The Tartar tribe, having recuperated over the years, frequently harassed the borders. Now that they were at war with the Rus, it was undoubtedly good news for Great Yuan.
However, the Emperor fell into deep thought upon recalling Princess Baya’s mention of an antidote. If the Crown Prince could truly be cured, it would lift a great burden from his heart.
With this in mind, the Emperor urgently summoned the Three Judicial Offices and Six Ministries to deliberate.
"Your Majesty, if we dispatch troops to the Tartar lands, the treasury may not have enough silver to sustain the campaign!"
Minister Jin of the Ministry of Revenue sighed. Nearly half the treasury’s funds had already been spent on the Emperor’s recent birthday celebrations—where would the money for war come from?
Zhou Sanwei frowned, his expression grave.
"I oppose sending troops. The Tartars occupy the plains, where winters are bitterly cold. Our soldiers are ill-suited for plains warfare, and the language barrier and unfamiliar terrain pose further risks. If the Tartars and Rus conspire to turn against Great Yuan, our borders could fall!"
"Minister Zhou, are you suggesting we abandon the Crown Prince?" Prime Minister Murong sneered.
"Of course not! If this medicine can cure the Crown Prince, we must obtain it at all costs! I merely fear this may be a trap!"
"Minister Zhou makes a fair point, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Minister Geng of the Ministry of War exclaimed, nearly frothing at the mouth. "If we strike when both sides are weakened, Great Yuan can reap the rewards! Our territory will expand, Your Majesty!" The thought of sweeping the battlefield and claiming heads filled him with glee.
"Though there are risks, with the Northwest Marquis leading the charge, Minister Zhou’s concerns should be moot. We can cure the Crown Prince and expand our borders—a double victory!"
"I second the motion!"
The Emperor’s resolve wavered. If he could expand Great Yuan’s territory during his reign, history would remember him gloriously. Facing his ancestors in the afterlife, he would stand with pride.
"Your Majesty, General Xiao Yi is stationed at the border and is familiar with both the Tartars and Rus. Why not seek his counsel?"
Seeing the tide turning against him, Zhou Sanwei pinned his hopes on Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan. He couldn’t shake the feeling this was a Tartar stratagem—a blatant temptation to test Great Yuan’s restraint.
"With the Northwest Marquis at the helm, the Tartars and Rus are mere clowns, unworthy of fear!"
"Minister Geng speaks so boldly—one might mistake you for a member of the Xiao family!"
"You—! Minister Zhou, are you truly so unwilling to save the Crown Prince?"
Could it be that, with Noble Consort Xian having two princes of her own, he was waiting to become the Emperor’s uncle?
"Bullshit!"
Zhou Sanwei harbored no such thoughts. In his honest opinion, among all the princes, the Crown Prince was the best choice. His ascension would ensure the empire’s stability for another twenty years.
The Emperor, his head pounding from the bickering, roared, "Is this a marketplace?! Summon Princess Baya to court tomorrow. We will reconvene at dawn!"
With that, he stormed off.
At sixty years of age, perhaps he could eliminate the border threats before the Crown Prince succeeded him.
Zhou Sanwei watched the Emperor’s retreating figure and sighed deeply. His Majesty had already made up his mind.
The next morning, during the court assembly, Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan were stunned to hear of the war between the Tartars and Rus. Only after reviewing the battle reports did they steady their nerves.
Princess Baya laid out her terms:
"If Great Yuan dispatches fifty thousand troops to aid the Tartars against the Rus, we will provide five hundred thousand taels of silver and a hundred thousand dan of grain. Once your forces march, the Life-Restoring Elixir will be delivered immediately!"
"My lords, having guarded the border for years, will you fight for me?"
Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan lowered their eyes, masking their unease. "We obey Your Majesty’s command."
They had no choice.
"I’ve heard your eldest son, Xiao Huan, is in the capital, General Xiao Yi. The border lacks proper academies—why not have him stay as the Crown Prince’s study companion? The Crown Prince is gentle and magnanimous; he will ensure his care."
Xiao Yan opened his mouth to protest, but Xiao Yi tugged his sleeve.
"It would be my son’s honor to serve the Crown Prince. The boy was raised by my father in the northwest and has never left home. He’s a bit reckless—if he offends any nobles in the capital, I beg Your Majesty to forgive him, in consideration of my family’s sacrifices on the battlefield! I would be eternally grateful!"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. "Rest assured, General. The Northwest Marquis is like family to me. I will treat your son as my own."
