The Company

Chapter 45: Rhinoceros Horn Seal

— Yan —

The Ji surname stood as the foremost among the eight ancient great surnames—the surname of the Yellow Emperor and the imperial clan of the Zhou Dynasty, embodying unparalleled nobility. Although Ji Qing’s lineage was not the direct pure-blooded royal line of the Zhou Dynasty, they were now among the royal family of Yan, one of the seven powerful states of the Warring States period.

The direct line of the true Yan royal family, following tradition, took the state’s name as their surname, while the collateral branches inherited the Ji surname.

Ji Qing was merely three days younger than Yan Dan; they were cousins. King Xi of Yan personally bestowed upon them the names Dan (cinnabar red) and Qing (azure), two colors commonly used in painting. These hues were derived from cinnabar and azurite mineral pigments, prized for their resistance to fading. Historians often recorded merits in cinnabar-red ledgers and events in azure records, hence “cinnabar and azure” came to symbolize historical annals.

This illustrated the profound hopes King Xi of Yan held for his eldest son and nephew.

When Ji Qing was born, his mother died due to difficult childbirth. The Queen of Yan, pitying the motherless child, took him into the palace to care for him. Not long after, his father remarried, and his stepmother treated Ji Qing as her own, later bearing him several younger siblings, creating a harmonious family.

Growing up together, Ji Qing and Yan Dan were not only close in age but also cousins, and as they matured, their speech and demeanor grew increasingly alike. The only distinction lay in their eyebrows: Yan Dan’s were overly soft, resembling the Queen of Yan’s faint, yellowish brows, whereas Ji Qing’s were sword-like, sharp as twin flying daggers arching toward his temples, giving him the aura of a newly honed blade.

When Ji Qing was five, his father procured a pair of rare rhinoceros horns. All rhinoceros horns are solid at the tip and hollow toward the base. Ji Qing’s father used the hollow sections to craft a pair of precious rhinoceros horn cups, while the remaining solid tips were entrusted to a master artisan, who carved a personal seal for each cousin.

These rhinoceros horn seals were of an ancient red hue, said to be from a increasingly scarce type of rhinoceros. It was feared that the breed bearing only such ancient red horns would soon face extinction. The horns emitted a subtle fragrance, believed to calm nerves and relieve fatigue for the wearer. Aside from the exquisitely carved chi-tiger knobs at the tips, the seals bore no additional engravings, rendering them smooth, lustrous, and translucent like pieces of blood jade. Even Yan Dan, accustomed to rare treasures, cherished his seal dearly, often carrying it with him and constantly rubbing it between his fingers.

In his youth, Ji Qing shared Yan Dan’s fondness for his own rhinoceros horn seal. However, as he grew older, he became more aware of the differences in their statuses—he was not the crown prince. Thus, he seldom displayed or toyed with his seal in public, though it appeared nearly identical to Yan Dan’s save for the inscription.

As a member of the Yan royal family, Ji Qing never wanted for food or clothing and was accustomed to flattery. Studying and training in martial arts alongside Crown Prince Yan Dan, he faced no hardships. Ji Qing once believed he was the happiest person in the world.

Along with many others, he firmly held the conviction that Yan Dan would be the next king of Yan.

But reality dealt them a harsh blow.Before Yan Dan and Ji Qing were born, the newly enthroned King Xi of Yan, believing that the State of Zhao had been weakened and its military strength drastically reduced after the Battle of Changping, disregarded his subordinates' objections and launched an attack on Zhao. As a result, he was besieged by Lian Po's forces. From then on, King Xi of Yan became overly cautious and dared not engage in warfare recklessly.

Situated in the northeast, the State of Yan was known for its fierce and hardy people. Unfortunately, its land was not as fertile as the Central Plains, and the state had always been relatively weak. In recent years, as the State of Qin continuously waged wars and seized several cities from Wei and Zhao, even Yan, the most remote state from Qin, grew restless and filled with anxiety.

King Xi of Yan decided to send Yan Dan to Xianyang, the capital of Qin, as a hostage.

In ancient times, to ensure the fulfillment of oaths, people would exchange valuable items as collateral. Later, this practice evolved among states: to guarantee the establishment of alliances, they would exchange important figures such as royalty, crown princes, or heirs. However, when one state held an absolute advantage, it was no longer an exchange but a one-sided demand.

Yan Dan had two younger brothers, but both were still too young. He could not shirk this heavy responsibility.

Ji Qing deeply sympathized with Yan Dan but could not understand the request he made.

Yan Dan agreed to go to Qin but had one condition: Ji Qing must accompany him.

"Why must I go?" Ji Qing pursed his lips, his handsome sword-like eyebrows furrowed, his young face filled with reluctance.

The Qin people were like wolves and tigers, capable of silencing the cries of children in other states with fear. The Qin capital, Xianyang, was thousands of miles away from Yan's capital, Ji City, and was akin to a dragon's den and tiger's lair.

