Liaodong’s snow never melted year-round, yet under the hooves of fine horses traveling the capital’s official roads, wild flowers already bloomed, chasing bees.
Those hooves moved so fast they could create phantoms of light and shadow, their clip-clop sounds like a series of crackling gunshots.
Until several muffled coughs were heard.
This cough seemed like a signal. On the next horse, someone began coughing, much louder than the previous suppressed coughs.
Then the coughing spread like contagion. The riders behind began coughing one after another, earth-shaking coughs with spittle flying. People passing by on all sides hurried away, thinking a group of consumptives had arrived.
The lead rider stopped and looked back helplessly at those fake consumptives.
Her gaze met the real consumptive among them. She sighed and could only point to the teahouse ahead: “Let’s rest.”
The riders all cheered.
A hint of smile appeared on Rong Pu’s slightly pale face.
His fake coughing hadn’t been in vain.
Tie Ci pulled the reins and rode forward, smiling helplessly.
Traveling urgently all the way, they’d even abandoned the main force to save time. This group of friends constantly worried about her health, trying every method to make her stop and rest.
Rong Pu kept feeding her various medicines until Tie Ci felt even her sweat smelled medicinal.
Dismounting before the teahouse, which was already half full, Tie Ci pulled down her bamboo hat and led her people inside.
Their group dressed low-key and looked travel-worn, appearing no different from countless other travelers on this official road. The other travelers inside glanced once and looked away.
Tie Ci would never disturb the people. She sat in a corner, and when the shopkeeper brought the most ordinary coarse tea, Tie Ci picked it up to drink.
A pair of hands reached over, silver needles between the fingers silently testing the tea water. After checking that it hadn’t changed color, they quietly withdrew to return the tea to Tie Ci.
Tie Ci smiled, lifted the tea bowl, and toasted Rong Pu.
Rong Pu also took a large gulp.
From coughing too forcefully, his throat actually hurt now.
Tie Ci looked at his pale face and sighed: “I need to travel urgently, but why must you rush so desperately? What if your body can’t take it?”
“If I don’t follow, who will care for your health? If I don’t follow, you’ll rest even less,” Rong Pu said. “There’s still a hard battle after we return—don’t exhaust yourself too much beforehand.”
Tie Ci knew he meant well and said nothing more, thinking that if Old Rong could restrain himself in the future, she’d pretend not to know about his previous attempt to arrange a marriage alliance with the Western Rong.
Reciprocal favors—Rong Pu’s loyalty was partly him proving himself, seeking to preserve his family’s glory in his own way. As long as he could persist, she would give him what he wanted in return.
Thus neither would owe the other.
The discussion of traveling merchants behind them caught their attention.
“Lucky I got up early and left the city this morning, or I’d have been blocked in. Look, Huang Lao’er arranged to meet me at Three Li Pavilion, and I still haven’t seen him!”
“What happened in the city? I left yesterday and don’t know yet.”
“I heard they’re welcoming the Crown Princess’s phoenix carriage. The Ministry of Rites is sending people ten li outside the city to receive her, controlling the flow of people in and out so those officials can perform their ceremonies. The capital’s Three Great Camps deployed the Kui Ox Camp—good heavens, that black mass of troops really stretched ten li, blocking countless people inside the city gates.”
“Didn’t they say the Crown Princess was being escorted by the Yongping Army and was still on the road? Why are they starting ceremonies now, stirring up the whole city?”
“Who knows? They say they’re afraid of losing face before the border troops and want to give the Crown Princess the grandest welcoming ceremony she deserves. So the Ministry of Rites is rehearsing in advance, going outside the city daily to wait, spreading yellow earth on roads, sprinkling clean water on streets, erecting colorful pavilions everywhere, with all officials waiting to receive the Crown Princess at the first moment, so she can experience the court’s and people’s adoration.”
Behind the crowd, Tie Ci and Rong Pu exchanged glances.
Screw their adoration.
Weren’t they afraid she’d return in time to disrupt their plans, so they deliberately sent officials to wait and troops to block the gates?
One could imagine that if she really brought her army, even if she returned in time, the Three Great Camps responsible for the capital’s defense would immediately demand the Yongping Army disarm and disband, then stage an elaborate welcoming ceremony that would take at least three days and nights. Then they’d drag her horse to some suburban palace, begin celebrations, continue feasting and celebrating for another three days and nights, sharing joy with the people, plunging all the capital’s citizens into an ocean of happiness.
Then during these six days and nights, they would quickly pass a series of laws, turning Tie Lin’s matter into a done deal.
By then, this waste Crown Princess being confined to a palace for life would be considered their mercy.
Most cunning was that now her reputation had reached its peak. Any unfavorable actions toward her would cause public fury, but only grand welcoming ceremonies wouldn’t provoke popular resistance.
