The night was quiet and still. Everyone in the Prime Minister's residence must have gone to sleep, so there was none of the daytime noise outside; it was serene.
Suddenly, she heard faint footsteps outside. Surprised, Zhuang Su turned to see what was happening, but Shen Jian secretly reached out and pressed her down. Zhuang Su understood his meaning and continued to pretend to be asleep. The people outside listened for a while, but seeing no movement inside, soon left.
Zhuang Su's brow furrowed slightly as she heard Chen Jian's voice, close at hand, ask, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Only then did Zhuang Su realize how close they were to the ground. Shen Jian's hand was on her shoulder again. She had her back to him and felt his breath gently brush against her neck. As it touched her, a tingling sensation spread along her spine and throughout her body, making her feel exceptionally sensitive.
The atmosphere that night was ambiguous, and Chen Jian's voice was low and hoarse. Zhuang Su swallowed hard, lowering her voice as well, and mumbled, "I can't sleep."
"What are you thinking about now?"
"Nothing..." Zhuang Su subconsciously shrank back. Just then, she heard Shen Jian say, "Still thinking about Qing Chen?" Zhuang Su felt her whole body stiffen as the words left her lips. She bit her lip slightly, but found herself unable to refute. For the past few days, she still felt something weighing on her heart. She wanted to go to Aunt Liu; perhaps Aunt Liu could tell her everything that had happened more than ten years ago. But now, she also seemed to be afraid of something. After a long silence, she sighed and asked, "Shen Jian, am I really useless?"
The person behind her was silent, breathing so lightly it was almost imperceptible. Zhuang Su, not hearing Shen Jian's response for a while, assumed he was asleep. Unexpectedly, a hand reached out from behind and gently pulled her into an embrace. Startled, Zhuang Su almost cried out instinctively, barely managing to suppress a sound. Then, Shen Jian's soft voice came from behind, seemingly close yet distant. He said, "Sleep, don't think so much."
Shen Jian held Zhuang Su in his arms, but made no further moves. Zhuang Su felt her heart pounding, thump, thump… in the darkness of the night, like the heaviest noise. She felt Shen Jian's forehead against her back, and in a daze, she realized that he was no longer the boy he once was. The current Shen Jian had a more reserved heart, making him unfathomable, yet she still felt that he seemed to carry a heavy burden…
From her initial associations with the One Leaf Alliance, Zhuang Su had always known that Shen Jian was more than just someone who had been abducted along with her. Now that she knew she was Qing Yuan's daughter, then—what about this person?
Shen Jian didn't speak, but Zhuang Su had a premonition. He was exhausted. That one sentence, though only brushed lightly across her heart, left a deep, lasting impression. Shen Jian was now the Flying Cavalry General of Han, while they were currently in the hostile state of Chu, constantly under the watchful eyes of others. Zhuang Su silently took a breath and grasped Shen Jian's hand that had wrapped around her from behind. She felt him stiffen for a moment, but no one spoke.
This scene was reminiscent of many, many years ago, when two children huddled together in a haystack for warmth. In an unknown and unfamiliar place, they relied on each other. Zhuang Su knew that for a very long time, Shen Jian might not have had anyone to "rely on," and at this moment, a certain part of her heart seemed to stir slightly.
With their breathing gradually slowing down, the two of them fell asleep without realizing it.
The first day was inevitably uncomfortable, but after a few more days, the two of them gradually got used to it. After all, they were familiar and trusting people, and while they used the pretense of "the Flying Cavalry General being obsessed with women" to the outside world, they always got along peacefully inside.
Another morning dawned, and when Zhuang Su awoke, the bed beside her was empty; Shen Jian was nowhere to be seen. She finished dressing and, as she opened the door, saw several maids waiting outside, each carrying toiletries. Zhuang Su called them in and, while helping them with their grooming, asked, "Where is General Feiqi?"
