Chapter 34
The Path of The World
After Zhong Yu attached the little note to the pigeon's feet, she freed the bird, and it flew far from where she stood.
"May you reach the man in the Longji Mountains," she whispered softly.
Yan Xun arrived in Hong Chuan City, and the people were overjoyed to see their King-to-be.
Yan Xun, dressed in his battle gear, dark purple silk, a silver breastplate inlaid with gold, his hair as black as ink, a majestic long red cape, black boots with gold accents, and his fresh, fierce, and handsome face, exuded strength and stability. His sword-like brows and fiery eyes gave the people of Hong Chuan hope for a promising future.
"Long live Prince Yan Xun, long live!" shouted the people, filling the bustling streets with cheers and joy.
Like a parade, Yan Xun nodded and greeted them with a formal but not somber expression. After the ceremony of honors, he went straight to his newly built mansion.
This was a surprise to the people, as the Yanbei Prince had not set foot in Hong Chuan for a long time. Now, his sudden presence filled the air with excitement as the people prepared for a meet-and-greet later.
Yan Xun, having settled into his mansion, couldn't ignore the crowds. Interested parties flocked to the mansion, asking the Prince's envoy for a chance to meet him and discuss their concerns.
"A'Jing, go to He Xiao's place. I must meet him immediately; it cannot be postponed."
"Yes, Your Highness. I will go right away," A'Jing responded.
Feeling relieved, Yan Xun was soon approached by another servant, inquiring if there would be time for consultations with the interested parties from the Hong Chuan nobility.
But Yan Xun waved him off, uninterested in seeing anyone except He Xiao.
Zhong Yu entered and said, "Your Highness, what's the hesitation? The people of Hong Chuan want to meet the Prince and offer gifts from the nobles."
Yan Xun, ignoring her words, replied, "If A'Jing doesn't bring He Xiao, you will be my last resort."
Zhong Yu nodded and replied, "Consider it done, Your Highness."
Unfortunately, He Xiao was proving hard to reach. He had briefly stopped by his ancestral house but quickly moved on to Xiuli Mountain to meet Chu Qiao and Viper.
Another unfortunate turn: He Xiao had learned of what happened to Ge Qi, and his hope wavered once more. "I lost her again," he thought. "I hope she can find her way back to Xiuli."
He Xiao could only rely on Viper to bring Ge Qi back to their meeting place. He stayed for a night at Xiuli Mountain before heading to the Meilin border pass to visit his junior and senior officers.
He Xiao left Wu Danyu at their headquarters camp to help Ge Qi.
Yan Xun's face was unreadable when he heard the news from A'Jing. Furious, he clenched his fist and ordered, "Get out and tell Zhong Yu to bring He Xiao!"
A'Jing, trying to calm the situation, handed Yan Xun the unopened letter that He Xiao had written while they were in Yan Palace. "Your Highness, He Xiao insisted you read this letter. It might contain something important."
Yan Xun, still upset, snatched the letter from A'Jing's hand. A'Jing quickly excused himself to search for the feather girl.
Yan Xun couldn't sleep that night. Restlessly turning in his bed, he finally got up, went to the window, and gazed at the new moon casting shadows over the far wetlands of Hong Chuan. The night was deep, and the cold wind blew like a knife to the skin.
Yan Xun didn't understand why he was feeling this way. He should have been preparing for his upcoming wedding, yet here he was, chasing after a Xiuli General.
"Should I just read the letter He Xiao left?" he wondered.
He walked over to his desk, where he had placed the letter, and opened it.
Your Highness,
I hope you do not suspect me and will restore your trust in Xiuli. I have a revelation, but I cannot yet share it with you. When the time is right, I will introduce her to you.
He Xiao, Deputy General
Yan Xun mused, "Is He Xiao getting remarried? After all, he's still single. His wife was killed while pregnant, and he has no children."
The woman He Xiao had taken from Yan Palace intrigued Yan Xun more than any battle he'd fought. Since that moment, Yan Xun hadn't stopped searching for him.
