Chapter 46

The Firehawk banners fluttered in the wind, snapping sharply as if proclaiming Great Yan’s mighty national prestige.

The martial contest had already ended. All the generals stood in ranks across Shenwu Plaza; at the front, the banner bearers held the flags of each prefecture aloft, waiting solemnly for the woman on the high platform to speak.

In this year’s martial selection, among the three cities of Yuanzhou, Yuzhou City took first place, Wenzhou City second, and Shanhe City third. Among the generals from Yuzhou City who had taken part, the one with the highest score would be promoted two ranks, while the remaining three would each be promoted one rank. The two top scorers from Wenzhou City would each be promoted one rank, and the top scorer from Shanhe City would also be promoted one rank.

The soldiers who took the crown for Yuzhou City, along with the three highest scorers from the other two cities, would also have the right to choose their own assignments.

In the past, many generals seeking military merit had requested transfers to serve under the Southern General at the frontier, and over the years they had indeed earned considerable credit, benefiting many of their families; however, many had also fallen on the battlefield.

This time, everyone was curious where these soldiers would choose to be transferred. Among the officials in the capital, only those with ducal or princely titles had fiefdoms; everyone else had none. Even so, their influence had spread into every city and town, some through disciples they controlled, some through ties of interest, and others through family power.

Where these young generals chose to be transferred now would also decide which faction they inclined toward. Duke of Wei’s fief was in Yizhou City, close to the capital; the power of the three thousand Yizhou troops could not be underestimated. If they were given a capable general, that would be like adding wings to a tiger.

Take the Prince of Zhongshan, for example; his fief was in Youzhou City, and he commanded three thousand troops. But Youzhou City lay far to the east of the imperial capital, and for years there had been little more than a few bandits there, with no real wars to speak of. Ambitious generals generally had no desire to go there. Still, the Prince of Zhongshan paid very generously, so there were also generals who chose Youzhou City in order to improve their lives.

Ye Rui turned to look at Xie Tinglan. That person was leisurely drinking tea, apparently not worried in the least that the generals she had chosen might suddenly change their minds.

This time, Xie Tinglan wanted Yu Lang to go to Qingzhou City, while the others could either strive at the border or remain stationed in the capital. Qingzhou City had practically already been abandoned by the court; Ye Rui still had not figured out why Xie Tinglan wanted Yu Lang to go there, and she had not yet had time to ask.

At that moment, Helian Shaohua gave a few words of encouragement on the high platform through Eunuch Zhaosheng, then had all the generals state where they wished to be assigned, while an assistant minister from the Ministry of War recorded it. This request for transfer did not require approval from the city magistrate; it was a reward for the generals’ right to decide their own fate.

As expected, all of the people Xie Tinglan had her eye on chose the frontier or the capital, while Yu Lang volunteered to go to Qingzhou City. As for the other generals, each had their own choice; only one thing was rather surprising: this time, only one person chose Yizhou City and Youzhou City respectively, which was truly unexpected.

Many people chose to head to Yuzhou City on the frontier to join the Southern General’s command. This result was also a blessing for Great Yan; at the very least, the generals still had a heart for defending the nation, unlike the corrupt officials in court who played with power and shook the foundations of the state.

When Duke of Wei learned of the result, even he could not help but look livid. If Helian Shaohua had not still been seated on the high platform, he might already have flung his sleeves and left in rage.

By contrast, the corners of Xie Tinglan’s lips were slightly raised as she lowered her head and sipped her tea, apparently unsurprised by the outcome.

Ye Rui looked up at Helian Shaohua, who sat upright on the platform, her gaze soft as it rested on the young generals below. She looked dignified and grand; she not only held the crowd in check, but carried a kind of majesty that made people unwilling to act rashly.

Yet her authority was not forceful. It was like water, dissolving all the sharp edges in the arena.

The martial selection ended smoothly and safely. Helian Shaohua seemed to have matters to attend to, and left Shenwu Plaza immediately after it was over. Since the Empress had not summoned her, Xie Tinglan planned to finish up and then return home to rest. Unexpectedly, a broad-shouldered man stepped forward and dropped to one knee before Xie Tinglan, clasping his fists.

The man had proper features, a sturdy build, sword-like brows, and eyes like torches; he looked every bit the upright and righteous sort.

Everyone had thought it was over, but his action drew all eyes back to him, and the entire scene instantly fell silent.

Who would dare disturb Xie the Wolf when she was already about to wrap things up? The officials on the scene were mostly here for the excitement, but Xie Tinglan was in a good mood today and did not punish him. She merely asked, “General Ning, what is your request?”

Ning Lie had been the champion from Yuzhou City earlier. He had already volunteered for frontier duty, and even Xie Tinglan had no idea why he was suddenly kneeling like this.

