The Heavenly River Tilts – Chapter 18: A Fleeting Thought

The Ajiashenie, transformed from the Dragon Girl’s fleeting thought before Buddha, would cause people to become obsessed, infinitely amplifying what they held dear in their hearts, filled with obsession until death.

“Yes, Eunuch Wang mentioned before that Ajiashenie fish eggs are difficult to hatch, and few understand their secret. That’s why when I saw the small fish laying eggs this morning, I hurried to inform you.”

Wang Zongshi looked at the crystal bottle in her hand and said, “You should have told Yunzhi, I didn’t bring a container with me.”

“Aren’t these everywhere?” she said, turning to look around the room, casually picking up a jar and pouring the small fish along with their eggs from the crystal bottle into it. Then she added some water to the crystal bottle and reached into the jar to scoop the two fish back, returning them to the bottle.

She placed the crystal bottle back on the windowsill, handed the jar to Wang Zongshi, then sat down casually at the table, taking a piece of pastry to her mouth.

Wang Zongshi, who had been coldly observing, finally spoke up and asked, “Aren’t you going to wash your hands?”

Huang Zixia paused, looked at her hands, and said, “The water in that bottle was just changed this morning, it’s very clean.”

Wang Zongshi narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at her fingers.

On her left index fingertip, there was a tiny fish egg, sitting atop her pink nail like the finest speck of red dust, almost impossible to notice without careful observation.

He watched as she casually touched the pastry with her fingertip, and that tiny fish egg adhered to it, mixing among the sesame seeds, disappearing.

She took a small bite, then looked at him and asked, “It’s nearly noon, would you like one or two, Sir?”

Wang Zongshi gazed at her contemplatively, his eyes inadvertently falling on the pastry again. She seemed oblivious, parting her lips to put the remaining half into her mouth.

“Put it down.” Wang Zongshi’s cold voice made her pause, looking at the pastry in her hand, then back at him in confusion.

Wang Zongshi’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he studied her expression, then asked, “You knew?”

Huang Zixia looked at him with wide, bewildered eyes: “What?”

Wang Zongshi’s gaze fell back on the pastry in her hand, but he remained silent.

“This?” she raised the pastry in her hand to show him, then promptly ate the remaining piece. The thumb-sized pastry was eaten with ease and pleasure, but Wang Zongshi’s expression suddenly changed.

This usually slow-moving Wang Zongshi, who typically moved like a hibernating snake, crossed the distance in an instant, grabbed her throat, and patted her back while saying sternly, “Spit it out!”

Huang Zixia retched a couple of times, struggling hard to break free from his grip. But Wang Zongshi’s hand was incredibly strong, and she couldn’t escape. Under his restraint, she finally spat out the pastry she had eaten.

“Send someone to the medicine hall for Luofu wood and oleander, grind them into powder, and take a small amount orally, once every two hours, two qian per day, for a month straight,” Wang Zongshi said, releasing her.

Huang Zixia touched her throttled neck and hesitantly said, “Sir Wang, oleander is poisonous.”

Wang Zongshi coldly replied, “Such a small amount won’t kill you, at worst you’ll suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.”

“How uncomfortable would that be? For instance, compared to having a parasitic fish hatch inside one’s body… which would be more unpleasant?” Huang Zixia asked calmly.

For the first time, an expression of shock appeared on Wang Zongshi’s pale, calm face. He glared at her in disbelief.

Huang Zixia met his gaze, her lips even showing a hint of a smile.

“Hmph…” Wang Zongshi finally suppressed his shock and anger, saying coldly, “How did you know?”

“In Chengdu, Master Shan who was close to you, Sir Wang, once used soul-capturing techniques to induce Yu Xuan to kill my parents,” Huang Zixia said quietly. “At that time, Qi Teng, who planned this scheme with Master Shan, asked Yu Xuan, ‘Do you know where that little red fish has gone now?'”

Wang Zongshi gave a cold laugh, folding his arms as he said, “What does Shan know? A fish that’s already hatched, being used to living in water, dies when it enters the human body and can only have a temporary effect. Unlike eggs that hatch inside, which can parasitize the human body for long periods, changing a person without anyone knowing.”

Huang Zixia bit her lower lip, staring at him as she asked, “What grudge does Sir Wang have against the Zhang family, to repeatedly take their lives?”

