Chapter 81
Discarded pawn
From dawn to twilight, long lines of caravans beautifully paraded along the Prairie Silk Road.
The mid-autumn weather under the southern skies somehow warmed the skin of the people watching the historic journey of the year.
As the pre-winter chill suddenly descended upon entering the eastern skies, the people by the roadside began to cover themselves.
Meanwhile, the Qinghai Queen overturned her long Kam sleeves, and the light of the candle suddenly went out. With a sweep of her gentle, delicate hands, she calmed herself in the pitch-black darkness and said:
"What disaster can we bring to the Beauty Emperor?"
The Qinghai King, obliged to respond, said:
"My Queen, if we harm the Beauty Emperor, we will surely face the fangs of the Jianghu spies. Your order to destroy the Moon Kingdom will be delayed. I suggest we let things unfold as they are and focus on the Moon Kingdom later."
The Queen, hearing what pleased her, said: "My King, you aren't going to meet him, are you?"
"As you wish, I may. But if you do not allow it, I will abide," said the Qinghai King.
"Let Ra Yue handle the task," said the Qinghai Queen. "He needs this soft alliance to carry out the Moon Kingdom's destruction." The Qinghai Queen touched her damask cape, thinking intensely.
The Qinghai King, careful with his words, calmly said: "Ra Yue will indeed welcome him and present the hero before him.
Besides, the Beauty Emperor has brought many treasures to pay homage to this empire and meet his savior. I am sure this is something my Queen will not refuse."
"Why would I refuse such treasures?" said the Qinghai Queen, feeling reassured by the Qinghai King's positive words.
"It seems he has brought his entire Liang empire on his way to Qinghai."
The Qinghai King paused and chuckled, then said:
"It's as if he brought a dowry to marry someone in Qinghai, and I am sure it is not the Crown Prince's fault, but the Beauty Emperor's savior. I am also eager to meet this savior."
Feeling pleased, the Qinghai Queen replied: "If I play the hero, will everyone believe?"
"You can do anything!" The annoyed Qinghai King could only fake his witticism.
Everyone in Qinghai wears masks. This historic welcome is described as a grand masquerade party.
Ra Yue's hair is exquisitely draped, crowned with a simple U-shaped crescent moon atop his head. Dressed in a white silk kimono with a hand-printed golden-threaded lion on his back, no one can fully capture the elegance and beauty of the Crown Prince as he stands before the Qinghai ministers.
From the tribal bones and their sage leaders to the political factions of the Qinghai princes, murmurs continued without pause. The grasshopper-like buzz of the crowd became a sweet noise to Ra Yue's ears.
Ra Yue rewarded them with sweet smirks and cold, penetrating godly stares, savoring every candid and humdrum remark.
"He broke protocol! The eunuchs must be punished. Has the code of expressions been amended? Did the eunuchs fail to comply with our dress code? This is a contempt of the Qinghai Empire! Exposing one's face to the crowd is a serious offense. This cannot be the Crown Prince; it must be unreal. That beautiful, godly face must be covered, or this is not the Qinghai Empire."
One of the Qinghai ministers stood, inhaled deeply, and launched a direct attack in the presence of the Qinghai Empire, saying:
"The Crown Prince's eunuchs must be punished by death for disregarding the sacred dress code of the Qinghai Empire."
The Velvet Prince Ra Zhun seconded the motion, adding: "I believe the eunuchs failed to enforce the strict dress code today. Shall we roll heads?"
Ra Zhun, impatiently rolling his eyes, ordered the imperial guards to seize the Crown Prince's eunuchs.
The Silver Prince Ra Zheng acted quickly to mediate. With a simple glance at his royal guards, they understood.
The royal guards of the Silver Prince marched in front of the Head Eunuch as Yue Qi watched silently.
Everyone assumed a defensive posture. No one dared to move, but Ra Yue remained calm. Yuwen Yue paid no mind to the two opposing forces standing before the bright Qinghai Empire.
On one side, there was intent to execute the eunuchs, while on the other, a desire to protect them. Yue Qi, his half-covered face concealed by a mask, twitched his palms, awaiting Ra Yue's commands.
Meanwhile, Zuo Zong, masked like Zorro, arrived at the palace gates to inform Ra Yue of the chaos unfolding on Khan Road to the Sky.
Before anyone could react, the Liang royal convoy arrived at the gates of the Qinghai Grand Palace.
Suddenly, a serious yet handsome young eunuch rushed toward the Head Eunuch of the Crown Prince.
Catching his breath, he whispered:
"Master, before you die, will you announce the Beauty Emperor's arrival?"
The old eunuch's wrinkled eyes brightened, easing the tension in his face.
He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time upon hearing the junior eunuch's words of warning. Brushing off the threat, he said:
"Go, open the palace gates and let us welcome the Beauty Emperor. The Crown Prince is already in a compromised situation. We must hear what he has to say in defiance of the Qinghai dress code before they chop off our heads."
The situation on the Prairie Silk Road seven hours before the arrival of the Beauty Emperor:
Of all the people who witnessed the historic journey, every face was filled with awe and wonder. In fact, it was a rare opportunity she had chosen to appear in public.
Suddenly, a striking woman with heavy white eyeliner, beautiful and brave, leapt into the air and landed in front of the Prairie Silk Road.
