A Single Tie Of Long Hair Seals A Lifelong Commitment - Chapter 59

Qing Ge did not lead the garrison of Yongjia City to Linxia Grand Camp. Instead, he received a military order to remain stationed there. Chen Liangyu went to Yongjia City, gave a few instructions to Qing Ge, and then led a team of close guards south.

As they approached the Marquis of Lu Ping’s manor, a fog began to rise. Twilight set in, and before their eyes were endless gray smoke and clouds.

A faint sense of unease flashed in Chen Liangyu’s heart.

Or perhaps, a sense of apprehension.

According to Chen Luan, after deliberating with the officials, Xie Wenjun concluded that there was absolutely no possibility of Heng Jinan dispatching troops. Instead, the Heng family’s eldest son, Heng Miao, seemed to have intentions.

Working in the same territory, frequent interaction was unavoidable, and by gathering more information, one could ascertain a person’s background.

The Marquis of Lu Ping, Heng Jinan, came from a military family. His grandfather was a squad leader, and his father was merely a centurion. It wasn’t until Heng Jinan’s generation, which coincided with the Rebellion of the Five Princes, that he, being brave and skilled in battle, repeatedly achieved great merits and was subsequently ennobled as a Marquis.

Although both the Heng and Chen families in the North and South were Marquisates, the mother of the Marquis of Xuanping was the late Emperor’s legitimate daughter (a Princess), making them true imperial relatives. The Heng family had no such backing; their family’s honor relied entirely on the Emperor’s grace. Therefore, they were exceptionally cautious when choosing a new sovereign. Last time, they followed the right master and were promoted to general and ennobled as Marquis. This time, a slight misstep could lead to the total decline of their entire clan.

Heng Miao, however, did not think this way.

The peerage could only be inherited by one person, and the inheritance by the legitimate eldest son had become customary.

He considered his strategic planning and decisive actions to be second to none, while Heng Zhao, known as the Little Marquis, merely relied on his birthright; his true talent and learning were far inferior to his own.

Before Heng Zhao left for Yongdu, he often strutted about in brightly colored lavish clothes. Once, he and his debauched friends emerged from a restaurant, his face flushed with heavy drinking, being congratulated profusely as “Little Marquis” when he was caught red-handed by Heng Miao.

Heng Zhao instantly sobered up a bit, “Elder Brother.”

Heng Miao was furious and publicly scolded him: “When Chen Linjun of the Northern Region was your age, he was already called ‘Young Commander’ in the army. Yet, you still rely on your family’s inherited title to show off! Look at yourself, ‘Little Marquis’? You are utterly unworthy of this title! A disgrace, go home!”

Despite all his resentment, he had no choice but to yield to the division of fate. Heng Zhao, no matter how dissolute, would be the head of the Heng family in the future, while he, no matter how talented, would only be a capable subordinate.

Unwilling to remain subordinate, Heng Miao was ready to stake his life on a gamble.

During their conversation, someone mentioned having seen Heng Miao near Linxia on the way. Xie Wenjun sent Chen Luan to find him, and he actually succeeded in locating the man.

However, Heng Miao was not invited to the Prince’s residence.

Heng Miao did not show his face, which meant he was still unsure about the path ahead. Chen Luan volunteered to go and act as the persuader.

Chen Luan said: “The saying goes, ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ In peaceful times, rules are made to be obeyed. During times of upheaval, old conventions can also be broken.”

As the political climate changed, the restrained human nature revealed its fangs, tearing and snatching.

It was a matter of life and death.

The era of war meant the destruction and breaking of everything, but it also meant the reconstruction of order. Some people would decline and fall from grace, while others would rise swiftly to great success.

“There is only one peerage, and while the system of the legitimate eldest son inheriting the title cannot be abolished, having two Marquises in one family is not without precedent.”

Having two Marquises in one family was exactly the situation of the Marquis of Xuanping’s manor.

The title of Marquis was hereditary, yet Emperor Xuanyuan had also conferred Chen Linjun with the title of Marquis of Wu’an.

“After my father stepped down as the Grand Marshal of the Northern Region’s military forces, it was my Elder Brother who took over the command of the North’s military power. Those who align with the times prosper. Eldest Young Master is a smart man; a hero is one who recognizes the times.”

Heng Miao thoroughly pondered Chen Luan’s implications and immediately declared his willingness to support Prince Shen as the Emperor and pledge his loyalty to the new Emperor.

Chen Luan said: “The person Eldest Young Master should pledge loyalty to is not the new Emperor.”

Heng Miao: “Who is that?”

“The Eldest Princess.”

