Chapter Thirteen: Let Me Tell You a Story

Pei Xiunian suddenly noticed that the blindfolded young woman before him seemed to possess delicate, elegant features. With sincere respect, he cupped his hands and said, "May I ask, Miss Jiang, the name of your master?"

Jiang Yunhe lifted her smooth forehead slightly and replied in a cool, gentle tone, "No one knows my teacher's true name. He himself cares little for such things; the world simply calls him Li the Blind."

"Many years ago, my teacher once matched swords with the head of the Sword Sect, and within ten exchanges, he broke his sword and withdrew. Later, he played a game of chess with the Grand Diviner of the Astronomical Bureau; after several days, their match ended in a draw, and from then on, his fame spread throughout the land."

Pei Xiunian was familiar with the Astronomical Bureau—a place full of the mystical and fantastical, blending the arcane with the practical, responsible for divination, celestial phenomena, chronicles of strange creatures, armaments, and all manner of wonders. The Mechanists' Battalion had split from them, evolving into a military institution dedicated to war machines and combat automata, enough to strike terror on the battlefield, though they always lacked in numbers.

The elusive Grand Diviner was said to be the teacher of successive emperors, his lifespan intertwined with the fate of the realm, and no one in the world could rival his prowess in chess.

As for the head of the Sword Sect, Pei Xiunian had no knowledge—perhaps he was the supreme swordsman of the Great Zhou?

Regardless, the tales alone proved that Li the Blind was no ordinary man. Even his surname, a royal one, hinted at secrets of great import hidden behind it.

No wonder Xiao Qin felt so at ease upon learning that this blindfolded girl was Jiang Yunhe. To be Li the Blind’s disciple was to be a favored child of heaven, beyond all doubt.

After a brief silence, Jiang Yunhe added with her usual calm, "But my teacher is eccentric by nature and often wanders the mountains. Seeking him on purpose is no easy task."

Pei Xiunian pressed a hand to his forehead—why couldn't she just say everything at once? The hopes he had just raised were dashed again. He asked, a little forlorn, "Then even you, Miss Jiang, do not know your master’s whereabouts?"

Jiang Yunhe shook her head with utmost seriousness. Pei Xiunian was about to sigh when she continued in her steady voice, "But this time, my master wrote to me while in Hangzhou a few days ago and sent me to Jiangdu."

Very well, he thought. At least she's willing to talk.

Fortunately, he hadn't been drinking tea, or he might have nearly choked on her roundabout way of speaking. Pei Xiunian found her somewhat slow-witted, as if every word required deep thought before utterance, making anyone wait in agony.

He decided to be direct: "Did your master say anything else? Is he still in Hangzhou?"

Jiang Yunhe nodded, then shook her head. "He told me I would meet someone in Jiangdu destined to enrich my path, so I came. As it turns out, I have not yet met this person—perhaps fate is simply not with me."

"As for my teacher, he said he was going to visit an old acquaintance, so he may still be in Hangzhou."

At last, some useful information! Pei Xiunian was almost moved to tears.

Sensing his mood, Jiang Yunhe turned to him. Her voice remained even and clear, each word carefully enunciated: "I’m sorry. I rarely converse with others, so I’m not good at talking..."

Now it was Pei Xiunian’s turn to feel guilty. What was he doing bullying a mere girl? What a scoundrel he was...

He hurriedly improvised: "Such trivial matters are of no consequence to those who pursue the Way. Miss Jiang, you need not reproach yourself."

Jiang Yunhe nodded softly. "Ahead, you’ll meet the Xiliang army. I won’t escort you further. If you wish to try your luck, you may go to Hangzhou."

"My teacher can divine the future, not merely by observing the stars or seasons. Should he foresee you and be so inclined, perhaps he’ll seek you out himself."

Pei Xiunian nodded, bidding her farewell. Thus, they parted ways on the plains beyond the county. He continued on, riding his horse over the rolling hills.

Awaiting him was the synchronized clatter of armor and a thunderous roar:

"Welcome, Third Highness!"

Pei Xiunian gazed at the tens of thousands of Xiliang soldiers kneeling on the hillside, their presence overwhelming—gone were their previous anxieties and doubts.

Having witnessed such a brilliant, effortless victory, the entire Xiliang army’s faith in him was now absolute.

