Chapter 68: Unashamed to Ask and Learn

Yang Qi had fled, and Yang Rui did not pursue him, for he had more pressing matters to attend to. He had already arranged everything in Xiyuan; all that remained was for him to return with his troops and force his father to abdicate. The soldiers of Xiyuan, seeing the Crown Prince defeat the Second Prince, were filled with excitement. The Crown Prince was both skilled in civil and military affairs—surely he would be a wise ruler for Xiyuan in the future. As they looked upon Yang Rui, it was as if hope for the days ahead shone in their eyes.

With the arrival of Yang Rui, this war came to an end. Turning to Zhongli Yu, Yang Rui said in a solemn tone, “Prince Chun, please convey my words to the King of Dongling: if I, Yang Rui, should truly become the King of Xiyuan, I vow to renew our peaceful pact with Dongling, to ensure the continued tranquility between our two nations, and to let the people of the world live in peace and prosperity.” Drawing upon his inner strength, he projected his voice far and wide, so that all present heard him clearly.

Zhongli Yu nodded and replied in a loud and clear voice, “Your Highness’s words—I shall be sure to deliver them.”

Yang Rui turned to his own soldiers and commanded boldly, “Withdraw the troops.”

“Yes, sir!” came their thunderous response. At last, they could return home, and the joy was plain on every face. The mighty host withdrew from Wang City, and the soldiers of Dongling, too, were all smiles, for they too could finally go home.

Zhan Yan glanced at Zhongli Yu, her heart brimming with happiness. This war had nearly cost her husband his life; now that it was over, she felt a profound sense of relief. Sensing her gaze, Zhongli Yu turned back to look at his wife. When he saw her looking at him with such delight, his own eyes softened, warm as spring water. If not for the many people around, he would have pulled her into his arms and showered her with affection then and there.

Meeting his gentle, doting gaze, Zhan Yan felt as though her heart was filled to the brim with happiness. She took Zhan Tianyi’s hand and said softly, “Father, let’s go home.”

Looking at the daughter who so closely resembled his late wife, Zhan Tianyi, too, was filled with joy. After sixteen long years of hardship, he had finally been reunited with his child. Overcome with emotion, he replied, “Very well, let us go home.” Though there were many questions yet to be asked, this was not the place for such things; it would be better to wait until they returned. Zhan Yan took her father’s arm—his wrists and ankles still shackled in iron chains. She would need to find a smith to remove them. Zhongli Yu had wanted to step forward and take Zhan Yan’s hand, but seeing her holding onto her father, he could only follow behind. Once home, he would have to serve his father-in-law tea as a mark of respect, he reminded himself.

When they returned to the courtyard ablaze with pomegranate blossoms, a locksmith was already waiting there—it seemed Zhongli Yu had anticipated their need and sent for him in advance, and Zhan Yan was deeply moved by this thoughtfulness.

Helping Zhan Tianyi to the grand master’s chair, Zhan Yan said, “Father, please sit and let the locksmith remove your shackles.”

Zhan Tianyi complied, and the locksmith deftly set to work. In no time at all, the locks were undone.

After the locksmith departed, Zhongli Yu approached Zhan Tianyi, knelt before him, and with the utmost respect said, “Father-in-law, please accept a bow from your son-in-law.”

Zhan Tianyi was momentarily taken aback. He had only just been reunited with his daughter and still understood little of the situation; now, suddenly, he had a son-in-law as well, and it was a lot to take in. Nevertheless, he quickly helped Zhongli Yu to his feet. The young man before him was refined and elegant, with a noble bearing and striking good looks. Zhan Tianyi was thoroughly satisfied.

Zhan Yan, seeing her father’s dazed expression, couldn’t help but find it amusing. Sixteen years in captivity, isolated from the world, had left him unversed in so much. Patiently, she explained the current circumstances to him in detail.

