Late summer.
A black horse galloped into the capital, kicking up dust along the way as it carried urgent military reports into the palace.
“Your Majesty, Prince Rui has displayed extraordinary valor, leading our troops to recapture Binshui City. Then, pursuing the victory, he drove the Northern Qiang forces out of Xiang and Ji Cities. With three cities reclaimed in succession, our army’s morale has soared!”
“Excellent!” The Emperor rose from his seat, slapping the table in delight.
Though he himself lacked great ambition, he took immense pride in his son’s capabilities.
“How is Prince Rui? Is he safe? Was he injured?”
The young officer hesitated for a moment. Prince Rui had instructed him not to report the injury, but with the Emperor asking directly, he dared not deceive his sovereign.
“Prince Rui… was struck by an arrow in his left arm while rescuing General Qi.”
The joy on the Emperor’s face instantly faded by half:
“My Lan’er was injured? Is it serious? Was it treated promptly?”
“The military physician attended to Prince Rui’s wound immediately. It should heal within a month or so.”
“It will take a whole month to heal?”
The Emperor’s brows furrowed deeply. He turned and ordered Eunuch Huang:
“Convey my decree: Prince Rui and all the generals have shed blood on the battlefield in loyal service to the state. All shall be rewarded!
Furthermore, dispatch people immediately with ten carts of fine medicines and tonics to Ji City without delay.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Eunuch Huang hurried off to carry out the orders, not daring to waste a single moment.
Having served for many years, he had long understood the Emperor’s temperament.
What worried the Emperor most was not the frontline battle reports, but Prince Rui’s safety.
If tasks ordered now were delayed, the Emperor could have their heads removed instantly!
News spread like the wind, sweeping through every corner of the capital within a day.
Suddenly, the streets and alleys buzzed with vitality and hope in everyone’s eyes.
Da Yu would not be defeated! The Qiang bandits dare not enter!
“Prince Rui is truly invincible in his valor!”
“I heard before that Prince Rui ate and lived alongside the soldiers at the military camp near the capital, unlike those pampered noble sons in the city.”
“Prince Rui knows how to employ talent wisely, shows compassion for his subordinates, and even took an arrow for his officers…”
Inside Morning Sun Palace.
Nanny Yu smiled as she styled Yun Chaorong’s hair, yet tears welled in her eyes.
“Prince Rui is so brave and fierce. The spirit of the late Empress would surely smile from the netherworld. But Prince Rui is injured—the Empress would be heartbroken.”
Yun Chaorong comfortingly squeezed Nanny Yu’s hand:
“This is good news. We should be happy for my royal brother.”
Not only was reclaiming the cities good news, but getting injured for General Qi was also a fortunate event.
Qi Kuai was a veteran general who had commanded the Northwest Army for many years, achieving numerous military merits even during the late Emperor’s reign.
Now advanced in age, Qi Kuai would inevitably have to relinquish command of the Northwest Army; but whether the Northwest Army would obey a new commander was another matter entirely.
Now, with Yun Canglan saving Qi Kuai—even taking an arrow for him with his own noble body—the Northwest Army would surely view him with newfound respect.
Yun Chaorong summoned Xiao Fengzi: “How is the task I previously sent you to the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to handle?”
She had earlier instructed Xiao Fengzi to find several tailors at the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau to design cotton-padded clothing. It didn’t need to be stylish or made of fine fabric—only lightweight, warm, and low in production cost.
Xiao Fengzi bowed: “Reporting to Your Highness, several have submitted designs, but others are still working on theirs.”
“Bring them for me to see.”
“Yes.”
Xiao Fengzi left and soon returned at a trot, holding a black wooden box.
The box opened, and several design drawings were pulled out and placed in Yun Chaorong’s hands.
“This one is quite good. This one is too bulky. This one is worth trying.”
The designs on the drawings each had their clever touches—truly worthy of talents carefully selected to enter the palace.
However, the actual effectiveness and cost can only be determined by producing a physical sample.
“Those who submitted these designs shall be rewarded.”
Yun Chaorong selected three designs from the drawings. “Additionally, have these three designs made into actual garments. They are needed within the next two days, so expedite the process.”
Xiao Fengzi accepted the order and departed.
“Your Highness, why are you making cotton-padded garments?”
Nanny Yu noted that the weather was still warm, and thick clothing was unnecessary. Moreover, the style and fabric were coarse—even the servants in Morning Sun Palace would not find them appealing.
Yun Chaorong also gazed at the sky outside, but the scene before her eyes was entirely different.
In her mind, she envisioned thousands of soldiers and horses marching northward, battered by wind and frost.
The capital was not cold, nor were Binshui City or Ji City.
But sooner or later, Da Yu would lead its army north to drive the Northern Qiang forces back to their homeland.
Northern Qiang was located in the frigid north, where autumn arrived earlier and the cold was more severe.
In the original story, the Xie Family Army advanced to the doorstep of Northern Qiang but halted due to the extreme cold and insufficient supplies.
This time, if supplies could be secured and the soldiers protected from the harsh cold, perhaps Yun Canglan could truly turn the tide and conquer half of Northern Qiang.
Yun Chaorong gently closed her eyes:
“Michun, has the invitation to the Lotus Viewing Banquet been delivered to Su Jingyuan?”
“It has already been passed to the servants of Prince Rui’s residence and delivered.”
Michun gently massaged Yun Chaorong’s shoulders and neck, whispering:
“Your Highness, why are you so concerned about him?”
Yun Chaorong enjoyed the soothing massage and chuckled softly, this time without denial:
“This princess has taken a liking to him.”
……………
On the day of the Lotus Viewing Banquet, traffic in the capital was congested like a winding snake.
Every household of any status was on the move.
Carriages lined up one after another, merging from various lanes into the main thoroughfare.
The capital was filled with dignitaries and their splendid conveyances.
At the entrance of the Shen residence.
Grand Tutor Shen watched as his wife, grandchildren, and granddaughters boarded the carriages at the gate and reminded them:
“During this banquet, you must speak and act with caution, and avoid offending the royal family in the palace.”
Given the timing, with the palace suddenly hosting a banquet and inviting a large number of officials and their families from the capital, he keenly sensed that the banquet might have ulterior motives.
“Understood, my lord. Please go inside,” Old Madam Shen nodded in agreement.
Shen Qingzhi poked her head out and urged, “Grandmother, grandmother, let me help you into the carriage. You look so beautiful today—we should arrive early at the palace banquet so everyone can admire your grace.”