“You’re overthinking it,” now that she had unveiled the curtain between them, he seemed to become calmer, saying, “I’m not the only one in the world who knows this fish’s secret.”

She leaned forward slightly, fixing her gaze on him, and said, “However, your young servant Aze once had contact with Zhang Xingying.”

“Zhang Xingying was also someone close to the Prince of Kui.” His eyes met hers, but he remained perfectly calm.

Huang Zixia nodded silently, lost in thought.

Wang Zongshi slowly adjusted his sleeves, saying, “You know very well that with my skills, and this being my territory if I became angry after having my actions exposed, you would have no chance of survival.”

Huang Zixia turned to look at the swaying tree branches outside the window, not answering.

“Because you’ve already determined that I’m not the mastermind behind it all. It’s true that in the court, my biggest and longest-running opponent is the Prince of Kui—but in another situation, we can also depend on each other. Especially now, when both the Prince of Kui’s mansion and the Wang family face destruction, it’s just a matter of who goes first, isn’t it?”

Though reluctant to admit it, Huang Zixia nodded. As he said, if someone like Wang Zongshi didn’t exist in court, perhaps the Prince of Kui would have died mysteriously years ago like the other princes, and would never have risen to prominence during the Xiantong reign.

“Otherwise, why do you think I help you?” Wang Zongshi’s cold gaze slowly swept over her, “You are important to both the Prince of Kui and the Wang family. Whether you follow the Prince of Kui in the future or marry Yunzhi, it’s good for the Wang family—a worthwhile investment.”

After a moment of silence, Huang Zixia finally stood up and slowly bowed to him.

“You needn’t thank me. I do admire you—if you were the eunuch Yang Chonggu, I would certainly have done everything possible to bring you to my side,” Wang Zongshi said, and for the first time, a genuine smile appeared at the corners of his lips, making his whole person seem less cold, “You understood my regard for you well, and calculated accurately, knowing I would certainly save you.”

“No, I was just taking a gamble. After all, if I had just questioned you about this matter, there certainly would have been no result,” seeing Wang Zongshi frankly reveal everything, Huang Zixia also extended her finger to show him the one or two dust-like red spots on it, “Actually, just now my finger only had a bit of rouge powder on it—purple jasmine seeds ground and dyed red with safflower juice. It’s not poisonous, Sir can rest assured.”

“It’s quite remarkable that you could detect the mystery of the Ajiashenie from Qi Teng’s few words,” Wang Zongshi dismissed it with a smile, then remembered something and said, “Previously, I gave the zhen poison to Qi Teng, intending for him to monitor Fan Yuanlong and Master Shan, but unexpectedly he used it to commit a great crime. I was also at fault in this matter, and I ask for your understanding.”

Huang Zixia had long known that Qi Teng had connections with the Wang family, and since Zhen’s poison was a palace secret, it naturally had connections to Wang Zongshi, but seeing him explain so frankly to her, she could say nothing more and could only shake her head to avoid the topic.

“Zixia only had vague suspicions. I thought the various instances of madness from Prince E and the Zhang father and son seemed difficult to explain. And just at this time, I remembered the legend of the Ajiashenie I had once heard, that this fish was transformed from the Dragon Girl’s fleeting thought before Buddha,” Huang Zixia turned to look at the two small fish swimming quietly in the water, speaking slowly, “A fleeting thought… As everything has a cause, since there is such a saying, this small fish must be related to human thoughts, presumably a strange poison that can drive people mad?”

“No, it doesn’t drive people mad,” Wang Zongshi slowly shook his head and said, “Moreover, although it is a poison, it’s not lethal.”

Huang Zixia frowned and said, “When I was in Shu, I saw people growing opium poppies, said to be a cure-all herb from the Western Regions. While opium is good for medicine, eating too much gives one a floating, celestial feeling, with misty hallucinations of strange colors, and some even become addicted and die from it.”

“Yes, the Ajiashenie is similar. It causes people to become obsessed, infinitely amplifying what they hold dear in their hearts, leading to paranoid delusions and obsessions until death.”

Huang Zixia nodded, thought for a moment, and then asked, “Can it be used to control others?”

“No. The Ajiashenie can only intensify what’s already in the consumer’s heart, it cannot create thoughts from nothing.”

Huang Zixia asked, “So, even if I had just consumed the fish eggs, I wouldn’t be controlled by others—nor would I believe the Prince of Kui endangers the state and tries everything possible to kill him, right?”

