The news of General Xiao Zhongyan's death struck the imperial court like thunder, sending waves of anxiety through the border garrisons.
Xiao Zhongyan had long commanded immense respect, controlling sixty percent of the Great Yan's frontier forces. His sudden demise left military leaders across all regions fearing intensified palace intrigue that might affect military logistics. Rumors circulated that the Northern Di and Western Rong tribes had secretly joined forces, preparing to exploit this opportunity to launch hostilities.
To stabilize military morale, the Emperor decreed that Deputy Commander Xiao Zhengyu and the Chancellor's son Zhang Zexiang would personally inspect the border defenses, reassuring the troops while assessing military readiness throughout the regions.
Three days later, their party passed through Wangchuan Station, a vital border checkpoint where merchants and travelers flowed continuously, and an essential hub for military communications.
As the sun set and the air grew cool, Xiao Zhengyu and Zhang Zexiang chose a simple inn to rest. Inside, voices mingled with the aroma of rough wine, boiling soup, and rising steam.
The innkeeper was a sprightly elderly woman, her face etched with the marks of time, yet warm in her hospitality. A four-year-old girl danced around her, her voice sweet and childlike as she called out, "Grandmother! I want candied haws!"
"Wait, wait," the innkeeper responded affectionately.
Watching this heartwarming scene, Zhang Zexiang smiled. "Despite the border tensions, such pure childish innocence brings comfort to one's heart."
Xiao Zhengyu raised his teacup without comment, his gaze lingering on the little girl—her bright, expressive eyes and jet-black pupils somehow resembled a blurred figure from his memory.
"Madam, is this little one your granddaughter?" a peasant asked.
The old woman lovingly stroked the girl's head. "Yes, her nickname is Nan-Nan. Her parents went to the capital on business some days ago, so she's staying with me."
Hearing this, another guest immediately remarked, "She's so lively and charming. You're truly blessed."
"Indeed I am," the innkeeper replied, continuing to welcome newly arrived travelers.
"Hmph, some are blessed with good fortune, while others aren't so lucky," another guest sighed.
"What do you mean?" someone inquired.
"Years ago, the Western Liang princess was also four years old when her life was cut short."
His words drew sympathetic murmurs from the crowd. After a moment of silence:
"There's more to that story than you know!" a peasant around fifty put down his wine bowl, his eyes flickering with intensity as he spoke in a hushed tone. "Back then, I was temporarily conscripted to search the mountains!"
A curious onlooker asked, "Searching the mountains? Were you hunting bandits?"
The peasant shook his head, his expression betraying something unspoken. "Not bandits... we were searching for someone!"
"At that time, the court secretly issued orders, recruiting people to thoroughly search the surrounding forests. They said the Western Liang princess had disappeared! We were commanded to search the mountains meticulously."
As his words fell, the inn grew momentarily quiet, everyone waiting for the rest of the story.
Xiao Zhengyu's teacup paused slightly in his hand, his gaze becoming profound.
"The Western Liang princess?" people exclaimed in surprise. "But wasn't the official statement that the entire royal family was massacred?"
The peasant quickly glanced around before lowering his voice. "Our search party combed the mountains for days without finding a trace. When we reported back, the officials asked no further questions, merely saying the matter was settled. Shortly afterward, the official announcement came—the Western Liang royal house had been exterminated, with no survivors."
"But if no body was found, how could they declare none survived?"
The peasant sighed softly. "Who knows? Perhaps wild beasts took her. Such matters are beyond the questioning of common folk like us."
With these words, the atmosphere in the inn grew subtle and complex.
Xiao Zhengyu lowered his eyes in contemplation, his fingertips gently tracing the edge of his teacup.
He had indeed heard of Western Liang's fall during his childhood, but it had merely been distant history to him.
Yet today's conversation stirred something indefinable in his heart.
A missing young girl—was she truly dead or alive?
His gaze returned to the little girl still pleading for candied haws, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Do you believe the after-dinner tales of country folk?" Zhang Zexiang asked.
"No... but perhaps sometimes, the casual chatter of common people comes closer to the truth."
Having said this, Xiao Zhengyu suddenly stood up. "We continue our journey early tomorrow," he said evenly.
Zhang Zexiang started slightly, sensing unspoken thoughts, but asked no more. Both men retired to their rooms.
Deep in the night, Xiao Zhengyu stood alone by the window, gazing at the solitary moon in the sky.
He had a vague premonition in his heart—this matter might not yet be finished.
"Four years old..." he whispered, pondering the coincidence of timing. The Western Liang coup had occurred eleven years ago, when the princess was four years old... If someone had truly helped her escape, where might she be now?
This question lingered in his mind, refusing to dissipate.
The next day, Xiao Zhengyu and Zhang Zexiang left the inn, continuing their border inspection.
However, this chance overhearing of an old incident had quietly planted a seed in his heart, waiting to germinate.