The Road to Glory

Chapter 140: "Massacring Her Entire Maternal Clan, Yet..."

Fengyang.

"Master, Wei Qishan claims to have found the former Jin princess and has raised the banner of restoring Jin. He did not fall for our provocation to punish Xiao Li, but instead adopted him as his sworn son."

"The Rongjue's offensive momentum was suppressed by their great victory at Youzhou, and they have yet to launch a second assault. The Wei camp has now gained thirty thousand righteous army recruits, significantly boosting their strength. They are mobilizing troops southward to reclaim the two prefectures and seven counties we seized. They have already retaken three counties and twelve towns..."

The Hawk Hound knelt below, his voice growing softer as he spoke, not daring to look at Pei Song's expression. He bowed his head, awaiting his master's fury.

Unexpectedly, Pei Song showed rare restraint from anger this time. All his attention seemed focused on tuning the ancient zither before him: "The Rongjue tribes will soon launch a second surprise attack. These sixteen prefectures of the Northern Border were always meant to be ceded to them. Since Wei Qishan is eager to reclaim them, let him have them back."

The zither string he adjusted emitted a particularly dull "twang."

Pei Song pressed his bony fingers against the strings, stilling their vibrations. His expression remained calm and detached, yet his words sent chills down the spine: "This way, the loss of the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun will have no connection whatsoever to my Pei clan."

The Hawk Hound felt a cold shiver down his spine and bowed in flattery: "Master is wise."

Beads of sweat subtly formed at his temples as he understood why Pei Song had transferred Gongsun Chou to the southern border battlefield. Such territorial concessions to foreign tribes to secure cooperation would have inevitably drawn objections from Gongsun Chou had he remained in the north.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, Pei Song asked: "How goes the southern border campaign?"

The Hawk Hound tensed and hurriedly replied: "News of Southern Chen honoring the Wen woman as their leader has spread among the populace. That Zhou youngster Zhou Sui has been moving between major academies, engaging in scholarly debates and inciting scholars to support the Liang woman. The Liang woman now enjoys immense popular prestige, and morale in the Liang Camp has greatly boosted. With Chen Wei personally commanding the vanguard, the current Liang army is unstoppable. Our strategist and General Han can only avoid their sharp advance for now, adopting defensive tactics and flanking maneuvers."

Pei Song plucked the zither strings, testing other notes. His eyelids drooped slightly in the window's light and shadow as he said: "Wei Qishan's restoration of Jin should frighten not me, the Minister Over the Masses, but her, Wen Shi Hanyang. The Ma family Liang fire scheme went awry, failing to ignite lasting enmity between the Liang and Wei camps. Then we shall add more fuel."

A sparrow, attracted by the zither's music, had just alighted on the windowsill when it was startled away by the piercing twang of a snapping string.

Pei Song gazed at the broken string with what seemed like regret, casually wiping away the blood from his finger where the string had cut him: "The maternal clan of the Wen woman—the Yang family of Hengzhou—has pledged allegiance to Wei Qishan, hasn't it? Since Wei Qishan has resumed his role as a Jin official, massacring her entire maternal clan would hardly be surprising, would it?"

The Hawk Hound shuddered and quickly clasped his fists: "This subordinate will immediately send word to Fifteenth Lord."

As the Hawk Hound rose and hurried out, another Hawk Hound rushed in to report: "Master, the former Liang officials imprisoned at Hong'en Temple have been rescued!"

Several carriages sped down the thinly frosted streets. Fengyang had become a dead city ever since Pei Song captured it early in the year—its residents dead or fled. Nearly a year later, the storefronts along the streets remained tightly shuttered.Currently residing within the city, aside from the officers and soldiers of the Pei family, were only some forced laborers detained to serve their needs.

As the carriage neared the city gates, a woman emerged from within, braving the biting cold wind as she pressed a dagger against her own neck. Inside the carriage, a young girl wept, calling out for her mother, but the woman paid no heed. The icy wind whipped at her robes, revealing her emaciated frame—so gaunt she could truly be described as "worn to a shadow."

Jiang Yichu’s red-rimmed eyes fixed on the tightly shut city gates ahead as she shouted, "Open the gates!"

The rows of black-armored soldiers stationed above and below the gate tower remained unmoved.

Jiang Yichu pressed the dagger slightly deeper, slicing a thin line of blood across her neck where strands of dark hair had been blown by the wind. Despite the bitter cold, she wore only thin garments, leaving her pale, slender neck exposed like a white crane stretching its neck. The sight of blood seeping from her throat was particularly striking. She screamed once more at the Pei Army below the gate tower, "I carry the child of your Minister of Works Pei in my womb! If you do not open these gates today, I will take my own life right here!"

