The stream murmured, willows cast deep green shadows, and the weeping branches swayed gently in the breeze.
The carriage crossed the long bridge spanning the river and halted at the riverbank. As attendants and guards withdrew, Zheng Biyu lifted the carriage curtain, scanned the surroundings, and signaled for Li Xuanzhen to alight.
Li Xuanzhen, wearing a plain headscarf and a slightly worn narrow-sleeved cloth robe, jumped down from the carriage. His personal guard brought over a horse, its saddle laden with a quiver and bundles.
Zheng Biyu remained seated inside the carriage and said calmly, "Your Highness, I can only accompany you this far."
Li Xuanzhen turned to look at her. "Lady Yu, thank you."
Zheng Biyu smiled faintly. "Your Highness need not thank me. I am merely repaying a debt from years past."
Li Xuanzhen thought of that man and fell into a daze.
The wind was strong by the bridge. Zheng Biyu raised a hand to tuck back the strands of hair tousled by the wind. "Eldest Young Master, I have always been grateful that you spared Zheng Wu back then."
...
Zheng Wu was a hereditary servant of the Zheng family who later became Zheng Biyu’s guard. When she married for the first time, Zheng Wu escorted her out of the bridal chamber and watched as she and her husband entered the Green Bridal Tent for their wedding night.
Zheng Biyu had never paid Zheng Wu any extra attention. As the legitimate daughter of a noble family, renowned for her virtue and destined to marry into a prominent household as its mistress, how could she lower herself to show pity to a family servant?
The day after her wedding, Zheng Wu left.
He went to the battlefield, following the young masters of the Zheng family into war. Starting as the lowliest soldier, he gradually accumulated military merits through valor in combat. Though he rose quickly, the chaotic times were filled with men like him. As a hereditary servant of the Xie family, no matter how desperately he fought, he ultimately remained only a minor officer under the Zheng family’s young masters.
Zheng Biyu’s first husband died at the hands of the Li family. A few days before the city fell, Zheng Wu came to find her.
"My lady... the Zhao family is no match for the Li forces... the Wei army will breach the city in days."
He stood at the foot of the steps, clutching a blade, covered in blood, his expression uneasy, his dark eyes fixed intently on Zheng Biyu.
Finally, he mustered the courage to speak: "Come with me. I will take you away and treat you well for the rest of my life."
Zheng Biyu had been raised strictly according to women’s teachings, always adhering to rules and never stepping out of line.
That night, she found resolve from somewhere unknown. Lifting the hem of her skirt, she descended the stone steps one by one until she stood before Zheng Wu.
Zheng Wu’s heart soared with joy.
They stood in silence, gazing at each other.
Just as Zheng Wu was about to speak, hurried footsteps echoed. Men sent by the Zheng family, who had infiltrated the Zhao residence, rushed over and knelt at Zheng Biyu’s feet. "My lady, a distant branch of our family now serves under the Grand General of Wei Commandery and is highly trusted. The young master sent us to inform you that the Wei army advances unchecked, and the Zhao family’s fate is sealed. Please do not panic. The Grand General Li of Wei Commandery has issued orders—the Wei troops will not harm you."
As if a gust of wind had blown through, the fire that had just ignited in Zheng Biyu’s heart was instantly extinguished.
She remained in the Zhao residence, waiting for her clansmen to retrieve her.
Without a word, Zheng Wu turned and left.
Soon after, the Zhao family fell. When the Li family sent an offer of marriage, Zheng Biyu wed Li Xuanzhen.
On their wedding night, she sat in the Green Bridal Tent, gentle and dignified, while Li Xuanzhen sat beside her, handsome and composed. Both were so placid as to seem indifferent, showing no trace of joy. The women offering congratulations grew awkward and dared not tease them.In the dead of night, with red candles burning high and all guests departed, Zheng Biyu gazed at the flickering candlelight, her eyes inexplicably reddening.
Li Xuanzhen glanced at her, rose to his feet, and said, "You should rest first."
Zheng Biyu froze in surprise.
At that moment, a clamor of fighting and shouting erupted from behind the courtyard wall, with someone yelling about assassins.
Li Xuanzhen lifted the curtain and stepped out.
Soon after, Zheng Wu was brought before Li Xuanzhen, bound tightly, and questioned by the guards, but he remained silent.
Li Xuanzhen raised his blade.
Inside the tent, Zheng Biyu sensed something amiss and went out to investigate. Recognizing Zheng Wu, her breath caught.
