116. The Battle for Supremacy

Le Qianxue observed his mournful expression, unable to fathom what was bothering him. She, the one actually facing the prospect of an unwanted marriage, had not yet begun to grieve, so why was Yu Zhiyang acting so sorrowful?

"If you're so upset," Le Qianxue remarked, "why not just tell your brother, the Crown Prince, not to marry me? That would solve everything."

Yu Zhiyang could only shake his head helplessly. He said softly, "It is impossible. Since I was young, nothing I said has ever held any weight. Look, Master Yuan was recruited by the Emperor, yet he was handed over to the Crown Prince. The Emperor’s intent is clearly for the Crown Prince to inherit the throne."

Le Qianxue knew this, so he spoke freely. She frowned slightly and replied, "True. You are nothing but cannon fodder; I suppose you don't even have a choice in what you do."

Yu Zhiyang froze, casting a glance at her before remaining silent and continuing to drink. He was usually the picture of gentle elegance, but his current state made Le Qianxue feel somewhat unsettled. They had once been friends, and he had helped her in the past. Had their positions not been so diametrically opposed, they might truly have become confidants.

"Don't fret over it," she suggested. "If you want to fight for it, then fight. If you don't care, then let it be. Just dutifully assist your brother."

Yu Zhiyang's cheeks flushed slightly. "Fight? Am I even able to?"

He was belittling himself, yet the struggle for the throne had always been a path of blades and shadows; one wrong step meant certain death. If Yu Zhiyang were to slip now, he would be beyond salvation. Moreover, Yu Guhan was his own brother; for him to challenge the Crown Prince would be unjustifiable.

Le Qianxue considered this before saying, "If you aren't afraid of a tragic end, then fight. If you win, you will have everything. But if you don't, you will likely regret it for the rest of your life." She was simply being honest. For her part, she would never choose to fight; she would much rather live a life of freedom.

Yu Zhiyang lowered his eyes, lost in thought. Not wanting to disturb him, Le Qianxue reached for the wine flagon. She poured a cup, and the aroma was indeed rich. Her mood improved slightly, and she took a sip, finding it to be excellent wine—mellow and easy to drink.

As she went to pour a second cup, she noticed Yu Zhiyang staring at her. The curve of her smile just moments ago had been captivating. He masked his emotions well, but Le Qianxue assumed he simply didn't want her to drink more. She pulled the flagon toward herself and asked, "What is this wine called? Where did you buy it?"

Yu Zhiyang smiled. "I brewed it myself. I made it before leaving the capital last time. After aging for a few years, the fragrance has deepened."

"I see," Le Qianxue said. "Would you be willing to sell me a few jars?"

"It's not worth much," he replied. "I'll give it to you as a gift. I'll have someone send some over tomorrow."

Le Qianxue felt her spirits lift, the gloom of the day dissipating. She wasn't a heavy drinker, but Master Wenzhi was. It would be a nice gift for him, provided he ever returned. Right now, besides Le Yongcheng, Master Wenzhi was the only other person she wished to see.

After their conversation, Yu Zhiyang’s own state of mind seemed to clear. As he left, he looked back at the Qingyu Courtyard and saw Le Qianxue still drinking, chatting happily with Huatao. Her laughter sounded like tinkling bells. He realized then that he did want to fight—not for the throne, but for the woman. And she was of the utmost importance.

Not long after Yu Zhiyang left the General's manor, Yu Guhan arrived. Since Le Qianxue was not yet the Crown Princess, she chose to see whom she pleased. After waiting for quite some time without being granted an audience, Yu Guhan grew furious. Why could Yu Zhiyang see her, but not him? Unable to do anything to Le Qianxue for the moment, he went to find his brother.

Yu Zhiyang, still smelling slightly of wine, was resting at a small, hidden residence he kept outside the palace. Yu Guhan tracked him down there. Upon seeing him, Yu Guhan dropped all pretense of composure, grabbing him and demanding, "What did you say to Qianxue? Why would she refuse to see me?"

