Xie Linghui couldn't help but stand up and spin around twice, taking a deep breath before sitting down again and saying, "Xiuyan, how can you still not understand? Whether you're a man or a woman, you can't rely solely on love and romance in this life. Love and romance are too ethereal and too helpless. You must firmly grasp wealth and power in your own hands to ensure your safety throughout your life. Prince Duan's principal wife is frail and sickly and unable to manage the household. If you marry into the family, given the Xie family's current status, that concubine will naturally not dare to compete with you. You only need to please the principal wife, and Prince Duan's mansion will be yours alone." "You are beautiful, intelligent, and youthful; why worry about not winning the prince's exclusive favor? With your husband's devoted love and the power in the palace, your life will surely be carefree and unrestrained. This is a hundred times better than marrying into any wealthy family, constantly wary of wives vying for favor, a difficult mother-in-law, and infighting with sisters-in-law. Besides, Prince Duan is a member of the royal family; why would he worry like an ordinary minister about losing the emperor's favor and jeopardizing his future? Xiuyan, think about it carefully. Even if you married Wang Lang, you wouldn't have such a wealthy and carefree life. What is there to be sad about?"
After listening, Xie Xiuyan couldn't help but feel that Xie Linghui's words made some sense, and her expression softened. Xie Linghui called a maid in to fetch water for Xie Xiuyan to wash her face, and after offering some words of comfort, he left. Xie Xiuyan hugged the quilt and thought it over. Although she was still somewhat unwilling, she slowly resigned herself to her fate.
As Xie Linghui had predicted, Xie Xiuyan's life after marriage was indeed as she had described. Prince Duan doted on her, and she lived a comfortable life in the Prince's residence. However, Xie Xiuyan was deeply troubled. Prince Duan was a military man, straightforward and unromantic, and believed that "a woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent." He would frown whenever he saw Xie Xiuyan reciting poems and lyrics in a melancholic mood, and he found it difficult to be tender and considerate towards her complex and sentimental nature. Xie Xiuyan felt quite empty and lonely. The youthful days before her marriage, when she exchanged letters and wrote poems with Wang Lang, became clearer in her mind, and she would feel melancholy whenever she thought of them.
One month ago.
On this bright and sunny spring day, Xie Xiuyan donned a cloak and went to the garden to admire the flowers and stroll. After wandering around for half a day, her legs felt sore, so she instructed Zuiqin to lay out an embroidered phoenix and eight-treasure cushion on the artificial hill pavilion, and also to set out writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, so she could enjoy the scenery and compose poems. At this moment, she saw a slender and upright scholar slowly walking towards her from not far away. He wore a turban, a lake-blue cotton robe with blue brocade patterns, and a matching belt. He carried a scroll in his hand, looking elegant and refined. At first glance, he even seemed to resemble Wang Lang walking slowly towards her.
Xie Xiuyan was startled and stood up with a cry of "Ah!" She clutched her handkerchief tightly in her hand and took a few steps forward, her heart pounding like a drum, too nervous to speak. The man drew closer, his features striking: red lips, white teeth, and eyes as black as lacquer. He was exceptionally handsome, with a faint smile playing on his lips, and his nonchalant demeanor bore a striking resemblance to Wang Lang!
Xie Xiuyan stared intently at the man, her mouth suddenly dry. Before she knew it, the handkerchief in her hand had fallen to the ground, carried by a gentle breeze to the man's feet. The man looked down, startled to see the handkerchief, and picked it up. He looked up at Xie Xiuyan, his eyes lighting up, and his smile as warm as the winter sun. Xie Xiuyan blushed crimson, her heart in turmoil. In her panic, she grabbed her maid and hurriedly fled.
She returned to her room and it took her a long time to calm down. Suddenly, she remembered that her handkerchief was still in the man's hands. Xie Xiuyan panicked and quickly sent Zuiqin back to the garden, determined to retrieve the handkerchief no matter what. Zuiqin returned a moment later, frowning, and said to Xie Xiuyan, "Madam, I did retrieve the handkerchief, but that filthy man dirtied it!"
Xie Xiuyan said, "What? Let me see it."
