Chapter 15: Devotion is Useless
Backstory
From the twelfth floor of the Tower of Zhen Prefecture, one could see the entire Eastern Prefecture. When it snowed, the endless white snow across the Eastern Prefecture, beneath the azure blue sky, made this capital city appear like a fairyland. Man Cheng leaned against the corridor railing, behind him the vast, boundless sky.
Yingyou appeared at the stairway, smiling warmly as she looked at him, her vermillion lips parting slightly: "Man Cheng!"
Man Cheng didn't respond, staring at her in a daze. She walked over, countless tiny bells on her pale yellow floral skirt jingling softly in the high altitude of the twelfth floor. "Man Cheng, I knew you'd be here."
"What are you doing here?"
"Wasn't this place we came to together?" Yingyou smiled at him, gazing toward the sky. "Look at this snow, it might go on for several days. Will you watch this snowy scenery alone all that time?" As she spoke, she reached out and took Man Cheng's hand.
A thread of warmth passed from Man Cheng's palm. He didn't shake her off. The sixteen-year-old boy's handsome, gentle profile was much colder than the air. "Yingyou, talk to your uncle. Ask him to cancel this betrothal. He dotes on you, he'll definitely agree."
Yingyou gazed blankly at the falling snow before them, her voice distant: "I'm unwilling."
"Why?" Man Cheng looked at her incredulously, asking again: "Why?"
"Man Cheng, I like the same colors as you, the same weather, the same incense. Everything you like, I like too. I can even like the same person as you."
Man Cheng gripped Yingyou's hand tightly, pleading desperately: "Yingyou, whatever you like, I'll give it all to you! Please, don't compete with me for him!"
"Man Cheng!" Yingyou turned to look at him calmly and said: "Even if it weren't me, there would be other women who get him. Man Cheng, you can't give him anything. Even if I don't love him as deeply as you do, even if he doesn't like me, at least I can bear him children. Can you do that?"
Man Cheng stared at her sweet, lovely face, slowly releasing his grip.
Yingyou's ethereal voice echoed in the air, in his ears, lingering endlessly—
"To him, you are completely useless."
When Man Cheng had first arrived at the Eastern Prefecture royal palace, behind his aunt stood a girl as beautiful as a fairy child. Her bright, sparkling eyes and sweet, endearing smile made anyone who saw her feel warm inside. She ran over with a sound of silver bells, taking his hand and calling out affectionately: "Man Cheng, I'm Yingyou." She had been smiling as she spoke, her skin fairer than powder and snow, her cherry lips rosy red.
The warmth he had once received from her could always put him at ease.
"Man Cheng, has Zhang Zhou gone off to fight?" She smiled mischievously, her soft, smooth little hand reaching out, clasping his fingers in her palm for the first time. "You're bored, aren't you? Let me take you to the Tower of Zhen Prefecture. From there, you can see the entire Eastern Prefecture."
When that smile, identical to Yingyou's, first appeared before him, Man Cheng felt slightly dizzy, slightly enchanted.
Yingyou, I... I'm no longer the person I used to be!
She lay on the bed, her eyes swollen from crying, asleep.
Man Cheng reached out to touch her face, feeling her damp, sticky skin. He sighed, brushed the strands of hair clinging to the corner of her lips, leaned down to kiss her gently, but this woke her.
"Man Cheng?" Wei Yang thought she was still dreaming, asking in shock: "Is that you?"
Man Cheng stroked her tear-stained eyes, smiling faintly. "You foolish girl. I heard you've been crying for two days, so I came to check on you."
Wei Yang had gone two days and nights without eating or drinking, crying until exhausted, then sleeping, then waking to cry again. She was so weak now she couldn't get up, only clutching Man Cheng's hand while tears streamed down silently.
"Man Cheng, do you hate me?"
"...No."
Wei Yang held his hand tightly, her weeping unceasing, pleading: "I love him more than he loves you, Man Cheng. Don't ignore me... If you don't want me anymore, I... I won't be able to go on living..."
Man Cheng leaned down and embraced her, feeling her slender shoulders trembling ceaselessly.
"Don't cry anymore. I'm sorry." His eyes were filled with sorrow and confusion as he gently comforted her: "If you don't like it, I won't be with him anymore."
---
Yuan Ning gave birth to a hefty eight-jin baby boy, and the Marquis of Guangling's residence was decorated with lanterns and festoons. Shen Kang greeted every visitor with bows and smiles, overjoyed. Wei Yang felt somewhat better, so she brought gifts to his residence to offer congratulations.
As soon as she entered the gate, Shen Mu came out smiling cheerfully. "How has Her Majesty the Queen been lately? When I visited you a few days ago, your maids were saying you were too ill to get out of bed!"
Wei Yang said: "I caught a slight cold, it's already better!" The two walked toward the main courtyard. Passing through the front hall, Shen Kang was entertaining Jin Lu and Zhong Shan. When they saw Wei Yang, they quickly bowed and offered greetings.
