Qu Fongning’s recovery took a couple of days. In the interim, the soothsayers of the Astrological Oratory came to press many times, asking for the honored censor to supervise the sky lanterns production matters. Little Ting’yu invariably made excuses for refusing to leave the embassy. Qu Fongning instead advised him, “If you keep this up, Khilan will think we are being perfunctory in our attitude, and that will be bad!” Little Ting’yu deemed him justified, and thus took him along to court.

By that day, the sky lanterns had mostly completed their reconstruction, and they had little to supervise. Queen Lan, being the Grand Shaman of the “Star Shift” ritual, only inspected briefly from afar and listlessly departed. Her solemn and serpentine ritual costume appeared listless as well.

On the way to the banquet, they had to share a boat with the Queen. Little Ting’yu observed her reclining on an embroidered chaise-lounge on deck, her eyes sealed in lassitude, with her arm supporting her body, looking as though her weariness prevented her from lifting a single finger. The white fox wasn’t on her lap. It must still be recovering.

“Queen Lan doesn’t seem well. It’s only been a bit, yet she’s already tired like this,” Little Ting’yu whispered to his side.

Qu Fongning hadn’t removed the bandages on his chest, but his composure kept stout. He listened and chuckled. “I see it as being fatigued at heart.”

Little Ting’yu returned to his scrutiny while especially impressed: Fongning really is amazing, he can even tell whether a heart is tired.

Unanticipatedly, Queen Lan inquired languidly from the chaise-lounge:

“Your mother is Qu Ya?”

Little Ting’yu never imagined she would suddenly speak to him. “Yes. Your Majesty…know my mother?” he answered unexpectedly.

Queen Lan had her charming eyes sealed again, as if reminiscing, or perhaps lamenting, and then she said softly, “You mother is beautiful, unforgotten to any who have witnessed.” Looking at him once more, she said, “You look like your mother.”

Little Ting’yu was a moment stupefied. He is General Ting’schi’s son. His father was well-respected by the tribe; ever since infancy, any who spoke to him, the first thing people brought up must be his father, never once was his mother mentioned.

Between now and then, a strong sense of a kinship roused in his heart, as though this majestic foreign queen was like a familiar elder sister or aunt who always lived in the yurts by Mei waters, and had always given him unlimited attention and affection.

The Queen watched the pale Lii waters, and mourned low, “Qu Ya’s son is this age! You… your children must be married by now.”

As she spoke, she lowered her head and laughed.

A laugh with no sense of tender sorrow, only a deep impression of hollow despair.

Little Ting’yu wanted to ask more, but Qu Fongning halted his hand, and pressed a finger to his lips.

The boat came ashore. In front of the palace, enshrined within the streaming white mist, the venerable gray-haired King Shrunle stood waiting.

~

This feast could only be described as an extravaganza, not only King Shrunle, Queen Lan, Herr Gen, and Princess Uli arrived in assembly, Yujien Tianhung also came with Princess Chao’yoon.

The moment Dardum saw Herr Gen, he scooted furiously at Uli, saying how she has no brotherly spirit for being so opaque. If he had seen someone like this earlier, he would’ve wrestled his life to marry his daughter over; and recited a few more Herr Gen’s brave accounts, praising Yabghu Herr being not only an outstanding talent, his skills on the lance are godlike, and that he is a first-class character.

Herr Gen answered with humility, “How could I dare to entitle godlike lance skills? Not to mention General Yujien sitting here. Even the little brother over there could take ten of my strikes with his bare hands without being in the lower wind.” As he spoke, he pointed to Qu Fongning.

“What being in the lower wind? You lost,” Little Ting’yu dissed in his heart.

“Only because Brother Herr took it easy on me. How can I be his match?” Qu Fongning knelt in a hurry.

Princess Uli persisted in her military attire, by now she was also smiling at Qu Fongning. “I heard about you. Herr Gen praised you to the sky, saying how you cannot find another young gallant on the entire steppes; our Khilan has a couple young warriors as well, but they are leagues away from you! Speak! What have you done to captivate my man’s heart?”

“What had he done? You gotta ask Chao’yoonr,” said Yujien, airily.

Chao’yoonr found people looking at her in amusement, saw that she was being mocked fun of, and glared at Qu Fongning.

“For the past couple of years,” Yujien said again, “this child has been only worshipping her big Sister Uli, and no longer heeds my words. Now in Khilan, she has become errantly lawless. Uli, you discipline her!”

“Yujien, enough! Don’t push me the kid you can’t fix, I ain’t baby-sitting,” Princess Uli guffawed.

Chao’yoonr greatly admired Princess Uli’s carefree unruliness, hence hearing others call her lawless made her rather smug instead.

“Chao’yoonr just like to fool around with Uli, and mimic anything she does. Chao’yoonr, your big Sister Uli is going to get married, when are you going to pick up on this?” King Shrunle laughed.

“Such a naughty girl. Who will want her?” teased Yujien.

“The Princess is charming as a flower, her personality is also…candid and cute,” Dardum flattered, “if the General didn’t hide her in Yarrdu City, the whole of Mei waters would have been level filled with suitors.”

Yujien turned to him, and asked abruptly, “Old Dum, how many sons have you got?”

Dardum’s entire body trembled, and his voice shook from jubilation. “There…there are two, one fourteen, and another twelve, both…are alright looking, decent boys.”

“I’m not marrying other people’s stinking boys!” Chao’yoonr instead yelled.

“So it seems that the Princess already has a candidate in mind,” Herr Gen said in amazement.

“Precisely!” Chao’yoonr displayed no coy whatsoever.

This provoked Uli’s curiosity. “Who is it? How come even I don’t know?” she chased.

Chao’yoonr lifted her face and wrapped around Yujien’s arm in one scoop, proudly announcing: “I am going to marry Uncle Tian!”