Zuiqin handed over the handkerchief and said, "He saw that the lady had written half of 'A Spray of Plum Blossoms' on a small note, so he took it upon himself to fill in the second half and copied it onto the handkerchief."
Xie Xiuyan took the handkerchief and looked at it. She saw that it was written on the handkerchief:
"The jade gauze window stirs, a small note cools; a faint fragrance rolls up the curtain; dew chills the orchid soup. Bamboo shadows dappled in the long autumn wind; verdant leaves sway and fall; rain beats against the cold fragrance."
My old friend is gone, lost in the vast sea of humanity; dreams are hazy, waking is hazy. Autumn frost appears in the mirror's reflection; only the bright moon still shines over the city wall.
His handwriting was beautiful, delicate, and elegant. Xie Xiuyan felt her heart surge with emotion; the second half of the poem truly struck a chord with her. She thought to herself, "How pitiful! I never imagined that the gentleman I'd only met once would be my confidant." A pang of sadness struck her, and tears streamed down her face. She clutched her handkerchief, remaining silent for a long time.
Zuiqin said, "Madam, that scoundrel said that he accidentally soiled your handkerchief, which is a heinous crime. Please punish him, Madam."
Xie Xiuyan hurriedly asked, "Where is he now? Did you tell him who I am?"
Zuiqin said, "He is still in that pavilion awaiting Madam's punishment. Of course I told him your identity. He was flustered and scared, saying that he was just a commoner and did not know the rules of the Prince's Mansion. He begged Madam not to take offense."
Xie Xiuyan smiled slightly and asked again, "Men are never allowed in the garden. Go and ask him how he got in?"
Zuiqin turned and went out, then returned a moment later and said, “Madam, his name is Wang Jin. He is a retainer of the Prince and is highly regarded by the Prince. The Prince asked him to be the tutor of the young master. He has only recently moved into the mansion and usually never comes to this garden. He only came here today after finishing his lessons with the young master, and unexpectedly ran into you, Madam.”
After hearing this, Xie Xiuyan nodded and said, "Alright, he's a scholar, so let's not make things difficult for him. And don't tell the Prince about this." After saying this, Xie Xiuyan picked up the handkerchief again and looked at it, feeling both surprised and sad.
The next day, Xie Xiuyan couldn't resist going to the garden again. This time, she dressed up carefully, and still only brought her trusted maids Zuiqin and Caihua with her. She strolled around the garden for half a day, and sure enough, she saw Wang Jin walking slowly towards her from the corridor again.
Xie Xiuyan had prepared a speech, but upon seeing Wang Jin, her heart raced, her face flushed, and she couldn't utter a single word. At that moment, Wang Jin had already taken a few steps forward to Xie Xiuyan, clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, respectfully saying, "My name is Wang Jin, greetings, Madam. Yesterday in the garden, Wang Jin was ignorant and offended Madam; please punish me." His voice was clear and melodious, his attitude neither servile nor arrogant.
Xie Xiuyan said, "Master Wang, please don't stand on ceremony. I was impetuous yesterday." Then, after calming down, she said, "Master Wang's calligraphy is very good, with the foundation of Dong Qichang."
Wang Jin said, "Madam is too kind. My handwriting is clumsy and has soiled your handkerchief." As he spoke, his clear eyes looked at Xie Xiuyan with a smile. Xie Xiuyan's heart skipped a beat. She turned her head slightly and paused before saying, "I heard that Master Wang is teaching the young master. I wonder what he studies every day?"
Wang Jin said, "We have already covered several chapters of the Four Books. The young master is very intelligent and learns very quickly, but he is a bit playful."
Xie Xiuyan said, "Since the Princess Consort is unwell, I will naturally do my best in the education of the Crown Prince. I have informed the Prince that a beaded curtain will be hung behind the lecture hall tomorrow. I will personally supervise the Crown Prince's studies from behind the curtain. Please do not take offense, Teacher."
Wang Jin cupped his hands and said, "I respectfully welcome your arrival, Madam."
After that, Xie Xiuyan went to the lecture hall every day and sat behind the beaded curtain to watch Wang Jin teach. Wang Jin was very knowledgeable, quoting classical texts and being well-versed in both ancient and modern times. Xie Xiuyan was always captivated by his lectures. Seeing his elegant demeanor and dashing manner, she unconsciously regarded him as Wang Lang, and even her gaze towards Wang Jin became infatuated.
