Chapter 34: Wish
Premise
Yuan Liao's King was about to marry Princess Yu. It should have been a cause for national celebration, but within Yuan Liao's borders, there were subtle agitations everywhere, with forces planning to take advantage of the situation. Especially in Xiong Zhou, the rebel army's strength was not to be underestimated.
Since Xiong Zhou was annexed by Yuan Liao, there had been waves of rebels still bent on restoring their nation. Now they had gathered tens of thousands of rebel troops and had already seized Feng Mu City. Gui Du, the center of Xiong Zhou, was in imminent danger.
The Mighty Shock Army set up camp outside Gui Du. The atmosphere within the city was tense and solemn; the common people dared not venture out freely. The streets and city gates were all desolate and cold.
The commanding general originally prepared to strike first as usual, but unexpectedly, spring rains kept falling. For some reason, an epidemic of influenza broke out among the Yuan Liao army, spreading to hundreds of soldiers in an instant. Doctors from within Gui Du were seized to treat the illness. Every soldier in the army drank preventive herbal medicine daily, and only then was the disease controlled.
This day, Zhong Shan had been out of sight for half a day. After eating dinner throughout the city, Man Cheng was feeling depressed. He wandered alone to the mountain behind the camp, found an open space, and lay down gazing at the sky in a daze.
After an unknown amount of time, he heard hoofbeats approaching from afar. The rider slowed his reins and came before him. "The ground is damp and cold. You'll get sick lying here so long." Man Cheng was riding Zhong Shan's bay horse, looking down at Zhong Shan.
"Si Hu said you disappeared without taking your medicine again."
The bay horse lowered its head to sniff Man Cheng's face, licking him again and again.
"Ah, I forgot!" Man Cheng was still lying down, patting the horse's head that had come close to him, and smiled. "Where did you go this afternoon?"
"Into the city."
Man Cheng giggled. "Going out for fun? And you didn't take me! You sneaked out of camp—I should punish you!"
"How will you punish me?" Zhong Shan grinned wickedly and dismounted. "What were you thinking about just now lying here?"
"That kid Zhang Zhou is hugging the princess of Yu country happily! Meanwhile, we're out here eating wind and sleeping under the stars—it's driving me crazy! Now the flu is under control. I say we charge into Feng Mu as soon as possible and slash them to pieces, then head back to enjoy ourselves!"
"As you wish." Zhong Shan didn't object at all, saying casually: "I'm tired of waiting too. Let's set out tomorrow!" He said, unloading something from the bay horse.
"You're using my horse like a mule again! If it dies from exhaustion, am I supposed to ride you?"
Zhong Shan chuckled. "It must be able to smell your scent—it always finds you whenever I ride it."
Man Cheng glanced at the bag. "What's this?"
"Fireworks."
Man Cheng scrambled to his feet, excitement barely contained. Though his mouth complained: "You went into the city to buy these? Yuan Liao's fireworks are the most famous—yet you buy them in Gui Du? That's pretty dumb!"
"I bought raw materials. I made these myself!"
"Really? When did you learn that?" As he spoke, Man Cheng had already torn open the cloth bag, pulling out the fireworks bundle by bundle. He nodded in approval. "You're quite the master of everything!"
Zhong Shan, seeing his happiness, was also overjoyed. "If you like it, I'll go learn it."
Man Cheng looked up at Zhong Shan, only to see those handsome eyes gazing at him with deep affection. "Zhong Shan!" Man Cheng couldn't help but release the fireworks in his hands and embrace him with open arms. Clearly moved beyond words, yet he still spoke sharply: "This trick of yours might work on women and children!"
"Aren't you also thoroughly charmed by me?" Zhong Shan said, embracing him in turn.
Man Cheng broke free, pretending to be angry: "Are you calling me like a woman?"
"I said you're like a child."
In the tent of Qing Duan's end, lamplight blazed brightly. Lewd sounds and wanton talk continued unabated. Si Hu lifted the curtain and entered, only to see several beautiful women bound within the tent. Qing Duan, Lian Heng and others were noisily selecting among them. Seeing Si Hu enter, Lian Heng waved him over: "You came at just the right time—pick one to have fun with!"
