The first faint light of dawn cast a cool grayish hue over the ochre hills, while a thin white mist settled upon the soldiers' black armor. Huo Bu Yi roused from his light slumber and, seeing the exhaustion on the face of the guard who had kept watch with sword in hand all night, motioned for him to rest awhile.
The previous night, they had galloped hard for over two hours, finally reaching the location Wang Yanji had indicated before daybreak. Tian Shuo intended to ambush the Crown Prince's party passing through the next day, so they took position upwind of where Tian Shuo might lie in wait. After settling in, they even had half an hour to rest, waiting refreshed for Tian Shuo to make his move.
As Huo Bu Yi moved, he noticed his shoulder was damp. Looking up at the moist leaves above, he smiled faintly, reminded of that early spring night five years ago—less than a month before his wedding day.
A girl sat by a window adorned with red water chestnut flowers, writing furiously. Determined to finish her studies before leaving the palace to prepare for marriage, she had already exhausted herself for several nights. He stood behind a flowering tree not far away, silently watching the girl he loved, letting dew-laden petals fall upon his shoulders—that was also the night he resolved to act.
He knew that once he began his preparations, there would be no turning back.
Palace lanterns flickered dimly in the deep corridors as he walked slowly through the patchy shadows of the night. The courtyard was thick with floral scents, occasionally punctuated by the laughter of young palace maids. For a moment, it felt as though he had returned to his childhood—when his family was whole.
His eldest brother, handsome and valiant, clad in white robes with a silver spear, was not only a young general seasoned in battle but also the dream sweetheart of every maiden in the city. His second brother, immensely strong, loved nothing more than tossing him playfully in the air. His third brother, barely ten, could already draw a bow with both arms, never missing his mark. His eldest sister was gentle and virtuous, her exquisite wedding gown already prepared; his second sister was clever and full of laughter. And there was his stern father, his loving mother...
Then, they were all gone.
Only he remained. Day after day, gnawed by bone-deep hatred, waiting in despair and solitude for vengeance.
Later, he gradually learned the manner of his family's deaths.
His eldest brother had fought valiantly to the end, only to be beheaded by an axe. His second brother was stabbed in the gut by someone he trusted. His third brother was pierced by countless arrows. His mother and two sisters, rather than suffer dishonor, had taken their own lives.
At the time, all he could think was: it must end. The nightmare that had begun when he was six must end. It was under the weight of such seething hatred that he resolved to risk everything without regard for himself.
Looking back now, he had been like a man possessed, consumed by reckless desperation. But would his parents and siblings have wanted him to trade himself for the worthless lives of the Ling brothers? They weren’t worth it.
What had his father taught him? The righteous walk the straight path; only the wicked skulk in shadows. Even if flames consume your flesh, never lose your true self or forsake the light—no hatred is worth the price of your own soul.
That girl had once told him he mattered.
"Young Master, the scouts report they are less than five li away," Zhang Shan approached, cupping his fist in salute.
Huo Bu Yi countered, "Any word from the men sent to intercept the Crown Prince?"
Zhang Shan replied there was none yet.
Huo Bu Yi frowned briefly before calmly ordering, "Rouse everyone. Await my command—no reckless moves."
Zhang Shan acknowledged and withdrew.Taking down his beloved weapon from the horse, the gilded halberd, resplendent like a phoenix spreading its wings, shimmered brilliantly in the morning light. Huo Bu Yi gently traced the faintly blood-glowing inscriptions on it. Divine Weapons possessed a spirit; having drunk the blood of countless enemies, they naturally exuded a fierce aura. He remembered his first time on the battlefield, when his adoptive father, the Emperor, had personally led the campaign.
Back then, the Emperor had watched with unconcealed worry as the slender youth he had raised with his own hands marched out to fulfill his orders. The ministers in the imperial tent had mistaken it for grim news from the front.
Five years ago, when the Emperor learned of his actions, his face had twisted in anguish. At the time, Huo Bu Yi had felt nothing but cold numbness. It wasn’t until he was exiled that he realized the pain in his adoptive father’s heart might have been no less than Shao Shang’s.
The Emperor had poured more effort into him than any of his own sons—teaching him battle formations, strategies to lure enemies into traps, and the coordination of infantry and cavalry, all with his own hands. Was it all just so he could accompany that old dog Ling to the grave?
