“Sheng Kingdom will likely attack the city within days.”
Though tense, Magistrate Lin remained composed and calm. “Your Majesty, General Zhao has led men to ambush at Yingcui Mountain on the city outskirts. They will strike the Sheng army as it passes, catching them off guard.”
Yu Zhi stood beneath the beam, the dim lamplight slanting across his face, bathing his left cheek in warm light. Hearing the governor’s words, he spoke in a deep voice: “I shall first draft a letter proposing peace. It shall be delivered to Luo Tingshi tonight.”
Governor Lin: “With the Sheng army already pressing our borders, peace may not be so easily attained.”
Yu Zhi: “I shall try.”
He turned toward the side chamber. Lin Junshou immediately followed, “Your Majesty, allow me to grind the ink.”
Yu Zhi sat in the chair behind the long desk, glancing out the window. In the pitch-black night, every breath of air seemed thick with anxious tension. With calm composure, he picked up his brush and began writing.
A quarter of an hour later, Yu Zhi placed the brush back in its stand, lifted the letter, and blew gently upon it. Once the ink had dried, he handed the missive to Lin.
“Dispatch someone to deliver this. Make haste.”
Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.
After Magistrate Lin departed, Yu Zhi stood with his hands behind his back at the window. Outside, it was pitch black—not a finger could be seen. The entire sky was covered by thick, dark clouds, not a single ray of light able to penetrate.
“Croak… croak…”
The toads in the courtyard croaked in waves, their chorus irritating Yu Zhi. He shut the window and walked slowly toward the inner chambers.
Without news from the envoy, Yu Zhi found sleep elusive. Clothed, he lay on his side in bed, gently massaging the pressure points between his eyebrows as he closed his eyes to rest.
“Knock knock—”
The sound of knocking pierced the silence, reaching Yu Zhi’s ears. His eyes sharpened instantly as he sat up, calling out, “Enter.”
The carved wooden door slowly swung open, revealing the visitor. It was not Prefect Lin. A flicker of disappointment crossed Yu Zhi’s face.
Imperial Physician Zhang’s eyebrows lifted slightly. He hadn’t missed the disappointment in the Emperor’s eyes. Feigning despondency, he sighed deeply: Your Majesty, seeing the light burning brightly in your chambers, I came to inquire. Little did I expect you would not wish to see me.”
Yu Zhi smiled helplessly. “Doctor Zhang, do not jest with me.”
Dr. Zhang approached the bedside, his playful expression fading. “After a month of travel, Your Majesty’s body must be exhausted. Now that we’ve finally settled, you should rest properly.”
Yu Zhi replied, “I just sent messengers with the peace proposal to Luo Ting. Without news, I cannot rest.” ”
The emperor’s belly had grown considerably in recent days. His naturally slender frame made the protruding abdomen more noticeable than on others. For now, it could be concealed by clothing, but in another month, it would likely be impossible to hide.
Yu Zhi extended his hand, allowing Physician Zhang to take his pulse.
Dr. Zhang’s fingers rested on Yu Zhi’s wrist. After a moment, he uttered a surprised exclamation: “This isn’t right…”
Yu Zhi’s heart skipped a beat. Instinctively grabbing Dr. Zhang’s sleeve, he asked anxiously, “What’s wrong with my child?”
“Your Majesty, fear not. It is good news.” Physician Zhang smiled, fine lines gathering at the corners of his eyes. He looked at Yu Zhi’s lower abdomen and said cheerfully, “You are carrying twins.”
Yu Zhi froze.
He slowly lowered his head, staring at his belly in disbelief.
Two little ones inside him?
He blinked, then cautiously placed a hand on his abdomen, a strange sensation welling up within him.
“No wonder your belly is much larger than others’,” Dr. Zhang remarked with a smile. “The heartbeats are strong and steady. They’re very well protected by you.”
Yu Zhi’s eyes softened as he gently stroked his belly, his thoughts drifting to their other father. He lifted his gaze to the pitch-black window outside, his brows furrowing with worry.
