On the day of the King of Loulan's birthday, the palace was bustling with activity. The grand banquet in the garden was filled with a lively atmosphere, and guests from far and wide gathered to celebrate. Next to the garden was an expansive menagerie that housed a variety of rare birds and exotic beasts, adding to the palace's opulence. The autumn sky was particularly bright, with golden sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the guests.
The King of Loulan sat at the head of the table, flanked by the Queen on one side and his favorite consort, Princess Dana, on the other. Seated next to them were the princes and other consorts. Envoys from various Western kingdoms had already taken their seats, including Prince Hulugu of the Xiongnu and Fu Zhao, the envoy from the Han Dynasty, who were intentionally seated far apart to avoid any potential conflict between the two.
As the soft melodies of lutes, konghou, and hujia began to play, graceful dancers entered the scene. Their slender waists swayed, and their alabaster arms shimmered in the sunlight like smooth jade. With elegant and fluid movements, they danced, their ornaments jingling softly, while their fluttering robes resembled butterflies in flight, dazzling the eyes of the onlookers. Despite the breathtaking beauty of the scene, the guests were lost in their own thoughts, their gazes wandering.
Sitting below the king, An Gui exchanged a subtle smile with Princess Dana, confident in the gift he was about to present. He glanced around the room, his gaze eventually settling on Prince Hulugu. Though the princess had praised the Xiongnu prince many times before, An Gui found nothing particularly exceptional about him. It was the Han envoy Fu Zhao, with his handsome features and graceful demeanor, who stood out. Despite the festive atmosphere, Fu Zhao remained calm, leisurely enjoying the dancers with a serene smile that hinted at hidden depths.
As the dancers exited, a new melody suddenly began to fill the air, its sound ethereal and transcendent, as if it had drifted down from the clouds. The music was light and delicate, like snowflakes falling softly to the ground, like the gentle trickling of a clear stream or raindrops tapping on lotus leaves. The enchanting sound seemed to transport the listeners to a distant, tranquil paradise, their thoughts gently carried away by the music.
Naturally, everyone turned toward the source of the sound. Beneath a tree, a veiled young woman dressed in green was seated, playing the bìlì, a reed instrument, her music otherworldly. Behind her were six musicians dressed in white, whose instruments harmonized flawlessly with hers, as if they were meant to be played together.
The faint scent of leaves filled the air, and the guests seemed to drift into a dream world, guided by the girl's music. The notes seemed to pulse with life, each one calling forth the most beautiful memories from the depths of the listeners' hearts. Some fell into deep contemplation, others showed a hint of melancholy, as if each person had been reminded of a time when they still possessed their innocent, untainted hearts.
At that moment, a sudden gust of wind lifted the veil from the girl's face. Her long hair flowed in the breeze, revealing eyes as clear as crystal. Her cheeks flushed slightly with surprise. Her beauty was like a ray of moonlight cascading gently to earth, pure and radiant. The sunlight filtering through the leaves paled in comparison to her ethereal presence, as if it had been outshone by the very glow she emanated.
When Hulugu Prince recognized Naluo, a fleeting trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly vanished, replaced by a cold gleam. Meanwhile, Fu Zhao maintained a gentle smile, though his gaze carried a hint of astonishment. He had paid little attention to the girl before, especially since the last time he saw her, she had been dusty and disheveled, her beauty obscured. But today, as she unveiled her face, her radiant beauty left Fu Zhao genuinely in awe. The third prince, on the other hand, made no effort to hide his shock, staring at her for a long moment before reluctantly looking away.
An Gui had recognized Naluo the moment she entered, narrowing his eyes as if reevaluating the once-familiar girl. However, what occupied his mind now was speculating on her true intentions. With his sharp intellect, An Gui quickly pieced together the puzzle, and his gaze inadvertently shifted toward Isda.
To An Gui's surprise, Isda's expression was complex, revealing a deep displeasure that was hard to conceal, tinged with traces of anger. His icy gaze swept over the guests who appeared mesmerized by the girl's beauty. In that moment, An Gui seemed to grasp something more.
His elder brother's interest in this girl far exceeded his expectations.
As An Gui surmised, Isda was in an exceedingly foul mood. Ordinarily, he would have been pleased by Naluo's exceptional performance, but for some inexplicable reason, when he noticed the reactions of the guests, an uneasy restlessness stirred within him.
Isda loathed being disturbed by such emotions, yet he found himself unable to shake free from their grip. The girl who had once followed him, calling him "Master," had transformed into a stunning beauty. If she continued to blossom, who could predict how breathtaking she would become in another few years? The thought left a hollow ache in his heart, as though something was missing.
But what was it that he had lost?
After Naluo's performance concluded and she quietly withdrew, An Gui noticed a brief exchange of glances between her and Lord Quehu, seated at the far end. Though Lord Quehu's expression remained composed, the faintest hint of a smile played at the corner of his lips, almost imperceptible.
Following this, envoys from various nations began to present their gifts, yet the most anticipated offerings came from the two princes.
