Chapter 9

As soon as we got back to HanQing courtyard, we immediately got an edict from the Emperor to the imperial study. I don’t need to think about that our deeds was exposed to the public.

Therefore, when Tong Jin and I entered the imperial study, we were not surprised to see the gloomy Emperor. But surprisingly, in addition to the Emperor, there were also some important officials, even Tong Yin was among them.

“Where did you go?” The Emperor asked coldly.

“We’ve gone to the left prime minister’s mansion...” In the cold eyes of the Emperor, I did not dare lie and answered truthfully.

“What? You’ve gone to the left prime minister’s mansion?” The Emperor was so startled that his eyes almost popped out.

“What did you do?”

“I just wandered around, but didn’t see anything.” A gentleman is honest and upright, and a villain often feels sorrowful. I, Murong FangQing, am definitely a gentleman!

“You, you...” The Emperor was so angry that he almost broke his fingers by pointing at me.

“Do you know you just came back from a trip to hell... Tong Jin, you say, what did he do there?” Knowing nothing from my mouth, the Emperor turned to Tong Jin into confession.

Tong Jin was so scared that he knelt in the ground and kowtowed. Hearing the Emperor asked him, he dared not hide anything. He fully explain today’s dialogue between me and the left prime minister.

I kept my eyebrows low and my eyes closed. I didn’t dare speak again.

It took a long time before I heard the Emperor slowly said, “The left prime minister is the assistant minister left by the former Emperor. He has always been powerful. With the old Ministry in his hands, he acted arbitrarily and despised me. I never found the chance to punish this old thief, mainly because he’s always careful in handling affairs, plus he’s also an unknown person. If I kill him, I’m afraid it will make people all over the world feel cold and say what the Emperor is. Thus he became a thorn in my heart... However, it seems his strength has been exhausted lately. Qing-er, in your field, it might lead me to take shots and take away his insidiousness.”

“Your Majesty, more than that,” This time, a minister at the top of the right stepped out of the crowd and bowed, “It is well known that Consort Qing is deeply loved by the Emperor. This trip of Consort Qing can not only create an atmosphere of harmony between the monarch and the minister, but also benevolent to our Yu Han. If the other side rebelled, he will only show his disobedience, and wouldn’t let people talk... Ha ha, Madame Consort provided the Emperor with this opportunity to punish this rebellious minister. This move is retreatable, really wonderful.”

“Madame Consort is so clever!” The ministers shouted in unison. These words awakened the dreamer.

“That’s all.” The Emperor smiled, “Don’t praise him. Although this is wonderful, but it’s dangerous. If the minister’s heart has a bad heart, it might kill...”

Speaking ‘till here, the Emperor was obviously quite surprised. “Qing-er, I won’t allow you to do such a dangerous thing in the future.”

“Okay.” When I heard this, I responded softly, my heart as warm as spring.

“He he,” At this time, another minister came out and said, “Your Majesty need not worry. The left side is afraid to fight against the grass and scare the snake[1]. Madame Consort is a member of the deep palace, he is inferior to the Emperor in status. It’s no good for him to hurt Madame. Presumably, Madame Consort expected this layer, so he dared act rashly! Yu Han’s imperial court has such a deep understanding of the important principle of justice. Madame Consort are both wise and brave is indeed the Emperor’s fortune from heaven!”

In one shot, someone immediately echoed, “Your Majesty is wise! Madame Consort is virtuos! The blessings of all people!”

All at once, all the ministers sang together and knelt down to plead.

“Humiliates and insult the officials. We’d like to ask the Emperor under the decree to punish this rebellious old thief!”

Sweat...

“What’s going on?” Seeing such a scene, I couldn’t help but ask the Emperor quietly.

The Emperor chuckled, “Qing-er, this time the court officials will submit to you.”

Sweat...

It was just a trip. Why are you exaggerating?

However, this is a good opportunity. I cannot let it pass. I stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, now is the time to employ. General Ling is also a talented person. Why don’t you give him a chance to make up for his mistakes?”

At the mention of him, the Emperor’s beaming face darkened immediately. He was not afraid of the presence of so many ministers. He raised his eyebrows and said coldly, “The water tastes light and clear while the oil is slippery and muddy. I don’t know whether Ling Kai is water or oil. Letting him go is like letting the tiger return to mountains, that’s just one more dangerous factor.”

