Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 57: Narrow Home Road
by Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
In the 773rd year of the White Calendar, during early spring, the Red River Plateau was still covered in snow. A severe blizzard stretched from the Xia Tang border to the Huang Chi Road, blocking trade routes and causing a sharp increase in prices in the capital. Merchants took advantage of the situation, hoarding goods and raising the prices of essential items like oil and tea. The cost of rice skyrocketed, and the imperial order fell into disarray.
On the sixth day of March, the Sanctuary of the Golden Temple denounced the Muhe descendants, and Muhe Xi Feng was replaced by Zhao Qi, a descendant of the third emperor. This marked the first time in three centuries that the imperial capital was under the direct control of the royal family, with the Three Corps now fully in their hands.
After Muhe Xi Feng's death, Zhao Qi took immediate control, reorganizing the Green Camp soldiers and consolidating power. His mother, Imperial Concubine Shu, was elevated to the status of Wei Imperial Mother, and Zhao Qi's decrees were warmly received by the Wei generals. Within three days, the defenses of the Royal Park City were reorganized.
In early March, Zhao Qi led the Green Camp soldiers to Zhenhuang City, personally saving the capital in a time of crisis.
Beyond the city, in the snow-covered wilderness, a fast horse galloped through the storm. The world was so pale that it was impossible to discern directions.
On the other side of a hill stood Wudao Ya, wearing a blue hood. His long eyebrows were dusted with frost, his face pale, and his expression distant as he gazed forward.
"Sir," the boy in the carriage behind ran down with a gray jacket and a large fur coat, saying, "Sir, please don't wait. You shouldn't go out. The snow is too heavy. Liu Húzi said there's a big blizzard ahead. We need to pay close attention and hurry to reach the Imperial Watchtower before dark to pass Mount Yu."
Wudao Ya remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard the boy. His eyes were still fixed ahead, his expression unchanged.
"Sir?" The boy, surprised, tugged on Wudao Ya's sleeve. "Sir?"
"Ming Húzi, listen," Wudao Ya said, his voice slightly husky, blending with the howling wind, like autumn wind sweeping through hibiscus. He spoke slowly.
"Listen?" The boy frowned, straining to hear. "Sir, what are you listening to?"
"The sound of hooves," Wudao Ya replied quietly. "It's coming closer."
"Hooves?" Ming Húzi listened intently for a long time but could hear nothing besides the whistling wind. In such bad weather, even hearing someone speaking nearby was difficult, let alone catching the distant sound of hooves. "Sir, you must be mistaken. I think we should—"
Before he could finish, a sudden burst of rapid, clear hoofbeats echoed through the air. Startled, the boy looked up. Through the vast white wilderness, a yellow horse appeared slowly at the horizon, its rider blurred by the heavy falling snow. As the storm intensified, it became harder to see, but the figure on the horse, though thin and seemingly frail, could still be made out.
"Sir," Ming Húzi murmured, speechless. "You're a god!"
"Move quickly!" a low, clear voice commanded as the rider approached. The figure dismounted, striding toward them in a thick green wind cloak, her face hidden beneath the hood. A faint glimmer of black hair peeked out from under the cloak's edge.
"Fortunately, I made it in time," the woman said, removing her hood to reveal a thin face with slightly flushed lips. She quickly pulled out a stack of rice paper from her robes and handed it to Wudao Ya. Despite the cold and her exertion, she managed to speak calmly: "It's good you're here."
Wudao Ya, standing on the overhanging cliff, raised an eyebrow and frowned at her. He seemed slightly angry. "Why didn't you send someone else? It's the ninth day of winter, and your illness isn't fully gone. Are you fit to travel?"
The woman shook her head. "There was no one else. Mu Xi Feng is dead, Muhe Xi Yun is an idiot, and the three princes are difficult to manage. Several brothers have already been lost in the chaos. As a woman, I could slip through their checks more easily."
Zhao Qi's rise had come unexpectedly, and Zhao Zhengde, the emperor of Da Xia, had indeed raised capable sons.
