Shadow in Fire

"piece."

Lingluo's interest was piqued again, and she stepped forward to close the large circle.

"Sisters, don't forget what our music hall is all about—in these chaotic times, although we have strayed from our roots, our hearts and minds are still united. I don't deny this rumor because I have seen the Sixth Prince in the music hall and heard him talk about it with his guests when he was drunk," Liu Zhiluo said seriously. "The Prince and the Emperor are the closest brothers to each other, almost to the point of talking about everything. It is because of this that I dare to take the gamble."

“Zheng Zehui,” Tang Yao nodded, “What Master said is true. I can only steal a moment of leisure when the Emperor and the Sixth Prince are drinking.”

“Then why not ask the prince?” Linglu blinked and looked at Tang Yao. “Sister is a Noble Consort, she must have a way.”

“Sister, do you think you can just see this prince whenever you want?” Tang Yao said helplessly. “It’s precisely because I’m a concubine that it’s improper for me to see him. If someone with ulterior motives sees this, I could lose my head.”

"Besides, this isn't something that can be brought to light; it's a royal scandal, already considered taboo," Liu Zhiluo shook her head.

"If this is true, how will this maidservant survive alone in Tiansong with the prince?" A musician put down his pipa and spoke slowly. The incense in the pavilion was warm and cozy, and everyone gradually relaxed and stretched.

"Yes, yes, it's been a life of hiding all the time. Even if I changed my name and made up a background to fool the people of Tiansong, what way out is there for a woman like me?"

"That's not right. Tiansong is the domain of high-ranking officials and nobles. For ordinary people, making a living is a problem, regardless of gender."

"Most men have committed theft and murder, so you can't say that woman also joined that line of work."

"Didn't Tian Song arrest a lot of thieves recently? I heard that there was a leader among them who never failed, never left any evidence, and the authorities had no grounds to arrest him, so they could only let him rob the rich to help the poor. By the way, he had a nickname, Shadow Like the Wind. With such great abilities, where did he go afterward?"

"Jin Tao?" Tang Yao realized.

“I’ve only heard people say that he gathered homeless people together in an old building. Do you think that maid would follow him?”

The group exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of hesitation and anticipation.

Tang Yao's lips trembled: "Jin Tao... went to Banrihua."

"Deliver a letter to Jiang Heng! Who can do it?" Liu Zhiluo immediately looked around, and Tang Yao caught her gaze: "I can. There is an artificial hill behind the Imperial Garden. Lord Jiang and I once met in the pavilion on the hilltop and agreed that this would be our correspondence point. He usually has nothing to do on weekdays, and he should often go there to admire the moon at night. I have been looking for opportunities to keep watch these past few nights, and I am sure I can wait for him."

"But what's the use of asking Lord Jiang? He's not here, and Jin Tao has many men under his command. How can we know if the deduction is true without thoroughly investigating them all?" Lingluo couldn't help but ask.

The crowd fell silent again—indeed, even if the rumors had reliable evidence, firstly, it couldn't be determined that the prince was under Jin Tao's command, and secondly, even if they sought help from Jiang Heng, he would be powerless to do anything about it.

“However, General Zhao is stationed at Banrihua Kenshu. If Lord Jiang can find a way to meet with General Zhao, everything will be much easier,” Tang Yao murmured. “The day the general returns to the capital is approaching, and this is the perfect opportunity.”

"Jiang Heng knows General Zhao... When did they meet?" Liu Zhiluo asked in confusion.

"It's a long story. The most urgent thing is to send a letter to Lord Jiang first, and then we can make other plans." Tang Yao was helped by Xiao Cai to the table, picked up a pen, dipped it in old ink, and began to draft.

—————

"Two thousand acres of fertile land have been cultivated, one thousand refugees have been gathered, and border trade is proceeding smoothly. Not bad." The emperor nodded repeatedly and even showed the memorial to Tang Yao. Tang Yao frowned at first before nodding with a smile.

Jiang Heng stepped forward, holding a jade tablet, and said, “Your Majesty, General Zhao’s achievements are indeed real. However, Banrihua is located on the frontier and has gathered thousands of refugees, now forming a large settlement. According to our dynasty’s laws, gatherings of more than a hundred people must be strictly supervised.” Jiang Heng looked at Yue and Qian, “If these thousands of people are all decided by General Zhao’s word, I’m afraid it will be a worry for the nation.”

Qian Ruinian stepped forward: "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you investigate this matter thoroughly."

"Has Jiang Heng gone mad? He dared to provoke General Zhao! Luckily, almost his entire family is dead!"

Fu Qinxiang smiled and said, "Lord Jiang is absolutely right. If the general holds onto his troops and becomes too powerful... the consequences will be dire."

The emperor tightened his grip on the memorial, and doubts began to creep into his heart.

Zhao Peiming snorted coldly, cupped his hands and turned around, raising an eyebrow at Jiang Heng and saying, "What a concern for the nation! What do you think, sir?"

Jiang Heng said with righteous indignation, "To silence the slanderous mouths of treacherous officials, I have a plan: Your Majesty should send a special envoy to accompany General Zhao back to Banrihua to be stationed there for supervision. Firstly, this envoy can represent Your Majesty in pacifying the displaced people; secondly, he can supervise military and political affairs to ensure that everything is within the bounds of law and order. This will silence the gossips and also preserve General Zhao's loyal and righteous life."

"Since Minister Fu shares this concern, why don't you accompany General Zhao on his westward journey?" the emperor said quietly.

"Your Majesty is wise. How could I, a mere civil official, know anything about the laws governing the border regions? Besides, the urgent matter of investigating the poisoning of Consort Li is pressing, and it is truly difficult for me to extricate myself," Fu Qinxiang said unhurriedly.

