Chapter 108: The Fates of Past Eunuchs
A forest five li outside the South City Gate.
On the water wheel.
Cherry nestled in my arms, the few days in prison had left her face etched with immense panic and exhaustion. I gently patted her back, coaxing her to sleep.
The moonlight was so clear. The forest, ravaged by several heavy snowfalls this winter, cast dappled shadows on the ground.
The night wind rustled the trees, making them sway. The shadows on the ground also swayed.
That sound, it was exactly like a woman’s soft whimpering.
Qin Mingxu kept looking ahead, as if waiting for something. I asked, “Mingxu, you’re hiding something from me, aren’t you? The Zheng family doesn’t intend to let us go, do they?”
If, as previously stated, Dou Ya had exchanged the evidence from the Eastern Palace Crown Prince’s case for the safety of the Qin and Zhu families, then their release from prison wouldn’t be so cautious and secretive. They should have returned to the Qin Manor openly, not by water wheel out of the city.
Qin Mingxu’s palm twitched slightly. “There seems to have been a slight hitch. We’ll discuss it in detail later.”
“Where is Dou Ya? Mother? Hua Lian and Xifeng? Mingxu, why aren’t they here?”
Time ticked by. I grew more and more anxious.
“Sang Yu, trust me, trust Director Feng. He told me to wait for him here. We don’t leave until he arrives,” Qin Mingxu said.
“Alright.” I calmed my mind, observing the movements from all directions.
Cherry slowly fell asleep, still murmuring in her dreams, “Dou Ya Uncle, Dou Ya Uncle…”
Qin Mingxu and I leaned against each other, fingers intertwined, waiting for Dou Ya and his group to rendezvous with us.
No night had ever been as difficult to endure as this one.
Because waiting carried an infinite, boundless unknown.
I didn’t know what kind of upheaval Dou Ya was experiencing at that moment on the rooftop of a house in the South City. Ning Yue’s death had poured a spring of clear water into his cold heart, but this spring quickly dried up, followed by an even greater desolation.
Weeds grew wild.
Loneliness grew wild.
In truth, like Ning Yue, he was covered in scars, having come from humble beginnings. He could withstand the world’s greatest malice, yet couldn’t bear even a little kindness from others.
The body in his arms grew colder and colder.
He looked up at the moon and heard the sound of marching boots approaching.
He didn’t have time to think further. He stepped on tiles and leaped down, quickly arriving at a coffin shop. He gently placed Ning Yue’s body into a coffin. Afterward, he buried the coffin containing Ning Yue beside the Bright Moon Lake not far away.
Of the world’s three parts of bright moon, two belong to the rogue city of Yangzhou.
The bright moon was clean, the lake water was clean, and this singing woman was also clean.
From now on, she could lie by the Bright Moon Lake, listening to the snow, listening to the rain, listening to the moon.
The spring blossoms were hers, the summer shade was hers, the autumn harvest was hers, and the winter sun was also hers.
All four seasons were hers.
The human world was hers.
Having done all this, he cast a stern glance towards the city gate and hurried away.
One-Eyed Dragon and his men were locked in fierce combat with people from the Zheng Residence. Although the Zheng family had more men, One-Eyed Dragon and his group were seasoned veterans, several times more valiant. Though seemingly surrounded, they were not without a chance of victory.
“Commandant of the Jianghuai Centurion Post, urgent official business, open the city gate—” a voice shouted from outside the city.
The gatekeeper dared not disobey.
The South City Gate opened, and over a hundred armored soldiers rushed in.
Seeing the soldiers arrive, everyone’s heart began to pound.
No one knew who had ordered the troops.
Nor did anyone know who these soldiers would assist.
Feng Gao arrived at this moment. He stood not far from One-Eyed Dragon, and they exchanged a glance.
If the approaching soldiers were enemies, they had all made the worst-case scenario plans, understanding each other without words.
When the soldiers were only a few dozen paces away, they stopped, and the man at the forefront walked step by step towards them.
One-Eyed Dragon saw his face clearly, and his expression immediately became complex.
The man’s gaze lingered on One-Eyed Dragon for a brief moment before moving away. He surveyed everyone present and announced loudly, “Tonight, I received a secret report from a citizen within the city about a disturbance and brawl here, with the situation being chaotic and uncontrollable. As the Commandant of this military post, it is my duty to assist the local government in maintaining public order! Everyone, lay down your weapons!”
He adopted a strictly official tone.
The steward of the Zheng Residence seemed to gain a little confidence and said, “Does the Commandant know who we are?”
