Chapter Six: Urgent News from the Frontier

Spring faded into autumn, and another half year slipped by. Fine autumn rain, as delicate as silver threads, draped the imperial palace in a gauzy veil beneath the crescent moon’s pale glow.

Within the tranquil courtyard of the palace, the peace was suddenly shattered.

A letter from the military encampment arrived, igniting half the palace in uproar: there had been trouble on the frontier!

“Look at this report—it came rushing from the western border a thousand miles away. Wasn’t it you who recommended this man? And now you come to tell me we’ve lost the pass?” Upon the dragon throne sat a man nearing fifty, his features still those of someone in his forties, yet his voice was frail and brittle, more fitting an old man at dusk than a sovereign in his prime.

The target of his ire was none other than the Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the man whose very footsteps within the palace could make the earth tremble—Hua Wenkai.

His deep blue hair fluttered in the breeze; his face was sharply contoured, nose high and straight, brows arched like a crescent moon in the night, but his lips were now drained of all color. Upon his head he wore a golden coronet set with jewels, adorned with a carved tiger. His robe was a deep purple, embroidered with green patterns. Though his frame seemed frail, there was a certain scholarly elegance about him. One who did not know might think him a man with no strength to bind a chicken.

Now, kneeling before the throne, he replied gravely, “Your servant knows not the details. Yang Qingyun is well versed in the art of war, and his defeat must have a hidden cause. Aside from General Yang, only Prince Su can handle the armies at the border. Your Majesty, do you truly mean to appoint him?”

The Emperor’s anger flared. “If not him, do you expect me to send you? Still scheming to suppress Su Qing—do you take me for a blind man?”

With that, the memorial in his hand was hurled at Hua Wenkai’s head. Yet Hua Wenkai did not so much as raise a hand to defend himself; the blow opened a cut on his brow, but he bore it in silence, enduring the Emperor’s wrath.

When the Emperor’s temper cooled somewhat, Hua Wenkai bowed his head and said in a low voice, “Your servant dares not defy Your Majesty. All I do is for your sake. Prince Su’s prestige among the troops is beyond words, and even women and children adore him. If this continues, then…”

“Enough!” Qin Chaoyang, about to curse, paused, then changed his tone. “Issue the decree. Su Qing is to proceed to the front within half a month and assume command as Grand Marshal of the Northwestern Forces. There must be no delay.”

His gaze sharpened as he turned to Hua Wenkai. “How goes the other matter?”

“I have already laid a net so tight not a sparrow could slip through. Once Su Qing departs for the border, both the Su family and his fate will be firmly in Your Majesty’s grasp,” Hua Wenkai reported, his tone utterly devoid of excitement.

“Very well. I leave this task entirely to you.”

Hearing this, Hua Wenkai’s lips curled into a subtle smile as he continued, “But as for the Six Gates…”

Qin Chaoyang lowered his eyes and regarded him coldly. “I advise you not to push Chu Shanhe too far. The Chu family’s influence is not so easily dismissed.”

Just as he finished, Qin Chaoyang coughed twice and waved Hua Wenkai away. “Go. I wish to be alone.”

“Your servant obeys. Long live the Emperor!” At last, a hint of a smile played at Hua Wenkai’s lips.

This was both a warning not to break with Chu Shanhe and an assurance that the matter was in Hua Wenkai’s hands.

Chu Shanhe was the sole obstacle to his plan. Without him, Hua Wenkai could act without restraint.

“The Six Gates are becoming increasingly meddlesome. I must be vigilant,” he mused as he departed.

Qin Chaoyang watched Hua Wenkai’s retreating figure until it vanished at the end of the corridor. Slowly, he rose from the dragon throne, a stabbing pain surging through his body like a tide. He summoned all his strength to suppress the illness, step by step making his way to the inner hall. Before conferring with Hua Wenkai, he had already dismissed the palace maids and eunuchs, even the doorkeepers.

Leaning against the doorway, he gazed at the bright moon overhead and sighed. “How much longer can this body endure? Heaven, grant me a little more time—I wish to see the day when Great Ming unites the world.”

Beneath this night of hidden currents, Su Bai remained in his small bamboo cottage. Having just finished his medicinal bath, he picked up the flute by his pillow and began to play.

Li Siguo, used to this by now, remarked, “The boy’s never been taught, yet he plays well. Had he been born into a common family, he’d have made a fine musician.”

