Chapter 32: with translation of chapter title

Thank you, Lord Chen!

Murong Hao cupped his fists toward Chen Yan and expressed his thanks.

He originally thought this was, a dissolute scoundrel who had come to humiliate him and take liberties with the Empress....

But he never expected that it would actually bring tremendous good news!

Not only did he not have to die, he also gained a fief and continued to live in luxury.

No need to be polite.

Chen Yan waved his hand.

Please trouble Lord Chen to convey my gratitude to the Grand Chancellor!

Murong Hao's eyes were like torches, and he said in a deep voice: "From now on I will abide by my duties and will not harbor any improper ambitions!"

He appeared genuinely remorseful.

Certainly.

Chen Yan nodded, made an inviting gesture toward the door, "Your Majesty, please this way!"

Liuzheng, let's go.

Murong Hao couldn't wait a moment, he took Ruan Liuzheng's hand and hurried out.

We respectfully see off the Emperor of Great Yan, Your Majesty!

Chen Yan gave a half-smile, the corner of his mouth curling with deep meaning, and spoke loudly.

Outside the house.

Murong Hao and Ruan Liuzheng walked in front, while those beautiful consorts followed at a distance.

Young Master, they've already walked far away....

Don't look!

Zhu Yi came up, nudged Chen Yan, who was staring entranced, with his elbow, gave a wicked laugh, and teased: "If you like that Empress, why not detain her on some pretext?"

Saying that, he began to wink and make faces.

Qingyu didn't know about the Young Master's particular preferences in certain aspects, but he was well aware.

After all, they're men, it's understandable....

Who told you I was looking at her?

Chen Yan withdrew his gaze, gave a half-smile, and retorted playfully.

After a pause, he continued: "That Imperial Consort Xiao is truly a beauty of the highest order!"

It's obvious that Chen Yan all along had ulterior motives....

Only by teasing Ruan Liuzheng would Murong Hao's attention be drawn to her.

Then he wouldn't notice that someone was missing.....

Zhu Yi felt a bit dazed, and unconsciously scratched his head.

Just now he only paid attention to the Young Master and the former Empress of Great Yan, and didn't notice any Imperial Consort Xiao!

Old Zhang, lean in!

Chen Yan leaned against the tree and snapped his fingers.

"My lord, what are your orders?" Zhang Wenqian heard and quickly stepped forward.

Chen Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, pointed casually, and smiled: "Let our people, when moving Murong Hao's belongings, replace all the gold, silver, and valuables inside with stones...."

After a pause, he added: "The same goes for everything else."

As the saying goes, a thief doesn't leave empty-handed.

Since we've come all this way, if we take nothing, isn't it just a wasted trip?

Although Murong Hao has been deposed, a skinny camel is still bigger than a horse, so there's still plenty of profit to be had.

Yes.

Zhang Wenqian gave a knowing smile, silently raised his thumb, "My lord, you really are something...."

There's still one more important matter....

You must see to it properly!

Chen Yan gathered his smile and spoke solemnly.

After saying that, he whispered to Zhang Wenqian, urging him on the details.

I understand, sir.

Zhang Wenqian was first startled, then broke into a knowing smile and assured: "My lord, rest assured, I will see to it perfectly!"

Hard to cross the passes, who pities the fallen? Chance encounters are but other men's wives.

Wei River dock.

On the large ship.

Phew~

Finally aboard!

Murong Hao leaned on the railing, took a long breath, and sighed: "Finally we're leaving this prison of Chang'an!"

At that moment he felt like a trapped dragon about to ascend to the heavens, a flood dragon about to enter the sea!

Without restraint, the kun-peng can spread its wings!

The future holds great promise.

Indeed!

We finally don't have to worry anymore....

Ruan Liuzheng's suspended heart also settled, she took Murong Hao's hand, affectionately echoed: "From now on we can live peacefully!"

During the days she was imprisoned in Jinque Palace, Ruan Liuzheng couldn't sleep night after night, constantly fearful and uneasy, dreading that the executioner's blade might fall any day.

Fortunately, all of this is now over....

「No! 」

Murong Hao's gaze was firm as he stared at the distant Chang'an city, and he said in a low voice: 「I am the ruler of Great Yan; how can I idly watch our ancestral lands fall into enemy hands? 」

Ruan Liuzheng hearing these unexpected words, was stunned, and tentatively asked: 「Your Majesty, could it be that you still refuse to give up? 」

She never imagined that, after narrowly escaping death with great difficulty, her husband would still be unwilling to resign himself....

「Of course! 」

Murong Hao declared resolutely: 「How could a son of the Murong clan admit defeat? 」

「We must rally our forces and make a comeback! 」

Saying this, he clenched his fists.

His heroic ambition almost burst forth.

「Your Majesty, watch your words! 」 Ruan Liuzheng, startled, reminded him in a low voice.

He also looked left and right, and only relaxed when he saw no one paying attention.

