Heaven is the shore of mortal dust - Chapter 68
"Later, you boasted that you would crush the Turks. The Khan saw that your army was like a tiger descending the mountain, unstoppable. So he secretly sent a message to you, using your father's orders to force you to stop your army and come to negotiate. You only replied with one sentence: 'If I go, I will be imprisoned and shackled by you. How can I save my father? If you kill my father, there will be no tomorrow.' These words made the Khan admire you even more, and it was from that moment that the Khan began to desire you."
"Both sides held their own bargaining chips, and neither side could gain the upper hand. The Khan agreed to have you each lead five hundred men to the border between the two armies to negotiate. The agreed outcome was that you would cease hostilities, relinquish your position as Grand General, and the Khan would return your father to you."
"Unexpectedly, Cai Liangao, who was then the Left General of the Dayu Army, was already jealous of your talent and feared that you would surpass him and replace him. So he plotted against you from behind, accusing you of leading troops to negotiate as leading troops to defect to the enemy. When you returned to camp, he surrounded you with his troops. You did not know why and thought there was some misunderstanding, so you did not resist and were captured. When the Khan learned of this and heard that you would be punished by military law for treason the next day, he rushed to attack you with a large army that night. Because there was no command from you and it was too sudden, Dayu was defeated, and the Khan was able to save you. But you were determined not to surrender. The Khan had no choice but to use your father's life as leverage and promised that if you worked for him, he would release your father to return to the country. You were grateful for his life-saving grace and were eager to save your father. You had no bargaining chips and could not resist. You had no choice but to surrender."
Is that really how it is? Framed! What has Wei Zijun done to deserve this?! "Then... will they let my father go?"
“Your Majesty, you were also worried about this at the time, but if your father was not returned, it would be considered that you and your son were traitors, and your mother would be implicated. You could not bear to see the couple separated, so you wrote a letter, betting that Cai Liangao was once your father’s student, and sent your father back. Fortunately, although Cai Liangao was a ruthless and jealous person, he did not harm your father after seeing your letter.”
"Yes! However, my reputation in Dayu is going to be absolutely terrible." Wei Zijun gave a bitter smile and sighed slightly.
[Volume 2, Turkic Chapter: Chapter 60, Cause (Part 2)]
"It's not what the wise king thought. The wise king is strict in governing his troops and compassionate towards the people. He has always enjoyed a high reputation among the people. Since you were stationed in the left flank, there have been no more instances of our army harassing the border. Therefore, the soldiers and people of Dayu all love and respect you. They all think that you sacrificed yourself to save your father. Consider this: you hold the position of Grand General and have repeatedly won military merits. Your future is limitless. Dayu is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources. The Turks are in the cold north. You have no reason to surrender. The Emperor of Dayu probably also considered this and knew that you were acting out of filial piety, so he did not implicate anyone. However, since you have a son who has defected to the enemy, it is not appropriate to reinstate your father. Your father has thus taken the opportunity to feign illness and stay at home to enjoy his old age."
What Geshufa didn't dare to say was that after her father returned, he tirelessly searched for evidence to avenge her, but ultimately he couldn't defeat Cai Liangao. He became depressed and, in addition, fell ill from missing her, almost dying from the illness.
"Alas! In the end, I am a surrendered person. No wonder they treated me so disrespectfully." Recalling the tone of He Lu's voice when he spoke to her, she couldn't help but feel a little sad.
Upon hearing this, Chu Mukunwulichuo stood up abruptly, saying, "The wise king is upright and honorable, so why should he fear the words of others!"
Shuni Shichu Banchu continued, "Your Majesty, are you referring to the Shabolo Yehu who sent you back? Your Majesty, you are unaware that Ashina Helu is jealous of your talent. In terms of martial arts, no one in the entire Western Turkic Khaganate can defeat him, yet you were able to fight him to a draw. In terms of poetry and literature, he considers himself unparalleled in talent, but he is not even a fraction as good as you. In terms of military strategy, he is no match for you. You are superior to him in every aspect, while he is only slightly better in horsemanship and archery. He spends most of his time on horseback, unlike you Han people, so this small victory does not count as a victory for him."
"Yes, Your Majesty, you were granted the title of Left Wise King as soon as you arrived here, and the Khan favors you. You have led us in battles without a single defeat. The surrounding Supi, Eastern Turks, Geluolu, Chuyue, and other tribes are all terrified of you. Ashina Helu is only worried that your achievements are too great and will threaten his future succession to the Khan's throne. So he opposes you at every turn. Their entire Wunushibi tribe is also always opposing our Wudulu tribe."
“That’s right. Before, when the wise prince was around, they didn’t dare to do anything. But after he left, they bullied us even more. Now it’s good that the wise prince is back. Finally, he can stand up for us.”
They each offered their own accusations against the Five Crossbows tribe led by Ashina Helu.
"Yes! With the wise king's reputation, he will soon inherit the throne. At that time, the wise king will lead us to defeat the Roman Empire, crush the Dayu, let us rule the Central Plains, and let those Han people taste the flavor of our iron hooves." Hu Luju Quechuo, one of the five great Chuo, said excitedly.
Hearing that last sentence, Wei Zijun felt a little uneasy.
"However, I was saved by the people of Dayu, and I have received their kindness in the past six months. How can I possibly harm the people of Dayu? I only hope that the two countries can be on good terms, that the people can live in peace and happiness, and that we can stop fighting each other."
