Chapter 86 [VIP]

Leaving the capital in the early hours of the morning.

It was still late at night. Outside the city of Lidu, a messenger named Hu Feiyan was stationed. He had originally been an obscure commander in the Lidu military camp, but after the King of Wei ascended the throne, the power dynamics within the camp changed. The original subordinate factions all rotated, and Hu Feiyan was fortunate enough to assume the position.

The capital had long maintained diplomatic relations with the Hu people, and the borders here had been peaceful for a long time. Since the new emperor ascended the throne, the local envoy had done almost nothing except guard the border and conduct training. The military camp had become a place of rest and retirement due to long-term neglect.

Deputy Envoy Chen Guang was a local from Lidu, and his enlistment was merely a formality. Military affairs were numerous and varied; besides crossing the border, he was also responsible for miscellaneous matters concerning Lidu. These included things like lost items by civilians, conflicts with merchants from the Hu tribes, and receiving special envoys from the Hu tribes… He happened to encounter the carriages that had come from Dingzhou and Luzhou in the north entering the city. He had just finished dealing with the city's affairs around midnight.

The city gates are only open during the day; the night is deep and the dew is heavy. The capital is usually warm in autumn and winter, but on this day, perhaps affected by the cold wind blowing from the north, the night felt bone-chilling, and the autumn chrysanthemums that had been blooming for miles around withered overnight.

Upon seeing the carriage, Chen Guang couldn't help but ask, "Where did this come from? Did you report to General Hu?"

The soldier immediately replied, "Reporting to Lord Chen, they presented their documents upon entering the city, indicating that they were granted permission by His Majesty to come from the capital. We only allowed them to pass after verifying the documents."

"From the capital?" Chen Guang looked at the tracks left by the carriage. A few days ago, officials from the capital had come, and now another high-ranking official had arrived. When did their small capital become so prominent?

Thick clouds obscured the moon. Whether it was due to the chill of the night or simply from not realizing it, a thin layer of frost had formed on the eaves. On a whim, Chen Guang ordered his men to stop the approaching carriage.

"Halt! Entering the city at midnight is suspicious. Who are you officials from the capital? State your names."

On the official road, the silver armor gleamed coldly as soldiers blocked the carriage's path. Torches dimly illuminated a patch of blue-white bricks and tiles, and white glazed tiles reflected the landscape of the capital. The figures of soldiers were visible through the closed windows during the day, their silhouettes overlapping with the night like ghosts.

The carriage slowly came to a stop, and a hand lifted the curtain. Through the barely visible gap, a face came into view. The person smiled, and their narrower, more beast-like eyes silently watched them in the darkness. The man was lightly dressed, but his tall stature was still evident. When he smiled, his teeth were perfectly aligned, inexplicably reminiscent of the teeth of a predator devouring its prey. Despite his ordinary attire, slightly dark skin, and casual, languid demeanor, the underlying aura he exuded was undeniably intimidating.

"Damn it. Didn't I just hand over the documents? Where did you idiots come from that you can't even read documents?" Xiao Qi clapped her hands, still smiling, but a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes.

Seeing the impressive aura of the newcomer, Chen Guang regretted his rash decision earlier. However, he thought that meeting him today might be his good fortune, and said, "This is a border area, so I hope you will be lenient. After reviewing the documents, I will allow you to pass."

He was merely acting in accordance with the law, glancing down at the black-clad man's boots. Before he could finish speaking, he saw the shadowy figure approaching him, a terrifying aura descending upon him. The sole of the shoe he had just seen suddenly drew closer, and a tearing pain shot through his chest, as if he could hear his ribs snapping.

With a "bang," Chen Guang fell to the ground, kicked by Xiao Qi and sent flying to the wall, where he collapsed limply.

The soldiers immediately pointed their halberds at Xiao Qi. One of the soldiers, his fingers trembling, hesitated for a long time before finally daring to speak, "This subordinate is blind... If I may ask, is this General Xiao Qi?"

At this faint question, the soldiers immediately lowered their halberds. Looking at the man who had attacked, their narrowed eyes rolled back, revealing a bloodthirsty smile.

