Looking at the Sword by Lamplight (16)

Bian Hongqiu pulled Meng Shizhuang to sit down, and asked Li Yan to do as she pleased, and served each of them a cup of tea.

He brushed the long hair that had fallen across his chest. Seeing no strange look in Li Yan's eyes, he replied, "I've heard from Grandma Minghe about Madam's life overseas, and I greatly admire your courage. Now that I'm in Chunxiang Island, I dare not reveal my true identity. I've disguised myself. Please don't mind, Madam."

Li Yan was indeed shocked by his outfit at first sight.

But she had been in the Western Territory for many years, but she did not close her eyes and ears. Moreover, Bian Hongqiu had been the most covetous enemy of their Zuodan Eighteen Continents for the past ten years. Compared with Xi Zhongting who had retired behind the scenes long ago, the people under the Western King were more afraid of him. A royal child who grew up as a princess still had some minor friction with the now powerful Majesty. The Prince Regent tried to suppress him many times, but instead allowed him to successfully inherit the title of king.

Li Yan's successful entry into the Western Territory was thanks to her husband.

Later, she leveraged this connection to gain access to Concubine Wen, and she also rose to prominence with the King of Jingxi, gaining half of her husband's power. After years of confrontation with the imperial court, she gradually sensed the weakening of the Western Border. The King of Jingxi pursued immortality and remained inactive, while the Wen siblings, each with their own concerns, remained at odds. She had long ago begun to reconsider her plans, secretly following the clues and uncovering numerous spies sent by the imperial court, but most were low-ranking, serving only as messengers.

Until a few years ago, Minghe returned to her.

Her next opportunity came.

Li Yan's features were not as gentle as those of an ordinary woman. Her bones revealed a toughness and tenacity. She had been immersed in power and ambition for years, but most remarkable of all, her eyes remained as clear and radiant as ever. She wore a perfectly composed smile, "Prince Liang, you're joking. A hero's origins are not judged. Your Highness and the 'master archer' of Prince Liang's palace dare to come alone. Li Yan will certainly provide you with all her strength."

As she spoke, her eyes met Hengbo's surprised expression, and she gracefully greeted him, "When His Royal Highness Prince Liang won the first battle of Lanzhou, your first arrow shot amidst the thousands of soldiers was truly breathtaking. Li Yan still remembers it vividly."

She was talking about the first battle of the integrated Western Frontier Army led by Bian Hongqiu, where both sides were testing each other's strength.

Li Yan had just divided power from her husband, and her husband's nephews and nieces were very dissatisfied. She had thought that it would be easy to fight against a coach who grew up as a woman, and that she would use this opportunity to rise to the top. However, she never expected that as soon as she appeared in front of the battle, she was shot through the head by the "archer" who had always stood on the city wall in Prince Liang's Mansion, like a broken watermelon.

Hengbo really didn't expect that Li Yan would know what she did during the confrontation between the two armies.

She had no choice but to practice archery. She had learned it as a child because she enjoyed it, but she had absolutely no skill for close combat on the battlefield. With the tacit approval of Bian Hongqiu and Song Jingyan, she would hold the heavy bow from the safe rear of the army. The King of Jingxi hadn't personally led his troops into battle, and she hadn't been particularly aware of the number of generals killed or wounded in the Western Territory. Was she truly so renowned among the enemy?

Li Yan was just guessing.

Song Jingyan's reputation was already high during the time of the old Prince Liang. Now, following the new Prince Liang, whom she had personally raised, she wouldn't be careless and not make any preparations. At least Chunxiang Island already has countless spies planted. With only two people around, they wouldn't be concerned about Hongxiu Tianxiang, right? Looking at the calluses on Hengbo's palms and the beautiful forearm muscles hidden beneath his sleeves, the answer became clear.

Then, she turned to Meng Shizhuang and asked politely, "I just don't know who this person is?"

Meng Shizhuang was still studying her face, and he thought her almond-shaped eyes were very similar to Liu Lang's. Although he had said that he was willing to bring his mother to him for Liu Lang, it wasn't that he had any prejudice against this childless mother. Raising a child was not easy, and Lao Ju had worked so hard, but still couldn't raise him well.

He pressed down Bian Hongqiu's hand and replied, "Just a nobody."

Li Yan looked at the two people sitting across from her, understanding the situation and no longer asking questions. She turned to talk about the situation in Chunxiangzhou. "Since the King of Jingxi failed to capture Lanzhou a few years ago, he has rarely been involved in affairs. Most of the affairs in the Western Territory are managed by Concubine Wen and his brother Wen Jiyun. Your Highness should know that the King of Jingxi fled from the capital to the Western Territory just now. He wandered around the various states, killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. I heard these things from my husband, when I was not yet under the King of Jingxi's command."

