Thin mist drifted over the distant autumn grass, casting an ethereal haze under the morning sun. Winged birds skimmed low over the river pond, their feet tapping on the green duckweed and stirring ripples. Green-maned horses disappeared into the vast expanse of lush grass, while the sound of a shepherd's flute drifted faintly from afar, as melodious as willow branches in late spring.
Autumn had arrived, bringing chill to both mornings and evenings. Huihui Mountain's autumn was always brief—as if winter rushed in the moment summer's tail vanished. The herdsmen had donned autumn clothing, vests, and long boots, while the girls wore horse skirts as red as fire, swirling like blooming fire cloud flowers, dazzlingly beautiful.
Ping An and Duoji raced wildly with the horse herd across Autumn Orchid Plain. Jingjing followed on her little red horse, shouting, "Duoji! Go, go!"
Ping An was now fifteen, having grown into a sturdy young man with gleaming muscles, resembling a robust young leopard. After one lap, he fell far behind Duoji. Angrily cracking his whip, he charged toward Jingjing and yelled, "You brat! Who's your brother? Why are you siding with an outsider?"
Jingjing giggled, her large eyes curving like crescent moons. She stuck out her tongue at Ping An, slapped her red horse's rump, and dashed behind Duoji.
Duoji was the son of herdsmen from the foot of Huihui Mountain, yet he looked like a scholar's child from the eastern lands—fair-skinned with a tall nose bridge and gentle eyes. Now sixteen, he merely halted his horse and smiled as Jingjing approached. "Run quickly, Jingjing. I'll block him."
"Duoji—" A drawn-out call came from afar. Hearing this, Duoji straightened in his stirrups and waved into the distance. "My mother is calling me. Let's go to my place."
"Auntie must have made butter pastries! Hurry, hurry! Sister said just days ago how delicious her butter pastries are," Jingjing exclaimed cheerfully.
Duoji laughed. "Really? Then remember to take some for the adults when you leave."
"No need to remind me—I already asked your mother," Ping An chuckled, cracking his whip and charging ahead.
"Du Ping An! You cheat!" Jingjing shouted, whipping her own horse. Though small, the red horse was exceptionally fast, catching up in no time.
Duoji smiled and leisurely followed behind, herding the horses. The sky was blue, the clouds white, and the air thick with the scent of wheat—harvest time was near, the best season of the year in Huihui.
That evening, when returning, the villagers piled the young horses of Ping An and Jingjing high with food—fresh game, homemade mare's milk wine, and Duoji's mother's butter pastries. The little red horse shook its head frantically under the weight. Seeing this, Duoji hitched a horse to a cart, offering to escort them home. Jingjing clapped her hands and jumped for joy.
"Ping An, has the adult been sleeping well these days? Is Uncle Da Lie's medicine working?"
Du Ping An shook his head. "Same as before. Last night I woke at midnight and saw Mei Xiang brewing tea—probably the adult hadn't slept yet."
"Sister has been much better these past couple of days. She hasn't coughed for several days," Jingjing cut in, beaming. "Duoji, your medicine is excellent. I took some too and slept straight till dawn."
"You'd sleep till dawn even without medicine."Ping An clicked her tongue and exposed her sister, saying, "Anything Duoji brings is good in your eyes. You even fight to take medicine. Only thirteen and already eager to marry, you really have no shame."
Jingjing stuck out her tongue and replied, "What shame? Sister told me that if you like someone, you should say it early to avoid future regrets. When I grow up, I'm going to marry Duoji, so what's there to be afraid of?"
Her words were crisp and clear, but they made the handsome Duoji blush deeply. The young man coughed awkwardly and said, "Then I'll bring two more doses tomorrow. Make sure an adult takes them."
Then he turned to Jingjing and said, "Jingjing, you can't take medicine randomly. The adult has old health issues and caught a chill from soaking in icy water, so she needs the medicine. You're perfectly healthy; taking medicine could actually harm you. Don't take it recklessly from now on."
Jingjing nodded with a beaming smile, as if whatever Duoji said was absolutely right, and replied cheerfully, "I understand."
Ping An snorted disdainfully, seeming to look down on her sister's spinelessness.
