Northern Frontier.
Royal Court.
Zhiyi sat inside the Queen's tent.
Jirgal lifted the tent flap and entered. "You summoned me, Your Majesty?" The dark circles under his eyes had not faded for the past two years.
Zhiyi stated bluntly, "You are amassing troops."
Jirgal smiled. "Is amassing troops not normal? My Queen, it is not a good habit for the guards you brought to wander about."
Zhiyi: "Recently, there have been rumors within the Royal Court that the King intends to mobilize the army for a campaign?"
"It is a mobilization," Jirgal said, "but to clean up Agumudo's remnants. The absurdity of the Second Court has persisted for so long; the Queen must also be weary of it. When I mobilize the army to eliminate them, for the peace between Great Zhou and the Northern Frontier, shouldn't the Queen be pleased?"
"Or is the Queen concerned that the Second Court might truly be slaughtered to the last man?"
Zhiyi said calmly, "Jirgal, mind your words. Everything I have done is for the peace treaty signed between the Northern Frontier and Great Zhou."
Over two years of life on the Northern Frontier had added resolve and steadiness between her brows.
Jirgal: "As have I."
However, the Queen's reach has grown too long these days. It would be best for you to behave yourself and stay inside the Queen's tent and not go out.
Zhiyi's expression remained placid. "I wish the King success in eradicating the Second Court."
After Jirgal left, four guards responsible for watch soon arrived outside the royal tent.
The guards protecting Zhiyi outside came in to report. Zhiyi frowned.
Recently, for some unknown reason, Agumudo's decline had accelerated dramatically, as if someone was aiding him in secret.
She had summoned Jirgal today to test his attitude—it was somewhat more discourteous than usual.
It was now the second month. The grasslands of the Northern Frontier had sprung to life, and it was the perfect time for horses and soldiers to wage war.
The moment the Second Court vanished would likely be the moment Jirgal attacked Great Zhou's border.
Jirgal returned to his own royal tent.
For two consecutive years, frequent and varied nightmares had gradually made him short-tempered and brooding. Perhaps the Heavenly Spirit was displeased with the slow pace of his unification of the Northern Frontier and his campaign against Great Zhou, and so forced him to remain constantly vigilant.
A trusted aide entered and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, it seems the Great Zhou border forces have vaguely detected our movements. When we launch our surprise attack, will it..."
Jirgal: "We would have hesitated before, but not now," a flash of killing intent passed through his eyes. "Agumudo's side, can it be settled in two days?"
"With the new weapons, it should be possible."
Jirgal wiped the dagger in his hand.
"When Agumudo is dead, I will use the blood of a Great Zhou princess to consecrate the unification of my Northern Frontier."
Several hundred meters outside the royal tent.
Across the vast grasslands, cattle and sheep were everywhere. A slave tending the sheep, filthy from head to toe, watched the animals graze.
A hawk cried in the sky, and a single hawk feather drifted down, attracting no one's attention.
Only the sheep-tending slave, slowly driving the flock to a new grazing spot, sluggishly picked up the feather and carelessly stuck it into his hair as an ornament before continuing to herd the sheep.
Great Zhou Capital.
The Crown Prince's voluntary request to be stripped of his position caused an uproar in the capital.
The factions of the Second and Sixth Princes were naturally overjoyed, ready to set off firecrackers.
The Crown Prince's faction did not understand and were furious.
They had followed for so long, for what? They were prepared to suffer heavy losses but fight desperately to help the Crown Prince recover, only for their leader to deliver an ultimate betrayal.
With one stroke, he severed the hopes of all his followers.
If he was no longer a prince, no longer in the capital, what was left to contend for??
They had thought to achieve merit by supporting the future emperor, but all the efforts, sacrifices, and struggles of these years had gone to waste.
For the sake of the Shu family, was it worth it?
The Crown Prince was viciously berated by countless people, leaving many resentful—"You just leave like that? Have you thought about us?"
We, your ministers who charged into battle for you, will we be targeted and rooted out in the future?
When a tree falls, everyone kicks it.
The Crown Prince experienced this more thoroughly than even the Third Prince had back then.
The Third Prince's case was an accident, something for which no one could be blamed, but the Crown Prince had essentially withdrawn of his own accord.
No—he could no longer be called the Crown Prince. Emperor Chongzhao had been utterly ruthless, even having the plaque of the Crown Prince’s residence taken down. The resident advisors, understanding the emperor’s intent, did not hold back as they left, cursing the mansion with every dirty and clean word they could muster.
In the court, seventy percent of those formerly connected to the Crown Prince had already severed ties with him, some even returning gifts he had once given them.
Another ten percent, with shallow connections, had cut off contact early.
Only the remaining twenty percent, moved by their affection for the Crown Prince, maintained silence.
At this time, silence was support.
The Crown Prince suddenly fell from a great height and, in just three days, experienced the complete fickleness of human relationships.
On the day of his departure, he and Shu Wenxin went to see Consort De.
Consort De did not appear overly saddened. She even seemed somewhat relieved and gave Shu Wenxin the majority of the silver she had accumulated over the years.
"You are going to Lingbei. When you arrive in a new place, you will need plenty to smooth things over. One can never have too much silver, though I cannot give you all of it; I must keep some for myself."
The Crown Prince could neither laugh nor cry. "Mother, your son isn't that poor..."
"Take it. You will need it."
Shu Wenxin: "Thank you, Mother Consort."
After chatting for a while, it was time to leave. Consort De looked at them and sighed softly.
"Cherish what you still have. Pay less heed to the talk outside."
The Crown Prince did not know what to say either, only nodding. "Yes, I understand."
After bidding farewell to Consort De, he left side by side with Shu Wenxin.