A moment of silence, then an explosion of laughter erupted amongst the court.

“What are you all laughing about?” Chao’yoonr squealed angrily, “my Uncle Tian is the premier champion of the steppes, there isn’t one girl who doesn’t want to marry him!”

The crowd of laughter intensified. “Good, the girl’s got a good eye! However, you and General Yujien are direct blood relatives, you cannot marry one another,” King Shrunle said, chuckling.

Chao’yoonr greatly disappointment, her face collapsed as well. “My father and mother, uncle and aunt, sister and brother-in-law are relatives too, why could they marry?” she sobbed.

This really did it. Even the elders, grand minister, civil ministers, and serving girls started laughing. Although Little Ting’yu disliked her, he couldn’t help it either. “This Princess understands nothing,” he said quietly.

Qu Fongning looked at him with a smile. “What about the little general? What kind of girl do you want to marry?”

Little Ting’yu faltered. Men on the steppes marry young, loads of people have wives and children by his age. Just before coming to Khilan, his mother also brought it up.

However, in the depth of his heart, he really did not wish to discuss this topic with Qu Fongning. Whether it’s about his matrimony, or the girls Qu Fongning likes, he didn’t want to verge on any of such. All the more, he didn’t want to think about it.

Qu Fongning read his disobliging face, smiled, raised his head, and questioned no longer.

Yujien watched the boundless mist and suddenly spoke. “It’s here.”

In a moment, a wooden craft sailed across the water. The man standing on the deck held a rose wood crate in his embrace. Seeing the crowd, he cried: “General, Princess, apologies, apologies, Old Oyghr is late!”

The cry grated like a broken clay pot, observing up close, the appearance looked coarse as well, which paired compatibly with the voice. All manner of objects hung on his body: iron barrel, waist sword, water canister, breastplate, medicine corner, and so on, complete in assembly. Walking with the taller than man box in his hand, his entire orchestra rattled in percussion. The ensemble was certainly interesting.

“Grand Chamberlain Oyghrmuki, how come you only arrived now?” Dardum asked perplexedly.

Oyghrmuki was Yujien’s personal attendant. He cracked a smile, “My General especially prepared this wedding present for the Princess, how dare I to be remiss?” His two arms, holding tight the crate, carefully laid it on the floor.

The case opened, splendid twinkles glitzed the room, and a splash of scarlet stole the vision; it was a sublimely magnificent phoenix crown chardonnay gown. On the fabric, two dramatically chromatic violet phoenixes entwined each other in infinite intimacy, their pair of vermillion eyes gleaming in streaming luster, appearing to be alive.

Uli went forth lifting the dress, only feeling the patterns exquisite, and the fabric silky and diaphanous, as if a shimmering light was flowing through. The contents of the crate radiated such an eclipsing shine, it matched the brilliance of the flaming sun above.

Although she never cared about costumes and get-ups, she nevertheless stared dumbfounded. Oyghrmuki boasted: “This frock is called ‘Yuezhuo¹,’ eight Suhang² artisans spend their blood and soul for sixteen years in creating this masterpiece. The Southern Princess Rojun wore it to her wedding.”

“Herr Gen has never seen the Princess in this state of ecstasy, much gratitude to the General.” Herr Gen thanked him.

“Yabghu Herr need not be humble. Witnessing Yabghu Herr’s lance skills yesterday induced me with much admiration. Uli marrying you trumps ten thousand fine gowns,” said Yujien.

Chao’yoonr had forgotten all about yesterday’s troubles. She went along with Uli excitedly, raving about the beautiful bridal gown. She, having a sharp eye, abruptly pointed at a spot, exclaiming, “eh? What is this?”

On top of the scarlet fabric, there laid a few dark impressions. Could it be watermarks, or tear stains?

“This southern princess is certainly weird. She wet her wedding dress during such an obviously cheerful occasion.” Chao’yoonr dissed.

Queen Lan, silent until now, spoke lightly:

“Even a princess cannot necessarily marry her dearest beloved.”

Yujien darted her a look, but didn’t bridge her words.

Dardum appeared to be familiar with Grand Chamberlain Oyghrmuki, who he fervidly invited over for drinks. Oyghrmuki also brazenly strutted over and sat down unabashed. Even though he was only a guard, he did not lose any flair to Dardum, who was a general. He downed two cups, becoming more at ease, and patted Little Ting’yu’s shoulder; in one round, he applauded General Ting’schi’s charisma in the old days, and in another he recounted various stories from his youth. Seeing him pitching left and right and his cup empty, he called Qu Fongning in haste to pour him more wine.

But who knew Oyghrmuki exclaimed “Hey!” and caught Qu Fongning’s wine pouring hand, howling, “are you the Syrs youth who intimidated the Southern envoys in front of the palatial ger last year?”

He had a strong voice. This cry caught the attention of all the banquet attendees.

Qu Fongning felt his ringed hand tightly grappled, afraid to break free, he answered politely, “Yes.”

And he heard Oyghrmuki yell, “General, General! Do you remember Qu Lyn from Old Qu’s House? That brat bragged to the Southern envoys, boasting you took back three hundred of this kind of youths from Syr, every one of them as impressive as him. And the moment everyone else left the grand ger, they all ran over to me. Where do you suppose I can go to steal three hundred of them to give out? Nobody believed me, and they all flamed me for caching the goods. He really did me a grand favor!”

“I knew it!” Dardum recognized at once. “It’s difficult to find even one such champion, let alone three hundred.”

“Old Dum, you certainly didn’t do yourself short in asking,” Oyghrmuki scoffed at him.

“That Qu Lyn rascal, just wait for me to go home and spank his bottom,” Dardum remedied regrettably.