"Perhaps He Xiao is proposing to the woman I once carried by the frozen lake. Maybe this is something that will happen soon," Yan Xun thought.
"If that's the case, I should meet this woman before He Xiao marries her, just one last time before I let go."
A notion took root in Yan Xun's heart: "Maybe, just this once, before I finally let go, I should meet her. Even if I have to take her from He Xiao."
Yan Xun felt increasingly unstable after reading the letter. He had never experienced such intense emotions, but they reminded him of one person: A'Chu.
Although Yan Xun never verbalized his feelings for A'Chu, his actions spoke louder than words. Their bond was clearly more than friendship, though not officially romantic.
They cared for and understood each other like no one else. Yan Xun had always planned to make A'Chu his wife, envisioning her as the Queen of Yanbei after he reclaimed his throne.
Yan Xun had even carved a jade pendant, intending it as a gift for their honeymoon night. But the path to that future was still far off. At the time, Yanbei was in chaos, and he spent most of his days in military camps, with Chu Qiao by his side as his General strategist and confidante.
However, all of those plans were shattered after the frozen lake tragedy. Once again, Yan Xun was haunted by the pain of seeing Chu Qiao on the lake.
The conditions had already been set.
There is no mercy on the battlefield, not even for Chu Qiao, yet Yan Xun spared her life. To his surprise, Chu Qiao placed no value on this gesture. She turned her back on him to save Yuwen Yue, something Yan Xun could never understand and something Chu Qiao would never forgive.
Yan Xun closed his eyes, replaying the scenario in his mind.
He smiled to himself, as if it were happening at that moment. He had already planned it all in his head, how he would make the girl fall in love with him, only to leave her, ensuring she would return to him. Finally, he wihispered, "I must make a move. If I wait for He Xiao, it'll be like a cat chasing a mouse."
Yan Xun, reminiscing about the time he carried the woman from the frozen lake, opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling of his mansion. Like a young man in love, his mouth was slightly open, forming a natural "O." He lay there, lost in thought, the woman, an unwelcome but beautiful intruder, occupying his mind every waking hour.
It was still dark, but the horizon was starting to brighten. Roosters crowed, and morning birds began to sing, signaling the break of dawn, while the prince drifted into thought.
A week later, Chu Qiao and Viper went to Xiuli Mountain.
"Waaahhh!" A'Jing shouted.
"What?"
Yan Xun casually woke up, showing no reaction to A'Jing's sudden outburst. He asked, "Why are you waking everyone up, and why are you looking at me like I've just returned from hell?"
Yan Xun stood from his bed, grabbing his purple robe and preparing to leave when A'Jing exclaimed, "The World, what happened to you? Did someone punch you last night? Look at yourself!"
Yan Xun tilted his head slightly and looked into a large mirror with intricate vine carvings painted in rose gold and silver. "Oh, these dark circles?" he commented.
A'Jing replied, "Do you want me to call a doctor?"
Yan Xun laughed and said, "No doctor can cure me, only He Xiao."
A'Jing's brows creased as he studied Yan Xun. He squinted and said, "No, you can't be…"
Yan Xun raised his eyebrows and asked, "What do you mean?"
A'Jing hesitated, speaking slowly, as though he were about to tell a long story. Meanwhile, Yan Xun dressed in his robe and slippers.
A'Jing swallowed, then said, "I know you haven't seen He Xiao in a while, and lately, he's been looking quite handsome. There's a brightness in his eyes. He's single and attractive, but if I tell you what I'm thinking, I hope you won't be offended or chop off my head later. I've been with you for years, and I've never suspected that you… you might…"
Yan Xun, growing impatient, said with an annoyed tone, "I'm waiting. What do you mean?"
A'Jing turned away, but Yan Xun grabbed his shoulders and spun him back around. A'Jing then exclaimed, "Nyaha! Ugly face!" He covered his eyes with his hands to avoid making eye contact with Yan Xun.
Yan Xun laughed and, with curiosity in his eyes, said, "Ha, ha, ha. Come on, tell me, what do you mean?"
