Chapter 806: Chapter 766: No Need to Meet Again

After Feng Yan left, Zhao Xi got up and stood by the window, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

The last time the military report on the Northern Border plague came, he immediately told his Imperial Aunt, but this time, with his uncle being assassinated by Bei Yan’s Chi Long Guards and crippled by a broken leg, he was at a loss for words.

It wasn’t until Eunuch Sanbao came in and asked if he should send a message to the Changning Marquis Mansion that Zhao Xi gathered his thoughts, "If my Imperial Aunt knows about my uncle’s injury, she definitely won’t be able to bear it."

"But this matter, the news will reach the Changning Marquis Mansion sooner or later." Eunuch Sanbao said, "The Eldest Princess has her own sources; it’s just that they’re a bit slower than ours."

Zhao Xi was silent for a moment, "Since that’s the case, go to the Changning Marquis Mansion and bring my Imperial Aunt to see me."

Eunuch Sanbao acknowledged and quickly retreated.

Once there were no others in the hall, Zhao Xi summoned the Imperial Secret Guard.

The figure resembled a shadow, standing in the shade, with a mask covering his face, hiding his true identity.

"Your Highness."

The visitor was Yan Fang, the Dark Guard Leader of the Imperial Secret Guard. Previously, much like the Jinyi Guard, they only listened to orders from Emperor Guangxi. Now, with Zhao Xi in power, Emperor Guangxi has entrusted everything to him, from the Imperial Jade Seal to the Imperial Secret Guard and the Jinyi Guard, all under Zhao Xi’s command.

"Take some people to the Western Border to handle something for me."

The Western Border is what used to be called West Yue, renamed after being integrated into Chu Country.

"Please instruct, Your Highness."

Zhao Xi said, "The political situation at the Western Border is still unstable, currently overseen by the Great Clan Leader. Find a way to tell him the Beiyang Imperial Concubine plans to exchange the lives of the entire Jiuli Clan for the Chosen One, to overthrow the Bei Yan regime."

This Imperial Concubine has harbored ambitions ever since leading 300,000 troops to support Bei Yan. These years, Emperor Yan has been entranced by her, not without her schemes.

Unfortunately, the Imperial Concubine only bore two daughters for Emperor Yan, with no sons to contend for the throne. Coincidentally, the Chosen One from Jiuli appeared at this time. The Imperial Concubine, being from Jiuli, has deep-rooted beliefs in Jiuli traditions. To her, Amuer is believed to be the reincarnation of that wise and heroic former king, obtaining his favor ensures the support of the Jiuli people.

Since the Jiuli Clan, also known as the Witch Clan, are adept at witchcraft, once supported by clan members, overturning the Bei Yan regime and putting the Chosen One in a position to revive Jiuli is merely a matter of time.

Originally, Zhao Xi didn’t want to meddle in Bei Yan’s internal strife, but this time the Imperial Concubine went too far, with peace proposals submitted while secretly acting behind the scenes, directly hitting Zhao Xi’s bottom line. Zhao Xi decides to cut off all her fantasies with one stroke, letting her realize the Emperor of Chu Country is merely ill, not lacking successors.

...

It was already early summer, with a hint of heat starting to permeate the day. Zhao Xunyin, having nothing to do, selected lightweight, breathable materials from the storeroom, intending to make several sets of undergarments to send to her husband in the Northern Border.

Lu Yanli was outside playing shuttlecock with Fan Zhuowen. After months of companionship, the two had become familiar, enjoying the game immensely.

At this time, someone from the gatehouse suddenly came to the inner courtyard, saying to the old woman outside the Liufang Courtyard, "Quickly report to the Eldest Princess, saying Eunuch Sanbao has arrived."

The old woman swiftly delivered the message to Zhao Xunyin.

Hearing the summons from the Eastern Palace, Zhao Xunyin’s eyelid twitched, and the needle in her hand accidentally pierced her fingertip, a drop of bright red blood falling onto the snow-white garment.

She put down her needlework, got up, and went to the outer courtyard, carrying a heavy mood along the way.

The last message from the Eastern Palace was about the Northern Border plague, she wondered, what bad news this time?

Having prepared for the worst, yet upon meeting Eunuch Sanbao, she couldn’t help but ask, "Has the Northern Border met with trouble?"

Eunuch Sanbao, seeing her face pale, didn’t answer directly, only saying, "I don’t know, Your Highness said the matter needs to be discussed with the Eldest Princess personally."

Hearing this, Zhao Xunyin’s face grew paler.

No wonder her eyelid had been twitching uncontrollably since she got up early this morning, and she was anxious and restless while doing needlework, unable to calm down. Could it be about Second Master...?

Not daring to think further, Zhao Xunyin directly lifted the curtain and sat in the carriage, then stuck half her head out of the window, instructed the old woman who followed, "Tell the two young masters I’m going to the Palace to see the Crown Prince, I’ll be back soon."

After entering the Imperial City, a soft sedan carried Zhao Xunyin to the Eastern Palace; her expression was anxious. Upon entering Chengming Hall, she immediately asked Zhao Xi, "What happened to Second Master?"

