Stepping out of the palace, she saw Feng Xi already leaning against the white marble railing before it — black robes, standing in the wind, strikingly handsome and graceful, with that composed and refined smile he habitually wore. More than a few palace maids inside had already turned to look, quietly speculating whether this handsome man the Princess had brought back might be the future prince consort.

Feng Xi watched quietly as Fengxi walked toward him. Still in white robes and black hair, those familiar brows and eyes — even the way she walked, that light and languid ease he could have recognized with his eyes shut. Yet somehow he felt that this person was different. In an instant something stirred in his heart — but just as quickly that nameless feeling vanished before he could properly think it through.

Fengxi stopped one zhang away from him. Across that single zhang, the two of them looked at each other. Both faces, both expressions, were calm and composed — as though they were still the Baifeng Heixi of the jianghu who had known each other for ten years. And yet also as though they had come from somewhere very far away and were meeting now for the very first time. Familiar, and yet strange.

“How is the Wind King’s health?” Feng Xi was the first to break the silence.

“Thank you for your concern.” Fengxi said mildly with a faint smile, and instructed the Chief Steward Pei Qiu, who was waiting outside the palace. “Steward Pei, please arrange for Young Master Feng to rest in the Qingluo Palace.”

Then she turned to Feng Xi. “Go wash up and rest first. I will come find you this evening.”

Feng Xi smiled faintly without a word.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The Chief Steward bowed, then stepped forward to lead the way. “Young Master Feng, please follow this old servant.”

Feng Xi glanced at Fengxi, then turned and followed Pei Qiu.

Fengxi watched his departing figure, and her brow furrowed — just barely perceptibly. Then she let out a faint sigh.

At dusk, Fengxi brought Feng Xi to the Yingshou Palace.

“Father — your daughter has brought a friend to see you.” Fengxi gently took the Wind King’s skeletal hand and held it.

“Mm. Help me sit up to receive a guest.” The Wind King instructed, and the palace maids waiting nearby hurried to prop him upright.

The Wind King looked carefully at the young man standing at his bedside. Standing beside his daughter, the two of them were like a pair of matched jades from the celestial palace. After a long moment, he nodded repeatedly. “Very good!”

“Father, this is a friend I made in the jianghu — Feng Xi. He is the Hei Feng Xi who shares a name with me. I am sure Father has heard of him.”

“Feng Xi pays his respects to the Wind King!” Feng Xi stepped forward and bowed.

“Feng Xi? The one who shares my Fengxi’s name?” The Wind King asked.

“Yes — the Feng Xi whose name sounds the same as the Princess’s.” Feng Xi nodded in answer, and took the opportunity to look more carefully at the Wind King. He was so thin he was barely a shape, though a pair of eyes still shone with clear, bright light.

“Feng Xi — so you are that Young Master Lan Xi of Fengguo?” The Wind King pressed.

“Why does the Wind King believe that Feng Xi is Young Master Lan Xi?” Feng Xi had not expected someone so aged and ill to still have such a swift mind.

“My Fengxi is Princess Xiyun of Fengguo — so naturally you would be Young Master Lan Xi of Fengguo.” The Wind King stated it as though it were entirely obvious.

“But…” Feng Xi had never heard reasoning quite like this before, and could not help but feel faintly amused.

“What? Are you saying you are not?” The Wind King suddenly widened his eyes. “Are you saying you have deceived my Fengxi?”

“Deceived her?” Feng Xi could genuinely not keep up with the Wind King’s line of thought — he could not understand how they had leapt from his identity to his character. And moreover, when had he ever deceived her? From the moment of their very first meeting, neither had ever asked the other’s identity. Over these ten years they had maintained a perfectly unspoken agreement never to ask — though each had long since guessed, each likely understanding something of the other.

“Young man — you were born to like tormenting people. But the one person you must never torment is my Fengxi!” The Wind King suddenly said this with a smile. His gaunt face blossomed like a chrysanthemum, and he seemed enormously pleased with himself.

“I would not dare. Feng Xi is indeed Young Master Lan Xi of Fengguo.” Feng Xi replied with courteous restraint, thinking inwardly: your daughter, Bai Fengxi — who in the entire world would dare torment her?

“It is not that you would not dare. It is that you cannot.” The Wind King nodded at him, his expression carrying a quiet understanding.

Then he turned to Fengxi: “Fengxi — you must take good care of this friend of yours!”

“Father, your daughter understands.” Seeing that the Wind King was already visibly exhausted from these few exchanges, Fengxi helped him lie back down.

The Wind King looked at the two of them one last time, for a long while, then let out a sigh and closed his eyes. “Then my heart is at rest. You may both go.”

Fengxi and Feng Xi withdrew.

By the time they stepped out of the Yingshou Palace, the sky had gone completely dark. Palace lanterns had long since been lit throughout the palace, their light bright and warm.

“Steward Pei.” Fengxi called out.

“This old servant is here.” Chief Steward Pei Qiu hurried forward. “What does Your Highness require?”

“Are the preparations for Father’s funeral rites complete?” Fengxi raised her head and looked at the night sky. Tonight the stars were sparse and the moon dim.

“In answer to Your Highness — the King gave orders six months ago to have everything prepared.” Pei Qiu bowed as he answered.

“Six months ago already. Good. It is a matter of these two days now — keep this in mind, and make sure the palace does not fall into chaos when the time comes.” Fengxi lowered her gaze to look at this old palace servant who had attended her father for thirty years.

