Chapter 160: The City Draped in White

The 49th year of the Great Wu legitimacy, the 10th day of the third lunar month.

Afternoon, the hour of Weishi.

Five-Mile Pavilion, west of Central Heaven.

Along the imperial road outside the pavilion, colorful tents stretched into the distance.

Officials from the Ministry of Rites were dressed in court robes, their expressions relaxed, while the Imperial Guards stood with bright armor and fluttering banners.

On the left side of the imperial road, the Emperor’s second grandson, Prince Anping, dressed in bright yellow python robes, stood at the very front of the crowd, as was his due.

Behind him stood the Emperor’s fourth grandson, the Prince of Linping, flanked by the heir to Prince Leyang, Han Jingru, and Yu Bowen, a disciple of the Yu family of Jiangyou and a distant cousin of Jiang Xuan.

Beside them were the Emperor’s fifth grandson, the Prince of Shuochuan, Chen Yi, along with Li Baicheng, Gao Gan, and others.

Although they stood very close, the divide between them was clear.

On the right side of the imperial road, Lin Hansu wore a gold-embroidered wide-sleeved robe, her demeanor upright and graceful. Her Phoenix eyes, gazing into the distance, held a hint of intense longing that she was struggling to suppress.

Beside her was the purple-robed Headmaster of the State Religion, Xu Jiuxi.

Her posture appeared casual, yet it always exuded a lazy, alluring charm. The purple Daoist robe did not hide her beauty; instead, it made her skin appear as fair as snow.

It was said that some officials in the imperial court had slight objections to the two nations transitioning from a ‘father-son’ relationship to a ‘brotherly’ one.

However, the return of the remains of over thirteen thousand people, including the Duke of Zhenguo, Xia Jiye, and the recovery of nearly seven thousand prisoners of war—these two positive developments provided the court with a pretext to treat the funeral as a celebration.

Therefore, Your Majesty defined the diplomatic mission as having ‘meritorious service’!

Since there was merit, all parties had to send people to welcome them, or, in other words, to bask in the reflected glory.

The Ministry of Rites represented the court, the imperial grandsons represented Your Majesty, Lin Hansu represented Princess Xingguo, and Xu Jiuxi represented the State Religion—after all, the mission’s guard commander, Ding Suian, served as a Dharma Protector for both institutions.

This showed that our State Religion had also contributed!

Perhaps tired of standing, Xu Jiuxi twisted her flexible, slender waist, leaned closer to Lin Hansu, and with a mischievous smile, whispered, ‘Head Ding really makes one pine for him, doesn’t he?’

…

Lin Hansu glanced at her but ignored her, turning her gaze back to the end of the imperial road.

Just then, a burst of laughter erupted from the group of noble youths waiting on the other side of the imperial road.

The highly sociable heir to Prince Leyang had somehow walked over to Chen Yi and the others, breaking the invisible barrier and warming up to them with just a few words.

‘Lord Li’s perspective is truly far-reaching. Young Master Suian charged into battle and has won great face for our Great Wu. First, he cut off the legs of the ‘Grain Pile’—the first Martial Artist of Southern Zhao—at the stone quarry, and later, at the farewell banquet, he moved the Southern Zhao princess to tears with a single poem, winning her heart. Hahaha, the style of our Great Wu men is truly unmatched! Oh, right, Brother Meimei, do you still remember that poem, ‘Butterfly Loves Flower’?’

Han Jingru timed his cue perfectly, passing the ball to Li Meimei. This subtle gesture of goodwill hit the mark for Li Meimei.

The noble youths of Central Heaven all knew that Li Meimei, Gao Gan, and others were close friends with Head Ding. In front of outsiders, boasting about their own brother was the same as boasting about themselves.

Li Meimei happily took the bait and recited loudly: ‘Leaning against the high tower in the fine breeze… The clothes are getting loose, yet I have no regrets; for her sake, I am willing to grow thin and haggard.’

He deliberately emphasized the last two lines and, fearing others might not know the context of the poem, explained: ‘It is said that this Princess Zhao Ning has the character ‘Yi’ in her maiden name.’

‘Wonderful, simply wonderful!’

Han Jingru clapped in admiration.