A small chaos erupted among the crowd by the roadside.
The Liang Phoenix forces were paralyzed, unable to deploy a quick reaction force.
Apparently, the woman, wearing an animated white hood and a silk veil covering her face, looked down at the extravagant soil of the Prairie Silk Road.
Many eyes saw this clearly.
This beautiful woman blocked the grand convoy in the middle of the road. Hostility filled the air. The finest Liang horsemen quickly removed their simple Hanfu robes, unsheathed their swords, and revealed the ninja suits hidden beneath.
The simple horsemen transformed into lethal weapons, ready to embrace their fierce assassin roles.
However, in their attempt to defend the royal passenger inside the lavish golden palanquin, these deadly warriors found themselves helpless and ineffective.
"It was a swift martial arts move, like that of a civet cat! I didn't even see it coming!"
They gasped in pain.
No one dared to make a defensive move. Silence reigned, and no one had the energy to counter her swift attacks.
Meanwhile, the passenger inside the palanquin felt some reverberations but remained unconcerned by the temporary inconvenience.
While the horsemen were exhausted, no one from Sun Di's envoy attempted to intervene.
A thin, young boy eventually made his presence known.
He walked awkwardly yet confidently, as if mimicking a frog, atop the Grand Palanquin of the Beauty Emperor.
Though odd and offensive, this move was necessary. The thin boy was preparing to display his martial prowess against the mysterious intruder.
The woman recognized the boy's abilities and knew he was not to be underestimated. Her pulse relaxed, and her tense posture eased.
Her creased brows softened as she looked closer, sensing a familiar presence. Slowly, she unveiled the covering on her head.
The young boy could hardly believe what he saw.
One thing was certain: everyone's mind would soon be blown.
The thin boy descended from the palanquin and, without fear, said, "Master, are you here to accompany us?"
Chu Qiao smirked, pointed toward the royal palanquin, and said, "If the Beauty Emperor permits it, why not?"
While Chu Qiao's defenses were down, Sun Di seized the moment and ordered her capture.
Chu Qiao, expecting this, did not resist.
Without hesitation, she offered her hands.
Ping'An was about to defend Chu Qiao, but Sun Di said, "By order of the Phoenix Emperor."
Ping'An, about to protest, was interrupted when the Beauty Emperor spoke loudly from within the golden palanquin: "She is a dangerous weed who disregarded the Khan Road to the Sky. Bind her and blindfold her."
Ping'An, confused by the Emperor's harsh command, boldly asked, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten about Qiao Qiao?"
The Beauty Emperor ignored Ping'An's words, maintaining a hard expression, though he swallowed nervously and his throat grew dry.
Ping'An, ready to defy the Emperor, was stopped by Chu Qiao. She calmly said, "Trust His Highness. He must have a noble purpose in this. Spare them."
Ping'An, in a defensive stance, gradually cooled down upon hearing Chu Qiao's words.
"I will not stop asking His Majesty to release you," Ping'An said. "Please endure until I discover your crime."
Chu Qiao extended her hands, and a Liang royal escort blindfolded her. She received no special treatment and was made to walk long miles.
She endured the hardship in silence, knowing her best friend, Xiao Ce, would not let her suffer without reason.
Ping'An did not leave Chu Qiao's side, walking closely behind her.
The Beauty Emperor, understanding the situation, allowed this public display of defiance as onlookers carefully observed the Liang envoy's movements.
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
The rest of the day returned to its usual calm.
Meanwhile, Zuo Zong, gathering spy information about the chaos on the Prairie Silk Road leading to the Khan Road to the Sky, relayed the message to a junior eunuch in the Qinghai Grand Throne Room.
While the Qinghai political elite were in crisis over Ra Yue's exposed face, Ra Yue himself was preoccupied with thoughts of the minor disruption on the Khan Road to the Sky.
Though he appeared calm, Ra Yue's mind was elsewhere, contemplating.
"Who is this bold woman who dared block the Khan Road to the Sky?"
Chu Qiao knew that Ra Yue would be informed of her capture immediately. She had hidden the Cangwu bird in her Kam sleeves before the encounter.
Expecting the worst, she anticipated either imprisonment in the Qinghai garrison or rescue, possibly from Yuwen Yue or Xiao Ce. Perhaps both.
Ping'An, noticing Chu Qiao's deep thoughts, asked, "Master Chu, are you alright?"
Chu Qiao, unwilling to engage, gave Ping'An a light jab and said, "I won't be alright if you don't keep your mouth shut."
"Ow…" Ping'An groaned in pain, falling silent.
Xiao Ce, attempting to regain his composure, struggled to control his racing heart and excitement. Frustrated, he whispered to himself, "I need composure if I want this to work."
Xiao Ce did not want to reveal his past experiences with Chu Qiao especially those tied to the forgotten river. He was trying to suppress those memories, including his feelings for Qiao Qiao, as if meeting her for the first time.
This thought brought him some comfort. No matter how many times fate had rewritten his destiny, it seemed that Chu Qiao remained a constant force. With love still in his heart, Xiao Ce realized he no longer wanted to repeat the mistakes of the past.
He vowed to ensure Chu Qiao's happiness, knowing that only Yuwen Yue could truly give her that. But this time, Xiao Ce was determined not to fail.
