Chapter 21: The County Lady and the Commandery Lady.

Chapter 21: The County Lady and the Commandery Lady.

"The 'Ling' from 'feather.'"

To pique Li Yichun’s interest, she had to say something shocking—something that would totally throw him off.

After revealing her identity, Huo Ling got straight to the point, catching Li Yichun off guard with her very first sentence.

"Do you want to become the chief of the Qiang Rong?"

Li Yichun narrowed his eyes and countered, "Even if I wanted to, could you make it happen?"

Unfazed by the heavy skepticism in his tone, Huo Ling replied, "Of course, it won’t be that simple. This will require careful maneuvering. But it’s the foundation of our partnership."

"If you lack the ambition to be a Wolf King, even if we push you onto that throne, you won’t be able to hold it."

Li Yichun gave a neutral answer, "If the opportunity arises, why not?"

He stared coldly at Huo Ling. "You want me to be a mere puppet, ruling the Qiang Rong on your behalf?"

In polite terms, it was the chief of the Qiang Rong.

In blunt terms, it was just a puppet Great Yan would use to manage the Qiang people openly.

Huo Ling smiled. "The biggest difference between a puppet and a person is that a puppet can be manipulated at will, but a person has their own desires."

"I don’t need you to be a puppet. What I want is mutual cooperation."

"Mutual cooperation?" Li Yichun rolled the phrase in his mouth. "What do you gain from pushing me into power?"

Huo Ling didn’t hide anything.

As she had said, she sought mutual benefit. Since this was something advantageous for both sides, there was no need for secrecy—it would only breed suspicion.

"My father will be stationed in Western Yan for the next few years."

"His foundation is unstable. He needs a strong ally to help him secure his position in Western Yan, as well as more opportunities to earn merits."

"Once you become the chief of the Qiang Rong, you can collaborate with him—securing the borders, calming the people, and fostering harmony between the Qiang and Yan."

It did sound like mutual benefit, but Li Yichun still felt something was off. "That’s all? It’s that straightforward?"

Huo Ling chuckled. "It only sounds straightforward."

She gazed into his jade-green eyes. "The conflicts and friction between the Qiang and Yan people have existed for a long time. Achieving harmony between them is no easy task. As someone of mixed Qiang and Yan heritage, you must understand this deeply."

Li Yichun’s expression shifted, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. "If you know it’s not easy, why still pursue it?"

Huo Ling said, "Exactly because everyone recognizes it’s something immensely beneficial yet difficult to achieve—that’s why I must do it."

Only by doing what others can’t does one stand out.

Li Yichun went quiet.

After a moment, he spoke again. "After bringing harmony between the Qiang and Yan people, will mixed-blood individuals no longer face discrimination?"

Li Yichun leaned back against the wall, his tone laced with bitterness. "I know that your Great Yan’s General Zhou is also of mixed Qiang and Yan heritage. But in the decades since the Qiang Rong bowed to Great Yan, there’s only ever been one Zhou Jiamu."

When Huo Ling didn’t respond immediately, Li Yichun scoffed. "What, has my question stumped you?"

Huo Ling came back to herself: "I've never thought about the question you asked before, so I was just considering how to answer you."

Li Yichun: "Have you thought of an answer now?"

Huo Ling chuckled lightly: "Yes, but I'm afraid this answer might scare you."

Li Yichun suspected she was provoking him. After all, he had fought his way through battlefields: "Let's hear it."

Huo Ling: "I don't know about other places in western Great Yan, but I've lived in Yong'an County for over a decade. There, the attitude toward the Qiang people and Qiang-Yan mixed heritage isn't one of hatred."

"As long as you settle there, whether you're Yan, Qiang, or Qiang-Yan mixed heritage, you actually have an even more important identity—that of a Yong'an County resident."

Li Yichun frowned, knowing she wouldn't bring this up without reason: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Huo Ling dropped another bombshell: "If Qiang Rong were to be fully integrated into Great Yan and become one of its prefectures, there would no longer be any distinction between Qiang and Yan, and no one would discriminate against Qiang-Yan mixed heritage. Regardless of bloodline or origin, you would all be citizens of Great Yan."

"You!"

Li Yichun shot to his feet, staring at Huo Ling in disbelief.

