Note: Insert scene for "Nirvana in Fire/琅琊榜" after Lin Shu/Mei Changsu's confrontation with the Liang Emperor in successfully reopening the Chiyan army case.

Disclaimer: I do not own "Nirvana in Fire/琅琊榜"

Marquis Yan Que

Prince Ji had asked what Marquis Yan had been thinking about. Yan Que was going to say what was on his mind, but decided not to in the last moment. These people did not know this Mei Changsu nor what he had been doing in the background. Mei Changsu had a reason for it… and for some reason, Yan Que wanted to help him keep this secret.

Yan Que had been in fact curious if Mei Changsu would still remain in the Capital. Despite the fact that Mei Changsu was a strategist, after his few encounters with the man, felt a strange kinship with him. Yan Que felt he could trust the man. The first encounter with Mei Changsu, he had saved Yan Que's life, and in turn Yujin and the Yan household's lives. He had not needed to bury away Yan Que's plan to blow the Emperor to bits at the ceremony. But Mei Changsu had. And it was because the man had felt Yan Que's devotion and loyalty to ghosts of the past?

Yan Que had felt the reasoning to be too good to be true and had expected something else in payment down the line. Only to have Mei Changsu come to him and ask him to support him in putting Prince Jing on the throne. Yan Que would never have guessed that. Prince Xian perhaps. Prince Yu even. But not Prince Jing, for Jinyan was too weak of a Prince against the two elder brothers.

Yet somehow since Mei Changsu entered Jinling city, everything had changed. Looking back, Yan Que, Mei Changsu had indeed come for this purpose. To clear the 70,000 Chiyan soldier's names. For Prince Qi. He must have been a former member of the Qi Household. But Yan Que could not think of whom. He knew the household members well. There would be no one of Mei Changsu's caliber. It mattered not now. The case was reopened and all the names were cleared: Prince Qi, 70 000 Chiyan soldiers, and the Lin family, his Lin da-ge, Lin Shu and .. Lin Yeyao, the love of his life. At last there would be a memorial for her. A plaque. A place to pray for her and let her go in peace.

Thinking about her, he was reminded again that as part of his plans for the day was to pay his respects to his da-ge, Lin Xie. Yan Que missed his friend. He wished that he was alive. But the heavens.. no, the foolish emperor.. had sent their brother away before his time. Him and so many good men as well.

Yan Que hoped the heavens above to help them, and if Lin Xie from where he was could bless them with some strategy so that Da Yu didn't overtake the Liang Kingdom just when it was finally getting back to its feet.

They were now in crisis situation since the emperor failed to due his duty of protecting his people by indulging on himself and allowing his two sons Jinghuan and Jingxuan literally put the country to ruins. Allowing corrupt officials enter, allowing lies to slip by for pride of Da Liang. All of this led to a weakened economy and an army that had grown undisciplined and weak. It was the same reason why the Emperor feared Princess Nihuang, for she held so much power on the southern border. She had been doing her job, that was why.

Their neighbours knew this and taking advantage of the constant internal bickering of the two Princes, Jinghuan and Jingxuan, as well as the rebellion at Jiu An mountain, the enemy now had their troops on 4 different fronts to take down Da Liang.

Yan Que had wanted to follow in the war, but he knew he could do little on the battlefront, he was a scholar, not a soldier. It was best he remain in the Capital and advise Crown Prince Jing, who was now had to handle all matters of the court during a war outbreak. Curious on Yan Que's mind was there whereabouts of Mei Changsu. He had not seen him often since the confrontation with the Emperor. Had he fallen ill again? Perhaps he had left already, since he had done what he set out to do.

As he approached the Manor to where the Lin House memorial plaques were set up, he saw Fei Liu sitting quietly on the far side of the garden, playing with a wooden toy.

The boy saw his approach and then went back to being distracted with his wooden eagle. Yan Que walked passed the child and went inside the memorial room. There he was surprised to see Noble Consort Jing speaking with Mei Changsu.

"I don't have much time left…this way I can return to where I belong."

Yan Que swallowed, as this was a very private conversation and was going to leave, but the words "Xiao Shu", froze him in mid step.

Noble Consort Jing looked up at to see Yan Que. Slowly Mei Changsu turned to look at him. Time seemed to stop.

Noble Consort Jing

"Xiao Shu. Why. Why must you do this?" The words seemed to echo in the memorial room.

"Aunt Jing. You know why. I cannot let Jingyan rule a fallen Kingdom. I cannot… I cannot watch Da Liang fall."

"Xiao Shu. You have done so much already. It is alright to rest. To let others take on the burden."

"Aunt Jing. If I don't go as the strategist, all that I have worked for, all the people that I love will perish. I cannot allow that. I won't allow it. And you know, if father were here, he would not either." Lin Shu paused. "Aunt Jing, you know I am right. You know the state of the Kingdom right now. There is no one else that can do it."

"Xiao Shu, your friend, the one that treated for the poison, did he find a cure?"

There was no answer.

"Xiao Shu. Tell me." There was an edge in her voice. "Jingyan would not let you command an army unless you were well."

"I am well, Aunt Jing."

Silence again.

"Xiao Shu. You many appear different, but I can always tell when you lie to me. You can lie to Jingyan, but cannot, you will not lie to me."

There was demand in her voice.

"Lin Chen has found something to help me, so I will have strength again."

"What exactly is it?" There was an edge in her voice, despite it being laced with concern.

"Aunt Jing," Mei Changsu looked at her, "you must not say anything to Jingyan."

That was a confirmation for Noble Consort Jing.

"Xiao Shu. You…" and then she wept.

"Don't cry, Aunt Jing. I don't have much time left…this way I can return to where I belong."

Noble Consort Jing looked at him. The soft brown eyes, the only ones that remained the same in the strangers face that looked back at her. She had delivered this child. Spoiled him. Played games with him. He was like a second child to her Jingyan.

"Xiao Shu.."

And it was then she saw him. As did Lin Shu.

Time stopped.

Marquis Yan Que stood there frozen.

There was only silence. Yan Que felt everything, all his thoughts, all his questions about Mei Changsu, who he was, how he knew things, why he did things the way he did. It came to him. And for a moment he could not breathe. He felt winded even by simply standing still. Mei Changsu was Lin Shu. The young marshal of the Chiyan army that perished 13 years ago. He was his da-ge's Lin Xie's son.

"Xiao Shu.' It came out as a statement instead of a question.