Oyghrmuki examined Qu Fongning all over, praising, “I heard you can carve out a wolf heart with one grip, and I thought you’d be an athletic and robust big man. Your reputation precedes you! Look at this petite frame, long and lanky! Looking pretty too, just a tad bit pale!”

Because of the injuries suffered a few days ago, his face hasn’t recovered its colors, and indeed appeared anemic. He felt somewhat abashed by Oyghrmuki’s comments.

Herr Gen observed him. “So it turns out Brother Fongning has a name for himself. No wonder Herr Gen spent all his designs and couldn’t find any slack under your hands days ago.

“Yabghu Herr’s words are embarrassing me,” Qu Fongning said with his head lowered, “I spend three days thinking through that ‘Enrapturing Heart Bloom’, and could not find a solution.”

“What’s so hard about that? Let me teach you!” Herr Gen smirked and pulled Qu Fongning’s hand, taking him off the seat with his lance.

Little Ting’yu was very displeased at heart. “When did this person get so familiar with Fongning? Touching hands and feet, has he no shame?” he thought.

“Little brother,” Uli laughed, “don’t you dare mention these two words ‘Lance techniques’! Our bowman general got so annoyed by him a while ago, and never wants to see a lance again. He is a true arms fanatic. Please don’t mind him.”

The Queen kept her lids shut, speaking dryly, “We have honored guests here. How unseemly to be playing with spears and swords.”

Uli watched Herr Gen, her smile unchanging, and said, “We only speak as friends, not hosts and guests. Your Majesty my King Father, what say you?”

King Shrunle smiled benevolently. “They spar theirs, we fest ours! Drink up, drink up!”

This was the first time Little Ting’yu heard those two speak with one another. Although it was only a few words, he could smell the bloody tempest in the air.

His heart became alert. “Princess Chao’yoon had been right; something is off between Queen Lan and the Princess.”

“It has been much work for the King, toast to you!” Yujien raised his cup to King Shrunle.

“It has been much work for the General as well, toast to you too!” King Shrunle chortled.

Yujien had changed to a silver mask today, showing the lower side of his face, and he drank liquor like water, truly forthright and manly. Little Ting’yu and Qu Fongning had been very curious, and deliberated long and hard between themselves, trying to figure out how he could possibly eat with that mask on. Both found themselves defeated the moment they saw him.

Thus, he no longer watched the drinking, and turned to look at Qu Fongning and Herr Gen.

By now, Herr Gen had carried out the “Heart Bloom,” explaining and dissecting the moves one by one with Qu Fongning. Qu Fongning started out with a face full of perplexity. Hearing his prods, half grasping, he tried a few moves. Herr Gen shook his head, smiling, passed the lance into Qu Fongning’s hands, then ducked, spun, tilted one hand into a flick, twisted his wrist, and poked swiftly at Qu Fongning’s heart.

Qu Fongning bolted, “Oh like this!” He returned the lance, spun, and repeated the attack, his posture exactly like Herr Gen, but his speed much faster than him. Herr Gen nodded and raised his thumb in approval.

Qu Fongning practiced a few times and suddenly halted. “This won’t do!” he said.

“Oh? Why not?” asked Herr Gen.

Qu Fongning demonstrated. “You see, if I have a spear or lance-like polearm, I will not have time to spin; If it’s a sword or dagger or bare hand, this flick will lose its momentum halfway. How can I damage the opponent?”

“If it’s your ‘Watering Chill?’” Herr Gen spoke with a half-smile.

Qu Fongning shuddered. He met his eyes, his throat rolled, and spoke with difficulty: “That would be imminent injury or death…No, it will be assured death.”

Herr Gen laughed. “Have you not heard the story of ‘Shrill winds rise, waters chill’? Jing Ke’s attempt on the Qin emperor’s life; foul play is bound to lose lives³.”

Qu Fongning, silent, shook his head.

Herr Gen touched his head. “Silly child! This lance work of mine is called ‘Enrapturing Heart Bloom’, that is the apex, the most beautiful and most exuberant moment in the human realm. Only the bitterest and bleakest matter could wreck it dissipate in flesh and soul — Think! What is the most depressing affair in the world? ‘No sorrow pains more than mortal departures⁴.’ On this vast earth, only bereavement is the truest misery. And this resolution stance, is henceforth called ‘Soul Shattering Grief.’ Remember well!”

Little Ting’yu listened with much befuddlement, only thinking every one of his words deeply profound, for they contained multitudes of Southern characters, which made it very difficult to understand. “How could Fongning understand this?” he pondered.

Clear applause resonated across the court, Yujien clapped his hands. “I only know Yabghu Herr handsome in character, so it seems that he is distinguished in literature as well. With the mood today, why don’t you cite a poem, and let us relish in some Southern elegance?”

Herr Gen smiled lightly. “Since the General has put down the words, it seems I need to make one up. The General is strong in martial arts and erudite in literary learning. Your Southern knowledge can be only more polished than mine, thou must not make fun of me.”

By this time, cotton balls were floating like snow in front of the palace, and a tiny red flower was swaying ceaselessly in the expanding fog. The canoe that Oyghrmuki sailed in sat quietly in its berth.

Herr Gen considered for a moment, and delivered:

Jade snow drifting on clear ethers, princess feathers swaying in fragrant state.

Spring has not graced the mountain, its beauty nevertheless reflecting in foretaste.

Swallows singing in the gentle wind, warblers flying across the waters’ windings.

Reminiscing through the misty sentiments, chasing again those wavy feelings.

Yujien contemplated for a turn and said, smiling, “So, it’s a love poem.” He then directed at Chao’yoonr. “Chao’yoonr, you’ve lost! Any wedding present from your Uncle Tian cannot equate this poem from your brother-in-law.”

