Character Index

  Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang clan, currently an Oversight Officer in the Northern Army.

  Ashina: Personal name Ibilga, princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate. Kayla's wife.

  Shu Ling: Kayla's former retainer, retired to get married to Feng Yi, who she was the bodyguard for.

  Feng Yi: A hapless merchant who got dragged into the succession struggle.

  Heli: The sixteen-year-old chieftain of the Pugu tribe.

  Alizhi: The grandson of Chieftain Tumidu of the Ugyhur tribe.

  General Yan: The General of the Northern Army sent to reinforce Chuluo Khagan against the Western Turkic Khaganate. He is loyal first and foremost to his troops rather than the mercurial whims of the capital, which has led to tensions between him and Hu Qing.

  Tuhezhen: Heli's nephew, who is also twice his age. Died at the end of Book 2 at Heli's behest and under Hu Qing's arrangements.

  Xie Rengui: A baby-faced former farmboy with a surprising sense for strategy. Hu Qing's aide.

  Zhang Sicong: A soldier in General Yan's army.

  Piao Shanren: A soldier in General Yan's army.

  Chuluo: Khagan of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.

  Datan: Heli's teacher, guardian, and right-hand man. The one really running the Pugu in lieu of his young student.

  Shelun: A clan leader within the Pugu tribe.

  Tiezhen: A clan leader within the Pugu tribe.

  Anagui: A clan leader within the Pugu tribe.

  Zhou Ying: Posthumously titled Emperor Xuanzong, father of Zhou Yunqi.

  Zhou Yunqi: The current Emperor.

  Qiu Jinwei: Yunqi's loyal strategist.

  Investigator Mi: A young Investigator who accompanied Kayla to the North in Book 2, he was subsequently promoted to a branch office where he could gain experience and achievements for a promotion back to the capital.

  Governor Huang: Governor of Shengzhou, Kayla's reluctant ally from Book 2.

  The camp of the Wu reinforcements to Chuluo Khagan had grown idle in the months following the parley. Some troops had already been sent home after it became clear that the two Khaganates would not be fighting again, and those that remained were caught in a sudden vacuum of action and excitement after months of battle.

  Hence, it was with some surprise that Hu Qing received on short notice Wenyuan’s message to wait for a call. A direct call right from the capital, it seemed.

  Was the baby born?

  The timing seemed about right. Wenyuan didn’t seem to be the type of father who would make use of a special line that needed over a dozen relay devices just so he could show off his child. You never knew though, parenthood changed people.

  He carefully checked the tent’s surroundings and settled in to wait for the call. He didn’t need to wait long for it to come–it was more the process of painstakingly ensuring their privacy. Each of the relay callers needed to set up privacy talismans, and then remove themselves from the area covered by said talisman while still remaining close enough to ensure that the device wasn’t made off with. And Wenyuan needed to confirm that all the relay callers were indeed out of range of the privacy talisman, that the talisman functions also obscured lip reading, and then finally start talking.

  There was a reason why they usually stuck to encrypted letters.

  Hu Qing grinned as he watched Wenyuan orchestrate the laborious process. It was the first time he’d seen his friend and patron in a while. The Duke looked tired, which was nothing new, but the constant shadow of fear around the corner of his eyes seemed to have lessened somewhat.

  Good.

  “Are you well?” Hu Qing asked, when the call was finally ready.

  “I’m fine,” Wenyuan said. “I should be the one asking you.”

  Something finally relaxed inside him at Wenyuan's casual tone.

  “You know me, I'm always in perfect health,” Hu Qing replied.

  “As long as you don’t get stabbed,” Wenyuan muttered.

  Hu Qing’s grin widened. Months had passed, but nothing had really changed between them even if everything else moved forward ruthlessly.

  “How’s the Princess and the baby?” Hu Qing asked, since that was evidently not what the call was about.

  “Good heavens, don’t even get me started,” Wenyuan said with a grimace. “The nerves are getting to all of us. It’s a very–you’ll see. We can talk more once you’re here.”

