Chapter 135 Part 1

It was an early morning in deep winter, the year was coming to an end, and as the sun and moon moved, another New Year was about to come. However, Chang’an had no heart to welcome the new year.

Half of the city’s population poured out of the main southern gate of the imperial city to watch the ceremony held by the imperial court in the southern field to mark the departure of the army for the expedition.

The six armies were heavily armored, with flags and banners covering the fields. Amid a forest of blades and a killing air of solemnity, the imperial guards and palace troops, escorted the dragon carriage into the field. The emperor, who had not been seen for a long time, appeared in front of all officials and people in his ceremonial robe and imperial crown. His face was hidden behind the twelve-beaded veil, and beneath the bead tassels, his dragon face was deep and majestic. Clad in the grand regalia, his figure appeared towering and imposing. Walking just behind him was Princess Shouchang, who, since her return to court, had earned his full trust and accompanied him on nearly all occasions.

Under the gaze of the crowd, the emperor took his seat on the ceremonial platform step by step. He offered sacrifice, raised the battle flag, and bestowed the sacred sword upon the generals. The court official read aloud the emperor’s proclamation to the world in a resounding voice. At last, amid the thunderous cry of tens of thousands—“Punish the traitors of Jiannan! Ride forth under Heaven’s command!”—the army set out. Once beyond the capital, they would join forces with other contingents converging from across the land, striking out with blade and drum to pacify the rebellious territories.

Until today, not only within the court but even among the common folk, rumors had begun to circulate—that the emperor, devastated by the loss of both his sons, had become physically incapacitated, his vitality drained, and was not long for this world.

Though the emperor had already rarely appeared at court in recent years, making it difficult for most officials to see him at all, this time the situation was especially unusual. After the deaths of the deposed crown prince and Prince Kang, the emperor withdrew into the deep palace, while the princess acted with the full authority of a regent—lacking only an official title. It was only natural that such circumstances would stir suspicion.

Out of fear and a sense of taboo, no official had yet dared to openly submit a memorial voicing concern over the future of the state after the emperor’s passing. But all manner of speculation had long since begun to spread like wildfire.

The emperor’s public appearance today not only boosted the morale of the army, but also refuted the rumors. It was hard to know what the court officials would think, but for the ordinary people, the emperor was in good health, and seeing the majestic appearance of the imperial army, it was like the dark clouds above their heads retreating. For this day, Chang’an City was not overshadowed by the sudden war. Instead, one could hear excited discussions everywhere about the emperor and the princess personally sending the army off.

In the evening, it started snowing again.

Unlike the first wet sleet that ended at nightfall and dawn more than half a month ago, today’s snow fell heavily and filled the sky. The streets were filled with the laughter of children chasing and playing in the snow. Some people even set off firecrackers prepared for New Year’s Eve in advance.

Pei Xiaoyuan was walking in a military camp outside Kaiyuan Gate in the west of the city.

The snow was falling heavily. In a short while, a layer of crystal white snow like salt had accumulated on the walls of the camp and the tops of the surrounding trees.

A corner of this encampment was temporarily set up as his base.

Those accompanying him were divided into three main groups. One group consisted of men like Chen Shao—former members of the Shenhu Army who had been scattered across various garrisons in Chang’an and the greater capital region after the army was disbanded, as well as young sons and relatives from their military families who had continued in service. These men represented only a small fraction of the former Shenhu Army; many others still remained dispersed elsewhere. Though their current ranks were low and they served in different capacities—archers, crossbowmen, cavalry, or infantry—they were all professional soldiers. Once the call went out, they quickly responded from all directions.

The second group was led by Gu Twelve and consisted of men from the city streets. After being recruited into the Luwu Division in earlier years, they had frequently participated in training drills. Many among them, like Gu Twelve, also had prior military experience in their youth, making them well-suited for the northern expedition. The final group was a small number of volunteers from various guards in Chang’an, permitted to join by Pei Xiaoyuan himself, such as Liu Bo. This group was small in number. Altogether, the three groups added up to nearly a thousand men.

They would stay overnight and wait for all the personnel to gather here. After that, everyone would set out north with him early tomorrow morning.

The dusk was getting darker, with the sound of evening drums faintly coming from the city, while the snow outside the city was getting heavier.

The clothing and bedding, bows and swords distributed by the court, as well as various supplies necessary for a long journey in the cold winter, had just arrived. He personally received them and confirmed that every item, down to the smallest fire matches, met the requirements before ordering them to be distributed.

He had just finished his work and was walking back when Gu Twelve came towards him. After bowing to him, he looked embarrassed, as if he had something to say, so Pei Xiaoyuan asked him what it was.

Gu Twelve hesitated for a while before stammering that a woman he was in relationship with had come, and since this was a military camp, women or outsiders were not allowed to enter at will, so she had to stand outside. He wanted to go out for a while.

Once you have officially joined the army, you must obey orders. This point was especially emphasized for people like Gu Twelve, and it was made clear the moment they arrived.

