Chapter 35 The scorching sunlight streamed through the window…
The scorching sunlight slanted in through the window, creeping inch by inch up the hem of the First Emperor's black robe.
Lin Fengzhi sensed the murderous aura emanating from the First Emperor in the room. Glancing at the scattered golden pills on the floor, she sighed, "The empire Your Majesty has created seems to be at its zenith, yet beneath its foundations, turbulent undercurrents surge. Your Majesty has felt it too, hasn't you? When Your Majesty was alive, you could still suppress them. People like Zhao Gao and Li Si were loyal and capable ministers under your command, but once they lost your control, the loyal ministers turned into treacherous villains, and the capable ministers were executed by being cut in half at the waist. The Great Qin ultimately became a tragedy."
Ying Zheng's face appeared extremely somber even in the sunlight, his eyes like those of a tiger about to pounce, dangerous and terrifying. However, he did not interrupt Lin Fengzhi; he silently listened to the destiny that originally belonged to the Qin Dynasty, and to him.
Meeting his gaze, Lin Fengzhi continued to slowly unfold the cruel picture of the future before him, her voice filled with sorrow: "Fusu died in the north, filled with resentment, Huhai succeeded to the throne, and Zhao Gao seized power. Loyal ministers and generals, such as Meng Yi and Meng Tian, were all slaughtered. The laws you established were trampled on, and your people cried out in despair."
Lin Fengzhi saw that Ying Zheng's forehead veins were bulging, his hands were clenched into fists, and his knuckles were white.
"Three years, just three short years, and war broke out again, with heroes vying for supremacy... The Qin Dynasty perished after only two generations."
"The Second Emperor...died?!" Ying Zheng suddenly stood up! The table was knocked to the ground by his movement, and the leftover food on it suddenly fell and shattered.
The sudden crashing sound instantly alerted Meng Yi, who was waiting outside the door. His reflection appeared in the window: "Your Majesty?"
Ying Zheng's eyes were bloodshot, like an erupting volcano. His chest heaved violently, and he almost squeezed out the words through clenched teeth: "Nothing...it's nothing."
The Qin Dynasty, which he had painstakingly built and conquered the world, perished after only two generations. He was no longer just angry; his beliefs had been shattered, and the eternal vision he had constructed with his entire life collapsed before his eyes.
The First Emperor gasped for breath, exclaiming, "How dare I do this? How dare I do this! How dare I do this?!"
Lin Fengzhi's clear eyes reflected the First Emperor shaking his head repeatedly, the crown beads swaying and colliding as if emitting a desperate lament on behalf of their master.
A cruel future unfolded before Ying Zheng's eyes: loyal ministers betraying their lord, a rebellious son ascending to the throne, loyal subjects dying out, and the Qin Dynasty collapsing...
How could he fall down?
The room was still a mess, and the First Emperor's body was frozen like a mountain.
The earth-shattering wrath of the emperor that Lin Fengzhi had anticipated did not erupt.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Ying Zheng remained in the position he had just overturned the table, his tall figure casting a huge, silent, and suffocating shadow in the sunlight.
His violently heaving chest gradually calmed down, and the raging fury that threatened to consume everything in his bloodshot eyes was forcibly suppressed into the abyss. In its place was an extreme, cold, and utterly detached clarity of reason.
His gaze slowly, like a sharp blade tempered with ice, fell upon the golden elixir on the ground. His eyes showed no fluctuation, neither desire nor disgust.
Pure observation only.
"Meng Yi." His voice rang out, deep and steady, without the slightest tremor, carrying an unquestionable absolute will that pierced through the silent space.
The door was pushed open silently, and Meng Yi flashed in like a ghost, kneeling on one knee. He keenly sensed the First Emperor's gaze at that moment, as well as the icy pressure emanating from the First Emperor that almost crushed a person.
Meng Yi lowered his head, seemingly oblivious to the mess in the room, and waited attentively for the emperor's orders.
