Several days later.
The Great Zhou and the Northern Frontier reached an agreement.
The imperial decree for Zhiyi's marriage alliance was finally issued.
She was to become the Queen of the new royal court. The Ministry of Rites prepared everything needed for the marriage alliance princess: guards, maidservants, and other necessary supplies.
Xia Fuyang was appointed as the chief guard, tasked with escorting the princess all the way. After delivering the princess, he was to remain stationed at the frontier.
Xia Fuyang arrived at the capital half a month later.
Having completed the handover of his troops and resigned from his post as Commandant of Xianghe County, he brought only a dozen or so brothers with him.
These were men who intended to follow him to the Northern Frontier.
After his audience with the Emperor and formally receiving his mission, Xia Fuyang went to a private room in the Ruyi Pavilion for a meeting.
He looked utterly exhausted, his beard unshaven, eyes bloodshot.
Inside the room were both Xi Zixing and Qu Dubian.
Xi Zixing: "Sit down quickly, rest a little." He poured a cup of tea for Xia Fuyang.
Qu Dubian: "You look like you haven't slept well in a long time."
Xia Fuyang gave a bitter smile, "You're no different. We're in the same boat."
One had to watch his elder sister marry into the Northern Frontier; the other had just received the devastating news of his father's severe injury, leaving him unable to command the army.
Xi Zixing looked at the two of them, sighing inwardly over and over.
The atmosphere among the trio was uncharacteristically somber.
Qu Dubian roused himself, "I have an idea. Although it can't prevent the marriage alliance, it might give Elder Sister more room to maneuver in the Northern Frontier. But it's full of uncertainties."
"I don't know if it's feasible. I wanted to hear your opinions."
Xi Zixing: "Go on."
Qu Dubian: "Do you remember Agumudo?"
Xia Fuyang nodded: "I remember. Agumudo was the chosen successor of the previous royal court, but he was expelled and reduced to leading a tribe."
Qu Dubian: "Generally, the Northern Frontier doesn't exterminate defeated clans over royal court succession disputes; they only kill the direct lineage. It's an unspoken rule of the Northern Frontier steppes. Since Agumudo isn't dead, the old retainers of the former royal court remain. If he were to raise the banner of establishing a second royal court, creating a rival power to King Kulu's main warring faction, internal chaos would erupt again in the Northern Frontier."
"However," Xi Zixing pondered, analyzing point by point, "if Agumudo raises the banner of a second royal court, he might very well be attacked by all sides. After all, there are many staunch supporters of a single royal court in the Northern Frontier. And as long as he lays low, he can survive. Raising that banner means becoming a sworn enemy of King Kulu, a fight to the death."
"This is a gamble. A gamble on human nature, on luck, on strength."
First, Agumudo, to save his life, might choose to turtle up under King Kulu's rule, unwilling to take the risk. Second, even if Agumudo were willing, if his strength is insufficient or luck is against him, this spark wouldn't catch fire.
But if they win the gamble...
In a few years, the Northern Frontier would gradually form two royal courts, moving from tribal divisions to a confrontation between two camps, the conflict only growing fiercer.
The more trouble created for the new King, the easier it would be for Princess Zhiyi, being in the Northern Frontier, to exert influence and restraint.
Xia Fuyang: "Placing our bets on a Northerner we met only once years ago... doesn't seem like you."
Qu Dubian shook his head: "He's just the optimal choice. Without him, we can only use other, less effective means to stir up internal conflicts in the Northern Frontier."
If not necessary, he didn't want to gamble.
Xia Fuyang: "After I reach the Northern Frontier, I'll convey your idea to Marquis Xu."
Qu Dubian: "Do you know the specific date for the marriage alliance procession's departure?" Before Xia Fuyang returned to the capital, there had been no concrete date.
Xia Fuyang: "Mid-December."
That left a little over a month.
They couldn't wait until the marriage alliance procession arrived to tell his grandfather.
Fifteen days later.
Northern Frontier border.
Main city, military tent.
Lang Qing lifted the tent flap and entered. "Marquis, a letter from Madam."
"Bring it here, bring it here."
Xia Hong lay prone on the bed, weakly watching Xu Jin open the letter.
"A letter from sister-in-law?"
Xu Jin nodded: "Mhm."
He and Wu Siwan had their own dedicated method of communication. It was just a bit more troublesome and slower, but secure.