“Of course not. The Ajiashenie would only intensify what you value most in your heart, such as your devotion to protecting the Prince of Kui at all costs, thus affecting your suspicion of others—for instance, believing that I am the culprit plotting against the Prince of Kui, and therefore fighting me desperately regardless of consequences.” Wang Zongshi said with a cold smile.

Huang Zixia maintained her composure, smiled at him, and said, “Please spare Zixia, Sir.”

Wang Zongshi gave a slight sneer.

Huang Zixia pondered in her heart that Wang Zongshi’s denial of killing the Zhang father and son, and his mention that Aze by his side was also a hidden spy, was essentially pointing out to her who the real mastermind was.

It’s just that after the Zhang family father and son were poisoned by the Ajiashenie, their frenzied agitation came from fear that the Prince of Kui would overthrow the Tang Dynasty—perhaps this had something to do with their family’s painting, or rather, what Zhang senior had seen and heard in the palace years ago?

While she was still thinking, Wang Zongshi said, “Regarding the Prince of Kui, I have something to tell you.”

Huang Zixia nodded, turning to look at him.

“Perhaps you’ve heard that dozens of elderly residents from various districts in the capital have jointly petitioned to severely punish the Prince of Kui. These days must be crucial for how His Majesty will deal with the Prince of Kui,” Wang Zongshi sat at the table, speaking leisurely, “However, what you may not know is that today His Majesty suffered from a headache, and when the Crown Prince came to attend to him, he cried until he nearly fainted. His Majesty asked why he was so heartbroken, and he said, ‘Fourth Uncle is plotting to seize the throne, and your child fears that without Father Emperor’s protection, I will be unable to protect myself.'”

Huang Zixia’s face changed color, and she said quietly, “The people around the Crown Prince are truly vicious.”

“Yes, the Crown Prince is young—what does he understand? Isn’t it just the instigation of those around him? That Tian Lingzi, being the Crown Prince’s closest eunuch, has grand ambitions but little talent, has long coveted the Divine Strategy Army, and thinks that just anyone in power can ensure the capital’s safety,” Wang Zongshi’s tone was cold, but his facial expression remained calm, speaking methodically as if just making casual conversation, “Just serving a twelve-year-old child and gaining some favor, even teaching the Crown Prince to call him ‘Father,’ and His Majesty can laugh it off, not taking it seriously.”

Huang Zixia thought to herself that imperial power had declined, with eunuchs holding great power for a long time. The previous Emperor Xuanzong had to lie low for many years before finally executing Ma Yuanzhi, and the current emperor has relied on Wang Zongshi for over a decade. If it weren’t for the Prince of Kui rising to power through his efforts, perhaps Chang’an would still be under the complete control of the eunuchs.

However, eunuchs are still eunuchs—no matter how arrogant and domineering they might be, they could never usurp the throne to become the ruler of the realm. But the Prince of Kui was a prince, with both the background and status sufficient to sit on the throne. If the emperor remained healthy and strong, that would be fine, but now he was approaching his end while the Prince of Kui was in his prime—how could a twelve-year-old Crown Prince possibly contend with such a powerful enemy?

Huang Zixia pondered that if she were in the emperor’s position, she probably couldn’t avoid speculating about Li Shubai either. After all, what lay within Li Shubai’s easy reach was the realm of the nine provinces and the worship of all people.

She felt a thin layer of cold sweat break out across her back. No matter how she thought about it, she couldn’t understand the emperor’s reason for keeping Li Shubai.

Wang Zongshi remained silent, only contemplatively studying her.

Huang Zixia forced herself to compose her thoughts, then continued his thread of conversation: “Why should Sir concern yourself with Tian Lingzi? This person is not worth fearing, only relying on his closeness to the Crown Prince since childhood, becoming arrogant before gaining real power—he’s just a fool. And His Majesty probably feels that for the Crown Prince, having a foolish and flamboyant eunuch by his side is better than someone deep and reserved.”

“Easier to deal with, is that it?” Wang Zongshi sneered, brushing his clothes, saying, “Just like how His Majesty spent fourteen years, but ultimately still couldn’t deal with me.”

Huang Zixia remained silent, truly not knowing how to respond to these words.

“His Majesty knows well that the Prince of Kui and I have always had opposing views, yet he specially entrusted this matter to me—naturally, he has his intentions,” he stood up, speaking with ease, “As for those ignorant commoners’ joint petition, you need not worry. Since I’ve been commanded to handle this matter, how could I possibly be influenced by those ignorant small-minded people?”