Zhang Shan returned after arranging everything and saw Huo Bu Yi silently gazing at his weapon. With keen understanding, he stepped forward and offered, “Young Master, are you worried about the Female Lord? Rest assured, A Fei is with her. She absolutely won’t come to harm!”
Huo Bu Yi glanced at him and teased, “Naturally. Didn’t you secretly instruct A Fei, ‘If things look bad, knock her out and carry her away if you have to’?” This seemingly honest and simple-hearted subordinate of his had more tricks up his sleeve than one might think.
Zhang Shan chuckled awkwardly. “So the Young Master already knew.”
Huo Bu Yi looked toward the rising sun and smiled. “Don’t worry. Today’s battle will be a great victory. When we return, the manor will have a wedding to prepare.”
The girl always said she was born unlucky, but hadn’t he been the same, losing his family at a young age? Yet now, he had a premonition—their misfortunes would end here.
From now on, their luck would turn, their lives would be smooth, and they would grow old together.
The newly risen sun climbed over the mountaintop, casting warm, golden light upon the young general. His sharp gaze, towering figure, and calm demeanor instilled immense confidence in the soldiers behind him.
Especially the five hundred elite warriors among them, all battle-hardened veterans who had fought countless victorious battles under Huo Bu Yi’s command. They were certain this battle would merely be another tale to boast about to their grandchildren in their old age.
The morning light also fell upon the road below, where Tian Shuo, leading the ambushing forces, had only just arrived belatedly. The ambush troops on the slope sneered at the sight of the drowsy, well-fed soldiers below.
A burly man with a purple-tinged face and burn scars, a seasoned veteran who had fought alongside Gongsun Xian, shared the same concern. He said anxiously, “My lord, we’ve arrived so late. Who knows what’s happening ahead? We really should have come last night.”
Tian Shuo, riding high on his horse, replied smugly, “What’s there to fear? Didn’t the spies report that the Crown Prince’s pace would only bring him here by noon? Arriving now gives us hours to set traps—perfect timing, isn’t it?”
The purple-faced man sighed helplessly.
Loyal to Gongsun Xian, he had initially supported Tian Shuo’s vow to avenge his father. But as things escalated step by step under Wang Yanji’s schemes, an unease had taken root in his heart.The vast treasure that lured Shi Xin into rebellion was accumulated by Gongsun Xian over his lifetime, originally intended to ensure his beloved son would never want for anything. The secret agents who incited the powerful families across Xuzhou's commanderies to fiercely resist the Land Measurement Decree, as well as the organization of nearly a thousand troops with weapons and provisions, were all meticulously arranged by him through years of painstaking effort—these measures could either help Tian Shuo expand the family's influence and secure a place among the powerful aristocratic clans or ensure his escape to seek powerful protection from the chieftains in southern Yunnan or the Xiongnu chanyu beyond the frontier.
Gongsun Xian had lived a life of cunning and cruelty, harming countless people, yet his devotion to Tian Shuo and his mother was utterly genuine.
However, when Tian Shuo chose to spare Yuan Shen—the son of the man who murdered his old master—to focus on the ambush against the Crown Prince, the purple-faced giant faintly realized that the young master did not seem particularly concerned about his father's tragic death.
Still, he had to follow the old master's orders and do everything to protect Tian Shuo.
As the purple-faced giant glanced at the loosely marching ranks behind him, his worries deepened—
He had seen how elite troops moved in formation. Though their numbers now seemed imposing, a thousand of them had been hastily assembled and trained for only a few months. Earlier, when they surrounded the Yuan family's private army in the dense forest, they had struggled despite their overwhelming numerical advantage. In the end, it took the intervention of the five hundred death squad members personally trained by the old master to crush the Yuan family and force their surrender.
But what troubled him more than their combat capability was their morale.
Though these desperate men before him were willing to fight to the death for the promised riches and future prospects, many understood the reality: the tide of the empire had already turned. Committing such an audacious act in the heart of the Central Plains was like trying to light a fire in the middle of the ocean—even if they seized a fleeting opportunity, they would never truly succeed.
When the fierce battle against the Crown Prince's party began, what if they didn't win easily? What if the fight dragged on, demanding lives as the price? At the critical moment, how many of this thousand-strong force—or even the five hundred death squad members—would truly be willing to act as Tian Shuo's human shields? After all, loyalty fades when a man is gone.