"Don't move around," Xu Jin glared. "Don't you know how bad your injury is? The poison on that arrow was from the Northern Frontier. Our doctors here can only suppress it. Once your son arrives and you've given your instructions, you're rolling straight back to the capital to recuperate."
Xia Hong buried his face in the pillow.
Xu Jin opened the letter and scanned it. "Huh."
It was from his grandson.
He immediately focused with utmost attention, reading each line carefully, his brow furrowing deeper the more he read.
Xia Hong: "What's wrong?"
Xu Jin: "Oh, it's nothing. Your sister-in-law burned her hand cooking a few days ago. Worrisome, that's all." He folded the letter and tucked it into his clothes. "Won't bore you with the mushy details. I'll read it slowly myself later."
Lang Qing coughed lightly a few times.
Xu Jin: "You may go."
Only when the tent held just the two of them did Xu Jin speak: "Can the covert lines you used to contact Agumudo still be used?"
Xia Hong: "After Princess Axiang passed away and the royal court rebellion, some people died. For safety, I severed several well-worn lines. They can only be re-established by making contact with the other side again."
Xu Jin: "Then I'll have to think of another way."
It wasn't until a week before the marriage alliance that Qu Dubian received a brief reply from his grandfather via his grandmother.
The message had been passed to Agumudo. Whether he agreed or not would depend on future developments in the Northern Frontier.
Qu Dubian hadn't been staying at the Princes' Quarters recently, opting to live at the Sword-Holding Marquis's residence. He had requested a long leave from Grand Tutor Fang, who didn't comment. Emperor Chongzhao, upon learning of it, also said nothing, letting him stay wherever he wished.
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Your Highness, is the news in the letter good?"
Qu Dubian: "No news."
"However, we must find a way to establish my own communication lines in the Northern Frontier. The court's lines are unusable, and using Grandmother's is too slow."
As he spoke, a servant entered to announce.
"Young Master, Lord Xie Lishan of the Xie family requests an audience."
It was that person who had been getting along quite well with Elder Sister recently.
Qu Dubian pondered: "Let him in."
Xie Lishan bowed: "Your Highness."
He looked much thinner, but still maintained a semblance of composure.
Qu Dubian: "Speak your mind."
Xie Lishan: "I have resigned from my official post."
Observing his demeanor, a sudden understanding dawned on Qu Dubian. "For Elder Sister? But the list of personnel accompanying the procession is already finalized. Even if you resign, you can't join it."
Xie Lishan took a deep breath: "I know Your Highness must have connections. Even as a servant, a guard, I am willing to follow the princess to the Northern Frontier."
"I may not be talented, but Uncle Xie once praised me for having a bit of quick wit. Perhaps I can be of some help."
Qu Dubian, who usually found fault with this man, now looked at him seriously for the first time.
"You are from the second branch of the Xie family. Does your family agree?"
Xie Lishan: "I've spent this time persuading my family. Fortunately, I am not the eldest son; with my elder brother shouldering the responsibilities, I have more freedom."
But from now on, his family would offer him no further assistance.
Qu Dubian: "Do you know martial arts?"
Xie Lishan: "Among the Six Arts of a gentleman, archery and charioteering are my best."
Qu Dubian said, "Your martial skills are no match for the guards, and you are not a woman, so you cannot serve closely. With average abilities in all aspects, you wouldn't be much help to my sister."
Xie Lishan wiped the sweat from his temple. "I..."
"If you truly wish to help her, I have another path for you."
Xie Lishan straightened up, serious. "Please tell me."
Qu Dubian said, "Both the Northern Frontier and Great Zhou have taken captives from each other, using them as slaves. These slaves are controlled and oppressed, yet they are the ones closest to the royal court."
"I need eyes and ears that can take root in the royal court, to relay any and all information about the Northern Frontier's internal affairs by any means possible."
Xie Lishan bowed his head. "Then I shall be your eyes and ears in the royal court."
Qu Dubian did not agree immediately.
"Can a mere few months of acquaintance truly make you willing to go this far for my sister?"
Xie Lishan replied, "It wasn't just a few months."
Speaking of Zhiyi, some of his steadiness faded, replaced by a touch of youthful shyness: "The princess often used to visit the Xie residence to play with Yuan Niang. We were in the same private school, but she never knew I was watching her."
