Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Chang Rui, you called her a devious woman yourself. Naturally, she knows some evil tactics. How could a mere mortal claim her life so easily? This devious woman is indeed strange. She has never practiced martial arts before, yet, not only could she avoid my killer moves, but in the end, she was also on par with me when she fought me head-on…”
Outside stood a middle-aged man wearing long black garments. He’d taken good care of his health and thus looked two years younger than Xie Qian.
“My heart will be unsettled as long as the devious woman lives.”
That middle-aged man, Chang Rui, entered the room and sat down near Xie Qian. His thin cheeks flickered with hints of depression.
This man’s surname was Wan and his given name was Xuan. His courtesy name was Chang Rui. He was a highly sought-after scholar who was revered by many as a talented literary celebrity.
Xie Qian muttered, “What a coincidence, those are my thoughts too. The devious lady practices evil skills. We can never defeat her based on a mortal’s strength. Moreover, she hides within the palace where the defense is strong… After today’s showdown, she will be very careful. Any attempts to kill her from now on will be difficult.”
Wan Xuan heard this and secretly clenched his fists, despair filling his eyes.
“The devious lady practices immortal techniques?”
How could mortals fight against devils and immortals?
This devious lady had caused harm to his entire family. Could no one defeat her?
About 3 to 4 years prior, Wan Xuan’s daughter had been 15 years old and had reached the marriageable age.
That fateful year, his daughter had visited the temple to offer incense and prayers for blessings on her family. Unfortunately, she’d accidentally lost her fragrant handkerchief which was picked up by a despicable hooligan.
It was fine that he’d picked it up, but that despicable hooligan had gone too far and boasted about it. He’d claimed that a lady from an esteemed family had given him the handkerchief. Listening bystanders thought that his daughter and this despicable hooligan had engaged in an illicit relationship. Even her betrothal had been broken off. Her fiancé’s family was ashamed and shunned her.
The stubborn elders in the clan had been utterly embarrassed. While he’d been away from home, they’d gotten a group of people to capture his daughter and drown her in a pond.
They’d glorified their deeds. His daughter’s death had proved her innocence, preserved her chastity, and safeguarded the reputation of the entire Wan family.
1
It didn’t end there. Even Wan Xuan’s sister who had married young and thereafter been divorced and returned to her maiden home had suffered the same fate of being drowned in the pond.
In an instant, he’d lost two beloved family members.
Wan Xuan burned with anger and hated the entire Wan family, but he also hated the woman responsible for this incident — the Empress of Zhongzhao!
If not for this woman who had played the devil and written that rubbish book, “The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women”, would his daughter and sister have lost their lives?
He’d never believed in strange forces like deities, but if there was someone even Xie Qian couldn’t kill, he had to believe in it.
Xie Qian commented mockingly, “The devious woman may have her tactics, but her ways are evil.”
That woman had no morals. Was a devious woman who plunged people into the depths of misery deserving of such consideration?
Wan Xuan composed his heart and mind, calming himself down enough to ask, “Shaohe, what should we do now?”
Wan Xuan and Xie Qian had used their network of people to make meticulous arrangements which had given Xie Qian the opportunity to infiltrate the Heavenly Phoenix Palace to assassinate the Empress. Now that the assassination had failed, the Emperor was bent on finding the culprit. Wan Xuan felt that their involvement could not be hidden for long. Sooner or later, they would be suspected.
Before the Emperor discovered them, they needed to seize the opportunity and prepare to flee.
If they continued to live in Zhongzhao, sooner or later they would be arrested and executed.
Xie Qian stopped bandaging his wounds for a moment, deep thought.
He noted, “The strategy now is to preserve our lives and make plans for the future. If we remain in Zhongzhao, death will come to us eventually. Therefore, we need to escape to another country. Nansheng is entrenched in wars and it cannot protect itself, so it would be unwise to go there. Beiyuan and Xichang are too far away and have good relations with Zhongzhao. If we head there, we would still be courting doom. If we weigh our options, Dongqing seems like the safest place to go. Liu Zhongqing’s son has risen to prominence. This pair of father and son are well-learned. Moreover, they have a deep hatred for that devious woman. If we submit under them, we should be safe.”
