The imperial decree sending Xiao Rongche to the southwest was issued the following evening. The situation was urgent, so the Emperor ordered him and the General of Xuanwei to depart early the next morning. More importantly, Xiao Rongche's title as a Prince of the First Rank was restored.
After receiving the decree, Xiao Rongche entered the palace to bid farewell to the Emperor and Concubine Jin. The Emperor kept him behind alone in the Imperial Study.
"On this trip to the southwest, aside from making the Yang Clan cease hostilities, I command you to secretly investigate the matter of the Binzhou salt fields."
"What is the yield? Where are they located? How are their defenses? You must find out every single detail."
Xiao Rongche widened his eyes in astonishment, yet he did not dare to object and say he was incapable.
The salt fields were in Binzhou and had already been occupied by the Yang Clan. If the other side found out he was scouting the salt fields during the mediation, wouldn't he be courting his own doom?
"Your subject obeys the decree."
Forget it, he would just placate his imperial father for now. At worst, when he returned, he would just say he went and make up some random information to brush it off.
When Song Qiming, who was working in the Hanlin Academy, learned of the decree's contents, he had nowhere to vent his frustration and could only return home to complain.
"I know the Emperor restored Xiao Rongche's princely title at this time to give him more weight when he goes to the southwest, but I just feel awful. It's suffocating."
"He hasn't achieved any merit at all, and after only a year, the crime of assassination is just wiped away like that?"
Seeing Song Qiming standing in the room making himself angry, Song Jinzhao, who was playing Gomoku with their younger brother, spoke with a calm expression.
"I heard that the envoy coming from the Shuobei Kingdom is a prince. When the time comes for the Emperor to have an imperial prince receive him, Xiao Rongyan's princely title might also be restored."
Song Qiming opened his mouth, looking blankly at Song Jinzhao who was calmly playing chess.
It was actually quite possible.
Gong Linjue held a princely title, so the person in charge of receiving him could not be of a lower status. An imperial prince was the most likely choice, and it had to be a Prince of the First Rank.
Song Qiming stood frozen in place like a statue for a long time. His expression was crestfallen, and he felt extremely defeated inside.
Looking at her silent brother, Song Jinzhao captured one of the white pieces on the board.
"Remember what I told you before. Stay calm and just wait."
Sitting opposite Song Jinzhao, Song Anhao glanced at the white pieces in his hand and opened his mouth to complain in distress.
"Eldest sister, you've captured all my white pieces. I only have four left, I can't win~"
The corners of Song Jinzhao's rosy lips lifted slightly, and she tapped the chess bowl dotingly.
"You can redeem them with black pieces."
Song Anhao looked at the few remaining black pieces in the bowl, feeling that it was meaningless if he couldn't win.
He leaned back, a wave of exhaustion washing over him.
"So sleepy, I'm going to take a quick nap."
Song Jinzhao put down the black piece, shaking her head with a smile. "Get up, finish the game. We'll be eating soon."
Song Anhao rolled over, not wanting to get up, and thought of having someone else play for him.
He immediately scrambled up and shouted to Song Qiming, "Brother, can you continue playing for me?"
How could the inwardly frustrated Song Qiming be in the mood to play chess? He strode off, heading to the martial arts arena to practice boxing and vent his anger.
"You've played until you're a lone king, how am I supposed to continue? Play it yourself."
Left with no choice, Song Anhao had to use the black pieces to redeem the white ones.
He looked at the twelve white pieces in his hand, then at the overflowing pieces in Song Jinzhao's bowl, and dejectedly continued on his path to defeat.
After learning that Xiao Rongche had his princely title restored, Xiao Rongyan's heart was filled with mixed feelings.
Did he lose or gain in this calculation?
The next morning, while the sky was still dark, Xiao Rongche headed to the southwest under the escort of the General of Xuanwei and an army of ten thousand.
When he left, his expression was calm; it was impossible to tell if he was happy or unhappy.
The summer heat was so intense it baked the ground dry. The most booming business was undoubtedly the tea shop opened by Song Jinzhao. With two thousand cups sold daily and low costs, she was making a fortune.