Finally, the black-armored soldiers below the gate tower stirred, parting like a tide to either side. Pei Song, clad in a dark blue wide-sleeved robe, stepped forward from the rear and gazed calmly at Jiang Yichu. "Elder Sister has truly given me quite the surprise," he said.

At the sight of him, a flicker of fear seemed to cross Jiang Yichu’s eyes, but it was soon replaced by a resolute determination to die. She placed her other hand on her abdomen, meeting Pei Song’s gaze with fierce resolve. "Let us go, or I will take this cursed child with me to the grave today!"

Pei Song lowered his head and let out a cold, mocking laugh. Moments later, he took a crossbow from an armored soldier beside him and aimed it directly at Jiang Yichu, the ferocity in his eyes no less intense than hers. "There’s no need for Elder Sister to do it herself. I shall grant your wish!"

Tears welled in the corners of Jiang Yichu’s eyes as she stared at the cold, glinting bolt in the crossbow’s groove, yet her determination did not waver in the slightest. As she raised her arm to forcefully slash her own throat, Pei Song released the bolt.

With a cry of pain, Jiang Yichu was struck in the right arm. The dagger fell from her grasp, and the force of the bolt sent her stumbling backward. In that instant, Pei Song sprinted forward, heading straight for Jiang Yichu.

Simultaneously, assassins hidden within the carriage burst through the walls, releasing several cold arrows toward Pei Song.

The Hawk Hounds who had rushed forward with Pei Song swiftly drew their blades to block, deflecting all but one of the arrows. The sole remaining bolt was narrowly avoided as Pei Song tilted his head slightly, leaving only a shallow scratch on his cheek.

Jiang Yichu did not fall to the ground but instead collapsed into his arms.

The assassins from the carriage clashed with Pei Song’s Hawk Hounds in a chaotic melee.

Noticing that all who emerged from the carriages were former Liang assassins, Pei Song’s brows furrowed.

Soon, a soldier galloped down the main street ahead to deliver a report: "Report—a group of laborers has broken through the eastern city gate and fled!"

Realizing what had happened, Pei Song’s expression darkened abruptly.

Blood from the arrow wound in Jiang Yichu’s shoulder had already soaked through her clothing. She looked at Pei Song and laughed with immense satisfaction. Though it took effort, she enunciated each word clearly: "Pei—Song, how does it feel to be outwitted? How does it taste to be played for a fool?"

She no longer called him Qin Huan, for Qin Huan had died fifteen years ago on the road to exile.Pei Song lifted Jiang Yichu into his arms, his expression cold and unyielding, ignoring her sarcastic provocations as he commanded the Pei general present: "Muster two thousand troops to pursue them! Let them know that even if they escape Fengyang City alive, they won't make it back to Liang Camp!"

The appointed Pei general clasped his fists and swiftly departed with a squad of armored guards.

A Liang loyalist, stabbed and slashed by the Hawk Hounds, collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his mouth as he struggled to rise. Pei Song, carrying Jiang Yichu, stepped over him as if he were nothing, crushing the man's windpipe under his foot until the throat bones snapped. The loyalist ceased struggling, his straining fingers—once braced against the ground—going limp.

The cold wind stirred Pei Song's wide sleeves as he gazed indifferently ahead, his voice icy: "Leave none of these insects alive!"

Young A Yin had initially been held by a loyalist who covered her eyes to shield her from the bloody scene. But as that loyalist fell under siege, A Yin was seized by Pei Song's Hawk Hounds. Staring at Jiang Yichu—blood-soaked and cradled in Pei Song's arms—the child's eyes filled with terror. At first, she couldn't even cry, only emitting choked gasps before unleashing a piercing, bird-like wail: "Mother—Mother—!"

A Hawk Hound held her by the waist, letting her flail helplessly as she failed to reach Jiang Yichu, her agonized sobs wrenching hearts.

Jiang Yichu, already carried to the carriage by Pei Song, finally cracked her resolute composure upon hearing her daughter's cries. She turned tear-filled eyes toward the restrained child and whispered: "A Yin..."

Pei Song halted, a mocking smile curling his lips: "To help those old fools escape, Sister brought this Wen bastard along as bait. I thought you no longer cared if she lived or died!"

The Hawk Hounds had assumed Jiang Yichu and her daughter were fleeing with the rescued Liang ministers through the southern gate—only to realize it was a decoy strategy.