Yan Dan sat upright before Ji Qing, gazing at a face almost identical to his own, and curled his lips into a sarcastic smile. "The Yan royal family's food, clothing, and luxuries are all provided by the people of Yan. The people of Yan are willing to shed blood on the battlefield, yet you, who merely offer yourself as a hostage, have the audacity to repeatedly refuse?"

Ji Qing's face flushed red at Yan Dan's words. Though he felt something was amiss, he could not muster a single retort.

"Langxuan, are you concerned about your family? Follow me." Yan Dan rose, flicking his sleeves, and led Ji Qing out of the palace straight to the Ji family residence.

Ji Qing stood silently outside the window, watching his father, stepmother, and younger siblings chatting and laughing merrily, a scene of harmony that made him feel like an outsider.

"Langxuan, it is time for you to grow up," Yan Dan said softly, standing behind him.

"What does it mean to grow up?" Ji Qing closed his eyes, feeling the scene inside the house unbearably glaring.

"Growing up is not about the capping ceremony but about understanding reason. First, one must realize that in this world, even without you, the sun and moon will still rise in the east and set in the west, and rivers will still flow from high to low. Nothing will change."

"If there is a first, what are the second and third?"

"Follow me to Xianyang, and I will explain them to you in due time."

"...Very well."

On the day they left Ji City, Ji Qing did not feel the reluctance he had imagined.

Perhaps it was the scene he had witnessed that day, or perhaps it was the words Yan Dan had whispered in his ear. Ji Qing knew that even if he left or died, his family would, after grieving, continue with their lives. Just as his father, after his mother's death, had found his stepmother.

Sitting in the carriage, Ji Qing watched through the fluttering gaps of the curtain as the walls of Ji City slowly receded into the distance. The family members who had come to see him off gradually turned into specks of dust on the horizon, vanishing from sight. With mixed emotions, he turned his head and was startled to find Yan Dan gracefully removing his Weimao crown.Since their departure would span unknown years, the two cousins, though not yet of capping age, had undergone the capping ceremony in advance. But Ji Qing noticed that his cousin’s discomfort did not stem from the unfamiliarity of wearing a ceremonial cap—instead, he continued to shed his outer robes.

At their departure, King Xi of Yan had held a grand farewell ceremony. Thus, Yan Dan was clad in the prestigious black ceremonial robes with plain skirts, while Ji Qing, being of lower status, wore the less noble blue robes with yellow skirts.

"Your Highness, shall I assist you in changing?" Ji Qing, serving as an attendant on this journey to Xianyang, was still adjusting to his role but quickly adapted.

Yan Dan curved his lips into a smile, removing his black ceremonial robes until only the inner white hemp Long Robe remained. "Did you not once ask why I insisted on your accompaniment?"

"Why?" Ji Qing lifted his head, the question lingering in his heart.

Yan Dan reached across the low table between them, brushing his cousin’s sword-like eyebrows and gazing intently. "From this day forth, you shall be Yan Dan, and I shall be Ji Qing."

Ji Qing stood frozen, only snapping back to reality when he felt the cold edge of a blade against his brow. He dared not move, staring blankly as Yan Dan meticulously shaved off his thick eyebrows with a dagger. Fine strands of hair scattered before his eyes, some drifting into them, forcing Ji Qing to shut his lids in discomfort.

"Lift your head... Extend your hand..."

Inside the carriage, only Yan Dan’s calm voice echoed repeatedly. Ji Qing, having never been able to defy his elder cousin since childhood, complied with closed eyes. Vaguely sensing Yan Dan assisting him in undressing and redressing, the darkness-surrounded Ji Qing marveled that his pampered crown prince cousin could actually serve others.

Amid this subdued atmosphere, Ji Qing pondered the crown prince’s intentions.

Hostages were often the most tragic figures during the Warring States period—raised in luxury and high status, only to plummet into adversity. No wonder Yan Dan had insisted on his company: it was for a swap of identities. Hostages also featured prominently in history’s most turbulent tales; those who endured and returned home inevitably ascended the throne, like King Goujian of Yue or the young Qin king’s father, King Zhuangxiang of Qin.

Thus, his shrewd crown prince cousin was not merely fleeing but remaining by his side. Was it to make him bear the humiliation? To use him as a shield?

Being a hostage was a perilous, near-fatal predicament. Even if Ji Qing were to die, his cousin could secretly return to Yan and resume his life as crown prince.

The fine eyebrow fragments in his eyes stung slightly, evoking a urge to weep.

The jade pendant on his robe’s waistband chimed softly as Yan Dan’s low voice suddenly sounded by his ear: "Lang Xuan, do you grasp the second meaning of my words?"Ji Qing's eyelashes fluttered slightly as he composed himself before slowly uttering two words: "I don't know."

