The Road to Glory

Chapter 154 "A Gift for Your Heir, A First Birthday Present."...

Wei Ang stood beside Xiao Li, having been the only Wei general to see Wen Yu since her capture.

Previously, Wen Yu had suffered from hives, so he had never seen her true appearance. Yet those eyes of hers, clear as moonlight on rippling waves—once seen, could never be mistaken.

Wei Qishan had ordered him to accompany Yuan Fang this time, partly to confirm whether Xiao Li had substituted this woman.

At first glance upon Wen Yu, Wei Ang knew it was undoubtedly her.

But recognizing someone while they were veiled, having only met a few times before, and with her previously afflicted by hives—such an explanation would likely be met with skepticism.

To avoid complications, Wei Ang called out to Wen Yu, "Please, Madam Jiang, remove your veil for a moment."

Wen Yu halted. When she left Pingzhou, she was still in mourning for Li Yao and Yuchi Ba, so the clothing she brought was exceedingly plain.

Today, she wore one of her original outfits from her trunk: pure white, embroidered only with silver thread in winding flower garland patterns. At a glance, it resembled mourning attire.

Amidst the stern, armored guards, she stood out strikingly.

Her eyes were like lakes shrouded in a faint, cold mist—clear and sharp, sweeping over the assembled crowd like shimmering ripples before she slowly raised her hand and lifted her veil.

The cold wind still blew, but in that moment, the snow seemed to fall so slowly that each flake clung to her long lashes. With every gentle flutter of her eyelashes, the eyes beneath resembled lakes stirring with ripples.

For an instant, even heaven and earth fell silent.

Words could not capture the shock that face evoked. Everyone shared a single thought: the legendary beauties for whom monarchs waged wars and brought ruin upon lives must have looked like this.

Both Yuan Fang and Wei Ang stared, spellbound. Upon regaining their senses, they simultaneously wondered if Xiao Li had used the cloud brocade bestowed by Wei Qishan to make her clothing partly because... this woman's beauty was utterly mesmerizing?

Moreover, such devastating beauty being brought along by Jiang Yu with the army was hardly surprising at all.

"May I proceed?" Wen Yu's voice was clear and cool.

Wei Ang quickly coughed twice. "Madam, please board the carriage."

Wen Yu's slender, jade-like fingers, pale as ice, gathered the veil back over her face. As she lifted her gaze, her eyes seemed to unintentionally sweep past Xiao Li, only to find him already watching her.

His expression was indifferent, but his eyes were intense and profound, almost too daunting to meet.

Clearly, he had long anticipated today's outcome.

Whether he continued to resent her or had accepted everything with equanimity remained unknown.

To avoid arousing suspicion, Wen Yu dared not look longer. That glance was merely a fleeting brush of her peripheral vision before she withdrew her gaze, lifted her skirt, and stepped into the carriage.

Once the soldiers outside closed the wooden carriage door, her view of the outside was completely cut off.

Outside, Yuan Fang clasped his hands toward Xiao Li. "We apologize for the disturbance, Benefactor. We shall depart now."

Xiao Li's mind still held the image of Wen Yu's final, ripple-stirring glance. His dark eyes were somber. With a slight nod, his voice remained steady and calm as ever. "My injuries are not yet healed, so I shall not see you off. May your journey be safe."

Wei Ang, already mounted on his horse, also raised a clasped hand toward Xiao Li from a distance. Then, the party departed the camp with the carriage.Xiao Li silently watched the iron-reinforced carriage disappear into the distance, its wheels crushing through the slush and snow.

Zhang Huai, Song Qin, and Zheng Hu stood behind him. Zheng Hu, still dazed and muttering to himself, exclaimed, "Good heavens, Second Brother's sweetheart is unbelievably beautiful, just like a fairy from the heavens..."

Song Qin frowned without saying a word.

Zhang Huai, lost in thought, brought up an entirely unrelated matter: "The letter from the Marquis of Shuobian was masterfully written. While it appears to say that if his son remains unworthy, the Governor should inherit his position, it's actually a strategic retreat—a veiled warning against overstepping."

Zheng Hu let out a puzzled "Huh?" and asked, "There's that layer of meaning in it?"

Zhang Huai replied, "He neither stripped his son of his heir position nor gave the Governor anything but an empty promise. What do you think an ordinary subordinate would do in such a situation?"

After a moment's thought, Zheng Hu said, "They'd be overwhelmed with gratitude, swear they have no intention of usurping, and pledge their unwavering loyalty."

Zhang Huai smiled faintly. "Isn't that exactly what the Marquis of Shuobian intended?"

When Zheng Hu finally grasped the implication, he was astounded and couldn't help but spit in disgust. "All these twisted schemes—who can keep up with them? Thank goodness you're sharp, Military Advisor, or I'd have truly believed the Marquis regarded Second Brother as his own son!"

Zhang Huai shook his head with a wry smile.

Only when the carriage was completely out of sight did Xiao Li turn to Song Qin and ask, "Are the men all in position?"