“Your Highness need not worry. This servant understands.” Pei Qiu nodded, then raised his head to look at the Princess for a moment before lowering it again. “Your Highness has been traveling continuously to return here — you must be exhausted. This servant hopes Your Highness will rest well and take care of your health. Fengguo’s future rests entirely on Your Highness!”

“I know. Thank you for your concern.” Fengxi nodded, then continued: “Have all the memorials from the past year brought to my palace. Also send word that in two days, all generals of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry are to present themselves at the Hanchen Hall for an audience.”

“Yes.” Pei Qiu received the orders.

Fengxi dismissed all her attendants and carried a palace lantern herself, walking through the palace grounds. Feng Xi followed behind her, and neither spoke a word.

They came to a palace gate, and Fengxi suddenly stopped.

After a long pause, Fengxi pushed the door open and went in, walking deeper inside, passing through a long winding corridor, until at last she stopped before an old well in the rear courtyard.

All along the way, Feng Xi had taken in a general impression of the palace. It was small, but its arrangement was refined and gracious, and well-kept — yet it was uninhabited. This was, in every sense, an empty palace.

“This is the Hanlu Palace where my mother lived before she died. After her death, the palace was left empty. Father would not allow anyone to live in it.” Fengxi hung the lantern on a tree and suddenly began to speak. Because of the palace’s emptiness, her voice drifted in a quiet echo around her.

“Mother loved to sit beside this well in her lifetime — just sitting there, gazing into the water, lost in thought. Many times I thought she was about to jump in, but she never did. She would simply keep watching… keep watching… until one morning, without any warning, she collapsed to the ground and shattered the jade bracelet from the Cang Mountains that Father had given her — and she never rose again.” Fengxi bent down and cupped a handful of water from the well. It was clear and ice-cold, chilling her all the way through.

She opened her hand and the water fell through the gaps between her fingers, not a drop remaining. “When I was small, I did not understand my mother well, and was not very close to her — I spent far more time with Father than with her. Mother lived alone in this palace, and in my memory she always had her brows knitted and an expression of quiet desolation. The eyes she turned on me were sometimes cold and sometimes warm. But the gaze she fixed on the still water of this well was always calmer. Later — I thought — Mother wanted to die, but could not bear to. Only… in the end she died anyway. When the heart has died, how can the person still live?”

She dusted her hands together and turned to look at Feng Xi. “A woman’s heart is always small enough to hold only one person, while a man’s heart is large enough to hold the world, and power, and wealth, and beauties. There is too much for a man’s heart to hold — a man’s heart is too large, too large. And some women are too foolish. They believe that a man should be like them — holding a single person in his small heart. And when their own small heart can no longer bear the weight, they forfeit their life over it.”

“Woman — do you wish to bring a charge against every man in the world?” Feng Xi leaned over to peer into the old well. In the darkness of the night it was deep and still, its depths invisible. In the glow of the lantern, a faint ripple of light occasionally crossed the water’s surface.

“Not at all.” Fengxi let out a faint laugh, then walked toward him — close enough to see clearly into the deepest part of each other’s eyes. Yet in those depths all she saw was her own reflection staring back. “Black Fox — when a heart holds too many things, it will always end up neglecting one for another.”

Then she laughed again, stepped back three paces, and went on: “The Hua Kingdom’s army will be here soon. You should leave Fengguo first. Once I have driven the Hua forces back, I will invite you to return for wine and beautiful company.”

“Woman — I have been looking forward to seeing the legendary Wind-Cloud Cavalry in all their might. How could I leave at the very best moment?” Feng Xi, however, smiled.

“Is that so?” Fengxi also wore a faint smile — though the light in her eyes had gone cold.

“Do you think it is not?” Feng Xi turned the question back on her, his eyes unreadable.

“As you wish. But I will have no time to keep you company in the coming days — you will have to amuse yourself.” Fengxi finished speaking and turned to leave. “As tonight, for instance — I need to go back and read through the memorials. You go rest.”

“I have always been content with whatever comes my way — no need to trouble yourself over me.” Feng Xi followed behind her as she left.

Over the two days that followed, Feng Xi did not once catch sight of Fengxi. The palace attendants said she had remained entirely within her Qianyun Palace, leaving only each morning to visit the Wind King at the Yingshou Palace, and otherwise keeping her doors shut to all. Even the Wind King’s various consorts, hearing that the Princess had returned to the palace and coming to call on her, were turned away by palace maids she sent to intercept them. He understood well enough why she was not leaving her palace — she had been away from the kingdom for nearly two years and would need to understand the current state of affairs thoroughly. And with the Hua army fast approaching, how could she fail to make preparations?

Over these two days, carrying the distinction of being the Princess’s honored guest, Feng Xi moved freely through the palace grounds without impediment and had come to understand the palace layout in its broad outlines.

Fengguo had always been the kingdom richest in cultural atmosphere among the six — perhaps owing to the fact that the consort of Fengguo’s founding king had been a scholar of that era, and so every generation of Fengguo’s kings had favored culture. The whole kingdom’s people took scholarship as the highest virtue. The current king, Feng Xingtao, was accomplished in prose and poetry, proficient in music, and particularly skilled in calligraphy and painting — and with Princess Xiyun’s fame for literary talent known across the entire world, the phrase “culture resides in Fengguo” had long since passed into common speech. The Wind King’s palace reflected this spirit in its every aspect — every hall and every chamber in its construction, every garden and pavilion in its arrangement, every pool and hillscape in its ornamentation, all of it showing poetry at every turn and painting in every detail.

