Chapter 38

Qin Ying and Xie Ci had not been gone for long before they returned. However, Xie Ci was no longer the energetic youth he had been before; instead, he wore a forced smile, his mind clearly burdened. When Gu Wan glanced at him, he managed to squeeze out a faint smile.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Amused, Gu Wan leapt lightly to the ground with Qin Wenxuan, still holding in her hand a freshly plucked, tender green stonecrop. Qin Wenxuan darted glances around nervously, afraid of attracting too much attention, and quickly excused herself. Gu Wan waved her off, then sidled up to Xie Ci, tilting her head to study him.

Dressed in a black guard’s cuirass, her helmet absent, Gu Wan’s long hair was tied in a bun atop her head. However her face was painted, her bright, spirited eyes and radiant expression shone through, ensuring she was always the first to catch the eye from afar.

Sometimes, Xie Ci couldn’t help but admire and envy her; she seemed never to be defeated by hardship. In a low voice, he confessed, “It’s nothing. Second Sister-in-law spoke to me about something, and I was just thinking.”

He told her honestly.

Since that impulsive moment when he’d nearly confessed, Xie Ci had wanted to speak again. But tonight, recalling the divorce papers, he felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, sobering him instantly.

Xie Ci was clever; in a flash, he understood why Second Sister-in-law had said those things.

…Because Gu Wan did not love him.

It was a disheartening, dispiriting truth.

He feared that, if his feelings were exposed, things might never be the same between them.

And then, Second Sister-in-law would never deceive him. He felt as if his entire heart and soul were filled with Gu Wan; her laughter and words made his heart soar. Yet Second Sister-in-law said that mere passion was not enough.

Xie Ci felt indignant. He believed he truly loved Gu Wan, but subconsciously, he found himself trusting Second Sister-in-law’s words, and so he was conflicted. This was the first time he’d ever liked someone; the first time he’d encountered this notion. His heart was a tangled mess; where did his feelings belong? If they weren’t enough, how could they become something more?

Second Sister-in-law said it was up to him to figure it out, to search his heart. But he didn’t even know where to start. His mind was in turmoil. Yet, glancing at Gu Wan’s smiling, teasing face, his heart suddenly calmed—he understood Second Sister-in-law’s intention.

Truly, Gu Wan was important—so important that no amount of caution would be too much.

He had never imagined that one day things might become strained between them, or even among their families. That was something Xie Ci could never accept. Not in this life.

Being looked at by her in such a way, he felt a touch of grievance, but dared not say more for fear of betraying himself—Gu Wan was far too clever. He whispered, “I can’t talk to you about it right now. I have to understand it myself first.”

Xie Ci thought, he needed some time; he had to figure things out clearly.

Under the faint starlight, their shadows merged on the ground. Her hand rested at her waist, and as he stepped slightly to the left, it looked as though their silhouettes were holding hands.

Gu Wan: Oh my, you have a secret now?

Xie Ci used to tell her everything, though, to be fair, there were some things adolescent boys would never confide to anyone. Perhaps Second Sister-in-law had discussed such matters with him? Amused by her own thoughts, Gu Wan had no intention of prying further. Mutual respect mattered, even among the closest of family and friends.

Thinking this, she sized up Xie Ci. He seemed born for battle armor: a tall, straight-backed youth, the dark iron plates sat on his shoulders without weighing him down, instead magnifying his presence, a stern military aura radiating naturally from him. He stood there like a vision of armored cavalry thundering through ice and snow. He’d grown taller—over one meter eighty now, half a head above her.

Gu Wan clicked her tongue with a grin. “Alright, let’s go. Uncle Chen Yan and the others should be back soon.”

Her words snapped Xie Ci from his reverie. Yes, he still had many important things to do; his life had never been just about personal matters. Now, in the northern army, the enemies who had destroyed his family were near at hand.

It was a matter of life and death.

If he failed, nothing else would matter.

Steeling himself, Xie Ci pushed aside his tangled thoughts. As Gu Wan tugged him along, he followed at a brisk pace.

They glanced around as they went. Qin Ying had already visited the command camp, and now nodded for them to follow. The three moved quickly, two behind one, toward the command tents.