Yu Zhiyang had expected this. Le Qianxue was no fool; being forced into this marriage, how could she harbor any affection for Yu Guhan? He replied coldly, "Brother, that has nothing to do with me. Whether she sees you or not is her own business."

Yu Guhan had long been jealous of Yu Zhiyang, especially since the latter had been spending time with Le Qianxue and teaching her calligraphy. "Third Brother, you know I am determined to have her," Yu Guhan hissed. "What is the meaning of you interfering? Do you no longer care for our brotherhood?"

Yu Zhiyang gave a gentle, yet chilling, smile. "Brother, you have never cared for our brotherhood. Why lecture me on it now? It is rather laughable."

Yu Guhan’s expression hardened. "What did you say? Back then, you—"

"Back then, it was indeed you who pleaded for me," Yu Zhiyang interrupted slowly. "But you know full well who placed the voodoo doll in our mother's bedchamber."

Yu Guhan turned pale. Yu Zhiyang brushed his hand away; in terms of poise, Yu Guhan was no match for him. As children born to the late Empress, they were often compared. Though Yu Guhan was three years older, Yu Zhiyang was sharper and consistently earned the praise of their tutors. Fearing that his younger brother would usurp his position, a young Yu Guhan had used witchcraft to frame him. When the Empress fell ill and the doll was discovered, she died suddenly that same night. The Emperor had been furious and intended to execute Yu Zhiyang, but Yu Guhan had feigned mercy by pleading for his life. The case was never truly solved, but the Emperor grew uneasy, sending Yu Zhiyang away to train and consolidate power for the throne.

Yu Zhiyang understood this perfectly. He had endured then, but that did not mean he would be trampled upon forever.

Yu Guhan’s hands trembled, but he had spent years perfecting his mask as the Crown Prince, and he quickly regained his composure. "Third Brother, what are you talking about? You should be grateful."

Yu Zhiyang gave him a cold look that made Yu Guhan stiffen. He had never seen his brother like this. "Brother, even if you marry her, she will never be yours to command. You should reconsider."

"I knew it!" Yu Guhan flared up. "You helped her escape, and you deliberately got close to her—you have feelings for her, don't you? Think about it, Third Brother: what is your status, and what is hers? Even if she won't serve me, I will never let her fall into the hands of an outsider who might use her against me."

Yu Zhiyang frowned, realizing that further words were useless. "Brother, you are right. I do like her."

"You!" Yu Guhan glared. "Have you forgotten what Father ordered? You are here to help me ascend and to find the four great families of the previous dynasty!"

Yu Zhiyang chuckled lightly. "Do not worry, Brother. I will naturally assist you. But that does not conflict with my feelings for her."

"How can it not? You know what she is—" Yu Guhan stopped, glancing around nervously to ensure no one was listening. "Third Brother, if you have any improper thoughts, I will not be lenient. Everything you have, I gave you. Without me, you are nothing."

With that, Yu Guhan stormed off. Left alone in the courtyard, Yu Zhiyang smiled and whispered, "Come out." A black shadow flickered into existence. "Tell Le Qianxue where Yan Luoyu is being held," Yu Zhiyang commanded. The shadow vanished instantly.

"Brother," Yu Zhiyang murmured to himself, his voice haunting, "let us see if you choose the immense wealth of Yan Luoyu or the unrivaled medical skills of Le Qianxue."

Back at the General's manor, Le Yongcheng had become the most sought-after man in the capital, now that his daughter was soon to be the Crown Princess. The Imperial Household Department was already selecting a date for the wedding. Le Qianxue was distressed by the haste; it would surely happen within a month or two.

Le Yongcheng was equally troubled. "Xianxian... I have failed you. I couldn't fulfill the promise I made. Now Xue'er is being forced into the royal family. What am I to do?" he muttered, filled with guilt.

"Father, stop fretting," Le Qianxue said. "Mother has already heard you."

"Then why doesn't she manifest and help me find a way out of this?" Le Yongcheng sighed. "I don't understand what the Crown Prince sees in you. He couldn't get his way with a marriage proposal before, so he went to the Emperor to force a decree. You’re just a pretty face—what talent do you have..."