Chapter 52
Flip of cards
Yuwen Yue froze when he saw the Canhong sword. In that moment, he suddenly realized and confirmed that she was the real Chu Qiao. However, there was one more test his wife had to pass before he could fully believe she was indeed Chu Qiao and restore order to everything.
Filled with happiness, Yuwen Yue picked up the Canhong sword from the floor and placed it aside. He decided not to go to work that day and instead become a carpenter, crafting a beautiful wall-mounted sword holder.
While Chu Qiao was still asleep, Yuwen Yue gazed at her face, noticing everything seemed peaceful. He left her and ventured into the woods to gather materials.
The Yuwen family parrot flew behind him but kept its distance. After half an hour, Yuwen Yue passed through a bamboo forest about ten kilometers from their lodge and suddenly sensed danger, a lingering feeling from midnight. As a master investigator from Green Hills Courtyard, Yuwen Yue examined the footprints. He memorized the soles, determining there had been three people present. The prints were smaller than a man's, leading him to believe they belonged to three women.
Analyzing the footprints, Yuwen Yue closed his eyes and mentally reconstructed the martial arts and swordplay associated with the tracks. The sound of rustling bamboo leaves filled the air as a cold wind brushed his face. He opened his eyes to see the perfectly cut bamboo trees.
He murmured, "Someone was wounded, someone escaped, and someone stayed." Yuwen Yue then recalled the Canhong sword he had found earlier in their room. He began to suspect that his wife might be hiding something that happened the previous night, something she didn't want him to know.
These thoughts stirred doubts in Yuwen Yue, but he chose not to confront Chu Qiao immediately. Instead, he set aside his suspicions and continued with his plans for the day. He decided to surprise Chu Qiao and hoped the truth would eventually reveal itself.
Yuwen Yue had yet to display his true abilities, including the use of his Poe Yue Jian sword. He believed his wife was unaware of his present identity and even his past remained a mystery to her. He wondered what had transpired after the icy lake tragedy... What had Yan Xun done to her? Was she broken by the grandeur of Yuan Song's power?
He remembered how Chu Qiao had loathed such displays when he first saw her, walking confidently along the red carpet, beautiful and brave, but with sadness in her eyes. His heart beat in sync with hers, both filled with sorrow.
Meanwhile, back at Shen Jin Palace, the Wei Emperor ordered the royal eunuch to summon Yuan Song. The emperor had not seen his son since his first night with the crown princess of Wei.
Rumors had spread that the 13th Prince of Wei, Crown Prince Yuan Song, spent his nights drinking heavily and had not shared a bed with the Wei crown princess. Instead, he entertained a harem of women and sometimes even invited maidservants to join him. The Wei Emperor was disturbed by this behavior, this womanizing son who spent his nights with five or six women was unfamiliar to him.
The emperor pondered whether the issue was Chu Qiao's strong-willed nature or her lack of submission. Nonetheless, Yuan Song had succeeded in defeating Yan Xun, or so it seemed. But did he truly win? Yan Xun, now King of Yanbei, had been silent ever since his coronation and marriage to his queen.
Although King of Yanbei, Yan Xun remained a declared traitor and rebel of Wei. Yet, the emperor had heard rumors that Yan Xun treated his queen, Xiao Yu, with great affection. Before and after their marriage, he sent lavish gifts of gold, silver, and bronze to her father, King Tang of Southern Liang.
Yan Xun even took his queen on a honeymoon tour of the XuiXui Mountains. There were rumors that he had secretly built a palace near the mountains, dedicated to a Lady Yan General who resembled Chu Qiao. The palace was closed to the public, and only Yan Xun had access to it.
The Wei Emperor asked himself: Who is this Yan General that resembles Chu Qiao? Is she someone more important than Chu Qiao, or are they the same person? The emperor couldn't clear his mind of these rumors, though they remained unconfirmed.
Yan Xun was a master at controlling information. Since his return to Yanbei, he had mastered the art of managing the flow of news in and out of his palace.
Yuan Song awoke, as usual, with five women in his bed and one on the floor, all half-naked in their expensive silk Hanfu dresses, evidence of a wild night.
Xiao Ba, his first concubine, entered the room, looking at him with pity. "When will you stop these wild parties?" she asked. "You honored your word and made me your first concubine, but you've only gotten worse since then."
Yuan Song's mind wandered back to the time he had eagerly awaited his wedding day with Chu Qiao. He had waited nine days, and when the moment arrived, Chu Qiao walked down the aisle in her grand wedding gown, stunning everyone in attendance.
Her hair was styled traditionally, adorned with gold hairpins and jade crystals, almost too heavy to wear. Despite this, Chu Qiao walked proudly and confidently, and Yuan Song, the joyful crown prince, took her hand in marriage, making her the Wei crown princess.
