When Zhan Lue went to the brothel to drink, Xian Sheng met Zhan Jin, who had gone to the palace for a short visit.
As the foyer was too cold, Xian Sheng ordered someone to bring her indoors. Ru Yi went forward to help Zhan Jin take off her coat. Both of them sat huddled in front of the fire stove, on which a pot of sweet-smelling and creamy soup was boiling. Xian Sheng personally filled a bowl up for her and passed it over. He asked, “Are you here to look for Zhan Lue?”
“No,” said Zhan Jin after thanking her and receiving the bowl. “I have a favour to ask you, sister-in-law.”
Zhan Jin was indeed Zhan Lue’s sister. After all, they had the same father and she displayed some of Zhan Lue’s characteristics too—they were both honest and direct.
Cupping a bowl of creamy soup with his hands, Xian Sheng leaned back into the soft and wide chair. His eyes were clear and bright. “What’s wrong?”
“Can you talk to my brother about letting me go to the military camps?”
Although she looked like she was asking him for a favour, her attitude and gaze were unrelenting. As Xian Sheng met her gaze, his eyes fell onto her white and exquisite face. He seemed to understand something and the corners of his mouth lifted unnoticeably. He asked softly, “Why don’t you look for Zhan Lue?”
Xian Sheng could tell that she must have thought about this for a long time, and set her mind to it, before coming. She was the sort of person who would only go forward after deciding on something. Hence, she was very calm, without showing any hints of hesitation. Before coming, she had already thought of all the possible problems and concerns. The only way for her to go was forward.
“If I talk to him, he would agree?”
“You are different to him,” said Zhan Jin. “He had always been untamed. When he was twelve, he was hailed as a military prodigy by the entire world. He thought of himself highly. When he was fourteen, he requested to lead an army to battle, yet ended up badly defeated by Qin Tao. He barely escaped death, and everyone thought that he wouldn’t get up anymore. But he told Father that he will tear Southern Liang’s backbone apart and stick the Northern Jin’s flag in every city in Southern Liang.”
Xian Sheng’s expression was calm, but his tone was cold. “You don’t have to brag to me about how powerful Northern Jin’s Crown Prince is.”
Zhan Jin shook her head. “I’m not bragging. I’m just telling you what kind of person he is.”
“He already achieved it. Almost.” Xian Sheng lowered his eyes and pursed his lips. His expression was hidden.
“Yes, he could almost fulfil his promise to Father. But back then, no one believed him, not even Father. Because there’s Qin Tao in Southern Liang. Although Qin Tao liked to exaggerate, he was the grim reaper in the eyes of the Jin people. No one thought that Zhan Lue could kill Qin Tao. I’m sure that if you heard of it then, you’d think that it’s outrageous too.”
Xian Sheng did not speak, but he did remember his brothers telling this to him as a joke. Fourth brother was even imitating Zhan Lue’s tone at the side, making him laugh by acting ridiculously.
They even treated Zhan Lue like a clown, pretending to talk like a crying Zhan Lue Lue who had ran back home after his defeat. It was hilarious.
No one would expect that after four years, Zhan Lue really conquered the mountains and rivers of mighty Liang.
“He locked himself in his palace, training with his sword in the day, and studying war strategies at night. He looked completely dishevelled, just like a crazy man. Even Father wanted to strip him of his Crown Prince title.”
Xian Sheng smiled lightly. “If you want to tell me about the success story of a Northern Jin hero, I’ll refuse your request and chase you out.”
Zhan Jin pursed her lips and said, “I’m sorry to have offended you. But I just want to say that you are special to him. He spent so much effort and time and was only a step away from conquering Liang. But he gave up because of you. He had never treasured another woman before and we all thought that he would never marry. But he married you, the Princess of Liang. And you’re even his official wife… He could actually capture you many different ways, right?”
“He’s just scared that I’ll kill myself.”
“He could’ve held your family hostage and forced you to follow his wishes. Would you concede to him then?”
Xian Sheng looked at him coldly before he relaxed. He placed the two bowls of soup at the edge of the square table and leaned back into the comfortable chair. He said, “You’re making such a lustful man sound so loyal. I almost believed you.”
Zhan Jin bowed to him again. Assuming a deferential position, she said, “I definitely did not mean to offend you when I said that. You’re very important to him. If you talk to him, he’ll definitely agree.”