“My lord Prime Minister,” Ning Lie said in a loud, ringing voice, “this one is unworthy, but I have heard that Miss Yin Yue under your command is a master among masters. I beg Your Excellency to allow me to spar with Miss Yin Yue once!”

His words were sharp and forceful. Ye Rui immediately perked up to watch the fun too, turning to look at Yin Yue, who remained utterly calm, her expression unchanged as if the one being challenged was not her at all.

“Oh?”

Xie Tinglan had not expected this. She said, “I can agree to General Ning’s request. However, since it is a spar, wouldn’t it be a little less interesting without some stakes?”

Bad woman.

Ye Rui silently cursed Xie Tinglan in her heart. She just didn’t know what fresh way this bad woman was planning to squeeze poor, honest Ning Lie this time.

Ye Rui knew Ning Lie. He was the sort who had set his heart on going to the frontier. She had heard that the Duke of Wei’s people had approached him twice already and failed both times; every day he just practiced martial arts in the inn courtyard. He was an honest, single-minded sort.

How could someone so honest possibly outplay Xie Tinglan?

“I’ll obey Your Excellency’s arrangements.”

Ning Lie was dead set on fighting Yin Yue and was willing to let Xie Tinglan set any terms. Ye Rui sighed inwardly, thinking Ning Lie was truly adorable in his stupidity; he probably wouldn’t even realize how Xie the Wolf had swallowed him whole.

“Then so be it…”

Xie Tinglan considered it briefly before speaking. “If you win, I’ll gift you a suitable weapon. If you lose, then before you depart for the frontier, you’ll accompany me on a stroll through Beichenfang. How about it?”

Ye Rui: “?”

Something about that sounded off. Why did that line sound so much like Xie Tinglan was using official business for personal gain, inviting an unmarried man to go sightseeing with her in the market district?

How improper!

Ye Rui’s ears turned red; Ning Lie’s face heated up too. He stammered for a few breaths before finally agreeing. At once, the crowd could not help but start whispering among themselves, all eyes on Xie Tinglan.

Could it be that Xie Tinglan’s iron tree had finally blossomed, and she had taken a liking to that spirited young man?

Of course Ye Rui knew what those people were thinking. Some were even mocking Xie Tinglan for being an old maid, saying that even if she was interested, Ning Lie might not be willing.

She almost regretted training so diligently; her hearing had gotten too good, and now she had heard things she should never have heard.

Seeing Ning Lie agree, Xie Tinglan said, “Yin Yue, go.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Yin Yue answered expressionlessly, then selected a wooden sword from Shenwu Plaza and stood ready to fight. Ning Lie’s eyes burned with excitement as he held a wooden spear behind his back, staring at Yin Yue with barely concealed eagerness, as though he had finally found a worthy opponent.

Ye Rui was still thinking about what Xie Tinglan had said earlier, her heart in knots; then she saw Xie Tinglan stare at Ning Lie so intently, and her mood grew even more sour.

No matter what the purpose was, Ye Rui did not like that sort of remark. What was the difference between that and loudly announcing in front of your girlfriend that you were going on a date with someone else?!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. Her face darkened on the spot.

Ye Rui did not know exactly how the match ended, but in the end Yin Yue won; only, her wooden sword was also broken, and she seemed to have won by half a move with her Inch-Slaying Fist.

Fine. Go stroll through Beichenfang then. Go ahead and be happy about it!

By the time everything was finally wrapped up, Xie Tinglan had agreed to meet Ning Lie for an outing at the hour of You that day, and the martial selection officially came to an end.

She really must have been exhausted; on the way back, Xie Tinglan fell asleep in the carriage and didn’t say a single word to explain anything to Ye Rui. Ri Xi and Yin Yue guarded the carriage outside, quiet inside and out except for the rumble of the wheels rolling over the blue stone road.

Ye Rui glanced at the sleeping Xie Tinglan, and her expression darkened again.

Some people’s thoughts were truly impossible to guess.

When they returned to the residence, Xie Tinglan had to review and approve all the follow-up documents from the martial selection, and she remained in the study without coming out. Ye Rui couldn’t very well ask why Xie Tinglan was going out with Ning Lie, so in the end she returned to her own room, pulled the covers over herself, and slept soundly.

What problem couldn’t be solved by a nap? If there was one, then it really just meant you weren’t sleepy enough!

Ye Rui closed her eyes, but her mind was a mess. Xie Tinglan had only sent Ri Xi to accompany her out at the hour of You, and she herself had been left behind in such a gloriously abandoned fashion.

Why leave me behind? Is there something shameful going on?!