"Issue my decree." Ying Zheng's speech was not fast, each word clear and cold. His gaze seemed to pierce through the wooden walls, fixed directly on the disobedient minister: "Zhao Gao, the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office,"
"Indolent and derelict in his duties, utterly unfit for service. He is of the nature of a jackal and the heart of a viper. He has deceived my sincerity in seeking immortality, and has promoted treacherous officials to confuse the emperor's ears. He is stripped of all his duties, subjected to the five punishments, and his entire family is exterminated." The First Emperor disdained to fabricate more elaborate charges.
He clearly remembered that Zhao Gao had committed a crime and fallen into Meng Yi's hands. Meng Yi sentenced him to death, but he spared him because he valued his talent.
If Ying Zheng had known that Zhao Gao harbored treacherous intentions and was eyeing him like a hawk, would he have allowed him to act so recklessly?
Thinking of this, Ying Zheng couldn't help but sneer. Why hadn't Zhao Gao shown the slightest hint of a ruthless and cunning heart during his lifetime? Wasn't it because Hu Hai was too absurd and too incompetent?
He couldn't help but feel saddened by the lack of a successor. Sometimes he resented that fate had been too cruel to him; he had many children, but none of them could take over his responsibilities.
Of his sons, only his eldest son, Fusu, was somewhat capable, but he was not a qualified successor.
He never considered that he was so talented that he unconsciously bullied the talents of ordinary people.
For him, controlling the court was as easy as breathing.
What? You can't even understand the hidden coded messages in the memorial?
What? You don't even know how to discern a courtier's intentions from his words and actions, and then use him to achieve your own goals?
waste.
He sat high in his hall, reigning supreme over the world. Everyone was intimidated by his power. No one dared to rebel while he was alive.
Therefore, he doesn't understand why his children can't do what he does.
Without the slightest hesitation, Meng Yi uttered each word with utmost sincerity: "Your subject obeys the decree!"
He carried it out immediately.
The emperor's calmness at this moment was more chilling than any roar. Meng Yi quickly rose and silently withdrew.
Zhao Gao was unaware of the dramatic shift in the emperor's mind that had taken place inside the room. When Meng Yi's men restrained him, he was still about to loudly summon the First Emperor.
Wang Qi quickly covered it up.
Meng Yi looked down at this man who was born in the Hidden Palace and rose from a lowly servant to become the Chief of the Imperial Carriage Office, one of the Nine Ministers.
The Qin court had an open and honest atmosphere, and anyone with talent who contributed to the construction of Qin would be respected by Meng Yi, regardless of their status.
Zhao Gao was once someone Meng Yi admired. But as he flattered and bewitched the emperor, secretly encouraged the monarch to try elixirs, and made exceptions for him, Meng Yi grew to dislike him.
"By order of His Majesty, the five punishments shall be carried out," Meng Yi said.
Even as the instruments of torture were put on him, Zhao Gao was still in a daze. His mind was a complete mess.
What happened?
How could His Majesty execute him so easily?
Last time, Xu Fu was involved with the remnants of the six states, but he was only demoted. How come he was subjected to the five punishments now?
Zhao Gao was well-versed in the law, so how could he not know what the Five Punishments were?
The so-called "Five Punishments" comprised five types of punishments: tattooing (branding the face with ink), cutting off the nose, severing the feet, beating to death, and beheading (displaying the head publicly). These punishments were not carried out all at once, but rather in stages to prolong the suffering. The Five Punishments were primarily aimed at serious criminals whose entire families were exterminated, serving as a core means for the Qin Dynasty to deter rebellion.
Zhao Gao's facial muscles twitched a few times as he forced himself to calm down. He simply couldn't understand where he had gone wrong to make the First Emperor so resolutely abandon him.
Someone stripped Zhao Gao of his official robes and seal, and Zhao Gao finally realized the urgency of his life hanging by a thread. The only variable was the mysterious bird messenger that Meng Yi had found.
He tried to argue further, but Meng Yi had already given his orders and turned to leave, not bothering to listen to his explanations. He was in a hurry to return and await His Majesty's instructions.
Zhao Gao watched helplessly as Meng Yi disappeared from his sight, then felt a sharp pain on his face as the punishment began.
He framed Li Si and personally ordered Li Si to be executed by being cut in half at the waist and his entire family exterminated. Now, the verdict has come true for him in an even more cruel way.