Professor Wang Jin was extremely diligent in teaching the Crown Prince, writing down his daily lessons on paper and presenting them as essays to Xie Xiuyan for review. The essays were beautifully written, discussing the world at large. Xie Xiuyan paid no attention to the national and social issues discussed in the essays, but seeing Wang Jin's elegant and refined writing style, she felt a surge of admiration and couldn't help but write back. Before long, the two began exchanging letters under the guise of checking the Crown Prince's studies. Initially, Wang Jin discussed the Four Books and Five Classics, Tang and Song poetry, but later his words subtly revealed a delicate and tender sentiment, clearly indicating his affection for Xie Xiuyan.
Xie Xiuyan already harbored a lingering regret about her childhood, and now, whenever she held the letters and wept, her heart was filled with both joy and sorrow. On one hand, she lamented the cruel twist of fate, how she had finally met her ideal man, yet regretted that they hadn't met before she was married; on the other hand, she felt ashamed of her actions, which violated the traditional virtues of women and disrupted social order. Xie Xiuyan was tormented by this daily conflict, yet she couldn't help but continue exchanging letters and exchanging glances with Wang Jin. Gradually, their feelings for each other deepened.
Half a month later, Wang Jin slipped a letter into the book. Xie Xiuyan hid somewhere and opened it, only to find that Wang Jin invited her to meet at Huatingzhai that afternoon to discuss poetry and literature. Xie Xiuyan was startled and hurriedly ordered Caihua to light candles and burn the letter, her heart filled with hesitation. A few days earlier, Xie Linghui had sent her a secret letter, saying that the Xie family was plotting a rebellion and that Prince Duan's attitude was unclear. The letter instructed Xie Xiuyan to serve Prince Duan well and win his favor. It also instructed her to be cautious in everything she did in the Prince's residence, lest she give others any ammunition or reason to criticize her. After much deliberation, Xie Xiuyan did not go to Wang Jin's appointment. Unexpectedly, Wang Jin wrote letters again the next day and the day after, inviting her again, his words sincere and his sentiments touching. Xie Xiuyan was deeply moved and thought to herself, "Master Wang is truly my confidant. I only went to discuss poetry and essays with him. Master Wang invited me repeatedly, and if I did not go, it would seem too pretentious and impolite."
Thinking of this, on the afternoon of the third day, Xie Xiuyan quietly went alone to Huatingzhai, where Wang Jin lived. Huatingzhai was extremely quiet and secluded. When Xie Xiuyan pushed open the door, Wang Jin had already been waiting for a long time. He was dressed in a scholar's robe, which made him appear even taller, more elegant, and refined. Xie Xiuyan blushed and her heart pounded. When Wang Jin saw Xie Xiuyan, he hurriedly took out his old poems for her to judge. The two then exchanged couplets, with the one who couldn't finish one being penalized with a cup of wine.
Xie Xiuyan drank two cups of wine, feeling dizzy. Wang Jin stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, whispering, "Madam, I have admired you for many days, and I truly cannot restrain myself." He then kissed her. Xie Xiuyan was terrified, and though she tried to struggle, she felt weak and unable to speak, allowing Wang Jin to lift her and place her on the bed, doing as he pleased. After the passion subsided, Xie Xiuyan's mind cleared. Realizing her mistake, she felt ashamed, hateful, and afraid, and burst into tears, contemplating suicide again. Wang Jin held her tenderly, offering countless words of comfort and sweet promises. Xie Xiuyan's mood improved slightly under Wang Jin's influence, but she remained completely lost.
Wang Jin reached out to wipe Xie Xiuyan's tears and said, "Xiuyan, don't cry. My feelings for you are as clear as the sun and moon. I'm sure you love me too, right? Otherwise, how could you accept my advances with our love letters exchanged in secret? Every time you look at me, you are filled with tenderness, which makes me unable to resist."