So angry! So, so angry! Angry enough to give her a headache and keep her from sleeping!

**

At the hour of You, Xie Tinglan changed into a simple, elegant light blue crossed-collar long robe and set out. She did not let go of the hand warmer in her palm, and only Ri Xi accompanied her.

“My lord…”

Ri Xi considered it for a moment before deciding to tell Xie Tinglan: “Earlier, Ye Rui did not eat dinner.”

Ye Rui, who normally loved dinner time the most, had not appeared in the dining hall today. Ri Xi had gone to call her, and Ye Rui only said she wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t hungry, then sent Ri Xi away.

Xie Tinglan had used the meal in her bedroom today because she was tired, so she had no idea Ye Rui had not shown up in the dining hall.

At Ri Xi’s words, Xie Tinglan frowned. “Why not?”

“She said she wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t hungry.”

Ri Xi’s mind was clear. The commotion over Xie Tinglan and Ning Lie today had not been small, and it had certainly given people plenty to imagine. After returning from Shenwu Plaza, she had gone out to run errands, and the rumors had already spread as far as saying Xie Tinglan wanted to marry into the Ning family, and even more absurdly that Xie Tinglan was forcing Ning Lie to marry into her household. In any case, the whole matter was now boiling over.

Xie Tinglan was silent for a long while, walking more slowly than before. In the end, she only let out a sigh and said nothing.

“My lord, why did you go out with that Ning Lie?”

Ri Xi remembered that Ning Lie had not been on Xie Tinglan’s list. She had said before that he was stubborn and too honest, and was not under consideration.

Xie Tinglan exhaled a long breath. “Ye Rui has been targeted by that person.”

“What?”

Ri Xi frowned deeply, gripping the lantern handle tighter.

“You once asked this lord why things always seemed to be just a little off between me and Ye Rui. Aside from the fact that this broken body of mine may collapse at any moment, there is another reason: anyone who grows close to me becomes not only my weakness, but also a target for everyone else.”

Xie Tinglan had understood long ago that she was not fit to speak of feelings. Before she got the outcome she wanted, she could not live recklessly. But heaven loved jokes, and Ye Rui had barged in just like that, like a bull smashing her long-sealed heart to pieces.

“You probably haven’t forgotten how many schemes and dangers you faced when you first entered my Xie residence, have you?”

Ri Xi slowly lowered her head. The hand holding the lantern grew moist and cold.

Back then, when she had just entered the Xie residence, Xie Tinglan had valued her greatly because of her steady temperament; in the eyes of outsiders, that made them seem very close. Later, she had been attacked several times; once, she had even been successfully ambushed, knocked unconscious, and taken to a remote house.

Fortunately, Yin Yue had been quick-witted and rescued her in time, killing those people to the last. After that incident, Xie Tinglan was still good to her, but she always kept her distance. Ri Xi understood her intentions, but such a Xie Tinglan was far too lonely.

“The one targeting Ye Rui now is not the Duke of Wei or the Prince of Zhongshan, but that person. If he makes a move, this lord cannot guarantee Ye Rui’s safety.”

Xie Tinglan adjusted her fur-lined cloak. Why did she feel even colder talking about this than she had when she first returned?

“How did My Lord find out?”

This matter had not even reached her own ears. From the looks of it, Xie Tinglan had been in a decent mood today, and yet this had happened.

“Early this morning, the Empress informed this lord of it and told me to think it over myself.”

Xie Tinglan paused, then gave another faint sigh. “Since the Empress said that, she certainly doesn’t want me to make a mistake because of Ye Rui. She also trusts that I have the ability to turn danger into safety. Of course, she probably also has expectations for Ye Rui.”

As she spoke, a trace of light surfaced in Xie Tinglan’s eyes, as though she had found a sliver of comfort in this otherwise bad news.

“Still, this lord believes that if that person truly uses Ye Rui to check me in the future, given the Empress’s character, she will definitely tell me to sacrifice the smaller piece to save the bigger one. She won’t help Ye Rui, because no one can stand in the way of our path.”

After saying that, Xie Tinglan tightened her grip on the hand warmer and lifted her head to glance at the bustling lantern light of Beichenfang. The people moving through the winter wind, the noise and chatter, all pulled her back from her thoughts to reality.

The martial selection had just ended today, and merchants and martial artists alike who had come for the excitement were still staying in the capital. The market district was even livelier than usual; some shops that should have already closed still remained brightly lit, seizing the chance to make a profit.

“So this is why My Lord staged that scene?”

Laughing with Ye Rui on Shenwu Plaza was to let the Emperor’s spies know that Xie Tinglan was not avoiding closeness with Ye Rui and had nothing to hide. Then, by publicly proposing an outing with Ning Lie, she was clearly telling those same spies that she and Ye Rui were open and aboveboard, with no private affair between them, and that Xie Tinglan herself was not some iron tree that never bloomed.

