Chapter 47 Imperial Edict: Awei, come back.

"What's its name?"

Shen Zhiwei was stunned for a moment, and it took a while for him to realize that Xiao Wangqing was asking about the cat. He lowered his head to look at the fur ball sleeping soundly in his arms and shook his head: "I haven't given it a name yet."

When she was at the Prince's residence, she had thought of it as a stray cat that had strayed into the house by chance, and hadn't considered naming it. Later, even as she grew accustomed to its presence, she never considered the idea again. Now that it had come all the way to her, her bond was extraordinary, but she still hadn't decided to name it.

"A name is a bond," she whispered, her fingertips slowly combing through the cat's soft fur. "With a name, it has a place to belong. If it wants to stay, it can stay. If it ever wants to leave, it doesn't have to be trapped by a name."

Xiao Wangqing glanced at her and didn't ask any more questions. He just said, "It's up to you."

The kitten rolled over in Shen Zhiwei's arms, revealing its soft belly, sleeping defenselessly. It seemed to have completely forgotten its previous hostility towards Xiao Wangqing, perhaps because it was exhausted, or perhaps because it sensed no ill intentions here.

The black cat settled down in Shen Zhiwei's yard.

It recovered quickly. The military medicine was incredibly effective. Within a few days, the wounds began to scab over, and its spirits improved considerably. It remained clingy to Chen Zhiwei, following her around all day or napping on her lap. But its attitude toward Xiao Wangqing had subtly changed.

Perhaps it was because Xiao Wangqing personally treated its wounds that night, or perhaps it was because it finally realized whose territory this was, the black cat no longer bared its teeth and panted at Xiao Wangqing.

When Xiao Wangqing came, it would sometimes glance at him warily, but more often it would ignore him or lazily wag its tail. Occasionally, when Xiao Wangqing was in a good mood, he would bring it some fresh dried meat or fish. At first, it would be dismissive, but later it would come closer to sniff it, and if it liked it, it would slowly eat it.

Xiao Wangqing didn't particularly love cats, but he didn't dislike them either. It was more like a kind of tolerance, a kind of love for the cat. Sometimes, while he was sitting at his desk discussing military affairs with Shen Zhiwei, a cat would leap onto the table and strut across the map. He would simply brush it away and continue on with the conversation.

Shen Zhiwei saw all of this, and her gratitude towards Xiao Wangqing deepened. He had rescued her from her cage, given her a place to live, and now he was even tolerant of a wayward cat. This friendship, perhaps, far surpassed the insignificant favor he had spoken of.

She began to take her duties as a teacher more seriously.

Xiao Wangqing was not just talking. He quickly arranged for several young, intelligent, and literate junior officers and clerks to come to her courtyard at a fixed time every day to listen to her lectures.

The content of the lectures was varied, sometimes it was allusions and strategies from history books, sometimes it was the customs and practices in the geographical records, and sometimes it was even the pros and cons of people's livelihood and military settlement management in Liangzhou.

Shen Zhiwei explained things in a simple and easy-to-understand way. She was indeed good at this. She could quickly sort out the complicated information in her mind, explain it in the most understandable way, and put it into practice.

Once, when talking about the pros and cons of the previous dynasty's military farming system, she asked everyone to check the military farming accounts over the years, calculate the per-acre yield and expenditure, and then compare them with the harvests of local households in Liangzhou.

At first, the young men complained bitterly, but when the results finally came in and they discovered the huge deficit and suspected corruption, their faces turned pale, yet they were also filled with excitement. Xiao Wangqing read the petition and said nothing, only ordering a thorough investigation. Afterwards, a number of the officials involved were replaced.

From then on, no one dared to underestimate the seemingly weak Lord Shen.

Xiao Wangqing would occasionally come to listen after that, sitting in the corner, not saying a word, just listening. Shen Zhiwei would occasionally meet his gaze, then look away and continue her story.

Spring in northern Xinjiang comes late but leaves quickly. Early summer has arrived, and the desert is dotted with patches of green, but the sandstorms are even more intense.

Xiao Wangqing began to teach her how to ride a horse.

The chosen mare was a gentle one, short and all black. When Shen Zhiwei was first helped onto the horse's back, his palms were a little sweaty as he gripped the reins. The horse snorted and trotted restlessly.

Xiao Wangqing stood beside the horse, holding the saddle with one hand and supporting her waist with the other.

"Relax, let it flow, don't fight it."

He held the reins and walked slowly around the edge of the training ground twice. Shen Zhiwei's tense back gradually relaxed.

After a few days, he let go and simply followed, watching her cantering alone. She learned very quickly, and within a few months, she was able to ride a horse and gallop across the training grounds, her clothes rustling in the wind, attracting the attention of many soldiers.

He also taught her archery, using the hard bow commonly seen in the military, which was a bit heavy for Shen Zhiwei. Xiao Wangqing stood behind her, almost half-embracing her, holding her hand that pulled the bowstring and adjusting her posture.