After walking for over an hour, they finally reached the mountain. The summit of Huihui Mountain was where Prince Yanshicheng had built Nada Palace for Princess Bai Sheng, now vacant. The adult lived in a residence halfway up the mountain. From a distance, the blue bricks and pale tiles were nestled among layers of emerald pines, appearing serene and ancient. But one should never mistake it for an ordinary estate, as a slight misstep could easily cost someone their life here.
"Who goes there?"
A deep voice suddenly called out from ahead. Ping An immediately jumped off the carriage, ran forward a few steps, and shouted, "Brother He? It's Ping An."
"Ping An, why are you so late?" A middle-aged man in his thirties emerged from the bushes, followed by several plainly dressed men holding steel forks. One of them carried a wild rabbit.
"The adult has asked about you several times. There might be a mountain storm tonight. If you hadn't returned soon, I would have gone down to look for you."
Brother He walked over cheerfully, spotted Duoji, and smiled, "Duoji, you're here too. How's your father's injury?"
"Thanks to Brother He setting the bone so well, his arm can move now."
"Lao Mu Tuo just wouldn't listen. I told him long ago not to mess with Bear King and his cubs."
As they chatted, they walked inside, passing several teams of both overt and covert sentries along the way. These men were formerly soldiers of the Xiuli Army. Now retired from service, most had settled down and started families at the foot of the mountain, but they still took turns coming up to stand guard. Over the past year, the mountain had become much more peaceful. The Zhuge family's assassins had dwindled in number and were no longer as frenzied as before.
"The adult just finished dinner and is resting in the backyard. You should go greet her now so she doesn't worry."
"Got it, Brother He. You're becoming more and more like Duoji's mom," Jingjing pouted. Brother He laughed and patted her head before leading the others out.Arriving at the courtyard entrance, they unsurprisingly saw He Xiao once again. Ever since the master had been injured a year ago, he had moved in from outside and now lived right at the master’s doorway, keeping watch day and night. Jingjing once told Duoji that she had never seen He Xiao sleep. Once, when she came to see the master and found He Xiao with his eyes closed, leaning against the wall, she tried to sneak in quietly. But before she could even step into the courtyard, He Xiao grabbed her and told her that the master was asleep and to come back the next morning if she had any business.
Duoji hadn’t believed it at first, but as he visited more frequently, he realized it seemed true—he had never seen He Xiao doze off. Even if He Xiao was sleeping, the slightest approach from anyone would wake him instantly.
"Commander He!"
Seeing He Xiao, Ping An became much more restrained, greeting him respectfully.
He Xiao nodded. When he saw Duoji, a rare smile appeared on his face as he asked, "Duoji, you’re here. Is your father’s injury any better?"
"He’s able to move around now. Thank you for your concern, Commander He."
He Xiao said gently, "It’s good that he can move. The master asked about him today and even told me to tell your father not to risk hunting bears for their gallbladders anymore. The master’s illness has improved a lot, and the medicine you brought last time was very effective."
"Alright, I’ll tell my father when I get back."
He Xiao nodded. "Go on in, you two little rascals. Once you’re out, you never think to come back early. The master has asked about you several times."
Jingjing made a funny face, pushed open the courtyard gate, and ran inside. Ping An and Duoji followed behind. The sky was already dark, with a cool, round moon hanging overhead. The mountain air was chilly, even colder than down below. A white plum blossom tree stood in the center of the courtyard. Though it hadn’t snowed yet, the tree had already bloomed early, its fragrance filling the air with a serene elegance. Under the moonlight, the blossoms looked as white as a tree full of snow.
"Sister!"
Before even entering the house, Jingjing shouted loudly as she ran. The door opened, and Mei Xiang poked her head out to look. Seeing it was them, she deliberately put on a stern expression, extended a slender finger, and tapped Jingjing’s forehead firmly, scolding, "You silly girl, it’s so late and you still don’t know to come home. If you grow up into a wild girl, who’s going to marry you?"
"Hehe, I bet I’ll get married before you, Sister Mei!"
Jingjing rubbed her forehead and giggled. Mei Xiang laughed and retorted, "You sharp-tongued little imp."
Mei Xiang had been a slave the master bought from Yuegong City over a year ago. She had run away because she didn’t want to become an old nobleman’s concubine and was nearly beaten to death when the master saved her. After that, she followed the master up to Huihui Mountain. Though she was sharp-tongued and fiery, she was fiercely loyal. Although she hadn’t been with the master for long, as a woman with a good temperament, she had become the closest to the master after He Xiao.
