto the horse, its hooves splashing through the mud, and amidst the shouts of the Longfeng Cavalry, he galloped across Zhenbo Bridge like a wisp of smoke towards the opposite bank.
During this time, the Huan army had also concentrated their forces on the north bank of the Hexi Canal to prevent a counterattack from the Longfeng Cavalry, with a large number of soldiers stationed north of Zhenbo Bridge.
In the torrential rain, the Huan army vaguely saw a white figure riding across the bridge and shouted angrily, “Who goes there?!”
Wei Zhao’s blood surged, his eyes growing increasingly red. He channeled his energy into the sword’s tip, the long sword silently slicing through the rain and mist, sweeping through the Huan army with the momentum of his charging horse, instantly killing more than ten men.
Only then did the Huan army react, the alarm bells ringing loudly, but Wei Zhao had already plunged into their ranks, making it impossible for them to draw their arrows. His white robe was already soaked, clinging to his body along with his long hair, his face twisted in a fierce expression, like a malevolent spirit emerging from the depths of hell. He swept through the Huan army like a storm, the tip of his sword glowing with a chilling light, blood splattering as he struck down one enemy after another—heads fell, limbs were severed, and bodies crumpled.
The Huan army was thrown into chaos. After days of bloody battles with the Longfeng Cavalry, they had shown no fear, but at this moment, they felt as if a ghostly figure had descended upon them, carrying the scent of death on a rainy night.
Amid the chaos, Wei Zhao let out a long howl, his killing intent swirling like a tempest, and he killed another ten or so men. Seeing a large group of Huan soldiers rushing towards him, he leaped from his saddle, bending at the waist in mid-air, and landed on the heads of several Huan soldiers, gracefully leaping towards Zhenbo Bridge.
Ning Jianyu saw this clearly and shouted an order. The Longfeng Cavalry rushed to the bridgehead, the shield bearers and archers forming a line. The Huan army’s arrows rained down like locusts, but Wei Zhao soared through the air, his sword deflecting the arrows. Channeling his true qi to the utmost, he took a few steps in the air and landed back among the shield bearers of the Longfeng Cavalry.
As soon as he landed, he snatched a powerful bow from an archer’s hands. Blood had already dyed his robe red, and he proudly turned back, shooting out more than ten arrows like shooting stars, each one piercing through the bodies of the Huan soldiers, creating a torrential downpour of blood.
He discarded the powerful bow and, without looking at Ning Jianyu or Cui Liang, strode towards the camp.
After walking a few dozen steps, he paused slightly, making eye contact with Jiang Ci, who stood in the rain. The killing intent in his eyes gradually faded, and his expression became indifferent as he entered the tent.
The Huan army was thrown into disarray by Wei Zhao’s slaughter, but soon it seemed that a general had arrived, commanding the soldiers who were about to attack Zhenbo Bridge to halt. Before long, the Huan army returned to calm.
The Longfeng Cavalry, well-trained, also withdrew. Ning Jianyu and Cui Liang watched as Wei Zhao disappeared into the rain, exchanging glances but saying nothing.
Inside the tent, Wei Zhao removed the blood-soaked robe and gently picked up the white robe that Jiang Ci had washed, slowly draping it over his shoulders.
Outside, Jiang Ci stood in the heavy rain for a long time before silently turning and walking toward the medical tent.
—