Chapter 9

The woman in the violet dress carried a faint, ethereal fragrance; her skin was as white as snow, her beauty like that of a flower. Even now, her face drained of color in fear, she remained heartbreakingly lovely. After being startled by her, Gu Wan fixed her gaze upon the woman’s face and found it oddly familiar. She quickly searched her memory, and in the next instant, a name and a matching face surfaced in her mind.

Yu Manzhen.

—Since these memories were not her own, there was a certain distance to them; people who had left little impression on the original owner were harder to recall, almost like a trigger was needed.

Yu Manzhen had been a close friend of the original owner. The original owner disliked socializing, so she had few confidantes; calling them “close friends” rather than “bosom friends” was deliberate. Still, with so few friends, the memories from back then were far from shallow. Yet, the last years of the original owner’s exile were so searing that the laughter and games of girlhood seemed faded, like tales from a previous lifetime.

But why did this woman seem so strange, so out of place?

And the name “Yu Manzhen”—the moment it surfaced, Gu Wan was struck by another, inexplicably familiar sensation. But it wasn’t because of the original owner's memories! She couldn’t quite place the reason, but at that critical moment, she had no time for such musings. Pausing only a heartbeat, she cursed under her breath, ignored this lunatic, and with a swift movement, pressed down and lifted, seizing Yu Manzhen and pressing a dagger to her throat, shoving her forward!

“Stop!”
“Did you hear me?!”

In the damp, tangled grass, though mud and grass clung to Gu Wan’s clothes, she appeared anything but disheveled. Her large almond-shaped eyes shone brightly. On the other hand, Yu Manzhen, with her bright attire, looked utterly wretched. Gu Wan raised her voice in a commanding shout.

She knew full well that the jail guards would not halt their assault, but weren’t these people here to rescue the Xie family? Whether they intended to save or seize them, she would treat them as allies—their goals aligned, their blades should face outward together.

The one dueling with Xie Ci was a young man of about eighteen or nineteen, his face half covered by a black cloth, exposing a luminous, unblemished forehead and a pair of slightly upturned, phoenix-like eyes—sharp and bright. He started in surprise, and he and his men pulled back their swords, turning to see what had happened.

Gu Wan flashed them a quick smile and pressed her dagger more firmly against Yu Manzhen’s neck. The sharp edge broke skin, and a thin line of bright red appeared against her snow-white flesh—strikingly vivid.

Among the young man’s followers, several were as skilled as he. Their leader, a burly man with a thick beard, exchanged glances with him. Though they hesitated, unwilling to act rashly, the jail guards had no such qualms. Taking advantage of the discord, they surged forward, attacking with renewed ferocity.

The bearded man and his comrades could hardly stand idly by and be slaughtered. With a look to their leader, they turned to block the guards’ onslaught.

Gu Wan had successfully forced these two groups to unite against a common enemy.

It was as if, for an instant, the world paused—then chaos resumed.

It was the perfect moment for the Xie family to break free!

With a fierce shout, Xie Ci broke from his duel with the young man, moving with lightning speed. His blade swept through the ranks, forcing back the vice-captain and a host of guards, freeing Madam Xun and several nieces and nephews.

Landing lightly, he scooped up his mother and the children, swiftly placing them on horseback.

Second Sister-in-law Xie also displayed astonishing prowess. With deft taps of her cane, she snatched up a sword and, while Xie Ci fought the young man, held off the guards. Disheveled, hair flying, she herded cattle and horses, blocking over a dozen enemies.

Seeing Xie Ci resolve all mortal danger, she gripped the sword in her teeth, quickly hoisted her children onto horseback. “Hold tight to the reins—” Then she dropped into a crouch, boosted Third Sister-in-law onto a horse, grabbed her three-year-old niece, vaulted onto another mount, drew her sword, and lashed the horse’s flank.

The weak, the sick, the small—if they did not seize this chance, there might never be another. Leading the way, Xie Ci’s blade was soon stained with blood as he carved a path through the encirclement, guiding the family to safety.

The Xie family looked back again and again, but Second Sister-in-law, bringing up the rear, dared not stop. Gritting her teeth, she glanced back one last time, then whipped the horses ahead.

They forced their way out, finally escaping!

Gu Wan let out a long breath.

That had been far too close.

But now, she found herself at the very heart of the chaos—a circle of masked figures, blades gleaming, and furious jail guards surrounding her.

The young man regarded her and asked, “Aren’t you afraid he won’t come back for you?”

Gu Wan smiled. “A little, but not really.”

Her answer was so open, as if they were casual acquaintances with a favorable impression of each other, neither holding a weapon to the other’s throat. After all, they’d traveled together for some time, shared a roof and a bed. She thought, surely Xie Ci would not abandon her.

“He won’t,” she said. “He won’t!”

When Gu Wan had seized Yu Manzhen, to prevent her from struggling and causing trouble, she’d struck her sharply at the base of her skull. Yu Manzhen had hung her head, half-conscious, but upon hearing this question, she suddenly seemed to awaken and blurted out her answer without thinking.