  “Hopefully I’ll get to see your son by then,” Hu Qing quipped.

  “I hope it’s not a boy,” Wenyuan said, his tone flattening so abruptly that it took Hu Qing by surprise.

  “Daughter then,” Hu Qing replied, deciding not to prod Wenyuan further.

  Wenyuan forced a smile.

  “What about the retainers?” Hu Qing asked. “Anyone I need to whip into shape when I get back?”

  “They’re all doing great,” Wenyuan replied with a smile. “Shu Ling retired.”

  “She what?!”

  “She got married.”

  “Shu Ling?! She got married? Don’t tell me it’s Feng Yi!”

  “It’s Feng Yi.”

  “For fuck’s sake,” Hu Qing said in disbelief. “That old codger, running off with our most promising talent! Our precious cabbage has been rooted out by a wild pig!"

  "What is she, your daughter?" Wenyuan quipped.

  He let out a soft huff. "Well, I guess that’s good for him, at least. But what is Shu Ling even going to do? Become a housewife?”

  “She’s running an accessory stall with her husband—oh forget about that for now. How are you doing?" Wenyuan asked.

  "I'm fine," Hu Qing replied.

  Wenyuan looked stubbornly unconvinced.

  "I know that the battlefield is a harsh place–are you–I mean,” Wenyuan drew a sharp breath. “Can you handle it?”

  Of course Wenyuan insisted on worrying about everything, even the most unnecessary.

  “I prefer it to the capital,” Hu Qing said. "Trust me, it's fine."

  Probably because he was an officer. Hu Qing doubted he would be in this much good cheer as a foot soldier. As it was, he was comfortable in his position and well-liked by the men despite his rank and inexperience. Part of it was that they could sense that Hu Qing had as many lives on his hands as they did. Part of it was that Hu Qing knew how easily he could’ve been in their position if he hadn’t been extremely lucky several times in a row.

  Wenyuan relaxed slightly.

  “Good,” Wenyuan said, relief palpable in his voice. “I feel much more at ease knowing that. But anyways, Have you met Princess Halime yet?”

  “Not yet,” Hu Qing said. “But I’ll take good care of your sister-in-law, don’t worry about that.”

  “If it’s you then I have nothing to worry about,” Wenyuan said.

  His smile faded as if the allotted time for niceties had come to an end. Wenyuan leaned closer to the communication device, speaking in a half-whisper. “Now listen, Hu Qing, this is important. Are you alone right now?”

  “Yes,” Hu Qing said, checking the tent just to be careful.

  “If you don’t need a privacy ward, don’t activate one,” Wenyuan warned. “I don’t want anyone raising suspicions on account of a precaution.”

  “I don’t need one,” Hu Qing replied, any trace of fond amusement gone now. "What's wrong?”

  “There may be trouble with the Tiele,” Wenyuan said.

  Hu Qing blinked in surprise. “Huh? The Tiele? Did they fall out with you?”

  “No, it’s the Pugu chieftain. He’s in trouble.”

  “The little kid?”

  “That's the one,” Wenyuan said. “His nephew’s death…Tuhezhen, do you remember that guy?”

  Fuck.

  His blood ran cold

  “Yes.”

  “His tribesmen are suspicious, and things are getting out of hand. I’m worried they’ll use the occasion of the Royal Consort’s journey to try something. We need to take precautions with her security.”

  “Yeah, alright,” Hu Qing said, mouth dry.

  Tuhezhen’s death was ages ago–at least that was how it felt like.

  Come on, those Pugu guys are way too sharp, aren’t they?

  This was a battlefield, for heaven’s sake. People died every day.

  Not of a horse riding accident though, that was true. Perhaps he had been hasty. They should have waited for something, until a battle at least, one that gave him a chance to kill Tuhezhen without inciting suspicion.

  But General Yan hadn’t wanted to wait, and certainly hadn’t wanted to risk Tuhezhen awakening some kind of Tiele warrior genes in the middle of a battle and becoming recognized for valor instead. And his camp, his rules.

  So Tuhezhen had died, too quickly, too suspiciously.

