CALID Chapter 101

Xianye

No matter how turbulent the situation in the capital was, the common people continued living their lives as usual. The streets remained bustling and lively, and Jade Tower was as crowded as ever.

Fang Xianye, who had spent the night sleeplessly, walked out of Jade Tower with his servant Hezhi. Hezhi carried a double-layered food box containing freshly baked snacks from Jade Tower, and the warm box had condensed a layer of fine droplets on its surface. As they stepped out of the main gate of Jade Tower, a raggedy child suddenly dashed out and snatched the food box from Hezhi’s hand before running off.

Hezhi was taken aback for a moment, then angrily shouted, “You little rascal!”

He chased after the child, but the child slipped and fell after a few steps, dropping the food box on the ground. The box slid open, and the snacks rolled onto the roadside, getting covered in mud. However, the child grabbed the dirty snacks and stuffed them into his mouth without even chewing.

Hezhi and Fang Xianye had reached the child by then. Upon seeing the two approaching, the child immediately knelt down and began kowtowing, pleading, “My lords… I’m so hungry… Please don’t beat me… Have mercy on me…”

Hezhi was about to roll up his sleeves, but Fang Xianye stopped him. He squatted down to look at the child, who was probably around six or seven years old, wearing only tattered clothes in the chilly January wind, his face turning purple from the cold, his hands and legs covered in frostbite and oozing pus. His eyes trembled with fear.

Fang Xianye remained silent for a moment before asking, “Where are your parents?”

The child shrank back and whispered, “They’re dead…”

“How did they die?”

“We’re from Shenzhou… We suffered from a drought and fled here… But then the capital started fighting… One day, my father went out… I don’t know how, but he died on the roadside… And a few days ago, my mother died of illness… I… My lords, I’m really… I’m so hungry…”

As the child spoke, he began to cry, tears streaming down his cracked face. He wiped his tears with his frostbitten hand, only to have his wrist grabbed by the nobleman in front of him. The child looked at him, his face wet with tears, with a bewildered expression.

Fang Xianye gazed into the child’s innocent and fragile eyes. In an instant, he thought of Lin Jun’s triumphant demeanour, the young emperor in the serene Ning Le Hall clad in luxurious attire, exuding an air of mystery. He shuddered, feeling a sudden fear rising from the depths of his soul.

What had he been thinking about during this past year? What had blinded him?

At this moment, the whirlpool of power suddenly seemed distant to him. He remembered the mutilated and anguished faces of the corpses on the streets during the turmoil in the capital; he recalled the fireworks on the battlefield and the common people serving in the mines and stables in Yunluo Province.

As if awakening from a dream, he suddenly felt like a stranger to himself. The imperial decree seemed like a curse, plunging him into a deep abyss of contradiction from the moment he received it, causing him to forget some things along the way.

He had forgotten why he had entered the bureaucracy in the first place.

In the emperor’s and Lin Jun’s discussions about the “eventual reconquest” after losing Duan Xu, even if it were delayed by a year or two, it meant a vast amount of wealth and countless lives lost, burdening the shoulders of the common people. While those in positions of power might not feel the pain, the world was much larger than the palace and the capital. Among the millions of people in the thirty-six provinces, how many could afford such a price?

Could Daliang afford this price?

When he was at the Ministry of Revenue, he witnessed how quickly warfare drained the treasury. If the war continued, Daliang would be depleted, and there would be no prosperous era to speak of. How could he justify killing people under the pretext of “saving them”? Because this court was a quagmire of power struggles, where everyone sought to preserve their own glory amidst the chaos, had he unknowingly become tainted as well?

Fang Xianye closed his eyes and sighed heavily after a moment. He said to Hezhi, “Go back to Jade Tower and buy two identical sets of food. Give one to him and bring the child back to the mansion.”

Hezhi hesitated for a moment, scratched his head, and said, “Alright,” before turning and rushing back into Jade Tower.

Fang Xianye stood up, basking in the faintly cold sunlight of early spring. He looked towards the distant majestic palace, adorned with a layer of golden brilliance, grand and magnificent. His gaze gradually turned cold, as cold as the icy surface of a winter lake, and he finally smiled bitterly.

At this time of year, he had to admit that Duan Xu’s life was more important than his own.

