13. Dedication

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Before dawn, news of the disturbance at the Southern Army camp had spread throughout the court, stirring up a storm at once. The Grand Empress Dowager was furious. The emperor had defied her orders and left on his own, then gone to the military camp and caused such a tremendous commotion—an undeniable blow to her authority. The Xiongnu were equally displeased. A martial contest at the army camp on the very night their envoy entered the capital would be seen by anyone as an open provocation.

Yet, to everyone’s surprise, His Majesty—who had nearly lost his temper in public the previous night—was in an excellent mood now. He first respectfully apologized to the Grand Empress Dowager, then courteously explained matters to the Xiongnu: martial contests at the training grounds were a regular practice of the Imperial Guard. He had simply acted on a sudden impulse the night before and had indeed been somewhat thoughtless, but the envoy need not worry—there had been absolutely no other intention behind it.

After such a round of empty reassurances, no matter what anyone truly thought, at least no one could continue making an issue of it openly.

In a room on the western side of Weiyang Palace, Shi Nian stretched her limbs and let out a long sigh of relief.

“At last, I’m not the only one trapped in this pit of fire!”

“Could you keep your voice down?” Lu Zhiyao said. “Are you afraid no one will notice you?”

Shi Nian pulled a face. Somehow, even Lu Zhiyao’s face seemed less irritating now. She had been alone in the palace for so long, and seeing two familiar faces at last—though it was a pity they were not Su Geng—made her feel considerably more at ease.

Thinking of this, she asked the other man, “How are you? Is it serious?”

Nie Cheng lay on the bed and answered calmly, “Don’t worry. I won’t die.”

His words did little to reassure her. Liu Che had struck hard the previous night. Although he had come to his senses afterward and specifically sent an imperial physician to treat Nie Cheng’s injuries, Shi Nian remained deeply suspicious of doctors from more than two thousand years ago. Who knew what they were actually capable of?

That was why she had sneaked over today—to exchange information and, incidentally, check on their condition.

Nie Cheng gazed at her and suddenly said, “Speaking of which, I owe you my thanks. If Lady Shi had not thrown herself into danger, I might truly have been beaten to death.”

It was strange, now that she thought about it. When she had seen him being brutally beaten, she had rushed forward without thinking. Yet in retrospect, she could very easily have been struck by mistake. Shi Nian attributed the whole thing to her own lofty moral character—she was so loyal that she would even risk herself for someone who had once threatened her—and declared proudly, “Good. At least you know it. Though I didn’t expect you to be so useless that you couldn’t even beat Liu Che!”

Nie Cheng smiled faintly. He did not explain that after fighting one opponent after another for so long, he had already expended most of his strength. Besides, he had never intended to truly defeat Liu Che.

He and Lu Zhiyao had entered the Southern Army through Tian Fen’s recommendation. Their purpose, naturally, was to approach Liu Che. After the martial contest the previous night, Liu Che had taken an interest in them. Upon learning that they belonged to the Empress Dowager’s brother, he had immediately decided to transfer them to the imperial presence. The emperor had even patted Nie Cheng on the shoulder and said meaningfully, “I need loyal and valiant men like you at my side. I hope you will not disappoint Me.”

Even Nie Cheng had to admit that everything had proceeded remarkably smoothly. And when he thought of the most important reason for that success, his gaze sharpened and settled once more on Shi Nian.

“Compared to that,” Lu Zhiyao said at the right moment, “I’m more surprised that you and Liu Che actually have such a history together…”

Just moments earlier, Shi Nian had told them about everything that had happened since she entered the palace. Nie Cheng had already known most of it, with one exception: the man she had saved when she first arrived had actually been the Martial Emperor of Han, Liu Che.

Lu Zhiyao hesitated, clearly wanting to say something but unable to find the right way to begin. Shi Nian stared at him in confusion. At last, he could not hold back any longer.

“Well… you and the Martial Emperor of Han… how far have things gone? You wouldn’t… you wouldn’t have…”

He had been agonizing over this all night. He had personally seen Liu Che embrace Shi Nian in public the previous day, treating her with unusual intimacy. The others had also said that she was His Majesty’s newest favorite.

She could not possibly be that dedicated to her mission, could she?!

Shi Nian understood what he meant, and her face flared red.

“You—you—you… What are you thinking? We’re completely innocent! Nothing like that has happened!”

Lu Zhiyao still did not believe her. He muttered under his breath, “Really? Just holding hands and embracing? The Martial Emperor is actually that pure-hearted…”

Shi Nian was furious and embarrassed at once. After all, she was discussing such matters with two men. She instinctively glanced at Nie Cheng, only to find him propping up his head, smiling with half-mocking amusement.

“That’s right, Lady Junior Attendant…”

Hey!

She was just about to defend her innocence once more when Nie Cheng coughed lightly and composed his expression.

“Shi Nian.”

“Hm?”

“Liu Che has decided not to form a marriage alliance.”

Shi Nian nodded blankly. “Yes.”

Wasn’t this still information she had given them herself—something Liu Che had told her in confidence?

Nie Cheng smiled. “Half of our plan is complete, and it is all thanks to you. Shi Nian, you have done very well—better than I expected.”

