4 He Had Desires

Outside the palace corridor, crimson-stained maple leaves swayed and fluttered in the wind, drifting across the blade’s edge before settling on the ground where Qin Duo and Qing Xuan stood facing each other.

Qin Duo chuckled softly. “Lord Qing Xuan, you jest—I could never be a spy for the Northern Frontier.”

That light laugh effortlessly shattered the tense atmosphere thick with drawn swords.

Qin Duo remained calm and composed, utterly unfazed by the sharp blade mere inches from his neck. He bent down to pick up a fallen maple leaf, holding it up to the sunlight, examining it closely, as if through every blade of grass and leaf he sought to contemplate the fleeting life of the Great Wei in times to come.

“I must admit, I was confined to a lonely study from childhood, indifferent to the world’s affairs, devoted solely to the sages’ teachings. Alas, I was born dull-witted, managing only to secure a modest post that barely suffices for survival. I have not read the imperial chronicles of the Holy Emperor, but that does not mean I harbor any treasonous intent.”

His voice was soft, yet to Qing Xuan it felt weighted as if bearing the weight of a thousand heavy stones. The tone floated like a feather in the air, but anyone who dared touch it would be crushed beneath its weight.

“Qing Xuan, you may trust completely—there is no one more devoted to Great Wei than I, no one who loves this empire’s land more deeply, no one who wishes more earnestly for its prosperity through the endless ages.”

Endless ages.

Qing Xuan’s hand trembled lightly on his sword. For some reason, from this seemingly fragile civil official before him, he sensed an inexplicable aura of oppression, extinguishing any thought of resistance.

An inexplicable urge to obey, to assist, even to kneel.

“What are you standing there for?” Qin Duo regarded the young guard who appeared dazed, then shifted his tone to one more approachable.

He reached out, sliding the blade away from his neck, stepped forward, and pinned the maple leaf onto the half armor slung diagonally across Qing Xuan’s chest, whispering, “I am willing to be the sharpest blade for the emperor. No divided loyalties, only one master.”

“Don’t panic. If you’re worried, you can always report our conversation to Qin Xuan...” Qin Duo paused, “...to the emperor. Whether I’m a spy or not, let him decide.”

Qing Xuan’s expression grew complex. He glanced at Qin Duo once more before sheathing his soft sword.

Qin Duo smiled lightly and extended a hand. “Please, lead the way.”

The rest of the journey, no matter how much Qin Duo teased the young guard, Qing Xuan remained silent. When pressed to the point of annoyance, he quickened his pace.

Qin Duo grinned.

This kid looked like he’d been driven into a shell by his jests.

So Qin Duo quickened his own steps, striving to keep up with Qing Xuan’s swift strides. “Lord Qing Xuan, are you the leader of the Black Garb Guard? When did this organization come into being?”

“Qing Xuan?”

“Little Qing Xuan?”

“Commander?”

Qing Xuan abruptly stopped, clapped a hand over Qin Duo’s mouth, and glanced around in horror. In a low, hurried voice he said, “Quiet! I am not the leader of the Black Garb Guard. If you say such things, we’ll both lose our heads!”

“Is that so?” Qin Duo feigned surprise. “Are your heads really that easily at risk?”

“Our leader is His Majesty!”

“Qin Xuanxiao?” Qin Duo seemed satisfied with this answer. It appeared the young emperor possessed some real skill.

“Are you crazy?” Qing Xuan was almost terrified to hear Qin Duo boldly utter the emperor’s name.

“It’s fine, don’t worry,” Qin Duo patted Qing Xuan on the shoulder, signaling him to continue leading. “I’ve called him that in front of him many times, and my head is still firmly attached.”

Qing Xuan thought to himself, “After you go to prison, whether it stays that way is another matter.” He dared not speak further, lowering his head as he led the way, eyes fixed on his own nose, mind steady.

At the gate of the Department of Punishments, the guards bowed respectfully upon seeing Qing Xuan, then opened the door.

A dark, icy chill seeped through the wind rising from beneath the ground, piercing through clothing straight to the bone. Occasionally, faint, agonized moans drifted.

Cracks lined the walls, stained with dark coagulated blood in the corners.

Qin Duo had been here before in a past life, but this was his first time entering as a prisoner. He surveyed the surroundings with curiosity.

Qing Xuan found it strange how this man carried himself as if the palace were his own home.

Unshaken by fear, as if no storm could make him blink.

---

“Fan Jun,” Qing Xuan knocked on the only decent door here. “New prisoner.”

Inside, a young man named Fan Jun eagerly opened the door. “Heavens, come quick, finally a guest to torment... no, to entertain.”

Qin Duo: “...”

Did you just say ‘torment’?

Fan Jun slammed a slightly bloodstained ledger onto the table. “Sign here!”

Qin Duo complied readily, picked up a pen, and made a broad stroke on the paper, then hesitated slightly, awkwardly adding a dot and some characters before looking up. “Is a fingerprint enough?”

He had almost written “Qin” but stopped himself just in time. He wasn’t sure how to write the name of this body he now inhabited.

Fan Jun paid no mind, leaning back in his chair. “Either way’s fine. There’s red ink over there, press your mark.”

Qin Duo deftly pressed his fingerprint.

This time Fan Jun’s eyes widened, and he gave a thumbs-up. “Heavens, this is the first time I’ve met someone who goes into prison so smoothly without crying or making a fuss. I salute you, sir.”