This was the trouble he had caused, and he couldn’t let Duan Xu die because of it.

As Duan Jingyuan passed by her father’s study, she saw the dark mahogany door tightly closed, an indication that her father was entertaining guests. She couldn’t recall hearing about any visitors today, so she curiously approached the door. Just as she took a couple of steps, the door opened, and a person wearing a veil stepped out.

Her father’s expression was solemn, and upon seeing Duan Jingyuan, his face darkened. He was about to reprimand her when the veiled person extended a hand to stop him, saying, “I happen to be looking for Miss Duan.”

Duan Jingyuan was surprised. She was becoming increasingly familiar with this voice—it was Fang Xianye.

Fang Xianye walked towards her and handed her the food box, saying, “Thank you for the dumplings, Miss Duan. I’ve come to return the box.”

Duan Jingyuan observed her father’s expression. She took the food box from Fang Xianye’s hand, opened it, and exclaimed in surprise, “Wow! This… this is my favourite… How did you know I like this?”

Fang Xianye seemed to chuckle lightly and said, “Take me to see your brother.”

Duan Jingyuan peeked in and saw that her father didn’t stop her, so she agreed and led Fang Xianye to Duan Xu’s Haoyue Mansion. The room was warm with a fireplace burning, but Duan Xu was still asleep, covered in thick brocade blankets. In the dim daylight, he looked pale and emaciated, like a paper figure.

Standing beside Duan Xu’s bed, Duan Jingyuan sighed, “Third Brother is in and out of consciousness, with a persistent fever. He always seems dazed. The former Grand Preceptor introduced a renowned doctor who said there’s a way to help him recover, but it will take some time.”

“How long is ‘some time’?”

“The doctor didn’t specify.”

Fang Xianye nodded and said, “As long as he doesn’t die.”

His words were too blunt, which irritated Duan Jingyuan a bit, but she suppressed her anger and said, “Third Brother’s health was already fragile when he returned this time. The news of Chenying’s death has hit him hard. He was very fond of Chenying.”

Fang Xianye smiled noncommittally and said, “That’s just how he is.”

Clearly not expecting anything, yet always bearing the destinies or misfortunes of others on his shoulders.

Observing Fang Xianye’s expression, Duan Jingyuan curiously asked, “You and my Third Brother… you get along well, don’t you?”

Fang Xianye looked at Duan Jingyuan and thought for a moment before saying, “It’s alright. Your Third Brother feels that others owe him in this world, but he owes no one. However, soon he will owe me.”

He would leave the clear sky for later.

Duan Jingyuan looked puzzled. She couldn’t understand what Fang Xianye was talking about. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to voice the speculation buried in her heart, “Fang Xianye… are you my father’s illegitimate child?”

Fang Xianye’s calm demeanour finally cracked a bit. He widened his eyes and looked at Duan Jingyuan thoughtfully, saying, “So Miss Duan gave me dumplings because you thought I might be your half-brother?”

Duan Jingyuan choked for a moment, then hurriedly said, “It’s not necessarily a half-brother! Maybe… you could be my father’s adopted son or something like that.”

“Do you hope I’m your real brother, or just a foster brother?” Fang Xianye asked.

“What do I hope for? What exactly is your relationship with my father?” Duan Jingyuan stared with wide eyes, her earlobes turning red, a mix of anger and embarrassment evident.

Fang Xianye looked at her expression for a moment, then gently smiled with a hint of sadness. He said, “I guess I’m more like an adopted son.”

Duan Jingyuan breathed a sigh of relief, feeling oddly happy for some reason.

However, Fang Xianye’s mind wandered elsewhere. He cleared his throat and looked at Duan Jingyuan, saying, “In that case, could you call me ‘brother’?”

Their eyes met, and after a moment, Duan Jingyuan suddenly felt a bit awkward. She fidgeted with the bed curtain and muttered, “You haven’t recognized my family, so you’re taking advantage of me.”

Fang Xianye’s gaze was intense. He clenched his fists, remaining silent as he stared fixedly at her. Under his penetrating gaze, Duan Jingyuan glanced away but then looked back at him, softly saying, “Brother.”

Her voice sounded like a jade bead falling into a porcelain bowl.

Brother.

Fang Xianye seemed to see the little girl from many years ago.

