Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 68: Running in the opposite direction
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Zhuge Yue, dressed in a deep purple robe, had sword-like brows that slanted sharply. His red lips were tightly pressed, revealing a dark and powerful aura. His pale hands, like paper, reached out, his cold fingertips brushing against Chu Qiao's arm. Suddenly, he knelt on the ground and said in a deep voice, "Please, I beg the emperor to retract his words."
"Retract?" Xia Huang's voice was cold as he slowly replied, "What are you saying?"
"I ask the emperor to spare this person and grant her a way to live."
The emperor's lips curled into a faint smile as his gaze shifted to Chu Qiao. "Such boldness."
Zhuge Yue remained kneeling on the ground, his gaze briefly shifting towards Yan Xun. His eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a trace of sharpness that was hard to hide. Yan Xun, dressed in white, stood amidst the crowd, with a cold wind blowing behind him. His eyes, half-lidded, gleamed with invisible sparks in the brightly lit hall.
This was a massive hunting ground. Only the finest hunters would return home. Since everyone was confident in their abilities, it was time to prove it on the battlefield.
"Your Majesty," Yan Xun stepped forward, kneeling down as well. His voice was cold and steady, "I believe the empire's discipline has been lax. I am willing to bear responsibility for this."
Zhao Qi sneered and said slowly, "The woman in question is no longer your slave, Yan Shi Zi. She belongs to the emperor now. Why do you insist on this matter? What is your true intention?"
"According to the third prince, Zhao Qi," Zhuge Yue spoke up, "she has indeed been under my command this past month. Shouldn't I bear responsibility for her actions then? Father, Prince Li Ce is notorious for his unruliness. Must an innocent woman lose her life simply because she crossed paths with him?"
"What do you mean by this, Seventh Prince?" One of Bian Tang's special envoys, Yu Jing, interrupted angrily. "You are slandering Prince Li Ce. Is this how Great Xia shows its hospitality?"
Zhao Che raised his head and responded calmly, "I merely state the facts. Everyone knows of Prince Li's behavior. He has brought countless women back to Tang Jing with no regard for their dignity. Must we allow such capricious whims to end a life? While His Royal Highness may be noble, the women of Great Xia are not cattle to be slaughtered at his convenience."
Yu Jing, infuriated, retorted, "It was the emperor who issued the order, not Prince Li Ce! Your words are out of line!"
Zhao Che laughed coldly, "The world is not blind. Everyone saw what happened. Prince Li Ce, upon hearing the emperor's decree, showed no sadness. He was even delighted. Can one truly protect the people they claim to love when they behave so frivolously?"
Zhao Song chimed in, "Father, he's simply a troublemaker!"
"Enough!" Xia Huang's voice cut through the hall like a blade.
"Father!" Zhao Che knelt down, his voice solemn. "I am the seventh prince of Great Xia, a nation built on the blood and sacrifice of our ancestors. We have never retreated in battle, nor ceded any of the lands that they fought for. Shall we forget their legacy now? Shall we allow ourselves to lose our homes?"
"This is going too far!" Shu Concubine exclaimed, her voice cold with disdain.
Yan Xun suddenly spoke, his tone soft yet firm, "Prince Li Ce, if you truly care for A'Chu, please let her go. Her life has been full of hardship. If this is merely a passing fancy, do not let her suffer any further. Her path is filled with pain; please do not make it worse."
Li Ce shook his head with a bitter smile, "It seems that when one jokes too much, no one believes them anymore."
The emperor's eyes, lined with deep wrinkles, rested on Chu Qiao. His mind wandered back to those who had died over the years. With a sigh, he spoke words that no one fully understood, "It's as it should be."
The hall grew quiet, the previous excitement gone. The emperor seemed to lose interest, waving his hand dismissively. "Enough. Let's end this."
The crowd exchanged glances, their hidden motives suddenly diffused. The emperor, who had once ruled with such unpredictability, seemed to have changed.
Zhao Song, quick to respond, knocked his head on the ground in gratitude and rushed to Chu Qiao. He grabbed her wrist and said, "A'Chu, come with me."
Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow and held on to Chu Qiao's hand with force. Just then, another hand reached out. Yan Xun, standing beside him, patted Zhuge Yue on the shoulder and laughed lightly, "Brother Zhuge, care for a drink?"
The music and dance began again, and the banquet resumed its lively atmosphere. Li Ce, his usual frivolous self, was about to approach, but Zhao Che stepped forward and blocked his path, saying with a hint of apology, "The king is attending military matters today."
Li Ce chuckled, lifted his cup, and said with a laugh, "No harm done. It was worth coming just to witness the sharp tongue of the seventh prince."
