Unyielding Spring Mountains - Chapter 94: Political Turmoil

Chapter 94: Political Turmoil

By the time the two descended the mountain, night had nearly fallen.

Qi Yan walked to the edge of the woods to bring the horses. Wei Zhen looked at him and said, “Coming to see me must have cost you quite a bit of time. When do you plan to return to the military camp?”

Qi Yan said, “Zuo Ying sent word. This time, the King of Qi has come to the alliance meeting, and he’s come along too. I plan to meet with him before I leave.”

Wei Zhen was surprised. “Zuo Ying came as well?”

Qi Yan nodded. “He joined the Qi kingdom and has become an advisor to the King of Qi. This time, however, he’s avoided being seen, afraid of being recognized by the people from Jin. Not just him—the King of Qi’s favored concubine, Madame Le, is traveling with him.”

Wei Zhen’s heart tensed. “Has Zuo Ying been doing well?”

“He should be. Otherwise, the King of Qi wouldn’t still be hesitating to send troops to Ji Yuan. But now that my false death has been widely spread, he might side with Ji Yuan. It’s alright—we’ll let the King of Qi agree to an alliance with Ji Yuan for now. Then we’ll work to turn him back and betray the pact.”

A cool night wind stirred, and shadows of dancing trees fell across Qi Yan’s face. When he spoke of such tactics, his tone was flat and indifferent, with a sharp, cold aura about him—he was becoming more and more like a steel-blooded king.

“Back then, when Ji Yuan chose to betray the former Jin king and joined forces with the King of Qi to commit regicide, he should have known the day would come when he’d taste betrayal too.”

Wei Zhen raised her hand and slowly adjusted his human-skin mask along his cheek, looking deep into his eyes. “I believe you.”

Qi Yan smiled, helped her onto her horse, and said, “It’s getting late—let’s return quickly.”

As night fell, lanterns lit the military camp, glowing like bright fish scales swimming through the night.

At that moment, Zuo Ying arrived before the royal tent of the King of Qi. The guards at the entrance stopped him. “Lord Le, His Majesty is still negotiating with the King of Jin and has not returned. Only Madame is inside.”

Zuo Ying glanced at the tent flap. “His Majesty allows me to enter freely and handle state affairs on his behalf. Besides, I’m Madame’s elder brother. Why stop me now?”

The guards looked uncomfortable. “Then we beg your understanding, Lord, please wait a moment.”

Zuo Ying heard the sound of water from within and immediately understood the reason for their hesitation. He sighed silently and stood there with restrained expression. Before long, a maid lifted the curtain and said the Madame had finished bathing. Only then did Zuo Ying enter.

Warmth clung to the tent, misty steam still swirling inside.

Zuo Ying walked directly to the desk. From behind the decorative bird-and-flower folding screen, a voice sounded. “Brother, is that you?”

A delicate figure stepped out. Her skin was like snow, features sharp and refined, bright almond-shaped eyes, and a small mole at the end of her eye. Having just bathed, her dark hair was damp and loosely draped over one shoulder. Water dripped down her neck, soaking her robe, and the scent of bath oils clung to her skin—giving her the aura of a goddess emerging from mist.

She was the King of Qi’s favored concubine, Madame Le—Le Shu—who had once been Zuo Ying’s adopted sister.

Zuo Ying had originally entered the Qi palace under the name “Le Ying,” claiming to be Le Shu’s brother. After several months, he had gained influence and been granted an important position.

But in the eyes of others, most assumed he owed his status to his sister’s favor.

Seeing her wet hair, Zuo Ying stepped closer and whispered, “Why come out without drying your hair?”

He grabbed a towel and gently wiped the droplets from her neck. Le Shu’s eyelashes trembled lightly as she slowly opened her eyes. “Brother, if Qi Yan is still alive, then what should Qi do about the alliance? Should I persuade His Majesty not to ally with the King of Jin?”

Zuo Ying shook his head. “No. Let him agree for now—to gain Ji Yuan’s trust. We’ll convince him to defect later.”

