The capital.
With a month still remaining until the emperor's birthday, the palace was already adorned with lanterns and decorations, bustling with excitement.
During the morning court session, a bombshell announcement jolted the drowsy ministers awake, and all eyes turned to the Prime Minister, Murong Song. The Prime Minister remained composed, but the other officials couldn't help but let their imaginations run wild.
Had the Crown Prince’s condition deteriorated to the point where he could no longer even receive foreign envoys? Was His Majesty now favoring the Second Prince?
Xiao You'an had been strutting around with an air of superiority lately, carrying himself like a ruler. Palace servants who made the slightest mistake would vanish without a trace the next day.
As if to prove he was no less capable than the Crown Prince, he personally oversaw the Ministry of Rites, revising everything from the banquet protocols down to the placement of teacups, exhausting the officials in the process.
When word of this reached the palace, Noble Consort Xian made a point of inviting the Second Prince to dine with her.
"You'an, when will the Tartar envoys arrive? Have you made all the necessary preparations? Do you need my help?" she asked softly after the meal.
This year, the Tartars had sent a prince and princess to present tribute. To showcase the empire’s grandeur, the emperor had specifically assigned the Second Prince to receive them.
Leaning lazily against a sandalwood chair, Xiao You'an replied, "Mother, the Tartar envoys have just reached Jingzhou. The Northwest Marquis has been ordered to escort them to the capital. They’ll arrive in about half a month—no need to rush. Everything is under control, so don’t worry."
Noble Consort Xian let out a relieved sigh.
"You'an, while receiving the envoys is important, you mustn’t antagonize the Ministry of Rites officials. Rumors are already spreading in the palace. If your father hears of this, it won’t reflect well on you."
The Second Prince scoffed, his eyes icy with disdain.
"Those fools are deliberately opposing me. Once Father’s birthday celebrations are over, I’ll deal with them."
Even Murong Song, the proud Prime Minister and the Crown Prince’s maternal uncle, had humbled himself to curry favor with him. What right did a few petty officials from the Ministry of Rites have to challenge him on protocol?
"Your temper is too rash. Until everything is settled, we must endure for now."
The Zhou family had little influence, and her elder brother, a staunch loyalist, refused to meddle in court affairs. Noble Consort Xian had no choice but to tread carefully.
Xiao You'an thought to himself—such womanly caution. If he kept yielding, where would his princely dignity be? How could he command their support?
"Mother, if there’s nothing else, I must take my leave. The Ministry of Rites still has matters awaiting my attention."
Her son had grown up, and his wings had hardened. Now, even she was met with impatience. Suppressing the ache in her heart, Noble Consort Xian said gently,
"You'an, Youcheng has been summoned back to the capital. You two should sit down and talk properly. He’s your own brother—blood runs thicker than water. In the future, he could be a great help to you. Why push him away?"
Though she favored her elder son, the younger was still her child. Why couldn’t the two brothers get along?
"Mother, for three years, the letters you sent him have gone unanswered. Don’t you see? Xiao Youcheng is the one cutting ties! He doesn’t care about you at all!"
Xiao Youcheng had deliberately requested a fiefdom back then—right after their feud. He had done it to tarnish Xiao You'an’s reputation. For months, rumors swirled that the Second Prince was so petty he had forced his own brother out of the capital. Even the emperor had ignored him during that time.
He’d better stay away forever!
Watching her eldest son storm off, Noble Consort Xian could only swallow her sorrow. She blamed the elder for his lack of filial warmth and the younger for his stubborn aloofness. Thinking of her plight, she felt cursed by fate. She had entered the palace alone, clawed her way to her current position, and yet her own family refused to support her. If You'an succeeded, wouldn’t the Zhou family rise even higher? But her elder brother, that blockhead, refused to see reason.
Zhou Sanwei had no idea his sister was cursing him for his obstinacy. All he knew was that his beloved nephew was finally returning to the capital. Three years of governance had sharpened the boy’s abilities. Though they exchanged letters and Zhou Qingyuan often brought news, nothing compared to seeing him in person.