As Chu Qiao and Zhao Song's figures swiftly vanished in the direction of the door, Li Ce's eyes lingered for a moment before he lifted his cup and chuckled, "Well, today, no harm done. I enjoyed witnessing the sharp wit of the seventh prince; it made the visit worthwhile."
The night was dark, and a cold breeze tugged at Chu Qiao's clothes. She suddenly felt a chill. Zhao Song, noticing this, took off his robe and gently wrapped it around her. With concern in his voice, he asked, "A'Chu, are you cold?"
Chu Qiao shook her head and, gazing into Zhao Song's bright eyes, smiled. "Zhao Song, thank you."
Zhao Song frowned slightly and replied with a hint of displeasure, "Do you really need to thank me? A'Chu, don't see me as just a brother."
Chu Qiao's heart warmed, and she gently placed her arms around Zhao Song's shoulders. "What?"
After a brief pause, she smiled and said, "We are brothers."
"Zhao Qi," Zhao Song greeted his frowning brother, then turned and laughed, calling out, "A'Chu, don't be afraid of that Bian Tang rogue. I'll protect you."
Chu Qiao, moved by his kindness, embraced Zhao Song from behind.
The evening breeze played with his snow-white robe, causing it to flutter in the wind. Moonlight bathed the landscape, casting a soft glow on the flowers nearby, where a white-robed figure stood.
The struggle between these young nobles over a girl seemed like nothing more than a minor ripple in the grand political scene of the summer dynasty. It was a trifling affair that would soon become nothing more than gossip. As the banquet continued, its guests resumed their activities, their laughter mingling with the music. Li Ce's sharp wit, much like the royal princess's joy, had brought the evening to a delightful close. Xia and Tang officials appeared harmonious, and the guests returned to their entertainment.
At least, that's how it appeared on the surface.
Surprisingly, after the banquet, the emperor unexpectedly ordered Chu Qiao to leave the palace and become a female officer at Shangyi Square, under the jurisdiction of the prefectural government or the internal affairs bureau.
With this, Chu Qiao's brief military career came to an official end. Whether Zhao Che's actions were intentional or not, the matter was resolved. She returned to Xiao Qi's camp to collect her belongings. Though Zhao Che wasn't there to see her off, she stood outside and thanked him in silence before following the court officer to Shangyi Square.
Regardless of Zhao Che's true intentions, the fact that he had stood up for her in the main hall still felt precarious, like walking a tightrope over a chasm. His words, if taken lightly, could have led to a bloody disaster.
Yan Xun and Zhao Song seemed willing to protect her, but as for Zhuge Yue, Chu Qiao couldn't bring herself to guess his motives. She stubbornly believed that he merely wanted to reclaim her so he could humiliate and take revenge on her later.
She always knew what needed to be done, and beyond that, she had no time for other thoughts.
The work at Shangyi Square was simple—organizing the scrolls sent to the school daily and delivering them to the right hands.
One day, Chu Qiao took a scroll to Tai Xue just as the princes were arriving for lessons. As she passed through the corridor, she saw a group of children gathered in a circle, laughing loudly. In the center, a fifteen-year-old boy crouched on the stone slabs, his neck straight, his eyes wide and stubborn.
"Sixteenth brother, go tell Father that the blood from reading those old Eastern books has made you too haggard! Surely, you can't be blamed for not remembering them!"
The children erupted in laughter. A ten-year-old prince grinned and added, "Maybe you should go tell Mother and do a dance. I hear all men dance, so perhaps that's how you'll escape Father's punishment next time."
Their ridicule and teasing continued. Chu Qiao cast only a fleeting glance at the scene before turning to walk away. She had seen too much of this in the magnificent palace. Over the past few years, both she and Yan Xun had endured countless insults and bullying. Here, survival was for the strongest.
Suddenly, a figure bumped into her, knocking the books from her hands. The young man mumbled an apology, quickly crouching to gather the fallen books.
Chu Qiao knelt as well, smiling as she said, "It's all right. No harm done."
The boy's sleeves, though slightly worn, revealed traces of gold-threaded embroidery. He was thin, and he smelled faintly of pine branches. He handed the books back to her with a polite nod before retreating, giving her space to pass. Chu Qiao thanked him, watching as he silently moved toward the crowd. He said nothing further.
The children, however, quieted down as he approached, their mocking voices fading. Before long, they dispersed entirely.
As Chu Qiao made her way to the school, she bypassed the portrait hall and the five Qiming galleries. Just then, Zhao Song appeared, smiling broadly as he greeted her, "A'Chu! Did you come to find me?"