Realizing what she’d done, she wished she could bite her own tongue off. Gu Wan and the young man gave her a strange look.

But Gu Wan paid this slip no mind, for out of the corner of her eye, she saw that after escorting his family onto the main road, Xie Ci abruptly reined in his horse.

He turned, horses’ hooves pounding, mud flying—without hesitation, he galloped back towards Gu Wan.

Second Sister-in-law Xie, leaping from her galloping horse, knelt on one knee, grabbed a long hemp rope (once used by the guards for tents and now brought along by fleeing prisoners), and threw it. “Xiao Si! Catch—”

Xie Ci caught it behind his back, didn’t slow his mount, and with a powerful tug on the reins, his horse reared and leaped back into the fray!

He was just as Gu Wan had glimpsed at first—like a young general astride his silver spear, standing guard before his family’s door, undaunted by any threat. His old clothes muddied, his brow marked by wind and frost, but his face and the fearless set of his body remained unchanged!

He was still defending, still rescuing those he believed must be protected with his very life.

Hooves splattered yellow mud like blossoming flowers. Xie Ci swung the rope and flung it with all his strength. “Yuan-niang—!”

The end of the rope sailed through the air, landing just above Gu Wan’s head.

Gu Wan called out, “Though I don’t know who you are, thank you—farewell!”

She hooked and chopped with her hand, shoving Yu Manzhen down the slope toward the young man.

Then she took a step back, leaped up, grabbed the rope, and quickly looped it around her wrist.

With a beautiful jump, Xie Ci shouted and, with all his might, yanked the rope. She soared, kicking an attacking guard as she went, and landed steadily at the front of Xie Ci’s saddle. He jerked the reins, turned the horse, and spurred it forward.

Rubbing her aching backside, Gu Wan grinned and waved back over her shoulder—farewell, my friend—

The young man caught Yu Manzhen and passed her into the hands of his subordinates. The bearded man hastily sheathed his blade, and he and a younger man supported her from either side, careful to avoid improper contact.

Though local customs were open, it still would not do to touch their master’s woman too freely.

The young man saw Gu Wan’s parting wave. He snorted, his gaze lingering on Xie Ci’s retreating figure. Now he had no doubt of Xie Ci’s true identity, and his brows drew tight.

But at this point, giving chase was pointless.

A kindness, if refused, could turn to enmity.

“Let’s go back.”

...

When Yu Manzhen awoke, she was already in an inn at Xingzhou.

The young man was Li Yi, heir to the Marquis of Xiaoshan, whose family had been swept up in the aftermath of the “Mi Liang Rebellion.” The Xiaoshan household was stripped of title and exiled to the northwest. Years later, when the emperor celebrated his sixtieth birthday, the court extended clemency to the clan, eventually restoring Li Yi’s title—though not their lands.

Li Yi had grown up in the barren northwest, never indulgent, and had not ostentatiously booked out the entire inn for his retinue; only as many rooms as needed, so long as they were clean.

When Yu Manzhen awoke, she was lying on a bed in an inner chamber of the inn, her mind now clear and her face pale with shock.

How could it be—how could Gu Guan possibly still be alive?

She had always feared Gu Guan’s return, for in her previous life, she had died after a freak accident at Gu Guan’s tombstone.

Having been reborn herself, she dreaded that someone else might enjoy the same fortune—her sole advantage!

Now, the capital bustled in all its splendor, the Great Wei Empire prosperous and mighty. Few would believe that in a few years, these lands would be engulfed in flames of war.

The crown prince would soon die; after his passing, the ailing emperor would quickly follow. The third prince would ascend, only to be captured by the Rong in a doomed campaign, and the fate of Great Wei would spiral downward.

Yu Manzhen might be called tragic, but in truth, she was also lucky. After the emperor’s death and the kingdom’s fall, as her own family crumbled, Li Yi saved her, and she became his concubine.

At first, it was only for her beauty, but later, his affection was genuine. She loved him as well, but their relationship was fraught with too much pain and complexity for her to bear.

He was as ambitious in heart as he was in skill.

Before Yu Manzhen’s death, Li Yi had seized his chance, led his troops south across the river, established a new dynasty, and claimed the throne.

In the end, he made her empress. Yet she felt little joy. On the night she offered sacrifices for Xie Ci, she was attacked by assassins, slipped and struck her head on the Gu family tombstone.

In one moment, all was bleak—her beloved’s body laid to rest by the river with state honors, Li Yi himself shouldering the coffin. When she opened her eyes again, she was back in her girlhood chamber, just eighteen.

Yu Manzhen wept and laughed, unable to believe it.

In her previous life, she had known two men who stood like pillars among men. One was Li Yi, Marquis of Xiaoshan—whom she both loved and feared, her heart tormented. The other was Xie Ci—a god of war, brilliant as a falling star.

Five years after the Xie family’s ruin, as war raged across the central plains, a young man in plain clothes and white gauze over his eyes appeared—Xie Ci. At first, his eyes were diseased, but months later he removed the gauze.