"Enough talk. You must go. This mission is critical, and time is short. You'll have less than a month to stabilize the situation. If not, everything could unravel."
Wudao Ya nodded. "I understand. Be careful."
The woman's face was pale against the snow, her eyes deeper and more intense as she replied, "You too."
Wudao Ya's expression darkened as he looked at her thin, frail figure. With a soft sigh, he turned and placed a large hand on her shoulder, bowing slightly as he carefully fastened the ties of her cloak. His fingers, though rough, moved gently. His eyes softened as he whispered, "The weather is growing colder. You must take care. A month may seem long or short, depending on what happens, but the imperial capital is changing fast. You must be cautious and avoid reckless decisions. We only have each other left as brother and sister. A'Yu, I don't want anything to happen to you."
A'Yu kept her head down, silently mulling over her thoughts, like a fragile flower in full bloom, burdened by too many worries. She had grown up surrounded by hardships, and though many things were rooted deep in her mind, someone like her never knew how to express them.
"In the meeting, you must make the necessary compromises. The last rescue of Mrs. Fu caused no casualties, but it did expose two of our secret contact stations. There will inevitably be some anger about this, but you must endure it. Don't lose your temper."
"As for the imperial city, let them fight among themselves. Don't get involved. Our plan this time is simple: ensure the safe rescue of the child and leave the rest alone. Stay restrained and avoid any unnecessary risks."
Wudao Ya then looked up slowly, his eyes calm like the frozen surface of a winter lake—still and without ripples. His voice, steady and measured, sounded almost old-fashioned: "Your health isn't strong. You must take care of yourself and not push too hard. Once everything here is settled, I'll take you to live in Bian Tang. The lakes and mountains, with their mild climate, will help you recover."
After fastening the last knot on her cloak, Wudao Ya stepped back, met her eyes for a moment, then turned away. As he walked, he gently waved his hand. "Go back now, and be careful on the road."
"Wu," A'Yu suddenly looked up, her expression more serious.
"What is it?" Wudao Ya asked softly, raising his eyebrows.
A'Yu bit her lip and, after a long moment of silence, shook her head. "Nothing. Just… someone is waiting for you to return. Take care."
Wudao Ya studied her face. She was not a beautiful woman—her face was thin, and her body frail. Though she was only twenty-seven, the years of exhaustion had left fine lines around her eyes, and her skin was pale and unhealthy. But despite her lack of beauty, she was the only woman who truly mattered to him, the only one he cared about in a way he didn't care for anyone else.
Like today, it wasn't an urgent document, yet she had come to deliver it personally. He believed it was her desire to see him one last time, even though he still chastised her for not taking care of herself.
Even now, he could vividly recall the first time they met. It was the day he followed his master to Huangdi, near Xiao Yan Bridge in West Temple Street, and encountered the girl who was running away. Back then, she was just nine years old—small and thin, malnourished, her skin sallow, and her entire being seemed lifeless. But her eyes—those eyes were so big, so dark, so bright, filled with a relentless spirit and an unyielding determination that refused to be extinguished.
At that moment, he knew that this child would succeed. No matter how many times she failed, as long as she was alive, they would always find a way to escape.
Sure enough, half a month later, outside a liquor store in Runan, they met the child again. She was still hungry and still refused to beg. The master took her in and brought her back with them. From that day on, she became like a little sister to him, and he took on the role of her brother, though the care he showed her was often tough and unforgiving.
Seven days ago, Xihua died in Zuo Lingyuan of Yanbei. Of the thirteen brothers and sisters who originally came down from the mountains together, only the two of them remained.
Wudao Ya patted A'Yu's shoulder firmly, wanting to say more, but held back in the end. "If there's anything else, we'll talk when I return. If not, I'll go now. Be careful."
"Alright," A'Yu nodded. "You too."
Wudao Ya climbed into the carriage, where Liu HuZi, wearing a dog fur coat, rubbed his hands and called out. With a sharp crack of the whip, the horse neighed loudly, and the carriage rolled off. Soon, it disappeared into the swirling snow, becoming hidden beneath the sky's white fog.