“Mm…”

Xie Tinglan’s acknowledgment was full of helplessness. “This lord can only walk this path. If I want to protect her, I can’t be too close to her in public. For now, I can only… wrong her a little.”

“You could explain it to her plainly. Ye Rui is not an unreasonable person.”

Ri Xi still remembered the downcast look on Ye Rui’s face when she had gone to call her for dinner, her eyes red and glistening; it was truly heartbreaking.

“If I tell her, I don’t know what foolish thing she might do to try to help me. That girl wears every thought on her face. This lord… dares not gamble.”

Dares not gamble. Xie Tinglan had finally tasted what it meant to have a weakness. She did not dare risk even the slightest possibility of losing her.

Ye Rui’s anger was justified too. They clearly could not be too close, and yet Xie Tinglan always could not stop herself from wanting to keep Ye Rui by her side; she also could not control the emotions Ye Rui stirred in her.

But she still could never give Ye Rui something steady to rely on. Her world had never had a stable foothold to begin with; it was all thin ice, and one wrong step would send her into the abyss.

The Emperor always held the highest power in this country. If he summoned Ye Rui into the palace, or used some other method to keep her by his side, how was Xie Tinglan supposed to deal with that?

Those who stood in her way must be killed; that sentence felt more like a pledge of allegiance.

If Ye Rui became the person standing in her way, could she really kill her?

Xie Tinglan let out a sigh. When facing Ye Rui, she was no longer the same Xie the Wolf who could slaughter gods or buddhas alike.

“That person’s suspicion of this lord has deepened. He may not believe it, and he may even use the situation to his advantage and try to pair me with Ning Lie.”

Ri Xi’s expression changed drastically. Lowering her voice, she said, “My lord, if that really happens, what should we do?”

“To the world, this lord’s inability to bear children is already the greatest sin. The Ning family, after all, are descendants of a military household. If I were betrothed to them, in their eyes it would still be a stain on the honor of a house of soldiers.”

After saying that, Xie Tinglan could not help but laugh at herself, laughing at how stubborn and rotten the whole world’s thinking was.

“As long as Ning Lie has no such intention, then it will be fine. That is why this outing to Beichenfang is especially important.”

Xie Tinglan knew very well what she looked like and what kind of talent she had. She also knew how many noble sons coveted her, yet were deterred by her body and her notorious reputation.

However, Ning Lie was a stubborn one. This matter had to be explained clearly; use him if necessary, but the boundaries still had to be drawn.

“This servant understands.”

After answering, Ri Xi still could not help but glance back toward the direction of the Xie residence, hoping that person would regain her composure as soon as possible.

Night had fallen. The winter night in the capital was cold and dry; who knew whose heart was trembling and turning cold as well.

**

“This general understands.”

Inside the private room at Baihe Tower, Ning Lie bowed slightly toward Xie Tinglan, clasping his fists respectfully, his face full of deference.

Seeing that, Xie Tinglan took a sip of tea and finally let out a breath of relief.

After speaking with Ning Lie, Xie Tinglan realized he was not quite as inflexible as the reports had claimed. At the very least, in front of her, he had never shown even a trace of contempt, unlike those generals who looked down on women.

This time, she had indeed misjudged him. She should have realized it when Ning Lie had asked her to let him spar with Yin Yue: this man was different.

Many generals refused to spar with women. They looked down on women and thought fighting a woman would damage a man’s dignity.

Ning Lie was different. In his eyes, Yin Yue was simply a martial artist, with no distinction between male or female. That, Xie Tinglan rather liked.

“General Ning’s attitude is quite rare. You are very courteous.”

At her words, Ning Lie first looked puzzled, then seemed to remember his mother’s instructions and immediately understood. “My lord, before I came to the capital, my mother told me many things about you. She said you are a person worthy of respect.”

Xie Tinglan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised. In her mind, she immediately recalled Ning Lie’s mother’s name: Tian Wenrou. Contrary to the gentleness of her name, Tian Wenrou had once been a member of the martial world, and only withdrew from jianghu after marrying Ning Tieyan.

Xie Tinglan truly had not known that someone as infamous as herself could still be spoken of so highly.

Because she had no intention of recruiting Ning Lie, she had not known much about the Ning family. At the moment, she felt a bit regretful.

“Now that the private matters are settled, allow this lord to ask General Ning a question.”

“Please ask, my lord.”

Ning Lie lowered himself even further, respectfully awaiting Xie Tinglan’s question.

Xie Tinglan set down her teacup and looked at the bright young man across from her, a fleeting image from that one month in the mountains crossing her mind.

