Heaven is the shore of mortal dust

Chapter 133

Wei Zijun was stunned, recalling the battle at Khotan two years ago, when she shot Zan Xiruo dead on horseback with an arrow.

“Your Excellency is mistaken. There is no right or wrong on the battlefield. If your son had not invaded our land, how could he have died such a tragic death? Do you think Your Excellency is so ignorant of such a simple principle?” Wei Zijun looked at Lu Dongzan with her clear eyes. Regardless of whether he was an enemy or not, first and foremost, he was a father, and she felt guilty about that.

"I know I am in the wrong in this matter, and I do not wish to discuss it further."

"To say that Da Lun has no hope left sounds like a joke to Wei Feng. The Lu Dongzan family has always held power in Tibet. Tibet's strength depends entirely on Da Lun. Da Lun is skilled in military training, discipline, and administration. He has expanded the territory, established laws and regulations, consolidated royal power, and participated in major military and political affairs. He has not only eliminated rebels, divided the land into official positions, investigated farmers, demarcated land boundaries, and established a register of men, but also quelled rebellions, unified the Qiang tribes, and expanded the territory, achieving victory after victory..." Wei Zijun paused, glancing at Lu Dongzan's expression, "With such a grand vision, how could he be someone without hope?"

Lu Dongzan remained calm. "The Khan is indeed worthy of his reputation. However, whether there is any hope or not is now like meat on a chopping board, beyond our control."

“No, as long as you still wish, I can give you a greater opportunity to showcase your talents. I have long admired your abilities and would like to invite you to join me in the great cause of the Turks. Are you interested?” Wei Zijun’s eyes shone brightly as she looked at Lu Dongzan.

"I am not talented enough, I do not have that kind of fortune," Lu Dongzan coldly replied. It was clear that he was not the kind of person who would curry favor with the powerful or live a life of compromise.

"In that case, it is not difficult for you to understand. If you ever come to your senses, come and find Wei Feng."

That very night, Wei Zijun ordered people to spread rumors that Lu Dongzan had endured humiliation and surrendered to the Western Turks.

Wei Zijun did this to sow discord within the Tibetan government. Gar Tongtsen was highly trusted and relied upon by Tibet, which relied on him to strengthen the nation. Furthermore, his son, Qinling, was not only brave and skilled in battle, but also eloquent and farsighted. If the relationship between the Gar Tongtsen family and Songtsen Gampo could be alienated, it would be a significant blow to Tibet.

If Songtsen Gampo learned of Gar Tongtsen's surrender, he would certainly be wary of the Gar Tongtsen family. This would sow discord between the Gar Tongtsen family and Songtsen Gampo, causing them to be distracted. This would weaken the powerful Tibetan forces and reduce the threat Tibetans posed to the Western Turks and the Great Yu. This was Wei Zijun's objective.

The next day, as the army set off, rumors of Lu Dongzan's surrender were already circulating throughout the troops. Upon hearing these increasingly outrageous rumors, Wei Zijun smiled.

At noon, when the army reached the open field between Zhujubo and Shule, a scout reported that Gongsong Gongzan had failed to capture Shule and had retreated south to join Lu Dongzan. He was unaware that Lu Dongzan had been captured.

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun sighed, "Gongsong and Gongzan are commendable in their courage, but when it comes to military strategy, they are far inferior to their father."

It's no wonder she sighed like that; this man had been defeated by her countless times.

Her cool gaze swept over the generals, her tall and elegant figure radiating an unapproachable light that even eclipsed the snow-covered landscape. "The entire army shall set up camp and rest, awaiting the arrival of Gongsong Gongzan." By waiting in comfort, she had already gained the upper hand.

The winter sun was both cold and warm. The sunlight streamed in through the skylight in the tent, soft and gentle, falling on the quiet, orchid-like figure. The bright light reflected off the words on the book, somewhat dazzling, but her gaze did not linger on the words.

Shaking his head to clear his mind of the heavy thoughts, he stood up and pushed open the tent door.