News always travels faster than feet. Over ten days ago, everything Ding Suian did in Southern Zhao had already spread throughout Central Heaven.

However, through intentional or unintentional embellishment, the information had gradually become distorted. Dui Gu, who had been castrated, became someone whose legs were chopped off; his title of ‘invincible under the Yugang Realm’ became ‘the number one person in the Southern Zhao army’; even Dui Gu’s name was misheard as ‘Grain Pile’.

Coupled with the story of Zhao Ning falling for Ding Suian, it made the defeated people of Wu feel an intracranial climax!

‘Look, for those who practice martial arts, your so-called number one in the army couldn’t even beat one of our Dutous.’

‘For those who practice literature, a single poem seduced your princess in public, and it even seduced her thoroughly!’

‘Haha, tell me, isn’t that infuriating?’

The imperial court perhaps intended to use this spontaneous public opinion to cover up the ‘tribute’—which was effectively a war indemnity—and let it ferment.

On the right side of the imperial road, Xu Jiuxi and Lin Hansu heard the conversation nearby clearly. The former leaned a little closer to Lin Hansu and let out a low laugh, like a feather brushing against the tip of her heart.

She was almost pressed against Lin Hansu, her tone filled with mockery and curiosity. ‘Dharma Protector Ding has truly stolen the spotlight in Southern Zhao. Even that Southern Zhao princess is… hehe…’

Xu Jiuxi paused deliberately, leaving room for endless imagination, then affectionately nudged Lin Hansu’s arm with her elbow. ‘Dharma Protector Ding is tall and handsome, truly lovable. When he was serving in the Princess’s mansion, he must have worked hard for the Princess, right?’

This was both teasing and provocative.

It broke through Lin Hansu’s defenses with extreme precision.

A surge of irritation rose in her heart, but she did not show it on her face. She stepped aside gracefully and, with a calm and indifferent air, brushed off her sleeve where Xu Jiuxi had touched her, expressing her disdain vividly.

She replied coolly: ‘In that case, since Head Ding is also a Dharma Protector of the Law Academy, does he often work hard for the Headmaster as well?’

She emphasized the last two words slowly and heavily.

It was almost a direct imitation of Xu Jiuxi’s tone.

Lin Hansu’s counterattack would work on any normal, decent woman—after all, for a normal woman, being implied to have a secret affair with a man is a fatal, yet hard-to-prove, accusation.

But… Xu Jiuxi was not normal; she had no shame!

She showed no sign of embarrassment at all. Instead, she lightly raised her orchid finger, covered her mouth, and giggled, whispering: ‘This Seat would be quite willing. At first, I didn’t think much of Head Ding, just a handsome face. Recently, perhaps because spring has arrived, whenever I think of his dashing appearance, I feel a rush of heat. If there comes a day when I form a Dao Companion bond with the little one, I will invite the Princess to drink the wedding wine.’

…

Lin Hansu turned her head sharply to look at her, forcefully suppressing the urge to curse, and barely managed to maintain her upright posture, saying almost word for word: ‘Headmaster, please have some self-respect!’

Xu Jiuxi covered her mouth, blinked her peach-blossom eyes in surprise, and asked, ‘Eh? Is the Princess upset?’

‘Why would I be upset? I simply cannot tolerate such vulgar language.’

Lin Hansu looked straight ahead, her hands clenched into small fists inside her wide sleeves.

She longed to punch that seductive face.

Just then, a cloud of dust rose in the distance of the imperial road.

The mission’s flag slowly appeared in everyone’s line of sight.

At the hour of Weishi, the returning prisoners of war were led by Great Wu officials to the camp west of the city; they needed to be screened, changed, washed, and rested for a few days before they could enter the city.

Otherwise, their disheveled appearance would easily crush the morale that Great Wu had painstakingly rebuilt through Ding Suian.

After Ding Suian, who was at the rear, finished the handover, he hurried to the Five-Mile Pavilion.

Unexpectedly, most of the officials and imperial grandsons remained in place even after having already welcomed the chief envoy, Li Qiushi.

Ding Suian stepped forward to pay his respects.

The first person he greeted was naturally the Emperor’s second grandson, Prince Anping.

‘Do not be arrogant or rash; do not be complacent.’

