Chapter 17: Yì dòng – desire stirs, emotions move

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Yan Guan's body trembled, but he did not struggle. His tears continued to fall silently, streaming down uncontrollably. He cried without a sound, barely able to stand.

"Are you happy?"

Chao Ge suspected he had misheard, and it took him a moment to realize that Yan Guan was asking him back.

Chao Ge remained silent for a long time. Yan Guan's expression darkened, thinking to himself, ‘How could he be happy? The plague and Bulagan, both had claimed lives. Chao Ge could only do his best. As for me, which ruler would tolerate their possession leaving them?’

"Why are you asking?" Chao Ge seemed to realize something and his expression changed. He took a half step back and let go of him.

Yan Guan turned around. This was probably one of the few times he had directly faced Chao Ge. Tears still stained his face, and Chao Ge, unable to hold back, sighed and raised his hand to wipe them away.

Why?

Yan Guan’s eyelashes quivered slightly, unwilling to answer. "I don’t know..."

Chao Ge gripped his hand, his tone slightly urgent, losing the usual calm, "Speak clearly, Yan Guan."

Yan Guan's open eyes welled up with tears [🥺], but Chao Ge hardened his heart, determined to force out an answer. 

For a long time, Chao Ge thought the other wouldn’t respond, when Yan Guan suddenly spoke, "I shouldn’t have asked. I overstepped my boundary." As if waking up from a dream, he tried to pull away from the hands that held him.

Again, it’s like this again! Not a single word acknowledging his feelings, nor did he even dare admit it. 

The pent-up rage almost tore him apart, but reason told him that those horrible desires would scare Yan Guan.

Chao Ge gave a bitter smile, "You asked me if I would be happy. Was it to test your importance in my heart? If I said I would be very happy for you to return home, clean and free of guilt, what would you do?"

The hidden thoughts were laid bare, and there was no longer any barrier between them.

Yan Guan was too cautious, but it wasn’t his fault. His parents died when he was young, forcing him to take charge of the household and stand his ground. Then, at such a tender age, he was burdened with a crime, forever disgraced, reduced to a foreign slave. If he hadn’t been so careful, cautious with every step, his life could have been snatched away at any moment.

Chao Ge's love was a burden for him, like a sword constantly hanging over his head. He couldn’t escape it, yet he didn’t know when he had developed a desire to touch it, like licking blood from the tip of the blade.

Yan Guan didn’t want to fall into it— this sweet yet suffocating cage that came at the price of his freedom.

But, Chao Ge said he was happy. Happy, because he was redressed and returning to his hometown.

He wasn’t a cage.

He was the vast forest, capable of calming Yan Guan’s restless, wandering heart.

In that moment Yan Guan closed his eyes, tears rolling down uncontrollably. He saw himself clearly and fully accepted Chao Ge.

“I’m sorry. I won’t push you anymore. If you don’t want to speak, then don’t,” Chao Ge felt a sharp pain seeing the expression on Yan Guan’s face, unable to bear it any longer.

But in the next second, Yan Guan suddenly snapped out of it, throwing his arms around Chao Ge, “Don’t go… I’ll stay with you. I…”

Upon hearing this, Chao Ge’s breath stopped. All the times he had pleaded with the heavens, it turns out there was an answer.

Chao Ge rushed forward, holding Yan Guan tightly as if trying to merge him into his own body, “Since you’ve said it, you can’t take it back. I will rely on you for the rest of my life.”

“Huh?” Yan Guan was a bit confused. What did Chao Ge mean by “rely on you”? Shouldn’t it be him relying on Chao Ge in Liangzhou?

Chao Ge mischievously pinched his cheek, “Whoever wants to be this exhausted, overworked King of Wugan can have it. I'll go to Yangzhou to be a rich and idle man, and be with you every day, like a pair of mandarin ducks.”

Yan Guan thought about Chao Lun, who was busy dealing with the chaos of the Bulagan situation at this very moment, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Thinking of the instigator of this situation, Yan Guan silently cursed Chao Ge. If he didn't agree now, when he returned to Yangzhou, this person would probably follow him, shamelessly pestering him until he gave in.

Really…

Yan Guan pouted slightly, and Chao Ge immediately realised what he was thinking. With a laugh, he lowered his head and kissed Yan Guan’s lips, “There’s no way I’m letting you go. Even if you think I’m too determined now, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

Yan Guan blushed again, instinctively pushing Chao Ge away and attempting to run outside.

Chao Ge grabbed him by the waist and pulled him back. Yan Guan, unwilling to back down, slapped his hand in protest, “Easy, you’re pinching me too hard… it hurts.”

“No running. You’ll stay here with me for the next few days.” Chao Ge relaxed his grip.

“I know,” came the barely audible reply, as quiet as a mosquito’s hum—he was embarrassed. Chao Ge, satisfied, held him close and kissed him a few more times before finally letting go. When he went outside to call for Daxi, his face was beaming with happiness.

“I’m taking Yan Guan to the Sacred Mountain to escape the heat for a few months. You can stay with Chao Lun in the meantime—he’s been very busy lately.”

Daxi almost rolled his eyes but managed to hold back, reminding him, “My lord, it’s only April—don’t you think it’s a bit early to escape the heat?”

