Chapter 302: Zither Interrupted, Again

Chapter 302: Zither Interrupted, Again

Zhang Qinyan had obviously been sent in by Liu Jie, and Han Ruzi felt displeased. He certainly didn’t want a eunuch interfering with his life, as it reminded him of his former experiences as a puppet in the palace.

He had already prepared to drive Zhang Qinyan out, but that one glance made him hesitate.

As before, Zhang Qinyan still kept her head lowered, only stealing quick glimpses when looking at the Emperor, her gaze filled with nervousness and restraint—unable to speak, she could only use this method to inquire: had she done something wrong? Should she stay? Should she begin playing the zither…

Han Ruzi’s heart softened. Anyone who saw such a gaze would soften their heart. Regardless of how Liu Jie acted on his own authority, she was innocent. She sat stiffly on the Emperor’s bed, carefully remaining motionless, afraid of wrinkling even a corner of the bedding. To drive her out at this moment would leave her utterly humiliated…

Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu exchanged glances, then looked at Zhang Qinyan, and finally both turned their eyes toward the Emperor.

Han Ruzi sat in the chair by the window and said, “Is the Empty Sound Melody meant to be played as a duet?”

Zhang Qinyan on the bed nodded, her fingers gently plucking the zither strings.

Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu retreated to the Emperor’s side, one on the left and one on the right. Zhang Youcai appeared somewhat vigilant, while Ni Qiu was full of enthusiasm.

The zither music in the room was slightly louder than that coming from next door, the two responding to each other like a host inviting a shy guest, the guest hesitating several times before finally accepting the invitation.

He was puzzled—it was clearly still the same Empty Sound Melody, so why did it bring such different feelings?

The woman on the bed cast another glance his way, and Han Ruzi’s heart stirred. It was an invitation more direct than the zither music itself, inviting the Emperor to set aside his doubts and thoughts and focus entirely on accepting the guidance of the music.

Han Ruzi gave an almost imperceptible nod, not even noticing it himself as his right elbow rested on the armrest, his body leaning slightly forward, his fingers supporting his temple as he listened intently to the music.

As one train of thought was set aside, more thoughts arose. Han Ruzi almost immediately thought of Empress Cui Xiaojun. The two of them spent little time together, having only enjoyed a period of peaceful days at the Weary Marquis’s residence. Back then, she had raised chicks and ducklings while he wandered around the eastern and western parts of the Capital buying trinkets. Unfortunately, he had been insensitive to romance at the time, satisfied only with the gazing that occurred upon waking each morning, the accidental touches, and the bold yet anxious kisses…

By the time he understood that the feelings between men and women held deeper meanings, he was forced to embark on campaigns, yearning for the Empress from afar amid the clash of weapons and armor.

The Empty Sound Melody would not evoke regret. Han Ruzi knew he would eventually return to the Capital, no longer needing to campaign throughout the empire, able to remain constantly by the Empress’s side. Every fragment of memory was filled with warmth, causing the corners of his mouth to involuntarily turn upward in a slight smile.

Ni Qiu was also smiling, or rather grinning foolishly, though it was unclear what he was thinking of. What attracted him was not the zither music, but the occasional glances from the woman on the bed.

Zhang Youcai remained unmoved and grew increasingly vigilant. In his view, both the Emperor and Ni Qiu were behaving somewhat improperly. While he could do nothing about the Emperor, he need not be polite with Ni Qiu. Looking around, he quietly picked up an ivory ruyi scepter from the table, reached around from behind the Emperor, and quickly poked Ni Qiu’s cheek.

Ni Qiu started in surprise, turning to look at Zhang Youcai with clear displeasure, but afterward he was no longer so entranced. He even began to yawn—once he lost interest in Zhang Qinyan, he was just a sleepy youth again. ŗ𝓪ŊꝊ𝐛Ёṩ

Han Ruzi noticed none of this. His memories had changed, and what he saw was no longer Empress Cui Xiaojun, but inexplicably transformed into Jin Chuiduo, whom he hadn’t seen for a long time. Completely different from the gentle Empress, Jin Chuiduo always wore an expression of wariness and annoyance, yet she also appeared pitiful and vulnerable. Her strength was a pretense, like the shell of a nut waiting to be cracked open to reveal the sweet kernel within…

Han Ruzi was startled, feeling he shouldn’t have such thoughts.