The Commandant replied, “I am but a simple soldier, a rough man of the army. I don’t recognize anyone; I only know how to act according to the court’s rules.”
“Insolent! You—” The steward of the Zheng Residence was left speechless. It seemed this reckless fellow before him either didn’t recognize the influence of Consort Zheng or was unwilling to align with her. Truly a rock in a latrine, both stinking and hard.
At this moment, One-Eyed Dragon gave Feng Gao a look, signaling him to quickly take the Zhu family members and leave amidst the chaos. The South City Gate was already open, and the military soldiers were entangled with the Zheng family’s men. There was no better time than this.
Feng Gao hesitated for a moment. He was not a heartless person; if he were to leave, he would leave together. Leaving One-Eyed Dragon here to handle the aftermath would be too selfish.
However, One-Eyed Dragon quietly pointed to an iron plaque at his waist, then pointed to the leading Commandant. Feng Gao understood.
In the war against Burma, One-Eyed Dragon was awarded the title of “Great General Who Conquers the West.” While campaigning in Yunnan, he ate and lived with his soldiers, fighting in bloody battles. He once nearly lost his life under the hooves of the Burmese army while saving a squad of soldiers who had set up an ambush in the mountains. He dared to take responsibility and did not fear death. The soldiers in the army all admired him from the bottom of their hearts.
The leading Commandant was named Lu Liangjun.
In fact, the reason he brought his troops here tonight was that he had received news from Zhao Bing.
Zhao Bing was the one who resembled Feng Gao and fled after riding to Guanyin Mountain. After leaving Guanyin Mountain, he went to the nearest military post for help. The Commandant of the military post stationed about twenty li from Yangzhou, Lu Liangjun, was an old acquaintance from their time fighting in Yunnan.
Lu Liangjun was a man of strong emotions. He was one of the soldiers saved by One-Eyed Dragon back then and always regarded One-Eyed Dragon as his “benefactor.” When the army returned victorious from the war against Burma, the court, as usual, awarded merits. Lu Liangjun received the position of “Commandant,” a minor official of the sixth rank.
He was filled with indignation upon hearing Zhao Bing’s account of One-Eyed Dragon’s predicament. When the birds are gone, the bow is put away; when the cunning rabbits are dead, the hounds are cooked. It has always been so. But the court had hidden too quickly and cooked too quickly. For the Great General Who Conquers the West, who had fought on the battlefield, to meet such an end was disheartening!
After much deliberation, he found a legitimate reason and brought his soldiers.
It was not only out of gratitude and regret for One-Eyed Dragon’s fate but, more importantly, out of camaraderie. The life-and-death struggles on the battlefield, the clashing of swords and spears, had forged an incomparably sincere camaraderie.
Of course, he would not help “openly.”
On the surface, he was maintaining order in the city. The favoritism and concessions during the scuffles and fights were something only soldiers would understand.
Feng Gao observed for a moment, confirmed that One-Eyed Dragon was handling the aftermath and his life was not in danger, then boarded the horse carriage with Cai Qingyao, Zhu Xifeng, Hua Lian, and others, and hurried out of the city amidst the confusion stirred up by Lu Liangjun. He was thinking of the person he cared about waiting for him in the forest.
The drum beat five times.
It wasn’t long until dawn.
They had to escape completely before dawn.
The sound of carriage wheels grew closer, and both Qin Mingxu and I were startled.
Qin Mingxu cautiously said, “Sang Yu, you and Cherry hide well. I’ll go take a look.”
He agilely jumped off the water wheel, crouched low, and peered ahead.
Moments later, he shouted, “Sang Yu, it’s Director Feng! Director Feng is here!”
Ah.
That sound was like heavenly music.
Dou Ya had arrived.
Cherry woke up, cheering, “Dou Ya Uncle is here, Dou Ya Uncle is here!”
Feng Gao alighted from the horse carriage, strode towards me, and called out, “Elder Sister—”
The worry and sorrow of hearing of his death in prison, the heart-pounding anxiety of waiting all night, all surged up. I reached out, tightened the collar of his robe, and said, “It’s good that you’re alive, good that you’re alright.”
As I spoke, I realized that everything from the back of my throat to the depths of my heart was bitter.
He smiled faintly and said, “Elder Sister, wait for me. I wouldn’t dare to die.”
Cai Qingyao choked back a sob, “Sang Yu, I don’t know what happened, but it’s hard on you, carrying such a big belly and still being so displaced.”
I shook my head. “Mother, it’s alright.”
Zhu Xifeng and Hua Lian affectionately surrounded me. They had mistakenly believed Ning Yue in the city was me and were heartbroken, thinking I had perished. Seeing me alive and well now, they were overjoyed.
