Zuo Xunxiao paced his tent. It had been over a month since he had sent Murong Jin to the vanguard. Sayatu's army had been routed, but there was still no word from her. He had questioned every soldier. No one knew where she had gone. Did she die in the collapse of the Heavenly Tomb?
"Commander." Staff Officer Li entered, a report in his hand.
"Well? Have they found her?" Zuo Xunxiao asked, rushing to meet him.
"Not yet," Li said, his head bowed.
The smile on Zuo Xunxiao's face froze. "What is the report?"
"Ah. News from Qishi Town."
Zuo Xunxiao took the report. His expression changed.
"What is it, Commander?"
He handed the report to Li. "Sayatu has been assassinated."
"Assassinated?" Li stared. "The Yanyun defenses have always been tight. How could anyone have gotten to him?"
"Not only that, the First Prince, Moke, is leading the army back to the northwest. The crisis at Sushen is over." But there was no joy in his voice.
"Report!" a voice called from outside.
"Speak!"
"Commander, General Murong has returned!"
"Where is she?" A smile, as bright as the thawing of a river in spring, broke across Zuo Xunxiao's face.
"Just outside."
Before the soldier had finished, Zuo Xunxiao was already gone, throwing back the tent flap. There she was, standing alone. She wore a Yanyun uniform, her hair in a simple knot. She was covered in dust, but it couldn't dim her radiance.
His throat felt tight. He walked to her. "You're back," was all he could manage. He wanted to embrace her, but the insignia on her armor reminded him—she no longer belonged to his command.
"Reporting, Commander," she said, her voice bright. "The Yanyun leader, Sayatu, is dead. Vanguard Commander Murong Jin reporting for duty."
"Good." He grabbed her saluting hands, and for a moment, didn't know what else to say. Her words, so formal, had lodged in his throat. All he could offer was that single word of praise, with none of the feeling churning inside him.
That night, the camp was bustling. Zuo Xunxiao was throwing a feast in her honor.
She had changed back into her armor and was adjusting her hair in the reflection of a water basin. She remembered the morning she had left, Xue Liulan whispering, "I'll be waiting for you in Jindu."
"Jin? May I come in?" Zuo Xunxiao's voice came from outside.
She composed herself. "Come in."
The tent was silent. She looked at him. He looked back.
"Ahem. Everyone is ready," he said, turning away.
"You have something you want to ask me," she said with a small smile.
He paused. "Never mind. It's good that you're back."
"Just ask. You know the rule in Wuchuan. A soldier returning from behind enemy lines must give a full report." She walked to stand before him. "You remember that, don't you?"
"If I ask, will you tell me the truth?"
"I will."
"Good." He nodded. "Who was the man impersonating Staff Officer Li?"
Her lips curved. "Someone I would trust with my life."
"He helped you break the formation and kill Sayatu. What was his price?"
"Nothing," she said, shaking her head. "He owed me nothing—and yet, he came."
Zuo Xunxiao sighed. "So I won't be getting a name from you."
"No. But he did ask me to give you a message."
"What message?"
"Thank you for your mercy."
He flinched. "What does he mean by that?"
"He helped me for my sake. The thanks, I imagine, is also for my sake," she said with a faint smile. "Everyone is waiting. If you have no other questions, we should go."
He just stared at her. "Alright. Let's go." He walked out ahead of her.
She watched him go, a storm of emotions in her heart. He had come to the Seventh Prince's side for her. And now, to win that prince's trust, he had been willing to sacrifice her. Zuo Xunxiao, did our bond of life and death mean nothing to you?
The news of their victory reached Xue Feiyan. He was studying medical texts, Ling Yan standing silently at his side.
"Is that all?" he asked without looking up.
"Commander Zuo and General Murong should be returning to the capital within a month or two. Cough, cough." She turned her head, covering her mouth.
"So soon," he commented idly. He walked to her side. "Has the medicine helped?"
"Yes." She took a step back, out of his space. "If there are no other orders, I will take my leave."
"Who said there were no other orders?" He stood before her, a flicker of annoyance on his face. "It's not contagious. Why do you always avoid me?"
"I… I don't." She kept her head down.
He simply reached out and took her hand from her mouth. "You still say you're not? After all this time, do you think I don't know what's on your mind?"
"My lord…" she whispered. Suddenly, she was in his arms. "My lord…"
"You will not leave this room without my permission. Do you understand?" he said, setting her down on a small couch.
"I… understand."
"Good." He stood before her, enjoying her flustered expression.
Before he could appreciate it further, he heard the rustle of silk. A sweet voice called from the doorway: "Brother Feiyan, are you in?"
"Qinyu?" He turned, surprised, as Deng Qinyu swept into the room. "What are you doing here?"
"What, I can't come? I haven't seen you in two months. If I don't come to you, you'll never come to me." She pouted.
He smiled. When he turned back, the couch was empty. Ling Yan was gone. But he knew she was still in the room.
"Studying medicine?" Deng Qinyu asked, picking up a book. "This is an ancient text, isn't it?"
"Yes. The only one of its kind." He took the book and placed it back on the shelf. "You didn't come all this way just to see what I was doing, did you?"
"Hmph. Of course not. Who cares what you're doing?" She turned away, fiddling with the silk tassel at her waist.
"Then what is it?" he asked, taking her handkerchief and gently dabbing her brow.
She blushed. "Grandfather wants to see you. He thought it best we met outside the city, to… admire the flowers."
So he's heard. A silent smile touched Xue Feiyan's lips. "He could have just sent a messenger. Was it necessary to trouble you?"
"A messenger isn't the same as me coming myself," she said, flustered.
"So you wanted to see me?" he asked softly.
She realized she'd been tricked. She stomped her foot. "I'm not talking to you anymore."
"Truly?" he asked, standing behind her. "Then I'll go by myself."
He started to walk away.
"Hey! Wait for me!" She ran to his side, grabbing his arm. "You're bullying me."
"Am I?" he laughed.
"You are."
They walked out of the study together.
From the doorway, Ling Yan watched them go until they were out of sight. A sudden fit of coughing wracked her body. She closed the door, pressing her hand to her mouth, trying to stifle the sound.
When it finally passed, she slid to the floor, her hand dropping to her side as tears splashed onto her dark robes. The candlelight wavered, reflecting in the tears on her lashes.