Zhang Qinyan looked his way again, this time maintaining eye contact with the Emperor for a slightly longer duration. Her gaze no longer held the initial nervousness and restraint, but rather a perfectly measured encouragement, encouraging the Emperor to be bolder and more relaxed.

Couldn’t an emperor do whatever he pleased? Han Ruzi knew that he still couldn’t, but within a certain scope, he indeed didn’t need to accept any constraints.

Yet Han Ruzi still couldn’t completely relax. The Empress’s image kept emerging from time to time, silently issuing reproach with her smile.

The zither music became increasingly melodious, like two close friends who had known each other for many years, using intimate teasing to persuade the Emperor not to be so restrained.

The zither music almost succeeded, but just then, a sudden commotion arose from outside the room, mixed with banging sounds. This not only disrupted the music but also awakened the Emperor as if from a dream.

“Go and see.”

Ni Qiu remained behind while Zhang Youcai immediately went outside to investigate the situation.

The woman on the bed stopped playing the zither, and the music from next door also ceased.

Zhang Youcai quickly returned. “It’s Meng E. I don’t know what happened, but she’s desperately pounding on the door, saying she wants to see… Your Majesty.”

Meng E was “confined” in the same courtyard. Due to the Emperor’s personal request, she wore no shackles or other restraints and could move freely within her room.

At the thought of Meng E, Han Ruzi completely awakened. “Right, there are some things I still haven’t asked clearly about.” He said to Zhang Youcai, “Send her back to her room.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As soon as Han Ruzi stepped out of the room, he encountered Liu Jie, the Chief Overseer. Pointing at the room, he asked, “Lord Liu’s idea?”

“The old zither master said that the music has different effects at various distances, so I…”

Han Ruzi looked toward the east wing, where a group of guards had gathered. “Lead the way. We wish to see Meng E.”

“Your Majesty absolutely must not!” Liu Jie blocked the Emperor’s path. Keeping the female guard in the same courtyard as the Emperor was already improper. Fortunately, there were many guards, so they needn’t fear what she might do. But once the Emperor approached her, things would become very difficult to control.

“We will speak with her from outside the door. She surely can’t assassinate Us through a wall, can she?”

Liu Jie thought for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. He led the Emperor along the corridor to the door of a room in the east wing.

The person inside was still pounding on the door. Han Ruzi signaled for the guards to step back, and Liu Jie spoke: “Miss Meng, His Majesty has come to see you.”

The pounding stopped, and Meng E’s voice asked, “Has Your Majesty dispatched troops to the northern frontier?”

“We will personally go to the northern frontier, departing tomorrow morning at dawn,” Han Ruzi said.

Meng E fell silent.

Han Ruzi signaled for Liu Jie and all the guards to withdraw—he didn’t need protection.

Liu Jie carefully checked once more, confirming that the door was securely locked, then said quietly, “We’ll all be across the way, ready at your call.”

Han Ruzi nodded and watched Liu Jie and the others walk toward the west wing. Just then, Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu were escorting Zhang Qinyan back to another room in the east wing. Zhang Qinyan held her zither in her arms, keeping her head lowered throughout, her footsteps silent.

“Your Majesty truly has many things to worry about,” Meng E suddenly spoke.

After watching Zhang Youcai and Ni Qiu leave, Han Ruzi said, “The things that puzzle Us are even more numerous.”

“I owe Your Majesty an explanation, but I must ask about a few things first.”

“Ask away.”

“After my reminder, has Your Majesty practiced internal cultivation again?”

“No, though sometimes I involuntarily breathe according to the internal cultivation methods.”

“As long as you haven’t deliberately cultivated, that’s good.”

“What’s wrong? Is there danger?”

“Your Majesty’s internal cultivation is approaching the next stage. I need to prepare some elixirs as assistance. Currently, I’m still missing several important materials. Before the medicine is ready, Your Majesty should avoid practicing.”

“Very well.” Han Ruzi felt that Meng E was lying, but he didn’t press further.

“How many troops is Your Majesty bringing on the personal expedition to the northern frontier?”

“Over two thousand men, and fifty thousand Northern Army troops will join Us on the road.”