She loved being pretty since childhood, with her hair tied up in buns adorned with bells. Whenever she spotted him from afar, she would run over with open arms, the tinkling of bells accompanying her, and then crisply call out—”Brother! Carry me!”

“Brother, you’re amazing! You’ll write the best articles in the world, and you’ll surely become the top scholar!”

The little girl sat on his lap as he braided her hair. Playing with paper folds, she said, “Jingyuan will grow up and marry Brother!”

Years later, when he first arrived in Nandu and stayed at Jin’an Temple, he heard a girl calling out for her mother one day. Turning his head, he saw the grown-up Duan Jingyuan. She didn’t recognize him, just smiled and lifted her skirt, running up the moss-covered stone steps in the warm spring sunshine.

He stood there and watched her for a long time, even after her figure had completely disappeared.

She always mentioned her “brother” from Daizhou to Duan Xu. She was probably the only person in this world who still remembered him.

But she didn’t recognize him. He thought he would never hear her call him “brother” again in his life.

Duan Jingyuan widened her eyes and grabbed Fang Xianye’s sleeve, panicked as she said, “You… why are you about to cry?”

Fang Xianye smiled softly and lowered his gaze, saying, “I suddenly missed my sister. You remind me of her.”

Duan Jingyuan nodded slowly, watching Fang Xianye’s expression carefully. She saw his eyes turn red and watched as he reached out his hand, gently grasping hers, and said, “Jingyuan, may you find a good partner, have a house full of children, and live happily ever after.”

His palm felt warm, making her forget to pull away for a moment.

Not long after, Duan Jingyuan recalled her encounter with Fang Xianye that day and realized he was bidding her farewell. Unfortunately, she hadn’t grasped the meaning of his words at the time.

Her understanding always came late.

As the night deepened, Jing Yan felt very surprised by Fang Xianye’s visit, as they were not very familiar with each other. He led Fang Xianye to the study and, after dismissing the servants, asked, “Lord Fang, what brings you here?”

Seated across from Jing Yan, Fang Xianye looked at him and said, “I heard that Lord Jing greatly admires General Duan.”

Jing Yan was somewhat surprised and inquired, “Where did you hear that from?”

“Duan Shunxi,” Fang Xianye paused for a moment and continued, “He and I are good friends. We exposed the corruption case in the Horse Administration together. I appreciate that you didn’t expose his false accounts.”

Jing Yan’s arm holding the teacup froze in mid-air, forgetting whether to put it down or pick it up.

Seeming to breathe a sigh of relief, Fang Xianye joked, “I didn’t expect that I would say these words for the first time in front of Lord Jing. I came to entrust you with something.”

“And what I’ve told you today will be my last words.”

The next morning, as the dawn broke, Fang Xianye stared at the rising sun for a long time. Then, he straightened his official robes, put on his official hat, and entered the grand hall. He blended in with the courtiers as usual. After the young emperor exchanged some trivial pleasantries with the officials, he mentioned the recent decree he had received and passed the decree with the emperor’s own handwriting around to the officials.

Upon learning the contents of the decree, the officials’ gazes immediately focused on Fang Xianye, causing a stir throughout the hall. Fang Xianye stood motionless, holding the decree board.

“The late emperor’s testament decrees that Fang Xianye, for his merits in protecting the emperor, shall serve as the Deputy Prime Minister of the Military Affairs. It also states that General Duan Shunxi failed to save the emperor in time and harboured treasonous intentions, thus requiring his execution.” The emperor repeated these words with a troubled expression. “General Duan is a prominent figure of the state with outstanding military achievements, and I have always esteemed him. Now that he is recuperating from illness, I am reluctant to execute such a meritorious general. However, the late emperor’s testament is here, and I cannot disregard his final wishes.”

Fang Xianye remained silent, prompting a courtier who understood the emperor’s temper to speak up, “Your Majesty is merciful, but the late emperor was wise. Nandu has been in chaos for over two months, and General Duan, being at the front lines, must have been aware. Yet, he did not send a single soldier to defend the capital, which shows his disloyalty. If we do not execute him now, it may breed disaster in the future!”

The court immediately became lively, with officials voicing their opinions. Naturally, there were those who spoke up for Duan Shunxi, but the situation was being guided towards the direction the emperor desired.

