Chapter 32 “Do you want to test how sharp my sword is?”…

Chapter 32 "Do you want to test how sharp my sword is?"

As the two walked hand in hand, many people saw them and gained a new perception of Jiang Congyan, the Princess of Peace.

It appears that the King of Mobei truly favors her.

When they later learned that Chigan Balie was punished for offending her, their regard for her increased even more.

It is said that "Jiang's dance captivates the world, and the King of Mobei is like a celestial being." They thought it was an exaggeration by the people of Liang State, but it turns out the reality is even more exaggerated.

Does the King of Mobei really dote on her to this extent?

The Lüben Guards and the wedding entourage were very happy, but the Xianbei horsemen were not so pleased.

Chigan Balie is a highly valued general under the King, alongside Generals Modolou and Su Li, all direct subordinates of the King who have followed him in many battles and made numerous contributions. How could this Han Princess be so captivating that the King would punish his own general for her?

At this moment, the hundreds of Xianbei horsemen had two views of Jiang Congyan. One group, like Modolou, was grateful for the spices and fine wine she gifted, thinking this Han Princess was quite good. Even if the King favored her, it was fine, as Chigan Balie had indeed been disrespectful first. Offending the Queen was equivalent to offending the King.

The other group, led by Chigan Balie, were Xianbei people who harbored hostility towards the Han. Most of them were of full-blooded lineage and valued bloodlines greatly. They had already been murmuring when Tuoba Xiao, with his mixed Han and Xianbei blood, ascended to the throne, but they dared not say anything due to his strong-handed rule.

They had always hoped he would marry a full-blooded Xianbei woman as Queen. Several years ago, many subordinates had offered their daughters, but the King had not taken a liking to any of them. Instead, he decided to choose a noble Han woman from Liang State as his wife. When the news spread, many generals tried to persuade him, and even several tribal leaders intervened, but no one could change the King's decision.

The King already has half Han blood, and now he has married a Han woman as Queen. If they have children, will those children also inherit the throne? If so, will Xianbei still be Xianbei?

Given the current situation, if this Han Princess whispers in the King's ear and convinces him to help them fight, the Xianbei people might become a weapon in the hands of Liang State.

They formed an alliance with Liang State, but not for peaceful coexistence. Such fertile land, producing so much grain, and countless women, is like a piece of fat meat placed before them. If it weren't for the fear of the Xiongnu attacking from the west, they would have already ridden south.

In the past two years, some leaders have tried to persuade the King, but he has not paid attention. For now, it appears he has no plans to attack Liang State, leading some to secretly believe that the King is holding back because of his half-Han blood.

...

After being whipped ten times, Chigan Balie refused his subordinates' support and walked back to his tent in pain.

Ten lashes were nothing to him, but they stripped him of all his dignity.

And all of this was because of that Han woman!

Chigan Balie's eagle-like eyes burned with intense resentment, his fists clenched so tightly they creaked, like a volcano about to erupt.

On the other side, Wen Yu also witnessed everything that had just happened. He returned to his tent and sat alone by the lamp for a long time, lost in thought.

*

After returning to her tent, Jiang Congyan had her maids prepare water for her.

She wished to bathe.

She was married for the sake of the state and was wedded to Tuoba Xiao with the full rites of a primary wife. Therefore, the Imperial Court of Sacrifices had prepared a lavish dowry for her, including various silks, gold and silver jewelry, hairpins, and even furniture such as a vanity, canopy bed, and incense altar. Naturally, there was also a bathtub.

Traveling was inconvenient, and as the weather was still cool and she hadn't perspired much, she usually just wiped herself with hot water and only took a full bath every three or four days.

Tonight, she had been splattered with blood, and both psychologically and physically, she felt very uncomfortable. She particularly wanted to wash thoroughly, to cleanse herself of the sticky, bloody odor.

Not being at a post station, merely heating the water required considerable effort, but Ruo Lan still efficiently directed the servants.