  It was a sloppy job, and Hu Qing knew it. But the steppes were wide, the grasses tall, and there weren’t really that many eyes on him or Tuhezhen at the time. He’d thought that he’d gotten away with it.

  “It wasn’t very well done,” Hu Qing admitted. “I’m sorry.”

  There was a short pause in which Hu Qing’s stomach twisted. Panic spiked through his veins, a sensation that had grown unfamiliar after years of reckless nonchalance.

  I screwed us over.

  If Wenyuan was furious, he was right to be so.

  But then Wenyuan spoke again, sounding much the same as usual.

  “It can’t be helped. It’s not our territory and it’s hard to operate as guests,” Wenyuan said. “More importantly, I need to know who might have witnessed it. Any eyewitnesses from the Tiele?”

  “Alizhi,” Hu Qing replied.

  “He won’t be a problem. Anyone else?”

  “Just Alizhi’s guard,” Hu Qing said."Some guy a few years older than me."

  “I’ll ask him about it. No other Tiele tribesmen except for those two? Are you sure? No one who saw you guys set off?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good. Then the Pugu dissidents are going off nothing but pure speculation. What about Wu soldiers?”

  “Xie Rengui,” Hu Qing said. “He won’t be an issue. And two of General Yan’s men.”

  “Can they be trusted?”

  Hu Qing shrugged. “I’m not sure. They’re very loyal to General Yan, and you know how volatile that man is.”

  “Tell me their names,” Wenyuan said. “And if you know their hometowns, that too.”

  “Zhang Sicong and Piao Shanren,” Hu Qing supplied. “Zhang Sicong’s from Shaanxi, and Piao Shanren’s family is from Goryeo. I think they live in Liaodong now.”

  “I’ll find out where their families live,” Wenyuan said. “If it comes to an investigation, sending money all the way out of the border will be too obvious. But some money tucked into their family's pockets at home should do the trick. It probably won’t come to it, but just in case.”

  “Thanks,” Hu Qing said in relief. He paused for a second. “How badly did I fuck this up?”

  “I’m the one who asked you to do this,” Wenyuan replied, which meant it was bad.

  “Can it be dealt with?” Hu Qing asked. “I mean, that kid–”

  “Heli will be fine,” Wenyuan said wearily. “But stay on guard. I’ll be in touch, but we’ll communicate primarily through encrypted messages to avoid any complications. If the situation is not resolved by the time you start the journey, we’ll have to resort to…stronger methods.”

  “We’ll work it out,” Hu Qing said, trying to hide his unease at the ominous words.

  “Hopefully,” Wenyuan agreed. “In the meantime, make sure you don’t spook Zhang Sicong or Piao Shanren into thinking they’ll be under duress, but don’t let them stab you in the back once you’re gone either. I’m not saying there will be an investigation–heavens be willing, I won't let that happen. But even if it does, let them know that…”

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  Wenyuan trailed off for a second. “Let them know that their families will benefit from their silence far more than their arrests.”

  “Yeah,” Hu Qing said.

  “Alright then,” Wenyuan said, his tone softening again. “Take care of yourself, alright? And get into Princess Halime’s good graces somehow.”

  “I will,” Hu Qing replied. “You also take care.”

  And then the call was over. Hu Qing stood numbly in the tent for a moment, shocked at both his own burst of fear and the crisis that had appeared so unexpectedly, like lightning strike across clear skies. He took a deep breath and went to find Xie Rengui.

  It didn't take long for Hu Qing to unceremoniously snag Xie Rengui from where the aide was poring over military documents, and explain the situation in as few words as he could.

  The baby-faced young man blinked helplessly, a look of confusion on his face that didn’t match the rapid spinning of his mind.

  Hu Qing waited less than half a second for a response, received none, and threw his hands up in exasperation.

  “What a mess,” Hu Qing muttered, Xie Rengui watching wide-eyed in concern. “They're definitely aiming to pressure Heli off his seat by using the Royal Consort. Even if the local governors want to support Heli, they’ll have to switch him out in order to avoid a scandal when the delegation’s passing through, and that’s if the Pugu doesn’t directly stir up a fuss while the Royal Consort’s there.”