Both were royal palaces, but what set the Wind King’s palace most apart from the Hua King’s palace was its restraint. The Hua King’s palace was gilded and jade-encrusted from end to end, in a splendor of opulence that surpassed even the Imperial Palace of the Emperor. The Wind King’s palace, by contrast, showed almost no luxurious decoration. Each brick and tile, each wall and surface, each tower and courtyard maintained precisely what propriety demanded of a lord’s household — neither more nor less. The royal family’s wealth might not match the Hua King’s, but the palace possessed a dignity and refined elegance that was all its own.

The current king, Feng Xingtao, was a wise ruler — yet the temperament of a man of letters had led him to favor the arts of music and letters, and left him rather inattentive to the affairs of state. His court was heavily populated by civil officials, and in terms of generals who could actually lead an army into battle, there was likely only one: Li Xian, commander of the Imperial Guards. To sweep Fengguo into one’s possession would in truth be an easy matter — were it not for the fact that, ten years ago, Princess Xiyun had appeared, and with her, the fifty thousand Wind-Cloud Cavalry. Fengguo had stood secure ever since, firmly holding its place as the third-largest kingdom among the six.

“Xiyun… Fengxi…”

In the Qingluo Palace, Feng Xi stood leaning against a window, gazing far out at the clear pool below. A smile of layered meaning crossed his handsome face, and his eyes lit with a gleam as though something had occurred to him — sending every palace maid who had been sneaking glances at him into a flush of fluttering hearts.

On the third day, Feng Xi was up early and waiting outside the gates of the Qianyun Palace where Fengxi lived. He knew she would certainly go out today — she was about to go to the Hanchen Hall to receive all the generals of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry, and he was very eager to see these renowned figures for himself.

When the palace gates opened and the palace maids came out in a cluster surrounding Fengxi, Feng Xi’s eyes went still the moment he saw her.

Today, Fengxi was in full ceremonial splendor.

Her long hair was pinned up into a flowing cloud knot and topped with the Misty Water Smoke Crown, set at the center with a sea-begonia pearl flower, long purple jade pendants hanging down from either side to her shoulders. At her brow, as always, hung the crescent of white jade-moon. Jade drops from the Cang Mountains hung at her ears. She wore a court robe of crimson-gold, embroidered with phoenixes dancing through the nine heavens, a nine-aperture jade belt at her waist, fine pearl tassels trailing from either side of the belt. Both arms bore cloud-blue-tinged-with-rain sashes, a full zhang long, trailing behind with the sweep of her skirt — adding an air of ethereal ease to the splendor and magnificence.

In this moment, Fengxi was noble and elegant. She wore no rouge or powder — her face was alabaster jade and vermilion lips, her beauty striking and arresting. She was an entirely different person from the plain-robed, dark-haired, unhurried Bai Fengxi of the jianghu.

“Xiyun pays her respects to Young Master Lan Xi.” Fengxi dipped in a graceful bow toward Feng Xi — composed, natural, impeccably mannered.

This manner, these words — neither could possibly have belonged to Bai Fengxi. Feng Xi was briefly caught off guard, but recovered at once and returned the courtesy with unhurried propriety: “Lan Xi pays his respects to Princess Xiyun.”

Fengxi smiled faintly — contained and courteous. “Xiyun was just about to proceed to the Hanchen Hall. I wonder if Young Master Lan Xi would care to accompany me — I am certain all the generals of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry would welcome the chance to see Young Master Lan Xi of Fengguo in person.”

“It is precisely what Xi wishes — though he would not dare presume to ask.” Feng Xi also smiled faintly — refined and genteel.

“Then please.” Fengxi extended a hand in a gesture of invitation.

“I would not presume. Your Highness, please lead the way.” Feng Xi deferred in kind.

Fengxi smiled and inclined her head. “Then Xiyun will go ahead.”

With that, four palace maids took the lead, Fengxi followed behind, Feng Xi walked one step behind her, and behind him came the palace attendants bearing the ceremonial canopy and honor guard.

In the Hanchen Hall, the elite of Fengguo had assembled — some seated, some standing — awaiting their Princess Xiyun.

“The Princess approaches!”

The announcement rang out from far outside the hall.

Every person inside the hall immediately composed themselves, standing straight and tall, heads lowered and eyes averted, waiting in solemn silence.

Two lines of palace maids entered in procession, and then the palace attendants at the hall doors cried out loudly: “The Princess arrives!”

Every person in the hall dropped to their knees in unison, their voices ringing out: “We welcome the Princess!”

Then came the sound of robes brushing the floor and jade pendants chiming — and finally, Fengxi’s unhurried, elegant voice filled the hall: “Rise.”

“We thank Your Highness!” Everyone came to their feet.

Fengxi waved her hand, and all the palace attendants withdrew, closing the hall doors behind them.

“I have been away from the kingdom for nearly two years. It has been long since I have seen each of you generals — I trust you are all well?” On the throne at the head of the great hall, Fengxi sat with composed dignity, her gaze moving lightly across the assembled generals below.

“We are all well. We thank Your Highness for her concern.” The generals answered in unison.

“Mm.” Fengxi nodded mildly. “That our kingdom has stood secure until now is owing in no small part to each of you. Xiyun thanks you all.”

“We would not presume! We are of Fengguo — it is our duty to be loyal to Fengguo!”

“Hearing these words from you all, Xiyun is gratified.” Fengxi gave a faint smile, then continued: “Do you all know why I have summoned you here today?”

“We await Your Highness’s instruction.” The generals answered together.

“I have been away from the kingdom for nearly two years — I wonder, have each of you kept up with military training in the meantime?”

