In the Moonlight

Chang'an, Crown Prince's Palace.

The summer heat was intense, with plums sinking and melons floating in water basins. This year, the low-lying Taiji Palace was exceptionally damp and sweltering. Moss speckled the steps of the long corridors, while a thin layer of moisture coated the Capricorn-patterned floor tiles, reflecting a damp gleam.

Amid the cacophony of cicadas, a eunuch led a travel-worn young man in a blue official robe through the winding corridors to the study pavilion.

A eunuch had long been waiting at the threshold. Hearing footsteps, he stepped forward with a beaming smile.

"Secretary Du, the Crown Prince has been awaiting you for some time."

Du Sinan did not even glance at the eunuch, nodding curtly as he strode inside with an air of arrogance.

The eunuch's smile remained unchanged.

Over the past year, Du Sinan—a scholar from the humble southern Chu clans—had repeatedly achieved great merits: defending Jin City, executing Northern Rong spies, and serving as envoy to Southern Chu and Western Shu. Leveraging his understanding of various courts and his silver tongue, he compelled Southern Chu and Great Wei to form an alliance, eliminating Great Wei's concerns about its rear. Consequently, he frequently received summons from Li De. At each audience, he responded fluently, delighting Li De, who repeatedly promoted him beyond convention. Rising meteorically, he had advanced from a common scholar to the position of Secretariat Drafter, participating in memorial discussions and drafting imperial decrees, effectively becoming Emperor Li De's most trusted confidant.

Hearing that Du Sinan remained unmarried, prominent families in the capital competed to send matchmakers to propose marriages, hoping to secure this rising star as a son-in-law. Even Prime Minister Zheng hinted at personally arranging a match for him. While everyone at court envied him, Du Sinan flatly refused all proposals, claiming his humble origins made him unworthy of aligning with noble families.

The eunuch did not understand the undercurrents at court, but having served Li Xuanzhen for years, he could discern from the father and son's usual words and actions that they clearly favored officials from humble backgrounds. With Du Sinan now in the emperor's favor and highly trusted, no matter how aloof or arrogant he acted, the eunuch would not offend him.

For lowly eunuchs like him, whom to flatter and whom to snub depended solely on the attitudes of the emperor and crown prince; nothing else concerned them.

By the window, several lush pomegranate trees spread their canopies over half the courtyard, casting a deep green shadow before the window screens and leaving the room dimly lit.

Du Sinan walked straight inward, passing several floor-standing mica-inlaid screens before arriving at the music room.

The faint aroma of tea wafted through steam-filled air. A young attendant knelt nearby, operating a small bellows as crimson flames flickered and danced before the stove.

Li Xuanzhen reclined beside the sitting couch, his expression calm and eyes deep black. Dressed in the crown prince's informal attire, his stiff, broad round-collar robe was cinched at the waist with an embroidered belt, outlining his lean figure. He had grown noticeably thinner since Du Sinan last saw him.

Over the past year, the crown prince had changed profoundly.

He had once been amiable toward subordinates, leading charges on the battlefield and never abandoning any soldier—gentle, tolerant, and courteous to scholars. Yet an innate gloominess lurked beneath, always scheming against the Seventh Princess and Second Prince. Moreover, trapped by his affection for Fukang Princess, he often acted incomprehensibly, even recklessly with his life, drawing sidelong glances from court officials.Now, Fukang Princess had vanished, the Seventh Princess had died beyond the frontier, the Second Prince had lost everything and left the capital for the borderlands, Empress Xie lived alone in a detached palace, deranged and foolish, while the Third and Fourth Princes were imprisoned by Li De on charges of colluding with foreign enemies. The Crown Prince had avenged his enemies, his beloved had departed, and his position as Crown Prince was secure. He seemed to have become calm and steady, no longer capricious or harboring hatred toward the Xie clan.

The court ministers were greatly relieved.

Du Sinan’s gaze swept over Li Xuanzhen’s handsome face, and he sneered inwardly: A kettle of water hisses loudly as it boils, but once it reaches a rolling boil, the sound becomes gentle. The Crown Prince had not become calm.

He bowed to Li Xuanzhen.

Li Xuanzhen made a gesture of rising but did not accept the bow.