  Which meant Chuluo had an excuse to stick his head in, now that his "precious" daughter was involved.

  Xie Rengui bowed his head slightly.

  “The longer we stay in the Anbei Protectorate, the higher the chance that something will go wrong,” Xie Rengui said. “Even if the Duke manages to suppress dissent before Princess Halime passes through, there will always be fish that escape the net.”

  “Well, we can’t rush the journey. With an entourage like Princess Ibilga’s, it took two days to cross through the region in its entirety, and another half day before we were out of ambushing range. With a delegation that includes the Royal Consort, the Khagan’s nephew, a bunch of her Persian relatives, and a whole host of attendants and diplomats, it’ll take longer. Even if we take the shortest route possible, we still can’t ensure that we move fast enough to avoid trouble,” Hu Qing said. “Fuck, it’ll take forever. We’ll just have to keep the delegation closely guarded, so that no one can get close without our saying so. We’ll need more men, at least twice our current number.”

  “I’ll ask General Yan,” Xie Rengui said, being far more liked by the gruff commander than Hu Qing.

  “He has an obligation to provide it,” Hu Qing said with a hint of built-up resentment. “If anything happens to the Royal Consort, he’ll be in as much trouble as us, if not even more.”

  “I’ll talk it through with him,” Xie Rengui replied.

  Hu Qing waved him off, disgruntled.

  Kayla ended her call with Hu Qing to almost immediately receive a message from Heli.

  Upon closer look, the message seemed to be from his trusty retainer Datan.

  Shelun, Tiezhen, and Anagui, the heads of the three largest Pugu clans, have denounced Heli as Chieftain and amassed significant support. We plead for your immediate aid.

  Kayla stared at her communication device with a small amount of amazement. And just a few moments ago she'd thought they could contain the problem before this happened. Just how far had the Pugu let this fester? Even the direst report she'd gotten turned out to be a vast understatement.

  “What do they mean, they’re denouncing Heli as their chieftain?” Kayla muttered to herself. “Unbelievable…of all times–!”

  And they probably would have been fine with it if Tuhezhen killed Heli, and yet they’re so pissed that Heli killed Tuhezhen?

  The whole thing left a bitter taste in her mouth.

  It was true–Heli was far too young to be a Chieftain, but since he was Chieftain, he needed to stay there or he would die.

  And what would that mean for stability in the North?

  Kayla’s mind flitted to the bundle of nerves Heli had been in their last meeting.

  In the long run? I really can’t say.

  But she needed the reforms to roll out smoothly, and keeping the North stable was vital to that. And keeping the North stable meant that she needed to keep the Tiele chieftains safe, and made sure that they felt safe in the fact that their ally in the capital had their backs.

  Yet these fuckers—

  Rage shot through her veins, overtaking her in a flash.

  Denouncing Heli? What the fuck are they even trying to accomplish? The only other choice for Chieftain is a five-year-old!

  And they’d waited, hadn’t they? Waited to see this exact scenario play out. They could’ve denounced Heli while Tuhezhen was still alive, but they waited until Heli was forced to kill him.

  To find an excuse.

  Now they'd have a perfect puppet ruler with no other candidates to interfere. Her knuckles whitened as her hands clenched into fists.

  If I say that Heli’s the Chieftain, they dare to say that he’s not? They’ll fucking regret this.

  Her mind turned to another problem–how the hell did she report this to Yunqi? Did she report this? The internal strife had yet to reach a point where a local official realized what was going on and filed a report to the central administration. Until then, she still had time. Kayla could still–hopefully–keep things from getting that bad.

  Or what, tell Yunqi that I killed Tuhezhen?

  Emperor Xuanzong hadn’t even noticed that Tuhezhen died in the North. This new Emperor probably wouldn’t be all that surprised either, knowing that Kayla had quite a few lives on her hands already.

  Which also isn’t a good thing, this shit’s seriously counting against me.

