Looking at the Sword by Lamplight (15)
Meng Shizhuang was almost dizzy from the fragrance blowing in her face.
Bian Hongqiu leaned over and pulled him. A simple silver hairpin, adorned with a string of flowing silver crabapple blossoms, jutted from her temples and tapped gently against the side of his face. At such close range, Meng Shizhuang recalled that absurd night. This time, there was no drunken stink of alcohol, only the first whiff of his daughter's fragrance, a refined, slightly bitter aftertaste.
"you……"
Meng Shizhuang fell into deep thought, his eyes flickering at Bian Hongqiu's face. Although he hadn't spent much time with Bian Hongqiu, he had a rough idea of her personality. In his opinion, human nature didn't change easily. For example, he himself had always looked like someone ready to kill someone if they disagreed with him—only now, his expression was even more sullen, making it difficult for him to even communicate with others. Therefore, he seemed much calmer.
In his heart, Bian Hongqiu has always been the pink butterfly who didn't dare to speak loudly at the Daohai City dock.
Even though he now held power and controlled the entire Huangquezhou, the dignified Prince Liang's drunken flirtation with a decent man could easily have been brushed off as shameless, yet he, with three parts shame and seven parts fearlessness, expressed his true feelings. This made Meng Shizhuang feel that he was no different from when he was young.
It’s just that Bian Hongqiu has regained his male body, so he doesn’t have the real feeling that “Pink Butterfly” has grown up.
Now, it was as if he had witnessed the "little fairy" grown up. The "fairy" was as beautiful as ever, now even more stunning and graceful. Her plain hairpin and green dress were dazzling, especially her slender eyes, which held Meng Shizhuang's gaze tightly like hooks. He didn't know much about makeup, but he thought Bian Hongqiu must have made subtle adjustments to her features. Those familiar with her would recognize her at a glance, but those who didn't would not immediately associate her face with the King of Liang.
Meng Shizhuang couldn't stop muttering in his heart.
Dayu had been a scene of chaos for years, and Meng Shizhuang was well aware of the affairs of men and women. They'd cheated people out of money and sex, and even children. The narrow door in the alleyway closed, barely holding on to a dreadful appearance. The sounds at night were incredibly brazen. He'd seen a lot of these cases in his clinic, and heard a lot of complaints.
So he knew that these people were most tired of hearing about the harmony of yin and yang and the complementarity of men and women.
He had brought this up that night in an attempt to make Bian Hongqiu give up.
He has never been married, so how can he know whether he likes men or women?
But now Bian Hongqiu suddenly wore women's clothes again, which really shocked him.
You can't expect me to put on a red skirt just because of his words, right?
Meng Shizhuang was unwittingly dragged into the carriage by Bian Hongqiu. Looking back, everyone in Prince Liang's mansion had a hint of worry on their faces, including Song Jingyan, who stood outside the carriage, giving Hengbo a few more words of advice and then calling Bian Hongqiu to nag. In any case, no one expressed disapproval or anger at this "shocking" event, nor did anyone look at him as if he were a "witch who brought disaster upon the nation."
He breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that he was being too sentimental.
Song Jingyan: "Your Highness, the last messenger sent to Xi Zhongting's tent failed to see him in person. I believe Xi Zhongting has already taken action. I believe his decision to advance rashly against the Jingxi King's faction this time is not only due to Your Majesty's serious illness, but also due to old grudges that we are unaware of. He is a madman who fears no death or injury. The more he has a grasp of the overall situation, the more likely he is to make a decision to take a gamble. Your Highness must be careful."
Bian Hongqiu didn't want her to worry too much, so she smiled and said, "Didn't my sister ask Hengbo to follow me? If things really don't work out, Hengbo can lead Ah Shi and me to fight our way out."
Meng Shizhuang was sitting in the front of the car. Upon hearing this, she turned around and glanced at Hengbo.
The archer who had given him the "hundred-step shot" was still as lively as she was ten years ago, like a young girl who had just come of age. She had two immature braids hanging down her shoulders, each pinned with a big red flower. When Bian Hongqiu praised her, she immediately leaned out of the carriage window and said, "Don't worry, sister. His Highness will definitely not come back with any missing limbs."