Huang Zixia stood up with him, but before she could speak, he had already taken out a memorial from his sleeve to show her, saying: “This joint petition, in your opinion, how should it be handled?”

Huang Zixia lowered her head and said: “Since His Majesty has ordered Sir to handle this matter, surely Sir will handle it appropriately. Zixia dares not speak rashly.”

Wang Zongshi glanced at her, saying nothing, only walking outside.

Huang Zixia followed him out of the room, where the cold air outside hit her face, making her shiver slightly.

Wang Zongshi, who usually feared the cold most, now stood tall looking at the bare branches outside, his voice calm and detached: “The coming period will be Chang’an’s most lively and chaotic time. The Buddha’s relic will enter the capital soon, which will certainly cause a citywide sensation. I also plan to persuade His Majesty to let the Prince of Kui leave the Ancestral Temple at this time to welcome the relic,” Wang Zongshi gazed indifferently at the sky, saying, “Doesn’t everyone say the Prince of Kui is possessed by an evil spirit? Then let people see whether he dares to receive this Buddha’s relic or not.”

Huang Zixia felt a chill in her heart and asked: “Will His Majesty agree?”

“He will. First, whether he can return to his former glory depends on whether he can pass the test of the Buddha’s relic. Whether the Prince of Kui can survive this ordeal is still a question,” Wang Zongshi turned his face to look at her, showing a cold smile, “Moreover, this morning we received reports that the Uighurs are invading our borders, and the Zhenwu Army is holding out desperately. Poor Li Ying worked so hard to expand the army, only to be routed in one night, all efforts wasted. It’s like history repeating itself—two years ago when the Uighurs invaded, various regional commanders also retreated step by step. And the person who led the army north to defeat the Uighurs then was the Prince of Kui.”

“So the court truly needs the Prince of Kui now.” Huang Zixia forcibly suppressed the surge in her heart, trying to maintain composure.

Wang Zongshi glanced at her and continued: “Don’t rejoice too early. Previously, after Pang Xun was suppressed in Xuzhou, didn’t the Prince of Kui lose the use of his left hand after that?”

Huang Zixia pressed her lips together in silence, slowly nodding once.

“How do you know what he will lose this time after everything is settled? What merit could offset his crime of killing his brother?” Wang Zongshi brushed his sleeve, sighing, “Sometimes it’s quite regrettable. Regrettably, my decade of machinations ultimately couldn’t match the Prince of Kui’s heaven-sent talent. He lay low in the Prince’s mansion for nine years without a sound—I thought he was finished for life, destined to die silently in the mansion like his brothers before him. Who knew he would seize the opportunity of Pang Xun’s rebellion and spring back to life in an instant?”

Huang Zixia stood silently behind him, watching the thin white vapor from his mouth, not answering.

“The Prince of Kui is again at a crucial moment of life and death, but looking at the recent changes in the northern situation, and His Majesty’s health being as it is, within two or three days, His Majesty will certainly take action. It won’t be too late for the Prince of Kui to leave the修政坊—after all, whether he lives or dies, whether to execute or employ him, there’s no time left to delay.” Wang Zongshi’s words made her eyes widen slightly, but he seemed to take no notice of her, continuing as if talking to himself: “In life, what matters is fate, what’s needed is fortune. He seized his fate, truly having heaven’s timing, earth’s advantage, and human harmony—the rebellion arranged by heaven, His Majesty’s urgent need to find the power to suppress me. The rebellion let him stand out, His Majesty’s support gave him the opportunity, and his heaven-sent talent finally brought him to where he is today.”

As he spoke, he turned back to give Huang Zixia a cold smile: “However, at this point, whether his fate has run its course depends on you.”

Huang Zixia felt a surge in her heart, something overwhelming choking her throat, making it impossible to breathe or speak.

“As far as I know, Yunzhi likes you very much,” Wang Zongshi’s face was unusually pale, and in his cold gaze as he looked at her, there was a barely perceptible trace of sympathy, “Huang Zixia, someone as clever as you should know how to choose the best path for your life.”

Huang Zixia stiffly lowered her head and said: “Yes, Zixia knows.”

Chang’an city transformed almost overnight.