One of the maids replied, "Reporting to Miss, the General got up early this morning and is probably discussing matters with the Prime Minister. Since Miss is not yet awake, the General specifically instructed us not to disturb her."
"Oh, I see," Zhuang Su replied calmly. "Then I won't bother him."
The maid was about to respond when she glanced at the person walking beside her and exclaimed, "Second Young Master!"
Zhuang Su noticed that the maid's tone was merely surprised and doubtful, lacking much respect, as if she was taken aback by Liu Su's arrival. She looked up and saw that Liu Su was still dressed like a scholar in light clothes, and couldn't help but tease, "Second Young Master really doesn't have the airs of the Prime Minister's son."
Liu Su smiled and watched the maids leave with the things, her expression gentle: "What, Miss Zhuang'er, don't you welcome me in for a seat?"
Zhuang Su knew that he was worried that someone was watching them, so she didn't laugh at his formality and replied, "It is my honor to have the Second Young Master grace us with his presence."
Liu Su smiled gently, strolled into the house, and seemingly casually closed the door. With the door closed, the outside light was subtly blocked out. These past few days, Liu Su's frequent visits to Zhuang Su had become a routine; the two would "discuss music and rhythm," and the surveillance outside had gradually loosened.
As soon as Liu Su closed the door, a smile appeared on Zhuang Su's face, and she teased, "Second Senior Brother, I never knew you were such a master of pretense."
Liu Su was teased by her and gave her a disgruntled look. Not knowing whether to be angry or laugh, she could only shake her head helplessly and say, "I have something important to discuss with you today."
"Important matter? What is it?" Zhuang Su noticed his hesitant expression, and his smile vanished. There was only one person she could think of, so she asked, "Is it related to Shen Jian?"
Liu Su gave her a deep look and said, "Today is the day for the imperial cavalry to enter the palace to see the King of Chu."
Zhuang Su was puzzled: "An envoy from another country naturally wants to see the King of Chu, is there anything wrong with that?" As soon as she finished speaking, she seemed to guess something, and her face showed surprise. She asked again: "Does Chu dare to harm the envoy of Han? Even when the two armies are at war, they do not kill envoys. Does the King of Chu not even understand this?"
Liu Su thought of the current emperor and felt extremely troubled: "It's not the first or second time that the king has been willful. Now he hates the failure of the operation to eliminate the One Leaf Alliance a while ago and blames the Han Kingdom for the mistake. He just received the news from the envoy and has already prepared to set up this trap. It would be strange if the king cared about his reputation in the future."
Zhuang Su had heard a little about the King of Chu's words and actions, but Liu Su rarely showed such a troubled expression. She couldn't help but worry and asked, "Will Shen Jian be alright?"
"I'm afraid... things are not good." Liu Su looked up at Zhuang Su, his gentle tone tinged with helplessness. Seeing Zhuang Su get up to chase after him, he hurriedly grabbed her and said, "Chen Jian has already left with my father. You can't catch up. Besides, my father has already arranged elite troops. Even if you catch up, you won't be able to see him at all. Don't waste your energy."
Zhuang Su paused, turned back, and asked, "What should we do?"
Liu Su sighed softly and said, "Since Shen Jian dared to come to Chu alone, he must have made some preparations. There is no need to worry too much."
Zhuang Su frowned. She didn't understand why Liu Su was only telling her this now. Although he shouldn't have "colluded with the enemy" from his position, since he chose not to say anything, wasn't it too strange for him to suddenly tell her all this after Shen Jian left? Just as she was pondering this, Zhuang Su heard Liu Su say, "Su Su, maybe... Father is also planning to take action against you."
Zhuang Su finally understood. She was left in the Prime Minister's residence, so given her "relationship" with Shen Jian, she was naturally the biggest threat to the Flying Cavalry. If Shen Jian didn't surrender, she could be used as bait. Although using a woman as a bargaining chip to threaten a man seemed ridiculous, if it really came to that, for Liu Kun, it was better to have less than more.