With resolve, Xiao Ce declared to himself, "What must happen, will happen."
While the palace was in chaos, the golden palanquin of Liang entered the Qinghai Majestic Courtyard.
The Grand Qinghai Throne Room fell silent as drum rolls and gongs announced the arrival of the Khan Road to the Sky.
Everyone kowtowed in respect. As the Beauty Emperor stepped out of his ornate palanquin, a fragrant scent filled the air.
Xiao Ce's entrances were always accompanied by beauty, and today was no different. His world was like an intoxicating blend of perfumes and elegance.
He melted hearts as he strode through the courtyard.
But suddenly, he stopped.
He cast a gloomy glance toward the blindfolded Chu Qiao, who knelt in a kowtow position.
Though most were mesmerized by his presence, few understood why he stopped. Chu Qiao, meanwhile, could only feel her heart race and her breath quicken.
Xiao Ce did not look down but exhaled deeply and continued walking.
Upon entering the Qinghai court, everyone struggled to comprehend what they were witnessing.
The finest Liang maidservants performed a seductive mirror dance for the Qinghai audience, sprinkling vanilla salts and perfume. The crowd, their faces hidden behind masks, was in awe.
Some found the spectacle captivating, others ridiculous, while many were simply shocked. Yet no one dared to criticize the beauty of the sensual display.
Chu Qiao, disgusted by the performance, irritably said to Ping'An, "Close your eyes! You shouldn't see this."
She knocked Ping'An's head to break his gaze from the maidservants.
Meanwhile, some of the Qinghai ministers, feeling more at ease, began to joke and laugh, saying, "That's it, we can all go home now."
Yuwen Yue was familiar with Xiao Ce's style how he used beauty and spectacle to dazzle and distract. This was no different from the grand entrances he had made in the past.
The Beauty Emperor's arrival amused the Qinghai court, and reactions were mixed.
Xiao Ce's grand entrance was meant to create an impact, and it had done just that.
As the crowd whispered and speculated, spies discreetly relayed messages through secret channels.
Xiao Ce, understanding the effect of his entrance, prepared to make his next move.
When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but firm.
"Tell me, is this how Qinghai welcomes guests on the Khan Road to the Sky?"
Ra Yue, maintaining his composure, responded, "Revenge was never part of my plan, but accidents do happen."
Xiao Ce, with a knowing smile, replied, "I don't call it revenge. Returning a favor sounds much better, don't you think?"
The two rulers stood before each other, their words charged with meaning, as if they were the only gods conversing before a goddess whose beauty could launch a thousand ships.
Ra Yue, casting a cold glance at the blindfolded Chu Qiao, made sure she heard every word.
"I trust the Emperor of the South has not forgotten the purpose of his long journey on the Khan Road to the Sky," Ra Yue said, pausing for effect before continuing, "If you wish to punish her, then this journey is pointless."
The Qinghai court was stunned by his bold statement.
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder.
"Is he defending her or insulting the Beauty Emperor?"
"Who is this woman deserving of royal attention?"
"Is the Crown Prince of Qinghai preparing for war?"
The atmosphere was tense as the ministers speculated and braced for Xiao Ce's response.
Surprisingly, Xiao Ce remained calm, thinking, "This is exactly what I expected from Ra Yue."
Xiao Ce then swayed his head and, locking eyes with Ra Yue, gave him a sweet smile before speaking.
"All these years, you've never changed. As cold as Qinghai's snow-capped mountains, your heart remains frozen. I intend to thaw it, just a little."
With that, Xiao Ce clapped his hands.
Sun Di came forward, blindfolding Chu Qiao and dragging her in front of the Qinghai court.
The court was stunned by the sight of her.
Xiao Ce, continuing to push Ra Yue, said, "I shall punish and reward my savior by making her my captive. I will take her back to my empire, and you can have whatever rewards you desire as her Qinghai beneficiary."
The words were polite but cutting, leaving the Qinghai ministers puzzled but not offended.
Chu Qiao, though outwardly calm, listened to every word, her heart hoping for Ra Yue to offer a way out.
Inside, Ra Yue was torn, knowing he had rehearsed this scenario many times. He compared it to "two dogs fighting over a single bone."
After a long pause, Ra Yue coldly said, "Carry on. Bring in the rewards."
Chu Qiao's heart skipped a beat. She had braced herself for this moment, wrapping herself in the coldness that had long defined Ra Yue.
Ra Yue, ever the tactician, had pleased everyone in the room, just as he had always done in the Greenhills courtyard.
When he had to face an open trial and answer to the Redhills Courtyard, along with Master Yuwen Huai, regarding his grandfather Yuwen Xi's death, Yuwen Yue took the most dangerous but necessary action to save Xing'er's life.
Without compromising his position or his grandfather Yuwen Gao of the Greenhills Courtyard, Yuwen Yue saw no other way to save her than to temporarily stop her heart using a specialized acupuncture technique, one known only to Yuwen heirs.
While Yuwen Huai strangled Xing'er, her face turning blue, Yuwen Yue had to act swiftly to save the last breath from her body. With cold cruelty laced with mercy, Yuwen Yue spoke calmly: "A woman I cannot control is no better than a dead body."