The palace maids and eunuchs were distinct from the craftsmen; like the dowry, they were directly under Jiang Congyan's authority and were integrated into her own team along with Zhang Zheng and the others on the second day.

After a few days, Ruo Lan had already started training the accompanying palace maids and eunuchs, assigning them to do some simple chores but still not allowing them to serve closely.

When the hot water was ready, Jiang Congyan stepped into the bathtub. Ruo Lan glanced at the blood-stained dress on the ground and hesitated, "My lady, what shall we do with this dress?"

She knew that Jiang Congyan was very fond of this moon-white gauze skirt, she loved the simple and elegant white color, and hated it getting dirty, especially with blood.

Once stained with blood, even if washed clean, she would never wear it again.

Jiang Congyan dipped her hand into the water, cupped some hot water, and poured it over her fair and plump shoulder, her voice cool, "Burn it."

Ruo Lan hesitated for a moment but did as she was told.

She carried the skirt and pushed aside the tent flap to approach the fire, only to find an unexpected person—the Prince of Mobei, still there.

She bowed respectfully, but Tuo Baxiao ignored her. His sharp eyes recognized the skirt in her arms as the one Jiang Congyan had worn today.

"Did she tell you to wash the clothes?"

Ruo Lan: "...Not exactly, the lady ordered me to burn it."

Tuo Baxiao remained silent.

She was clearly still furious, her anger not yet cooled.

Ruo Lan didn’t know what Tuo Baxiao was thinking. Seeing that he no longer paid attention to her, she walked to the fire and threw the blood-stained skirt into the flames. The flames instantly engulfed the delicate gauze fabric. The dried blood, now dark red, was illuminated by the firelight, turning a vivid crimson, like a flower of sin blooming in the flames of hell, or the legendary phoenix bird rising from the ashes.

After burning the clothes, Ruo Lan saw that Tuo Baxiao had left, so she returned to the tent to attend to her duties.

Jiang Congyan, fresh from her bath, wore a snow-white silk nightgown and a small jacket, and sat on a low stool. Ruo Lan took a soft towel and gently dried her thick, black hair.

She dried it strand by strand, her movements gentle and meticulous.

The dim firelight cast a warm glow on Jiang Congyan's soft, pale cheeks. Her graceful silhouette gently reflected on the tent, her neck slender, her posture like a willow, every movement exuding elegance, leaving endless imagination.

After instructing the maids to carry out the water, Si Zi squatted beside her and couldn’t help but complain, "Those barbarians were so rude to the lady—it’s outrageous!"

She had nearly gone mad with anger earlier. If Ruo Lan hadn’t held her back, she might have charged at Chigan Balie.

"Those barbarians don’t like the lady, but I don’t like them either! Did the lady choose to marry him? It was their king's decision, hmph! I wish he hadn’t chosen her!" Si Zi grew angrier as she spoke, but she still knew to keep her voice low, aware of eavesdroppers.

"Alright, alright, don’t fuss like an old woman," Jiang Congyan said, seeing the little girl more aggrieved than herself, as if she were the one being targeted, and had to tease her.

Si Zi puffed up her cheeks and glared at her angrily, "Lady, aren’t you even a little angry?"

Jiang Congyan paused, then said leisurely, "I was angry at first, but not anymore."

She had indeed been angry when she noticed Chigan Balie targeting her, but not excessively so. She could even understand his dislike for her, but she had to express her anger.

The emotions of those in power aren’t always genuine; more often, they are an attitude.

Joy, approval.

Anger, opposition.

To establish oneself, one cannot rely solely on anger, but if one does not show strength from the beginning, others will only see her as weak and easy to bully, thus not taking her seriously.

In the survival law of the strong preying on the weak in the grasslands, weakness is the original sin.

And today's outcome was much better than she had anticipated.

Tuo Baxiao...

Jiang Congyan thought again of the look he gave her before they parted. He said, I won't let anyone bully you again...

Her thick lashes cast a small shadow over her eyes as she wore a calm expression.

Jiang Congyan did not seek a long-term commitment, but she hoped the man would remember his promise for a short while.