This treacherous official, destined to bring disaster to the court, ended his life so hastily.
-
Lin Fengzhi didn't know whether Zhao Gao had ever recommended a sorcerer in the original history. If he had indeed recommended Xu Fu, then he was quite lucky, as Xu Fu never caused any trouble.
Xu Fu was exceptionally good at maintaining the First Emperor's client base, managing to deceive him twice. The second time, the First Emperor probably realized he had been tricked, but his days were numbered, and he could only place his hopes on Xu Fu.
Zhao Gao served Emperor Qin Shi Huang for many years and enjoyed the emperor's deep trust, which was inseparable from his own cautiousness and ability to understand the emperor's intentions. When he first recommended Xu Fu, he conducted many rigorous background checks to ensure that Xu Fu posed no risk before daring to recommend him.
When he recommended Master Li for the second time, he was implicated in the Xu Fu affair and could not serve the emperor. He was anxious and slightly flustered, but he still carefully investigated Master Li.
As a result, they were still implicated.
If Zhao Gao knew that he had been harmed by the Black Bird twice, he would probably want to kill the Black Bird.
Ying Zheng slowly turned around to face Lin Fengzhi. The shadow cast by his tall figure almost enveloped her. He took two steps forward, stopping at a distance that was neither too close nor too far from her. His gaze was probing, as if trying to uncover more truth from her eyes.
"Divine messenger," his voice remained steady, "in your opinion, is Fusu capable of great use?"
He leaned slightly forward, his expression subtle and unfathomable.
What does it mean to be "worthy of great use"? To what extent must one be used to qualify as "worthy of great use"?
Lin Fengzhi understood. The First Emperor was asking Fusu whether he could inherit the throne.
Could Fusu do that?
From the perspective of ritual and law, Fusu was the eldest son of the First Emperor, and under the patriarchal clan system, he had a natural advantage in succession and was the rightful heir apparent.
In terms of character, the *Records of the Grand Historian* describes him as "resolute and courageous, trustworthy and inspiring to his men." He dared to speak out and offer differing opinions when his father, in a fit of rage, massacred Confucian scholars. This demonstrates that he possessed his own political insights, as well as the Confucian virtues of "benevolence" and moral courage.
His approach to governing the country was relatively moderate and respectful of scholars. This may have helped alleviate the intense conflicts and collapse of the Qin Dynasty.
This is his advantage as the heir.
However, the Qin state was founded on law, emphasizing strict punishments and centralized power. Fusu's Confucian "benevolence" clashed with the foundation of the Qin state. Even before he ascended the throne, he aroused the suspicion of Li Si, a representative figure of the Legalist school, leading Li Si to side with him at a crucial moment.
Can he find a balance between upholding benevolence and maintaining the efficient operation of the empire, and can he suppress the divisions and turmoil within the court?
This is a huge question.
Judging from his political maneuvering, fighting spirit, and ability to manage complex situations, Fusu had serious deficiencies.
Upon receiving the forged edict, despite Meng Tian's strong suspicion of its authenticity and urging him to verify it, he still chose suicide. In such a crucial situation involving the fate of the empire and his own life, his behavior appeared overly gullible, lacking in political acumen and necessary vigilance. It is difficult not to question whether he possessed sufficient political wisdom and iron-fisted methods to manage the complex and perilous state apparatus of Qin.
He was very filial, but did the First Emperor really want to see such filial piety? If he had a choice, the First Emperor would probably prefer him to lead an army of 300,000 to attack Xianyang.
Lin Fengzhi gave a forced laugh, not directly answering the First Emperor's question, but instead asking in return, "Your Majesty, were you an emperor who was taught? Can a good emperor be taught?"
The First Emperor's personality and experiences were too unique.
When he ascended the throne at the age of thirteen, Lü Buwei held power. He bided his time until he was twenty-two, when he took personal control of the government and thoroughly purged Lao Ai and Lü Buwei. After that, he focused on developing the strength of the Qin state domestically and conquering the six other states abroad until the world was unified.
He didn't need to establish feudal prefectures and counties; the title of "Emperor" was self-created, even surpassing the old title of "King." This is something that ordinary education cannot teach.