Feng Gao said, “Let’s leave quickly. We’re heading to Shenju Mountain. The Great Chieftain has moved the stronghold to a very hidden location in a deep mountain hollow, full of traps, impossible for outsiders to find.”
“Mm.” Everyone nodded.
Consort Zheng had gained power and was constantly employing underhanded tactics.
The seals on the Qin and Zhu Manors remained unbroken. One-Eyed Dragon was secretly hunted by His Majesty. Feng Gao was a “dead” man. We, this group of people, were like moss in the dark, no longer suitable to show ourselves in public.
I suddenly remembered a dream from long ago: a deep valley, shrouded in mist, peach blossoms and flowing water, a fishing boat gently drifting. I, carrying the dust and weariness of my journey, asked the fisherman for directions, searching for Peach Blossom Spring. The fisherman on the boat told me to go east, always east, and that would be Peach Blossom Spring.
Eastward.
Shenju Mountain was to the east.
Perhaps this was destiny.
Everything in Yangzhou City had to be abandoned. But what did it matter? To see everyone around me alive today was already an immense fortune.
The horse carriage continued to move through the forest.
Just as we all thought we had escaped danger, the horse suddenly reared up and neighed sharply, causing the carriage to shake violently.
A thin, sharp voice rang out, “Eunuch, please stop.”
Feng Gao frowned and said to me, “Elder Sister, it’s Zhang Jing. I’ll go down and see. I’ll be back shortly.”
He then whispered a few words into Qin Mingxu’s ear before preparing to get out of the carriage.
Cherry grabbed his robe, refusing to let go. “No, Dou Ya Uncle, you’re not allowed to go down. If we’re going, we go together.”
Feng Gao patted Cherry’s head and said softly, “Be good, Uncle will definitely come back.”
Cherry reluctantly let go, her eyes bright.
Feng Gao got out of the carriage and sized up Zhang Jing.
“Is there anything left unfinished between us?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
Zhang Jing took something out of his sleeve, revealing only half of it. Feng Gao stopped his hand and said, “Let’s talk privately.”
They walked into the dense woods nearby. Behind Zhang Jing followed several men in black, tall and burly, their identities unknown.
I watched Dou Ya’s retreating back and, for some reason, was instantly reminded of the scene when I parted with him at Guangyue Tower in Dongchang Prefecture over ten years ago. He was like this then too, saying, “Elder Sister, I’ll be back shortly.” I watched his back disappear from my sight. From then on, we were separated.
My heart couldn’t help but tremble.
Cai Qingyao had alighted from the carriage at some point.
She was worried about Feng Gao and insisted on following to see.
Seeing this, Qin Mingxu also got out of the carriage and said to me, “I’ll go with Mother and Director Feng. Sang Yu, you’re pregnant, so please don’t get down.”
I said, “Don’t let Dou Ya argue with anyone. Bring him back safely.”
Qin Mingxu nodded. “I will.”
The stars in his eyes were illuminated by the dim sky.
His reply was so certain.
After he left, the crowded carriage suddenly felt empty.
This forest was like a deep, vast sea; looking around, everything was desolate.
In the dense woods.
Feng Gao lowered his voice and asked, “Where did you get the Dragon-Patterned Saber?”
“Naturally, His Majesty gave it to me,” Zhang Jing replied with a smile.
“Why did His Majesty give you the saber?”
“It wasn’t given to this humble servant; how could I be worthy? Director Feng, this saber is a gift from His Majesty to you.”
Zhang Jing’s sharp, long face held a kind of hidden glee. “His Majesty is bestowing the Dragon-Patterned Saber upon you to commit suicide. This is truly a great honor.”
Feng Gao narrowed his eyes.
He believed he had calculated every contingency, yet imperial power was always an abyss to be circumvented, unfathomably deep.
Could it be that His Majesty knew he was not dead?
Could it be that His Majesty had always been the one watching from the sidelines, enjoying the show…
Could it be that this scoundrel Zhang Jing was not just a double agent running between the Zheng Residence and him, but had a deeper role—an informant for His Majesty?
A chill crept up from the soles of Feng Gao’s feet, straight to his heart. He said, “What if I refuse?”
Zhang Jing leaned forward and said leisurely, “With your martial arts, Director Feng, I certainly wouldn’t be able to force you. At worst, His Majesty would accuse me of ‘ineffective service.’ However, under heaven, all land belongs to the king, and all people are his subjects. If I cannot do it, naturally, there will be others who can. Do you think you can escape them, Director Feng?”
