Chapter 96: Nangong Erlang

Upper Valley, Qiansang City, North City Gate.

The night was already deep.

A few red lanterns glowed in a modest house, a pair of couplets hung on the door and windows, the entire city was ablaze with lights, all traces of prosperity having faded, yet tonight, even in the late Hai hour, the laughter of the city still rang out.

It was New Year's Eve, the hour of reunion. The warmth of the whole sky, every festival of the Han people, a day destined to be filled with cheers and joy.

On the city wall, soldiers stood in formation, battered by the North Wind for a long time, the icy edges bitterly cold.

The flames clutched the torches but could not stop their dance.

A figure in red stood alone, facing north.

The robes fluttered in the wind, the shadow remained still.

This was a woman, a woman whose beauty was enough to ruin a nation and harm the people.

The woman harmed neither nation nor people; she merely stood quietly there, facing north.

The soldiers on the wall did not know how long the red-clothed woman had been there. Since the shift change, she had been standing at her post.

The common people had no right to ascend the city walls without permission.

Yet none of the soldiers who approached her stepped forward to speak. The on-duty military commander had already ordered that no one disturb the woman.

The commander recognized her.

She was the general's woman.

And the general, leading three thousand Han horsemen, had struck the Xiongnu and won a victory without precedent.

A victory without precedent, not an exaggeration. Rushing through the desert, slaughtering through the heart of Xiongnu territory, no ancient general could equal him.

Qiansang City had received the fast courier's report earlier that day, which was why the whole city blazed with lights; otherwise it would have been under curfew.

When word came of the Han army's great victory, the whole city of soldiers and civilians cheered as one, the sky boiling with excitement.

And the red-clothed woman had smiled then, a smile that could enchant the nation and the city.

Beautiful women smile softly, light robes cover delicate sleeves.

Seeing that smile of the red-clothed woman, the military commander suddenly understood: a beauty must first be able to enchant the nation and the city before she can ruin them.

Yet if this slight nod, this shallow dimple belonged to someone who could ruin the state and harm the people, the commander would rather have been King You of Zhou, playing with the lords by lighting beacon fires.

"Bai Jie, the general has returned!"

Beside the red-clothed woman, a young girl in the bloom of youth suddenly exclaimed in delight.

Her expression was as if she had discovered she was the princess.

Along the post road in front of the gate, no one stirred.

Yet the girl's voice was utterly certain.

Bai Xin Xin smiled sweetly, her cheeks flushing, jade teeth gently biting her lip, eyes fixed on the end of the post road as she whispered, "General, you have finally come home."

Hooves sounded.

From far to near.

Flames appeared along the post road.

Three thousand Han cavalry galloped out from the road and toward the gate.

"The main force returns to the city—open the gates at once!"

A scout rider reached the foot of Qiansang City and shouted toward the gate.

"The main force is coming shortly!"

The military commander on the wall answered.

Qin Cheng, at the very front of the formation, looked up and saw the striking red-clothed figure on the tower.

He smiled faintly, pride and warmth mingled in his gaze.

Bai Xin Xin smiled gently, relief and pride shining in her eyes.

For a soldier who had marched off to war, was there anything more heartening than the sight before him… to feel pride, to feel warmth?

For the woman waiting for her marching soldier, was there anything more joyful than the sight before her… to feel relief, to feel pride?

The city gate slowly opened.

"Main force enters the city!"

Qin Cheng waved his hand grandly.

That gesture, that bearing—truly, damn it, so dashing!

…

The army had marched long and hard, and by the time they reached the Qiansang City camp it was already late, yet the soldiers were still full of energy. Le Guang therefore ordered the camp to prepare a New Year's Eve feast. Except for the sentries, everyone was to gather at the drill ground to celebrate the victorious campaign and the festival.

Dozens of bonfires burned across the entire drill ground, lighting the whole camp as bright as day.

For soldiers who had become semi-professional in peacetime and professional in war, the camp was home; eating a great-pot New Year's Eve dinner in their familiar quarters, how could anyone be unhappy? Especially since this campaign had ended in victory, and soon imperial rewards would arrive, bringing promotions and titles to who knew how many. All of it was reason enough for the soldiers to celebrate wildly through the night.

Seizing the soldiers' high spirits, Le Guang announced a military order: starting tomorrow, the officers and men would take turns going home to visit their families.

The moment the order was given, the camp once more rang with laughter.

After the soldiers had gathered at the drill ground for some time, someone noticed an unexpected absence: Qin Cheng was gone.

Le Guang naturally explained it as a desire to go home and spend New Year's Eve with his sister Qin Yue. The soldiers accepted the excuse without question, though a few sharp-eyed ones could not help but connect the dots to the red-clothed woman they had seen at the gate earlier.

Qin Cheng had not stayed in camp. He took Bai Xin Xin and Rong'er to Qin Yue's residence.

Qin Cheng's decision to leave had its reasons. In his view, he had already secured victory with the cavalry. Whatever accolades followed, whether he was present or not, the merits stood recorded, the army's loyalty already secured. Compared with those public scenes, Qin Cheng had more important matters to attend to.

