Previously in the palace, although there weren't many scholars, at least they could consult with Miss Chi when problems arose. Now, with the only person to discuss matters with missing, Cui Yi unwilling to think, Xie Yong untrustworthy, and Cao Qian loyal but lacking strategic insight, Baili Zan, a scholar who had never fought a battle, had to manage everything in the large camp. Holding the thick ledger presented by the military secretary, he felt like throwing his hat and shouting, "I quit!"
"Mr. Baili?" Unconsciously wandering to the stables, Jinwu's red fur was soaked and glistening under the sun. Beside him, a young man in simple warrior robes was brushing him, revealing himself to be Yang Qiong.
Yang Qiong smiled and asked, "Why did Mr. come here?"
It was like finding a savior in a desperate situation. At this moment, Baili Zan saw Yang Qiong as a divine being, radiating light, almost needing clouds and celestial music to complete the scene.
"Mr. Yang!" Baili Zan, tears in his eyes, grabbed his hand, "Finally, someone who can handle things. Here, take this."
Yang Qiong was bewildered, still dripping water, but handed the ledger carefully. Confused, he asked, "What is this? Is this...?" Flipping it over, he understood, "From the military secretary? Doesn't His Highness handle this?"
Baili Zan nodded solemnly: "His Highness is preoccupied with finding Lady Chi. He doesn't listen to anything else. The capital is about to change hands. Once the new emperor ascends, Your Highness will be in grave danger."
Yang Qiong's expression changed, urgently asking, "The capital is changing hands? Is Crown Prince... forcing the emperor to abdicate?"
Baili Zan recounted what Zhai Rang wrote in the letter. Yang Qiong pondered for a moment, saying, "The way of emperors lies in balance and moderation. Watching tigers fight from afar, Your Highness is weak, while the Crown Prince is strong. Logically, the emperor should suppress the Crown Prince first, then find ways to weaken Your Highness. Otherwise, the Crown Prince's power will inevitably lead to a coup."
"Yes, who would have thought the emperor would target Your Highness first. While in the capital, the Crown Prince would still be cautious. But now that Your Highness is exiled thousands of miles away in Gan Prefecture, even if the Crown Prince kills his father and usurps the throne, Your Highness would be powerless to stop it," Baili Zan agreed. Yang Qiong's doubts mirrored those he and Miss Chi had before. Why did Emperor Jianyuan make such a foolish move? It was reasonable to reclaim military power to prevent rebellion, but exiling Cui Yi left no one to check the Crown Prince. Without restraint, how long could the emperor's throne last?
Could it be that Emperor Jianyuan was old and senile, his mind addled?
Actually, not necessarily. Miss Chi, having witnessed Cui Jie's ruthlessness in her previous life, recognized his cunning facade immediately. Though Baili Zan and others hadn't dealt directly with the Crown Prince, they believed him to be a treacherous, smiling villain.
But in Emperor Jianyuan's eyes, Cui Jie had always been intelligent, diligent, humble, friendly, and capable of recognizing talent. Such a son couldn't possibly rebel.
Indeed, wolves remain wolves, unchanged by rebirth. On New Year's Eve, the bell of mourning rang out from the Purple Chapter Palace, spreading far and wide. Cui Yi woke up abruptly, running barefoot out of the tent, staring silently at the southern horizon.
In the Borjik Steppe, Miss Chi held her daughter, sitting on the wooden fence in front of the tent, murmuring, "Xian'er, your grandfather the emperor probably won't survive tonight."
Seven-month-old Xiao Cuiyan s*ck*d on her finger, not understanding her mother's words, her clear eyes reflecting the starry sky, which gradually transformed into snowflakes falling onto the golden glazed tiles of the Wansheng Palace.
On New Year's Eve of the 40th year of Jianyuan, Emperor Jianyuan passed away. Crown Prince Cui Jie ascended the throne, changing the era name to Qisheng.
Before the end of the first month, Cui Yi in Gan Prefecture received an imperial edict. The new emperor stated that the governor of Yan Prefecture had requested retirement before the New Year, and there were no suitable candidates in the court. Therefore, he appointed the King of Wu to concurrently serve as the governor of Yan Prefecture, allowing eight thousand troops to accompany him, ordering immediate departure.
Great, just settling down in Gan Prefecture, barely catching his breath after recruiting three thousand new soldiers, he was ordered to move again, and these three thousand soldiers couldn't even go with him! Cui Yi was furious, hating the wasted silver, but had no choice but to gather his forces and head northeast to Yan Prefecture.
If Gan Prefecture was desolate, then Yan Prefecture was truly uninhabited. The former governor Xu Chong led less than ten thousand troops, with fewer than one hundred thousand civilians scattered across the prefecture. Located in the far north, winters were long, summers short, and heavy snow often buried houses. Taxes could only be paid partially each year, requiring government aid during prolonged winters, truly a hell on earth.
Yan Prefecture, impoverished and barren, held no interest for the Northern Di. Yet, Emperor Cui Jie exaggerated its importance as the northeastern gateway of the Great Chu, claiming only elite troops could defend it. Thus, the mighty General Wu was sent to slaughter chickens—perhaps without even chickens to slaughter.
Cui Yi was infuriated upon receiving the edict, wondering why he was moved from the strategically important Gan Prefecture to Yan Prefecture. How could the ministers agree to this?