Even Sun Yucheng and Wu Mo behind Huo Ling looked equally shocked.

"You..."

Li Yichun paced back and forth a couple of times.

After a long pause, he finally managed to utter a fitting response.

"You actually dare to entertain the idea of annexing Qiang Rong!"

This was a grand achievement even the founding emperor of Great Yan hadn't achieved, yet this slip of a woman dared to speak such radical proposals.

Huo Ling kept her composure. Judging by her expression alone, no one could tell she had just made such a radical proposal.

"I didn't say I would annex Qiang Rong. I was merely answering your question."

"The best way to eliminate discrimination is for everyone to become one nation. Don't you think I'm right?"

Li Yichun suddenly took several steps forward, dropping to one knee before Huo Ling, meeting her gaze through the cell bars. To his frustration, a voice in his heart kept repeating: She's right.

Huo Ling reached her hand into the cell and, to Li Yichun's astonishment, rested her hand on his brow: "Do you consider yourself Qiang Rong or Great Yan?"

The question left Li Yichun temporarily speechless, even forgetting to pull away.

"You grew up in Qiang Rong territory, but you weren't happy there. You likely faced so much discrimination that you'd say life wasn't worth living."

"You've never lived in Great Yan, but half your blood has always been Yan."

"In your heart, are you Qiang or Yan? Do you yearn more for Qiang Rong or Great Yan?"

Li Yichun looked away uncomfortably, cursing his poor judgment. Knowing she was a witch, yet he had to go listen to her bewitching words.

"You have no answer."

Huo Ling gave voice to Li Yichun's thoughts.

"You don't identify with Qiang Rong, nor do you feel any sense of belonging there. You must understand—feeling you don't belong is a terrifying thing. People nowadays value knowing where you belong. Where are your roots? Since that's the case, why not try embracing Great Yan?"

At this point, Huo Ling suddenly gave a small laugh.

Li Yichun heard the laughter echoing in his ears and couldn't help but look at her again, growing red with anger. "What are you laughing at?"

"I think you don't actually dislike Great Yan, do you?"

Li Yichun doubled down, "For once, you're wrong."

Huo Ling glanced at him. "If you truly hated Great Yan, why would you speak the Han tongue so fluently?"

The closer one got to the Qiang Rong royal tents, the less common the Han tongue became. Aside from a few nobles, no one spoke it.

Yet Li Yichun's Han tongue had no accent whatsoever—he must have learned it from childhood and used it regularly.

"Who taught you the Han tongue? Was it your mother?"

"She's still alive, always watching over you. The reason you refuse to surrender to Great Yan—is it because you worry about her safety among the Qiang Rong?"

Li Yichun shot back, "Are all the court officials of Great Yan as eloquent as you?"

Huo Ling smiled, knowing she had guessed correctly. "Couldn't tell you."

"If you're truly curious, one day you could visit the capital of Great Yan yourself and present yourself before our emperor."

Li Yichun scoffed, but his attitude had softened, no longer as resistant as before.

"I'm curious—was it your father and you who came up with the idea to work with me, or was it the Great Yan court's idea?"

"Of course, it was our idea."

"If that's the case..." Li Yichun was hedging. "Why shouldn't I just work directly with the Great Yan court? For example, with General Zhou Jiamu—he's half-Qiang, half-Yan like me, and his status is higher than your father's, isn't it?"

Huo Ling didn't miss a beat when Li Yichun brought this up. She'd discussed this very issue with Huo Shiming the day before.

"General Zhou can't match what we're offering. Because my father and I need this collaboration more than he does."

"Since you've been in prison, you might not know—in two days, General Zhou will be promoted to commander of Xingtang Pass."

Li Yichun fell silent again, lowering his eyes as he slowly calculated the risks and rewards.

Huo Ling gave him ample time to think. The longer he deliberated, the more careful his decision would be—which would only benefit their future collaboration.

But squatting for so long was exhausting. Huo Ling braced herself on the cell door and stood up.

Sunlight came flooding in through the narrow skylight, dispelling the gloom around them.

Seeing her move, Li Yichun instinctively looked up, shielding his eyes. The woman before him was bathed in golden light, as if the heavens, knowing his imprisonment, had sent guidance to lead him to a path of survival.

