Chapter 8: Portal

She turned her head back, smiled at him, her pupils filled with blood, her gaze gentle: "Yan'er, in fact, I truly wish to... see you with a virtuous wife and filial children, with sons and daughters in a line..."

The woman, resplendent in her attire, sat on a jeweled daybed, her right hand firmly gripping her son's wrist. He approached slowly, his face solemn as he called her by her given name: "Ye Ping"

However, the moon waxes and wanes, and just as everyone was waiting for Lady Rong to be crowned and Murong Yan to be established as the heir, the Shanrong tribe rose in rebellion against Yan, capturing several cities in succession. Murong Yuan sent out three generals in succession, but all three were defeated. In the end, no one in the court dared to volunteer for battle.

Murong Yuan locked eyes with his five-year-old son, and no one knew what he saw in the child's eyes. However, from that moment on, he never looked at Murong Yan again, nor did he ever speak to him again

On the second day, Zuo Canglang went to hand over the shift with Murong Yan's guards. Besides her, there were two other experts by Murong Yan's side, one named Zhou Xin and the other named Feng Ping. It is said that they were trusted confidants specially trained for him by Concubine Rong in the past

Zuo Canglang arrived outside Murong Yan's door, and Feng Ping immediately left. Strictly speaking, Feng Ping had a somewhat mentor-student relationship with Zuo Canglang and the other person. In the past, he managed all affairs of the orphan camp, including the "masters" within it.

As she finished speaking, she slightly lowered her head but firmly grasped his hand. They were a group of the most ruthless and merciless hunters, yet also the most beautiful and gentle prey, destined to flee for a lifetime and to be pursued for a lifetime

Leng Feiyan looked at the blank couplet and said: "Indeed! May I request the sovereign to bestow a name for this place?"

The master inside seemed to sense something and lifted the curtain. Zuo Canglang unexpectedly saw that face, which was as delicate as a new lychee, with a nose as smooth as goose fat. In that moment, she suddenly understood what it meant to bring a nation to its knees.

This is a lingering concern for the Prince of Yan, and no one dares to touch this sensitive issue. As time goes by, no court officials dare to mention this prince anymore. The former beauty has faded away, leaving behind a secret of the palace, and later generations no longer sigh over it

The child raised his head, beside his deceased mother, allowing her to grip his wrist tightly. Quiet, silent. Like a demon possessed by a vengeful spirit. In the next moment, it would tear through human skin, revealing its bloody true form

Zuo Canglang did not speak, and Murong Yan suddenly stopped in his tracks. She, who had been following closely behind, collided into Murong Yan's back. His back was as solid as an iron wall, and Zuo Canglang covered his nose, on the verge of tears. Murong Yan turned to look at her. In the hazy and indistinct night, he wore a long robe that fluttered gently, with a faint fragrance that came and went, lingering in the air.

Yang Lianting had no choice but to stay. Leng Feiyan accompanied them on their journey, winding through the streets until they arrived at a secluded residence. Murong Yan gestured for Leng Feiyan to push the door open, and she cautiously entered. The exterior of the house appeared ordinary, yet inside it revealed an entirely different world.

Zuo Canglang did not ask him where he was going, and Wang Yunzhao had already taught her many rules. She began to understand how to be a qualified personal guard

Murong Yan picked up the wolf hair brush from the desk and handed it to her, saying: "Think for yourself, this is your place now"

Leng Feiyan pressed her lips together, dipped her brush in ink, and slowly wrote the three large characters "Swallow's Nest" on the couplet adorned with bright red and gold powder.

After Murong Yuan finished handling the matters related to the funeral, when he went to Zhangwen Hall to see Concubine Rong, she had a face full of dark bruises, resembling a vengeful spirit, and her body was already cold. Yet, the stiff corpse still had its fingers curled like claws, tightly gripping Murong Yan's hand.