Chao’yoonr understood not its meaning, so she guessed the contents from Yujien’s words. “It’s obviously summer now, why did brother-in-law talk about spring?” she asked in confusion.

Herr Gen looked at Princess Uli. “I met the Princess in the spring! When I have the princess at my side, it is always spring in my heart,” he said adoringly.

These words impressed much more than the poem itself. The fearless on heaven and earth Princess Uli heard and blushed.

“If you can kill with poems, then you don’t have to oppress the Southern Empire with arms,” Queen Lan said instead, sharply.

King Shrunle raised his cup in a hurry: “Yabghu delivered a great poem! Excellent! Continue the drinks! Everyone drink up!”

Herr Genn instead spoke to Qu Fongning, “What does brother Fongning think?”

“Ahh!” exclaimed Qu Fongning, and answered obtusely, “Big Brother Herr’s poem must be good.”

Herr Gen smiled, looking at the sweeping fog. “I don’t like the last two verses very much. One day I’ll improve it and confide it to you.”

In the faint breeze, his voice was also layered with a sheet of white film.

Qu Fongning also watched the water surface. “Though I don’t understand what is good or not, I think when big brother Herr is citing the poem, he looks very gentle.”

“What’s the use of that?” said Herr Gen, chuckling, “you saw through my lance art the other day, that strike you had going towards my underarm could have killed me, but you let me go easily. That could be said to be remarkably gentle. And the consequence? You almost died under my lance.”

Qu Fongning drooped his head, his right hand trembled.

“You can readily tear through a wolf’s heart, how could you be so merciful to humans?” signed Herr Gen, quietly.

Chao’yoonr saw them conversing interminably and became very annoyed. “Brother-in-law, why aren’t you coming out? I want to see you play lance with Uncle Tian!” she hooted from behind.

Herr Gen answered, raised his right hand, and jabbed at Qu Fongning’s bosom.

“You should know, the human heart is much crueler and terrifying than a wolf’s heart.”

~

A bucket of cold water slammed down his head. The current flushed across the wound on his brow bone. Even the pain felt icy.

Qu Fongning opened his eyes from the ground, and couldn’t detect daylight. He was apparently surrounded by four or five people. His head felt heavy and couldn’t see clearly; he could only make out blurry human figures shifting about, an instant close by, and another instant far away.

By the time he defined the face in the middle, he couldn’t help laughing at himself.

“Brother Herr’s words really do not delude me.”

Princess Chao’yoon stared down at him from above with the broken whiplash in her hand.

A skinny man saw him awaking and reported obsequiously to Chao’yoonr, “Princess, he is awake.”

Chao’yoonr made a show of answering “eh”, came over to him, and lifted his chin with the whip handle. “Hey, royal-rings-bearing champion, my good whip breaking lad, you woke fast,” she sneered.

Her set of actions appeared rigid, and her tone also fluctuated. It was difficult to tell who she learned this from. Qu Fongning knelt on the ground. Being raised by her whiplash, he had difficulty in lifting his head, and choked.

Chao’yoonr crowed his embarrassment with great pleasure. But suddenly displeased, she poked his chest, “Why aren’t you asking where this is?” she interrogated angrily.

Qu Fongning glared coldly at her, not saying a word.

Chao’yoonr couldn’t hold it and said it herself: “If you asked, I would’ve told you with all kindness, ‘This is your sepulcher!’” She often heard people saying this, and had always wanted to try it herself. Today she finally executed this vision, and her heart filled with gratification. However, this prisoner did not comply for her amusement, somewhat diluting her satisfaction.

Qu Fongning stared at her for some time and laughed.

This was wholly unexpected. Chao’yoonr instantly panicked. “You, what you laughing about!” she jumped.

“What place is this?” Qu Fongning said dryly, “of course I know. This is where the wicked slave murders their master; the most ominous place under heaven.”

If he said any other disrespectful words, the others would have rushed in and chastised “How dare you!” to display their loyalty. But this sentence was uniquely insulting, the throng of accomplices were stunned to their place, and none dared coming forward.

Chao’yoonr became livid, dropped all pretension, even discarding her whip, lunged forth and slapped him ten full whacks front and back.

The accomplices heard the crisp slaps. Knowing their princess’s tempestuous fury, they shrieked, “Princess! Your hand! Your hand!”

Chao’yoonr hit until the back of her hand felt numb, and finally stopped. But her hatred receded not, so she raised her foot to kick hard at Qu Fongning.

“Princess! Your foot! Your foot!” The accomplices tensed again.

Chao’yoonr was at the peak of her frenzy. She felt no sympathy at all and instead kicked the leader of the gang. “You all heard what he said earlier, didn’t you? You were all sneering at me!”

The accomplices, aggrieved and helpless, wept, “We heard nothing! Your humble servants heard absolutely nothing! Your lowly servants were born deaf!”

“Get out of here!” Chao’yoonr screamed.

They all slinked away with trepidation in their hearts. If the Princess’s hand or foot got damaged in her madness and beatings, what were they to do?

Qu Fongning leered at her and laughed coldly. “Slaps and howls, girl’s only got these basic methods.”

Chao’yoonr stared deathly at him, her teeth grinding strident, and spit out one word after another:

“What, did, you, say?”

Although Qu Fongning’s face swelled horribly, his eyes held his grounds, looking straight into her gaze, he spoke lowly but clearly:

“I said, you are an incompetent woman.”

Chao’yoonr raged into a storm. Again, she slammed him with a shower of kicks and fists to his face.

And suddenly, she noticed the two sparkling rings on his fingers.

Without thinking, she forthwith pulled and dragged, peeling the rings off, threw them on the ground, and stomped furiously.

She clenched her teeth as she tread and screamed, “You got your methods! You got your skills! Isn’t it just two lousy rings the king gave you? I’m going to crush it to powder, see who you can brag to in the future.”

