"Not for you to decide?" Murong Jin shot him a look. "If you become the ruler of this kingdom, why wouldn't it be for you to decide?"
Xue Liulan fell silent, his eyes downcast as he toyed with the wine jug. Finally, he laughed. "Murong Jin, why do you think your family chose me?"
The question caught her off guard. She had asked her father the same thing when he'd come for the wedding. He had never given her a straight answer.
"I don't know," she admitted, her gaze drifting into the darkness. "In scholarship, you are no match for the Sixth Prince, who won the top imperial exam score in disguise. In martial prowess, you cannot compare to the Seventh Prince and his military honors. And in terms of cunning, you seem to fall short of your fourth brother, Xue Zhuoran."
"Well," he coughed, a wry smile on his face. "You don't mince words, do you? Is your husband just a useless bag of rice in your eyes?"
"Not… entirely useless," she said, a playful smile touching her lips. She turned the wine jug in her hands. "A mountain may hide a priceless jade, but it takes a master's hand to reveal its worth."
His expression flickered. For a moment, his lazy mask dropped, then it was back in place. "And you're so certain it's a priceless jade, and not just a worthless stone?"
"A man who knows how to win over Guo Shangzhong is no one's fool," she said, rising from her seat with a smile.
The moonlight caught her expression, and for a moment, it was as if a shard of ice had dropped into a still lake, sending ripples through him.
"You have a sharp mind yourself," he said, his own smile gone. "To understand so much from a few words passed on by a maid."
"Was your alliance with him a defense against my family?" she asked. It wasn't a question.
"With the Murong family's power and reputation, any man with ambition would be a fool not to," he answered, surprisingly honest.
She took a moment, then picked up the wine jug and gave it a shake. "A pity. Just when it was getting good, we've run out." She turned to leave. "Well, time to go back."
"Murong Jin."
His voice was low and serious. She stopped but did not turn around. "What is it?"
He walked around the table to stand before her. "Wine can be refilled when the jug is empty," he said, his eyes locked on hers. "I intend for this honesty between us to be the same."
"Oh?" she raised an eyebrow. "And you're not afraid I'll tell my father about your dealings with Guo Shangzhong?"
"Murong Yan has always known," he said with a smirk. "The situation in Jindu changes by the day, and the bulk of your family's power is on the frontier, too far away to help."
So, he needs an ally within the capital to support my family's military power from the outside.
She nodded. To put him on the throne, they needed a temporary ally like Guo Shangzhong. But an ally today was an enemy tomorrow. If he became Emperor, the battle between the eunuch faction and the Murong clan was inevitable.
"Aren't you afraid, Xue Liulan? It is easier to invite a wolf into your home than to ask a tiger to leave."
"I'm not worried about that yet," he laughed. "After my mother died, why do you think my father raised up the Deng family?"
"To keep the Murongs in check."
"Exactly. Your family alone cannot topple them. Even with Guo Shangzhong, victory isn't certain. The throne isn't even mine to lose yet. Why should I worry about a fight that hasn't even begun?" He picked up the empty jug, twirling it in his fingers. "Better to drink the wine you have today."
She stared as he tilted his head back and drained the last few drops from the jug. He lowered it, a slow smile spreading across his face. It was the same smile she had seen on the day they first met—so bright and clear it could cut through all the filth in the world.
"Xue Liulan," she said suddenly. "No matter why my father chose you, I will do everything I can to help you."
"Hm?" He looked at her, his expression serious now. She had said it before, but never with such conviction. "Why the sudden change of heart?"
She bit her lip, a shy smile appearing on her face. "Perhaps," she whispered, "it's because I like your smile."
"My smile?" he repeated, stunned. This was a first. If he'd known his smile was so persuasive, he would have stood in the middle of court and grinned his way to the throne years ago.
"Ah, it's nothing, nothing," she said, her face suddenly burning. She turned to flee.
"Hey, Murong Jin!" he called, chasing after her. "What does that mean? Explain yourself!"
She easily dodged his outstretched hand, her skirts twirling in the night air. "That's all for tonight. You should get some rest." She clasped her hands behind her back, a triumphant smile on her face.
"Trying to run away from your debts?" he said from behind her. "When did the great General Murong become such a scoundrel?"
"What debt? You're the one who's pushing his luck," she shot back, spinning around to face him.
"Didn't someone promise to be a good consort and not bring shame upon my household?"
"I said it. What of it?"
"The first duty of a good consort is to be a model for all women in the realm. That means obeying your husband," he said, stepping closer, a cunning glint in his eye. "You haven't managed that yet, have you? How is that not bringing shame upon my household?"
"You…" She gritted her teeth. "For a prince, you argue like a common rogue."
"Did I force you to make that promise? Did I hold a knife to your throat?" he asked, his expression one of pure innocence.
"No, you didn't. But if I'd known you'd use it against me, I wouldn't have said it if you had!" she fumed, unable to find a flaw in his twisted logic.
He watched her, then his expression softened. He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Then from now on, just be my consort. You don't have to worry about the rest."
"About anything?" she asked, her voice quiet.
"Anything. If I win, I will make you my Empress. If I lose, I will see you safely out of the capital." The promise was solemn, his gaze unwavering.
She let out a soft laugh and looked up at the night sky. "Xue Liulan, will you promise me one thing?"
"What is it?"
She looked back at him. "If I help you win the world, you will let me ride free to the ends of the earth." She paused. "And if you lose…"
"What?" he asked, a flicker of anger in his eyes.
"The penalty for treason is the execution of nine generations. What do you think happens if we lose?" she asked, a faint smile on her face, as if she were talking about someone else's life.
His hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into tight fists. He took a deep breath. "Success is not yet certain. I can only tell you that I will try."
She bowed her head, a self-mocking smile on her lips. "Good. It's late. We should rest."
"Mm," he answered, watching her walk away. Her shadow stretched long in the moonlight, falling across his outstretched hand as if he could almost reach out and grasp it.
The next morning, sounds from the courtyard woke him. The space beside him in the bed was already empty.
Sunlight streamed into the yard. Murong Jin, dressed in a snow-white training tunic, was practicing with her sword. Her movements were slow and deliberate, yet each strike held a lethal grace. She finished the form and stood, breathing deeply in the cool morning air.
Suddenly, a warm cloak settled over her shoulders. She turned to see Xue Liulan tying the sash for her.
"It's cold in the mornings. Be careful not to catch a chill."
"I was trying to be quiet. I didn't mean to wake you," she said with an apologetic smile.
He paused for a moment. "The wine was strong last night. I was sleeping lightly."
"Oh," she said. Then, "Your fourth brother's martial arts are very good. Are all you princes trained from a young age?"
"Siyou's skills come from a master in the martial world. I never had the patience for it," he answered with a laugh. "Speaking of which, he sent a message yesterday. He's coming to visit today. You two can compare notes."