Truthfully, he didn't care about Qiang Rong or Great Yan, nor whether Qiang Rong would be annexed by Great Yan.

Qiang Rong only pledged loyalty to the strong. If Great Yan was powerful enough to annex Qiang Rong, what would it matter to join them?

Li Yichun managed a grin with his dry lips.

"Alright, you've got a deal."

"I'll do whatever you ask—just one condition: you have to promise my mother's safety."

***

As she left the prison cell, Huo Ling rubbed her temples.

During the negotiation, she had stayed razor-focused to stay in control.

Now that she had achieved the desired outcome, the moment her mind relaxed, exhaustion crept in belatedly.

A hand blocked her vision. Huo Ling only heard Wu Mo’s startled gasp behind her before she was abruptly pulled aside and found herself wrapped in someone’s arms.

Prince Duan held her waist and shot a cool glance at Wu Mo and Sun Yucheng.

Before Wu Mo could process what happened, she was dragged away by Sun Yucheng.

“That hurts,” Huo Ling complained.

Prince Duan lowered his head, his voice tender, as if yesterday’s fight never happened. “Where does it hurt?”

Huo Ling lifted her head from his chest and placed her right hand over his heart. “Here.”

His heartbeat quickened under her touch. “That’s why I came for you.”

Huo Ling said, “Your Highness just had an assassination attempt. You shouldn’t leave the county office so casually.”

“Are you worried about me, A Ling?”

Prince Duan seized her hand, bringing it toward his lips, but Huo Ling pulled away. “This is a military camp. Have some decency, Your Highness.”

He didn’t insist, only pulling her closer. “You didn’t wear the jade pendant and ignored me. How am I supposed to act?”

Huo Ling smiled. “So it’s all my fault.”

Prince Duan let out a soft sigh and lowered his head. “My mistake. I broke my promise first. I don’t blame you for being angry.”

“If you’ve already broken your word, why show up again? Why not keep your distance? In Your Highness’s eyes, am I someone who can be treated so lightly?”

“I never thought that,” Prince Duan said, wishing he could show her his heart. “I was only worried something might happen to you outside, so I came to take you back to the county office myself.”

“You’re the one who just said I shouldn’t leave the county office recklessly after an assassination attempt. But you once risked yourself for me—shouldn’t I return the favor?”

Huo Ling looked at him. “I don’t need this.”

Prince Duan replied, “That’s why I’m here—with sincerity.”

Earlier that morning, after Huo Ling and Zhou Jiamu had left, Prince Duan stood alone in the empty courtyard, a growing fury burning hotter inside him, nearly uncontrollable.

Unable to focus on official duties, he picked up a bow and stood where Huo Ling had stood earlier, shooting arrows.

Usually never missing, this time he erred repeatedly.

Prince Duan had to admit—Huo Ling could cloud his judgment, make him lose control.

He couldn’t kill He Tai. If he wanted to get her back, the only way was to show her new sincerity.

Merely arranging official posts for Huo Shiming and the others wasn’t enough. The sincerity she needed was just for her.

“Before coming to you, I wrote two petitions.”

“One concerns the promotions of General Huo and the others. It will be announced to the entire army tomorrow.”

“The other, I’ve already sent by fast horse to the capital. In it, I spelled out your contributions and, as the Military Commissioner of Western Yan, personally recommended you—requesting you be granted the title of County Lady.”

“With this title, you’ll have more freedom to act in the capital.”

Huo Ling went still.

The things she had done were known only to a few, such as Prince Duan, Huo Shiming, and Zhou Jiamu, and had not been made public. But with Prince Duan personally submitting a memorial to commend her merits, the situation was different.

With Prince Duan promoting her name, her achievements would inevitably spread throughout the capital and Yan's western frontier.

After her initial surprise, Huo Ling quickly caught on.

At first glance, this gesture seemed sincere.

But in reality, all Prince Duan had expended was a single memorial.

What truly earned her the title of County Lady was not Prince Duan, but her own efforts.

Huo Ling understood this clearly, but it was unwise to voice it outright. Repeatedly embarrassing Prince Duan would do her no good.

And for now, she still needed his help.

Saving Li Yichun’s mother and securing his rise to power were urgent matters.