"Growing up isn't about whether one has undergone the capping ceremony, but about understanding reason. First, understanding that this world would remain unchanged even without you. Second, understanding that there are always matters in this world that remain beyond your control, no matter how hard you try."

Was this hinting at him? Ji Qing bit his lower lip, and after a long while, forced out a single word through clenched teeth: "...Understood."

He forcibly held back the tear at the corner of his eye, opening his still-stinging eyes. The ceremonial cap on his head felt as heavy as a thousand pounds, pressing him to lower his gaze toward the black formal robes that had originally been worn by Yan Dan. He stared at them for a long time.

Ji Qing raised his head and looked at Yan Dan, who had already changed into the servant's dark blue robe opposite him. He noticed that Yan Dan's imposing aura had completely retracted, his demeanor now as humble and inconspicuous as any ordinary attendant. Ji Qing's gaze involuntarily fell upon the rhinoceros horn seal at Yan Dan's waist, stirring up an indescribable resentment within him. Clenching his teeth, he said, "Your Highness, since our identities have been swapped, shouldn't the rhinoceros horn seal be exchanged too?" As he spoke, he retrieved his own seal from the sleeve of the discarded robes - the one he carried with him daily.

Yan Dan tucked the rhinoceros horn seal from his waist into his robe and said calmly, "No need. What should you address me as now?"

"...Mingji." After thinking for a long time, Ji Qing finally recalled Yan Dan's courtesy name. Dan Mingji, Qing Langxuan... Their courtesy names had been chosen to be quite similar. But now, Ji Qing deeply detested this similarity.

"Good."

Ji Qing didn't speak another word, sitting numbly in the carriage compartment. Listening to the sound of horse hooves outside, he knew this carriage was continuously galloping toward Xianyang, rushing toward his unknown yet foreseeable tragic future.

And he was powerless to change it, completely helpless.

Qin

A tremendous turning point occurred in Ji Qing's life when he was twelve years old.

He became the Crown Prince of Yan and was sent to Xianyang as a hostage, with no foreseeable date for returning to his homeland.

Xianyang was several times larger than Ji City, and the famous Xianyang Palace was particularly majestic and imposing. Standing beneath its towering walls gave one the illusion of feeling insignificant. When Ji Qing saw the young King Zheng of Qin, he felt even more strongly that this man possessed an overwhelming aura of one who ruled the world.

Lowering his head, Ji Qing instinctively compared Yan Dan with the King Zheng of Qin before him, but then chuckled wryly at himself.

Yan Dan? That man was now merely a servant who couldn't even enter the main hall of Xianyang Palace. While he himself was now the Crown Prince of Yan.

Having grown up with Yan Dan since childhood, Ji Qing was quite proficient at imitating the other's speech and mannerisms. Although the other attendants along the journey might have noticed something amiss, none pointed it out. That is to say, everyone understood this was a matter beyond anyone's control.

If Yan Dan didn't want to be a hostage, then he had to take his place. Who else could be more suitable for the role?

Taking a deep breath to clear his mind, Ji Qing paid his respects to King Zheng of Qin with the etiquette befitting a subordinate minister.In truth, King Zheng of Qin—who had imprisoned his own mother, executed his two half-brothers, forced his uncle Lü Buwei to commit suicide, and was widely rumored to be tyrannical—did not give Ji Qing much trouble. After merely exchanging a few casual pleasantries, he ordered Ji Qing to be escorted away. Ji Qing’s gaze swept over the stacks of bamboo scrolls piled on the king’s desk, and he smiled wryly to himself.

Of course, how could the ever-busy King Zheng of Qin possibly care about a hostage prince from the State of Yan?

Yan was the farthest of the seven Warring States from Qin. Fan Ju had once advised the king: "For distant alliances, none are better than Qi and Chu; for nearby conquests, none are easier than Han and Wei. Once Han and Wei are secured, can Qi and Chu survive alone?" This famous strategy of "allying with the distant while attacking the near" did not even mention Yan—clearly, the state was not considered a threat.

Sending him as a hostage to Xianyang was likely more about reassuring King Xi of Yan than anything else.

The customs in Xianyang were simple and rugged. Six or seven out of ten pedestrians carried swords or other weapons, a martial atmosphere unmatched by any other state. Rarely did one see people in lavish attire; everyone walked briskly, with no idle strollers in sight. After a cursory glance, Ji Qing let the carriage curtain fall and arrived at the hostage residence in a daze. His future life would now be confined to this limited space.

In truth, he was free to come and go from the residence, but every time he ventured out, Qin soldiers followed him. Ostensibly for his protection, they were in fact monitoring his every move. This constant surveillance, like thorns pricking his back, was something Ji Qing found hard to endure.

Moreover, he was only twelve years old, yet King Zheng of Qin provided no tutors for his education. Even reading required sending servants to purchase books, and every scroll underwent rigorous inspection before reaching his hands.