Just as the purple-faced giant's heart darkened with foreboding, someone ahead suddenly shouted—"What is that?!"
He quickly looked up and saw cold glints of light flashing from the slope above, followed by a sky full of silver threads flying toward them like arrows. His heart lurched, and he bellowed, "Arrow volley! Ambush ahead—take cover!"
But it was too late. The arrows, aided by the wind, rained down swiftly. Though some of Tian Shuo's men raised their shields in time, many were caught off guard and struck. In an instant, the air filled with screams and curses.
Gritting his teeth, the purple-faced giant realized they had fallen into a trap—the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. He immediately ordered his trusted aides to release messenger pigeons, signaling their hidden agents in Guo Village to set fires, while commanding the troops to resist desperately.
After three volleys, with thousands of arrows spent, Tian Shuo's forces had suffered over thirty percent casualties, but the survivors sighed in relief. Just as they prepared to charge up the slope, dozens of black, round stones were hurled high into the air above them. At first, they were puzzled—until the stones exploded with concussive force and flames, amplifying the earlier screams tenfold.
Tian Shuo, panicked, couldn't even rein in his horse: "W-what's happening?! What do we do?!"The burly man with a purple face said in a deep voice, "Young master, there's no need to panic. I see the enemy numbers are far fewer than ours. Once I reorganize our formation, we can counterattack!" As he spoke, he ordered his trusted aides to command the troops while sending dozens of his most loyal death squad members to protect Tian Shuo.
After calming his panicking subordinates, the purple-faced man began to rally his forces for a countercharge when suddenly, the thunderous sound of hooves echoed from the slopes on both sides. Looking up, he saw two fierce teams of heavily armored cavalry charging down the hills. The combined weight of the riders and their horses, along with the momentum of their charge, made the very ground tremble.
Before anyone could react, the fully armored Black Armor cavalry smashed into their formation like a hammer striking soft flesh, scattering the ranks the purple-faced man had just arranged. Among the riders, the Black Armor General stood tall and powerful, wielding a massive golden weapon that shone brilliantly. None could withstand his might, as if a god had descended upon the battlefield.
Amid the howling northern wind, this man's dark brows and hair, along with his heroic and handsome demeanor, revealed him to be none other than Huo Bu Yi.
Brute force shattered all tricks. Against such overwhelming terror, even the death squad, skilled in using ropes and hooks for assassinations, found it hard to fight back. Then, more foot soldiers rushed down the slopes to join the fray, surrounding Tian Shuo's men in small, coordinated groups.
In truth, merely driving the enemy back wouldn't have been difficult. The trouble was that these desperate men, if scattered, would turn into bandits, likely wreaking havoc on villages and slaughtering innocent people. Determined to annihilate them completely, Huo Bu Yi had no choice but to continuously encircle and block their escape routes.
Cornered and with no way out, the enemy fought back with even greater ferocity, plunging both sides into a deadly struggle.
At that moment, towering flames erupted from a nearby village, thick black smoke billowing into the sky as if staining the heavens with ink. Seeing this, Tian Shuo was overjoyed and ordered the purple-faced man to quickly escort him to safety.
Huo Bu Yi's heart filled with rage at the sight of the distant inferno. His worst fears had come true! For the first time, the usually decisive and resolute man hesitated—should he continue pursuing Tian Shuo or rush to extinguish the flames?
As he wavered, another force suddenly emerged from behind the hills, numbering around two to three hundred. These were the local militia Cheng Shao Gong had hastily assembled. However, these untrained militiamen could easily worsen the situation if they recklessly joined the battle.
Deception was a charlatan's forte, so Shaogong ordered branches tied to the tails of horses, kicking up clouds of dust that made their numbers appear far greater from a distance.
Sure enough, the sight unnerved the resisting rebels. In the heat of battle, they couldn't discern the truth, and as cries of panic spread—"We're doomed, their reinforcements are here!" "Run for your lives, we're finished!"—even the purple-faced man's authority couldn't rally them to form a defensive line.
What followed was a one-sided slaughter and surrender.
Huo Bu Yi slashed left and right from his horse when he spotted a group of elite death squad members escorting Tian Shuo through the chaos. His eyes darkened, and without hesitation, he spurred his horse toward them.
