The mirror lake, like a sapphire dropped from the heavens, shimmered amidst the desolate landscape of the northern territories. Its azure expanse added a touch of unexpected beauty to the otherwise barren and unforgiving land.
“Fan Li, look! The lake is so beautiful, isn’t it?” Sage Ruler Han Yue gazed at the expansive waters admiringly.
“It’s alright,” Fan Li replied casually.
He was calculating how long it would take for Qing Yuan to be captured by the Great Ming scouts after leaving the camp. And how long would it take for Crown Prince Wanli to read his letter, realize its significance, and decide to lead the entire Yunzhou garrison – all four hundred and fifty thousand troops – out of the city to engage the allied forces?
“I want to build a pavilion by the lake, surrounded by osmanthus trees. Every autumn, when the trees bloom, I’ll come here to reside. I’ll enjoy the fragrance of the blossoms in autumn, the snow and ice in winter, and return to the Central Plains in spring, when the ice melts and the snow disappears…”
She glanced at the man beside her and asked, “Fan Li, would you like that?”
“It’s alright,” he replied absentmindedly.
Finally, Han Yue realized something was amiss.
“Fan Li, are you even listening to me?”
“…Then do you think I’m beautiful?”
“Uh-huh, you’re alright.”
“Are you truly having an affair with Imperial Noble Consort Lu Fubao?”
“Uh-huh, it’s alright.”
“Fan Li! You haven’t been listening to a single word I’ve said! If you didn’t want to accompany me to the lake, you should have just refused! Why are you being so dismissive?!”
Her sudden outburst startled Fan Li him back to reality. It took him a moment to process her anger. A grave mistake. He had let his guard down in Han Yue’s presence.
A single misstep could enrage her. If she decided to draw her sword, he was as good as dead.
“It’s all my fault,” he quickly apologized. “I’ve been overwhelmed with official duties lately, and we’ve been marching through the night. I’m exhausted, not intentionally dismissive.”
Han Yue’s face was cold. “Oh, I apologize. I was being inconsiderate, unaware of your hardships. Since you’re so tired, you should return to the camp and rest. I’ll enjoy the lake on my own. I don’t need your company.”
Her words were harsh, but her gaze remained fixed on him. If he dared to take a single step towards the camp, she might truly draw her sword.
“Uh… Cough!” Fan Li cleared his throat and said, “Please don’t be angry, Han Yue. You rarely have the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely stroll by the lake. Even though I’m exhausted, I truly want to accompany you.”
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“Really?” Her face was still cold, but her lips curved into a slight smile.
“More real than gold!” Fan Li nodded vigorously, pointing towards the opposite shore. “The scenery over there looks lovely. Shall we take a look?”
Although they were both cultivators, they strolled leisurely, taking their time to reach the other side. Their reflections shimmered in the water, like a pair of celestial beings.
“There’s someone fishing over there.”
Fan Li’s eyesight was far inferior to Han Yue’s, but she was too preoccupied with admiring their reflections in the water.
An old man sat by a large boulder, fishing rod in hand. His face was stern, his gaze distant. He wore simple, earth-toned clothing, his feet bare. He resembled a farmer who had spent his life toiling in the fields.
The old man saw them approaching and set aside his fishing rod.
“We apologize for disturbing your fishing, sir,” Fan Li said, bowing politely. He deliberately altered his accent, speaking in the official language of the Great Ming Dynasty.
Many people in the Great Ming spoke the official language, especially those residing in the capital city.
Fan Li’s intention was to create a false identity. However, he was surprised.
Yunzhou City was in the midst of wartime. Why would a farmer be fishing outside the city? The lake was only twenty miles from Yunzhou. Wasn’t the old man afraid?
The old man stood up. Surprisingly, he stood tall and straight, his posture betraying no hint of age. If not for his graying hair and beard, Fan Li would have assumed he was still in his prime.
“Are you from the capital, young master?” The old man asked then looked at Sage Ruler Han Yue.
Fan Li’s heart sank. The original Fan Li was a man of many talents, fluent in the various dialects of the land.
But what about Han Yue?
The moment she spoke, their cover would be blown.
Killing the old man was the best way to ensure their secret remained hidden, but Fan Li wasn't a murderer…
“You guessed correctly, sir,” Han Yue suddenly spoke. Her accent was a perfect imitation of the Great Ming capital’s dialect.
“My husband and I are indeed from the capital. We’re in the fur trade, and we came north to purchase goods from the barbarian tribes.”
Fan Li was stunned. He didn’t even have time to process her fabrication of their marital status.
“Oh?” The old man, intrigued by her accent, looked at Han Yue with renewed interest. “Judging by your accent, young lady, you must reside in the southern part of the capital?”
The Great Ming capital’s dialect could be further divided into southern and northern accents.
The southern accent was the true native tongue of the capital, passed down through generations for thousands of years.
The northern accent, however, originated from the Ming Taizu, the founding Emperor, and his loyal followers who had hailed from the north.
Over a thousand years, the two accents had blended, forming the Great Ming’s official language, but true natives of the capital could still distinguish between the two.
“You guessed correctly again, sir,” Han Yue smiled, nodding. “My family resides in Beiting Alley.”
Beiting Alley was a place even Fan Li knew well.
The Great Ming Dynasty favored agriculture and suppressed commerce, but Beiting Alley was an exception, a bustling marketplace where merchants from all walks of life congregated.
The Fan Clan Trading Company conducted most of its business with the Great Ming through the merchants of Beiting Alley.
Fan Li was amazed. Had he underestimated Sage Ruler Han Yue’s quick wit?
How else could she have fabricated such a flawless lie?
Sensing his astonishment, Han Yue’s eyes sparkled with amusement. Her beautiful eyes, normally filled with a hint of arrogance, seemed to be saying, “How’s that? I’m a good actress, aren’t I?”
He was impressed. Fan Li had to admit, he had underestimated her. He reminded himself – never underestimate anyone, especially a woman.
“This humble one’s surname is Fan. May I inquire as to your name, sir?”
He didn’t bother to fabricate a surname. Fan was a common surname, both in the Great Ming and the Great Chu.
“My humble name is Hu,” the old man smiled. “I’m originally from the south, but I was transferred to Yunzhou City for official duties. Time flies. I’ve been here for nearly a decade now. You could say I’m half a northerner.”
Fan Li quickly bowed. “So you hold an official position? This commoner has been disrespectful!”
His reaction was, of course, an act.
The old man’s tone suggested he was indeed a government official, but likely a low-ranking one, perhaps a minor clerk.
“Hahaha, there’s no need for formalities,” Old Man Hu chuckled. “I’m an old man, half a foot in the grave. Why would I use my official position to pressure others? Besides, I’m practically retired now. I have a title but no authority. I’m hardly an official.”