The excited commoners not only cleaned their doorsteps but also voluntarily swept and watered the streets. However, they soon found their efforts were futile—the wealthy households in the city had already brought in the purest yellow sand, sifting it repeatedly, waiting to lay it down that day to welcome the Buddha’s relic. Yet moments later, they found the yellow sand was nothing, as someone had already spent their entire fortune buying hundreds of zhang of Persian rugs, preparing to lay them on the path where the Buddha’s relic would pass.

Chang’an City was extraordinarily lively. The small pagodas and colored pavilions ordered built by the emperor were set up at every intersection, wealthy households created pools of mercury and trees of gold and jade, colored pavilions lined the streets, and even the trees had been wrapped in brocade—everything was brilliant, just waiting for the Buddha’s relic.

Huang Zixia, wearing men’s clothing with narrow sleeves, rode through Chang’an. The neighborhoods were so bustling that she had to dismount and lead her horse, slowly walking and stopping among the crowds. She heard people discussing the upcoming grand event—

“Once this Buddha’s relic arrives in Chang’an, surely the realm will be peaceful and all people will be happy! Everyone is delighted about this!”

“That’s not quite right. When Emperor Xianzong welcomed the Buddha’s relic, didn’t Han Yu oppose it inappropriately and get demoted for it? This time there’s also someone disrespectful to the Buddha’s relic!” an elderly man said, stroking his beard.

Others suddenly realized and asked: “Old sir, do you mean the Prince of Kui intends to obstruct the welcoming of the Buddha’s relic?”

“Isn’t that so? The Prince of Kui has been dissatisfied with this matter from the start, opposing His Majesty’s construction of pagodas to welcome the relic. What business is it of his? Why did he first oppose welcoming the relic, then reducing the number of pagodas to be built, doing everything possible to obstruct His Majesty?”

“I’ve heard rumors too!” someone said mysteriously, “They say the Prince of Kui has a strange talisman, with Pang Xun’s spirit attached to it. This talisman glows blood-red whenever there’s killing, and the Prince of Kui relies on it to do as he pleases, defeating Nanzhao and the Uighurs, all with Pang Xun’s ghost army!”

Hearing such absurd street rumors, Huang Zixia couldn’t help but feel helpless, reining in her horse to listen further.

Seeing that everyone was drawn in by the supernatural elements, listening intently, that person became even more animated, speaking with increasing exaggeration: “The Prince of Kui didn’t expect that, as they say, what builds you up can also bring you down—that talisman helped him succeed, but it’s also secretly consuming his mind. Now, possessed by Pang Xun’s evil spirit, he’s lost his senses and intends to rebel!”

“No wonder he killed Prince E, showing no regard for brotherly affection!”

“What brotherly affection is there in the royal family? Besides, his close guard from the mansion has come forward to testify that the Prince of Kui’s deep intention is to seize the throne—how could he care about a mere brother?”

Amidst the sighs of the crowd, the elderly man from before also said: “Indeed, that’s why I, along with other elders, jointly petitioned directly to the throne, requesting His Majesty to prioritize state law over merit and ensure that evil is exposed and the murderer brought to justice!”

“Old sir, in your twilight years, you still think only of the state—truly admirable!”

Among the praise, someone questioned: “However, the Prince of Kui fought north and south, establishing great merit, truly contributing to the state. If he was bewitched, surely his merits and crimes balance out—the punishment shouldn’t be death, right?”

“The Prince of Kui naturally shouldn’t die, and he indeed has merit for the state, but now the body of the Prince of Kui no longer houses himself, but Pang Xun—what does it matter if this body-snatching evil spirit dies!”

Someone else said: “But I see that the court still has use for the Prince of Kui. I heard…” At this point, he lowered his voice mysteriously, eyebrows twitching, clearly excited about possessing the latest information, “The court wants the Prince of Kui to suppress the Zhenwu Army!”

“Is that possible? Has something happened to the Zhenwu Army?”

“Who knows, wasn’t it just said a few days ago that the Zhenwu Army was greatly expanding its forces? Could they have rebelled, so the court needs to suppress them?”

“Well well, Pang Xun himself came from rebel troops, and now going to fight the Zhenwu Army—isn’t that rebels fighting rebels, making everything chaotic?”

Everyone burst out laughing. Hearing them speak nonsense, all catching in shadows, Huang Zixia was about to leave with her horse when suddenly the sound of a drum attracted everyone’s attention, and people began surging in that direction.