Such an existence was like sinking into a vast quagmire, gradually suffocating him as he struggled in vain.

Ji Qing grew increasingly withdrawn, while Yan Dan frequently slipped out of the residence to roam the streets and alleys of Xianyang. Yan Dan quickly mastered the local dialect and mingled effortlessly with the people.

Watching Yan Dan’s adaptability, Ji Qing often succumbed to dark, bitter thoughts: Had he not become a hostage, would he too be living so carefreely? Or would he still be in Ji City, enjoying the luxurious, leisurely life of a crown prince?

But as Yan Dan often said, some things in life are beyond one’s control, leaving no choice but acceptance.

Ji Qing had grown accustomed to trimming his eyebrows monthly, while Yan Dan gradually altered his appearance using various herbal juices. Sometimes, Ji Qing would stare in disbelief at Yan Dan’s unremarkable, sallow, and thin face.

As time passed, they grew less and less alike—in appearance, stature, temperament, and demeanor.

Ji Qing became somber and aloof, increasingly resigned to his identity as a hostage. The days he had spent in Ji City years ago now felt like a distant lifetime.

He convinced himself he was the crown prince of Yan.

Night after night, by the dim light of an oil lamp, he would take out the rhinoceros horn seal he carried with him, tracing its intricate patterns with his fingertips. Over and over, he reminded himself: his name was Ji Qing, styled Langxuan…

In the blink of an eye, years had passed in Xianyang, and Ji Qing had grown up.Even with poor treatment, King Zheng of Qin would never short him on food. Ji Qing had grown into a handsome young man with striking features. Yet whenever he trimmed his brows before a bronze mirror, he couldn’t help feeling that his original dashing eyebrows would have enhanced his appearance even more.

Over the years, the Qin general Neishi Teng had attacked Han, capturing its king, An. Qin established the Yingchuan Commandery on Han’s former lands, marking the end of the Han state. Subsequently, Qin’s stratagem of sowing discord in Zhao succeeded—King Qian of Zhao, misled into severing his own support, executed the renowned general Li Mu under his own royal sword. With Wang Jian crushing the Zhao armies and capturing King Qian, Qin absorbed Zhao into its territory, establishing the Handan Commandery and extinguishing the Zhao state.

The situation grew increasingly dire as Qin’s momentum toward unifying the realm seemed unstoppable. The capital Xianyang buzzed with martial fervor, and reports of victories flooded in frequently.

Having lived in Xianyang for so long, Ji Qing was occasionally invited to events hosted by Qin’s upper echelons. Unlike the banquet-rich culture of Chu, Qin favored spring and autumn hunts. The lands of Yan and Zhao, frequently clashing with northern Hu tribes, had cultivated skilled riders and archers. As a former crown prince, Ji Qing had never seen battle firsthand, but exposure had honed his exceptional skills. However, his youth and lack of arm strength hampered his hunting performance, compounded by many who deliberately obstructed him. Ji Qing understood his role: to be mocked and ridiculed by Qin’s noble scions.

Initially, Ji Qing reacted with anger and defiance, but he soon realized this only excited his tormentors, inviting more humiliation. Gradually, he learned to feign indifference and numbness. His dull responses eventually bored them, shifting their attention elsewhere and allowing Ji Qing to survive quietly in Xianyang.

Despite striving to minimize his presence, Ji Qing couldn’t resist seeking news from the frontlines. During the autumn hunt that day, overhearing the sons of military families boast of Zhao’s fall with raucous laughter darkened his mood.

With Han and Zhao both vanquished, and Zhao bordering Yan—Handan lying not far northeast of Yan’s capital, Ji—how could Yan withstand Qin’s ferocious advance if the armies pressed on?

Where was Yan Dan, the one who should bear these burdens and strategize for Yan’s fate? The true crown prince of Yan had grown elusive over the years. Were it not for their monthly stipend meetings, Ji Qing might have thought he’d long fled Xianyang.

The more he pondered, the more agitated he became. Abandoning thoughts of returning to the hostage residence, Ji Qing wandered aimlessly through Xianyang’s streets. Perhaps due to his years of compliance, the guards tailing him had dwindled to just two. His meandering fell within acceptable bounds, so no one intervened.

Drifting in a daze, Ji Qing’s thoughts grew disjointed. Even his family’s faces had blurred in his memory—if he stood before them now, they might not recognize him after all these years apart...

He wandered until dusk deepened into night, gradually snapping back to awareness. Only then did he realize he’d stopped before a porridge shop called Lin’s.Staring at the crooked small seal script on the signboard, Ji Qing recalled that only one establishment in Xianyang served Yan-style delicacies. He then remembered how Prince Dan of Yan had once mentioned this place, often bringing him sweet bean porridge from here years ago. At that time, however, he had already begun distancing himself from Prince Dan, deliberately ignoring the nightly bowls of sweet bean porridge left on his desk. Gradually, those offerings had ceased to appear.

