Chapter 40
Buried in the snow
Chu Qiao, suddenly fleeing from nowhere, took her horse and escaped the palace. Her mind raced, and her face, once soaked in tears, now dried, leaving only a bitter coldness. She couldn't understand and refused to give in, knowing that her memories were fragmented, like a puzzle missing its pieces. The Prince of Yanbei was an unexpected encounter, and in just four days, it felt as though she had spent four years with him.
Time slowed in his arms. His smiles, sweet nothings, and childlike attitude made her like him, but discovering Yan Xun's advances and being reminded of their past as lovers complicated her emotions. It wasn't just affection she felt; her present condition was tangled in a heart issue. She wasn't interested in a relationship, knowing he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Xuili Army. Yet, she needed his attention, but the Prince didn't seem interested in any process of getting to know her or forming a friendship.
Yan Xun breached the walls of her heart, though she believed she wasn't ready for anything beyond friendship, even if the Prince may have seen in her a past love named Star. Her only comfort was that, in his eyes, she was A'Chu, his right hand, and still retained her position as his General. None of this mattered during their brief time together. Now, she had left him, unable to return his feelings. The Prince was also getting married in a few months, and if she stayed longer and took advantage of Yan Xun's feelings, what would become of her?
Upon seeing the Canhong sword, her feet couldn't stay still. At that moment, when Yan Xun nodded, understanding her eagerness, she could only focus on the sword. If there was one thing she was sure of, it was her desire to hold it. Unsheathing it brought her a sense of joy. It was the only favor she had asked of Yan Xun, and the Prince of Yanbei, in his grace, gave it to her, bestowing royal orders as she understood her role when Yan Xun walked to his throne. She had played her part well. However, her tears were unfamiliar, and the attempt at a kiss, one she was ready to receive from Yan Xun, ended with his rejection, dragging her away in confusion. What could it be? She felt no justice in it and was determined to find out.
Along the lonely road, she heard the sound of horse hooves. She quickly hid, and when the horses stopped near her, sensing her presence, one of their owners called out, "Show yourself!" Viper, looking around, sensed someone lurking. Finally, Chu Qiao emerged and pulled the reins of her horse, saying, "Did you just order your Royal Princess to obey you?"
Viper, hearing the familiar calm voice, turned and saw Chu Qiao. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Mimi Gongzhu, where have you been?"
"I've been to Xiu Xiu mountains," Chu Qiao replied, not wanting to be interrogated. She diverted the topic: "And the man at your back? What is he doing? Sleeping?"
Viper responded, "I used my powers to hypnotize him, but he gave me every excuse to search for you. If he's tricking me, I'll return him to where he first found me and let fate take its course."
Chu Qiao chuckled and said, "I'd rather choose to have never laid eyes on you if I were He Xiao."
Viper, finally relaxed after days of worry and sleepless nights, eased herself, finding Chu Qiao safe. However, dark circles still lingered around her eyes.
Chu Qiao joined Viper, and they rode back to the Xuili mountains, where they stayed for a few months. He Xiao woke up, free but still in conflict with Viper, who secretly watched over her Mimi Gongzhu. Viper remained silent in the camp, mysterious, but whenever a task required her presence, she followed Chu Qiao closely, acting as her escort rather than He Xiao. Meanwhile, Zhong Yu helped the forces at Meilin Border Pass, easing the struggles of the Xuili Army's 5,000 troops against the elite Xiaoqi forces. The war had also devastated local towns, leaving many children orphaned, saved only by the Xuili army. These children, whose parents had been killed, were now in the camp's custody.
Chu Qiao wrote to Yan Xun, requesting support to set up a rehabilitation facility to care for the children's mental and emotional recovery, offering her services. The Prince of Yanbei responded positively, and since then, she became the mediator between the Xuili Army and the Yanbei Prince.
The royal escorts were freed and returned to the Prince of Yanbei's envoy, unable to recount what had happened after they breached the Xuili military camp. Chu Qiao had neither seen nor heard directly from the Prince since their last encounter, though she occasionally received military announcements, royal orders, and letters addressed to the generals, especially General Chu. Despite the chaos, the Prince kept his word, giving her the space to breathe and reflect on Yanbei's situation and the forces at Meilin Border Pass. Finally, General Chu was reinstated, receiving her orders to return to work under the absolute authority of the Prince of Yanbei.
It is winter, and Yuan Che, the current royal commander-in-chief at Xiaoqi camp, has gathered military intelligence and some baseless gossip overheard in the military galley and pantries. He observes these rumors, understanding that they are causing fear and weakness to spread within his camp. His curiosity grows, and he contemplates ordering a group of volunteers to undertake a suicide infiltration mission to enter the Xuili camp and investigate whether these rumors hold any truth.
Yuan Che devises a plan and selects five of his brightest men, specialists in sabotage, ambush, and infiltration using tactical military maneuvers. He finishes writing a letter and sends an envoy to the emperor for approval. The envoy arrives at Shen Jin Palace, and after reviewing the communication, the emperor, with little reaction, seals and approves the suicide mission on one condition.
Yuan Che accepts the condition and approaches the Bathuja family, requesting that Prince Zaru lead the mission. Five men and one Black Prince will complete the task. However, when the seal arrives at Bathuja Palace, Zama disapproves of the mission, believing it is a mismatch for their personnel. Zaru, on the other hand, insists on using five men from the Blackguards camp. The military and Blackguards traditionally do not work together, as their training and mindsets differ. The military operates under a strict chain of command, while the Blackguards follow no rules and will complete the mission by any means necessary, often on a one-way ticket.