Tian Shuo roared, "Huo Bu Yi, we have no grudge between us! Why chase me to the death instead of rushing to save the villagers?!" He didn't yet know Shao Shang was there, or he might have shouted even louder.Huo Buyi's face was as cold as water as he spoke icily, "Let me tell you a few things—the underground palace beneath the Li Family Manor Fortress has collapsed, Wang Yanji is dead, the Tian Family Manor Fortress is being thoroughly investigated by the authorities, and..." With each statement, Tian Shuo's face grew paler.
Finally, Huo Buyi cast a mocking smile at the formidable purple-faced giant and said, "Your old master wasn't killed by Yuan Pei."
The purple-faced giant's pupils instantly contracted, his murderous intent nearly bursting from his eyes.
Huo Buyi, as if seeing through his thoughts, looked at him and enunciated each word, "I was the one who killed him—after capturing him alive, I severed his limbs, beheaded him, and cut out his heart and liver to honor the spirits of the two great generals who were assassinated!"
The purple-faced giant's eyes bulged with rage. With a furious roar—"We owe our lives to our master! If we don’t avenge him now, when will we? Come, follow me and kill him!"—he charged at Huo Buyi like a madman. The Death Squad under his command, who had always followed his lead, abandoned Tian Shuo without a second thought and rushed forward to attack.
This was exactly what Huo Buyi had anticipated. His well-trained guards swiftly divided into two groups—one shielded Huo Buyi while engaging the enemy, while the other flanked around and effortlessly captured Tian Shuo.
After a few exchanges, Huo Buyi spotted an opening in his opponent's defense. Focusing his energy, he delivered a single devastating slash, cutting the purple-faced giant down from his horse. Leaderless, the rebels were quickly surrounded, annihilated, or captured.
Leaving men behind to handle the aftermath, Huo Buyi hurried to Guo Village. Despite Zhang Shan's constant reassurances, his heart remained unsettled. When he finally arrived, most of the fire had already been extinguished. Brushing past villagers who knelt and kowtowed in his path, Huo Buyi spotted a girl covered in soot and grime among the crowd. Without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms in front of everyone.
The surrounding villagers and private army, despite their exhaustion and burns, burst into laughter—
Since ancient times, tales of heroes defending their homes and beauties have always been celebrated.
...
The night after the storm had passed, the vast plains at the border of Xu and Yu Provinces were dotted with countless tents.
In a makeshift infirmary on the western side.
"Stop crying! It's not like your face got burned—what are you crying for?" Zhang Shan sat imposingly by the bed, peeling an orange.
"That's not why I'm crying!" Liang Qiu Fei lay on the bed, his exposed chest smeared with burn ointment. "I failed the Young Master, I failed the Female Lord! It's all because of me that the Young Master spared Luo Jitong! It nearly led to disaster!" The guilt and regret he had bottled up for so long finally erupted after his injury.
Zhang Shan peeled an orange segment and stuffed two pieces into Liang Qiu Fei's mouth. "It all worked out in the end. Besides, it gave the Young Master an excuse to see the Female Lord sooner. And this time, you risked your life to save her—the Young Master won’t blame you anymore."
"Wahhh, I was blind! I thought Luo Jitong was a virtuous and dignified woman! Even after the Young Master told me what she did, I still thought she had her reasons... wahhh..." Liang Qiu Fei sobbed pitifully, orange still in his mouth.
Zhang Shan said leisurely, "In the end, it's because you and your brother have seen too few women. The Young Master lives like an ascetic, completely detached from worldly desires, and you two might as well have taken monastic vows. At least your brother has four lady friends—you probably haven’t even held a girl’s hand, have you?"
"Don’t bring up those four lady friends!""Don't be afraid. In the future, I'll take you out to see the world—delicate maidens from the Central Plains, exotic dancers from the Western Regions, singers from Nanyue..."
"I won't go! I'd rather die than go! Get out of here, you shameless rogue!"
...
Southern Camp.
"Stop sighing, both of you. What's there to sigh about? Lou Li was kept in the dark, and my cousin was fine when I left." Cheng Shaogong happily munched on the peaches He Zhaojun had hidden in the cellar—getting fresh peaches this season was no easy feat.
Lou Yao sighed. "Don't eat too many, or you'll get bloated."
Ban Jia looked miserable. "What do you know? It's chaos outside now. How could Yanyang not hear about it? She's heavily pregnant—what if she gets frightened?!"