Zheng Wu saw her, his eyes fixed intently on her.
Zheng Biyu stood rigid, yet she did not speak up to stop Li Xuanzhen.
As the blade fell, she clenched her teeth tightly, not uttering a sound.
Zheng Wu also stayed silent.
He did not die—the blade had only shaved off a few strands of his hair.
Tears streamed down Zheng Biyu’s face.
Li Xuanzhen signaled for the others to withdraw, untied Zheng Wu’s bonds, and turned to look at Zheng Biyu.
"Go, both of you."
Tears welling in her eyes, Zheng Biyu stepped forward and bowed to Li Xuanzhen.
"What about the Crown Prince?"
Holding his blade, Li Xuanzhen’s expression showed neither anger nor hatred, only calm. "My wife only needs to be a legitimate daughter of the Zheng family. Lady Yu, I am not a good husband. If all you seek is the honor of being the Crown Prince’s consort, I promise to respect and treat you well. Beyond that, I cannot offer more. Since Lady Yu has someone she loves, you should not force yourself to endure. I will handle what follows; your father will not send anyone to pursue you."
"I will have Qin Fei escort you away. You can seek refuge in Southern Chu for now. In time, I will marry another Zheng daughter, and the Zheng family will remain prosperous."
Zheng Biyu wept softly, while Zheng Wu, overjoyed, took her hand and prepared to lead her away.
Without worries of pursuit or the guilt of implicating her family—none of Zheng Biyu’s fears would come to pass. She could shed all burdens and leave with Zheng Wu.
But as she stepped across the courtyard gate, she halted.
Zheng Wu stopped and looked down at her, his expression shifting from ecstasy to confusion, then to bewilderment, shock, anger, disappointment, and finally, utter despair.
He knew Zheng Biyu too well—she was a woman of cold emotions, rational and restrained by nature.
As a daughter of a noble family, how could she abandon her status and flee with him? How would they survive? How would they face the scorn of society?
By marrying Li Xuanzhen, she would become the Crown Prince’s consort, possibly even the Crown Princess someday, and through her husband’s status, she might rise to become the queen of a nation. How could she willingly give all that up for a lowly servant?
Zheng Wu smiled bitterly and gently released her hand.
"Rank and status must be upheld; none should overstep their bounds. This servant was foolishly deluded. I beg the Crown Prince and his consort to forgive my offense."
Zheng Biyu watched his figure vanish into the pitch-black night, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and returned to the Green Bridal Tent, where she sat in silence throughout the night.
Years later, Zheng Biyu inadvertently heard devastating news: Zheng Wu had died.
Her face expressionless, she uttered a faint "Oh," then continued chatting and laughing with the women at the banquet. Returning to the inner courtyard, she held her son, coaxing him to eat warm millet porridge, a smile still gracing her lips.
She smiled all day, until midnight, when she suddenly awoke from a dream, crying out Zheng Wu’s name.
A handkerchief was handed to her. Li Xuanzhen looked at her, his phoenix eyes devoid of mockery or disdain, and said, "Lady Yu, accept my condolences."Zheng Biyu’s tears fell silently.
…
Before the long bridge, the willow mist hung thick and tender.
Li Xuanzhen stood beside his steed and asked, “Yuniang, have you ever regretted it?”
Zheng Biyu shook her head. “Your Highness, I have never regretted it.”
She knew herself well—even if given another chance, she would still make the same choice.
“Dalang, I don’t regret it… but whenever I think of Zheng Wu, I feel as if a part of my heart is missing. No matter what I try to fill it with, I can never patch that void.”
Zheng Biyu looked at Li Xuanzhen sincerely. “I no longer have a chance to make amends, so no matter how much you and Zhu Lvyun quarreled in the past, I still hoped you could be with the woman you love.”
Over the years, Li Xuanzhen had not treated her poorly. She was a remarried woman, and on their wedding night, she had nearly left with another man. He knew everything about her, understood that what she sought was glory and wealth, and had never mocked or looked down on her.
She was grateful to him and pitied him. Clear-headed and rational, her heart had long grown weary. As long as the household remained stable, she cared little about the women around him.
He still had the chance to struggle for love—how wonderful!
“Dalang, Princess Wenzhao is still alive. You still have a chance to atone. Recognize what is truly in your heart—do not let hatred blind you. The dead cannot return to life; do not leave yourself with nothing but regret.”