Qian Bingzhi, clad in armor, stood at the bow, facing the cold wind from the Wei River that blew in his face, glanced back at Chang'an, and shouted loudly: 「Raise the anchor, set sail! 」

「Depart! 」

That night.

Murong Hao stood alone on the deck, gazing far into the vast night, wondering what he was thinking.

「Your Majesty, the night is deep and the weather cold; please add an extra layer of clothing.... 」

Ruan Liuzheng walked over, draped a robe over Murong Hao's shoulders, and spoke softly.

「Good. 」

Murong Hao responded, took the woman's hand, and said: 「Along this journey the wind has been calm and the waves still; it seems there will be no assassins! 」

At the start of boarding, Murong Hao had thought Yuwen Hu had set an ambush of assassins on the Wei River to kill him, so he had remained vigilant.

As a result, until nightfall there was not even a hint of movement.

Especially now that we have sailed into the middle of the great river, it would be even harder for assassins to approach.

「Yuwen Hu, as a high minister of a state, surely keeps his word.... 」

Ruan Liuzheng pressed her lips and soothed: 「If they said they'd release us, they'd surely keep their promise! 」

She was not blindly trusting Yuwen Hu's political promise.

But rather, before boarding she had heard that Yuwen Hu had already issued an edict proclaiming it to the world, making it hard for him to go back on his word.

「Hah! 」

Murong Hao, hearing this, gave a cold snort and laughed contemptuously: 「Yuwen Xin, a hero all his life, also has moments of misjudgment.... 」

「The person he entrusted is nothing but a blindly arrogant, short-sighted mediocrity! 」

「The Yuwen clan probably won't be able to hold onto the realm for long.... 」

Even he, Murong Hao, knows this is a life-and-death struggle; once victorious, the first priority is to exterminate the opponent completely, to eliminate future threats.

As for Yuwen Hu, in order to make a show and restore his reputation, he actually let the tiger return to the mountain....

He falls far short of his uncle, the former Grand Chancellor of Great Yan!

With such a person in command of Zhou State's military and political power, major problems will soon arise.

And this is Murong Hao's opportunity!

「Your Majesty, can't we just go to Zhongyang and live peacefully? 」

Ruan Liuzheng frowned, gripped Murong Hao's hand, and advised: 「You cannot defeat Yuwen Hu.... 」

In Ruan Liuzheng's view, simply living well is more important than anything.

She does not think that the person Yuwen Xin selected and entrusted would be easy to deal with....

「Liuzheng, even you don't believe in me? 」

Murong Hao stared straight at Ruan Liuzheng and asked.

He paused, then slammed a fist against the railing, and said in a low voice: 「After reaching Zhongyang, I will recruit troops and buy horses, to restore the lands of Great Yan! 」

As long as the Yuwen clan, like the Erzhu clan of old, experiences internal strife, then the opportunity for his Murong clan will arrive....

Just then, an old voice of praise came from behind:

「Your Majesty, you're in high spirits! 」

「Who? 」 Murong Hao's face showed vigilance as he looked toward the sound.

「It's the Subordinate General! 」

Qian Bingzhi walked out from the darkness, gradually appearing in sight.

「Is it you? 」

Murong Hao recognized the visitor as the general Chen Yan had arranged to escort them, and asked: 「What brings you here? 」

「The Subordinate General has prepared some food and drink, and specially invites Your Majesty and the Lady to enjoy them! 」

Qian Bingzhi shook the food and drink in his hand and said.

「Good. 」

Murong Hao responded, did not refuse, brought Ruan Liuzheng back to the cabin, and after three rounds of drinks, asked: 「You must have heard what was just said, right? 」

「You once served as an official of Great Yan; would you be willing to follow me? 」

「I will grant you a royal title, and bring wealth and honor to your entire clan! 」

While making this promise, Murong Hao's right hand had already gripped the dagger at his waist.

As long as the answer is not what he wants....

"I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"

Qian Bingzhi spoke without thinking.

"Good!"

Murong Hao was overjoyed, "Today we shall drink blood wine to seal our alliance!"

Saying this, he drew a dagger, cut his palm, and let the blood drip into the wine jar.

"Drink!"

The two downed the blood wine in one gulp.

Just as Murong Hao was pleased at having secured a capable officer, he only heard Ruan Liuzheng shout in panic:

"Water!"

"We're taking on water!"

"The cabin is flooding!"

"Help!"

"Help!"

Murong Hao also panicked, hurriedly pleading with Qian Bingzhi for help.

"What's there to panic about?"

Qian Bingzhi remained unmoved, still raising the wine jar and drinking deeply, laughing: "Even if we reach the undersea Dragon Palace, I, as your subordinate general, will guard you!"

Wei River water kept pouring in....

It swallowed everyone aboard.

Murong Hao tried to flee outward, but only felt a wave of dizziness.

Moments later.

A huge wave struck; the sinking ship was completely swallowed by the Wei River, leaving no survivors....