  Qiu Jinwei, silent and ever watchful, was waiting for an excuse. That would be handed over to him on a silver platter if the Tiele fell into chaos.

  Kayla drew a deep breath. She would need to report this.

  It is my fault after all, Kayla resignedly acknowledged. Might’ve been different if Heli had to guts to stab Tuhezhen himself–but that never would’ve happened.

  Better that Kayla controlled the narrative than to leave it to someone else then. But only after she had a grasp of the situation, and had taken measures to ensure that it wouldn't get out of hand. What the hell would that look like to Yunqi, that she'd made a short-sighted attempt to fix a situation only to result in greater chaos? For a ruler backing some rather ambitious and untested reforms, that was the last thing Yunqi wanted to hear about.

  Because of course Yunqi would know she was behind Tuhezhen's death. Given the blood on both their hands, it would be all too obvious. It wasn't as though Kayla would go on and admit it either, but he would draw his own conclusions. As long as she showed that the consequences could be contained, and hinted that Emperor Xuanzong had encouraged it (he had not), Yunqi would probably let the matter go.

  For now.

  Once again, Kayla found herself praying that the child was a daughter and not a son. She had survived the fall of the Grand Duke, but would her child survive Kayla's death? Ashina would, but she was a foreign princess.

  Would the Zhao clan outlast me though?

  Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't, but it would be entirely out of Kayla's hands. Unnoticed, her annoyance at Heli had melted, but remained pooled in her stomach as an unidentifiable puddle. She forced the thoughts out of her mind, focusing on the task before her.

  She sent out a flurry of messages, delegating tasks as fast as she send them out. Kayla paused as the communication device showed a new call from Heli’s line in the Anbei Protectorate.

  The same laborious process of ensuring privacy commenced, thankfully with fewer measures for a voice call, and then she finally could talk.

  “Heli?”

  “Apologies, Your Excellency. It is Datan speaking.”

  Datan. Of course. And where was their little chieftain?

  “I’ve read your message. So they declared against him?” Kayla asked, very calmly and collectedly. A stray document crunched in her fist.

  “Yes,” Datan said, sounding very uncomfortable. “We beg for your assistance. You’re the only one we can turn to now, my lord.”

  “And is there a reason you didn’t turn to me earlier? The Royal Consort will be passing through the area in less than a month. I hope you understand that she could be the key to ending your little Chieftain altogether,” Kayla said flatly.

  “My lord…” Datan’s voice took on a desperate tone. “Please have mercy. The Chieftain is very young. He’s easily frightened by these things. It was thoughtless of him, but–”

  Something in the pit of her stomach cooled, hardened.

  “You’re not very young, Datan.”

  Despair crept into Datan’s voice. “I take full responsibility, my lord. I will resign if that would please you. I only beg your protection for the boy.”

  “No!” Heli yelped.

  “So Chieftain Heli is there,” Kayla said. “And I thought he wasn’t.”

  Horrified silence descended over the other end of the line.

  “You can hear me, can’t you? Get on the damn call,” Kayla barked.

  There was some shuffling and then the sound of Heli’s anxious breathing was in her ears.

  “Y-your Excellency,” Heli greeted in a small voice.

  The voice of a kid. A child. Kayla pressed her eyes shut, breathing in sharply through her nose. Why wouldn’t the Pugu want to oust him? He was practically a clod of mud–whether in her hands or Datan’s, or anyone else’s.

  And she wasn’t so delusional as to think that she’d backed him out of pity.

  “Heli,” Kayla said. “I won’t waste time saying that I’m angry or disappointed. You already know that. What I want to do right now is to ask for your true thoughts. Be honest with me.”

  “Y-yes sir,” Heli replied.

  Kayla paused for a moment. She couldn’t fully put a name to the impulse that had arisen. It wasn’t quite anger–that she already had in abundance. The itching sensation in her stomach crystallized, and the question that formed in her mouth seemed to do so on its own.

  “Heli, tell me, from the bottom of your heart. Are you fit to rule over the Pugu?”

