"Why test anything." Aenwyn was embarrassed and annoyed. She poked at the bloodstain on Indigo's stomach. He was already hurt this badly and still thinking about nonsense.
"Ow!" the person being poked cried out in pain, his whole face twisting up.
She pulled her hand back, then helped him sit down nearby. "You're bleeding again."
Indigo leaned weakly on her shoulder. "Don't worry, I won't die."
"If I die, what will you do? Find someone else?" The handsome young man smiled. His sickly beauty replaced his earlier coldness.
Aenwyn wanted to draw again. Indigo had great facial structure and extraordinary presence, the perfect model. Too bad this wasn't the time.
"Do you want to eat something first?" she asked. He hadn't eaten all day and was injured.
Her backpack was still with her, and there was still some food inside.
Indigo shook his head, looking up at the stars. He took a compass-like device from his chest pocket.
After adjusting it, he confirmed their direction.
"We're already close to where you fell. Want to go check it out first?" Indigo said.
Aenwyn looked at him, then at the night sky. The stars here were stunning, like huge, precious gems.
"No. Even if we go, we won't be able to return." she said softly.
She knew they couldn't go back. She had only come this far because of her obsession with returning home. Now that he was hurt, what was the point in going?
Indigo smiled slightly. "Then let's just head back."
"What about those people outside?"
"It's fine. Shun should be waiting with others in the canyon by now." They had agreed to go out for just one day.
He whistled, and Alizeh came running over.
"Let's go." Indigo mounted his horse and held out his hand.
Aenwyn looked up at him, a faint dimple appearing on her lips. Even if they couldn't be lovers, this beautiful young man could still be like family.
She couldn't describe her feelings for him. A lover? Not really. She was sure she didn't feel that way about him now.
If she had to name it, maybe it was a fledgling's attachment. She cherished him deeply.
Because she cherished him, she resisted changing their relationship. That's why the once-casual, one-night-stand-loving girl from the modern world had run away before even understanding this world.
Her relationships never lasted. After a while, she would forget their names and faces.
Because she cherished him, she tolerated his wild behavior. That's why, when she thought he might imprison her, she was so furious. That's why, when he was hurt, she turned back without hesitation to save him.
After all, she was a selfish and indifferent person. More than one ex-boyfriend had screamed at her coldness and lack of care.
But in that moment, when that arrow saved her, he left a special mark on her heart.
She had all those thoughts in just a second.
Aenwyn reached out and placed her hand in his, which was warm and gentle.
Alizeh walked slowly, and once they were some distance away
"Did we forget something?" Aenwyn asked.
"Hmm, ignore him." Indigo said. He hadn't killed Haozhou outright, only because Elder Wen, the county magistrate, had once helped him.
Whether Haozhou could survive in this desert would depend on fate.
Indigo was only so familiar with the desert because he had been wandering here for so long. For others, escaping it would be difficult.
He thought this with a cold expression.
…
In the court of Dongling Kingdom
The faction of civil officials led by Official Song stood on the right. Elder Yue calmly watched the heated arguments in court. Because he didn't speak, neither did his followers.
The court dealt with many issues. Almost every day, there were loud arguments during morning meetings. Sometimes, things got so intense they would even fight.
Ever since women had become increasingly rare across Qianchu Continent, countries began waging war for female resources. That meant most civil officials were now trained in both civil and military skills.
There was no choice. Those who couldn't fight were kidnapped and sold as slaves to other countries during the many exam trips. They couldn't safely stand in court to argue.
Now, riots still happened often. If you couldn't fight, you wouldn't live long.
As for why Dongling had not been overthrown, it was thanks to strong foundations laid by the ancestors. A hundred years ago, when the gender ratio was still normal, the country was peaceful and prosperous.
Even as the number of women dwindled in the past decades, and more men remained single, life was still manageable. Only when it became unbearable did people revolt.
But the number of uprisings had been increasing every year.
The Dongling Emperor sat on the throne, watching the red-faced, shouting ministers below. He was nearly fifty, with deep lines on his face, looking older than his years.
Maybe it was because the country was on the edge of collapse. Not just Dongling, but the entire Qianchu Continent faced extinction if the issue of the female population wasn't resolved.
"Everyone shut up." He finally couldn't hold it in and shouted.
The great hall instantly fell silent.
"Calm down, Your Majesty." Official Song was the first to kneel.
"Calm down, Your Majesty." The rest of the ministers knelt.
The Dongling Emperor was so angry he started coughing. In the now-quiet hall, only his coughs echoed. When it stopped, he sat back down.
"Official Song, what are your thoughts?"
They were now discussing the recent riot in Wuhu, Cenzhou. The local magistrate had been corrupt, favoring some and pocketing money. He messed with the queue system in the baby center, which caused chaos. Even women from the baby center in Cenzhou were stolen.
The unrest escalated. The Cenzhou governor couldn't suppress it and was killed. The rebels were still gathered around Sishui River, showing signs of forming a major uprising.
This matter had been reported by the governor of Danzhou. Cenzhou was right next to Danzhou, after all.
Investigations showed the trigger was a rich family who had paid silver to stay in the queue for three years, yet still didn't get a spot.
Understandably so. These days, if a man could leave a child behind at the baby center, it was considered miraculous. He waited three years, lost elderly family members during that time, and still hadn't had a grandchild.
"Your Majesty, kill the rebel leaders to calm the people's anger." Official Song replied.
