The eighteenth year of Yuan Cheng, winter, the eleventh month.
For three days in a row, thunder rumbled over Ning Prefecture, but not a drop of rain or snow fell.
The townsfolk believed this was a sign of some strange omen.
As soon as night fell, they would bolt their doors and windows, refusing to set foot outside.
Only in the Pingnan Palace did music and dance continue as if nothing was amiss.
Wu Ciyun sat below the seat of honor, coldly observing the wild revelry filling the hall, her expression so indifferent it was as if she were watching a farcical play.
“Your Highness! Prince Rui has led his army southward, and arrived at the borders of Ning Prefecture just yesterday.”
Amidst the chaos, one Official who still had his wits about him brushed aside his colleagues’ attempts to stop him, staggered to his feet, and knelt to advise with earnest words: “The Imperial Court’s main army is still in Wuzhou and may not be able to reinforce us in time. I beg Your Highness to put the people first, order the troops to defend the city and protect the citizens, so that Ning Prefecture does not become a land of slaughter!”
Now, with the Court Eunuchs in power, harsh taxes and forced labor had left the people destitute.
Prince Rui, holding troops at the frontier, took the opportunity to rebel, winning the support of the people as he marched south.
In order to suppress the rebels, the Emperor had even appealed to neighboring Liang, claiming that Songliang and Liang shared the same ancestry, and requested military aid from the Liang Army.
Now that Prince Rui’s army was at the city gates, not only did the Prince of Pingnan remain unconcerned, he and the Officials were still indulging in wine and pleasure, showing not a trace of urgency.
“Your Highness, you have received the Emperor’s grace and your family has benefited for generations. Now, in this time of crisis, if you do nothing, are you not handing Ning Prefecture over to the enemy? You would betray the Emperor above and shame the people below—how can we not despise this!”
These words were far too blunt. The Prince of Pingnan, who was in the midst of enjoying himself with two beautiful dancers, glanced over impatiently, and his expression immediately darkened.
Below stood the Official risking himself to remonstrate, while above, the Prince of Pingnan’s face was black as ink.
For a moment, everyone exchanged uneasy glances, and the room fell into a strange silence.
“Lord Han, your words are mistaken.”
Wu Ciyun calmly looked at the one offering counsel, speaking up to smooth things over for the Prince of Pingnan.
“His Highness cares for the people and has long been aware of the situation. He simply did not wish to make a public show of it in advance, so as not to disrupt important plans.”
The Official below sneered coldly at her words and pressed on, “Then may I ask, Lord Wu, what deployments have been made in Ning Prefecture? Surely you don’t think you can repel the rebels with mere words?”
Wu Ciyun was not angered by this. She replied slowly, “Since His Majesty has already requested aid from the Liang Army, why should we waste Ning Prefecture’s own troops? We need only assist from the sidelines.”
“To rely solely on the Liang Army—isn’t that like asking a tiger for its skin…”
“Lord Han, think carefully. The Liang Army and the rebel forces are evenly matched. If the Liang Army is defeated, it will not be too late for Ning Prefecture’s troops to reinforce them. If the Liang Army is victorious, they will surely suffer losses and be spent, so what is there to fear?”
With that, she signaled to the side, and someone immediately stepped forward to help the drunken Lord Han away to rest.
Lord Han still wanted to argue, but a servant pressed hard on the back of his neck, rendering him speechless.
Eyes wide, he could only be forcibly led out by several people.
The others in the hall discussed Wu Ciyun’s words in hushed voices, and soon resumed their flattery of the Prince of Pingnan, praising him for his foresight and cunning.
The Prince of Pingnan was very pleased by this, and drank several more cups in quick succession.
A dancing girl tried to pour wine for Wu Ciyun, but in her nervousness, she accidentally knocked over the cup.
The crisp sound of breaking glass was especially jarring. Her face went pale, and she instinctively wanted to kneel and beg forgiveness.
The Prince of Pingnan heard the commotion and asked casually, “Lord Wu, what happened?”
Wu Ciyun had no intention of stirring up trouble and simply replied, “This humble official cannot hold her liquor and accidentally knocked over the wine cup.”
The Prince of Pingnan noticed Wu Ciyun was not close with the dancer.
He raised his brows and ordered, “Have Fufeng come over.”
A man named Fufeng, dressed in green, hurried over at the summons.
He replaced the previous dancer and sat gracefully beside Wu Ciyun, raising his hand to pour her a cup of wine.
“My lord, I offer you a toast.”
Fufeng shyly presented the cup to Wu Ciyun, his slender phoenix eyes brimming with unspoken words, looking rather pitiful and appealing.