“In answer to Your Highness — we have followed Your Highness’s standing orders and not dared to slacken for a single day.” A general of about thirty years of age, with a bearing of formidable authority, stepped forward from the ranks and answered with a bow. This was Qi Shu, foremost among the six generals of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry.

“General Qi — when I left the kingdom, I entrusted the Wind-Cloud Cavalry to you. I trust you have not failed me.” Fengxi inclined her head slightly.

“We stand ready at any moment to follow Your Highness into battle!” The generals below called out in a resonant, unified voice.

“Good!” Fengxi said with approval.

“I have just returned from Huaguo.” Fengxi rose from her throne and moved slowly down among the generals. “Upon hearing that our king is gravely ill, the Hua King had the audacity to declare that Fengguo now has no one of standing — and that he intends to lead an army of one hundred thousand to flatten our kingdom! Can you tolerate this?”

“We cannot!” The generals called out together.

Among them, a general of about twenty-four or twenty-five, remarkably handsome in appearance, stepped forward and bowed to Fengxi. “Your Highness — Jiu Rong requests permission to engage! Huaguo has been attacking our border towns year after year, battle after battle, large and small. Though they have never taken so much as an inch of our territory, they have ravaged our borders and denied the people peace. Therefore Jiu Rong requests Your Highness’s permission to take the battle to them — we must strike them hard enough that they will never dare set foot on our soil again!”

“Your Highness — what General Jiu Rong says is entirely sound.” Qi Shu also bowed. “Fengguo has never initiated war against another kingdom, and this has led Huaguo to believe we are timid and afraid. That is why they dare harass our borders repeatedly. Shu also believes we must give Huaguo a severe lesson — one that will make them tremble at the mere name of the Wind-Cloud Army!”

“Both generals — since you have this resolve, this Princess will also tell you plainly: this time, we will ensure that Huaguo’s hundred thousand soldiers have a road in and no road out. We cut off the trouble at its root!” Fengxi declared with sweeping confidence.

“We obey Your Highness’s command!” The generals answered with solemn reverence, their voices ringing through the entire hall.

Fengxi raised her hand to signal silence, then walked to the east wall of the hall and drew back a curtain, revealing a map on the wall — one zhang wide and one zhang tall.

“Please come forward.”

All the generals moved closer. The map showed Fengguo in its entirety — mountains and rivers, cities and towns, all of it rendered with precision.

“Though Fengguo is not as large as Huang Chao or Fengguo, we hold twenty cities, two thousand two hundred li of territory, and hold the third-largest position among the six kingdoms. Though Huaguo claims to be the wealthiest of the six kingdoms — from my years of traveling and observing each kingdom — their national strength and military power cannot be compared with Huang Chao or Fengguo. Their so-called army of two hundred thousand, the ‘Golden Robe Cavalry’ — as their name suggests, they are nothing but gold plating. Break through that gilded exterior, and there is nothing to fear.”

“Our kingdom shares a border with the foreign Shanyu in the west, Fengguo in the north, the Imperial Capital in the east, Huaguo in the south, and Huang Chao to the southeast.” Fengxi’s slender hand moved rapidly across the map, then came to rest on Liang City at the border with Fengguo. Her gaze briefly flicked to Feng Xi, who had been sitting silently since entering the hall. She deliberated for a long moment, then said: “General Qi — withdraw the five thousand Swift Wind Cavalry stationed in Liang City. Leave the regular garrison troops to hold the city. The garrison at Ji City on the Shanyu border remains unchanged. The garrison at Liang City on the Imperial Capital border remains unchanged. At Yan City on the Huang Chao border, add five thousand Cloud Cavalry from the Wind-Cloud force. Bao Cheng — you lead them there.”

“Yes!” A general built like a great iron tower answered.

“What remains is deciding how best to deliver a decisive blow to the Hua army as they come in their arrogance. What are each of your views?”

“Your Highness — since the Hua King is marching with a full hundred thousand troops, he will certainly take the main road, rounding Mount Guo, and then arrive at our Luo City.” Qi Shu stepped forward and traced the route of the Hua army’s advance across the map.

“Luo City… to the left and rear of Luo City is Yang City. To the right and rear is Yuan City. Directly behind is Qi City…” Fengxi studied the map, her fingertip marking those cities.

Xiu Jiu Rong looked at the map, then his brow furrowed slightly. “Your Highness — Luo City is small, its resources sparse, and its walls not so formidable as Qi City. Your servant has heard that the Hua King has had skilled artisans construct cannons. If a hundred thousand troops arrive with cannon fire to support them, it will be difficult to hold.”

“Mm — Jiu Rong’s point is well taken.” Fengxi glanced at Xiu Jiu Rong, then let her gaze fall back to the map. Her fingertip tapped lightly on Luo City. “Luo City will not serve as a defensive position… then… General Xu Yuan — evacuate all the people of Luo City to Yang City and Yuan City!” She looked toward a general of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a face of quiet composure.

“Yes, Your Highness.” Xu Yuan lowered his head in answer.

“Your Highness intends to engage the Hua army in a decisive battle at the Wuhui Valley between Qi City and Luo City?” Xiu Jiu Rong suddenly asked.

Fengxi turned to look at him and nodded with evident appreciation. “Jiu Rong — I once said that you would one day be the great general of Fengguo. I see I was not wrong.”

Xiu Jiu Rong, hearing the praise, felt a faint flush rise on his handsome face. He looked up briefly at Fengxi, then immediately lowered his head. “Your Highness praises me far beyond what I deserve. Jiu Rong does not know where to put himself.”