General Xiao Qi of Wuling, stationed along the border of Yande, has been renowned since the previous dynasty. He is virtually invincible on the battlefield, fond of slaughter yet kind to his soldiers, striking fear into the hearts of many enemies. After the new emperor ascended the throne, he was granted the title of First-Rank Protector-General. It is said that the general is over eight feet tall, with a hearty and cheerful disposition, and a carefree demeanor. Records never describe his appearance, leaving only tales. Upon seeing the general in person, his imposing presence will surely be revealed.

"This humble official is blind; I have only just met General Xiao."

"I heard a commotion outside. Let me see. Has General Xiao gotten into a fight?"

A clear, melodious female voice rang out, and the soldiers, already kneeling, dared only to glimpse the descending figure in a fleeting glance. The woman who descended possessed a face as beautiful as the stars and moon, her fiery red lotus dress billowing like flames in the night. Her eyes were resolute and bright, her lips slightly upturned, and the scar on her cheek, though horrifying, did not detract from her beauty; rather, it became a striking mark. A blazing, crimson flower—nothing could be more fitting.

They were far from the capital, rarely seeing the women of Shengjing, yet they had heard of them. Among them was the Wei family, which had remained unblemished through three dynasties. Wei Ning, a daughter of the Wei family, was a contemporary female official, the compassionate Lady Wei Mengchang. Mengchang possessed unparalleled beauty, yet harbored the ambition of Zhaolie, and was the foremost enlightener of women in the capital.

Xiao Qi scratched the back of her head and replied, "I couldn't help myself for a moment. This place is really not in accordance with the rules. But speaking of which... I just held back my strength, and this kid can't get up. Where have you been training all this time? You don't even look as good as the scholars in the capital."

The mention of scholars involuntarily brought to Xiao Qi's mind a certain figure. That top scholar surnamed Lu, seemingly frail and thin, had nearly beaten a prisoner to death in the imperial prison. Where in the world is there a perfect person who is both literate and skilled in martial arts? Even if there were, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing. Look, wasn't he brought to the capital through all that trouble because of this person?

Chen Guang lay on the ground, unable to get up. His chest ached as if it were being shattered. When he heard Xiao Qi's voice, his mind went blank. The wheezing breath coming from her throat was almost tinged with the smell of blood.

Before he could move, Lady Wei Mengchang, who had alighted from the carriage, walked towards him. When had he ever imagined that he would be able to meet the legendary female official? At the same time as the pain, he felt a light, dreamlike sensation, as if he were in an unbelievable dream.

"Are you the chief envoy of this capital? General Xiao is anxious, please forgive us. We have come all the way from the capital, and the Wuling army will arrive soon. We will discuss the details with the chief envoy later."

Chen Guang replied with difficulty, "This humble servant is not the chief envoy... but the deputy envoy of the garrison in this capital. This humble servant was blind to your greatness and hopes General Xiao will forgive me. This humble servant will take the two gentlemen to see the chief envoy."

Hu Feiyan's sleep was thus interrupted. He was sound asleep in the middle of the night when soldiers outside broke down the door. He couldn't help but feel angry, cursing under his breath several times. He was used to a peaceful life, and these brats just had to come and cause him trouble. He went out groggily, almost bumping into Chen Guang.

Hu Feiyan: "Chen Guang. Let me tell you, if you don't cause any trouble today, you're getting out of the army tomorrow and going to work as a latrine cleaner, and never come back."

Cold sweat broke out on Chen Guang's forehead. He couldn't care less about anything else at this moment and whispered, "Shut up. General Xiao and Miss Wei came into the city overnight and want to see you. You should get ready immediately... If you go to see them dressed like this, we might all be dismissed tomorrow."

The cold wind of midnight made him feel dizzy, and Hu Feiyan was pushed and shoved by Chen Guang to change his clothes. He didn't immediately realize which General Xiao or Miss Wei it was, and when he did, he almost jumped out of his skin.

Inside the tent, Xiao Qi and Wei Ning had been waiting for a long time. As soon as Hu Feiyan entered, he saw the two of them standing on either side of the man in the center of the chair.

Who needs the daughters of the Protector General and famous ministers to serve them?