Zhuang Su's gaze fell on Liu Su, her brows furrowing slightly. So he had come to tell her all this to keep her from danger. But what puzzled Zhuang Su was how she could escape now that she was trapped in the Prime Minister's residence.
"Second Young Master." Someone knocked on the door and called out from outside.
As if she had been waiting for this moment, Liu Su got up to open the door and casually took Zhuang Su's hand, asking the Nayan outside the door, "Is everything ready?"
“I’m afraid…it won’t be that easy.” Na Yan had just cleared away the spying eyes around him, and now he wasn’t afraid of being noticed. His gaze swept over Zhuang Su, but he spoke to Liu Su, “It seems that the Prime Minister has already made preparations. There’s no way to arrange a carriage to escort us away. Second Young Master, you’d better come up with a solution. When I came here just now, I saw a group of people coming this way.”
He seemed oblivious to Liu Su taking Zhuang Su's hand, his expression respectful, yet a strange smile flickered across his face when he looked at Zhuang Su. He hadn't paid much attention to Liu Su when he first saw her beside him, but upon learning she was "Miss Su," a hint of amusement crept into his mind. Sometimes he felt that the Second Young Master beside Miss Su Su possessed less of a recluse's air and more of a down-to-earth, worldly quality.
Liu Su guessed what the Grand Councilor was thinking from his expression, but there was no time to reprimand him. She could only suppress her smile and ask, "Is there any other way?"
“Yes. There’s a group of dancers in the manor who are going to perform at the banquet and are about to enter the palace. If we can sneak in, we should be able to get through safely.” Nagōn noticed the faint sound of approaching men and horses from Kazama, and hurriedly handed the package in his hand to Jōsu, urging, “If you’re going to leave, you have to hurry. The Prime Minister’s men are coming soon.”
Zhuang Su took the robe in a daze, only then realizing that her future whereabouts had been arranged by several people. But looking at the thin, sheer dance robe in her hand, she felt a vague sense of helplessness. This was a dance robe... and from just a casual glance, she could already tell that the style was daring, probably even more coveted than the beauties of the South Courtyard.
Suddenly, she gained a new understanding of the rumored lustful nature of the King of Chu...
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Feast at Hongmen between Chu and Han (Part Two)
Zhuang Su came out after changing into her dance costume. Liu Su glanced at her and awkwardly looked away. Zhuang Su, on the other hand, was much more at ease than him. She just chuckled and reminded him, "Shouldn't we be 'escaping for our lives'?"
Liu Su nodded and said, "I will accept your advice."
Nayan accepted the order and gestured for Zhuangsu to proceed. He noticed the approaching voices in the distance, and as he led Zhuangsu away, he glanced worriedly at Liusu, only to see that the person had merely waved him off casually. With a sigh, Nayan led Zhuangsu towards the backyard.
Nayan knew that Liusu staying would inevitably lead to further criticism, but if he didn't stand in her way, Zhuangsu probably wouldn't be able to leave safely. He led Zhuangsu through layers of walls and fences, and in the distance, they could vaguely see a group of slender women gathered together, chatting idly.
“Miss Susu, it’s over there.” Nayan pointed ahead and gestured, “As for how to blend in, that’s up to you.”
Zhuang Su nodded, lifted the hem of her skirt, and hurried over. Na Yan glanced at her retreating figure, worried about Liu Su, and hurriedly returned the way he came. In the distance, he saw a group of guards standing in the courtyard, surrounding Liu Su, and a heavy atmosphere hung over the entire place.
At this moment, Liu Su caught sight of Na Yan out of the corner of her eye, knowing that he had brought Zhuang Su with him, and a smile appeared in her gentle eyes. Her expression changed, and with her mind at ease, she became even more composed, and said with a smile, "Commander Liu, Miss Zhuang is resting in her room right now, so it's really inconvenient for her to see you."