Si Hu smiled. "Our king just said he'd rectify military discipline, and here you all are kidnapping innocent women again! Who's going to take the blame when the king finds out?"
Qing Duan slapped his back and laughed heartily: "General Xia said don't pay attention to that. What are we afraid of? Don't pretend to be so proper, kid! The women of Gui Du are pretty good merchandise! Hurry up and pick one!"
Lian Heng dragged a thin, frail young woman out from among the women, laughing: "This guy likes this type!" He shoved her toward Si Hu. Si Hu looked down and saw a young woman in her early twenties, with a fair oval face and tearful eyes that held a certain pathetically touching quality.
Si Hu embraced her, smiling: "Then I'll accept your kindness!" He said, cutting the rope binding the woman, pulling out the cloth stuffed in her mouth. "I'll be taking my leave now!" He said, dragging the woman out of the tent.
The woman struggled but couldn't break free. She cried, shouted, and cursed: "Dog thief! May you die a thousand deaths! You beasts will surely come to no good end!"
Si Hu ignored her, when suddenly he felt a gust of fierce wind behind his head. The woman had pulled a silver hairpin from her hair and stabbed viciously toward him. Si Hu didn't turn his head, yet his reflexes were swift. He grabbed her wrist and gently applied force. The woman let out a groan, and the silver hairpin in her slender hand clattered to the ground.
He turned back. The woman's hair hung loose, adding to her pitiful and delicate appearance. Si Hu coldly smiled. "If you don't want to accompany me, I'll find someone else. You can go keep someone else company."
The woman pressed her small mouth shut tight, tears streaming down her face. Her proud eyes revealed hatred and fear. Si Hu's blood suddenly surged. He lifted her horizontally and carried her toward his own tent.
Suddenly, thunderous rumbling echoed from the rear mountain. Dazzling fireworks erupted肆意 in the night sky, shattering the tranquility of the entire dark heavens.
The dazzling sparks and colorful light scattered across the two solitary figures on the rear mountain.
Orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple—how magnificent this sky was. Having the beloved person by one's side while holding hands—that was enough. Zhong Shan didn't bother looking up at the fireworks. He gazed spellbound at Man Cheng's face, illuminated red by the brilliant, multicolored display. Yet he hadn't anticipated that Man Cheng would suddenly turn his head to look at him.
The gazes of two people met silently.
In the depths of their souls, what was it like—like the faint mist lingering after the blazing fireworks had burned out—that swirled and circled...
Man Cheng leaned closer, gently stroking Zhong Shan's face as if cherishing a priceless treasure of the heart.
Zhong Shan held his fingers, moving them to his own lips. "Man Cheng, I remember you saying you've never seen the sea."
When his fingertips touched that warm, damp breath, Man Cheng's eyes grew hazy. He murmured in a trance: "...Yes."
"Neither have I. I've heard the sea at Xiong Zhou is beautiful... When we quell this rebellion, let's go see it together. Okay?"
"Okay."
"You... why are you looking at me like that?"
"Zhong Shan... you're truly wonderful."
Zhong Shan smiled faintly, but his heart was bitter and desolate: No matter how wonderful I am, what good does it do?
"Zhong Shan... what is the greatest wish in your life?"
"My greatest wish is... to be able to stay by your side forever."
Man Cheng's heart suddenly stirred. He pressed his lips to Zhong Shan's in a deep response. After a long while, he pulled back slightly but still couldn't bear to leave his lips. "Zhong Shan, then we have a deal. You must never leave my side."
"Okay. I will never leave you."
I'm willing to accompany you this lifetime. When you die, I'll accompany you in the next life, and then the life after that.
I'm willing to accompany you through hundreds of lifetimes, thousands of lifetimes, as long as for one lifetime your heart would be mine.
Forget it. Forget forever. If I can have just one day, I'll be more than satisfied.
News of the fierce battle at Deng Kingdom reached Yao Ji Palace. Yong Zhao's army sent additional reinforcements. Fang Guangda retreated strategically, falling back to Yan He to join forces with the reinforcements, greatly strengthening their power. The Yuan Liao army made no progress, able only to remain at Yan He, locked in confrontation.