The people were simply enthusiastic, always hoping to give heroes the best treatment. Even if the Grand Tutor and others knew the hidden dangers, they couldn’t stop it. Once they tried, the Xiao faction could attack the Grand Tutor’s group as harboring ulterior motives and acting hypocritically, then question the reliability of the entire momentum the Grand Tutor had built for Tie Ci. The hard-won public opinion advantage would be counterattacked.
Under such circumstances, forcing through with the army wouldn’t work either. They were enthusiastic and welcoming with smiling faces—if you came with military formations and weapons drawn, it would be like throwing cold water on the capital’s citizens. The good reputation the Grand Tutor had painstakingly built for her would instantly collapse.
Public opinion was hard to control, but once controlled, things became tricky.
The academy group was also frowning. Having followed Tie Ci for so long, their sensitivity had been honed. They all heard the hidden danger.
Openly welcoming while secretly deploying armies, using both soft and hard tactics—the outer city, inner city, imperial city, and palace city were layered with defenses, guarded tight as a barrel. With just these few people, how could Tie Ci break through?
Qi Yuansi suddenly drained his tea bowl and said quietly: “I’ll sneak back and talk with my father.”
The Central Army Grand Commander directly controlled the capital’s Three Great Camps. Though troop deployment still required coordination with the Ministry of War and the palace, he still had prestige and influence.
Yang Yixiu stood up: “I’ll go back with you.”
The Ministry of Rites Minister leading the welcome for Tie Ci was Brother Yixiu’s father.
Fat Tiger also stood up: “I’ll help too.”
Yang Yixiu looked at him sideways: “What help can you give?”
Fat Tiger grinned: “My family has seventy-two shops throughout the capital, spread across all streets and alleys. Tell me, if my shops suddenly started offering half-price or even ten-percent-price sales to customers, would the capital’s citizens go watch the excitement at the city gates or queue at my shop doors?”
Yang Yixiu gave a thumbs up: “Arrogant! Truly arrogant!”
Tie Ci looked at them, warmth flowing through her heart, but she didn’t stop them, only giving Xia Houchun a meaningful look.
Xia Houchun went to arrange protection for them.
She didn’t stop them because these academy classmates shared prosperity and adversity with her. Everyone could only work together to continue to the end. Besides this, any modest refusal would be hypocritical.
As for Qi Yuansi and others entering the city gates, there was no need to worry too much. Tie Ci and Di Yiwei had always been careful to protect this group, never publicly announcing their experiences in Yongping or stating that academy students would follow her back to the capital. High court officials naturally knew in their hearts, but wouldn’t personally guard the city gates. Given Qi Yuansi’s family background and his familiarity in the Three Great Camps, finding an acquaintance and figuring out a way to slip in shouldn’t be a problem.
Originally Tie Ci had considered sneaking in herself, but fearing the worst-case scenario, Qi Yuansi and others entering alone shouldn’t be problematic, but bringing her might prevent entry. If discovered, being trapped among myriad troops without being able to act directly like in Western Rong and Fushan would be too passive.
But Rong Pu was somewhat hesitant.
In this confrontation between the Xiao family and Tie Ci, Chief Minister Rong had adopted an attitude of helping neither side, claiming illness early to stay home and coldly watch the tiger fight. Otherwise, with his influence and position, coming out to express any opinion would tip the evenly balanced scales.
Like this city gate reception—if he said as Chief Minister that it disturbed the people and wasn’t beneficial for the Princess’s future development, this matter would face many more difficulties and couldn’t have blocked Tie Ci at the gates so quickly.
Rong Pu felt this ambiguous attitude was inadvisable. The Princess was not someone to be bullied. The style of wanting to manipulate whenever convenient would backfire sooner or later.
He wanted to return and advise his grandfather, but worried about Tie Ci’s health.
She had grown much thinner, coughing constantly along the way. Though her wounds hadn’t reopened, they were also difficult to heal.
This was the result of his constant efforts following behind her, continuously providing treatment.
Tie Ci had already noticed his struggle and smiled: “You needn’t risk returning. The Chief Minister won’t be easily persuaded. Besides, looking at you—so dark and thin lately—if your grandmother sees you, she’ll definitely confine you to the courtyard and not let you go anywhere. I dare not scale Old Lady Di’s walls at the Rong residence.”
She’d probably be shot down with one blast.
Rong Pu thought this was true and had to give up.
But thinking of his most powerful grandparents in the family—one deep in thought, one extreme and stubborn—once they took the wrong path…
Tie Ci glanced at him, knowing his concerns, but said nothing more.
In the end, paths must be chosen and persisted in by oneself.
The teahouse guests left with sighs. Those entering the city said they needed early preparation—now leaving the city was difficult, entering even harder, with multiple checkpoints verifying travel permits and household registrations countless times.