Had that letter been delivered yet?
–
The sky was pitch black, the world utterly silent.
A distant horse whinnied, thunderous hoofbeats rolling toward them, startling birds from the roadside woods. A steed flew around the bend, leaping several zhang forward in mere breaths.
Yet the rider seemed unsatisfied, cracking his whip and bellowing.
“Giddyup!”
After galloping for several moments, a mass of dark peaks came into view ahead. But those peaks were moving.
Looking closer, they were all people!
“Who goes there?!” a furious shout rang out from ahead.
Hearing the twang of bows being drawn, the rider shouted back, “Envoys from Yu Kingdom! Sent by our Emperor to deliver a message to Emperor Sheng!”
A rustling stirred ahead, followed by a voice: “Hold your horses.”
The messenger gripped the reins tightly, swallowing hard.
Though envoys are spared in war, Luo Tingshi’s reputation for cruelty was well-known. Who could say if he’d disregard such principles?
The messenger remained utterly focused, alertly scanning his surroundings. Soon, the sound of military boots crunching through sand rolled toward him. He fixed his gaze on the approaching dark figure.
“His Majesty summons you,” the shadow shouted.
The messenger immediately dismounted, wiped sweat from his brow with his sleeve, and followed the soldier through layer upon layer of checkpoints until they reached the deepest encampment.
“Search him!”
A bitter chill swept over him as a long spear thrust against his chest. Guards searched him thoroughly inside and out, confirming he carried no weapons before withdrawing their spears.
“Enter.” The guard lifted the curtain.
Under the guard’s piercing gaze, the messenger suppressed his trembling and hurried into the tent.
“Your Majesty, the messenger is here.”
A towering figure stood within the tent. At the sound, he turned, his intimidating wolf-like eyes locking instantly with the messenger’s. For a moment, the messenger’s heart nearly leapt from his chest.
He bowed his head abruptly, eyes fixed on the soft felt-covered floor. He fumbled the imperial letter from his robe and presented it with a deep bow, forcing a normal tone: “This is a letter from our Emperor to you.”
A soldier nearby took the letter from his hands and presented it to the Emperor of Sheng.
The messenger felt a chill run through his entire body. His hands clenched into fists, pressed tightly against his thighs.
“Peace negotiations?” A derisive snort came from ahead, followed by the piercing sound of paper being torn that split his eardrums.
The messenger looked up in terror, watching helplessly as the emperor tore the letter to shreds. The man laughed wildly: “Return and inform your sovereign to kneel and welcome the mighty armies of Sheng!”
“Luo Tingshi refused peace negotiations?”
The emperor’s voice turned cold. The oppressive aura inherent to a ruler descended upon the messenger, who went weak in the knees, daring not even to breathe.
Yu Zhi keenly sensed the other’s fear. He instantly reined in his imposing presence, his voice softening. “What else did he say?”
“The Emperor of Sheng also said…” The messenger hesitated, shaking his head. “Your Majesty, please do not listen. It would sully your ears.”
Yu Zhi’s pupils narrowed slightly. “Speak. Repeat his words to me exactly as they were spoken.”
The emperor commanded, and the messenger had no choice but to obey. Summoning his courage, he steeled himself and relayed Luo Tingshi’s arrogant words to the emperor.
“Kneel to welcome him?” Yu Zhi laughed bitterly.
Imperial Physician Zhang, who had been watching Yu Zhi’s every move, hurried forward, supporting his forearm and gently reminding him, “Your Majesty, you are unwell. Do not let anger consume you.”
Yu Zhi drew a deep breath. For the sake of the child growing within him, he must remain calm.
He suppressed the rage churning within his chest, using Physician Zhang’s hand to sit down. Turning to the messenger before him, he spoke with a gentle expression: “You must be exhausted after traveling through the night. Return to your quarters and rest. Tomorrow, you may collect your reward from the treasury.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty!” The messenger’s eyes lit up with gratitude as he withdrew from the room.