As the towel brushed across her neck, it touched a sensitive spot, and she winced.

Zuo Ying pulled back. “Did I hurt you?”

Wearing nothing but a light violet robe, the fabric slipped slightly, revealing her pale collarbones—streaked with fading red marks.

Her gaze faltered as she covered her chest again and quickly tied her robe. “It just stings a little.”

The next moment, Zuo Ying gently seized her wrist and moved it aside, exposing more of her skin as the robe slipped open once more.

“There are bruises.” He looked down, then up with dark eyes. “Did he do this?”

Le Shu pulled her hand free and tied the robe again, forcing a smile. “Brother, aren’t you here to help His Majesty with political affairs? Do you need my help?”

She walked to the desk. Behind her, Zuo Ying’s steps grew heavier, and each step seemed to land on her very heart.

He asked, “When he treats you that way… is he always that rough?”

Her wrist trembled, but her hands continued arranging the documents.

Le Shu lowered her gaze. Though the world thought of her as the pampered Madame Le, at the end of the day, she was just the King of Qi’s plaything. As were all the women in the court.

The king indulged in cruelty and lust, hot-tempered and arrogant.

As a child, Le Shu had been taken in by the Zuo family. Then, when misfortune struck the family, she was enslaved in the Chu palace. Later, she followed the Princess of Chu to Qi during the marriage alliance between kingdoms.

In the beginning, she had been nothing but a servant—humiliated and treated with scorn. Then one day, the King of Qi took a liking to her and forcefully pulled her into his harem.

She hated him deeply, but she refused to return to servitude. She held her breath and fought her way upward.

At first, the king looked down on her origins, but over time, he spoiled her more and more, eventually naming her a concubine and listening to her pillow whispers.

“Please don’t speak of this,” she said softly.

She raised her head. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to show her wounds to anyone—especially not to the man she had once admired so deeply.

But Zuo Ying stepped closer. “Let me see the injuries.”

She shook her head again. “No.”

She turned away from him—but he grabbed her hand and turned her back forcefully. Shame surged within her, and she opened her mouth to refuse again when Zuo Ying said, “I don’t want to see your wounds out of pity—I just want to know if they still hurt. Maybe I can treat them.”

Her eyes froze—she hadn’t expected that.

He bowed his head. His breath caressed her nape as his slender fingers gently pulled aside her robe, as if touching a delicate porcelain.

Her hands clutched the hem of her skirt tightly. His eyes remained gentle as he traced the bruises.

Softly, he murmured, “When you were little, you always got scraped up playing outside. I was the one who bandaged you, remember?”

Her eyes glistened as she looked at him. He wore white robes like snow, standing firm like a mountain. He was no longer the boy she remembered—but a composed, resolute man.

His concern wasn’t pity. He didn’t see her as someone humiliated. She was his sister—and he loved and protected her, just like always.

She remembered the day she first heard he had returned. Her heart had leapt in disbelief, overwhelmed by waves of emotion.

No one knew that, upon laying eyes on him, her first whisper—”Brother”—carried so much buried anguish.

In the darkest days of her life, he had reappeared like a single beam of light.

So when he asked her for help convincing the King of Qi to side with Qi Yan, she agreed without hesitation.

Her eyes misted over. “But if you treat my wounds—His Majesty could return any moment.”

He laced his fingers through hers and said gently, “Ji Yuan has arranged a banquet. The King of Qi will be drinking late. I can tend to your injuries.”

She looked into his eyes—steady, restrained, brimming with countless years of patient suffering.

Though they had reunited months ago, this was the first time they had stood so close.

Le Shu pressed herself against his scorching chest; her heart raced. Under his gaze, she raised her hand and loosened the sash around her waist.

Candlelight bathed her from every angle. Outside the tent, soldiers marched. But inside, fine silks slowly pooled at her feet.

She trembled, guiding his hand upward. For the first time, she felt warmth filling the gaping wounds in her shattered heart.

After days of negotiations, the four nations finally struck a deal: Qi and Wei would dispatch troops and supplies to ally with Jin.