Fengxi smiled faintly, then pointed to the Wuhui Valley. “The valley is surrounded by mountain ridges and dense forest — if our army conceals itself within them, the Hua cannons will be of no concern. And it saves the city walls from damage as well!”

A general of powerful build and rough features stepped forward and pointed at Liang City. “Your Highness — is it suitable to withdraw all the Swift Wind Cavalry from Liang City? If Fengguo were to seize the opportunity to invade…”

Fengxi waved her hand at this. “General Cheng Zhi, your thinking is thorough. However — Young Master Lan Xi of Fengguo, commander of the Mo Yu Cavalry, is a guest in our kingdom at this moment, and is present in this very hall. I believe Young Master Lan Xi would not use our time of crisis to make things difficult for Fengguo.”

She turned her head to look at Feng Xi, who had sat without speaking a single word since the moment they entered the hall. “Young Master Lan Xi — would you not say so?”

The generals all turned in unison to look at the black-robed young man seated beside the throne. It was not that they had not noticed him. It was not that they were not puzzled. But since the Princess had not mentioned him, no one had dared ask.

“The Princess places such trust in Lan Xi — Lan Xi would not dare disappoint her.” Feng Xi rose and gave a slight nod of the head to the assembled company.

“Your Highness, if our army engages the Hua army at the Wuhui Valley, does that mean we simply hand Luo City over to Huaguo without contest?” A general of medium build asked.

“No!” Fengxi turned and looked at him, and a smile surfaced on her face — carrying the faintest edge of cold. “At Luo City, I intend to repay in full everything Fengguo has suffered at Huaguo’s hands — to their vanguard! That will serve as a warning to the Hua King!”

“Your Highness! Your Highness!”

While she was still speaking, Chief Steward Pei Qiu’s voice suddenly called out in a loud cry from outside the hall.

Fengxi’s brow contracted for an instant — then her heart gave a sudden lurch, and she said in a steady, low voice: “Come in.”

The hall doors opened, and Pei Qiu rushed in. The moment he entered the hall he dropped to his knees and prostrated himself on the ground. “Your Highness — the King, he… the King, he…”

A complete stillness fell over the hall. In an instant, every person understood.

“I know. You may go back.”

After a long silence, Fengxi’s voice came. In the stillness, her calm voice rang all the clearer.

“Yes.” Pei Qiu withdrew.

“General Xiu.” Fengxi said.

“Jiu Rong is here! Your Highness, please give your orders!” Xiu Jiu Rong stepped forward and bowed to receive them.

“From this moment, security within the capital is your responsibility. Lock down the palace inside and out. No one is to enter or leave without my personal written order. Anyone who attempts to force their way in or out — detain them first. I will deal with them upon my return.” Fengxi’s voice was sharp and cold.

“Yes!”

“General Xu.”

“Present!”

“The matter of Luo City is in your hands.”

“Yes! Xu Yuan will not fail Your Highness’s charge!”

“General Qi.”

“Present!”

“The Wind-Cloud Cavalry is to stand ready for orders at all times.”

“Yes!”

“General Lin. General Cheng.”

“Present!”

“Issue the royal orders — summon all garrison commanders of all cities. They are not to return to the capital. I repeat — they are not to return. Order them to hold their positions and perform their own duties.”

“Yes!”

“That is all for now. The rest — the rest can wait until I decide further.”

“Yes! We respectfully see Your Highness out!” The generals all dropped to their knees in unison.

Fengxi walked calmly out of the great hall — but the moment she was through the doors, she turned toward the Yingshou Palace. She appeared unhurried, yet every palace attendant was left far behind her.

She had barely reached the Yingshou Palace when the sound of weeping reached her from within — a great, wailing, heaven-shaking sound.

Fengxi entered the Yingshou Palace. The Wind King’s consorts and concubines were weeping together in a group.

“The Princess is here!”

At these words, the crying stopped. Every eye turned to Fengxi, and the women instinctively moved aside, clearing a path for her to walk to the King’s bed.

On the bed, the Wind King’s eyes were already closed, but his face was peaceful. He had gone quietly, with a look of perfect contentment — as though he had no regrets left.

Fengxi knelt before the bed, took the Wind King’s cold hand in hers, and called softly: “Father.”

But the Wind King would never answer her again.

Fengxi held those cold, stiff hands in hers and rubbed them hard, willing some warmth into them — but there was no response. No warmth.

Finally, Fengxi released the Wind King’s hand and sat staring blankly at his face. From behind her came the sound of soft weeping once more.

She raised her hand and pressed it over her eyes — pressing tightly. Her shoulders, despite everything, could not be kept entirely still. For someone of her profound inner energy, the sound of her breathing was audible even to the consorts and concubines standing behind her who knew no martial arts at all. After a very long while, she suddenly rose to her feet.

“Steward Pei.” Her voice carried the faintest trace of hoarseness.

“This old servant is here.” Pei Qiu stepped forward.

“I am entrusting the King’s funeral arrangements to you — but there are three points you must remember.” Her voice had turned clear and cold. Fengxi turned and studied this old palace servant who had attended her father for thirty years. Her eyes seemed as though they had just been washed by water — clear and bright, yet also carrying a sharp, cold light.

“Your Highness, please instruct.”

“First — the King’s coffin is to be moved into the Hanlu Palace. Place the millennium cold jade from the palace to preserve it. The death is not to be announced until one month from now.”

“Second — within that one month, no one in the palace is to leave without my written order. Those who violate this are to be arrested on charges of breaking palace law, imprisoned, and held for my judgment.”