Although Liu Su was not favored in the Prime Minister's residence, he was still the Prime Minister's second son, and the leader had to give him some face. However, on the one hand, Liu Kun's order was dead, which made him turn ashen when he heard Liu Su's words. He said, "Second Young Master, this is the Prime Minister's order. Please do not make things difficult for me."
"Difficult?" Liu Su frowned, looking somewhat troubled. "Miss Zhuang'er is just a woman; she can't possibly go anywhere. If you barge into her room like this, won't you ruin her reputation?" He paused, then smiled faintly. "Besides, it seems the woman in Commander Liu's household can't stand even the slightest bit of gossip..."
Commander Liu didn't expect Liu Su to suddenly bring up his shrewish wife. Seeing that although the people behind him didn't speak, there was a hint of amusement in their eyes, he couldn't help but feel slightly embarrassed. At this moment, he heard Liu Su say, "Actually, Commander Liu, why don't you send someone to guard this courtyard? As the saying goes, 'You can run away, but you can't hide.' Father didn't say you had to tie her up, did he?"
Upon hearing this, Commander Liu felt there was some truth to it, and his expression softened slightly. He waved his hand and ordered everyone to make arrangements on all four sides, leaving no room for error.
Liusu watched them busy at work, smiled, and casually walked past the door where the Grand Councilor was, asking in a low voice, "How is it going?"
Nayan replied, "The person has been brought here. Now it depends on Miss Susu's quick wit."
Liu Su frowned slightly: "The Prime Minister's residence has always been very secure. Could there be a problem with Su Su's side? It's a pity I can't get away to go there right now..."
Nayan glanced at him almost imperceptibly, a hint of mockery in his expression: "Second Young Master, do you know what you look like right now?" Liusu was puzzled, only to hear Nayan's tone rise slightly: "Like an old hen desperately protecting her chicks." Upon hearing this, Liusu took out his folding fan and tapped Nayan on the head, shaking his head slightly, not annoyed at all. He glanced towards the backyard, his expression deep, with a touch of worry.
Looking out from that spot, one sees deep, verdant vegetation.
Actually, Liu Su's worries were unnecessary. Before Zhuang Su even got close, someone suddenly took her hand and whispered in her ear with a smile, "Zhuang'er, why did you take so long to come?" The tone was particularly intimate. Zhuang Su noticed the gaze of another woman and was surprised to see Su Qiao's playful expression. For a moment, she was somewhat disoriented.
Su Qiao had already seen Zhuang Su approaching from afar. She had been dozing off to the side, but in the blink of an eye, she had rushed over to greet her before anyone else could ask. Zhuang Su's surprise made her smile, and she snuggled close to Zhuang Su's body. Su Qiao's fingers restlessly played with the strands of hair by Zhuang Su's ear, and she said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "The Alliance Leader sent me to pick you up."
As the voice brushed past her ear, Zhuang Su felt a sudden tightness in her heart. Su Qiao was unaware of the situation, which was why she could laugh so freely, but she wasn't. Zhuang Su noticed the curious glances occasionally cast at her by the women around her, and smiled bitterly without saying a word. Su Qiao had managed to infiltrate the Prime Minister's residence as the chief dancer; she didn't believe it was truly because Qing Chen had escaped safely to save her. Now that Shen Jian was in the palace, and now Su Qiao was added to the mix, she wondered if there were any other members of the One Leaf Alliance...
A gentle breeze stirred her hair. Looking up into the distance, Shi Zhuangsu noticed that the sky was filled with heavy, thick clouds, which, though clear, felt excessively oppressive.
Soon, no one came to urge them on, so the women who had been scattered earlier all became cautious in their words and actions, forming two lines and walking slowly towards the Chu King's Palace. Zhuang Su kept her head down the whole way, trying her best not to let anyone see her face. Su Qiao walked in front of her, wearing a brightly colored dance dress unlike the others, which conveniently shielded her from many gazes. When she took her last step out of the Prime Minister's residence, Zhuang Su felt a sudden lightness in her body. She subconsciously looked back, and the two large characters "Prime Minister's Residence" on the plaque appeared exceptionally solemn and dignified. Zhuang Su thought of Liu Su and couldn't help but worry that her departure might again implicate him. However, at this moment, she was barely able to protect herself, let alone others.