From nobles to military officers, all had attended the lavish three-day celebration, complete with endless wine and feasting. The Yuwen family had brought extravagant gifts and prime war horses, while palace ministers, shrine elders, and Wei masters raised their goblets in a toast, shouting, "Cheers!" as they celebrated the new crown prince and princess of Wei.
Among the Eastern royal guests who stayed at the palace after the engagement ceremony were Queen Zhejue of Qinghai, Second Prince Ra Zheng, and Sixth Prince Ra Zhun, but not Seventh Prince Ra Yue and his bodyguard Zuo Zong.
Since the night Yuwen Yue breached the Wei crown princess's palace, he had remained silent, unable to act on his desire to speak with Chu Qiao.
Though the Wei royal guards had found men unconscious that night, they had woken up without any harm. Nothing seemed out of place.
Ra Yue had been unable to bear the sight of Chu Qiao walking down the aisle to marry Yuan Song. Two days before the wedding, he approached the Wei Emperor to apologize, explaining that he had pressing princely duties and war preparations in the eastern tribes under his control.
The Qinghai Queen thought it was too soon for Ra Yue to leave Wei, and his brothers, Prince Ra Zheng and Ra Zhun, were equally surprised. Nevertheless, they allowed him to depart with his thousand-strong army dressed in white. Yuwen Yue resumed his journey to the Qinghai Empire.
Upon arriving at his palace, Yuwen Yue immediately wrote a letter to his father. Though he appeared depressed, he refused to give in to despair. Instead, he vowed to uncover the truth about his family and Chu Qiao.
Questions haunted him. How had Chu Qiao ended up here? Why didn't she even recognize him, not even a glimmer of recognition in her eyes?
These events made Yuwen Yue believe something was wrong. He wasn't there to witness it firsthand, but he knew something needed to be addressed.
After three nights of banquets and fulfilling all traditions, the Wei Empire's health ministry selected an auspicious date for the union and consummation of the crown prince and crown princess. Yuan Song, looking groomed and handsome, was eager to meet Chu Qiao when Xia Chong suddenly threw a needle at him.
Blinded by his first love for Chu Qiao, Yuan Song fell where Xia Chong stood, and Xiao Ba replaced her that night.
When morning came, the truth was revealed, Yuan Song had been with another woman, not Chu Qiao. Xia Chong, pretending to be consumed with jealousy and betrayal, declared that she would refuse any summons from the 13th Prince. She also stated that she would not share his bed until everything was resolved.
It was supposed to be their first night together, but Yuan Song had spent it with someone else. Xia Chong's performance convinced everyone that she was the real Chu Qiao, allowing her to defy both the Wei Emperor and the 13th Prince of Wei.
This turn of events left the 13th Prince deeply saddened, and his only comfort was seeking solace in his harem. Xiao Ba seized this opportunity to pressure Yuan Song into fulfilling his promise to make her his first concubine. However, Yuan Song, lost in confusion and immaturity, couldn't see things clearly.
He descended into the troubled state that now worried the Wei Emperor.
While Yuan Song was drunk with desperation over his first love and longing for Chu Qiao, Yuan Che took advantage of the situation to run the empire. The Wei Emperor entrusted more troops to Yuan Che, while Yuan Yang, ever the competitor, constantly opposed his brother. Yuan Yang intentionally undermined Yuan Che's efforts in pursuit of his own ambition for the Wei throne.
Yuan Yang frequently created obstacles to hinder Yuan Che's progress, but Yuan Che, knowing his brother's tactics, skillfully maneuvered around them, using his military expertise to stay ahead.
Little is known about Yuan Yang, but it is clear that he is biding his time, waiting for the right moment to claim the Wei throne. His past actions speak to this: when the Wei Emperor temporarily handed over his seal to Yuan Yang, he was the only eligible prince to take on his father's duties while Yuan Che was away defending the empire against external threats.
Yuan Yang, a quiet observer of the royal throne, distanced himself from the ministers and Yuwen nobles. Cold and unpredictable, he was known for making decisions based on the current situation, revealing his intentions only when the time was right.
Meanwhile, Xia Chong's replacement of Chu Qiao on the night of her escape left a significant mark, as she defied Wei traditions. The length of time she would continue her mission was unknown, and her fate depended on Xiao Ce's orders. He had facilitated their entry into the Wei palace, along with Xiao Ba, and they had agreed to free Chu Qiao, or Xia Chong would rot in Liang's secret prison.
After Chu Qiao's faked death, Yan Xun targeted the two sisters to locate Chu Qiao, imprisoning them until she could be found. Xiao Ce, upon learning of their captivity, arranged for an assassin to break them out of Yanbei's prison, but the mission failed.