“Third — during the period of national mourning, every person in this palace is to adhere strictly to palace rules and national law. If anyone attempts to cause disorder or take advantage of this time, send them all to the Inner Court Office.”

“Do you have it all?” Fengxi’s voice was low and somberly composed.

“This old servant obeys!” Pei Qiu was struck by the cold, keen light of Fengxi’s eyes, and felt an instant of bracing clarity run through him. He immediately summoned every last ounce of alertness.

“As for the various Madams —” Fengxi’s gaze swept over the consorts and concubines who were still quietly weeping. Her voice was warm but carried an air of authority. “Please remain in your palaces for the next month and observe mourning for the King in stillness.”

Fengxi moved toward the hall entrance. At the doorway, her steps paused briefly, and she looked back at those women — some whose youth had faded, some whose beauty still lingered, some still in the full flush of their youth. A quiet sigh moved through her heart. “One month from now — whether you choose to stay or go, this Princess will leave the choice to each of you.”

Within the Wind King’s palace there was a tower called the Cloud-Treading Tower — the highest structure in the entire palace complex. To climb to its summit was to look down upon all of Fengdu.

At dusk, as the sun descended in the west and cast a sky full of crimson, the Cloud-Treading Tower rose high and solitary, wrapped in that heaven-given red veil — beautiful in the twilight with a quality that was both proud and desolate.

Atop the Cloud-Treading Tower, Fengxi stood leaning against the railing, her head raised to look at the sun — which had already disappeared behind the mountains, only the smallest sliver of its face still visible. The last remaining band of crimson in heaven and earth fell across her face and entered those eyes that were at once blank, dim, and covered by a thin layer of ice. And still it added not a trace of warmth. Below her, her shadow stretched long across the ground — solitary and full of grief.

“How long do you intend to stand there? Every person in the palace is on edge, afraid that at some moment of inattention, you will simply jump from up there.”

Below the tower, Feng Xi leaned idly against a row of white marble railings, his head tilted up as he asked.

“I am coming down!” Fengxi suddenly launched herself from the top of the tower — and truly leapt from twenty zhang up.

“Woman — you are genuinely mad!”

Feng Xi murmured the words, yet his body had already moved of its own accord, flying upward, launching into the air. His arms shot out and caught Fengxi — but the force of her descent was tremendous. Though he had caught her, both of them continued falling together, and it looked as though they were about to hit the ground. Whether they would be killed outright or merely crippled was unclear.

“I have lost my mind, doing something this foolish.” Feng Xi said — yet his arms tightened instinctively around the person in his hold. He glanced down and saw a faint smile on her face. “Woman — if you cannot kill me by conventional means, did you resort to this method instead?”

“Black Fox — are you afraid of dying?”

He had barely heard her say this when he felt something tighten at his waist, and their downward fall stopped.

It turned out Fengxi had sent a length of white silk ribbon flying from her sleeve, wrapping it around the railing of the third floor. Her left hand gripped the ribbon. Her right arm held him at the waist. And so the two of them hung suspended against the railing.

The moment Feng Xi’s feet touched the ground, both hands shot out — he meant to toss Fengxi aside. But Fengxi had already anticipated it. Her body twisted in a spin and she landed neatly and lightly on the ground.

“Woman — are you trying to follow your father?”

“Jumping felt like flying — what a wonderfully free feeling.” Fengxi raised her head and looked at the Cloud-Treading Tower, her voice distant and serene.

“The next time you wish to try again — please go to the summit of Changmang Mountain!” Feng Xi finished speaking and turned to leave.

“Young Master Lan Xi.”

From behind him came Fengxi’s voice — clear and composed.

Feng Xi stopped and turned back.

“The reason you kept company with me these ten years. The reason you followed me to Fengguo. The reason you have not left even now. Even… the reason you never took Hua Chunran — was it not all because you wanted the Wind-Cloud Cavalry?” Fengxi’s eyes were bright and sharp as blades, fixed on Feng Xi without wavering.

“Is that so?” Feng Xi lowered his gaze slightly — neither confirming nor denying, only smiling as he turned the question back on her.

“I can give it to you!” Fengxi swept her arm, and the white ribbon returned to her sleeve. She stepped toward him, her eyes not blinking, her expression solemn. “The fifty thousand Wind-Cloud Cavalry — and all of Fengguo — I can give them to you unconditionally.”

Feng Xi, upon hearing this, only smiled faintly. He turned away and looked up at the tall Cloud-Treading Tower. After a long while, in a voice barely audible, he said: “That reasoning has no flaw… and yet somehow it does not seem… entirely right.”

Fengxi looked at his back and smiled quietly.

In this moment, both of them seemed to lack a little strength. To feel a little tired.

“By ancestral custom, I will ascend the throne in three days. The Hua army’s vanguard should reach Luo City in approximately ten days. Within one month, I will drive back the Hua forces. And one month from now…”

Fengxi looked toward the west — trying to catch one last thread of the setting sun’s final light, but finding only walls washed a vivid red.

“One month from now — I will, in my capacity as Queen of Fengguo, issue a proclamation to the world: the White Wind Kingdom and the Black Feng Kingdom are to form an alliance — sworn as one. At that time, the curtain of your conquest of the realm should be rising. When it does, the Wind-Cloud Cavalry will be yours with both my hands.”

With that, Fengxi turned and walked toward the Qianyun Palace.

“Why?” Feng Xi suddenly called out to stop her.

Fengxi’s steps paused. She did not turn around. After a moment of silence she answered: “You want it — so I give it to you. That is all.”