The more Chen Liangyu listened, the colder the blood in her body became.

Xie Wenjun intended to follow the precedent set by the late Crown Prince against the Marquis of Xuanping’s manor: render Heng Jinan’s military power nominal and have Heng Miao assume control of the Southern Region’s military forces.

A newborn calf, filled with reckless courage, believed that its two horns could gore the veteran general who had fought on the battlefield for years and commanded over a hundred thousand troops on the frontier.

“Did Rong Jun and Gu Xie not try to dissuade her?”

Chen Luan replied: “The young lady cast a divination for the Eldest Princess. It was ‘Great Auspice’ for this trip.”

‘Great Auspice’ my foot!

May the lucky one be protected by heaven…

Chen Liangyu had originally thought that Xie Wenjun’s trip to the Marquis of Lu Ping’s manor was only to bestow some favors, give some benefits, sit down for a consultation, and whether it succeeded or not didn’t matter. Once she deployed her troops, Zhao Mingqin would incite the southern remnants he had gathered to put pressure on Heng Jinan, thus forcing Heng Jinan to dispatch troops.

Yet, Xie Wenjun’s actual plan was to pull the rug out from under him, to strip him of his military command.

The Heng family had guarded the Southern Region for years, and Heng Jinan was a veteran general who had lived through the Rebellion of the Five Princes. How could there be no spies in the surrounding provinces, counties, and even the eight cities of Eastern Baiyue?

Heng Miao had come to Linxia, talked secretly with Chen Luan, and visited Prince Shen’s manor. Could Heng Jinan truly not know and not guess his intentions?

The horses quickly pierced through the fog. The team of a thousand people moved like an army of ten thousand, seemingly determined to break through the thick barrier beneath the sky.

She had been to this city before, but the once lively streets were now dead silent.

The houses and trees along the streets were full of scars from knives and axes, and scattered pieces of broken armor and weapons lay around.

The closer they got to the Marquis of Lu Ping’s manor, the heavier the signs of war became.

The fog silently grew denser in the twilight. The plaque over the gate seemed to decay and wither in an instant.

Chen Liangyu paid no mind to anything else and led her troops charging into the Marquis of Lu Ping’s manor.

There was no one.

The sudden sound of armor broke the desolate silence. Chen Liangyu drew her sword, “Search!”

There were no lights.

Her sharp eyes anxiously scanned every corner; every shadow made her heart tremble. Military boots scuffled without order on the dusty ground.

Suddenly, a startled flock of birds flew up behind her.

Chen Liangyu dashed toward that direction, her soldiers immediately following. She remembered the general twists and turns of the Marquis of Lu Ping’s manor. Passing through the back garden from here led to four wing-towers, and beyond the wing-towers was a square pond and waterside pavilion. The startled birds flew from that location.

Enveloping the wing-towers, they saw that the square pond was heavily guarded, with soldiers holding torches. But upon seeing the troops charge in, they did not draw their swords in resistance. Lanterns were lit on all four sides beneath the eaves of the waterside pavilion, and people were standing there.

They had been waiting for a long time.

There were two waterside pavilions on the square pond, connected by a short corridor.

Xie Wenjun was in the rear pavilion, leaning casually on the vermilion-lacquered railing, sitting by the railing. Heng Miao stood opposite her.

Rong Jun and Zhao Mingqin were also present.

One person walked over slowly, saying, “General Chen, please.”

He then led her onto the flat bridge.

The handle of this person’s saber was engraved with the character “Heng.” Chen Liangyu recognized him as one of Heng Jinan’s personal guards. In a moment, he offered her a handkerchief, “General Chen, wipe your sweat.”

“Thank you.”

The flat bridge extended into the water, and the moisture from the water further darkened the fog.

Illuminated by the lanterns, those scarlet eyes were like two deep pools scorched by intense flames. Chen Liangyu’s gaze was fixed on the person sitting in the waterside pavilion, laughing and talking with Heng Miao.

She took one step after another, passing through the fog, seeing only that person.

Everything around was shrouded in white gauze, blurred and indistinct.

The season of the late spring chill had passed, and the breeze from the water scattered the thin sweat on her body.

It wasn’t until Rong Jun reached out and pushed her shoulder, and the soldiers on the shore replaced the torches with new ones, that she realized how long she had been standing silently in front of Xie Wenjun.

Heng Jinan’s military seal and tally.

“The Southern Region’s forces are at your disposal.”

Chen Liangyu said, “I have something to discuss with the Eldest Princess.”

