Nirvana In Fire

On the way from the left courtyard to the main house where Mei Changsu lived, Li Gang tried repeatedly to find out from Fei Liu why the Chief called them, but Fei Liu seemed to still be upset. He either ignored the questions, or gave only short replies, which was as good as not getting any answers.

When they arrived at the main house and opened the door, they noticed that Mei Changsu wasn’t alone, nor was he lying down on the bed.

He was reclining on a daybed by a south-facing window, bundled up like a round drum, with only his arms showing. His sleeves were drawn up and Physician Yan was leaning over to remove acupuncture needles.

“Thank you very much.” When the last needle was removed, Mei Changsu drew down his sleeves and smiled at him to express his thanks.

He had always been in pretty good spirits during the day, and did not appear to be a person with a critical illness, but the moment evening fell, he would feel his core burning up while his limbs would be ice cold. He would also often be out of breath, and there was always a high risk of fainting or coughing up blood.

But under Physician Yan’s careful ministrations, the worst was over.

Li Gang waited for Physician Yan to pack up his medicine box, then stepped forward to ask softly: “Chief, did you summon us?”

“Ng*.” Mei Changsu gestured to the stools by the couch. “Please sit down.”

*Vocal sound meaning “yes”

Li Gang and Zhen Ping were in turmoil. They looked at each other, but dared not ask more, and sat down in silence.

“Tell me the truth.” Mei Changsu’s gaze was calm as he looked ahead, his voice soft. “Did something happen to Wei Zheng?”

His question got to the heart of the matter so abruptly that both his subordinates couldn’t help but stand up in shock.

“Fei Liu said that a certain Sister Wei came to the house….” Mei Changsu gestured for them to calm down. “I thought about it. No other woman with the surname Wei could obtain your permission to enter and stay. I can only think of Wei Zheng’s wife.”

“It is indeed Mrs Wei,” Zhen Ping whispered. “Because you were recuperating, we did not….”

“Even if Yun Piaoliao didn’t come with Wei Zheng but came alone to the capital city, since she is here at the Su Residence, it cannot be that she does not come to see me….” Mei Changsu’s gaze was gentle as he looked at Zhen Ping. “She doesn’t come to see me because the both of you are reluctant to let me know she is here, right?”

Li Gang and Zhen Ping bowed their heads.

“Don’t worry,” Mei Changsu’s tone was soft but calm. “I know that my body’s condition is not good, and I cannot be excited, but to leaving me to guess like this can’t be good either, right? Do not hesitate to tell me about what happened to Wei Zheng. I won’t break with just one blow.”

At this point, he gasped slightly, coughed a few times, closed his eyes to focus his attention, then opened them again. Seeing that his subordinates were still hesitant, he slowly asked: “Fei Liu said that Sister Wei did not wear mourning clothes. This at least means that Wei Zhen is still alive….has he….been arrested?”

Li Gang’s hands tightened on his knees and relaxed. He did this a few times before replying: “Yes. He was arrested half a month ago.”

Mei Changsu’s lips quivered slightly. His stared at the bookshelf in front of him and kept silent for a long time.

“Chief…..”

“It’s ok….tell it to me in detail from the beginning.”

“Yes.” Once he started, Li Gang was not keen for Mei Changsu to trouble himself asking question after question. Thus, he began to describe in detail how Xuanjing Bureau’s Xia Qiu suddenly ambushed Wei Zheng, the Jiangzuo Alliance’s failed attempts to rescue him twice enroute after receiving the news of his capture, Yun Piaoliao’s arrival in the capital city, their attempt to rescue him at the city gates that finally ended in failure and so on. The entire process was recounted in detail. When he was done, he ended with these few words: “General Wei does not appear to be seriously wounded. Chief does not need to worry.”

Mei Changsu had a naturally fair complexion. After hearing these words, his expression did not change much but he coughed a few times and was short of breath.

Physician Yan came over and pressed the meridian points on his chest to calm his body, then gently pushed him back.

“Anything else?”

“Chief……”

“Is there anything else happening in the capital?”

Li Gang and Zhen Ping glanced at each other again. The latter leaned forward a little bit and tried his best to maintain a neutral tone. “It’s not a big matter. It’s just that since the last time I mentioned I noticed something unusual about Tong Lu to Chief, I didn’t expect it to be true….. Prince Yu seemed to realize that Miaoyin Hall was part of Chief’s secret network and sent soldiers to raid the place. Fortunately, Mr Shisan caught wind of this operation early and everyone managed to withdraw. Now, they are hidden and safe from harm.”

“Chief Mei should take your medicine.” Physician Yan interrupted him at that point and came over, carrying in his palms a few red pills which he gave to Mei Changsu to take, then kept a watchful eye on him to make sure he drank the whole cup of medicinal ginger tea. This distraction revived Mei Changsu’s spirits and when he resumed thinking about the current crisis, he was a lot calmer.