"Come in, the master has been waiting for you for a long time."
Closing the door, Mei Xiang led them inside. The house was built with red bricks, making it very windproof and warm. The rooms were tidy, without any lavish decorations, but a few pots of orchids were placed here and there. Duoji’s uncle had once served under Mr. Wu’s command but returned to his hometown after being injured. He was a knowledgeable man, and Duoji had learned some poetry, literature, and even a bit about flowers from him. But as he carefully examined the flowers here, he realized he didn’t recognize most of them and couldn’t help but stare in bewilderment.Mei Xiang chuckled upon seeing this, "You probably haven't seen these before. The master had people gather them from Daxia. They're usually kept in the greenhouse, but now that the weather's turned cold, they've been moved inside. The master says this is called Grafting, not a normal Flower variety."
Pushing open the study door, a pair of clear eyes calmly looked over. Chu Qiao was wearing a soft cotton-white gown with a flax-colored skirt underneath. A newly pinned silk white hibiscus flower adorned her hair, clearly Mei Xiang's handiwork. Seeing Chu Qiao always dressed so plainly, Mei Xiang constantly tried to come up with unique accessories. Being kind-natured, Chu Qiao couldn't bear to refuse her well-intentioned efforts and let her have her way.
"You're back."
Seeing them, Chu Qiao set down the book in her hand and smiled faintly, extending her hand. Jingjing quickly ran over, took Chu Qiao's hand and leaned into her embrace, saying coquettishly, "Sister, I missed you so much!"
"Oh? Really? I thought you'd be too happy with Duoji to think of coming back."
Chu Qiao teased lightly. No matter what others said, Jingjing always maintained her cheerful demeanor, but before Chu Qiao, even the simplest remark could make the young girl blush deeply.
Ping An laughed, "Only the master can keep her in check."
Back when Chu Qiao left the army, Ping An had brought his younger sister along up the mountain. However, he persistently maintained the same form of address as He Xiao and others.
Duoji stood to the side, slightly dazed. Normally, he was quite a clever young man, knowledgeable and articulate. But before Chu Qiao, he always found himself unconsciously lowering his head, as if even looking at her would be sacrilege. Yet he couldn't help but find excuses to visit every few days, as if just catching a distant glimpse of where she lived would suffice.
After exchanging a few lighthearted words with Jingjing, Chu Qiao looked up and said gently to Duoji, "How is your father doing?"
Duoji replied respectfully, "He's much better now. Thank you for remembering, master."
"The autumn harvest is approaching. Your mother has been handling all the family affairs lately. I've already spoken with He Xiao - we'll send people to help during the harvest. Go tell your mother to let us know when they start harvesting the wheat."
"Yes, thank you for your concern, master."
"Looks like there might be mountain rain tonight. Better not go down the mountain - stay with Ping An for the night. Mei Xiang has warmed some food for you. Go have something to eat first."
They quickly nodded and filed out of the room.
True enough, within half an hour it began to rain. Each autumn rain brings more chill, and the temperature suddenly dropped considerably. Mei Xiang brought them an extra quilt and added a brazier to their room. Ping An, being fond of sleep, soon dozed off snoring. Duoji tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Late into the night, he threw on his clothes, got up, and quietly slipped out the door.
Ping An's room was right next to Jingjing's. As Duoji passed by, he could hear the young girl mumbling in her sleep, though he couldn't make out what she was saying. Further ahead was a waterside pavilion. Huihui Mountain had many hot springs, and this was one of them. Warm steam rose around an exquisite pavilion shrouded in moonlight, creating a hazy scene. Across from the waterside pavilion was the master's bedroom. Several ancient plum trees were sheltered under the corridor, spared from the rain, their subtle fragrance permeating the air.Duoji loved this place dearly. Every time he came, he preferred arriving late so the lady would let him stay overnight. Then, after Ping An had fallen asleep, he could sneak out and watch for a while.
The lady had been at Autumn Orchid Plain for two years now. Since her arrival, the area had been exempted from military conscription and the spring and autumn taxes. Emperor Xia had even dispatched troops to repeatedly sweep the surrounding regions, clearing out all the mountain bandits and roving rebels. Garrison camps were established to the north and south, making Autumn Orchid Plain exceptionally peaceful and prosperous—so much so that not even petty thieves could be found. Originally, this area wasn't a residential zone, with only a few herdsmen living here. Gradually, more and more commoners gathered, with one-tenth of Shangshen's population relocating here. The nearby Autumn Orchid City grew increasingly bustling, and within just two years, it had become one of Yanbei's renowned major cities.