"Same here," Lou Yao said. "Sigh... I thought I'd made some small contributions this time, so Zhaojun would have fewer worries. But now that the truth is out, and Wang Yanji learned of your whereabouts from Lou Li, it's hard not to feel suspicious."
"You two are just worrying over nothing with full stomachs." Cheng Shaogong cheerfully picked up another peach. "If you can't let it go, I can divine a hexagram for you."
"...Never mind. The books say, 'Respect not the gods but the people.'"
"I... I'll pass too. Yanyang said your divinations... are hit or miss. Better not to bother..."
Cheng Shaogong flared up. "Fine, if you don't want it, forget it!"
Lou Yao quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of which, you're not getting any younger. Even if you refuse to marry, shouldn't you at least pursue a career?"
Cheng Shaogong set down the peach and sighed. "After Niao Niao gets married, I plan to travel and see the great rivers and mountains, experience different customs. Maybe then I'll figure out what I want to do. Right now, I have no clue."
"Why don't you... divine a hexagram for yourself?" Ban Jia suggested timidly.
Cheng Shaogong: "..."
Eastern Camp.
"How much longer are you going to lie there? Shao Shang has asked about you several times already." Huo Buyi sat by the sickbed, displeased as he looked at the patient.
Yuan Shen, weak and aching all over, glared back with effort. "Did I drink your medicine? Eat your food? What are you nagging about?"
Huo Buyi replied, "You may not have consumed anything from my household, but you're making my wife worry."
Yuan Shen pressed a hand to his feverish forehead. "Shao Shang sent you to check on me, didn't she? Tell her I'm fine. But the Crown Prince needs to return to the Capital City immediately."
"Obviously." Huo Buyi said. "Alright, I'm leaving."
"Wait." Yuan Shen suddenly called out to Huo Buyi, who was about to exit the tent. "There's something I need to tell you." He propped himself up with great effort, struggling to sit up on the bed.
Huo Buyi let go of the tent flap and stood waiting.
"Five years ago, you were exiled, and Shao Shang fell gravely ill—you know this, right?" Yuan Shen stared intently at him.
Huo Buyi lowered his lashes and murmured, "I know."
"Back then, I often visited her, but she was unconscious most of the time. She's stubborn—clenched her teeth through the pain, hardly ever making a sound." Yuan Shen's expression darkened. "Once, she had a nightmare and started rambling in her sleep..."
He looked at the tall young man by the entrance. "In her dream, she said, 'Take me with you. Don't leave me all alone. If we must die, let's die together. Don't abandon me.'"
Huo Buyi's fingers, resting on the tent flap, trembled slightly.Yuan Shen continued, "Shaogong also heard those words, which is why he never approved of my marriage to Shao Shang. It was after hearing them that I truly understood Shao Shang's real feelings. You're right—Shao Shang may seem clever, but she's actually quite foolish, unable to even discern her own heart."
Huo Bu Yi suppressed his anger. "Why didn't you say so earlier? And yet you insisted on marrying her!"
Yuan Shen abruptly lay down, pulling the quilt over his head to cover himself completely. "...Why should I say anything? It's rare to have the chance to marry the woman I love. Why should I be noble and self-sacrificing to let someone else have her? In a few decades, when we're surrounded by children and grandchildren, her heart will belong only to her family. You'll just be an old story from her youth!"
Huo Bu Yi's chest heaved with rage.
From within the bedding, Yuan Shen's soft voice murmured, "...Actually, whether I say it or not, the outcome remains the same. In the end, she couldn't let go of you."
"I always thought Shao Shang was very much like me, but I was wrong. Because of my parents, I deeply despise matters like 'love as deep as the sea, unwavering until death.' Since childhood, I've believed that overly profound affection is a sharp blade, a deadly poison—it can hinder great prospects and erode lofty ambitions. Between husband and wife, mutual respect is enough."
"But Shao Shang isn't like that. She often claims to be cold and selfish, yet in unguarded moments, she'll sigh, 'Even if it's just a brief decade or so of fate like Grand Duke Wan and Old Madam Wan had, it would still make life worth living'—you two are truly alike."
...
In the northern side camp of the central army tent, where the Crown Prince was resting.