Shi Nian stared at him for several seconds before a rush of delight rose from the depths of her heart. It was just like the feeling she had once had at her company, after working herself nearly to death to complete a project and then being praised publicly by her supervisor. She felt so proud that she completely forgot she had been forced into this job in the first place.

She caught sight of Lu Zhiyao’s unwilling yet speechless expression. Twisting her skirt between her fingers, she said coyly, “It was nothing. I was just lucky. Though I really did work hard—extremely hard. You could even say I’m an exemplary employee…”

Nie Cheng’s smile deepened.

“So, I’ll be relying on you for what comes next as well.”

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Shi Nian: “Yes… Wait, what?”

Later that day, Shi Nian was summoned to the Palace of the Xuan Chamber.

It was her first time visiting the emperor’s private residence. She had heard that whenever Liu Che was not spending the night with one of his consorts, he slept here. The difference between this place and the Palace of the Inner Court was immediately apparent. It was truly a hall of gold and jade, with carved beams and painted rafters. The gilded many-branched lamp in the main hall was already lit despite the daylight, its candle flames wavering as the young man seated beneath it read bamboo slips. His bearing was elegant and handsome, his appearance as radiant as jade.

When he saw Shi Nian enter, he waved her over before she could even offer a formal greeting.

“Come here.”

Shi Nian sat beside him. Liu Che had just circled something on the bamboo slips with his brush.

“What are you doing, Your Majesty?”

“Several men performed well in last night’s contest. I intend to bring them all before Me.”

Shi Nian looked at the bamboo slips. Sure enough, three names were written there. She knew Nie Cheng and Lu Zhiyao had to be among them, but to her astonishment, she could not recognize a single one.

Damn it. They were using small seal script now!

“Other than the two men Your Majesty selected on the spot last night, whom else do you intend to promote?”

“Do you remember the young man? The one who fought Lu Zhiyao at the end?”

Shi Nian recalled him. There had indeed been such a person. While Liu Che and Nie Cheng were fighting, he had been battling Lu Zhiyao. He looked no more than fifteen or sixteen, his features still boyish, yet his expression possessed a maturity far beyond his years. When they had separated midway through the fight, he had been unable to hold back a mouthful of blood, but had wiped it away casually without the slightest panic. His gaze had been resolute, hard as rock and steady as a pine.

“He did look rather impressive, but he’s too young…”

“His age is no concern. Given time, he may well become one of My chief ministers.”

Shi Nian idly lifted her cup and drank. She was plainly uninterested in his future chief ministers.

“Oh, right,” Liu Che added. “His name is Wei Qing.”

Shi Nian choked on her water.

She coughed again and again, and Liu Che hurriedly patted her back.

“What is it?”

“Nothing… nothing at all…”

Shi Nian wiped the water from her lips, her heart pounding wildly.

Heavens! Wei Qing! The great general Wei Qing, renowned throughout history! She had actually met him—and had not even recognized him!

Liu Che regarded her with suspicion. Shi Nian straightened and said solemnly, “Nothing. I simply think Your Majesty is absolutely right—completely right! Given time, Wei Qing will certainly become one of your most trusted ministers!”

Liu Che gave a soft scoff but did not pursue the matter.

“And what did you do this afternoon, My little fairy? I sent people to fetch you, but they said you had gone out. You have only just arrived.”

Shi Nian shifted uneasily. “Why do you keep calling me that?” Ever since the previous night, he seemed to have suddenly become enamored of the nickname and could not stop using it.

Liu Che smiled brightly. “What? Are you not My little fairy?”

Shi Nian met his eyes. They were like black onyx. Usually, his gaze was arrogant and commanding, but whenever he looked at her, it shimmered with gentle amusement.

Several hours earlier, Nie Cheng’s words had echoed in her ears once more:

“Don’t you think Liu Che has taken a liking to you?”

Lu Zhiyao had cut in, “Of course he has. Otherwise, why would I be fighting for my life in a melee below while she sits above us drinking something and watching? Feudal society is so unfair!”

Shi Nian was not a dull person. Boys had pursued her before, and during this period she had already vaguely sensed what was happening. After that embrace the previous night, she could no longer doubt it.

Liu Che truly did have romantic feelings for her.

Which raised the question: their mission was to bring him and Wei Zifu together!

Shi Nian forced herself to calm down. Being desired by the Martial Emperor of Han was somewhat alarming, but it was not incomprehensible. According to the historical records, he had always been that sort of man—romantic, passionate, and surrounded by beautiful women throughout his life. After everything they had experienced together, it was only natural that he would develop feelings for her.

All she had to do was redirect his interest toward Wei Zifu.

Shi Nian smiled brightly and skipped over the subject.

“By the way, have you thought of a way to cancel the marriage alliance?”

At this, Liu Che tapped his head with the bamboo slips and sighed in frustration.

“Don’t remind Me. I spent the entire day thinking about it and still could not come up with a solution.”