Huang Zixia looked in the direction where people were pushing and saw it was that middle-aged man who often told stories at the Zuijin Tower. Storytellers indeed went wherever there was excitement—this time he had spiritedly set up his small drum and squeezed into the street corner.

Being a professional talker, once his drumstick started moving, his opening was different—first telling a story about Emperor Taizong’s twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion, but someone spat in contempt: “Can’t you tell something more interesting? Give us something romantic!”

Amidst the knowing laughter of the crowd, the storyteller had no choice but to say: “Well then, let me tell you all a fantastic tale about Emperor Yang of the previous Sui dynasty. When Emperor Wen was in his final years, gravely ill, Emperor Yang entered to attend him and happened to see Lady Xuanhua coming with medicine. Just one glance and his soul was immediately scattered, thinking how could there be such a beauty in the world…”

“Then Emperor Wen passed away, Emperor Yang sent a lover’s knot to Lady Xuanhua, took the previous emperor’s consorts, and engaged in nightly debauchery—we’ve heard this hundreds of times, tell us something new!”

Amidst the laughter of the crowd, Huang Zixia’s face suddenly changed color.

In her mind, she quickly recalled the silk threads she had found in the incense burner at Prince E’s mansion—the remains clearly showed a burned lover’s knot.

Lover’s knot, dagger, jade bracelet. So… this was the common meaning behind these seemingly unrelated three items!

In an instant, she felt terrified beyond measure, the world before her eyes blurred, and everyone retreated backward, leaving only a faint trace of the street before her eyes. The colored pavilions covered the sky, and the sunlight made the street brilliantly bright, like a pale red bloodstain covering heaven and earth.

Her face pale, she unconsciously gripped the reins tightly, staring in disbelief, standing frozen in the corner of the wall. After a long, long time, she thought she heard heavy breathing, all the hair on her body stood on end, and she fearfully and vigilantly looked around, only to find everyone around her passing by indifferently—that heavy and rapid breathing was her own.

In this life, she had encountered countless cases and innumerable cruel and terrifying methods. Yet this was the first time she stood among crowds dripping with cold sweat, her mind suddenly blank.

The truth was too terrifying, making her ears ring, her complexion so awful that even passersby turned to look.

Leaning against the wall corner, at Chang’an’s most bustling moment, among crowds anticipating the Buddha’s relic’s auspicious arrival, she felt her body become stiff and cold as if lifeless.

Who knows how long passed before her consciousness gradually cleared? The storyteller beside her had switched to a tale about the Prince of Kui’s resistance against the Uighur invasion, but despite his enthusiastic telling, the audience wasn’t interested, saying in unison: “The Prince of Kui has committed such deeds now, tell us about someone else!”

Huang Zixia pressed hard against her temples, leaning against the wall, without the strength to leave.

“Everyone, I have a reason for telling this story today!” the storyteller stood under the colored pavilion, his face reddened by the reflection, showing excitement, “The Uighurs haven’t invaded just once or twice. Do you know the recent news from the Zhenwu Army? They retreated over fifty li, even their main camp was taken!”

Amid the commotion, listeners dejectedly said: “What does retreat matter? Now that the Tang dynasty’s fortune is waning, border defeats aren’t unusual. It’s no longer like the old days.”

The storyteller spoke seriously: “When the Uighurs were defeated by the Prince of Kui before, they were terrified of him, not daring to move rashly. But now that the Prince of Kui is in trouble, likely unable to preserve his life, the Uighurs seize the opportunity to invade! They’re taking advantage of our Great Tang having no one! Such opportunistic, petty behavior is truly hateful!”

The listeners immediately became agitated, with someone pushing through the crowd to say: “This cannot be tolerated! The Prince of Kui should lead our Great Tang soldiers straight to the northern frontier, and show them what’s what! Let those jumping clowns see our Great Tang’s might!”

“Right, yes, show them what’s what!”

Once foreign invasion was mentioned, the common people were immediately stirred up. The matter of the Prince of Kui killing Prince E was forgotten, as everyone fantasized about the Prince of Kui going to the battlefield, instantly routing the Uighurs, even driving them to their court in the great desert, leaving them no strength to return…

“Moreover, let me tell you all, about this case of the Prince of Kui killing Prince E—don’t you all find it bizarre? The mysteries hidden within, let me explain to you in detail—”

The following even more sensational speculations, full of supernatural elements, again caused an uproar among the crowd. Huang Zixia, lost in thought, continued leading her horse slowly forward, thinking to herself that the Wang family’s actions were indeed quick—just days ago they had spoken of turning public opinion, and now it had already begun.

