The past grievances between Prince Zhongshan and the imperial court were etched into the hearts of everyone in the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion.
But at this moment, Tie Ying was more focused on the present.
"Who arranged for this person?" he said quietly, his gaze icy as he watched the scholar still rambling nonsensically about the layout. "Deng Yi or Xie San?"
Xiao Xun didn't seem to care. "We can spread rumors, and so can others. Whether it's Deng Yi or Xie San, they are both our opponents now."
There weren't that many idle rumors in the world, especially at a time like this. Stirring or calming people's hearts was always a deliberate arrangement.
Tie Ying said bitterly, "Xie San is one thing, but Deng Yi is truly a shameless villain. He took our money and then went back on his word. It's a pity you destroyed that imperial edict, Your Highness. Otherwise, we could have shown it to the world and revealed that Deng Yi wrote it. Let's see if he could still hold onto his position as Grand Tutor!"
That imperial edict... Xiao Xun gently pressed his hand to his chest and smiled. "Since we know he's a villain, nothing he does should surprise us. There's no need to be angry. In the future—" He stood up. "We'll just reclaim what he owes us."
Tie Ying hurried to follow as Xiao Xun walked out.
The teahouse was bustling with people, and no one paid any attention to the two young men.
One of the young men got into a carriage, while the other took the reins, slowly heading toward a city ahead.
This was the most critical checkpoint in Zhongshan Commandery. Compared to before, there were even more troops, layered like a forest, scrutinizing every passerby. Even the chickens and ducks in baskets were pulled out for inspection.
Many people were stopped here. When asked for a reason, the soldiers gave none. If pressed further, they would draw their blades and demand, "Are you a Western Liang spy or a remnant of the Zhao Family?" as if ready to execute people on the spot.
The atmosphere at the city gate was tense.
Amid this tension, Tie Ying drove the carriage slowly, drawing closer and closer to the gate. His expression showed no trace of nervousness until he was stopped by the guards.
"Get down," several guards commanded coldly.
Before Tie Ying could speak, an officer stepped forward and glanced at the emblem hanging on the carriage.
"This belongs to the Prefect's household," he told the guards. "The young master is frail and sickly. He has just returned from seeking medical treatment and must not be exposed to the wind."
The guards looked at the officer with uncertainty. Another officer approached and greeted Tie Ying. "Back so soon this time? The Prefect was asking about you just yesterday."
Tie Ying replied gravely, "It's chaotic out there. The physician fled, and we couldn't find him."
What a pity—the officer expressed regret. "We'll just have to find another renowned physician." With that, he gestured for them to proceed. "Hurry back, young master."
Since both officers had spoken and seemed familiar with the people in the carriage, the guards no longer insisted on further inspection. After all, inspections were never absolute, and there were always a few local figures whose faces had to be respected.
Besides, a single carriage couldn't hide many people.
The guards made way, and amid the rows of armored soldiers and weapons, Tie Ying drove the carriage slowly through.
What did it matter if the imperial troops had surrounded them? Zhongshan Commandery had belonged to Prince Zhongshan for decades. He was the true master here. As long as these outsiders dared not declare their intent to replace him, they would remain nothing more than outsiders.
When Xiao Xun returned to the Zhongshan Prince's Mansion to see Prince Zhongshan, the prince was entertaining guests in the hot spring pool.The hot spring pool steamed intensely. The maidservants wore summer dresses, soaked through by the steam, clinging to their bodies like sheer gauze, yet neither of the two men in the pool paid any attention to the beauties.
One man sat with his eyes closed, concentrating on gently stroking his goatee.
On the other side, a maid applied a warm cloth to Prince Zhongshan’s eyes. Leaning against a jade pillow, the prince let out a contented sigh: "This prince wishes to rest for a moment—"
"Father." Xiao Xun’s voice came from nearby.
Prince Zhongshan sighed with slight impatience: "Couldn’t you have waited a little longer to speak?"
Xiao Xun crouched by the pool’s edge with a smile: "Father, this invasion by Western Liang has given the court the perfect opportunity to act against us. They keep talking about hunting for Western Liang spies—soon enough, we’ll all be arrested as Western Liang spies."
Before the King of Xiliang could respond, the goateed man across from him spoke first.
"Heir Apparent, our Great Liang is not invading," he said, his tone carrying a distinct accent. In truth, even without the accent, the term "Great Liang" alone was enough to reveal his identity.
"We have come only to pay respects to the Emperor of Great Xia," he continued, then added with a sigh, "Since the legitimate line was lost, the imperial court of the Central Plains has grown increasingly barbaric and unruly."
Xiao Xun laughed heartily: "Sir, if not for us, where would you be soaking in this warm pool? You’d be suffering in an official prison, wishing for death. One who receives help should be grateful—that is the foremost rule of a respectable person."