But the gems were a real deal. Though they came off the casings, they stayed intact no matter how she stomped.

Chao’yoonr looked up and saw Qu Fongning holding a sneer on the corner of his lips. Although he didn’t speak, he was still gloating at her incompetence.

She trembled in her fury. Yet suddenly, she discovered a black-sheathed short sword on his belt. The inky leather sheath blended almost seamlessly with his clothes, camouflaging its existence.

She pulled, a chill gust cut across her face, and she instantly shuddered from the coldness. She recalled Herr Gen calling it “Watering Chill,” and it being an extraordinary, gold-cutting, jade-breaking sword.

Overjoyed, she immediately started swinging the short sword towards the gems on the ground. A light “Kaa—,” the gem quietly broke in half, leaving a deep mark on the greenstone on the ground beneath.

Having received a great reinforcement, she swung multitudes, cutting the two gems into powdered shreds.

She became immensely refreshed from her exercise, turning to point at Qu Fongning, and instead felt some regret. Because the gems could be cut multiple times, but the one deserving a mince shredded corpse would be killed with a single light strike.

Qu Fongning still watched her coldly, with no sense of fear in his eyes.

Chao’yoonr pondered how to make this strike. Should she split open his skull, or half him from the waist?

She held out the sword blade, pointed at his brows, then at his hips.

Wherever the blade touched, the liquid on his brows and hair sizzled into a white mist. A moment later, the droplets on his brows also became icicles.

And an idea sparked in Chao’yoonr’s head, “Losers, get in here!” she yelled.

The losers immediately entered with obedience. They obeyed precisely to the Princess’s commands: peel off Qu Fongning’s tunic, bind him tight, stuff his mouth, and attach the “Watering Chill” squarely on his naked chest, with the point of the sword towards his throat. Then they found a deserted location and dumped him into a bottomless basin.

“I am not killing you! I am making you a frost burial, let you become an iceberg. Now you won’t die nor melt for ten thousand years!” Chao’yoonr clapped in great contentment.

The spectators felt humbled. They could never come up with this sort of death pleasing torcher with their stupid brains. Only someone keen and clever like their princess would come up with such a canny idea.

Just as they were about to chant their cheers and praises, “Wait,” Chao’yoonr suddenly said.

She took out the broken half of the whiplash and ordered them to bind Qu Fongning’s wrist tight.

“This is my most precious thing, to give to my most hated person’s burial,” she scowled at him.

The accomplices forthwith complemented the Princess’s meticulousness, saying no matter how skillful this wretched slave could be, he would never get away now.

A skinny man with a grounded face immediately came to claim credit. “They say he has got some skills, but this humble servant doesn’t really think so. I set a trap, and he dropped right into it.”

Chao’yoonr gave him a full smack. “Dumbass! You think a trap alone can dupe him? If it wasn’t my skill in planting my drugs. Hmph, this Princess’s magic potions can put down a whole grown bear.”

And thus, she left triumphantly amongst a whole ensemble of adulations.

By this point, Qu Fongning finally attempted to move his rigid wrist, smiling bitterly.

“Now the game has gone too far.”

If it was some ordinary knots, it wouldn’t have been a big deal. The grappling kungfu he practiced had multiple bone shrinking techniques; he could escape no matter how tight the binding is. However, this broken half of the silvery whip contained strands of tensen silk, which were a hundred times sturdier than beef tendon strings. With only a few loops of binds, it had become a solid chain. No matter how he tried, he could not break free. After a few attempts, he lost the air in his lungs, and had to slowly raise his head above the water’s surface. This minor movement caused the blade beneath his head to shift slightly and make a thin cut on his throat. The frigidity of the blade froze his blood solid the moment it gushed out.

Thus, he learned the might of this blade, and no longer dared to move. Seeing this design of Chao’yoonr, unprecedentedly practiced and ruthless, and departing completely from her previous straw sack follies, he cursed his own oversight.

This “Watering Chill” really did not fail its title. Within moments, a solid sheet of ice had plastered around his chest. The cold started penetrating his bones, and even the blood in his arteries almost froze into ice. Fortunately, he regularly suffered the pain of backlash from practicing his palm skills, which naturalized his body to episodic seizures of biting chillness and searing incineration, so it wasn’t terribly unbearable.

Sinking and rising, he breathed several times, and his throat suffered two more gashes. He felt his chest tearing apart. It was awfully excruciating. “Must think of a way to get out of here,” he thought.

He broke out of the water and could only cry sorrow. There was only the black marsh, messy vegetation, and a lonely white crane standing in solitude, cleaning its feathers by the watershed. Nearby, an observatory with upturned eaves looked impressive in construction, but he could not tell which architect’s masterpiece was this. The terrace still held the form of a pavilion, but the wooden girders had already eroded.

He let it sink in: “Nobody would come to this godforsaken hole for eight hundred years.” The palace guards trying to seek Chao’yoonr’s favors did find a most secluded corner.

Acknowledging his hopelessness, he tried his might one last time to break apart the binding. This motion had been a little too great. He felt a chill at his throat, a blackness in front of his eyes, and almost fainted.

Suddenly, a muted sign came dimly from the pavilion.

Startled, he thought his ears must be hallucinating in his delirium, and pondered, “Am I dying?”

A bush of wild grass in front of his eyes made his vision unclear. Only when the night breeze brushed aside the leaves he could vaguely make out a solitary thin figure. Their long dress dragged on the floor, and its ends swayed weakly in the wind, accentuating the figure’s delicate fragility.

“Heaven did not forsake me.” He was overjoyed by the recognition.

The person looming on the terrace was indeed Queen Lan. This frail noblewoman, who usually appeared to struggle with lifting a tiny crystal wine cup, had found some unusual energy to come to this desolate black marsh alone, to lean on the fence and view the crane.