Chu Qiao glanced at the books in her arms and replied, "I came to see Lu Taifu. Is this his?"
With a disappointed hum, Zhao Song answered, "Yes, it's his. But couldn't you at least pretend you came to see me?"
Chu Qiao chuckled and replied, "Well then, I came to find you and deliver this scroll."
"Haha," Zhao Song laughed, clearly pleased. "For once, Father made a wise decision by keeping you here in the palace."
As he continued speaking, Zhao Song gestured with his fingers, forming the number seven. Chu Qiao lightly slapped his hand and said, "Stop talking nonsense."
"Am I really?" Zhao Song raised his head proudly. "Come on, be careful. Li Ce is still hanging around the palace. Don't provoke him. After Father's birthday, things should calm down. I can't stay long though; I need to visit Mother."
"Oh, by the way," Chu Qiao asked as they walked, "What was happening with those boys kneeling in the hall earlier?"
"Father came to inspect their exams today. The eleventh chapter wasn't completed, so they were punished for it. The poor boy has been kneeling all day."
"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded. "Take care."
Zhao Song waved before turning to leave. Chu Qiao entered the school but found Lu Taifu napping. Not wanting to disturb him, she waited outside for over two hours until the old man woke from his sweet dream.
By the time she left the school, night had fallen, and a cold rain began to drizzle. The weather was chilly, and Chu Qiao, dressed lightly, shivered as the wind hit her while she slowly made her way through the corridors.
The storm intensified, and the crowd had long since dispersed. In the distance, Chu Qiao spotted two figures kneeling, their posture stiff and straight. Through the rain, their faint, muffled voices drifted into her ears.
"What are you doing here? You did well in your studies; Father didn't punish you."
A long silence followed. Then, the voice of a young boy replied, "I am your brother."
"My other brothers too," said the older boy, his voice loud with frustration, "but I'd rather not have any of them!"
"I'm your brother," the younger boy repeated.
The sky darkened, the rain pouring harder, masking their low, suppressed voices but not their pain.
The roof tiles had shattered, allowing the cold rain to fall directly on the boys. Yet, stubborn as they were, they didn't move. They continued to kneel as if they were stone statues.
Chu Qiao suddenly felt colder than the rain could account for. Her eyes fell on the boys, but it was as if she were looking through time, back to the days when she and Yan Xun had faced similar hardships, standing side by side against an unforgiving world.
"Hey?"
Zhao Xiang's puzzled voice broke the silence as he looked up at the roof. He noticed the hole had been mysteriously patched. No more rain dripped onto them. "Fourteenth Brother, there's no more water."
Zhao Yang frowned, unsure what had happened. He glanced up and saw the slender figure of a girl walking quietly past. Unlike the usual maidens who moved cautiously with their heads bowed, she walked with a steady calm, her spine straight, radiating a warmth he couldn't quite understand.
"Fourteenth Brother?"
Zhao Xiang's voice rang out again, but Zhao Yang didn't respond. His eyes followed the girl's neat clothes, her white shoes leaving delicate prints as her skirt fluttered in the breeze. The soles of her shoes were stained with a touch of green.
By the time Chu Qiao returned to Shangyi Square, it was late. The other women were already asleep. She packed her things quietly, but not long after, she heard the window creak open. A dark figure flashed by, disappearing into the courtyard in an instant.
At the edge of the lake, a blue-painted boat was docked. Chu Qiao opened the curtain and saw Yan Xun's bright eyes lift to meet hers with a gentle smile.
"You've come," Yan Xun said softly, reaching out to hold her hand. "Here, have some hot tea to warm yourself."
"I heard there's a wedding planned for you and Zhao Lun in half a month. Is that true?" Chu Qiao asked, sitting down.
Yan Xun nodded. "I've been waiting for you for three nights. If you hadn't come tonight, I would've found you tomorrow."
"That's too dangerous," Chu Qiao said, frowning. "The emperor has been watching me closely, trying to gauge your reaction. He said he'd kill me just to see what you'd do. Be careful."
"I trust you with everything," Yan Xun replied with a smile. "It's time to settle old scores."
Chu Qiao asked, "Are you ready?"
"In fifteen days, the messengers from Huai Song will arrive in Zhen Huang, and the emperor will host a grand banquet. The messengers from Sui Tang and Huai Song will be there as well. That will be our moment."
"Fifteen days?" Chu Qiao frowned. "Isn't that also the day you're supposed to marry the emperor's daughter, Zhao Chun?"
Yan Xun nodded. "It is."
Chu Qiao fell silent, frowning as she pondered the situation.