There were other Officials at the banquet who also kept male favorites at their side, so the others understood immediately, their gazes at the two either ambiguous or disdainful.
Wu Ciyun took the cup and downed it in one go, her straightforwardness making the Prince of Pingnan laugh heartily.
The banquet continued with wine and laughter, as if the earlier interruption was nothing but a trivial appetizer.
Someone new to Ning Prefecture, unaware of the details, leaned over to ask a colleague, “Who is that? I see His Highness values him highly.”
“That is Wu Ciyun, once a disciple of Wu Nanshan. Seven years ago, she placed first in all three imperial exams, nearly becoming the Imperial Consort.”
The other’s expression turned faintly scornful as he explained, “Back then, she colluded with the treacherous Wu Nanshan. When their crimes came to light, she survived only by betraying her mentor. Now, she’s nothing but a County Magistrate, Seventh Rank.”
In officialdom, everyone looked out for each other; few were truly clean.
A traitorous minister was despicable enough, but one who betrayed his own was even worse.
What’s more, this traitor seemed to have no backbone at all, using any means to climb higher.
The newcomer clicked his tongue, his shadowed gaze drifting over Wu Ciyun’s fair, jade-like face. He unconsciously tightened his grip around his own male favorite, muttering, “Such ambition and beauty—what a waste…”
“You’d best not set your sights on him.”
His colleague gave him a meaningful look and whispered, “He’s already climbed high. The Young Lord is completely bewitched by him…”
Wu Ciyun seemed to sense something and looked up, her gaze landing squarely on the people who had just been gossiping about her.
The speaker had wanted to say more, but meeting Wu Ciyun’s eyes unexpectedly, he jumped in fright, lowered his head guiltily, and dared not speak further.
[That’s the one talking bad about you in secret!]
The System pointed out the culprit for Wu Ciyun from the crowd, tattling: [He just said you betrayed your mentor and colluded with traitors.]
[Last time, he also spread rumors that you’re indiscriminate with men and women, I’ve kept track of it all for you!]
[What’s the point of keeping track? He’s only telling the truth.]
Wu Ciyun sipped her tea, utterly unconcerned by such talk.
Four years ago, when the Wu family fell, she managed to escape, but in the four years since, she had been demoted three times, and the rumors about her were too many to count.
Some said she survived only by becoming the Princess’s lover; others claimed she’d secretly pledged herself to several Official’s daughters.
Now, in Ning Prefecture, the gossip was that she clung to both sides, entangled with the Prince of Pingnan’s Young Lord.
She’d heard far worse and was long used to it.
Fufeng noticed Wu Ciyun seemed lost in thought.
He pursed his lips and, eager to please, put food on her plate, timidly saying, “My lord, strong liquor is bad for the body. Please try this instead.”
“I’ve noticed you all seem afraid to get close to me. Why is that?”
Wu Ciyun turned to Fufeng at her side and asked softly, “I shouldn’t be so fearsome, should I?”
Caught off guard by her gaze, Fufeng stared at her blankly for a moment.
Wu Ciyun could never be called fearsome, her features were cool and refined, and because of poor health since birth, her complexion was always pale as snow.
She looked less like a scheming Official and more like an immortal carved from ice and jade in a storybook.
No matter what the rumors said, being this close, Fufeng’s heart still skipped a beat.
“It’s…the Young Lord’s orders.”
Fufeng lowered his voice, aggrieved: “The Young Lord said if we dare touch you, he’ll have our hands chopped off and our skins flayed…”
The Prince of Pingnan kept a number of male favorites and dancers in the palace to entertain guests at banquets. If a guest wanted to take liberties, they were not allowed to resist.
It was fortunate that Wu Ciyun was unlike those lustful, power-hungry nobles, or else they would have no choice but to accept their fate.
“So it really is my fault, then.”
Wu Ciyun sighed lightly at this, and said, “You may go. If His Highness asks, I’ll explain myself.”
Fufeng shook his head, replying softly, “I’m not afraid of punishment. I’m willing to serve you, my lord. His Highness said if you like me, I can go to your residence to serve you…”
Here, he glanced at Wu Ciyun, a trace of hope flickering in his eyes.
Wu Ciyun frowned almost imperceptibly, staring at Fufeng for a moment before replying coolly, “Are you clean?”
“I’m clean in both ways.”
Fufeng tentatively brushed Wu Ciyun’s sleeve. Seeing no reaction, he grew bolder and took her hand under the table.