“What is General Ning’s ambition?”

**

By the time Xie Tinglan returned to the residence, her hands and feet were almost frozen stiff. Yet she did not go back to Tinglan Pavilion. Instead, she went with Ri Xi to the Smoke and Rosy Clouds Courtyard.

Ye Rui’s room was still brightly lit. Ri Xi glanced at it, but did not disturb her; without a word, she returned to her own room.

Xie Tinglan’s hem dragged the cold she had brought back from Beichenfang to the doorway. She stood there for a moment before finally lifting her pale hand and knocking.

“Ye Rui, it’s me.”

Xie Tinglan’s voice was a little unsteady. Her fur cloak seemed no longer enough to contain the cold radiating from within her body; the moment her resolve loosened, even her teeth would start to chatter.

The room fell silent. Xie Tinglan lowered her eyes and sighed. Although they had agreed that Ye Rui would accompany her to sleep tonight, she now found she could not bring herself to ask Ye Rui to come keep her company.

Just as Xie Tinglan was about to turn away, the door suddenly opened. Before she could react, someone pulled her inside, and the rich scent of alcohol hit her full in the face.

It was the smell of that jar of Broken Star she had personally resealed.

Bang.

The door shut quickly behind her, and she was instantly pinned against it by a warm embrace that pressed so tightly to her body it seemed capable of melting the cold inside her.

Ye Rui buried her head in the crook of Xie Tinglan’s neck and said nothing, but her hands stubbornly looped around Xie Tinglan’s slender waist, as if she wanted to encircle this person within her own territory.

“Ye Rui…”

Xie Tinglan gripped the fabric at Ye Rui’s back, pulling her closer, while in her mind she kept replaying the words from the letter Helian Shaohua had sent her earlier that day.

[Mu has set his sights on Rui. Take care of yourself.]

Just a few words, yet they had shocked Xie Tinglan like falling into an ice pit. The current Emperor’s surname was Yan Mu; Xie Tinglan absolutely believed Helian Shaohua’s judgment. Helian Shaohua had warned her many times before and helped her avoid countless dangers.

This time, she could not afford to make a mistake.

The greater her power grew, the more the Emperor would suspect her; the more danger would gather around her. Right now, the Emperor still needed her to balance the court. To control her, he would first have to control the people she cared about.

“Xie Tinglan.”

Ye Rui’s voice was soft and sticky, clearly a little drunk. Her breath on Xie Tinglan’s neck was scorching hot, like a damp kiss pressed there.

“Why?”

Ye Rui asked. She stepped out of Xie Tinglan’s embrace and lifted her head; the corners of her eyes were faintly red, as if she had been crying, and mist still shone in her gaze.

Xie Tinglan clenched her teeth and reached up to caress Ye Rui’s face, over and over soothing her. “I was only discussing something with him. Why are you imagining things?”

Her heart ached. Worse than the cold gnawing into her bones, it hurt in a much deeper way. In that instant, she suddenly understood: Ye Rui was her only fatal weakness.

Ye Rui lowered her eyes, tilting her face to rub lightly against Xie Tinglan’s palm, and murmured, “You’re hiding something from me.”

Those drunken, beautiful eyes seemed even clearer than usual, seeing through the complex expression on that woman’s face and the things she refused to say.

Xie Tinglan’s lips twitched. She seemed to want to say something, but in the end she abandoned the thought.

She maintained this delicate balance, not allowing Ye Rui to leave her, yet never letting her come close enough to truly feel secure. Xie Tinglan knew she was despicable.

She feared that if Ye Rui fell completely into this, she would be unable to hide her own feelings. And she was afraid she would be unable to hide them herself.

How could love be hidden? It was the easiest danger to expose. Happiness was right in front of her, yet felt as distant as the ends of the earth, untouchable.

“I…”

Xie Tinglan only managed a single word, and then nothing came out after that. All her words became unspeakable secrets. She leaned toward Ye Rui’s lips and kissed her, hiding every secret inside that kiss.

The light kiss was soothing, yet also teasing. After their soft lips pressed together a few times, Xie Tinglan said, “I’m tired. Didn’t you say you’d accompany me to bed?”

Her voice was rough and dry. Looking at Ye Rui’s focused, hurt gaze, she suddenly felt an urge to cry that she had not felt for many years.

Hadn’t she long ago accepted that she could not possess affection? And yet she still stubbornly refused to let go.

“Okay.”

At Xie Tinglan’s words, Ye Rui’s eyes reddened again. Then she suddenly swept Xie Tinglan into her arms. The one in her embrace started in surprise, but after confirming there was no danger, she obediently rested her head against Ye Rui’s chest.

