"We of Great Yan have fought for many years, and countless soldiers have been wounded and died. If you force me to lose what little remaining troops Great Yan has, then continue your slaughter," said King Murong Jue of Changli, panting heavily, either from exhaustion or anger, as he reprimanded Murong Bole, Murong Ya, Xieli Hu, and Murong Kang.
Murong Jue's words held much truth, reflecting the current state of Great Yan. Thus, Murong Bole was the first to sigh deeply and slowly sheathed his sword.
With Murong Bole sheathing his weapon, his subordinates naturally dared not act rashly, merely glaring intently at the opposing side.
Xieli Hu let out a cold snort and also sheathed his weapon. Murong Kang, however, still held his long saber, staring coldly at Murong Jue, wanting to know what he was truly plotting and whose side he was on.
If things did not go his way, Murong Kang wouldn't mind cutting down this "evergreen tree"...
"The Great Chanyu has met with an accident and is in critical condition. Is the most urgent matter not to summon skilled physicians to treat him? This old man advises you to quickly put away your swords and spears and escort the Great Chanyu back to the palace," Murong Jue then stated.
Murong Jue's moniker "Evergreen Tree" was not given in vain. By taking the opportunity to treat Emperor Murong Xi, he advised both sides to cease hostilities. This saved the Left Virtuous King Murong Bole, allowed Murong Kang and Xieli Hu to escort Murong Xi back to the palace, thus placing the injured Murong Xi under Murong Qing's care, and earned him a reputation for loyalty and righteousness. It was truly a triple win, offending no one. Of course, Murong Jue leaned more towards Empress Murong Qing.
Though Murong Jue was old, his eyes were not clouded, nor his mind muddled. How could he not see the political landscape of the court? Murong Jue had become a wily old fox...
He wished for his "evergreen tree" to remain green for a few more years, and for him and his family to enjoy more years of comfort in Great Yan.
"Elder Uncle, are you saying that the Great Chanyu is unharmed?" Murong Bole, finding Murong Jue's reasoning sound, did not dare to forcefully demand Murong Xi and could only ask.
"Whether he is unharmed or not, this old man does not know," Murong Jue replied, then cast a glance at Xieli Hu and Murong Kang.
Xieli Hu, Murong Qing, and Murong Kang had colluded and were now an immensely powerful faction. Murong Jue had long recognized this, which was one of the reasons he was helping them now. Otherwise, his old bones might have been lost at White Bird Lake.
"If the Left Virtuous King continues to question, perhaps His Majesty will truly be in danger," Murong Kang said coldly.
Murong Kang had intended to stall for time, hoping Murong Xi would succumb to his injuries and then shift the blame to Murong Bole. But this meddling old man, Murong Jue, had intervened... As things stood, he could only play it by ear. He would see what happened after escorting Murong Xi back to the palace, into the care of his own sister.
"Very well, then let us escort His Majesty back to the palace to treat his wounds," Murong Bole said, nodding. He no longer wished to argue with Murong Kang.
Thus, both sides ceased their conflict and marched towards Youzhou City.
"Left Virtuous King..." Seeing Murong Bole still reluctantly leading his troops, Xieli Hu turned back and sneered, "You brought troops into the capital without an imperial decree. Do you intend to enter the palace and force your way in?"
Murong Kang's heart leaped with joy upon hearing this, and he repeatedly nodded in agreement.
Murong Kang secretly wondered what benefits his sister had bestowed upon Xieli Hu to make him so wholeheartedly loyal.
Murong Bole was stunned by Xieli Hu's words. He had no choice but to halt his troops, standing dumbfounded as he watched their backs, watched them return to the city, and watched the now empty White Bird Lake.
Murong Cheng and Murong Xiaoxiao, fearing to follow Xieli Hu and Murong Kang back to the city, temporarily remained with Murong Bole's army. They intended to return to the city to see their father when the opportunity arose.
Murong Xiaoxiao entered the city that night, while Murong Cheng remained with Murong Bole's army.
"Your Majesty, this old servant awaits your decree outside the city!" After a long pause, Murong Bole prostrated himself outside the desolate outskirts of Youzhou City, weeping.
...
"Father, Father..." Murong Bole's plight was rather pitiable, and his officers dared not speak to comfort him. After a long while, Murong Ya called out to Murong Bole, "Why don't we go back?"
At this moment, returning to their own territories was the safest course of action.
"Go back? Go back where? His Majesty is in grave danger, how can a subject abandon him and flee?" Murong Bole retorted angrily, glaring at Murong Ya.
"Father..." Murong Ya hesitated for a moment before trying to persuade him again, "Father, why don't you produce the real imperial edict?"
While Murong Bole had indeed forged the secret decree he held to lead his troops into the capital, he possessed a genuine imperial testament from Emperor Murong Xi, an edict written in advance for emergencies, to be revealed only after Murong Xi's death.
"The time is not yet right," Murong Bole replied, shaking his head.
"Do you know where Doctor Tang has gone?" Murong Bole then asked.
In times of trouble, he had always consulted Tang Qingsi. Over the years, Murong Bole had developed this habit. However, Tang Qingsi's whereabouts were currently unknown.