Li Xuanzhen was lost in thought for a while before mounting his horse.
“Yuniang, all these years I refused to let go of my grudge against Li Zhongqian. In the end, A Yue was forced into a political marriage. Why did she still risk her life to send her personal guards to warn me?”
Zheng Biyu lifted her chin. “Does Your Highness believe that the Seventh Princess should hold a grudge against you and the entire court, stand by as the Northern Rong launch a surprise attack on Great Wei, and let the entire nation and its millions of people perish with her?”
She smiled faintly.
“Your Highness, you underestimate people too much.”
Li Xuanzhen gathered the reins. “Yes, I underestimated people. I always told myself that Li De is the Son of Heaven—he has his own constraints. The realm is not yet unified; I cannot kill him for personal revenge. So, I targeted Li Zhongqian first. The position of heir was bought with my mother’s life—no one can take it from me.”
He fell silent for a long time, the events of these years flashing through his mind.
“A Yue gave me a chance… If I had been able to calmly accept her goodwill back then, none of what followed would have happened.”
He had been too stubborn.
“What difference is there between me and Li De?”
In these troubled times, a man of ambition should focus on restoring the nation, bringing peace to the realm, and saving the people from suffering. Yet, blinded by his mother’s dying wish, he had lost sight of right and wrong, drifting through life in a daze. A Yue, even when cornered and desperate, could resolutely choose righteousness over personal vengeance. He, who aspired to end the chaos, was narrow-minded and allowed his subordinates to scheme against the descendants of loyal officials.
If one cannot manage one’s own household, how can one govern the world?
Trapped by his inner demons, he was utterly unworthy of being the Crown Prince of a nation.
“Yuniang, you are a good mother.” Li Xuanzhen gently nudged the horse’s flank. “Teach our son well. Do not let him end up like me.”
Zheng Biyu nodded. “You have my word.”
The steed began to trot, gradually moving into the distance.
At that moment, thunderous hoofbeats echoed from the direction of the city gates. A cloud of dust swirled as several dozen riders galloped forth.
“Crown Prince—”
Du Du Pei, at the head of the group, roared, “Halt!”
Li Xuanzhen did not look back.
Du Du Pei bellowed, “Your Highness, by the Emperor’s decree, if you take one more step forward, we will release our arrows!”
Still, Li Xuanzhen did not turn back.Swift horses charged onto the bridgehead. Du Du Pei gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Release the arrows!"
The Golden Guard acknowledged the command, drew their bows, and a series of sharp whistling sounds followed as arrows fell like a swarm of locusts, enveloping Li Xuanzhen.
Li Xuanzhen urged his horse westward, his back resolute and solitary.
A Yue was still alive. He still had a chance to atone for his sins. Whether A Yue would forgive him or not, he had to save her.
The old Li Xuanzhen was already dead.
In the end, Du Du Pei did not dare to kill him and could only watch as Li Xuanzhen’s figure disappeared into the misty willow haze before returning to the palace to report.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has left."
Li De’s sword wound on his shoulder had not yet healed. Upon hearing this, he spat out a mouthful of blood with a cry.
The position of heir that Tang Ying had exchanged with her life—Li Xuanzhen had truly abandoned it without a second thought.
A lifetime of effort, wasted just like that!
A solitary ruler… a solitary ruler…
Li De stared at the bright red bloodstains on the memorial, his hands trembling uncontrollably.
Even his most cherished son had abandoned him.
Incense smoke curled lazily before the imperial desk.
…
Li Xuanzhen left Chang’an, spurring his horse relentlessly, eating and drinking on horseback, and reached Liangzhou in the shortest time possible.
The local officials in Liangzhou were greatly astonished. Li Xuanzhen summoned the garrison commanders, issued orders one by one, and the generals complied.
He changed to a fine horse, filled his water pouch, and took several spare saddled horses for relay, embarking on his journey westward.
When the towering Qilian Mountains appeared on the horizon, he donned a felt hat, put on a thick fur coat, and continued his journey day and night without rest.
The Northern Rong maintained strict vigilance, forbidding Han people from entering their borders. Fortunately, he had received intelligence from his personal guards before setting out, allowing him to avoid their outposts and checkpoints along the way. He entered the Helong region without major incident. Occasionally, he encountered a patrol of Northern Rong soldiers. When questioned, he would immediately kill them without a word, seize their horses, and swiftly change direction.