“Am I really bad?”

The walk to Tinglan Pavilion was quiet. The wind cut coldly through the night, leaving only Ye Rui’s light footsteps on the blue stone road. Their entanglement seemed to blur into one; the only thing that could be seen clearly was the fluttering hems of their beautiful robes. In the places the moonlight could not reach, they remained distant from one another, always looking toward each other from afar, unable to touch, unable to come any closer.

Ye Rui looked up at the dark sky; boundless and endless, it filled her with a sense of powerless loneliness that drained the strength from her body. The world was so vast, and yet she still could not get Xie Tinglan to say the word “like.”

Nor could she wait for an explanation.

The room still held the scent of gardenia from the flowers ordered earlier that afternoon. Ye Rui carried Xie Tinglan to the bed, and as she was about to withdraw, Xie Tinglan caught her.

“Kiss me.”

Xie Tinglan’s voice was soft as water, luring one to probe deeper into the depths of her desire; that was the land of wildfire. She was like a desert traveler desperate for water to save her life, urgently needing a sip to keep her alive.

“Xie Tinglan, I really hate you to death.”

As the words fell, Ye Rui’s kiss landed solidly on Xie Tinglan’s lips, carrying anger and confusion, grievance and desolation, ruthlessly crushing her lips open, forcing past her teeth, and tangling with her tongue.

Just like their relationship: tangled and knotted, impossible to sever, impossible to sort out; yet neither of them dared to touch the truth of their hearts.

Ye Rui’s kiss gradually moved downward. Her hand closed around the cold jade belt at Xie Tinglan’s waist, and just as the hot kiss landed on the most vulnerable place of all, Xie Tinglan let out a fragile, broken sound.

No one knew how the powerful and authoritative Prime Minister Xie endured the soothing of that person’s lips and tongue with red-rimmed eyes. No one knew how Xie the Wolf, infamous throughout the land, whimpered like a small beast while being attacked at her weakest, softest point, unable to resist.

Her black hair and silver hair were scattered across the bed. For some reason, she suddenly thought of the blue-covered book by her pillow. Just as she was about to turn her head to look, a cold sash was drawn over her eyes.

It was her own waist sash; Ye Rui had tied it over her eyes, blocking her sight. Suddenly, she remembered that in the little thatched hut in the mountains, that person had once touched her sash while blindfolded, fingertips trembling with fear and restraint.

Now Xie Tinglan understood. She understood how desire could grow wildly in the dark; the seed buried in one’s heart could bloom all at once, butterflies filling the whole chest. Every tremor on her body was from a place that had been kissed. Her fingers clenched hard into the quilt; she could not steady her heartbeat, nor her breathing. So many images flashed through her mind, every face Ye Rui’s face, all of them Ye Rui.

“Xie Tinglan.”

Ye Rui’s palm was slick with moisture. Her fingertips controlled petals damp with dew, as though she were holding a clump of wet cotton.

“We only ask for this moment.”

I won’t ask for more. At least right now, I don’t want to ask for more. Asking for more hurts. At least at this moment, every reaction you give me is real, and that is enough.

Ye Rui’s eyes reddened again and again. She was glad she had covered Xie Tinglan’s eyes; she couldn’t see anything, and she would never know that while she herself was drenched with heat and moisture, Ye Rui’s expression was full of bitterness and pain.

It was a broken, intense night. The flower’s stamen was soaked through with dew, and for the first time, Xie Tinglan felt that she did not need a brazier to be warm all over. Sweat had even gathered at her temples, and the aftershocks had not yet faded.

Ye Rui held the still-trembling Xie Tinglan from behind. She had not removed the fine sash covering Xie Tinglan’s eyes, and Xie Tinglan had not removed it either.

Only when the aftershocks finally ebbed did Xie Tinglan feel the world’s spinning and drifting slowly settle back into place. That place was still tingling numb, as if telling her exactly what she and Ye Rui had done.

In a hoarse voice, Xie Tinglan asked, “Why didn’t you come in?”

The wetness at the corners of her eyes was hidden by the sash; in her heart she thought: so this is what they mean when they say one will really cry at the height of pleasure. The book was not entirely lying after all, only… she hadn’t come in.

Ye Rui said nothing, only hugged Xie Tinglan tightly and murmured, “Sleep. You must be exhausted.”

“Mm…”

Xie Tinglan truly was exhausted. Before drifting off, she thought that there would still be a long road ahead; perhaps some things needed to be taken step by step.

**

As Xie Tinglan had expected, after the Emperor learned of her interaction with Ning Lie at Shenwu Plaza, he brought up the idea of matching them up in court.