"Your Highness, please reconsider!" an Eastern Palace official loudly advised. "The powerful families resisting the land measurement haven't been fully subdued yet, and the rebellion in Shu Province remains unsettled. Your Highness should not linger outside for long—returning to the Capital City is urgent!"
"Exactly!" another bearded advisor chimed in. "Your Highness must not stay outside any longer!"
The Crown Prince's face was cold with anger. "This prince originally planned to visit several more places. Do you think a few remnants of the Gongsun Shi can make me flee in panic? Never!"
"How is this fleeing in panic?" the Eastern Palace official said anxiously. "Your Highness is a person of utmost importance—a single move affects the whole situation!"
"Your Highness, don't be stubborn!" The advisor nearly pulled his beard off in frustration.
"This prince will not leave! I refuse to go! Do not speak of this again!" After venting his temper at his two trusted aides, the Crown Prince suddenly noticed Shao Shang shrinking in a corner, holding a food container. He said coldly, "What? Are you here to persuade me to return to the Capital City too?"
Before Shao Shang could open her mouth, the Eastern Palace official hurriedly said, "Palace Secretary Cheng... oh no, Cheng Niangzi, please advise His Highness!"
The bearded advisor added, "Perhaps we should ask Marquis Huo to persuade His Highness!"
"Gentlemen, please remain calm." Shao Shang smiled warmly and took out a bowl of soup from the container. "Your Highness has been working tirelessly these days. How about some nourishing soup to restore your energy? A sharpened axe won't delay woodcutting—only by preserving your health can Your Highness continue your inspections."
The Crown Prince ignored the soup, glaring instead. "They say I'm cruel and narrow-minded, harsh toward noble families and officials... that many hate me. Have you heard this?"
"Of course," Shao Shang replied cheerfully, her words honeyed. "If Your Highness were willing to grant them more land and servants, they'd surely sing your praises. And if that weren't enough, giving them half the empire would make them worship you like an ancestor! The current situation boils down to the court and powerful families fighting over the population and land of the realm. A few harsh words mean nothing—they're practically being polite by not spreading rumors that Your Highness is a three-nosed, eight-eyed demon!"
The Eastern Palace official and the advisor both laughed.
The Crown Prince's anger eased slightly as he took the bowl of soup and drank it in one gulp. He looked at Shao Shang and added, "His Majesty intends to appoint Zisheng as a provincial governor, sending him to gain experience locally for a few years. Yet I've heard Zisheng refuses—is it because of you? I've heard you're always looking for some quiet place to tinker with fire oil and heated rooms. Is Zisheng considering retiring from court for your sake?! Let me tell you, a woman's duty is to support her husband and raise children—don't you dare hold a man back!"Shao Shang quickly cried out in protest, "Who said that? This is utterly unfair to me! Your Highness, please be discerning—this is pure nonsense!" Of course, Huo Bu Yi, not yet thirty, was being considered for a high-ranking regional official position like a governor. How could he not decline at least for appearances?
Seeing the Crown Prince's eyes widen in anger, she softened her tone, "Your Highness, think about it—I’ve always been accustomed to luxury and comfort. How could I endure the hardships of remote mountains and wilderness? Rest assured, whenever Your Highness needs him, Lord Huo will surely pledge his life in service! Don’t be fooled by his sweet promises to me—in his heart, Your Highness matters far more than I do!"
In truth, Huo Bu Yi did harbor dreams of wandering freely through the land, but she knew such days were still far off.
The Crown Prince recalled the turmoil five years ago when Huo Bu Yi, in his efforts to secure the throne for him, had even neglected the woman he loved most. A smug satisfaction washed over him, and his anger dissipated. Yet, for some reason, a wave of drowsiness suddenly overcame him. He rubbed his forehead and muttered, "I... I feel strangely tired."
Shao Shang feigned earnest concern, "Your Highness has been tirelessly working these past days—this exhaustion is catching up to you. Eunuch, quickly, help His Highness to the resting tent in the back... Hurry!"
As the Crown Prince was escorted away by two eunuchs, the three of them watched him go.
The Eastern Palace official remarked idly, "Lady Cheng, that bowl of medicinal soup..."
Shao Shang maintained her sweet smile. "That was Tranquility Soup. Consort Xuan later struggled with sleeplessness, and this worked wonders for her. Aside from inducing sleep, it has no ill effects."