Since the establishment of the Eastern Depot in the Yongle era of the Great Ming Dynasty, for 164 years, every Eunuch had met a tragic end.
Black Impermanence, Feng Gao, could not escape this fate.
The person who resided deep within the Imperial Palace, clad in dragon robes, was the ultimate mastermind. He knew his concubine and Feng Gao were in conflict. He watched impassively, observing the capabilities of both the Zheng family and Feng Gao, and what kind of chaos they could stir up.
Feng Gao pondered for a long time and said, “I can ensure you complete this task smoothly.”
“Oh?” Zhang Jing waited quietly for him to continue.
“Do not disturb my family. Let them leave safely,” Feng Gao said.
Zhang Jing quickly replied, “Alright.”
In any case, those people were not important, nor were they mentioned in His Majesty’s secret decree. Zhang Jing was happy to do Feng Gao a favor and let him die obediently.
Feng Gao took the Dragon-Patterned Saber and smiled faintly.
The moon had long since hidden behind the clouds. The ink-black sky gradually spread. Mist lingered in the mountains and forests.
Death?
It was no big deal.
The year he was castrated, he was seven years old. The blade fell upon him, as if to hollow him out. Eunuch Cao, whom he called “godfather,” had an unpredictable expression on his face, saying, “With one cut, from now on, you will only be half a person.”
His half-life had long been given to heaven. There was nothing to regret about the remaining half.
He fought a leopard bare-handed in the imperial garden.
His Majesty said that a ruler had no preferences, only the need to use the one who survived.
He was that survivor.
He held great power and viewed lives as ants, yet he couldn’t fully close his eyes when sleeping at night.
Elder Sister and Mother had Qin Mingxu by their side. Merchants valued profit, but Qin Mingxu was quite devoted to Elder Sister and filial to Mother. He had nothing else to worry about.
One must believe that all lives are fated, though one toils through thirty thousand feet of yellow dust.
He pointed the saber at his own heart—
“My son! You must not!” Cai Qingyao lunged forward, desperately grabbing his hand, shouting with all her might.
Feng Gao forced himself to remain calm and said, “How did you get here? Please go back quickly. I was merely sparring with an old colleague. I’ll be back shortly.”
Cai Qingyao, tears streaming down her face, just kept shaking her head, “You can’t, you can’t, you can’t…”
She crawled on her knees before Zhang Jing, kowtowing repeatedly, “Please, please let him go. I can die, it doesn’t matter to me…”
Cai Qingyao, who had lived a life of detachment, was now begging so humbly, it pierced Feng Gao’s eyes.
He didn’t want his mother to be like this.
He didn’t want it.
Just then, Qin Mingxu, who had been following behind, arrived.
He looked at the scene before him and walked to Cai Qingyao’s side, saying, “Mother, have you lost your mind?”
Cai Qingyao looked up blankly. Qin Mingxu said, “Mother, I am your son. His death is a good thing. We should thank this official.”
“Xu’er, what are you saying!”
Qin Mingxu bowed subserviently and said ingratiatingly to Zhang Jing, “This entanglement is delaying your time, sir. Why don’t I finish him for you, and resolve this quickly?”
Zhang Jing remained noncommittal. Just moments ago, Feng Gao had been on the verge of death, but this woman’s arrival made him hesitate. He feared Feng Gao would go back on his word. The sooner Feng Gao died before him, the sooner he would be at ease.
“Feng Gao once said he loved watching human blood the most, that human blood was like peach blossoms in full bloom. Sir, please look quickly and see how his blood blossoms.”
In a flash, Qin Mingxu snatched the Dragon-Patterned Saber and lunged at Feng Gao!
The sound of the sharp blade piercing flesh was heard.
Cai Qingyao screamed and fainted.
An irrepressible joy surged within Zhang Jing, and he stepped forward a few paces.
Qin Mingxu suddenly turned, grabbed Zhang Jing, who was standing behind him, by the neck, and placed the Dragon-Patterned Saber at Zhang Jing’s throat. Holding Zhang Jing hostage, he retreated step by step.
He said to Feng Gao, “Quickly, quickly take Mother and go!”
The previous stab had not hit a vital spot. It was meant to make Zhang Jing let down his guard and seize the opportunity.
He had promised his wife that he would bring Feng Gao back safely. He would definitely succeed.
However, he was not a court official and had not heard Zhang Jing’s conversation with Feng Gao. He had not considered why Feng Gao himself didn’t do this if holding Zhang Jing hostage could save him.
He acted with the mindset of exchanging one life for another, bravely undertaking this task.
He wanted to return the life that had been wrongly exchanged, with honor, to Feng Gao.
