A Willing Mistake, My Lady – Chapter 101

Execution Assembly

Reunion in a Foreign Land

In a Liao State dungeon, a single oil lamp flickered with a feeble, dying glow.

            

A wooden plank bed was piled with straw, but at least there was a clean cotton blanket—enough to sleep on, barely.

Shen Hetang wore a light-colored robe, so stained with blood that its original hue was no longer discernible. She sat leaning against the wall, her expression as composed as ever. Only her complexion, untouched by sunlight for days, had taken on an unhealthy pallor.

Perhaps it was the sickly aftermath of uncleared residual poison, or perhaps the dungeon’s harsh interrogations had wasted her away. In any case, she looked rather pitiful.

            

Just as her mind was wandering far away, heavy iron locks clanked loudly—the sound of one gate after another being unfastened.

She glanced toward the noise and saw a young man, slightly shorter in stature than the Liao people, walking in carrying a bundle.

“What took you so long? Do you know this pig’s blood on me is absolutely reeking?” Shen Hetang could no longer hold back.

            

“That pig’s blood of yours can’t come off just yet. Thanks to it, you were spared real suffering. You owe a pig your life!” the man with deep-set features joked.

The newcomer was none other than Xiao Qiye, rumored to have colluded with Shen Hetang.

Their acquaintance had begun with a desperate fight against a wolf pack.

            

At that time, the lone Shen Hetang had happened upon Xiao Qiye being attacked by six or seven wild wolves. Her first instinct was not to save him, but to watch the show.

She had only recently arrived at the battlefield then. Though this young man wore Han clothing, it was easy to tell he was not a subject of the Great Qian Dynasty.

His martial skills appeared mediocre, sustained entirely by brute strength, yet he was not particularly tall or powerfully built. So, wielding a wooden staff, he struggled to fight off three or four wild wolves.

            

Before she reached him, Xiao Qiye had already noticed her. Thinking that help had arrived, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief—but who could have known that this person would walk over, dodge to the side, and settle in to watch the spectacle.

With no other choice, he swallowed his pride and shouted for help. Seeing that she couldn’t avoid it any longer, Shen Hetang finally lent a hand.

Six or seven adult wild wolves were no easy opponents. The two of them fought off the pack in a thoroughly wretched state, then fled the scene without pause, denying the wolves any chance to seek revenge.

            

Through conversation, she learned that this young man was a merchant doing business in Great Qian. He spoke fluent Chinese with no obvious flaws at first glance.

Shen Hetang was unconvinced by his story. A young man in his twenties, even a well-traveled merchant, couldn’t have practiced his way into such fluent Chinese. Perhaps sensing her doubt, Xiao Qiye volunteered that his mother was Han, making him half Han himself.

Only then did Shen Hetang study him more carefully. She could indeed see traces of mixed heritage. As long as he wasn’t a spy, she wasn’t the type to slaughter every foreigner on sight.

            

After that encounter, the two never met again—until three or four years ago, when she accidentally discovered his true identity. They had now known each other for five or six years.

Setting aside their opposing positions, though they had only met twice, there was at least a small measure of genuine camaraderie between them.

This time, when the Liao First Prince colluded with a traitor in a secret pact of mutual benefit to capture her, it was Xiao Qiye who had voluntarily taken on the task of guarding her.

            

“I don’t care about the pig’s life, but I do owe you one.” Wearing clothes that had gone stiff, Shen Hetang conversed with him listlessly.

Though that statement sounded a bit off.

“We’re even now. You’re the lucky one. I’ve worked like a horse and ox under him for all these years, just earned a bit of his trust, and I spent it on you. That’s what they call—better to arrive at the right moment than early.” Xiao Qiye’s own situation wasn’t easy either. Simply because his mother was Han, he had been bullied by his fellow countrymen since childhood. He had endured years of hardship and humiliation as the First Prince’s lapdog before earning a measure of trust.

            

“It’s been hard on Brother Xiao. This one will remember it deeply.” Shen Hetang’s expression grew more earnest. Without his presence this time, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

“I’m not saving you for nothing, though. You know what I need to do. I’ll need your help when the time comes.” Xiao Qiye’s voice was low, his eyes glinting with dark light, concealing vaulting ambition.

“Alright, I agree. It seems there’s no other option now anyway!” Xiao Qiye wanted to use her hand to kill the First Prince, so he could smoothly inherit the throne.

            

Even if his bloodline prevented him from taking the king’s seat, he could still coerce the emperor to command the nobles¹. After all, the oldest of the remaining princes was only six or seven. He could hold power as Regent just the same.

Besides, the First Prince was her enemy. There was no reason to keep him alive. If Xiao Qiye hadn’t put on an act so convincing it passed for real before the First Prince’s eyes, her current blood-soaked state would have been the least of her problems!

Otherwise, minor injuries would have been the small concern—exposure of her identity would have been the catastrophe. Now, even with some superficial wounds, nothing had damaged her bones or sinews. She could still manage on her own.