Xie Xiuyan wept, thinking to herself, "Yes, Xie Xiuyan, it's your own fault for being unfaithful, exchanging flirtatious glances with another man, that has ruined your life's purity." At this moment, Wang Jin teased Xie Xiuyan's chin, his handsome, clear eyes looking directly into her beautiful eyes, saying, "Xiuyan, I was impulsive with you, please forgive me." Xie Xiuyan's face flushed, and she lowered her head, recalling their recent passionate encounter, feeling her whole body burning. Wang Jin then lifted Xie Xiuyan's pretty face again, tenderly saying, "Wang Jin loves you deeply, and only wants to be with you forever, to stay together forever."
Xie Xiuyan said sadly, "I am already a married woman, how can I stay with you? Master Wang, please don't say such things. Let's just consider today a dream, and let's not mention it again."
Wang Jin held Xie Xiuyan tightly and said, "Xiuyan, come with me. Let's find a secluded paradise and live a peaceful and carefree life. It's better than you being lonely in a wealthy family, where we love each other but can't spend our lives together."
Xie Xiuyan was startled and stared wide-eyed, "What did you say?" Then she shook her head and said, "No, if I leave, the Xie family will surely be disgraced. Moreover, the Xie family is at a critical moment right now. If something happens because I leave, I will be a sinner of the Xie family."
Wang Jin sneered, "The Xie family, the Xie family, you keep the Xie family in your heart, but has the Xie family ever thought about you? You, a beautiful young woman, married a brute, have you ever felt a moment of happiness?"
Xie Xiuyan said, "Don't talk nonsense. Second brother arranged this marriage for my sake. Besides... besides, Xiuyan has no complaints."
Wang Jin snorted and said, "There are so many talented young men in the Great Zhou Dynasty, and there are quite a few talented men in the powerful families as well. Xie Linghui insisted on marrying you off to an old scoundrel. He is after the power of the Prince of Duan and wants to use you to curry favor with the powerful and pave the way for his own career. Xiuyan, have you ever thought about what will happen to you if the Xie family's rebellion fails?"
Xie Xiuyan looked up at Wang Jin, speechless. Having lived a carefree life since childhood, she had never considered these questions and was momentarily at a loss for words. Wang Jin said earnestly, “Xiuyan, the reason the Prince isn't taking any action against you now is because the situation is unclear, and he's still observing. If Xie Linghui's rebellion succeeds, he will naturally treat you well, continuing to let you enjoy endless wealth and luxury; if the rebellion fails, you will be implicated in this heinous crime that would affect nine generations of your family. At that time, all it takes is a cup of poison from the palace, and you will perish, and even the Prince will be powerless to save you. Xiuyan, have you considered all of this?”
Xie Xiuyan felt ice-cold all over and unconsciously leaned against Wang Jin, grabbing his arm and saying, "What, what should we do?"
Wang Jin narrowed his eyes and said, "Now, why don't you elope with me? Let's go to Southern Yan or Northern Liang and live a carefree life. Who cares about treason, the punishment of nine generations of relatives, or wealth and glory? As long as we are of one heart, what do those things matter? We can spend our days composing poems, playing chess, and playing music. How pleasant our lives would be!"
These words stirred Xie Xiuyan's heart, and seeing Wang Jin's handsome and refined appearance, her heart was thrown into turmoil. She thought to herself, "His demeanor is so similar to Wang Lang's; could it be that Heaven has sent him to my side, promising me a wonderful marriage?" But then she hesitated, thinking, "But the Xie family..."
Wang Jin covered Xie Xiuyan's mouth and said, "Since the Xie family is willing to rebel with the Crown Prince, they must have already made thorough preparations. Why do you worry about the Xie family? Why not think about our matter? If Xiuyan loves me and wants to emulate the timeless love story of Hong Fu's elopement, then nod your head."
Xie Xiuyan had already been swayed by Wang Jin's words and felt that the Prince Duan's mansion was a dangerous place where she might lose her life. Furthermore, she had already harbored some affection for Wang Jin, and now that she had lost her virginity to him, her heart was even more devoted to him. Her pretty face flushed red, she lowered her head, and after a long while, gently nodded.
Wang Jin was overjoyed and hugged Xie Xiuyan, whispering many intimate words to her. Xie Xiuyan was even more intoxicated by his sweet words, wishing she could stay by Wang Jin's side a little longer. In the end, she reluctantly said goodbye and left.
