Chapter 6: Divergence

He spoke incessantly about the rules of the guards, while Zuo Canglang stroked the white armor of the guard in his hand, bewildered as if in a dream

The child timidly retreated, while the steed neighed softly and continued southward. The three individuals turned back, the imposing official road behind them leading straight to the city gate, as the dense crowd at the entrance gradually receded into the distance

Murong Yan said: "The State of Yan is now a vassal state of the Western Jing. When the upper state sends envoys, it is as if the Emperor of Western Jing is personally present. Not only I, but even my father, would not be late."

"Sister..." A child approached, extending a pair of thin, dark hands, with particularly large eyes filled with longing, staring at them. The left wolf touched his waist, naturally finding not a single coin. The guide said: "Get away, get away, or you'll get whipped"

Zuo Canglang raised his eyes and gazed at the renowned Wen Qi. Even in a place like the orphan camp, the children had heard of him. He was a hero of the Great Yan. During the battle at Pingdu Pass, when the Yan army was in disarray, the King of Yan hastily appointed him as commander. At the age of barely twenty, he accepted the urgent mission and led a remnant army of less than thirty thousand in a desperate fight. Ultimately, he exhausted the supplies of the Jing army, leading them to agree to negotiations

Two individuals, without any tasks for the time being, have come out together to enjoy the spectacle

It was during this battle that Wen Qizhi's father, Old Master Wen, lost a leg

However, this almost legendary general does not possess three heads and six arms. He stands in his position, occasionally nodding slightly in response to greetings from court officials. With the King of Yan yet to arrive, the court officials gather in groups of three or five, creating a clear distinction in the dynamics of the court.

Zuo Canglang's face immediately turned red, and he kicked out. Leng Feiyan nimbly jumped aside, laughing playfully. Yang Lianting shook his head, watching the two of them frolic. Just as they reached Yurang Bridge, a servant came over to lead the horses for Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting. Wang Yunzhao said: "Miss Zuo, please follow this old servant."

Murong Yan smiled: "In the battle of Pingdu Pass back then, our main forces were utterly defeated. If it were not for General Wen Qie fighting to the death and turning the tide, the Great Yan would have long been trampled to the ground by the iron cavalry of the Western Jing. Later, Western Jing relented and was willing to preserve the Yan state, conducting the affairs of both nations with the courtesy of sovereign and subject. The Great Yan paid tribute year after year and acknowledged vassalage, which temporarily halted the hostilities. Our country is a vassal state, so the envoys from Western Jing naturally carry themselves with a bit more arrogance.

The ancestral grave of the Yang family does not require much maintenance. The caretaker is quite diligent, and there are hardly any weeds on the grave. Yang Lianting kneels at the head of the grave, while Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang burn joss paper for him. Once, there were close relatives, but now only the cold, lonely grave remains. Yang Lianting finds himself unable to shed tears; he simply continues to gaze intently at the headstone.

Murong Yan said: "The case of Yang Jiling is indeed suspicious. Although the king ordered his execution, Yang Jiling had already passed away before being taken to the execution ground. Moreover, shortly after the Yang family was executed, their residence was flooded, and a great fire not only completely destroyed the Yang family but also left no trace of Yang Jiling's study. Although Yang Lianting was sold into slavery by the officials due to his young age, there were still those who secretly targeted him. Not even a child was spared; aside from the guilty conscience of a thief, there is no other explanation for this." Yang Lianting was sold into slavery by the officials due to his young age, yet there were still those who secretly targeted him. Not even a child was spared; aside from the guilty conscience of a thief, there is no other explanation for this.

On the second day, someone came to take Yang Lianting to Nanshan for ancestral worship, accompanied by Leng Feiyan and Zuo Canglang. As they passed through Jinyang City, the three of them found everything novel, like a country bumpkin entering the city. Unfortunately, they had no money on them, so they could only satisfy their eyes.

Suddenly, someone spoke in her ear, and the voice was extremely familiar. Zuo Canglang turned around and saw Leng Feiyan holding some kind of pastry, winking at her while eating. Yang Lianting followed behind her, wearing an expression of helplessness.

The left gray wolf could not eat, and a strange feeling slowly spread in his heart, like a piece of candy slowly melting in high temperatures, pulling into threads, entangled and sticking together. However, no matter what form it takes, as long as one looks at it, one can feel the sweetness that penetrates the heart and lungs.

He was mumbling on horseback, while three men on gray wolves rode alongside, passing through the refugees stationed on either side. Their eyes were wide, and their lips were pale. Upon hearing the sound of hooves, some opened their eyes to take a look, seemingly wanting to rise, but merely moved a bit before lying back down.

The Left Cang Wolf was quietly observing everyone when suddenly there was a commotion in the crowd. She raised her eyes and saw the procession of the King of Yan approaching, accompanied by the Crown Prince dressed in red. The civil and military officials lined up on both sides, bowing in respect. Yan and the Book King Murong Yuan slowly descended from the Six Dragon Chariot, dressed in dark robes and crimson garments, adorned with a crown and front tassels, exuding an imposing demeanor.