Everyone genuinely adored the lady. In those years, she led troops to defend Chidu and Beishuo, guided the people of Shangshen in reclaiming wasteland, building roads, promoting trade, opening markets, constructing irrigation systems, teaching farming and iron-smelting techniques, establishing armories, and founding schools and businesses—she had done countless good deeds. Although she later left her official post, she still protected the local people, allowing the residents of Shangshen to live prosperous and peaceful lives. Once the most chaotic commandery in Yanbei, Shangshen had now become Yanbei's wealthiest region.
When people spoke of the lady, everyone in Shangshen would give a thumbs-up, saying she was a goddess reborn, sent specifically to protect Yanbei.
Only his mother, that day when discussing the lady's illness, sighed softly and shook her head, saying, "When it comes down to it, she's just a girl not yet twenty years old!"
Yes!
If his mother hadn't mentioned it, he seemed to have forgotten—the lady wasn't even twenty this year, only four years older than him. He'd heard that when she was just eight, she had already entered the Daxia imperial palace with the emperor. By sixteen, she was leading troops to capture cities and conquer territories, fighting battles north and south. And what was he doing at sixteen? Riding horses? Herding sheep? Milking goats?
Duoji felt somewhat disheartened and sighed with uncharacteristic maturity. The moment his sigh faded, someone ahead asked, "Is that Duoji?"
Duoji looked up and saw the lady standing beneath the plum tree, wrapped in a white cloak. Her eyes were pitch black, so brilliant they seemed dazzling.
"L-Lady."
Duoji felt embarrassed, his face flushing red as if he were a thief caught stealing.
What would the lady think? Would she forbid him from coming here again? He had been standing in front of her room staring for so long—would she be angry?
The lovestruck teenager's thoughts were in disarray when he heard Chu Qiao gently ask, "Can't you sleep?"
"Ah?" Duoji stared blankly, then quickly nodded. "Yeah, c-can't sleep."
"Hungry?"
"Ah?"
"Come here."
Duoji followed Chu Qiao foolishly into the waterside pavilion. Chu Qiao wore soft-soled embroidered shoes, her figure slender and graceful, her brows and eyes as gentle and serene as distant green mountains. With her pale hands, she closed the other three windows, leaving only one open. In the center of the pavilion stood a small table with several exquisite food boxes. When opened, a delicate fragrance wafted out, revealing beautifully crafted pastries and side dishes.
"Did Sister Mei Xiang make these?"
Duoji nervously tried to make conversation, but Chu Qiao slowly shook her head and said with a smile, "I made them myself. Didn't expect that, did you?"For a moment, Duoji was stunned. He had never seen the lady smile like this before. Although she was always gentle, he often felt she wasn't truly happy—even when her face clearly wore a smile, her eyes seemed veiled in an unshakeable haze, devoid of genuine joy. His mother had said that was because there was too much sorrow in her heart, like an eagle with broken wings; even if it lived, it could never be happy, for it was no longer an eagle.
But now, with the lady so close to him, he saw her sincere smile—cunning, like a little fox, her eyes curved with a mischievous glint and a hint of boastful pride. He nodded foolishly, already forgetting what she had asked, and could only echo her tone in admiration: "Really? Ah! How amazing!"
Chu Qiao was in a good mood. Seeing his expression, she reached out and tapped his forehead, laughing, "Silly boy."
Duoji felt a bit frustrated. He was sixteen—at his age, his father had already married his mother. He wasn't a child anymore.
"Sit down and try some."
Duoji obediently sat down, picked up a piece of pastry, and looked it over carefully, reluctant to take a bite. The pastry was exquisitely made, shaped like a plum blossom from white sugar cake, with a few strands of red date paste at the center as the flower's heart.
"Eat it!"
Urged by Chu Qiao, the young man nervously swallowed it whole and nearly choked. Chu Qiao quickly poured him a cup of tea, and Duoji gulped it down before managing to swallow the pastry.
"Was it good?"
Chu Qiao asked. Duoji, tears nearly welling up, pouted aggrievedly, "I didn't get to taste it."
"Hehe," Chu Qiao laughed, pushing the entire plate toward him. "It's all yours."