As soon as Xie Xiuyan left, a clever and obedient page peeked in from the outer room. Wang Jin's tender expression had vanished; he said expressionlessly to the page, "Inform the young master that the plan is complete. Proceed as agreed in four days." The page nodded, turned, and left.
After that, Xie Xiuyan would secretly run to Wang Jin's place whenever she had a spare moment. Wang Jin doted on her and was very tender, and the two became increasingly inseparable. Xie Xiuyan couldn't wait to run away with Wang Jin. After two or three days, the two decided on a plan to elope and agreed to take a boat to Beiliang at the ferry crossing on the outskirts of the city.
The following night, the two escaped from the mansion and fled by carriage to the ferry crossing on the outskirts of the city without incident. They saw a small boat moored on the shore, and jumped off the carriage. As soon as they boarded the boat, they saw torches scattered all around and heard the barking of dogs. In the blink of an eye, dozens of soldiers surrounded them and shouted, "Who goes there? How dare you trespass here!" Wang Jin quickly loosened the ropes. Before the boat could even move, several soldiers dressed as captains escorted a burly man forward. The man was over forty years old, tall and broad, with a long beard and a dignified expression.
Upon seeing him, Xie Xiuyan immediately went limp and trembled uncontrollably. The burly man was none other than Xie Xiuyan's husband, Prince Duan of the Great Zhou Dynasty! Prince Duan held military power and had a habit of inspecting the military camps every month. Today, he had led his men to patrol along the river. This small ferry crossing was under curfew at night, and the sudden appearance of two men and women tonight piqued Prince Duan's curiosity. He took a few steps forward and shouted in a deep voice, "Who goes there? How dare you! Get off the boat!" As soon as he finished speaking, all the soldiers drew their broadswords and pointed them directly at the two people on the boat.
Xie Xiuyan was terrified, clinging to Wang Jin's arm, paralyzed with fear. Wang Jin held Xie Xiuyan in his arms, shouting at the top of his lungs, "Xiuyan and I are truly in love! We eloped from the palace today with the intention of dying! Don't think that just because you're a powerful prince you can separate us!" Upon hearing the name "Xiuyan," Prince Duan's expression changed drastically. Before Wang Jin could finish speaking, a cold arrow whistled through the crowd, striking Wang Jin in the right chest. Wang Jin cried out and tumbled off the boat. Xie Xiuyan was shocked and screamed, "Wang Lang!" She tried to pull him back, but Wang Jin had already fallen into the lake, tearing off Xie Xiuyan's cloak in the struggle. Xie Xiuyan's beautiful face was instantly exposed to the moonlight and torchlight.
The soldiers were stunned by Xie Xiuyan's stunning beauty, and then began to murmur amongst themselves. Xie Xiuyan's reputation for beauty had already spread throughout the capital when she was still a young woman, so some of the more discerning soldiers, after hearing Wang Jin's words and seeing Xie Xiuyan's true face, quickly guessed the connection and thought to themselves, "This is incredible! We've accidentally caught the Prince in the act!" Their eyes involuntarily turned towards Prince Duan.
Prince Duan was both shocked and furious. Gritting his teeth, he pointed at Xie Xiuyan and shouted, "Fine, very well! You wretched woman, you've finally done right by me!" Xie Xiuyan was already so shocked that tears streamed down her face. Seeing that things had come to this, she let out a desperate cry and jumped into the river. Chaos erupted on the riverbank.
Bright moon, cold wind, and a small boat drifting gently.
A small boat was moored in the reeds a few miles away. Chu Tong and Yun Yinghuai sat in the cabin, keeping watch by an oil lamp. They drank and chatted happily. Chu Tong looked outside and saw that everything around her was pitch black and she couldn't see anything. She couldn't help but worry and said, "I guess it's almost time. I wonder if we'll be able to meet the person that Young Master Wang asked us to wait for."
Yun Yinghuai said, "The time and distance have been calculated repeatedly by Young Master Wang, so there shouldn't be any mistakes. Let's wait patiently a little longer."