The sun outside was still warm, but the north wind was cold, and the weather was frigid, freezing even the warm sunlight. "People admire flowers in spring and snow in winter, but Khan, with such a distant gaze, are you admiring people?" A somewhat familiar voice sounded from the side. Wei Zijun turned around, and a figure in a dark blue robe walked past and stopped in front of her.

Wei Zijun's lips curled slightly. "General Zuo Tunwei, are you also interested in appreciating the snow?"

"Such fine weather, it would be a waste not to come out for some fresh air. However, while Buzhen isn't admiring the snow, I am admiring people." Ashina Buzhen's blue eyes swept over Wei Zijun several times before he slowly spoke, "Still so captivating, that allure is unforgettable. Thinking of her panting body in the woods, her beautiful red lips, her snow-white buttocks, Buzhen can't sleep at night..."

"Ashina Buzhen—" Wei Zijun's eyes were icy cold, yet a hidden flame of anger rose within them, "Do you know your own identity? Do you know what you should and should not say?"

Ashina Buzhen smiled slightly, "Khan, please calm down. I was just talking about an old story and did not violate any military regulations. Besides, I did not mention any names. There is no need for you to panic, Khan."

"No matter what you say, the Khan has a way to punish you with death, so you'd better shut up immediately." Wei Zijun's face was cold as he stared into his pair of blue eyes. "Otherwise, if you speak disrespectfully again, I will make you disappear from here immediately."

Ashina Buzhen chuckled, "Khan, Buzhen will shut up. Oh, by the way, Buzhen has an item that I'm sure the Khan will be interested in. Would the Khan like to go with Buzhen to take a look?"

"If you want me to see this, then bring it to the main tent and present it here?" Wei Zijun said coldly, then flicked his sleeves and was about to leave.

"Khan—" Ashina Buzhen exclaimed, "This item concerns the Khan's identity. If it gets out, it could cause a huge uproar and even put your father in danger. Are you sure you don't want to see it, Khan?"

These last words made Wei Zijun stop in her tracks. She felt a vague unease and wanted to follow him to see what was going on, but then she remembered the invisible poison he had once inflicted on her. After hesitating for a long time, she finally followed Ashina Buzhen to his tent. Before entering, she instructed Fuli beside her, "Remember to come in and call me Khan in half an hour." Once inside the tent, Wei Zijun looked around warily. Seeing nothing amiss, she felt somewhat relieved.

Ashina Buzhen laughed heartily upon seeing this, "Khan, rest assured, I, Buzhen, would never resort to such methods again. Now we both serve Dayu, and with this army of 100,000 here, if you were to make a mistake, would anyone not know?"

Wei Zijun pursed his lips, his face expressionless, but he was unusually vigilant. "Take it out, let me see what it is that would make the general so concerned."

Ashina Buzhen smiled gently, "Khan, no rush, have a cup of tea first, I'll go get it right away." He brought a cup of tea to Wei Zijun, who took it but did not drink it.

Ashina Buzhen burst into laughter again upon seeing this, "Khan, please drink as you please, there's no sleeping potion in it, ha ha—"

Wei Zijun forced a faint, indifferent smile. "General Zuo Tunwei, you should hurry up. I, the Khan, have limited time."

Ashina Buzhen didn't make any more excuses. He turned and walked towards the bed, taking out a piece of Xuan paper from under the pillow. It seemed to have a drawing on it, as the colorful patterns shone through the paper. He unfolded the Xuan paper and laid it on the table. Wei Zijun slowly walked over and looked at it from a distance. It was a portrait, but he couldn't make out who it was. Judging from his previous tone, it seemed most likely to be related to her, or perhaps it was her.

When Wei Zijun walked up to him and took a closer look, he was stunned.

She was prepared for the portrait to be of herself, but she was still somewhat shocked because the portrait depicted her dressed as a woman.