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The Han dynasty was not yet ready to tear away all pretense and go to war with the Xiongnu. This matter would have to be resolved through strategy. But with the Xiongnu envoys already in Chang’an, how could canceling the alliance possibly be easy? Liu Che also had to conceal his intentions carefully from the Grand Empress Dowager. That very morning, he had swallowed his anger and put on a performance of filial obedience at Changle Palace.

Even while complaining, however, he seemed to be in good spirits. Apparently, once he had made up his mind not to enter into the marriage alliance, even a difficult solution was preferable to enduring humiliation and submission.

“If you can’t think of anything, let’s go for a walk. It might clear our heads and broaden our perspectives. What do you say?”

Liu Che looked at her. “Do you truly only want to go for a walk?”

Shi Nian answered honestly, “I also want to see Wei Zifu. Now that the Xiongnu have arrived, she must be under tremendous psychological pressure. What if she does something rash again? Let’s go encourage her.”

Liu Che stared at her and suddenly asked, “By the way, you know that Wei Qing is Wei Zifu’s younger brother, don’t you?”

Shi Nian had not expected him to bring that up. After thinking for a moment, she said, “Is he? I’m not really sure. Oh, right—they have the same surname…”

“Yes. He was originally a horse slave in the household of Princess Yangxin. It was only because his elder sister became a marriage princess that he was specially selected for the Southern Army.”

“I see. Now I know.”

Seeing her innocent expression, Liu Che smiled softly.

“Let’s go.”

The two of them went together to the Palace of Fragrant Splendor. This time, they openly revealed their identities, and the palace naturally descended into a great commotion. At last, they dismissed everyone else, and Wei Zifu said respectfully, “I did not know that the people who rescued me last time were Your Majesty and Junior Attendant Shi. Please forgive my offense, honored lady.”

“No offense at all. We only wanted to see how you were doing. You’re fully recovered, aren’t you?” Shi Nian took her hand and spoke with warm familiarity.

Wei Zifu managed a faint smile. “I am well. Thank you for your concern, Junior Attendant.”

“Don’t be afraid. Although the Xiongnu envoys have arrived, there is still room to change matters. And even if you truly must go to the Xiongnu, His Majesty will do his utmost to grant any wish you may have.”

Having said this, she shot Liu Che a meaningful glance. He had no choice but to nod.

“Yes. I will do my utmost to grant your wish.”

Wei Zifu’s expression shifted.

“Truly? Then I… I do indeed have one request to make of Your Majesty.”

Liu Che was somewhat surprised. “Let Me hear it.”

Wei Zifu knelt and bowed deeply.

“I was wondering whether, if possible, Your Majesty could postpone the departure date for as long as you can.”

Fearing that he might misunderstand, she hurriedly explained, “I do not mean to delay matters deliberately. It is only that my younger brother came to visit me in the palace a few days ago and mentioned that the Xiongnu had just suffered a severe epidemic a month ago. I do not know whether it has been brought under control. I myself have no great concern, but most of the palace women accompanying me are physically frail. If something were to happen to them among the Xiongnu while the epidemic was still raging, I would never be able to set my mind at ease…”

“What did you say? The Xiongnu have just suffered a major epidemic?” Liu Che interrupted her. “Tell Me everything.”

Wei Zifu was taken aback.

“Yes… My brother said it happened in the fourth month. A serious spring epidemic broke out in the southern Xiongnu lands, killing many people and claiming countless cattle and sheep. He also said that the Xiongnu would likely face a difficult year… What is it, Your Majesty?”

What was it? He would like to know himself!

Liu Che rose and paced back and forth twice. Finally, he turned toward the window, still unable to believe his astonishing good fortune.

An epidemic had broken out among the Xiongnu, and countless people, cattle, and sheep had died. What did that mean?

He believed he had found his opening.

When he turned back, Wei Zifu was still kneeling there, looking flustered. It was the first time he had truly taken notice of her. Her face seemed inexplicably pleasing to him. He walked over and personally helped her to her feet, smiling.

“You have rendered a great service this time.”

The two stood very close together. Wei Zifu caught the scent of agarwood lingering on him, and her cheeks flushed with a shy, peach-and-plum delicacy unlike her usual demeanor. But Liu Che had no mind to admire her just then. He turned to Shi Nian and said, “Stay here and keep her company. I have matters to attend to. I’m returning to the Palace of the Xuan Chamber.”

With that, he ignored their farewells and turned to leave the inner chamber.

Yet he had not gone far before something struck him as wrong.

The outbreak among the Xiongnu had actually been mentioned by certain officials at court, but no one had taken it seriously. Very few people knew the details, so much so that Liu Che himself had not remembered it that morning. Wei Zifu said her younger brother had told her, but Wei Qing was merely an ordinary soldier in the Southern Army. How could he have known about this?

And how could he have known so much?

Liu Che turned around and walked back. Just as he reached the entrance, he heard Wei Zifu ask hesitantly, “Junior Attendant Shi, if I tell His Majesty this, will it truly mean that I need not go to the Xiongnu?”

Separated from them by a single wall, he could not see Shi Nian’s expression. But he could hear the certainty in her voice.

“Of course. And His Majesty will certainly think you clever and capable. He might even fall in love with you because of it!”