Xie Wenjun leaned against the railing, below her was a pool of clear water. As the others dispersed, her posture became more relaxed, a smile hanging on her eyebrows, waiting to hear Chen Liangyu’s compliments.

Chen Liangyu remained silent for a long time.

“Since when, Your Highness the Eldest Princess, have you become so wary of me?”

Xie Wenjun said, “Never.”

Chen Liangyu: “Why didn’t you discuss today’s actions with me beforehand? Why did you take such a risk?”

Her tone was normal.

The unspoken waves in her heart, however, surged in her gaze.

Xie Wenjun explained to her: “You command heavy troops. If I waited for you to come, Heng Jinan would surely be on his guard. Only by me acting for you, taking him by surprise, would the chance of success be greater! Some generals under Heng Jinan have long advised him to dispatch troops, but he is so timid, fearing the wolf in front and the tiger behind, and refuses to move. He has long lost the hearts of the people. I merely had Zhao Mingqin contact the old subordinates of Zhao Zhouqing. Heng Miao took his military seal and tally and successfully turned his personal guards, leaving him with no one to use, just like a trapped beast fighting in vain. I truly cannot understand. During the Yingtong era, when heroes emerged in large numbers, how could someone with his courage and mettle rank among the Twelve Marquises of the Realm? Perhaps he was only there to make up the numbers.”

The Twelve Marquises of the Realm during the Yingtong era were not true princes and nobles but the chief generals and strategists under each of the Five Princes. Chen Yuanqing, Lin Jianshu, Yan Baizhang, and Jiang Bojin were all among them. It only depended on whose master ascended the throne in the end; that person would then become a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households.

After such a grand melee of heroes, only Chen Yuanqing and Heng Jinan were genuinely conferred the title of Marquis.

Chen Liangyu said, “If you had miscalculated, have you considered the consequences?”

Xie Wenjun said, “No matter the consequence, this Princess can bear it.”

“But I cannot bear it!”

Chen Liangyu finally broke down: “If anything happens to you, how can I answer to Empress Huixian?”

Xie Wenjun suddenly stood up from the recliner, causing a slight breeze. “Ultimately, do you want to protect me, or is it only because of Mother’s dying words?”

Chen Liangyu: “Does the reason matter?”

“It only doesn’t matter to you.”

Xie Wenjun whispered, as if afraid of being heard, yet afraid that Chen Liangyu wouldn’t hear it.

That distorted, unspeakable emotion grew wildly with Chen Liangyu’s daily indulgence of her.

She was in great pain.

“Since you hated me so much at the beginning, why didn’t you continue to hate me? I don’t need your protection, I don’t need it at all! I am not a fledgling bird that cannot endure wind and rain. I can help you, I can plan with you, I can advance alongside you. Chen Liangyu, open your eyes and see who is truly the capable person!”

Chen Liangyu: “Are you bringing up a score from almost ten years ago?”

Xie Wenjun met Chen Liangyu’s gaze. Her eyes were utterly clear, so clear that there was nothing in them.

She turned away, with her back to her, unwilling to speak further.

Chen Liangyu stood silently behind her. After a while, seeing that she was indeed unwilling to talk, she said, “If Your Highness truly cannot let it go, you can hate me. But, don’t hate me for too long.”

Xie Wenjun still refused to speak.

Chen Liangyu thought, this is wrong. She was clearly here to challenge her, so how did she end up being the one who had to coax her?

She reached out from behind, gently tugged on Xie Wenjun’s sleeve, and asked, “Am I also on your list of scores to settle later?”

Xie Wenjun said, “I have more than one score with you.”

Chen Liangyu said, “Then keep counting them, slowly. Take your time.”

The surrounding fog hung low over the clear water, kissing the calm, mirror-like surface almost imperceptibly. There were fish swimming underwater. Xie Wenjun watched the fish swim to and fro below her feet. The mist was thick, and she could only see what was nearby.

“Why?” she turned around. “Take my time?”

The brocade handkerchief sewn onto Chen Liangyu’s waist was still firmly attached. Xie Wenjun glanced at it casually.

Chen Liangyu said, “I don’t want to settle the score so quickly.”

The phrase came out naturally.

If it hadn’t come out sincerely from Chen Liangyu’s mouth, Xie Wenjun, upon reflection, might have felt she was being deliberately teased.

“I’m leaving with the troops this time, and I don’t know when we’ll meet again. You…”

Suddenly, Xie Wenjun grabbed her arm fiercely and bit down hard.

The next day after troop inspection, the army was divided into two groups. The infantry marched slowly, while Chen Liangyu and Zhao Mingqin led the cavalry camp to the front line first.

