"This matter requires me to consider," the Emperor of Yan, Murong Xi, mused amidst the imperial gardens, speaking of the matter of establishing a Crown Princess.
In truth, Murong Xi already had many candidates in mind for the positions of Minister and General, but he had never expected Murong Cheng to set his sights on Princess Ziyue.
Who was Princess Ziyue? She was the legitimate daughter of Murong Bole, a pillar of the Great Yan, a distinguished minister, and concurrently the King of Zuo Xian and King of Guan Ning. Murong Bole was also Murong Xi's trusted confidant and the one who deterred other factions, such as the Empress's faction, from any rash actions. As long as Murong Bole remained, no matter how powerful the Empress's faction became, they would not dare to act improperly.
Therefore, this matter could not be rushed and required careful deliberation. Even though Murong Xi was the Emperor of the Great Yan, he could not act without deep thought.
If he were to rashly issue an decree commanding Princess Ziyue, Murong Huiying, to enter the palace, Murong Bole would undoubtedly comply with the decree, but perhaps he would harbor some resentment, and things would not be so perfect.
"Xiao'er, what about you?" Murong Xi temporarily set aside the matter and turned to ask Murong Xiaoxiao.
"Me? I... what?" Murong Xiaoxiao was still contemplating the consequences of her brother Murong Cheng's words and was suddenly startled by Murong Xi's question, becoming somewhat flustered.
"Roar!"
At this moment, a scene suddenly appeared in Murong Xiaoxiao's mind: beneath a blood-red setting sun, a young and heroic warrior, clad in black battle armor, stood tall within the spectator-filled training grounds. He raised the Moon-Chasing Bow high, roared at the sky, and a sliver of the setting sun shone upon him, making him appear like a god.
"Father, this daughter does not wish to marry and is willing to remain by Father's side," Murong Xiaoxiao replied after a moment.
Murong Xiaoxiao knew very well that Princess Ziyue, Murong Huiying, and Zhou Fugui were lovers bound by destiny. They understood and loved each other so deeply that they were inseparable. Even after not seeing each other for so long, their feelings had not diminished in the slightest; on the contrary, they grew stronger with each passing day.
"Xiao'er, didn't Father say that a man should marry and a woman should wed?" Murong Xi chuckled upon hearing this, his mind already pondering how to find a suitable husband for Murong Xiaoxiao, preferably far from Youzhou, that troubled land, so that she could live a peaceful and happy life.
"Father, there is another reason why this daughter does not wish to marry, and that is because both my brother and I are afraid," Murong Xiaoxiao said softly thereafter.
Afraid? Murong Xi suddenly seemed to understand. This was likely the primary reason for Murong Cheng and Murong Xiaoxiao's visit today.
...
"You are like the bright moon, I am like the mist. The mist hides with the moon, leaving only dew. You play the qin, I dance. The song ends, the dancers depart, my heart is heavy. Just a glance from you, makes me think of you day and night. My soul follows you, I will not regret, my longing for you is bitter. Who can I tell of this bitter longing? Far away, I do not know where you are. I lean against the door, cherishing your instructions, I gaze to the horizon and beyond."
In the residence of Murong Bole, King of Zuo Xian and King of Guan Ning of the Great Yan, within the boudoir of Princess Ziyue, Murong Huiying, under the bright moon, Murong Huiying caressed a jade zither, softly singing a poem from the Han Yuefu. Her voice was lingering and beautiful, filled with deep sorrow.
Murong Huiying's boudoir was a two-story pavilion. Upon entering, the first thing that met the eye was a screen, its bas-relief inlaid with a picture of mountains, waters, flowers, and birds. Passing through the screen, one entered Murong Huiying's boudoir, her secret space, a space that, to this day, only Zhou Fugui had ever entered.
Curtains hung down. Beneath the south wall stood a desk of huanghuali wood with marble. On the desk, besides the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, was a large Ru ware flower vase, filled with unknown rare herbs and immortal vines, exuding a fragrant scent. On the west wall hung a large painting of misty rain by Mi Fu. On either side hung a couplet. Beneath the east wall was a medium-sized beauty couch.
Murong Huiying's boudoir was decorated with exquisite elegance, natural freshness, and a strong Han Chinese style. One wall displayed a bow and arrows, and a golden saber, yet it did not lack the characteristics of a grassland maiden.
Lifting the curtain to the north revealed a balcony, also furnished with a desk. On the desk rested a seven-stringed zither. Murong Huiying sat before the desk, softly, in a low voice, singing Han Yuefu poems. A bright moon hung outside the window, bathing Murong Huiying in its watery light, yet she appeared exceptionally desolate.
"Wild geese fly southeast, why are you unheard of? Why don't you return?" As the song ended, Murong Huiying gazed at the bright moon and murmured to herself.
Zhou Fugui, a criminal exiled to Xue Lin City, found it not so easy to return. He might never return until death. Murong Huiying knew this, of course, yet she still longed for Zhou Fugui to suddenly appear before her.
A few days ago, Zhou Fugui still occasionally sent letters, but in the past few months, not a single letter had arrived. She had heard nothing from him, and she did not know how he was.