Song Jingyan still smiled faintly: "Follow your Highness's arrangements in everything, and don't act on your own."
Then she turned and took what looked like an ordinary longsword from Shao Zheng and handed it to Meng Shizhuang. "Ah Shi, thank you for your trouble on this journey. All trade routes from Chunxiang Island are blocked, and there is a shortage of goods from the Western Territory." She paused, "especially medicinal herbs. Mr. Liu is old and has many ailments, so many herbs are hard to come by. Now, it all depends on you and His Highness."
Behind her, the "old and sick" Mr. Liu looked at Meng Shizhuang with sharp eyes, smiling without saying a word.
Song Jingyan: "However, Chunxiangzhou is still in the hands of King Jingxi, so your carriage and belongings should not be too conspicuous. I heard from Liu Lang that you only have a short sword. This long sword is not made by a famous master, but it should be usable."
Meng Shizhuang stroked the dagger in his hand, but still took the long sword.
Bian Hongqiu lowered his narrow eyes. Song Jingyan could almost see the tears welling up in them. She immediately understood, "There are people in Chunxiangzhou to meet him... Your Highness is disguised as a woman. A couple with a little maidservant won't pose any threat."
Meng Shizhuang observed Song Jingyan's impassive eyes, even raising an eyebrow in confusion at her probing expression. He couldn't help but think he was overthinking it. Perhaps Bian Hongqiu had orchestrated this, while the others in Prince Liang's mansion were following the rules, completely unaware. He removed Bian Hongqiu's hand, which seemed to have been carelessly placed on his forearm, and nodded calmly, "Ordinary couples can't afford a coachman, so some husbands drive. Miss Hengbo, please sit in the carriage."
Hengbo got into the carriage swiftly.
Bian Hongqiu didn't rush or feel guilty. She turned back and pulled out the crabapple blossoms she'd picked that morning from the carriage. Just like the days when Meng Shizhuang was seriously injured and bedridden, she'd occasionally, on a whim, pin fresh flowers for Meng Shizhuang's hair. Meng Shizhuang felt a tightness in the back of her head, and was about to frown and refuse, but Bian Hongqiu, without asking for permission, grabbed his hand and raised the whip: "Let's go, my husband."
There was a hint of frivolity and teasing in his tone. Meng Shizhuang looked at him in astonishment, and found that he was completely different from the hesitant and annoyed man he had been when he was drunk that day. He had a kind of broken jar attitude of letting things take their own course. Meng Shizhuang felt a tingling sensation in his spine when he heard these few light words, but Bian Hongqiu had already lowered the curtain of the car to prevent their eyes from meeting.
Meng Shizhuang walked towards the car expressionlessly, realizing that he had gotten into unprecedented trouble.
The carriage hadn't stopped until dusk, when Meng Shizhuang finally remembered to lift the curtain and ask, "The King of Jingxi has retreated to Chunxiang Island and surrounded the city on all sides. How could he let anyone in so easily?"
Inside the carriage, Hengbo had fallen asleep in a slumber.
Bian Hongqiu was carving a pattern on jade with a chisel. Meng Shizhuang's carriage was steady, his eyes unblinking and his hands unwavering. A delicate and lovely flower was gradually taking shape. Hearing Meng Shizhuang's question, he pulled a teapot from a secret compartment beside the carriage and set it on a small stove. "Of course, the King of Jingxi won't let anyone in, but he's so busy with his own affairs, how could he have the time to worry about such trivial matters as who has entered the city?"
As he spoke, he pushed a teacup in front of Meng Shizhuang: "The hot tea will be ready in a moment."
Then he continued, "Liu Lang should have told you that he found his mother. This Madam Li is our accomplice within Chunxiang Island. She enjoys the trust of Consort Wen, the concubine of King Jingxi, and has agreed to use some tricks to cause trouble for King Jingxi. She also controls most of the garrison troops. Once we abandon the carriage at the city gate, with her men helping us, it will be easy to sneak in."
