By the noble sacrifice of the late Grand Chancellor, the pass between the Huang Yan mountains was sealed. The path southward blocked, the Kong was forced to go around the mountains to reach the Capital. During this time, the Ruo reinforcements successfully advanced up the river and rendezvoused with the remains of the Yang army. Together, they chased off the Kong army, and retook the five cities that were lent to the Kong a year prior.

A grand memorial was held for Yao Lin, the first female Grand Chancellor of the Yang kingdom. The Emperor himself led the procession, marching all the way from the Imperial Palace to her childhood home in the outskirts. The Queen of Ruo gave her respects at the grave. Yao Lin had no family left to mourn her, and so all of Yang wept in their place.

Seasons passed, and the Yang-Ruo relationship flourished. The river canal connecting the two kingdoms was busy with boats going up and down the river. On several occasions, the Kong tried to infringe on the borders, but thanks to the new technology from the Ruo, were turned away each time.

Eventually, the rulers of the kingdoms announced good news. They would be getting married, the Queen of Ruo moving into the Imperial Palace. Their union spelled the union of their kingdoms. The kingdoms of Ruo and Yang were wiped off the map, in their place, a new kingdom was formed.

The kingdom of Ruoyang.

General Xie closed the bamboo scroll he was reading from, a gentle smile on his face. By his feet was a lone gravestone. It had not been attended to in years, but still, nature had spared the words written on its side.

In memory of Yao Lin.

Esteemed Grand Chancellor of Yang.

“In the end, you managed to do it,” he said softly. “You managed to go beyond the boundaries of your role, and accomplished much more than I expected you to.”

The wind blew. The grass wavered. General Xie stepped away from the grave. With each step, his figure faded into particles of brilliant light.

“Well done, Yao Lin.”

“Sleep well.”