The next morning, at the crack of dawn.
Zhang Qing stood behind Zhou Qingyuan with a blackened left eye, bowing his head as he bid farewell.
"Oh dear, what happened to you?"
Lady Lu exclaimed in surprise upon seeing his condition.
"It's nothing, just a fall in the middle of the night."
"We've troubled you enough, my lady. We'll pay another visit after the New Year."
Lady Lu was about to have someone fetch a boiled egg for him to soothe the bruise when Zhou Qingyuan and the others hastily scurried away.
"Wait, why are you children running off? At least have breakfast first, and don’t forget the New Year gifts!"
Before she could finish, they had already vanished.
Assuming the youngsters had quarreled after drinking too much, Lady Lu let them be.
"Check if the Third Young Master is awake. If he is, inform him."
"Madam, the Third Young Master has already been notified. There’s a temple fair today, and the young miss is pestering both young masters to go with her."
"That girl loves a lively scene. Tell the steward to take more servants—temple fairs are crowded and chaotic."
Lu Yuanyi walked ahead, carrying Xingyao, while Lu Chao followed slowly behind. As the Lunar New Year approached, the streets buzzed with excitement, filled with bustling crowds and laughter.
Clearly, the cession of Shuozhou had no impact on the distant Yuxi County.
"Second Brother, look! Someone’s selling honey over there!"
Xingyao tugged at Lu Yuanyi’s hair.
"Do you want honey water?"
Glancing at Lu Chao, who lagged behind, Xingyao whispered into her second brother’s ear.
"Third Brother has a jar of honey in his room, but he never touches it. He just stares at it all day. Let’s buy him a new one."
Lu Yuanyi chuckled and nodded.
"Deal!"
A group of children rushed past, eager to reach the temple fair, accidentally shoving Lu Chao and Liu Yao aside.
"Family secret recipe! Old Wang’s Black Ointment! Specialized for bruises and sprains!"
The elderly vendor, somewhat timid, called out softly when he noticed passersby.
Seeing no way to move forward, Lu Chao bent down to inspect the dark, pungent ointment.
"Young master, take a look! This ointment is a genuine family recipe. See my leg? I fell a few days ago, but after applying it, I healed fast!"
Seizing the rare interest, the old man rolled up his pant leg, revealing his ointment-covered calf, and grinned warmly at Lu Chao.
"Elder, with such a severe injury, why are you still out here selling?"
The old man chuckled.
"I heard Yuxi County is prosperous, so I came to try my luck. But then I took a tumble yesterday. Can’t return empty-handed, so I set up this stall to earn some travel money for the journey home."
Lu Chao signaled Liu Yao with a glance.
"Elder, I’ll take all your jars. It’s cold and crowded—best not risk being trampled. Go home and celebrate the New Year."
The old man, stunned by his good fortune, showered him with blessings.
"Young master, I swear on heaven this ointment works wonders! If anyone in your household practices martial arts, keeping some on hand will serve you well. My ancestors were military physicians—this was even used by generals!"
Lu Chao paused at his words, then nodded.
"Very well."
……
In the blink of an eye, New Year’s Eve arrived.
Lu Chao covered Xingyao’s ears as Liu Yao lit firecrackers.
Amid the swirling smoke, his thoughts drifted far away.
Shuozhou City.
Chi Na stood atop the city walls, gazing at the vast lands beyond the pass, ambition burning in his eyes.
"Your Highness, the Great Yuan’s peace envoy has arrived."
Outside the gates, a small contingent of soldiers escorted a carriage that rolled to a halt.
A gaunt middle-aged man stepped out, his vermilion robes tinged with age, and straightened his sleeves before standing tall like an unyielding pine.
Chi Na smirked disdainfully.
"Open the gates! Let us welcome the Great Yuan’s envoy!"
How amusing—they sent an obscure Vice Minister of the Censorate to deliver the peace treaty.