The Dongling Emperor looked toward the Crown Prince standing at the front. "Prince Dahill, you speak."
"Replying to Father, I think," Prince Dahill stammered and glanced at the Emperor, "I think Elder Yue is completely right."
"I asked what you think. Do you have no opinion of your own?" The Dongling Emperor suddenly grew angry. "Did I give birth to an echo?"
Prince Dahill was so frightened that he dropped to his knees.
Official Song stared at his own nose, acting as if he had seen nothing.
Elder Wen looked at Prince Dahill with frustration.
With Xichuan watching from outside and uprisings erupting within, the Emperor was getting old. And in the south, there was still Prince Huainan. With danger both inside and outside, how could someone like Prince Dahill possibly bear such a heavy responsibility?
He shook his head in disappointment and looked at the calm and composed Official Song, thinking about what they had discussed in secret.
Could it be true that the Dongling Emperor had another child? His thoughts wandered as his eyes flickered.
Actually, Prince Dahill was not completely useless. As a Crown Prince raised to rule, while not especially talented in civil or military matters, he was still better than most.
But he might be suited only for maintaining peace, not managing a crisis like the current one.
Lately, he had been scolded too often and didn't dare express his views. Who would have thought staying silent today would still make him a target for the Emperor's fury?
He wanted to cry but had no tears.
Prince Dahill looked to his left at his uncle, Grand General Wang.
"Your Majesty, I disagree." The cunning General Wang stepped forward.
"Elder Yue's method only treats the symptoms. I believe lowering the childbearing age for women and increasing births is the real solution."
As soon as he finished speaking,
"Nonsense." Someone spoke out.
General Wang frowned. It was Elder Wen, that stubborn old man.
"So, Elder Wen, what great idea do you have?"
"I don't have anything great, but lowering the childbearing age for girls in the birthing halls is unacceptable." He glared at General Wang. Girls were considered adults at fourteen and already betrothed to men.
The birthing hall girls were slaves. In some places, the childbearing age was even younger.
"I suggest we reduce the number of titled noblewomen."
The court broke out in noise at those words.
Noblewomen could rise through merit or be born into the title if their father was a high-ranking official.
They could marry properly. Ranked across four levels and sixteen grades, top-ranked noblewomen became the official wives, did not have to serve multiple husbands, and avoided the suffering of repeated childbirth.
Elder Wen's words hit General Wang where it hurt. His family was known for having many daughters, three in total. In this society, being a noblewoman was an honor. Prestigious families only married noblewomen.
If the number of noblewomen decreased, then the number of concubines and female servants would increase. But these women followed a visiting marriage system and could not be used for political alliances.
This directly threatened the upper class's vested interests.
"Elder Wen, just because your family has no daughters doesn't mean you can insult mine."
"That's right, Elder Wen, your intentions are shameful."
"Hmph, my conscience is clear." Elder Wen ignored their accusations completely.
Official Song shook his head. These people argued fiercely, but in reality, they were just passing the blame.
General Wang didn't really want to lower the childbearing age either. By throwing that out, attention shifted away from Prince Dahill.
Elder Wen, that crafty old man, was doing the same. If he didn't pass the blame back, what, was he supposed to really let General Wang have his way?
This issue was a dead end anyway. There simply weren't enough women. Official Song sighed.
"Your Majesty, the rebels have occupied the Sishui River for some time. The most urgent task is still to eliminate them," Official Song said.
"Your Majesty, I agree. The top priority is to eliminate the rebels."
"I agree."
That was the end of the arguing. Eliminating rebels still needed someone to lead the campaign.
But this was a thankless task. If done well, it was expected. If done poorly, it would attract fierce criticism and endless blame. No one wanted to take it.
"Your Majesty, I suggest that Elder Wen personally lead the army to Sishui River and take command." Someone from the General Wang faction spoke up.
General Wang's eyes lit up. "I agree."
"We agree."
Elder Wen had just made many enemies. As a marquis known for loyalty and courage, he came from a military background. Though he had not fought in years, defeating a rebel force should not be difficult.
The Dongling Emperor looked at Official Song.
"What do you think, Minister Song?"
"I have no objections," Official Song said as he exchanged a discreet glance with Elder Wen.
At the end of the court session, Elder Wen stormed past Official Song, flinging his sleeve with force.
"Minister Song, ignore him," General Wang said as he strolled over, smiling. "Thank you just now, Minister Song."
He was referring to how Official Song had shifted the trouble his way. Otherwise, this dreadful task might have landed on General Wang or someone from his faction.
"General Wang, you are too kind. I was just doing my duty," Official Song replied calmly.
General Wang coldly snorted at Official Song, who had already walked off without reacting.
…
After court, Elder Wen returned home.
"Is the luggage packed?" he asked his wife as soon as he got back.
"Yes, my lord, it's already done," Isabelle said, worried. "Are you really going?" A few days ago, after secretly going out, her husband had told her to start preparing for a journey.
"The Emperor has already given the order." Elder Wen told his people to get ready.
"And bring that useless brat back too." He added, "He got half beaten to death trying to steal a woman. Useless thing."
Elder Wen had been angry ever since he heard the news. Wasn't there a saying, a tiger doesn't birth a weak cub? How did he end up with this one?
As Elder Wen thought about it, he figured that even if he could not deal with that old fox Official Song, surely he could handle Official Song's son?
He planned to take Ishmael with him.