Qu Dubian asked his final question: "Why come to me?"
Xie Lishan was silent for a few seconds. "Word of your clash with His Majesty in the Zichen Hall has spread. After the news of the Northern Frontier's marriage proposal arrived, you were the only one who dared to defy the Emperor for the princess's sake."
"You might die. You might not even get close to the royal court."
Xie Lishan looked directly at the young prince before him.
"I would have no regrets, even in death."
A moment later, Qu Dubian said, "Good. Tomorrow at noon, a merchant caravan of a hundred people departs from the west of the capital. Follow them. I will arrange the rest."
Xie Lishan: "Thank you!"
His resolve was firm, not as if he were stepping into a deadly game filled with suffering and pain, but rather like he was keeping a romantic rendezvous.
After Xie Lishan left, Qu Dubian did not return to his room in the marquis's estate either.
He sat cross-legged on the stone table in the courtyard.
Apart from the simulator, every usable connection and resource he had crisscrossed in his mind.
Ye Xiaoyuan draped a cloak over his shoulders.
"Your Highness, please return to your room first."
Qu Dubian: "Too lazy to move."
Ye Xiaoyuan stood beside him, keeping him company. "Your Highness, the general trend is such. Given today's situation, even if all the princes pleaded together, it would not change the outcome."
Unless a great calamity could befall the Northern Frontier from the heavens.
Qu Dubian pondered.
If he had known twelve years ago that such a day would come, would he still have chosen to spend these twelve years in leisure and ease?
No.
If devoid of emotion, and only told of future developments, then judging by his temperament when he first arrived in this unfamiliar dynasty, he probably would not have chosen to live in Shunning Palace, avoiding all trouble and heartache from the very root.
To transform from a pitiful child bearing the stigma of an ill-omened birth before the age of fourteen into a figure capable of influencing the affairs of two nations, to walk this path harder than scaling the heavens, filled with schemes and bloodshed—the him who had just transmigrated would likely have turned and fled without a second thought.
But there are no 'ifs' in this world.
Qu Dubian, wrapped in his cloak, climbed down from the stone table.
He still had over a year before he would establish his own residence at sixteen and formally engage with court politics, influencing the political landscape.
The day before the marriage alliance procession was to leave the capital.
Shunning Palace.
Afternoon.
Qu Dubian gave Zhiyi a bottle of detoxification pills containing five pellets. "Elder Sister, keep this safe. It can save your life if you are poisoned. Do not lose it."
Zhiyi put it away. "Yes, I'll keep it on my person."
Qu Dubian pushed forward a small box. "Inside are hidden weapons adjusted by Liuliu. The ones with red petals are poisoned. Wrist arrows, hairpin needles, bracelet blades... carry them all."
"It won't be that dangerous," Zhiyi said. "Surface peace must be maintained. I will have Great Zhou guards with me. The new king won't deliberately make things difficult for me."
Qu Dubian: "The guards need to be replaced. When you reach the Northern Frontier border, someone will swap out the original guards."
Zhiyi: "Who?"
Qu Dubian: "Half are elite soldiers under our grandfather's command. You'll find out about the other half when you reach the border."
Zhiyi nodded.
After a moment's thought, she still asked: "Between you and Father Emperor...?"
Qu Dubian: "Both Fourth Brother and Fifth Brother have spoken to me. Elder Sister, don't worry about me. I know what I'm doing."
"Zhiyi, come in. Mother wants to have a few words with you."
Lady Guo stood at the door of the rear hall, beckoning to Zhiyi.
Zhiyi acknowledged and went over, putting down what she was holding.
Mother and daughter closed the hall door.
Lady Guo's eyelids were swollen; she had been weeping daily during this time. With the precedents of Princess Axiang and the Dowager Consort Zhou, she truly could not control her emotions.
Lady Guo said, "Tonight is your last night in Shunning Palace. Tomorrow morning you must return to the princess's residence and depart from there. Mother cannot accompany you."
Zhiyi laid her head on her mother's lap. "It's alright. Little Seven will see me off."
Lady Guo: "Mother doesn't understand those grand principles of state. I just want to tell you, if chaos breaks out in the Northern Frontier, you run. Run as far as you can. Don't mind anyone else. Forget about selfishness or selflessness; Mother only wants you to live."