After the evening's incident, the group turned north the next day.

The Xianbei King's capital was in Shengle. According to the map, the shortest route should have been eastward from Chang'an, passing through Hongnong, Hedong, and Pingyang counties, then north along the eastern branch of the Yellow River.

Unfortunately, the regions of Hebei and Hejian were occupied by the Jie people. This route would pass through territory under their control. Since the two nations were allied, the Jie faced the greatest danger. If they dared to take this route, the Jie would undoubtedly gather all their forces to stop them at all costs.

Thus, the group had to depart westward from Chang'an, first following the Jing River westward through Anding County, then to Beidi County, north along the western branch of the Yellow River, past Helan Mountain, and finally eastward through the Hetao region to reach Shengle.

Comparatively, this route was a long detour, though the safest. Even so, while passing through Beidi County, they would still face threats from the Xiongnu and Qiang Jie.

Another evening came, and fortunately, they reached the post station smoothly.

As Jiang Congyan was helped down from the carriage and about to enter the post station, a fierce argument suddenly erupted in the distance, accompanied by Si Zi's angry shouts.

Jiang Congyan's brows furrowed slightly, and she was about to ask when a Liangzhou Imperial Guard hurriedly reported, "My lord, Miss Si Zi and the general have confronted the Xianbei people."

Jiang Congyan's pupils contracted slightly, and her face, beautiful as a hibiscus in the brilliant sunset, betrayed a hint of surprise.

She pursed her lips, but in an instant, her expression returned to normal. Without a word, she quickly walked toward the direction of the dispute.

A crowd had gathered, packed tightly. The Imperial Guard raised his voice and shouted, "The princess is here!" The crowd, like a tide cleaved by a blade, parted to both sides, creating a narrow path for her to pass through before closing again.

Jiang Congyan walked through the crowd under countless gazes and finally arrived at the scene.

Hundreds of steps away from the post station, by the roadside, the surrounding weeds were lush but trampled into disarray by hooves.

The situation was worse than she had imagined. On their side, Zhang Zheng and others led, followed by the Lüben Guard. Si Zi stood at the forefront, backed by dozens of Imperial Guards, facing off against the other side. Their eyes were ablaze with anger, and they had already drawn their swords. On the other side was Chigan Balie, leading equally aggressive cavalry, mounted and glaring, bows drawn and ready to charge.

Both sides were shouting insults in languages the other couldn't understand.

The warm yellow sunset shone on the shimmering armor and blades of both sides, reflecting dazzling, sharp light, like sword shadows charged with lethal intent, imbuing the golden sunlight with a sense of solemnity.

During their journey, conflicts had arisen over prime spots, fishing in the river, or hunting in the forest—big and small, daily occurrences—but it had never come to blows.

The tension was like a fully drawn bowstring, on the verge of snapping.

"What's going on?"

Jiang Congyan emerged from the crowd, her voice carried by the wind, soft and unexpected, yet no one dared to ignore it. The chaotic shouting fell silent.

Seeing her, Si Zi lit up, dismounted, and came to her side, then puffed her cheeks and began to complain, "My lady, it's all Chigan Balie's fault! He tried to kill someone for no reason, and I caught him in the act..."

Si Zi spoke rapidly, firing off a string of words like a machine gun, quickly explaining the situation.

It turned out that after the group arrived at the post station, they followed their usual routine to find a spot to set up camp. However, Chigan Balie, still in a foul temper from being punished the previous night, took his bow and prepared to go hunting in the forest to let off steam.

Just as his horse galloped a few steps, he spotted someone hiding in the grass in the distance.

Assuming it was another spy, he intended to haul the person out for interrogation, but it turned out to be a child?

Ragged, filthy, and emaciated, more destitute than the lowest-ranking craftsman in their group—clearly a refugee.

A wandering child was obviously not a Xiongnu spy, but he was in a foul temper. Since the child had crossed his path, the child was out of luck.

Chigan Balie gave a sinister smile, then drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and aimed at the child in the grass, as if he were prey.