Fan Jun examined Qin Duo from head to toe as if he were some strange new species, then turned to Qing Xuan. “What crime did he commit? For Lord Qing Xuan to personally escort him here?”

Qing Xuan’s face stiffened. “Regicide.”

Fan Jun fell off his chair with a loud clatter.

Scrambling up with his mouth agape wide enough to fit an egg, he looked at Qin Duo’s composed demeanor and sighed. “Heavens. This brave warrior still lives.”

Qin Duo examined the signed ledger a moment, then handed it over, asking, “What next?”

Fan Jun chuckled, excitement shining in his eyes. “Heavens, regicide is no small crime. Let me think about what tortures to use... ah, first I’ll find a death cell for you, heh heh heh.”

Qin Duo: “...”

This kid seems crazy, too.

Gods only know how many years have passed, but it feels like officials in this court are either as dull as Qing Xuan or as mad as Fan Jun.

Qing Xuan frowned and reminded, “Fan Jun, His Majesty’s exact words were: ‘Detain him.’ His Majesty will ‘personally interrogate’ him. Do not do anything unnecessary.”

Fan Jun, flipping through another book illustrated with torture instruments, didn’t even look up. “Got it, got it. I’ll find ways to drive him mad without even touching him...”

Qing Xuan: “...”

Shaking his head, Qing Xuan was about to leave when his gaze caught the maple leaf pinned to his chest. He halted.

Thinking of Qin Duo’s audacity inside the Hall of Containment and His Majesty’s unimaginable forbearance, Qing Xuan suddenly felt compelled to add one more caution.

He turned back, snatched the book from Fan Jun’s hands, and said sternly, “His Majesty’s attitude is not yet decided. Treat Mr. Wen well, understood?”

Fan Jun clicked his tongue in reluctance but agreed.

He grabbed the keys and said to Qin Duo, “Let’s go.”

Qin Duo nodded, but his gaze lingered on Qing Xuan, who still looked somewhat worried at the doorway. So he smiled reassuringly, “Go report back. I’m fine.”

---

Inside the Hall of Containment.

Qin Xuanxiao sat alone behind the dragon-carved desk, suddenly feeling the hall was too silent.

He stroked the handle of the wolf-hair brush in his hand, eyes lowered to the floor before him. The fragrant smoke of the incense from the Boshan burner curled upward, filling the room.

Gou Hongyang busily gathered scattered red gauze and delicate pure-gold shackles and chains, then quietly bowed his head, standing aside. His Majesty had been lost in thought for over fifteen minutes, and holding this hot potato, he dared not approach.

He finally spoke, “Your Majesty...”

Qin Xuanxiao snapped back, glanced at him, and said deliberately, “You acted on your own and made a mess.”

Gou Hongyang collapsed to his knees with a thud. “Your servant knows his fault.”

“Burn it outside,” Qin Xuanxiao withdrew his gaze. “Let it not happen again.”

Obediently, Gou Hongyang got up and left the hall.

Qin Xuanxiao noticed a piece of red gauze fall from Gou Hongyang’s arms. Suddenly, an image flashed through his mind.

The figure wrapped in gauze and gold chains.

Snow-white skin concealed within, flickering shadows.

Above, a pair of eyes, black as lacquer, like whirlpools, effortlessly pulling one in to drown.

Recalling those unforgettable eyes, a voice seemed to echo through a hundred years, ringing in his ears.

A scene Qin Xuanxiao had never been able to imagine, no matter how many times he tried as a child.

It was from the “History of Wei: The Biography of Emperor Chenglie,” where Emperor Chenglie of Wei, Qin Duo, struck down the chieftain of the Northern Frontier Xiongnu with a single arrow amid the host.

“Since ancient times, in times of chaos, heroes have always cherished other heroes. Yet history’s precedent is always heroes slaying heroes.”

“A good death, no need to see you off.”

This phrase suddenly and inexplicably sprang forth, out of place.

The trigger was those deep, penetrating eyes.

“Wait,” Qin Xuanxiao called after Gou Hongyang.

“Don’t burn it. Put it away.”

How could this be?

For once, Qin Xuanxiao hesitated. He should have had Wen Qinghe killed after today’s use and ended it all.

But now, some other desire stirred within him. He somewhat wished to see those eyes cry.

“Chi Xuan,” Qin Xuanxiao whispered.

A shadow flickered before the dragon-carved desk and knelt.

Dressed like Qing Xuan in black armor, but with a dark red patch embroidered with honeysuckle cloud patterns on the chest.

Qin Xuanxiao commanded, “Investigate Wen Qinghe at the highest level. One day. I want to know who he’s been in contact with recently, where he’s been, what he’s said... Hmph, daring to scheme against me.”

“As you command.”

Chi Xuan left. After a while, Qing Xuan returned to report every word of the journey’s conversation to Qin Xuanxiao.

“Did he really say that?”

“Yes.”

“Ha ha ha...” Qin Xuanxiao couldn’t help but laugh softly, hiding his eyes with his hand. The laughter was muffled, as if coming directly from his chest.

Endless ages?

Great Wei will never last forever.

Wen Qinghe, oh Wen Qinghe.

What if I told you I intend to kill the Great Wei in this generation, to see the Qin family’s reign end with me?

What then?

Would you weep?