No matter what, he could always come back to talk about it.
A'Yu sighed gently as the cold snow stung her face, making her think of the fires of Yanbian's Lei Yuan.
Everything was about to end. In just a few more months, if they could successfully rescue the young lord, she could finally collapse. By then, she could go to Bian Tang, where it was warm, unlike the snowy Red River region. She could live out the scenes she had read in books and spend peaceful nights with the scent of incense in the air.
A'Yu straightened her spine, took a deep breath, and thought, However, it all depends on safely rescuing Yan Shi Zi.
She drank a light sip of wine, turned, and left.
They had waited so many years and would surely be able to continue. Though some things could not be said out loud, their hope was always for the same day: a day when the world followed the Way of Datong, when people lived in peace, when there were no slaves, and war had been eradicated.
The cold wind blew from afar, swirling snow into small whirlwinds on the ground. The snow rose, spun, and fell again, like the endless cycle of fate.
At that moment, in the Golden Temple, a girl slowly put down the instruments she had been using and walked to the window, gazing out at the clouds that hovered over the sky, her thoughts distant.
Lu Liu knocked carefully on the door and timidly opened it. In a soft voice, she whispered, "Miss, someone is looking for you."
Here, except for the swallows (a metaphor for political informants or spies employed by the emperor), the rest feared her. Every person who had come to Yinggeyuan had been closely scrutinized. In her past life, she had been a national intelligence officer, and in this life, she had rolled countless times on the brink of life and death. She maintained strict vigilance in everything.
The woman raised her eyebrows slightly. "Who are these people?"
The guard didn't reply. Lu Liu whispered, "It's Zhao Song from the Song Dynasty. He personally brought a message."
"Zhao Song?" Chu Qiao said, puzzled. His identity wasn't simple. Not only did he have free access to the Sanctuary, but now he had sent Zhao Song as a messenger to find her. Who could it be?
"Go tell Song Sen I'll be at the hospital shortly."
Dressed in a fox fur coat and carrying a well-hidden self-defense dagger, Chu Qiao opened the door of the Yingge Hospital. Song Sen had been silent for several years, and now, suddenly, he showed up. The girl's heart was guarded, understanding little of the general's world. No wonder that before she entered the palace, the gatekeepers had seen her—now, they still stood guarding the front door, without any progress at all.
Passing through seven rivers and taking eight turns, she finally arrived at the Yumei Pavilion in the imperial harem, Zhao Song's favorite place. As a child, she often came here secretly to receive assistance from Zhao Song, but that was a long time ago. She hadn't returned until today.
The woods remained unchanged, though the old plum trees had grown slightly thicker. Now, in the season of plum blossoms, the entire garden was fragrant. Song Sen remained silent, as usual. Chu Qiao walked alone and hadn't taken more than a few steps before she saw the approaching figure.
"Star girl."
Several years had passed, and Zhu Cheng had gained weight, his stomach round. Still, he smiled, not recognizing the rebel of the Zhuge family, and suddenly Zhu Cheng fell on his face.
Chu Qiao's expression didn't change. Her voice remained calm as she said, "Zhu Cheng, take note—my surname is Chu."
Zhu Cheng quickly recovered and said with a smile, "Chu girl, I've come looking for you, as the young master's wife has not been herself lately."
"Young master?" Chu Qiao asked coldly, though her tone remained polite. "Which young master?"
Zhu Cheng, slightly surprised, replied, "Zhuge Yue, the fourth young master of the Zhuge family."
"What happened to him?"
"The young lady ordered me to deliver this message to you." He held out a long, green cloth wrapped around a slender sword. Chu Qiao immediately recognized it as the sword Zhuge Yue had used that night during the hunt to shoot Zaru's arrow.
"The young master said that the sword you returned should still be given to you, and in exchange, you are to return my young master's sword."
"I didn't bring it with me," Chu Qiao replied coolly, raising her eyebrows. "Next time, let me know in advance so I can bring the sword."