The goateed man opened his eyes, his expression displeased: "You—"
Prince Zhongshan cut them off: "Enough. The hot spring is for nurturing health. Stirring anger in its waters is ill-advised."
The goateed man clearly did not wish to offend Prince Zhongshan and reined in his temper, ignoring the young man with the dimpled smile. Turning to Prince Zhongshan, he said: "Moreover, we are also acting out of indignation on Your Highness’s behalf. By rights, the throne should belong to you or your son. That six-year-old child is not the late Emperor’s son—a mere grandson has no claim."
Prince Zhongshan removed the cloth from his eyes, offering no modesty or courtesy, and instead cupped his hands in a salute: "I thank the King of Great Liang." Then, with a slight smile, he added, "Might I ask what the King of Great Liang desires in return?"
The goateed man rose from the pool, his expression filled with grief and fury: "My king demands only Chu Ling’s head!"
Years ago, when Great Xia had long enjoyed peace and grown complacent, the ambitious Great Liang launched a war.
The frail and ailing Emperor of Great Xia passed away, and Great Xia suffered repeated defeats, losing vast territories. A stalemate with Great Liang ensued until, over a decade later, the new Emperor of Great Xia suddenly placed his trust in a young military officer.
That young officer not only reclaimed the lost territories and drove Great Liang’s forces beyond the borders but also launched a surprise attack on Great Liang’s royal court, killing the king’s most cherished prince.
The prince’s head was displayed at the border. Wave after wave of Great Liang soldiers came, only to be slaughtered by Chu Ling. In the end, the King of Great Liang himself went to the Border Commandery, stripped to the waist, with disheveled hair, kneeling and begging for mercy, pledging submission. Only then did the Emperor of Great Xia issue an edict, and Chu Ling returned the prince’s head to the King of Great Liang.
This remained Great Liang’s most bitter memory. Even after more than a decade, the hatred ran deep.
"On his deathbed, the late king gripped our king’s hand, unable to rest in peace until our king vowed to take Chu Ling’s head to honor his father and elder brother. Only then did the late king close his eyes," the goateed man lamented, beating his chest and weeping uncontrollably. "I know that in war, life and death are fated, but that Chu Ling—"
The goateed man pointed fiercely toward the sky."You killed our prince, then subjected him to such humiliation and torment—cruel, heartless, and utterly inhuman!"
"Our Great King's action is solely to avenge his father and brother. All he wants is Chu Ling's head."
Prince Zhongshan looked at him sympathetically and called to the maids standing with bowed heads around them: "Quickly help our honored guest to rest. After soaking in the hot springs, such great sorrow and rage will drain one's strength."
The maids surged forward to support the man with the goatee out, wrapping him in a robe. The goateed man didn't resist.
"Your Highness," he said mournfully, "our Great King has only this one request. He wishes to join forces with Your Highness and establish eternal friendship."
Prince Zhongshan looked at him, seeming to ponder, then asked: "Does your Great King have any princesses?"
The goateed man was taken aback, as if he hadn't processed the question.
Xiao Xun already put on a pained expression: "Father, I already have someone in my heart—"
Only then did the goateed man understand—was this about forming a marriage alliance?
"Yes—" he said. Even if there weren't any, there would be.
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily: "We'll discuss that later, later. Honored guest, please go rest first." He waved his hand.
As he gestured, the delicate maids immediately supported the goateed man away. The man indeed seemed drained of strength, offering no resistance.
Only father and son remained in the hot spring pool.
Prince Zhongshan breathed a sigh of relief, lying back again. He picked up a handkerchief, soaked it in the hot spring, and placed it over his eyes: "Even monkeys know to be quiet when soaking in hot springs."
Xiao Xun laughed: "Father, do you believe what he said?"
Prince Zhongshan said: "Whether I believe it or not doesn't matter. What matters is that Western Liang believes it themselves." He sighed lightly at this point, "However, General Chu has truly reached his end this time."
Xiao Xun asked: "Then will Father go save him? For the sake of Great Xia, for General Chu, even at the cost of exposing your privately maintained troops." He pressed a hand to his chest, "Father's actions are both infuriating and touching. Unlike that iron-hearted Chu Zhao, the people of the world will surely be captivated by Father."
Prince Zhongshan laughed heartily, splashing water with his hand: "Naturally. When it comes to captivating the masses, you, my son, can't compare to your old man."
Xiao Xun didn't dodge, allowing the hot spring water to hit his face, the droplets falling like pearls from his smooth, delicate skin.
"Father, your son is willing to lead the troops for you," he said.
Prince Zhongshan smiled, removing the cloth to look at Xiao Xun: "Going to play the hero saving the beauty again? As the saying goes, never twice without thrice—"
Just as Xiao Xun was about to speak, Prince Zhongshan waved his hand.
"However, there's no need for you to act yet. You'll appear when the time is more important."
"When you appear this time, my son, you must captivate the entire world."