Meng Shizhuang frowned slightly, with a bunch of questions she wanted to ask. Her hand unconsciously reached out for the teacup, which was gently held by Bian Hongqiu.
"I'll be in a minute. Your injuries have just healed, so don't be so rude."
Meng Shizhuang ignored Bian Hongqiu's affectionate attitude and said, "It's just a glass of water."
He looked at the enchanting red glow outside the car window: "Will it be so smooth?"
Bian Hongqiu had communicated with Li Yan several times, and he felt that he was a very ambitious and capable person. Just as he was about to explain to Meng Shizhuang, the sound of war drums from Chunxiang Island in the distance interrupted his thoughts. He listened carefully and found that the sound was unusually loud and powerful compared to what he had expected.
The majority of the Western Frontier Army's forces were stationed outside Chunxiang Island. Several generals rode to the front lines last night, while Song Jingyan remained in the rear, calming the situation from Lanzhou Governor Cui Yue and officials sent by the imperial court. At dawn today, at the same moment that Bian Hongqiu and the other two set out, Yan He, bearing Bian Hongqiu's personal order, beat the drums to declare battle.
This is of course just a pretense.
Their current confidence stemmed from, firstly, their siege of the Zuodan Eighteen Continents alongside Xi Zhongting, and secondly, the support of Liu Lang's Li family wealth, eliminating the need for reliance on the imperial court. However, the numerous twists and turns in the capture of Huangque Continent left him uncertain about the true number of troops under the Jingxi King's command. Even if the Jingxi King's defeat was inevitable, Bian Hongqiu had the support of the Liang Palace and the Western Border Army, so his concerns would have to wait until after the Jingxi King's capture.
Because of His Majesty's persistently ambiguous attitude over the years, he still prioritized "peace" with the court. However, there were also considerations for how to achieve this. If, like Xi Zhongting, a loyal minister, they sacrificed all their men and money for the sake of the Jingxi King, they would be at the mercy of the Crown Prince, whose attitude towards them was clearly less lenient than His Majesty's. Once the Jingxi King, a potential threat, was eliminated, the Liang Palace would be completely destroyed.
As for the jade seal in the hands of King Jingxi, for Bian Hongqiu, it was a gesture of sincerity, and it would be best if he could get it.
He also knew in his heart that if His Majesty or the Crown Prince insisted on attacking Prince Liang's Mansion, it would be a matter of time, whether by finding an excuse or by reducing their power.
However, things in the world change rapidly, so Bian Hongqiu has to take one step at a time and also think three steps ahead.
Everything depends on human efforts, and there is room for everything.
He had planned very well, but he never expected that King Jingxi would take action first as if he had caught the plague.
The King of Jingxi had originally intended to retreat westward with his weakened and weakened troops, their morale shaky. However, even the rat holes of Yuechan Island had been sealed by Xi Zhongting's men. Trapped in a tight net, he gathered all his forces and abandoned the battle for the waterway to Minghunzhou beyond Yuechan Island. He gathered the soldiers hidden in the caves and mountains of various states, the provincial garrisons, and the few able-bodied men he could manage to coax out of the civilian population, and launched a counterattack back to Huangque Island.
His troops faced off against the Western Border Army guarding outside Chunxiang Island, and neither side gave an inch.
Xi Zhongting left the general's tent alone, but he did not lose control of the battle situation and took the opportunity to send troops.
The entire Zuodan Eighteen Continents was ablaze with fighting spirit, the clash of swords and spears echoing across half of Dayu. His "wolf pack," with their unwavering will to devour raw meat and drink blood, revealed their unwavering ferocity. Teams of thirty men each sacked the city abandoned by the King of Jingxi. The provincial officials who hadn't followed him to Chunxiang Continent were denied even a chance to repent and make amends. They marched forward, their heads neatly stacked on spears, forming a battle formation.