Duoji began eating piece by piece, exclaiming from time to time, "Lady, you're amazing! You can even make such delicious things. Who did you learn from?"
"I learned from an old master in the Imperial Kitchen when I was in the palace. You're quite lucky, Duoji—even the emperor of Daxia usually eats these."
"Ah?" Duoji was stunned again; tonight, he seemed much more foolish than usual, always acting dopey.
Suddenly, a gurgling sound came from the pond outside. The wind blew in, opening another window. Chu Qiao stood up to close it but froze when she saw the old plum tree by the base of the house had grown as tall as the roof. Her hand, halfway in the air, stopped motionless. Rows of moonlight shone on her wrist, dappled and indistinct.
In the blink of an eye, two years had passed. The newly planted plum tree from back then was now as tall as the eaves.
Time is the most merciless thing in the world—it never pauses for any joy or sorrow. When it rushes away, even the most intense emotions gradually cool through attrition.
That night, she left Yunbi City and traveled for half a month until she reached Beishuo. Then, one morning, as she walked out of the Beishuo city gate along the deserted streets of Beishuo, she saw thousands upon thousands of Yanbei commoners.Among them were native residents of Beishuo City, and some who had traveled from distant inland regions—Shangshen, Sunset Mountain, Blue City, Chidu, Huihui, Meilin. When the people learned of her impending departure, they gathered silently in groups. Along the way, she had encountered many such processions, yet she did not know them, nor did they disturb her. They simply followed quietly until now, congregating at the gates of Beishuo City, watching her in silence, accompanying her on this final journey.
Within the crowd were white-haired elders in their twilight years, young and fragile children, blue-eyed outsiders from beyond the passes, and merchants from the Eastern Continent who had come for trade. There were Chidu militiamen who had once fought alongside her against the Daxia Army, Beishuo residents who had narrowly escaped death under her protection, Shangshen residents who had participated in her road construction and trade initiatives, and herdsmen who tended horses and sheep at the foot of Huihui Mountain.
These people had left the city early in the morning, quietly lining both sides of the road and clearing a path. When she emerged, they all turned to look at her in unison.
Chu Qiao would never forget those gazes—filled with reluctance, sorrow, entreaty, heartache, worry, and fear. Yet they transformed these myriad emotions into silence. Even three- or four-year-old children made no sound, simply watching her quietly, watching her quietly.
At that moment, she felt so distressed she wanted to cry.
She knew the responsibility she carried. Over the past year, she had traveled across the lands of Yanbei, spreading the ideals of peace to every corner. She had led them in rebuilding their homes, striving to restore production behind the front lines of war. They trusted and supported her with all their hearts. This nation, oppressed for centuries, had placed all their hopes for freedom and a better life upon her. And now, she was about to leave, to betray the promises she had made to them. She was going to abandon them, no longer concerning herself with the dreams she had once fought for with all her might.
He Xiao stood at the front with nine thousand soldiers of the Xiuli Army, fully armed and packed, as if ready to follow her on a long journey.
There was no need to say anything more. She could only stand there dumbfounded, like a statue carved from stone.
Suddenly, a pair of small, soft hands wrapped around her waist. She looked down to see a girl of about ten, silently gazing up at her with a stubborn tilt of her head, tears welling in her eyes but refusing to fall. Ping An ran over from behind, trying to pull his younger sister away, but he couldn’t pry her loose.
Ping An was serving as a soldier then, and when he was first assigned to the interior of Yanbei by Yan Xun, little Jingjing had followed her. By then, she had been living with her for over a year.
"Sister," Jingjing finally burst into tears, streams flowing down her cheeks. "Are you abandoning me? Are you abandoning me?"
As the child began to cry, others gradually joined in. The common people stood in rows, and before long, someone knelt down. Soon, vast crowds of people were kneeling on the ground. Elderly men and women in their seventies and eighties wept bitterly, repeatedly asking, "My Lady, are you abandoning us?"
"My Lady, if you’re not here, I’ll be captured and made a slave again."
"My Lady, where are you going? Can I come with you?"
...
The cold wind howled, sweeping up the thick snow on the ground. Chu Qiao, who had been prepared to depart, released the reins of her horse and lifted her head, gazing at the bright sun. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, falling into her thick hair.
The heavy weight of responsibility pressed upon her shoulders, making it hard to breathe.