Chao Ge thought to himself, it’s fine, the main thing is that there are too many people here, and if anyone sees or hears something, it could cause trouble.

“Who said the Summer Resort can only be visited in June? Alright, alright, go prepare a few carriages. We’re leaving immediately. Staying around Chao Lun isn’t letting me do much.”

Daxi was taken aback upon hearing this, feeling a bit sad. Was his lord preparing to abdicate? Then what would happen afterward…

“As for your marriage with Cao Du, let’s hold off for a while. We’ve been busy lately. I’ll give you a grand gift when the time comes.”

Pei! ‘There’s no need for you to be so considerate, old man,’ Daxi stormed off angrily.

Chao Ge then turned and went to see the priest, saying he wanted to add Yan Guan’s name to the ancestral records, nearly scaring the seventy- or eighty-year-old priest to death.

The old man flared his nostrils and glared at him, “No way! He’s a man—under what status could his name be added to the ancestral records?”

Chao Ge pondered for a moment and replied, “By rights, it should be under the title of Wangfei (Consort), but since he’s a man, that doesn’t seem appropriate. So, let’s just grant him the title of ‘King of Equal Standing.’ It’s essentially the same thing. But I’d have to trouble you, Priest, to make a special note of this on a separate page.”

The priest was so angry he nearly fainted, firmly refusing.

Chao Ge didn’t understand, “Yan Guan and I are bound by marriage. According to ancestral traditions, we should be hosting a grand wedding banquet and announcing it to the world. But he didn’t want that kind of high profile event, so we let it go. At the very least, his name should be added to the ancestral records. Otherwise, without any official proof, what right does he have to be with me?”

“You still call yourself a wise ruler? How can you casually grant the title of ‘King of Equal Standing’ like that?”

“He won’t actually take on the duties, and he won’t go through with the formal conferral ceremony either. It’s just a title, and he won’t draw any salary. What’s wrong with that?”

Chao Ge couldn’t be bothered to argue with the stubborn old priest any longer. “Give it here,” he said, snatching the registry away.

The priest couldn’t outmatch him in strength, nor could he win in words, left speechless with frustration.

After Chao Ge finished writing, he still didn’t feel fully satisfied. In his view, his relationship with Yan Guan should be something everyone knew about. Otherwise, without any formal recognition, it simply seemed improper.

“Summon the historian,” he ordered.

“You still want to have this recorded in the history books? Future generations will criticize you for this!”

Chao Ge didn’t care. “I think I’ve done pretty well as a ruler. I may not be on par with sage kings like Yao and Shun, but I was tasked with ruling in a time of crisis. If anyone tries to discredit my achievements because of this, it shows they’re short-sighted and narrow-minded. Why should I care about such people?”

When the historian arrived and heard Chao Ge’s instructions, he was stunned.

Chao Ge, impatient with his dumbfounded expression, said, “Just record it as it is. I’m not asking you to do anything special.”

“Yes, yes,” the historian stammered. It was the first time he had encountered a ruler so eager to have his story truthfully documented.

A smile tugged at the corner of Chao Ge’s mouth. “Yan Guan is a man of benevolence and skill. His heart is pure, like a clear spring, and his virtue shines like jade. Both the people of Sangta and I owe him our lives. Soon, I will abdicate in favor of Chao Lun, and thereafter, Yan Guan and I will live a peaceful, leisurely life, no longer involving ourselves in the affairs of state.”

Chao Ge added, “You can record this after it happens, but my mind is made up. There will be no changes.”

"Anyway, make sure you write this down: Yan Guan is not some kind of disastrous villain or treacherous figure, and don’t go comparing me to King Zhou of Shang or Emperor Ming of Tang. What we have is simply mutual affection, a love between ordinary people."

The historian was momentarily stunned, and even the priest beside him had a look of disbelief.

After finishing his words, Chao Ge casually walked off.

The priest sighed. “Let it be. It hasn’t been easy for the ruler all these years.”

The historian muttered in agreement. Who said the Imperial family lacked emotion?

When Chao Ge returned to the Cheng’en Hall, Yan Guan asked what he had been up to. Chao Ge gave a vague response, which only left Yan Guan confused.

"Why go to such lengths…"

Chao Ge pressed Yan Guan back into his seat and said earnestly, “Yan Guan, there’s no point in just talking. Private oaths of eternal love are the most meaningless things. I must let future generations and the whole world know that you are my partner, and not some favored concubine from a scandalous love story. That would not only demean you, but also tarnish the purity of our relationship.”

Yan Guan lowered his head and remained silent. Chao Ge had truly given him a deep sense of security.  If it weren’t for Yan Guan’s own reluctance, he would have even held the grand wedding banquet. But with how little he had, how could he ever repay Chao Ge?

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T/N:

The raw title of this chapter is “意動 (yì dòng)”, which can be translated to "emotional stir" or "aroused feelings." It suggests a state where one's emotions are moved or stirred, often implying a shift in one's mood or a spark of interest or desire. My MTL gave me two possible translations for the title - “desires stir” or “emotions move”. Instead of either one, I personally think together they fit the chapter better.