Wei Yang felt nauseated the moment she saw Zhong Shan, so she merely coldly returned their salutation before following Shen Mu into the inner chamber.
Yuan Ning lay on the bed. Before she could rise to pay respects, Wei Yang said: "Sister, no need for formalities." Yuan Ning smiled and settled back down.
Wei Yang drew closer, sitting beside Yuan Ning's bed, peeking at the baby wrapped in blankets who was sleeping. She couldn't help but laugh: "Sister Yuan Ning, this child looks exactly like the marquis, not at all like you. How unfair for you!"
Shen Mu said: "If it took after my sister-in-law, it would be much better looking. Instead it takes after my brother—growing up he'll be a savage too."
Tang Xin happened to walk in at this moment. Hearing this, she giggled continuously. "Young miss, it seems the marquis has been wasting his affection on you!"
Shen Mu smiled without answering.
After they chatted for a while, Shen Mu appeared distracted. Tang Xin puckered her lips and said: "Xiao Mu, why don't you go outside and attend to the guests."
Shen Mu looked as though she'd been granted reprieve. Nodding, she ran out.
"Tsk!" Yuan Ning laughed despite herself. "Zhong Shan is outside—how could that girl possibly sit still here?"
Wei Yang's heart sank. She said stiffly: "Sister Yuan Ning, General Cheng is not exactly a good man to entrust one's life to. I think it's better not to let Xiao Mu have too much contact with General Cheng."
Tang Xin and Yuan Ning exchanged glances. Tang Xin asked: "What does Her Majesty mean by this?"
Wei Yang couldn't show her aversion, so she forced a smile. "Well... I heard from Sister Xiu Yi that he frequents brothels. What good could come of that?"
"Men are all like that. This kind of thing is harmless." Yuan Ning said reassuringly. "The way Zhong Shan dotes on the child—this definitely isn't an act. Such a kind man wouldn't treat his wife badly. It's just that in these past years he's risen to prominence and become the powerful Grand General Who Protects the Nation. I'm afraid he won't look twice at our Xiao Mu." As Yuan Ning spoke, she glanced at the silent Wei Yang and continued: "Your Majesty, if you could put in a good word for us with General Cheng..."
Wei Yang furrowed her brow. "There are plenty of suitable candidates for Xiao Mu in the court. Why don't you consider other options?"
Seeing Wei Yang immediately deflect, Yuan Ning could only sigh and say nothing.
Tang Xin was direct, pressing: "Has Her Majesty already promised to speak for another family?"
"I haven't at all!" Wei Yang said in surprise. "Sister Tang Xin, why would you say that?"
Tang Xin pouted. "So many people in this city have feelings for General Cheng, but he's indifferent to all of them. I really don't know who he actually likes."
Wei Yang felt even worse, but she couldn't reveal what she knew, so she remained silent.
Yuan Ning took Wei Yang's hand, her plea becoming more earnest. "Your Majesty, Xiao Mu genuinely loves Zhong Shan. If you don't help, it will only bring misery to our girl..."
Words having come to this point, Wei Yang could only say: "I'll do my best!"
Yuan Ning's expression brightened with joy. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" She started to rise from the bed to kneel in thanks.
Wei Yang quickly stopped her. Beside them, Tang Xin had already knelt to bow. "Young miss's lifelong happiness is entrusted to Your Majesty's words! The Shen family is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace!"
Wei Yang smiled bitterly without speaking.
---
"Did you change the incense in your room?"
"Hmm?" Su Mi'er sniffed. "No, I didn't. Why do you ask?"
"The last time I came, it wasn't this scent." Man Cheng smiled. "But this one is better than last time—the previous one was too cloying."
Su Mi'er pouted, complaining: "I haven't used that kind of incense for over a month. Shows how long it's been since you've visited!"
Man Cheng embraced her, his face full of smiles. "This time I came specifically to find you. Why are you still angry?"
Su Mi'er cast sidelong glances like silken threads, speaking in a coy, delicate voice: "Young General Qu visits almost every day—he's practically moved into Cuiyan's room. When will you be like him? I'd die content."
Man Cheng smiled without answering. Then he heard her say: "But the ones you meet are princesses and young misses. Why would you bother with someone like me?"
"There you go again!" Man Cheng's hand wandered along her waist. He顺势 pulled her down onto the chair, laughing as he kissed her snow-white neck, coaxing: "They're not half as charming as you. Don't say such things next time."
Su Mi'er suddenly seemed to think of something, giggling coquettishly: "I heard Her Majesty the Queen is extraordinarily beautiful—is it true?"
Man Cheng's hand never paused, smiling playfully: "Nowhere near as alluring as you."