Huo Ling lowered her gaze, putting on a moved expression, her previously tense voice softening slightly: "Your memorial has only just been sent. Whether the capital will approve remains uncertain. Yet you’ve already come to take credit—aren’t you afraid I’ll be left disappointed if they refuse?"

Prince Duan smiled, full of confidence: "The court will undoubtedly agree."

As the Military Commissioner of Yan's western frontier, requesting the title of County Lady was a favor the court would not deny.

Huo Ling smiled in return, her eyes glinting: "Good. Since Your Highness has had his say, please let me go now. I still need to find General Zhou."

Prince Duan raised a brow: "What do you need him for?"

Huo Ling glanced at the prison behind her, and Prince Duan caught on: "The Assassin Leader has agreed to talk?"

Huo Ling nodded: "After appealing to his emotions and reason, he finally revealed some details. His mother is still held in the Qiang Rong king’s camp. If we can rescue her, he’s willing to cooperate."

Prince Duan didn't think much of Li Yichun, but seeing Huo Ling’s insistence, he did not object: "I’ll accompany you."

Zhou Jiamu was going over troop deployments for the Xingtang Pass when he heard low voices talking outside, followed by Prince Duan and Huo Ling entering together.

Zhou Jiamu arched a brow—had His Highness succeeded in calming her down?

Closing the document in his hands, he rose to greet them and invited them to sit.

Facing Zhou Jiamu, Huo Ling repeated much of what she had said earlier, though in greater detail.

Zhou Jiamu remarked: "Getting someone out of the Qiang Rong king’s camp isn’t difficult for us."

"Some tribes within the Qiang Rong king’s camp have already secretly reached out, seeking to switch sides. With their assistance, we can safely bring that woman to Changle County."

Huo Ling was not entirely surprised by this news.

Yan had, after all, had influence in Qiang Rong territory for decades—not all tribes were rebellious, and even among those that were, not every individual was willing to oppose Yan.

"Is it worth all this trouble," Zhou Jiamu’s tone shifted, "for what he can offer? He’s been captured for so long—even if he knows the Qiang Rong’s secrets, they might be outdated by now."

Huo Ling smiled: "That I don't know."

Zhou Jiamu did not doubt her words and nodded: "Then I’ll visit him later to see what else he might reveal. Perhaps there’s still something to gain."

He then thanked Huo Ling: "We owe this progress to Miss Huo’s help."

Huo Ling said, "No need for formalities, General Zhou. I just wanted to satisfy my curiosity, wanting to get close to the assassin who severely wounded my father, was shot by me, and still wouldn’t talk."

Their father-daughter collaboration with Li Yichun had to stay under wraps for now.

As long as Huo Ling and Huo Shiming didn’t reveal it, even sharp minds like Prince Duan and Zhou Jiamu would never guess that two seemingly hostile parties had not only reconciled but were cooperating without holding back.

After discussing Li Yichun’s matter, Huo Ling got up to leave and departed the military camp with Prince Duan.

As she was about to mount her horse, a hand suddenly reached out from behind.

Prince Duan invited, "A Ling, share my horse."

Huo Ling refused outright, "No."

"Still angry with me?"

Huo Ling replied, "I’m still mad. Your Highness should give me more time to cool down, or you’ll think I’m too easy to please."

Prince Duan let it drop, thinking of He Tai, who was still lingering in Yanxi, and didn’t press further.

Indeed, A Ling needed more time. The fact that she had given him a smile and spoken softly today was already more than he expected.

Before Prince Duan could withdraw his hand, Huo Ling suddenly slipped off her black hair ribbon and quickly looped it around his hand, closing his fingers to make him grip it.

"That ribbon on the arrow earlier doesn’t count as my gift to Your Highness."

"If you like it, keep this one instead."

She’d keep her anger, but it was also wise to throw him a bone.

***

It had been over eighty years since Great Yan established its capital in Luocheng.

The snowstorms and warfare of Yanxi could not breach the looming, untouchable splendor of this city.

Here, beneath the emperor’s feet, was the most prosperous and flourishing place in Great Yan.

As the New Year approached, the streets were packed elbow-to-elbow, all busy preparing for the festivities. Even the civil and military officials of the court were caught up in it too.