However, Ning Lie rejected the Emperor’s goodwill, saying only that he was about to go to the battlefield far away and had no mind for romance. These were all the things Xie Tinglan had taught Ning Lie to say, and he played his part flawlessly. In the end, remembering Xie Tinglan’s physical condition, the Emperor had no choice but to let it go.

Only, after that morning’s court session, rumors spread through the streets that Xie Tinglan had taken a liking to Ning Lie and even asked the Emperor to grant them a marriage, only to be sternly rejected by Ning Lie. Because the proposal failed, Xie Tinglan instantly became the capital’s laughingstock. People said she was crazed for wanting a man that badly; others spoke venomously and said she was doomed to die young, so naturally no one would want her, no matter how beautiful she was.

Some even said she was cruel and merciless, that anyone who entered her household would be doomed to misfortune. A woman like that was a harbinger of disaster.

Then those people started talking about the Xie residence in the south of the city, saying that after becoming Prime Minister, Xie Tinglan had never supported her own family. Now the Xie family was even more down and out, accomplishing nothing. Someone so heartless and ungrateful was surely bad luck to whoever had her.

Ye Rui sat in a teahouse by the street, gripping her teacup so tightly it was nearly crushed. Her temples throbbed with pain.

She ground her teeth and held back her fury, thinking: those shameless bastards from the Duke of Wei’s camp seize on any little opening and spread this kind of rumor to ruin someone’s reputation. To target Xie Tinglan, they really will stop at nothing!

The two dandies gossiping beside her were having the time of their lives, but when they met Ye Rui’s gaze, they immediately fell silent. Then, seeing the Xie residence token hanging at her waist, they were so frightened they left their copper coins behind before their tea even arrived and hurried off.

This was the second time Ye Rui had felt such a powerful urge to kill someone. The first had been when facing Yu Bin; this time it was directed at the common people who ran their mouths without restraint.

During this period, Ri Xi had repeatedly warned her not to lose her temper with those who spread gossip. Xie Tinglan had always been subjected to plenty of criticism, so this was nothing new. As long as it didn’t affect her interests, there was no need to pay attention.

A thousand mouths, a thousand versions of the truth; and on top of that, some of it was being orchestrated behind the scenes. Rumors spread fastest of all. Even if you shut one mouth, how could you shut a hundred?

Xie Tinglan really did not care. Life went on as usual. It was only on the day Ning Lie left that she still made a point of seeing him off in person.

Ye Rui did not question her about it, and Xie Tinglan did not explain either. They both tacitly understood where the boundaries lay.

Still, Ye Rui would remain sullen for a while, constantly complaining about this to Hu Tu, until Hu Tu had essentially become her good sister.

They still did intimate things with each other. Xie Tinglan’s sincerity only ever stayed in bed. Yet whenever Xie Tinglan asked why Ye Rui would not come in, Ye Rui would ask in return why she would not touch her. Neither question had an answer, just like the fog that surrounded their relationship.

It snowed in the capital. Ye Rui’s inner strength had now reached a modest level, and she stepped across the thin snow to buy some things before returning to the Xie residence to help Xie Tinglan regulate her body with inner energy. Still, her mood remained poor the whole way.

Recently, every time she went out to the market, her mood was bad. Everyone was talking about Xie Tinglan, all saying ugly things. Ye Rui was furious, but she did not want to add trouble for Xie Tinglan.

Not long after the martial selection ended, Gong Yinzhi and Ri Xi had already brought the Changsheng Grass back from Dabao Gambling Den. Only the Yama Flower was missing, and that item remained sealed in the treasury, never seeing daylight. Counting it up, only ten days had passed since the martial selection ended, yet Ye Rui felt those ten days were so long, as long as this snow that seemed never to stop.

Ye Rui suddenly found it all a little funny. When had she started acting out some tragic romance play?

Hu Tu: [Don’t say that. If you were to act in a tragic romance play, I might actually laugh.]

Ye Rui: [Get lost. You’re the one who talks too much!]

Hu Tu: [I’m here to remind you that the main quest may already be coming. You need to be on full alert.]

Ye Rui had always remembered that her main quest was to suppress bandits. However, after asking around in many places, she had never heard of bandits appearing on Yushan. The task seemed to have popped out of nowhere, and she had no idea how to complete it.

Back at the residence, Ye Rui used inner energy to help Xie Tinglan recover her health. An hour later, she finally finished. Afterward, Ye Rui withdrew the hand resting against Xie Tinglan’s thin back, and Xie Tinglan took the opportunity to lie down, leaning into Ye Rui’s arms.

“This is the most comfortable winter I’ve had in all these years.”

Xie Tinglan breathed in the clean scent on Ye Rui’s body. Their clothes brushed, their hair tangled; at this moment, they were intimately close.