With an indescribable heaviness in his heart, Ji Qing paused outside the congee shop. In his daze, a graceful figure lifted the door curtain and emerged. Under the brilliant moonlight, her snow-white skin and raven-black hair stood out vividly, her slender form poised like a lily. In that fleeting moment, the surrounding clamor seemed to fade away, and an ancient poem he had heard in childhood began echoing incessantly in Ji Qing’s mind.

"The moon rises, bright and fair;

That beauty, so rare,

Lingers there,

Stirs my heart with tender care!

The moon shines, serene and clear;

That lady, so dear,

Lingers near,

Fills my heart with longing drear!

The moon gleams, a radiant sight;

That beauty, so bright,

Lingers light,

Wrings my heart with sorrow's might!..."

Ji Qing immediately understood why Yan Dan frequented this congee shop so often. This young woman was probably slightly younger than them—could it be that Yan Dan had long taken a liking to her?

Though it was mere speculation, Ji Qing felt utterly convinced. Since childhood, he and his cousin had shared identical appearances, mannerisms, and even preferences. Just like how his father always gifted them matching pairs, such as those rhinoceros horn seals.

Smiling, Ji Qing stepped into the congee shop and effortlessly struck up a conversation with the young proprietress, easily learning her background. Her father was a soldier of Qin, while her mother was a woman of Yan. Her mother had passed away early, and her father remained in military service, so she relied on the skills learned from her mother to open this congee shop. Since only nobles possessed surnames and clan names, commoner women like her, without a husband’s family, could only inherit their father’s surname. Others referred to her as Lin Nü.

As Lin Nü chatted cheerfully, she served a steaming bowl of sweet bean porridge. Made by simmering polished rice water and red beans together, without any vinegar or seasonings, it was purely sweet and fragrant. With just one bite, Ji Qing’s eyes welled up with tears.

This was the staple food of Yan. Though he, as a crown prince, enjoyed finer meals daily, he had often craved this sweetness in his youth and frequently asked servants to prepare it for him.

It had been... so long since he last tasted this flavor.

The rich, soft sweetness of the beans filled his mouth, and memories he had forced himself to forget flashed before his eyes. An uncontrollable wave of homesickness washed over him, and tears streamed down his face unchecked.

Lin Nü had clearly witnessed such scenes many times before. Considerately, she retreated to the inner room and returned after a while with a plate of freshly steamed buns.

By then, Ji Qing had regained his composure, feeling somewhat embarrassed. For the first time, he displayed the bashful unease of a young man, not daring to even glance at Lin Nü as he devoured the steamed buns with the sweet bean porridge.

After setting down his bowl, Ji Qing wanted to chat a little more with Lin Nü, but his peripheral vision caught his two guards standing outside the shop—a reminder that it was time to return.

"How may I address you, young master?" Lin Nü, judging by Ji Qing’s attire, guessed he was of high status. Addressing him as "young master" would surely not demean his standing.

Ji Qing froze, a peculiar emotion suddenly spreading in his chest.

Had Yan Dan once found himself in a similar situation?

Unable to even tell his most beloved woman his real name.

Lowering his gaze, Ji Qing curled his lips into a bitter smile and murmured slowly, "I... am Crown Prince Dan of Yan."

After tasting Lin Nü’s sweet bean porridge, Ji Qing seemed like a changed man. No longer gloomy-faced, he appeared punctually at Lin’s Congee Shop almost every evening, all for a bowl of sweet bean porridge and a few words with Lin Nü.Through their conversations, he had already learned that Yandan was indeed acquainted with her, but only as a regular customer. Yandan had not revealed his name to Lin Nü, nor had he even used his courtesy name as a substitute. When Ji Qing found out, he smiled outwardly but inwardly sneered. To be so cautious, unwilling to even deceive Lin Nü with a false name, showed how highly his cousin, the Crown Prince, regarded her.

Ji Qing visited Lin’s Porridge Shop frequently, yet he never once encountered Yandan there. Gradually, he stopped viewing his cousin as a threat.

With Yandan’s current sallow and emaciated appearance, it was unlikely Lin Nü would ever take a fancy to him. Moreover, even if Yandan were to regain his status as the Crown Prince of Yan in the future, he would never be permitted to marry a commoner as his queen.

Once Ji Qing returned to Yan, he could regain his freedom. Though his younger brother might inherit the title of heir apparent due to his impersonation of Yandan, and though he might not be tolerated in the capital city of Ji, he could retreat to other regions of Yan or even seek refuge in another state. It would be just him and Lin Nü, relying on each other for survival.

The mere thought of this future would excite Ji Qing so much that he would pace restlessly around his room.

In his eyes, luxuries like fine clothes, sumptuous food, and grand mansions were nothing more than gilded cages. He never wanted to face powerlessness or helplessness again; he yearned to take control of his own destiny.

