Chapter 81: Are You a Spy?

"I understand how you feel, Your Highness, but I am certain Li Xiannan is absolutely trustworthy. If she intended to betray us, she could have done so the moment Shangguan Wei attacked," Long Chen said with conviction.

If there had been any doubt about her loyalty, during the fierce battle between Di Luoxi and Shangguan Wei, Li Xiannan could have struck from behind and Di Luoxi would surely have perished, leading to the inevitable fall of Linjiang City.

"Yes, Xiannan would never betray us," Di Luoxi finally managed to reassure herself, a weight lifting from her heart.

It was truly unbearable to live in a world where one could trust no one.

She recalled the chaos of the battle, when, at a critical moment, Shui Han had come galloping to report the fall of Fishing Town. Had that city truly been lost, she and Li Xiannan would have suffered a devastating blow.

Shui Han became a traitor almost without anyone noticing; at the time, Di Luoxi had sensed nothing amiss.

"That Feng He is truly remarkable. Shui Han burned half the letter, yet he still managed to recover it?"

With her anger spent, Di Luoxi thought back carefully. Feng He was indeed a talent.

Long Chen nodded, "He is without peer in the art of military espionage. Our Long Clan's army once suffered at his hands as well."

Di Luoxi was surprised, "Even Long Ye was outwitted by Feng He? It's a pity we let him go."

"Do you think he'll return? You told him to come to Great Zhou—might he take up your offer?"

A man like that would be a formidable ally against Southern Liang.

Long Chen shook his head. "He is eccentric and unpredictable. There's no telling what he'll do. We can only leave it to fate."

He had simply sown a seed—whether or not Feng He would come, he could not say.

Di Luoxi lay back on her pillow, her legs restlessly shifting beneath her nightgown, which had slipped aside without the slightest attempt at modesty, leaving everything exposed to Long Chen's gaze.

"Little Dragon, you wouldn't be a spy yourself, would you?" she suddenly asked, springing up and pinning him beneath her, her eyes filled with suspicion as she studied him closely.

"My dear princess, is it that now everyone looks like a traitor to you?" Long Chen was at a loss for words, feeling that Di Luoxi was now seeing shadows everywhere.

She nodded. "That's right. Everyone seems suspicious."

Long Chen spread his hands. "What must I do to prove myself?"

Di Luoxi, sprawled atop him, pondered but found no answer.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked abruptly.

Long Chen, puzzled, replied, "I'm fine. Why?"

He suspected she might be scheming up some mischief.

Pressing her forehead to his, Di Luoxi giggled. "Are you thirsty? Would you like a drink? I have some in my mouth—do you want it?"

The topic had taken a wild turn—from traitors to drinks in an instant.

"Yes, I'm parched. Dying of thirst," Long Chen played along, feigning feverish longing.

"Do you want the one here, or the one there?" Di Luoxi teased, a wicked smile playing on her lips.

Long Chen considered, then answered, "A wise horse never drinks from the same stream twice. I want fresh spring water."

Di Luoxi burst into laughter. "You scoundrel! Useless eunuch!"

...

After Shui Han's death, the question of who would take command became pressing.

By rank, Zhang Ke should succeed as commander of Linjiang City, but although he had the seniority, he was too fond of drink.

Di Luoxi decided that no one in the city was suitable for the role, so she left it unfilled for the time being and placed both cities temporarily under Li Xiannan's care.

Once everything was in order, Di Luoxi, Long Chen, and their companions set out for the capital.

...

Southern Liang, Jinling.

Shangguan Wei rode into the city with the bodies of his two sons slung across the back of his horse. Behind him trailed dozens of officers, all in tattered uniforms, faces smeared with dust and ash; even their steeds hung their heads low, hooves plodding in a broken, dispirited rhythm.

Though he wore his helmet, Shangguan Wei's hair was already wild and disheveled beneath it. His great halberd hung from the saddle, and he rode with his head bowed, leaving his horse to find its own way.

At the sight, the townsfolk hurried out of his path, whispering among themselves.

"The Shangguan family has lost another battle."

"Last time his two sons suffered a crushing defeat at Linjiang City, losing two hundred thousand elite troops. Who knows how many more died this time?"

"Ever since the Long Clan's army defected, our Southern Liang's strength has been on the brink of ruin."

"Careful what you say! Don't mention the Long Clan's betrayal—it's a capital offense!"

Under the weight of these murmurs, Shangguan Wei returned to his residence.

Servants rushed to open the gates. A maid hurried off to inform Murong Yan.

"Madam, the Master has returned."

Upon hearing this, Murong Yan was overjoyed. "Prepare my makeup."

The maid was momentarily stunned—her sons were dead, and she wanted to put on makeup?

With a frown from Murong Yan, the maid hastily complied.

Dressed in splendid robes and resplendent hairpins, Murong Yan checked her appearance in the bronze mirror, only then satisfied enough to step outside.

She expected a lively household, yet the courtyard was silent.

A sense of unease crept into her heart. Quickening her pace to the main hall, she was met with the sight of two corpses on the floor. Shangguan Wei sat at the head of the room, lost in a stupor, still clad in armor.

She nearly collapsed, barely able to stand as the maid caught her.

Clutching the doorframe, her lips trembled and her eyes filled with disbelief.

This campaign against Linjiang had been aided in secret by her brother, Murong Xiao, and the city had only Di Luoxi defending it.

With four hundred thousand troops and two renowned commanders, it was meant to be a certain victory.

How could it have come to this?

When Shangguan Mu died at the front, Shangguan Wei dared not tell Murong Yan, hoping to slay Di Luoxi first and then break the news—so that he could at least say the death had been avenged.

But now, even Shangguan Xiu was dead, and her brother as well.

Tears streamed down her face. Murong Yan staggered into the hall, fell to her knees, and clutched her sons’ bodies, wailing in grief.

"Who? Who did this?"

She dragged herself before Shangguan Wei, seized his armor, and hauled herself upright, clutching his collar and screaming in anguish.

Shangguan Wei looked ancient and broken, his eyes clouded and lifeless. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

"Long Cheng'en."

"Long Cheng'en? That eunuch?" Murong Yan could not accept it. Her son, the prodigy Shangguan Xiu, dead at the hands of a eunuch?

Both her sons were gone—gone forever.

"You! Shangguan Wei, your sons were killed before your very eyes—by a eunuch! What good are you?" she shrieked, shaking him violently.

He did not move, his face wooden, and after a moment added, "Your brother... is dead."

"What? Impossible..." Murong Yan could not believe her ears.

Murong Xiao, one of Southern Liang's Five Tiger Generals, dead?

Suddenly her body gave out and she collapsed in a faint.

The blow was too much to bear. She had expected a triumphant celebration, only to lose three of her dearest kin—her brother and her sons—all gone.

Shangguan Wei stared blankly at her unconscious form, unmoving. The maids and servants dared not approach.

At that moment, a eunuch entered—it was Zhong Gui.

With several armored guards at his back and a cold, severe expression, Zhong Gui stepped into the hall.

Taking in the scene of Shangguan Wei, who seemed broken beyond repair, Zhong Gui let out a sigh.

"General Shangguan, His Majesty summons you to the palace."