"Shoulders down, elbows level, eyes, sight, bull's eye, three points in a straight line." His breath brushed past her ears, carrying a faint scent of soap and the smell of sun. Shen Zhiwei could feel the warmth coming from his chest, and her heartbeat inexplicably quickened.

She held her breath, following his fingertips and exerting force. The arrow left the string, swished, and stabbed the edge of the target at an angle.

Xiao Wangqing said nothing, simply helping her remove the second arrow. Shen Zhiwei pursed her lips and raised the bow again. She practiced over and over again, her knuckles reddened by the pain, but she remained silent. Xiao Wangqing simply accompanied her silently, handing her the water bag when she was exhausted, and speaking out to correct her movements when they became out of shape.

The black cat became a frequent visitor to the training ground. It seemed to enjoy watching her riding a horse and shooting arrows. Whenever this happened, it would jump onto the tall haystack, find a comfortable spot to lie down, and its golden vertical pupils would lazily follow her figure.

The days passed smoothly in this kind of teaching and mutual learning. Shen Zhiwei felt that her blank mind was being filled with new knowledge and experiences bit by bit. Although the fog of the past had not yet dissipated, the reality before her made her feel at ease.

A strange tacit understanding also formed between her and Xiao Wangqing. He respected her as his teacher and often came to her for advice when he encountered difficult issues. She saw in him a calmness and responsibility that belied his appearance. His silent care and respect made it impossible for her to see him as just an object to be repaid.

Sometimes when it was late at night and everyone was asleep, she would think of Xiao Lingjun, the Crown Prince who had given her the utmost tenderness and deception. She did not hate him.

Perhaps it was because his kindness during that time wasn't entirely false, or perhaps it was because she, now without memory, didn't feel deeply about love or hate. It was only when she occasionally thought of him that a sense of melancholy would wash over her, like the wind blowing across the water, dispersing the ripples without a trace.

She was more focused on the present, on how to be a good teacher, and... how to face Xiao Wangqing's increasingly deep eyes.

On this day, Shen Zhiwei was explaining to several centurions who were interested in water conservancy how to use meltwater from snow mountains to build karez to alleviate the water shortage problem during spring plowing.

Suddenly, a dull bell rang above the camp.

Dang-dang-dang-

The bells rang continuously, with a heavy and depressing rhythm, and instantly spread throughout the entire Liangzhou camp.

The drills on the parade grounds came to an abrupt halt. All the soldiers paused, listening intently. Inside and outside the barracks, officers and soldiers alike all wore gloomy expressions. They dropped their tasks, faced southeast—the direction of the capital—and slowly knelt.

The centurions around Shen Zhiwei also stood up immediately and knelt down with solemn expressions. She didn't understand why, but she also felt the great sorrow and solemnity that permeated the air.

Xiao Wangqing was discussing military affairs with several generals in the conference hall when he heard the sound. His face suddenly changed. He stood up abruptly and walked quickly outside the hall. He looked in the direction of the bell, his lips pursed tightly, and the blood drained from his face.

"Your Highness..." an old general spoke in a trembling voice.

Xiao Wangqing closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a deep, mournful silence filled his vision. He slowly raised his hand, straightened his clothes, then faced southeast, lifted the corner of his robe, and knelt.

The entire Liangzhou camp, with tens of thousands of soldiers, was in complete silence. Only the sound of the bell, representing the national mourning, echoed between heaven and earth.

Shen Zhiwei stood among the kneeling crowd, looking at Xiao Wangqing's back kneeling straight in the distance, and suddenly understood.

The emperor has passed away.

The father of Xiao Wangqing and Xiao Lingjun, whom she had only heard of in vague rumors, was dead.

The huge waves of the alternation between the old and the new finally and inevitably hit this seemingly remote land in the northern border.

She also slowly knelt down.

Xiao Wangqing knelt there, his shoulders straight, like a silent stone statue. The wind blew his hair across his forehead, making it hard to see his expression. But she knew what a heavy burden lay beneath that straight spine.

The death of the previous emperor and the ascension of Crown Prince Xiao Lingjun to the throne were inevitable. As the Third Prince, Xiao Wangqing, who held military power in the Northern Frontier and had previously been at odds with the Crown Prince, his situation suddenly became delicate and dangerous.

I don't know how long the bell rang, and finally it gradually stopped.

The camp remained dead silent, no one rising. According to etiquette, they were required to kneel for the entire hour.

Xiao Wangqing remained kneeling, motionless, until the sun set in the west. Then, a man dressed as an eunuch, escorted by a cavalry, galloped into the camp, holding a bright yellow scroll high in his hand.

The imperial edict has arrived.

Xiao Wangqing then slowly stood up, his body swaying slightly due to kneeling for a long time, but he immediately steadied himself, his face returned to its usual cold expression, and he walked forward to greet him.

All the soldiers remained kneeling, listening with their heads bowed.