Hmph! What brings a tiger back to the mountain? It’s clearly his own personal revenge! It’s a pity I only scold in my heart. But I still need to follow the good guidance in my mouth, “Of course, the Emperor’s ‘close to the virtuous minister, alienate the villain’ is certainly good. But how many virtuous ministers can there be in ancient times? Villains can only be far away. And there are many talented people among villains! Even if it is oil, the Emperor’s way should let the gentleman and villains each have his own advantages and do his best. Right prime minister, wouldn’t you say so?” I put the question to the right prime minister who was nodding to me like a chicken pecking rice, and decided to find someone to help me. It’s because there are more people plus more power.

“Madame is right.” Just now, the right prime minister was already on my side, and now he is supporting with great fanfare. “Besides, it’s not clear whether Ling Kai is water or oil. It would be too arbitrary to make such judgment. Even if it is oil, he’s still under the Emperor’s control, isn’t it a good chance to try him? Madame makes sense.” Sure enough, it’s my loyal supporter.

“Or...what is the Emperor afraid of?” I said. Please be ashamed, how can I force the Emperor to let Ling Kai out.

“Jest! If you want to die, you have to die. What am I afraid of him?” The Emperor was indeed displeased and walked coldly.

“Then why didn’t the Emperor dare to let him go?” I am more and more afraid of the Emperor, now I even dare to catch lice on the lion’s head.

“Let it go! What can a little Ling Kai do!” The Emperor was so furious and was about to take offense but he held it down for me.

“Your Majesty is wise and doesn’t joke. Right prime minister, would you please ask someone to release General Ling at once?” Before the Emperor finished speaking, I immediately stopped his words and did what I liked to hear.

“You...” The Emperor wasn’t the smartest person to react immediately. It’s just that it’s not easy to change your face in front of so many officials. He stared at me and said, “You played some tricks.”

“Thank you Your Majesty for your compliment.” I smiled like a flower.

What small tricks? It works!

As expected, the Emperor kept his word and soon released Ling Kai.

I saw him soon too. In the Emperor’s mind, he hoped to return the pearl of the monarch early, thank the ruler, and increase the wisdom of the monarch’s sword.

So it wasn’t an accident that I saw Ling Kai. Now that it’s over, I suspect that the Emperor’s actions were intentional — just to let me personally make a decision.

Only now, all speculations is redundant.

With a touch of sunrise and the shade of flowers everywhere, he and I both said our goodbyes.

“How are you?” It’s only been a couple of days that we hadn’t see each other. Ling Kai frowned a lot, but his eyes were still bright.

Why do you ask? Aren’t you even worse? I sighed and didn’t know how to answer.

“Thank you for saving me.” There was some dryness on his husky voice.

Save? I shook my head hurriedly... How could it be save? I pushed you into the fire pit and pulled you out.

The two of us were silent.

He suddenly gave me a hug, buried his head in my arms, and absorbed the smell, “This is the first and last time... Give me a memory!”

“Okay...” I didn’t know how to refuse, and I won’t refuse.

Is it raining or is it crying?

I felt his wetness and looked up at the colorful sky.

———

In mid-September of Yu Han’s calendar, as the Emperor expected, the left prime minister launched a rebellion. The Emperor started his crackdown and won the victory. The left prime minister was beheaded in the city.

General Ling Biao made great achievements in the war.

Rumor has it that Consort Qing, the most loved Consort of the Emperor, personally went to persuade the left prime minister but failed. The left side still insisted on sending troops. God’s will and people’s hearts were against each other.

There were few public opinions inside and outside. This is the first time that Yu Han’s imperial court has been overpowered in the harem. Consort Qing’s reputation is at its zenith.

In late September of Yu Han’s calendar, the monarchs of the moon state Yue JinShen and Xizhi state joined hands to weild their swords in the westward, straight to Yu Han’s border.

The wind and dust rolled, red flags hunted. The wind and clouds changed color, the heavens and earth shook. Cavalries flew by, suddenly covered the sky with dust and fog, whistling and rolling residual clouds.

In early October of Yu Han’s calendar, the Emperor led his army to meet the enemy. In addition to the prominent General Ling Biao, he also had the Consort Qing. It’s a strange thing for the country for the Consort to go out with the army. Hence, the central plains countries vary opinions.