Murong Yan held no official position in the court; although he was already of age, he bore no title. He nodded slightly to those present and walked to his designated spot to stand. Zuo Canglang followed closely behind him. Suddenly, Murong Yan raised his chin slightly towards a figure not far away and said: "That person is General Wen Qi."

Wang Yunzhao silently withdrew, and Zuo Canglang replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, everything is going smoothly. However..." Murong Yan raised his head, and Zuo Canglang continued, "However, he still harbors deep resentment regarding the grievances of the Yang family."

Wang Yunzhao led Zuo Canglang inside, while Murong Yan was reading by the lakeside pavilion. Upon seeing her approach, he asked: "Did everything go smoothly today while visiting Yang Lianting's grave?"

King Murong Yuan of Yan lightly raised his right hand, and immediately the sound of drums and music filled the air. The envoy from Xijing, Lord Zhu, arrived at the foot of the city. King Yan personally stepped forward to welcome him into Jinyang City, proceeding towards the Great Yan Imperial Palace. Zuo Canglang followed closely behind Murong Yan, entering the palace as well. Murong Yan did not speak, and she did not ask further questions either

Murong Yan set down the book, stood up, and walked to the railing. From here, he gazed outward, only to see the azure lake gently rippling, with the jade bridge lying across the misty twilight waves. The evening breeze blew at an angle, and a rain swallow flew through the vast water mist, landing under the eaves to stealthily peck at the fine grains meant for the caged birds.

Wang Yunzhao smiled and comforted, "Your Highness will naturally not treat the three young lords poorly, Miss Zuo need not worry." Leng Feiyan appeared to smile yet not smile, saying, "Now this is good, someone has the advantage of being close to the water pavilion."

The left gray wolf finally raised his head and looked directly at him: "My lord, is it true that the Yang family has been framed?"

Murong Yan said: "Bring it in."

An hour later, they finally arrived at the Xihua Gate. Many civil and military officials were already waiting there, but Prince Yan had not yet arrived. The officials gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones. Upon seeing Murong Yan approach, everyone exchanged polite greetings, yet even Zuo Canglang could discern that these officials held only a formal respect for him.

The maid brought the meal, consisting of four dishes and one soup, primarily light in flavor, yet one dish of braised meat stood out prominently. Zuo Canglang was about to take his leave when Murong Yan said, "Sit down and enjoy the meal." Zuo Canglang was momentarily taken aback and sat down opposite him. Murong Yan picked up his chopsticks and served her a piece of red-braised meat: "I usually prefer light meals, so you might not be able to adapt. Therefore, I specifically instructed someone to add a dish for you to try."

As the sky gradually brightened, the road outside the Xihua Gate was cleaned up very well, and the ministers also quieted down, no longer speaking. After a short while, the sound of approaching carriages could be heard from outside, and someone came to report: "Report—Prince Yan, the envoy Zhu from Xijing has arrived outside the city!"

Zuo Canglang nodded slightly and followed the sedan chair bearers as they walked briskly. Murong Yan then said: "When we reach the Xihua Gate, just stay by my side. I will inform you of what needs to be done."

Zuo Canglang said: "Is it because of this matter that my lord has kept me by his side?" Murong Yan gestured for her to eat and slowly replied: "It is because of your initial promise, because of your skills and intellect, because of your name, and because of your gaze"

Zuo Canglang was quite surprised: "The envoy from Xijing actually requires the King of Yan to personally lead the officials to welcome him at the city gate of Jinyang? This..."

The three individuals exchanged glances, and Leng Feiyan asked the guide, "Why are there so many people gathered here?" The guide, a foreman sent by Murong Yan to assist Yang Lianting in repairing the ancestral grave, simply shook his head in response: "Some refugees, unable to make a living, have come here to seek a livelihood."

Leng Feiyan was surprised: "No disasters? Then how could they..." The guide shooed away a child who had come to beg for food, saying: "The Great Yan Kingdom pays tribute to the Western Jing every year, while Tu He, the He country, Ling Zhi, and the Mountain Rong invade every year. The chaos of war, alas..." He sighed, suddenly coming to his senses, and said: "Let us not discuss national affairs anymore. My brothers are already waiting at Young Master Yang's ancestral tomb, just needing Young Master Yang to come and see how to carry out the repairs. Hey, we have repaired the tomb for the esteemed family of the Grand Master of the Tai Chang Wang, and we guarantee your satisfaction..."

Murong Yan sat at the table, watching her eat. His gaze was as warm as a spring breeze, with distinct facial features: a high nose and thin lips. Occasionally, a slight smile would appear, effortlessly captivating those around him.

The left gray wolf lowered its head and said after a long while: "Today, when I left the city, I saw many refugees at the entrance of the Library City."