As Du Sinan took his seat, he thought to himself that the Crown Prince’s reputation for treating scholars with respect was not unfounded, but his ruthlessness was also no rumor. Back when the Crown Prince had mistakenly believed Du Sinan to be a follower of the Second Prince, Li Zhongqian, he had immediately tried to eliminate him. Such decisiveness was not the mark of a merciful man.

Sitting opposite Li Xuanzhen was a young official with delicate features, also dressed in a blue official robe similar to Du Sinan’s—this was Zheng Jing, the son of the chancellor. They had just been discussing relief efforts for the floods in the Jingnan region.

Zheng Jing nodded to Du Sinan and asked, “Courtier Du, has Southern Chu changed its heir apparent again?”

Du Sinan snapped back to attention and replied, “The Southern Chu Crown Prince injured someone while recklessly riding his horse. When court officials seized on this as a pretext, the Crown Prince, to protect his reputation, resorted to silencing witnesses and even plotted against court ministers. The Southern Chu court was thrown into an uproar, with officials kneeling outside the palace gates, weeping incessantly. The Southern Chu emperor had no choice but to depose the Crown Prince.”

Zheng Jing smiled faintly.

This change of heir apparent in Southern Chu had been orchestrated by him and Du Sinan.

As the saying goes, “paying someone back in their own coin,” after uncovering Southern Chu’s spies, they used those spies to map out Southern Chu’s intelligence network, spreading false information to mislead Southern Chu into believing that Great Wei dared not march south and wished to divide the realm along the river.

Subsequently, they spread rumors that the reason several Southern Chu generals advocated for war was because they were originally from the north.

Southern Chu was prosperous, and most officials of Southern Chu origin were content with their isolated, decadent, and luxurious lives, unwilling to go to war with Great Wei. They fell right into the trap, submitting memorials to impeach the war faction at court, accusing them of clinging to their homeland and, for personal gain, disregarding the lives of tens of thousands of Southern Chu soldiers—unfaithful, unfilial, and duplicitous.

The war faction was isolated and outnumbered. The emperor had no choice but to demote several pro-war generals to placate public sentiment.

After making Southern Chu sabotage its own defenses, Du Sinan stepped in to sow discord between the Southern Chu Crown Prince and the other princes, exacerbating the conflict between court officials and the Crown Prince. By fanning the flames and exploiting every opportunity, in just two months, the recently appointed Crown Prince was also deposed.

Du Sinan was not a military commander; he did not care how ruthless or sinister his methods were. As long as they weakened Southern Chu, he would stop at nothing.

To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme art of war.

The small red-clay stove emitted a soft, crackling sound.

Du Sinan continued, “Southern Chu is dominated by powerful families. The maternal families of several princes are all local magnates. Even before, the princes were only superficially harmonious. With the frequent changes in the heir apparent over the past two years, court officials have inevitably been drawn into the fray. The major families of Southern Chu have intermarried for generations, forming an intricate and deeply entangled network. A single move affects the whole situation, and no one can remain untouched.”"Our embedded agents are already in position. When the time comes for an inside-outside coordinated strike, I can assure you that within two years, the Southern Chu court will inevitably fall into turmoil!"

His icy voice echoed through the music room.

Zheng Jing continued his line of thought: "The Southern Chu monarch and his ministers rely solely on the natural barrier of the Yangtze River, looking down upon our Great Wei. Their court is rife with constant disputes, with deep-seated conflicts between southerners and northerners. To appease the southerners, the Southern Chu emperor has severed his own support, leaving northerners unjustly accused. This presents the perfect opportunity for us to send envoys to persuade them to abandon the darkness for the light."

Whether those northerners were willing to defect to Great Wei or not, simply spreading news of their close contact with Wei people would ensure Southern Chu would never trust them again.

After listening to both men, Li Xuanzhen nodded and asked, "What if Western Shu and Southern Chu form an alliance?"