That said, this is my fav chapter by far. First, Yan Guan acknowledged Chao Ge’s feelings and accepted them.They are finally, officially, a pair of mandarin ducks. Next, we have Chao Ge making damn sure that no future historians can call Yan Guan his “close brother-roommate”. Also, not him turning Daxi from “#1 Shipper” to “#1 Hater” with just one sentence.

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Chapter 16: Conspiracy

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Back at the royal tent, Geqi and his men stormed in, their faces dark with anger.

"Master, there’s no need to keep pretending to be friendly with Ba-Yun. That man is truly vicious."

Chao Ge pressed his wrist down, signaling for calm. "He is indeed cunning. If we arrest him now and his ties to Wang Xun are exposed, I, as the ruler, will be blamed by the Liang Dynasty. After all, he is a Wugan."

Wang Xun had already rebelled, and if he had association with foreigners, it wouldn’t be too hard not to overthink things. 

[A bit confusing to read, but it’s a roundabout way of saying that since Bayun is related to the Wugan Royal family, it wouldn’t be too hard to assume he was working under Chao Ge’s orders]

Geqi, both anxious and furious, asked, "Then how should he be punished?"

"Bindeya has already infiltrated Dezhou. Once Wang Xun falls, we will deal with him."

A shocking event quickly unfolded.

As the smoke of battle spread to the border, Chao Ge sat astride his horse, his expression cold and solemn.

Though it was already spring, the wind blowing in his ears was still bitterly cold, as if carrying whispers of hellish curses.

In the distance, a young girl rode towards them. Boerjin, standing beside Chao Ge, could barely contain his joy and shouted, "Bindeya!" The rider was none other than Boerjin's sister, who was skilled in witchcraft.

Bindeya dismounted and bowed to the ruler. "Xuanfu Envoy Wenshan has completely defeated Wang Xun!"

Bindeya had been placed as a spy within Dezhou. Upon receiving news that Chao Ge was ready to make his move, she immediately contacted the newly appointed Xuanfushi(1), coordinating as an inside agent and launching a night raid on Dezhou. Bindeya devised a plan to lower ropes from the city walls, allowing soldiers to enter. She also revealed the locations of the city's armories and supply warehouses. Once chaos erupted, she swiftly fled the city.

Now, the southern sky was ablaze, likely due to Wang Xun employing huǒ lóng (fire dragons) in resistance. However, this wouldn’t last long—it was merely a futile, desperate defense.(2)

"Has everyone from the camp evacuated?"

"It has been an hour. They should have crossed the river by now."

Chao Ge nodded slightly. "Let's go. We'll return with Ba-Yun's head and offer it to the Emperor of Liang as an apology."

"Yes!" A few men swiftly mounted their horses, their movements clean and efficient. They galloped away, leaving behind Yixian Mountain.

Yixian Mountain, a place divided by a thin line—on one side, the hellish furnace of war, on the  other, the rampant spread of plague. Fortunately, the spring wind had finally blown, and the ice was beginning to melt.

In Ganzhou, Bulagan received word that Wang Xun's forces had been defeated, and Chao Ge had narrowly escaped. He was momentarily left without a plan. Knowing that this time he couldn’t escape a certain death, he resolved to go down fighting!

However, just as he sent out assassins to kill Chao Ge, Dai Qing acted swiftly, intercepting and killing them.

Dai Qing wiped the blood off his twin blades, still smiling with an innocent expression,  "I've been watching for so long, and you finally made your move."

Bulagan had no idea that the mountain villa he thought was well-hidden had been exposed to Chao Ge two years ago. He lunged forward with bloodshot eyes, eager to fight. Dai Qing struck down with his twin blades, and in a single move, Bulagan’s wrists were split open. He knelt down in agony. 

"Master will make the final judgement after he returns. Just be obedient and don't die," Dai Qing mocked.

Chao Ge and his group traveled lightly and reached the capital in just three days. By now, Bulagan was already fermenting in prison.

Chao Lun was excited, but before he could revel in it for long, his older brother crushed his joy with an Imperial decree.

"Since you're already back, why do I have to deal with Ba-Yun?"

Chao Ge calmly took a sip of his tea. "He is from your mother's clan. Handling it yourself will be better for your future succession. It will intimidate people both inside and outside of the Court. And when you marry a queen in the future, it will also prevent your in-laws from interfering in state affairs.

What? You can't do it?"

Chao Lun muttered quietly under his breath, but said nothing.

"The Ba-Yun Clan has lasted for three dynasties and has deep roots. There's no need to wipe them out completely. But if there are marital ties with any other major clans, you needn’t be too lenient. They have been at ease for far too long, and have enjoyed enough of this blessing."

Bulagan was still locked up in prison, but Chao Ge couldn't even be bothered to look at him. In the early days of his ascension, he had to rely on these people’s connections and influence to get things done. But now that Imperial power had been consolidated, there was no more use for these people.

"What about Consort Mother?"

Chao Ge paused at these words. If it were up to him, he would have revoked her title. But Chao Lun and Chao Bao were born of the same mother and shared a close relationship. Doing so would clearly give Chao Lun the reputation of being ruthless.

“You decide for yourself.” Chao Ge didn’t comment further, naturally taking a step back. It made Chao Lun feel relieved.