Su Mi'er leaned against Man Cheng's shoulder, covering her mouth as she giggled. "But she's the king's woman. What would she be alluring for in front of you?" After saying this, seeing the dismissive smile on Man Cheng's face, she asked again: "Then compared to Princess Jinyin, Her Majesty the Queen..."
Man Cheng's expression suddenly darkened. The earlier smile vanished completely. He pushed Su Mi'er away, his voice cold: "Don't compare my sister to her."
Su Mi'er was startled. Before she could figure out what to do, a commotion came from downstairs.
The two left the private room and leaned against the carved railing, looking down into the grand hall below. They saw Qu Xue gripping Cuiyan with one hand while pointing at another elegantly dressed young man named Lei Wei, cursing: "You goddamn bastard! How dare you touch my woman! You think I'm dead?"
This Lei Wei was precisely the son of Prime Minister Lei. He wasn't normally an unreasonable person, but being humiliated in front of everyone—how could he save face? So he coldly laughed: "My woman? Whoever pays fifty taels of silver, she's that person's woman."
Qu Xue flew into a rage, bellowing: "That depends on whether she's willing!"
Lei Wei snorted. "Ask her—it was she who came on to me first."
Qu Xue turned to look at Cuiyan. Seeing her eyes downcast, silent, he understood most of it. Furious, he said: "You..."
Cuiyan saw Qu Xue's heartbroken expression, and tears suddenly fell. She said in a trembling voice: "Young General, Cuiyan is just a woman of the pleasure quarters. If you like me, after the novelty wears off, that's that..."
Qu Xue was too angry to speak.
Zhong Shan was on good terms with Jin Lu and couldn't afford to offend Lei Wei, so he signaled to Lian Heng with his eyes.
Lian Heng understood. Stepping forward, he stopped Lei Wei and persuaded: "Young Master Lei, we're just here for fun—why take it so seriously?" Then he smiled apologetically and patted Qu Xue. "Young General Qu, please don't be angry, don't be angry..."
But Lei Wei wouldn't hear of it. Pushing Lian Heng aside, he continued to gloat: "Today I insist on having her stay. It's not like I haven't slept with her before—I just love that slutty look of hers..."
Qu Xue had been unable to vent his anger. Having to listen to this drivel made his fury reach the heavens. Regardless of Lian Heng's attempts to stop him, he threw a punch. Lei Wei was sent sprawling, nose bleeding profusely. The hall erupted into chaos.
Man Cheng leaned against the railing, watching the scene below with cold eyes.
Lian Heng knew that Qu Xue had been training in martial arts with Qu Zhenlie since childhood—if he charged over and landed a few more punches, he might actually kill Lei Wei. So he threw himself around Qu Xue, ceaselessly persuading him. But how could Qu Xue listen now? He used brute strength to break free, swinging Lian Heng aside.
Lian Heng flew into a rage too. Grabbing Qu Xue, he swung a fist that sent him sprawling.
Cuiyan screamed and rushed over, crying as she embraced Qu Xue.
Man Cheng smiled. "Lian Heng hit well!"
Several aristocratic cronies of Lei Wei's hurried to help him up. Lei Wei clutched his bleeding nose, fury and humiliation mixing. He let loose a string of curses: "Look at what a worthless piece of trash you are! Your old man really hit the jackpot raising a son like you—you actually hang around with those filthy beasts of the Weizhen Army..."
Everyone with Lei Wei turned pale with shock, crying out in unison: "Lei Wei, shut up!"
Lei Wei froze. Only then did he notice Zhong Shan sitting not far away, watching him with an unreadable smile.
"Go on." Zhong Shan spoke pleasantly, smiling.
The entire hall fell deathly silent.
"Why did you stop?" someone asked casually.
This voice came from the second-floor railing, as if from the darkness at the bottom of an abyss, slowly reverberating through this space filled with delicate, soft mist.
Everyone's body went rigid. Lei Wei's group especially turned ashen, their legs going weak.
Su Mi'er unconsciously shifted her shoulder, moving an inch away from the man beside her.
Only Zhong Shan sat with one leg crossed over the other, leisurely sipping his tea, smiling as he always did, and said slowly: "Get out before I make you."
Lei Wei and his group fled in terror, their legs trembling.
Zhong Shan raised his eyes to look at the person who had just spoken a single sentence carrying the weight of murderous intent. A bitter smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Qu Xue sat on the floor, hand clasped with Cuiyan's, tears falling.
Cuiyan knelt beside him, crying too hard to speak.
After a long, long while, Qu Xue said: "I never嫌弃你, and I don't care what others think. I'm definitely going to marry you—definitely... Please believe me, okay?"
Cuiyan leaned against his shoulder, her tears falling like scattered stars, her voice choked: "I believe you. Whatever you say... I believe."
Man Cheng looked down at the couple below making their oath of eternal love. His ice-cold expression softened slightly, as if something deeply buried in his heart had been touched. His eyes suddenly reddened.