Chu Tong wrinkled her nose and said, "That's right. I wonder what Young Master Wang is up to this time, what brilliant plan he has come up with to resolve the crisis in the capital. When I asked him, he wouldn't tell me, he just told the two of us to wait here to receive the person."
Yun Yinghuai laughed and said, "What do you mean 'we'? Wang Lang originally wanted me to wait here alone, but you insisted on coming, so I had no choice but to bring you along."
Chu Tong snorted and said, "Young Master Wang has saved my life time and time again. I want to do something to repay him."
Yun Yinghuai took a sip of wine and smiled at Chu Tong, "I was originally afraid of putting you in danger and didn't want to bring you, but after thinking it over, I still brought you. Do you know why?"
Chu Tong blinked her bright eyes and said smugly, "Of course it's because I, the sect leader, am clever and intelligent. With me, your strategist, here, I can definitely help you turn bad luck into good and misfortune into good fortune."
Yun Yinghuai shook his head and said, "No."
Chu Tong thought for a moment, then lowered her head shyly, rubbing the hem of her clothes with her small hands, and said, "That's because my husband can't bear to part with me. He feels like he's missing me for three autumns if he doesn't see me for a moment, so he keeps me by his side to relieve his longing."
Yun Yinghuai almost choked, pinching Chu Tong's cheek and saying, "My little wife's skin is getting thicker and thicker, but that's not right."
Chu Tong slapped Yun Yinghuai's hand away and pouted, saying, "That's because my husband is afraid that if he leaves me alone, Young Master Wang will take me away."
Yun Yinghuai was taken aback, coughed lightly, and lowered his head in silence, only taking the hot wine and pouring himself a cup. Chu Tong asked curiously, "Could I have guessed right?" Then she leaned close to Yun Yinghuai and said with a grin, "Young master, are you jealous of Young Master Wang?"
Yun Yinghuai looked somewhat embarrassed, but still put on a serious face and said, "It's not entirely like that. Tonight the moonlight is so clear, it would be quite pleasant for the two of us to row on the river, which could enhance our friendship. Otherwise, why would the ancients say 'to cross the river together in the same boat,' instead of 'to cross the river together at the same table,' 'to cross the river together in the same carriage,' or 'to cross the river together in the same bed'... Ahem, this is naturally because the bond of life and death, and the friendship in times of hardship, are more evident on a light boat..." Yun Yinghuai was somewhat incoherent, but when he looked up, he saw Chu Tong resting her chin on her hand, listening with great interest.
Chu Tong smiled and said, "Young husband, your explanation is truly brilliant!"
Yun Yinghuai coughed to cover his embarrassment, and after a long while said in a low voice, "Xing'er, Wang Lang is sincere to you. It seems you know that, but you are just pretending not to know."
Chu Tong sighed, poured herself a glass of wine, took a sip, and said, "I'm not stupid, of course I know. But he's a young master from a wealthy family, and he'll inevitably have three wives and four concubines in the future. Besides, I'm already tired of staying in that mansion, and I just want to be carefree. Moreover, I'm full of gratitude and admiration for him. He's my number one best friend. The two of us talked late into the night by candlelight, drank wine, listened to music, and laughed heartily. It felt so wonderful. But if I were to become his husband, the feeling wouldn't be so pleasant; it would be quite strange."
Yun Yinghuai was about to say something when he heard the sound of water outside. Yun Yinghuai said with a serious expression, "They're here." He then got up and went out of the cabin. Chu Tong hurriedly peeked out to look. Yun Yinghuai stood at the bow of the boat for a moment, then suddenly leaped up, splashing through the lake water for two zhang (about 6.6 meters), pulled a person out of the lake, and then jumped back onto the boat with him in his arms.
Chu Tong glanced at him and saw that the man was a rather handsome man with delicate features, shirtless, shivering from the cold, with a wound on his right chest, but it wasn't deep. This handsome man was none other than Wang Jin.
Chu Tong hurriedly took out a heavy cloak and draped it over Wang Jin, then handed him some freshly warmed wine. Wang Jin, his hands trembling, took it and downed it in one gulp. He looked up and sized up the two men on the boat, then pulled a small bronze token from his belt to identify himself. Yun Yinghuai also took out the bronze token Wang Lang had given him and showed it to Wang Jin. Wang Jin stammered, "Quick, quick, weigh anchor! Behind us, behind us, the people are about to catch up, they're coming!"
