Chapter 67: Shadowed Defeat

Li Ning’an couldn’t help but wish for a heavy snowfall that would cover up all traces.

She bit her lip, forcing herself to endure, her face already pale.

The Imperial Guards inside scrambled to clean up, but they knew that it would be impossible to keep this from the Emperor.

Emperor Mingde had expected that with Ning’an’s nature, she would definitely come. But what he hadn’t anticipated was that King Jing would actually manage to injure her.

The guards would be punished for this, and even Yuan Ze wouldn’t escape blame.

Yuan Ze knew he would have to go back to receive his punishment soon, but he said nothing about it. For now, he carefully avoided anyone in the palace and placed the princess on Prince Yan’s carriage.

“Please look after her.”

Just as he was about to leave, Li Ning’an, lying in Yan Ziqi’s arms, grabbed Yuan Ze’s hand.

“You’re not allowed to go.”

She knew she was being unreasonable.

Her father would surely find out about this, and Yuan Ze would be punished. The Imperial Guards who had been with her wouldn’t escape either.

All of this was because of her.

Yuan Ze looked at her reassuringly. “It’s nothing, just a few canings at most. It won’t hurt.”

For the first time, Yuan Ze defied her order and let go of her hand.

Yan Ziqi instructed the driver to set off.

Li Ning’an could still hold on for now; it was just a stab in the thigh—not life-threatening.

She struggled, wanting to go back and save Yuan Ze.

Her father had always doted on her. If she could plead a little, perhaps he would lighten the punishment.

Yan Ziqi wrapped his arm around her waist, worry in his eyes. His other hand pressed down on her shoulder.

“If you keep moving, your wound will only bleed more.”

Her elegant dress was already stained with a large patch of blood, and the cloak covering her was also starting to soak. Even Yan Ziqi’s carriage wasn’t spared.

Thankfully, Li Ning’an heeded his warning and stopped moving. Although Yan Ziqi’s bandaging was rough, it worked well.

Apart from the intense pain, the bleeding had stopped somewhat, though she still needed medical attention soon.

Li Ning’an clutched Yan Ziqi’s arm, her eyes brimming with tears. “It’s my fault; I was too reckless and underestimated him.”

If she had kept more distance from her uncle, King Jing, or been more vigilant, he wouldn’t have managed to grab her hairpin and stab her.

Yuan Ze and the others were being punished because of her, and Li Ning’an felt deeply remorseful.

Just one wrong decision from someone in power could lead to death for those who carried out their orders.

And possibly worse.

Yuan Ze might not die, but each blow he suffered would be tied to her.

Yan Ziqi sensed Li Ning’an’s anxiety and unease. Normally, she was bold and fearless, yet now she was distressed over the guards being punished.

But Yan Ziqi knew that it wasn’t simply fear of them getting hurt. It was because this was something that could have been avoided, yet she’d made it worse.

The carriage moved steadily forward. The driver, understanding the urgency, sped up while keeping the ride smooth.

Li Ning’an continued, “This injury will definitely delay finding the dragon-hiding flower for Father.”

With the Northern Jin prince still around, there was no telling what he might deduce from this.

Though it involved matters within the Great Qi’s borders, King Jing’s actions would be dealt with behind closed doors. If the people of Beiyue found out, it would make Qi seem weak.

The marriage alliance was still undecided, and despite being given a second chance, Li Ning’an couldn’t bear for any woman to be sacrificed in a political marriage.

The Great Qi was strong, with mighty soldiers, capable of going to war with Beiyue if need be.

But she also knew that supposed strength could be eroded by corruption and greedy officials.

If it continued, the treasury might truly run dry.

She bore so many responsibilities, and now, this injury was causing everything to fall apart.

Li Ning’an hesitated, uncertain if her decisions would end up harming others again.

Yan Ziqi let her cling to him. Outside, it was bitterly cold, but inside, a small heater kept them warm.

Li Ning’an furrowed her brows and gritted her teeth as the pain intensified.

Then Yan Ziqi’s voice sounded by her ear, “Neither of us are gods; we’re bound to make mistakes.”

“In school, teachers would slap our hands. At home, parents would have us copy texts.”