Half a month after the autumn harvest, a rainstorm washed away the last traces of summer heat.
The hearts of the civil and military officials, as well as the Emperor, also chilled. The envoy of the Shuobei Kingdom had entered the capital.
At the Yingcheng Commandery Prince's Manor, it was the same decree-reading eunuch.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Prince of Wei from the Shuobei Kingdom, Gong Linjue, has come to court to offer congratulations and celebrate Our birthday. Given the importance of diplomatic relations, the courtesy shown must be equivalent."
"The Second Prince, Xiao Rongyan, is benevolent, filial, and diligent in his duties. By special decree, he is hereby restored and promoted to the Prince of Ying, to receive the envoy of the Shuobei Kingdom. Respect this!"
Kneeling on the ground, a smug smile appeared on Xiao Rongyan's lips.
"Your subject receives the decree and thanks Imperial Father for his immense grace!"
Three days later, both sides of Vermilion Bird Street were crowded with onlookers. Everyone craned their necks, eager to see who was in the Shuobei Kingdom's diplomatic mission and what they looked like.
A woman carrying a basket chattered to her neighbors, "The Shuobei Kingdom has never sent an envoy to celebrate our Emperor's birthday before. It seems their newly enthroned emperor is friendly. There definitely won't be any more wars in the future."
The neighbor nodded in agreement. "Who says otherwise? It's the first time in hundreds of years. I heard the Third Prince who ascended the throne is a good-for-nothing, the most useless of all the Shuobei princes. If the Second Prince hadn't died from a severe illness, he would never have had the chance to be emperor."
A dark-faced man squeezed beside them said, "Thank goodness the Second Prince died, or we'd still be fighting."
Amidst the anxious waiting of the crowd, the silhouettes of the Shuobei diplomatic mission appeared not far outside the city.
As the distance closed, the appearance of the man riding on a tall, majestic horse became increasingly clear.
The Minister of Rites, Kang Zhibo, wearing a scarlet official robe, stood outside the city gates to welcome them. Behind him were two rows of subordinate officials in dark green robes.
They stood tall with their chests out and eyes firm, wanting to overpower the Shuobei mission with their imposing manner.
Upon clearly seeing Gong Linjue's appearance and build, Kang Zhibo's pupils contracted, and he subconsciously swallowed hard.
His nose, eyes, and mouth all looked normal, but why did they give people the creeps when put together?
Especially those eyes.
Dark and deep, the pupils looked as if they had been dyed in blood, a reddish hue piercing through the black, making one feel uneasy.
"I am here by the decree of His Majesty the Emperor of Dongzhao to welcome the esteemed envoy. Your Highness has traveled far across mountains and rivers, enduring a wearying journey. You have worked hard."
Gong Linjue's gaze fell on Kang Zhibo's face, the slender corners of his eyes curling upward.
"I have come by imperial command to offer birthday congratulations to your Emperor. Along the way, I have seen the beautiful mountains and rivers of Dongzhao, its vast lands and abundant resources, and its bustling markets. It is truly breathtaking, and I must admit I am somewhat envious."
Kang Zhibo grew wary in his heart but maintained a fake smile as he calmly reached out to guide them.
"Everything has been prepared at the Huitong Guesthouse. Please follow me into the city, esteemed envoy."
Praising it so highly, could it be that they want to seize it for themselves again?
"They're coming, they're coming."
The commoners on both sides of the street craned their necks to look toward the city gate entrance.
When they finally got a clear look at the Prince of Wei, many stared blankly and gasped in shock.
"How is this Prince of Wei from the Shuobei Kingdom so incredibly tall?"
Riding on his horse, the top of his head almost reached the eaves of the second-story shops on either side of the street.
His robust long legs from the waist down resting in the stirrups suggested that if he stood up, he would easily be over six feet tall.
They had thought the envoy would have a friendly appearance, but upon seeing Gong Linjue's face, many were struck dumb, unable to open their mouths.
Not only was he not kind-looking, but he gave off the aura of a murderous demon, making it impossible for anyone to like him.
