Chapter 59
A first-rate romantic.
Ulun Sehan, Royal Palace.
"Your Majesty, Lord Helou has promised that as long as you obediently write the edict of succession, once he ascends the throne, you will be the retired emperor and enjoy unparalleled glory. Why suffer injustice here for no reason?"
Yuchi Amu laid out the bright yellow imperial edict and considerately handed a brush moistened with ink to Tuoba Cangjue on the throne.
The ministers, who had been imprisoned in the main hall for many days, dared not speak out in anger. Fully armed soldiers held their sword hilts, ready to behead anyone who dared to voice dissent.
This is a blatant coup.
Several months ago, Helou Batu took advantage of the Northern Rong delegation's trip to Dayan to launch a coup, imprisoned the Northern Rong King Tuoba Cangjue, seized the Tiger Tally, and unexpectedly launched a direct war against the Northern Rong. He not only captured several cities in succession, but also beheaded King Muqing Su Chengyu, and wiped out nearly 100,000 Zhenbei Army troops in Dayan.
Helou Batu originally thought that with these outstanding military achievements, he could intimidate the stubborn "Crown Prince Party" in the court and force Tuoba Cangjue to abdicate. However, Xie Yutang destroyed the advantage he had painstakingly built up in less than a month. In particular, her deputy general named Su Lu not only knew the terrain of the border city very well, but also had a clear understanding of his combat methods and marching strategies, as if he had fought this battle himself.
This is weird.
If things continue like this, not only will his throne be in danger, but his own life will also be in peril.
Left with no other choice, Helou Batu sent a message by carrier pigeon, ordering Yuchi Amu, who was originally waiting in Shuofeng City, to lead cavalry northwards, sparing no effort and regardless of the cost, even if it meant trampling on people's heads, to force Tuoba Cangjue to abdicate in his favor.
With a legitimate throne, he could take his time and use the power of the entire nation to slowly wear down Xie Yutang.
A sharp and fierce shout rang out: "Yuchi Amu, you have conspired with the tiger for its skin, colluded with the rebels, and now you dare to openly threaten the king! How dare you!"
Yuchi Amu turned around and twirled his wrist: "It's Princess Helou. The lord said that if you are willing to abandon the darkness and embrace the light, and take the initiative to sever ties with Tuoba Xiu, then you will still be his good sister, and the lord will wait for you in the future—"
With a "snap".
A clear five-finger mark appeared on Yuchi Amu's tilted face.
Helou Wulan said, word by word, "Since our ancestor ascended the throne, my Helou family has been loyal to the royal family. I have no brother like that."
Yuchi Amu turned his head with a smile, a flash of ferocity in his eyes. A short knife flew out from his sleeve, and with a thud, a head rolled to the ground, its eyes still wide open, dying with its eyes wide open.
The main hall fell into complete silence.
The courtiers were horrified.
Yuchi Amu actually killed a high-ranking official in public.
Yuchi Amu's sinister gaze swept over the faces of Tuoba Xiu, Helou Wulan, Ashan, Qiu Dunyue, and others. These people were fed a bowl of muscle-weakening powder every day, so they couldn't even lift a knife and could only be killed or tortured at will.
He drew his sword with a swift motion, pointed it at an official, and then looked at Tuoba Cangjue, whose face was ashen, on the throne. He laughed and said, "Your Majesty, I'll count to three. If you don't write it down by then, his head will be gone. Let's see if there are more heads in this hall or if you can hold out longer."
After three shouts, just as another official was about to be killed, Yuchi Amu's wrist, which was holding a sword, was suddenly grabbed and twisted, and he was punched in the abdomen.
"The Imperial Advisor!"
Qiu Dunyue, still holding back Yuchi Amu, coughed up a mouthful of blood.
"Force your way in, let the poison enter your veins, let's see how long you can hold on."
Yuchi Amu sneered, flicked his wrist to break free from the man's grasp, twisted his body and kicked the man's lower body, and shouted, "Get him!"
Soldiers in the hall drew their swords in response. Tuoba Xiu and others protected the ministers behind them and joined the battle. Helou Wulan swept aside a soldier who was trying to assassinate the old minister, picked him up, and pushed him to safety. However, a moment later, the soldiers behind her found an opening and thrust their long swords at her chest.
"Princess!"
"He Lou Wulan!"
Tuoba Xiu's eyes were bloodshot, and he was determined to rush forward even if it meant taking several blows. But it was too late. Just as the sword tip was about to draw blood, a piece of silk, which appeared out of nowhere, wrapped around Helou Wulan's waist and pulled him away from the sword's attack.