The four rulers performed a blood oath of alliance. In such a monumental event, Princess Wei Zhen should not have been eligible to attend. But the bloody execution she ordered days earlier had left a lasting impact.

Now, escorted by guards, she too ascended the ceremonial platform. The crowd fell completely silent—no one dared speak as she stood and swore the oath beside the kings.

After the summit, the monarchs left to prepare their campaigns.

When Wei Zhen’s procession returned to the capital, Wei Ling welcomed her at the palace gates with an entourage of officials.

On the way back to the palace, Wei Ling asked, “Was the journey smooth?”

Wei Zhen nodded. “Very smooth—no one gave me trouble.”

But Wei Ling knew better—from the way she glossed over it—the summit had likely been filled with hidden currents.

Once back at the royal chamber, she informed the King of Wei of everything that had transpired.

Holding his hand, she reported, “Qi Yan is still alive. Ji Yuan does not know this. He plans to seize the chance to wipe out what’s left of Qi Yan’s forces. I want to help Qi Yan—please grant me permission.”

The King looked down at his daughter kneeling at his side. Though ever obedient, she had always had a streak of stubbornness. From the moment she set foot in Wei, she had never once backed down from supporting Qi Yan.

But this was war. Victory or ruin—no one could guarantee she had chosen the right side.

She bowed deeply, eyes shining. “If Wei wants to profit, we must wager something. Our rise from a minor kingdom in the northwest to a great power came because our ancestors never settled for scraps—they fought for every gain.”

The King smiled faintly. “You are right.”

And so, he agreed without hesitation. “Zhen’er, if you want to try, then try.”

He squeezed her hand as joyful excitement lit her eyes.

She had remembered his earlier lesson: as rulers, they must not fear defeat so much that they never dare begin.

He believed she would succeed.

In early November, Wei began gathering supplies and mobilizing troops.

By mid-November, Ji Yuan sent a letter asking if Wei was ready to move into Jin. Wei Zhen did not respond. She waited for word from Qi Yan—for the King of Qi to choose their side.

But the King of Qi remained ambiguous.

Snow began to fall. Wei Zhen delayed by claiming the winter weather made deployment too difficult.

In Qi—

A classified report from the front was delivered to the King of Qi.

“Your Majesty, Qi Yan’s remaining troops have lost several more cities,” said Zuo Ying, presenting the report.

The King of Qi, Jiang Qi, glanced up. “Truly?”

“Yes. Previously, Qi Yan sent a letter stating he planned to fake his death and would strategically abandon several cities to lull Ji Yuan. Now his armies are retreating, exactly as he planned.”

The king took the letter, scanning it swiftly.

Zuo Ying still maintained his cover as Madame Le’s brother, never revealing his ties to Qi Yan. He knew that if the king saw him as politically aligned with Qi Yan, he would never be trusted.

Zuo met Madame Le’s gaze from the king’s side, then quickly looked away.

The king ran his hand over the letter, smiling faintly.

Le Shu brought a wine cup to the king’s lips and said sweetly, “Your Majesty, Qi Yan promised to give half of Chu’s territory. Isn’t that far better than the ten cities Ji Yuan offered?”

“Yes, that Ji Yuan is certainly stingy.”

“I was once a slave in Chu, humiliated and branded. You often say—‘If only your back bore no mark.’ All that pain from childhood came from Chu.”

The King retrieved the letter and wrapped an arm around her. “I won’t forget. How the royal house of Chu hurt you—someday, I’ll repay them in full.”

Le Shu laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “Your Majesty is so good to your humble concubine.”

Zuo Ying bowed. “Will Your Majesty send troops to aid Qi Yan?”

“If Qi Yan claims he still has troops and supplies, I’m willing to believe him this once. You write the reply.”

The king gave Le Shu a playful pinch at the waist, making her yelp amidst the watching ministers and maids. Someone coughed softly, and only then did the king let go.