A'Jing, feeling embarrassed, stretched his neck toward Yan Xun's ear and whispered, "Don't tell me you fancy He Xiao?"
Yan Xun raised his hand and lightly smacked A'Jing's nape. "Hey! I'm not a pervert!" he said coldly, with no emotion.
"Ow! That hurts!" A'Jing cried out.
He made a peace sign with his hand, smiling like a mischievous boy, and said, "I was just making sure you weren't!" A'Jing scratched his head, pulling funny faces as Yan Xun smirked.
Yan Xun was about to hit him again when A'Jing grinned and said, "Enough. I know you're not."
"At least that's clear," Yan Xun replied, walking out of his room with A'Jing following close behind. Yan Xun then asked, "Any news from Zhong Yu yet?"
"No, it's been a week since she left. I wonder why she hasn't returned yet. Maybe…"
Yan Xun stopped him mid-sentence and said, "Don't mention it. She won't fail me."
A'Jing fell silent. They walked along the corridors, Yan Xun in his purple morning robe, looking fresh and handsome despite the bags under his eyes. They reached the garden of the Hong Chuan Yan Mansion, where the prince watched the leaves fall.
Yan Xun wanted to speak but hesitated. After swallowing, he finally said to A'Jing, "When I was the Swallow (Yan Xun's codename) back in the Wei state, in the City of Changan, where A'Chu…"
A'Jing interrupted, "The World, it's been two years, and you still haven't forgotten General Chu."
"What if…" Yan Xun paused, and A'Jing waited for him to continue. Yan Xun hesitated again, then changed the subject. "Have you prepared everything I asked you to buy?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Is there anything else you want to add?"
"If you've bought everything, there's nothing more to add."
"I am curious, what are you planning to do for the next seven days? The provisions seem to be calculated for a seven-day journey or something like that. Can I ask the World to be honest about what this is all about?"
Yan Xun remained silent, his eyes fixed on the falling leaves. He was still contemplating whether or not to reveal the forbidden desire in his heart.
"It's confidential, but what if I tell you..." he began, then paused, smiling as he continued watching the leaves fall. The cold wind gently blew against his face, making his youthful features, accentuated by dark circles, appear more masculine.
His beard had grown slightly along his jaw, enhancing his handsome, rugged appearance. Like an experienced prince with an alluring charm, there was a hidden seduction in his smile.
Yan Xun had not seemed so lighthearted since that encounter on the frozen lake with He Xiao, the whipping girl, and the woman with the indigo scarf. Those around him noticed a change, his attitude toward his inferiors had become less suspicious and unpredictable.
A'Jing responded, "As long as the World won't regret it, whatever you're planning is fine. Since you're getting married in a few months, you should do all the things you want to do while you're still free. Don't hesitate. Take this time to be whole and happy. You've sacrificed so much for the sake of Yanbei's citizens."
Yan Xun felt as if he'd received a blessing from a parent through A'Jing's words. He turned, placed his hand on A'Jing's shoulder, and said, "So please, while I'm away, stay alive and don't do anything foolish."
With a bright smile reminiscent of his younger days, Yan Xun flashed his perfect white teeth, a heavenly sparkle in his eyes. It had been a long time since anyone had seen the prince in such a good mood.
A'Jing, teary-eyed, replied in a childlike voice, "Why do I feel like you're going on your honeymoon first and getting married later? Tell me!"
Yan Xun burst into laughter. "Don't worry. I'll make sure to return and produce a good Yan royal breed. Remember, this handsome face is priceless."
A'Jing, still teary-eyed, looked at Yan Xun with sadness, feeling the separation anxiety from his prince. "Just come back home, and when you do, make sure you're ready to move on, healthy, and with your head still attached to your neck!"
Yan Xun, feeling a bit sad to leave A'Jing, who had been more than just a servant but a brother, chef, comrade, eunuch, and general, replied, "That's a lot of requirements. Are you the one leaving or me?" he joked in a happy tone. He smiled at A'Jing, who was then dismissed to prepare some of the men who would accompany him on his journey.