It was not that he cared little for fame; rather, he believed sometimes his absence would be more effective than his presence.

As the only blood relative Qin Cheng had in this world, Qin Yue naturally knew of his campaign, and when word reached the prefectural governor's mansion, she received it too. Qin Cheng had sent the returning scout with a message: the New Year's Eve dinner would be held at home.

When Qin Cheng arrived at Qin Yue's courtyard with Bai Xin Xin and Rong'er, they saw her waiting at the gate from afar.

Upon beholding Bai Xin Xin, even though she was a woman, Qin Yue was struck speechless by the beauty. She sighed at how charming Bai Xin Xin looked, like a celestial being, and then praised Qin Cheng's excellent taste and good fortune.

At the same time, Bai Xin Xin blushed faintly, lowering her head in modest embarrassment. Rong'er, watching, could not suppress her secret smile, though her expression held more pride than anything else.

Qin Cheng did not explain that Bai Xin Xin came from a pleasure house; he would eventually take her out of it anyway, so there was no need to speak of it now.

When they entered the courtyard, Qin Yue instructed the servants to warm the already prepared dishes. She and Qin Cheng entered the main hall and sat down to talk.

Qin Yue had been deeply worried about her brother's campaign, especially whether he had been injured. Now that Bai Xin Xin had appeared, all her attention was drawn to her. She chattered with Bai Xin Xin, inquiring about her health and well-being, completely forgetting Qin Cheng.

Qin Cheng, expecting nothing less than neglect, sighed inwardly. Qin Yue was barely over twenty—how could she behave like an old woman meeting her daughter-in-law? Yet he could only make helpless eyes at Rong'er.

Qin Yue treated Bai Xin Xin as a young lady of good family, given the maid Rong'er in attendance; etiquette must be observed.

Watching Qin Yue and Bai Xin Xin talk without end, Qin Cheng suddenly gave a strange smile.

After a while, Qin Yue turned her head to glance at Qin Cheng. Her eyes darkened for an instant, though she quickly masked the look. How could she escape Qin Cheng's notice?

Seeing her expression, Qin Cheng needed no further explanation to know exactly what she was thinking.

After all, Qin Yue was already over twenty.

Just then, a figure suddenly dashed into the courtyard and, upon entering the room, shouted, "Wine has come!"

Everyone turned. They saw a man hurrying in, arms laden with several jars of wine. He clutched two jars in his arms, one tucked under each armpit, and balanced another under his chin. The jars swayed with every step, threatening to tumble at any moment, filling everyone with concern.

Qin Yue saw him and her face flushed unexpectedly. She wanted to lower her head, but fearing the jars might slip, she could only watch anxiously, looking flustered.

"Why are you late? Buying wine took this long, or do you not remember the way?"

Qin Cheng put on an impatient scowl and scolded him.

Playing the grandson in front of Qin Yue was Qin Cheng's favorite pastime.

Who else could it be but Le Yi?

Le Yi, sweating heavily, set the jars down, then wiped his brow. He first shot Qin Yue a quick glance, then spoke to Qin Cheng with a bitter face: "Isn't it New Year's Eve? All the wine shops are closed. I had to search half the night before I found one, and after half a day of haggling, they finally sold me the wine…"

Qin Cheng teased him further. When he saw Qin Yue cough twice as a signal, he let Le Yi off, allowing him to sit inside.

At that moment, the dishes began to arrive.

Before anyone could start eating, hooves sounded outside the courtyard, followed by a cunning laugh.

"Hahahaha… Qin Dalang, Le Sanlang, Nangong Erlang is here!"

"Nangong Erlang?" Qin Cheng and Le Yi exchanged glances and shook their heads, smiling bitterly. From the voice they recognized the merchant who earned silver from the Xiongnu, Nangong Shang, but they had no idea when the titles Qin Dalang, Le Sanlang, and Nangong Erlang had been bestowed.

"He calls himself the second brother and made me the youngest?" Le Yi said resentfully, clearly displeased by Nangong Shang's age ranking.

It was already a ridiculous appellation, yet Le Yi refused to let the matter drop. Their stubborn, antagonistic natures were clearly impossible to change in a moment.

Everyone rose. Qin Cheng and Le Yi went out to greet them. They saw a slender young man in brocade striding toward the main hall. Qin Cheng and Le Yi, seeing how Nangong Shang now dressed, could not help but sigh and smile.

It had to be said that the Nangong Shang in brocade was no longer the poor, threadbare apprentice of half a year ago.

At that time, the prohibition against merchants wearing brocade had not yet been issued.

"You two little rascals, eating New Year's Eve dinner without inviting me? Do you still have me, Nangong Shang, in your eyes? Le Sanlang, do you still see me as your second brother?" Nangong Shang declared loudly, "Fortunately I came once today and learned you had gone off to war without returning. I left people waiting here. If not for my men reporting back, would you have been preparing to eat alone? Le Sanlang, what exactly are you thinking?"

Le Yi's face darkened. He gritted his teeth and said, "Nangong young master, do not call me Le Sanlang!"