HomeSheng Shi Di FeiChapter 86: Secret Letter from Yun Province

Chapter 86: Secret Letter from Yun Province

Imperial Capital

“Your Highness, a secret letter from Yun Province!” In the study, Steward Mo hurried in carrying a letter sealed with a black flame emblem. Mo Xiuyao, who had been reading in the study, suddenly raised his head and took the letter from the steward’s hands. As he quickly read through it, his expression gradually grew solemn. The atmosphere in the study seemed to grow heavy with tension. The steward asked worriedly, “Your Highness?”

Mo Xiuyao paused, only then realizing he had unconsciously crumpled the letter in his hand. He closed his eyes briefly to calm his shock and anger, then smoothed out and refolded the crumpled paper. He commanded in a deep voice, “Call Feng Zhiyao here, and… invite Master Shen as well. Make preparations, I need to enter the palace shortly.”

The steward frowned. Since the incident with the Princess Consort, His Highness had never entered the palace. Whatever news had come from Yun Province must be truly significant. Though worried, the steward could only respond quietly to his lord’s command: “This servant will go at once.”

Shortly after, Feng Zhiyao and Shen Yang appeared at the study door. Feng Zhiyao raised an eyebrow and smiled, “What instructions does Your Highness have?”

Mo Xiuyao extended his hand with the slightly wrinkled letter, saying gravely, “Take a look.” Feng Zhiyao’s handsome brows lifted slightly – he understood Mo Xiuyao well enough to know what his current expression and tone signified. Without further words, he took the letter and sat down. “From Yun Province? Is this Master Qingyun’s handwriting?” Mo Xiuyao nodded silently. Feng Zhiyao’s expression also grew serious. Originally, they had only hoped the Xu family might have some scholars who could help translate what Ye Li had sent back. They hadn’t expected it would attract Master Qingyun’s attention. Anything that would interest the old master was bound to be no small matter.

As Feng Zhiyao sat reading the letter, Shen Yang looked curiously at Mo Xiuyao and asked, “Does Your Highness have some matter to address? Or are you feeling unwell?” As a physician, Shen Yang typically didn’t inquire much about such affairs.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head, “Originally Master Shen was to depart for Xiling in a few days, but I’m afraid I must ask you to delay your journey.”

Shen Yang frowned, “Has Your Highness’s plan changed?” Mo Xiuyao sighed, “There’s no time. Master Shen, I must make a trip to the Southern Frontier.”

“What?!” Shen Yang exclaimed loudly. Even Feng Zhiyao, sitting to the side, was startled and furrowed his brows in concern. Shen Yang didn’t give Mo Xiuyao a chance to speak, shouting angrily, “Your Highness, what madness is this? Your health may be better than in winter, but that’s only in comparison! The Southern Frontier’s climate is humid and rainy, completely unsuitable for your condition. Moreover… you know yourself, last winter the cold poison in your body was already out of control. Though we found a way to suppress it, your health will only continue to deteriorate. Recklessly changing environments could cause the cold poison to completely lose control again!”

Feng Zhiyao was puzzled, “Wouldn’t the warm southern climate be better for His Highness’s health?” Shen Yang rolled his eyes in exasperation, “If that were the case, why would we have struggled all these years? We could have simply sent His Highness south to recuperate!”

“Master Shen.” Mo Xiuyao frowned, looking seriously at Shen Yang as he said in a deep voice: “I must go.” His low, firm voice declared a resolve that could not be moved.

“Give me a reason!” Shen Yang raged, “Please, Your Highness, give me one reason why you don’t value your own life! As your physician, I at least deserve to know why my patient wishes to court death.”

Mo Xiuyao sighed, feeling deep respect for this elder who had pulled him back from death’s door time and again. Unfortunately, he had no choice but to go against his wishes. “Because… if I don’t go, in the future we will all have to atone with our lives.” Shen Yang trembled. For Mo Xiuyao to say such words, this must be something he could not prevent – or perhaps something he had no right to prevent. Shen Yang seemed to age ten years in an instant, saying dejectedly, “Your Highness, even if you reach the Southern Frontier, in your current condition you won’t be able to do anything.” A body afflicted with cold poison was extremely sensitive to external climate changes. The north’s dry climate was manageable, though Mo Xiuyao’s body still grew extremely weak and painful on rainy days. The rainy south would be far worse. Mo Xiuyao’s condition there would be a little better than in winter.

Mo Xiuyao lowered his eyes, “I know you have a way. Master Shen, I cannot go to the Southern Frontier like this. I need to stand up, to appear there whole and unblemished. Do you understand?”

“You’re mad!” Shen Yang cried out. Feng Zhiyao also jumped up saying, “Your Highness, things haven’t reached that point yet. Why don’t we first set out for the Southern Frontier, and then… then we can discuss this further?”

Mo Xiuyao looked at him calmly, “You should know that if I cannot go to the Southern Frontier, by the time things reach that point it will be too late.”