Yet, for now, he remained a captive hostage, unable to offer Lin Nü any happiness.

Ji Qing’s heart grew restless. After tossing and turning for several nights, he finally drafted a petition to King Zheng of Qin, requesting permission to return to Yan. He revised it repeatedly before solemnly entrusting someone to deliver it to the Xianyang Palace.

In the days that followed, Ji Qing lingered at Lin’s Porridge Shop, hoping for an opportunity to reveal his identity to Lin Nü and win her heart. But each time he fingered the rhinoceros horn seal hidden in his sleeve and gazed upon her charming, smiling face, he found the words stuck in his throat.

Yes, he would wait. Once he was granted permission to return home, he would confess everything to Lin Nü.

On the fifth occasion, Ji Qing steeled himself once more and left Lin’s Porridge Shop, strolling slowly along the familiar path back to the hostage residence. He assumed this night would pass uneventfully, like countless others before it. But as he approached the gate, he realized with a start that the rhinoceros horn seal, which had always been tucked in his sleeve, was gone.

How could this be? It had been there when he left the porridge shop!

Frantic, Ji Qing searched through his sleeves. The two guards assigned to monitor him noticed his distress and approached, asking if he needed assistance.

A cold sweat broke out on Ji Qing’s back. He could not let anyone else get their hands on that seal—how would he explain why he possessed a stamp engraved with another’s name? His existence in Yan was not hard to uncover, and anyone with ill intentions would quickly detect the discrepancy.

Pretending nonchalance, Ji Qing turned back, though inwardly he was consumed with anxiety. As he anxiously scanned the streets for any sign of the rhinoceros horn seal, his mind raced, contemplating the dire consequences of its loss.He had been far too careless. Carrying the other rhinoceros horn seal with him at all times was an utterly foolish act by Prince Dan of Yan, yet at least it served as proof of identity for the future. This rhinoceros horn seal of his, however, brought him nothing but endless trouble—it was utterly useless! He should have long ago ground down the seal and destroyed it completely.

Yet he had never been able to bring himself to do it, always feeling that this was the last object that could prove he was still Ji Qing, something that could remind him at any moment of his true name and identity. Destroying it would feel like destroying his very heart.

As Ji Qing turned a street corner, his eyes fell upon a young boy of about thirteen or fourteen standing conspicuously by the wall, watching the passersby as if waiting for someone. Ji Qing’s gaze immediately caught sight of something clutched in the boy’s hand, and the crimson silk tassel dangling from his fingers, tied in the familiar pattern of an auspicious cloud knot.

His body moved before his mind could react. Ji Qing strode over quickly, but the moment the boy turned to look at him, Ji Qing saw his face clearly and felt as if he had been plunged into an icy abyss.

The boy wore only a seemingly unremarkable wide-sleeved green robe—a Long Robe—with delicate features as if painted, his posture as straight and elegant as bamboo after rain.

Ji Qing had seen him long ago in the grand hall, when he was still a child and had already performed great deeds for the Qin state, honored as a high minister. He had spoken confidently under the gaze of all. Later, he willingly became the study companion of the First Prince Fusu, quietly becoming Fusu’s shadow, yet still commanding respect.

Now that their eyes had met, it was too late for Ji Qing to turn and leave. He could only brace himself and offer a salute in greeting.

“Crown Prince of Yan, you seem to be in a hurry. Have you lost something?”

The boy returned the salute, his lips curling into an enigmatic smile.

By now, Ji Qing had regained his composure and calmly nodded. “It is a rhinoceros horn seal, an object belonging to my younger cousin.”

“I did indeed find a rhinoceros horn seal. The bond between the Crown Prince of Yan and his cousin is truly admirable.” The boy in green opened his palm, and there, resting in his jade-like hand, lay the wine-red rhinoceros horn seal.

Ji Qing’s brow twitched at the boy’s suggestive words, but he maintained his calm. After all, no one had ever seen a second seal like this. Ji Qing smiled graciously and said, “When I left Ji City, my cousin was still young. Unwilling to part, he gave me this token. I made a vow that I would return it to him the day I came back to Ji City.”

He did not know how Prince Dan of Yan had covered up his disappearance back when they left together, but he trusted that the other had planned meticulously and would have handled any loose ends. Yet as Ji Qing spoke of his cousin’s youth, he recalled that he and Prince Dan had been about the same age as this boy when he was honored as a high minister.

Truly, people were different from one another.

Inwardly sighing in frustration, Ji Qing took the rhinoceros horn seal back from the boy. Thinking that the more he said, the more mistakes he might make, he thanked the boy earnestly and turned to leave.

The boy in green watched the Crown Prince of Yan’s slightly flustered steps with amusement, narrowing his eyes. There was likely more to the story of that rhinoceros horn seal. Should he take the time to look into it?While lost in thought, the green-robed youth sensed two gazes fixed upon him, accompanied by faint murmurs of discussion.