“Princess Xiyun.”

She had not gone a full zhang when Feng Xi’s voice came from behind her again.

“With the Hua army fast approaching and war with Fengguo imminent, Huang Chao will not stand aside. When the moment is right, he will certainly deploy the Conquer-Heaven Cavalry to join the war and seize Fengguo. And if Fengguo in the north also enters the war at that time, Fengguo will face enemies on two fronts. The Wind-Cloud Cavalry is formidable — but in that situation, Fengguo will have only one path: defeat and ruin.”

He paused, then continued: “You are simply using the Wind-Cloud Cavalry as bait — to exchange it for my promise that Fengguo will not move against Fengguo. To free you of any worry from behind so you can commit yourself entirely to fighting Huaguo and Huang Chao on both fronts — and preserve Fengguo!”

Feng Xi walked to stand behind her, reached out and took hold of her shoulder, turning her around — and saw a face entirely without expression. Only a pair of eyes gleaming with a cold and distant light.

“I know you have always looked down on me. Looked down on my planning and scheming. Looked down on my cunning acquisition of things. Looked down on my calculating depths. But — what difference is there between you and me right now? Are you any more noble than I am? It is all scheming and maneuvering — each using the other for mutual advantage.”

Feng Xi’s habitual refined composure had, unusually, fallen away from his face. He was cold and sharp now, a pair of eyes as piercing as needles.

“Young Master Lan Xi — in this world, in this position — who could be purely clean and untouched?” Fengxi spoke without expression, then raised her head to look at the sky. The daylight had already gone dark, and a curtain of black was beginning to settle softly down. “That clean white Fengxi — she exists only in the jianghu.”

With that she turned and walked away. Feng Xi, left watching her retreating figure, felt his hand clench suddenly into a fist. After a long while, he let out a sigh and turned back toward the Qingluo Palace where he was staying. Yet something had settled heavily over his heart. He had just obtained Fengxi’s promise — the entire kingdom of Fengguo, no less. What a cause for joy. Yet somehow, his spirits simply would not lift.

The fifteenth day of the fourth month, in the seventeenth year of the Renyi reign.

Princess Xiyun of Fengguo ascended the throne at the Ziying Hall of the Wind King’s palace — the second woman in Fengguo’s history to become its ruler.

Ordinarily when a sovereign ascended a throne, a national letter was to be submitted to the Emperor, but in recent years the feudal lords of every kingdom had long since ceased to regard the Qi Di as relevant — they no longer paid court visits, no longer offered tribute, and each conducted their own affairs as independent kingdoms. The formality had been abandoned across the board. Yet Fengxi, upon her ascension, had a national letter drafted and dispatched expressly to the Qi Di, and issued a proclamation to all the world.

The eighteenth day of the fourth month, seventeenth year of the Renyi reign. Morning. The Ziying Hall.

This was the new sovereign’s first morning court session. Fengxi sat on the throne in dark royal robes, wearing the crown built on a framework of red jade and set with one hundred and sixty-eight South Sea pearls. Through the dense curtain of pearls hanging before her face she looked down at the ministers below, prostrating themselves three times and performing the full nine-bow ceremony, and listened to their loud and resonant voices of congratulation filling the entire hall. For a moment she understood, vaguely, why Huang Chao and Feng Xi were so consumed by their desire to conquer the world — the sensation of being above ten thousand was genuinely dizzying.

“Present your memorials if you have them. Dismiss if you do not!” The eunuch’s high, thin voice rang through the great hall.

“Your servant Li Xian has a matter to submit.” A military general stepped forward from the ranks.

“Speak.” Fengxi’s voice came, steady and composed.

“Your servant received an urgent report this morning — the Hua King of Huaguo is leading a hundred thousand troops pressing toward our border. We await Your Majesty’s decision!”

The moment these words landed, the court ministers erupted into clamor.

“General Li — how far are the Hua forces currently from the border?” Fengxi asked, showing no sign of alarm.

“Their vanguard is approximately seven days’ march away.”

“Understood. You may step back.”

“Yes!”

Li Xian had barely withdrawn before the ministers could no longer contain themselves — regardless of the sovereign still being present in the hall. Some had gone pale with fright. Some were already whispering to one another. Others kept glancing up at the figure on the throne, looking for some sign of panic on this young queen’s face.

Fengxi looked down at the ministers below and laughed coldly in her heart. The blame lay with her father — he had concentrated all his energy on his music and weiqi, his painting and calligraphy, his birds and his antiques. And Fengguo had known no internal unrest for nearly fifty years, and had never initiated military action against other kingdoms. Compared to the other five kingdoms it was a relatively stable place — but long-standing ease had produced these ministers who ate well, rested well, and knew nothing but comfort. Fortunately… fortunately there were still a few useful ones.

“You have all heard?” The clear, unhurried voice pressed down on the murmuring.

“We have all heard, Your Majesty.” The ministers answered together.

“And what are your views, gentlemen?”

Silence fell below for a moment at this question.

“What — have all of you grown heads and mouths for nothing?” Fengxi’s voice cooled several degrees.

“Your servant believes negotiation for peace is the wisest course — it will spare our people suffering.” A minister of about fifty, with a three-stranded beard, offered his opinion.

“Oh? Peace negotiations? Would Minister Xiang explain how exactly?” Fengxi’s voice was warm and polite.

“The Hua army comes with momentum behind them — they want nothing more than gold and cities. We could offer Yang City, Yuan City, and Luo City to them, along with a hundred thousand golden leaves. I believe the Hua King would withdraw his troops.” Minister Xiang said with a slow nod of his head.