Xing'er's body collapsed, vomiting blood. She looked at Yuwen Yue with immense pain before losing consciousness. Yuwen Yue ordered Yue Qi to take her away, but Yuwen Huai was unconvinced that Xing'er was truly dead. Yue Qi, however, trusted his master's actions to save her life.
Master Yuwen Huai asked Master Zhang to examine her body. Master Zhang complied and confirmed that she was indeed dead.
Yuwen Huai, now insulted, sneered at Yuwen Yue, saying, "Yuwen Yue, I have underestimated you today."
Yuwen Yue, maintaining his calm facade despite his racing pulse, knew that time was running out to save Xing'er. Swallowing his cousin's insult, he merely replied, "My servants die by my hand."
Even in the midst of Xing'er's apparent death, Yuwen Yue managed to offer a polite farewell to Master Zhang and Master Yuwen Huai before the trial ended. He then ordered Yue Qi to take Xing'er's body, masking his emotions as he looked at her lifeless form.
Everyone was left disarmed. No one dared to refute Yuwen Yue, and Yue Qi carried away Xing'er's temporarily dead body.
Yuwen Yue walked quickly until he encountered Tai Wei, the Imperial Eunuch of the Great Summer Emperor.
The eunuch bowed and greeted Yuwen Yue, delivering an urgent message.
"Kong Zi, Young Master Yuwen Yue, His Majesty summons you."
Though Yuwen Yue was in a hurry, he hid his anxiety and replied, "Very well. Please wait while I change my clothes at home."
Tai Wei, pressing the urgency, said, "There is no time for you to change, Young Master Yue. His Majesty will be angry if you delay."
Yuwen Yue quickly adjusted his plans. He ordered Yue Qi to take Xing'er's body and await further instructions.
Yuwen Yue then performed a kowtow before remaining kneeling in the Great Summer Throne Room while the Emperor silently wrote manuscripts.
As Yuwen Yue knelt, he observed the scattered white stones and candles in the throne room, his mind drifting as he glanced at the hourglass.
"My needle struck the Guan Yuan acupuncture point on Xing'er, blocking her blood flow and inducing a death-like state. But if not treated in time, the blocked blood will kill her."
Yuwen Yue's chest tightened as if he were on the verge of suffocation. He took deep breaths, glancing at the hourglass again.
Finally, the Great Summer Emperor spoke, interrogating Yuwen Yue about the events in the Celestial Prison.
Yuwen Yue was accused of robbery and murder in the prison, but he pleaded not guilty, explaining that he had only been there to kill the assassins.
The Great Summer Emperor responded, "So, it was you."
Yuwen Yue, in an honest tone, confirmed, "Yes," and elaborated on his actions and motives.
The Emperor's face wrinkled with distrust and dismay at Yuwen Yue's explanation.
When Yuwen Yue finished, the Emperor, still polite, remarked, "You are quite honest."
Despite the apparent compliment, the remark carried a negative undertone.
Yuwen Yue thanked the Emperor, knowing that a Yuwen heir would face harsh consequences. As expected, the Great Summer Emperor assigned him to the Wei frontier, where he would defend the borders, while Yuwen Huai took over the Eyes of God.
Yuwen Yue heard the order but kept his thoughts focused on the hourglass.
The Emperor noticed his distraction but chose to ignore it, asking if Yuwen Yue would obey the order. Without emotion, Yuwen Yue replied, "I will obey."
Tai Wei and the Emperor briefly discussed Yuwen Yue's new post. Tai Wei questioned the Emperor's trust in Yuwen Yue, but the Emperor simply replied, "He is not one of us."
Despite his denial, the Emperor recognized that Yuwen Yue followed his own principles, with or without approval.
Yuwen Yue then rushed back to the Greenhills Courtyard, heading straight to Xing'er's room. But when he arrived, he found only another maidservant. Anxiously, he asked where Xing'er was.
The maidservant informed him that Xing'er had died and that Master Zhou Mao had taken her body to be buried. Yuwen Yue's face paled as if he were dying himself.
He mounted his horse and rode swiftly.
On this eventful day, Yuwen Yue unexpectedly encountered the Skyshadow Sleeve Master, the Princess of Liang, who had planned an ambush for him and the Yue guards.
Yin Xin and Tao Ye fought fiercely, while Yuwen Yue was momentarily distracted by Princess Xiao Yu as they engaged in martial combat.
Yue Qi arrived during the killing spree and helped Yuwen Yue escape, but the fanatical Yin Xin tried to stop him again. In his haste, Yuwen Yue used the Poe Yue Jian sword to slash Yin Xin's neck. Blood gushed from the wound, and though Princess Xiao Yu attempted to rescue him, it was too late, Yin Xin died instantly.
Riding at full speed, Yuwen Yue finally reached the graveyard.
With a heavy heart, he searched for Xing'er's body, only to find a pile of ashes that appeared to have been burned.
The Yue guards desperately fetched water to douse the flames, but it was too late.
After the fire was extinguished, Yuwen Yue knelt, his hands sifting through the blackened ashes, hoping to find any remains of Xing'er. His breath quickened when he unearthed a metal ring.
It was the killer ring he had given to Xing'er, what he called the "finger knife."
The haunting memories of yesteryears returned to Yuwen Yue's mind, making him cherish the beautiful, blindfolded figure before him today. He looked at her, his face cold but his hands warm and gentle as they comforted Xing'er's soul.
