Lu Lingcong returned to Jinling around the time of the Awakening of Insects in the fifth year of Jingyu. At this time, the cold disaster in the north had slightly eased. Although the subsequent spring floods, the difficulty of sowing due to thick frozen soil, and the need for recuperation remained major issues that could not be ignored, they had at least survived the winter for now. With Lu Lingcong posted in his fief, overseeing both officials and commoners under a policy of “firm control over those above and lenient governance toward those below,” none of the commanderies across the Heluo region dared to openly shelter wrongdoers. The embezzlement of private property was largely prohibited, and order was basically restored. Lu Lingcong, who was concerned for his family, did not dare stay long and set off to return to the capital.
As they reached the western outskirts of the city near the Jade Terrace, Lu Lingcong saw from afar a person and a horse standing by the roadside, clearly having waited there for some time.
The figure was familiar and motionless; it was indeed Xie Jing.
Lu Lingcong had already submitted a memorial to Lu Lingzhang concerning his return date, so the court was likely aware of it; however, for Xie Jing to come here in person and wait for him indicated there must be some important matter to discuss.
The attendants behind him were merely ordinary court officials and not Lu Lingcong’s confidants; thus, no matter how many doubts he had, Lu Lingcong could not show them in public. It had to be admitted that rumors were remarkably useful: on that day when Prince Zhao entered the palace armed and booted, nearly strangling Lord Xie, the scene had been witnessed by the entire body of civil and military officials. The story grew more outrageous as it spread to the point where now, when they encountered each other alone, no one would think they shared any illicit intimacy. Instead, onlookers only worried about how to break up the fight if the two started insulting or brawling with each other on the spot.
When the group drew near, Xie Jing sat upright with an expressionless face yet used his whip to urge his horse into the middle of the road to block their path. He raised his hand in a formal salute to Lu Lingcong.
Lu Lingcong merely said, “A good dog doesn’t block the way. If you aren’t spending your own funds to host a welcome banquet for me, then get lost as soon as possible.”
Xie Jing gave a cold laugh and asked, “I heard that Your Highness went to Luoyi on this trip and specifically made a detour to the Chen Commandery. Is this true?”
Luoyi lay adjacent to Yanzhou, and Chenliu Commandery fell under the jurisdiction of the Inspector of Yanzhou; Xie Yan’s name was derived from this, signifying that the southern emigre clans had not forgotten their ancestral roots. On this journey, Lu Lingcong had indeed made a detour to Chen Commandery, partly to soothe and reassure the populace, and partly to see for himself what had become of the Xie family’s ancestral residence and its clan members after enduring calamities from above such as confiscation, punishment, corvee labor, and exile.
Lu Lingcong said, “I dispense relief to the people in His Majesty’s name; I bear His Majesty’s standard and extend mercy to His Majesty’s subjects; what could be improper in that? Since when does a descendant of a disgraced official have the standing to question my movements?”
Xie Jing merely said calmly, “Your Highness’s rhetoric is certainly high-sounding, but Chenliu does not fall within your fief’s jurisdiction. If the Palace learns you went there without authorization, do you think His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will believe you are sympathizing with the people, or will they think you are overstepping your bounds?”
Lu Lingcong hissed and raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
“When the Xie family fell years ago, both the southern and northern branches were punished. While the clansmen in Chen Commandery were spared the death penalty, they suffered every other punishment imaginable, and all their family assets were confiscated. Because His Majesty never issued a final disposal order, no one dared to touch the ‘stolen goods,’ so they remain piled in the Yanzhou treasury—I wish to split the loot with Your Highness.”
“Where shall we talk?”
Xie Jing smiled faintly and turned to point toward the nearby Jade Terrace. “I have prepared some excellent Biluo Chun tea. After you, Your Highness.”
