The sky was just turning pale in the east. One mile outside Jindu, in the Maple Viewing Pavilion, Xue Liulan sat quietly at the stone table, waiting.
Hoofbeats approached. Two riders emerged from the mist. They reined in their horses near the pavilion and dismounted.
Xue Liulan stood and walked to meet them, a bright smile on his face. "It's been a while."
"Fifth Brother." Xue Feiyan bowed, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips.
Behind him, Ling Yan stepped forward. Her hands rested on her waist as she curtsied. Then she stood silently beside Xue Feiyan.
Xue Liulan glanced at her and chuckled. "The husband sings and the wife follows? Not bad. Not bad at all."
Ling Yan blushed and lowered her head.
Xue Feiyan took her hand, his gaze warm. "Go sit over there for a moment. I need to walk with Fifth Brother."
She nodded, glancing at Xue Liulan, hesitation in her eyes, but she said nothing.
Xue Liulan ignored her look. He walked to the edge of the pavilion, his back to them, staring at the horses. Two saddlebags hung from their flanks.
"You won completely this time," Xue Feiyan said, coming up beside him. "This is farewell. We likely won't meet again."
"You don't plan to stay in Heluo?" Xue Liulan asked, not surprised. He squinted into the rising sun, feeling its warmth.
"I want to take Ling Yan to see the world. The rivers and mountains of our dynasty are vast." Xue Feiyan's voice was full of anticipation. "It's rare to be free of burdens. I intend to enjoy it."
Xue Liulan was silent for a moment. "You don't blame me?"
"Why should I? Winners become kings, losers become bandits. It's been this way since ancient times. It's just our turn." Xue Feiyan put on a serious face. "Besides, you promised to take care of Deng Qinyu. That is kindness enough."
Xue Liulan stared into his brother's eyes. He sighed heavily, his voice dropping. "Seventh Brother… I truly wronged you in this."
He took a step back, clasped his hands, and bowed deeply. A solemn apology.
Suddenly, his hands were caught. He looked up. Xue Feiyan was grinning at him.
"I can't believe you fell for it," Xue Feiyan laughed, the sound bright and teasing.
Xue Liulan stared, then punched him in the shoulder, laughing loudly. "And here I thought you'd lost your sense of humor. A leopard really can't change its spots."
"Hahaha! Just showing my true colors now."
Ling Yan watched them from the pavilion. In a way, she was glad Xue Liulan had won. At least he had given Xue Feiyan the chance to be himself again, free from the endless schemes.
Their laughter faded. Xue Feiyan's expression grew serious. "The Deng family is gone, but the Murong family and Guo Shangzhong remain. Your burden is not light."
Xue Liulan's smile vanished. "One step at a time. Most of the Murong forces are on the border, and Murong Jin is my wife. They aren't an immediate threat. It's Guo Shangzhong I'm worried about."
"Guo Shangzhong." Xue Feiyan said the name slowly. "I never could figure him out."
"He kept a delicate balance between us. No matter who won, he wouldn't lose. And he's been gathering power in secret. His wings are fully grown now." Xue Liulan frowned.
"Watching the tigers fight from the mountain. A smart man." Xue Feiyan sighed. "Fifth Brother, you are alone in Jindu now."
"You convincing Li Yan to support me was a great help." Xue Liulan smiled confidently. "With the Dengs gone, the game is still open."
"Are you that confident?" Xue Feiyan was surprised. He would be facing the powerful Murong clan and the deeply entrenched eunuch faction.
"Man proposes, heaven disposes." Xue Liulan held up his hand, sunlight illuminating the clean lines of his palm.
Xue Feiyan said no more. He bowed again. "Take care, Fifth Brother."
"Take care on the road," Xue Liulan said meaningfully.
Xue Feiyan understood. "Don't worry. If they come, they'll just be throwing their lives away."
"Take care." Xue Liulan returned the bow. Then he turned to Ling Yan. "Miss Ling, I leave my brother in your hands."
"I dare not accept such honor." She curtsied.
He pulled a dagger from his sleeve and presented it to her with both hands. It was the one the guards had taken from her before the confrontation in the hall.
"I know Seventh Brother gave this to you. Returning it to its owner… consider it a meeting gift for my sister-in-law."
"Hm?" She reached for it, then paused, unsure.
Xue Feiyan put his arm around her, laughing softly. "Fifth Brother is talking to you. Why are you dazing? Thank him."
"Thank you." She took the dagger and tucked it into her sleeve. She looked at Xue Liulan, hesitated, then whispered, "Fifth Brother."
"It's late. We should go." Xue Feiyan took her hand and led her toward the horses.
As they disappeared into the morning mist, Xue Liulan heard Ling Yan's parting words echo in his mind.
"Even if you come into conflict with the Murong family, please, Fifth Brother… be kind to Murong Jin."
A month after Xue Feiyan's departure, the Emperor issued an edict naming Xue Liulan the Crown Prince. The ceremony was tomorrow.
In the Fifth Prince's residence, Murong Jin stood in the courtyard, watching the servants decorate.
"A little more to the left. Yes, left!" Ning Bi directed He Chengjian, who was on a ladder, hanging a red flower on a plaque. "Hey, be careful!"
Before she could finish, he missed a step and fell straight down.
"He Chengjian!" she screamed.
He grabbed the ladder with one hand, stabilized himself, and landed lightly on his feet.
Ning Bi rushed to him. "Are you alright?"
He blinked, shaking his head. It was only a man-high ladder. What could happen?
"It's not that high," he said after a pause.
Ning Bi stared at him, then glared. She shoved the red flower into his chest. "Any higher and you'd be dead!"
He watched her storm off, then looked at the ladder, baffled. Who was he? One of the Fifteen's best. How could he die from a fall like that?
Murong Jin watched from a distance, covering a laugh. She walked over. "Aren't you going to give the flower back to her?"
"No need. I can hang it myself."
She looked at Ning Bi, who was peeking back at them. "You men are so dense. Hold the ladder and let her hang it."
"Oh. Alright." He walked toward Ning Bi, flower in hand.
Murong Jin smiled and went into the main hall to sit.
"Quite the mistress of the house, aren't you?" A mocking voice came from the door.
Die Man walked in, dressed in bright silk. Her eyes were upturned, her smile naturally seductive.
Murong Jin didn't rise. She gestured to a chair. "Please, sit."
"Then this sister thanks Elder Sister for the seat." Die Man sat, her movements graceful.
The address grated on Murong Jin. It was a reminder that Die Man was also Xue Liulan's wife. And now that he was Crown Prince, the harem would only get more complicated.
"If there's nothing else, I'll be going." Murong Jin stood.
"Of course there is," Die Man said, not moving.
Murong Jin stopped. "Speak."
Die Man walked up to her, almost bumping into her. "Liulan is Crown Prince. You are the official wife, and you have a son. I have nothing to say about you becoming Crown Princess. But why do I have no title?"
The Emperor had named Xue Liulan Crown Prince, Murong Jin Crown Princess, and little Xue Qi the Imperial Grandson. But Die Man, the concubine, had not been mentioned. It was as if she didn't exist.
Murong Jin looked at her calmly. "Don't you think this is a question for Xue Liulan?"
"Oh?" Die Man stepped back, laughing. "If Elder Sister doesn't know, then forget it. Pretend I never said anything. Oh, look at the time. I'll leave you to your business."
She sashayed out of the room.
Murong Jin stood there, dazed. "Ning Bi! Ning Bi!"
Ning Bi ran in. "Your Highness?"
What is it? Why is my heart racing? Why do I feel like something terrible is about to happen?