Bathed in moonlight, Su Bai played on, his heart sinking into the melody. The sound drifted across the night, growing ever more mournful; the pale moonlight silvered his face as tears streamed silently down his cheeks.

The slumbering birds seemed summoned by the music, circling above his head. Feeling their joy, Su Bai slowly raised his head and murmured, “Heaven will not let me rest; then I must snatch fire from the jaws of death. If I cannot soar to the heavens, I shall descend to the lowest depths.”

“Su Qing, receive the imperial edict!” A familiar eunuch’s voice rang out in the Su family courtyard.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Su Qing has long defended the realm against the Three Western States, which brings Us great comfort. Years ago, We ordered you to rest, for soldiers must be raised over years for use in a single day. Now, as crisis looms at the Western Pass, We require you to assume the position of Grand Marshal of the Western Forces. Do not disappoint Our trust; annihilate the allied enemy utterly…”

“Prince Su, receive the decree!” The old eunuch held out the edict, but Su Qing did not immediately accept it; he remained kneeling, his expression grave, lost in thought.

“Prince Su, receive the decree!” The old eunuch’s tone grew sharp. After so many years at court, from princes to magistrates, no one dared treat him thus. In recent years, Su Qing had been isolated and fallen from favor; the eunuch no longer held him in regard.

As he was about to prompt a third time, Su Qing suddenly extended his left hand and snatched the edict.

The abrupt gesture startled the eunuch, who had no martial skills and nearly fell backward. Perhaps it was precisely because of this lack of ability that he remained safe so long by the Emperor’s side, for the sovereign’s suspicion was infamous.

Su Qing did not so much as glance at the eunuch but took the decree and returned to his chambers. Halfway there, he said, “You must be startled, sir. Serve our guest some fine tea to calm his nerves.”

“Yes!” Cheng Yuyan, who had been kneeling behind Su Qing, rose and in his deep voice invited the eunuch, “This way, sir, please.”

Seeing Cheng Yuyan’s towering frame, the eunuch swallowed hard and followed him to drink his tea.

Back in his room, Su Qing’s unease only deepened. By rights, he ought to seize the opportunity to lead this western campaign, yet the imperial decree held an undercurrent of danger.

“Perhaps I am too suspicious. The Emperor has always favored me; how can I doubt his judgment? Su Qing, how can you be so suspicious?”

He gazed into the bronze mirror. Nine years had passed, and he was still himself—yet Yu Nianci had died under a cloud of injustice.

He recalled that day atop the Xiaohan Pavilion, facing Qin Zhaoyang—those cold, unreadable eyes had silenced all his pleas. He knew he could never avenge Yu Nianci now.

“You concealed a state criminal and even bore a child with her. I am deeply disappointed,” Qin Zhaoyang had said bitterly. “Su Qing, for your years of service and because it was I who raised you high, I will not implicate your entire family. Had Hua Wenkai not told me, you would still be deceiving me.”

Turning away, the emperor spoke coldly, “If you let the matter rest, I will not pursue your household. But you must surrender your military command.”

If Su Qing could not see the truth now, he truly was a fool. Yet he was meat upon the chopping block, helpless before fate.

He thought of Yu Nianci’s parting words: “I do not wish to be a phoenix tree standing tall, only that the pines and cypresses endure.”

To protect the Su family, he forced out a hoarse, halting reply: “All of Su House is grateful for Your Majesty’s mercy. I, Su Qing, willingly relinquish command, and pray Your Majesty will not be angered and take care of yourself!”

As he spoke, veins bulged upon his forehead, his fists clenched so tightly that blood seeped from his palms.

Qin Zhaoyang did not turn, simply waved him away. “Enough, you may go.”

Su Qing said nothing, only turned and walked out of the Xiaohan Pavilion with heavy steps.

Yet as he departed, the Emperor turned and coldly asked, “What did you make of Su Qing’s manner just now?”

Hua Wenkai answered honestly, “He showed no sign of rebellion, but he is clearly still angry, Your Majesty.”

“He would not dare!” But then Qin Zhaoyang reconsidered. “Perhaps we were too harsh this time. We should make some amends.”

“Why not grant his late wife a grand funeral and posthumous title?” Hua Wenkai suggested.

The emperor rejected this at once. “No! That would seem as though I were admitting fault.”

Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he beckoned Hua Wenkai nearer, whispering something in his ear.

Hua Wenkai smiled. “Your Majesty is truly the sovereign above all—none can match your wisdom.”