Feng Zhiyao lowered his head, gripping the letter tightly, speechless.

Shen Yang snorted, “I don’t care what point things have reached, impossible is impossible! I’m a doctor, not an assassin. I absolutely will not let you do this!” Mo Xiuyao ignored him, saying coolly to Feng Zhiyao, “Go make preparations, I need to enter the palace.” Feng Zhiyao gazed at him, not knowing what to say for a long while. Finally, he could only respond quietly, “Yes, Your Highness.” Mo Xiuyao turned his wheelchair toward the door. As he passed Shen Yang, he left these words: “Master Shen, I expect to see the medicine when I return.”

“I won’t give it to you!” Shen Yang finally completely abandoned a physician’s gentle demeanor and shouted, but unfortunately, the target of his shouts had already gone far through the door. Feng Zhiyao looked at Shen Yang, red-faced and thick-necked with anger, then followed out while tightly gripping the letter. Shen Yang could only stand dazed in the study. After a long moment, he burst out in an angry roar, “What is wrong with you Mo family men?! Does the world not turn without you?!”

Feng Zhiyao looked back at the study, then hurried to catch up with Mo Xiuyao. Mo Xiuyao asked calmly, “What do you wish to say?”

Feng Zhiyao hesitated for a moment, but finally could only shake his head and say, “I have nothing to say. Please allow Feng San to accompany you.”

Mo Xiuyao frowned, “The capital’s affairs need you to stay and handle them.”

Feng Zhiyao raised his eyebrows, his bearing showing some of the spirit that was usually hidden, “Your Highness, Feng San is a soldier. My life’s ambition is to stride across battlefields, not to control spies and gather intelligence.” Mo Xiuyao started, turning back to look at Feng Zhiyao. Too much time had passed – he had almost forgotten. When they were still mischievous children, Feng Zhiyao had stood before him in red robes declaring he would become an undefeated legendary general. Then, at thirteen, Feng Zhiyao had given up the Feng family’s life of luxury to follow him through life and death. Perhaps if not for that incident years ago, Feng Zhiyao would have already achieved his wish of becoming a celebrated general, rather than being confined to the capital, appearing to the world as a dissolute playboy prince while concealing his identity as the spymaster.

After a long while, Mo Xiuyao said softly, “Very well. If they truly… then they should also know of your connection to the Dingguo Prince’s manor. I will make other arrangements for the intelligence network.” While Feng Zhiyao had served anonymously in his military campaigns, though few knew, some did. Feng Zhiyao was overjoyed, “Thank you, Your Highness!” Mo Xiuyao smiled faintly in response, “I should be thanking you. Also, send someone by fast horse to deliver a message to A-Li – warn her about Shu Manlin!”

Southern Zhao Capital

Ye Li helplessly looked at the hostile Han Mingxi and the composed Xu Qingchen before her. “Young Master Han…” Han Mingxi let out a light snort and turned his face away, smiling at Ye Li, “Sister Liuyun, no need to be so formal. Since you also know Jun Wei, you can just call me Brother Mingxi.” Ye Li gave him a speechless look, swallowing back her words of persuasion. Seeing the beautiful young woman wouldn’t acknowledge him, Han Mingxi shrugged somewhat disappointedly while examining Ye Li, “Come to think of it, Sister Liuyun does bear some resemblance to Jun Wei. Jun Wei isn’t Young Master Qingchen’s brother, but rather Sister Liuyun’s brother, right? After all, aren’t you both surnamed Chu?”

Ye Li secretly wiped her sweat, “Brother Qingchen is Jun Wei’s elder brother.” Han Mingxi’s eyes rolled thoughtfully, and he blinked innocently at Ye Li, “Then Jun Wei’s name must not be real? Sister Liuyun, won’t you tell Big Brother? What’s Jun Wei’s real name?”

Ye Li felt bitter but couldn’t speak of it, secretly regretting her momentary lapse in judgment in asking Han Mingxi for help. She looked pleadingly toward Xu Qingchen, who was calmly drinking tea. Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow and said flatly, “Xu Qingliu.”

“Qingliu? Good name… matches perfectly with Jun Wei. Unlike some people… completely wasting a good name. Wait… the Xu family’s Fifth Young Master isn’t named Xu Qingliu!” Han Mingxi muttered before suddenly reacting, glaring fiercely at Xu Qingchen. Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow, “Who told you he was one of the five Xu sons?” Han Mingxi lowered his head to think – indeed, no one had. After pondering for a moment, he raised his head with a look of understanding, though his expression turned somewhat strange and complicated. If one looked carefully, there was even a hint of contempt. Ye Li looked helplessly at Han Mingxi: what have you imagined now?

