General Changning— Chapter 5
Shu Shenhui listened to the report, watching as the shrouded corpse was carried out through the rear gate. He himself emerged once more from the side hall. His expression remained composed, though his steps carried a weight of gravity. Two guards followed at a discreet distance.
When he reached the Dharma Hall, where the sermon had been held earlier, his pace slowed, and at last he stopped.
A figure in crimson stood beside the great incense burner before the hall, two palace maids waiting nearby. She gazed ahead, lost in thought. The towering cypress trees around them blocked out the sky, making her slender form seem all the more fragile.
Shu Shenhui stepped forward. The woman noticed him, her skirt swaying slightly as she turned to meet him.
“Wan-niang, why did you not return with the Empress Dowager just now?” he asked.
This was Wen Wan, daughter of the late Grand Tutor Wen Jie. She had known Shu Shenhui since childhood, and rumor once held that their bond was deep. Years ago, many believed she would become the consort of Prince Qi. But nothing ever came of it. After her father’s death, only her elder brother remained, serving as a mid-ranking official. Gradually, such speculation faded away.
Wen Wan lowered her sleeves and smiled. “The Empress Dowager ordered me to stay and fetch several sutras to bring back to the palace.”
Her noble lineage, her beauty, and her talent were beyond question. Empress Dowager Lan favored her greatly, often summoning her to the palace for companionship and study.
Shu Shenhui nodded slightly. “Have you found them all?”
“One is still missing. Young Master Wuqing went to the Sutra Repository to fetch it for me. I am waiting here.”
He nodded again, his gaze lingering on her. “I recall you were frail in past years, prone to coughing when the weather turned cold. How have you been lately?”
“It is nothing serious. A few days ago, my sister-in-law called a physician, who also examined me. After two doses of medicine, I am much better.”
“Thank you for your concern, Regent Prince.” She bowed.
He motioned for her to rise. “That is good. The Imperial Pharmacy has newly prepared autumn pear syrup. I will have Zhang Bao deliver some to you and your sister-in-law. It is useful for the lungs.”
“I thank Your Highness on behalf of my sister-in-law,” she murmured, eyes lowered.
Shu Shenhui looked at her, hesitated, then, after a moment, said quietly:
“Wan-niang, come with me to the Sutra Hall.”
Wen Wan started, glancing up quickly at him, then softly replied: “Yes.”
He ordered the guards not to follow, then turned toward the Sutra Hall. Wen Wan followed in silence.
At the entrance, the young monk who had gone to fetch the sutra appeared, holding the scroll. Seeing Shu Shenhui, he bowed and stepped aside.
Shu Shenhui instructed him to deliver the scroll to the palace maids, then led Wen Wan inside.
“Sit.” He seated himself cross-legged upon a cushion, gesturing to the one opposite.
Wen Wan walked over slowly and knelt with composure.
Shu Shenhui lifted his gaze, fixing it upon her.
Through the half-open southern window, autumn sunlight slanted in, casting shifting shadows upon her. The pearl ornament at her temple glowed faintly, making her beauty all the more radiant.
“Does Your Highness have something to say?” she asked softly after a pause.
“Wan-niang, I am not the man you await. Do not waste your years waiting for me.”
The young Regent Prince looked at the woman before him, his face calm yet smiling.
Wen Wan stared at him, unmoving. He continued: “Your future was always the greatest concern of our teacher before his death. If you find a worthy man, marry early. It will comfort our teacher’s spirit, and give you a secure life.”
He fell silent.
The vast, shadowed hall seemed frozen in time. A black-headed sparrow flew past the southern window, breaking the stillness. Wen Wan returned to herself, and a faint smile touched her lips.
“I have heard, Regent Prince, that you are to wed the daughter of General Jiang. Is it true?”
Though she spoke with a smile, her face had turned pale, betraying her turmoil.
Shu Shenhui’s gaze held a trace of pity, but he did not waver. He nodded.
“Yes. Prince Xian has already gone north to propose on my behalf. He departed more than half a month ago. Unless something unforeseen occurs, Jiang Zuwang will not refuse.”
Wen Wan’s lips still curved in a smile as she rose.
“I congratulate Your Highness. The Lady General’s name is well known to me, and I hold her in great esteem. May Your Highness and she form a blessed union and live in harmony for a hundred years. The Empress Dowager awaits my reply—I must take my leave.”
She bowed slightly, then turned and walked swiftly toward the door.
“Wait.” A voice called from behind.
Wen Wan halted at the threshold, one hand resting on the doorframe, her back still turned.
“The daughter of the Jiang family is the most fitting choice for the Regent’s consort.” After a pause, he spoke again.
Wen Wan slowly turned her head back, silent.
He remained seated, his gaze fixed upon her face.