Xie Wenjun followed with Heng Miao and the main army.

Chen Liangyu rode her horse to a crossroads, pulled the reins to stop, spoke a few words with Zhao Mingqin, and then turned her horse to gallop in another direction.

Two squads of men behind her also broke away from the marching army and followed her.

The city of Liangxi seemed to have changed overnight.

Many shops and businesses could no longer operate and were closed. Chen Liangyu came to the door of the candy shop. The faded, mottled wooden door was tightly shut. Wilted leaves were uncleared, leaving a scene of desolation.

She lifted her leg, about to leave, when the door opened from the inside.

A woman poked her head out, wearing a cloth dress and cloth shoes, and casually poured a basin of water onto the steps outside the door.

This candy shop was run by a couple, and the woman was the proprietress.

Chen Liangyu walked up. The woman glimpsed a figure walking toward her, looked up, and said, “Sorry, but we’re closed today. The shop is shut.”

“Why are you closing so early today?”

“We’re not just closing early; we can’t keep running it. We’re going back to the countryside with my husband and children. There’s a war, and who knows when the soldiers will come to plunder. Every household is worried about how to feed themselves in the days to come. Who has the extra money or leisure to eat candy?”

Chen Liangyu lowered her head and remained silent for a moment, then cupped her hands in a respectful salute and prepared to leave.

The woman, however, called out to her, saying, “Miss, please wait.”

Chen Liangyu stopped and looked back.

The woman said, “We still have some leftover candy at home, but you’ll have to wait a little. Freshly cooked crisp candy tastes the best.”

“Will it be too much trouble for you?”

“Not at all. This is what we do for a living. Since the shop is closed now, I’m idle anyway. Come inside and wait; it’s windy out there.”

“Thank you, shopkeeper.”

“You’re welcome, please sit wherever you like.”

The woman tied on an old but clean apron, took some sticky rice mixed with tender green wheat sprouts, squeezed out the juice with a breathable steamer cloth, poured it into a pot over a fire, and began to work. She also lit a smaller pot, poured in some sesame seeds and crushed peanuts to dry-fry, and sprinkled some dried osmanthus flowers on top.

The firewood crackled under the low fire.

“You’re lucky to catch me; if you came tomorrow, you wouldn’t be able to taste this. My family’s technique is passed down from our ancestors; you won’t find it elsewhere.”

Chen Liangyu remained silent.

The woman’s hands never stopped working, occasionally talking to herself over the stove.

“I wonder how long this war will last?”

She opened the lid and constantly stirred with an iron spoon. The cloudy white liquid in the pot slowly turned jujube-red.

Chen Liangyu couldn’t answer her; she didn’t know herself.

The woman spread a thick layer of fried sesame and crushed peanuts on the cutting board, ladled out the brewed syrup, and poured it over the ingredients, gently rolling it back and forth with a round stick. After repeating this a few times, she put the mixed candy and ingredients into a mold frame, pressed the candy firmly while it was still warm, turned it out, and cut it into neat square pieces with a knife. She wrapped them in oil paper and handed them to Chen Liangyu.

Chen Liangyu took out her money pouch. The woman waved her hand to stop her. “I’m not doing business right now. Consider these few pieces of candy a gift; paying for them isn’t necessary. Remember this taste; if the war is over, maybe the shop will open again, and Miss can come back.”

Chen Liangyu placed two broken pieces of silver on the stove. “Thank you for specially making the candy today. Thank you for this. Times of chaos are difficult; please take care of yourselves.”

She stepped out of the candy shop’s door.

The dilapidated wooden door gently closed behind her, like a powerless sigh.

The two squads of men who came with her were waiting at the end of the road.

That day, Xie Wenjun’s carriage had also stopped here. Physically and mentally exhausted, she couldn’t eat anything, only the crisp candy she had bought went down a little.

Chen Liangyu raised one hand and grasped her forearm.

Immersed in endless thoughts, she lightly rotated her wrists twice.

Without pulling up her sleeve, she knew that a row of blue-purple teeth marks was hidden beneath the fabric.

Chen Liangyu handed the paper package wrapped with candy to a Major and ordered him to ride quickly to the rear of the army’s march.

She mounted her horse and led the others to take a shortcut to catch up with the vanguard.

In times of chaos, people were like withered leaves on the water, drifting with the current. Chen Liangyu reflected on Zhai Ji’s words again, and the meaning seemed somewhat different.

“If the wars don’t stop and the taxes don’t decrease, how can we talk about living and working in peace?”

“The realm unified, the wars cease.”

The realm unified, the wars cease!