Chapter 141: The Convergence of Water and Fire

The sky was still faintly luminous when Ji Wuqing quietly rose from his bed, dressed, and headed to the study to discuss matters of state. Attendants followed closely behind, carrying silk lanterns.

In the study, Yu Bufan and several generals were already waiting.

"Your Majesty."

Ji Wuqing walked over, took his seat, and gestured for them to be at ease. The generals sat down with practiced efficiency, their rugged faces showing focused determination, betraying no signs of fatigue.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Wu Kingdom suddenly launched an offensive late last night, showing clear intent to provoke us. Your subordinate believes we can no longer allow this to continue; we must deliver them a resounding blow," one general said, his voice calm yet tinged with indignation. Being a man of war, he found it difficult to mask his true feelings.

"And what was the outcome of last night's engagement?" Ji Wuqing narrowed his eyes at the petty, probing tactics favored by Zuoqiu Liye. What exactly was Zuoqiu Liye trying to test?

"Reporting to Your Majesty, both sides did clash a few times... but before any real fighting could commence, the Wu Kingdom sounded the retreat."

"So, we were toyed with?" He curled his lips, looking at the general who had answered.

The man lowered his head hurriedly. "Your subordinate..."

"Enough. Let there not be a next time. Or do you require me to teach you the meaning of pressing an advantage? Since they chose to flee in such disarray, we should have beaten them while they were down." He picked up the tea before him.

His gentle, jade-like countenance revealed a hint of indifference. Though he did not explicitly display displeasure, the men felt the drop in pressure in the room.

"Yes! Your subordinate is instructed!" The generals stood up immediately, their faces showing embarrassment and shame.

Shortly after, the generals departed, leaving Yu Bufan behind. His expression remained calm, as if he were immune to the King's intimidation.

"Your Majesty, there is one matter I must report," Yu Bufan said, his handsome face filled with seriousness. "It concerns the guard by the Queen's side."

"Regarding him, I could have guessed even without you telling me." He rested his head in his hand, recalling Xue Xue's words about the recovery of her memories of Yuan Xue.

"It seems Your Majesty was already aware that he has defected to Zuoqiu Liye," Yu Bufan said, dropping all pretense. "Is this matter to be kept from the Queen?"

Hearing this, Ji Wuqing glanced at him without speaking. However, a cold glint seemed to refract from his deep, dark eyes.

"This subordinate understands. Your Majesty may rest assured; without your order, I would not dare to see the Queen."

"As long as you understand." Ji Wuqing withdrew his gaze and turned to look out the window. The sky outside had begun to brighten. "Now, it is time for us to settle the score with the Wu Kingdom. We must be sharp, Yu Bufan."

"Yes." Yu Bufan rose, bowed, and left the study.

The day had fully broken when Xue Xue blinked her eyes on the bed, the incoming light appearing somewhat dazzling. The apricot-colored quilt was now much clearer to her, and she could even discern the fine patterns upon it.

Seeing this, she widened her eyes. Her vision had indeed become much clearer. She lay on the bed, touching her eyes, and through the gaps in her fingers, she could see the white canopy above.

"Has the Queen awakened?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Queen is still sleeping."

Outside, Ji Wuqing's voice drifted in. She hurriedly grabbed the white silk ribbon from under her pillow and covered her eyes. Even after doing so, she could not fathom why she felt the need to hide it.

When Ji Wuqing entered, he found her sitting on the bed, touching the silk ribbon, looking dazed and sluggish as if she had not yet fully awoken.

He pulled back the bed curtains and stepped inside. "Could it be that you couldn't sleep while guarding an empty room?" He teased with a wicked glint in his eyes.

"Help me get some clothes," she said calmly.

"Hmm..." Ji Wuqing sat on the edge of the bed, his gaze wandering over her.

Xue Xue felt his stare was peculiar, as if she were unclothed. Under his scorching gaze, she reached out to tighten her undergarment, and only then did she discover the truth. Her undergarment was slightly loose, the neckline parted...

"You..."

"Don't move." Before she could finish, Ji Wuqing reached out and touched her neck, his movements gentle yet conflicted. "Does it hurt here?"

Where he touched was a large, bruise-like mark, red and darkened to the point of black. It looked quite alarming, yet appearing on her neck, it carried an air of intimacy.

"Now that you mention it, it does feel a bit strange." She nodded belatedly, finally realizing what he was referring to.

"Next time, your husband will surely exercise restraint. Xue'er has suffered." The King, failing to notice her oddity, allowed his large palm to linger on her neck, feeling a sense of self-reproach and regret.