1
Wan Xuan listened intently and agreed without hesitation.
“I will go pack up my belongings and leave this very night.”
Xie Qian grabbed Wan Xuan’s sleeve to stop him from acting on impulse.
He wasn’t a homely man like Wan Xuan. He had a wealth of experience in the world. “The time is not right, and time is a very crucial factor in this. Let’s compose ourselves and wait for one or two days before deciding. The Empress was almost assassinated tonight and you are in a hurry to pack and leave. Doesn’t that make you look guilty?”
“Do what you normally do for the next two days. Don’t reveal your true intentions.”
Feeling helpless, Wan Xuan could only follow Xie Qian’s suggestions.
He put on fresh garments. As he leisurely tied his belt around his waist, he asked, “If you leave, what will happen to the Wan family?”
His expression looked downcast and cold.
“I cannot control that. I must leave it to the heavens. In any case, they owe me this.”
Wan Xuan lost his wife at a young age and had initially planned to remarry for his daughter’s sake. He didn’t want her to go without a motherly figure in her life. However, at that point in time, his younger sister had conflicts with her husband’s family which resulted in a divorce. He’d entrusted his sister with teaching his daughter and put the thought of remarrying aside. He was obsessed with learning and slowly made a name for himself. Not only did he network with many reputable men, but he’d also established an official name for himself and brought glory to the Wan family.
To put it bluntly, the Wan family had established their reputation in Zhongzhao largely due to Wan Xuan’s achievements.
Nevertheless, the Wan family’s clan was not grateful. Instead, they’d gone overboard and become arrogant.
Alas, they’d then used the excuse of preserving his daughter’s chastity and protecting the family’s reputation to drown two of Wan Xuan’s dearest kin…
If not for that hatred keeping him motivated, perhaps he wouldn’t have been able to endure the setbacks he’d faced.
But implicate the Wan family?
That was what they owed him. Eventually, they would have to pay him back.
Xie Qian did not comment on this as it was Wan Xuan’s private affair and out of his control.
Two days later, the imperial city was still heavily guarded. A widespread search for the would-be assassin was being conducted. Xie Qian observed the situation and asked Wan Xuan to prepare for departure.
During this time, Wan Xuan’s network became very useful.
Shortly after, the cartwheels of a carriage headed towards Dongqing, leaving the imperial city far behind.
Wan Xuan looked back with regret as his eyes beheld the city.
“We have left the imperial city… Sigh, I don’t believe we will be able to return again in this lifetime.”
Considering that his age was close to forty, half of his life was already in the grave. Now, he had to bear the anguish of leaving his hometown.
If not for that devious woman, he wouldn’t have been reduced to such a homeless and pathetic state.
Xie Qian had yet to recover from his injury. He was unable to ride a horse and could only sit inside the horse carriage.
His old friend’s emotional outpour made him laugh with mockery.
“If you live longer, perhaps you will be able to return.”
Wan Xuan looked at him with surprise.
Xie Qian observed, “Look at Zhongzhao’s situation. It is but a second Dongqing…”
The Emperor was useless and favored his evil Empress. They’d allowed a generation of sinecure to rob the people and take bribes, disregarding the lives of their citizens.
The infighting between the court and the people was becoming increasingly heated. How many innocent and upright men were being sacrificed for the sake of higher-ranking officials?
As for those aristocratic families who amassed power and influence from the political climate, they were a joke. They all held high positions and good pay. They wielded half of the court’s sovereignty. They monopolized the economy, possessed large plots of land and tenants, and evaded paying taxes… They oppressed the people mercilessly.
Peaceful circumstances like these birthed a group of carefree, undisciplined literary scholars who held onto power but neglected their official duties.
Did such a Zhongzhao have any hope?
Wan Xuan shut his eyes, deep in thought again.
Xie Qian added, “Let’s take it one step at a time. If Zhongzhao becomes chaotic, it might be the perfect opportunity for us.”
That devious woman was fearless, and a large contributing factor was that she was Zhongzhao’s Empress. She had the entire country supporting her.
If Zhongzhao was gone, it would be easier to subdue that devious woman.
He sighed and remarked, “I hope so.”