Wild Apple—he suddenly called out this name again, yet upon opening his eyes, he saw the entire hall illuminated by candlelight, flickering and casting shadows

Consort Rong has long enjoyed the favor of the Emperor, and naturally, the other concubines beneath her do not fare much better. In an instant, they are at a loss. At this time, the Li family, engaged in battle with the Shanrong, finds itself at a standstill, and the expenses for provisions undoubtedly add to the difficulties faced by the Great Yan.

On this night, in the Great Yan Imperial Palace, Murong Yuan was reviewing memorials when drowsiness overcame him. He leaned on the dragon table and closed his eyes for a brief rest. In no time, he fell into a dream. In the dream, he returned to the Zhangwen Hall of years past. The palace was luxurious, with rich colors.

The left gray wolf, as if encountering a deity or demon, could not help but take a few steps back. After a long while, without finding a topic, he said: "Your Highness has yet to marry, is it because Prime Minister Jiang has intentions of breaking off the engagement?"

The sound of the dripping water echoed, and Murong Yan could only feel a faint pain in his wrist. It seemed to take him back to that moment when the woman tightly grasped his hand, her beautiful eyes slowly filling with bloodshot veins, turning a blood-like red. Her lips changed color, black blood staining her teeth, disgusting and filthy. She clutched his hand tightly, pulling him close, her nose lightly touching his face: "This is the fate of the weak. Look closely, this is the fate of the weak!"

The self-satisfied snail's abode, accommodating the swallow's nest

But it is easy to guess who would make him stop and stare

Murong Yan nodded in satisfaction: "Starting from this month, you will have an account at the Tongbao Bank, and a sum of money will be deposited on time every month, sufficient for you to sustain this place. I allow you to establish our contact points and cultivate our personnel in any way you see fit"

Murong Yan did not repeat himself, while Leng Feiyan twirled around the main hall, her garments fluttering gracefully, exuding unparalleled elegance: "This is wonderful, I love it here!"

However, there was no response. He brushed aside a strand of dark hair and saw the woman with her head bowed, her face already a shade of blue and purple, with black blood staining a large area of her chest. Her darkened face and blackened nails resembled a vengeful ghost from a thousand years, ready to awaken at the slightest sound.

Murong Yan said: "Naturally. Given the character of the queen, once my elder brother ascends the throne, how could there be a way for me to survive? Who would be willing to marry their daughter to a prince whose future is uncertain?"

Leng Feiyan knew she had a task, and she felt somewhat excited. Yang Lianting said, "My lord!" Murong Yan smiled and said, "Study the medical books well; there will be times when you will be busy."

This woman is not only intelligent but also ambitious. Therefore, she has raised Murong Yan with almost strict discipline since childhood. At a young age, Murong Yan is already proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and the King of Yan holds him in great favor. During this period, almost everyone has come to believe that he will be the future heir.

At that time, the concubine position was only held by Lady Li, who recommended her brother to take on the role of the main general. After the Li family engaged in battle against the Shanrong, reports of victories came in frequently, which greatly pleased Murong Yuan. However, the Li clan in the court began to gather support among the officials, persuading Murong Yuan to establish Lady Li as the empress

Black blood splattered on his face, and she sat back down on the imperial concubine chair

She stood outside the door for a while, and only then did Murong Yan get out of bed, with servants coming in to attend to him. Lord Zuo Canglang was outside the door, quite at ease.

Behind the house, there is not a garden, but rather a training ground for martial arts, with orderly dormitories and an armory. Leng Feiyan was taken aback, and Murong Yan held her hand, gently tracing a line on the vermilion-painted column: "From now on, this place belongs to you."

Murong Yan's fleeting tenderness quickly vanished without a trace. He brought Zuo Canglang to the villa of Leng Feiyan and Yang Lianting, saying: "Feiyan, come with me, we are going to a place."

In a moment of helplessness, Murong Yuan designated a member of the Li family as empress. On the day the edict was announced, Consort Rong caused a great uproar in the Chengguang Hall. In a fit of anger, Murong Yuan bestowed poison upon her, commanding her to take her own life. This was a warning bell struck in the heat of anger; he understood Consort Rong's temperament all too well. If he did not take severe measures, she would certainly not yield or admit her mistakes, and he could only imagine how many more tribulations he would face in his lifetime.