“Oh…” Fengxi stretched the sound out — without pleasure or displeasure — then asked further: “Do the other ministers agree with Minister Xiang’s proposal? Are there other suggestions?”

“Your servant believes peace talks can succeed — but ceding cities alone is sufficient. There is no need to add a hundred thousand golden leaves.”

“Your servant believes we should not cede cities, but could offer two hundred thousand golden leaves.”

“Your servant believes that with our ten thousand Imperial Guards and the prestige of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry, we have the strength to fight Huaguo.”

“Your servant believes we should fight first — and negotiate if we lose.”

On and on it went.

Fengxi listened to the debate below, feeling a tide of something move through her. If she had been a ruler who had never set foot outside the palace, what would she do? Simply let these ministers say and do as they pleased?

When it seemed the opinions below had mostly been aired, she gave a glance to the eunuch standing at her side. The eunuch understood at once — a sharp cough sounded, followed by that high, thin voice: “Silence!”

The ministers remembered abruptly where they were and fell quiet at once.

“General Li — what is your view?” Fengxi directed the question at Li Xian, who had stood silent since stepping back.

He was a man of about forty — not tall, but solidly built. His martial arts were formidable. He commanded the hundred thousand Imperial Guards, had been deeply trusted by the previous Wind King, and had earned a famous name in battle against Huaguo fifteen years ago. He was a general of recognized standing throughout the world.

“Li Xian is willing to lead the Imperial Guards to Luo City and give battle to the Hua army. He vows not to let the Hua forces take so much as half a step inside the city gates!” Li Xian said in a firm, steady voice.

“At last, someone who speaks with sense.” Fengxi let out a cold, quiet laugh — and though it was a laugh, every person below gave a start.

While the Wind King had still been alive, every person in Fengguo had known: the true ruler of Fengguo was Princess Xiyun.

The Wind King himself had once praised her aloud: Xiyun can govern the realm through culture, and secure the state through martial arts!

At age ten, Princess Xiyun had composed the “Ten Strategies for the Jing Terrace” and surpassed the top scholar of that year’s imperial examinations. At fifteen, she composed “On Governance,” laying out the principles of ruling a state with lucid reasoning and pointed precision — every word cutting to the heart of the matter. Her later works, the “Eight-Line Poems” and the “Gathered Blossoms Verses,” had been loved by women everywhere until every lady could recite them.

And as for her martial arts — here the ministers found cold sweat forming. At twelve, Princess Xiyun had cleaved General Li Xian’s dragon-ring great saber in two with a single sword stroke. At fourteen, she had used three zhang of white silk ribbon to hold off five hundred soldiers single-handedly — the final result being that the weapons of all five hundred soldiers were seized by the ribbon and flung onto the martial terrace. And that was before one even considered the Wind-Cloud Cavalry she had built with her own hands — every general of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry already held a name in the world above that of the great general Li Xian himself.

The Wind King had followed Princess Xiyun’s counsel in all things. The true decision-maker of Fengguo had long since been the Princess. Had the Princess not been so constantly away from the palace, the throne might well have been hers several years earlier.

“Minister Feng.”

While the ministers were still quietly sweating, Fengxi suddenly called out.

After a pause, a voice answered — aged and slightly raspy, but full of energy: “Your servant Feng Jing is present.”

“I trust you have slept well?” Fengxi looked at this three-dynasties elder statesman who had been standing quietly apart all this while, eyes closed in rest.

“Your servant slept from the hour of the rooster yesterday until the hour of the dragon today. I thank Your Majesty for her concern. Your servant is well-rested.” Feng Jing answered with perfect composure.

“Good.” Fengxi smiled faintly, then suddenly her voice dropped in pitch. “Feng Jing — receive this edict!”

“Your servant listens with reverence!” Feng Jing stepped forward three paces and knelt to receive the edict.

“With the Hua army fast approaching, this Sovereign will go to Luo City to command the battle personally. You are appointed Regent. In this Sovereign’s absence, you will govern all affairs of state. The hundred officials are to follow your orders.” Fengxi’s words were few and precise.

“Your servant obeys the edict!” Feng Jing accepted the charge.

“General Li.”

“Your servant is present!”

“Of the hundred thousand Imperial Guards, take fifty thousand to Yan City and hold it.”

Li Xian paused briefly, then bowed his head. “Your servant obeys the edict!”

“General Xie.”

“Present!” A veteran general with deep-lined features stepped forward.

“The remaining fifty thousand Imperial Guards are under your command. Guard the capital with all care. No one is to enter or leave the palace until this Sovereign returns to the capital.”

“Your servant obeys the edict!”

“All generals of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry!”

“Present!” With the exception of Bao Cheng, already under orders for Yan City, and Xu Yuan, already dispatched to Luo City, the remaining generals — Qi, Xiu, Lin, and Cheng — stepped forward from the ranks and answered together.

“Follow me to Luo City!”

“Yes!” Their answer rang through the entire hall.

“Good.” Fengxi nodded, then looked at the remaining ministers. Her voice became cold and commanding. “As for the rest of you ministers — attend to your own duties. And do not let me hear of any rumors being spread to disturb the people’s peace. If such is found — upon this Sovereign’s return, the offenders will be dealt with under military law.”

At those words, those whose cold sweat had barely dried began sweating again.

Military law.

Thinking of the Wind-Cloud Cavalry’s military law… the sweat was fast soaking through their robes.

“Nothing further — court is dismissed.” Fengxi said mildly.

“Court dismissed!” The eunuch’s voice rang out.