He wore a silver mask covering the left half of his face. When she summoned the courage to ask, he fell silent for a long time before saying he had scars and did not wish to frighten others.

His voice was hoarse, rarely speaking, rumored to have been injured.

But when he saved her from the flames of war, his voice was like music from heaven.

It was an indelible, eternal memory.

He did not save her alone; he saved a whole city and its people.

He would not remember her. Later, she was merely the consort of his lord.

Such a god of war, no less than Li Yi, and only later did she learn that he had submitted to Li Yi’s service—and all because of a small kindness.

When Li Yi passed through Tieling, hearing that the loyal Duke’s family had perished by poison, he remembered their past valor and ordered his men to collect and bury their bones together.

It was only later uncovered—he was, in fact, Xie Ci.

Yu Manzhen gasped for breath, dazed for a long time. Suddenly, she sat up in bed, and indeed, by the window stood a young man in a pale robe with arrow sleeves.

Tall and handsome, upright in bearing, he turned at the sound, his sword brows furrowing. “Didn’t I tell you to stay in the grove? Why did you come over?”

He looked her up and down. “Why do you seem so flustered?”

This man was Li Yi, Marquis of Xiaoshan—handsome, composed, but Yu Manzhen knew better than anyone how deep and formidable his mind was.

She had been reborn before her family’s fall. However she calculated, she could not avoid this man if she wanted to survive. But this time, she would not be trapped in the inner chambers, prey to others’ jealousy, waiting for his favor.

Using her foreknowledge, Yu Manzhen engineered a fated encounter with Li Yi, gaining his notice and then becoming his consort. This time, she would not be just a woman behind the curtains—she would be his adviser, his indispensable partner.

Everything had gone so smoothly.

In her previous life, by Li Yi’s side, she had sharpened her vision.

Recently, she’d mentioned the Xie family, hoping Li Yi would rescue them early. Living people were more useful than the dead; this could prevent future discord and perhaps—he would not die!

And if Li Yi unified the north and south, he would have no more worries.

She would become the one and only empress, the mighty tree, not the clinging vine of her past life!

But Xie Ci’s prison break had caught her off guard. Had he escaped in her previous life too?

She hadn’t cared about such matters then; that winter she’d been at the hot springs estate and knew nothing of it.

Probably he had.

But then today, she had suddenly seen Gu Guan—Gu Guan, alive, helping Xie Ci rescue the prisoners!

This had never happened before!

How could Gu Guan still be alive?

How could this be!

Yu Manzhen was terrified. After her rebirth, fearing her own good fortune might have altered Gu Guan’s fate, she had visited repeatedly, hinting at the horrors of exile, subtly suggesting that death might be preferable.

In secret, she had paid dearly to find Gu Guan’s personal maid and confirmed that Gu Guan had indeed thrown herself into a well—she could not possibly be alive.

So today’s encounter had shaken Yu Manzhen to her core.

Her mind was in turmoil, but fear—overwhelming fear—dominated. Her knowledge from her past life was her only card.

Yu Manzhen had been wronged in her previous life but had struck back as well. Another favored concubine, Yun Ji, died; the principal wife died too. Once such things were done, there was no turning back.

Kindness alone could not guarantee survival.

Yu Manzhen did not regret it, but now she was at a loss—how could this have happened?!

But she knew well how astute the man before her was. Digging her nails into the back of her thigh, the pain steadied her nerves, and she forced herself to remain calm. “It was my fault. I was worried for you all. It won’t happen again.”

Li Yi allowed subordinates to err, but not to make excuses.

Yu Manzhen immediately admitted fault, lowering her gaze. “I was standing behind the slope; I never imagined that woman’s eyes would be so sharp.”

This trip had been unexpected. Li Yi had traveled in secret, with few men, but still, things had gone awry.

Remembering his duel with Xie Ci, a look of admiration flickered in his eyes. “Such strength—truly formidable!”

His palm had been numb from the impact.

Xie Ci was only sixteen, yet already matched him blow for blow.

Xie Xinzhong had once boasted that his fourth son took after their illustrious ancestor, the founding general Xie Guanshan, and that with time, he would surpass even himself.

It seemed not an idle boast.

He had not expected much from this northern excursion at Yu Manzhen’s suggestion—after all, Xie Ci was only sixteen when the family fell.

But now, he truly lamented.

“What a pity!”

Li Yi glanced at Yu Manzhen, feeling her behavior had been odd these past few days. Still, her insight was unique, her thinking meticulous, and she knew many hidden secrets of the capital. He said nothing more.

He lowered his eyes in thought, and Yu Manzhen quietly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she had slipped, but no one would suspect rebirth; the moment had passed.

She snuck a glance at Li Yi, then asked, feigning casualness, “How did the Xie family fare? Did they all escape?”

Li Yi nodded. “Yes, but two of the children were injured.”

Stabbed in the back by the guards, the wounds looked deep.

Li Yi truly felt that was not bad at all. With such a large family, the sickly, the weak, the young—for only two children to be wounded, even if they died, was extraordinarily fortunate.