“By the way, this matter is complicated. Take care of it thoroughly. For major decisions, you can always consult with Cai Dan and the others. If you need more people, feel free to go to Daxi.”

Chao Lun felt a mix of emotions. His elder brother clearly had no hidden agenda in treating him like this, but when he had gotten into trouble before, even Cai Dan had advised him to take the throne as soon as possible.

It was only at this age that Chao Lun realized that it seemed like no one was truly by his brother’s side. His subordinates and ministers were all being trained for the future monarch. Their loyalty to him was based on the assumption that Chao Lun was the sole heir. Can someone in such a position really maintain their pure heart without seeking anything in return?

“What?”

Chao Lun realized that he had accidentally said the question out loud. Half panicked, half ashamed, he looked at Chao Ge.

Chao Ge remained silent for a long time, then pretended to be nonchalant, “I have no ambition for this. Back then, I was forced to take on the responsibility in a time of crisis. Besides, how do you know I don’t have something I desire?”

Chao Ge turned to dismiss him, “Enough. I haven’t recovered from my illness yet, so I need to rest for a few months. You’ve been handling court affairs well. Just keep learning from Cai Dan. That old guy is a bit pedantic, so you don’t need to follow everything he says - be flexible and adapt when necessary.”

Chao Lun took his leave. In a blink, Yan Guan was summoned to the Cheng'en Hall.

“Your Majesty,” Yan Guan bowed formally, his expression calm and composed. But Chao Ge’s heart was already itching like a cat's claws, filled with unbearable restlessness. He had already heard from Chao Lun about what Yan Guan had said when he insisted on coming to Sangta to save him. After thinking it over for quite some time, Chao Ge felt that Yan Guan wasn’t completely without affection for him.

Previously, when Chao Ge had forcibly kissed him, he had indeed gone a bit too far. He expected Yan Guan to avoid him afterward, at the very least. Yet, during their time together in Sangta, Yan Guan’s behavior had become increasingly hard to decipher.

Chao Ge had a vague suspicion.

"Things were busy before, and I never had the chance to properly reward you. Now, since you’ve done a great service by saving me, is there anything you want?"

Yan Guan was silent for a moment, as if he was weighing something in his mind. In the end, he shook his head and said, "My Lord’s recovery is not solely due to my efforts. The Seniors of the Medical Bureau also did their best."

"That has all been recorded by the historians, and I will reward them accordingly. But right now, I’m only asking you—what do you want?" For no apparent reason, Chao Ge felt a surge of nervousness. This was truly strange.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Chao Ge finished speaking, Yan Guan raised his head and looked at him with a complicated expression, as if he had finally come to a decision.

Seeing Yan Gaun suddenly kneel down and bow deeply, Chao Ge had never felt a sight so jarring.

"This humble servant dares to appeal, my Lord, for redress..."

Hearing Yan Guan mention how he had been forced to confess under the threat of death, Chao Ge interrupted, "There’s no need to say more, I know everything." Heaven only knew how furious Chao Ge had been when the case file containing Yan Guan’s life history had landed on his desk.

But at the time, Chao Ge had no grounds to appeal to the court of the Liang Dynasty on Yan Guan’s behalf.

Once again, the hall fell into a long silence. Chao Ge rose and walked toward Yan Guan, suppressing the ache in his heart, and gently said, "Get up, I have something to show you."

Yan Guan stood, keeping his head lowered, and followed Chao Ge to the desk. Chao Ge stood behind Yan Guan and waved his hand to sweep open the case file.(1)

The document read: "The Court of Wugan in Liangzhou relied on unworthy people. Clan member Ba-Yun Bulagan, and his relatives, colluded with foreign enemies to harm the Royal family, leading to the rebellion and harming the diplomatic relations between the two nations. Yan Guan, a medical officer of the Liang Dynasty, saved my life, and I owe him a debt of gratitude. When I think of the cause of the disaster in Dezhou, I feel both ashamed and angry... However, I have heard that there seem to be some unjust elements in the charges against Yan Guan. His only wish is to return home with a clean record. As the ruler of Wugan, I cannot leave this matter unresolved. I hope His Majesty will show leniency towards the crimes in Liangzhou..."

After reading the contents of the paper, Yan Guan’s lips moved, but before he could speak, Chao Ge said, "I'm sorry. I knew about your situation a long time ago but delayed seeking justice for you. One reason was that the timing wasn’t right. At that time, the situation in Liangzhou was extremely unstable. The other reason..." Chao Ge paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was hoarse. "I had selfish motives."

Yan Guan repeatedly looked over the petition that was meant to be presented to the Emperor of the Liang Dynasty. In his heart, he thought, why apologize? Chao Ge clearly owed nothing to anyone.

This petition that Chao Ge was preparing to present to the Liang Dynasty Emperor was written with sincerity, even humbling himself. In reality, Ba-Yun Bulagan’s collusion with Wang Xun wasn’t as deep as claimed, and it wasn’t the true cause of the Dezhou rebellion. Chao Ge’s willingness to personally go to the capital with gifts to ask for forgiveness was probably more for his own sake.

Yan Guan was indeed smart, and Chao Ge’s next words confirmed his thoughts. "Once Chao Lun finishes cleaning up, I’ll go South with you. The matter with Ba-Yun needs to be resolved, and you shouldn’t bear this false accusation. As long as I’m here, you have someone to rely on, right?"