As expected, the First Emperor, with his unparalleled insight, gave a resounding reply: "The way of the emperor lies in the ambition to conquer the eight directions and the art of governing the people. Corrupt scholars recite poetry and books all day long but do not know how to adapt, and talk about benevolent governance but are ignorant of the realities of the situation. If emperors could be taught, why did Confucius and Mencius travel to various states and never find their talents employed? I have seen the annals of history; emperors are like dragons! Some soar to the highest heavens, while others fall into the deepest abyss. How can a school tame them?"
"So-called teaching is nothing more than the skill of a craftsman polishing jade, but the emperor is the one who wields the axe and halberd to create a new world."
"As Your Majesty says," Lin Fengzhi said with a smile, and continued, "There has never been an emperor before Your Majesty. Can Your Majesty's political actions, your magnanimity, and your ability to judge character be taught? Obviously not. Otherwise, wouldn't it be easier for Your Majesty to teach Fusu?"
The First Emperor was very pleased with Lin Fengzhi's patting, and his imperial face lit up with joy. However, his expression remained somewhat bewildered, and his eyes conveyed only one message: "Aren't these things innate skills?"
Lin Fengzhi raised his eyebrows, feeling somewhat helpless: "Your Majesty, not everyone is as talented and ambitious as you. You are a genius, but your children are not. What I mean is, rather than hoping that one of your offspring will suddenly rise to prominence, it would be better to refuse elixirs and focus on health. Your Majesty's great-grandfather is over seventy years old. If Your Majesty takes good care of yourself, how can you not live longer?"
Ying Zheng always felt that Lin Fengzhi was still hiding a secret about immortality from him. However, he couldn't force her to reveal it. Lin Fengzhi had previously stated that a mortal body could not achieve immortality.
Looking back now, immortality is impossible, but longevity may not be impossible. Living a long time might offer a chance at immortality. Based on Lin Fengzhi's previous hints, Ying Zheng believed that the secret to immortality lay in the common people, whom he rarely considered important.
Otherwise, why would Lin Fengzhi, possessing divine abilities and the presence of the Xuan Bird, still care about whether the people of the Great Qin have enough to eat and wear? Lin Fengzhi is the Xuan Bird's divine messenger, and this must have been part of her assessment.
For an emperor to achieve immortality, perhaps he must ensure that the people under his rule live a happy and peaceful life.
After a moment's thought, Ying Zheng came to the above conclusion.
"How do I maintain it?" he asked.
Lin Fengzhi pondered for a moment. The First Emperor's physical condition was quite good. At least by today's standards. Didn't you see that he could still review 120 jin of memorials in a day during his eastern tour? Even with today's convenient transportation, a day's travel would be tiring; in ancient times, such a tour would have been even more arduous.
Ying Zheng's most urgent task was to expel the erysipelas, maintain a regular diet, and exercise more.
"Sleep for four hours every day, never take any elixirs, maintain a regular diet and healthy lifestyle. Exercise in the morning and evening," Lin Fengzhi summarized the modern health regimen, then stood up and added the ancient health regimen: "I will go and draw the 'Five Animal Frolics' for Your Majesty. Your Majesty should do one set each morning and evening."
"What are the Five Animal Frolics?"
Lin Fengzhi smiled and said, "It can also help to strengthen the body, dispel evil, regulate qi and blood, and improve health by clearing the meridians."
Ying Zheng was slightly pleased, but his heart was still filled with worry.
His children were clearly unreliable, so he had to personally take on the task of achieving immortality.
Lin Fengzhi had no choice but to continue to give him emotional support and open up new avenues for him: "Your Majesty has eighteen sons, and presumably countless grandchildren. If Prince Fusu is truly unable to inherit the throne, Your Majesty should consider the grandchildren."
Ying Zheng was slightly taken aback. The answer he actually wanted to hear was not about raising grandchildren, but Lin Fengzhi's words opened up his mind.
The crown bead trembled slightly, and the First Emperor said, "Divine messenger, from this day forward, I have only seventeen sons."