Just as they were walking along the main street, a sedan chair passed in front of them. The four corners of the sedan chair were adorned with bells, and it was woven with colorful silk, making it clear that the owner must be a lady from a wealthy family. The left wolf did not pay it any mind, but Murong Yan reined in his horse. The servants cleared the way, and the sedan chair moved swiftly down the long street, quickly arriving before them

Murong Yan and the daughter of the Right Chancellor Jiang Sanyi grew up playing together, and their relationship was very close. Seeing the two children as childhood sweethearts, Jiang Sanyi naturally took the opportunity to request the Empress Dowager's decree to grant a marriage contract for the two children

The horses have been prepared outside, and Murong Yan, having finished breakfast, set out with Zuo Canglang. Surprisingly, the weather today is quite nice, with the sun peeking out early. A ray of morning light shines on the glazed tiles, illuminating the entire street with a brilliant glow.

However, those "masters" clearly did not leave a good impression in their hearts, so Zuo Canglang has never treated him with the respect due to a teacher. The two of them have not exchanged more than two sentences to date

Empress Li has a grown-up eldest son, Murong Ruo. If she is established as the empress, it would effectively designate the eldest son as the crown prince

A five-year-old child, having lost his mother and the affection of his father, must endure countless humiliations and face numerous dangers within the cold, deep palace. He did not speak of it. Zuo Canglang nodded slightly, and the two walked one after the other along the deserted long street in the dead of night. The wind and dew soaked their clothes, accompanied by the waning moon.

Murong Yan smiled gently: "We need to place informants at critical points, requiring a substantial number of reliable and useful personnel. However, I do not wish for them to know about the people behind you. I want you to be seen as the highest leader in their eyes. Do you understand?"

Leng Feiyan looked around, a mix of surprise and joy: "Really?"

Once the most promising prince to inherit the throne of Taihe, he fell into obscurity overnight. Having left the palace at an early age before reaching adulthood, he still has not been granted a title to this day. He holds no official position in the court either

Although Murong Yan is the second prince of the Yan Kingdom, he does not enjoy the favor of the Yan King. This was evident during the last palace banquet, as Zuo Canglang could already see it. However, few know the reasons behind this. Years ago, Murong Yan's mother, the favored Concubine Rong, held the highest position among the six palaces. At that time, with no master in the harem, Concubine Rong led the other concubines, truly standing as one beneath the heavens and above all others.

At that time, upon seeing this announcement, everyone in the palace believed that Lady Rong's influence was at an end. Empress Li dispatched her trusted confidant, and as soon as the imperial decree was issued, they immediately forced Lady Rong to drink poisoned wine

I know you hate me, I haven't treated you well over the years, have I? Her blood dripped and stained the elegant attire of the noble lady. When I was pregnant with you, I thought to myself, how wonderful it would be if I gave birth to a princess. But when you were born, I felt that in this world, no princess or prince could compare to you. If you want to hate me, then go ahead. I am not afraid of death, but after I die, I truly do not know what you will do.

As they exited the other pavilion, Murong Yan spoke of this past event with a calm demeanor. Zuo Canglang followed closely behind him, and the long street was tranquil, devoid of any figures. Murong Yan smiled and said, "At that time, I was only five years old, but I remember every single bead and jewel on her head"

Left Canglang did not know what to say, Murong Yan softly said: "There is no need to say anything, just accompany me on this journey."

Leng Feiyan's expression was solemn: "This subordinate understands."

The colorful sedan chair brushed past the horse, and the beauty's gaze was soft like spring water, fixed upon Murong Yan. With emotions of longing and resentment, she seemed on the verge of speaking yet held back. As the sedan chair gradually moved further away, she cast a glance back; no words were needed, for it conveyed profound feelings. Once the beauty had gone far, Murong Yan continued on his way. Left Canglang followed behind him, and he said nothing, so she did not ask.