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“Chang Rui, you called her a devious woman yourself. Naturally, she knows some evil tactics. How could a mere mortal claim her life so easily? This devious woman is indeed strange. She has never practiced martial arts before, yet, not only could she avoid my killer moves, but in the end, she was also on par with me when she fought me head-on…”
Outside stood a middle-aged man wearing long black garments. He’d taken good care of his health and thus looked two years younger than Xie Qian.
“My heart will be unsettled as long as the devious woman lives.”
That middle-aged man, Chang Rui, entered the room and sat down near Xie Qian. His thin cheeks flickered with hints of depression.
This man’s surname was Wan and his given name was Xuan. His courtesy name was Chang Rui. He was a highly sought-after scholar who was revered by many as a talented literary celebrity.
Xie Qian muttered, “What a coincidence, those are my thoughts too. The devious lady practices evil skills. We can never defeat her based on a mortal’s strength. Moreover, she hides within the palace where the defense is strong… After today’s showdown, she will be very careful. Any attempts to kill her from now on will be difficult.”
Wan Xuan heard this and secretly clenched his fists, despair filling his eyes.
“The devious lady practices immortal techniques?”
How could mortals fight against devils and immortals?
This devious lady had caused harm to his entire family. Could no one defeat her?
About 3 to 4 years prior, Wan Xuan’s daughter had been 15 years old and had reached the marriageable age.
That fateful year, his daughter had visited the temple to offer incense and prayers for blessings on her family. Unfortunately, she’d accidentally lost her fragrant handkerchief which was picked up by a despicable hooligan.
It was fine that he’d picked it up, but that despicable hooligan had gone too far and boasted about it. He’d claimed that a lady from an esteemed family had given him the handkerchief. Listening bystanders thought that his daughter and this despicable hooligan had engaged in an illicit relationship. Even her betrothal had been broken off. Her fiancé’s family was ashamed and shunned her.
The stubborn elders in the clan had been utterly embarrassed. While he’d been away from home, they’d gotten a group of people to capture his daughter and drown her in a pond.
They’d glorified their deeds. His daughter’s death had proved her innocence, preserved her chastity, and safeguarded the reputation of the entire Wan family.
1
It didn’t end there. Even Wan Xuan’s sister who had married young and thereafter been divorced and returned to her maiden home had suffered the same fate of being drowned in the pond.
In an instant, he’d lost two beloved family members.
Wan Xuan burned with anger and hated the entire Wan family, but he also hated the woman responsible for this incident — the Empress of Zhongzhao!
If not for this woman who had played the devil and written that rubbish book, “The Four Self-Accomplishment Classics for Women”, would his daughter and sister have lost their lives?
He’d never believed in strange forces like deities, but if there was someone even Xie Qian couldn’t kill, he had to believe in it.
Xie Qian commented mockingly, “The devious woman may have her tactics, but her ways are evil.”
That woman had no morals. Was a devious woman who plunged people into the depths of misery deserving of such consideration?
Wan Xuan composed his heart and mind, calming himself down enough to ask, “Shaohe, what should we do now?”
Wan Xuan and Xie Qian had used their network of people to make meticulous arrangements which had given Xie Qian the opportunity to infiltrate the Heavenly Phoenix Palace to assassinate the Empress. Now that the assassination had failed, the Emperor was bent on finding the culprit. Wan Xuan felt that their involvement could not be hidden for long. Sooner or later, they would be suspected.
Before the Emperor discovered them, they needed to seize the opportunity and prepare to flee.
If they continued to live in Zhongzhao, sooner or later they would be arrested and executed.
Xie Qian stopped bandaging his wounds for a moment, deep thought.
He noted, “The strategy now is to preserve our lives and make plans for the future. If we remain in Zhongzhao, death will come to us eventually. Therefore, we need to escape to another country. Nansheng is entrenched in wars and it cannot protect itself, so it would be unwise to go there. Beiyuan and Xichang are too far away and have good relations with Zhongzhao. If we head there, we would still be courting doom. If we weigh our options, Dongqing seems like the safest place to go. Liu Zhongqing’s son has risen to prominence. This pair of father and son are well-learned. Moreover, they have a deep hatred for that devious woman. If we submit under them, we should be safe.”