Song Qin answered, "Sending hundreds out of camp would be too conspicuous and risk detection. I've already stationed our brothers along the route to Thirty-Mile Pavilion."

Xiao Li gave a nod. "Let's go join them."

With that, he turned and headed back toward the camp.

Seeing Song Qin follow Xiao Li, a bewildered Zheng Hu started after them. "Hey, Big Brother, Second Brother, where are you going?"

Zhang Huai held him back. "General Zheng, you should stay in the camp. The Governor is resting in his tent today to recover from his injuries, and General Song has taken men to help repair houses collapsed by the heavy snow in the villages. If any emergencies arise, we'll need you to handle them, won't we?"

Zheng Hu grew more confused by the minute. "What? Military Advisor, I don't understand a word you're saying."

Zhang Huai sighed slightly, finally giving up on speaking in riddles. With a hint of helplessness, he said, "Do you really think the woman our Governor is so fixated on is a simple character?"

Recalling the brief glimpse he had caught of her, Zhang Huai stated firmly, "Since she dared to let those two trusted generals of Wei Qishan see her face, she must have already decided she won't be going to Yuzhou."

Inside the carriage, Wen Yu used the cover of her large cape to remove her plain white brocade garments. Underneath, she wore the ordinary peasant clothes she had exchanged with a maidservant.

When she was first captured, the Liang troops escorting her were nearly wiped out, and the other scattered Liang forces couldn't reach her in time. Fearing there might be generals in the Wei camp who recognized her, she had used a rash to disguise her appearance in that critical moment.

But now, after being held under house arrest for so long, the Liang Camp must have received word and arranged a rescue team that had long been monitoring the Military Camp. They had only held back because tens of thousands of troops were stationed there.

Now that the Wei army was taking her to Yuzhou, the Liang Camp would surely seize this perfect opportunity to rescue her.

Given the earlier incident with the brocade cape, she anticipated that before taking her away, the Wei camp would verify her identity.But if she continued to use the rash to conceal her appearance—having been captured for nearly a month with no improvement—it would only arouse suspicion, making others think she was deliberately hiding something.

If the two Wei generals became vigilant, suspected her identity, and increased security on the road, it would hinder the Liang Camp’s efforts to rescue her.

Thus, Wen Yu ultimately chose to reveal her true face.

As she opened the trunk to put away her clothes, she noticed an unfamiliar small box inside.

Puzzled, Wen Yu took it out and undid the clasp.

Her gaze froze the moment she saw its contents.

It was a box of wood carvings.

Kittens, puppies, rabbits, tigers… the carving techniques and textures were strikingly familiar.

Recalling the fleeting, almost non-existent glance she exchanged with Xiao Li before boarding the carriage, her heart shuddered as if struck by a giant bell. A lingering ache rose within her, and her fingertips slowly traced the carvings.

Did he give these to her?

Why?

Didn’t he hate her?

In that moment, Wen Yu’s mind was in turmoil. Noticing a folded letter and another small brocade box tucked in the corner of the case, she retrieved them. The brocade box contained a longevity lock carved from white jade.

The letter bore only a few sparse words: "For your child, a first-year gift."

Though brief, these six words pierced like fine needles, striking the softest part of the beating flesh in her chest.

Every breath that followed carried a dull ache.

Wen Yu crumpled the paper tightly, closing her eyes before tears could well up, and did not open them for a long time.

She had also left behind the wooden carp he carved for her in his Military Camp.

Wei Qishan intended to recruit him as a son-in-law. She understood that they would ultimately serve opposing sides, destined to clash in battle henceforth.

Returning the carving was her final resolve to sever the last tie between them.

By gifting these to her, did he share the same intent?

Only by letting go could one find peace.

And only with peace could one offer sincere blessings, right?

Wen Yu wanted to laugh, but tears spilled from her eyes in that instant.

She told herself this was for the best.

Those entangled in the heart of power’s vortex should not harbor affection.

From now on, she would resume her role as the princess seeking to restore her kingdom.

When they met again, he might already be the son-in-law of Northern Wei.

Clearing away the past, relinquishing everything—that was the right path.

This was what she had always hoped for.

She would bless him sincerely.

If she felt such sorrow now, it was likely because, from the day she drove him out of Pingzhou to their recent reunion, they had never properly spoken a word.

She thought she ought to bid him a proper farewell.

To the youth who, on a snowy day, intercepted the whip of a trafficker to spare her a beating, gave up his only side room for her to sleep in, and saved her countless times from the brink of death—she should say a proper goodbye.

If she succeeded in leaving the Northern Border this time, their next meeting might be in three to five years, a decade, or perhaps never again in this lifetime.

He would eventually become a father, and she, a mother.

He might no longer hate her, but if he spoke of her to his children, he might still remember how cruelly she had treated him.

The letter had been crushed beyond recognition in Wen Yu’s grip.

Large teardrops fell from her eyes, dampening her veil with streaks of moisture.

Silently, she whispered, "I’m sorry."

And then, "Goodbye."Xiao Li mounted his horse in casual attire, riding alongside Song Qin with several personal guards following at a distance.