  That was evidently not what they had expected. She could hear the swish of fabric as Heli turned towards Datan helplessly, the older man unable to interject with Kayla listening in.

  “Just tell me what you think,” Kayla interrupted whatever silent exchange was going on. “It won’t change my decision.”

  “I…I—no, Your Excellency,” Heli finally said.

  “My lord!” Datan protested.

  “I wish that I were,” Heli said miserably. “But I don’t–I–when Tuhezhen was there I thought it was because of him, but even now that he’s gone! I just–”

  He drew a shuddering breath. “It’s only because I have Datan right now. Otherwise, I would be dead. I know it. Even if they didn’t kill me I wouldn’t be able to survive.”

  “My lord, that's not true!” Datan hissed, voice twisting in horror.

  “Very well,” Kayla said. “Thank you for telling me your thoughts, Heli. I will be honest with you in turn.”

  She paused, not intentionally trying to make them suffer through the wait, but rather to collect her own words.

  “I am going to help you.”

  There was a gasp of relief from the other end.

  “Stop that–don’t be relieved so soon,” Kayla said. “Think about what it means for me to help you regardless of whether or not you’re fit to rule! Think about it thoroughly.”

  She drew a sharp breath.

  “You’re sixteen. I don’t expect you to be a good ruler–my own wards are sixteen, and heavens protect them, I wouldn’t entrust them with running a household, much less a tribe. Now do you think I thought you an exception when I first offered an alliance?”

  Both Heli and Datan remained in startled silence.

  “Of course I will help you. In fact, I’ve already sent men out, they’ll arrive soon and take care of all this for you. But why the hell am I going to all this trouble? You’re not even an effective puppet ruler–I’m hearing about this only weeks before the Royal Consort’s due to pass through and Datan tells me this has been simmering for months now. So why?”

  There was a pause before Heli realized she actually expected him to answer.

  “To–um–to protect your influence in the region?”

  “Exactly. It's good that you can figure out that much.”

  There was another confused pause, probably as Heli tried to silently ask Datan what the hell Kayla wanted from all this other than to make him feel like shit. A good question, given that even Kayla didn't know.

  “Well, we’re very fortunate–and grateful–to receive your help,” Heli offered, sounding like a kicked dog.

  “That’s not the point,” Kayla said patiently. “It’s fine for you to lean on me for now, to lean on Datan, to lean on anyone who can offer you even a shred of help. You’re young. You’re rightfully afraid. But think about why you didn’t call me for help earlier. It wasn’t out of pride as a ruler, but fear of the consequences.”

  “Your Excellency, I'm really sorry."

  "I'm not asking for an apology."

  "I-I don’t understand,” Heli said helplessly.

  He would, only when it was too late–if she let him be, the way it was most expedient for her and probably for the court as well. But no amount of shame and horror would save either of them when they reached the end of that line.

  That same old question–How far are you willing to go?

  Kayla had an answer now.

  Not this far.

  “To be honest, I don’t understand either. How does it benefit me to tell you all this anyways?” Kayla said. “But here we are. Heli, I backed you against Tuhezhen because it increases my influence and prestige to successfully do so. Not because I thought you a good choice for Chieftain, not even out of pity for a young orphan. In the long run, whether you really are fit to lead the Pugu will depend on a very simple question. Are you alright with this? Are you really willing to–to just let some guy in the capital decide the fate of your tribe based on his pride and political interests?”

  There was an uncertain pause in which Heli shot desperate looks pleading for help at Datan.

  Unable to decipher his teacher’s complicated pupil movements, Heli gave up and chose the truth.

  “No, um, not really. I guess.”

  He could’ve sounded more certain, Kayla thought with annoyance, self-awareness kicking in belatedly.

  “Good.”

  Datan audibly sighed in relief.

  “There’s no rush, Heli. You are only sixteen. Pushing too fast won’t be good for you in the long run. But keep this in mind in your choices from now on,” Kayla said.

  “Yes sir,” Heli replied.

  Did he understand? Probably not. She wasn’t good at articulating it either, not when even Kayla didn’t know exactly what she was trying to say.

