The Dragon and the Phoenix in the Mortal Realm – 2

 As a gentle breeze brushed past, Feng Ji spoke in a sudden and unexpected manner, “Ying… would you like to reside in Fourth Brother’s mansion?”
 Upon hearing these words, Feng Duying turned her head to look at him. His black clothes, charcoal hair, and the dark silhouette of the man by the window appeared as if they were painted in the distant shade of ink. One could not see his countenance, nor discern his expression, nor fathom his thoughts. Therefore, she turned back, closed her eyes, and replied, “No, it would become rather inconvenient once Fourth Brother marries a wife.”
 Hearing her response, Feng Ji’s eyes lowered, and a faint smile emerged on his lips, accompanied by an indiscernible sense of melancholy. He spoke again, his voice still calm and tranquil, “You truly don’t wish to return to the palace?”
 “I don’t,” Feng Duying’s voice was equally placid and unruffled, “Fourth Brother, do you have a way to resolve the deadlock between me and Elder Brother?”
 Feng Ji chuckled softly, still facing the garden, “If you want Elder Brother to acknowledge you, it’s not difficult. Tomorrow morning, during the court assembly, you can submit a request to be transferred to the southernmost city of Ye, to serve as a guard. Compared to the Imperial City, Ye is at the edge of the world while the Imperial City is within reach. At that time, it’ll be Eldest Brother who will be anxious.”
 Upon hearing these words, Feng Duying did not respond immediately. She only turned her head to look at Feng Ji’s silhouette, then shifted her gaze to the flowering crabapple outside the window, lost in thought.
 After a moment, Feng Ji turned back and inquired, “Why? Don’t you like the strategy of retreating to advance?”
 “Fourth Brother,” Feng Duying moved her gaze back to him, “I have considered what you said before.”
 “Oh?” Feng Ji walked over to her and took a seat on the rattan couch.
 Feng Duying, however, remained silent, turning her head to look out of the window once more, staring intently at the vivid begonia blossoms.
 Feng Ji, sitting beside her, could only see her elegant profile, her features harmonious and proportionate, as if they had been meticulously sculpted from the finest white jade by a master craftsman. Yet, her expression bore a touch of uncertainty. This soft demeanor was rare for her and was only witnessed occasionally by her seven brothers.
 After a long while, Feng Duying spoke softly, “Fourth Brother, what if Elder Brother approves?”
 “Hmm?” Feng Ji was momentarily taken aback.
 Feng Duying gracefully withdrew her gaze and looked at Feng Ji, her voice carrying a faint trace of melancholy, “Fourth Brother, as of late, I often ponder whether the day will come when the eight of us are destined to part ways.”
 Feng Ji’s heart skipped a beat as he held Feng Duying’s gaze steadfastly. Feng Duying rose from her seat and walked to the window, where the enchanting sunlight bathed the begonias in full bloom. Her voice, though delicate, was crystal clear and incisive, “Fourth Brother, the world is now ours, yet we no longer enjoy the freedom and happiness we once did.”
 After a moment of silence, Feng Ji stood up and walked to her side, lifting his hand as if to touch her shoulder, but ultimately refraining. Instead, he softly called, “Seventh Sister.” His voice was tender, carrying a hint of gentle consolation.
 Feng Duying reached out the window and plucked a begonia branch. She gazed at it thoughtfully for a while before speaking, “In the past… whether it was our impoverished youth or the battles we fought together, the eight of us were like one entity, sharing joy and sorrow. We even created an unprecedented paradigm by residing together in this Imperial Palace, which had always been exclusive to the Royal Family. Just like this flower, we shared the same roots, branches, and petals.” She caressed the flower with her fingertips, brimming with affection, yet in the next moment, she tore the petals one by one, “However… these past two years, we’ve become eight separate individuals, much like these petals.” She arranged the eight petals in a circle on the windowsill, imitating a flower, but the petals were now separated, with no connection between them.
 Suddenly, a gentle breeze brushed past, and the petals on the windowsill were instantly swept into the air. Some soared high, some flew far away, some fluttered and fell gently, and others circled the window’s edge before coming to a halt.
 In a realm where Feng Ji and Feng Duying beheld the petals dancing in disarray upon the wind’s whim, their hearts trembled with a sudden surprise, as a gentle chill enveloped them, creeping into their very souls.
 “Fourth Brother,” Feng Duying sighed softly with eyes closed, “When do you think the gale that scattered the eight of us shall come?”