The group entered the Chu King's palace and were led to another courtyard. Because Su Qiao was the chief dancer, a private room was specially arranged for her. When no one was looking, Su Qiao brought Zhuang Su into the room and instructed her not to let anyone see them. Zhuang Su calmly agreed, and then saw Su Qiao being summoned to a banquet to perform.
Zhuang Su was naturally not foolish enough to get involved, so he hid in the house and waited patiently.
If Liusu's words were true, this would be a trap. Zhuang Su couldn't help but worry at the thought. But given her current situation, worrying wouldn't help. She sat blankly at the table, intently watching the sounds outside. Suddenly, she seemed to hear hurried footsteps; it sounded like several soldiers rushed past the courtyard, their long, drawn-out footsteps shattering the surrounding tranquility before fading into the distance.
Zhuang Su's heart skipped a beat, a sudden sense of foreboding rising within her. She hurriedly ran out of the courtyard, only to see the Chu Kingdom's guards coming and going. Everyone was in a rush, and several more groups of men followed. "Make way!" a guard shouted hastily, shoving Zhuang Su aside without even glancing at her. Zhuang Su's heart sank to the bottom; she could already guess what had happened.
Several eunuchs and palace maids came running towards him in a panic. Zhuang Su hurriedly grabbed one of them and asked, "Eunuch, what happened?"
"Don't ask anymore, the Flying Cavalry General has gone on a killing spree in the court." The eunuch was already terrified, and after giving a few perfunctory replies, he shook off Zhuang Su's hand and fled for his life.
Zhuang Su didn't even realize her hand had missed its target; her mind went blank with a "buzz." At that moment, the dancers had all rushed back. Su Qiao saw Zhuang Su standing in the middle of the open road, frowned, grabbed her, and pulled her into the courtyard and into the house.
Zhuang Su's hands were a little cold, and when Su Qiao grasped them, she felt that even the warmth of the woman's palm couldn't penetrate hers. As soon as they entered the room and the door closed, Zhuang Su couldn't help but ask anxiously, "Xiao Qiao, what happened?"
Su Qiao's beautiful brows were also furrowed, her eyes deep: "This is not good. It seems that the King of Chu is determined to do this. It is obviously a plan that was arranged in advance. Shen Jian just killed a few team leaders, but they did not resist anymore. It seems that he also knows that it is better to avoid trouble at this time."
"Shen Jian... has been arrested?" Zhuang Su felt his throat was extremely dry at this moment.
“Yes.” Su Qiao sighed deeply and said, “It will probably take several days before the alliance sends reinforcements. The young lady let me in so that we could have someone to look after us. We were gambling that if Shen Jian entered the palace, the King of Chu might not dare to make a move, but it seems we made a mistake. Now, we can only take it one step at a time…”
"A bet...? You're betting this?" Zhuang Suxin's heart sank, and she could only repeat herself unconsciously. The words lingered on her lips, a bitter taste spreading through her mouth. She asked, "Xiao Qiao, how many days will it take at the fastest from the One Leaf Alliance?"
"Ten days."
Ten days... Zhuang Su's ten fingers dug slightly into her palms, a slight pain shooting through her, and she uttered a soft question: "Can you get close to the King of Chu?"
Su Qiao didn't understand the meaning behind Zhuang Su's words. After thinking for a moment, she said, "After that dance just now, it seems that the King of Chu does have some feelings for me... Su Su, what do you want me to do?"
“If the King of Chu summons me, I hope you can find a way to make him drink this…” A packet of fine powder fell from Zhuang Su’s fingertips. She spoke softly, but her words were cold and detached. “Perhaps… I have a way to stall for ten days.”