She knew who was orchestrating all of this, yet she was powerless to escape. He understood her too well, and with just a small maneuver, he could keep her firmly under his control.
That day, it seemed she shed all the tears of a lifetime. Standing on the vast, snow-covered ground, she felt like a kite held in someone’s hand, without even a string—uncertain where to flee even if she tried to escape.
In the end, she stayed, humiliated and defeated, living halfway up Huihui Mountain. And there she remained for two years.Over the past two years, she had watched him with her own eyes—watching him recruit soldiers and levy taxes, watching him conquer cities and seize territories, watching him implement military conscription policies even harsher than those of Daxia, watching him systematically eliminate his rivals and firmly secure Yanbei's iron-clad rule.
Sometimes she thought life was truly a strange thing—it always gave you hope in moments of despair, urging you to persevere, only to douse all your dreams with cold water just as you were about to grasp that hope.
Yan Xun ultimately succeeded. Under his relentless pressure, Daxia could no longer hold its head high.
After Zhuge Yue's death, although the Zhuge Clan hurriedly distanced themselves by expelling him from the family registry and banishing him from the household—even denying him burial in the ancestral tombs—they still suffered repercussions. Their standing in the Elder Council greatly diminished, and Zhuge Huai was repeatedly demoted. Though Zhuge Mu Qing continued efforts to salvage the situation by actively promoting collateral branches of the family, the results were clearly lacking.
The daughter of General Le Xing, Le Wanyi, hastily broke off her engagement and personally wrote a ten-thousand-word petition in blood to Emperor Xia, accusing the Zhuge family of leveraging their wealth and influence to bully others. She claimed Zhuge Yue was morally corrupt, coveting her beauty, and that she had been forced into the engagement under the threat of his family's power. Now that he had committed unforgivable crimes, becoming his widow would be an insult to the empire and the emperor. She declared she would rather become a nun than marry such a despicable man.
Le Wanyi's devout determination to embrace Buddhism became widely praised as a beautiful tale throughout Zhenhuang capital. Though she ultimately did not shave her head to become a nun, she successfully severed ties with the vile criminal and preserved her own moral purity.
Naturally, as Zhuge Yue's direct superior, Zhao Che could not escape demotion either. This prince, who had experienced repeated rises and falls, was once again relegated to the northeastern frontier—to a barren land overseeing the construction of an entirely unnecessary military project—thus removing him from Daxia's political arena.
Most unimaginable was the alliance between the fourteenth prince, Zhao Yang, and the Wei Clan. With Wei Guang's support, Zhao Yang swiftly rose to become Daxia's most powerful prince, enfeoffed as the Prince of Zhou. Wei Shu Ye likewise rose in status, assuming command of the military authority at Wild Goose Cry Pass.
Daxia's power structure was reshuffled, but discerning observers could easily see that the empire's former dominance was gradually fading. Faced with Yanbei's formidable cavalry and troops, they appeared increasingly overwhelmed. Although Wei Shu Ye possessed considerable military talent, Yan Xun proved superior in strategy. Coupled with domestic political interference, Daxia gradually shifted from offense to defense, showing clear signs of exhaustion over the past year.
Now Ximeng was divided into four powers: Li Ce had firmly secured the throne in Biantang; Nalan Hongye, the eldest princess, governed Huai Song; Yan Xun dominated the northwest, facing Daxia across the river. No single power held absolute dominance anymore.
Yet despite this, Yan Xun dared not easily crush Daxia, for southwest of Helan Mountain, a new regime had abruptly emerged in everyone's sight. No one knew its origins—not even its actual population. Only through passing merchants and dispatched scouts did vague rumors spread that the ruler of this regime called himself the "King of Qinghai."Qinghai, situated south of Helan Mountain and west of Cuiwei Mountain, was rumored to be a desolate, scorching, and barren land overrun by wild beasts, where not a blade of grass grew. As early as two thousand years ago, it had served as a penal colony for major continental powers. It was said that almost no one sent there survived—either falling prey to wild animals or succumbing to strange diseases. Thus, exile to Qinghai had long been synonymous with death. Some even preferred to die in Ximeng rather than set foot in Qinghai. Over the years, countless convicts had taken their own lives at Cuiwei Pass.
Yet, in such a place teeming with venomous insects, ferocious beasts, and barren lands, a regime suddenly emerged like a meteor.