Now, Zhou Fugui's letters were delivered to Murong Huiying through other channels. The reason was that any letters delivered to the gate of the King of Zuo Xian's mansion were intercepted by the mistress of the mansion, Lady Heluo.
The longer time passed, the more Murong Huiying worried. The longer time passed, the more heartbroken Murong Huiying became.
Murong Huiying naturally worried about Zhou Fugui's safety, while she was heartbroken about herself, heartbroken that Zhou Fugui might have forgotten her and found new love in the north, living carefreely.
If he dared to do so, when they met again, she would surely cut him into seventeen or eighteen pieces, Murong Huiying thought resentfully.
But when they met again, would she be able to bring herself to do it? Murong Huiying pondered with a heart full of worries, but what should she do?
"Dong... dong... dong..."
Just as Murong Huiying was indulging in self-pity, footsteps sounded on the stairs. The steps were light, but in the silent deep of the night, they were exceptionally clear.
"Mother?" Murong Huiying, lost in memories, was startled by the footsteps and turned to see her mother, Lady Heluo, entering her boudoir.
"Yingying, why are you not resting yet?" Lady Heluo asked after entering Murong Huiying's boudoir.
"This daughter was just about to sleep," Murong Huiying replied, quickly wiping away a tear from her eye.
The tear that welled up in Murong Huiying's eye was particularly noticeable in the moonlight. Lady Heluo saw it upon entering, sighed softly, walked to Murong Huiying's side, sat down, and looked at her, saying, "Yingying, you still can't forget that person?"
Murong Bole and Lady Heluo had been arranging Murong Huiying's marriage for some time, but Murong Huiying had found various excuses and employed various tactics to avoid getting married. Neither princes nor noble sons, nor wealthy merchants, caught her eye or her heart, the reason being self-evident. Murong Huiying constantly thought of, and never forgot, that Han man, Zhou Fugui. Murong Bole and his wife knew this very well.
Thus, Murong Bole and his wife resorted to various means to force her to comply, but Murong Huiying adamantly refused. When pushed too hard, Murong Huiying threatened to end her life as a testament to her resolve.
Murong Huiying was known to be a woman of her word.
In the end, Murong Bole and his wife were utterly helpless with their spirited, precious daughter. They could only let her have her way, hoping that as time passed, she would change her mind, and hoping that that detestable Han man would perish in the northern ice and snow... thus extinguishing Murong Huiying's hopes.
But these hopes were not realized. Instead, they received bad news, although Murong Bole did not know it yet; Lady Heluo already knew.
As an important minister of the Great Yan, Murong Bole naturally had his informants in the palace.
"Mother..." Murong Huiying lowered her head bashfully, effectively tacitly admitting to Lady Heluo.
"Women..." Lady Heluo sighed, "He is a Han man, which means his future prospects are limited. At best, he can be a general, and his rank will not be very high. His family is also impoverished, with no background and no influence. I truly don't know what you see in him? He is also currently a criminal and can hardly return. Do you still want to wait for him?"
"Even if he were a beggar, a thief, this daughter would still wait for him," Murong Huiying's voice was soft, but her expression and attitude were exceptionally resolute.
"You..." Lady Heluo truly could not discuss Zhou Fugui with Murong Huiying any further. If they continued, she would surely be angered to death by her...
However, the conversation still had to take place. Lady Heluo took a deep breath, slightly easing the knot in her heart, and then looked at Murong Huiying, asking, "His life and death are uncertain, and you still want to wait for him?"
"Yes, I will wait for him. This daughter will wait indefinitely, until... what do you mean by 'life and death are uncertain'? Mother, what do you mean? Do you have news of him?" Murong Huiying was greatly startled and repeatedly asked in surprise.
Lady Heluo nodded and replied, "He went to the far north, to the Xiongnu royal court, and even further."
"Ah!" Murong Huiying exclaimed, staring at her mother, Lady Heluo, disbelief etched on her face, unable to believe her ears.
The far north? The Xiongnu royal court? Even further? He wasn't in Xue Lin City? What was he doing there? Murong Huiying thought to herself amidst her shock.
"Mother, what was he doing there? Mother, my dear mother, please tell me whatever else you know, I beg you..." After a long pause, Murong Huiying looked at her mother, Lady Heluo, her eyes filled with tears, and asked.
"Daughter..." Lady Heluo opened her arms and gently embraced Murong Huiying, replying, "I heard there was a great battle on the frontier. General Zhou was ordered to march, but who knows what happened. He led his subordinates to the Xiongnu royal court... and made quite a scene there, killing many Xiongnu and capturing several Xiongnu cities."
"Pfft!" Murong Huiying smiled upon hearing this, even letting out a laugh. Tears streamed down her face, yet she smiled like a blooming flower, looking exceptionally beautiful. Even her own mother, Lady Heluo, was momentarily stunned.
"What are you smiling about?" Lady Heluo's expression turned stern as she asked, "What kind of place is the Xiongnu royal court? If he caused such a major incident there, do you think he can still return alive?"
"He will definitely return. This daughter is absolutely certain," Murong Huiying replied resolutely.