With the new emperor ascending the throne, everything was renewed. Before the end of the first lunar month, apricot and peach blossoms bloomed in Zichang City, symbolizing a vibrant future unfolding slowly.
In the second year of Chengguang, General Dai Ping led fifty thousand troops to Qin Province to fight against Cui Jie. Yang Qiong served as deputy commander, and Cheng Fengyi held Xiao Shujin in her arms, seeing them off outside the city.
On the drill ground, Dai Ping loudly recited the oath-taking words, sacrificing pigs to consecrate the banners. Soldiers of the western camp ran to gather outside the city walls under the command of their officers. No one noticed the tender farewell taking place in the pavilion by the moat.
"Take care of yourself while away. Qin Province is warmer than the capital, but don't rush to remove your winter clothes. Be cautious of miasma in the forests. If you feel unwell, don't force yourself. Without me by your side, take care of your health and don't be reckless," Cheng Fengyi earnestly instructed, and Yang Qiong nodded smilingly in agreement.
Xiao Shujin clutched her braid, saying wistfully: "Uncle Yang, come back soon."
Yang Qiong kissed her cheek: "Be good and stay with your mother. Uncle will return soon."
The assembly horn blew, and Yang Qiong whispered: "I must go."
Cheng Fengyi said: "Wait!" She stepped out of the pavilion, plucked a green branch from a willow tree by the riverbank, placed it in a small brocade pouch, tied it securely, and handed it to him.
"Go."
Yang Qiong received the pouch, carefully stowing it away, took a few steps back, and turned resolutely to run.
Xiao Shujin pouted: "Mother, when will Uncle Yang come back?"
"He'll return soon. Eat and sleep well, otherwise, Uncle won't like you," Cheng Fengyi murmured, watching the tall figure gradually disappear.
Willow branches, fragrant in spring, are sadly used to bid farewell every year. One leaf blown by the wind signals autumn's arrival; even if you come, how could it be worth picking?
Just as Yang Qiong left, shocking news arrived from Yan Province.
Shan Jian had died.
Upon hearing this, Cui Yi nearly swallowed a chicken bone whole, spitting out rice in shock, disregarding his imperial dignity: "Dead? How could he die? How did he die?"
Chengying hurriedly calmed the children and asked the messenger to explain.
The messenger, sweating profusely, presented an envelope: "This... is Shan's... suicide note..."
Cui Yi snatched it, tore it open, and read quickly. The messenger wiped his brow and gasped: "People in Yan Province said that the day before Shan killed himself, there were no signs. He finished his work, went out drinking and listening to opera, returning drunk near midnight. His servant put him to bed and went to sleep. No one expected to find him dead the next morning."
"Did he commit suicide?" Chengying asked doubtfully.
The messenger nodded: "I reported only what I heard, Your Majesty, Empress."
Chengying found it hard to believe. With Cui Jie still alive and Shan's revenge unfulfilled, why would he kill himself? It made no sense!
But Cui Yi quickly scanned the suicide note, remaining silent for a moment before dismissing the messenger: "I understand. You may leave and receive your reward."
After the messenger left, Chengying asked: "Why did Shan commit suicide? What did he write in the note?"
"See for yourself," Cui Yi handed her the letter, losing his appetite, resting his forehead in his hands.
Chengying unfolded the paper carefully and saw only a short seven-character poem:
My heart is like the moon, yours like water,
Several spring breezes enter my dreams.
Awake, I see only Jiangnan gone,
No longer cutting clear light through the window lattice.
Chengying gasped: "This—is a love poem?"
Cui Yi cupped his hands over his mouth, muffled: "Correct, but not written for the third prince."
"For whom then? Did he have someone else he liked?" Chengying wondered, "Why haven't you mentioned this before? Who is it?"
Cui Yi looked at her: "Who do you think?"
It was difficult to guess. Chengying scrutinized the twenty-eight characters, searching her memories for clues related to Shan Jian. After much deliberation, she remained puzzled: "Do I know this person? Not the third prince, then who? Bai Li Zan? Unlikely, they always maintained a respectful distance. There were no signs before. Could it be someone else?"
Shan compared himself to the moon and the other person to water, indicating unrequited love. The final lines suggested the person had left, causing him to despair and decide to end his life. On the surface, it seemed straightforward, but her intuition told her there was more hidden between the lines.
Chengying stared at the note, lost in thought. Cui Yi rinsed his mouth and said: "Actually, last year in Xuanzhou, I sensed something was off about Shan. Different from before, but I didn't expect the person who helped him overcome his grief for the third prince's death would be..."
"I can't guess," Chengying admitted, feeling overwhelmed. From Shan's departure from Yan to his deception in Xuanzhou, she hadn't seen him since, lacking sufficient information to speculate.
Cui Yi tapped the character 'Nan': "If you rule out Wen Yu due to lack of contact, the answer becomes clear."
Chengying understood. Shan had fallen in love with someone who had been close but could never be together. Someone who feared entanglement and feigned ignorance. Someone who left and never returned.
Awake, I see only Jiangnan gone, no longer cutting clear light through the window lattice. After the person left, Shan drowned his sorrows in alcohol, finding solace only in dreams. Despite knowing it wasn't real, he cherished those fleeting moments, unwilling to face reality.
Even the usually ruthless Shan sent a kind letter hoping to unite Yang Qiong and Cheng Fengyi, perhaps wishing for his own feelings to be reciprocated.
Yet, he was disappointed. Once loving Cui Huan, who died, and now falling for another, the price was his own life.
A strategist renowned for his cunning and decisive actions, Shan Fu ended up trapped by unrequited love, ending his life in despair. Chengying felt an indescribable sorrow, gazing at the moonlight filtering through the carved windows, more desolate than ever, like a departing lover's fleeting silhouette fading into the night.
The next morning in court, Cui Yi announced Shan's death, concealing the suicide and claiming sudden illness. He decided to bury Shan alongside Cui Huan, despite opposition from conservative ministers. Eventually, they compromised.
After court, Chengying waited outside Ming Tang Hall. Among the exiting officials, she called out to Xu Cheng, who appeared distracted.
Xu Cheng snapped to attention, recognizing her, and came forward to pay respects: "May I offer greetings to Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort."
Chengying waved for Xiao Qiu to step back, saying: "General Xu, I have a small question troubling me. Can you help?"
Xu Cheng's face paled, beads of sweat forming: "I... am willing to relieve Her Highness's concerns."
Chengying nodded slowly: "Do you know?"
Her question was subtle, confusing to others, but Xu Cheng understood: "Yes... I always knew."
Chengying remained silent, and Xu Cheng continued painfully: "Forgive me, Your Highness, I truly cannot..."
"I know, I only seek an answer, not punishment," Chengying said lightly, "Love or not, neither is a fault. What sin does General Xu bear?"
"That night, you seemed distracted. Was it because of this?"
Xu Cheng could no longer hide: "Before I left, I said not to look for me anymore, but he wrote a letter saying if I didn't return by spring, he would..."
Chengying sighed: "It was his choice. Don't blame yourself. Yesterday, Your Majesty and I chose a suitable date for his burial. Let's all go to send him off. Jiaojiao is too young, so she'll stay in the palace with Xian'er. You can pick her up afterward."
Xu Cheng nodded silently, and Chengying gazed at the blue-tiled roof of Ming Tang Hall, feeling an overwhelming fatigue.