She thanked Bian Hongqiu for the tea. "The King of Jingxi entered Minghun Prefecture by sea, intending to confront the imperial court there. He first killed a number of officials who refused to submit, and after barely stabilizing the situation, he indulged in pleasure, driving the city's residents into the deep sea to fish for pearls. He even abducted the daughter of the then-defunct Minghun prefect and brought her into his service. Unexpectedly, she was stabbed and severely wounded. The girl rallied the entire city's officers, soldiers, and civilians in rebellion, leaving the entire city practically awash in blood."

"King Jingxi was seriously injured and unconscious. The Wen brothers and sisters ordered their men to withdraw from Minghunzhou, and only then did they retreat all the way to Zuodan Eighteen Continents."

"After entering the Eighteen Continents, Wen Jiyun forged an imperial edict and deceived most of the provincial officials. Before the imperial court could receive any news, he seized all the troops in the Eighteen Continents. Then, using the same tactics, he plundered the first batch of the people's wealth in preparation for the imperial court's military deployment. Afterwards, Concubine Wen came forward to appease the people, stating that their previous misdeeds had caused chaos in the areas outside the Eighteen Continents, leaving the imperial court with no time to attend to them."

It had been a long time since Meng Shizhuang heard anyone mention the chaotic events that had occurred in Dayu over the years. He kept an eye on Bian Hongqiu's expression and caught a glimpse of the other person's thoughtful look.

Li Yan: "For the first few years, the King of Jingxi always wanted to use the power of the Eighteen Continents to retake the capital, but General Xi arrived too quickly, and he didn't gain any benefits. Later, he entrusted all affairs to Concubine Wen and hid in Tongyunhai Palace all day. Concubine Wen's methods were ruthless and she was quite skilled in the art of keeping an eagle at bay. She would sometimes relax and sometimes tighten the government orders for the people of the Western Territory. The King of Jingxi always trusted her."

Bian Hongqiu had a plan in mind and raised an eyebrow: "In the past? At this critical moment, are you suspicious of the people around you?"

Li Yan put down his tea and said, "I wonder if His Royal Highness Prince Liang would believe this. Based on my observations of Prince Jingxi, I don't think he is interested in the highest authority."

"If Your Highness had carefully searched the palace of Huangque Island, you would have known that there are many alchemy furnaces and books on immortal arts in the palace. The King of Jingxi is not interested in rare treasures, nor is he very interested in beautiful women," Li Yan said, pausing, "except for beauties with unusual looks."

Bian Hongqiu smiled faintly. "I wonder what methods Madam used to drive a wedge between Prince Jingxi and Concubine Wen? From what I know, Concubine Wen's former husband, the former son of the Duke of Zhenguo, served Prince Jingxi for many years, and he didn't think it was inappropriate. Meanwhile, General Xiaofang has been in the country for years and hasn't been able to impress her. Madam must have put in a lot of effort to be so loyal."

The Wen family reached its peak during the reign of Prime Minister Wen. Before his death, Concubine Wen Chaohua married Fang Duan, the first heir apparent to the Duke of Zhenguo. Fang Duan, known for his abuse of his wife and murder of his daughter, was sued by Prime Minister Wen and deposed. Later, during civil unrest in Dayu, the estranged couple unexpectedly reunited under the command of the King of Jingxi.

It's really fate.

Li Yan pulled out a small picture from his sleeve: "Some tricks of pretending to be ghosts."

"This is what I saw when I entered Tongyunhai Palace with Concubine Wen's permission. King Jingxi often lay beneath the scroll. I took note of it, figured out the reason, found a woman with a similar build, slightly disguised herself, and sneaked into Tongyunhai Palace on the night of the Huangque Islet fire. I then lit a spellbinding incense, and King Jingxi thought it was all a dream. On the first night we retreated to Chunxiang Islet, he and Concubine Wen had a huge argument."

It would be tedious to recount what we argued about.

But it was absurd to say that when Li Yan was summoned to the palace to accompany Concubine Wen, he heard the Western King's voice in the palace say to Concubine Wen with disappointment: "...She is not a person like you, not someone as scheming as you, who treats human life as worthless. You are very different from her now..."

Hearing this, Li Yan wanted to laugh out loud three times.

She suppressed her irony at the memory: "This is a portrait of Consort Hui during the reign of Emperor Wu."

Bian Hongqiu held it in his palm and looked at it carefully.

He didn't know what Concubine Hui looked like, but looking at the woman's bright deer eyes in the small portrait, he remembered that he was summoned to the capital to report on his work two years ago. Xi Zhongting also returned to the capital after suppressing the rebellion. Emperor Xue held a banquet, and at the banquet, officials talked about the emperor's travels to various states when he was the crown prince. They mentioned the maps of various states drawn by Xi Zhongting and his entourage. The picture of the beauty in Ming Hunzhou seemed to be a beauty with deer eyes.