He was about to shoot when Si Zi, riding around outside the group, spotted him.

Lately, she often greeted everyone while they set up camp, lending a hand whenever she could.

Killing without cause? How could she stand for that?

Si Zi galloped over and blocked Chigan Balie, demanding an explanation.

We’re still on Liang State soil. How dare you, a foreigner, kill a Han citizen?

Chigan Balie was halted, especially by someone associated with that Han woman, and he was equally enraged.

"I suspect he’s a spy sent by another tribe to watch us! Spies deserve death!" Chigan Balie still held his bow, the string taut, refusing to lower it.

Si Zi couldn’t understand him, but nothing justified killing someone so casually.

"Move, or I’ll kill you as well!" Chigan Balie threatened menacingly, baring his sharp teeth.

Si Zi stood her ground, shielding the homeless child.

Chigan Balie’s rage boiled over, and he prepared to charge her.

Both were on horseback; a head-on collision could throw them off and trample them, risking their lives.

As Si Zi grew frantic, Zhang Zheng noticed the commotion and hurried over.

He shielded Si Zi with his men, facing Chigan Balie, and sent for the Grand Herald, Wen Yu.

Wen Yu, an interpreter in the Court of State Ceremonial, was skilled in managing ethnic minority affairs and fluent in Hunnic languages. Now that the two sides were in conflict and couldn't communicate, someone needed to translate to mediate the dispute.

He acted appropriately, but Chigan Balie remained unappeased. Instead, because Zhang Zheng and others had helped Si Zi, he felt provoked by the Han people and also raised his arm to call for reinforcements.

"Want a fight? Bring it on—I’m not scared of you Han!" Chigan Balie shouted.

Both sides grew in number, and the conflict escalated. It wasn’t just about the homeless child anymore—it was about their authority and pride. Even after Wen Yu arrived and facilitated communication, Chigan Balie remained unyielding, insisting that the homeless child was a spy and should be killed.

Si Zi realized he was stirring trouble over last night’s incident and grew even angrier. Zhang Zheng and others were also extremely angry.

The Marquis of Liangzhou led the army with discipline and cared deeply for his people. Naturally, they wouldn’t let the other side slaughter innocents right under their noses. With tensions mounting over the past days, everything finally exploded.

Both sides were furious. As Chigan Balie raised his knife, the Imperial Guards drew theirs, poised for battle. Their calloused hands clenched the hilts, veins throbbing on their foreheads, eyes ablaze.

Though outnumbered, they weren’t afraid if the Xianbei dared to strike!

Once Jiang Congyan grasped the situation, her face stayed blank, but her starry eyes darkened, their chill growing sharper.

She stepped to the front and told Wen Yu, "Translate my words to General Chigan."

Then she looked directly at Chigan Balie and questioned loudly, "General Chigan, you are now stepping on the soil of Liang State. The person you want to kill for no reason is a citizen of Liang State. As a Liang princess, I demand evidence that this child is a spy. Did you interrogate him? Did you find proof?"

"As an envoy from another country, you should abide by the laws of Liang State and follow orders when you come to the Central Plains, not act recklessly and harm the innocent. By doing this, you not only lose face but also damage the prestige of the Prince of Mobei."

"I believe that the Prince of Mobei, a hero of his generation and a great leader of the grasslands, would never allow his subordinates to kill indiscriminately!"

When Chigan Balie heard Wen Yu's translation, he stared at her fiercely, his eyeballs bulging, the flesh under his brown beard trembling uncontrollably.

He was livid—this woman was leveraging the Prince against him!

Chigan Balie was in a dilemma.

His teeth clicked together as he gnashed them, his gaze sweeping around. He was surrounded by people, all watching him.

He had already vowed to kill this "spy," and both sides had even drawn their weapons. If he backed down just because of this Han woman's words, he would surely lose even more face than last night.

Chigan Balie couldn't stomach such an outcome, so he glared again, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, and snarled through gritted teeth, "What if I kill him anyway?"