Xie Yutang grabbed the other end of the silk and pulled it backward, using his toes to grab Helou Wulan's waist in mid-air: "It wasn't Prince Su who saved you, are you disappointed?"
Everyone knew about He Lou Wulan's feelings for Su Lu, so she wasn't annoyed by the teasing remark. Xie Yutang spun around to deflect the force, and He Lou Wulan took a half-step back after regaining her footing, then respectfully bowed: "Thank you for saving my life, Your Highness."
Yuchi Duohan ran into Wu Shiwei, who was ordered to pursue him, in Shuofeng City. Of the three thousand cavalrymen, only a hundred remained. Even with the addition of the guards in the palace, there were no more than a thousand men. They were easily wiped out by the two thousand elite soldiers brought by Xie Yutang.
The magnificent palace was instantly turned into a river of blood, with corpses strewn everywhere. Xie Qi directed his men to count the casualties.
"Young Master!"
When Zhou Baizhi saw that Tuoba Xiu was injured, he was about to go over to him. Tuoba Xiu waved his hand, ignoring his left arm which was injured to the bone, and walked towards the throne to help Tuoba Cangjue up: "Father, are you injured?"
Tuoba Cangjue shook his head, and with Tuoba Xiu's help, walked to Xie Yutang. Behind him stood the Northern Rong officials who had just escaped their predicament. He looked at her deeply and said, "Your Highness's help today is deeply appreciated by the Northern Rong."
As the ruler of a country, Tuoba Cangjue's words carried immense weight in public, and none of the ministers behind him objected. After all, if it weren't for Xie Yutang, they would probably all be dead here.
The Northern Rong were in turmoil, but unexpectedly, it was Princess Ning'an of Dayan who quelled it in the end.
Xie Yutang greeted Tuoba Cangjue and the others, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then noticed that their gazes were intentionally or unintentionally falling on the person behind her. Xie Yutang understood, and without saying anything more, led Xie Qi and the others downstairs first.
Tuoba Cangjue stared intently at Su Lu, who had been left behind.
He was better looking than he could ever imagine.
Just standing here, he exudes an aura of authority that seeps into his very bones, yet he is neither ostentatious nor domineering. He is like a piece of jade that is extremely still and quiet, reminding people of the last snowflake on the peak of a snow-capped mountain.
Seeing that the situation was hopeless, Yuchi Amu tried to take advantage of the chaos to assassinate the emperor. The tip of his sword was half an inch in front of Tuoba Cangjue's neck, but it could not go any further. Tuoba Cangjue was his beloved grandson. Separated by the thousands of mountains and rivers between the Northern Rong and the Dayan, and by decades of not having met, he killed the assassin on their first meeting and saved himself.
A mix of emotions surged within him as Tuoba Cangjue scrutinized the young man before him inch by inch.
His features resembled those of a girl.
Even the shadow cast by the eyelashes on the lower eyelid when the eyes are lowered is so similar.
Tuoba Cangjue grasped Su Lu's hand.
The young man did not flinch, letting the old hand tremble as it covered the back of his hand, enveloping his entire hand.
“Ayu”.
Tuoba Yu.
This was a name bestowed upon his grandson by Tuoba Cangjue, in his capacity as the King of the Northern Rong.
In the Northern Rong language, “聿” means gold, stone, jade, precious stones, and beautiful jade.
The elderly King of Beirong burned lamplight day and night, poring over ancient Beirong texts before finally settling on this character.
"Ayu," Tuoba Xiu called out, his brows showing genuine joy, "From now on, we'll be good brothers."
The King of Beirong personally bestowed upon him a name, the Crown Prince addressed him as a brother, he had rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor, and his birth mother, Tuoba Shu, held the title of Marquis Minyi. Everyone weighed the weight this young marquis held in Tuoba Cang's mind and even in the entire Beirong. If he wished, he could advance and become a rising star in the court; if not, he could still enjoy wealth and comfort without worry.
But Su Lu showed no joy on his face, remaining as calm as ever.
Like a deep pool and a towering mountain, unmoved by favor or disgrace.
Tuoba Cangjue became more and more satisfied with his grandson.
When Qiu Dunyue and his group failed to bring his grandson back from Dayan, they told him, "Yu'er is doing well, but his soul is gone."
He had thought the person was under a curse and had been worried for a long time, but seeing him put his mind at ease.