Jiang Yichu's eyes burned crimson, tears tracing paths through the stray hairs clinging to her cheeks. She smiled faintly at Pei Song: "You know—if anything happens to A Yin, I won't live on alone."

Pei Song's face darkened abruptly, veins bulging on the arms holding her. Yet his motion of settling her into the carriage remained gentle. As A Yin's heartrending cries echoed, he gradually lowered the carriage curtain, his tone regaining levity: "I know. So from now on, Sister should focus on resting during your pregnancy. Don't expect to see that bastard again."

Jiang Yichu paled, but the fully drawn curtain severed her view outside, leaving only A Yin's piercing sobs behind.

Alone on the carriage couch, she endured the searing pain in her shoulder as tears fell in heavy drops.

Dusk approached as the two-horse carriage passed through a pine forest, where withered needles held remnants of unmelted snow.

Wen Yu awoke to the carriage's jolting, her face pale and brow slightly furrowed. She pressed her temples, weariness evident.

Tong Que handed her a warmed damp cloth from the stove lid, concerned: "Did Your Highness have a nightmare?"

Wen Yu murmured affirmation—she'd dreamt again of the fall of Luodu and Fengyang. The throbbing in her temples eased slightly after applying the warm cloth.She asked, "Where is Zhao Bai?"

Tong Que replied, "She has reached the Hengzhou border. Sister Zhao Bai went to discuss with Commander Jiang about having him keep the main army stationed outside the city."

After turning back from Dingzhou, they hadn’t returned directly to the Southern Border but instead detoured to Hengzhou.

The Yang family of Hengzhou was Wen Yu’s maternal clan. The renowned Songya Academy in the Northern Border was founded by the Yang ancestors, and now Wen Yu’s uncle, Yang Yuanting, had become the fifth-generation master of Songya Academy.

However, since her maternal grandfather managed the academy, he strongly promoted pure discourse. When her uncle inherited the academy, he was even honored as a "Worthy Scholar" in such discussions and ordered the academy’s instructors not to teach any state policies or contemporary debates, considering them vulgar, believing that only debating Zhuang Zhou’s Daoist principles represented true elegance.

Over the years, any students with ambition left to seek education elsewhere, and Songya Academy’s influence in the Northern Border had greatly diminished.

After Fengyang fell, Wen Yu, fearing that Pei Song would turn Hengzhou into the next Fengyang, wrote from Yongzhou to advise her uncle to lead Hengzhou in surrendering to Wei Qishan first, so they could gain the protection of Northern Wei’s troops.

But now that Wei Qishan had publicly declared his return to the Jin court, it had become quite dangerous for the Yang clan to remain in Hengzhou. If it came to open conflict between the armies, whether they would be taken as prisoners of war was uncertain.

Thus, Wen Yu’s purpose in coming was to secretly bring the Yang clan back to the Liang Camp.

With Northern Wei troops stationed in Hengzhou, their two thousand soldiers would inevitably alert the local Wei army if they entered the city, so they could only select a dozen elite guards to accompany them into the city.

Before long, Zhao Bai lifted the carriage curtain and stepped in, her expression grim. Seeing that Wen Yu was already awake, she softened her demeanor slightly: "Your Highness is awake?"

Wen Yu nodded and asked, "How are the arrangements for entering the city?"

Zhao Bai said, "I intended to have the Southern Chen troops remain outside the city with the main army, but that Jiang refused, insisting on accompanying you into the city."

Wen Yu lifted the carriage curtain and saw Jiang Yu standing not far away under a snow-covered pine tree, arms crossed. His horse was nuzzling through the thin snow by the roadside, searching for remaining tender grass to nibble. He reached out to stroke the horse’s mane, then suddenly seemed to sense something and looked up toward the carriage.

Wen Yu let the curtain fall, knowing he was following Empress Dowager Jiang’s orders and wouldn’t let her out of his sight. After closing her eyes for a moment, she uttered two words: "Let him."

By evening, the selected dozen elites disguised as a merchant convoy escorted Wen Yu’s carriage into Hengzhou city.

Presumably, Hengzhou had been peaceful recently, as the guards at the city gate were not strict in checking those entering or leaving. As the carriage passed through the gate, Wen Yu slightly lifted the curtain and saw that the defenses on the city walls were also lax.

After lowering the curtain, she frowned and said, "Wasn’t it said that Wei Qishan stationed heavy troops to guard Hengzhou?"

Zhao Bai replied, "The scouts have gathered intelligence. The Wei army is currently recapturing the two prefectures and seven counties taken by the Pei Army. The Pei Army seems to be plotting something, only retreating without defending, and looting every county they pass through during withdrawal. One unit of the Pei Army appears to be heading toward Hengzhou, so the local garrison has dispatched many troops to protect the surrounding counties."