"This child does not know..." Murong Ya snorted, "Hmph, the Han people are unreliable."
...
"What is His Majesty's condition?"
In the inner palace of Yan, Empress Murong Qing asked with a complex expression as she addressed the physicians who had just examined the unconscious Murong Xi.
The physicians all revealed extremely troubled expressions, even fear.
The Xianbei people had a custom of human sacrifice. If Emperor Murong Xi were to meet an untimely end, they might be buried with him.
"Tell me the truth. This consort will not blame you," Murong Qing said calmly, already having a general understanding of the situation.
"The injuries are too severe. There is no... Your Highness, your humble servants have done their utmost, but it is truly beyond recovery!" After a long while, an old physician stammered.
"Very well. Award them with medical gold. You may go and receive your rewards."
The physicians expected Empress Murong Qing to fly into a rage upon hearing this. However, she did not vent her anger on them and even offered rewards. This greatly surprised them, and they withdrew with profuse thanks.
Murong Qing did not order the physicians to remain silent, as it would be impossible to contain the news. It would not be long before the entire Youzhou, and even the realm, knew of this.
The immediate priority was not Murong Xi's life or death, but what would happen after his demise. The most crucial and perilous aspect of his death would be the succession to the throne of Great Yan.
Most people believed the throne would pass to Crown Prince Cheng or the Prince of Ganquan. However, this was not necessarily the case. Among the Xianbei, the imperial succession was not always father to son, but could also be brother to brother. Thus, if Murong Xi were to pass away, the various princes who had long coveted the throne would inevitably stir, and Great Yan would surely be plunged into a bloody struggle for the throne.
Murong Qing feared that she might not be able to control the situation then.
At this moment, it would be as easy as flipping a hand for Murong Qing to end Murong Xi's life, including in the White Bird Lake hunting grounds. Yet, she hesitated, and this hesitation extended to the White Bird Lake hunting grounds. The reason for this was precisely the succession.
She had to find a way to obtain Murong Xi's imperial decree.
Murong Qing sat alone in the cold palace, pondering for a long time before rising and walking towards Emperor Murong Xi's sleeping quarters.
...
"Empress, you are mistaken."
Murong Xi had regained consciousness after being treated by the physicians, but he was unable to rise from his bed. He could only lie there, his life hanging by a thread. Seeing Empress Murong Qing enter the hall, he said to her in an extremely weak voice, "You are mistaken."
"Your Majesty. What error has this consort committed?" Murong Qing asked calmly.
"Did you arrange these matters?" Murong Xi then asked.
"Your Majesty..." Murong Qing shook her head slightly. "Are you referring to the accident? This consort does not possess such great capabilities. Your Majesty meeting with an accident has caused this consort great guilt and sorrow. Your Majesty need not worry. Please recover well, and this consort eagerly awaits the day of Your Majesty's recovery."
"Hmm, you summoned the troops to the capital. You arranged that, didn't you?" Murong Xi continued. "Empress, you are mistaken, gravely mistaken! Do you think they can assist you? But they are tigers, leopards, jackals, and wolves! They will be the ones to bring chaos to the world, and you are the beginning of that chaos."
"Your Majesty..." Murong Qing nodded in admission. "This consort also knows that this action was somewhat inappropriate. However, our Great Yan suffers from a strong periphery and a weak core. These powerful feudal lords have become a great threat to our Great Yan. Therefore, by using this opportunity to have them destroy each other, we can eliminate this pressing concern."
Since Murong Xi was nearing his end, there was no harm in having a heart-to-heart conversation with him today.
The pressing concern Murong Qing spoke of also included Murong Bole and the troops he commanded.
"You... *cough*... *cough*..." Murong Xi, angered by her words, spat out two mouthfuls of blood. He slammed his hand on the armrest of the bed and glared at Murong Qing, saying, "Although they are a great threat, they are also the guardians of our Great Yan's borders. How can you be so venomous as to have them destroy each other? Great Yan is besieged on all sides. If you have them annihilate each other, won't we simply deplete our forces and exhaust our national strength? Have you considered this? If they are all destroyed, with whom will Great Yan defend its territory?"
As Murong Xi neared death, his mind became increasingly clear, or rather, he was usually aware of these matters but had been deliberately avoiding such troublesome and helpless issues.
"Your Majesty, a short pain is better than a long one," Murong Qing replied coldly.
"Good, good, a short pain is better than a long one... *cough*... *cough*..." Murong Xi coughed again, then sighed. "Is this not all for Yi'er? For that position? Your surname is Murong, and my surname is Murong. Yi'er also bears the surname Murong. If you want it, I will give it to you. Why must you do this?"
"Yes, I am doing this for Yi'er. Your Majesty's Crown Prince Cheng is your son, and is Yi'er not also your son? Crown Prince Cheng is as foolish as a pig, incompetent and cowardly. Yet why do you show such favoritism? You say these words now, but I tell you, it is too late!" Murong Qing finally lost her composure. These words were almost a roar, her shrill cries echoing through the spacious hall.