Inside the Jade Terrace, the Xu brothers were already standing guard with a unit of veterans from the Tiger Division to ensure that no unauthorized people could enter. Lu Lingcong ordered his attendants to enter the city ahead of him and report back to their respective ministries, then followed Xie Jing up to the top floor.
Xie Jing walked to the window, watching the long procession of officials returning from the north depart. Lu Lingcong downed two cups of tea in quick succession to ease his thirst, then paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on Xie Jing’s tall, slender back. He knew, of course, that Xie Jing didn’t truly want to discuss “splitting loot,” so he remained silent while waiting for him to speak.
After a long silence, Xie Jing turned around and said, “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Lu Lingcong nodded. “Speak.”
Xie Jing’s tone was remarkably calm as if he were stating a decision long since deliberated, “Once the blood feud is avenged, I want Lu Shuqing to take his mother’s surname. Firstly, it keeps him away from the imperial family’s disputes; secondly, it ensures the Xie family line does not end. A hundred years from now, the Prince’s Mansion will be left to Ningning, and we shall forfeit the title.”
He quietly observed Lu Lingcong’s expression at the mention of “the Xie family line not ending,” noting only a slight flicker of the other party’s eyelashes before everything returned to normal. Lu Lingcong replied, “As you wish. Regardless of the surname, he will always be our child.”
Upon hearing this, Xie Jing did not respond, merely looking at him with a placid face.
Lu Lingcong looked back blankly, plainly unable to understand why, after three months apart, Xie Jing had not immediately rushed into his arms as he had at their parting.
After a long silence, Xie Jing finally let out a helpless sigh, “That day outside Xiapi City, you told me you had already taken care of moving the Xie family member out. I want to ask; if the person you relocated wasn’t me, then who, exactly, was it?”
The question was blunt and suggestive enough that Lu Lingcong’s expression changed instantly: “You know?”
“I know.” Xie Jing stared at him fixedly. “I don’t just know that Xie Jun is alive; I also know that the final move of the Six Forms of Flying Light is called ‘Bringing Down the Jade and Stone Together’.”
Lu Lingcong had likely only surmised the first half. He froze in shock, remaining silent for a long moment before finally exhaling softly:
“Yes… didn’t I say back then that you would never need to use it in your life? I gave you ‘Flying Light’ so you could protect yourself; did I give it to you so you could perish along with your enemies? If you really—how am I supposed to go on living?”
At these words, Xie Jing’s shoulders quivered faintly. He remained where he stood, his gaze fixed on Lu Lingcong for a long, searching moment, before finally letting out a low, self-mocking curse. Then he strode forward, tipped his head back, seized Lu Lingcong’s face, and kissed him with fierce intensity.
His movements were so sudden that it took Lu Lingcong several seconds to respond. Xie Jing, however, did not care; he sucked at Lu Lingcong’s lips with urgent desperation only to be met with a doubled intensity as the other party retaliated, his tongue pushing deep into Xie Jing’s mouth again and again, leaving him almost no room to breathe. In the end, Lu Lingcong took control; he leaned back against a low couch and kissed Xie Jing so intensely that the latter’s head was repeatedly forced back. Xie Jing’s body grew completely weak and pliant in his arms, his knees giving way until he ended up kneeling and straddling Lu Lingcong.
After countless rounds of entangling teeth and tongues, the two finally broke apart. They stared at one another while panting with their faces damp and their mouths marked with red welts and teeth marks.
Only then did Lu Lingcong finally feel at peace. He held Xie Jing tightly and asked, “How did you find out? Have you seen Jun’er?”
Xie Jing said, “Cheng Wen, the Governor of Huaiyang, was wary of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. He had been involved in some shady dealings and feared I had been sent by Wang Chu to investigate and uncover evidence against him, so he intended to kill me. It was Xie Jun who intervened and rescued me from that predicament.”
Lu Lingcong hooked a finger to brush against his cheek. “Actually, there were several times when I saw you so heartbroken that I almost couldn’t stop myself from telling you. But Jun’er repeatedly warned Xiao Yao and me not to say anything. I thought I should respect his wishes. Do you blame me?”