Thousand of miles away in the wilderness located in the northern part of Wukete field, where the Yu Han’s army camped.

I sat in the camp, watching the Emperor and Ling Kai discussing military affairs, pointing out countries under the lights, I felt a little lost.

During this western expedition, the senior officials once intervened to stop, “The son of a thousand gold[2] will not sit under the eaves[3]. What’s more, the Emperor is the monarch of the country, Madame Consort is the precious body of gold and jade. Why should it easily take risks? I hope the Emperor thinks twice.”

But their remonstrance was quickly rejected by the Emperor, “The moon state headed west to shackle the Emperor. The monarch set an example and stood in front of the battlefield. If I do not go out personally, will it not disappoint all the army and make the world laugh? And now that the internal troubles have gone and the overall situation has settled, it is a good time to remove the threat from the border and to raise our national prestige. Do you want me to give up? As for my Consort following the army, I own claims. You don’t have a say.”

But in private, the Emperor gave me more explanations.

“We are too entangled with Prince Cui Ming that we have to resolve it ourselves. Besides, he has an agreement with me in March.”

Then he held me and kissed me on my pink cheek.

I pushed him away, I held my chest with both hands and smiled coldly, “You knew Cui Xiu was from the moon state. Maybe he didn’t go back?”

“He will go. Now he needs power and you...” The Emperor smiled faintly and took me back into his arms. “Even so, I will not return you to him.”

What was that? I frowned.

“I’m not yours nor his. What’s there to return?”

“Yes! My Qing-er is unique.” The Emperor said with a sense of pride.

I chuckled, “Everyone is unique.”

The Emperor also smiled, “But in my eyes, you are unique.”

“This...” I rolled my eyes and said, “Can I understand that as flattering me?”

“This is natural.” The Emperor’s sword eyebrows moved and suddenly said, “Qing-er, have you ever blamed me?”

“Why blame you?”

The Emperor sighed, “I used to love myself so much that I couldn’t put down so many things that I missed your feelings.”

“Qing-er...have you ever blamed me?” He said this really.

I lowered my head.

I’m not angry. Just a little helpless and disappointed. But how can I tell him? What should I say?

I chose silence.

It was autumn night. The grass insects whispering under the moon.

Lifting up my head from the memories, I looked at the Emperor who was deeply magnanimous under the light.

Do I like the Emperor? Do I like him more than Cui Xiu? If so, what should I do?

The chill in autumn night was quite heavy. The chirps sounded and the cold air came through the bedding. There seemed to be a deafening sound in my ears, the sound of trembling battle horns, the sound of hoofs stepping on the ground and the sound of earth shaking.

I pulled off the quilt and came a low hiss in the air. The Emperor hadn’t returned yet, he must be outside discussing military affairs on the account. I put on my coat and walked out of the camp.

Except for the hunting sound of the wind blowing the banner, there was dead silence around.

An eight thousand miles of clouds and months have passed since they came to other places, and the war begun.

Looking up at the starry sky, I don’t understand why people in the same sky were killing each other. The thought that I pass the battlefield sent me shivers.

The depth of the water is so deep that it can’t bury birds in the wild! Stinking corpses and smoking ruins, a group of vultures hovering in the sky is a great tragedy in the world—

“Cold?” Suddenly there came a voice, a dark cloak came down.

I turned around and saw Ling Kai, “Why are you here?”

Ling Kai bowed and said, “It’s very dangerous. It’s better for Madame not to go out alone.”

“Is it?” I pulled off my coat. The Emperor used Ling Kai without any mustard and Ling Kai remained loyal to the Emperor, which I didn’t expect but pleased me most.

“Madame has worries?”

I laughed, “It’s nothing. Just lamenting the impermanence of life.”

Looking around, I unknowingly walked far away from the camp. The cold moonlight is falling, and under it is our elongated shadow.

Ling Kai stared at me before saying, “This is the way things are. Sometimes, things that never change will change overnight. I thought I had grasped the happiness in my hand, but I didn’t know it was just the wind in my fingers. I was doomed to have nothing.”

My eyes flickered and didn’t know how to answer. I lowered my head and said, “I think it’s about time the Emperor will come back. I should go back too.”

“Madame, take care of yourself.” There was a stiff voice behind.