After hearing her out, the King of Zhen’nan was filled with emotion. When Yan Kuan had betrayed him, Yang Yuxiong was still the Crown Prince of Xiyuan. Who could have imagined that, upon taking the throne, his ambition would grow so boundless—or rather, that even before his ascension, he had already harbored great ambition, having sent Yan Kuan to infiltrate Dongling sixteen years prior. Thankfully, Dongling had been prepared; otherwise, who knew what would have become of the world by now? He thought of his youthful pride, the darkness that followed, and now, at last, the clouds had parted and the moon shone through. Yet his wife was gone, and the ache in his heart was unmistakable.

Seeing her father lost in silent reverie, Zhan Yan guessed he was thinking of her mother. She gently comforted him, “Father, you still have your daughter. I’ll be devoted to you always. The fact that we’re alive is proof that heaven has shown us mercy. You should cherish this life and not dwell too much on the past. As long as one lives, one should treasure life—don’t you agree?”

Zhan Tianyi gazed at his daughter, gratified. Yes, had he died back then, he would never have seen her again in this life. He nodded, “You’re right, Yan’er. I will cherish life.”

Zhan Yan patted his shoulder tenderly. “Father, I’ve had hot water prepared. Go and take a bath, and afterward, we’ll have a good meal together as a family.”

Zhan Tianyi glanced at his disheveled clothing—he did look quite unkempt. Fortunately, his brother-in-law had escorted him here, made sure he bathed, and gave him clean clothes. Otherwise, he could only imagine how foul he might smell now. Even though he had bathed a few days ago, the arduous journey had left him in a sorry state once more. The promise of a bath delighted him, and he gladly went to wash.

Zhan Yan had already arranged for clean, fine garments for her father, choosing only the best materials. After his bath and change of clothes, Zhan Tianyi looked much more spirited, regaining some of his former handsomeness. Though somewhat thin, he carried himself with energy. Now, compared to Yan Kuan, who had impersonated him, they seemed nothing alike. Though similar in appearance, their temperaments were worlds apart; Zhan Tianyi radiated righteousness and masculine charm, while Yan Kuan was utterly ordinary, easily lost in a crowd.

Seeing her father renewed, Zhan Yan smiled in satisfaction and said with delight, “Father, you’re so handsome.”

Zhan Tianyi did not know what ‘handsome’ meant, but seeing her joy, he guessed it was praise and smiled as well. Zhongli Yu, standing nearby, noticed the unfamiliar word, thinking to himself that Yan’er’s vocabulary was ever novel—he could barely keep up.

This day was destined to be one of family harmony. Zhongli Yu and Zhan Tianyi spoke at length and with great pleasure. Zhongli Yu’s own parents had died young, and he had grown up without a father, so he cherished Zhan Tianyi as his own. Though Zhan Tianyi had been imprisoned for sixteen years, he was inherently gifted, skilled in both letters and arms, and he and Zhongli Yu never lacked for conversation.

Not until deep into the night did they finally retire to their rooms. When they were alone, Zhongli Yu gazed steadily at Zhan Yan without speaking.

Zhan Yan looked at him in puzzlement. “What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

A faint flush colored Zhongli Yu’s face as he asked, somewhat shyly, “What does ‘handsome’ mean?” He felt genuinely embarrassed—priding himself on his erudition, yet unable to understand a word his wife had used.

Zhan Yan nearly burst out laughing. In this place, ‘handsome’ was not yet in common use to describe a person, so naturally Zhongli Yu did not understand and had to ‘humbly seek instruction.’ But was there any need for him to blush? “Handsome means a man is good-looking—like being elegant, dashing, as graceful as a jade tree in the wind,” she explained kindly.

Zhongli Yu’s eyes lit up in sudden understanding. So she had been complimenting her father’s appearance. “Does Yan’er think her husband is handsome as well?”

With her chin held high, Zhan Yan replied proudly, “Of course! My husband is more than handsome—just calling him handsome hardly does him justice.”

Seeing her so pleased with herself, a deep shadow fell over Zhongli Yu’s eyes, dark as midnight. In the next instant, he pulled her into his arms and pressed her beneath him. That night, curtains drawn and feelings running deep as the sea, their love lasted until dawn.