A Pawn's Passage

Princess Chiying was truly stunning, with snowy skin, shimmering eyes, and perfectly arched brows. She was certainly considered a beauty who could captivate a nation.

This was hardly surprising. Emperor Gaozu was remarkably handsome, and his empress was the founder of the Cihang lineage, who was said to be the most beautiful woman of her time. Their son, Emperor Taizong, inherited the strengths of both parents.

Later generations of the imperial family naturally married beauties as well. After generations of marriage between attractive men and women, it was not surprising that the descendants were all striking. Qin Lingge, also from the imperial clan, was praised as the most handsome man in the world.

Thus, Princess Chiying’s beauty was only natural. Yet at Li Changge’s level, physical appearance had become a rather trivial factor. At the very least, Qi Xuansu did not care much about Zhang Yuelu’s looks. Beauty was nice to have, but not a deciding factor. Naturally, Zhang Yuelu regarded Qi Xuansu in the same way.

Princess Chiying clearly remembered Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu. She greeted them first. “Sage Qi, Sage Zhang, have you both been well lately?”

Zhang Yuelu returned the greeting. “All is well.”

Qi Xuansu smiled politely and saluted the princess, then shot Zhang Yuelu a subtle glance.

Since Zhang Yuelu was also a woman, certain questions would sound less abrupt and less offensive coming from her. Zhang Yuelu understood what he meant and asked the princess, “It’s been quite some time since we last met in the Imperial Capital. Have you been well, Your Highness? When did you arrive in Jade Capital?”

“I’m good. I just arrived today,” Princess Chiying replied, her lips curving slightly.

Zhang Yuelu did not beat around the bush. “Your Highness, did you come to see Brother Yong Yan?”

Had Qi Xuansu asked such a question, it would have seemed somewhat impolite. But coming from another woman like Zhang Yuelu, it was acceptable.

Princess Chiying nodded slightly. “Sage Zhang, have you seen Yong Yan?”

“Sage Qingwei kept Brother Yong Yan behind for a private discussion. It seems he had something to instruct him. He should be out soon,” Zhang Yuelu replied.

After thanking her, Princess Chiying headed toward Beichen Hall.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu both watched her departing figure, which seemed a little melancholic.

Zhang Yuelu asked, “What is Yong Yan thinking?”

Despite having little romantic experience, Qi Xuansu pretended to sound like a seasoned player. He sighed, “Women always seem drawn to bad men. Likewise, men can’t resist bad women either. Maybe Yong Yan prefers femme fatales, not this kind of proper lady trained by royal etiquette.”

Zhang Yuelu teased, “Then I have to ask—according to your grand theory, what is your definition of a ‘bad woman’? Could it be me? Or...are you not a man?”

Qi Xuansu froze for a moment before replying, “You are the bad woman. A good woman wouldn’t ask that.”

Rather than getting angry, Zhang Yuelu laughed. “Then you’re no good either.”

Like Little Yin, Qi Xuansu spoke with complete confidence despite lacking moral high ground. “Did I ever say I was a good person?”

“Let’s go then, bad guy,” Zhang Yuelu said.

The carriages were stationed outside. Everyone left Beichen Hall and departed in their respective carriages.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu shared a carriage. After setting up a privacy barrier, Zhang Yuelu said, “So, tell me how your talk with Sage Donghua went.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Well, there’s good news and bad news.”

This time, Zhang Yuelu cooperated. “Start with the good news.”

“The good news is that Sage Donghua is willing to help.”

Zhang Yuelu was not surprised. “But?”

Qi Xuansu said slowly, “Sage Donghua has one condition: I must acknowledge him as my master.”

Zhang Yuelu paused in surprise. “Sage Donghua reacted quickly.”

Qi Xuansu said, “Don’t take it lightly. If we become Daoist companions, Sage Cihang becomes my mother-in-law. If I become his disciple, what will Sage Donghua become to you?”

“My father-in-law,” Zhang Yuelu joked. “Then I’d really have a headache with Madam Qi as my mother-in-law and Sage Donghua as my father-in-law. That’s quite a ‘blessing.’ I thought you were the poor boy wanting to become the Zhang family’s matrilocal son-in-law. But it turns out I’m the country girl marrying into a powerful family and learning their rules.”

Qi Xuansu laughed. “Looks like you’re in a good mood today. You’re even joking instead of putting on your serious Second Deputy Zhang facade.”

Zhang Yuelu rolled her eyes at him.

Qi Xuansu steered the conversation back to the main topic. “So what do you think?”

Zhang Yuelu pondered for a moment before saying, “I have no personal connection with your master, Qi Haoran, so I naturally have no emotional attachment either. I’m looking at this from a more pragmatic standpoint. My view is that you shouldn’t cling to a hollow reputation while inviting real danger. At this stage, you shouldn’t concern yourself with empty prestige. Even if you still haven’t let it go emotionally, you must make a decision. Securing Sage Donghua’s protection and support is what’s most important for you at the moment. Of course, not overvaluing reputation doesn’t mean disregarding your name entirely. You can accept him as your master, but not immediately. Let’s investigate everything, confirm our suspicions, and prove that Qi Haoran truly betrayed you before agreeing to Sage Donghua’s proposal.”

