Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 84: All Is Well

Lizhou, an inn east of the city.

A man and a woman were burning with desire. The man was Xu Qing, strikingly handsome and spirited; the woman, Chen Jie, mature and stunningly beautiful.

She rode atop him, delighting in watching shyness bloom across his features. Yet Chen Jie seemed not fully immersed in the moment. She was tense, her movements stiff.

“Sister Jie, what’s wrong?” Xu Qing gently cupped her lovely face.

Her skin was dazzlingly flawless, milk-white and lustrous, supple and perfect—truly irresistible.

Chen Jie’s gaze grew misty, shy and bashful, her body beginning to move almost against her will. Their unexpected encounter had sparked a subtle affection. Only earlier, Chen Jie had been contemplating how to invite him out for a meal.

But Xu Qing had already orchestrated their reunion, making her feel that life was full of coincidences.

He’d taken her to see his room, barely containing his inner delight, testing her resolve once more as he closed the door.

What thrilled him was that Chen Jie merely blushed, showing neither displeasure nor alarm.

Xu Qing would not let such a beauty slip through his fingers—a chance like this was too rare to pass up. He knew this exquisite woman was fond of him.

After whispered sweet nothings, he pressed her onto the bed, his body pinning her down. Passion ignited instantly; Chen Jie struggled only symbolically before surrendering.

…

“Mother, mother, did you meet with Young Master Xu?”

As soon as Chen Jie returned home, her daughter clung to her. The girl had come to find her early, and now, seeing her mother’s face aglow with spring’s blush, she needed no further confirmation.

“It wasn’t exactly that—we just happened to run into each other,” Chen Jie replied, settling before her bronze mirror to check for any signs of change in her appearance.

“How fated! You’ve met again,” her daughter teased slyly.

“You little imp,” Chen Jie chided with feigned annoyance.

Her daughter was naturally lively and spoiled, having studied palace scenes since childhood and somehow acquired an intuitive understanding without formal teaching. But it had always been mere theory for her.

Her daughter’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she asked, rather bluntly, “Mother, did you and he become one?”

Chen Jie paused, not answering. She was dazzlingly beautiful, her skin tender as a blossom, looking not a day over twenty.

She glanced at her daughter, cheeks flushed, yet not the least bit annoyed by her candidness. “Will you tell your father?”

“Of course not! Mother, you’re the one I love most—I want to keep your secrets,” her daughter vowed instantly.

“You’re not a child anymore—you’ll be marrying soon,” Chen Jie reminded her.

“Then you must teach me. I know nothing at all,” her daughter replied, wrapping her arms around her mother’s neck and whining sweetly. “Mother, what’s it really like?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Chen Jie shyly agreed. She kept no secrets from her daughter—who was not only her child, but her closest confidante. There was almost nothing she didn’t share with her.

She gestured for her daughter to close the door…

Soon, warmth suffused her whole being, tenderness overflowing, her large eyes glistening with emotion.

…

Xu Qing was awakened early by a commotion outside—the street was in an uproar over something.

He’d spent the night in the pleasure quarters, but had returned at dawn, barely catching any rest.

A pounding sounded at the door. Yawning, Xu Qing opened it and saw the innkeeper’s assistant hurrying past. He called out, “What’s going on outside? Murder or arson?”

“Nothing so serious. The authorities are just rounding up some local ruffians and driving out the beggars. It’ll be over soon,” the assistant replied calmly.

“What are they up to at this hour? Have the officials nothing better to do?” Xu Qing grumbled.

“It’s because the Crown Prince is passing through on his way back to Yang City. He’ll arrive in Lizhou by dusk and rest here for the night. It’s a big deal—the Prince is famed for his virtue. He won glory for our nation in the battle with Wei, facing down tens of thousands…” The assistant’s eyes shone with admiration.

Where do they get these tall tales?

Wait!

“The Crown Prince… you mean Wang Chuan?” Xu Qing exclaimed, suddenly wide awake, chilled to the bone.

“Hush, sir! You mustn’t speak his name aloud,” the assistant warned urgently. If the soldiers outside overheard, the consequences could be dire.

He liked this generous, dashing young man. A life spent frequenting the pleasure quarters was enviable indeed.

Bang—

Xu Qing had already slammed the door shut, not listening further. He hastily gathered his belongings and fled without hesitation.

Leaping from the window, he vanished in an instant, covering leagues in a single breath, though at great cost—his inner energy was utterly spent.

“Damn it! Wang Chuan—why is he coming to Lizhou? Why here, of all places? Wasn’t he supposed to return to Yang City—why hasn’t he gone back yet? I can’t let him find out. I’ve hidden so long, taken such pains—I must never be within a hundred miles of him, much less where he is. If he discovers me, there will be nowhere left for me in all the heavens or the underworld—no way out. I’ll die a terrible death; he would never let me go.”

“I absolutely cannot be exposed. I must stay inconspicuous, never be noticed by him. What should I do next? When he was in Yu, I couldn’t show myself in Fucheng. Now where can I go—someplace he’d never go… Tang? Yes, Tang! He’s never been to Tang, and has no reason to go there. Then that’s where I’ll go.”