He was just about to make some noise to call for help from Queen Lan, then he heard her dress shuffle and slowly open her lips.

“Such a beautiful scene on a lovely night, since the General has found availability from his busy schedule, will he not consider some conversation with an old friend?”

His heart palpitated, and he no longer dared to move his body. Then he heard someone speak in a low tone.

“I dare not. Just be passing by. Seeing the Queen partaking in her delight, I do not wish to disturb.”

This voice was deep and husky. Despite only being a usual greeting, the words still encompassed a dictum of austerity; It was Yujien Tianhung.

Queen Lan chuckled, but her voice had no laughter.

“Well, there are as many curious beasts and unique animals as the stars within the Khilan Palace. This particular, red-crowned crane is especially exotic. Would the General like to admire it with me?”

Yujien considered momentarily.

“I am very happy to oblige the Queen’s invitation. Only I do not know whether it is an official summons from the Matriarch of Khilan, or an affectionate request from an old friend,” he said.

The Queen stared coldly at the black marshes, then her fair brows lifted, and she laughed.

“Only you have to use all these quaint words. Then let me beg you. Come keep me company, Tian-ge.”

This voice sounded like she was born anew, without a single strand of her usual cool defiance, and rather like a young sister coquetting towards their old sibling, full of feminine amiability.

Sounds of boot steps approached. Yujien really came atop the terrace and stood next to Queen Lan.

Qu Fongning hid deep in the water with a raging storm rolling in his mind.

“‘Tian, Tian-ge!?’ Why does Queen Lan call him this way? Are they old acquaintances? Is he Queen Lan’s lover?”

The terrace was devoid of guards and attendants; the shadiest secret of this royal palace had happened to fall into the eyes of this most unfortunate spirit.

He originally wished for Queen Lan’s help. Now he only hoped to hide ever more covertly. He held his breath, afraid to reveal any presence.

Then he saw Queen Lan locking Yujien’s arm, full of smiles, recounting various trifles. All more or less about how recently she couldn’t down her meals, how the new robes all felt loose after only a few days; and how the white hairs on the King appeared endlessly, hence she pulled out all the black hairs instead. Then she mentioned the reconstructed sky lanterns being especially magnificent, and she must invite Yujien to view the “Star Shift” ceremony.

“If Little Ting’yu knew, he would be very pleased,” Qu Fongning thought on hearing this. However, something suddenly pulled violently at his bosom, followed by a series of rasping sounds.

“Did the short sword freeze itself?” He gasped in horror. Suffering from being unable to investigate the situation, his heart raced further with anxiety.

Queen Lan spoke with great enthusiasm all by herself, but Yujien’s responses delayed longer and longer. In the beginning he responded perfunctorily, in the end he made no comment at all.

As Queen Lan went on, she eventually found nothing more to say. The surroundings fell silent, even the winds vanished.

“A’lan.” Yujien finally called.

This voice was deep and gentle, just subtly hoarse. Even from ten steps away, it almost sounded like it was breathing against his ear. Qu Fongning’s heart suddenly thundered. Despite being in the freezing water, his back started faintly warming up.

Even with a hundred things going on, he still thought, “This person’s voice is truly…odd. He must have a strange face, to have this kind…of voice.”

At this moment, the “Watering Chill” had frozen thousands of ice strings around its surroundings. Low, rasping noises reverberated incessantly into his ears. He diverted all his strength to resist the cold, but his chest remained a slab of glacier.

Then he heard Yujien speak, “You called me here to say this?”

Queen Lan silently watched the black marshes for a moment, then smiled. “No, I have a task to ask of you.”

Yujien paused, then said, “A’lan, I shall accede to any request of yours. However, … not everything can go as one wishes in life.”

Queen Lan regarded him meaningfully, laughing. “Tian-ge, of course I understand. Does your heart truly think I am really so selfish?”

As she spoke, she pointed her slender finger beneath the terrace.

“Can you please take this white crane back with you.”

Yujien looked towards the black marshes, and saw the white crane treading leisurely over a puddle of previous day’s accumulated rainfall.

He was perplexed, watched for a while, and said, “If you don’t like it, kill it.”

Queen Lan gently swayed her head, pointing. “Tian-ge, is this crane beautiful?”

The crane carries an air of serenity, with its red crown and snow feathers. Despite standing in the mud, it remains an ethereal fairy.

“Gorgeous, isn’t it?” Queen Lan said softly, “it was sent here three years ago. The moment I saw it, I loved it with all my heart. The King saw my delight and ordered this menagerie to be constructed for it within days and nights, then commanded a great slew of artisans to build this belvedere, and called it the Crane Watch Terrace. On the day of its completion, all the aristocrats and court officials came here to stare dumbly at it. But it won’t give face to anybody. It won’t look at the purest dew in the jade bowls, nor the mountain of silver fishes served on fine porcelain. Uli went up to feed it, it swung its wings and flew away. Hahaha!”

Reminiscing about that day’s event, her pale face developed a strange smile.

“Afterwards, I told the King, it’s just a flat-headed beast, what is there to see? Thenceforth, the others no longer came, and even the feeding attendants forgot about it. Everyone thought I despised it, but I always came here in secret to look at it. Tian-ge, look at its composure. How idyllic it is! It is born to be like this, invariably peaceful, undisturbed. When I see it every day, I just feel an ineffable peace in my heart.

“Yes, you do really like it,” Yujien answered.

“Yes, I love it.” Queen Lan’s voice became ever gentler. “Look at it, the dignified strides, the lazy, proud countenance, how can it not induce love? It left its habitat, bid farewell to its father, mother, lover, coming a thousand distance, to this grassless, flowerless hellhole. It won’t feel content just from some constructed high terrace, or deferential fusses and fawns, or some offerings and delicacies. If I don’t care for it, who will?”