Yun Yinghuai turned and went out to steer the boat. Chu Tong curiously looked Wang Jin up and down several times, thinking to herself, "Goodness, this handsome young scholar does resemble Young Master Wang in some ways, but Young Master Wang is more dashing and has a more transcendent air about him." Wang Jin also looked Chu Tong up and down several times, his gaze thoughtful. He asked Chu Tong for some wound medicine to bandage his wound, then leaned back in the cabin with his eyes closed and remained silent.
Yun Yinghuai rowed the boat very fast. After about an hour, he stopped the boat at the shore, went into the cabin, and helped Wang Jin out. The three of them got into a carriage, which took them directly to the courtyard of an ordinary farmer's house. The three of them went inside and saw Wang Lang sitting in the house waiting. He immediately stood up when he saw them enter.
Wang Jin immediately knelt down, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "This humble servant greets Third Master. Please rest assured, Third Master, I have done everything you instructed me to do."
Wang Lang remained expressionless as he helped Wang Jin up, saying, "You've done a good job, thank you for your hard work." He paused for a moment, then continued, "What have you thought about the two options I mentioned? The first is that I send you to Beiliang or Nanyan, the second is..."
Wang Jin immediately said, "Third Master, I have already decided to choose the second option."
Wang Lang sighed and said, "I guessed you would make the same choice... Never mind, our Wang family owes you, and we will naturally make it up to you." Wang Jin said, "Third Master, you are too kind. Third Master saved my life, and I should repay you tenfold." Wang Lang called Bai Jia into the house, gave her a few instructions, and then took Wang Jin away.
Wang Lang let out a long sigh, looking exhausted. He rubbed his temples and said, "Things have come to this point, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate. Success or failure will depend on these next two or three days."
Chu Tong couldn't help but ask curiously, "Young Master Wang, what kind of veiled meaning are you trying to convey? Tell me about it."
Wang Lang gave a bitter smile and said, "What's with the veiled threats? It's just a matter of using some tricks. I know Xie Xiuyan is lonely after her marriage and can't forget the past, so I found a man who looks and acts like me to sneak into Prince Duan's mansion and lure her away. On the day of the elopement, I made sure the prince and his men caught her there. Prince Duan is extremely concerned about his reputation, and he certainly can't tolerate being cuckolded. Even if he refuses to send troops to help me defend the capital, he certainly can't help Xie Linghui anymore."
Chu Tong exclaimed in admiration, "Brilliant! Young Master Wang's tactic is called the 'Handsome Man Scheme,' it's truly ingenious!" After saying that, she sighed and said, "I didn't expect Xie Xiuyan to be such a devoted lover, still thinking about Young Master Wang. In that respect, she's quite different from her brother." Wang Lang could only shake his head and smile bitterly.
Yun Yinghuai thought to herself, "Xie Xiuyan is quite affectionate towards Young Master Wang, but Young Master Wang uses affection to achieve his goals, and his methods are not exactly honorable." But then she thought that it concerned the lives of hundreds of people in the Wang family, and if it were her, she would probably sacrifice an outsider to protect her family's safety. She couldn't help but sigh and think to herself, "The court is full of intrigue and scheming all day long. It's really not interesting."
When the three rode back to the Prince's mansion, the moon was still high in the sky. After working all night, everyone felt a little hungry, so they ordered someone to bring them some fruit and cakes. Before they could even put them in their mouths, a servant ran up and said, "Third Master, someone from the Prince's mansion has sent a message!"
In an instant, all the retainers and advisors of the Prince's mansion gathered around. Wang Lang handed over the letter, quickly glanced through it, and then let out a long sigh of relief, saying, "Prince Duan said in the letter that he is willing to send troops to help me defend the capital." The hall erupted in cheers, everyone beaming with joy. Chu Tong patted Wang Lang on the shoulder and whispered with a smile, praising, "Congratulations, Young Master Wang, on your great success! Young Master Wang is as clever and resourceful as I am; truly a remarkable achievement!"