"My beloved ministers, who is willing to go?" The emperor ignored Fu Qinxiang and raised his hand to ask the people below the steps.

"Since this plan was proposed by your humble servant, I am willing to go. In addition to the duties mentioned above, I will also do my utmost to clarify the household registration and count the population, and report all the results to Your Majesty. If there is any error, I am willing to accept military punishment!" As expected, it was Jiang Heng.

"Tch, what's with the show of being the best in the forest?"

"Just send the dead."

"Does a lowly official think he can please the emperor with just words?"

Jiang Heng ignored her and silently joined the ranks. Fu Qinxiang was delighted—if Jiang Heng left the central government, her plan against the Tang siblings would be free of obstacles, and the formation of an army would be imminent. If Zhao Peiming were to lose his composure again because of Jiang Heng, her path would be completely clear.

“The military is not like the imperial court. If Lord Jiang finds it too difficult to endure the hardships, I, Zhao, am happy to send someone to escort you back to the capital at any time.” Zhao Peiming spoke with a hint of gritted teeth, as if he wished he could chew Jiang Heng up in his mouth.

Zhao Peiming and his entourage left the capital through Lingxi Pass. Just as Jiang Heng was about to mount Jiguang, Zhao Peiming swiftly helped him onto Chixiao. He then climbed up himself and grabbed the reins. The two attendants instantly understood each other, exchanged glances, and fastened the reins of Jiguang to their own saddles before following closely behind.

Jiang Heng struggled symbolically for a few moments, then turned his head and kissed Zhao Peiming's lips, saying, "Let me down. It wouldn't look good if they saw us."

Zhao Peiming pulled the man closer, nuzzled his chin against the man's neck, and said loudly, "I am under orders to escort the Emperor's special envoy, and I dare not neglect my duty!"

As the group chatted and laughed, they set off onto the official road. In the distance, several ribbons of silk flew in the sky, and white birds flying south drew arcs of light like shooting stars.

"Do you remember the first time we rode together?" Zhao Peiming asked.

"General, you should think about how to solve the immediate problem first!" Jiang Heng said, emphasizing each word as he spoke during their first time riding together.

"What?" Zhao Peiming asked in confusion.

"The general is young and impetuous."

Zhao Peiming gasped, "...Just bear with it."

Jiang Heng smiled gently: "Half-day flowers must be hard work, I'll make it up to you."

"You... can't handle it, you'd better just take care of it." Zhao Peiming said casually.

"What should we do? I want it!" Jiang Heng still smiled.

This made Zhao Peiming's blood run cold. He freed his hand and pinched the waist of the person in front of him, saying in a deep voice, "Jiang Heng, don't seduce me."

"What are you saying?" Jiang Heng was tickled by the rubbing and couldn't get away, so he could only lean back. "Last time you were under the influence of the drug and didn't touch the right spot. This time I'll teach you... um..." Zhao Peiming bit Jiang Heng's lower lip hard, determined to shut him up.

"Where's Jiang Heng, who was so well-behaved and reserved before?" Zhao Peiming teased, holding Jiang Heng tightly.

“General, times have changed. Whatever form you desire, I will conjure it up for you,” Jiang Heng said, licking the metallic taste from his lips.

"……unnecessary."

"Um?"

Zhao Peiming felt the warmth of the person in his arms and looked at the distant horizon: "Whether you are a scholar, Young Master Jiang, or Lord Jiang, I want you, I hope you are 'Jiang Heng', not someone who changes for me, becomes a hodgepodge, and loses their soul," he said in a trembling voice, "Jiang Heng, you don't need to change yourself to please me."

Jiang Heng felt a heavy blow to his heart, a mix of emotions washing over him. He felt somewhat embarrassed and instinctively wanted to run away, but then he realized that he couldn't escape his lover's strong, warm embrace no matter what, which was a kind of comfort. With tears in his eyes, he remained silent.

The group traveled quietly, and when they reached Huimiao Prefecture, snow began to fall in the west. Zhao Peiming, born at the foot of Mount Taibai, was accustomed to the cold, and silently took off his cloak and draped it over Jiang Heng. Jiang Heng had always been wary of snowy weather, and his face remained expressionless as he simply wrapped the cloak tighter around himself and slowly and methodically ate a sweet potato. The two young men who had accompanied him, however, were quite intrigued. From the moment they saw the patches of white snow, they couldn't help but look up and admire them, their mouths never closing. Zhao Peiming secretly observed Jiang Heng's expression more than once, and seeing that the other man had no intention of speaking to him, he squatted down opposite him and threw pebbles. When the young men returned, having had their fun, they found their master and the distinguished envoy standing silently across the campfire. Terrified, they didn't know where to sit, and with a death wish, they tentatively ran to Zhao Peiming, cupping their fists in greeting: "Master, this..."

Zhao Peiming looked up and pointed to a spot for the two of them to rest. One of them was still craning his neck to look at Jiang Heng, while the other nudged him and said, "Hurry up! If you keep looking, your master will chop off your head!"

Jiang Heng remained curled up, eyes lowered and silent. His irises reflected the firelight, making it impossible to tell if he was crying. Zhao Peiming walked over, intending to pull him into his arms. Jiang Heng tried to dodge, but to no avail. He was pulled into a hug, and then hooked his arms around the other's neck, clinging tightly to him.

"Don't hide, I'm here," Zhao Peiming whispered in Jiang Heng's ear.

Jiang Heng grabbed a strand of Zhao Peiming's hair, his breath falling evenly on her ear, pretending to fall asleep.

The heavens were kind; the clouds covered the sky overhead, and there was hardly any wind. The original route via Honglan was changed to take the newly built official road, which was two days faster than expected.