The dim candlelight from the bedside stand flickered across Xiao Rongche's gloomy face. After pondering for a long time, he ultimately had no choice but to nod.
Song Jinzhao and the Imperial Hospital had already pronounced a death sentence on his eye. Other than trusting Gong Linjue, he had no other options left.
It was nothing more than a cart of potatoes. Handing it over would have no impact on him; it just meant letting the Shuobei State get it a little earlier.
"You must leave the capital as soon as possible. Only when you are gone will the Court of Agricultural Affairs relax its guard. Set a location, and I will have someone deliver a cart of potatoes there."
Gong Linjue stood up and clasped his hands behind his back. "Since Your Highness is so sincere, I will also say a word here on behalf of the Shuobei State."
"If Your Highness encounters difficulties in the fight for the throne in the future, as long as the deal is beneficial to both sides, our Shuobei State is willing to lend a helping hand."
A bitter smile touched the corners of Xiao Rongche's lips.
"Even if I manage to keep my left eye, my imperial father and the civil and military officials will never let a prince blind in his right eye become the emperor. Seizing the throne is already impossible for me."
However, since they were thinking about the future, the matter of curing his eye should be true.
Gong Linjue's tone carried a subtle, persuasive edge.
"As long as all the other princes are dead, even if Your Highness cannot see with your right eye, you can still become the emperor."
"If anyone disagrees, just kill them. As for how the history books will be written, once Your Highness ascends the throne, you can dictate whatever you want."
"At the very least, Your Highness could let your son be the emperor, and you could be the Supreme Emperor. Wouldn't that be even more satisfying?"
The coldness and bloodthirstiness revealed in Gong Linjue's eyes startled Xiao Rongche, as if he had actually done such things before.
The next morning, just as Song Jinzhao was about to go out, snow began to fall from the sky.
Snowflakes like cotton wadding fell in sheets. By the afternoon, the snow accumulated on the ground was already as deep as a fingernail.
Song Qiming returned from outside, wearing a thick cloak.
"Sister, the Shuobei diplomatic mission is leaving the capital."
Song Jinzhao frowned in confusion. "Didn't they say they were staying until after the New Year? Why are they leaving so suddenly?"
Song Qiming shook his head. "I'm not sure about that either. I only heard Lord Fei say that Gong Linjue bid farewell to the Emperor this morning. It seems the Emperor of Shuobei ordered them to return."
After pondering for a moment, Song Jinzhao asked, "Has the mission met with anyone these past few days?"
Song Qiming thought for a moment and replied, "Probably not. The Huitong Guesthouse is surrounded by soldiers inside and out, and no one dares to make contact with them."
"We'll have to ask Commander Fan for the specific details; he would know best."
It was still snowing when the mission left the capital.
After the carriage drove out of the city gates, Gong Linjue lifted the curtain and looked up at the towering characters for 'Capital City'.
Sooner or later, he would lead an army to invade the capital and plant the flag of the Shuobei State upon these walls.
Gong Linjue left in such a hurry that everyone in the court, including the Emperor, harbored suspicions. They worried whether the Shuobei Emperor's urgent recall meant they were planning something major.
In the Imperial Study, Xiao Chengjing instructed the Minister of War, Wu Jianzheng, "Notify Qin Guo to carefully investigate the movements at the Shuobei border, reorganize the military, and strictly strengthen our defenses."
Wu Jianzheng cupped his hands in acknowledgment. "I obey Your Majesty's decree."
Once it was confirmed that the entire mission had left the capital, the Imperial Guards stationed inside and outside the Huitong Guesthouse were the first to be withdrawn.
Three days later, the guards stationed at the imperial estate were also reduced by nearly seventy percent.
The steward of the Prince of Qi's manor quietly pushed open the door to Xiao Rongche's bedchamber.
"Your Highness, Lord Li says you can rest assured. He will deliver the potatoes to the manor in three days."