Qi Xuansu said, “If this goes through, it won’t just concern the two of us. It will involve the Pei family and the Zhang family as well. It’s a major event, so Sage Donghua asked me to consult Madam Qi and the Heavenly Preceptor too.”

Zhang Yuelu chuckled. “Now it really does look like a political marriage alliance. I can already see it. Our wedding will probably be delayed. Whether it becomes a Zhang-Yao alliance or a Zhang-Pei alliance makes a big difference. We’ll likely have to wait until everything is clarified and formally settled before we can truly become Daoist companions.”

Qi Xuansu no longer mentioned his emotional ties with Qi Haoran. From the beginning, Zhang Yuelu had made it clear that she had no feelings toward Qi Haoran and had no intention of sympathizing with that false master-disciple relationship.

She was speaking purely from the perspective of gains and losses. To put it bluntly, this concerned whether Qi Xuansu still wanted to advance further within the Daoist Order. His estrangement from the Yao family now seemed inevitable. He also had conflicts with the Li family. Even within the Zhang family, Zhang Yuelu herself faced obstacles and scrutiny, let alone an outsider like Qi Xuansu.

Who else could Qi Xuansu rely on? Only Sage Donghua.

No matter how Qi Xuansu felt about it, he had to make a decision and stop hesitating. He should not dwell on yesterday’s emotional state because whether he could let it go was irrelevant. What he had to do was face the future with a new outlook.

After all, this was a struggle for power, a life-or-death conflict between multiple factions competing for the supreme authority of the Daoist Order. They had no leisure for lingering sorrow or emotional indulgence.

If they could endure what ordinary people could not endure, they could obtain and achieve what ordinary people could not as well.

In this regard, Zhang Yuelu was quite balanced.

Last night, she comforted Qi Xuansu with tenderness. But today, she reminded him sternly about what was most important.

After all, she was never Qi Xuansu’s subordinate. She was his steadfast ally, strategist, and future Daoist companion.

Qi Xuansu nodded. “You’re right. Even just for the sake of our marriage, I need to make a decision soon.”

As they spoke, they had already arrived at Taishang Place.

Qi Xuansu and Zhang Yuelu entered Zhang Yuelu’s small residence. They stepped inside one after the other, each removing their lotus crown and hechangs.

“What do you plan to do about Madam Qi?” Zhang Yuelu asked as she changed out of her formal boots.

Qi Xuansu paused. “Sage Donghua and I actually agree on this matter without prior discussion. He believes Madam Qi is trustworthy, and so do I.”

Zhang Yuelu walked into the living room. “I hope so too. If even Madam Qi can’t be trusted, you’d probably have a full-blown mental breakdown.”

Qi Xuansu did not deny it. “I’d start doubting the meaning of my whole life.”

This small house had been personally designed by Zhang Yuyue, featuring an eclectic Eastern and Western style that was oddly mismatched.

The backyard had a Fenglin-style engawa corridor, the bedroom followed a traditional Central Plains aesthetic with carved lattice windows, while the living room was distinctly Western, with a complete sofa set, a large coffee table, a floor lamp, a crystal chandelier, and even a wine cabinet.

Zhang Yuelu walked to the wine cabinet, opened a bottle, poured it into an octagonal glass, and sipped slowly.

It was not Dreaming Death, because if she drank that every day, she would go bankrupt. This was just ordinary wine, essentially flavored water to Zhang Yuelu.

Qi Xuansu did not drink. Instead, he thought to himself, One smokes, while the other drinks. They make quite the role models for Little Yin, huh? Will that girl end up smoking and drinking? Perhaps Little Yin’s habit of collecting cards came from me too.

An image suddenly formed in Qi Xuansu’s mind. The short-limbed Little Yin in oversized sunglasses, holding a long smoking pipe with her left hand while shuffling cards with the right, with a wine gourd hanging at her waist.

As Qi Xuansu drifted into thought, Zhang Yuelu sat on the sofa diagonally opposite him. “What are you thinking about?”

Qi Xuansu answered honestly, “I was thinking, if Little Yin sees you and Madam Qi as role models, her future might be...concerning—seeing as the two of you smoke and drink.”

Zhang Yuelu could not help but laugh. “Tian Yuan, are you trying to persuade me to quit drinking? This is my only hobby.”

Qi Xuansu waved his hand. “Not at all.”

Then he changed the subject. “So...are we officially a live-in couple? Is that what people mean by that?”

Zhang Yuelu looked at him suspiciously. “What are you planning to do?”

Qi Xuansu pretended to ask casually, “It’s getting late. Where should I sleep tonight?”

Zhang Yuelu pointed at another room. “You can sleep in Zhang Yuyue’s room.”

“Isn’t that inappropriate? That’s another woman’s bedroom. Aren’t you bothered by it?” Qi Xuansu feigned concern.

Zhang Yuelu shrugged. “I don’t mind. She moved all her personal belongings away. It’s just an empty room now.”

Qi Xuansu refused to give up. “But last night...”

Zhang Yuelu interrupted, “Last night was an exception because you were upset.”

Qi Xuansu sighed. “Actually, I’m still devastated...”

Zhang Yuelu raised her glass and finished it in one gulp. “Then you can mope by yourself tonight.”