Wen Yu closed her eyes and said, "The future Northern Wei will indeed be a more troublesome opponent than Pei Song."

Pei Song and his soldiers were like starved jackals and wolves, knowing only plunder and conquest, never considering long-term governance.But Wei Qishan was different. Having governed the Northern Border for decades and deeply won the people's hearts, every decision he made took the welfare of the common folk into consideration.

He would be a formidable opponent, and also a respectable one.

The party found a courier station to rest. Zhao Bai had already sent people to patrol the entire city, and no abnormalities were found. Only after nightfall did Wen Yu quietly enter the Yang residence by carriage.

Her sudden visit threw the entire Yang household into panic. They wanted to light all the stone lanterns in the courtyard to show their respect, but feared it might attract outsiders' attention and bring disaster.

Over a dozen elite guards were secretly stationed throughout the Yang residence to prevent any treacherous servants from leaving to report information.

Scattered snowflakes drifted in the night sky. Wen Yu wore a black cape, its wide brim concealing most of her face. Followed by Zhao Bai and Tong Que, she was led by the Yang residence steward through the central courtyard to Yang Yuanting's study.

Yang Yuanting had already retired for the night when he heard of Wen Yu's visit, hastily throwing on his clothes to get up.

When he entered the room, he saw Wen Yu had already removed her hood and was slightly tilting her head to examine a calligraphy and painting on the wall that his father had created during his lifetime.

Her cape still carried the chill of the night frost, while the gold-woven embroidery patterns on her robes beneath shimmered faintly in the candlelight. Her cloud-like black hair was piled up and bound into an elegant bun with exquisite hairpins. Though she possessed the pure and peerless beauty of a lotus flower on clear water, she carried an imposing authority around her that made people unconsciously bow.

Yang Yuanting frowned. He had never particularly liked this niece who appeared obedient on the surface but was fundamentally rebellious at heart.

When Changlian Wang tacitly allowed her to eavesdrop on the political lessons that great scholars taught to his heir Wen Heng, he found it utterly absurd. But since Changlian Wang had always doted on his daughter, and Wen Heng had no objections either, he couldn't openly say anything.

When Grand Commandant Ao proposed to Changlian Wang on behalf of his son to marry Wen Yu, the Princess of Changlian had turned to her natal family for help, hoping he would falsely claim to outsiders that Wen Yu was already betrothed to her cousin.

This was certainly a foolish move—not only would it mean the Yang family would be drawn into court faction struggles, but it would also openly break with Grand Commandant Ao and the Empress Dowager. The Princess of Changlian's suggestion was immediately rejected by the various advisors in the princely residence. Yet because of this incident, when Yang Yuanting looked at his niece with the criteria for selecting a daughter-in-law, he disliked her even more.

The gentleness, magnanimity, and virtue that an aristocratic family's daughter-in-law should possess—his niece had none of these. Beneath her obedient facade beat a heart that questioned all the world's rules and restraints, filled with ambition.

The trouble was, her parents and elder brother had never restrained this aspect of her, as if convinced that even if she defied propriety and education throughout her life, they could still ensure her safety.

But circumstances always deviate from expectations. Both the Changlian Princely Residence and the Great Liang imperial family were destroyed overnight.

Initially, he had worried that with his niece's beauty, if she became a seductive femme fatale like Bao Si, it would bring disgrace to the entire Yang clan.

Now that she had established herself firmly in the Southern Border of Great Liang and the Southern Chen beyond the passes through methods that made the world take notice, in Yang Yuanting's view, this was only slightly better than becoming someone like Bao Si.

Before today, he had never imagined meeting this niece again. Thus when he spoke, his tone was somewhat cold and harsh: "Why have you come to Hengzhou?"Wen Yu continued gazing at the calligraphic painting created by his late grandfather on the wall, ignoring Yang Yuanting's question. Instead, he recited a line from the poem inscribed: "'Zhuangzi dreamed of a butterfly at daybreak, while Emperor Wang entrusted his spring heart to the cuckoo.' This painting of Zhuang Zhou's Butterfly Dream has been hanging in this quiet chamber for over a decade, hasn't it? Uncle, facing this artwork daily, do you truly believe that the current Songya Academy, where empty rhetoric prevails, is what Grandfather would have wished for?"

Author's Note:

[1] "Zhuangzi dreamed of a butterfly at daybreak, while Emperor Wang entrusted his spring heart to the cuckoo." — Li Shangyin, "The Ornate Zither"