Chapter 42: Seamless (1)

Wei Yuan knelt stiffly on the side, clutching the White Tiger jade pendant, his fist pressed against the ground, almost bruising and bleeding. The jade was cold, like ice chilling the bones, and the beast's sharp claws pierced his palm, engraving the brand of a rebel on it, which could never be erased in his life.

Zi Hao looked on coldly. If it weren't for this person, how could there have been the rebellion of Zi Yan in the past? Timid and weak, the Fifth Brother who asked for peace every time he saw him, the one with the least harm among all the grandchildren and princesses, actually had the courage to plot usurpation and assassinate the Empress Dowager, and even escaped from the Di Du after the incident, reaching the Xuan State.

Who was whose pawn, and who overturned whose fate? At the line of victory or defeat, whose blood was on the sword edge? Under the long-letter lamp, who burned out their unwillingness and submission?

Since ancient times, there have been many things in the world; the winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit.

The veins on Wei Yuan's forehead bulged slightly, but he finally lowered his head, a sudden thought extinguished on the sharp edge of light and shadow, "The guilty minister... understands."

"You don't have to return to Chuan Yun Guan. Huang Fei's plan is detailed, and he is determined to win Chuan Yun Guan. Now that the three-day agreement is over, you don't need to have any more scruples. Directly order the garrisons at the three places of Xiachuan, Yinma, and Hanquan along the Hengling line to attack the Chi State. The action must be fast, and you must decide the outcome in one battle." The Eastern Emperor's voice was gentle and clear. He raised his eyes in an instant, and some old things seeped into the boundless darkness at the bottom of the light, leaving nothing behind. In front of him was still a trusted minister and a capable general. The meticulous words were entirely about the current situation.

Wei Yuan was still a little dazed and couldn't help but ask, "Chi State?"

Zi Hao nodded slightly and pointed backward, asking him to look at the map of rivers and mountains, "Take the Chi State and immediately force Shaoling. Since you want to fight, you might as well give him a painful one."

Wei Yuan had been on the battlefield for a long time after all. Being able to compete with figures like Huang Fei and Ji Cang for many years, he was naturally not a mediocre or reckless man. After settling his mind, he immediately realized the key. Chi Guo was a small country, a territory of less than a hundred miles between Chu and Mu. The Yu Nu River, originating from the West Kunlun, flowed through this place, depositing a large amount of gold sand along the way, and the Chi people had been panning for gold for generations, which was quite wealthy.

In these chaotic times, the Chu and Mu states coveted this treasure land, each eyeing it covetously, but precisely because of this, the two sides were in balance and restrained each other, and neither could succeed smoothly. The monarch of the Chi State also paid annual tribute to both sides, and the country was barely preserved.

Chu attacked Chuan Yun, and Mu attacked the Chi State. If Huang Fei remained unmoved, not only the Chi State, but also neighboring countries like Qi and Yue could become the Mu army's bag. If Huang Fei saved Shaoling, Wei Yuan could take the opportunity to retake Chuan Yun Guan, and at the same time, he could plunder pure gold of great value from the Chi State as spoils of war, which would be enough to explain the slight loss in the previous war to the King of Mu.

In just a moment, it was a layout with victory and no defeat. But if it were arranged like this, a great war between Chu and Mu would be imminent, which was contrary to the previous plan. If a chaotic situation was stirred up, how could it be suppressed?

Gentle words and slow smiles, unable to see through the monarch's heart like the sea, Wei Yuan was soaked in sweat, as if he had fallen into deep water and had nowhere to breathe. He couldn't float or sink. The fierce general who traversed the battlefield and the powerful minister who scolded the country was as bound as a three-foot child in front of the Eastern Emperor. He didn't want to stay for another moment. Until he exited the quiet room, he was still trembling with fear.

"General Wei, please stay!" A greeting startled his soul back. Mo Heng stood in front of him at some point and cupped his hands, "Someone wants to invite the General to go over and say a few words."

Wei Yuan's jade pendant quietly fell into his sleeve, "Who is it?"

Mo Heng stepped aside to make way, "The General will know when he sees her."

Passing through flowers and shadows, crossing a piece of lush bamboo forest, Mo Heng led the way until he reached a quiet lake.

Bright moon and clear brilliance, flowing light on the water. A woman in dark clothes stood quietly by the islet. Her cloud-like black hair was loosely tied, and a few strands of green silk hung down faintly. Her ink-colored robe dragged on the ground, lazily half-covering her shoulders. A touch of clear ink set off her skin like curdled fat and snow jade. The pure black and the clean white produced a charm that was rarely seen in any gorgeous color in the world. Wei Yuan only saw her back, and he already knew who the person was.

Whether it was the soaring flames or the bright moon, the peerless style of the Nine Princess of the Xiang Emperor's reign—once seen, one could never forget it for the rest of their life.