“Too few. The Xiongnu will mobilize in full force.”

“We don’t wish to fight the Xiongnu yet—only to guard against their entry into the passes. If possible, We will continue peace negotiations with the Great Chanyu. Great Chu needs at least three years to recover and rebuild.”

Meng E fell silent again for a while, then said, “Your Majesty once told me that bluffing is an imperial technique.”

“Did We?”

“Your Majesty said it. I remember it clearly. The Great Chanyu is bluffing—he doesn’t want peace talks at all. The reason he withdrew last year was because the Eastern and Western Xiongnu had just merged, with conflicts everywhere that needed quick resolution. After a winter, this is no longer a major problem. The Great Chanyu wants to enter the passes—he believes only by relying on Great Chu’s walls can he block the strong enemies from the west.”

“How did you suddenly become so knowledgeable about the Great Chanyu?”

“The person who negotiated with the Great Chanyu told me these things. Righteous Heroes Island is willing to cede half of Great Chu’s territory, but Your Majesty cannot do this and thus cannot appease the Great Chanyu.”

”It’s always easy to give away something you don’t actually possess, but it’s also very difficult to achieve. I will make Righteous Heroes Island and the Great Chanyu understand that the transaction between them is merely a fantasy. If the Xiongnu want Great Chu’s protection, they should stay obediently beyond the passes.”

Meng E sighed softly. “I’ve said everything I have to say. Your Majesty may ask your questions.”

Han Ruzi had a belly full of doubts, but when he actually opened his mouth, he found there wasn’t much to ask. “What happened with the imperial seal?”

“I’m very sorry. That night, as soon as I left the city gate, my brother caught up with me. He demanded I hand over the imperial seal, but I refused. However, I was no match for him, so I had to flee all the way. I couldn’t go west to meet Your Majesty, so I could only go east. My intention was to seek protection from Grand General Han Xing, but unfortunately I was a step too late.”

“Did Meng Che kill Han Xing?”

“No, my brother’s people had been tracking my whereabouts all along. The people who assassinated the Grand General came from Cloud Dream Mrash. I saw them in Donghai and Linzi City.”

“The Holy Strategist?”

“That’s right, it’s this person. The alliance between Righteous Heroes Island, Fuyu Kingdom, and the Xiongnu was also orchestrated by him.”

No trace of the Holy Strategist had been found in Luoyang City, so Han Ruzi had suspected this person had likely escaped to Donghai, and his supposed presence in Luoyang was just a feint.

“So it seems the Holy Strategist had been planning this for a long time. What happened next? You transferred the imperial seal to Ugly Wang of Luoyang?”

“Yes, after the Grand General was assassinated, I couldn’t travel west anymore and could only continue fleeing east. In Luoyang, I truly had nowhere left to run. I had long heard that Ugly Wang would help anyone who asked and was a true hero, so… I heard he used the imperial seal to make a wager with Your Majesty?”

“You judge people well. Ugly Wang lived up to his trust and truly deserves the title of ‘hero.’ Then you returned to Donghai with Meng Che. Didn’t he press you about the whereabouts of the imperial seal?”

“I told him I had already hidden the imperial seal, and that I would only give it to him if he could truly defeat the Chu army. Later, when news came that the imperial seal had appeared in Luoyang, I immediately fled from Linzi City, hid everywhere for a while, and came to see Your Majesty yesterday.”

To outsiders, Meng E’s account had many holes, but Han Ruzi preferred to believe it. Only one doubt remained in his heart. “You… why did you come back?”

“Because I made an agreement with Your Majesty. I would protect your safety, and you would help me restore my kingdom. It’s still valid, isn’t it?”

Han Ruzi laughed once but didn’t answer. He turned and walked away. Although an emperor should be decisive and unwavering, there were some things he needed to think through carefully.

Meng E knew the Emperor had walked away and fell silent again.

Han Ruzi had just entered the bedroom when old zither master Zhang Zhuhe emerged from another room in the eastern wing. He took a few steps to Meng E’s door and said in a low voice, “Mind your own business and don’t interfere with ours.”

Meng E didn’t respond. She knew that her return hadn’t yet completely earned the Emperor’s trust, so there were some things she could only temporarily keep hidden.

Zhang Zhuhe tapped lightly on the door once and hurried away.

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