Another surprising piece of news also reached Yao Ji Palace—when the Yuan Liao army was stationed at Qiu Ting, because a courtesan had offended the commanding general, an entire street was razed to the ground by the Mighty Shock Army. Thousands of innocent people were killed or injured. This time it was actually such an atrocity committed on foreign soil. Although the King of Deng made no comment, the alliance between the Deng army and the Yuan Liao army had completely collapsed.
The King of Yuan Liao was so shocked he couldn't speak for a long time. Then, finally unable to suppress his rage, he flew into a thunderous fury that terrified all the civil and military officials kneeling in the palace hall, their cold sweats dripping down like rain.
Peng Hong shook his head and sighed: These two have been struggling for years. Now I'm afraid they truly cannot hold on any longer.
In a daze, whose hand was it that gently brushed the hair from my forehead, then stroked my cheek with the back of their hand?
Man Cheng... have you returned?
He forced his eyes open. The man before him had a face full of weariness, and a pair of deep eyes brimmed with warm tenderness. "You... are awake..."
"Zhang Zhou..." Tears slid silently down from the corners of his eyes. Wei Yang suddenly remembered years ago when he came to Jin Jing to seek military aid—how handsome and commanding he was, how heroic and spirited. Whether in martial skill, status, appearance, or bearing, he had eclipsed all the men of Jin Jing. How many noble women of Jin Jing had watched him, whispering and discussing him behind their sleeves. And she, proud of her noble status, had the fortune to marry him, yet she hadn't cherished him...
It's Heaven punishing me...
Zhang Zhou looked at her pallid, ashen complexion and gently sighed. He consoled her: "Don't be too grieved. There will be children in the future."
Will there be, Man Cheng?
Someone knocked softly at the door. Ying Shan's voice came through: "Your Majesty, Chief Physician Feng has prepared the medicine..."
Zhang Zhou tried to wipe the tears from her eyes, but the teardrops kept flowing ceaselessly, sliding into the strands of her hair, dampening the pillow. "You... take care of your health. The physician prescribed tonic and nourishing medicine. Rest quietly for a period of time."
Wei Yang grasped his hand and placed it over her closed eyes, crying silently.
Zhang Zhou's heart trembled: What a familiar gesture—it's just like...
Zhang Zhou hastily drew back his hand, speaking gently: "I'll go ask the physician if there's anything else to note. Rest peacefully. I'll be right back." After saying this, he stood up and walked out the door.
Chief Physician Feng had been kneeling at the door for some time. Seeing him, his face showed slight panic. He kowtowed in greeting.
Zhang Zhou dismissed the surrounding attendants and asked: "Chief Physician Feng, how is the Queen Mother's condition?"
Chief Physician Feng lowered his voice. "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother has suffered a sudden miscarriage. It was likely caused by some kind of folk remedy she took. This medicine..."
Zhang Zhou hissed sharply: "Chief Physician Feng, I think you've grown foolish in your old age. I asked you what? You answer what!"
"Subject accepts his crime..." Chief Physician Feng kowtowed repeatedly.
Zhang Zhou snorted coldly. "Chief Physician Feng, I told you to treat the illness. Did I give you orders to investigate this? I don't want to know the cause of the Queen Mother's miscarriage. If any rumors start circulating in the city, I'll blame them all on you. Think carefully about the consequences."
Chief Physician Feng prostrated himself on the ground, terrified out of his wits.
"Why aren't you speaking? How is the Queen Mother's condition?"
"Y-your Majesty, this..." Chief Physician Feng was drenched in cold sweat, stammering: "This... the Queen Mother seems to have accidentally taken something that severely injured her body. Now... in the future..." His voice grew smaller and smaller.
Zhang Zhou sensed something ominous. His heart suddenly sank.
He heard Chief Physician Feng speak in a voice as low as could possibly be, terrified: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother... will never be able to bear children again..."
Zhang Zhou abruptly closed his eyes.
Inside the room came a crash. Zhang Zhou hastily pushed open the door and rushed in, only to see Wei Yang collapsed beside the table by the door. Her voice hoarse, she clutched her face, crying bitterly in utter despair and helplessness.