Du Sinan sneered, "The Meng clan of Western Shu is shortsighted and cowardly. They lack the capability to contend for hegemony yet harbor such ambitions. The Meng clan has previously fought against Southern Chu, and the two states have been at odds for years. Even if they form an alliance, it won't last more than a few months. Before that happens, we can persuade Southern Chu to join us in attacking Western Shu by promising them territories like Qianzhong Circuit and Western Shannan Circuit. Southern Chu would certainly be tempted. Then we can secretly lobby Western Shu, proposing a joint attack on Southern Chu in exchange for granting them Western Jiangnan Circuit. Western Shu would inevitably hesitate."

"By then, we deliberately leak information to make both Western Shu and Southern Chu believe they've each reached an agreement with us. Would they dare form an alliance with each other then?"

Zheng Jing felt chills running down his spine as he listened. After pondering for a moment, he nodded in agreement: "After conquering Western Shu, Southern Chu's internal strife won't cease but will intensify instead. When they've weakened each other through conflict, we can reap the spoils."

Du Sinan recalled something and hesitated before saying, "The reason I dare speak with such certainty is also because of one person."

Li Xuanzhen looked up: "Which mastermind?"

Du Sinan enunciated each word clearly: "Princess Wenzhao."

Gurgle, gurgle - the water in the tea kettle boiled, fine pearl-like bubbles tumbling up and down.

The three men simultaneously lowered their gazes to watch the strings of bubbling foam in the kettle.

After a long silence, Li Xuanzhen was the first to speak: "Why do you say that?"

His voice was low and hoarse, as if restraining something.

Du Sinan slowly explained: "The letters Princess Wenzhao sent back not only warned me to guard against Northern Rong, Southern Chu, and Western Shu, but also pointed out the deep conflicts between Southern Chu and Western Shu. She noted that simply using Qianzhong Circuit as bait could turn the two states against each other. She also mentioned the disputes within Southern Chu's court - the strategy I used for Southern Chu's recent crown prince replacement came from Princess Wenzhao's plans."

"Princess Wenzhao seems to understand Southern Chu and Western Shu inside out. Both states' reactions have been exactly as she described in her letters. She said the alliance between Southern Chu and Western Shu was fragile and could be broken with minimal provocation. I believe Princess Wenzhao possesses almost prophetic foresight."

This time, Li Xuanzhen remained silent even longer. The curling steam seemed to cast shadows across his handsome profile.

Zheng Jing interjected: "Princess Wenzhao grew up in Jingnan, which borders both Southern Chu and Western Shu. The Xie family has been operating in Jingnan for years. It's not surprising that Princess Wenzhao understands Southern Chu and Western Shu so well."

Li Xuanzhen gave a faint "hmm" and sat lost in thought, his eyes vacant.

Du Sinan couldn't help asking: "What does Your Highness think of this strategy?"

Li Xuanzhen snapped out of his reverie, pondered for a long moment, silently digesting their entire conversation.If the plan proceeds smoothly, Great Wei can achieve the monumental feat of unifying the realm in the shortest time with minimal cost.

Then, when Great Wei pacifies the realm and marches westward, it will have ample military strength to confront the Northern Rong.

Having made up his mind, he said to Du Sinan, "Secretary Du truly lives up to being His Majesty's Zifang—devising strategies within a command tent yet determining victory a thousand miles away."

Du Sinan replied, "Your Highness flatters me unduly."

Though his tone was modest, his expression carried a hint of cold arrogance that suggested no one else could match him.

Zheng Jing shook his head imperceptibly.

Li Xuanzhen entered the palace for an audience with the Emperor to discuss the specifics of the plan with Li De. After the two took their leave, Zheng Jing reminded Du Sinan, "Secretary Du, you have been attracting too much attention lately. Beware of the tall tree that catches the wind."

Du Sinan sneered, "I am different from you, Vice Minister Zheng. You are a scion of a noble family, appointed as a close aide to the Emperor upon entering officialdom. I, Du Sinan, come from humble origins. After ten years of diligent study, even a lifetime of hard work would only pave the way for someone like you. Now that the Emperor values me beyond convention, how can I let this opportunity to rise slip away? Even if the cunning hare dies and the hound is boiled, I, Du Sinan, must rise above others to fulfill my ambitions and achieve unparalleled feats."

Zheng Jing had no retort.