Back in his room, Yan Xun looked at two metal masquerade masks, one for him and one for another woman. He preferred the purple mask and reserved the gold one. He also checked the provisions and other necessities for his journey. A'Jing had packed everything, and Yan Xun was set to go.
He rang the bell, summoning his servants, who led him to his prepared warm bath. The bath, made from a large wooden square, was tiled with wood, and steam hovered over the water, creating an almost sacred atmosphere.
The servants wore blindfolds, and once Yan Xun was confident no one was watching, he turned his back, raised his hands to his waist, and gently removed his robes. The garment fell gracefully, revealing scars and wounds from countless battles, a testament to his survival.
As he touched the deep scar on his left shoulder, he closed his eyes. Yan Xun slowly stepped into the warm water, soaking his feet and letting the heat envelop him.
In these private moments, although he had survived the physical pain, the bitterness remained. One venomous thought plagued him: the memory of his childhood friend, Yuwen Yue, who had taken advantage of Yan Xun's lowest moment. It tormented him, leaving him feeling dead inside, even though he was still alive.
No pain could compare to this, betrayed by a best friend who stood by as the Yan royal family was slaughtered. Yan Xun knew Yuwen Yue's cold and dangerous nature. As an emotionless aristocrat, Yuwen Yue would never relinquish his entitlements. From that moment on, Yan Xun's heart had changed irrevocably.
Had he and Xing'er escaped on their first attempt, had Yuwen Yue not thwarted it with his servant's arrow, would history have been different? Would his family still be alive?
Sitting in the bath, with one foot flat on the wooden edge and the other submerged, Yan Xun rested his arms on the side. He tilted his head, realizing he no longer sought answers. Instead, he sought justice through the sweet arms of revenge. The earth had already sealed its fate, and the deaths of his family were an indelible part of history. The noble blood of Yan would never be at peace until the last drop of blood was avenged.
Drunk on his thoughts, Yan Xun allowed bitterness to overshadow the good in his heart. It protected him from being vulnerable, an easy mark for those who plotted behind his back. Who could understand better than someone who had seen it all, tasted the indescribable pain of losing his family? No one could blame him for what he had become.
As the foam thickened and hovered around him, Yan Xun's thoughts shifted again to the woman he couldn't forget, the one who occupied his mind every waking hour. His desire for her grew daily, though he had no idea who she truly was or where she came from. He once again compared her to A'Chu and wondered why it had to happen twice in his life, both women sharing similar qualities.
Why couldn't he settle for someone who would help him rule, someone who would elevate him as king? Why did he have to silently compete for another man's woman?
Yan Xun had patiently waited and, in his own way, had tried to prove himself worthy of A'Chu, hoping to win her over when she was still Xing'er, a maidservant in Yuwen Yue's courtyard. He had never complained about her being Yuwen Yue's bedchamber maid, instead supporting her efforts. He continued visiting Yuwen Yue's courtyard, hoping A'Chu would see his intentions.
She was the only girl for him, and those moments were the most beautiful days of his life. After the frozen lake tragedy, when she disappeared, Yan Xun felt as if he were as good as dead.
Yan Xun now understood that wisdom often comes after everything has settled. But how could he return to the past, and would time allow him to correct his mistakes? What if... what if... what if... those were the only words his heart could utter.
Yan Xun scooped water into his palm and let it drip through his fingers. The tiny drops echoed loudly in the quiet royal bath.
After a few more hours of bathing, Yan Xun emerged from the pool, picking up his robe from the wooden tiles. At the clap of his hands, his servants removed their blindfolds and followed him back to his room, where they helped him dress in his princely battle garments.
Several hours later, Yan Xun stood fully dressed, looking regal from head to toe. His hands were strong, and his young face appeared both gentle and formal. Outside, more servants approached, fitting him with his metal mask and black hood.
A'Jing came forward, kneeling to present Yan Xun's sword. Yan Xun took it, mounted his horse, and with a formal expression, bid farewell to everyone. Five men followed him, along with two extra horses carrying saddlebags filled with provisions.
Autumn trees lined his path, their leaves in hues of
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