 Feng Ji offered no answer, nor did he know how to respond. She was no ordinary maiden, whose worries could be easily dismissed with a few words. Her eyes shone with wisdom, her heart clear and discerning; she understood all matters as if they were laid bare in front of her. All he could do was to follow the petals borne away by the wind, until they vanished from sight.
 For a moment, the study was steeped in a silence as profound as an abyss, despite the radiant sunshine outside casting vibrant hues on the begonia blossoms.
 In that instant, the two of them stood side by side before the window, their eyes fixed upon the begonias, their thoughts and emotions in perfect harmony.
 The eight of them, orphaned by fate, met in the most humble of circumstances. In the bloom of youth, they found camaraderie in one another, pledging their brotherhood and sisterhood. Fortuitously, they encountered their benevolent master Yuyan Tian, who taught them martial and literary arts, imbuing them with the spirit of heroes. With hearts ablaze and bare hands, they fought for their place in the world. Over the span of more than a decade, they brought an end to the era of strife and turmoil, secured the land beneath the heavens, and founded their own dynasty.
 Remarkably, throughout their journey, despite the bloodshed and cruelty they faced, the wealth and power they attained, their bond remained unchanged, as sincere and pure as in their youth. This was the source of their greatest pride.
 Atop the vast mountain summit, under the resplendent moon and stars, they enthroned their eldest brother, Dong Shixiu, as their Emperor, who named his country the Great Eastern Dynasty and his reigning time the “Yuan Ding” era.
 In the waning days of summer in that very year, the nascent dynasty welcomed its first joyous occasion: the Second Brother, Huang Ti, took a bride. The reason their fraternal bond had delayed their matrimonial unions for so long stemmed from a solemn vow made by the eight siblings: they would not establish their own households until their grand ambitions had been fulfilled.
 Following the royal marriage of Huang Ti, the celebrations within the Imperial Capital were in full swing, as one after another, the third brother Ning Jingyuan, the fifth brother Bai Yima, and the sixth brother Hua Jingtai also took brides. The palace was abuzz with merriment and excitement.
 These eight individuals had carved out their current empire through their own abilities. However, in the early stages when they only had twenty to thirty thousand soldiers, they had received considerable assistance in both wealth and military power from the five families of Liang, Chen, Wang, Xie, and Feng. This support had doubled their efficiency and accomplishments.
 The Liang family, being the dominant force in the city of Yincheng, harbored ambitions of supremacy. When their forces marched upon Yincheng, the Liang family saw that they could not resist and dispatched emissaries seeking peace. They were willing to surrender Yincheng, all of their wealth, and provide military assistance on the condition of a marriage alliance.
 Peace or war?
 After discussing amongst themselves, the eight of them naturally thought that peace was the most advantageous. But who would marry the daughter of the Liang family?
 At the time, the brothers were all young and not particularly concerned about marriage. Thus, the younger siblings conspired to nominate the eldest among them, Dong Shixiu. However, Dong Shixiu was unwilling, so they decided to draw lots. As fate would have it, the lot fell to the youngest sibling, Nan Pianyue. Nan Pianyue was only ten years old at the time and had drawn the lot as a game, accompanied by his seventh sister, Feng Duying.
 Of course, the drawing of lots did not yield a satisfactory outcome.
 Devoid of alternatives, the assembly of eight sought guidance from their venerable master, Yuyan Tian.
 Inquiring upon the opinions of the eight disciples, the consensus amongst the seven siblings was to nominate their eldest brother, Dong Shixiu. Yuyan Tian, upon hearing their words, contemplated for a brief moment and observed them for a considerable duration. Eventually, he nodded in agreement and proclaimed, “Strength must not be divided, hearts must not diverge. In the future to come, let it be as it is today.”
 Bound by the command of their master, Dong Shixiu reluctantly acquiesced. Addressing his younger brothers, he said, “Very well, I shall accept these marriages, but you must promise me one thing – in the future when you seek a spouse, choose only the person you truly love.”
 Indeed, in the ensuing years, their power and influence grew stronger day by day. The Chen and Wang families submitted, while the Xie and Feng families came to pledge their loyalty. The terms for their allegiance were primarily through marriage alliances, all arranged by Dong Shixiu. In the years of warfare that followed, many beautiful women were sent to Dong Shixiu as offerings from various parties, and he accepted them all, keeping them close to his side. Thus, by the time he ascended the throne, there were already more than ten Imperial Consorts within the palace. Additionally, there were the spouses of the Imperial family members, such as Huang Ti, Ning Jingyuan, Bai Yima, and Hua Jingtai, as well as the numerous female attendants, palace maids, and ladies-in-waiting that served the various residences and individuals. The palace was filled with countless women.
