Chapter 80: Arrival
Chen Tu led the Heir into the western room, which was far less messy than he had claimed. The kang bed was neatly arranged.
Chen Tu bowed solemnly. "Your subordinate pays respects to the Heir."
"Dispense with formalities." Gu Yanxi sat on the kang, his gaze fixed on the ever-respectful Chen Tu. "Any abnormalities in the northern regions?"
"Reporting to the Heir, I recently traveled north. Everything appears normal on the surface, yet I sense something amiss, though I cannot pinpoint what exactly." Chen Tu knelt to seek punishment. "Your subordinate has failed in his duties. I beg for the Heir's discipline."
"Inside or outside the pass?"
"Outside the pass. The area inside is for exiles. Aside from more exiles this year than previous years, there are no other anomalies."
More exiles than usual was already a significant problem. Gu Yanxi lowered his gaze. The Emperor was growing old, his suspicion deepening daily. Even he, often praised by the Emperor as the imperial family's prized steed, had scarred his own face to avoid suspicion.
The Daqing Dynasty imposed strict requirements on officials, one being that those with facial disfigurements could not serve in court, let alone ascend the throne. Since he had ruined his face, the princes had ceased their previous wariness toward him, employing various tactics to win him over.
In recent years, the conflicts among the princes had intensified, implicating more people. This was certainly not a positive sign for the Daqing Dynasty. The Emperor was likely aware but powerless to stop it.
The thought of these matters filled Gu Yanxi with weariness, yet he had to endure it. If they didn't fight among themselves, how could he maneuver his esteemed father into the fray?
He had endured long enough.
"I will send someone north. Brief him on matters outside the pass."
Chen Tu was startled. "Might I ask, Heir, if I have erred in some way?"
"You are to keep a close watch inside the pass. Report any unusual activity to me immediately."
Chen Tu felt somewhat reassured. "Is the Heir concerned about possible collusion between internal and external forces?"
"More than that." Gu Yanxi's expression grew colder. Many officials had been exiled to the northern regions over the past two years, and upon reflection, most were military officers. If they united under someone's influence, or if they developed disloyal intentions...
It remained unclear which prince was behind this. Their ambitions were blatant—the Emperor was truly aging.
"Every five months or so, you must remain here. Additionally, pay special attention to the Hua family in the northern regions. If the local forces cannot resolve their issues, lend a hand."
"Yes, your subordinate will remember." Chen Tu glanced up at the Heir before quickly lowering his head again. "Does the Heir wish to see the others?"
"I will return here in a few days. We can discuss it then." Gu Yanxi tapped the edge of the kang with his knuckles. "Send word to the northern operatives. I expect to see them upon my arrival."
"Yes." Seeing that the Heir had no further instructions, Chen Tu bowed and withdrew, soon returning with hot water to attend to Gu Yanxi's ablutions.
After a restful night, the wind and snow had ceased by the next morning, yet Hua Zhi felt the day was even colder than the previous one.
Chen Tu prepared a warm breakfast for the group and packed some dry provisions. After seeing them out of the village, he turned back to find the previously secluded villagers now emerged, their eyes burning with anticipation as they looked at him.
Chen Tu rubbed his nose. "The Heir said he would return here in a few days."
One person eagerly asked, "Did the Heir say he would see us?"
"He did not specify, but the Heir has new arrangements for us."The previously somewhat dejected person immediately pricked up their ears upon hearing this.
"I'm afraid there may be changes within the pass. From now on, we only need to manage affairs inside the pass. Matters outside the pass will be taken over by others."
"Understood."
For the remainder of the journey, Hua Zhi continued to share a horse with Gu Yanxi. She had grown quite accustomed to it, even developing some attachment to the warmth from his body behind her—though only a slight one.
They arrived at their destination slightly earlier than expected.
The vast territory was divided into inside and outside by the tall city walls. It resembled both a target and a beacon, telling returning people that reaching this point meant returning to their own country.
This pass had countless times blocked enemies attempting to enter. Even after over a hundred years of peace following the founding of the Daqing Dynasty, it hadn't fallen into disrepair. Those exiled here had only one task: to reinforce this pass.
Accustomed to prosperity, this was Hua Zhi's first time in such a desolate and bleak place. Her excitement about soon seeing her relatives diminished somewhat. This was an era of cold weapons, a city built with blood. When the battle cries sounded, this place would become a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
Regardless of victory or defeat, it was all achieved by stepping over corpses.
She hoped she would never witness such a scene in her lifetime, and she felt even more urgently that the Hua family should stay far away from this place.
Gu Yanxi glanced down at her and urged the horse forward into the city.
As this was an important pass, entry and exit were strictly controlled, with special permits required for departure. Fortunately, the queue wasn't long, and soon it was their turn. Everyone dismounted.
The guard captain studied Gu Yanxi carefully—this man gave him a dangerous feeling, putting him instinctively on guard.
Noticing that Lu Xiansheng didn't present his token as before, Hua Zhi stepped forward to stand in front of him.
The captain clearly preferred dealing with her. "Are you all together? You look unfamiliar. What brings you here?"
"We have relatives here, bringing them some supplies." Hua Zhi pointed back at the various-sized packages on the horses. "Mostly winter clothing like cotton-padded jackets. Feel free to inspect them, officer."
The captain signaled two other soldiers to check. When they reached the package containing medicine, Hua Zhi proactively took out two bottles and handed them over. "This is frostbite ointment, very effective. You might want to try it, officer. If it works well, I'll bring more next time I come."
If there was one ailment most common in the northern regions, frostbite ranked first. Once it appeared, it tended to recur frequently, rarely healing completely, and few escaped its torment.
The soldiers guarding the gate daily suffered particularly severely, with their hands swollen and blackened. Though accustomed to the discomfort, everyone wished to be rid of it.
The captain pocketed the medicine bottles, stepped aside, and waved them into the city.
After the group had moved away, a soldier quietly asked, "Captain, aren't you worried they might be spies?"
"Who would choose such conspicuous people for spies?" The captain poured some ointment on his hand and rubbed it in, then passed the bottle to those nearby. "Everyone use some. Just based on this medicine, I believe they're genuinely here to deliver supplies to relatives. Only relatives would care so much. I just hope this medicine really works."
"Exactly. The itching keeps me awake at night."After entering the city, Gu Yanxi had Hua Zhi mount the horse and then led it forward on foot. Hua Zhi wanted to say something, but it felt inappropriate to invite him to share the saddle, so she simply accepted the arrangement calmly. She now harbored a mindset akin to "too many lice don't itch, too many debts don't worry."
"Has Lu Xiansheng been here before?"
"Yes, he has." Gu Yanxi glanced back at her. "Exiles usually live in the southern part of the city. We can head directly there."
Hua Zhi had no reason to disagree. Having arrived here, even with her composed temperament, she felt a surge of impatience.
PS: I've fallen ill, with a splitting headache.
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