Yan He knew he couldn't let the King of Jingxi return to Huangque Island. He had remembered Bian Hongqiu's instructions, but he hadn't stopped himself. At noon, the crumbling gates of Chunxiang Island were broken down by the Western Border Army's cavalry. He led the Western Border Army through Chunxiang Island, but before he could reunite with Xi Zhongting's men, he was blown back outside Chunxiang Island by the "human explosives" that the King of Jingxi had coerced and bribed into him.
That night, Zuo Dan's Eighteen Continents' "fireworks" stained with blood and flesh lit up the night.
In Chunxiang Island, the King of the Western Border and the Western Border Army were fighting back and forth, almost tearing the city into pieces.
No one knew how the King of the Western Territory managed to amass so much explosives in the closed-off Western Territory. Bian Hongqiu had suffered a loss at Huangque Island, and he'd personally experienced how the Western Territory Army's first order of business upon entering a territory was to check for hidden explosives. He'd only been injured by explosives strapped to the bodies of the dying soldiers.
As the two armies faced each other, Yan He was the first to notice something was amiss, noticing that the desperate soldiers at the front had suddenly transformed into a wailing mass of women and children. He tentatively advanced an inch, but the King of Jingxi threatened a group of innocent civilians with swords, demanding they "burn themselves together." Yan He was helpless, and with the commander-in-chief absent, Bian Hongqiu specifically instructed him to make the final decision. After the first wave of civilian "blood and bone fireworks" exploded, he signaled the Western Border Army to withdraw, and, in compliance with the King of Jingxi's instructions, he retreated all the way back to Chunxiang Island.
Before dawn, the people went to the largest brothel in Chunxiangzhou.
Bian Hongqiu sat in the most secluded private room of "Spring Man's Departure," his expression solemn. The doors and windows of the room were tightly shut, and the sound of explosives detonating, which had been ringing for most of the night, finally ceased. The Eighteen Continents of Zuo Dan were seized by the King of Jingxi. The imperial court was incompetent, and the generals sent by the court were incompetent. Victory was imminent, but innocent lives were being sacrificed.
Amidst the raging war, the brothels and theaters in Chunxiangzhou were abnormally active.
The Western Frontier Army had just withdrawn from Chunxiang Island, and the shattered city gates were being propped up. The terrified civilians, having escaped death at the edge of a sword, dared not leave their homes. Meanwhile, the actors and actresses in the theaters trembled as they took the stage, performing repetitive, unwatched plays.
"The father and son of the royal family are so affectionate that they dare to make the jade seal into jade."
The play depicts a love affair between a beauty and his kingdom. The cowardly emperor shows no affection for his siblings, and even remains silent when his mother, the concubine who raised him, dies in grief. By chance, he inherits the throne from the previous emperor, and ever since, he has been captivated by flowers and butterflies, imposing harsh policies and heavy taxes, and building towers and searching for treasures for his beloved woman.
His brother could not bear to see the suffering of the people, so he started a rebellion, but was stopped by pedantic court officials. In the end, he exchanged the imperial seal and most of the country for a beauty.
These several acts of the story all describe the causes and consequences of the King of Jingxi's retreat to the western border and his grievances.
Inside the wing, the soldier sent by Xi Zhongting to deliver the message knelt on one knee. "Your Highness Prince Liang has rashly dispatched troops. This has caused widespread unrest in the city, and even among the Western Border Army there are doubts. May I ask if Your Highness has considered how this will end?"
Bian Hongqiu was still dressed as a woman, but the intimidation between her eyebrows was enough to overwhelm anyone.
"Why, General Xi coerced me into sending troops for peace, and now that the King of Jingxi is desperate, he's putting all the blame on me?" He poured himself a cup of tea. "Did this drama just happen today? If you generals have time to question me, why not think about whether the man His Majesty sent to the Western Territory is still on the same side as the court?"
Bian Hongqiu dismissed the people in the courtyard with a few words. Outside the side room, the actors' lingering singing continued. Behind the pearl curtain, Li Yan removed her veil and revealed her true face. Meng Shizhuang emerged from behind the curtain and carefully examined Liu Lang's mother. Seeing that she looked calm, she calmly bowed to Bian Hongqiu.
"I have long admired the elegance of His Highness Prince Liang. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is well-deserved."
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