Zhao Xi cast a discreet glance at Eunuch Sanbao by his side.

Eunuch Sanbao shook his head vigorously, he really hadn’t said anything! Perhaps the Eldest Princess and the Prince Consort shared a mind, suspecting something?

"Aunt, please sit down and have a cup of tea first," Zhao Xi said warmly.

"I can’t sit unless you speak," Zhao Xunyin’s voice trembled slightly, her gaze fixed on him.

Seeing this, Zhao Xi sighed softly, "Uncle, he is injured."

Although she had anticipated bad news, hearing Zhao Xi say it still felt like a needle pricking her heart, "Where is he injured? Is it serious?"

Zhao Xi pressed his lips together, not knowing how to begin.

He suddenly felt a pang of reluctance.

"Xixi, just tell me, as long as he is alive, I can bear it," Zhao Xunyin perceived the Crown Prince’s hesitation.

"It’s his leg," Zhao Xi lowered his lashes, "The military doctor said he might never stand again for the rest of his life."

Zhao Xunyin was momentarily speechless, unable to find words, not knowing what to say.

Before he left, she had instructed him that as long as there was a breath left in him, he must fight for the people of the Northern Border to the end, not allowing the enemy to cross a single step, yet now, she desperately wished for his return.

Second Master was a capable warrior, back in the day, he had earned his military power and negotiated with the Empress Dowager to win her, a healthy body is fundamental for a military general, losing his legs is almost equivalent to being a cripple, not to mention the physical pain tormenting Second Master, the psychological blow might not be small either.

"I have already ordered reinforcements to gather and head north." Zhao Xi said, "If Aunt wants Uncle to come back, I will arrange someone to bring him home."

"He won’t come back," Zhao Xunyin’s complexion had changed from pale to calm, "The Northern Border war is not over yet, as long as there’s breath left in him, he won’t agree to return early to the Capital, so my nod is useless unless he himself is willing to return."

At this point, Zhao Xunyin choked up a bit, "I heard that Master Yun has a young divine doctor with him, who is exceptionally skilled at a young age. Can the Crown Prince invite him to the Northern Border to see Second Master? As long as he can make Second Master stand again, no matter what condition he proposes, I will agree."

Zhao Xi nodded, "Master Yun is escorting Miss Xu back to the Capital, they will arrive soon, I will contact him and try to have Yun Shiliu return as quickly as possible."

Although it seemed doubtful, there was still a glimmer of hope, Zhao Xunyin’s mood was not as complicated as before, and she quickly moved past the topic, "People below say you posed a difficult question to the examinees today?"

"Recently, the issue with the Su Family’s adopted son has become too large a problem," Zhao Xi nodded, "We need to find a way to resolve it from the root."

Zhao Xunyin looked at Zhao Xi with approval, "The Holy Emperor didn’t misjudge you indeed."

When Emperor Guangxi was seventeen, the political power was still in the hands of the Su Family, back then, he was like a puppet, manipulated by others, without any autonomy.

Compared to Emperor Guangxi, Zhao Xi was much more fortunate, Empress Su had already removed many of his siblings beforehand, resulting in Emperor Guangxi having few heirs under his name over the years, allowing him to hold great power without the perilous struggles for succession.

After gaining power, he was resolute and bold, even the questions set for the examinees bore profound meaning, although young, it was evident he would be a good emperor in the future.

Zhao Xi humbly said, "Aunt overpraises me."

"By the way, how has your father been lately?"

"He is still clinging to life with medicine," Speaking of Emperor Guangxi, Zhao Xi’s handsome face turned dark, "Before the exams started, I went to see him, he said he could hold on until my wedding."

Zhao Xunyin patted Zhao Xi’s shoulder, "It’s his destiny; his only wish now is probably your marriage, don’t think too much about it, be diligent in the future, focus more on political affairs, help him guard the lands of Chu Country, so that when he reaches the afterlife, he can face the ancestors with dignity."

Although said so, Zhao Xunyin could still imagine how Zhao Xi must feel.

Because once Emperor Guangxi passed away, it would mean Empress Qi, who was recuperating far away at the traveling palace, would also follow, suddenly losing both parents, bearing the heavy burden of mourning at seventeen, it was too cruel.

Before leaving the palace, Zhao Xunyin visited Qianqing Palace and unexpectedly saw Consort Qing bringing the Second Prince Zhao Nuo and Third Prince Zhao Huan inside.

Emperor Guangxi was already at the end of his life, unable to speak much, only listening to Consort Qing recount the daily lives of the two princes, his gaze always falling on Zhao Nuo’s small face, as if through this child, he was looking at someone else.

Seeing the Eldest Princess arrive, Consort Qing quickly left with the two princes.

Zhao Xunyin glanced at Zhao Nuo’s small back, then looked towards Emperor Guangxi on the dragon couch, "Does elder brother want to see her?"

Both of them knew well who this "her" referred to.

Emperor Guangxi weakly shook his head.

He did not want to see her, nor was there any need to see her anymore.