Why did the feeling of wanting to cry feel so unfamiliar? Was it because he hadn’t shed a tear since the day he was condemned? Yan Guan clenched his jaw, thinking, why would the heavens toy with him like this? Why drag his name through the mud and then bring someone like Chao Ge into his life? Such a good person...

"Don’t cry," Chao Ge embraced him from behind, "You’ll be home soon. You should be happy."

As soon as Chao Ge finished speaking, he himself couldn’t hold on any longer. It was unbearable. No matter how many times he tried to confess, he still couldn’t make Yan Xiaoguan stay.

Chao Ge stared at the half-exposed porcelain-white neck in front of him, and, with a sudden impulse, he bit down.

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Footnotes:

1. 宣撫使 (xuān fǔ shǐ) - Xuanfu Envoys or “Pacification Commissioners” were originally high ranking military officials appointed to monitor the border regions. They were responsible for announcing the power of the state, pacifying the border, protecting generals, and supervising the military.

2. 火龙 (huǒ lóng) - fire dragons were the earliest form of multistage rockets used in post-classical China. Huolongchushui were the primary inspiration for the man-portable artillery depicted in Disney's Mulan films.

3. The important documents in those days were written on rolled-up scrolls (as you can see in historical c-dramas). So, Chao Ge is sweeping open a scroll to show the redressal appeal to Yan Guan.

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Chapter 15: Typhoid Fever

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Yan Guan and his team rushed nonstop towards Sangta.

Just a few days ago, Chao Ge had been perfectly healthy, unaware that illness had already taken root in his body. But several days of exhaustion, coupled with mental stress, had caused the symptoms to manifest fiercely and within just a few days, he was seriously ill. Wuritu was at a loss, administering decoctions and medicines daily, but seeing no improvement. When Yan Guan arrived, Wuritu felt like he’d seen a savior.

"Doctor Yan, I know your medical skills are no less than mine. You've probably treated a lot of cases like this in the South. Please, help him," Wuritu pleaded, urgently pulling Yan Guan into the tent.

After worrying the whole way, Yan Guan was taken aback when he saw Chao Ge lying in bed, covered in a rash. How could he have gotten this sick?

Chao Ge was burning up, slipping in and out of consciousness. When he saw a blurry figure in front of him, he thought it was a dream. If he was imagining Yan Guan, he must really be dying. At least one regret would be laid to rest.

After diagnosing, Yan Guan remained silent for a moment, then wrote the prescription. Wuritu glanced at it and hesitated.

“Strong medicine to induce sweating. It will help balance and stabilize the body’s rong and wei aspects.”

“This is risky! If there’s even a small mistake in the dosage, in his current state, his body might not be able to handle it.”

"Exactly, if he sweats too much, it could lead to yang deficiency. That would be life-threatening!” The other doctors in the tent, all spoke at once.

“I’m willing to bet my life and my skills on this. Does anyone have a better idea?” Yan Guan had swept away his usual modesty.

Everyone fell silent.

“I trust Doctor Yan,” Wuritu said, slipping the prescription into his sleeve. “Desperate times call for desperate measures.” No one objected after that.

The two quickly brewed the medicine and gave it to Chao Ge. Yan Guan checked the dosage multiple times to be sure it was correct. The most dangerous moment would be during the sweating, so he insisted on staying close to monitor him.

“Doctor Yan, make sure to wear your mask properly. This disease is highly contagious,” Wuritu reminded him.

“I know,” Yan Guan smiled at him with his eyes. [^_^]

After everyone left, Yan Guan added two more blankets over Chao Ge and quietly sat beside him, watching his face.

When the sweating started, Chao Ge began trembling violently, like he’d fallen into an icy pit. Yan Guan quickly checked his pulse. It wasn’t time yet. Frowning, he tried to hold Chao Ge down. Instinctively, Chao Ge clung to his wrist, seeking warmth. Yan Guan couldn’t pull free, so he sat down by the bed, letting Chao Ge hold onto him.

Soon after, Wuritu came in with more medicine. He was briefly startled by the scene. “Is it time?”

“Not yet. Just wait a little longer.”

Chao Ge drank the medicine, and within half an hour, he began to calm down. The redness on his face faded significantly. Wuritu checked his pulse, overjoyed, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Yan Guan finally relaxed, rubbing his wrist, which was bruised from Chao Ge’s grip. The remaining symptoms would be easier to treat with medicine to expel the cold.

“Looks like Dai Qing actually used his brain for once,” Daxi joked, shaking Yan Guan’s shoulder as they left the tent. “You must be exhausted after traveling so far. We really owe you for this one. I didn’t know you were this capable, Yan Xiaoguan.”

Yan Guan, drained both physically and mentally, still managed to take a step back. “I’ve been in close contact with the Lord for too long. I might be infected. Don’t come too close.”

Daxi immediately ordered a separate tent for Yan Guan to quarantine.

—-------

The next day, Chao Ge woke up, already strong enough to sit up, thanks to his robust constitution. His first words were, “Where’s Yan Guan?”

An unfamiliar doctor came in. “Doctor Wu and Doctor Yan are both in isolation, but so far, they haven’t shown any symptoms.”