Xiao Rongche clenched his fists, his throat trembling as he exhaled.
"At a time like this, only my uncle is still willing to help me."
The steward comforted him, "Don't lose heart, Your Highness. The days ahead are long; we can take our time to plan."
Darkness fell especially early in winter. By the time Qu Ya returned home from the farm, he could barely see the road.
Fortunately, there was snow all around. Even though there was no moon in the sky, the snow reflected a faint black-and-white glow.
Guan Nianshan asked as they walked, his voice laced with concern.
"Has your boy recovered from his illness? I haven't seen him come out these past few days."
The snow on the ground froze his feet, but Qu Ya's heart felt warm.
"He's already better after taking the medicine prescribed by the Second Miss of the Song family. It's just been so cold lately, and his mother is worried, so she wants the child to rest for a couple more days."
Guan Nianshan breathed a sigh of relief. "As long as he's recovered, that's what matters. The weather will only get colder now that winter is here. We can't let him catch a chill again."
Qu Ya blew hot air into his dry, red, and frozen hands.
"A few days ago, I asked Steward Chen to buy a new quilt, and we've hoarded more charcoal this year. We won't freeze this winter."
Guan Nianshan nodded in cheerful agreement. "My wife also bought a lot of charcoal. Every household has made some silver this year, so we can finally have a good New Year."
The large tree by the ditch not far away looked incredibly lonely against the backdrop of the dark night. Its towering canopy and branches seemed to pierce right into the sky.
A gust of cold wind blew past, sending the snow on the leaves cascading down. The sudden icy touch on his bare neck made Huo Chong quickly brush it away with his hand.
Just as Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan walked beneath the big tree, a bird's nest dropped right in front of them with a smack.
"Ah!" Unable to pull back his foot in time, Guan Nianshan stepped on it. The twigs slipped, and he instantly fell backward.
Qu Ya immediately reached out to grab his arm, planting his feet firmly on the ground to support him.
After steadying himself, Guan Nianshan patted his chest in relief. "Thank goodness I didn't fall. I only have this one set of padded clothes. If it got dirty, I'd have nothing to wear tomorrow."
Qu Ya didn't respond; he raised his head and looked up into the tree.
The branches and leaves were clustered together, forming nothing but a dark mass. Yet, he felt that something was not quite right in the darkest spot in the center.
There was not a single gap, making it look as if a person was standing there.
"Wait for me a moment."
Qu Ya picked up a frozen, hard clod of dirt from the ground and threw it at the dark silhouette in the tree.
The dirt clod hit clothing. Huo Chong gripped the tree trunk tightly and looked down. He was discovered so quickly!
Spotting something resembling a head moving, Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan instantly became alert.
"Who's there?" the two demanded sternly. "If you don't come down right now, I'll stone you to death."
"Don't throw anything. Uncle Qu, Uncle Guan, it's me."
The sealed memories in their minds were unlocked by this familiar address.
Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan suddenly froze in place, looking as if they had lost their souls. It was as if time had stopped at this very moment.
Huo Chong pushed off with his legs and jumped down from the tree. He walked up to the two men and said softly, "It's been over twenty years. I wonder if Uncle Qu and Uncle Guan still remember me?"
The dark night made it impossible to see his face clearly, but the two could tell that Huo Chong was wearing a mask.
Qu Ya's hand, hanging by his side, trembled uncontrollably. His throat felt as if it were blocked by something, and his mouth opened and closed, unable to form words.
Instead, Guan Nianshan was calmer than him.
He asked uncertainly, "Young Master?"
Huo Chong's eyes reddened slightly. "I remember that later on, Uncle Guan always called me Xiaofeng."
This time, not only were Huo Chong's eyes red, but Qu Ya and Guan Nianshan's eyes also grew red.
The two men immediately grabbed Huo Chong's arms, one on the left and one on the right, dragging him forward until they entered the most secluded and deserted thatched cottage before letting go.