The woman in the painting has the exact same face as her, and the brushstrokes are incredibly lifelike, perfectly capturing her aura of both cool elegance and alluring softness. Her eyes are clear, her lips curved in a smile, her beauty as captivating as a newly blossoming flower, her grace as ethereal as dewdrops on a lotus root. A delicate, watery purity is tempered with a profound and captivating charm. A thin red veil drapes her slender figure, revealing her curves in all their glory, like ripples on a dreamlike sea. Within this almost illusory perfection lies a breathtaking realism.

Even she herself didn't know how she would look dressed as a woman; she never expected it to be like this.

A myriad of emotions suddenly welled up in her heart. Perhaps she would never have the chance to wear women's clothing in her entire life.

"Khan—" Ashina Buzhen looked at her surprised expression and smiled meaningfully, "If the Khan were dressed like this, he would probably be even more radiant than the person in this painting."

Wei Zijun steadied herself, a slight smile playing on her lips. "I'm afraid neither of us will ever have the fortune to try on this woman's dress in our lifetime." She raised an eyebrow at Ashina Buzhen. "Is this all you've shown me? What a waste of time." With that, she flicked her sleeve and turned to leave.

"Khan—" Ashina Buzhen cried out urgently, "Do you really want me to spread this painting?"

Wei Zijun paused, a chill running through her. If this painting were to circulate, it would surely bring trouble to her and her family, because its appearance would inevitably lead people to suspect that she was a woman, since the painting so clearly indicated that she was a woman.

However, she couldn't show too much concern for the painting.

Wei Zijun's eyes flickered, a chill creeping into them. "Let it circulate? Why would the General do such a thing? What good would it do you? I haven't even held the painter accountable for painting this picture. Does the General really think I'll let you do whatever you want?"

"Khan is overthinking it. Bujn had no intention of spreading this painting; he just wanted to know if the Khan was really like that."

Wei Zijun's eyes grew even colder. "What can you do about it, whether it is or not? Besides, this doesn't seem to be something you should care about. It's as if I, the Khan, don't need to explain anything to you. If you insist it's not true, then it is. What can you do about it? General, aren't you afraid I'll kill you for acting like this?"

"A Khan is a man of integrity and would never treat human life so lightly. There must be a reason for the Khan to kill. You and I should have already reconciled. I once thought of harming you and even tried to kill you, but since I failed, it must be fate. Khan, sit down and have a cup of tea. Let me tell you in detail about the origin of this painting." After saying this, he ordered someone to brew a pot of fresh tea.

Ashina Buzhen poured two cups of tea, handing one to Wei Zijun, then taking one for himself. He sipped and gestured to Wei Zijun, saying, "Khan, please try this. This tea is brewed with snow lotus from Baishan Mountain. It strengthens muscles and tendons, dispels cold, invigorates yang, and prolongs life. You must not miss it." Seeing Wei Zijun pick up the teacup, he continued, "The creator of that painting was Zhang Shi, whom the Khan greatly admires. It was obtained by chance in Zhang Shi's tent after I, Buzhen, surrendered to the Emperor of Dayu when the Khan was confronting the Dayu army."

Wei Zijun was startled upon hearing this. It was Zhang Shi? Had he noticed something? After thinking about it, she thought to herself, "Luckily it was Zhang Shi. If it were someone else, the consequences would be unimaginable. If she were to undergo another physical examination in court, she wouldn't be able to escape."

In her turmoil, she subconsciously brought the tea to her lips. Just as she was about to sip it, she looked up at Ashina Buzhen and saw him calmly drinking his tea. After a moment's thought, she carefully put the tea down. Facing the thieves, she could not afford to make the slightest mistake.

Ashina Buzhen was surprised to see this, "Khan, won't you give it a try?"

Wei Zijun smiled slightly, "I'm feeling quite hot today; I shouldn't drink anything too nourishing." She then lightly flicked her sleeve, about to rise, when just then, a loud shout came from outside the tent: "Wind—"

Volume 3, Dayu Chapter 119: Spring Poison

A moment later, a person rushed into the tent. Wei Zijun looked up and saw that it was He Lu.