 However, these women were unlike the aforementioned eight; each held her own ambitions and desires. Consequently, the vast and opulent Imperial Palace was perpetually embroiled in a tempestuous sea of intrigue and discord. When Dong Shixiu married the daughters of the Liang, Chen, Wang, Xie, and Feng families, he treated them all as equals, conferring upon them the title of Lady without distinction between primary and secondary wives. After ascending the throne, he continued to treat them impartially, bestowing upon them the title of Imperial Consort without naming one as the Empress. Although this approach maintained a balance among the five families, it left the position of Empress vacant. The result was a relentless competition and struggle for power among the various Imperial Consorts, both overtly and covertly.
 In the realm of the Imperial Palace, four noble individuals, Huang Ti, Ning Jingyuan, Bai Yima, and Hua Jingtai, held esteemed positions. Their consorts were not ordinary women from humble backgrounds, but rather ladies of distinguished families or renowned noble daughters. These women possessed cunning minds and were far from ordinary mediocrities.
 As a result, factions emerged within the palace, with consorts allying themselves against one another, sisters-in-law plotting against their kin, and consorts challenging their in-laws. The reasons for these intrigues were manifold: perhaps a reward or favor, a displeased glance, outshining one another in attire, a more prominent lineage, an eloquent remark made by one’s spouse in the imperial court, a family member obtaining a lucrative position, or even baseless rumors. Overcome with jealousy, hatred, strife, and calculation, the women harbored their respective designs, shrouding the palace in an atmosphere of dark miasma.
 At first, the brothers attempted to mediate and restore harmony, achieving only a superficial and transient peace, as their efforts failed to truly unite the feuding parties. Eventually, Emperor Ti took the initiative to move out of the palace, purchasing a residence and constructing his own manor within the Imperial Capital. Following his lead, Ning Jingyuan, Bai Yima, and Hua Jingtai each left the palace to establish their own households. In doing so, the tumultuous storms that had once ravaged the palace were finally quelled by half.
 Later on, Feng Ji and Nan Pianyue, unwilling to be caught in the crossfire between consorts, also successively moved out. As time passed, even Feng Duying decided to leave the palace.
In the past, the legend of the eight siblings, who once made the world look askance as they resided within the Imperial Palace together, dissolved into mist and clouds on this fateful day.
 Despite distancing themselves from the palace’s strife by relocating from the imperial grounds, the turbulent battles of the court remained inescapable. As the new dynasty began, countless officials eagerly awaited their promotions. Brimming with ambition, they all believed themselves destined to become pillars of the new regime. However, the first imperial edict issued by Emperor Dong Shixiu on the day of his ascension shattered their dreams.
 This initial decree of Emperor Dong Shixiu bestowed positions upon his seven brothers and sisters. Feng Ji was appointed as the Prime Minister, the Chancellor leader of all officials, responsible for overseeing national affairs. Huang Ti was made the Grand Marshal, the head of the military, and entrusted with the command of martial affairs. Ning Jingyuan was designated the Prefect of the Imperial Capital, overseeing the city’s administrative duties. Bai Yima was named Prefect of the Judicial Department, in charge of punishments and legal orders. Hua Jingtai was promoted to the Minister of Agriculture, supervising matters such as land, household registration, taxes, and fiscal revenues. Feng Duying was assigned as the Commander of the Imperial City’s North Guard, responsible for the patrol and security of the capital. Nan Pianyue took on the role of Commander of the Imperial Palace’s South Guard, ensuring the security of the Royal Palace.
 In this vast and majestic dynasty, there were far more than just the seven of them, with countless officials numbering in the thousands. Yet, the seven held the most paramount and crucial positions. Simultaneously, each of the seven was bestowed with the title of a First-Class Grand General; each could bear arms in the presence of the sovereign; each could freely enter and exit the Imperial Palace; and there was once the time when they resided within the palace. There was no need to enumerate further honors and titles; these aspects alone sufficed to indicate the Emperor’s extraordinary favor and trust in the seven.
Those who stand at lofty heights have forever been the focus of the masses and the target of jealousy and assault.
 At first, when the seven Generals were awarded such honors based on their meritorious achievements, no objections were raised. However, as time passed, people gradually forgot the blood, sweat, and tears the seven had shed for the dynasty. They were blind to the tireless efforts the seven made for the nation. All they saw was the Emperor’s partiality; they saw the prestige and honor bestowed upon them; and they saw that the highest positions were occupied by these seven individuals. As a result, they were filled with jealousy and dissatisfaction.