"Minister Liu, my apologies for the lack of ceremony."
Liu Zongyuan remained silent, merely cupping his hands in greeting. After a decade in court, marginalized at every turn, he never expected to be appointed Vice Minister at the eleventh hour.
This thankless task, shunned by all, was one he dared not—and could not—refuse.
He had once resolved to dash his brains against the city gates in protest. Now, he changed his mind.
Chi Na eyed the guards behind him and narrowed his eyes.
"Minister Liu, do you doubt my sincerity?"
Liu Zongyuan glanced at the dense rows of Tatar soldiers lining the walls and replied bluntly.
"Does the Fourth Prince fear a mere dozen guards?"
Chi Na slowly raised his gaze.
"You jest, Minister. By Tatar military law, outsiders entering Shuozhou may neither ride nor lead horses. You’ll have to walk."
Liu Zongyuan pressed his lips together and bowed. "Lead the way."
The Fourth Prince mounted his steed, kicking up dust that stung the eyes. Half-blinded, Liu Zongyuan trudged step by step toward the gates.
A young soldier clenched his fists, trembling as he scanned the crowd.
Mocking laughter and hostile glares surrounded them.
"Minister Liu, tonight is your Great Yuan’s New Year’s Eve—a time for family reunions! We wouldn’t dream of neglecting you. To honor your arrival, we’ll host a banquet at the prince’s residence to exchange the treaty. What say you?"
"As you wish."
Only when the footsteps faded did one of the guards lift his head.
"Sirs, is there anything else this humble servant can do?"
Liu Zongyuan asked urgently.
"No need, Minister. With guards posted everywhere, you need only wait here."
She knew this place all too well.
"Brother Zheng."
Lao Hu looked at him worriedly.
"Proceed as planned."
"Yes!"
The Imperial Palace.
Beneath glazed tiles, golden halls shimmered, banners fluttering as dancers twirled in flowing silks.
The Second Prince rose, raising a toast to the assembled ministers.
"Though His Majesty remains indisposed and our celebrations are modest, I toast on his behalf—to peace, prosperity, and a bountiful year."
The ministers stood and drank in unison.
Qianqing Palace.
Noble Consort Xian entered the emperor’s bedchamber with a bowl of medicine, watching as a maid fed it to him before dabbing his lips with a handkerchief.
Gazing at the man before her, she sighed softly.
"Your Majesty, do not blame this concubine."
With that, she glided out, the door creaking shut behind her.
On the dragon bed, the emperor’s eyes snapped open. From a hidden panel, a eunuch scurried forward, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty."
"The medicine?"
"Disposed of, as ordered."
"I’ve lain idle long enough. It’s time to rise."
The eunuch held his breath, not daring to make a sound.
…
Shuozhou City.
Seated at the left end of the banquet hall, Liu Zongyuan kept his eyes forward, the brocade box on the table drawing the Tatar generals’ attention.
"So this is the so-called peace treaty?"
"Pfah! With or without it, Shuozhou is ours!"
"I say we push south! This city isn’t enough for our people!"
"Too few Han slaves left in the city. Killing them was fun, but keeping them as laborers is even better!"
"Ha ha ha ha! Meng Na actually regrets killing too many Han people!!"
Minister Liu couldn't understand the Tartar language, so these men spoke even more recklessly in his presence.
"The Fourth Prince has arrived!"
The generals in the courtyard immediately rose to their feet in unison.
The Fourth Prince was in high spirits today after receiving a letter from his father, the king. He strode in with an air of confidence, and his mood brightened further when he spotted the ornate box beside Minister Liu.
"Today is the Great Yuan's Spring Festival!! Let us raise our cups and celebrate this joyous occasion—both for the Xiao Army who fell beneath our blades and for Minister Liu!"
"Woo!!"
Minister Liu stared at the wine, then threw his head back and downed it in one gulp.
"Next, we shall exchange the peace treaty documents!"