The wilderness stretched endlessly, the wind howled, and the world seemed devoid of any other color, as if he were the only one left.
On this day, he had not eaten for three days. Exhausted, hungry, cold, and thirsty, as he crossed a snow-covered ridge, he suddenly heard a sharp sound.
An iron arrow pierced through the wind and snow, shooting toward him.
Li Xuanzhen leaned back, dodging the arrow, but fell from his horse.
The startled horse reared up, neighing loudly.
Several dark figures leaped out from the snow and rushed to the mountain path, restraining the frightened horse. One of them approached Li Xuanzhen and swung a blade with fierce momentum.
The biting wind swept aside the disheveled hair on his face, revealing a pair of cold, phoenix-like eyes.
Li Xuanzhen rolled to evade the long blade and tore off his face covering.
The other man recognized him, froze for a moment, and then a blazing fury ignited in his phoenix eyes. He raised his arm, brandishing his blade, his face contorted with rage.
Li Xuanzhen looked at him but made no move to retaliate. "Li Zhongqian, Bright Moon Slave is still alive."
He had always sent people to follow Li Zhongqian and knew he was searching for Li Yaoying’s body in this area. He had come to Helong to deliver this news to Li Zhongqian.
Hearing his sister’s name, Li Zhongqian shuddered, forcibly halting his blade. His phoenix eyes widened in fury as he stepped forward, grabbing Li Xuanzhen by the collar. "What did you say?"
His voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot and sinister, as if he wanted to devour Li Xuanzhen’s flesh.
"I’m not lying to you," Li Xuanzhen said, word by word. "I swear on my life, she is still alive. When the Yelu Tribe was destroyed, she was captured by Haidu Aling. The news came from the Northern Rong side—it is absolutely true."Li Zhongqian remained silent, his eyes so bloodshot they seemed about to drip crimson. The hand clutching Li Xuanzhen’s collar trembled violently.
He turned to the guard beside him, his movements unnerving.
The guard knelt, voice quivering as he nodded: “Young master, you are not dreaming! You are not mad! The Seventh Princess is alive!”
A flicker of light pierced Li Zhongqian’s blood-red eyes. “Bright Moon Slave is alive…”
These past days, he had dreamed of Xiaoqi time and again—of her leaning against his knees, coquettish and sweet; of her toddling joyfully as she learned to walk; of her awakening from a coma, her face lighting up at the sight of him: “Elder brother, you’re alive!”
He dreamed of her sitting alone and weeping in a tent, surrounded by rough men of the Yelu Tribe. She cried out his name, begging him to save her. He wanted to rescue her, but his body was frozen, powerless to do anything but watch her suffer.
Each time he jolted awake from these nightmares, only a desolate, gray wilderness stretched before him.
Sometimes he dreamed of searching endlessly, failing to find her—until someone tapped his shoulder and chuckled: “The Seventh Princess is alive, isn’t she? What are you looking for?”
In the dream, Li Zhongqian would be overjoyed. Yes, how foolish of him—Xiaoqi was still alive!
Upon waking, he would lean dazedly against the cave wall, savoring the lingering sweetness of the dream.
The more beautiful the dream, the more heart-wrenching the moment of awakening.
When Li Xuanzhen suddenly appeared before him, a thousand miles from where he should be, Li Zhongqian thought it was yet another bizarre dream.
But the guard knelt at his feet, assuring him this was no dream.
Xiaoqi was alive.
Li Zhongqian turned and fixed his gaze on Li Xuanzhen, his phoenix eyes glinting with a cold, sinister light. A flash of silver—the long blade descended.
Li Xuanzhen leaped backward, narrowly evading the vicious strike.
“Bright Moon Slave is with the Northern Rong, Li Zhongqian. With only these few men, how will you rescue her? Even if you could free her from the Northern Rong, how would you return to the Central Plains?”
He stood calmly in the snow, expression unreadable.
“Without guides or directions, how long would it take you to find her? A year? Two?”
“Li Zhongqian, my men are already at the Northern Rong court. I have a way to reach Yi Province within two months. Kill me, and who will lead you to save Bright Moon Slave?”
Li Zhongqian’s pupils contracted.
Li Xuanzhen continued, “The debt between us can be settled another day. For now, I only wish to rescue Bright Moon Slave first.”
Li Zhongqian sheathed his blade.
Nothing mattered more than Xiaoqi’s safety.
Xiaoqi, don’t be afraid. Wait for your elder brother—I’m coming to save you.
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