“Are there any unusual changes on Nie Duo’s end?” This was Mei Changsu’s first question after he finished drinking his medicine.

Li Gang froze for a moment and replied: “No news yet.”

“Send him a secret message immediately. Tell him that no matter what he hears, he must stay put and not leave Yunnan.”

“Yes!”

Mei Changsu paused for a moment, his expression slightly sentimental. “At that time, Chiyan Army had many outstanding talents, and its capable generals were as numerous as the clouds. But now, of the famous people who have survived, only Wei Zheng and Nie Duo are easily recognized…….But to guard against any eventuality, tell our former Chiyan subordinates in Langzhou that no matter what their original ranks were, they must lay low and not make any moves for the moment.”

“Yes!”

“The two of you…” Mei Changsu’s eyes turned to Li Gang and Zhen Ping who were beside him. He was about to say something when both of them suddenly knelt together before him. Holding back tears, Zhen Ping said: “Both of us are orphans. We have been with the Chiyan army since childhood, and during that time, we were only very low level commanders-in-chief. After more than a decade, our appearance have changed to some extent. Nobody important will recognize us. Chief, please don’t ask us to leave at this time!”

Mei Changsu also knew that the two of them have no family members or old friends. They were unknown so there was little likelihood of them being recognized. This is why he had originally brought them out with him openly, and nothing has happened so far.

Besides, these were troubled times, and he could not do without their assistance. Having no other alternative, he sighed and reminded them “The both of you must be careful.”

“Yes.” Both Li Gang and Zhen Ping breathed a sigh of relief and promised loudly.

At this time, two knocks suddenly sounded on the closed room door. Fei Liu, who could enter any compound undetected, could be heard outside announcing with great vigor: “Come already!”

“When did Fei Liu learn to knock on the door?” Zhen Ping was startled, and when he stepped forward to open the door, it wasn’t a boyish looking youth standing outside, but Yun Piaoliao.

“Mrs. Wei please come in.” Mei Chang Su said warmly. “Brother Li, bring a stool over.”

Yun Piaoliao slowly walked in, curtsied formally before Mei Changsu, sat down and said in a soft voice: “Chief Mei asked Fei Liu to summon me. What are your instructions?”

Looking at this strong and beautiful woman, it was as if Mei Changsu was looking at Nihuang and he felt tenderness towards her. “Wei Zheng’s unfortunate predicament has really been hard on you.”

Yun Piaoliao’s eyes started to fill with tears but forced herself to hold them back. Shaking her head, she said: “Wei Zheng had hidden for so many years in Yao Wang Valley and had been safe and sound….it was the scum from my Yun clan who got him into trouble…”

“The Yun clan family branches are so extensive and convoluted, it is hard to guard against one or two corrupt people. Compared to the many years you had waited so painfully for him, taking the risk to come out to be with you cannot be counted as much.”

“But now…”

“Now, as long as he is alive, we can still find a way.” Mei Changsu’s appearance was weak, but he spoke with firm resolve, and there was determination in his eyes. “Mrs Wei, you can trust me.”

Yun Piaoliao immediately stood up and was about to speak when Mei Changsu interrupted her, smiling slightly. “If Mrs Wei trusts me, then please return to Xunyang immediately.”

Li Gang quickly said: Chief, the Yun clan in Xunyang is currently being watched in secret. As soon as they receive an order from the capital city, they will strike. If Mrs Wei returns now won’t she be a target for Xuanjing Bureau?”

“That’s right, the moment Mrs Wei returns to Xunyang, she will definitely be arrested.” Mei Changsu’s expression was cold, his eyes deep. “But being arrested is not the same as a conviction, and running away implies guilt. I understand what it is like to be a convicted fugitive, with no hope and no choice. Besides, even if Mrs Wei is able to avoid arrest, what about Uncle Yun? What about the big Yun clan? Harbouring a traitor can implicate all of them. If she runs away, they will be definitely face this terrible criminal charge. If Xuanjing Bureau holds Uncle Yun as a pawn, should she surrender or not?”

Yun Piaoliao was as pale as snow, and murmured: “What Chief Mei means is…. to allow capture without putting up a fight then after that complain of unfairness?”