1
Wan Xuan listened intently and agreed without hesitation.
“I will go pack up my belongings and leave this very night.”
Xie Qian grabbed Wan Xuan’s sleeve to stop him from acting on impulse.
He wasn’t a homely man like Wan Xuan. He had a wealth of experience in the world. “The time is not right, and time is a very crucial factor in this. Let’s compose ourselves and wait for one or two days before deciding. The Empress was almost assassinated tonight and you are in a hurry to pack and leave. Doesn’t that make you look guilty?”
“Do what you normally do for the next two days. Don’t reveal your true intentions.”
Feeling helpless, Wan Xuan could only follow Xie Qian’s suggestions.
He put on fresh garments. As he leisurely tied his belt around his waist, he asked, “If you leave, what will happen to the Wan family?”
His expression looked downcast and cold.
“I cannot control that. I must leave it to the heavens. In any case, they owe me this.”
Wan Xuan lost his wife at a young age and had initially planned to remarry for his daughter’s sake. He didn’t want her to go without a motherly figure in her life. However, at that point in time, his younger sister had conflicts with her husband’s family which resulted in a divorce. He’d entrusted his sister with teaching his daughter and put the thought of remarrying aside. He was obsessed with learning and slowly made a name for himself. Not only did he network with many reputable men, but he’d also established an official name for himself and brought glory to the Wan family.
To put it bluntly, the Wan family had established their reputation in Zhongzhao largely due to Wan Xuan’s achievements.
Nevertheless, the Wan family’s clan was not grateful. Instead, they’d gone overboard and become arrogant.
Alas, they’d then used the excuse of preserving his daughter’s chastity and protecting the family’s reputation to drown two of Wan Xuan’s dearest kin…
If not for that hatred keeping him motivated, perhaps he wouldn’t have been able to endure the setbacks he’d faced.
But implicate the Wan family?
That was what they owed him. Eventually, they would have to pay him back.
Xie Qian did not comment on this as it was Wan Xuan’s private affair and out of his control.
Two days later, the imperial city was still heavily guarded. A widespread search for the would-be assassin was being conducted. Xie Qian observed the situation and asked Wan Xuan to prepare for departure.
During this time, Wan Xuan’s network became very useful.
Shortly after, the cartwheels of a carriage headed towards Dongqing, leaving the imperial city far behind.
Wan Xuan looked back with regret as his eyes beheld the city.
“We have left the imperial city… Sigh, I don’t believe we will be able to return again in this lifetime.”
Considering that his age was close to forty, half of his life was already in the grave. Now, he had to bear the anguish of leaving his hometown.
If not for that devious woman, he wouldn’t have been reduced to such a homeless and pathetic state.
Xie Qian had yet to recover from his injury. He was unable to ride a horse and could only sit inside the horse carriage.
His old friend’s emotional outpour made him laugh with mockery.
“If you live longer, perhaps you will be able to return.”
Wan Xuan looked at him with surprise.
Xie Qian observed, “Look at Zhongzhao’s situation. It is but a second Dongqing…”
The Emperor was useless and favored his evil Empress. They’d allowed a generation of sinecure to rob the people and take bribes, disregarding the lives of their citizens.
The infighting between the court and the people was becoming increasingly heated. How many innocent and upright men were being sacrificed for the sake of higher-ranking officials?
As for those aristocratic families who amassed power and influence from the political climate, they were a joke. They all held high positions and good pay. They wielded half of the court’s sovereignty. They monopolized the economy, possessed large plots of land and tenants, and evaded paying taxes… They oppressed the people mercilessly.
Peaceful circumstances like these birthed a group of carefree, undisciplined literary scholars who held onto power but neglected their official duties.
Did such a Zhongzhao have any hope?
Wan Xuan shut his eyes, deep in thought again.
Xie Qian added, “Let’s take it one step at a time. If Zhongzhao becomes chaotic, it might be the perfect opportunity for us.”
That devious woman was fearless, and a large contributing factor was that she was Zhongzhao’s Empress. She had the entire country supporting her.
If Zhongzhao was gone, it would be easier to subdue that devious woman.
He sighed and remarked, “I hope so.”