Shen Zhiwei knelt among the crowd, listening to the eunuch's shrill voice read out the new emperor's decree. It was nothing more than mourning the late emperor, announcing his accession to the throne, granting amnesty to the nation, and... ordering the princes and garrison commanders from all regions to return to the capital immediately for the funeral.

After the decree was read, Xiao Wangqing kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I accept the decree and thank you for your grace."

The eunuch handed the imperial edict to him and whispered something. Xiao Wangqing listened without any expression on his face, but nodded slightly.

The eunuchs came and left quickly, leaving behind a depressing silence in the camp.

Xiao Wangqing, holding the imperial edict in his hand, turned to face the soldiers who were still kneeling, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, stand up, return to your positions, strengthen the patrol, and do not make any mistakes."

"Yes!" the soldiers answered in unison, their voices dull.

The crowd dispersed silently, the atmosphere heavy with emotion. Xiao Wangqing stood still, staring at the bright yellow scroll in his hand, without moving for a long time.

Shen Zhiwei walked up to him and said softly, “Your Highness.”

Xiao Wangqing tightened his grip on the bright yellow scroll, his knuckles turning white. He did not answer immediately.

Until the soldiers in the camp dispersed and returned to their posts.

“Well,” he finally responded, turning around and looking at Shen Zhiwei, “Let’s go back to the courtyard first.”

He didn't say much, and walked towards the courtyard where she lived. His pace was faster than usual, and Shen Zhiwei had to speed up a little to keep up with him.

The courtyard gate was closed. Inside the yard, the black cat was lying on the windowsill basking in the sun. When it saw them come back, it lazily wagged its tail and closed its eyes again.

Xiao Wangqing placed the imperial edict on the stone table in the courtyard, walked to the water tank, scooped up a bucket of cold water, and poured it over his head. The water droplets rolled down his inky hair, flowed over his cheeks and neck, and soaked his collar.

He shook his head, and water splashed everywhere.

Shen Zhiwei stood in the corridor and looked at him.

"Your Highness needs to return to the capital immediately?" She waited for a while before asking.

The imperial edict explicitly required the generals stationed in various places to return to Beijing to attend the funeral. As the new emperor had just ascended the throne, this order was both a courtesy, a test, and a constraint.

Xiao Wangqing wiped his face and neck with a cloth, the moisture making his cold, pale skin glow with color. He walked to the stone table and placed his fingers on the imperial edict.

"That's the will." He answered briefly, but Shen Zhiwei certainly knew what it meant.

If he didn't go, he would be disobeying the emperor's order, giving the new emperor an excuse to take action. If he went, he would be walking into a trap, putting the military power of the northern border and his own safety in unknown danger.

"When do we leave?"

Xiao Wangqing threw the wet towel back into the basin, and the water splashed onto the stone table, soaking a corner of the imperial edict.

"We'll set off in three days."

Three days was too fast. Even if he rode a horse at full speed, it would take half a month to get from Liangzhou to the capital. This meant that he had to leave almost immediately, without even a moment's hesitation.

"New Emperor..." She chose her words carefully, "Do you have any other instructions?"

The oral instructions whispered by the eunuch were definitely not just superficial mourning and summons.

Xiao Wangqing turned around with his back to her, the lines of his shoulder blades undulating under his wet clothes.

"My royal brother said," he said, his voice almost piercing through his teeth, "the northern border is bitterly cold, not a place for a beautiful woman to live for long."

"I hope... you can return to Beijing soon to ease my longing for you."

Beautiful lady, missing you.

This is definitely not something Xiao Lingjun would say to Xiao Wangqing.

It was clearly... told to her through Xiao Wangqing's mouth.

Awei, come back.

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The author has something to say: Seeing your words is like meeting you in person.

Autumn has arrived early in Liangzhou, and the wind already carries a hint of frost. Tonight, the moon is full, its clear light pouring down to the earth, reflecting off the campfires in the camp, making it seem like a scene far from ordinary.

I've wandered here, and I'm grateful that you all have stayed with me along the way. Whether you've expressed concern for my future or inquired about my past, your every word of concern remains etched in my heart. Though I'm thousands of miles away, every time I see the books on my desk, it's like seeing an old friend.

The moon waxes and wanes, and life has its ups and downs. Even though the past seems bleak, I know that peace of mind in this moment is my home. I wish you could feel the same way.

No matter where you are, your heart has something to rely on, and your eyes have a clear light. Even if there is sadness and separation, it can be transformed into a mellow wine in the cup. Whether you drink it alone under the moon or with friends and family, it will become a good story.

The moonlight at the border is even clearer and more expansive than anywhere else. May this ray of northern frontier light transcend thousands of mountains and rivers to illuminate you. I hope you will be healthy and successful every year, and even if there are difficulties, you can still walk under the moon.

I am not ready to say more as I have not yet taken off my armor. I can only use the north wind to grind ink, and the sound of the Qiang flute to convey my wishes from afar:

The moon is full and the heart is satisfied, and the world is peaceful.

Shen Zhiwei bows his head

In the Liangzhou Army in the Northern Frontier