“It was trivial back then, but now it involves life and death. Yet, no matter the stakes, everyone has moments of oversight.”

“Mistakes may be inevitable, but recognizing them and striving to make amends—that’s what matters.”

“To strive never to repeat such mistakes again, and to handle similar challenges with greater composure in the future.”

There was a touch of nostalgia in Yan Ziqi’s final words.

He, too, had made mistakes once.
His father, when at home, would teach him the principles of leadership and the art of war.

In his father’s study, there was a sandbox where they each controlled an army of small, earthen soldiers facing off against each other.

At first, he lost nine times out of ten.

The rare win filled him with joy.

After his father praised him, he would always say, “Be neither arrogant nor impatient.”

For the nine losses, his father would patiently explain how he could have done better.

His father also said, “The human heart is fickle; no matter how perfect our strategy, issues can always arise.”

“As a leader, you must remain steady.”

“If you lose control, what will happen to those you lead? They follow your command; if you falter, they will fall apart.”

“My son, you carry the lives of each and every one of them on your shoulders. A single misstep, and one of them could be lost.”

“But you cannot hesitate.”

On the battlefield, things change in an instant. A single oversight could mean total defeat.

A defeat meant an outcome like that of General Tong, who had to be ransomed by Qi.

If the Golden State had suffered defeat, they wouldn’t have dared act so arrogantly.

And the tribute they brought wouldn’t have been so meager.

Finally, the carriage arrived at the Duke Xiang’s residence. The butler had hurried to the second gate and saw the prince carrying someone in his arms.

“Who is this?”

How could the prince be carrying anyone other than Princess Ning’an?

Once the butler saw who it was, he was relieved.

It was Princess Ning’an; that was fine.

But still…

“Who dared to hurt you like this, Your Highness?!”

The butler was utterly distressed, even more indignant and pained than if the prince himself had been hurt.

He quickly sent someone to fetch the house doctor, who was very discreet.

But the princess’s wound was on her leg, so it would mean lifting her dress to inspect it.

In the palace, there were female physicians, but the butler couldn’t just call a female doctor from the street.

Li Ning’an no longer cared about decorum. “A doctor doesn’t avoid a patient based on gender. It’s fine.”

Yan Ziqi had already laid her on the bed. She reached out to grip the hem of her dress, intending to tear it herself.

Yan Ziqi nodded and pressed down on her hand. “Stay still.”

Li Ning’an was worried they’d be too hesitant to act.

When the house doctor came to tend to her, she obediently lay back but still held onto Yan Ziqi.

He moved his lips as if to say something but finally chose to remain silent.

His sleeve was gripped in Li Ning’an’s hand, so he stayed by her bedside, watching as the doctor carefully cut away the cloth.

Li Ning’an gasped, clutching Yan Ziqi’s sleeve tighter, tears springing to her eyes from the pain.

Elsewhere, Yuan Ze was taking his punishment.

Emperor Mingde had Yanshu order a secret flogging of thirty strokes.

The Northern Jin delegation was still present, so it wouldn’t do to make a scene.

Emperor Mingde then went with Yanshu to the hall where his younger brother was imprisoned. Yanshu stood guard at the door.

Looking at the man lying on the bed, Emperor Mingde said regretfully, “I had wanted to let you live until the New Year.”

King Jing was already aware of his arrival. “That child, Ning’an, is a lot like you.”

“It’s a pity, though; your two best sons are already dead.”

“My dear brother, you’ll soon join me too. Ha ha ha.”

King Jing was still somewhat apprehensive; he lacked the resolve to take his own life.

Today, thanks to Ning’an, he knew that injuring someone the Emperor cherished so deeply would ensure a terrible fate for himself.

“All my life, I’ve lived in your shadow, always falling short of you. I just wanted to prove myself once.”

“Big brother, at least I’ll reach the underworld ahead of you.”

Emperor Mingde held a dagger in his hand—a gift from his younger brother long ago.

Now, it was with this dagger that he would send his brother off.

“My dear brother, this dagger cuts through iron like mud; it suits you well. It will protect you in my place, and I will pray for your health and safety.”

Back at the Duke Xiang’s residence, Li Ning’an bit down hard on Yan Ziqi’s arm.

“Ouch, Li Ning’an!”