On July 17, 778, Yan Xun personally took command, directing 70,000 troops to attack the southern gate of Wild Goose Cry Pass. Just as success seemed imminent, enemy forces unexpectedly appeared from the southwestern rear. Agile, fierce, swift as the wind, and relentless as wolves, they struck like a dagger into the left flank of the Yanbei Army, shattering their offensive. But when Yan Xun hastily turned his forces to counterattack, they vanished into thin air.
It was only much later that scouts discovered their traces at Cuiwei Pass, which was now occupied by a man calling himself the "King of Qinghai."
For Yanbei, this was a thunderbolt of devastating news. Cuiwei Pass was located near Helan Mountain, west of the Chishui River, meaning that aside from the Quanrong People beyond Meilin Pass, Yanbei now faced another enemy to their rear—the King of Qinghai. Worse still, while Meilin Pass was under Yanbei's control, Cuiwei Pass belonged to the King of Qinghai.
This meant the King of Qinghai could enter Yanbei whenever he pleased, with no way to stop him. Moreover, Cuiwei Pass lay at the junction of Helan and Cuiwei Mountains, with plains to the east offering no natural barriers. The only way to block enemies from Qinghai was to construct a thousands-of-miles-long wall along Cuiwei Pass.
It was nothing short of a colossal joke.
Fortunately, the King of Qinghai never emerged again after that incident, as if he had merely stepped out for a casual stroll that day to inform Yan Xun of his presence as a neighbor. Yet Yan Xun dared not let his guard down. He continuously sent scouts into Qinghai to gather intelligence, made several attempts to establish contact with the King of Qinghai at Cuiwei Pass, and set up defensive barriers and garrisons in the southwest. This, in turn, gave Daxia a chance to catch its breath.
All this information was gradually relayed to her by He Xiao and others. Over the past two years, Chu Qiao had rarely left the mountain, except for one trip two years prior.
A bubbling sound suddenly caught Duoji's attention. Puzzled, he looked down to see a small pot simmering on a portable stove. Noticing this, Chu Qiao hurried over, donned thick gloves, and lifted the pot. Turning back, she said, "Finish eating and go to bed. I'm leaving first."
Duoji watched as Chu Qiao's figure gradually receded, not heading toward her own room but veering toward the rear Pine Garden. He didn't follow, instead wrapping up the leftover pastries and clutching them tightly in his hand, reluctant to eat them.The wind rustled through the pine forest as she walked up to a stone stele, setting down a small pot. When she opened it, the aroma of spicy hot pot mutton wafted out.
Before the stele stood a small stone table and stools, polished smooth from frequent use. The stele itself was simple and unadorned, bearing only five carved characters: "Tomb of Zhuge Yue."
Yes, two years ago, she had led three hundred elite Xiuli Army troops into Daxia to retrieve Zhuge Yue's body.
Back then, she received news that the Zhuge family had ultimately expelled Zhuge Yue from the clan, forbidding his burial in the family cemetery. Instead, they subjected his corpse to lashing before discarding it carelessly in the southern mass burial grounds.
The retrieval process went surprisingly smoothly—no one was guarding the now-useless corpse. By the time Chu Qiao arrived, wild dogs had already torn the body apart, rendering it unrecognizable. Had it not been for the lash marks post-mortem, she might not have been able to piece the shattered remains together. With no other choice, she cremated him and brought his ashes back to Yanbei.
While in Zhenhuang, she finally learned about Lady Wanyi. For the first time in her life, she lost her composure, seething with hatred for that shameless woman.
Lady Wanyi, in her devotion to Buddhism, had been traveling daily between the temple and her home during that period. Chu Qiao intercepted her carriage, personally shaving the woman's head in a fit of rage, leaving her completely bald. Watching the woman weep and beg for mercy on her knees, Chu Qiao suddenly felt all her anger drain away. It was as if only in that moment did she truly realize Zhuge Yue was gone—reduced to ashes in the urn she carried, humiliated and trampled upon, his dignity violated by anyone who pleased. And she could do nothing but beat the offenders—unable to save him, unable to win his family's recognition, unable to restore his reputation, even unable to preserve his body whole.
She couldn't articulate her feelings then; it was as if the world had instantly turned gray. She led her troops back to Shangshen and never descended the mountain again, spending her days guarding this small courtyard, burying all her time within its confines.