"Ah?" Zhu Cheng was momentarily taken aback. "I told Song Sen to inform you to bring it."
Chu Qiao's face darkened. You told Song Sen, but he never passed the message. You should have told me yourself.
"Next time, tell your master this: I'll retrieve the sword and return it to Song Sen once I get home."
"Chu girl," Zhu Cheng said, his face reddening with embarrassment. "The young master said that both of you no longer want anything to do with each other. He suggested that matters be resolved quickly and not dragged out. So, if it's too much trouble, please retrieve the sword, and I'll have someone collect it."
"Nothing to do with each other?" Chu Qiao raised her brow, retrieved the sword, and coldly said, "Very well."
Then, Chu Qiao turned and left.
Weapons were not permitted in the Sanctuary, and although no one questioned her, Chu Qiao carried the sword concealed within her large fur coat as she walked slowly out of Yingge Hospital.
In a few days, she would go to the Xiaoqi camp to assume her new position. Upon Xia Huang's appointment, she would be responsible for managing the long-standing chaos among the Manchu civil and military officials.
The Great Summer Empire began to reintegrate people into Yanbei, but what does this indicate? Does it suggest that the emperor is ready to forgive the past and allow Yan Xun to return, becoming the rightful successor of Yanbei, thereby stabilizing the region and making him a loyal vassal?
Obviously, this is impossible. For years, the sanctuary of the Golden Ring has been rife with conflicts, factionalism, and infighting, which Xia Huang (the Emperor) has largely ignored. Though he never intervened personally, his indifference encouraged those with ulterior motives to act. If not for Chu Qiao's constant vigilance, she might have already fallen victim to the many assassination attempts that came her way.
Xia Huang had witnessed the swallows (a metaphor for political informants and spies employed by the emperor) killing his parents and brothers. He knows better than anyone the dangers of allowing enemies to return to power. There's no way he would let a tiger like Yan Xun return to Yanbei, full of resentment, and swallow the north. Though the emperor has not acted directly, those who have failed to eliminate Yan Xun have only delayed the inevitable. Why would Xia Huang willingly hand over Yanbei to such a dangerous adversary?
So, what is Xia Huang's true intention with this appointment? No one really knows the full truth. Chu Qiao, despite her young age—less than fifteen—has been one of Yan Shi Zi's (Yan Xun's) most trusted aides, protecting him through countless life-or-death situations. She is tough, agile, and skilled in martial arts. Does Xia Huang truly favor this exceptional girl, intending to elevate her position and strengthen ties? Or is he merely trying to neutralize her, cutting off her wings (a metaphor for diminishing Chu Qiao's influence and abilities) to prevent her from becoming a threat?
No one knows the real answer, but Chu Qiao is certain that things are far more complicated than they seem. Yet, she has not figured out the key to the mystery.
Around Chang Hsuan Street, Xuan Men Road is lined with towering red walls, with bright yellow tiles now covered in snow.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed in the quiet street. Chu Qiao frowned—she hadn't expected anyone today. What could it be?
There was no time to think. Anyone entering the Sanctuary of the Palace of the People's Assembly had to be an official of the third rank or higher. Given her position, she either had to kneel or avoid them.
Chu Qiao quickly moved to a corner, kneeling down against the wall, her head bowed. The large fox-fur cloak concealed her features, exposing only her white, smooth neck.
The footsteps approached, growing closer but stopping in front of her. A low voice sounded overhead, "Look up."
Chu Qiao frowned, slowly straightening up.
A fight on a narrow road—how unlucky could she get today?
AC Afterthoughts
This chapter delves deeply into the intricate layers of political intrigue and personal loyalty that define the world of Chu Qiao and Wudao Ya. The tension between duty and personal bonds, as well as the looming threat of betrayal, hangs heavy over every scene, making the chapter a rich exploration of character, power dynamics, and survival in a complex imperial court.