Chao Ge looked down, stirring his medicine with an unreadable expression. “Call for Daxi and the others.”

“But my lord, your body is still—”

“Hurry,” Chao Ge interrupted. Some matters couldn’t wait because of an illness.

Daxi and his men entered, filling the tent with their tall, broad presence.

“My lord, I have something to report.”  Chao Ge's subordinates included a pair of twins, both with blue eyes. The brother was a brave and skilled warrior, while the sister was skilled in witchcraft and poison. The one who spoke just now was the brother, Boerjin.  

Boerjin handed over a piece of white cloth wrapped around dark, charred medicinal dregs.

“We’ve investigated. It’s lílú (veratrum)—extremely cold and poisonous. It was in the preventive medicine you drank before you fell ill. We have been monitoring the situation, but we haven’t spread the news.”

Chao Ge acknowledged it with a hum, as if he had expected it all along. A cold, toxic herb had weakened his body, making him vulnerable to the plague. It made sense.

After everyone left, Chao Ge leaned against the headboard, eyes half-closed, lost in thought.

Within two days, he was up and walking again, refusing to rest.

“My lord, Dai Qing has sent a letter.”

A saker falcon swooped down and landed on Chao Ge’s shoulder. As Chao Ge read the letter, his brow furrowed.

He handed it to Geqi. The falcon, indifferent, preened its feathers.

“Ba-Yun and Wang Xun are in contact? What’s their aim?” Geqi asked.

“And what about the Liang Dynasty?” Chao Ge murmured.

Why would Chao Ge say this? To explain, the New Year in the Liang Dynasty was celebrated a month later than that in Wugan. It was a time for the exchange of spring banners and snow willows. But this tradition had been disrupted by the rebellion in Dezhou. 

The local magistrate had been killed, and the rebel general Wang Xun had declared himself king, using a cult to gather hundreds of thousands of followers across De, Gong, and Lian prefectures.  

After more than a month of stalemate, the rebels were growing stronger, and even more troubling was the covert spread of the White Lotus Sect* among the populace, with signs of expansion towards the border.

Chao Ge had been away from the capital for three months. When the plague struck, he received word of the rebellion and chose not to return, suspecting that someone would take advantage of the situation. And now, his suspicions were confirmed.

“We just got word—a new magistrate’s been appointed, but we don’t know if he can suppress the rebellion.”

“What about the border?”

“They’ve captured several refugees from the Liang Dynasty.”

Chao Ge’s eyes sharpened. “Take me to see them.”

When they arrived, the crowd was muttering among themselves. But the moment they saw Chao Ge, the room went silent.

A shifty-looking man sneaked a glance at Chao Ge. Chao Ge sensed it, turned and cast him a sidelong glance. The man hadn’t done anything, yet Chao Ge’s presence alone was so oppressive that the man dared not look up again, hastily averting his gaze in panic.

Chao Ge pointed at him, and a strong man lifted him up. Gripped by terror, the man begged for mercy."Mercy, my lord, mercy! I’m just an ordinary man. I barely escaped the rebellion in Dezhou. I’m only seeking a meal, I swear I won’t cause any trouble, no trouble at all..."

Chao Ge stared at him for a long moment. “I have some questions for you.”

The man nodded quickly.

“How much do you know about the rebellion in Dezhou? Tell me everything.”

The man described the chaos—Wang Xun killing the officials, soldiers looting the city, and how he had barely escaped.

Chao Ge’s gaze sharpened. “Did you hear anything about the White Lotus sect?”

The man’s face went pale. “Yes... but we common folk don’t know much about such things.”

Chao Ge snorted coldly, and the man shivered.

“What were you muttering earlier?” Chao Ge asked, pressing a whip handle against the man’s neck.

“Just idle talk... nothing more.”

Chao Ge glanced at the other refugees, including women, children, and elderly people.

“The Liang Dynasty despises the White Lotus sect. The rebellion will be crushed eventually. If you go back, you won’t survive.”

Realizing he’d been found out, the man collapsed, knocking his head on the ground in desperation. Chao Ge raised an eyebrow but remained unmoved.

“If you want to live, tell me the truth.”

The man began crawling toward Chao Ge, trembling. But just as he got close, he suddenly sprang to his feet and shouted, “Under heaven, all land belongs to the king! The Wugan ruler is illegitimate! The White Lotus will—”

Before he could finish, Daxi kicked him hard, sending him flying. Blood spewed from the man’s mouth as the knife he had hidden fell from his sleeve.

“Who put you up to this?” Daxi barked, kicking him again. “Our nations are allies, and you still try to mess with us?”

The man, coughing up blood, muttered, “The White Lotus leader, the most noble of—”

Daxi kicked him again. “Enough with your nonsense.”

Chao Ge lost interest and turned to leave.

As they walked out, Chao Ge spoke. “It’s only a matter of time before word of this reaches the capital. Tell Bindeya, it’s time to move.”

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Chapter 14: Changes

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After several more days of rushing about, they finally returned to the capital. However, Dai Qing and a few soldiers left early, parting ways before they even reached the city. Yan Guan noticed this, feeling a vague sense of unease, but he didn’t dare ask further.