Xie Jing frowned. “You really are something. If I blamed you, would I have let you kiss me until I nearly passed out?”
Lu Lingcong chuckled. “Then it wasn’t in vain that I wore your cloak every single day these past three months.”
Xie Jing gave him a coy, sidelong glance. “Did you really wear it? I thought you’d just hidden it away in some high cabinet.”
Lu Lingcong leaned close to his ear and whispered, “During those three years in Yongzhou, I kept your old undergarments with me. At night, I would sleep clutching them in my hand by my pillow. When I truly couldn’t endure it any longer, I would masturbate while breathing in your lingering scent on the fabric. Is that enough?”
Xie Jing was stunned for a moment, looked up to shoot him a sharp glare, and then buried his head to bite down ruthlessly on his adam apple.
Lu Lingcong would not let it go, “And you? Did you miss me?”
“Are you determined to force a whole speech of confession out of me today?” Xie Jing said, throwing caution to the wind. “From the day I learned Xie Jun was still alive, I hoped day and night for your swift return just so I could hear from your own lips that it was truly you who saved my nephew. Every time I remembered those words, ‘Bringing Down the Jade and Stone Together’, I wanted even more to ask you personally; right here in the Jade Terrace, in this very room, nearly fifteen years ago! Even back then, were you already afraid of me dying? While the Prime Minister’s Mansion held its meetings and Wang Chu, Wang Qi, and Cui Shushi argued incessantly over politics, I was counting the days on my fingers. I missed you so much I was going mad; I wished I could tunnel through the earth or fly through the sky to be in Luoyi with you in an instant. Well? Is that enough?”
Lu Lingcong pressed his forehead against Xie Jing’s. “It’s enough. It’s a bit melodramatic, but what I did wasn’t exactly proper either, so we’re even.”
Recalling Xie Jun’s confusion from that day, Xie Jing asked, “How exactly did you rescue Jun’er? I asked him, but he said he didn’t know himself.”
Lu Lingcong sighed with deep emotion. “It was a matter of chance and timing; sometimes even I find it hard to believe as well. Do you remember back when Qing’er was small, we encountered a thief on our way back to Chen Commandery?”
Xie Jing nodded instinctively, but the bewildered look in his eyes made it clear that he didn’t remember at all.
“I didn’t remember it at all either until he brought up that passenger ship that once docked in Yangzhou years ago. I never handed him over to the authorities; instead, I gave him a note to help him secure a livelihood and preserve his life. Only then did I vaguely recall that incident.”
Lu Lingcong explained that on that day, the thief named Zhang San had taken the letter stamped with Prince Zhao’s Mansion’s seal to Jinling. Relying on his agility, he indeed found work at the Wu family trading firm and managed to save some silver over the years.
Later, when rumors of the late Emperor’s critical illness spread like wildfire, the capital was gripped by unrest. As the maternal clan of Prince Zhao; a candidate for the throne, the Wu family’s business was also affected. Seeking a stable living, Zhang San spent some silver to secure a minor post within the Yulin Guard.
Before long, the late Emperor passed away, and the Xie family estate was seized. Zhang San received military orders to go to Wuyi Lane to collect bodies and handle the aftermath of the devastation.
Xie Jun’s “corpse” was found by Zhang San and one of his colleagues. At the time, he had inhaled thick smoke in the fire and collapsed, left with only a faint breath. Realizing Xie Jun was still alive and seeing his extraordinary appearance and clothing, the two felt a surge of apprehension, knowing they had likely stumbled into a corner of the imperial power struggle.
Years earlier, upon receiving that letter, Zhang San had come to learn the true identities of Lu Lingcong and Xie Jing. From then on, while residing in the capital, he had become quite familiar with Prince Zhao’s Mansion. He knew he was at the ancestral home of Princess Consort Zhao, and that the dying youth before him was very likely a blood relative of the princess consort.
