Chapter 120: The Return

The drizzling rain over the heavenly street falls as soft as cream; the grassy hue seems visible from afar, yet vanishes when approached. The imperial capital is at its best in spring, but its summer scenery is no less enchanting.

A hazy mist of rain still lingered in the courtyard, while a pot of fine tea had already been steeped in the hall. Diao Xiu’er presented the tea to Wang Yun with slender hands before quietly retreating to the side. With the doors and windows left open, the rhythmic patter from outside brought not only a hint of coolness but perhaps a touch of melancholy as well.

Wang Yun watched the silent Diao Xiu’er, feeling for a moment as if she had dissolved into the myriad raindrops, exuding a chilled, ethereal grace.

"Xiu’er, are you still thinking about what Lu Bu said?" Wang Yun could only ask such things; as for that person... he dared not even mention his name.

"In reply to my foster father, your child is simply at a loss... as to why I cannot recall anything from my childhood."

Wang Yun felt a genuine tenderness for Diao Xiu’er now, and seeing her haggard expression, his heart ached. "It will not be long. The progress of the chain-link plot has far exceeded my expectations. As it stands, Xiu’er, there will be no need for you to sacrifice yourself; I shall make Lu Bu willingly slay the tyrant Dong. Once affairs in Chang’an are settled, I will find the finest physicians in the Three Auxiliary regions—nay, the entire world—to treat you."

Diao Xiu’er’s lips curled slightly, though her complexion did not improve. "Many thanks, Father."

"Why thank him, you old rascal?"

"Clatter!"

The teacup hit the floor, soaking Wang Yun’s robes, though he took no notice. In a flash, Diao Xiu’er turned sharply and rushed toward the newcomer.

He was still dressed in flowing white robes, a faint smile playing on his lips. As she lunged toward him, he lowered his frame slightly and caught her in an embrace.

"Patter, patter..."

Large, bean-sized tears fell like rain, landing on Zhang Yu’s shoulders. She could not speak; she could only let all her emotions transform into silent, heartfelt tears, straining to vent the suppression she had carried within.

"Yu-lang, Dong Zhuo, he—" Wang Yun asked aloud.

"He didn't kill me; he even wanted to name me a prince."

"What?!"

Wang Yun’s eyes widened like copper bells. Zhang Yu feared the old man might lose his breath and depart for the heavens right then and there.

"You actually believe that?"

"You..."

"Dong Bai saved me. As of now, Dong Zhuo does not yet know I have escaped. I rode through the night to return to Chang’an to settle a few matters and bid farewell to my sister and to you."

Watching Zhang Yu’s unperturbed demeanor, Wang Yun’s face turned deep red. "You, you are reckless! Having barely escaped with your life, you return to this tiger’s den? What am I to say of you!"

***

Diao Xiu’er also hurriedly urged him, "Yu-lang, why must you do this? Please, leave quickly. Return to Hebei and do not stay in Chang’an."

"Since I dared to return, I naturally have my ways. Having now seen the Minister and my sister, I have no regrets in leaving."

"Go, leave at once! I shall see you out of the city." Wang Yun had already risen, pulling at Zhang Yu toward the door.

"I still have things to entrust to you..." Zhang Yu struggled to shake off Wang Yun’s hand, thinking to himself that for all his aged and gaunt appearance, the old man had quite a grip.

"What else could there be?"

"First, after Dong is executed, do not kill Cai Yong."

"Haha, Yu-lang, you jest. Cai Yong is a renowned scholar and a man of great virtue, and furthermore, a friend of mine. Why would I kill him?"

Zhang Yu rolled his eyes silently; he knew only a fool would believe that. In his past life, he had seen that Wang Yun and Cai Yong were already at odds, with Cai Yong leaving Wang Yun speechless during many debates, much to the Minister's frustration.

"Regardless, I hope you will promise me this, Minister. Dong Zhuo was a benefactor to Master Cai; it is only human nature for him to lament the tyrant's fall. You two may have your grievances, but Cai Yong’s existence is, in the end, beneficial to the Han and to the world."