"Zhuge Yue, you must be feeling pretty pleased lying down there, aren't you? I heard from He Xiao that Daxia suffered another defeat at Wild Goose Cry Pass. Wei Shu Ye is no match for Yan Xun at all. Without you, Daxia has taken heavy losses. You always pretended not to care about anything, but I know you're the most vindictive. Right now, you're probably thinking: 'Serves those bastards right! Without me, you're all useless.'"
Chu Qiao stirred the mutton in the pot with her chopsticks as she spoke softly, her head bowed, hair cascading beside her cheeks. Her snow-white skin was dappled with moonlight filtering through the pine branches, casting cold, mottled halos.
"I didn't dream of you again last night. Are you sure you're really dead? How heartless of you—not even appearing in my dreams. Are you still sulking? Angry that no one has avenged you? But your social connections really are terrible. The few loyal followers you have keep trying to kill me with their blades. Though, thanks to their incompetence—if they went after Yan Xun instead, they probably wouldn't survive."The pot gradually cooled, the mutton fat congealing together. She murmured on, "I burned more paper money for you yesterday. Did you receive it? You were always good to me, and I have nothing to repay you except burning some money for you to use after your death. You came from a wealthy family, spoiled since childhood, accustomed to having everything handed to you. How would you manage in the afterlife without money? But it's alright—you left with so many followers. Even in the underworld, you can continue to lord it over others."
"Zhuge Yue, do you know where Mo'er went? I've sent people to Zhenhuang several times, but they couldn't find any trace of him. They say he's missing. Could your father have... eliminated him? Mo'er is so young, and his life has been so tragic. Keep an eye out for him over there. If you see him, let me know, so I don't have to search the whole world for him."
A gust of wind blew, shaking the accumulated water from the trees into the pot. Chu Qiao seemed unaware, her expression calm, showing no signs of sorrow or grief. She spoke quietly, her voice soft yet piercingly clear in the silent night.
"Zhuge Yue, I actually didn't sleep last night. I lay awake staring at the ceiling all night, replaying the events of that day over and over. I think I had chances to save you. First, I should have had He Xiao cover the rear while you and I left together. We could have split into twenty directions but not actually left, secretly returning to Yuegong to wait for the commotion to die down before finding a way to escape. Second, at Qianzhang Lake, I should have led the troops to charge the right flank of the enemy army from behind. That side was full of archers—a couple of cavalry passes would have scattered them, giving you the chance and time to leave the open center of the lake. Third, how could I have gone to beg Yan Xun? I should have taken him hostage directly. If I had approached him smiling, he wouldn't have suspected anything. Was I out of my mind? And finally, how could you push me up? I had a dagger. We should have swum underwater for a few hundred meters and broken through the ice to escape. The water was cold, but we wouldn't have frozen to death immediately. Jack in Titanic lasted quite a while, and we're both trained in martial arts."
Chu Qiao grumbled in frustration, "Why didn't I think of that at the time?"
The night was so quiet that even the barking of dogs from the houses below the mountain could be heard. Everyone was asleep, only she remained there, murmuring to herself. After talking for a long while, Chu Qiao suddenly stood up and knocked sharply on Zhuge Yue's tombstone, raising her voice, "Hey, I'm talking to you! Are you listening?"
Clear echoes reverberated through the pine forest. After speaking, Chu Qiao seemed to freeze for a moment. She half-crouched before the grave, her expression darkening as she lowered her head, her hair falling on either side, obscuring her face.
Her voice was muffled as she whispered, "I had so many ways, so why couldn't I save you?"
The night was as cool as water, a gentle breeze lifting her clothes. She leaned against the tombstone, motionless for a long time, as if frozen solid. The autumn pine branches had begun to yellow slightly, rustling softly in the wind.
It was just like many years ago, when they had leaned against each other like this. The night had been so dark, surrounded by enemies, fighting back-to-back, moving in perfect sync as if they were one.
"Zhuge Yue, this is our fate..."Chu Qiao whispered softly as a flock of crows flew overhead, cawing hoarsely, sweeping across the sky before gradually fading into the distance.
She had once believed life would continue like this forever, but the next morning, a piece of news struck like a thunderbolt, instantly shattering the last remnants of peace in her life.
————Break ————
Posting this chapter before midnight to avoid missing today's update. Transition chapter—Yanbei arc concludes tomorrow.
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