The man in the center wore a dark robe, with golden clouds on it forming faint dragon whiskers. His slender figure made this ordinary garment appear noble. Above him was a strikingly handsome face. His brows were thick and narrow, painted with dark ink, which concealed a sickly appearance. A black mole under his eye seemed like a double image. Below, his nose and jaw were perfectly sculpted, and his lips were bright red, like a beautiful ghost emerging from the water. Despite his frailty, he exuded nobility, as if a dragon's might emanated from his temples, displaying immense prestige and extravagance.

Hu Feiyan immediately knelt down.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"My dear minister, you may rise," Xue Yi smiled, and all the blooming flowers withered away.

...

Achoo!

Early in the morning, Tengluo sneezed several times. She pushed open the courtyard gate and saw that the Ruiyun Palace, which had been in full bloom a few days ago, looked like a wilted eggplant. A thin layer of frost covered the courtyard, and mist shrouded the courtyard, making it suddenly feel cold.

"Why has it suddenly gotten cold again? It was so warm just a few days ago. What's going on with this weather?"

When Lu Xuejin got up, he also felt the chill. The cold air seemed to have descended on Lidu overnight, obscuring the sun that was about to rise. He saw that Tengluo had sneezed several times and said, "Perhaps it's winter. Lidu is a little slow to react. Go and change into some thick clothes so you don't catch a cold."

“It’s rare to be this cold in the capital. It seems this year is an unusual one,” Murong Yue said, already fully dressed.

Since obtaining the love lock, he had never taken it off, wearing it around his neck every day. Murong Yue's fan-shaped eyes opened slightly, his eyes sparkling with a kind and gentle light, revealing his little tiger teeth. He looked adorable, like a pampered young master from a wealthy family.

Lu Xuejin sighed, looking at the boy's joyful expression. Ever since receiving his birthday gift, he hadn't been still for days, his excitement barely contained throughout the entire mansion, causing a ruckus. His cheerful demeanor was particularly endearing; even the old lady next door thought he was a doll that had stepped out of a painting, and had brought the prince food several times.

"Brother Changyou—" Murong Yue called out to him, and his waist was immediately wrapped around him. It felt as if a thick layer of rubber was wrapped around his side. His Highness was not wearing much, and when it got cold, he acted as a little stove.

His cheek was covered by a mascot doll, its pupils reflecting Murong Yue's features. Those eyes were like fireworks in winter, dazzling and captivating, completely masking any melancholy emotions, leaving only warmth and brightness. A burning sensation spread across his skin; his cheek felt like it was being scalded.

“Brother Changyou, I’m taking Uncle back today. I’m going to the Hu tribe for a trip and will be back tomorrow. Please wait for me in the courtyard,” Murong Yue said.

His Highness's birthday is in three days. Lu Xuejin responded, pinching the baby's face, "Understood, go and come back soon."

“Your Highness’s birthday gift has already been sent. There will be no more birthday gifts in three days,” Lu Xuejin said deliberately.

“Of course, I’m not a child anymore. I’m already very grateful for the gift you gave me, brother,” Murong Yue said with a smile, but there were other emotions in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed him. “As long as you’re here, brother is my gift.”

Lu Xuejin hadn't looked in a mirror for centuries, but lately he'd had a vague worry. His Highness kissed him hundreds of times a day, and every time in the same spot. His cheeks were kissed hundreds of times a day, and he worried he might develop a dimple. He thought his worries were not unfounded.

“Your Highness, it’s time to depart… The King of Hu may already be waiting for you,” Lu Xuejin said.

Murong Yue: "What's wrong with making my uncle wait a while? If I don't see my brother for twelve hours, he'll be heartbroken for me."

"Brother Changyou—" The voice was sticky, and he turned back every two steps. Lu Xuejin realized that she felt as if a layer of slime had grown on her body. The slime was the prince in disguise. As soon as they separated, it emitted a depressed aura that tasted so sweet it would make your teeth fall out.

"It's just going out for a day, is it really that big of a deal!" Tengluo couldn't help but say, her eyes widening as she looked at the little prince's pretentious act.

"Brother Changyou, I'm leaving," Murong Yue said.

It took Lu Xuejin half an hour to see the person off. After His Highness left, the courtyard became empty and quiet. When only the three of them, master and servant, were left, the air became still. In the distance, they could see the white haze on the clouds. The cold air brushed against their cheeks, and the mist dissipated with their breath.