Chen Yan’s sons and nephews came and went in a blur of activity, making Xie Ci seem almost inconspicuous among the bustle. When the three arrived, Chen Yan, Su Zhen, and Xun Xiao were already gathered. Once Qin Xian and Kou Wenshao hurried in, the group was complete.

Qin Xian and Kou Wenshao threw their dust-covered helmets onto the table, their faces grim.

Both had come straight from the city walls. Chen Yan exhaled heavily. “This year’s battle will not be an easy one.”

There had always been intelligence about the new King of the Northern Rong, Huyan De; his prowess was well known in Wei. But seeing him in person made the threat weigh even heavier on their minds.

Qin Xian rubbed his face and pulled out a chair. “Alright, let’s talk about Lu Xinyi and Zheng Shoufang.”

The room had originally been set up with a long table, but when Chen Yan and Qin Xian invited Xie Ci to sit at its head, he refused. So they turned the table sideways, and everyone sat in a circle.

Currently, the former Xie family troops, led into the northern army by Qin Xian, Chen Yan, Su Zhen, and Kou Wenshao, numbered about 110,000—one-fifth of the army’s total of 500,000. Not an overwhelming majority, nor was it possible for any general to command the loyalty of such numbers, not even Xie Xinzhong in his day.

Still, it was a substantial force, on par with Lu Xinyi and Zheng Shoufang, who, along with other beneficiaries of Xie Xinzhong’s fall, held significant power. Besides these, many neutral commanders together held 80,000 to 90,000 men.

Qin Xian and the others knew the events in Yunzhou well; they were close to unmasking the culprit. Excluding Huo Can, whose physique didn’t match, the suspects were narrowed to Lu Xinyi and Zheng Shoufang.

After a moment’s silence, Qin Xian asked Xie Ci, “Did you know Lu Xinyi?” He meant before. Xie Ci replied, “Of course I did.”

He spoke slowly, lowering his lashes before raising them again, his voice steady but laden with meaning. The room fell quiet.

They all knew Xie Ci must have known Lu Xinyi—just as they had, once close as brothers, no less than the bond between Qin Xian, Su Zhen, Chen Yan, and Kou Wenshao.

Xie Ci’s bond with Xun Rongbi was stronger—because the latter was his maternal uncle. But Xie Xinzhong himself had been even closer to Lu Xinyi, more so than with Xun Rongbi.

The two were sworn brothers; Lu Xinyi’s father, General Lu Zhaojing, had been Xie Xinzhong’s mentor and adoptive father.

Did you notice that both Lu Xinyi and Xie Xinzhong shared the character “Xin” in their names? This was no coincidence.

Xie Xinzhong’s name was chosen by Lu Zhaojing.

Lu Zhaojing had said, “Without integrity, a man cannot stand; loyalty is marrow, righteousness the bone, and devotion to country the soul of a general.”

He named the elder Xie son “Zhong” for loyalty, but as the Xie ancestors had avoided that character, he used “Zhong” as a homophone.

Xie Xinzhong was posthumous; the main Xie bloodline had nearly died out, saved only by this unborn child. Lu Zhaojing, entrusted by the dying Xie patriarch, adopted Xie Xinzhong at birth and educated his own nephews alongside him.

From childhood, he taught them literature and martial skills, led them into battle, and in time, restored the Xie family’s honor.

Lu Xinyi was five years younger than Xie Xinzhong. They were playmates in childhood and comrades in war, led by Lu Zhaojing to the northern front.

Not brothers by blood, but closer than kin.

Sadly, good times were short. When Xie Xinzhong returned to the capital to marry, the Yu Ping Rebellion broke out. Though less devastating than the Mi Liang Rebellion that followed, it claimed Lu Zhaojing’s life. Official records blamed his poor command for the near-annihilation of the northern army’s vanguard; he died on the field.

Lu Xinyi, only nineteen, lost his father and was held responsible.

When the news reached him, Xie Xinzhong rode a thousand miles to comfort a distraught Lu Xinyi, missing the birth of his own firstborn. He brought Lu Xinyi back to the northern frontier, and the two fought side by side for decades.

Their bond ran deeper than with Xun Rongbi. How could Xie Ci not know Lu Xinyi?

Even now, Qin Xian’s quarters were filled with gifts from Lu Xinyi, clearly intended for Xie Ci.

Unlike Zheng Shoufang, Lu Xinyi bore an air of righteousness; he had once been close to Qin Xian and the others. Their suspicions arose only because, after Xie Xinzhong’s death, Lu Xinyi became one of the main beneficiaries—though he had never openly sought such power.

After a moment, Qin Xian said, “Since you’re clear on all this, I won’t repeat myself.”

He’d already explained this earlier in Lingzhou. He now wished to discuss Zheng Shoufang.

“Zheng Shoufang is the son of the Grand Princess Anyang, the leading figure of the royal family in the army.”

A sworn enemy.

Within the royal clan, many resented Xie Xinzhong’s command of the military. Some extremists became natural foes of the Xie troops and had repeatedly plotted against them. It was no surprise that Zheng Shoufang was behind the smuggling and treason case.

Were it not for the looming war, Zheng Shoufang would likely have impeached Xie Ci and Qin Xian by now.

The princess’s son, a royal scion, was unlike any other.

“So whether this war is good or bad is hard to say.”

Because the Marquis of Lin’s involvement cast greater suspicion on Lu Xinyi, but Zheng Shoufang could not be ruled out. Things were uncertain.

A great war drew all sides together. If Lu Xinyi was the enemy, they would be in grave danger.

But without the war, their troubles would multiply.

“No matter what,” Qin Xian declared, “we cannot allow these internal struggles to affect the outcome on the battlefield.” He had already said as much to Xie Ci atop the city walls that night.

“Of course!”

“Old Qin, isn’t that obvious?”

Everyone chimed in; there was nothing more to add. They now turned to the second major topic—Xun Xun.

Xun Xiao, who had been silent until now, raised his eyes. Slowly, he pulled back his gray hood, revealing the twisted, terrifying right half of his face.

Gu Wan had been waiting for this.

“Xun Xun is a son of the Northern Rong, without question!” Gu Wan immediately raised her hand. “He’s in league with the mastermind, but he’s likely deceiving both sides.”

A Northern Rong identity like that must be a top secret. If not for thinking Xie Ci was doomed, he’d never have revealed it. In the original timeline, nearly everyone died, but Xun Xun had survived, emerging as the military governor controlling nearly a third of the northern army.

The original novel didn’t dwell long on the disastrous defeat of the Gui Mao year—it was a prequel—but described how Wei’s forces were repeatedly encircled by Northern Rong’s cavalry from spring to midsummer, and finally annihilated in an ambush: 150,000 elite troops, including 80,000 horsemen, were wiped out.

This crushing defeat was a turning point, leading to catastrophe.

Without a doubt, Xun Xun played a crucial role.

Gu Wan had waited for this topic and now asked, “Can we expose his Northern Rong heritage without evidence?”

No.

Qin Xian, Chen Yan, and the others exchanged glances, replying almost in unison: Absolutely not. Su Zhen said, “To shake the army’s morale in wartime is punishable by summary execution! No pardon.”

Just as Gu Wan suspected. She exchanged a look with Xie Ci, who nodded to her.

As for Xun Xiao, his expression didn’t change; clearly, he had expected this. His jaw was clenched, his remaining right hand balled into a fist, veins standing out where the skin was unburned.

No matter what, Xun Xun must be watched closely.

Qin Xian had already sent Qin Yong in person to the three provinces to deliver this critical news to Chen Yan and the others, who had swiftly reinforced their surveillance of the Suzhou army.

But time was short.

And even if it wasn’t, these measures alone were insufficient.

Precautions had to be taken at the highest levels of the northern army.

Agitated, Qin Xian cursed, paced a few times, then declared, “I’m going to see Lu Xinyi!” Grabbing his helmet, he strode out.

Thus, beneath the surface of the upcoming Gui Mao battle, the undercurrents of hidden conflict began to stir.

That very night—

Lu Xinyi, having seen off two imperial princes and the imperial commissioner, and dismissed two generals sent by the Marquis of Lin, had just sat down to study a newly completed map detailing troop deployments from Yinshan to Wild Fox Ridge, when a commotion erupted outside.

“Qin Xian?”

Lu Xinyi stood up as Qin Xian burst in, his guards drawing swords but Lu Xinyi waved them back. “Ziyu, what brings you here?”

After Xie Xinzhong’s fall, the two had argued, cursed, even fought. Yet Lu Xinyi never admitted guilt and had continued to investigate the matter.

By lamplight, Qin Xian regarded Lu Xinyi with a cold gaze. He no longer believed a word Lu Xinyi said, and he had not come to reminisce.

Qin Xian stared at Lu Xinyi for a moment. “Can you guarantee, as commander, that you will fight for victory alone and not collude with the Northern Rong in the slightest?”

Qin Xian had been personally involved in the early investigation of the smuggling case; he knew every detail. Judging by the goods and quantities trafficked, the mastermind had not lost all reason—he’d kept the scale controlled.

Perhaps they thought Wei was strong enough to brush off such minor smuggling, not realizing that a thousand-mile dike can collapse from an anthill’s hole. Otherwise, Qin Xian would not have come.

The mention of “colluding with the Northern Rong” stung Lu Xinyi, who raised his voice. “I told you it wasn’t me! I never did it—would you believe me?!”

Qin Xian: “I don’t!!”

“I’ll ask you only this: can you swear it?” He spoke each word clearly. “Swear on the memory of your father and brother.”

Both men’s faces flushed.

Lu Xinyi’s jaw tightened; for a moment, his true feelings twisted into something fierce. At last, he cried, “Today, I, Lu Xinyi, swear on the names of my late father and brother! In this war, I will fight for victory and never, not for a moment, collude with the Northern Rong! If I break this oath, may my father and brother know no peace in the afterlife, may they never be reborn!”

He snatched a brush holder from the table and hurled it at Qin Xian. “Is that enough for you?!”

Qin Xian nodded. “I believe you—on those two points.”

He informed Lu Xinyi, “Xun Xun is the son of the Northern Rong, born of Princess Ri Lian of the Kunyu Ling tribe. He is half Northern Rong by blood. He has murdered his kin; his intentions are treacherous.”

With that, Qin Xian left.

Lu Xinyi, nearly beside himself with rage, kicked over the lampstand, sending the lamp crashing to the floor. “Damn Qin Xian! A bunch of obstinate fools!”

His anger still burned. Of course his aim was victory; how could he allow the Northern Rong to ravage his homeland? His family and life’s work were at stake.

He snorted coldly; while he would never betray his country, he would not hesitate to use others to do his dirty work. “Master, Governor Xun is here.”

No sooner had Qin Xian left than Xun Xun arrived?

Lu Xinyi raised an eyebrow. “Let him in.”

When Xun Xun entered, the study had been restored to order; save for an oil stain on the floor, there was no trace of Lu Xinyi’s anger.

Lu Xinyi sat at the grand desk, scrutinizing Xun Xun. “Qin Xian says you’re Northern Rong by blood,” he raised a brow, “is it true?”

Kunyu Ling tribe, Princess Ri Lian?

Xun Xun presented his report; Lu Xinyi didn’t glance at it. They had been allies for so long, involved in so much, and both knew the other’s true face—no need for pretense.

“I knew he’d try to sow discord.” Xun Xun snorted.

Lu Xinyi lifted a brow. “But I’ve heard that the new king, Huyan De, is also of the Kunyu Ling line.”

“So what? Need me to swear an oath?”

Unperturbed, Xun Xun raised his right hand. “If I have lied, may I die a gruesome death, my bowels spilled, my body in pieces, and my soul suffer eternal torment in the eighteen hells!”

“Even if, for argument’s sake, I am half Northern Rong, could I really become a noble or chieftain among them? Hah—utterly ridiculous.”

Xun Xun laughed heartily.

In both the Northern Rong and Wei, those of mixed blood were despised. The Qiang and Di fared slightly better, but a half-breed from the Northern Rong had no future in Wei, nor much hope in the north either. At best, one might live in idle luxury; to hope for real power was a fantasy.

Now, as Governor of Suzhou, Xun Xun wielded enormous power. Though his oath was venomous, Lu Xinyi was not swayed—yet the last part, oddly, convinced him.

After a moment, he nodded. “Let’s hope so.”

He opened the military reports. “That’s all, you may go.” Xun Xun saluted and withdrew.

After he left, Lu Xinyi ordered, “Keep a close watch on him! Send my secret command—Sima An and Yang Tang are to monitor him closely, and be ready for anything!”

Sima An and Yang Tang were the generals stationed to the east and west of Xun Xun.

Lu Xinyi’s command was absolute.