"Has the wise prince forgotten the Khan's kindness? The Khan treated you like a brother. Does the wise prince know how heartbroken the Khan is by your death? When he learned the news, he fainted on the spot. He refused to eat or drink, was exhausted, fell ill from grief, and felt his internal organs burning. I'm afraid... he doesn't have much time left." It seems that Hu Luju Quechuo is quite straightforward. He speaks without any regard for others' feelings.
Is it longing that has made her ill? Is it burning inside her? Wei Zijun looked at Geshu Fa with a puzzled expression. But she saw that he had lowered his head and was filled with sorrow.
"Your Majesty, Hu Luju Quechuo is right. He is ill from longing and also from regret." Seeing Wei Zijun's puzzled look, Geshu Fa explained, "When the Khan agreed to send troops to Dayu to the King of Chu, you objected, saying that Dayu was well-supplied with food and troops everywhere. Our army had traveled a long distance and lacked supplies. Entering it would be like entering a wolf's belly. Moreover, what if the King of Chu broke his promise after our army had fought so hard? At that time, the Khan did not listen to your advice and insisted on sending troops. Sure enough, the King of Chu miscalculated. Seeing that the situation was not good, he did not meet with you at Luling Mountain, but led his army to flee to Supi, where your entire army was wiped out. The Khan was filled with remorse and, coupled with his longing, fell ill. He could not eat or sleep, which eventually led to a serious illness and his body weakened. Since Your Majesty has not been here these days, the Khan has been bedridden and has been dragging on... According to the imperial physician, he may live for a year or two... Alas..."
Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun was filled with mixed emotions. Could longing for someone truly lead to this? No wonder he looked haggard and lost all his imposing presence, weeping uncontrollably upon seeing her. All of this was thanks to her. A touch of emotion welled up within her. After all, he had saved her first, and his longing for her came later. What wrong could he possibly have committed that was unforgivable? Alas…
“Wise King, please spend more time with the Khan during this period. You know his problem; he can’t sleep without you by his side. He hasn’t had a full night’s sleep in the past six months.” Geshufa stammered these words, his square face already flushed red.
"Ah!?" Wei Zijun almost dropped her jaw in shock. She slept with him?! What a joke! Even if such a thing were true, she wouldn't let the people below know! Could it really be true?! Recalling He Lu's disdainful words: "The number one male concubine of the Turks!" Impossible! If she were truly favored, how could she be a "male" concubine? Judging from the fact that her identity hadn't been exposed, those were just rumors.
Regaining her composure, Wei Zijun asked in a serious tone, "Where did the rumors come from? And who knows them?"
"What...rumor?" Geshufa asked slowly.
"Uh?...Sleep......" Wei Zijun stammered out the two words with great embarrassment, her jade-like face blushing.
The men surrounding her were stunned for a moment. They had never seen their powerful and influential Left Wise King show such a shy demeanor. It was truly a case of a girl changing a lot as she grew up... Wait, no, how could we describe our beloved Wise King like that? It was a sin, a sin.
“This…” Geshufa didn’t know how to answer. “This is not a rumor. The Khan can only sleep with a wise king by his side.”
"Nonsense! Such rumors are forbidden from ever spreading again! This... will damage the Khan's reputation," Wei Zijun said angrily. She was certainly not afraid of being unfairly blamed herself.
Seemingly finally understanding Wei Zijun's meaning, Geshufa said with relief, "Your Highness need not worry. Your subordinates all know that the Khan loves Your Highness as much as his own son, so he has no other thoughts. Your subordinates also know Your Highness's character and have never doubted you. As for some bad rumors, those are only spread by the right wing. Such rumors are rare in our left wing."
“You’re right not to believe me. Let me tell you, that’s not true.” Wei Zijun hurriedly stated her position.
Several subordinates couldn't help but mutter to themselves, "He's forgotten everything, so how could he possibly remember whether this matter actually happened? Even if it did, he's still their beloved Left Wise King, nothing will change, so why is he in such a hurry to clarify things?" However, their Left Wise King, though incredibly brave on the battlefield, seemed to need a strong, dignified man to care for him when he was off the battlefield.
Seeing the furtive manner of these people, Wei Zijun was annoyed and unhappily tried to stand up to dismiss them, but then Ashina Yugu ran in, shouting, "Feng—why did you run away again? Don't you know I can't sleep without you? Come back and sleep with me!"
Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun nearly fell off her chair. She cried out inwardly and helplessly rubbed her forehead; she was completely stuck in this mess.
The soldiers around her glanced at her expression and almost sneered. Their faces flushed red, they all bowed and took their leave.
[Volume 2, Turkic Chapter: Chapter 61 Old Feelings]
"Feng, I know you don't like beards. Look, isn't it clean?" After bathing, Ashina Yugu stroked his clean-shaven chin, hoping to receive a compliment from Wei Zijun.
"Hmm!" Left with no other choice, Wei Zijun had to put down the book in her hand and respond with a soft "hmm."
"Why are you just giving me the runaround again!" Ashina Yugu was annoyed and grabbed Wei Zijun, refusing to let go.
"Hmm! Clean!" This had happened countless times that night. She forced herself to suppress her impatience and continued to appease him, after all, he didn't have much time left.
"Then, won't you touch it?" He finally revealed his purpose.
Wei Zijun found it amusing. So this was the purpose that had put him in such a difficult position, asking repeatedly like a child.
Suppressing a laugh, I reached out and touched it, but couldn't help bursting into laughter again.
Upon seeing her laugh as if she had seen through him, Ashina Yugu felt a surge of embarrassment and dared not look into those smiling, watery eyes that were shooting straight at him.
He was more anxious than he had been six months ago.
The two fell silent for a moment, when the drumbeat sounded, signaling that it was already the second watch of the night.