Chapter 7 — Riding on the Wind

Back then, the Emperor was still young, and the various factions both inside and outside the court lurked like tigers eyeing their prey. The Emperor and the Grand Princess had once shared a deep, affectionate bond between aunt and nephew. Regrettably, affection that runs too deep too easily morphs into bitter hatred, and immense power easily blinds the human heart. Past grievances eventually turned to dust. The Grand Princess spent her days chanting Buddhist scriptures, rarely stepping outside. When Qiao and I stepped into the hall, the Grand Princess was engaged in her devotions.

"Mother, I am going to marry someone."

Hearing this, the Grand Princess opened her eyes. The maidservant by her side immediately supported her arm.

"What kind of man is he to have caught Qiao's eye?"

"The top scholar of this year's metropolitan examination, Xie Yuan."

"I have heard of his literary fame. Have you investigated his background? Is it clean?"

Qiao shook her head.

"It cannot be considered clean."

With that, she led me forward to stand before the Grand Princess.

"This person is Xie Yuan's legal, first-wedded wife."

"Qiao, what on earth are you scheming?"

Qiao took a deep breath and slowly said, "Father has guarded the northern borders for eight years. I have almost forgotten what he looks like."

"Mother, over the years we have retreated step by step and guarded against everything, yet His Majesty still harbors constant suspicion toward us."

"He wants to plant a blade right beside us."

"Xie Yuan has a treacherous heart and is blinded by ambition; he will make a very fine blade."

"Qiao, do not spend all your days hunting geese, only to end up being blinded by them."

The Grand Princess said with deep worry.

"Mother, your daughter understands."

Afterward, events unfolded much like they had in our past lives. Xie Yuan and Qiao met beneath the red walls and fell instantly in love at first sight. The Emperor bestowed the marriage himself. The dowry procession stretched for ten miles, and red silk blanketed the entire capital. Yet, things were also slightly different from the previous life. In this life, Xie Yuan's official career was extraordinarily smooth. Every promotion he received came through direct imperial elevation. For a time, the Grand Princess's estate hummed with frantic energy, its power reaching unprecedented heights. I was kept by the Grand Princess's side. Like her, I rarely went out, spending my days reading poetry and discussing affairs of state. To me, the Grand Princess was both a strict mentor and a sovereign. Three years later, the Emperor showed grace and summoned Marquis Guyuan back to the capital. At the welcoming banquet, the Emperor suddenly flew into a rage.

"Marquis Guyuan, why do you bring weapons into my presence? Could it be you harbor treasonous intentions?"

The Marquis spread his hands in utter astonishment and said, "Your Majesty, I have already unbuckled my weapons and shed my armor. Where on earth did Your Majesty hear such a claim?"

The officials in the hall stepped forward one by one to berate him.

"Marquis Guyuan, you dare commit treason!"

"To come before the Son of Heaven while leading troops into the hall!"

Xie Yuan also fell to his knees and said, "Father-in-law, you have long harbored rebellious intentions. I have already reported this clearly to the Holy One; you should confess early and accept the punishment of the law."

By this point, the Marquis understood completely. This was a specially prepared banquet of Hongmen, designed to invert black and white and frame him.

"Guards, seize this traitor!"

The Emperor shouted loudly. The grand hall grew so silent that the dropping of a needle could be heard. Not a single person responded.

"Ha."

A scornful laugh suddenly echoed through the room.

"Your Majesty, what kind of farce are you putting on?"

The Grand Princess slowly rose from the banquet table, fixing the Emperor with a gaze as sharp as a torch. The curtains beside the grand hall were pulled back. The family members of all the officials present were confined within. Every single one of them was tightly bound, their mouths gagged. Qiao and I stood on either side of the captives, holding long swords.

"Your Majesty, our entire household at the Grand Princess's estate has served with utter devotion, yet you harbor such deep suspicion toward us."

"We had no choice but to act according to your wishes."

"Audacious! You are utterly audacious!"

Terrified, the Emperor slumped limply against the dragon throne, the pearls on his crown shaking incessantly. At that exact moment, the Marquis spoke in a resonant voice.

"Your Majesty summoned this subject back to the capital. As I have not seen my wife and child in eight years, my heart naturally burned with eagerness, so I arrived five days earlier than anticipated."

"The border cavalry have protected Your Majesty's realm for many years. I figured Your Majesty would also wish to see them, so I brought a troop back to the capital on my own accord."

"Right now, they are waiting outside the grand hall."

"Protect the Emperor! What are you all standing around for? Protect the Emperor!"

The Emperor's favorite eunuch screamed at the top of his lungs. Yet the officials below remained completely silent, not daring to utter a single sound.

"No, this isn't right. It shouldn't be like this. Clearly, in this life, I seized every advantage!"

Xie Yuan muttered to himself in disbelief. Suddenly, as if realizing something, he snapped his head toward Qiao.

"Qiao! You have also returned!"

Qiao offered a faint, chilling smile.

"Not just me alone."

No sooner had she spoken than I slowly removed my mask. Xie Yuan froze entirely. The very next moment, his eyes widened so violently they looked ready to split.

"Why is it you? Why are you here?"

I did not answer him. I merely dragged my blade across the floor, smiling as I stepped forward, inch by inch. He collapsed limply to the ground, scrambling backward step by step. And I kept pressing forward, relentless and slow.