"...You had better find me some clothes first." She struggled to maintain her composure.

Before long, Ji Wuqing selected a simple, elegant green dress for her and asked quite earnestly, "Does my wife need my help?"

Xue Xue did not speak, picking up the clothes and dressing in silence. Her body felt sore and weak, making her movements somewhat clumsy. After watching for a moment, the King could bear it no longer and stepped in to tie her sash.

Ji Wuqing did not seem busy today. After accompanying her through breakfast, he nestled by her side, resting his head on her lap on the small daybed. This reminded her of Xiao Li and Xiao Xi, who also liked to nestle beside her like this.

She sat on the daybed reading or tinkering with needlework. When she grew tired, she would lean over, resting her head against his cheek to take a brief rest.

In the courtyard, the flowers were in full bloom, and the green trees nearby were covered in small white blossoms. A breeze swept through; everything was just right—warm and peaceful.

As for the war between the two kingdoms, the Ji Kingdom took the initiative today, catching the Wu Kingdom off guard. After two engagements, the Wu Kingdom retreated in haste to regroup. The morale of the Ji Kingdom soared.

At night, the dark sky glittered with stars, yet the night felt as if it were veiled in a haze, leaving one wondering what might happen next.

Sure enough, something drifted in the sky in the distance, floating slowly along with the breeze. The darkness seemed to be thoroughly ignited.

Some of the commoners and soldiers looked up in confusion, followed by sounds of panic and chaos. A sea of red fire lanterns, like floating clouds, illuminated the sky above Tan City, turning it bright and crimson.

The lanterns gradually descended, landing on rooftops and haystacks, causing everything to burst into fierce flames.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, it is a disaster! It is fire lanterns!"

Ji Wuqing immediately rushed out of the room and disappeared from sight. Xue Xue also realized the severity of the situation and stood up to leave the room.

"Your Highness, the King has ordered me to protect you. Please stay inside," Qing He suddenly appeared. He stood before the door, his tone respectful yet stern.

This was a major maneuver by the Wu Kingdom, catching them off guard. He looked at the red glow in the sky, his face grave.

"What exactly is happening?" A foreboding premonition stirred in her heart.

"It is the Wu Kingdom. We did not expect them to utilize the wind direction tonight to deploy fire lanterns. Now that they are falling, the city has fallen into chaos." Although the lanterns were unlikely to reach the King's camp, the surrounding civilians would suffer.

"It is fire?" Xue Xue understood the situation. "We need rain."

However, fire must be conquered by water. Yet, it was a clear night; there would be no rain.

"Your Highness, do not worry about these things. The King will resolve it."

"No, Qing He, take me to the Tan River. It should not be far from here. Take me there quickly, or it will be too late." If the fire grew any larger, the situation would become uncontrollable.

"But..."

"I order you to take me there! This is a command!"

The Tan River was adjacent to Tan City, and it was not far from where the Wu Kingdom's camp was located. Within Tan City, one could hear the cries and screams of the elderly, women, and children. The fire roared, and the lanterns continued to fall, as if they were going to swallow the city whole.

Qing He brought her to the Tan River. It was a wide, deep river that appeared chilling in the night. Standing by the riverbank, she could feel the fire lanterns drifting overhead.

Was this the goal of Zuoqiu Liye and his men? Did they want to destroy this city, or were they trying to decide the victor?

The river surged in the wind, its waters lashing against the high embankments. If there was no rain, then she would create one. With this thought, she picked up a hard pebble and stood firm. She placed the stone in her palm, moistened it with a drop of blood from her index finger, and warmed the smooth surface with the heat of her hand.

She muttered something—soft, quick, and unintelligible whispers.

Suddenly, she reached out and tossed the pebble into the river. The stone seemed to be imbued with life, spinning continuously in the current. Gradually, it spun into a vortex—a vortex that grew larger and deeper, as if it intended to consume everything in its path.

"Rise." She raised her hand and commanded the vortex.

The deep vortex, along with the river water, seemed to have been given life, following her command and shooting straight into the sky.

In an instant, like fireworks bursting, a heavy rain descended, extinguishing the floating fire lanterns. The extinguished lanterns plummeted, falling into the river and into the camp of the Wu Kingdom.

"What is happening?" Elder Yue caught a raindrop from the air, his face filled with confusion. He had observed the celestial signs; there should not have been any rain tonight. "Your Majesty, this rain is likely man-made."

He sniffed the moisture on his hand; it smelled of the Tan River.

Beside him, Zuoqiu Liye's expression turned cold. He looked in the direction of the Tan River, a light flashing in his narrow, elongated eyes as if he had locked onto his prey.