When Chao Lun found out that Yan Guan had returned by himself, he was displeased. "Why did you come back alone? Is my elder brother alright?"

"The master is fine. He ordered me to return and reassure Your Highness that there is nothing to worry about. He is safe and sound," Yan Guan added, mentioning the outbreak of the epidemic, which caused Chao Lun’s face to pale.

"So dangerous... Thank goodness my elder brother had the foresight. Otherwise, who knows how many would have died if the epidemic spread. Do you think this trip to Sang Ta has something to do with Jue Mu’s prophecy? But now that the disaster has been resolved, why hasn’t he come back yet?"

Yan Guan’s heart skipped a beat, but he merely shook his head and said, "The person who brought me back to the capital was Dai Qing. He specifically asked me to inform Your Highness. There are also some official documents." As he spoke, he handed over the letters.

"Dai Qing?" Chao Lun was taken aback, then quickly grew serious. He hurriedly took the letters and started reading. The content was all about the current situation in Sang Ta, written in a neat and formal manner, clearly in Chao Ge's handwriting.

After quickly reading through the letters, Chao Lun threw the papers onto the table, pretending to cry, "I’ve been working non-stop at court for over two months, and yet he still wants to stay in Sang Ta!"

"The master has important matters to attend to. Your Highness has worked hard."

"Yan Guan, how could you speak on his behalf?"

Yan Guan laughed apologetically. Chao Lun sighed, "Dai Qing is my elder brother’s shadow guard. He rarely makes an appearance. For him to escort you back, it means my brother values you greatly. Don't leave the palace for the next few days."

Yan Guan agreed, but his thoughts drifted away.

The next morning at court, Chao Lun presented the letters and official documents, putting the ministers' worries to rest. He clearly understood the situation in the court: the only faction with hostile intentions was the Ba-Yun clan, who might not let this opportunity slip by. But if something were to happen to Chao Ge, he would be the one to ascend the throne, and the first group he'd punish would be the Ba-Yun clan—they wouldn’t gain anything. Or... did they also want him dead?

Chao Lun returned to Yongning Palace, feeling troubled. The more he thought about these complicated political matters, the more his head hurt.

"Go, summon Yan Guan," Chao Lun ordered. Yan Guan entered empty-handed, and heard the Second Prince’s sarcastic tone. "Hmph, you used to massage my head and hands, and bring me fruits and pastries. Now, it seems you're truly my brother's man."

Yan Guan blushed, "Whose man? I just came in a hurry, that’s all."

"Oh~ fine, I’ll let it go for now," Chao Lun said, dropping his sarcastic tone. "I want to ask you something."

"Your Highness, please ask. I will tell you everything I know."

"When you were with my brother, did you notice anything? Or did you suspect anything?" Chao Lun guessed his elder brother was using himself as bait to lure someone into action. This was too dangerous a move, and Chao Lun couldn’t figure out what the other party’s intentions were, so he brought in Yan Guan, hoping he might offer some insight.

"The master doesn't show his emotions, so I couldn’t tell."

"Then why did he send Dai Qing to bring you back?" Chao Lun was surprised. He had assumed Yan Guan was at least a trusted confidant, but he didn’t know anything?

Your brother likes me was something Yan Guan couldn’t bring himself to say.

Who would've thought, Chao Lun was just as sharp as Daxi and the others.

"Hah, I knew it. I said from the start that he had his eye on you, but he refused to admit it," Chao Lun muttered, now uncomfortable with the idea that he might have a male sister-in-law. Being around Yan Guan suddenly felt awkward. "Uh, you can go now. And don’t leave the palace, understand? If you think of anything, come tell me right away."

Yan Guan was just as uneasy. Although nothing had happened between him and Chao Ge, this ambiguous situation hanging in the air left him unsure of how to explain it.

Within a couple of days, the court descended into chaos. Many officials submitted petitions, pleading for Chao Ge to return to the capital. Despite Chao Lun’s multiple attempts to reassure them, it was to no avail. Truth be told, Chao Ge had been away for far too long.

Late at night, back at Yongning Palace, Chao Lun sighed at the pile of memorials stacked high in front of him. He thought to himself, 'If they really want to train me, my brother doesn’t have to stay away this long. I kind of miss him.'

Three days later, Yan Guan, having learned his lesson after being lectured by Chao Lun last time, brought in a large plate of noodles. Chao Lun didn’t notice the confusion in Yan Guan’s eyes.

Seeing the food, Chao Lun’s eyes lit up. He quickly pushed aside the memorials, making room for the meal. He devoured the food like a starved ghost reborn, and between mouthfuls, he vaguely asked, "Have you thought of anything lately?"

"Second Prince, today Dai Qing came by."

Chao Lun paused mid-bite, "Has the Ba-Yun clan made a move?"

"No, Dai Qing said that Master has fallen ill..." Yan Guan’s voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

Chao Lun was shocked, "How could that be? He was fine when you came back!"

"Illnesses like this have incubation periods. Perhaps Master was already... and I failed to notice." Guilt overwhelmed Yan Guan. If he had known, he would never have agreed to return.

"There are so many physicians there, nothing will happen," Chao Lun tried to comfort himself.

The two fell silent for a long time. Chao Lun lost his appetite and stood up, throwing on his cloak, preparing to rush out, "This is serious. I need to see Dai Qing."