            

“It’s just that my residual poison hasn’t fully cleared. I might not be able to kill with a single strike. Besides, even if I do kill him, I’ll be at the end of my rope². Will you really let me go back?” Shen Hetang’s gratitude toward him was genuine, but her trust in him was equally limited.

Since this was a transaction, she would lay all cards on the table³.

“A clean kill would be best. Even if you can’t, as long as the credit falls to you, that’s enough. I’ll handle the rest. As for whether I’ll let you go back—that depends on my mood. What, you wouldn’t be willing to stay and assist me? Everything Great Qian can give you, I can give you just the same!” Xiao Qiye’s expression was somewhat playful. It was impossible to tell whether he was joking or genuinely meant it.

            

“If I stayed to assist Brother Xiao, I’m afraid it would provoke public outrage. As it is, if I walked out there now, I’d be torn apart by Liao State’s soldiers. Let’s spare each other instead!” Shen Hetang’s expression was mild, as if discussing the weather, yet carrying a touch of sincerity between friends.

Xiao Qiye looked at this young man who appeared as delicate as a girl. He would always be struck by that first encounter.

He had thought it would be a desperate fight between two people and a wolf pack. But who knew that the lean, upright figure possessed astonishing explosive power? Even the most robust wolf king, under his hand, lasted only a few breaths before showing signs of decline and growing timid.

            

At that time, he was heavily oppressed in the Liao royal court. Suddenly seeing someone willing to risk their life to save him, he felt somewhat moved. After returning to Liao, he recalled his savior, whom he had met only once, and even thought that if the opportunity arose, he could become sworn brothers with him.

But later, upon learning that person’s identity, he could only sigh and say one thing… what an ill-fated connection!!

“For the poison in your body, I’ve obtained an antidote. The medicine can neutralize it, but your damaged body will need gradual recovery after you return.” The ones who had captured her were two elders beside the First Prince—highly skilled in martial arts, expert at both making and curing poisons.

            

“Thank you!” Shen Hetang nodded slightly, speaking with genuine sincerity.

The two spoke for less than a quarter of an hour. Xiao Qiye left some supplies and quietly departed the dungeon.

Door locks clanked one after another—three heavy iron gates in total. It seemed as though they feared she might escape, but in reality, they protected her safety. The keys were only in Xiao Qiye’s possession, making it difficult for anyone else to get in.

            

Fortunately, the poison had disrupted her menstrual cycle, making life in the dungeon somewhat easier. She had to seize this opportunity to escape. Since there would be a day of public execution, Ye Huaiqing, upon hearing the news, wouldn’t just stand by and watch her die.

Even if his own abilities were insufficient, wasn’t there her own elder sister to come to the rescue? Three cobblers combined equal Zhuge Liang⁴, after all. Now, as long as Xiao Qiye kept close watch on those two highly skilled martial elders, and their side had coordination from inside and out, their odds of success were at least somewhat better!

She knitted her brows, wondering how things were at home.

            

But killing the Liao First Prince was something she absolutely had to do. Otherwise, slinking back in defeat would be too humiliating. She would be too ashamed to show her face.

This was a mutually beneficial partnership—they could only succeed, not fail!

Meanwhile, Shen Yunshu’s group had been on the busiest street in Liao State, using the pretext of selling goods to sing and dance for three days. Local ruffians and hooligans didn’t dare approach—a group of over a hundred people was not something small fry would provoke.

            

On the fourth day, someone of real importance finally appeared. The First Prince’s maternal uncle, Wanyan Liang, cautious by nature, had been of limited help to his nephew. Now, seeing the First Prince’s rising momentum, if he didn’t curry favor soon, he would be completely left behind.

He had been observing this merchant caravan for several days. Indeed, apart from vigorous hawking, there was nothing suspicious. Only then did he set his sights on that eye-catching woman.

Several men who appeared to be guards found Jiang Ning and Shen Yunshu, knowing the two were the caravan’s leaders, and wanted them to leave all the dance maidens behind.

            

Jiang Ning kept hesitating, explaining that she relied on the dance maidens to attract customers and make money. Now a noble wanted to take the firewood from under the pot—naturally, she couldn’t let go so easily.

She feigned reluctance while stringing Wanyan Liang along, leaving room for further negotiation without eagerly volunteering to agree, making it seem like they had other motives.

Relying on Jiang Ning’s silver tongue, after thoroughly persuading Wanyan Liang, he did agree to let them perform together as a band, which would be even more spectacular.

            

“Officer, if a noble takes a fancy to any of the other girls in my troupe, would the compensation also…?” Jiang Ning put on her merchant’s face, playing the money-grubbing role to the hilt.

“You’ve got quite the calculating mind. But as long as you win the noble’s favor, the rewards will naturally be generous.” The officer said arrogantly. They were nothing but common folk, yet they dared to make so many demands. If not for the thought of giving the First Prince a surprise, why would he bother negotiating with them so patiently?

Once the task was done, he would just toss them a couple of silver pieces and send them packing.