Wu Ciyun reflexively wanted to shake him off, but catching sight of the Prince of Pingnan at the head of the table, she forced herself to endure it.
“I’m drunk.”
Wu Ciyun lowered her gaze and said calmly, “Help me out so I can rest.”
Fufeng was stunned for a moment, his ears suddenly turning red as his heartbeat quickened.
He knew that if he left with Wu Ciyun tonight, the Young Lord Xiao Boming would surely bear a grudge, and he might not even keep his life.
But what if Lord Wu truly liked him…
Fufeng felt his hope was not unfounded. He had seen Xiao Boming throw himself at Wu Ciyun before, but Wu Ciyun always remained indifferent, rarely even touching him.
His heart swelled with joy and a secret pride, overwhelming his caution. He hurried after Wu Ciyun, even boldly supporting her arm.
The night wind was bone-chillingly cold. As they crossed the covered walkway, the howling wind stung their ears.
The sudden cold made Wu Ciyun cough softly into her hand.
Fufeng quickly wrapped her cloak tighter and said with concern, “My lord, be careful not to catch cold…”
“You shameless wretch!”
Before Fufeng could finish, a shadow lurking by the corridor suddenly pulled him away.
A young man in brocade, handsome but with a dark, thunderous face, raised his hand and slapped Fufeng to the ground, cursing, “You filthy thing! Who are you trying to seduce here?”
“Young Lord… please spare me!”
Fufeng was dazed by the blow. Seeing who it was, his face turned white with fear, and he knelt, begging for mercy.
“So, it’s you.”
Xiao Boming laughed in fury, coldly saying, “You think you’re something just because you’re a bit good-looking? Since you like serving people so much, I’ll make sure you get your wish tonight!”
“Young Lord, the banquet is still going. To punish a servant is one thing, but if word gets out, it could ruin His Highness’s reputation.”
Seeing that the servants were about to drag Fufeng away, Wu Ciyun, who had been watching coldly, finally spoke up.
Xiao Boming’s expression grew even darker at her plea, but unwilling to argue with Wu Ciyun over a lowly male favorite, he ground his teeth and relented.
“Lock this wretch in the woodshed. I’ll deal with him after the banquet.”
Wu Ciyun made no comment. Watching the servants drag Fufeng away, she turned to leave.
“Stop!”
Xiao Boming quickly blocked her path. Staring at Wu Ciyun’s impassive face, he suddenly softened his tone and said quietly, “Yun Lang, are you still angry with me?”
As the only son of the Prince of Pingnan, Xiao Boming had learned nothing but how to bully and take advantage.
He was always the one being flattered—never had he lowered his head to anyone.
But he never expected Wu Ciyun could truly keep her distance for so long.
He’d never felt this way before, but now, tormented day and night, he finally understood what it meant to suffer.
He pursed his lips, sulking, “It was just whipping your steward and not speaking up for you before my father—those aren’t such big things. Do you really have to be so angry?”
Xiao Boming fumbled in his sleeve for a moment and handed Wu Ciyun a gleaming gold token.
“I stole this from my father’s study. Take it—if anything happens, I’ll take care of it all.”
Wu Ciyun frowned slightly, surprised as she looked at Xiao Boming.
“This token commands all the troops in Ning Prefecture, and you just stole it…”
“Yun Lang, you’re not an outsider. You’d never harm me.”
Xiao Boming stared at Wu Ciyun, afraid to miss any change in her expression. Seeing her finally smile, he breathed a sigh of relief.
“Yun Lang…”
Xiao Boming felt the blood in his body, cold until now, finally begin to flow again. He boldly leaned in, wanting to kiss Wu Ciyun.
But Wu Ciyun swiftly pushed him away.
“Boming, this isn’t right.”
“What’s wrong with it? There’s no one else here. Yun Lang, be good to me…”
Xiao Boming couldn’t understand why Wu Ciyun wouldn’t let him kiss or hug her, or even hold her hand without begging for days.
They were already committed to each other, yet in these matters, he was treated worse than a stranger.
Wu Ciyun was truly grateful it was night, so her look of disgust could be partly hidden and not so easily seen.
“Young Lord, please mind your words.”
Hearing her call him “Young Lord,” Xiao Boming immediately deflated, afraid to anger Wu Ciyun any further, and quietly stepped back.
“It’s getting late. I’ll be going now.”
Wu Ciyun had no intention of lingering. Xiao Boming hesitated, then softly asked, “Tomorrow… will you come see me again?”
Wu Ciyun paused, gazing at Xiao Boming for a long time before replying gently, “If there’s no wind or snow, then I will come.”