He Lu entered the tent and strode up to the two men, his cold eyes fixed on Ashina Buzhen.

Upon seeing this, Ashina Buzhen smiled, his slender, handsome face beaming. "Oh, General Zuo Xiaowei, please sit down and try my White Mountain Snow Lotus."

He Lu looked at him coldly, "General of the Left Guard, how can I refuse such a pleasant request from you?" After saying that, he picked up the tea that Wei Zijun had just put down and drank it all in one gulp.

"This...this...He Lu..." Wei Zijun raised her hand to grab He Lu, but He Lu had already drunk the tea. Wei Zijun sighed inwardly, how could he be so reckless? She hoped that he was alright.

Ashina Buzhen's eyelids froze as Helu drank the tea, his hand that was pouring it pausing. After a moment, he chuckled dryly, "Helu is in such a hurry, he must be thirsty."

"Ashina Buzhen, I warn you, remember the debt from the kidnapping in the forest a year ago. If you harbor any ill intentions again, I will not forgive you." He Lu's icy gaze pierced Ashina Buzhen, like that sharp arrow from years ago, as if it had pierced his body. Then he stood up, pulled Wei Zijun beside him, and walked outside.

"Wait." Wei Zijun stopped and walked towards the painting. "Get the flint."

He Lu glanced at the painting and froze. He reached out to take it away, but Wei Zijun grabbed his wrist. "Don't move."

He Lu immediately understood Wei Zijun's meaning; she was afraid the painting was poisoned. He smiled and said, "Don't burn it, it's a pity, it's quite beautiful." He then rolled up the scroll and put it in his bosom.

As soon as they stepped out of Ashina Buzhen's tent, Helu grabbed her wrists with both hands, a hint of anger in his voice. "He treated you like that, how could you be so careless and go into his tent so easily?"

Wei Zijun pouted, "You were the one who was careless. You drank his tea and took his painting. Luckily nothing happened, otherwise..." Before she could finish speaking, she felt a sharp pain in her wrist. Wei Zijun looked at He Lu in surprise and saw large beads of sweat on his forehead, his face flushed, and his arm tightly gripping her slender wrist, as if he was enduring great pain.

"He Lu—" Wei Zijun exclaimed in shock. He's been poisoned? That damned Ashina Buzhen, he really did have ill intentions. "The army doctor—quickly, call the army doctor—"

Wei Zijun dragged He Lu into his tent, anxiously stroking his burning face, "He Lu, where does it hurt? Bear with it, the army doctor will be here soon, you will be alright, you will be alright."

"I'm so hot." He Lu tore off his outer robe, leaving him in only a snow-white undergarment. He pulled Wei Zijun into his arms and held her tightly, his body trembling from the effort.

Wei Zijun was startled. Could it be that he had been poisoned by aphrodisiac? It seemed that Li Tianqi had been poisoned once before, and had the same symptoms. If so, there was no need to panic; he could handle it himself. Presumably, Ashina Buzhen wouldn't dare to use too much poison. Just as she was thinking this, He Lu's kisses came crashing down on her.

"Khan—the medic has arrived!" a voice shouted from outside.

"Quickly call him in." Wei Zijun pushed away He Lu, who was clinging to her, and straightened her clothes, which he had rumpled.

The army doctor, who had come with the Dayu army, was highly skilled in medicine. After taking He Lu's pulse, he looked helpless and said, "Your Highness, this humble servant is powerless to help."

Upon hearing this, Wei Zijun's heart sank. "How could this be? Isn't it aphrodisiac? He should be able to handle it himself, right?"

"Your Highness, this poison is no ordinary poison; it is a rare poison from the Western Turks. If combined with the White Mountain Snow Lotus, there is no antidote. Those who are poisoned will lose all their power in an instant and must have intercourse with a member of the opposite sex within half an hour. Otherwise, they will bleed from all seven orifices and die within half an hour. I have already given the general a calming and tranquilizing pill to alleviate the pain, clear his mind, and prevent him from harming himself. However, he will still die from the poison in half an hour."