Yujien was silent for some time.

“If you like it so much, then you should not ask me to take it back. After all the time spent here, I see it’s doing alright,” he said.

Queen Lan chuckled.

“Tian-ge, how it’s doing, whether the heart is content, how can you tell? I see it much rather go back home, go back to its dearest family and friends, to be free, to expand its wings and soar. It’s a crane too! Why must it leave its homeland? Just because those who gifted it fancies its figure?”

Yujien regarded her deeply, speaking slowly, “A’lan, after all this time, you still cannot forgive us.”

Queen Lan sneered.

“You’re asking me to forgive you all? In those years, on Chienye’s tiny territory, the five of us rode, drank, and sang night after night. When I was tired of singing, you guys would take turns pulling the horse to escort me home. Then we grew up. It was a bright spring, fields after fields of snowy whiteness grew by the Mei waters, blooming full of my favorite flowers. Every evening, someone would secretly pick a whole bouquet and place it at my yurt door. He thought I didn’t know, but his wound filled hands betrayed him long ago! Every morning before I leave the door, I make a large flower crown and wear it on my head, stride proudly in front of him, and never take a look.”

Her voice was full of tenderness, but within this tenderness, there hid a deep-seated and bone carving sorrow.

“In those days, Chienye wasn’t the supreme leader of the six tribes, our name did not ring across the steppes! But we were so happy every day, on Kurze Hill, beneath the Mother Tree, wearing the prettiest florets, and singing the tireless songs. I always thought if Khilan wasn’t so strong at the time, and if my king didn’t fight with Brother Andai on the wrestling field; or if I wasn’t so proud, and took that weeping whip from that white mare much early on, would everything be better? Wouldn’t there be much less melancholy in life?”

Yujien regarded her reddening face, and spoke in an undertone, “A’lan, for this matter, it is your brothers’ fault.”

“Fault?” Queen Lan shrieked in her laugh. “You guys’ fault against me? No, never, how could it be? My brothers are the bravest and greatest heroes. Expanding the terrain, battling north and south, leading the entire tribe, and building the legacy of ages. Such glorious honors! What am I in comparison? My spring, my white mare, and the flowers I can never pick again. What are they in comparison?”

Yujien stepped forward and grabbed her shoulders, dropping his tone.

“A’lan, although King Shrunle is a little older, his love and regard for you is absolutely genuine. Being with him is better than….”

Queen Lan shook away his hand, her gaze vehement.

“It’s been over ten years, Tian-ge! When I first came, I dreamed every night, dreaming of Mei waters, dreaming about Kurze Hill. Night after night, the tears wetted the dreams. But for the past couple of years, these dreams receded, and eventually they disappeared altogether. I was a little afraid, but also somewhat relieved. If I could really forget, how nice it would be! However, when spring broke this year, Uli took back a man with a gentle face on a white stallion. She said that is her beloved and asked the King for his blessing in marriage. Hahahahaha! Uli! Does she deserve that? Which part of her looks like a woman? Why does this dream I cannot catch all my life, she just can lift her hand and grab it?”

Yujien frowned.

“So this is the reason you don’t get along with Uli? A’lan, it’s been so many years. Why do you always remember these matters of the heart from the days of youth?”

Queen Lan raised her pointy chin, her face full of pity, and laughed softly.

“Tian-ge, you understand nothing. You are the champion unparalleled under heaven, who wed the most beautiful women on the grassland with a galaxy of starlight on earth… But you know nothing. One day, when you truly fall in love with a flower, but can never see it again, then you will know.”

Suddenly, the crane cackled a long call, its swings spanned, and was frightened into flight from a lagoon with a spreading film of white frost.

Yujien’s vision sank. He lunged, barking, “Who is it?”

He landed in a deep basin. At the height of summer, a few crystalline pieces of ice were floating on the water’s surface.

The Queen, tears not yet dried, saw Yujien bend over, scooping up a wet body from the marshes, and she shrieked in her fright.

Looking, it was the black clothed guard who stood by Qu Ya’s son. His face was as pale as paper, with bloodstains all over his body, and a thick layer of ice covering his chest, impossible to tell whether dead or alive.

Yujien wrapped him in his arm, and raised a call, “Shadow Leaper! Come!”

A tall stallion of pure dark wash flew forth. Its swift speed made one unable to clearly see its incoming track, but only a path of dust with faint frames of its passing figure.

The racing steed came unsaddled. Yujien nevertheless swung himself up. He directed a deep glance at Queen Lan and said, temperately,

“A’lan, take care. If you don’t cherish yourself, I shall never ever put my heart at ease.”

Queen Lan’s heart ached. Tears again came streaming out of her eyes.

Then she only heard hooves trotting like rapid rain and shortly disappearing at the fringe of the marshes.

Qu Fongning’s whole body was falling into a glacial abyss. Between half awakeness and half oblivion, he could only sense ten million ice needles stabbing his chest in unison. In this trance, a pair of powerful arms wrapped around him, engulfing his whole being into a thick and warm envelope.

Disoriented, he thought Uncle Hwei had come to the rescue, his heart relieved, and called subduedly, “Uncle Hwei.”

A low, fortified voice resounded against his ears, “Don’t speak!”

He gasped. A sliver of clarity lit in his heart, yet despite knowing this opportunity would soon disappear, his consciousness no longer heeded his commands, and it plunged downwards endlessly.

Within moments, everything around him ceased to exist. It was as though he was transformed back into that seven-year-old child, struggling his strides barefoot in the raging snowstorm, and being nearly engulfed by that overbearing chill with every step he took.