The Qinghai Empire and the Beauty Emperor watched in awe, with murmurs filling the air.
"Why do I have goosebumps? Is there romance in the air? Am I the only one seeing this? Why would the Crown Prince lay a hand on a commoner? What is special about her?"
Chu Qiao didn't move, but she felt the mixture of coldness and warmth from the moment.
The question remained: would she abide by what Yuwen Yue had said?
After untying the blindfold from her face, Yuwen Yue glanced at her dirty sandals, worn and wrapped around her delicate feet. With compassion in his eyes, he signaled to Yue Qi to bring her a new pair of beautiful shoes.
The Qinghai maidservants approached, carrying a basin of pure water and a white velvety washcloth.
Chu Qiao hesitated but gave in when Yue Qi nodded at her. The maidservants began to wash her feet, then dressed them in elegant winter boots that fit perfectly.
This simple act was a way of receiving Chu Qiao's unspoken agreement.
Chu Qiao, thinking to herself, wondered, "How did he know my size?"
She didn't protest but instead reflected on Yuwen Yue's change in behavior and remembered the grave of Xing'er.
Before anyone could react, Xiao Ce spoke, leaving no room for the Qinghai ministers to respond.
"Very well. My stay here ends now. I must return to my empire and bring your hero along with me."
He looked at Ra Yue and said, "The footwear is nice. I'm surprised to see that you chose to give her away rather than prick her body with your acupuncture skills that only an heir knows."
Xiao Ce knew what Yuwen Yue had done to Xing'er in the past, nearly killing her to save her.
She had been a discarded pawn in order to save her from execution at the Redhills Courtyard. But that day was full of surprises for Yuwen Yue. It had been Zhong Yu's spying that ultimately saved Xing'er.
Had it not been for Yan Xun's order to find Xing'er, Zhong Yu might not have risked it, as it was too dangerous. The Wei's Oriole Courtyard, where the Prince of Yanbei was detained, was heavily guarded after the Emperor learned what Yuwen Yue had done in the Celestial Prison.
Yan Xun knew that Master Yuwen Huai of the Redhills Courtyard was vile and unforgiving. Though his resources were limited, Yan Xun sent Zhong Yu to save Xing'er.
Xiao Ce, flashing his white teeth in a smile, turned to Chu Qiao and said, "You will come with me to my empire. I will make sure you receive the treatment you deserve."
Chu Qiao's eyes, so beautiful, left everyone speechless.
She gave Yuwen Yue a sharp look, but no goodbye was spoken. Silence lingered.
Yuwen Yue's heart skipped a beat, but he knew that to save her, he had to let her go. He could no longer control fate. Letting her go meant a chain of actions that would unfold in time.
He must let go and not control their fate. Letting her go means nothing but following through a series of actions. Until then, Yuwen Yue chose a higher path to walk, and redeeming her is the end goal.
Can Yuwen Yue endure the memories he recollects and not remember the beauty?
"Of all things you can give, why a pair of winter boots?" asked someone standing beside Yuwen Yue.
"Father, because a woman once told me: 'I can't be your fairytale.'
I hope the pair of winter boots helps her find her fairytale. I always hope that in every step she takes, she will find the fairytale back to Qinghai."
Two pairs of lovely eyes quietly watched the thin snowfall and embraced the coldness of the gloomy skies.
When they arrived at the palace gates of Qinghai, suddenly the first snowfall of the year landed on her rosy cheeks.
It was cold, and the Beauty Emperor was waiting inside the Grand Palanquin, but she stood outside as if she would do so forever.
She did not even thank the cold prince who gave her the new winter boots.
Yuwen Yue knew she would need them to protect her feet from the harsh coldness of the hinterland wilderness. They were an important possession if she wanted to live long while traveling the Khan Road to the Sky.
Calm and composed, Yuwen Yue watched the beauty from a distance until the convoy and caravans were gone. He stood there for hours and did not leave his post until dawn. He finally said, "Wait for me until the new moon comes."
The Beauty Emperor traveled back to the Liang Empire via the Khan Road to the Sky.
He thought he was safer and more content now that he had stolen the beauty from Yuwen Yue.
He was quite touched when Yuwen Yue changed Chu Qiao's dirty sandals. But giving shoes as a gift means you are sending your loved one away from you.
Has Yuwen Yue totally forgotten her and given her away forever?
Xiao Ce's thoughts tempted him to think this way, but he wouldn't allow himself to feel it, lest he forget why he came to find his savior.
The beauty was sitting in a Buddha position behind the Beauty Emperor inside the Grand Palanquin. But she seemed more like a stranger than a friend to her best friend.
She wanted to joke or pick a fight with Xiao Ce, but it seemed the Beauty Emperor was more serious than he had been in their former days. However, she also thought, why would she receive this special treatment of riding in his grand palanquin back to the Liang Empire?
Chu Qiao was thinking otherwise.
Xiao Ce closed his eyes most of the time while both of them sat quietly in the grand palanquin.
He wanted to hug her and welcome her, but he pretended he did not know her, lest he reveal his racing pulse and rapid heartbeat. He had never been much in control of his emotions, until today.
After many nights and days of travel, the Grand Palanquin finally arrived at the Liang Empire.
Xiao Ce dropped the beauty in the middle of Xue Fu Street, so uncaring and indifferent. The Liang horsemen tapped their horses, and the Grand Palanquin slowly rode into the distance.