Thinking of Song Jingyan's instructions, he connected these past events into a thread: "It seems that this royal uncle of mine has a beautiful woman who wants to renew her relationship with him."

Another round of babbling sounds ended outside the room.

Li Yan's voice, neither too loud nor too soft, was especially clear in the side room. "The current drama on Chunxiang Island is the work of Concubine Wen. You and General Xi played both sides, and the people under King Jingxi's command were already in chaos. Concubine Wen used the imperial seal to suppress them, using threats and inducements to silence them. With His Majesty ill and the Crown Prince Regent not too old, these rebellious ministers felt they still had a chance of survival."

Since Concubine Wen took out the jade seal, Li Yan had a way to find the real location of the jade seal.

"I only have one question. General Xiao Fang secretly stopped me. Without the instructions of His Royal Highness Prince Liang, I wonder what the most valuable thing in Chunxiang Island is right now?"

Sooner or later, her thoughts about him would be exposed. Li Yan wasn't afraid of leaving flaws or being exposed, but she also wanted to understand what the person she was surrendering to wanted, so that she wouldn't fail at the last moment.

Bian Hongqiu pondered for a moment.

"The King of Jingxi has been a traitor for decades. Even if he has no power, what answers has the immortal way he sought given him? I don't believe he would entrust matters to Concubine Wen and do nothing. Madam, please hold your ground for the time being and find out if he has any hidden personnel or burrows within the palace."

Li Yan was startled, then immediately agreed: "Prince Liang has made thorough considerations. Li Yan is willing to serve him."

She met Bian Hongqiu's eyes, half smiling and half asking.

Bian Hongqiu poured another cup of tea for Meng Shizhuang beside her and said casually, "How is Aunt Zhang, who stays with the Madam? I'd like to tell her something. Her previous master, Lord Zheng in the capital, performed his duties poorly and was implicated in a corruption case. He was sentenced to exile three thousand miles southwest. He fell seriously ill and died on the way."

Li Yan stood up and bowed, "This is the fate of those who betray their wives. Concubine Wen summoned me to the palace at dawn. Please, Your Highness, Prince Liang, wait patiently for good news from Li Yan."

Bian Hongqiu nodded: "Hengbo, please send Madam Li off."

The door to the wing room closed gently, and Bian Hongqiu slowly exhaled. He calmly moved closer to Meng Shizhuang and said, "You've been busy all day, Ah Shi, are you tired?"

Meng Shizhuang ignored his little action and reached out to hold his shaking shoulders.

"Go to sleep if you're tired."

Bian Hongqiu shook his head: "There's still a wave of guests to entertain."

Before Meng Shizhuang could even ask, he realized that the theater, which had been bustling just a moment ago, was now completely silent. He frowned, but Bian Hongqiu grabbed his hand, which was about to draw its sword. Then, there were three knocks on the door of the wing room. Bian Hongqiu's voice was neither too loud nor too low: "Come in."

As he finished speaking, two actors walked in with their makeup still on.

"I pay my respects to His Highness."

Bian Hongqiu: "No need to be polite, please sit down."

However, the two men did not dare to act rashly and kept saying that they dared not.

The guards patrolling the numerous brothels and theaters within Chunxiang Island were about to circle back in an incense stick of time, so the two men got straight to the point: "Your Highness, General Xi sent someone to inquire about a letter earlier. We thought it was just a simple delivery of a letter, but unexpectedly, a substitute stepped in to keep the appointment, and we met General Xi himself."

Bian Hongqiu: "Oh, I thought he would come in person, but is he so quick? What does he want you to do?"

These two hidden spies were deeply buried, not just to deal with the King of Jingxi. Song Jingyan had spent ten years with Bian Hongqiu in the Western Border, playing a game of chess, with countless pieces flying onto the board, trapping allies from across Ming Hunzhou. As Li Yan had expected, Bian Hongqiu had come alone, so he must have been well prepared.

"General Xi only asked when the play that was being performed in our theater was rehearsed."

Bian Hongqiu tapped the table with his fingertips.

The news Li Yan brought was of crucial importance. The Jingxi King's faction was in disarray, having sunk into the immortal path for years. Their final dodge in this desperate situation was beyond question, but it was unlikely to cause any major disturbances. Concubine Wen, however, still wanted to find a way for him to survive. Previously, both Xi Zhongting and Bian Hongqiu had worn the motto "Beware of the Rat"; revealing their cards too soon would give the court a reason to disregard their concerns.

Even with the jade seal in hand, how to use it is a difficult problem for King Xi and others.