“Wan-niang, you must know as well: after my father passed, during the years my elder brother reigned, without Father’s authority and awe, the Grand Marshal grew ever more arrogant, relying on his rank and past merits. Holding real power, he resisted every attempt my brother made to reclaim the scattered military command. Each effort met heavy opposition and came to nothing. Now, with the present emperor on the throne, the Grand Marshal disregards him entirely. From the capital’s officials to provincial commanders, countless forces secretly attach themselves to him. If he is not removed, not only will Father’s last wishes remain unfulfilled—even the stability of the court itself cannot be sustained.”
“Emperor Shengwu’s last wishes?” She hesitated, then asked softly.
“Yes.” He nodded.
“Father had two lifelong desires: first, to unify the realm and bring all people under one rule; second, to drive out the northern tribes, reclaim the lost provinces, and ensure they would never again threaten the south. But Heaven did not grant him enough years. He died with these wishes unfulfilled.”
Wen Wan’s eyes filled with deep concern. She turned fully to face him once more.
“I understand, Your Highness. Your situation is not easy. The Grand Marshal…”
“The Grand Marshal is already executed.” His tone was calm.
“What? The Grand Marshal—” Wen Wan gasped, her voice breaking off in shock.
“He was executed, just moments ago.”
Her eyes widened, stunned beyond words.
He fell silent too, as if lost in memory. After a pause, he lifted his gaze again.
“Wan-niang, when I was seventeen, I patrolled the frontier at Yanmen. Upon my return, Father, though gravely ill, summoned me at once. He questioned me in detail, hour after hour, until dawn. He never said it outright, but I knew—his body was too weak, otherwise he would have gone himself. At his deathbed, he sighed endlessly. He died with regret.”
“Your Highness… you mean to fulfill Emperor Shengwu’s last wishes, to avenge his humiliation?” Wen Wan asked softly.
He nodded, then shook his head. “Yes, it is Father’s wish, and I will devote all my strength to it. But it is not only for him. It is to reclaim Great Wei’s northern gateway, to secure true peace for the frontier, so that the countless people who dwell there, generation after generation, may live in safety, work in peace, and never again suffer war—never again fear that one day their homes will be destroyed and they will have nowhere to belong.”
He paused. “I know the army has grown restless in recent years, weary of endless defense. Why has the court not struck? Because of internal restraints, because the time was not ripe. Today, change is needed—painful as scraping poison from bone. Only by cutting away corruption can Great Wei achieve harmony and prosperity. Until then, we must prepare, feed the horses, and wait for the day to strike.”
Wen Wan’s eyes widened, staring at him in awe. “I see… Your Highness intends to rely heavily on General Jiang in the future,” she murmured.
He did not answer, but his silence was assent. Then he continued, “Wan-niang, you and I grew up together. I am no stranger to your feelings. And since childhood, I studied under the Grand Tutor, your father, receiving his devoted teaching. His kindness was profound. You yourself are gifted and virtuous. To have such a lady as a companion—what more could a man ask?”
He paused. “But since that northern patrol at seventeen, I set my resolve. This vast land of ours—how magnificent! How could we allow foreign hooves to trample it, let alone surrender it? Even a grain of sand must be defended! Great Wei, destined by Heaven to rule the Nine Provinces, must reclaim its lost lands and drive out its enemies. That is the duty we must fulfill.”
“Wan-niang, had Father lived to accomplish his goals, had I remained only the Prince of Ease, free to enjoy peace, I would surely have married you. In the capital, countless noble sons admire you, many of them outstanding. Yet you remain unmarried. I know I have wronged you. Many times I wished to apologize, but never found the chance—”
Tears spilled uncontrollably from Wen Wan’s eyes.
She shook her head fiercely. “No, no, Your Highness! You need not say it. I understand, I truly understand! Do not blame yourself. It is not you who wronged me. You have always treated me with respect. It was I who harbored foolish hopes, burdening you with them. I understand now!”
“The position of Regent’s consort—only that Lady General is fit to bear it.”
She turned her face aside, wiping away her tears. “Your Highness, I thank you for speaking plainly to me today.”
Shu Shenhui looked at her, his eyes filled with regret.
“Wan-niang, if ever you face troubles you cannot resolve, send word to me.” His voice was earnest.
“Thank you, Your Highness. I will take my leave.”
She bowed deeply once more, gave him one last look, and departed.
She truly left.
Shu Shenhui did not call her back. He rose, standing still, watching her crimson figure fade into the distance.
Outside the southern window, autumn trees stood desolate and silent.
The lady was gone, her shadow vanished. Yet he remained unmoving, standing alone for a long while before slowly sitting again, solemn and still, lost in thought.
In the northwest corner of the hall, a spider busily spun its web. Suddenly, it slipped, dangling from a broken thread, and fell onto the scripture shelf below.
“Come out!”
Shu Shenhui’s eyes snapped open, sharp as blades, his voice low and commanding.
T/n: reminder: Shu Shenhui is Prince Qi (formerly Prince Anle), the Regent Prince; our male lead. This novel has so many names and titles, I’ll try to simplify or make notes to avoid confusion.