Lin Fengzhi said "Oh," indicating that Hu Hai was about to die. After thinking for a moment, she added a piece of news for the First Emperor: "Hu Hai is extremely cruel. After ascending the throne, he killed all his brothers and sisters. It can be said that Your Majesty's bloodline was entirely killed by him. Among all his children, only Prince Gao volunteered to be buried with Your Majesty, thus preserving his bloodline."
Ying Zheng could hardly believe what he was hearing.
After realizing what had happened, his body trembled slightly.
"Huhai, hahaha, what a Huhai!!" The First Emperor could no longer tolerate the endless stream of future plans. He drew his steel sword and slashed it at a pillar in the room.
He had a strained relationship with his parents; his father died early, and his mother didn't love him. Although he had many children, he still devoted a lot of attention to them.
Fusu was the eldest son, and he was unlikely to ascend the throne; he would most likely die in the power struggles and political infighting. The First Emperor had some idea of this and reluctantly accepted Fusu's fate.
But, but why? Why!
Yin Man and the others were just princesses; they didn't even have a place in the imperial court. Hu Hai, that beast, couldn't even tolerate his own sister.
A beast-like whimper escaped the emperor's lips. Falling wood chips flew into his eyes, and the scene of the first time he held the child appeared before him—a soft body, babbling and clutching his drooping sleeve.
Before hearing that Hu Hai had killed all his brothers and sisters, Ying Zheng's plan for Hu Hai's future was to remove him from his post and place him under house arrest. After all, Hu Hai was still just a child at that time.
He overestimated Hu Hai's limits. He never expected that even a princess who posed no threat would be so ruthless as to be killed.
The people of the six states longed for his death and for his bloodline to be wiped out, but they found that none of them were as cruel and ruthless as Hu Hai alone.
Ying Zheng closed his eyes briefly, his body swaying.
Lin Fengzhi felt a pang of pity. These successive blows—first the shattering of her ideals and beliefs, then the deaths of her children after her passing—were devastating in every aspect of her life.
As expected of the First Emperor, he immediately began planning the next step after recovering.
Lin Fengzhi heard him summon the Imperial Clan Minister in.
The Imperial Clan Head was responsible for managing internal affairs of the imperial family and handling matters related to imperial relatives.
When Lin Fengzhi heard that the First Emperor had composed himself and ordered the Imperial Clan Court to remove Huhai from the list of officials, a chilling and murderous aura appeared between his brows, and he said in a cold voice, "Let him suffer as much as he can before killing him."
Zongzheng was startled.
Huhai, being the youngest son of the First Emperor, was greatly favored from birth. If Fusu was valued among the children, Huhai was simply spoiled. The First Emperor probably didn't even remember the names or marital status of his unfavored children.
“Your Majesty…” Zongzheng asked hesitantly.
But the First Emperor's expression remained unchanged, and he glanced at him with cold, deep black eyes.
Zongzheng was startled and dared not say another word.
Lin Fengzhi didn't dare to say a word. A mental massage turned into this—it was truly shocking. Several times she felt the First Emperor was on the verge of collapse.
"Divine Envoy, Divine Envoy, go and draw the 'Five Animal Frolics' for me first. In two days, we will set off to return to Xianyang." Ying Zheng looked at Lin Fengzhi beside him, afraid that she might say something that would break his defenses. "Since the Divine Envoy is a great shaman of the Keluo people, he must also arrange the affairs of his tribe. Go ahead."
When he uttered the words "let it be," Ying Zheng felt an indescribable weariness and mental exhaustion. He had always been confident that he could handle everything, and this rare moment of escapism was truly unusual.
Lin Fengzhi silently wiped the sweat from her brow; this medicine was far too potent. Even the First Emperor was severely affected.
Lin Fengzhi glanced at the First Emperor's expression and thought to herself that the First Emperor would never take elixirs again in his life.
The mere thought of elixirs would only bring to mind his less-than-honorable death, the infighting among his ministers, the deaths of his children, and the collapse of the Qin Dynasty.
The First Emperor originally wanted to send Li Si, but at this moment he urgently needed to postpone the visit.
He was well aware of Li Si's irreplaceable nature, whether it was his Legalist talent for governing the country or his control over the vast administrative machinery of the Qin Empire. Until someone could replace him, Li Si had to continue sitting in the position of prime minister.