Tengluo couldn't help but say, "It's so much quieter now that His Highness is gone. Young Master, shall we go buy the ingredients for longevity noodles? I noticed the other day that His Highness liked crab roe, so we can prepare some more."

The three of them went out to the street. Although there were no birthday gifts, there were still longevity noodles and other traditional ways to celebrate His Highness's birthday, and Ziyan and Tengluo had also prepared gifts for him. Lu Xuejin went to the street with Ziyan and Tengluo, and perhaps because of the cold weather, there were far fewer people on the street.

Tengluo asked, "Young master, may I present Your Highness with a storybook?"

Lu Xuejin pondered, "Your Highness will surely like it; sending the storybook as a gift would be quite nice."

Ziyan: "This servant has prepared clothes for Your Highness. Your Highness enjoys lively occasions, so the mansion can be decorated as well. I don't know why... but it feels like I'm entertaining a child. Just thinking that Your Highness will be happy about this makes this servant very happy too."

“His Highness has such ability,” said Tengluo, “He will never suffer a loss anywhere.”

Together they bought ingredients for longevity noodles, lanterns to decorate the mansion, and a bright red cloth tiger. Wisteria even bought some paper-cut auspicious dolls to paste above His Highness's bedside. Because His Highness enjoyed reading storybooks, they bought many beautiful ones, along with fireworks and vibrant red fruit. They also commissioned artisans to make pastries in His Highness's likeness. The cat-like figures with black hair and eyes, dangling earrings, and smiling tails were incredibly lifelike and adorable. Ziyan also sewed many dolls, all modeled after Lu Xuejin, placing them in various sizes above His Highness's bedside. He could hug them to sleep or carry them in his bag. Even his handkerchiefs were sewn with little figures of Lu Xuejin.

The thought of these little dolls surrounding His Highness makes everything in the world seem purer and more vibrant.

Lu Xuejin couldn't help but smile. His expression softened considerably, and in this unfamiliar city, the scene before him seemed to warm up. Rarely did he feel such a dull tremor in his heart, an indescribable moment of happiness as he prepared for His Highness's birthday.

“Young master, there’s a place selling wonton noodles up ahead. Shall we try some?” Tengluo asked.

They used to eat there often in Shengjing, and Lu Xuejin had seen it too. It was perfect timing to bring Tengluo and Ziyan here for wontons today. It was early winter, and seeing the steaming wontons, with their fragrant aroma wafting out, reminded them of the old days.

Lu Xuejin said "okay." The streets and alleys were too deserted, with only the occasional figure of a soldier appearing. As she stepped into the wonton shop, perhaps she was reminded of the past, of the days she spent with her father and brother after her mother's death anniversary. Every time she finished paying respects to her mother, she would eat a bowl of wonton noodles at the foot of the mountain.

The huge wontons, soaked in sour soup, swell up and are topped with a layer of bright green scallions. When you pick up the bowl, your palms will be covered in soup.

An indescribable emotion suddenly welled up within him, amplifying silently and engulfing his entire being. He stared at the wonton shop owner's smiling face; the man's mouth opened and closed, but he couldn't make out what he was saying.

The distant mountains seemed to overlap with the distant mountains of the past, becoming a layer of greenish-black walls. His heart pounded incessantly in the calm, the drumbeats drawing ever closer, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead, creating a strange illusion.

"Okay—" As the wonton shop owner responded, the surroundings suddenly fell silent.

The wisteria suddenly fell silent, as if it had seen something utterly terrifying. An indescribable fear emanated from its expression, nearly causing it to drop what it was holding. Purple Smoke also vanished, its figure disappearing in an instant in the cold wind. The carriage parked not far away, the guarding soldiers, and the faint, lingering scent of bitter medicine in the air...

Lu Xuejin turned his head as if he had a premonition. The face in his memory disappeared from the past, and the sickly boy grew from a depressed state into a grown man, appearing in front of him across time.

"Brother—?" The red-clad boy from my memory spoke.

The man sat in the corner, seemingly having been waiting for him for a long time.

Xue Yi's sickly features emerged from his past form, his pale face exuding a deathly aura. He had been through a tumultuous journey, as if he had been reduced to bones and then reshaped, restoring himself in the steam rising from the wonton soup bowl.

A note from the author: