Volume II, Big Summer Dynasty Chapter 18: Wei's Gate Valve
The Zhu (meaning "outstanding") door is built with flesh and blood but smells like wine and beyond, is a frozen road to death. The Great Summer Empire constantly reminds foreigners that they do not have the money to support them and threatens to kill them. However, within the inner city, these foreigners bask in the wine market, singing and dancing, enjoying fragrant delicacies. A group of socialites orders around confectioneries, infusions, decoctions, and wine. Amidst intoxicating beauty are eye-catching ornaments hanging from their waists. These include Liu (a girl whose beauty could kill), Ruyu (a pleasant maid, every man's desire), Jiao Qiao (a skilled and professional maid), Mei (meaning "beautiful"), and Xiao (meaning "end-blow flute"). The women's faces resemble jade, with snow-white arms and full cleavage showing hard nipples beneath their garments.
The Great Summer magistrates lavishly indulge in these pleasures, squandering their fortunes. They spend their money to strip women of their refined dresses, losing themselves to fleeting guilty pleasures. At the end of the day, they appear as wandering bones, reluctant to leave.
Outside, snow covers a tree where silk sashes float in the air. Lanterns filled with bright light decorate the sky, marking the Lantern Festival, a national celebration. Here, both noble and common women gather. At this moment, the sound of rapid hoofbeats suddenly passes over Wei Yang, casting a long beam of light, turning the city into a grand stage of dreams. In his white robe, the old man narrows his tiger-like eyes and waves his hand, commanding more than a dozen women with dazzling faces. They hear the ringing of his garments and immediately kneel, bowing their heads, not daring to look at who is passing.
Wei Guang, illuminated by the lanterns, takes a deep breath and leans on the soft couch. The incense burner releases a spiral of smoke, shaped like a dragon, drifting gently above the crowd, appearing hazy and dreamlike.
Outside the door, a subordinate speaks respectfully: "Elder, Shu Ye's son has arrived." The old man raises a faint brow. Shu Ye's son has come earlier than expected, looking disheveled. In a low voice, the old man says, "Let him in."
The door opens, revealing a clean, simple figure, almost resembling nobility. The elder wears a white robe bought from the wine market on the first day of the Lantern Festival. Shu Ye, the major general, enters with a cheerless face and blurts out, "Why?"
Wei Guang, of course, understands. He squints his eyes and, without looking directly at Shu Ye, says slowly, "Did you forget to salute the elders? After all these years, is this how you show respect?"
Shu Ye's son raises his tense brow as the candle crackles and sparks. He waits silently, then finally bows his head and says, "Uncle."
"This is not all there is in the world. You must be wise and learn, Shu Ye."
Shu Ye, with cold eyes, says, "Then why did you choose to send me? I promised them..."
"You are the first of the seven major gates of the Wei household and will be the next heir. The blood of the Wei ancestors runs in your veins. You are noble. You do not owe anything to these low-lying outlanders, even if you promised them their lives. The emperor's devotion demands no mistakes. There is no need for guilt, nor should you come here to question your uncle."
An old man interrupted Shu Ye's words, his voice low and resonant like a broken stone.
Shu Ye shook his head, frowning. "Uncle, this is not your way."
"I was once as naive as you. Like your father, you might die at the door of rebellion." Wei Guang opened his fierce, flashing eyes, turned his head, and said firmly, "The king is always the victor. Welcome to the law of the jungle."
"Uncle," Shu Ye repeated, his expression serious. "The empire needs the people for the western reclamation. Their families followed them because they believed I had gone to the west. Why didn't the elders care for their families while I was away? They gave up their homes and the nature of being nomads because I personally promised them."
Shu Ye picked up a small piece of incense from Wei Guang's table and sharply said, "You said the empire had no money to support them, but what is this? This is Huai Song's fragrance! Only one group arrived, paying two hundred gold, enough to feed the slaughtered families for ten years!"
Wei Guang listened quietly to Shu Ye's angry outburst. His cold demeanor didn't change, and he eventually smiled. "Ye, when you return, consider that the deer who stripped the rank of lie in the criminal hall survived. But life and death are uncertain. Yet, you can stand here, making noise with me all day. Tell me why."
Shu Ye, speechless and angry, stiffened.
"You still stand here because your surname is Wei. You sympathize with these outlanders and even exclude your own family, but do not forget you are a descendant of Wei. You have enjoyed every privilege provided by the family. Never forget that."
Wei Guang took a deep breath, leaning on the couch, reminding Shu Ye of the Wei family's history. "Today marks the anniversary of the Wei family's slaughter by the Bentra family. The Wei family has protected the land from invaders for three hundred years. Do not forget the blood of your brothers and sisters who died for you."
Shu Ye stood silently, feeling the weight on his chest, speechless.
Wei Guang stood up, placing his hand on Shu Ye's shoulder. "Ye, I am old. I cannot protect you much longer. In the future, who will protect the family? Who will protect my daughter from harm?"
The door opened wide, and the sound of silk and bamboo filled the hall as Wei Guang's footsteps faded. Shu Ye remained, feeling crushed, unable to escape his burden.
In the dark night, a fog hovered over his heart, demons and monsters devouring his reason. He sighed, resigned to silence, reflecting on what was right.
Some things are born of fate.
Shu Ye slumped into a chair, picking up his wine cup, drained in spirit.
Chu Qiao had just returned to the city gate when she saw people wearing Zhuge family clothes. They were looking around the lanterns when they spotted her, overjoyed, and ran toward her.
"Star Child, the fourth young master asked us to wait for you here. Let's go home quickly."
Chu Qiao was momentarily surprised but nodded and got into the carriage.
The carriage bells jingled as they moved forward. Looking out the window, she saw people bustling in the lively downtown. As the sounds faded, Chu Qiao leaned against the carriage wall, her mind filled with images of slain civilians, cold-hearted soldiers, and Wei Shu Ye's helplessness to stop the slaughter.
Despite his rank, he was powerless, as was she. She realized that confronting the entire dynasty was impossible. Her only task now was to live carefully, find opportunities for revenge, and protect her remaining family, especially her younger sister.
The carriage drifted farther away. Chu Qiao suddenly snapped back to reality. She opened the curtain and coldly asked, "This is not the way home. Where are you taking me?"
The driver, startled by her sharp observation, responded, "The master is at his other house, not at the main residence."
Chu Qiao furrowed her brow and said cautiously, "Which other house?"
"His other house by Lake West. Didn't you know?"
Suspicion rising, Chu Qiao said, "Master, I must return home first to retrieve something."
The driver chuckled. "The young master said you don't need to bring anything. He's waiting at the other house, so let's not make him wait."
Chu Qiao nodded quietly and dropped the curtain. The driver, relieved, glanced mischievously, unaware that a cold dagger suddenly pressed against his throat. Chu Qiao, her voice cold and threatening, said, "You are not from the fourth young master. Who are you?"
A hoarse voice laughed from the side as a man in a luxurious carriage approached. "Zhu Shun, this girl is stubborn. I think I'll enjoy this."
Zhu Shun laughed flatteringly, "This servant is devoted to you, master. This opportunity would never have happened without my loyalty."
The old man smiled. "This girl is ours. Let's return to the manor."