Xiao Ce's eyes were tempted to look at the beauty; he glanced sideways but didn't say a word. He pretended he did not know her and turned a blind eye to the beauty.
Knowing in advance, Xiao Ce had already taken care of everything before this historic journey along the Khan Road to the Sky. He expected these things to happen, and all went according to his plan.
He felt he was the happiest emperor living on earth.
Chu Qiao was left alone in the middle of Xue Fu Street. Looking down and walking slowly, she smiled like a child at her winter boots but turned a bitter face when she thought:
"Winter boots are fine, but can my heart be well too?"
All of a sudden, a camel and a donkey, droopy with saliva pouring to the ground, appeared in her sight.
Both animals could not complain but clearly showed the weariness of their bodies.
The owner said, "Come on! I just fetched a drum of water and stored it in your mouth. You cannot sleep here!" grumbled the owner.
Suddenly, Chu Qiao spanked the owner and said,
"Who told you to mistreat these humble animals? Huh? Huh?"
Chu Qiao was about to hit his head like a mother scolding her son.
Suddenly, the owner opened his cloak and said,
"Easy, easy, Master Chu. It is I, Ping'An. I have a slight animal issue. Can't you see?"
Chu Qiao finally let go of her weariness and threw herself into the middle of the street. She said, "Fine, what is your animal issue?"
Ping'An started to laugh and couldn't complain anymore.
The two warm bodies laughed out loud and went for a long walk and talk that night.
Ping'An asked his Master Chu if she wanted to live with Mei Xiang, who was waiting for her return on Xue Fu Street. Chu Qiao eventually agreed to come with Ping'An and live with Mei Xiang.
When she arrived, the Kowloon Noodle House had not changed except for the closed restaurant with empty tables and seats. She did not reopen the Kowloon Noodle House but started a new business with the help of Zao Baocung.
With the small capital she earned when she used to be a trader of dried plum fruits and fine silks in Qinghai back to the Moon Kingdom, she used the profits to construct a new hotel.
Chu Qiao lived a quiet life on Xue Fu Street.
If not always stirred by a celestial being every day, she could call it a simple and happy life.
The Beauty Emperor offered her every penny as a reward, but Chu Qiao rejected everything, saying,
"Being the Beauty Emperor's captive is already a reward. I already have your kindness. Your Majesty, why do you keep bugging Xue Fu Street every day?"
The Beauty Emperor, mesmerized by her angry eyes, couldn't respond rationally but kept an indifferent face, saying,
"Did you know that it is rude to reject an offer? This is not even a reward but a punishment. I am your captor, but you dare to reject your punishment every day? Why?"
Chu Qiao wanted to continue pretending in Xiao Ce's mockery games, but she was tired of acting in this role-play with her best friend. She said,
"Why do I reject it? Because you are getting obvious every day."
Xiao Ce raised his sword-like eyebrows; the amused arched lips and blinking foxy eyes were shut on the spot. He couldn't argue anymore, thinking,
"This is a slap to my face; how can I still come to see her with this kind of face?"
Chu Qiao laughed, feeling as if she had slapped Xiao Ce's face three thousand times, and looked at his clumsy, bumbling expression.
Chu Qiao was waiting for any reply, but there was none.
So she dismissed her best friend casually.
"If you come again tomorrow asking the same thing, I won't be afraid to invade your chambers and seduce you to kill you."
Xiao Ce smiled, tickled by his romantic feelings towards Chu Qiao. He started to show a gloomy eye, sincere but sad, and said,
"I think I'd like to be seduced. But the killing part, I don't believe your hands will harm someone you dearly loved in the past."
Xiao Ce had just revealed a memory of the past to her. But shifting his facial expression, he squinted his eyes, giving Chu Qiao direct eye contact. Back to a mocking tone, he said,
"Hey, did we really know each other in the past?"
His foxy eyes, to die for, beamed at her. Then, returning to his serious face, he added, "I'll make sure I am ready. I will wait for you."
The Beauty Emperor laughed out loud and left Xue Fu Street cheerfully.
The royal guards did not understand, but who would dare to question the Beauty Emperor?
It seemed these were all mixed signals Chu Qiao needed to decode and understand.
She finally dismissed the thought.
"So what now? This is tiring. I am so tired of the Beauty Emperor's role-playing."
But a corner of her mind shouted,
"Try, for one night. You might find the answers you want to know. Besides, it seems the Beauty Emperor not only gave his approval but insists, for god's sake!"
Chu Qiao thought this was crazy, but maybe if she started to bring the knife to his chambers, Xiao Ce might stop pestering Xue Fu Street.
She laughed heartily as she ended the happy thoughts.
Days and nights turned into months, and months into a year.
Xiao Ce had never been happier whenever he visited the tomb of the Phoenix Empress.
He thought he would be single forever.
Sun Di asked him, "Your Majesty, why do you keep mourning her when she is alive and well?"
"She is the love of my life, and yet I can only watch her from a distance. I am still dreaming because she is still under my care. She chose to live on Xue Fu Street, took a simple life, and never dared to come and talk to me."
Xiao Ce turned sad eyes toward the empty mausoleum of the Phoenix Empress.
"And you often come to see her in person, yet you disguise yourself as a common man just to look after her," said Sun Di.