He smiled suggestively. “Shu’er, you’ve had a long day. Rest. Don’t forget—you’ll dance for me at the banquet tonight.”

Le Shu’s smile faltered—but only briefly. She quickly rose and smiled again. “As you command.”

Zuo Ying said, “I’d like to speak with Lady Le privately. May I be excused?”

The King nodded lazily, already distracted by another beauty sidling into his lap. “Go on. You’re siblings. What need have I to know?”

Zuo Ying followed Le Shu beyond layers of curtains into a secluded inner chamber.

Once the door shut, Le Shu whipped around, eyes glazed and red. “That beast! I want to kill him!”

Zuo Ying covered her mouth and pressed her against the door. She trembled, tearful with rage. “He wants me to dress like a courtesan and perform before ministers! My robe barely covers me—I’m still just a slave to him! I want to kill that animal!”

Zuo Ying held her tightly, caressing her back to calm her. “I will kill him for you. The day will come when you will cut off his head.”

She looked up. “When?”

“I’ve been here months, but my people now hold real positions. Soon, we won’t need to tolerate the King at all.”

Zuo Ying’s influence had infiltrated every corner of the Qi court. The king was dim and corrupt. With just a little clever flattery, Zuo Ying won his favor. The more court ministers tried to stop the king, the more Zuo Ying fed his whims—turning king and court against each other.

Soon, every official guarding the king would be Zuo Ying’s man.

He cupped her face. “No matter what happens this time—I will never leave you again.”

Le Shu stared into his eyes, voice trembling. “Brother… is what we’re doing treason?”

“Treason?” Zuo Ying’s eyes darkened. “What is treason?”

His throat moved. His arms tightened. Beneath his robes, his chest burned hot with fire, swallowing her whole.

His hand traced her ear, sliding down to her throat. She met his gaze and instinctively sensed danger—but did not push him away. Instead, her fingers hooked around his waist.

Without warning, he pinned her to the door and kissed her.

In that shattering moment she heard him rasp, “This is treason.”

Their kiss darkened. She bit his lip. Blood filled their mouths—rousing something primal in them both. Their blood surged like a storm.

He tore open her sash and lifted her into his arms. She clung to him, body trembling. For the first time, the sealed cage in her heart opened.

“I’ve waited so long for you, Brother…” she sobbed.

Inside the warm hall, spring passion bloomed.

Outside, snow began to fall—quiet and endless.

By the end of December, the King of Qi’s secret alliance message reached Wei’s palace.

After the new year, Wei Zhen appointed Wei Ling as Grand General and entrusted him with the Tiger Tally, commander of all armies.

War officially erupted. The Qi-Wei alliance army marched into Jin. Though delayed three months, the four-nation pact had finally been honored.

The coalition forces gained swift victories. Seeing the enemy collapse, Ji Yuan diverted most of his troops to help Jing Heng stabilize Chu.

That was when Qi Yan—once presumed dead—returned to the battlefield in full strength. Qi and Wei turned on Ji Yuan in an unexpected and stunning counterattack.

Within days, the tides of war shifted.

Qi Yan led a northern offensive. With momentum and morale soaring, he recaptured city after city with ease.

Even the long-fought Wusui fortress quickly fell back into his hands.

His attacks grew more ferocious. Ji Yuan sent the Marquis of Gaoling to stop him—only to see the general die from a single arrow through the skull.

With Wusui gone, Ji Yuan was on the brink of collapse.

In under two months, Qi Yan had reclaimed all his lost territory.

Just as peace seemed near—a message from the south changed everything.

The King of Chu was dead.

Jing Heng had murdered him and seized the throne.

Enraged, Ji Yuan ordered Jing Heng to raise an army—and strike. With most of Wei’s army aiding Qi Yan, Wei’s capital lay defenseless.

Jing Heng’s forces were already marching on Wei’s capital.

Wei Zhen trembled as she received the news.

Wei had only 7,000 men left behind for defense.

Even if reinforcements turned back, they’d need days to arrive.

How could they possibly withstand an army of thirty thousand?

olitical Turmoil