By tradition, from the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month to the 10th day of the first lunar month, all government offices would lock up their seals, and officials were free to visit relatives and friends.

Today was already the 23rd day of the twelfth month, and there was no morning court.

Emperor Jingyuan, as usual, had a light meal after waking, strolled through the imperial garden, and then headed to the study.

Seeing the small pile of petitions on the desk, Emperor Jingyuan chuckled, "Today’s petitions are few."

The Chief Eunuch placed a cup of just-right Longjing tea by Emperor Jingyuan’s left hand and added a small piece of the emperor’s favorite incense to the burner on the desk. "All urgent matters from the regions were reported in the past few days. Unless something pressing arises, no one would trouble Your Majesty with petitions now."

With so few petitions, Emperor Jingyuan was in no hurry to address them. He lifted the teacup, gently stirring the surface with the lid.

The tea steamed, its surface trembling, its reflection intertwining with the plum blossoms at the bottom of the cup—a pretty effect.

Emperor Jingyuan suddenly asked, "Has Yuanyuan left the palace yet?"

The Chief Eunuch replied, "This morning, I arranged a carriage to see the young master home."

Emperor Jingyuan remarked, "You’ve thought of everything."

Mentioning Ji Yuanwan and Prince Duan’s residence naturally made him think of Prince Duan. "My thirteenth son should be nearing the capital by now."

"Your Majesty, it seems His Royal Highness Prince Duan will be staying in Yanxi for the New Year."

Emperor Jingyuan looked up in surprise at the Chief Eunuch. "With things going so well in Yanxi, what's keeping him there?"

The Chief Eunuch bowed slightly. "It's said to be because of a young lady. Yesterday, the Princess Consort of Duan had quite an outburst, and the news got around."

Now even more surprised, Emperor Jingyuan set down his teacup. "Now that's interesting. Do we know which family this young lady belongs to?"

"Not yet, Your Majesty. If you wish to know, I can have someone look into it right away."

Emperor Jingyuan waved his hand dismissively. "No need. If he's so interested in her, he'll surely bring her to the capital eventually."

Despite his words, the emperor couldn't suppress his curiosity. "Thirteen is no stranger to beautiful women. What kind of woman from little Yanxi could make him disrespect the Princess Consort like this?"

After pondering for a moment, Emperor Jingyuan found the whole thing entertaining. Finishing his tea, he moved to his desk to go through the reports.

Picking up the first report, he smiled upon seeing the signature.

In his report, Prince Duan made clear his sincerity toward Huo Ling, detailing her deeds without reservation and praising her highly.

At first he didn't pay much attention, but as he read on, his pace slowed.

Finally, he tapped the report lightly and began reading it again.

After reading it twice, he handed it to the Chief Eunuch. "Take a look at this."

The Chief Eunuch skimmed through it and voiced the emperor's thoughts with a smile. "What a coincidence! Just moments ago, Your Majesty was asking about the young lady, and now the answer appears in this report."

Quickly reaching the end, the Chief Eunuch understood why Prince Duan sent this.

However, observing Emperor Jingyuan's thoughtful silence, the Chief Eunuch hesitated. "Does Your Majesty intend to grant Prince Duan's request for a title?"

"A County Lady isn't worth hesitating over," Emperor Jingyuan declared. "I just think it's too modest. For a woman who has captured Thirteen's heart, why not ask for a Commandery Lady? Is he worried I'd say no?"

The Chief Eunuch's expression turned slightly uneasy.

Noticing this, Emperor Jingyuan chuckled. "Speak your mind."

"I wouldn't presume to guess Prince Duan's thoughts, but Miss Huo has yet to enter Prince Duan's household. A title too high might cause problems."

Emperor Jingyuan understood.

With only the position of secondary consort remaining in Prince Duan's household, if Miss Huo's status were too elevated, it would not only displease the Princess Consort but might also stir other thoughts in the young lady herself.

"That's not my problem," Emperor Jingyuan declared, marking the report with his vermilion brush. "How to win her willing heart is Thirteen's affair. Since he petitions for her merits, I shall reward her accordingly—a Commandery Lady it is."

Having penned his approval, Emperor Jingyuan turned to the next report, adding casually, "The report mentions she donated her personal savings for disaster relief. Award her another hundred taels of gold. You decide the rest."