Though Xun Xun had convinced him for now, Lu Xinyi knew Qin Xian too well—one could never be too careful.

Back in the Suzhou command camp, Xun Xun’s expression darkened. He sent word that their plans must change.

A single oil lamp flickered in the tent, casting half his face in shadow, lending him an even more sinister air.

“I can’t act rashly now.”

The day Xie Ci escaped, he had known this moment would come.

He was furious—a mere boy had ruined years of careful planning, forcing him to make emergency adjustments. Xun Xun had never failed before; the only exception was Xie Ci. But—he could not hold it in!

He clenched his fists, recalling Xun Rongbi, that old villain!

His teeth ground together in fury.

If given the chance to do it over, he would likely have chosen to act even more ruthlessly, rather than swallow his anger.

He had endured for more than twenty years!

Facing Xun Rongbi’s sanctimonious face, he had countless times wished to rip away the mask, to expose the old villain’s true nature—tear by hand and tooth, bloodily, until everyone could see him for what he was.

Biting down, he tasted iron; only then did he stop, gasping and wreaking havoc on everything in the tent.

“He wants to return to court?” Xun Xun hissed, “Then let this beautiful land become a funeral offering for my mother, my brother, my sisters!”

As for Huyan De, Lu Xinyi’s guess was mostly correct; he was the last of the Kunyu Ling line.

On the steppe, customs were flexible—children could take their mother’s clan. After the Kunyu Ling tribe was destroyed, he returned to his father’s clan, taking the Huyan name.

The two were cousins.

At age seven, Xun Xun was found by Huyan De’s men and learned the truth of his birth. Before that, he had even been ashamed of being an illegitimate son.

Now, Xun Xun’s hatred ran deep. His voice hoarse, “When it’s done, flay me and toss half my body to the dogs! The other half… the other half, bury it under the poplars of Kunyu Ling.”

At the end, his voice broke, his fists bloodied, and he knelt in the center of the room, weeping.

Thinking of burying half his remains in the poplar groves, he faltered.

The Northern Rong revered the Eternal Heaven. The oath he’d sworn to Lu Xinyi was not empty.

His old nurse, having survived the massacre by hiding in a water jar, found Huyan De after a long journey. Only then did he learn Xun Xun might be alive and arranged for the nurse to reach him.

The old nurse, once a servant in the princess’s household, had grown to resemble any other aged woman of Wei, yet she was Northern Rong by birth.

Xun Xun trembled and wept for a long time. At last, he wiped his tears and told her solemnly, “Nurse, this is my wish. You must help me fulfill it.”

She nodded through her tears.

“But I won’t die so soon. My work isn’t done.” Xun Xun had regained his composure.

The spring night was still chill, dust drifting outside, starlight faint, but perhaps things would soon improve.

Xun Xun smiled coldly. He knew Qin Xian feared him; and why not seize such a good opportunity to adjust his plans?

“I must find Xie Ci first.”

He called for medicine, wrapped his hand in black gauze, and gazed at his bandaged palms. Then he looked up. Once he found Xie Ci, he would send word to Lu Xinyi.

His nurse summoned trusted attendants—all with Northern Rong blood.

One, called Wang Sheng, wiped the blood from the table. “Governor, how can we find Xie Ci?”

“Governor” was an honorific for their master.

Wang Sheng frowned. If it were that easy, Lu Xinyi would not be so cautious. Xun Xun smiled faintly. “That’s Lu Xinyi’s problem.”

As for finding Xie Ci, Xun Xun did have a method.

In the depths of night, the lamp flickered. Xun Xun smiled. “Do you remember your young master, Xun Xiao?”

Xun Xiao’s grave had been disturbed. Even the laziest caretaker checks the tombs daily; in winter, it’s impossible to restore a grave perfectly. Soon, the caretaker noticed Xun Xiao’s grave had been robbed.

Once Xun Xun heard, he immediately realized Xun Xiao might be alive.

He quickly deduced that Xie Ci and Gu Wan had dared return to Suzhou, entered the tomb to confirm Xun Xiao’s fate. If he survived, he would be burned.

Qin Xian and Chen Yan had just hired a strategist with burn scars.

Xun Xun grinned coldly: find Xun Xiao, and Xie Ci would not be far. He had the means—and this time, he would not miss.