By custom, the eldest son should have been the first to present his gift, followed by the second prince. However, Princess Dana, with a playful laugh, addressed the king, "Your Majesty, the second prince told me a few days ago that he was so excited he could hardly sleep. I believe he is eager to present his gift to you. Why not let him go first?"
The king chuckled, nodding, "Very well. Since my beloved consort has piqued my curiosity, let us see what treasure he brings."
When a sleek black Akhal-Teke horse, its coat gleaming like polished obsidian, was led into the hall, the entire audience fell silent. Even the envoy from Dayuan was visibly astonished. The king's eyes sparkled with delight, and after a brief pause, he expressed his admiration with repeated praise. So thrilled was he that he rose from his seat and hurried to the horse's side to examine it more closely.
The horse's muscular build, graceful posture, powerful and slender limbs, and its lustrous black coat left the king in awe. He gently stroked its back, clearly entranced by the magnificent creature, his affection for the gift evident in every gesture.
An Gui stood and respectfully bowed. "Father, I know you have always had a fondness for horses, yet have regretted never obtaining an Akhal-Teke from Dayuan. Thus, I took it upon myself to acquire one, and I humbly hope it pleases you."
The king's expression softened, his eyes filled with warmth and affection as he gazed at his son. "An Gui, you have truly put thought into this… I am very pleased with this gift."
"Your Majesty, the filial piety shown by the Second Prince is truly rare in this world. As his mother, I cannot help but feel a tinge of envy," Princess Dana remarked in a voice soft as silk, her eyes glistening as she delicately sought recognition for An Gui's efforts. "This horse must have been incredibly difficult to obtain. Surely, such dedication deserves a reward, Your Majesty."
The king, already moved, was pondering how to properly reward the Second Prince when the Captain of the Guard suddenly interjected, "Your Majesty, congratulations on acquiring such a rare treasure. Might we suggest removing the blinders from the horse's eyes so that we may all marvel at it?"
In his elation, the king readily agreed and personally removed the blinders. But the instant he did, his expression shifted dramatically. His face flushed red, then paled, and finally turned an alarming shade of green. Shock and fury consumed him.
Several of the more observant envoys could not suppress their gasps. "The horse's right eye is blind! It's a blind horse!" one of them exclaimed in disbelief.
An Gui stood frozen in place, like a statue. His face drained of all color, his eyes wide with shock, disbelief, and confusion. The Second Prince, who just moments before had been the center of attention and triumph, was now hurled into an abyss of humiliation.
Not far away, Naluo had been secretly watching the scene unfold, her hands clenched tightly in guilt. Her heart twisted with pain as the events of the previous night replayed vividly in her mind. It was a scene she could not shake: in the end, she had made her decision for the sake of the Crown Prince. She had resolved to kill the horse. But just as her dagger was about to pierce its heart, the animal turned and looked at her, its eyes filled with a deep sadness and tenderness.
Her hand had trembled at that moment, and in a brief moment of hesitation, she changed her course. Instead of driving the blade into its heart, she plunged the knife into its right eye. A thin stream of blood had immediately spurted onto her face as the horse let out a pained scream, its body convulsing violently. A trickle of blood ran down its glossy coat. Fortunately, the guards who watched over the stable were deaf and mute, so they noticed nothing amiss.
Tears had streamed down Naluo's face as she threw away the dagger, rushing forward to embrace the horse's neck. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. Blame me, kick me to death… It's all my fault. I couldn't bring myself to kill you, but I still made you suffer."
Yet, to her astonishment, the horse hadn't lashed out. Instead, it allowed her to approach, even gently licking her face with its tongue. This act of kindness only deepened her sorrow as she clung to the horse, heartbroken. Once she had calmed down, she quickly applied some ash to the wound to stop the bleeding and cleaned the area with fresh water. Given the horse's jet-black coat, the traces of blood were barely noticeable. Once her work was done, she had hurried back to the palace, sneaking in before dawn by hiding under a cart just as the gates opened.
Upon her return, she had immediately relayed everything to Manya. And now, with a single glance exchanged between her and Lord Quehu moments earlier, she realized that he knew. The Captain of the Guard was Quehu's man, which was why he had deliberately brought up the blinders.
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. There's surely some misunderstanding. The Second Prince would never do such a thing intentionally," Princess Dana quickly interjected, her voice steady despite her own surprise. She reached out to steady the king, who had stormed back to his seat, his face red with fury.
But the king, consumed with rage, refused to be pacified, harshly swatting away her hand. Princess Dana, though embarrassed, knew better than to press further.
To receive a blind horse on one's birthday was considered a terrible omen. It was no wonder the King of Loulan was livid. The fact that the horse had been a gift from his own son only added to the sting. Even though he suspected there might be some foul play, he couldn't simply brush this off—not with so many foreign dignitaries watching. If word of this reached the Western Regions, how would his reputation ever recover?
The king's temper flared dangerously, and it seemed as though he might storm out at any moment. The atmosphere in the hall grew tense, and all the guests reacted differently to the unfolding drama. Yet, among them, the only two who remained unfazed, continuing to sip their wine without the slightest change in demeanor, were Hulugu Prince and Fu Zhao.