“Enough flattery. Go and see to this matter at once.” The emperor, pleased, dismissed him.

“Of course, Your servant will see it done to perfection.” Hua Wenkai’s twisted smile showed just how much the emperor’s plan suited his own designs. With imperial approval, he could act without restraint.

“The Su family tree is about to topple, and its branches are filled with ambition. The emperor’s appointment of Su Qing’s adopted son, Su Ming, as Deputy Commander of the Western Army is a great promotion. I’ll take this chance to extend an olive branch—he won’t be able to refuse, ha!”

Under Cheng Yuyan’s watchful eye, the old eunuch grimaced as he drained cup after cup of bitter tea. In the palace, the tea offered was always the finest, gifts from concubines or officials. Here, it tasted like filth—were it not for the brawny guards at his side, he would have flung cup and tray to the floor.

“I’ve finished, now let me go!” the eunuch pleaded with Cheng Yuyan.

But Cheng Yuyan, raising the teapot, filled another cup to the brim. “My lord instructed me to look after you. This fine tea is all prepared especially for you. You must drink it all before you go, or I’ll be punished instead.” He grinned wickedly, making the eunuch grind his teeth in frustration.

At the seventh cup, Su Qing finally appeared. The eunuch, seeing his savior, nearly wept with relief, set down his cup, and hurried to Su Qing’s side.

Su Qing glanced at him, then said quietly, “Please report back that I will set out for the front within half a month. His Majesty need not worry.”

The eunuch, as if pardoned from death, bowed and departed at once, eager never to taste such tea again.

“My lord, you’re just letting him go? That old wretch has slandered you enough—why not seize the chance to be rid of him?” Cheng Yuyan’s gaze was sharp as he watched the eunuch leave.

Su Qing placed a hand on his chest, then patted his shoulder. “He’s made plenty of enemies, but he survives for a reason. Moreover, he’s in the Emperor’s favor. Relations between us and the throne are tense enough; overreach, and I’ll lose my head before reaching the front.”

Cheng Yuyan puzzled. “Why does the Emperor keep such a useless creature at his side? He’s not even fit to lick my boots. I can’t imagine what the Emperor sees in him.”

Su Qing mused, “The Emperor’s suspicion is notorious. Keeping such a man actually puts him at ease.”

Cheng Yuyan fell silent, knowing this was a gulf that could never be bridged between sovereign and subject. He could only watch as Su Qing gazed into the distance, lost in thought.

After half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Su Qing gathered himself and said, “Pass the word. Begin preparations to depart today. At dawn tomorrow, we set out for the Western Pass. We must arrive within half a month.”

Cheng Yuyan was startled. “But the supplies, the baggage—just preparing will take four or five days. Even at our swiftest, it’ll take six weeks to reach the Western Pass.”

Su Qing frowned, taking a deep breath. “We have no choice. Assemble only the troops, each man carrying fifteen days’ rations. No heavy armor or supplies. Horses will rest only at relay stations; otherwise, full speed ahead.”

“With so many men, how will they all fit in a single waystation?” Cheng Yuyan was incredulous. The Su family’s elite numbered in the thousands even here—no waystation could hold them all.

Su Qing asked, “Who said I’m taking all my forces?”

“Then…” Suddenly, Cheng Yuyan understood.

Su Qing raised a finger to his lips with a secretive smile. “See, but don’t speak. I’m just leaving a backup. Let’s see how the Emperor responds.”

“Brilliant, my lord! But who will guard the city?”

Su Qing only stared at him.

“Me? My lord, I’m not worthy!” Cheng Yuyan’s eyes widened in dismay.

Su Qing shook his head and spoke slowly, “You’ve been at my side for years—I trust your ability to adapt and command. It must be you.”

Cheng Yuyan could not refuse further; he knelt, tears in his eyes. “My lord, for your faith, I swear to defend the Su family with my life!”

Su Qing tapped his chest. “No talk of dying for me—I want you both safe and sound.”

“Absolutely! Heh.” Cheng Yuyan grinned sheepishly.

Suddenly, Su Qing remembered something. “I have an adopted son, Su Ming, a promising youth, though a little ambitious. I’ll leave him as your deputy—no need to coddle him, just temper his character.”

“Understood!”

“That’s settled—go and prepare. I have things to gather as well.” Su Qing patted Cheng Yuyan’s broad shoulder.

As he watched Su Qing’s receding figure, a subtle smile tugged at Cheng Yuyan’s lips.