“I told her not to come ages ago!” Gu Twelve hurried to explain. “And I told her not to wait for me anymore—she should go find someone else! I never planned on coming back once I left! But that woman just wouldn’t listen. She came again today and refused to leave no matter what. Just now she even had the guard pass on a message, saying she brought me winter clothes. But I don’t need them! I was just thinking, with this heavy snow and the city gates closing soon, she wouldn’t be able to go back in if she stayed any longer. So I wanted to head out real quick, send her off, and stop her from pestering me again…”

Pei Xiaoyuan turned and glanced toward the distant camp gate. Sure enough, there stood a woman wrapped in a purple headscarf, clutching what looked like a bundle in her arms, peering anxiously inside. Understanding the situation, he gave a slight nod. “Go ahead. Just make sure you’re back before we leave in the morning.”

Gu Twelve was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with gratitude. After bowing in thanks, he dashed off toward the gate—only to be immediately caught and yanked by the ear by the furious woman, who scolded him for making her wait so long.

“…Are you in a hurry to be reborn? Don’t worry! If I really receive the news that you are dead, I will change my lover. Not only that, I will change one every day, and each one will be more handsome than you…”

The woman’s voice could be heard faintly in the snow. Gu Twelve was afraid of being seen and laughed at, so he kept looking back and begging for mercy in a low voice. The two of them pushed and shoved each other and left the camp gate.

Pei Xiaoyuan withdrew his gaze and turned back to his quarter.

After entering, he closed the door, took off his cloak, shook off the snow on it, and sat down in front of a nearby brazier to dry his clothes which were still wet from snow.

After returning from the freezing cold outside to the warm house, the injured hand, which had not yet healed, slowly began to hurt again, feeling sore and swollen, as if it was being bitten by thousands of ants, and the pain was endless.

Or maybe it was true that the fingers were connected to the heart. He had been injured many times, big or small, but never before, such a small injury could make him so miserable.

He took out the medicine, changed the dressing, and began wrapping the wound himself with some cloth. After just a few loops, an inexplicable wave of irritation and nausea welled up in his chest. He tossed the cloth aside, grabbed a wine flask lying on the desk, uncorked it, and took a few gulps of strong liquor to dull the pain. Then, fully clothed, he lay down.

Closing his eyes, he soon settled his breathing.

He was a little tired and hoped to get some rest before they set out tomorrow. But no matter how hard he tried, sleep wouldn’t come. Tossing and turning on the bed, his lower back suddenly pressed against something hard—it jabbed into him, sharp with pain.

His hand reached down to find a leather pouch tied to his belt. Through the pouch’s material, his fingers paused over a familiar object.

It was this thing that jabbed him just now.

It was the fish talisman of the prince consort that the imperial household had yet taken away.

He took out the replacement fish talisman, held it in his palm, lowered his head and looked at it. His mind gradually turning to the scene of him watching the ceremony among the people of Chang’an this morning.

From the moment she appeared to the moment she left, she remained quietly behind the emperor, faithfully and perfectly fulfilling her duty of guidance. Under the sun-like radiance of the emperor, she looked inconspicuous.

However, in his eyes, that figure was like the morning star, filling his entire vision.

The scene before she left appeared in his eyes again.

When she stepped onto the jade chariot, she seemed to pause for a moment, turned around and looked around. Her eyes were like bright moon beads at that moment, shining brightly when she looked back.

She… seemed to be looking for someone, then she lowered her brows, got into the carriage and disappeared.

He continued to sit still for a while. Suddenly, he put away the fish talisman, then got up, put on his cloak, opened the door and walked out.

The sky grew darker and the snow fell heavier.

He rode his mount out of the camp and headed towards the city along a deserted country path outside the camp that was quietly covered with snow.

Ahead, the rumbling sound of the evening drum was being sounded most urgently, and it faintly matched his heartbeat at the moment.

He knew that her glance was definitely not searching for him. However, it seemed as if he had gained a lot of courage out of nowhere. He should go find her.

Naturally, he would no longer have the slightest thought of continuing his relationship with her. From the moment he decided to break into the palace and find out the truth, instead of continuing to endure and pretend to be ignorant, he had abandoned her and completely lost the qualifications to love her or be loved by her.

However, she saved his life and blocked the emperor’s sword for him. Before leaving, at least, he must thank her in person.

This was the basic decency of being human. Otherwise, how was he any different from a beast?

The horse’s hooves trampled wildly, scattering shards of crushed jade-like snow as he spurred his horse across the vast, white-shrouded field, racing toward the city gate in the distance.

At this time, the sound of the evening drum urging people to close their doors became more urgent, thundering without pause.

A crowd of merchants, who had spent the entire year rushing about in pursuit of profit, were still pressing onward even in the final days of the year. Now, they were frantically trying to gather their caravans, camels, and horses, all jostling together outside the city gate, waiting for inspection and clearance to enter. There was a chaotic noise. The road was thick with filth and mud churned up by countless trampling feet. They shrank their necks to avoid the cold, complaining about the sudden bad weather, and at the same time they were happy that the long journey had ended. This very evening, the great and glorious city finally lay at their feet. On every face, the light of hope gleamed.

His horse stepped onto the road—only to be halted at the very end of the line.

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