"In that case, how can you say there's no solution? Wouldn't finding a woman be enough to cure the poison?" Hearing that he might die, Wei Zijun's heart tightened.

“Your Highness, that is true, but this army is all men, and there isn’t even a village within a hundred miles. Where would we find women? Your Highness, please don’t be too anxious. The general has taken my medicine and will be able to depart without suffering.” Perhaps it was because doctors were used to death that they spoke of it with indifference and ruthlessness.

Wei Zijun slumped onto the couch and waved to the military doctor, "You may leave."

Looking at He Lu, who had fallen silent on the bed, her eyes welled up with tears. "He Lu, I won't let you die."

He Lu grabbed her hand and chuckled, "Don't cry. If you strip naked and show me before you die, I'll be able to go in peace. You've seen me naked, but I haven't seen you yet. Isn't that unfair? Hehe—"

"He Lu—" Wei Zijun whispered, tears streaming down her face, "I won't let you die."

Then she wiped her face, turned and rushed out of the tent, "Pass down the order—whoever finds a woman within a quarter of an hour will be promoted three ranks and rewarded with a thousand taels of silver—"

Then she personally went to the logistics camp, searching the entire quartermaster area, hoping someone might have accidentally let a woman in. But this wasn't the palace, nor the mansion; there were no maids or servants here. Yes, even a servant would be fine; she couldn't even consider whether He Lu could accept it.

Time ticked by. She walked back to Helu's tent, leaning against the door, unwilling to go inside. Thinking of all the moments they had shared, the times he had risked his life alongside her, the many times he had saved her, the unwavering devotion he had shown her until the ends of the earth—tears blurred her vision. She couldn't let him die. How could he die so pathetically, dying over such a trivial matter? What a fool.

He's such an idiot, always causing trouble and meddling in other people's business. If he hadn't come, she would have left long ago. He always makes her restless, but she can't let him die. She'd rather he bother her for the rest of his life than have him die.

If she ignored Ashina Buzhen, if she didn't look at his painting... that painting!

Wei Zijun's mind went blank. She was a woman! How could she forget that she was a woman! Perhaps this man had been doing this for too long, and in his haste, he had forgotten that he was a woman.

But should she really do it? She didn't have the courage; it was a shameful thing for her, how could she do it? But it seemed there was no other way out.

She leaned against the large tent, covering her face with her hands. The wind blew her long robes, the hems fluttering in the breeze. She wished time could stop there, never to move forward again.

A pair of large hands stroked her hair, "Wind—"

She removed her hands, looked at him, her eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions.

His face was flushed with an unnatural redness, making him look even more beautiful and causing people to be momentarily stunned. "I'm better now. You see, the army doctor's medicine is very good. I don't feel hot or uncomfortable anymore."

"He Lu—" Before she could finish speaking, He Lu pressed his finger to her lips. "Shh—don't make a sound." He gazed at her, his eyes gently lingering on her, scrutinizing every detail of her face, staring intently, so desperately, as if trying to imprint her image into his heart. His long fingers caressed her forehead, which she had just been walking on the street, her cheek, her delicate nose, and then touched her lips. "When you sleep, you suck on my fingers." He chuckled, his affection growing deeper with each passing moment, his long fingers tracing the lines of her face. "I always want to be by your side to protect you, but I always end up causing you trouble."

Wei Zijun looked at him, took a deep breath, and resolutely pushed He Lu into the tent. Then she said to the surrounding servants, "Everyone, retreat to a distance of a hundred paces and stand guard. No one is allowed to enter. Anyone who disobeys will be executed."

After all the surrounding spies had retreated, Wei Zijun entered the main tent, straightened her body, and slowly walked to He Lu. "He Lu, I am a woman! I will help you detoxify!"

The elegant and beautiful person was stunned.