An Gui closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The shock that had consumed him gradually subsided, and once calm, he realized with certainty that there had been foul play.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has also prepared a special gift for you. Perhaps you might like to take a look?" Marquis Que Hu broke the suffocating silence.
The earlier incident had drained the king's interest in any further gifts. With a weary wave of his hand, he gestured for Yisda to present the offering.
Yisda rose, clapping his hands. Moments later, four strong men carried in a large, cloth-covered object, placing it carefully in the center. Yisda approached slowly, unveiling the red cloth with deliberate grace—revealing yet another horse.
But this was no ordinary horse. This one was carved entirely from a single piece of fine jade. The jade horse gleamed with a translucent, faint green glow. Although the craftsmanship appeared somewhat rudimentary, the piece exuded an air of elegance, as if it were imbued with life itself. The horse reared its head proudly, its hoof raised high, bathed in the soft light of the setting sun, looking so spirited and lifelike that it seemed poised to gallop at any moment. Though not a living creature, it surpassed the beauty of any real horse.
Yisda smiled modestly and spoke, "Father, I know well of your fondness for horses. Our kingdom of Loulan is blessed with abundant resources and prosperity. This jade, too, is a treasure of our land. Jade endures through the ages, symbolizing good fortune. As a birthday gift, it is most fitting. May you enjoy longevity and eternal youth, Father. May our kingdom, like this jade horse, endure through the ages and flourish without end."
As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis Que Hu and several officials immediately chimed in, "May His Majesty enjoy long life and eternal youth! May Loulan thrive for countless generations!" Their voices rang out in unison, prompting the rest of the court to join in, filling the hall with boisterous blessings. The atmosphere, which had been heavy with tension, was now lively and bright.
The Crown Prince's words had been well-chosen, not only pleasing the king but subtly showcasing Loulan's wealth and strength, deftly dissolving the earlier awkwardness. The king, who had been fuming with anger, felt his mood ease slightly. He began to regard his eldest son with newfound favor.
Seeing this, Princess Dana's eyes sparkled as she spoke sweetly, "Indeed, Loulan is rich in fine materials, and this jade is of excellent quality. However, Crown Prince, had you taken the time to find a master craftsman to carve this horse, it would have been even more perfect." Though her words were laced with flattery, they subtly criticized the Crown Prince for not putting enough thought into his gift. With An Gui already at a disadvantage, Dana had no intention of letting the Crown Prince bask in the limelight alone.
Unfazed by the veiled insult, Yisda responded calmly with a smile, "What the Princess says is true. However, this jade horse was carved by my own hand, which is why the workmanship is somewhat lacking. I beg Father's understanding for its imperfections."
The moment he spoke, Princess Dana's expression shifted slightly, while the king, too, was taken aback. "What? Yisda, you carved this yourself?" the king asked in astonishment.
"Indeed, Your Majesty," the queen answered on her son's behalf, smiling. "I have known about this for some time. His hands have yet to fully heal from the task, and as his mother, it pains me deeply to see him hurt." She emphasized the word "mother," a clear jab at Princess Dana, who had earlier referred to herself as "mother" in front of the court.
Sure enough, Princess Dana's face grew even more strained, her lips twitching as she struggled to find a retort.
The king suddenly rose from his seat, urgently summoning Istah to his side. As Istah approached, the king immediately grasped his hand and inspected it closely. Just as the queen had said, Istah's hands, once untouched by labor, were now covered in intersecting scars, and his palms bore a thin layer of calluses—clear evidence of the effort and hardship he had endured in crafting the gift.
"My child, you've suffered," the king's voice was low, filled with deep emotion. After the earlier setback, he felt even more moved by this heartfelt gesture.
"As long as it pleases Father, this small amount of suffering means nothing," Istah responded with a sincere smile, though inside, he felt a twinge of relief. Had his second brother's horse not encountered an issue, his own gift might not have so easily won their father's favor. Still, he sensed that his uncle might have had a hand in these events.
The king nodded thoughtfully, then, after a brief pause, commanded, "Bring me the royal golden sword. I wish to bestow it upon the crown prince."
At these words, a tense silence swept through the hall. The golden sword was no ordinary blade—it symbolized the line of succession in the kingdom of Loulan. By gifting it to Istah, was the king signaling his choice for heir?
The queen and Quhu Hou could barely conceal their joy, while Dana's face turned ashen, her body slumping weakly against her chair. An Gui, however, remained calm, his deep ice-green eyes unreadable, hiding whatever emotions stirred beneath the surface.
Though surprised, Istah graciously accepted the sword, bowing repeatedly to express his gratitude for the royal favor.
Though the king did not explicitly declare it, this act spoke volumes. Courtiers and envoys, well-versed in the nuances of court politics, quickly followed suit, offering their congratulations to the crown prince for the honor he had received.
After a brief moment of disappointment, An Gui masked his feelings with a friendly smile, offering Istah a few words of congratulation. The third prince, however, unable to hide his emotions, sat sullenly, his frustration clearly visible.
Naruo observed the entire scene unfold, finally releasing a long, quiet sigh of relief. Her efforts had not been in vain. She had achieved her goal.
Yet—there was no joy in her heart.