            

Shen Yunshu compiled the intelligence she had gathered. The current Liao king, though recently enthroned, was nearly sixty years old and had little ambition to govern. Combined with poor health, his ascension was merely a formality. Because the previous king had left no heir, the Liao realm would inevitably fall into the First Prince’s hands sooner or later.

The First Prince of Liao, Xiao Qilu, was fiercely competitive and obstinately self-opinionated. This invasion of Great Qian was largely his doing. He simply hadn’t expected Great Qian to be so tough to crack. He thought to take a step back and use their general to tear open a breach, but Great Qian’s attitude was lukewarm. Xiao Qilu had already lost the military campaign, and Great Qian refused to give him a face-saving out. Naturally, he would take it out on Shen Hetang.

Seven days later, a grand Execution Assembly would be held. This Great Qian general, Liao State’s criminal, would be subjected to the cruel punishment of quartering by five horses⁵, to memorialize the Liao soldiers who had died at her hands over the past two years, to rouse the depressed morale and recover some confidence.

            

Hearing this, Shen Yunshu’s fingers trembled under the table. She hated Liao State’s cruel methods, and hated even more Great Qian’s killing the donkey after the mill⁶. She noted this grudge; she would settle accounts slowly after returning.

Seven days passed in a flash. Ministers from all quarters came to the Imperial Palace to watch the spectacle—curious what was extraordinary about the young general who had routed them so thoroughly.

But none of that mattered now. As long as he was quartered in Liao, they could recover some face. For this, the First Prince had even specially organized sacrificial ceremonies, symbolizing the use of General Shen’s blood to memorialize Liao’s fallen soldiers and to demonstrate his regard for his troops.

            

Pre-noon sunlight filtered through the clouds, striking the courtyard before the hall like a blade of light, slanting across the open ground.

On the clean, spacious open ground, a black iron cage confined the white-robed Great Qian general. She sat cross-legged inside with eyes closed, her hair drawn into a neat topknot.

Sunlight struck her unobstructed, casting the shadows of her long lashes onto her porcelain-white face, forming two dark butterfly wings in stark contrast to the pale golden light surrounding her.

            

Her expression was so serene she didn’t seem to have come for an execution, but rather like a deity receiving worship. She somehow made the simple white robe look ethereal and otherworldly.

This garment was not meant to make her look presentable, but rather because pure white stained with fresh red would be all the more striking. A body of pure white also made it seem more like she was atoning for the soldiers who had died in battle!

The Liao ministers had never seen Great Qian’s General Shen. Now they surrounded her in a circle, staring as if she were a monkey in a cage. They had expected some fearsome, malevolent devil, but this exceedingly handsome, clean-cut young man—was he really Great Qian’s general? Could they have captured the wrong person?

            

“My lords, the hour for the prisoner’s execution has not yet arrived. The First Prince invites you to rest inside the hall.” The palace attendant led the ministers into the main hall. Dozens of banquet tables were fully seated. The food and wine were exquisite and lavish, and faint music drifted through the air of the entire hall. Truly a bizarre yet lively sacrificial ceremony.

Though the ministers harbored a desire to kill the enemy general and be done with it, now faced with quartering a young man as ethereal as a banished immortal, managing to watch the spectacle in silence was already the best they could do.

Nor did any particularly happy expressions show on their faces. It wasn’t New Year, after all—they couldn’t exactly produce broad smiles. But everyone knew the First Prince’s temper, so they had to humor him somewhat. The atmosphere hung in an awkward, chilly lull. After all, who would want to watch a living person quartered by five horses!

            

“Are the musicians playing on empty stomachs?” The First Prince Xiao Qilu had a somewhat eccentric and gloomy temperament. Today the Liao king was unwell, so he would preside over the assembly in his stead.

“First Prince, I have arranged for several dance maidens from the Western Regions. I wonder if this would be a suitable time to have them perform in the hall?” Wanyan Liang suggested somewhat ambiguously.

He also knew this wasn’t the best time for singing and dancing, but he didn’t have any better opportunities either. He had to seize whatever chance he could. Besides, his nephew wasn’t one to observe many taboos—as long as he was pleased, timing didn’t matter.

            

“What’s unsuitable about it? They say Western Regions dance maidens are truly exceptional. Summon them in for a look. It will liven things up for the lords as well.” Xiao Qilu waved his hand grandly, unconcerned.

“Brother, why not have them carry that Han man from outside in here? Let him watch us cheer and celebrate his impending death, let him feel the fear of death creeping closer, bit by bit?” Xiao Qiye urged from the side, his eyelids lowered, concealing the resolve within.

“Hahahaha, what a splendid idea! No wonder they call you a mixed-breed—you’re full of cunning tricks!” The First Prince laughed uproariously, showing no regard for his brother’s dignity—or perhaps he had never taken him seriously at all.

            

Xiao Qiye kept his head down, verbally agreeing, but secretly made a hand signal to have Shen Hetang brought in.

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