The bearded advisor added, "The letter mentioned that His Majesty’s envoy and the Marquis of Da Yue are already on their way and will soon arrive in Yao County. Once we hand the Crown Prince over to them, our duty will be fulfilled."
Shao Shang turned to them. "Let me make this clear—if His Highness later punishes me, you two must plead on my behalf. Otherwise, not only will you never taste my homemade wine again, but I’ll also claim this whole idea was yours!"
The two officials exchanged wry smiles, knowing full well that with Huo Bu Yi around, the Crown Prince would ultimately go easy on Lady Cheng—what kind of punishment could he possibly enforce? They hastily agreed.
After dealing with the troublesome Crown Prince, Shao Shang cheerfully skipped out of the tent—only to find Huo Bu Yi standing right outside. Startled, she stammered, "...Did you... hear what I just said?"
Huo Bu Yi shot her a sideways glance, confirming that he had heard everything.
"Perfect timing—I have something to tell you." Remembering something, she grinned and pulled him away toward a more secluded spot.
The night was beautiful, the sky like satin, the breeze cool and refreshing.
They walked away from the crowd and tents, settling onto a large, flat boulder. Shao Shang retrieved something from her sleeve and held it in her pale palm, smiling. "Do you know what this is?"
Huo Bu Yi glanced at it—a familiar bundle of fine thread—and immediately grew uneasy.
Shao Shang sighed softly. "You’ve kept this wrapped around your wrist for so many years. I’ve seen and touched it countless times, yet I never realized what it was. People used to say I was ignorant and unlearned, and I refused to accept it. Now I see they weren’t wrong."
Huo Bu Yi’s handsome face flushed slightly. "So now you’ve figured it out."
Shao Shang murmured, "Not entirely on my own. If not for your remark that night in the underground palace—when you guessed Lady Li Kuo might still be alive—I might have remained clueless forever."
Huo Bu Yi lowered his head in silence."This is a lyre string." Shao Shang slowly uncoiled the thin thread in her palm, gazing at the man beside her. "And this is the 'Shao Shang' string, isn't it?"
Huo Bu Yi looked deeply into the girl's eyes, his gaze tender. "...Yes."
"Back then, I always feared our love would be deep but our fate shallow, that we would inevitably part." He took the lyre string and deftly wound it around his sleeve. Even with one hand, he could tie it effortlessly—clearly having done this countless times before.
"Later, we were indeed separated by the heavens." He looked at the lyre string on his sleeve, unable to suppress his sorrow. "Only when I see it do I feel there is still warmth left in my heart."
Shao Shang watched him quietly for a long moment before speaking. "A-Zheng, tonight I want to tell you something else—words I should have said to you long ago."
Huo Bu Yi turned to her, listening intently.
The chill of late autumn cleared the lungs and mind. The vast, silent wilderness of the Central Plains resembled a desolate temple built of rough-hewn stone, standing for millennia in silent worship of ancient, wordless Deities. The starry sky stretched above, the deep blue firmament studded with gems, breathtakingly beautiful.
"A-Zheng, despite the deep hatred and grievances you bear, you have remained gentle and kind-hearted, holding onto the light. Your departed parents and siblings must be proud of you in the heavens."
"A-Zheng, over the years, I have made many mistakes and hurt you countless times, yet you have never lost faith in the sincerity of this world. You are true to your nature, pure-hearted as a child—the finest man under heaven."
"A-Zheng, meeting you has been the greatest fortune of my three lifetimes."
Huo Bu Yi felt a joy so intense it bordered on pain.
Then, he kissed those beloved eyes that shimmered with unshed tears.
(Full text complete.)
Author's Note:
This should have been posted yesterday, but Typhoon Mitag directly hit my hometown, bringing days of torrential rain—the heaviest in a decade. While the nation celebrated National Day, we were battling the storm. Thinking about it, it’s quite inspiring.
This story began on October 5, 2018, and concludes today—exactly one year. For a slacker like me, this is even more inspiring than weathering a typhoon.
If published, there might be some revisions, but knowing my laziness, I might not change a thing. Just a heads-up.
This novel was an experiment. Nowadays, historical romances on JJ often mix career-building with love stories. I suddenly wanted to write a purely emotional historical romance, hence Star River .
Thank you for tolerating some of the overly sentimental chapters in between.
A bow to you all. See you in the extras.
OpenNovel