County Magistrate Lin’s gaze followed the messenger’s retreating figure to the overcast sky, sighing, “It seems we’re headed for a tough battle.”
He turned to look at the emperor, only to see the faint pallor on his face. Lin slapped his thigh in deep remorse: “Your Majesty, I failed to notice your illness. It was my negligence. I shall send someone to prepare your medicine immediately.”
Yu Zhi stopped him. “With Imperial Physician Zhang here, it’s no trouble. The night is deep. Prefect Lin, do not worry. Return to your quarters and rest. I shall be fine after a short rest.”
After Lin withdrew, Yu Zhi narrowed his eyes and addressed Physician Zhang: “Please go to Lu Jing’s quarters and inform him to depart immediately for the Sheng Kingdom’s military camp. I wish to see Luo Ting.”
Physician Zhang gasped in shock: “You intend to tell him…”
“There is no other way.”
The flickering candlelight reflected in Yu Zhi’s pupils, his expression elusive. Physician Zhang rarely saw the emperor like this, and a sense of melancholy stirred in his heart.
The young emperor seemed to have grown up.
–
As dawn approached, the Sheng Kingdom’s military camp received another uninvited guest.
Guards drew their swords to block the intruder. “Who dares trespass into the camp?”
“I am Lu Jing. Go inform His Majesty—I demand an audience.”
The thunderous name struck the guard, whose face paled. ” Please wait a moment.” He hurried back to the camp.
Before long, a general clad in silver armor arrived in haste, respectfully escorting Lu Jing into the camp. Passing through unimpeded, Lu Jing followed behind, discreetly observing Sheng Kingdom’s provisions, troops, and defensive deployments, silently committing them to memory.
Deep within the camp, the silver-armored general did not lead him to the most opulent command tent but instead to an inconspicuous small tent nearby.
A diversion, Lu Jing thought to himself.
The silver-armored general lifted the curtain for him. In that instant, a dark figure came into Lu Jing’s view.
As he stepped inside, Luo Tingshi strode forward, his voice brimming with delight: “Lu…” Just as his hands were about to touch Lu Jing’s shoulders, Luo Tingshi’s expression abruptly hardened. He jerked his hands back, his voice turning icy.
“You are not Lu Jing.”
“I am Lu Jing,” Lu Jing replied, his expression unreadable as he stared at the ruler of Shengguo.
Luo Tingshi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the man before him. He had seen this face before—in the portrait sent by his spies.
Lu Jing spoke calmly, “His Majesty wishes to see you. Please come with me.”
The words struck Luo Tingshi like lightning. A startling thought flashed through his mind. He clenched his fists tightly, his fierce gaze fixed on Lu Jing’s side. His voice betrayed unmistakable agitation: “Yu Zhi is the one I seek, isn’t he?”
Lu Jing offered no reply. Only a curt command: “Please.”
This might be a trap.
Luo Tingshi’s inner alarm bells rang loudly. Reason told him that going with Lu Jing to Gu Yue would be walking into a trap, where he could be captured and imprisoned at any moment. But…
He couldn’t forget those eyes.
Luo Tingshi gritted his teeth. Passing Lu Jing, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, he ordered coldly, “Let’s go!”
Before departing, Luo Tingshi instructed Chu Sui: if he did not return to the military camp or send word today, they were to attack the city that very night. After settling everything, he and Lu Jing spurred their horses onward. Within half an hour, they reached the Prefectural Governor’s Residence.
Entering the governor’s residence, they traversed a long corridor, passing through several doors until they reached a secluded courtyard. Ascending the stone steps, Luo Tingshi stared at the tightly shut door, his heart suddenly pounding wildly.
Just then, the door swung open from within. Luo Tingshi looked up.
A furious rebuke crashed down on him: “You bastard! Do you want to kill both me and your bastard child?”
.