Zhiyi sat up. Though she didn't think this way in her heart, she did not refute Lady Guo's words, nodding instead. "I will protect myself well."
They talked through the night.
The next day.
Zhiyi returned to the princess's residence and changed into her wedding attire.
There were several sets of wedding clothes: some simpler styles for the journey, others for when she reached the Northern Frontier border.
After Zhiyi boarded the carriage, Xia Fuyang marshaled the procession.
Amidst the ceremonial calls of the Ministry of Rites, the marriage alliance procession finally set off.
Qu Dubian rode alongside, guarding Zhiyi's carriage.
He did not remain idle during the escort. In his mind, he was composing "Prank Dreamscapes" to cast upon King Kulu. This item, which he had initially obtained from a lucky draw and which had allowed him to leave the Jiu'an Hall relatively smoothly, was being purchased and used again in such a circumstance.
He had used every item that could be of use, that might offer help. "Prank Dreamscapes" was the last one.
In his view, it was child's play.
But using one every so often might just yield some unexpected effects.
They traveled for many days, escorted to Shanming Pass, three hundred li from the capital.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites accompanying them stopped here. "We have escorted the bride three hundred li. From here onward, we entrust her to you, Young Marquis Xia."
Xia Fuyang: "Mm."
Qu Dubian walked up to him. "Remember to use what I gave you."
Xia Fuyang: "Alright."
Qu Dubian had given him three detoxification pills. He knew his grandfather likely had something to suppress toxins—the Thousand Coin Pill. It was what had allowed Liuliu to hold on for those extra days last time.
The item had a purchase limit: ten pills per year. Last time he bought one for Liuliu, five for his elder sister, three for Xia Fuyang, leaving him with one purchase opportunity left for himself.
The detoxification pills didn't instantly neutralize all poisons upon ingestion; it had taken three pills to completely cure Liuliu's poison.
Although he didn't know if Xia Hongzhong's poison had been cured, it was better to be prepared.
The lifespan earned from Liuliu was almost spent. The total lifespan value he had left now was just over twelve years.
Spending is easy, earning is hard.
Xia Fuyang patted his shoulder. "The princess is waiting for you. Go on."
Zhiyi stood beside the carriage, smiling at him.
Qu Dubian stood before her. "Elder Sister."
Zhiyi: "I always thought you were still so young, but now I realize you've long since grown taller than me," she had said all she needed to say in Shunning Palace. After a long silence between the siblings, she finally spoke again, "You are the only one left in Shunning Palace now. Promise your elder sister that you will take good care of Consort Xuan and my mother."
Qu Dubian nodded.
Zhiyi: "Then, elder sister is leaving."
She turned and entered the carriage. Qu Dubian instinctively reached out a hand, but only caught a trace of chill from her fiery red wedding gown.
Xia Fuyang mounted his horse and said to him, "I will take good care of the princess."
The marriage procession set off once more from Shanming Pass. The further north they traveled, the more biting the cold wind became.
Qu Dubian stood in place, holding his horse's reins, watching the procession grow more and more distant. His hand gripping the reins slowly tightened.
The Minister of Rites said, "Your Highness the Seventh Prince, shall we return?"
By protocol, the Minister of Rites need not have come. But after the Seventh Prince requested to escort the bride, the Emperor summoned him to the Zichen Hall and ordered him to accompany the prince, to keep an eye on him along the way and prevent him from actually charging off to the northern frontier.
After all, the Seventh Prince had a history of sneaking away.
Qu Dubian did not utter a word.
Suddenly, he swung himself onto his horse and galloped away at full speed.
The Minister of Rites, a step too slow to stop him, cried out in alarm, "Your Highness!!"
He thought the Seventh Prince was about to charge towards the northern frontier.
"Hurry, hurry!"
The young man, braving the icy wind in pursuit, ascended a steep cliff overlooking Shanming Pass.
He reined in his horse right at the cliff's edge.
Qu Dubian gazed at the distant marriage procession, took a deep breath, and shouted with all his might, "Elder sister!"
"I will come to the northern frontier to bring you home—!"
Though the wind was bitterly cold, a fierce flame burned in his eyes.
Inside the carriage, Zhiyi traveled along the same road that Princess Axiang had once taken.
She pressed her palm against her chest.
"Your elder sister only wishes for your safety."