Chapter Twenty-Three: The Narrow Bridge

After Ke Li escorted Ye Qianling to Hu Guangshen, he left immediately. Outside, he saw the two men who had just carried the stretcher preparing to depart, and he called out to stop them, “Wait.” The two looked back in terror. Although Ke was usually silent and gentle in the Southern Courtyard of the Western Suburbs, rarely showing anger or harsh criticism, his quiet authority intimidated all who faced him.

“If you happened to overhear anything you shouldn’t have, remember this: people who speak less live longer.” Ke Li delivered this as a kindly warning, but it only made the two exchange a panicked glance before dropping to their knees. “Chief, we wouldn’t dare. We truly know nothing, heard nothing.”

Ke Li regarded the two kneeling secret guards. Anyone with sense could see these men were incapable of keeping secrets. He recalled that this year, only a dozen had managed to pass the graduation requirements—not enough for the standard number. The stubborn nobles decided to draw lots and picked two to add to the passing list. Ke Li had been against it, but for years, the number of successful secret guards had been so low—this year only eighteen, not even twenty. Fearing the Emperor Guangde might take issue and perhaps even abolish the Southern Courtyard, the leading nobles quietly added two names, making the total twenty.

Ke Li couldn’t fathom their logic—did they really think adding two would make the numbers look better? It was laughable, but the decision was made, and the list sent off; he could only accept it.

Those two men had originally been sons of wealthy families, but after committing murder, their families could no longer shield them and the matter was exposed. They were imprisoned, until relatives devised this plan to save them: by bribing the nobles with silver, they secured their lives, allowing them to stay here. After a year of good behavior, they could acknowledge their kin as masters and return home. But now, after this incident, who knew when they would emerge from the remote, desolate Qingyun Peak?

“You’re to go to Qingyun Peak now. Without my order, you’re not to leave. When the time comes, I’ll let you out.” Ke Li waved them off.

One wanted to speak, but his companion quickly pulled him back. Qingyun Peak was harsh and lacked freedom, but in many ways it was better than the Southern Courtyard. There, at least, they didn’t have to worry about unexpected missions or being killed. The nobles’ protection could only last so long. Staying here, just for overhearing a single sentence, meant confinement—if they didn’t leave, their lives could be at risk.

Ke Li watched their swift departure, lost in thought. Who could say what would happen in the next two years? What would the Fifth Princess become?

Where am I? Ye Qianling opened her eyes to find herself in an unfamiliar room. The ceiling was white, and to the side, she saw a small room with eight beds. The environment was neither good nor bad, clean but empty; she was alone.

After Hu Guangshen and Ye Qiange finished treating her wounds, they left. The longer Ye Qianling stayed, the harder it would be to hide her identity. In a place like this, if her status as princess was exposed, those with ulterior motives would seize the opportunity, and her life would be in peril.

Her wound was wrapped in thick white cloth, even heavier than before. Every breath pressed the cotton tighter against her injury, making it hard to breathe, and she dared not move too much. Within three days, she’d been anesthetized twice; her body was exhausted. Her limbs felt numb and heavy, and she was constantly sleepy, lying in bed unwilling to get up, unable to muster any spirit. She stared blankly at the white ceiling above, lost in thought.

Why keep living like this? Why wouldn’t her fourth brother help her, why make her endure a life worse than death? What meaning was there in persisting—she couldn’t see it. Surely no one wanted her to live, no one. Her father would never forgive her, and her siblings—she needed only to see her fourth brother Ye Qiange’s swollen eyes before she came to the Courtyard to understand everything. Her mother’s sacrifice could never be made right. Should she keep going? Ye Qianling was torn, silent tears slipping down her cheeks. Noticing it, she quickly reached to hide her weakness, even though no one was watching.

Many say women are born to be cherished. Perhaps, after fifteen years of favor, Heaven had decided to take it back. Ye Qianling thought for a long time, recalling her father’s affection and her mother’s choice to die for her sake. Should she persist a little longer? If she gave up for such suffering, how could she face her mother’s sacrifice?

She laughed bitterly to herself. Was she so weak, so degraded by torment?

As she mocked herself, she looked down at the black uniform reserved for secret guards—plain fabric, no embellishment, worn year-round regardless of weather. On a snowy day, anyone in such thin black clothing could only be a true secret guard, for in the Night Kingdom, secret guards were the lowest rank, devoid of rights, subject to humiliation, and unworthy of warm or fine attire.

Was it time for the assessment? The thought struck her, and she slowly straightened, struggling to rise and run outside. If she couldn’t participate, she couldn’t meet her father’s demands or leave after two years.

As she opened the door, two middle-aged men in black stood before her, their voices emotionless and formal: “You cannot leave. This is the boss’s order.”

The boss referred to Ke Li, and those who called him that were his brothers from the same era. Though Ke Li wasn’t a secret guard, his status as a commoner had allowed him to enter the battlefield alongside them, forging deep bonds. That was the best era for secret guards—without masters, they were nearly like commoners, training was not as cruel. But since the nobles took over the Courtyard, everything reverted to the harsh ways of the past.

These men were of the Emperor Guangde’s generation, Ye Qianling’s uncles, trained for years. No matter how skilled Ye Qianling was, she couldn’t match them, especially with her injuries. This was why Ke Li could leave without worry.

Ye Qianling, lacking energy, simply wanted to fulfill the Emperor’s requirements and avoid his disappointment. If anyone learned that the outstanding Fifth Princess of the royal family couldn’t even pass the Courtyard’s assessment, the family would be shamed.

“Gentlemen, I am among those taking the assessment. For my livelihood, I must pass. Is there any way you could let me out to participate?” She spoke, pale from surgery, lips drained of color, voice weak—a single push could topple her.

Ye Qianling finished and saw their unwavering expressions, sighing inwardly—they knew who she was. Of course, after years training under Ke Li, as his brothers, they’d certainly met the once-favored, talented Fifth Princess.

Ye Qianling realized escape was impossible. She met the gaze of one man, who ignored her. “Here, you are a secret guard. Forget the past. If you pass the assessment, you’ll have a number. Remembering before will only bring you trouble.” He saw her momentary shock and continued, “I’m closing the door. Dinner will be brought in later. Fourth Prince says you’re too weak—you must eat regularly, or you won’t manage the assessment or even daily life. The first round will soon end, and you’ll meet your roommates.”

At his last words, Ye Qianling tried to slip past them and out the door. “What are you doing? Think you can get past us? With your injuries, is it possible?” The talkative man stopped her, but the silent one quickly blocked her way, moving so fast even those accustomed to martial skill were taken aback.

“You—” Ye Qianling was stunned by his speed. The Southern Courtyard truly had its share of experts. His abilities rivaled Ke Li’s, yet he kept them hidden. Ye Qianling thought, perhaps with enough will, two years here could yield some gain. She was walking a tightrope, after all—there was only one path.

“If I don’t take the assessment, I can’t stay. Will you still keep me from leaving?”

“Look at your clothing. If you hadn’t entered here, would you be allowed to wear it? In all the Southern Courtyard, do you think there isn’t a single normal garment?” The talkative man shook his head in resignation.

Wasn’t Ye Qianling supposed to be clever and quick-witted? This was ridiculous—so naive, he began to doubt the rumors. He glanced at the taciturn Qi Shanghe, who seemed to share his thoughts.

Fu Hui and Qi Shanghe, both old friends of Ke Li, knew he admired Ye Qianling for her sense and composure. This stark contrast made Fu Hui unwilling to engage her further.