The boy had never known familial warmth, and the palace surely paid him no mind. This time, Zhou Sanwei would make sure he was properly welcomed.
Northwest Marquis’s estate.
Xiao Yan stared in disbelief at the red-armored youth sitting astride a horse, a longsword at her waist. "Father! How could you agree to this? Your favoritism knows no bounds!"
"Yingge has never been to the capital. If she wants to go, let her. With the two of you there, can’t you protect one little girl?" The white-haired Northwest Marquis laughed heartily. Despite his age, his voice boomed with vigor.
"Her? A little girl? Who in their right mind would call her that? She’s more of a man than half the soldiers in the barracks!"
Xiao Yan’s wife promptly punched him in the arm.
"The Xiao family’s daughters are better than any son. Got a problem with that?"
Xiao Yan glanced at Yingge—her sharp brows and piercing eyes left no room for argument. Five years ago, she had been a delicate niece, seemingly cut from the same refined cloth as her scholar father. Yet she had mastered the Xiao family’s martial arts, fighting as fiercely as any man. Her troops howled under her discipline, and if you called her a "girl," they’d laugh in your face.
"Second Uncle, Third Uncle, I promise I won’t cause trouble!" Yingge swore.
Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan exchanged a look and nodded.
Better to bring her along than let her sneak after them.
"Father, I want to go too!" Xiao Huan, two years Yingge’s junior, piped up. If his cousin could go, why not him?
"Scram, you brat!"
Xiao Yi raised a meaty hand, but Xiao Huan ducked behind the Northwest Marquis.
"Hiding like a coward? What use are you on the battlefield? Come out and take your beating like a man!"
Xiao Huan stuck out his tongue.
"I’m not stupid enough to stand there and get hit! I’m still young—I can’t beat you now, but just wait ten years!"
Such defiance would have earned a thrashing in any other household, but the Northwest Marquis roared with laughter. A warrior’s spirit lay in courage and fire—his grandson had both.
"Hah! That’s the spirit, Huan’er! Give your father a good pounding when the time comes!"
Xiao Yi smirked. "Go ahead and try. In ten years, I’ll still wipe the floor with you!"
"Let him come. The Tartars have been restless lately—who knows what the future holds? Let the children see the capital for themselves."
The Northwest Marquis gazed toward the distant city, his eyes darkening.
This time, the Tartar envoys were Prince Sude and Princess Baya of the royal family. Were they seeking a marriage alliance with the Great Yuan? Yet the Tartars’ recent ambitions suggested anything but peace.
"Keep a close watch on those Tartars on the road. Once you reach the capital, keep your mouths shut. Return as soon as the celebrations end."
Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan bowed in acknowledgment.
...
Yuxi County.
Seeing that it was about time, Lu Chao prepared to carry Xingyao back home, but the sensible little girl insisted on walking by herself. She held Lu Chao's hand, chattering nonstop with an endearing clinginess that made Lu Yuanyi's teeth ache just watching.
"Third Brother, Second Brother spanked my bottom the other day."
"Did you misbehave, then?"
"Well... I... I don’t remember. Third Brother, when are you coming back home to stay? If you do, I’ll let you sleep with me."
To little Xingyao, sharing her bed was the highest honor she could bestow.
"I’m afraid you’ll cry in the middle of the night."
"I’m all grown up now—no more crying! When I’m big, I’ll become a lady doctor and fix your hand, okay?"
Lu Chao looked at her with amusement.
"Of course! Then Xingyao will surely be the greatest doctor in the world."
Delighted, Xingyao wriggled happily.
"And then I’ll prescribe the bitterest medicine for Second Brother—hehehe."
Served him right for teasing her.
"Lu Xingyao, that’s downright mean! What did Second Brother ever do to you?"
Lu Yuanyi lunged playfully to tickle her, making Xingyao shriek and beg for mercy.
Their laughter, bright as silver bells, echoed over Yuxi County. The leaves along the roadside rustled in the wind, trembling as if shaken loose by the mirth, drifting slowly onto a roadside marker before settling gently on the ground.