Du Sinan was a blade in Li De's hand—a finely sharpened blade poised to strike at the noble families. The noble families, keenly aware of Li De's intentions, sought to win Du Sinan over to their side, even going so far as to set aside their pride and offer marriage alliances. They had assumed a commoner like him would be overjoyed, but to their surprise, he refused without a second thought.

As a member of the Zheng family, Zheng Jing had recently heard many rumors. If Du Sinan remained obstinate, the noble families would not hesitate to act.

"Has Secretary Du truly made up his mind? The Emperor and the Crown Prince can protect you for a time, but not forever. Setting aside the fate of the hound after the hare's demise, throughout history, how many ministers like you have met a peaceful end?"

Du Sinan curled his lips, utterly unconcerned. "Though Shang Yang suffered dismemberment by five horses, he ultimately succeeded in his reforms and left his name in history. Vice Minister Zheng, our aspirations differ. How can you, an outsider, understand the joy of the fish?"

Zheng Jing smiled faintly and fell silent for a moment before suddenly asking, "Secretary Du, does your refusal to marry a noble lady have anything to do with the Seventh Princess?"

Du Sinan's expression stiffened.

Zheng Jing continued with a smile, "Secretary Du, you pride yourself on your talent, yet your humble origins hold you back. Back in Southern Chu, you once publicly vowed to marry only a noble lady, which is why you strive so relentlessly to rise above your station. Now that noble families in the capital are willing to wed their legitimate daughters to you, why do you refuse?"

Du Sinan's face darkened. He shot Zheng Jing a cold glance and retorted, "Vice Minister Zheng, you are a scion of a prestigious family, born into nobility with a boundless future. Yet you remain unmarried, with only concubines in your household and your cousin managing your domestic affairs. Why do you not take a wife?"

Zheng Jing's smile faded bit by bit.

The two stood in silence.

Zheng Jing turned and gazed at the lush pomegranate tree in the courtyard, his hands clasped behind his back. He murmured softly, "I have seen a lady like the Seventh Princess, and I personally escorted her to her distant marriage..."

Dressed in her floral hairpin ceremonial dress, she boarded the carriage under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials.

For the rest of his life, Zheng Jing would never forget that delicate, slender figure.He could no longer recall when he had fallen for the Seventh Princess. At the time, it hadn't felt particularly profound—just the admiration and longing of a young man. After the princess was married off to a distant land, he assumed these feelings would gradually fade with time. Instead, the opposite occurred. That regret not only failed to diminish but carved a deep scar in his heart, one that would ache unexpectedly at unguarded moments.

Like aged wine stored in a cellar, it grew richer and more potent with the passing years.

Zheng Jing had only spoken half his thoughts, but Du Sinan understood the unspoken words.

"I, Du Sinan, come from humble origins... unworthy of a lady from a noble family," Du Sinan remarked after a long silence, his tone contemplative.

For a moment, neither spoke.

After standing together a while longer, Zheng Jing descended the steps, glanced around, and lowered his voice: "Wei Ming has disappeared."

Du Sinan's eyelid twitched.

Zheng Jing stated calmly, "The one who acted was the Duke of Wei."

"Li Zhongqian? Didn't he go to Helong?"

Zheng Jing explained, "The Duke of Wei knew the Crown Prince's Palace had tightened its security. He didn't strike immediately upon returning to the capital. Wei Ming vanished a few days ago—the work of men the Duke left behind."

Du Sinan pondered this, then said, "The Duke of Wei now only wishes to find the Seventh Princess quickly, to ensure she doesn't end up buried in a foreign land... When the Duke returns..."

Li Zhongqian would personally kill Wei Ming.

And then?

Wei Ming was far from the only one he wanted dead.

Walking side by side out of the corridor, the atmosphere grew heavy. Zheng Jing abruptly changed the subject: "Will you eventually pledge your service to the Crown Prince's Palace, Du Sheren?"

Du Sinan's pupils contracted slightly. He lifted his head, glaring angrily at Zheng Jing.

Zheng Jing's expression remained unchanged.

After a moment of locked gazes, Du Sinan curled his lips into a cold smile. "I've been suspected by the Crown Prince before, and that scoundrel Wei Ming repeatedly tried to harm me. There's already a rift between me and the Crown Prince's Palace."