His grandson is perfectly fine!
Before Tuoba Cangjue could even raise the corners of his mouth in a smile, he saw his beloved grandson pull his hand out of his palm, take a half step back, and lower his eyes, saying, "I deeply appreciate the kindness of Your Majesty and His Highness."
He performed the rites befitting a deputy general, and used the name Su Lu.
Your Highness and the assembled officials looked at each other.
Qiu Dunyue and Helou Wulan both had an "I knew it" expression on their faces.
It wasn't that Su Lu particularly recognized Da Yan's identity, but rather because of Xie Yutang—the deputy general was Xie Yutang's deputy general, and Su Lu was his master's Su Lu.
Xie Yutang waved his hand, saying that he didn't need the title of "young marquis" or "good grandson."
A first-rate romantic.
Tuoba Cangjue's smile froze for a moment before blooming again. His eyes were full of the tenderness and tolerance of an elder as he looked at Su Lu: "It's normal that you're not used to it since you've just arrived in Beirong. Let Xiu'er show you around and help you get acquainted. I also have a lot to say to you later."
Now that he's arrived in Beirong, he's determined not to let him leave. Even if Xie Yutang did do Beirong a great favor, feelings aside, reason is reason. It's perfectly reasonable for the Emperor to keep his good grandson.
There is plenty of time ahead. Tuoba Cangjue will make up for all the love and debt he owes to his daughter over the past ten years by giving it all to his grandson who has been lost and found again. He firmly believes that his Ayu will soon reintegrate into the family in this boundless love.
Beirong is his true home.
Tuoba Cangjue felt he was being very considerate and planned to instruct his servants to lead the people to bathe, change clothes, and rest for a while. He planned to wait until the smell of blood in the hall dissipated before setting out fine wine and delicacies to enjoy a good drink with the prince.
Just as he raised his hand halfway, a Xie family guard entered from outside the door. He whispered something to Su Lu, and his good prince nodded, bowed to him, and said his second sentence since their reunion: "My master has something to attend to, please excuse me."
*
Chiwen Cheng, or rather, Cao Yong's secret chamber, was hidden in an inconspicuous house near Wang Gong.
The street where this house is located is all Cao Yong's private property, and most of it has been rented out for business: fishmongers, blacksmiths, cured meat makers, and naan bread vendors. Zhou Baizhi led her through a maze of twists and turns, and finally found the entrance through a small alley.
The truly wise live in seclusion in the city.
Cao Yong was quite good at choosing locations.
The secret room was hidden in the study with several mechanisms. Zhou Baizhi led her inside. The room was neither too big nor too small. Dozens of chests were neatly stacked in the east corner, containing gold and silver, as well as houses and properties from various parts of Beirong. The silver notes were mainly from Beirong, with some from Dayan.
Against the north wall was a display shelf, filled with his daily collection of antiques, calligraphy and paintings. On the left side of the second shelf was a wooden box containing more than a dozen identity documents from two countries, all of which were made to resemble Cao Yong's stature and appearance.
Xie Yutang raised an eyebrow: "A cunning rabbit has three burrows. It seems Cao Yong has left himself quite a few escape routes."
"He knew that with what he had done, it was almost impossible for him to live out his remaining years in peace, and he made preparations for more than just this." Zhou Baizhi spoke of his former boss in a calm tone, put the stack of identity documents aside, and took out a palm-sized iron box from below.
When Su Lu arrived, Xie Yutang was sitting at the table, playing with an iron box in his hand.
He sat down beside her and said knowingly, "Found it in Cao Yong's secret chamber?"
Xie Yutang nodded and handed him the iron box: "This is the Xuanji Box. The letters between Cao Yong and the person behind the scenes are very likely inside. Zhou Baizhi said that only Cao Yong knew the password to this box, but he once heard Cao Yong mention it when he was drunk, saying that the password was the most important date to him."
Although it is called an iron box, the box is actually forged from a mixture of meteorite iron and bronze, and its surface is quenched with black gold, giving it a nebula-like dark pattern.
The box is nested with three bronze discs, which must be aligned with the three sets of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches simultaneously to open.
You have three chances.
Xie Yutang said, "Three consecutive incorrect passwords will cause the internal mercury column to roll down, triggering the gravity lock and igniting the explosives in the interlayer. It's hard to say whether you and I will be injured, but everything in the box will be destroyed."