"How can I stop loving her when loving her means she has to die every day in my heart like this..." Xiao Ce couldn't stop the words pouring from his mouth.
Sun Di understood and replied,
"That is deep, Your Majesty. Do you really have to punish yourself this way? Why don't you just go and tell her the truth? I think she is also waiting for you to return to your former self."
"Really?" Xiao Ce smiled, raised his beautiful eyebrows, and said,
"General, you never fail to uplift me, and you just know the words I want to hear."
Sun Di smiled bitterly and said,
"I think Your Majesty has been very lonely for a long time. Tell me if there is a way I can contribute to your happiness."
Xiao Ce's eyes bloomed like a beautiful budding flower as he said,
"My happiness is to see Qiao Qiao marry Yuwen Yue. How is this possible when the cold Qinghai Prince does not even come and visit the Khan Road to the Sky? He must return my favor, don't you think?"
Sun Di beamed at him and said,
"This is impossible happiness, Your Majesty. Why do you disown your own happiness, take yourself out of the equation, and nominate the Master Ice Cube?"
"Understand this,"
Xiao Ce, speaking from his heart, continued,
"I had my chance, and my dream came true for a day, but every time a dream comes true, the gods snatch it away. I got tired of it. I am so tired of making dreams come true. Let it be a dream, and this empty mausoleum is my reality."
Sun Di could not find words to appease the Beauty Emperor's heart. He said,
"Very well, may Your Majesty perform this celestial favor so well that you may reap good rewards, whether in this life or in the afterlife."
Xiao Ce heard what he liked to hear, tapped Sun Di's shoulder, and said,
"Just be by my side and be loyal to me. That's all it takes."
Sun Di nodded at Xiao Ce, and they took their horses back to Daoming Palace.
Although the beauty lived a quiet and low-profile life, there were days when some of her former comrades visited the newly opened hotel.
He Xiao, in disguise, came to deliver fresh fruits and flowers. He said to Mei Xiang,
"Please give this to General Chu."
Chu Qiao received He Xiao's deliveries, then read a short note:
"General Chu, if you want to come in secret, please meet your Xuili in Tang Jing Mountains."
After the civil unrest in the Liang Empire, the Xuili Army was driven to the farthest reaches of the Tang Jing Mountains and settled in the forest.
The army had greatly assisted in fighting the insurgency in the main city but lost almost half of its population during battles from the third to second prefectures.
They were not able to wipe out all of former Empress Yuan's alliances but defeated General Sui. He Xiao finally ascertained his loyalty to the throne.
While Prince Luo was captured and detained in the secret prison of Liang, Empress Yuan eluded capture during the bloody conflicts but died during the Phoenix Empress's enthronement.
Although the Xuili Army proved their loyalty to the present Emperor, they were responsible for General Sui's death. This put them in a politically unstable position with the Liang Empire's ministers and noble clans.
Hence, Xiao Ce decommissioned the Xuili Army and passed a decree to place them in concentration camps atop the Tang Jing Mountains.
No outsider was allowed to trespass.
In reality, the Xuili Army was supposed to appear as if they received punishment from the Beauty Emperor for the death of General Sui. But the death of the respectable Duke of Liang helped Xiao Ce's reign gain peace and stability. Again, Xiao Ce mastered public perception by wearing masks; the Xuili's punishment became a retirement haven. Indeed, one can never say a punishment is always negative and a reward is always positive when Xiao Ce continues to play his pantomime.
"Okay, this is it!"
Chu Qiao burned He Xiao's note.
She did not want to boss around but wanted to know the situation in the Xuili Army. She said,
"Can I drop by the Xuili camp and just become a ghost?"
"Ping'An, bring me my horse. I have work to do." Chu Qiao was putting on her winter boots; she looked stunning. She stood up and put on her long dark, blood-red hoodie.
Before Ping'An could speak, Chu Qiao added, "And shut your mouth, just do as I say!"
Ping'An did not complain but prepared two horses; he could not let Chu Qiao ride alone.
"Master Chu, the horse is waiting outside."
Chu Qiao went outside but saw two horses waiting, not one. Ping'An stood beside the other horse and said, "I will be in stealth mode. You go and do not worry about me."
Chu Qiao wrinkled her brows and said, "Who said I would ride alone?"
The youngster's head went down; he looked up straight at his master and said, "Are you sure, Master? I can ride with you?"
Chu Qiao climbed on her horse and, in a sarcastic tone, said, "Are you deaf or what? Do you want to repeat every word I just said?"
Ping'An climbed on his horse too.
"Hee-yah!"
Chu Qiao tapped the horse's side, and the two warm bodies sped into a fast run.
After six hours, they finally arrived at the Tang Jing Mountains, though still far from the main gate. It was Chu Qiao's first time seeing it up close, and she said, "Is this Xuili's concentration camp? This is a horrible place."
Suddenly, hundreds of mirrors turned 180 degrees, and burning torches reflected light below. Before anyone could react, Ping'An jumped from his horse and used his cape to sweep away all the auto-crossbow arrows fired at Chu Qiao. His martial arts were excellent, and Chu Qiao was impressed.
Pretending not to be surprised, Chu Qiao said, "Impressive. You know all of these traps?"