It will be a complex, intricate, and dark confrontation.
He will not kill Li Si; he will use fear, self-interest, and family responsibility to keep Li Si burning his talents for Qin until the last moment of his life.
Their harmonious relationship as ruler and minister could have served as a model for future generations. However, Li Si's one wrong choice not only cost him his own life and everything his family had, but also destroyed the Qin Empire, which he had served and built since his youth.
-
Night fell gently, and the moonlight shone softly like water.
A single lamp was lit inside the small building.
Lin Fengzhi is painting "Five Animal Frolics" by candlelight.
An lifted the straw curtain and walked in, watching Lin Fengzhi drawing at the table while constantly swatting away mosquitoes.
There are always many mosquitoes on summer nights.
She silently lit incense mixed with mugwort for Lin Fengzhi and added oil to the candle flame.
Lin Fengzhi's current residence is decorated very exquisitely. The incense burner is a bronze incense burner with a phoenix holding a ring, bestowed by the emperor. It is golden in color and exquisite in shape.
The lamp is a bird-shaped bronze lamp that can be opened and closed and whose light intensity can be adjusted.
The rest of the furniture is also mostly bird-shaped, seemingly because of the black bird.
Just as she was about to leave, Lin Fengzhi called her back.
"Grandmother." Lin Fengzhi gestured for her to sit down. The dim light cast a swaying shadow on An's figure, leaving a blurry and distorted shadow on the wall.
An sat opposite Lin Fengzhi, his eyes filled with tenderness, as if admiring her.
"Grandmother, I am about to leave the clan's territory for Xianyang. You—" Lin Fengzhi already knew the answer, but still wanted to hear a definite answer: "Will you come with us?"
The lamplight illuminated An's face, revealing deep wrinkles etched like chisels, the marks of time filling every furrow of her features. Her eyes, cloudy like dusty amber, reflected Lin Fengzhi's sincere gaze. She shook her head: "I'm old. Qi and Xiaoshui can go with you. I want to stay here and look after this place. It's good for young people to go out and explore; when you come back, there will always be a light waiting for you."
Lin Fengzhi felt a slight disappointment, but it was expected. She then asked about something else: "Grandmother, why did you refuse the official position offered to you by the First Emperor?"
An's eyes softened as she said, "Our grandmother is already old. Even if she were to become an official, how long could she hold that position? Why not exchange it for the gold mine in the Gold Rush River? Then the clansmen wouldn't have to hide from others."
Lin Fengzhi wanted to continue persuading him, but in the end she just sighed.
An stretched out her hand; her fingers were large and deformed, but very dry and warm. Lin Fengzhi lowered her head, and An rubbed her head. She heard her say, "People have different aspirations. I just want to stay in this little corner of the world and take care of my people who suffer from schistosomiasis. Only then can I face those children who sacrificed themselves for this cause."
Lin Fengzhi suddenly stopped and abruptly looked up. She gazed into An's eyes, where her figure was clearly reflected.
Her gaze seemed to possess a penetrating and all-knowing sorrow, piercing through Lin Fengzhi's flesh and reaching the unfamiliar soul that occupied Qing's body.
Lin Fengzhi fell silent.
Details she had deliberately forgotten from her time with An suddenly flooded back. The look of relief mixed with a strange feeling in An's eyes when she used modern knowledge to treat the schistosomiasis-infected tribe; An's silence amidst the cheering crowd when she proposed the slanted loom...
She knew. Lin Fengzhi thought.
Perhaps she knew it from the very beginning. After all, her personality and Qing's were indeed different. Spending day and night together would inevitably reveal the truth.
The deepest doubts had already taken root, but she remained silent, like molten lava encased in mountain rocks, swallowing, digesting, and bearing this shocking truth alone.
An's hand, etched with the deep lines of time, gently grasped Lin Fengzhi's wrist with an undeniable strength. Her palm was rough as a whetstone, yet possessed a strange warmth. She raised her head, her aged yet exceptionally clear eyes locking onto Lin Fengzhi's gaze, as if trying to etch the deepest imprints of Lin Fengzhi's soul.