Every winter, Xie Tinglan felt as though she were freezing to death. This was the first time she had felt that winter could also be warm, that she didn’t have to endure bone-deep cold.

Ye Rui tightened her arms around her and sighed softly. “But if this poison keeps not being resolved, what are we supposed to do?”

At that, Xie Tinglan slowly lowered her lashes, the darkness in her eyes hidden beneath them, and gave a bitter smile. “Then let life and death be left to fate. I’ve already fought heaven for my life; if I still can’t live, then I can only accept it.”

“Stop talking about dying.”

Ye Rui didn’t like hearing it. She always felt Xie Tinglan had already made peace with her own death, as if there was nothing in this world left for her to cling to, including Ye Rui.

“If you die, what happens to your vision for the future?”

Ye Rui asked, but Xie Tinglan only smiled. Rolling over from Ye Rui’s arms, she looked straight at her. “I believe you’ll work for it too.”

Hearing that, Ye Rui clicked her tongue and laughed. “I won’t. If you’re not here, I’ll go wander the world and ignore whatever changes this place goes through.”

Xie Tinglan also lowered her head and smiled, not bothering to expose the truth in Ye Rui’s words, and was about to get off the bed to continue handling official documents in the study.

However, just as Xie Tinglan put on her boots, Ri Xi rushed into Tinglan Pavilion and called from outside, “My lord, an imperial decree has arrived!”

An imperial decree? That really was the first time since Ye Rui had come to the Xie residence.

Ye Rui only saw Xie Tinglan’s expression change slightly, her eyes turning dark and unreadable, before she finally responded, “This lord will come out to receive the decree immediately.”

Xie Tinglan arrived at the main hall. The visitor was Eunuch Zhaosheng, holding a golden scroll in his hands. Upon seeing Xie Tinglan, he bent and bowed.

“Prime Minister Xie Tinglan receives the decree——!”

After Eunuch Zhaosheng finished in his shrill voice, Xie Tinglan led the others in half-kneeling. “This minister Xie Tinglan receives the decree.”

“By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Recently, bandits have disturbed Yushan, harming lives and sowing chaos among the common folk; the people suffer greatly. I, mindful of the state and the livelihood of the masses, cannot ignore such a calamity. I specially dispatch elite city garrison troops to suppress them, but a commander is lacking. I have therefore chosen Ye Rui, the guard of Minister Xie. Ye Rui is courageous and resourceful, loyal and devoted at Shenwu Plaza, and of noble character. I now specially entrust you with pacifying the chaos. This is my decree!”

Ye Rui’s lips twitched…

How should she put it? That was a pile of rainbow-colored flattery all right, but wasn’t the main quest here already? Along with joy, Ye Rui also felt a bit puzzled. Why had the Emperor specifically arranged for her to take on this task? What was his purpose?

Subconsciously, Ye Rui looked at Xie Tinglan. That person had still not accepted the decree.

It would have been fine not to look, but the moment she did, Ye Rui’s scalp went numb. Xie Tinglan’s face had gone so dark it looked like a ghost from the Nine Hells; the way she stood there with her head lowered and saying nothing made her look as though she were considering which wandering soul to swallow next.

“This minister Xie Tinglan receives the decree.”

Only then did Xie Tinglan lift her slender white hands and accept the imperial edict. Looking up, her lips were already curved into a smile. “Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch.”

“Prime Minister, you flatter this servant.”

Eunuch Zhaosheng hurriedly took a small step back, then praised Ye Rui’s character a few more times on the Emperor’s behalf before saying, “Miss Ye, please set out from the south gate at the hour of Chen three days from now. I hope Miss Ye returns victorious.”

Ye Rui stepped forward and politely cupped her hands. “Thank you, Eunuch, for informing me.”

Afterward, Eunuch Zhaosheng flicked his whisk, reminded Xie Tinglan to rest well, and left. Xie Tinglan escorted him to the gate; when she could no longer see the figures from the palace, her expression changed like a flip of the hand, turning dark and cold.

Ri Xi frowned beside them, while Ye Rui remained immersed in the joy of finally getting to do her main quest.

“What’s wrong with you all?”

Ye Rui asked cautiously, only to receive a sharp glare from Xie Tinglan. Seeing Ye Rui’s unconcerned expression, Xie Tinglan’s brows knit more tightly, her gaze turning even sharper.

Ye Rui: “?”

Xie Tinglan flicked her sleeve and strode away with a cold snort. “Idiot.”

Ye Rui: “?!”

Why are you insulting people!!

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Author’s note: [dog head][dog head][yellow heart][yellow heart]

Prime Minister Xie: How could I possibly fall for an idiot!

Ye Rui: ??