Su Qiao took the packet of medicine from her hand, her gaze falling on Zhuang Su's face. She hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.
The following days were filled with agonizing waiting. One day, two days passed... On the third day, a eunuch finally knocked on Su Qiao's door, his voice sharp and shrill: "The King invites Miss Su Qiao to the back garden to admire the flowers together."
"They're here..." Su Qiao and Zhuang Su exchanged a glance, nodded secretly, and followed the eunuch. Zhuang Su secretly broke out in a cold sweat, watching Su Qiao being led away by the guards who had come with her. Seeing that the eunuch was about to leave, she suddenly called out to him, saying, "Eunuch, we sisters have been staying in the palace for a few days now, and we are very curious. We wonder if we could go and take a look around?"
Upon hearing this, the eunuch's gaze swept over her for a moment. Recalling how intimate Su Qiao had been with her earlier and how good his attitude had been, he chuckled and said, "Miss, please go ahead and see if you wish. Our king is quite easygoing, and there aren't many rules in the harem. Just don't go to the West Palace."
"West Palace?" Zhuang Su grasped the key point in the words and narrowed his eyes slightly.
The eunuch said, "That place is terrifying. A beautiful young lady like you wouldn't want to go to such a bloody place. You can wander around the palace freely except for the West Palace. Just remember to greet your master whenever you see him."
"I understand, thank you, Father-in-law." Zhuang Su smiled broadly.
"You're welcome, thank you. I'll be going now." The eunuch smiled and bowed to Zhuang Su before turning to catch up with the couple who had walked away. In his heart, he thought, "As long as you remember me in the future, you'll be able to take good care of me once you're favored."
Zhuang Su tidied her thoughts, and to avoid attracting attention, she changed into a more understated outfit before gracefully walking out of the courtyard. Since the eunuch had spoken, she left the dancer's courtyard without any qualms. She naturally didn't need to worry about Su Qiao; Zhuang Su was now only concerned about Shen Jian's whereabouts.
West Palace. Zhuang Su silently repeated these two words in her heart, searching and searching, the destination of which was obvious.
The only unexpected thing was that this rumored "West Palace" was surprisingly unguarded. While there were guards coming and going along the path, the closer one got, the fewer people there were. It was precisely because of the reduced number of people that the atmosphere felt somewhat eerie.
Zhuang Su stood before the archway, gazing at the two characters "West Palace" written in a flamboyant, calligraphic style on the stone plaque. She felt as if each stroke was a struggle, a twisted and distorted expression. Even standing at the entrance sent a chill down her spine. Zhuang Su cautiously peered inside, quickly scanning the space; there was no one there. She tiptoed in, stepping into a winding path paved with fine stones that led to the central residence.
The door was locked from the outside, the chain thick and covered in a mottled, gnarled rust from its long history, its green hue a deep, eerie green. Near the main entrance was a wide, open plain where the gravel path abruptly ended, as if swallowed up by an invisible maw.
Zhuang Su swallowed hard, climbed the steps, and peered inside through the slightly ajar door.
The room was dimly lit, and through the light, one could vaguely see the jumbled mess of torture instruments piled up everywhere. Zhuang Su finally understood why the people in the palace feared this place. At first glance, the metal objects gleamed with a cold, eerie light, clearly things used countless times. Faint traces of blood from previous tortures clung to them, dried and blackened by age, clinging for a long time. The metallic scent mixed with the smell of blood was pungent, sending a chill down one's spine, as if a deep-seated fear was rising from the very bones.
Zhuang Su suppressed the urge to run away, her gaze slowly sweeping across the room. Suddenly, a figure caught her eye out of the corner of her eye, forcing her to abruptly stop. It was too dark, so only a vague outline could be seen. Because the person seemed to be silent, they blended into the pile of inanimate objects and went unnoticed at first glance. Only when they were seen did they appear startling.
Zhuang Su's heart grew cold.