They even began to blame themselves for letting the Third Highness worry about trust and for compelling him to lead a volunteer force to cut off the enemy's supply lines.

Chu Jiangye stepped forward, bowing deeply as he offered the tiger tally, wishing to return command to Pei Xiunian.

But Pei Xiunian merely shook his head, patting Chu Jiangye’s shoulder with a touch of longing as he pushed the tally back. He said quietly, "One of Qingqiu’s conditions for withdrawal was that I no longer lead the army. To not ride into battle at your side, General, remains a regret."

A surge of emotions swept over Chu Jiangye, and for a moment he was at a loss for words.

On the day they crossed the Wei River, the Qingqiu army had arrived with crushing force, their banners blotting out the sky.

Yet today, they fled in shambles, a reversal so stark it felt unreal. Even the Third Highness himself seemed almost otherworldly.

To cut off the supply line with a single force, to negotiate alone and force the retreat of two hundred thousand troops—such feats would be remembered in the annals of history.

Had the prince commanded the army, with his uncanny grasp of strategy, the fall of Qingqiu’s capital would have been only a matter of time.

Yet now, the Third Highness was forced to step down—a development both expected and bittersweet, a compromise born of Qingqiu’s fear.

This too was cause for both joy and regret.

Seeing the general’s expression, Pei Xiunian feared this stalwart man might blurt out something dangerously loyal, so he quickly said, "General Chu, as the Qingqiu army retreats from Yunchuan, see to the recapture of Xiangyang."

Chu Jiangye bowed deeply, without hesitation. "This subordinate obeys."

The drums thundered, and the great army swept past Pei Xiunian on their way.

He watched the valiant soldiers, the crimson banners and the dust raised by hooves receding into the distance.

From this parting, it was likely they would never meet again.

The truth was, this victory hardly felt like a battle at all—no commanding troops atop the city walls, no bloody combat in the field.

It was more akin to finishing a grueling game of chess, and Pei Xiunian felt utterly drained.

Every move of this contest had been a gamble, but luck, unexpectedly, was on his side.

"Your Highness." A clear, ringing voice sounded at his ear. Pei Xiunian turned to see Xiao Qin, her face first alight with joy, then furrowed with worry.

"What is it?" he asked.

Xiao Qin hesitated, then said, "Though Qingqiu’s retreat was a great victory, your secret edicts and the raising of the volunteer force will surely be investigated by the court. You’ve defied rules too often—returning to the capital now will bring countless impeachments and be very dangerous."

Pei Xiunian’s expression remained serene and unruffled. He replied calmly, "Let me tell you a story."

They rode on, the plains to the Wei ferry stretching vast and empty. Xiao Qin did not understand his mood, but she nodded gently.

Pei Xiunian began, "A man wanted to buy a new pair of shoes. So he measured his feet in advance. But when he reached the market and picked out the shoes, he realized he’d forgotten the measurements at home."

"When he returned home for the measurements and came back to the market, it had already dispersed. Someone asked why he didn’t just use his own feet to try on the shoes. Can you guess what he said?"

Xiao Qin pondered, then ventured, "Was he too embarrassed to try on shoes in public?"

Pei Xiunian shook his head with a wry smile. "He said he would rather trust his measurements than his own feet."

Xiao Qin was momentarily stunned.

Pei Xiunian continued, "Had I rigidly adhered to the rules, we wouldn’t have survived to this day. All these transgressions and high-stake gambles were the very key to our survival."

He paused, then added, "I’ve entrusted the Third Prince to Su Zhiqiu."

Xiao Qin’s eyes widened. "Your Highness… why…"

Pei Xiunian finished for her, "The struggle for the throne is perilous beyond measure. I have no allies at court; such achievements would suddenly propel me into the forefront of succession, drawing endless trouble."

"Only by feigning death and escaping have we gained a little time. So there’s no need to hurry back to the capital. All the accusations and censures you mentioned will fade with time, and at last, I will embody what I seek most—a gentleman who hides his talents."

Xiao Qin blinked and tightened her grip on the reins. "Your Highness… do you not wish to fight for the throne?"

Pei Xiunian gazed up at the sky, his answer ambiguous: "Late autumn is passing. Tonight, we cross the river."