She looked up to see the Zhengzheng District ahead, tied her horse to a nearby willow tree, instructed the horse keeper to add some fodder, and then headed toward the Ancestral Temple pavilion.

At the entrance, she stood quietly in the corner outside the alley, a locust tree hiding her figure.

As the sun rose higher, she stood behind the tree, feeling her hands and feet growing colder.

In her mind, that lover’s knot, that dagger, and that broken white jade bracelet kept circling.

If anyone saw her now, they would surely notice her trembling lips and face full of fear.

Even though she understood all the ins and outs, she still felt afraid. Afraid of this destruction of human nature, afraid of the unknown situation, afraid that she would be unable to personally uncover all these truths and clear Li Shubai’s name.

She struggled to control herself, biting her lower lip as she stood there, quietly waiting.

Until near the Chen hour, when orderly ranks of Imperial Guards arrived, led by Wang Yun.

“Imperial hand decree, summoning the Prince of Kui to an audience at court.”

The guards dared not be negligent, checking the decree before quickly letting Wang Yun in to request the Prince of Kui’s presence. Huang Zixia stood motionless behind the locust tree, using the twisted trunk to hide herself, only half her face visible, quietly waiting.

Moments later, Li Shubai came out with Wang Yun. His expression was somewhat solemn, his stone-blue brocade robe making him appear even more melancholic. Now suddenly summoned by the emperor, his face showed neither joy nor worry and when mounting his horse, he showed no unusual behavior.

She saw his profile, that curve exactly as she remembered, perfect like distant mountains and winding waters. She dared not blink, only staring at him intently, almost entranced watching his every movement, as if trying to remember his every breath, firmly imprinting every tremor of his hair in her heart.

She remained silent, biting her lower lip, watching him urge his horse forward.

However, in the silence, he seemed to sense something, suddenly turning his head to look where Huang Zixia was standing.

His gaze was so sharp as if it could pierce through the tree trunk and pull her body before him.

Huang Zixia instinctively curled her body smaller, hiding behind the large locust tree. Fortunately, he only paused briefly before withdrawing his gaze and urging his horse onward.

Only after he had gone far did Huang Zixia slowly let out a breath, leaning back against the locust tree. With her back to the departing Li Shubai and others, thinking of those truths that might rot forever in the bottom of her heart, she stood dazed for a long while, finally just closing her eyes and letting out a long breath, her expression both gratified and bitter.

“Sir Wang truly foresaw everything, changes indeed came today,” she spoke to herself, but could say no more, “However…”

However, because of this, she owed the Wang family even more.

When she left Li Shubai’s side in the snow, she thought she could use Wang Yun to discover the Wang family’s connection to this matter, and thereby investigate the background situation. But who knew that step by step, she would receive such great favors from the Wang family, nor had she imagined that matters would develop to the current situation, to the time when she must give up her last retreat.

It was Wang Yun, and more so the Wang family, who helped her step by step to see the truth of this case. The Prince of Kui had left the Ancestral Temple, the case had taken a turn, and how could she betray her promise, betray the Wang family?

She knew that with this thread of opportunity, Li Shubai could escape all the nets, from then on roaming north and south as he pleased, never again trapped in dangerous situations.

Forgetting each other on the rivers and lakes, perhaps this was their best ending.

And now, her only choice was to disappear from his life forever after knowing he was safe, never to meet again.

Because, even if they met one last time, she wouldn’t know how to say goodbye, how to say they would never meet again.

The Heavenly River Tilts – Chapter 18: A Fleeting Thought

From the book: Hairpin Chronicles

The Ajiashenie transformed from the Dragon Girl’s fleeting thought before Buddha. It would cause people to become obsessed, infinitely amplifying what they held dear in their hearts, filled with obsession until death.

“Yes, Eunuch Wang mentioned before that Ajiashenie fish eggs are difficult to hatch, and few understand their secret. That’s why when I saw the small fish laying eggs this morning, I hurried to inform you.”

Wang Zongshi looked at the crystal bottle in her hand and said: “You should have told Yunzhi, I didn’t bring a container with me.”