The circulated edict ended up in Fang Xianye’s hands amidst the discussions of the courtiers, and he smiled somewhat mockingly. The naked suspicion and cruelty of emperors always had to be wrapped in a set of affectionate drama. The truth was simply that the emperor feared Duan Xu, hence the murderous intent.

However, the emperor also required everything to be done in a proper and just manner. If things weren’t handled properly, the executioner’s blade would linger in the air for a while. If matters escalated too much, if the play became too absurd, cleaning up the aftermath would take a while, and the executioner’s blade would linger even longer.

This was enough for Duan Xu to escape.

Fang Xianye clenched the edict tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force. Suddenly, he stood up with the edict in his hands, knelt in the hall, and loudly proclaimed, “I, Fang Xianye, have the audacity to report a matter to Your Majesty. This edict is fabricated by me.”

The entire court was in an uproar. Lin Jun and the emperor, besides being shocked, wore displeased expressions. The emperor’s gaze swept across the officials, and he said, “Minister Fang…”

But Fang Xianye didn’t give the emperor a chance to speak. He bowed deeply and loudly declared, “I have a deep-seated feud with Duan Shunxi, a longstanding enemy for many years. While I was in Jin’an Temple, I feared that the situation might change in the future, and my life would be in danger. I also resented Duan Shunxi, knowing that his numerous military achievements would surely be rewarded upon his return. I forged this edict by imitating the late emperor’s handwriting to obtain it.”

“However, since the late emperor ascended to the heavens, he has appeared in my dreams frequently, rebuking my lack of loyalty and righteousness, accusing me of harming loyal and righteous subjects for my own selfish gain. He said that anyone who dared to harm such loyal and righteous men as General Duan would meet a miserable end. I have been terrified day and night, unable to deceive Your Majesty with this edict.”

Fang Xianye’s voice echoed in the grand hall. The emperor and Lin Jun were unprepared for this turn of events, their faces turning pale with anger. Then, Fang Xianye pointed at Lin Jun and said, “A few days ago, Minister Lin learned of this forged edict of mine and forced and tempted me to present it to Your Majesty in exchange for glory and honour. Unable to refuse, I complied. However, while standing in the hall, I could still hear the late emperor’s furious rebukes echoing in my ears, indicating that his spirit was unwilling to depart. I couldn’t bear it any longer and had to reveal the truth!”

Lin Jun was so angry his face turned red. Pointing at Fang Xianye, he shouted, “Nonsense! This is all nonsense! Fang Xianye, have you gone mad?”

Suddenly, Fang Xianye stood up from the ground, his eyes red. “I have committed heinous crimes, attempted to harm loyal and righteous men, and my sins are unforgivable. With the late emperor’s spirit here, I have no place to hide my shame. Death is my only option!”

As his voice echoed in the hall, he unexpectedly rushed towards the nearest pillar. His red sleeves fluttered in the wind, like a vermilion bird soaring through the air, and collided with the thick red lacquered pillar.

With a crisp sound, blood splattered everywhere, and the hall fell silent.

His body fell to the ground, blood rapidly spreading from underneath him, staining the edict in his hand and smudging the characters.

Jing Yan watched the scene from afar, clutching the tablet tightly, unable to bear to look.

—I must confirm this edict as a forgery and expose all the dirt. But there are too many flaws, surely unable to withstand detailed questioning and investigation.

—Since I have acknowledged this forged edict, there is only one dead end for me. But if I die in the Golden Luang Hall, without witnesses, there will be no flaws.

—After my death, Minister Jing will take over this case. With my life, I earnestly plead with Minister Jing not to reopen the case.

Streaks of blood stained Fang Xianye’s face. His eyes remained open, the light gradually fading from them. Finally, a faint smile of success appeared on his face, very shallow, blending with all warmth to become silence. A lamp, visible only to ghosts, slowly rose from his body, ascending into the endless blue sky.

In the ninth year of Tianyuan, the top scholar, elegant and refined, who penned magnificent articles, ultimately met his end in the Golden Luang Hall.

Throughout his life, his parents died early, leaving only one confidant and a girl he had liked for years but never let her know.

Fang Xianye, Xianye.

The pioneer, lying dead in the wilderness.

**Nomad: Author why?!?