Later, Xiao Ce discovered that his plans had been intercepted, and the two sisters were captured and sold to a brothel. Xiao Ce blamed himself for the leak, as he had no knowledge of their exact location.
The crown prince was furious at his inability to find the two sisters. By chance, Tie You eventually located them, but this put Tie You's life at risk and embroiled Xiao Ce in Liang Empire's political schemes.
Xiao Ce ultimately rescued Xiao Ba and Xiao Qi from the brothel in Liang, but it was too late, Xiao Ba had been exploited by the bandits, and Xiao Qi was in critical condition due to lack of medical care.
Outraged by the sisters' suffering, Xiao Ce ordered the brothel to be destroyed and its inhabitants killed.
For the first time, Xiao Ce was genuinely determined to set things right. With Yue Qi, Xiao Ba, and Xiao Qi by his side, he sought to gather more allies close to Chu Qiao. He even searched for Yuwen Yue, but Zao Baocung failed to return with any positive information, choosing instead to protect Yuwen Yue's new identity.
Zao Baocung had learned that the Qinghai crown prince, Yuwen Yue, was still alive, and he kept this secret from Xiao Ce. When Xiao Ce eventually accepted the news of Yuwen Yue's death, he was heartbroken, knowing his hope for a brighter future was gone.
Those sleepless nights in Liang's red district, spent drinking wine, brought little comfort. Though he had briefly experienced the joy of a relationship with an archer coach from Wei's hunting grounds, it wasn't enough to heal his broken heart.
Then, Xiao Ce received a rumor that Chu Qiao was alive, secretly leading the Xuili army in the Xuili mountains. Though it was just a rumor with no evidence, Xiao Ce longed for concrete proof.
Later, more rumors spread that Chu Qiao was in love with Yuan Song, and the news spread like wildfire. Xiao Ce, overwhelmed with mixed emotions, felt both happy and sad at the same time.
Xiao Ce was filled with mixed emotions: happy because he believed he had a chance to win Chu Qiao's heart, yet sorrowful, wondering why she chose someone like Yuan Song.
After the eve of Chu Qiao's engagement, when his Pandora's box was opened, Xiao Ce operated in the shadows of Wei's royal palace, but Chu Qiao had vanished without a trace. She had disappeared once again.
Xiao Ce couldn't help but blame himself. He feared he might have lost her forever.
Yuan Song's attitude began to change, especially in how he handled his affairs. He made sure everyone, including the fake Chu Qiao (Xia Chong), was aware of his actions. Xia Chong, seizing the opportunity, declared a cold war against Yuan Song, using his first concubine, Xiao Ba, the woman who had spent the night with him when he should have been with Chu Qiao.
Yan Xun remained silent on the news, but he suspected that Chu Qiao might be deliberately spreading this information. He couldn't tell if it was a trap or a lure to provoke a response that could lead to his downfall.
Yan Xun found himself in a difficult position. He couldn't act to save her, recalling the night with Chu Qiao when Xiao Yu had not poisoned the needle but had poisoned his mind, making him believe that Chu Qiao had tried to kill him that night.
Ever since then, Yan Xun carried a heavy heart, though he concealed it from everyone, including A'jing and Zhong Yu. He kept his emotions hidden, and that bitterness festered into a desire for revenge.
Yan Xun reverted to his old self, abandoning his responsibilities as King of Yanbei to the Xuili army. He was determined that for every misfortune Chu Qiao faced on the Wei palace throne as a married woman, he would repay it tenfold with the success of his own marriage to the new Queen of Yanbei.
In secret, Yan Xun hoped that when Chu Qiao heard about his wedding and their honeymoon at the XuiXui mountains, where he and Chu Qiao had once stayed for three nights, she would feel jealousy and regret. Yan Xun and Xiao Yu had stayed there for a month, and he wondered what Chu Qiao might think about what married couples do.
He hoped that Chu Qiao would regret rejecting him when he had asked her for the last time to become his queen. Yan Xun still had feelings for her but wanted her to make the first move to return to him. He promised himself that he would make her regret her decision.
How much this would hurt Chu Qiao was not the issue. The unfolding events had become complicated for everyone except her. Chu Qiao, completely out of the loop, had found her freedom. She had long been like a desert, barren and empty, even of time itself. Her memories were slowly returning to her mortal self, but it was a gradual process.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Yue, the only person who saw Chu Qiao from a different perspective, knew he had to act. In his heart and mind, he finally concluded:
Loving you is not easy.
It is like going to war unarmed.
It is like holding a bow and giving you the arrows.
So brace yourself, for I am coming to redeem you.
As I embrace you, my heart is in a bloodbath.
Whatever lies ahead, it should always be you.
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