Yan Guan stopped him, "Dai Qing is under orders to secretly monitor the Ba-Yun clan. If you rush over now, it might arouse suspicion."

Chao Lun calmed down. Yes, he had forgotten there was still a member of the Ba-Yun clan in this very palace—his dear mother, who had thoughtfully placed so many attendants around him. And yet, when something truly happened, there were only a few people he could trust.

"My brother has always been resilient. If things are dire enough that Dai Qing had to deliver a message, then the situation must be very bad. We need to summon Cai Dan."

Yan Guan obeyed and went to fetch the man.

Chao Lun knew that summoning someone into the palace so late at night would draw attention, but he had no other choice. Sitting alone in the vast, empty hall, he suddenly felt he could understand his elder brother a little more.

Cai Dan hurried over, his heart filled with unease after hearing the news on the way.

"Teacher," Chao Lun stood up and saluted. Cai Dan had once been an imperial tutor in the inner court, having taught Chao Lun for several years. It had been a long time since he’d called him 'teacher.'

"Second Prince, I am unworthy of such a title. The Sovereign faces difficulties in Sang Ta, we must make preparations early."

"Teacher, please advise."

"I'm afraid this matter cannot be kept hidden. If the situation truly deteriorates, I beg the Second Prince to ascend the throne," said Cai Dan, his voice trembling as his elderly body tried to kneel.

Yan Guan, standing behind the door, couldn't help but shrink back when he overheard this. He felt as if his face had gone numb with cold, but this time, no one was there to warm him up.

Chao Lun didn’t know how to respond. Cai Dan was a loyal minister, and in his eyes, Chao Lun was the rightful heir. Back when Chao Ge was brought back to the court, it had seemed like it was merely to ensure that Chao Lun, who was still a fledgling, had some support. Now, hearing Cai Dan speak of immediately ascending the throne in the event of Chao Ge’s misfortune, it wasn’t unexpected.

"No," Chao Lun muttered, feeling lost, "My brother will be fine. It must be the Ba-Yun clan’s doing. How is it that Dai Qing has no news?" he murmured.

Cai Dan hastily said, "Now is not the time to hunt down the culprits behind the scenes. The Master is in critical condition, and someone is definitely spreading the news. It will be impossible to keep it hidden. When the time comes, Your Highness must ascend the throne to stabilize the situation."

"And then what?" Chao Lun suddenly burst out in anger, "My brother has endured the Ba-Yun clan for so long. If I ascend the throne, how could I possibly let them stay? In that case, shouldn’t they have already killed me? Don’t I... still have a younger sister?"

In Wugan Kingdom’s history, there had been female rulers before, and according to their beliefs, the status of women was not low. His younger sister was only nine years old, just the right age to control.

"Teacher, there’s no need to say more. I know my own weight. I’m not fit to be the ruler now, and even if I ascend, I’ll be obstructed at every turn, unable to defend myself against both open and hidden attacks."

Cai Dan sighed, "We, your ministers, will protect you, Your Highness."

"Enough. I will speak about this at tomorrow’s court. There’s no hiding it anyway. Please, Teacher, quickly come up with a plan. No matter what, I must expose the ones behind all this, which will at least allow me to deal with them openly."

Cai Dan didn’t agree but had no choice but to nod in acknowledgment.

After Cai Dan was sent off, Yan Guan walked into the hall and saw Chao Lun with a somber expression. Usually, Chao Lun was somewhat unsteady, but now, he bore a slight resemblance to Chao Ge. Yan Guan felt a sense of unease. "Your Highness, why don’t you let me return to Sang Ta?"

Chao Lun’s eyes lit up for a moment but then dimmed again, "No, you hold a special place in my brother’s heart. He sent you back on purpose. If something were to happen to you, it would pierce him right in the heart."

"How can we worry about that now? I know Doctor Wu’s skills. If Dai Qing sent a message, it must mean that even he finds the illness difficult to treat. Perhaps I could go and try. Besides, if the Master deliberately spread a false message, why would he send Dai Qing to tell me? Even Your Highness knows that my relationship with him is not ordinary. How could he bear to make me worry...?" Yan Guan’s voice choked up as he spoke.

Chao Lun fell silent. It was true. If this was just a ruse to lure out the enemy, Chao Ge could have simply told him or Cai Dan. After all, the court needed people to respond to the situation. Moreover, Yan Guan was keenly perceptive, and the way Chao Ge had hastily sent him away showed the care and love that were not faked. How could he bear to tell him about his serious illness and make him worry? Chao Ge knew that Yan Guan was an excellent doctor, and Yan Guan would certainly insist on coming to Sang Ta. It was likely that Dai Qing had made the decision on his own to inform Yan Guan, though the reasons behind it were something Yan Guan dared not think about. Perhaps the illness was severe and difficult to treat, and he was called to provide medical help. Or maybe... Dai Qing couldn’t bear to let his master be unable to see his sweetheart one last time.

Chao Lun turned his head away, "I’ll have someone make the arrangements."

"Thank you, Your Highness," Yan Guan bowed deeply to him.

The next day, the court was thrown into an uproar, with everyone having their own hidden agendas and conspiracy theories.

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