Prime Minister Murong You and Princess Baya exchanged a glance, their lips curling slightly.
After court adjourned, Xiao Yan nearly burst with words the moment they boarded their carriage, but Xiao Yi silenced him with a grim shake of his head. The journey back to the marquis’ estate was silent. Once inside, they hurried to the study.
"Bring Xiao Huan and Xiao Zheng here. Yong, guard the door—let no one near!"
Yong’s heart raced. Without waiting for formalities, he sprinted to fetch them. The general’s expression and tone suggested something dire had happened.
With the Emperor’s birthday celebrations over, Xiao Zheng and Xiao Huan had assumed they’d soon return to the northwest. They’d spent the last few days shopping frantically—hair ornaments, face creams, fabrics for the women at home, wine and herbs for the Old Marquis. Midway through their spree, Yong rushed up in a panic.
"Young Masters! The general demands your immediate return—urgent family matters!"
The two dropped their purchases and bolted.
By the time the shopkeeper realized what had happened, they were long gone. So much for a big sale—his hopes were dashed.
Upon arriving home, the pair noticed something amiss. The servants were already packing. Were they leaving for the northwest so soon?
"Uncle!"
"Father! What’s happened? Are we going back?"
Xiao Yi looked at his son, now nearly as tall as his shoulders, and his eyes reddened.
"Father, is it the Tartars? Don’t worry about Grandfather—Uncle Chen and the others are there. We’ll leave at once!"
Xiao Yan turned away, unable to bear the sight.
"Xiao Huan, listen carefully. The Rus have attacked the Tartars. Princess Baya offered a divine cure for the Crown Prince in exchange for our troops. His Majesty agreed. Military orders are absolute—we must return to the northwest immediately. But you must stay in the capital."
Xiao Huan’s mind went blank, a dull roar filling his ears.
"Why?"
"By imperial decree, starting tomorrow, you will be the Crown Prince’s study companion."
"Xiao Huan… I’m sorry. I failed you. You’ll be alone here."
The boy stared at his father, usually so vigorous, now aged and defeated. He tried to speak, but his lips trembled soundlessly.
"Uncle, let me stay instead! Xiao Huan and I are about the same height. Since His Majesty hasn’t met us, I can pretend to be him—no one will know!"
She didn’t care. Alone was alone, wherever she went. Xiao Huan was three years her junior, raised by their grandfather. If he stayed, the Old Marquis would be heartbroken.
"Xiao Zheng, since His Majesty the Emperor mentioned Xiao Huan's name today, it means he must have already had someone investigate. You've met many people in the capital these past few days—if this deception is exposed, our Xiao family could be charged with the crime of deceiving the sovereign."
"Father, it's alright. I can stay in the capital. Just come back for me once the war is over."
Xiao Huan forced a smile, though it looked more like a grimace than an expression of joy.
Xiao Yi gently pinched his cheek. "You rascal, the Crown Prince is gentle and kind-hearted. I’m not worried about you staying with him. But don’t go provoking those other devils and troublemakers. Once I’m in the northwest, I won’t be able to protect you from afar. When the war is over, I’ll return for you. Your grandfather said he’ll resign from his post and find a quiet place to fish—and he’ll take you with him."
Xiao Huan nodded firmly. "Good! I’ve bought gifts for Grandfather, Mother, and my younger siblings. Make sure you deliver them for me. And if Mother gets upset, talk to her calmly—don’t argue."
"Xiao Zheng, my mother likes you. Since she won’t see me when you return, please keep her company for me."
Xiao Yi then pulled a slip of paper from his chest and handed it to Xiao Huan.
"These men are old friends of mine. If you encounter any trouble in the capital that you can’t resolve, seek them out. Yong and these twenty soldiers will remain at the estate under your command. Protect yourself at all costs."
"Xiao Huan, wait for your uncle to come back for you!"
"Father, Uncle, Xiao Zheng—the battlefield is ruthless. Be careful! You must return victorious!"
At dawn the next day, Xiao Yi, mounted on his horse, turned back for one last look at Xiao Huan kneeling on the ground in farewell. Then, steeling his heart, he faced forward again.
"Soldiers, move out!"