Another obstacle arises as Yuan Che must respond to the Bathuja family. His father's instructions are clear: without the Black Prince, there will be no mission. The Bathuja family prefers to use their own men rather than military strength for such a risky operation. Yuan Che faces a tough decision. Meanwhile, Yuan Song has been secretly intercepting these messages using the Eyes of God. He decides that he, too, wants to join the mission. Knowing his brother well, Yuan Song realizes Yuan Che won't easily concede to the Black Prince. Seizing the opportunity, Yuan Song offers to include two men from the Eyes of God, specialists in espionage, to complement the military team Yuan Che will deploy.
Yuan Song visits Xiaoqi camp and meets his brother, Yuan Che.
"Brother, how are you?" he asks.
"This is a surprise visit. I didn't expect the 13th Prince, Your Highness. What brings you here?" Yuan Che responds.
"Nothing in particular, I just wanted to see how my brother is doing. If there are any issues, perhaps I can help?" Yuan Song offers.
Yuan Che, desperate to execute his plan, hesitates. Involving his brother, the Crown Prince of Wei, might lead to punishment from their father. But his childish brother might just have a solution to his problem. Out of options, Yuan Che decides to confide in him. "I've heard some gossip, and you won't believe this," he says.
Yuan Song, intrigued, replies, "Leveled up, my brother? Or gone dull? We don't work for gossip, we eliminate it, right?" He teases, while still curious.
"I know, but this gossip poses a threat to Xiaoqi camp," Yuan Che confesses.
Yuan Song is shocked that his brother, the Commander-in-Chief, is treating gossip so seriously. If Yuan Che is alarmed, it must be more than just idle talk. The gossip might signal a hidden emergency, perhaps downplayed through diplomatic channels. Yuan Song has limited information, as the report intercepted by the Eyes of God was too vague. Suspense builds, and Yuan Song's curiosity deepens. Yet, he continues to challenge his brother, waiting for him to ask for help.
"What is a little gossip compared to Wei's 300,000 troops? Not to mention the 100,000 Wei Valve troops guarding the borders day and night?" Yuan Song says with pride in their empire's military might.
"A gossip like this is like a match, one spark in the forest can ignite a wildfire. It cannot be overlooked," Yuan Che explains.
Yuan Song, finally relenting, offers, "Tell me. Maybe I can help."
Yuan Che, looking at his brother with a mix of hope and doubt, responds, "You? Did you forget your protocols?"
"Me? Forget? Just because I follow protocols doesn't mean I can't act on behalf of the palace out of military chivalry. In foreign kingdoms, princes are thrown into battlefields to be tested before they take the throne. They call it a baptism of fire," Yuan Song replies.
"My little brother, I can't have you join. This is a suicide mission," Yuan Che says.
"First, I'm not little anymore. Second, maybe the risk you see isn't a risk at all, after all, it's just gossip. Third, I'm asking: will you let me avenge our sister, mother, and Wei Shu Ye? Internal conflicts have crept into our clan because I once believed peace could be achieved through goodness," Yuan Song retorts.
Yuan Che, remembering how his brother blocked his path with 10,000 troops at the Meilin border pass, reflects on the past. "You even insisted that, as the Duke of Yanbei, you were willing to be stepped on. You believed you could achieve peace through those means? Our father was so depressed, he declared you Duke of Yanbei as a band-aid solution to show Wei's sovereignty over Yanbei. When Yan Xun escaped, we had no choice but to plant a royal bloodline in Yanbei to maintain control. Your job was to expand our influence, but you were overwhelmed with your emotions and childish mind," Yuan Che says, turning away.
Yuan Song smiles slyly, "That's a long rant, brother. Try me now."
"I can't send you on a suicide mission," Yuan Che insists.
"Then don't make it a suicide mission. Use someone from the Eyes of God and let them operate as they used to," Yuan Song suggests.
"Who? Without Yuwen Yue, the Eyes of God is just a machine, not 'the Pulse' it once was," Yuan Che replies.
"Why not Yuwen Huai?" Yuan Song asks.
"Are you out of your mind? He burned down the Eyes of God repository! The smartest thing a noble could do, press the self-destruct button and boom!" Yuan Che snaps back, using sarcasm.
Yuan Song laughs, "Yes, that's the smartest move the Supreme Court official could make, burn it all down."
Both brothers reflect on the current state of affairs. Yuan Che realizes Yuan Song has a point: why did their father suppress Yuwen Yue, the Major General of the Eyes of God, and elevate Yuwen Huai, while dismantling the Supreme Court?
As they stare at each other, Yuan Che finally asks, "What is our father really after? Is he changing the regime, the imperial system, or does he want to sever Yan's connection to the throne?"
Yuan Song, tapping his temple like a child deep in thought, irritates Yuan Che, who says, "Stop making funny faces. This is serious."
Yuan Song, returning to seriousness, replies, "That's what I'll find out for you, if you let me take part."
Yuan Song's conviction surprises Yuan Che, as his brother's calm, deep voice makes it difficult to refuse him.
Just then, an uninvited visitor arrives, and the military guard informs Yuan Che.
"Let him in," Yuan Che orders.
Prince Zaru enters, wearing a black leather hood and traditional Hanfu clothing, his shoulders dusted with snow. His commanding presence fills the room as he greets the 7th Prince and, to his surprise, the Crown Prince of Wei, Yuan Song.
Breaking the tension, Yuan Che asks, "Define 'Black'?"
"What else can it mean? The Black Prince is in Xiaoqi camp," Zaru answers. Yuan Song, once serious, suddenly smiles, and Zaru mirrors him.
Yuan Song, still playful, asks, "What did the Black Prince eat and drink last night to bring him here?"
Zaru hands something to Yuan Song, who quickly returns to his formal look and passes it to Yuan Che.
As snow begins to fall in the mountains, the three men quietly contemplate the gossip that is slowly turning into truth. The Xuili Army seems ready to bury Xiaoqi camp deep in the snow.
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