“Tell me,” her voice was soft, yet like a pebble thrown into a deep pool, stirring up huge ripples in Lin Fengzhi’s heart. Every word trembled slightly, carrying immense weight, “your real name.”
"I..." Lin Fengzhi began with difficulty, her voice broken and fragmented. She felt guilty towards Qing, and also towards An. She was clearly not Qing, yet she had taken An's warmth for granted.
The hand holding Lin Fengzhi tightened its grip slightly, the warmth of the fingertips seeming to carry a strange, comforting power, piercing through Lin Fengzhi's panic.
“Don’t say that. Child, you came. You gave this body warmth and strength again. You saved it. You also saved the Keluo people.” An slowly shook her head, her eyes filled with a clear, almost compassionate gaze, like a calm lake after a storm: “I should be thanking you. Without you, all the Keluo people would have died. Qing and Yue’s sacrifices would have been in vain. You are a treasure bestowed upon the Keluo people by heaven. You have given us enough to eat and enough to wear, allowing us to live with dignity.”
"Lin Fengzhi." Lin Fengzhi choked up, almost using all her strength to utter that name that had been deeply buried and belonged to the distant future. The three syllables echoed in the room, sounding so abrupt, yet carrying a strange sense of belonging, as if finally breaking free from shackles.
"My name is... Lin Fengzhi."
“Lin Fengzhi…” An repeated softly, as if savoring the three unfamiliar syllables on the tip of her tongue. She pronounced them slowly and earnestly, as if trying to etch the name into her very bones. A complex and indescribable expression flashed in her eyes—a mixture of relief, sorrow, and a strange, almost reborn warmth.
She couldn't help but look at all the bird-shaped artifacts in the room. Did the emperor also know that this girl was the incarnation of a phoenix?
Then, she released her grip, turned, and went into the bedroom, groping for something. The rustling sound was particularly clear in the silence. After a moment, she straightened up and solemnly presented a long object with both hands.
It was a hard bow.
The bow's body is a deep, restrained dark brown, the mark of countless drops of sweat and the passage of time. Made of an unknown hardwood, its lines are smooth and powerful, with polished animal bone inlaid at both ends, gleaming warmly in the dim light. The bowstring is taut, tanned from some kind of resilient animal sinew, exuding a tension poised to be unleashed.
With this bow, she shot down five crows released by the Suiju people who attempted to disrupt the peaceful lives of the Keluo people. In her youth, this bow accompanied her on hunts in the mountains and protected her people; it was her most loyal companion in life and a symbol of her strength and dignity.
She held the bow in both hands as if it were a sacred legacy, and gently placed it into Lin Fengzhi's arms.
It was heavy.
“I’m giving it to you.” An’s voice returned to its usual calm, but beneath that calm, a deep, ocean-like power surged. Her gaze was bright, piercing through the mist of tears, looking directly into Lin Fengzhi’s eyes. She said, “Remember, Fengzhi.”
She called out Lin Fengzhi's name, each word crystal clear, like a brand: "No matter how many thorns or how much darkness lie ahead, no matter what you want to do... believe in the power in your hands. This power can move mountains, draw water, and naturally, it can also cleave through everything that stands in your way!"
Lin Fengzhi took a deep breath, letting the air, fragrant with mugwort, fill her lungs. She raised her head to meet An's gaze, and something in her eyes had settled, becoming hard and clear.
She nodded solemnly and very slowly.
-
The misty morning fog, like a flowing veil, blurred the Xiang River. The First Emperor's departing entourage was imposing and grand, taking with them the disciples of the Mohist and Agricultural Schools, as well as Qi, Xiao Shui, and Lin Fengzhi.
Standing on the banks of the Xiang River, they watched their boat depart amidst the surging current.
She bid farewell to the great witch Lin Fengzhi, and also to the girl Qing whom she had raised.
A few days later, a small tomb was erected next to the Xiangjun Temple. Qing's name was written on it, and inside were Qing's favorite books and clothes; it was a cenotaph.
There was an empty space next to the cenotaph.
This is the spot that An reserved for himself.
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Author's Note: Wow, I've almost reached 1000 nutrient solution! I'll add an extra chapter when I have some free time at the end of the month. [kissing emojis]
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