Zheng Jing narrowed his eyes.

Du Sinan snorted. "Minister Zheng knows my reputation. To rise in the world, I'll stop at nothing. Only when I've firmly established myself at court will I have the leverage to negotiate."

They exchanged a knowing glance.

Both were men who prioritized interests above all—calm and rational. Everything they did now was aimed at climbing to the pinnacle of power.

Thus, even though they were enraged that Li De had sent the Seventh Princess into a political marriage, they still immersed themselves in court affairs, chasing after rank and wealth.

The princess's distant marriage had taught them that only by wielding authority could they protect those they cared about.

Until then, they cared not whom they served nor the origins of their allies.

As for whether they would become enemies themselves—that was a matter for the future.

At least, until Li Zhongqian returned, their interests aligned.

...

Li Xuanzhen reported Du Sinan's strategies to Li De, though these plans had already been set in motion covertly. Now they faced a decision: should they attack Western Shu?

Li De feared that the Northern Rong might turn south for a campaign and thought it better to wait.

Li Xuanzhen argued, "Haidu Aling withdrew his troops after a prolonged siege because their main forces were concentrated on the northern route of the Western Regions, with insufficient supplies and military provisions. Now, Southern Chu has just changed its heir apparent and demoted several generals—they can't mobilize troops quickly. If we offer them benefits, they'll surely stand by idly. This is the perfect opportunity for us to attack Western Shu. If we keep delaying, and the Northern Rong turns eastward, we'll be caught between two fronts. How could we resist then?"

Li De remained hesitant.Li Xuanzhen rose to his feet and declared, "Your subject is willing to pledge a military order—if Chengdu Prefecture cannot be captured within three months, I shall accept any punishment from Your Majesty."

Li De frowned, lifting his gaze to rest on Li Xuanzhen's face.

Having campaigned abroad all month, Li Xuanzhen had returned to Chang'an only to rush about preparing for the campaign against Western Shu. He had grown noticeably thinner, appearing somewhat haggard, yet his phoenix eyes blazed like two fiercely burning flames.

Li De sighed inwardly.

Had he gone mad simply because Zhu Lvyun had disappeared?

This son had grown up before his eyes... After weighing the matter, Li De signaled to a eunuch to spread paper and grind ink for drafting the campaign decree.

He could not stop his son.

The court began intensive preparations for the expedition. Du Sinan was dispatched once more to Southern Chu, urging them to join Great Wei in partitioning Western Shu. Simultaneously, rumors were spread that Western Shu intended to ally with Great Wei to divide Southern Chu, buying time to prevent an alliance between Southern Chu and Western Shu.

Li Xuanzhen volunteered to lead the vanguard, setting out first with the Flying Cavalry.

Zheng Biyu saw him off with a heavy heart.

The previous night, Li Xuanzhen had entrusted her with a task: "If any news comes from Helong, ensure it is delivered to the front lines by fast horse immediately. No matter how trivial, do not delay."

Zheng Biyu's heart skipped a beat. "News from Helong?"

Li Xuanzhen glanced at her. "I have men following Li Zhongqian. They will send reports every few days."

Zheng Biyu's hands trembled slightly. "Your Highness, why are you having Duke Wei followed?"

Li Xuanzhen's narrow phoenix eyes were as still as stagnant water, devoid of any ripple.

"I want to know if he has found her."

Staring at her husband's eerily calm expression, Zheng Biyu dared not press further.

Li Xuanzhen had changed.

He had become like an impatient, frenzied man, single-mindedly focused on swiftly conquering Western Shu. All else meant nothing to him. Though Zhu Lvyun had been missing for so long, he had not even asked about her once.

A sense of foreboding lingered in Zheng Biyu's heart. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep peacefully, sending people daily to inquire about news from the front, fearing something might happen to Li Xuanzhen.

Within half a month, three armies had set out in separate routes to attack Western Shu.

The shortsighted rulers of Southern Chu agreed to join Great Wei in attacking Western Shu, quickly dispatching two armies by water to assault the southernmost stronghold of Western Shu.

Caught in a sudden pincer attack from both states, Western Shu responded hastily. Meng Shi had no choice but to divide forces to confront the enemies.