Wang Lang forced a smile, rose, and walked outside. Reaching the courtyard, he saw a crescent moon hanging in the sky, its serene light bathing the quiet space. Leaning against the jade railing, he gazed at the moon and sighed softly. These past few days, he had been tirelessly working to defend the capital, the entire responsibility of guarding the city resting on his shoulders. He thought that he was the only one in his generation capable of shouldering such a heavy responsibility, and that the Wang family's centuries-old legacy might be destroyed in his hands. He was inherently kind, and today, forced by circumstances, he had murdered Xie Xiuyan. Although his decision was resolute, the thought of his time with Xie Xiuyan now weighed heavily on his conscience, leaving him feeling depressed and tormented. In the main hall, facing the congratulations, he felt no joy, but his status required him to force a smile. Now, standing alone in the courtyard, gazing at the moon, he felt increasingly isolated, tears streaming down his face as he broke down in sobs.
Chu Tong followed behind Wang Lang, peeking out from the doorway. She saw Wang Lang standing alone in the corridor, his face buried in his sleeves, weeping. Chu Tong paused, thinking to herself, "Could it be that Young Master Wang is overjoyed at his great success and is weeping?" She recalled Wang Lang's forced smile from earlier but didn't think so. After a moment's thought, she realized the key point. She tiptoed to Wang Lang's side, put her hands behind her back, and gazed at the moon leisurely, saying, "Young Master Wang, at first you probably felt guilty, but after a while, you'll get used to it."
Wang Lang was taken aback. Chu Tong took out a handkerchief and handed it to him, saying, "You did this to protect the Wang family, so Xie Xiuyan should die. No matter how innocent she is, she has to die... just like Xie Linghui tried to kill me back then." Wang Lang silently took the handkerchief, pondered for a long time, and then asked, "Do you still hate Xie Linghui now?"
Chu Tong chuckled softly, shook her head, and said, "I haven't held a grudge since I slapped him at the martial arts tournament." Then, she added smugly, "I suppose I, Yao Chu Tong, am a magnanimous and heroic figure, capable of forgetting all grudges with just one slap!"
Wang Lang couldn't help but smile. Seeing that he was feeling a little better, Chu Tong beamed and said, "Young Master Wang, you are a big shot, and you have to make choices, so no one will blame you. You are incredibly smart, but you are not that ruthless and you are very kind. However, you will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the entire Wang family from now on. You can't be ruthless."
Wang Lang nodded, wiped away his tears, and then tucked the handkerchief into his sleeve, saying, "Give this handkerchief to me."
Chu Tong said with a grin, "In the future, I will give you countless gold and silver treasures. What is a small handkerchief worth?" After saying that, she made a face and skipped back to the hall.
Wang Lang held the handkerchief, watching Chu Tong's retreating figure, and thought to himself, "Chu Tong, you've gone off to live a carefree life in the martial world. How could I bear to keep you with me to live a life of intrigue and scheming? Now that you and Yun Yinghuai are in love, I'm keeping your handkerchief just to keep a memento..." Thinking of this, he looked back at the bright moon in the sky and sighed deeply.
The heroes are nowhere to be found amidst their glorious struggles.
Another month passed in the blink of an eye. The internal strife in the Great Zhou Dynasty was still unresolved. Xie Linghui led a large army to capture Zhongchuan, and the flames of war raged on. Fortunately, the imperial court was more composed in its troop deployment than before, striving to contain the rebels within Zhongchuan. With the assistance of Prince Duan, Wang Lang's defenses in the capital were naturally secure. Seeing that the Wang family was safe, Chu Tong and Yun Yinghuai bid farewell to Wang Lang. Wang Lang pondered for a moment and said to Chu Tong, "I don't know when we will meet again after you leave. I should give you a proper farewell. I heard that the apricot and peach blossoms in the suburbs of the capital are in bloom. In three days, come with me to the suburbs to enjoy the flowers, drink, and have a spring outing. That would be the best way to enjoy yourself. It's not too late for you to leave then." Chu Tong thought it made sense, but then worried, "The internal strife is still unresolved. If we go out for a stroll and drink, it would be terrible if something unexpected happened."