  “Cooperate with my men,” Kayla said resignedly. “And don’t kick up a fuss about how they handle it, no matter what they choose to do. If you wanted a say, you should’ve spoken up earlier.”

  “Ah, y-yes, of course,” Heli said.

  “Thank you, my lord,” Datan cut in, his voice a little shaky. “Thank you.”

  Finally having some pity on the overtaxed Datan, Kayla softened her tone.

  “Is there anything else?”

  “No, my lord,” Heli replied, sounding a little dazed. “Thank you.”

  Kayla ended the call, slowly dropping her head to the desk. She lifted it slightly and hit it against the wood with a soft thunk.

  “What the fuck is wrong with me?” Kayla muttered to herself. The miring discomfort dispelled in favor of cool-headed determination.

  She let out a sigh.

  “What a mess,” Kayla muttered. She sent off another message to the Investigator Mi, the young man who had accompanied her north to receive the bridal delegation all those months ago, followed by a message to Governor Huang. If it really came to that, they would need him to step in.

  In the safety of his own house, Heli glanced up at Datan, confused and more than a little hurt by Wenyuan’s words.

  “What was that?” He asked. It was evidently more than just the Duke is angry, that Heli could tell.

  Datan paused for a bit, thinking it over. It could’ve been a farce to lure an isolated and helpless young boy deeper into plight. It could’ve just been a denigrating tirade from someone so much higher on the hierarchy.

  Or had the Duke actually meant what he said in a highly confusing manifestation of goodwill?

  I suppose it doesn't matter. This was the one person they could rely on right now.

  “Whatever the Duke’s intentions in saying those things, you should remember his words properly for the rest of your life,” Datan said. “I won’t always be here for you. When you’re facing the world alone, you’ll need to consider for yourself how you want to handle men like him.”

  Men for whom the Pugu were only one of many pieces on the chessboard.

  Heli flinched at the thought of it, fear written over his face.

  Pity and concern mixing in his stomach, Datan clapped a hand onto Heli’s shoulder, silently praying that such a day wouldn't come anytime soon. The boy wasn't ready yet.

  Cultural Notes

  Anbei Protectorate: A Tang-dynasty semi-autonomous administrative region located in Northern China, encompassing parts of modern-day Inner Mongolia and Mongolia.

  白菜被野猪拱了/Cabbage was rooted out by a wild pig: A Chinese saying often used by indignant parents whose daughters fall in love with men they don't approve of.

  陕西/Shaanxi: A province in Northwestern China, it's a pretty arid region that borders modern-day Inner Mongolia. It was the home of Chang'an, an important city that served as the capital for several dynasties, and was an important part of the Silk Road.

  辽东/Liaodong: An administrative region in Northeastern China. Historically, it has also been used to refer to the northern part of the Korean peninsula as well.

  Goryeo: An Ancient Korean state.

  晴天霹雳/Lightning in a clear sky: An Ancient Chinese proverb that refers to an unexpected and unforeseen catastrophe/crisis.

  漏网之鱼/Fish that escapes the net: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to a missed spot/someone you overlooked.

  权臣之后/Descendants of a powerful/hegemonic official: In Ancient China, there are many cases of extremely powerful individuals who dominated court politics for a time, but their families were often routed with extreme prejudice and brutality the moment they pass away. Though these individuals may have been too difficult to handle, genetics does not determine competence, so their family members are usually a lot easier to rip down from a privileged position. Kayla was able to survive the downfall of the Grand Duke due to her own political choices, but she can't guarantee that her children will be able to navigate the court the way she did, and fears that a son would likely be killed in the aftermath. A daughter who married out of the family would have a much higher chance of surviving, especially since her status as "Khagan's granddaughter" would be more prevalent if she wasn't "Wenyuan's son and heir".

  Shengzhou: A Tang-dynasty administrative region located in Northern China, encompassing parts of modern-day Inner Mongolia.

  Tiele: A confederation of ethnic groups of Turkish origins who lived north of China and in Central Asia, and were briefly subjects of the Tang Dynasty.