 Now that peace prevailed across the land and the people’s lives had started to recover, there was no longer a need to worry about wars or live in fear of safety. What they had to consider now was their own interests. What they sought to scheme was how to elevate themselves higher, how to win the Emperor’s favor and the support of the officials, how to obtain greater and more significant benefits, how to ensure the prosperity of their own families, and the question of… who should be the Crown Prince?
 As the days went by, with the rise of the dynasty, the court officials found their footing, pursuing their individual goals and common jealousies. They consciously or unconsciously formed alliances and supported one another, with the Liang, Chen, Wang, Xie, and Feng families standing above the rest. Daughters from these five families bore children for the Emperor, and each believed that their contributions were essential to the Emperor’s success. Although all five families were granted noble titles as rewards, they were far from being as close to and trusted by the Emperor as the Seven Generals were in terms of their positions in court.
 The foundations of these five families were already deep-rooted, and with years of cultivation, they had gradually established their power within the court. The methods employed by each of the five families varied, as they competed against one another, but their ultimate goal remained the same: if their sons could not inherit the mother’s honor, then the mothers would gain prestige through their sons. Only by having someone of their own blood ascend the Imperial throne could they ensure the prosperity of their family for a hundred years.
 Originally, the five families sought to win over the Seven Generals due to their status, but they soberly realized that they could not succeed, as the Seven Generals were solely devoted to the Emperor. They were either friends or foes! Moreover, as long as the Seven Generals held sway in the court, how could there be a day for the families to rise to prominence?
 Thus, beneath the seemingly harmonious and tranquil court, filled with talented individuals, hidden currents surged. The seven of them stood gloriously at the pinnacle, yet they faced attacks from all directions, with cold arrows striking from time to time.
 In the days following their departure from the Imperial Palace, the eight companions established their own households and started families. With the birth of sons and daughters, and the ever-increasing burden of their official duties, their gatherings outside the realm of state affairs dwindled. Deep within their hearts, their love for each other remained unchanged, but they could not deny that the number of people they cared for and held dear continued to grow. The once paramount bond between the eight had become but one of many important connections.
 As time marched on, their paths might gradually diverge, and the cherished camaraderie they once shared might fade away. This sorrowful realization was both inevitable and helpless.
 “United in purpose and virtue, we shall never part,” whispered Feng Duying softly in the tranquil study. “Fourth Brother, can we uphold the promise we made in our youth?”
 Feng Ji’s chest tightened. After a prolonged silence, he replied with a light yet resolute tone, “As long as our hearts remain unswayed to this very day, and throughout the years to come, how can we ever part?”
 A faint smile graced Feng Duying’s face, akin to a gentle ripple spreading across a serene lake, only to vanish in an instant. “The vicissitudes of life care not for the will of men.”
 Feng Ji remained silent.
 In a fleeting moment, Feng Duying unexpectedly spoke, “Fourth Brother, when do you plan to take a wife? I’ve heard that our Eighth Brother has found someone he fancies, and perhaps they will soon be united in matrimony. When that time comes…” Her words trailed off, leaving behind only a shallow, wistful sigh.
 Embedded within that sigh was a sense of melancholy and reluctance, which Feng Ji fully understood. He knew that what she valued most was the bond between the eight of them, and if there came a day when they would drift apart…
 “Fourth Brother shall accompany you. If you do not marry, then neither shall I,” he promised in response.
 Yet upon hearing his words, Feng Duying showed no sign of joy. Instead, she closed her eyes, concealing the bitter emotions welling up within her.
 “Knock, knock!”
 As the sound of knocking on the door filled the study, the two of them instantly composed themselves.
 “My lord, General, the head steward has announced that the midday meal has been prepared.”
 Stepping through the door, Shi Yan and Du Kang found themselves entranced by the sight before them. Framed by the window, two figures turned to face them, one clad in darkness, the other in light. Amidst the vibrant begonias, they stood like twin jade trees, their beauty unparalleled and their grace evenly matched.
 In that moment, the two devoted guards were struck dumb with awe.
 “Let us first partake in our meal,” Feng Ji suggested to Feng Duying, leading them towards the flower hall. “After we have dined, I shall introduce you to the new peony I have cultivated.”
 “Oh? What kind of peony is it?” Feng Duying inquired. “Have you managed to grow the ‘Cang Bi Lan’ that Fourth Brother mentioned?”
 “Is there any flower in this world that I cannot cultivate?” Feng Ji boasted.
 “Haha…” Feng Duying chuckled heartily in response.

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