Cui Yi would never know the ministers' reasons. He only knew that before finding Miss Chi, he couldn't confront Emperor Cui Jie, so he had to endure and pack up again. Fortunately, this time, there were no restrictions on carriages, and everything from the new palace could be packed and taken along.
"Aiya, really, riding in a carriage again, my bones are about to fall apart." After two days of traveling by carriage, Xie Yuchan became fussy, refusing to board.
The soldier driving the carriage pleaded, "Please, Your Highness, hurry and get in the carriage. Otherwise, His Highness will be angry."
Xie Yuchan wrapped herself tightly in her fox fur coat, rolling her eyes: "Brother Ying won't get angry at me. I don't care, I refuse to ride in the carriage anymore, it's too uncomfortable."
The soldier repeatedly begged, but Xie Yuchan refused to listen. Eventually, the entire army had departed, leaving her behind. Finally, it reached Cui Yi.
Cui Yi rode Jinwu to the rear, frowning: "What's going on? Why aren't you boarding?"
The soldier explained bitterly: "Your Highness, please forgive me. Your Highness refuses to ride because the carriage is uncomfortable. I've tried to persuade her, but she won't listen."
The Duke said, what should we do? Cui Yi looked down at Xie Yuchan coldly and said, you don't want to ride in the carriage, then what do you want? Xie Yuchan folded her arms, showing a willful expression: I just don't want to sit in the carriage. My bones are almost shaken apart, it's so uncomfortable. Cui Yi showed a look of disgust, his voice much louder: You have a carriage but don't want to ride in it, do you want to walk instead? "I won't," Xie Yuchan's eyes rolled, "I want to ride in a sedan chair!" Baili Zan also hurried over and said upon hearing this: It's inconvenient to travel outside, everything must be simple. Moreover, there is no village or inn nearby, where can we find a sedan chair? The soldiers all have to walk, please bear with it a little more, Your Highness! Xie Yuchan glared at him fiercely: How can you compare me with the soldiers, I am the Duchess, how can I be the same as them? What reason is there for not having a sedan chair? Aren't you Brother Yingrong's right-hand man? If you can't even handle such a small matter, can you handle big matters in the future? Baili Zan was suddenly scolded and lowered his head without speaking. Cui Yi impatiently said: Even if you have money, you can't hire a sedan chair in such a place. Stop talking nonsense and get in the carriage quickly. Eight thousand people are waiting for you alone. Xie Yuchan was displeased by his harsh tone, stomping her feet and waving her hands: I want to ride in a sedan chair, my father is the Governor of Xuanzhou, I am the Duchess of Wu, don't I even have a sedan chair to sit in? Seeing that Cui Yi was about to be angered to the point of spitting blood, Baili Zan hurriedly interrupted: Riding in a carriage for a long time is indeed uncomfortable. Why not give the Duchess a gentle horse to ride? Let a soldier lead the horse, it won't shake anymore. The carriage is too stuffy, it's good to come out and breathe some fresh air. Xie Yuchan's interest was piqued: Good, good, I want to ride a horse, but, I want to ride Jinwu! As soon as she finished speaking, Cui Yi angrily shouted: Daydreaming! For a warrior, a beloved horse is not only a mount but also a companion who has been through life and death together. Sometimes its status is even higher than that of a concubine. And Jinwu is a rare Akhal-Teke, there are only a few in the entire Great Chu. Cui Yi loves it very much, even his confidant Cao Qian hasn't ridden it much, let alone her Xie Yuchan. "Brother Yingrong, you—" Xie Yuchan hadn't been shouted at by him for a long time, suddenly being shouted at made her feel extremely wronged, tears threatening to fall: You actually shout at me for a beast! Jinwu neighed proudly, tossing his head arrogantly, his wet eyes full of contempt. Cui Yi's gaze was cold, his tone stiff: Jinwu is my beloved horse, I never let others ride it casually, don't daydream. Xie Yuchan tearfully protested: But I am your Duchess, how can I be considered an outsider? Cui Yi took a deep breath, he really wanted to draw his sword Star Abyss and stab her through, better than being tortured by her tantrums. His anger had been suppressed since Xuanzhou, and now it was about to explode, once it erupted, it would be devastating. "What are you still standing around for, hurry up and notify General Cao to pause the march, call a few people to dismantle the carriage and turn it into a sedan chair. Didn't you hear what the Duchess said?" Fortunately, Baili Zan saw that things were going badly and hurriedly intervened. The poor soldier felt like he had been pardoned and immediately ran to the front of the line. Soon, Xie Yong arrived. Xie Yong glanced at Cui Yi who was rubbing his temples, then at Xie Yuchan who was sobbing, and went forward to coax his sister: You should know when to be willful, get in the carriage quickly. Once we reach the next town, we'll change the carriage for a sedan chair. There are less than twenty miles left, just endure a little longer. Didn't you say you could endure any hardship for the sake of the Duke? Xie Yuchan wiped her tears while sobbing, replying in a muffled voice: Alright... Brother Yingrong. Cui Yi glanced at her sideways. Xie Yuchan put on an expression of great grievance: I'm doing all this for you, for you, I can endure anything. Then she turned and got into the carriage. Behind her, Cui Yi nearly spat out a mouthful of blood, almost being angered to the point of seeing his father Emperor Jianyuan directly.