Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 50: Where We Lost
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
"A'Chu,"
Zhao Song handed the gold box over and said, "This is for you."
Chu Qiao was surprised for a moment and asked, "What is this? It's a precious thing."
"Lend me your hands," Zhao Song said without hesitation and then stuffed the box into Chu Qiao's hands. "I saved it for you. It's of no use to me. You know me, I won't like it if it's not brand new, and I'll still have to give it to others. It's better to give it to you first, even if you are hesitant. Yan Xun has a cold heart, a cold guy. It's a cold day, and he still lets you run around. I heard you just came back from the north, didn't you?"
"Well," Chu Qiao nodded and said, "I went to the north to do some good works. The world (Yan Shi Zi) in Yanbei still has some small business to attend to."
"I brought you this serpentine jacket to keep you warm. Don't forget to wear it, okay?"
"Well," Chu Qiao smiled, "Thank you."
"Well, I'll go back first."
Chu Qiao was surprised for a moment. "You won't participate in the hunt?"
Zhao Song shook his head. "The field hunting will be in a few days. Today is man-hunting—a group of people who love archery will be using a few slaves. I can't stay longer, so I'll go now."
Chu Qiao nodded, about to speak, when suddenly the loud voice of a spy rang out: "Oh, I feed my little ancestors! The slave does not understand the meaning!"
Chu Qiao turned around and saw two sixteen-year-old boys standing in front of Zhao's tent, shoulder to shoulder. They had deep, sharp contours and almost looked identical. Their eyebrows were sharp. One wore a blue gown beneath a large Qiu cloak, like a strong little leopard. The other, wearing a gray Qiu cloak, looked older and shorter, with cold, indifferent eyes like ice. Behind them stood only a few scattered men, wearing blue robes, coldly staring at a second servant eunuch. One of the youngsters angrily said, "This is not what was meant. What does this mean?"
The little eunuch, who had been kicked, nearly lost the use of one arm and cried out in pain, "What the servant meant is that the whole circle should be reserved for the thirteenth prince, and they cannot use it."
The boy's voice grew colder as he grabbed the eunuch by the collar, angrily saying, "Where was I assigned?"
"You were assigned to the west side of the woods."
"Is that so?" the boy sneered. "Good place, right? Next to the bears and horses, if I remember correctly?"
"The slaves will be careful not to let those beasts disturb the dreams of the sixty eunuchs at midnight."
"Yu De Lu!" the boy's eyes flashed, and he shouted angrily, "You dare!"
"Shi'er!" A low voice suddenly cut in. The gray-clad boy raised his hand, stopping the younger one. He coldly said, "Don't stir up trouble."
"What trouble?" the younger boy retorted, still enraged. "Fourteenth brother, I don't understand. Why are some of Father's sons treated like stars while others are sent to corners with beasts? We are not slaves! We are not dogs to be looked down on!"
"Be quiet and don't say such things," the older boy, Shisi, turned and coldly addressed Yu De Lu. "Lead the way, little eunuch, and take us to the tent."
"Yes," Yu De Lu stammered, hastily getting up and leading the way.
"Wait!"
Zhao Song suddenly called out and stepped forward, approaching Shilui (16th Prince). With a firm stare, he pulled Shisi aside.
"Thirteenth Brother," Shisi greeted.
Zhao Song nodded and said to Yu De Lu, "Since I won't be participating in the hunt today, give this place to Shisi (14th Prince) and Shilui (16th Prince)."
Yu De Lu was surprised. He carefully glanced at Zhao Song and asked, "Will this be announced tomorrow? After the trumpet signals that the thirteenth prince won't be coming?"
Zhao Song laughed. "Tomorrow, yes. Even if there are geese and neighbors nearby, it won't matter. Don't forget, I was able to sleep in that circle as a child without issue."
"You—"
Yu De Lu began to speak, but Shisi interrupted, "Thank you, Shisan (13th Prince), my dear brother. Shilui (16th Prince) is young and not yet sensible enough. It's better that you keep this place."
With that, he took the younger boy and left.
Yu De Lu, startled, quickly hurried after them.
Chu Qiao stepped forward, frowning slightly as she glanced in the direction of the two boys, then looked away.
"That was Shisi (14th Prince), the most troublesome of names," Zhao Song remarked. "You may not have met him before. He and Shilui (16th Prince) were born to one of the lesser-favored concubines, always relegated to the west side of the palace. They shouldn't trouble your side."
"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded quietly, without comment.
"I must go now. Be careful when you're with Yan Xun, and watch out for Zhuge Yue. I saw him at dinner last night, and he still seems upset about the past. Be cautious around him."
Chu Qiao nodded. "I know."
Zhao Song mounted his horse, but before riding off, he added, "Don't wander around too much. The cold king has already seen you. Be careful not to reveal anything. Wei Shu You is also here. Things between you and Yan Xun may ignite at any moment."
Chu Qiao sighed and urged, "I know. Now go, quickly!"
"Make sure someone informs me if anything happens. Don't do anything foolish."
Chu Qiao looked dumbfounded and said, "You didn't come all the way here just to say that. It's getting dark."
"Well," Zhao Song turned his horse around and muttered as he rode off, "You really know how to rush me away. You have no conscience. One day, you'll realize who cares for you most."
With a shout of "Drive!" Zhao Song and his men galloped away.
Chu Qiao watched them ride off, feeling the warmth of the sunset even as the sharp northern wind cut through her.
On her way back, just as she passed the far western woods, she saw Shisi (14th Prince) Zhao Yang, Shilui (16th Prince) Zhao Xiang Zheng, and a few servants near a tent. She briefly glanced at them before returning to Yan Xun's camp.
As she opened the curtain to enter, the warm air hit her, but Yan Xun didn't rise. He was writing something and calmly asked, "Has Zhao Song left?"
Chu Qiao, sitting by the brazier, replied, "You're smart."
Yan Xun sighed, put down his pen, and said, "He was raised that way. It's no surprise."
Hearing his words, Chu Qiao felt a sudden chill in her heart. She looked up and coldly asked, "If he can't change, what about you?"
Yan Xun frowned, "Do you mean in the past or now?"
"Both."
"A'Chu," Yan Xun came closer, squatting beside her. "Do you know where my father failed?"
Chu Qiao looked up but said nothing. Yan Xun gave a faint, bitter smile, a trace of coldness in his expression.
"He lost because of his soft heart, defeated by his feelings. He had the chance to destroy Great Summer and become king, to restore the Yan family name in Zhao's lineage. But he didn't. He even had the opportunity to kill Meng Tian's wife, but he couldn't do it. He was the last Zhao who deserved to take the throne. If Meng Tian hadn't cut off his head, he would have sworn to never become what he is today."
Yan Xun stood, tall and straight, his handsome face as cold as the deep sea. He walked to the door, his hand on the curtain as he coldly said, "If you can't bear to stay here tonight, don't come looking for me."
AC Afterthought
This chapter explores the complex relationships between power, duty, and personal values. The interactions between Chu Qiao, Zhao Song, and Yan Xun reflect deeper tensions—especially regarding loyalty, survival, and the expectations imposed by their roles. The contrast between Zhao Song's warmth and Yan Xun's cold detachment highlights how their experiences have shaped their outlook on life and their connections to those around them. The chapter ends with a lingering sense of inevitability, as if each character is resigned to the roles they must play, despite the personal cost.