...
...
The Imperial City was brightly lit deep into the night.
While Deng Yi's Grand Tutor Hall saw constant streams of people coming and going, Xie Yanfang's quarters were much quieter.
A courier was hurriedly led in by an official, covered in the dust of travel. He bowed to Xie Yanfang: "Third Young Master, the letter has been delivered." He added, "Young Master Yan Lai has also arrived."
Xie Yanfang made an acknowledging sound, started to ask something but then smiled, nodding and waving his hand.
The courier immediately withdrew.
"Young Master," the official said with some pleasure, "With your letter and Young Master Yan Lai's arrival, the Empress should return soon this time."
Xie Yanfang laughed heartily, shaking his head: "No. After reading the letter alone, she might still hesitate. But after seeing Xie Yanlai, she'll hesitate no more and won't return."
The official was astonished: "Why is that?"
"Because someone has played the hero," Xie Yanfang said with a laugh.
What did that mean? The official, puzzled, wanted to ask more.Xie Yanfang stopped him and asked, "Have the letters to the Border Commandery been sent out on time?"
Was this still being verified? The official affirmed again and guaranteed nothing would go wrong.
"That letter absolutely arrived earlier than Xie Yanlai," he emphasized.
Xie Yanfang smiled slightly without speaking, only gently stroking his cheek with his hand.
"Heroes are most alluring," he murmured. "Only heroes can make people fall for them."
......
......
The wind in Yunzhong Commandery howled all night, only subsiding as dawn approached. But Liang Qiang couldn't sleep anyway - the earthen kang had turned completely cold, the chill seeping upward through his body, while the quilt covering him felt like a block of ice, stiff and freezing.
Liang Qiang had never known cold could be this cold.
Though born into wealth, he had studied since childhood and understood that extravagance and indulgence corrupt the mind. He had indeed endured hardships like studying by winter lamplight and training through the coldest and hottest seasons. But only now did he realize: when you possess wealth and power, so-called suffering is just a joke. When you lose wealth and power, everything you do becomes suffering - there's no absence of suffering, only varying degrees of it.
And this wasn't even the real depth of winter yet.
Liang Qiang sat up from the kang, his lips bluish, wrapping a tattered fur coat around himself until he gradually warmed up.
He felt he wouldn't survive this winter.
Outside came the clanging of metal striking metal, particularly jarring in the cold morning air. Even though Liang Qiang was already awake, it made his heart pound - one could imagine how it affected those still sleeping.
This was the platoon leader's malicious amusement. In the platoon leader's eyes, those of them serving penal labor weren't human beings.
"Get up and work, you pigs!" the shouting followed.
The tattered fur coat warmed Liang Qiang enough to move. He got out of bed, opened the door and stepped outside. The biting cold that hit his face made him shiver. People were emerging sporadically from the low houses in the area.
If they didn't come out soon, the platoon leader and his men wouldn't just beat gongs - they'd pour water into the houses.
They didn't care whether the houses remained habitable - they didn't live there anyway.
After ensuring everyone had emerged, the cloak-wrapped platoon leader stopped his cursing with a grim expression: "Look alive! With the Western Liang people attacking now, if you don't work properly, we'll send you to the front lines!"
Having said this, he ordered his subordinates to assign tasks. Today their entire platoon would reinforce city defenses, working from morning till night.
After assignments were given, two sturdy women carried over wooden buckets containing today's breakfast - a bowl of thin gruel for each person. Whether the gruel could fill their stomachs didn't matter; the steaming heat was enough for everyone.
As everyone surged forward, the platoon leader cursed them into forming a line.
Liang Qiang went directly to the back. When he first arrived, he had jostled with others and fought several times - not that he couldn't win, but it was endless, and winning still brought punishment. Once, holding his thin gruel, he saw his bruised and swollen face reflected in it and felt only ridiculous.
Was his future life just about a bowl of thin gruel every morning?
If so, what difference did it make whether he drank it earlier or later?
Liang Qiang stood at the back of the line, slowly shuffling forward while watching the buckets ahead - there was actually a difference. The steam from the thin gruel continuously dissipated in the cold morning wind.
By the time he got his portion, it would likely be cold gruel.
"Ah Qiang," came a happy whisper from behind him, "your mother's on duty today. The gruel definitely won't have half of it spilled."
Liang Qiang turned to see a fellow inmate's smiling face.This brother's hair was disheveled, and he had long lost the demeanor of a Liang clan descendant. He who used to pay no mind to fine wine and delicacies at home would now smile over getting an extra half-bowl of porridge.
Liang Qiang looked at his face and said, "Fourth Brother, we can't continue doing hard labor anymore."
The Liang brother was taken aback and asked, "Then what should we do?"
Liang Qiang fell silent. He didn't know either, but if they kept doing hard labor, he felt it would be better to die.
OpenNovel