Han Mingxi snorted, looking Xu Qingchen up and down before nodding, “This young master understands now. No wonder I’ve never heard the name Xu Qingliu, no wonder he had to change his name when traveling. Hmph, don’t think you can bully Qingliu… no, he’d probably hate that name, don’t think your Xu family can bully Jun Wei in the future! This young master will protect him.” Ye Li looked embarrassed, while Xu Qingchen’s handsome brows lifted slightly, “Young Master Han has quite an imagination.” Han Mingxi snorted dismissively, “This young master’s fighting ability is even better. If it weren’t for Jun Wei’s sake, I’d beat you flat!”

“Young Master Han…” Ye Li called out helplessly, though she was deeply moved by Han Mingxi’s sincere concern for Chu Jun Wei, making her feel even more guilty about her deception.

Han Mingxi glanced at her and said, “Sister Liuyun, you’d better find a different fiancé soon. Some people may look like refined gentlemen on the outside, but who knows what they’re really like inside. Hmph… Jun Wei’s been gone so long and he doesn’t even seem worried. I’ll go look for him!” With that, Han Mingxi swept out like a gust of wind.

Xu Qingchen set down his teacup and said thoughtfully, “Han Mingxi is quite genuine toward you.”

Ye Li smiled bitterly, “I’m starting to regret deceiving him.” Xu Qingchen said calmly, “Being cautious while traveling is correct. If you explain things to him early, he should understand.” Ye Li gave him a helpless look, “Then why did you just mention Xu Qingliu? Won’t that mean I’ve deceived him one more time?” Xu Qingchen smiled serenely, “I’ll ask grandfather to enter the name in the family registry later, so it won’t count as deception. As for you…”

Ye Li looked at Xu Qingchen in confusion, but he just shook his head without saying more.

“Xu Qingchen!” A feminine shout came from outside as the door was kicked open with a bang, and a figure in sapphire blue stormed in. Ye Li trembled at the sight of the furious woman, then looked back at Xu Qingchen, who remained seated calmly as if the angry woman wasn’t coming for him. The woman reached the hall’s entrance but couldn’t stop her momentum, staring dumbfounded at Xu Qingchen. Ye Li blinked and coughed lightly, calling out, “Sister Princess.”

Princess Anxi seemed to finally come to her senses, stepping into the hall and asking concernedly, “Qingchen, are you alright?”

Xu Qingchen smiled faintly, “From Princess’s earlier manner, I thought you were coming to settle accounts with me.”

Princess Anxi’s face flushed red, and she glared at him fiercely, “Shouldn’t I settle accounts with you? What have you been doing in the palace?”

Xu Qingchen smiled innocently, “I haven’t done anything.” Indeed, he hadn’t done anything – he had let the secret guards and Tianyi Pavilion people do everything. Princess Anxi sat down to the side, glaring at Xu Qingchen in dissatisfaction, “You did nothing and yet turned the palace upside down! Father King just summoned me to question me, suspecting I did it.” Though she had indeed been planning something similar, hadn’t someone beaten her to it? Why did Father King still suspect her? Xu Qingchen raised an eyebrow, “Knowing the King of Nanzhao suspects you, you still came here?” Princess Anxi raised her eyebrows disdainfully, “Those useless fellows – when this princess wants them to follow, they can follow; when this princess doesn’t want them to follow, they couldn’t keep up even if they ran their legs off.”

“Does the Princess have an urgent business?” Xu Qingchen asked.

Ye Li watched from the side, sighing inwardly. Wasn’t Princess Anxi rushing over because she was worried about Big Brother’s safety? Yet he just coldly asks if she has a business? Does he need the girl to explicitly say she came because she was worried about him?

Princess Anxi paused, glanced at Ye Li, then raised her eyebrows saying, “Can’t I come without business? This princess should at least check if my friend and military advisor are still alive.”

Xu Qingchen shook his head, “Actually, I have matters to discuss with the Princess. Now that you’re here, I won’t need to send someone to your manor to find you.” Princess Anxi frowned, looking at Xu Qingchen, “You’re not returning to the Princess Manor?” After hesitating, she glanced at Ye Li again and said, “Miss Chu is staying at my manor now. It would be convenient if you came back too – we could look after each other, and wouldn’t it be easier to discuss whatever we need to?”

Ye Li thought for a moment, then spoke before Xu Qingchen could, “Princess, I’m sorry I deceived you before…”

Princess Anxi frowned in confusion, and Ye Li said softly, “Well… I…”

“Liuyun isn’t a helpless weak woman – today she went into the palace with Lin Han to rescue me. Earlier she only pretended to know nothing because she feared your suspicion,” Xu Qingchen calmly interjected. Ye Li raised her eyebrows and shot him a subtle glare, but Xu Qingchen remained unmoved as a mountain.

Princess Anxi looked at him strangely, then looked at Ye Li and smiled, “That’s nothing – it’s rare to see a Central Plains woman like Miss Chu who excels in both literary and martial arts. Miss Chu was also concerned for Qingchen’s safety, and I’m not such a petty person.”

Ye Li smiled, “Then thank you, Princess.”

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