“Aren’t these everywhere?” she said, turning to look around the room, casually picking up a jar and pouring the small fish along with their eggs from the crystal bottle into it. Then she added some water to the crystal bottle and reached into the jar to scoop the two fish back, returning them to the bottle.

She placed the crystal bottle back on the windowsill, handed the jar to Wang Zongshi, then sat down casually at the table, taking a piece of pastry to her mouth.

Wang Zongshi, who had been coldly observing, finally spoke up and asked: “Aren’t you going to wash your hands?”

Huang Zixia paused, looked at her hands, and said: “The water in that bottle was just changed this morning, it’s very clean.”

Wang Zongshi narrowed his eyes slightly, staring at her fingers.

On her left index fingertip, there was a tiny fish egg, sitting atop her pink nail like the finest speck of red dust, almost impossible to notice without careful observation.

He watched as she casually touched the pastry with her fingertip, and that tiny fish egg adhered to it, mixing among the sesame seeds, disappearing.

She took a small bite, then looked at him and asked: “It’s nearly noon, would you like one or two, Sir?”

Wang Zongshi gazed at her contemplatively, his eyes inadvertently falling on the pastry again. She seemed oblivious, parting her lips to put the remaining half into her mouth.

“Put it down.” Wang Zongshi’s cold voice made her pause, looking at the pastry in her hand, then back at him in confusion.

Wang Zongshi’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he studied her expression, then asked: “You knew?”

Huang Zixia looked at him with wide, bewildered eyes: “What?”

Wang Zongshi’s gaze fell back on the pastry in her hand, but he remained silent.

“This?” she raised the pastry in her hand to show him, then promptly ate the remaining piece. The thumb-sized pastry was eaten with ease and pleasure, but Wang Zongshi’s expression suddenly changed.

This usually slow-moving Wang Zongshi, who typically moved like a hibernating snake, crossed the distance in an instant, grabbed her throat, and patted her back while saying sternly: “Spit it out!”

Huang Zixia retched a couple of times, struggling hard to break free from his grip. But Wang Zongshi’s hand was incredibly strong, and she couldn’t escape. Under his restraint, she finally spat out the pastry she had eaten.

“Send someone to the medicine hall for Luofu wood and oleander, grind them into powder, and take a small amount orally, once every two hours, two qian per day, for a month straight,” Wang Zongshi said, releasing her.

Huang Zixia touched her throttled neck and hesitantly said: “Sir Wang, oleander is poisonous.”

Wang Zongshi coldly replied: “Such a small amount won’t kill you, at worst you’ll suffer from vomiting and diarrhea.”

“How uncomfortable would that be? For instance, compared to having a parasitic fish hatch inside one’s body… which would be more unpleasant?” Huang Zixia asked calmly.

For the first time, an expression of shock appeared on Wang Zongshi’s pale, calm face. He glared at her in disbelief.

Huang Zixia met his gaze, her lips even showing a hint of a smile.

“Hmph…” Wang Zongshi finally suppressed his shock and anger, saying coldly, “How did you know?”

“In Chengdu, Master Shan who was close to you, Sir Wang, once used soul-capturing techniques to induce Yu Xuan to kill my parents,” Huang Zixia said quietly. “At that time, Qi Teng, who planned this scheme with Master Shan, asked Yu Xuan, ‘Do you know where that little red fish has gone now?'”

Wang Zongshi gave a cold laugh, folding his arms as he said: “What does Shan know? A fish that’s already hatched, being used to living in water, dies when it enters the human body and can only have a temporary effect. Unlike eggs that hatch inside, which can parasitize the human body for long periods, changing a person without anyone knowing.”

Huang Zixia bit her lower lip, staring at him as she asked: “What grudge does Sir Wang have against the Zhang family, to repeatedly take their lives?”

“You’re overthinking it,” now that she had unveiled the curtain between them, he seemed to become calmer, saying, “I’m not the only one in the world who knows this fish’s secret.”

She leaned forward slightly, fixing her gaze on him, and said: “However, your young servant Aze once had contact with Zhang Xingying.”

“Zhang Xingying was also someone close to the Prince of Kui.” His eyes met hers, but he remained perfectly calm.

Huang Zixia nodded silently, lost in thought.

Wang Zongshi leisurely adjusted his sleeves, saying: “You well know that with my skills, and this being my territory, if I became angry after having my actions exposed, you would have no chance of survival.”

Huang Zixia turned to look at the swaying branches outside the window, not answering.