"By that time," Yan Xun continued, "I'll be leaving from Duanmuge, and A'Meng will take care of you. We'll meet up after things calm down. Chaos will ensue when our musician attacks Prince Bian Tang in the main hall. The members of the Grandpa Association will lead the charge, attacking the foreign guesthouse under Miss Yu's command. We'll disguise ourselves as Huaishen Heralds and strike at Ximen. We'll slip out of the East Gate of the palace, crossing Red Bank to the West Bank, where Mr. Wu will be waiting. Then, with the help of the Yanbian forces, we'll escape through one of the city gates, drawing Xia Jun into a chase. We'll cross Longlang Mountain, descend Hopeless Cliff into the Western Snowy Mountains, bypass the wastelands, and return to Yanbei. Meanwhile, the Yanbei Army will take advantage of the situation and attack Jialing Pass, Baishuiguan, and Wachengbao. The strongholds we've established along the way will be ready, and the hidden explosives will create enough chaos to secure our escape."
Chu Qiao stared, dazed, listening to his intricate plan.
Yan Xun smiled, teasing her, "What's wrong? Are you speechless with happiness?"
Chu Qiao grinned and shook her head. "It feels like a dream. After so many years of waiting, it's finally within reach. I can hardly believe it."
Yan Xun felt a pang of pain in his heart. He stood, walked around to Chu Qiao's side, and knelt down beside her, gently wrapping her in his arms.
Chu Qiao stiffened, uncertain, but Yan Xun's embrace was warm and steady. His voice was low, with a husky edge, "A'Chu, this isn't a dream. We're finally going to make it. I'll take you back to Yanbei, and no one will ever bully you again. No one will ever take you from me."
Chu Qiao was taken aback. She hadn't expected Yan Xun to speak so naturally, and she suddenly felt a shy tension building within her. For a moment, she felt like a young girl, her face growing warm. Then, a cold kiss fell softly on the nape of her neck.
"A'Chu," Yan Xun's voice was deep and husky, like the rolling waves of a vast ocean. "I've never said this to you before, and I won't say it again, so listen well. I want to thank you. Thank you for staying by my side through all those hellish years. Thank you for never abandoning me, even in my darkest days. Without you, I would've died in the snow eight years ago. A'Chu, I won't say these words again. I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Some things don't need to be spoken; we understand each other. You are mine, A'Chu, just as I am yours. I'll protect you. I took your hand eight years ago, and I never intended to let go."
Chu Qiao slowly closed her eyes. The evening wind whispered like a silkworm, and her heart, like mulberry leaves, was gently stirred.
Yanbei, the land of flames, awaited them.
"Yan Xun," Chu Qiao said softly, "I've never had a home. But if you have one, then that will be my home."
Yan Xun took a deep breath and tightened his embrace. His heart, once frozen, began to thaw in the warmth of her presence.
"A'Chu, believe in me."
He didn't specify what she should believe in, but Chu Qiao understood. She told herself to trust him. If she couldn't trust him, who else could she trust? In this world, they had only each other.
At that time, they were too young to understand the world, to grasp human nature, ambition, or the uncertainties of the future. They knew nothing of the challenges they would face. Like two young hedgehogs in the snow, they huddled together for warmth, unaware that as they grew, their quills would sharpen.
The hidden storms of fate were already gathering, and on a day not far off, they would strike without mercy, shattering everything.
"A'Chu," Yan Xun called softly, his velvet robe billowing in the rainy night.
Chu Qiao's face flushed slightly, her bright eyes sparkling like stars, her lips pursed, and her expression firm.
"Go back and rest well. Wait for my news."
Chu Qiao smiled and nodded. "Your Grace."
In May, as the seasons shifted, chaos stirred. Summer had passed, but everything was beginning to revive, including the secrets hidden in their hearts.
A man and a woman, from opposite directions, facing the uncertainty of the night.
AC Afterthoughts
The chapter ends with a reflection on youth and naivety. Chu Qiao and Yan Xun are portrayed as young, hopeful individuals trying to survive in a harsh world. Yet, they are unaware of the full extent of the challenges ahead. The metaphor of two young hedgehogs huddling together for warmth suggests that while their bond is strong, the world they inhabit is unforgiving. The sharp "thorns" they will inevitably grow as they mature could drive them apart or make them more dangerous to those around them.Unknowable Future: This reflection highlights their innocence despite their struggles. They are not fully prepared for the harsh realities of the future, and there is an ominous sense that their journey will be much harder than they realize. This not only foreshadows future difficulties but also suggests that their relationship will be tested in ways they cannot yet imagine.