Song Qin noticed the usually taciturn man was even more silent today and asked, "Have you decided? Are we going to provide escort or seize her back?"

Xiao Li had instructed him over half a month ago to secretly monitor the refugees flooding into nearby villages and towns. It remained unclear whether those surveilling their military camp were from Liang Camp, Pei's camp, or both. But seizing her today was a settled matter.

To prevent the Wei army from quickly requesting reinforcements for their stationed troops, both Liang and Pei's forces would likely strike only after passing the Thirty-Mile Pavilion. Xiao Li had previously sent him to scout the area, so they were familiar with the surrounding terrain. Should conflict arise, they would hold some advantage.

The biting wind whipped the stray hairs across Xiao Li's forehead into disarray. A cold ferocity more intimidating than the harsh wind pressed between his brows: "We'll see how capable those she trusts prove to be."

Hearing this, Song Qin understood. If Liang Camp succeeded in abducting her, they would remain passive observers. If not, it would be their turn to seize her. But given Liang Camp's high regard for Wen Yu, the latter scenario was nearly improbable.

After a moment of silence, Song Qin suddenly remarked, "Didn't you say you couldn't accept it?"

Xiao Li lifted his gaze to the distant mountains dusted with thin snow, then looked away, appearing exceptionally composed—except for the hand gripping the reins so tightly his knuckles turned white. His voice remained steady: "Didn't Elder Brother also say that if Mudan's heart isn't with you, and she has a better path, you can't keep her either?"

Yet what surfaced in his mind was the image of Wen Yu angrily wiping her lips and uttering "pointless" that day. She didn't like him. Never had.

He had striven to restrain himself from seeing her, yet felt driven to the brink of madness. He didn't know how much longer this restraint could last. But he too had his pride. He didn't want to ruin her, nor see himself revert to that detestable, jealousy-ridden state he despised.

Staying far away from her would restore normalcy. He would lead his men to forge their futures and kill Pei Song to avenge his mother. She would return to Southern Chen with her royal heir and resume her role as regent princess. After establishing his achievements, he would marry and have children—bullshit!

A surge of violent rage nearly tore him in two, as if a monstrous beast within struggled to break free. Wen Yu, Wen Yu. Each repetition of her name tightened around his heart, gradually suffocating him.

Bracing one hand hard against the horse's back, Xiao Li felt as if he couldn't breathe, his body on the verge of exploding from the fury in his chest. The beast within tempted him savagely: Charge over, seize her back! Hide her away!

His mind buzzed, rationality crumbling under overwhelming resentment, rage, and desire for her.

Song Qin urged his horse forward, a faint bitter smile on his lips as if about to speak to Xiao Li, when he suddenly noticed Xiao Li's abnormal expression—as if enduring immense agony. Half-rising in the saddle, his entire back tensed like solid rock.Song Qin's expression shifted slightly as he reined his horse back two steps and hurriedly asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Xiao Li took two deep breaths of the icy air in the snowstorm before regaining some rationality, though his eyes were already bloodshot. He said, "The wound aches in snowy weather. Big brother, please make this trip in my stead."

If he went himself, he feared he wouldn't be able to restrain himself from seizing her amid the chaos.

If she fell into his hands again this time, no one would know he had taken her, nor would anyone have any reason to demand her return.

Song Qin needed no further explanation to understand everything. He rode over and patted Xiao Li's shoulder, saying, "Go back and rest well to recover from your injury. Leave everything to me."

Xiao Li remained motionless by the roadside as his several personal guards followed Song Qin past him. Just then, two figures emerged from the distant heavy snow, galloping toward them and calling out from afar, "Governor, wait!"

Seeing this, Song Qin and the others reined in their horses and looked back.

The newcomers were Tao Kui and one of Zhang Huai's personal guards.

The two had rushed through the snowstorm, their throats stinging from the cold. After reining in their horses, they were momentarily unable to speak.

The ferocity in Xiao Li's eyes hadn't faded, making him still appear somewhat intimidating: "Has something happened in the army?"

The guard hastily shook his head, enduring the cold piercing his lungs: "Captain Tao insisted on chasing after Lady Jiang. The strategist had no choice but to have me bring him to you."

Xiao Li looked at Tao Kui.

Tao Kui was also gasping for breath, his eyes red—whether from the wind or from anxiety.

He handed something to Xiao Li, his voice choked, perhaps from uneven breathing: "Big sister... lied. She said the wood carving was... at home. But she clearly had it with her..."

Xiao Li took the pouch whose ties had become damp with sweat from Tao Kui's grip. Opening it and seeing its contents clearly, aside from the deepening redness in his eyes, his face showed no emotional change for a long while.

"Where was it found?" he asked.

Tao Kui pouted, his eyes red, looking deeply distressed: "You all lied to A Niu. Big sister was leaving today... You only let A Niu see her..."

The guard quickly explained: "After Captain Tao heard that Lady Jiang had left, he went to her tent and found it on the table. The two peasant women taking care of Lady Jiang said she had left it there, saying she didn't want it anymore."

Author's note: This story is also known as "How a Badger Classmate Went Mad"