“Yes. Wei Zheng was declared a traitor thirteen years ago, but you have been married for only over a year. Everyone knows that it is unreasonable to say that the Yun clan has deliberately been harbouring him all this while. You can argue that you only know he is the manager of Yao Wang Valley affairs, that you didn’t know he was a traitor. Other than the words of the whistle-blowers, Xuanjing Bureau cannot prove that you are long-time acquaintances. It’s not uncommon for large households to have a lot of internal strife. You are the only daughter of the clan’s eldest son. Regardless of how they discovered Wei Zheng’s real identity, it may be that in order to contend for family property, they used this as a pretext to lodge false charges against your family. The Yun clan of Xunyang is not like other families. You would know better than me how many important people have received favors from your esteemed father. As long as there are people who would advocate for him, he can seize the opportunity to create a huge outcry. The Yun clan has also been doing a lot of good works for many years, so they can count on their popularity amongst the common people and their good reputation. The Emperor also has a very favourable impression of the Yun clan. If Xuanjing Bureau does not have any evidence to refute your plea, it won’t be so easy for them to charge you with hiding a traitor. It is likely the Yun clan would be exonerated of the crime, but as for you….”

Yun Piaoliao nodded her head. She clearly understood what he meant. The Yun clan had always been well-known for their good physicians over the generations, so it would be difficult for others to implicate them in any criminal charges. However with regard to herself, no matter what, she was already Wei Zheng’s wife. Even if she had no prior knowledge of his identity as a traitor, she was now considered a traitor’s wife.

“I think right now what Wei Zheng is most worried about is implicating you. You cannot afford to act the hero for his sake. You must maintain that you do not know anything. That way, even if they continue to implicate you, you will be given a light sentence. As long as you stay alive and get out of Xuanjing Bureau’s prison, all parties will naturally care of you and not let you suffer too much hardship.”

“Don’t worry, Chief Mei,” Yun Piaoliao smiled faintly. “I am not a spoiled daughter, I’m not afraid of suffering hardship. As long as I can be together with Wei Zheng again, I can bear with any suffering. But… even if by chance the Yun clan escapes this difficulty, regarding Yao Wang Valley….”

“I’m not too worried about Yao Wang Valley,” Mei Changsu smiled. “Valley Chief Su is not someone to be trifled with, and they will have ways to protect themselves. In the misty lands of the west, there are numerous towering mountains and ridges. Chief Su can go to court to air his grievances, or hide in the forests. The choice is up to him. In short, Xuanjing Bureau does not have enough power to break Yao Wang Valley. At most, they can only block their medicine supply channels and trap all of Yao Wang Valley in the mountains.”

“Trap them?” Yun Piaoliao was a little apprehensive. “Isn’t that….”

“It doesn’t matter. What kind of resources does Yao Wang Valley have? They can withstand a siege for three or four years. Besides, is Xuanjing Bureau or Chief Su’s household more familiar with the Western lands? They can seal some roads, but sealing all the roads will be easier said than done.”

Yun Piaoliao breathed a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good. Father-in-law will not suffer too much losses, and Wei Zheng will not have to feel too much guilt.”

“Li Gang, do some preparations and send someone to escort Mrs. Wei out of the city before the curfew this evening.”

“Yes!”

“Mrs Wei, you must be very careful on the way. If you are arrested anywhere else, Xuanjing Bureau can say that you are on the run, but they will not be able to say anything if you are back in the Yun prefecture.”

“That’s right, no escaped prisoner would sneak back to his own home.” Li Gang smiled and said, “Rest assured Mrs Wei. Arrangements will be made ready for the entire journey.”

“There is something else you should pay attention to. Wei Zheng was arrested on the road while transporting medicinal supplies and escorted back to the capital city. The reason for his capture has not been publicly announced. When you return to the Yun prefecture and they arrest you, you must act like you don’t understand why you have been arrested. Nobody has told you about Wei Zheng’s identity as a traitor. You only know him as Su Xuan, and you don’t know anything else. Do you understand?”

“Many thanks Chief Mei for your guidance.” Yun Piaoliao stood up and made her salutations. After telling him to take care of his body and other such words, she left with Li Gang and the rest.

As soon as they left, Fei Liu leapt in, holding a bunch of bright red plum blossoms in his hands, putting the largest one in a vase after pulling out the plum blossoms from two days ago.

Mei Changsu looked at the bright flowers for a while, and then suddenly remembered, “Fei Liu, our garden does not have red plum blossoms. Where did you get them from?”

“Other people’s home!” Fei Liu replied straightforwardly.

Though Mei Changsu’s heart was heavy and he had sunk into melancholy with his worries weighing him down, he found this very amusing and did not know whether to laugh or cry. He coughed again for a while, then called Fei Liu over: “Fei Liu, go to the secret room and help me knock on the door, then wait for a little while. If someone comes, come and help me into that room, alright?”

Fei Liu turned his head and asked, “Water buffalo?”

“It’s His Royal Highness Jing!” Mei Changsu kept a straight face. “I’ve said it so many times, why do you not listen?”

“Blurt out!” Fei Liu defended himself.

“Okay, whether you blurted out or not, you cannot call him this anymore. Go now, quickly.”

The young man turned around quickly, and disappeared behind the curtain in the blink of an eye.