Wudao Ya and A'Yu: A Bond Forged in Hardship
The relationship between Wudao Ya and A'Yu is one of the emotional cores of this chapter. Their bond, formed through years of shared struggles, is a quiet but profound source of strength for both. Wudao Ya's stoic exterior and A'Yu's quiet resilience reveal their mutual reliance on one another, even if their expressions of care are understated. Wudao Ya's protectiveness over A'Yu, particularly when it comes to her health, shows that despite the cold and brutal world they navigate, their relationship is a safe harbor.
Wudao Ya's reflections on their first meeting, when A'Yu was a starving child full of defiance, underline the depth of his affection and respect for her strength. He saw in her the will to survive and succeed, no matter the odds. This moment of reflection adds an emotional weight to the chapter, making it clear that their connection is far more than a simple alliance—it is a bond of siblings in arms, forged in hardship and loss. The chapter reminds us that even in the harshest conditions, human relationships remain central to survival and purpose.
Political Intrigue and Uncertainty
On a broader level, the chapter focuses heavily on the intricacies of power and control within the Great Summer Empire. The emperor, Xia Huang, looms as a distant yet menacing figure whose motivations are difficult to discern. His decisions—particularly regarding Yan Xun's potential return to Yanbei—are cloaked in uncertainty, leaving everyone, including Chu Qiao, guessing at his true intentions. The reader is given a glimpse into the delicate political balancing act required to survive in such a ruthless environment, where any sign of weakness or miscalculation could mean death.
The use of metaphors, such as "swallows" (for political spies) and "cutting off wings" (to signify neutralizing Chu Qiao's influence), underscores the chapter's emphasis on the hidden dangers of court life. Chu Qiao's role, though central to the events, is framed as one of constant vigilance and calculated restraint. She knows the emperor's actions cannot be taken at face value, and much of the chapter centers on her efforts to unravel the real meaning behind the political moves in play.
Chu Qiao: The Unseen Power
Chu Qiao's character emerges as a key player, though her influence is hidden beneath layers of caution and subtlety. She is tough, agile, and highly skilled, but the chapter also shows that she is constantly aware of the precarious nature of her position. She has survived numerous assassination attempts, proving that even as a highly capable figure, she is not immune to the dangers that surround her. Her strength lies not just in her martial prowess but in her ability to navigate a world where trust is a rare commodity and danger lurks at every turn.
The chapter raises the question of whether Xia Huang sees Chu Qiao as a potential ally or a threat to be neutralized. Her reflections on this matter—whether he intends to raise her up or cut her down—reveal her keen political insight. However, the unresolved nature of this question leaves the reader in suspense, creating a palpable tension that will likely carry over into future chapters.
Themes of Fate and Endurance
Throughout the chapter, the imagery of swirling snow and cycles of fate is used to great effect. The snow, often described as rising and falling repeatedly, mirrors the cycles of political struggle and survival in which the characters are trapped. Fate seems inescapable, yet the characters continue to push forward, determined to change their destinies. A'Yu's silent determination to carry on, despite the overwhelming odds, symbolizes the endurance that drives the characters forward, even when success seems distant.
The chapter concludes with Chu Qiao caught in a moment of uncertainty as she prepares to meet someone in the midst of the palace. The final line, "A fight on a narrow road—how unlucky could she get today?" perfectly encapsulates the tone of the chapter: a mixture of suspense, inevitability, and the constant threat of confrontation.
Final Reflections
This chapter masterfully weaves together the personal and political, highlighting how individual relationships and emotions are intertwined with the larger machinations of power. The strong bond between Wudao Ya and A'Yu contrasts with the cold and calculating world of the imperial court, where trust is fleeting and survival is paramount.
The reader is left wondering how long these characters can continue navigating the dangerous political landscape without falling victim to it. Wudao Ya's care for A'Yu and Chu Qiao's relentless caution offer glimpses of hope, but the ever-present threat of betrayal looms large, leaving the future uncertain.
The stage is set for an intense continuation of this narrative, with all characters poised at a precipice—ready to either rise or fall, depending on how well they can play the deadly game of survival in the Great Summer Empire.