"Eh? That... couldn't be the Boss in his youth! Oh my! He looks so much like a shota!"

"Keep your voice down! We mustn't be discovered! Speaking of which, that rhinoceros seal is made from ancient red rhinoceros horn of the Asian species, isn't it! Heavens! The Asian rhinoceros was said to have disappeared from the Central Plains as early as the Han Dynasty and later went completely extinct on Earth. Even Emperor Qianlong never saw a real Asian rhinoceros. Nearly all rhinoceros horn products from the Ming and Qing dynasties were artificially dyed to imitate antique colors! Good heavens..."

"...Why do I feel your voice is even louder than mine?"

The youth frowned, finding their accents unlike those from the other six states and their words utterly nonsensical. When he turned to look, he found no trace of the speakers.

Clenching his fists secretly, the youth thought it seemed Xianyang's city defenses needed thorough reorganization.

With a troubled heart, Ji Qing returned to the hostage residence and locked the recovered rhinoceros seal in the cabinet by his bed, no longer carrying it with him.

Soon, King Zheng of Qin's response regarding his request to return to Yan arrived. The king swore an oath to him: "Only when the setting sun returns to its zenith, when grain rains from the sky, when crows turn white-headed and horses grow horns, when the wooden statues at the kitchen gate grow fleshy feet, shall you return."

Ji Qing's face turned ashen. King Zheng of Qin had never intended to grant his request. These five conditions—the western sun returning to its zenith, grain falling from heaven, crows turning white, horses growing horns, and wooden statues growing flesh feet—were all impossible occurrences. This meant he would never see his homeland again.

The devastating blow left Ji Qing listless for many days, unable to muster the energy to go out. It wasn't until the evening of the fifth day that he remembered he hadn't visited Lin's Congee Shop for several days.

He thought to himself: since he could never return to Yan, could he settle for second best? If he were to remain confined in Xianyang like this, wouldn't he eventually need to marry? If he chose the inconspicuous Lin girl as his wife, perhaps King Zheng of Qin would even feel more at ease.

Yet even as he entertained such consolatory thoughts, Ji Qing felt disgusted by his own lack of ambition.

But what else could he do? He was merely a captive hostage, wasn't he?

Though deeply dejected, Ji Qing never expected that after just five days away from Lin's Congee Shop, he would be greeted by a sealed notice on the door.

What had happened? Frantically, Ji Qing inquired with the neighbors and learned that Lin's shop had been sealed two days earlier on charges of colluding with the enemy and treason. The Lin girl had been arrested as a Yan spy, and regardless of the truth, she would never return.

Ji Qing felt as if struck by lightning, completely bewildered by these events. Since the reforms of Shang Yang, Qin's punishments had been notorious for their severity and cruelty—even Shang Yang himself had been torn apart by chariots, let alone those accused of treason. Ji Qing begged the two guards assigned to him to gather information, but one of them merely smiled cryptically, hinting that he should not stir these troubled waters.

Was this... King Zheng of Qin's way of expressing displeasure at his petition to return to Yan?

A profound sense of powerlessness overwhelmed Ji Qing, who barely remembered how he stumbled back to the hostage residence.Standing alone in the courtyard for a long time, he had considered every possible avenue he could seek, yet all seemed to offer little hope of rescuing the Lin woman.

No matter who pleaded for mercy, if King Zheng of Qin wanted the Lin woman dead, it would be as simple as crushing an ant.

Ji Qing wandered aimlessly through the empty residence of the hostage envoy, and as if guided by some unseen force, he found himself in the side courtyard where the servants lived. He suddenly felt a strong urge to see Yan Dan. Yes, Yan Dan also cared for the Lin woman—he couldn’t possibly stand by and watch her die. He was so clever; he would surely have a plan!

But the excitement in his heart turned to ice the moment he pushed open the wooden door.

He smelled the thick, metallic scent of blood.

Yan Dan, whom he hadn’t seen in so long, lay in a pool of blood, a sharp dagger embedded in his lower abdomen. He hadn’t even managed to crawl onto the bed, nor did he have the strength to tend to his own wound. It was unclear how long he had been lying there, yet he was still conscious. Hearing Ji Qing enter, he even opened his eyes, his gaze clearly filled with surprise.

“Heavens… why didn’t you call for help?” Ji Qing rushed over in a panic, fumbling to stop the bleeding.

“Don’t… make a sound.” Yan Dan coughed weakly, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. Ji Qing froze, realizing that Yan Dan’s injury was no simple matter—otherwise, he would have already cried out for help.