The snow reached his waist. Beyond a thousand mountains, for a distance of ten thousand li, snowy whiteness, vast and remote, covered the heaven and paved the earth. There was not a single being. Even the flying birds disappeared.

His normally well-controlled tears also came pouring out. However, there was no longer his exasperated mother, with her furrowed mounty brows, gently scratching the tip of his nose to light his heart; nor the little brother with swollen forehead and purple knees, weeping grievance at the side, whimperingly accusing mother of being partial; nor the chubby-legged little sister carelessly eating sweets at the side, fingers full of drool, and all giggles and laughs from seeing his disgusted glances.

There was only the hand of the biting wind, freezing his tears into ice.

His rigid lips could not close tight, he bit down his teeth deathly. He told himself continuously:

“This is a dream, a terrible nightmare, all because I don’t like to read books, and have been naughty. The Heavens send it to punish me. Dear God, Your Almighty! Please let me wake up! I shall never dare again!”

But the numbness on his toes reminded him, the knifing pain on his face reminded him, and the blood around his whole body that was about to cease circulation at any moment reminded him.

How can this be a dream?

This isn’t a dream. That gentle hand, the cat under the porch, the fragrant but bitter jade and jadeite soup…is the dream instead.

Yet, amidst the wind and the snow, a faint flare sparked alight.

A tiny ember, with its dull red cinder already turned to white ash, was still warm.

He tried putting his hand over it, only after a long while, his frozen fingertips finally felt pain. The flame illuminated his whole-body bright orange, and his four limbs and the hundred entrails slowly started to wake.

An impulse came alive in this heart:

“If only the fire can be a little bigger.”

The ember really amplified. Rustling, it stood up straight. Its sanguine fiery tongue licked gently on his brows with hanging icicles.

And the blaze danced greater and wilder. He felt himself submerging into a hot bath; the algidity on his skin disappeared altogether.

Thence the ball of fire burned, raising to half his height. His entire body became warm and fuzzy, and even the deepest corner of his heart began to thaw.

However, the eruption ceased not. It jumped to midair, rising puffs of black smog. And the heat wave expanded everywhere, the surrounding glacier melted also, showing the muddy black earth beneath.

By now he was no longer feeling comfort, but a scorching fever. The flaming tide baked his hair, hand, skin…and his recently thawed body felt a new pain.

The firestorm spread over heaven and earth, and eventually the lands could no longer contain its heat — It whooshed into clear ether, soaring above the clouds.

It became the sun.

Qu Fongning lifted his head and watched. Scarlet snaking for a thousand li, and light radiating for ten thousand zhang. The solar rays dazzled his eyes. He couldn’t help covering them with his hands.

A voice came from above the clouds: “You are awake?”

He attempted all his strength to reopen his stinging eyes. A blood red lance stood before his vision. Its clearly mystifying red glow spurted erratically, like the breath of a fire dragon.

He closed his eyes.

“… Much obliged to the General, for saving my life once again.”

Yujien Tianhung lifted one hand to check his forehead, asking, “You are better?”

The back of Qu Fongning’s head remained numb, and his somatic and visceral sensations haven’t recovered, but he tried his best to nod. A layer of honey color salve covered his chest, and it released a faintly sweet fragrance to the nose. He was uncertain of its application.

Yujien saw him breathing weakly, but his gaze recovered its sharpness, thus let go of him acting tough, and nodded. “You lay down,” he said, and stood up with Flowing Fire.

Then a broken sand pot voice grated from out the door, “General, did Little Syr come back alive?”

Yujien slanted a look at Qu Fongning on the bed, and threw the lance to the edge of the wall. “Mn, can’t die yet.”

A caucus of clings and clangs, Grand Chamberlain Oyghrmuki came grandiosely in with two hands holding high a roll of dressing.

His mouth immediately rounded the moment he saw Qu Fongning, praising, “As expected of Little Syr! When General brought you in earlier, Old Oyghr saw you frozen half dead and alive, I thought it was a frozen corpse! Who knew, with the blink of an eye, you are all hopping and springing vitality. Hey, where am I going to steal three hundred like you?” He didn’t know Qu Fongning’s name, hence he casually flagged a title to his head.

Qu Fongning struggled up, wanting to bow in gratitude. Oyghrmuki hurried to press him down. “Sleep tight, sleep tight, it wasn’t easy for the General saving you, don’t make yourself dead for me.”

His mouth prattled but his hands sure weren’t slow, one hand dressed the gauze and the other hand searched out a tiny porcelain case from his body, digging out a small amount of pale-yellow salve, and spread it seven rows and eight columns across Qu Fongning’s chest. Sensing his wondering, he warmly volunteered the explanation: “This is the best ointment in the world, developed by a grand clinician from our Yarrdu City. There is only this scant amount every year, there is no more after. General said, that blade on your chest is the utmost yin and chilling object under heaven, it meets water into ice, and if the chill penetrates into the body, you will become either invalid or dead. Yet, Our General’s ‘Flowing Fire’ is the most yang and warming matter. Slapping it flat on your chest, the two cancel each other, and your little life is saved back. What kind of luck is this … where am I going to steal three hundred like you?” As he rambled, the roll of bandage became used up, and he rushed back outside.

Then Yujien said to Qu Fongning, “Don’t listen to him babble.” Seeing him still top naked, he undressed his cloak and draped it over him.

This coat was large and heavy. The moment Qu Fongning had it on, it wrapped securely around him. His nose soured and sneezed a few times.

Yujien fixed his eyes on him.

“When did Chao’yoonr put you there?” he inquired, suddenly.

A chill ran through Qu Fongning. He raised his head to meet his gaze; It was cold and lifeless beneath the silver mask.

The coat on his shoulders still emanated the warmth from his body heat, but Qu Fongning’s entire back was already soaked from cold sweat.

---