Moreover, the city gates would close after noon, making entry impossible now.
And tomorrow afternoon was the date for the public great court assembly.
The capital’s atmosphere visibly tensed. Though the teahouse was fifteen li from the city, Tie Ci had already seen two groups of Three Great Camps soldiers patrolling along the road, also coming to the teahouse to ask the owner if he’d seen any suspicious people.
With countless merchant caravans coming and going daily at the teahouse entrance, the owner preferred avoiding trouble and shook his head to everything.
The soldiers searched inside and out, checking the household registrations and travel permits of tea-drinking customers one by one.
When the soldiers inquired, Tie Ci was right beside them.
She had disguised herself, claiming poverty and wanting to work for payment. The shopkeeper didn’t care about a few tea coins, saying forget it, but couldn’t persuade her otherwise. Tie Ci actively helped the shopkeeper boil water and serve tea. The soldiers assumed she was the shop’s own servant and naturally didn’t need verification. The shopkeeper wouldn’t specifically mention this either. After the soldiers looked around, the traveling merchants and common people drinking tea feared trouble and left. The soldiers stayed to drink tea and rest, inevitably discussing matters at the city gates.
Tie Ci risked staying precisely for this reason. She was unclear about the situation inside the city and had no time to investigate, so these soldiers conveniently provided information.
After they left, Tie Ci took her leave, left the official road, went around a ditch, and entered a forest where her people waited.
“The Three Great Camps won’t withdraw at night, camping right under the city gates. Of the nine city gates, even the most remote West Sheng Gate used only for filth and corpses has three thousand infantry deployed. The largest East Sheng Gate has the most elite Kui Ox Camp equipped entirely with firearms arrayed before the gate, with temporary camps blocking all passages.”
Everyone listened in astonishment. Dan Shuang said angrily: “Just like how the Kaiping Army dealt with you before. These Xiao family tactics.”
“Not the same. The Kaiping Army was far from the emperor—their orders were to kill me on sight. These Kui Ox Camp soldiers’ orders must be to make a great fanfare when they see me, celebrate joyfully, and quickly submerge me in an ocean of celebration and enthusiasm.”
“But the result is the same,” Xia Houchun said.
“Which gate shall we take? Or wait for news from inside? I fear we won’t make it in time,” Chi Xue showed worry.
Chi Xue had also grown much thinner recently, though fortunately the poison was cured. Rong Pu said this poison, though clever, was precisely because it needed clever control that its toxicity wasn’t severe. But the more important reason no irreversible consequences occurred was that during the days Cui Zhe poisoned them, the Tian family had sent their secret beef jerky made with various herbs.
Among these were herbal components that could neutralize part of the toxicity, which is why the Yongping Army didn’t immediately die when it took effect on the battlefield, still had opportunity to retreat, and gave Rong Pu time to detoxify, largely preserving the Yongping Army’s main force.
It was also thanks to Di Yiwei’s good treatment of soldiers—such precious meat as beef jerky, she had distributed entirely to the soldiers at the time.
So that poison only needed treatment for several days, then slow recuperation, and would be fine.
She was still the same as before—gentle and generous, like an understanding flower, not even showing worry in her brow. But this made Tie Ci’s heart even more sorrowful each time.
Sometimes, only when wounds break open is there possibility for true healing.
A pigeon flew from the distance, cooing as it landed in Tie Ci’s palm. Tie Ci unfolded the small paper strip from the iron tube on the pigeon’s foot, glanced at it, and showed slight joy.
“We’ll enter through the main gate.”
“I am Da Qian’s Crown Princess. When I was forced to leave the capital secretly, now I must return openly and uprightly. I want to tell all the capital’s citizens that I have returned.”
…
“Father, the Xiao family’s days are numbered. I don’t believe you can’t see it. You control the capital’s military power—whoever gains this throne cannot fail to treat you with courtesy. With such a transcendent position, even if you don’t accomplish something, you shouldn’t act rashly. How can you wade into the Xiao family’s muddy waters and go down that dark path!”
Central Army Grand Commander Qi Ling sat in his chair, looking somewhat shocked at his son across from him, now dark and thin.
Truly, after three days apart, one should look with new eyes. This formerly somewhat pampered and affected young master who had no interest in court matters now had sharp eyes, was familiar with court situations, and spoke eloquently.
In his movements and bearing, he was spirited and decisive, faintly showing the demeanor of a battlefield warrior who had seen blood.
It seemed those rumors about the Crown Princess weren’t unbelievable. After this training expedition, not only had her reputation soared, but even those around her had been transformed.
Qi Ling was naturally pleased to see such changes and understood that since his son had already made such choices, he couldn’t waver. But… he pondered: “Though I have authority over the Three Great Camps, now is different from before. A few days ago the Xiao family struck first, saying the Three Great Camps hadn’t rotated for years and wanted to rotate the camps guarding the south, west, and north of the city. Using this as pretext, they took away my command tokens. The Ministry of War Minister is now their person too. The Three Great Camps’ troop deployment authority is now in Xiao hands—I cannot command them.”