On the table lay the investigation documents handed over by the secret guards, which contained Cao Yong's entire life story: when he passed the imperial examination, when he was transferred, when he was dismissed and exiled, and his actions after fleeing to the Northern Rong and becoming the Chiwen Cheng. Cao Yong never married and had no children. He was fond of wine and beautiful maids and was a regular at Xie Qikai's Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
Xie Yutang had already asked Xie Qi, but Cao Yong was very tight-lipped. When he got to the building, he only flirted with the girls and never revealed anything useful.
Su Lu twirled the pages with his fingertips, quickly skimming through Cao Yong's biography: "Cao Yong was a cautious man by nature, and his life was full of ups and downs, which can be divided into two distinct periods. When he was in Beirong, holding the title of Chiwen Chancellor and possessing half the wealth of the country, did he ever think about what he had done in the court of Dayan?"
"I think so, otherwise he wouldn't still have this item."
Xie Yutang took out Cao Yong's jade disc from his bosom. When this man handed the jade disc to the Northern Rong royal family, it was tantamount to handing over his biggest weakness. He claimed to be seeking trust, but with his methods, he couldn't possibly not have thought of other ways. There is only one reason why this jade disc has been preserved to this day: he couldn't bear to destroy it.
If we follow this line of thinking, there are still many dates to choose from.
The day he was promoted to Minister of Revenue.
The day he was dismissed and investigated.
The days of fleeing in panic from Da Yan.
The days when Bei Rong renounced his past and transformed into Chiwen Cheng.
Xie Yutang pondered, subconsciously playing with the jade plate in her palm. The inlaid edge of the jade carving felt slightly cool to the touch. When she touched a certain spot, her fingertips paused slightly. With her other hand, she picked up the candlelight on the table and examined the jade plate carefully by its reflection.
Whether it was because she had been traveling a long distance with the jade disc these past few days or because of the fight in the main hall just now, a piece of the gold-inlaid jade edge had been chipped off, revealing the original gold disc body underneath. Xie Yutang's brows furrowed, and she couldn't help but let out a sigh.
This gold jade disc was cast from a single piece by royal craftsmen, without any inlay marks. However, beneath the inlay, there is a barely visible crack running across the disc, clearly indicating that it was separated and then pieced back together.
Xie Yutang and Su Lu exchanged a glance, then wrapped the jade disc in their hands, channeling the contents into their palms. With a slight twist, a very faint sound of jade shattering was heard, and the gold jade disc neatly split into two pieces.
A line of small characters was carved into the bottom section:
Xin Si, Xin Chou, Bing Zi
Xie Yutang paused slightly in breathing.
The free hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.
Su Lu gently but firmly pried her fingers apart one by one, holding her cold, trembling fingertips in his palm.
"What's wrong?"
Xie Yutang closed his eyes and paused for a moment before whispering, "This is the day my father died in battle and the Xie family was massacred."
The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in the eleventh year of Taihe.
The year of Xin Si, the month of Xin Chou, and the day of Bing Zi.
He tightened his grip on her hand.
Xie Yutang squeezed his hand back firmly to indicate that she was alright, then focused her gaze back on the three-digit combination lock on the metal box.
Cao Yong would actually use this day as the password for the secret box.
With a click, the tin box opened.
Inside the box was a neat stack of letters, with a kraft paper envelope on top that was unsigned. It must have been written by Cao Yong to the person who opened the secret box.
The stack of letters contained two kinds of handwriting: one was from Cao Yong, and the other was from the person behind the scenes back then.
Xie Yutang glanced at it once, then turned pale and clutched his chest.
The blood in his chest surged, the world spun, and the truth he had been searching for through two lifetimes of torment and suffering was now laid bare before him in the most straightforward way.
The world suddenly went silent, my heart pounded in my ears, stretched into a sharp straight line, and then, it broke.
Xie Yutang suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, the bloodstains appearing on the scattered letters on the ground, as striking as the vibrant red plum blossoms in the snow.
"A-Mian!"
Su Lu hugged the exhausted Xie Yutang tightly. The person in his arms was trembling uncontrollably. She had once protected him on the back mountain of Yingkou with her own strength. She had also ridden a horse in silver armor to cut down enemy soldiers on the battlefield. She was slender but not weak. Her spine, which had always been upright, was now bent in his arms, as if it were ashes that would crumble at the slightest touch.
Xie Yutang stared intently at the seal at the end of the letter. The red clay on that seal had lost its luster over the years, becoming darker than blood, and stood out starkly at the end of every letter belonging to the "person behind the scenes."
"It is the private seal of Emperor Chongde."
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