Li Xuanzhen led from the front, commanding thirty thousand troops in a fierce assault on Western Shu's northern outposts. His advance was unstoppable, his combat style relentless. Within a month, he captured over ten cities in succession. Chengdu Prefecture was in crisis; nobles and officials packed their valuables and fled, and internal strife soon erupted in Shu.

Half a month later, with troops at the city walls, the King of Shu, in despair, executed his concubines, set fire to the palace he had personally overseen building, and died for his kingdom.

Li Xuanzhen, drenched in blood, led the Flying Cavalry to cut through the Shu army's final defensive line. He charged up the cliff, reining in his horse with his blade held high. His battle-worn armor was tattered, his face lacerated and bleeding. Gazing at the raging inferno engulfing the city, his phoenix eyes seemed to flicker with cold, dancing flames.

Qin Fei and several others fought their way to his side. Following his gaze, their hearts began to drum nervously.

It was an unspoken secret among the officers that the Crown Prince feared fire.

Exchanging glances, Qin Fei urged his horse half a length forward and said with a light laugh, "Your Highness, night approaches. The troops have fought for days and nights. Should we rest here and enter the city at dawn tomorrow?"Li Xuanzhen lowered his head, wiping his long blade on his sleeve to remove the sticky bloodstains.

"Pass the order: we enter the city immediately."

Qin Fei froze for a moment, not daring to ask further questions, and turned to shoot a meaningful glance at the others.

Two days later, victory dispatches reached Chang'an. Li De was overjoyed and rewarded the three armies, while all civil and military officials in the court hailed "Long live the Emperor!"

The entire realm celebrated together.

Half a month later, Li Xuanzhen returned to the capital.

The citizens of Chang'an wore beaming smiles, still immersed in the joy of the army's victory, eagerly awaiting the early return of the Flying Cavalry.

Dressed in ordinary soldier's attire, Li Xuanzhen made his way through the bustling crowds and appeared before the palace gates.

The imperial guards recognized him and were startled.

Li Xuanzhen signaled for the guards not to alert others and proceeded directly to the Crown Prince's Palace.

Zheng Biyu was leading the crown prince's son in a game of cuju in the courtyard.

Li Xuanzhen descended the corridor. When the palace maids and eunuchs saw him and were about to bow in greeting, he waved his hand. Not daring to make a sound, they silently withdrew.

The Crown Prince's son stood beneath the corridor kicking a ball. One miskick sent the leather ball rolling in a wide circle, coming to a stop right at Li Xuanzhen's feet.

Li Xuanzhen stared at the ball beneath his feet, his expression somewhat dazed.

Zheng Biyu looked up with a smile, but upon seeing Li Xuanzhen, she froze.

Li Xuanzhen picked up the ball, walked over to his son, and patted his head.

The boy wasn't particularly close to him. After months apart, and with Li Xuanzhen now dressed in military attire, the child didn't immediately recognize him. He timidly retreated two steps, hiding behind Zheng Biyu.

Li Xuanzhen shook his head with a wry smile.

Zheng Biyu seemed to understand something. She trembled, closed her eyes for a moment, then accepted the ball her husband handed her.

Li Xuanzhen looked at her, his lips moving slightly as if unsure what to say. Finally, he forced a smile: "Yuniang, take care."

Zheng Biyu's eyes instantly reddened. She smiled back: "Dalang, take care."

Though they had been married for years, there was no love between them. Yet probably no one in this world understood each other better than they did.

Zheng Biyu had long sensed Li Xuanzhen's intentions, though she hadn't dared believe it. Now that Li Xuanzhen had conquered Western Shu, disrupted Southern Chu, promoted a group of brave generals, recommended dozens of scholars from humble backgrounds, and made all necessary arrangements for their son - he had fulfilled his responsibilities. It was time for him to live for himself.

Overwhelmed with mixed emotions, she had thousands of words she wanted to say, but in the end couldn't utter a single one.

Li Xuanzhen smiled at her, then turned and left.

This smile was the first genuine one Zheng Biyu had ever seen from him in all the time she'd known him.

Watching his retreating figure, her tears fell like rain.