But Qi Yuansi didn’t hesitate: “Command tokens are just dead objects. For so many years, the Three Great Camps’ selection, promotion, training, equipment… all these affairs have been handled personally by you, Father!”
Qi Ling was shocked: “You want me to deploy troops without orders! That’s a capital offense!”
“The Crown Princess, as heir, has the right to deploy the capital’s great camps in emergencies—this is written in Da Qian law! If you follow the Princess’s orders, it’s not deploying troops without orders!”
“What if she loses! What if Tie Lin successfully ascends and she’s deposed?”
“She won’t lose!”
The study fell silent.
Father and son stared at each other.
“Dad,” Qi Yuansi wiped his face and tried another angle. “The Crown Princess took me to Hanli Khan Desert. Hanli Khan Desert will be reclaimed in the future. I surveyed the terrain of Hanli Khan Plain for the Crown Princess and drafted plans for snow mountain irrigation of the plains. The Crown Princess said this matter would be entrusted to me in the future. When this succeeds, it will be a great cause benefiting thousands of generations. If I handle this matter then, what glory that will be—the Qi family could prosper for hundreds of years and leave their name in history… Think about it, think carefully.”
Qi Ling raised an eyebrow. His son was usually called a talent in both civil and military arts, but he’d always thought of succession—becoming a military general forever subordinate to civil officials would suffice. He hadn’t expected this boy could become a capable minister whose name would be recorded in history?
For a moment he was moved.
Qi Yuansi stared at him with burning eyes.
But Qi Ling’s gaze slowly turned away.
Reclaiming Hanli Khan Desert, reopening wasteland, snow mountain irrigation, thousands of acres of good farmland… too distant, too illusory. He’d heard no word of this in court. Besides, those Western Rong people were cruel and changeable by nature—having need of others then, they agreed to cede Hanli Khan, but how could they honor it afterward?
Young people were hot-headed and thought too simply.
The study fell into another mutual silence.
After a long while, Qi Ling said: “Your grandmother has missed you for a long time. Since you’re home, why don’t you hurry to pay respects?”
Huge disappointment surged in Qi Yuansi’s eyes as he stood motionless.
Qi Ling sighed inwardly, thinking the person had been tempered but his character had become more stubborn.
Just as he was thinking of finding a way to send him away, Qi Yuansi suddenly stepped forward and knelt with a thud.
Qi Ling was startled.
This child had been favored by his grandmother since young and hadn’t been punished after age ten. Apart from necessary seasonal greetings, birthday celebrations, and ancestral offerings, his knees had never touched the ground.
Now he actually went this far for the Crown Princess?
“Why must you do this!” Qi Ling said. “Didn’t you just say the Central Army Grand Commander’s position is transcendent and can remain aloof? Why are you forcing your father to take sides and board the ship?”
“Whether I board or not, I must board now.” Qi Yuansi knelt straight, red-eyed: “Dad… your son is already the Princess’s person.”
“What?” Qi Ling stood up abruptly. “You and the Crown Princess have already… already…”
Qi Yuansi looked up at his father blankly. After watching his father’s unspeakable expression for a long time, he belatedly realized his father had misunderstood, his face instantly burning red.
Just as he was about to deny it, he heard Qi Ling say both worriedly and excitedly and uneasily: “How did the Crown Princess take a liking to you? Didn’t the Rong family boy also follow? I heard the Western Rong Wolf Lord Dan Ye also has good relations with the Crown Princess. I didn’t expect you’d win in the end… You two… how far have you gone?”
Qi Yuansi gritted his teeth: “Why couldn’t she take a liking to me! No, Dad, why are you asking this? How far we’ve gone… would you act differently based on how far?”
“Foolish boy, if the rice is cooked, the Crown Princess must marry you, then our Qi family couldn’t clear relations even if we wanted to,” Qi Ling said. “Of course we’d strike first and roll up our sleeves to join.”
Qi Yuansi gritted his teeth again. After a long while, face red and neck thick, he said: “Just… like that… Dad, can you help the Princess without command tokens?”
“You little rascal are quite capable!” Qi Ling gave his son a mock kick, somewhat angry yet somewhat proud: “Come here, discuss a plan with your father. Since it’s like this, there’s nothing to hesitate about. We might as well fight for the position of national father-in-law.”
Qi Yuansi knelt motionless.
Silently weeping inside.
And apologizing eighteen times to the Crown Princess outside the city.
Hoping that when his father later sought the position of national father-in-law from the Princess, the Crown Princess wouldn’t want to beat him to death.
Which port had the nearest ships leaving Da Qian for overseas?
…