As for the other soldier, he was simply too timid and soft-hearted to stand by and watch a living person draw their last breath.
“The two of them put their heads together. They dressed a pageboy, whose face had been burned beyond recognition, in Xie Jun’s clothes, smuggled Jun’er out among the corpses, and managed to hide him. At that time, you were kneeling before Shenlong Hall refusing to yield even unto death, so Zhang San could only seek help through my maternal uncle via an old acquaintance of the Wu family. Late that night, I took advantage of the chaos to leave Jinling and rendezvous with the Tiger Division while also taking Xie Jun with me.”
After hearing this, Xie Jing fell into a long silence. Compared to “nobility” like them, Zhang San was perhaps just a nobody, a mere speck of dust. History books would never abandon kings and generals to record the life of an anonymous man. And yet, it was precisely this obscure character who had saved the sole descendant of the Xie family.
Back then, they had not been bestowing charity upon Zhang San; rather, they had been preserving a modicum of fortune and planting seeds of kindness for their own unpredictable futures, which, years later, bore the fruit of a narrow escape from death.
“Those three days were a whirlwind of chaos and upheaval, and there are two things I deeply regret,” Lu Lingcong recalled. “The first was that I left the capital overnight and dared not delay for a single moment, so I never had the chance to personally thank Zhang San and his colleague, nor do I know where they are settled now. The entire sequence of twists and turns surrounding Xie Jun’s rescue was conveyed to me by my uncle.”
Xie Jing gently stroked his chest and comforted him: “Although there are many people who share the same names, once everything has settled, we will go and search for them together. We’ll look for them one by one, and we will surely find them.”
Lu Lingcong covered the back of Xie Jing’s hand before drawing it up to press against his own cheek, and continued, “The second thing is that I learned Xie Jun was alive too late. By then, the execution was imminent, and I ultimately failed to tell his father and Lord Xie about it in time.”
He felt Xie Jing’s body shudder violently and could not help but pull him tightly into his embrace, his voice trembling slightly: “Just a little more; by only a tiny margin, your father and brother would have known that Jun’er was still alive.”
Xie Jing remained silent for a long time while learning against him. Lu Lingcong had realized the bleak despair of falling short and being unable to reverse fate four years earlier than he had. At that moment, he felt that human beings, born of flesh and blood, were far too insignificant. Providence toyed with people as maliciously and wantonly as a cat with a mouse; when fate falls, it is as light as a stray wisp, yet for mortals, life, death, and separation are as heavy as Mount Tai.
Lu Lingcong felt the fabric on his shoulder grow slightly damp, yet when Xie Jing looked up, there were no traces of tears at all. He was no longer that Young Master Xie, who could kneel beneath the palace gates and wail aloud in grief.
“When I went to Chen Commandery this time, about half of the farmland lay fallow. The ancestral residence was still standing, but it had likely been ransacked by bandits; the interior lay in utter disorder, overrun with weeds. Fortunately, I took the calligraphy and paintings from your youth with me back then; those are priceless treasures, and I would have regretted losing them for a lifetime. Additionally, I saw no one living there; perhaps everyone moved away early on, which is a good thing.”
Xie Jing murmured in repetition, “No one left… all moved away.”
Lu Lingcong pulled a small, somewhat worn but very clean cloth tiger from his robe and presented it to Xie Jing, “I saw this fallen under your bed. Thinking it might be an old toy from your childhood, I washed it and brought it back for you.”
Xie Jing took it and was stunned. The fabric had been worn thin and coarse by time, and most of the cotton stuffing had leaked out, yet the stitching remained as fine and neat as it had been decades ago. One could still faintly discern the state of the colored threads as they had been held in the hands of a loving mother.
This was something his mother, Madam Xie, had sewn for him with her own hands, stitch by stitch, when Xie Jing was very, very small; much younger than Lu Shuning was now.