I sighed and said, “Ling Kai, don’t blame me. I only hate that we meet too late, I hope time is a good cure for wounds and make you forget me.”

I quickened my pace and walked towards the camp. However, when I was a few steps away from the camp, I was shocked at the aggressive sound under my feet. Looking down, I saw a fluorescent feather dart inserted at my feet.

I took the feather dart and found it was a small note tied to the lower end of the arrow. I looked and saw there was only one small line in it, ‘I’ll see you at Huan Liu Ling at the end year of the third day’ The prints is a green and slender bamboo.

Cui Xiu? Is he nearby?

I looked around but only saw a vast land.

The sky is frosty and bright and the moon between the windows is full of cold radiance. Soon after I returned to the camp and lay down, the Emperor opened the camp cloth and came in, there was a twinkle in his eyes. As he reached out his hand, he came and hugged me, “Qing-er, we can go back soon.”

“Go back? Isn’t it still unfinished?” I was taken aback and asked the Emperor blankly.

“This time, the number of our two armies are equal. We may have to stand on YiYa fields to win the battle. This station will be over soon. Qing-er, then we can return home in triumph.” The Emperor raised his sword eyebrows and started rubbing my neck with his nose.

Arrogant! I didn’t infect you, did I?

“You think you have won. How many kinds of tactics have you taken?”

The Emperor smiled, “Qing-er, you won’t understand even if I say it.”

I’m angry, if I don’t understand then don’t say it!

The Emperor laughed and pressed me underneath for a full body search.

“This battle is different from the previous one. I’m afraid everyone is half-catty, no trick can be used. It’s all based on the morale of the army.”

“Then why don’t you go and feed the army?”

“He he!” The Emperor laughed a few times, “They’ve been feed already. Now it’s your turn to feed me, right?”

As he spoke, he began to untie my belt.

I grabbed his wolf’s paw to stop his stupid move, “Wait...wait!”

The Emperor actually stopped, his eyes twinkling like the morning star in the night sky. “Qing-er, do you believe me?”

“I believe!” I smiled, I believe you have paranoia!

“You are perfunctory to me.” The Emperor sighed and held me up. “Sometimes I’m very worried.”

Why? I tried to smooth his brow, but he grabbed my hand, sent it to his mouth and kissed it finely.

“If I give you a chance, will you go with Prince Cui Ming?”

I froze, wondering why the Emperor suddenly asked this question.

Seeing my silence, the Emperor sighed again.

“Qing-er, I also have fear.”

Speechless. It took me a long time to say, “Cui Xiu is also a member of moon state, is that hostile to us?”

“Qing-er, you don’t understand.” The Emperor smiled, “Now it is Yue JinShen, Prince Cui Ming’s half-brother who leads the troops and holds the power in the moon state. He and Prince Cui Ming are brothers but politically enemies. The defeat of their troops a year ago made them even more at odds. Therefore, this battle not only determined the relationship between Yu Han, Moon state and Xizhi but also involved the internal affair of moon state. If the moon state is defeated, Prince Cui Ming will certainly seize the throne.”

“Then Cui Xiu is on our side.”

“He doesn’t stand on our side, but he will definitely not oppose us... dear, you think more of him. These are to be solved by me. You will just obediently love me.”

Love your head! I quickly avoided the Emperor’s attack.

If he makes me weak, then what can I take to see Cui Xiu?

“Your Majesty, what a gentleman does or doesn’t do... Ah, don’t touch...ah...”

“Hmm...I warned you. If you beat me again, I will use coarse ones.”

Hmph! Who’s afraid of who?

“My palace warns you seriously in the way you warned: if you dare to use your hands again, I will scream molest here.”

“Hmph! I molested my Consort?”

“Ah? No Emperor molested his Consort?”

“There is now! Ha ha...” The hungry wolf immediately attacked the sheep.

“Ah!” I yelled. A fist of black tiger secretly greeted me! Even if there is no effect, you need to be psychologically balanced.

Waaa...why do I have to fight the Emperor when the war is almost over?

Footnotes

dàcǎojīngshé (idiom) - to inadvertently alert an enemy; to punish somebody as a warning to others

qiānjīnzhīzǐ (idiom) - children of wealthy people

zuòbùchiítáng (idiom) - keep out of danger