Wen Yu translated this sentence loudly, with the same arrogant tone as Chigan Balie.

The crowd behind him stirred uneasily, the clashing of blades growing louder. Chigan Balie's audacity was outrageous.

Jiang Congyan lowered her eyes for a moment, then raised them again. Her delicate face now held a cold, piercing gaze.

She strode up to Xie Shao and, without a word, drew the sword from his waist. She spun around and leveled the blade at Chigan Balie, her voice resolute, "Do you want to see how sharp my sword is?"

Under the vast sunset, the distant mountains glowed in the haze. A gentle breeze brushed by, and the woman's robes fluttered in the wind. The blazing sunset bathed her in a faint glow, illuminating the earth.

Her slender frame stood unwavering in the wind, the hand holding the sword steady.

The sword was sharp, but she was even sharper.

Wen Yu loudly translated her words to Chigan Balie.

Chigan Balie's eyes narrowed, his face unreadable.

He wanted to snap, "My blade is just as sharp," but the words caught in his throat.

To say that would be equivalent to declaring war.

Of course, he wasn't afraid of these Han people. He was sure their Xianbei cavalry was unbeatable on this land. He was only worried that the king might be swayed by this Han woman and blame him.

Yes, he wasn't afraid of this delicate Han woman, only concerned that the king might not approve.

Thinking this, Chigan Balie reluctantly put away his bow and arrows.

He thought bitterly, one day I'll make you Han people bow to my blade.

Chigan Balie thought the matter was over, but then a deep, authoritative male voice suddenly came from behind:

"Chigan Balie, have I been too lenient with you?"

It was like a thunderbolt, instantly dousing his rage.

Chigan Balie's heart leapt, and he spun around, only to see the king on horseback, watching him from not far away.

Backlit, Chigan Balie couldn't make out his expression, only that the king's brows were furrowed, his gaze heavy, like dark clouds before a downpour.

Chigan Balie, seething, now faced his reprimand, barely containing his emotions, and defended himself, "My king, I did nothing. That vagrant is still alive. I never laid a hand on him."

Tuo Baxiao didn't speak, sitting tall on his steed, radiating a chill that even the sunset couldn't warm. His high brow cast a terrifying shadow over his eyes, making everyone hold their breath.

He flicked his horsewhip, and the sleek black steed beneath him stepped forward with vigor.

Chigan Balie's cavalry immediately parted to both sides, creating a wide path, and they sheathed their weapons, dismounted, and bowed respectfully.

Amidst two rows of tall, imposing Xianbei cavalrymen, Tuo Baxiao rode slowly forward.

At this moment, under the gaze of hundreds, aside from the howling evening wind, there was not a single other sound.

It was as if their throats had tightened.

The clatter of hooves, each strike pounding in the hearts of the onlookers.

Until everyone saw Tuo Baxiao stop in front of Chigan Balie. He drew out his whip and suddenly lashed it across Chigan Balie’s face.

"Slap!"

The crisp and piercing sound of the whip abruptly shattered the silence.

Without any warning, without any words, Tuo Baxiao decisively gave Chigan Balie a lash.

Everyone's expression changed, seeing a gruesome bloody gash appear on Chigan Balie’s face from the left eyebrow tail across the bridge of the nose to the right chin.

The flesh tore open, and blood gushed out.

Even Chigan Balie hadn’t expected it; he didn’t feel pain, only numbness on his face. He instinctively wiped it with his hand, trying to confirm it wasn’t an illusion.

He lowered his hand, his palm drenched in blood.

Crimson blood smeared half his face, making Chigan Balie’s already rugged and fierce face even more terrifying, like a crimson demon risen from hell.

The blood flowed so heavily that it matted his beard into clumps, dripping down along the tips of his beard.

“Your Majesty?” he muttered, dazed, completely not understanding why the king would punish him so severely.

“Chigan Balie, you have forgotten my command.”

“Are you deliberately showing your dissatisfaction with last night?” The voice was flat, yet it sent chills down the spine.