How could he be like this? Willing to watch himself die? If Ji Qing hadn’t come to see him on a whim, would he have just lain here silently, alone, until his last breath? The wound in Yan Dan’s lower abdomen was horrifying, and having missed the critical window for treatment, Ji Qing knew that if he pulled out the dagger, Yan Dan would quickly bleed to death. In fact, it was nothing short of a miracle that he was still conscious and able to open his eyes.

Ji Qing found a pot of water in the room—who knew how old it was—and lifted Yan Dan’s head to give him a few sips. The cold moonlight streamed through the window lattice, illuminating Yan Dan’s face. Unable to bear the sight of the blood staining his features, Ji Qing dipped his sleeve in the remaining water and gently wiped away the bloodstains.

The herbal juice Yan Dan had long used to disguise his appearance was also wiped away, revealing a face strikingly similar to Ji Qing’s, yet gaunt, pale, and frail.

Heart aching, Ji Qing asked in a low, sorrowful voice, “What… what happened?”

Yan Dan managed a weak smile and sighed. “It is I who implicated the Lin woman…”

“Ming Ji! You’re a spy?” Ji Qing was stunned, and in that moment, everything that had happened fell into place. No wonder Yan Dan had willingly become a servant, no wonder he had so quickly mastered the Xianyang accent, no wonder he rarely appeared, no wonder he had altered his appearance… He hadn’t exchanged identities to let Ji Qing bear his shame, but because a servant’s position was better suited for gathering information!

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ji Qing felt both relief and anguish—relief that his cousin, the crown prince, was not a coward who clung to life at all costs, and anguish that he himself had been unable to help in any way.

Yan Dan forced a smile and whispered, “Lang Xuan, having you leave Ji… was already… unfair to you. Moreover, you took my place… cough… All of Qin has its eyes on you. You must not… make even the slightest mistake.”Ji Qing shuddered violently as he recalled the foolish things he had done recently - lingering at Lin's Congee Shop, rashly submitting a memorial requesting to return to Yan, losing the rhinoceros horn seal only to have it picked up by the young minister...

His arms trembling as he held Yan Dan, Ji Qing wept: "It's all my fault... all my fault..."

"Don't cry... Langxuan. According to Qin law, officials serving in the court cannot carry any weapons... all guards bearing arms must stand below the hall and cannot ascend without imperial decree. After you return to Yan, find a brave warrior to assassinate King Zheng of Qin during court audience - this is the perfect opportunity... once King Zheng dies... Qin will be left without a ruler... Yan's siege will be immediately lifted..."

Yan Dan intermittently shared the intelligence he had gathered along with his own thoughts, expressing deep regret that he couldn't personally send King Zheng of Qin to his demise.

"But... but how can I return to Yan?" Ji Qing was utterly distraught.

Yan Dan sighed silently, realizing he had indeed been overprotective of his cousin, keeping him ignorant of everything - clearly a mistake. With no other options, Yan Dan mustered his strength to entrust Ji Qing with all the operatives he had arranged in Qin territory over the years, explaining how to disguise himself as a servant to leave Xianyang, which route to take, and who to contact for assistance.

After speaking, he directed Ji Qing to retrieve the rhinoceros horn seal he always carried with him. After a moment of silence, Yan Dan exhaled slowly: "Langxuan, you actually have another choice."

"What choice?"

"Resume your original identity and flee Xianyang, claiming that Crown Prince Dan of Yan has died here." Yan Dan's eyes grew dim, his breathing labored - he was in his final moments.

"Mingji!" Tears streamed from Ji Qing's eyes, but he didn't know what to say. He had always dreamed of reclaiming his original identity, but now it seemed unimportant. Yet the thought of conspiring to assassinate King Zheng of Qin...

"I... I can't do it..." Ji Qing felt anxious and insecure. He was so ordinary, someone who only complained about fate daily - how could he bear such a heavy burden?

"Langxuan... do you remember... what I told you before about the first and second principles?" Yan Dan suddenly asked.

Ji Qing was momentarily stunned, then quickly responded: "Growing up doesn't depend on whether one has undergone the capping ceremony, but on whether one understands reason. The first is to know that in this world, nothing would change even without you. The second is to know that in this world, there are always some things that, no matter how hard you try, you can do nothing about..."

"The third... the third... even knowing that some things are beyond your control... even if fate dictates it... you must still exert your utmost effort... to struggle against it..." Yan Dan's words were fierce and desperate, then abruptly ceased.

Ji Qing sat in the pool of blood until complete darkness fell, then returned to his room still wearing blood-soaked robes.

He took his own rhinoceros horn seal from the bedside cabinet and placed it on the table alongside the blood-stained one.

This was the first time in many years that this pair of rhinoceros horn seals had been placed together.

Ji Qing stared fixedly at the two seals.

Who was he really? Was he Ji Qing? Or Yan Dan?

This time, he could choose his own identity, rather than having others choose for him.

After a long, long time, he picked up one of the seals and smashed it to pieces with a heavy object.

(End of Chapter)