In early spring, the sun revealed only a single face before quickly disappearing into the clouds, leaving the sky a pale white. Three individuals crouched before a grave, as paper money was licked and curled by the flames. On the gravestone, the name "Yang" was faintly inscribed. Yang Lianting opened his arms and embraced the stone, while Zuo Canglang gently patted his shoulder. He finally lifted his head and said, "I am fine"

Zuo Canglang responded affirmatively, feeling genuinely grateful. After all, he was merely a fifteen-year-old boy, having just emerged from the orphan camp, completely ignorant of the intricacies of the imperial court and its affairs. He had not yet learned the proper etiquette. Suddenly accompanying Murong Yan to welcome foreign envoys, it was inevitable that he felt nervous and apprehensive.

The left gray wolf raised its head: "Is it the Wen Wei book he mentioned?"

Zuo Canglang still felt somewhat uneasy and asked, "Does the steward know what the arrangements are?"

He walked past Murong Yan, but his gaze did not linger on him. Instead, he approached Wen Qi, helped him up, and spoke to him in a low voice

Leng Feiyan asked, "Has there been a disaster somewhere?" The guide glanced at her and replied, "Miss, you jest. In this world... who needs to suffer a disaster?"

Zuo Canglang nodded, and Yang Lianting also rode away. The sound of hooves was like rain, gradually fading and disappearing into the twilight mist. Zuo Canglang followed Wang Yunzhao, the yellow steed moving neither fast nor slow, heading towards the residence of Murong Yan

The Yang family's ancestral grave had not been repaired in any significant way. Yang Lianting paid his respects, and that afternoon, the three of them returned to the city together. Wang Yunzhao had already sent someone to pick them up. Zuo Canglang asked, "Master Wang, where are we going now?" Wang Yunzhao replied, "His Highness has ordered this old servant to escort Miss Zuo to the residence. Miss Leng and Young Master Yang will temporarily rest in a separate pavilion, with further arrangements to be made shortly."

Left Canglang was taken aback, and Murong Yan said: "There is no need to be surprised. When Yang Lianting was gravely injured, you and I made a promise, and I have fulfilled that promise. Now, everything about you belongs to me. My feelings for you, of course, are different from those I have for others"

As night fell, Zuo Canglang was assigned to a separate small courtyard in the residence. Wang Yunzhao brought over the attire of a guard and said: "From now on, the young lady will be the personal guard of His Highness. His Highness also has two other close attendants, one is Zhou Xin and the other is Feng Ping. The young lady needs to hand over duties to them at the appointed times. If there are any matters, she must report to Feng Ping in a timely manner. In short, His Highness must not be left unattended..." The young lady needs to hand over duties to them at the appointed times. If there are any matters, she must report to Feng Ping in a timely manner. In short, His Highness must not be left unattended..."

Murong Yan said: "Back then, Yang Jiling indeed participated in the private sale of military horses through Wen Wei's book, but the memorial was not submitted to the king. At that time, the king was unwell, and the crown prince was acting as regent. Who approved this memorial, and where it ultimately went, I am not clear. But how could he be the murderer? Or not? After so many years, Yang Jiling is already dead, the evidence has been lost, yet he remains a high-ranking and powerful Grand Master of the Horse"

Murong Yan was not conferred the title of king, thus his residence was limited by the regulations of propriety and was not extravagant. However, with brocade bamboo surrounding it and flowing water under small bridges, it is evident that the host possesses elegance and refinement

After a sleepless night, the next day, Murong Yan, under the orders of the King of Yan, proceeded to the Xihua Gate to welcome the envoys from Xijing, accompanied by Zuo Canglang. Murong Yan was seated in a sedan chair, while Zuo Canglang walked beside the window. It was still early, and there were not many people on the long street. Zuo Canglang felt somewhat puzzled: "Is it necessary for His Highness to go so early to welcome the envoys from Xijing?"

Murong Yan said: "You are in the orphan camp, almost isolated from the world. Now, you know nothing about the situation in Dayan. Perhaps you think it is cruel of me to make you kill each other?" Zuo Canglang did not speak; in fact, at that moment, it was impossible not to have such thoughts. Murong Yan continued: "Some things are heard and deemed false, but gradually, you will come to understand my intentions." As soon as he finished speaking, a maid outside the door asked: "Your Highness, will dinner be served here?"

Upon exiting the city, the three individuals were taken aback by the sight of a large group of ragged people gathered outside the city. The weather at the end of the first month was particularly cold, and some were already on the verge of death. Occasionally, someone attempted to enter the city, only to be met with loud reprimands from the guards. In the distance, there was even a line of archers, intimidating those who were preparing to intrude.

At the gray-white bridgehead, a few strands of drooping willows. The left side of the gray wolf turned around, and Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting were also watching her. They exchanged glances in silence for a long time, and finally, Leng Feiyan waved her hand and rode away with her servant. Yang Lianting slightly pursed her lips and finally said: "I will be careful, you take care too"

Leng Feiyan said: "That's right, what's there to be sad about? Whether the people inside are your ancestors is still uncertain." Yang Lianting glared angrily at her, and she shrugged: "The truth is often not very pleasant to hear"