Consort De sat dazed for a while before being brought back to her senses by her parrot, which cried out that it was hungry.
She added food for the parrot.
"Sigh..."
Lingbei was located at the extreme upper right corner of Great Zhou's territory, a place of high mountains and vast seas, sparsely populated.
It was reputed to have a harsh environment.
When seeing them off, Qu Dubian brought them several warm fur coats.
Among the princes, only he came to bid the former Crown Prince farewell.
The former Crown Prince patted his shoulder, a complicated expression on his face. "Your elder brother remembers your kindness. Thank you for reminding me that night."
If it weren't for Little Seventh, even if his advisors knew the law regarding "official pawns," they wouldn't have reminded him. And Wenxin's knowledge of Great Zhou law didn't reach that level; even if she had known, she wouldn't have suggested that he give up his title.
Although it was just a reminder, it gave him a choice.
Qu Dubian blinked. "Elder Brother, what are you saying?" He looked at the adorable little nephew and niece. "Live well with these two little ones. Lingbei might not be so bad. Being together as a family is what matters most."
The former Crown Prince smiled. "Don't worry."
Shu Wenxin led the two children in bowing to Qu Dubian. "Thank you, Seventh Brother-in-law." Her gratitude was heartfelt.
If not for this timely reminder, her father would have died a wrongful death, and her clansmen would have been enslaved or forced into prostitution, living a fate worse than death. The outcome for the Shu family now was infinitely better than it could have been. As long as people were alive, there was still hope.
"Thank you, Seventh Imperial Uncle!"
Qu Dubian quickly stepped aside. "Please, don't do that, sister-in-law. I truly did nothing."
Shu Wenxin: "Regardless, we will remember this kindness in our hearts."
The Eldest Prince could see that Qu Dubian was genuinely uncomfortable with such formalities and quickly interjected, "Alright, Little Seventh, it's about time for us to depart. If we ever have the chance to return to the capital, we'll share a meal together again."
Qu Dubian nodded: "Safe travels, Eldest Brother, sister-in-law, and my two young nephews."
The Eldest Prince and Shu Wenxin left the capital.
Qu Dubian watched them for a moment longer, then turned to leave. Unexpectedly, he spotted the Third Prince hiding behind a large tree about ten meters away.
"Third Brother? You came too."
The Third Prince cleared his throat and stepped out from behind the tree. "Just out for a stroll."
Qu Dubian gave him a look. "You came to see Eldest Brother off, didn't you? Why didn't you go over just now?"
The Third Prince snorted coldly. "My appearance would only seem like I'm here to mock him. He once came specifically to mock me back in the day. Considering he saved my life once before, I decided not to show myself and embarrass him."
After all, they were the two earliest rivals in the court. If he appeared, the Eldest Prince would likely feel extremely awkward.
Qu Dubian: "Third Brother, you really are..."
So obsessed with saving face.
The Third Prince: "It's fine for me to be here, but you shouldn't have come."
Qu Dubian was curious. "Why shouldn't I have come?"
The Third Prince: "Father Emperor has made it abundantly clear he's angry with Eldest Brother. With things having come to this, seeing him off is like openly defying Father. If Father ends up displeased with you as well, it wouldn't be worth the loss."
"Third Brother," Qu Dubian said with a laugh, giving the Third Prince a light punch on the back. "Live by your heart."
"Thinking too much is exhausting."
He had already come this far. It was tiring enough to have to decipher the old man's intentions on major matters. If he had to consider what the Emperor was thinking about every little thing, wouldn't he just be placing restrictions on himself everywhere?
Qu Dubian noticed the Third Prince was still holding some freshly bought pastries.
"Were those originally meant for Eldest Brother?"
The Third Prince: "For him?" He said disdainfully, "Of course not. These are for my daughter."
His former Third Princess Consort had taken their child back to her maiden home, and the child was being raised there. Over the years, the Third Prince had failed to father another child and had gradually grown to care more about his firstborn.
It was just that they wouldn't let him see her.
Qu Dubian had no comment on this behavior of his. "Well then, I wish you good luck, Third Brother."
Inside the Eldest Prince's carriage.
The couple was making plans.
"After you leave, the Second Prince will dominate the court. However, the Fifth Prince is supporting the Sixth Prince, so some of the officials who once followed you will inevitably defect to the Sixth Prince's faction. Still, we've built our influence in the capital over many years; we still have quite a number of die-hard loyalists and connections left..."
The Eldest Prince: "I have a feeling we can't let Second Brother ascend the throne. Does that mean we should help Little Sixth?"
Shu Wenxin: "We should help Seventh Brother."
The Eldest Prince: "?"
"He has no intention of competing for the throne. His heart isn't in it."
Shu Wenxin: "I know. But he helped us, so it's only right we help him in return. Moreover, we are heading to Lingbei now; the lower our profile, the better."
Seventh Brother has good character and isn't involved in the succession struggle. It would be best, and currently the safest option, for our connections to quietly offer him convenience when he encounters difficulties or is on official assignments.
The Eldest Prince lifted the carriage curtain to look outside.
"Actually, I think... if Seventh Brother could become Emperor, it might not be a bad thing."
Everyone used to think Little Seventh was frail and sickly, but over the past year or two, he hasn't fallen ill once and even suppressed bandits with such success, which proves he's capable.
If Second Brother ultimately wins, I'd still have to worry about him finding the time to deal with me later. If it were Little Seventh, I wouldn't worry at all.
Shu Wenxin: "If even you think this way, what about His Majesty? What about the Second Prince?"
The Eldest Prince hesitated. "Are you saying Second Brother might move against Little Seventh?"
Shu Wenxin: "Perhaps he might try to recruit him instead."