Wei Yuan was both surprised and suspicious, bowing, "The guilty minister Wei Yuan greets the Princess."

The woman in front turned her head gracefully, her eyes full of smiles, "What crime does the General have? No need for such words. Have you seen the Royal Brother?"

Wei Yuan said, "Yes, the King has an order, ordering me to return to the Mu State immediately."

Zi Rao moved gracefully, walked to him, and held a scroll of silk in her palm with her slender hands, "I already know your intention this time. The Royal Brother has been unwell recently and is tired late at night, fearing that he does not have the spirit to talk to you in detail. You don't need to worry about those trivial matters. Three months ago, Zhao Gong secretly sent someone to pick up the Empress Dowager and the Madame of your mansion to the Di Du. This is the imperial edict to confer titles on the two Madames, but the Royal Brother considered your convenience in acting in the Mu State and ordered it to be drafted but not issued."

Two-axis yellow silk brocade scroll, with vermilion ink and red writing, and the golden seal of the dragon, Wei Yuan was very familiar with this. He swept a glance at it, then looked up. The clear and beautiful smile of the Long Princess bloomed on the bright lake, and the moonlight of the whole sky turned into softness, making people freeze there for a while.

"In this world, the world is chaotic, and all states are weak masters and strong ministers, waiting for opportunities. However, the Royal Brother is not the emperor of You or Xiang, and the Di Du is not the Di Du of the past. You should know this well." Zi Rao whispered slowly. Wei Yuan stood facing the lake, holding the White Tiger jade pendant in one hand, feeling dry and uneasy in his palm.

"The Royal Brother has been ill since childhood and often feels that his spirit is difficult to sustain. Now state affairs are all entrusted to Zhao Gong, and the inner court is entrusted to me, but Zhao Gong is old, which makes people worry." Zi Rao raised her eyes slightly, seeing a silent jump in the corner of Wei Yuan's eyes, and said faintly, "Five years ago, in order to deal with the Phoenix Empress, the Royal Brother ordered you to enter the Mu State in the west. Although you are the younger brother of the Mu Queen, the Mu Queen has passed away for several years, and the Mu State is ultimately just a feudal lord, limited to the western land. How can it really compare to the Di Du? Now that the internal chaos is gradually subsiding, there always needs to be someone in the court to preside over the overall situation after Zhao Gong. This is also why the Royal Brother ordered me to draft the edict to confer titles on your wife and mother."

Wei Yuan's palm tightened suddenly. Zi Rao locked his eyes, smiling softly, "Wei Yuan, I appreciated you very much when I knew you assassinated that demon empress. I just don't know if you will disappoint people in the future?"

Her beautiful eyes rippled, and the lake light lost its color. Wei Yuan took a step back, his bowing posture having a submissive humility, "From now on, I am willing to follow the Princess's orders in everything."

Zi Rao smiled, leaned forward, and whispered a few words in his ear. Wei Yuan looked up in confusion, "Does the Princess mean... to support the Third Young Master Ye in the Mu State?"

Zi Rao added another sentence. Wei Yuan pondered for a moment and nodded, "The Princess's words are very true, but I hadn't thought of this point."

Amidst the dark and elegant fragrance, Zi Rao's charming words were like silk, "Adding flowers to brocade is not as good as sending charcoal in snow. To Tai Zi Yu, you are just a sharper blade, but to Third Young Master Ye, you may be a sharp weapon that opens the world."

"I understand." Wei Yuan said, "There is one thing I don't know if the Princess has heard the news. Some time ago, Tai Zi Yu secretly sent his confidants to Chu and made a secret agreement with Helian Yiren, as long as Helian Yiren finds a way to eradicate Ye Xuanshang, he guarantees to send Young Master Han Hui back to Chu safely."

"Chu Second Young Master Han Hui?" Zi Rao's eyelashes raised, and a faint clear light swirled in her eyes. She suddenly understood the reason why Helian Yiren had been pressing hard in front of the Chu Palace hall that day. She pursed her lips slightly and lowered her eyes, then smiled again, "I know. You go back. The situation at Chuan Yun Guan is urgent and cannot be delayed. We will discuss it from the long term in the future."

Wei Yuan took the order and left. Zi Rao still stood by the lake, her sleeves fluttering in the breeze. She raised her head to look at the bright moon, the ice wheel and jade shadow, the whole sky was clear and flawless, reflecting her crystal-clear skin covered with a layer of cold veil.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 43 =====

Wei Yuan received his orders and left. Zi Rao remained standing by the lake, the breeze tugging at her sleeves. She raised her head to look calmly at the bright moon; the ice-wheel jade shadow, the entire sky clear and flawless, reflected upon her crystalline skin, veiling her in a layer of cold purity.

(End of Chapter)