Xu Qing stamped his foot in agitation, finally making up his mind and heading south.

Yang Hao, you must not come again, or I’ll be driven mad.

There are so many places you can go in this world.

But I cannot let you find me.

…

Achoo—

The night wind swept in as Wang Chuan sneezed.

“Brother Chuan, are you cold?” Xu Wei quickly rummaged through their things and produced his python-embroidered robe. “Here’s your coat.”

A light apricot-yellow robe, dignified and elegant.

“Leave it, I don’t need it now,” Wang Chuan said.

He’d simply felt that something strange had happened—a foreboding, a sense that something wasn’t right.

“You’ll look very handsome in it,” Xu Wei said with delight. “It’s my first time seeing the Crown Prince’s ceremonial robes.”

“What about yours?” Wang Chuan teased.

“Mine is the Princess’s. I’ve seen it so often I’m bored of it,” Xu Wei replied.

“Want to try on mine? You love dressing as a man,” Wang Chuan suggested.

“I’d get scolded,” Xu Wei whispered, glancing outside.

Scolded was putting it mildly—such presumption was a capital crime, punishable by the extermination of one’s entire clan.

“If I say it’s fine, it’s fine. No one else can see,” Wang Chuan assured her. “Wei’er, are you afraid I’ll harm you?”

“Mm… then I’ll give it a try,” Xu Wei said after a moment’s thought, curiosity winning out. “I always wanted to sneak into Father’s wardrobe and try his on.”

Such a bold idea.

Wang Chuan smiled. “When I have my own, you can wear mine too.”

“Really? Promise!” Xu Wei grinned. “And let me play with the hat your father gave you first.”

Wang Chuan nodded.

The dragon crown—he himself didn’t care to wear it, especially in front of others.

But for Wei’er, anything was permissible.

The Lord of Yu gave him the dragon crown, the Lord of Jin sent the python robe. Was this some kind of contest?

Now they were welcoming him with full ceremony, as if to let the world know Jin’s outstanding Crown Prince had returned…

The tiger tamer goes home, and the common folk rejoice.

But Wang Chuan did not rejoice at his own return.

That arrogant, self-important Lord of Jin—when would he ever ask what he wanted? Ever care for his wishes?

No matter.

He could claim his desires himself, whenever he wished.

“Look, Brother Chuan…”

Xu Wei had slipped his robe over her shoulders, looking dashing yet swallowed up by its size. “Isn’t it too big?”

She had to fold back the sleeves several times; it draped loosely around her.

“It’s my size,” Wang Chuan replied with a nod.

“Do I look the part?” she asked with a mischievous smile.

“You do,” Wang Chuan assured her.

Xu Wei quickly took it off again, careful and discreet.

They played until exhaustion overtook her; she sprawled atop Wang Chuan and soon fell asleep, her hand unconsciously patting her own hip even in dreams.

The flames of war had not yet reached this city.

As they approached Lizhou, Wang Chuan saw many laborers hauling carts—human beasts of burden.

He had not seen such sights in Wei, Yu, or Jin. At this time, population was power; the able-bodied were of great value.

Dispelling his illusory disguise, he asked out of curiosity.

“Mostly foreigners—driven from their homes by war and disaster, now rootless in Jin,” Star Master Tian replied, versed in all the lands of the world. “Without land or ties, they can only work as laborers. Here, many great houses keep servants and slaves.”

“So that’s how it is,” Wang Chuan mused. “If the nation is strong, why should the people toil like beasts?”

“As Your Highness understands, in times of great upheaval, one must rise with the tide. Someone must lead our people to glory…” Star Master Tian began to discuss the path to becoming Emperor of Men.

Wang Chuan longed to kick him out of sight.

Would he never stop?

Still, something about Lizhou preoccupied him—an elusive, nagging concern.

About to consult the heavens, he was interrupted as Xu Wei shifted in his embrace. Wang Chuan held her securely, his focus wholly on her.

After the officers announced their arrival, it wasn’t long before Lizhou’s governor, accompanied by all the officials, came out to welcome them.

The governor—a tall, thin old man in a blue cap and official robe—was the city’s highest civil and military authority.

Wang Chuan didn’t even open the carriage curtain; the procession rolled directly into the city.

Yang Hao had already dismounted to handle the formalities, an old hand at such matters, which were now mere routine. He had thoroughly investigated the habits and temperaments of the leading officials—anything solvable with money was never truly difficult.

His presence was sufficient.

Wang Chuan retired early with his companions, declining to attend the evening banquet.

Let them handle it.

The closer they drew to Yang City, the more Wang Chuan pondered every possibility, preparing for what lay ahead.

“Brother Chuan…”

Xu Wei stirred sleepily, finding herself already tucked in bed.

“Are you hungry?” Wang Chuan, undressing, paused.

“No,” Xu Wei murmured, shaking her head.

“Then sleep a while longer. I’ll join you,” he said, slipping beneath the covers.

Xu Wei nestled into his arms.

“It’s all right, mm…”