The Emperor’s eldest grandson had passed away years ago, and perhaps because he was very concerned about his dignity in front of others, Prince Anping’s expression was solemn and his tone flat.

The Emperor’s fourth grandson, the Prince of Linping, was a plump man, but he was all smiles. ‘I have heard Jingru mention the Head many times months ago. When you finish your work in these few days, you can come to my mansion with Jingru to meet.’

He smiled quite kindly, but the tone of his words made it seem as if letting Ding Suian visit his mansion was a special favor.

Young Master Ding did not like it at all.

Finally, it was the Emperor’s fifth grandson, Chen Yi. They smiled at each other, no words needed. ‘Finish your work first, we’ll talk later.’

After meeting the imperial descendants, he exchanged pleasantries with the officials from the Ministry of Rites.

Having finished dealing with the imperial descendants and officials on the left side of the imperial road, Ding Suian straightened his clothes and turned to the right side.

His gaze immediately fell on the figure standing in front, dressed in fine clothes with a dignified demeanor.

Lin Hansu saw him walking over, and her breathing quickened for no reason. Fearing that the annoying Xu Jiuxi beside her would notice, she quickly adjusted herself.

Her Phoenix eyes were calm, and her lips were slightly pursed.

‘Greetings, Princess.’

Ding Suian’s posture was impeccably respectful. Only Lin Hansu could catch the flash of heat in his eyes the moment he lowered his head—a look only she could understand.

‘You have worked hard, Head.’

Lin Hansu spoke, her voice clear and upright as always, showing no signs of anything unusual. ‘You have traveled far on this journey and brought back the heroic dead. Your Majesty is very pleased, and His Highness is very pleased. His Highness specifically ordered me to welcome you here.’

Standing beside Lin Hansu, Xu Jiuxi narrowed her peach-blossom eyes slightly. Her gaze lingered on Ding Suian before falling back on Lin Hansu’s slightly serious profile, a smirk curling on her lips.

‘Head Ding, you have worked hard along the way.’

Xu Jiuxi could use bold and unruly language with Lin Hansu in private, but with all eyes on them, she regained the dignity expected of a State Religion Headmaster.’Since you have served the country on this trip, you have also brought glory to our State Religion. In a few days, come to the Law Academy to find This Seat, and This Seat will give you some Medicinal Pill to strengthen your muscles and bones and restore your Qi and blood.’

Hearing this, Lin Hansu immediately became vigilant.

The hour of Shen, the sun was tilting west.

The willow branches were tender, and the spring breeze was gentle.

It was the best time of the year, but today in Central Heaven…

The travel-worn Ding Suian, in his military uniform with white cloth tied around his waist and a calm expression, led a carriage procession covered in white cloth into the city through the Wansheng Gate.

After passing through the gate, the relaxed atmosphere of the Five-Mile Pavilion where they had welcomed the mission quickly dissipated.

The people of Central Heaven, who had already received the news, gathered spontaneously on both sides of the long street.

There were no colorful tents here, no noise; instead, it was a scene of solemn white.

Countless people were dressed in plain clothes with white cloth wrapped around their heads, and many held baskets filled with paper money.

When the first hearse covered in white cloth appeared in people’s field of vision, repressed sobbing began to echo through the crowd.

On both sides of the long street, the windows of the buildings were all open, and countless white curtains hung down.

The air was filled with the scent of burning incense and paper money, mixed with low sobs.

‘My son! My son!’

An elderly woman with white hair, supported by her relatives, wanted to rush toward the procession but was blocked by the yamen runners maintaining order along the street.

The old woman collapsed on the ground, her thin, withered hands patting the ground, her crying heart-wrenching.

She might not have been sure which carriage her son was lying in, but she knew her child was among them, having returned to their homeland.

‘Father! Father!’

A girl under ten years old, holding a younger boy, followed the procession, dodging and crawling under the adults, calling out all the way from Wansheng Gate to Dingding Avenue.

‘Thank you, Lord Li, thank you, Head, for bringing my son home.’

‘Thank you, my lord, thank you, Head.’

The sound of crying, calling, and kowtowing merged into a chaotic mess.

The paper money dancing in the sky was like sudden snow in midwinter, fluttering everywhere.

The entire city was draped in white.