Ping'An bowed to his master, replying, "Yes, Master Chu. I know all of the stratagems planted around this place."
"Hmm… good. Take me there, and make sure we stay alive before any of these traps drain our energy."
Chu Qiao was about to walk when Ping'An warned her, "Master Chu, you have to stop right there."
"After the Beauty Emperor's miraculous escape from near-death, this was the first project he focused on. Follow my footsteps, and we'll both arrive safely at the beautiful paradise resting on top of this mountain."
Ping'An also added, "Master, when we reach the top, you'll understand why."
"You could tell me now," Chu Qiao teased, her voice light.
Ping'An, knowing many things, explained, "It was primarily built as an observatory prefecture, where you can see the shooting stars in a clear sky, the harsh winter lands of Yanbei, and behold the Great Wall that leads to Qinghai. Everything within these perimeters is not so nice and not so friendly, as he always says."
Chu Qiao smirked and said, "You really know the Beauty Emperor well. Let's hurry up, then. I want to see it before nightfall."
"A pontoon bridge?" Chu Qiao shouted to Ping'An.
"Yes, Master. No one can pass unless Xuili opens the pontoon bridge. Please be quiet." Ping'An whistled like a bird, and suddenly the Cangwu birds echoed his whistle.
Chu Qiao was amazed by the singing birds and said, "The trill of the Cangwu birds! Wow!"
"Yes, of course. Master Chu, everyone in Xuili has to practice the trill of the Cangwu birds, or they cannot enter this so-called paradise forest."
Chu Qiao suspected that Master Xie Tai Shan's lodge was near Tang Jing Mountain, as this location was between the borders of the Liang and Wei Empires, where many Cangwu birds resided in their natural habitat.
After the trill of the Cangwu birds, which lasted for 30 minutes, the mountain suddenly fell silent.
A squeaking noise was heard as the moss-covered pontoon bridge, wrapped with wild, delicate forest flowers, slowly extended to reach the other side. Like a puzzle, the short pontoon bridge pivoted to a 180-degree position and extended slightly further to where they stood. Chu Qiao thought,
"There is a special mechanism attached here, something only a Mohist master could create and design."
He Xiao was waiting on the other side and said, "Welcome, General Chu Qiao, to the Xuili Army's concentration camp."
"Shut up, He Xiao!" Chu Qiao smiled at the handsome, ever-gorgeous Xuili Deputy. He Xiao laughed and said, "Thanks so much for coming. This is still unbelievable, General."
Chu Qiao frowned, saying, "Are you going to keep me waiting here all night?"
He Xiao chuckled and responded, "Ah, my apologies, General Chu. In fact, we have prepared a small gathering for you."
"How did you know I was coming today?" Chu Qiao asked, though not really surprised.
He Xiao glanced at Ping'An and said, "From Yanbei to Liang, he is the best spy and most loyal person to General Chu. I trust him. How was the turkey on fire, General Chu?"
Ping'An smiled as they followed He Xiao into the concentration camp. When they arrived, Lieutenants Ge Qi and Wu Danyu greeted them from both sides.
"General Chu, what a pleasant surprise," said Ge Qi as he handed jade goblets to Chu Qiao, He Xiao, and Ping'An.
"Welcome once again, my General," Wu Danyu said, raising the jade goblet in the air in a toasting gesture toward Chu Qiao. Everyone followed.
The surprise visit quickly turned into a reunion celebration. Chu Qiao had never been happier, meeting her former comrades and talking to them as though it had been only yesterday.
They received the rations and armaments that Chu Qiao had sent through Zao Baocung while she worked closely with the Moon Kingdom to elevate its economic status.
He Xiao displayed many small spirit tablet necklaces made of wood, hanging from the Xuili banner flagpole. The engraved names belonged to the brave and fallen warriors of Xuili's renowned Firefox Dog Army.
Chu Qiao paid her respects, writing Chinese inscriptions on the ground to honor their memory.
"从美丽到灰烬，勇敢与堕落永远不会忘记"
"From beauty to ashes, the brave and the fallen are never forgotten."
From that day onward, Chu Qiao maintained open contact with the Xuili Army. Occasionally, she sat with the officers and listened to updates on Yanbei's hostile attacks at the Yanming Guan Pass, aided by Prince Yuan Yang of Wei.
The two forces had joined together, fortifying their alliance with the goal of creating a powerful opposing force. Meanwhile, Prince Yuan Che, stationed at the frontier defending Wei's walls, left a deep void after their forces split.
The Yanming Guan Pass was a strategic stronghold that Wei could not afford to lose. Its collapse would compromise the empire's major frontiers and weaken its security.
Losing control of the pass could also make the Great Summer Empire vulnerable to attacks on its smaller cities, though Chang'An would remain a fortified city as long as the Great Summer Dynasty ruled. The Eyes of God, a massive clockwork mechanism, still protected the city, capable of mass destruction around Hong Chuan City, amidst its vast nomad plateaus.
Prince Yuan Yang knew this well and dared not to attack again after their last encounter. However, the King of Yanbei, ambitious and ruthless, sought to break through the fortified walls and reduce them to ashes.
Yan Xun's dark plots remained unquenched. He had said,
"Even if the Beauty Army were to collide with and block the Black Eagle Cavalry, no one who stands in the way of the world will be forgiven."
No comments:
Post a Comment