It was no secret that there was a subtle rift between the Prince of Liang's Mansion and His Majesty. The half-hearted encirclement and suppression of Huangquezhou was not successful. The Prince of Liang was furious and argued with Xi Zhongting, who was obviously on the side of the court. They impulsively sent troops. After all, the reputation of the royal father and son was of no importance to them - a real show of swords and guns was enough for Bian Hongqiu to force them to show the jade seal.

What we need to do now is to successfully retrieve the imperial seal.

He thought for a moment and asked, "Have you figured out the secret line that Xi Zhongting and the imperial court have planted around King Jingxi?"

One of them bowed and said, "I am honored to have fulfilled my mission and perfectly conveyed the news that His Highness wanted to let them know."

Bian Hongqiu: "Then tell Xi Zhongting who is the biggest obstacle to his obtaining the imperial seal."

After giving the instructions, the two men took their leave.

Bian Hongqiu rubbed his brows, still looking at Meng Shizhuang with a smile: "Ah Shi, do you have anything to ask?"

Meng Shizhuang didn't really want to think, and said expressionlessly: "No, are you going to sleep or not?"

Hengbo sent Li Yan away and went to rest in the wing reserved for her. Bian Hongqiu, after spending the night with someone, drank a whole pot of strong tea and was surprisingly in good spirits. She grabbed Meng Shizhuang's struggling hand and said, "Let's sleep. In ordinary families, couples should sleep in the same bed..."

He hadn't finished his "rogue act" when the sword Song Jingyan had gifted Meng Shizhuang rang out for the first time. With a clang, the snow-white blade touched Bian Hongqiu's neck. A strand of his carefully styled hair broke off and clung to the blade. Meng Shizhuang leaned forward and blew the strand away, nearly touching Bian Hongqiu's nose.

"What do you want to say, Your Highness? Speak."

He had the same smile on his face as Bian Hongqiu, and there was a hint of gritted teeth in his voice.

Bian Hongqiu, a man with a sword hanging over his head, was so tempted by Meng Shizhuang's delicate movements that his mouth went dry. He curled his eyes, feigning grievance, and fearlessly rested his chin on the sharp blade, "I say, ordinary couples sleep together at night."

Meng Shizhuang raised her soft right hand and rested her bent wrist against Bian Hongqiu's chin.

Bian Hongqiu smelled a light medicinal fragrance.

He was being looked down upon by Meng Shizhuang, who let him look with her chin raised: "Did you see clearly? How pretty am I? Can I impress you?"

Meng Shizhuang was speechless.

He said last time that he liked women, so this time he can't say that he likes ugly ones.

"Are you from an ordinary family? Your Highness Prince Liang, you do have some... You are indeed very beautiful," Meng Shizhuang still couldn't lie with his eyes open, "but I don't like people making fun of me. I came with you this time because I want to see you fulfill your promise and open the door to the western border. Do you really treat me as your husband who drives you day and night and warms your bed?"

He raised his arm, and Bian Hongqiu raised his chin with difficulty, still refusing to give up: "As a husband, are you willing to drive and warm your wife's bed? So many men are unwilling to do so, but you are. No wonder Liu Lang said that the threshold of Renjitang has been trampled down."

Meng Shizhuang was too lazy to continue entangled with Bian Hongqiu.

He lifted Bian Hongqiu's chin, pushed her fragile neck back, and quickly sheathed his sword, placing it on the table. Then he reached out and detached the crabapple branch Bian Hongqiu had given him as a hairpin. Without removing his bandaged right hand from Bian Hongqiu's chin, he gently struck Bian Hongqiu's face with the branch in his left hand. "I'll sleep on the bed. You can sleep anywhere you want. If you dare to go up to the bed, don't blame me for showing no mercy."

As he said this, he sheathed his sword in his sleeve, lifted the bead curtain, and went to bed without looking back.

Bian Hongqiu watched him lower the beaded curtain, then picked up the still-warm branch of the flower, smiling softly. He rose and extinguished the candle in the room, but a faint light shone through the window. Daylight had already begun to fall. He cautiously opened the window halfway. The streets and alleys of Chunxiangzhou were littered with corpses, the scorched earth still smoldering with flames. Residents peeked in from doors and windows, sobbing mournfully.

He watched quietly, then shifted his gaze to the magnificent palace complex in the distance.

He was just sighing inwardly, wondering when the war in the Eighteen Continents would finally end, when a gentle drizzle, carried softly by the spring breeze, began to fall. Bian Hongqiu held the crabapple branch and reached out the window. Fine raindrops tapped on the stamens, soaking one of his sleeves.

Raindrops slid down this fair hand. Wen Chaohua, tears in her beautiful eyes, turned around and asked Li Yan, who was lighting incense for her: "Madam, is it really me who did something wrong?"