Wang Yun nodded slightly, saying nothing more.

"Second, after Dong is slain, do not hunt the Xiliang army to the last man."

"Do not speak of this again, Yu-lang!" Wang Yun interrupted sternly. "Those Xiliang thieves have committed monstrous crimes. I wish I could grind them to dust; how could I ever show them mercy!"

"But do you not know the wisdom of not pressing a cornered foe—"

"How long have you been in Chang’an? How could you understand? Without Dong Zhuo, those Xiliang dogs will be nothing but scattered sand; there is nothing to fear! Go!"

As he spoke, Wang Yun reached out to grab Zhang Yu again. "No, stop!"

Zhang Yu hopped away. "If not for the fact that I am severely wounded and have lost all my cultivation, I would have certainly cut you down!"

Wang Yun laughed in spite of himself. "And am I to thank you for risking your life to stab Dong?"

"Enough! Great kindness needs no thanks. I still have something to tell Sister Xiu’er!"

"Speak quickly!" Wang Yun barked, turning aside to instruct a servant to prepare a carriage for Zhang Yu.

"Sister Xiu’er... I must go."

"Meeting you, Yu-lang, and being able to call you brother—this has been the greatest stroke of luck in my life." Diao Xiu’er finally revealed a genuine smile, as beautiful and fleeting as an epiphyllum in bloom.

"The same for me," Zhang Yu replied with a smile. "Here, take these three brocade pouches. When you see Lu Bu again, give them to him."

With that, Zhang Yu placed three plain, small pouches into her hands.

"The carriage is ready. Go quickly, for delay breeds disaster!" The unromantic Wang Yun came running back to urge him on.

"I know, you old rascal!" Zhang Yu teased. "Sister, until we meet again."

"Yu-lang... travel safely!"

"Little thief, go slowly!"

***

"Remember my words!" Zhang Yu called out from the carriage.

"Just wait in the north for the good news—"

...

"Blast it, I didn't explain it properly. I never said when they should be opened..." Zhang Yu rubbed his head in annoyance as the carriage rolled out of the city.

In a tavern not far away, the place was bustling with crowds. The Eighteen Riders of Yanyun were all accounted for, and Han Long was also eagerly waiting. Wang Yue, Shi A, Dong Bai, Hua Tuo, Jing Shu... these were the gains Zhang Yu had made in terms of personnel during his trip to Chang’an.

Normally, the appearance of so many people outside the city would inevitably draw scrutiny or even extortion, and with Jing Shu’s exotic beauty, they would surely have attracted the attention of some local ruffians. But since the Lord of Weiyang of Xiliang herself was present, once a few groups were scared off, no other blind flies dared to crash into them.

"Return, return!"

"The Young Master is here!" Xiahou Lan led the group to greet the carriage.

"The fields are going to ruin, why not return? Farming is truly the best life..."

...

Hebei, Zhongshan.

Lunu City, the Hermit Immortal Workshop.

"Truly the world's finest wine! My wise brother Yu-lang spoke the truth indeed!" The young man’s face was flushed, his eyes and lips unable to hide his satisfaction; one could tell at a glance he had been greatly gratified.

"General, is he... really not just here to swindle wine?" a soldier in the corner of the room whispered.

"He recounted the Young Master’s affairs in Chang’an with perfect clarity, every detail accurate—the poems, the articles, the promotions, everything! You must understand, I have only just received bits and pieces of news. Could you invent such a story? And look at how certain he is; there is no doubt."

"What, do you doubt me?" the young man asked, displeased.

"We dare not... we dare not," the warrior and the soldier replied hastily.

"Well, you would be right to doubt me."

"Ah?"

"Everything I just said was made up by yours truly, Guo!"

The two stared at each other in shock, before the warrior patted his chest and laughed. "Young Master, you jest. How could there be such a man who predicts everything like a god in this world? If it was indeed made up by you, I concede!"

"See? It’s not that I didn't admit it..." the youth surnamed Guo muttered, before suddenly looking up. "Well, what are you standing there for? Bring the wine!"