Chapter 182

"Yin Lan, let's go out for a walk," said the mistress.

"Gladly, my lady. This is actually Yanzhi's first time entering the palace," replied Yin Lan.

"Miss, may this maidservant go take a look at that pair of red-crowned cranes? I heard they look very beautiful and elegant! Just like the immortal cranes in heaven!" Yanzhi was even more excited. During their last visit to the palace, they had fallen into the water outside Chunxi Palace, so the mistress and maidservant had been too afraid to actually go anywhere or do anything.

But this time, entering the palace, they were in a completely different state of mind.

Gu Ying's mouth quirked up at the corners and she reached out to ruffle Yanzhi's hair. "Alright, I'll indulge you. There will also be fireworks tonight, do you want to watch them?"

Yanzhi's eyes crinkled into crescents. "Yes!"

Seeing Yanzhi so happy and carefree, Gu Ying felt a warmth in her heart.

She owed the most to this little maid. No matter what, she had to compensate her in this lifetime and let her live a happy, free, and unrestrained life like a child.

...

Outside Qinzheng Hall.

Princess Yueyan anxiously coaxed Eunuch Guo, "Eunuch, I beg you, please just let me in. I'll only go in to take a look, I definitely won't say anything."

Eunuch Guo helplessly said, "Princess, it's not that this old servant isn't letting you in, it's just that His Majesty and the Prince are discussing important state affairs, no random people are allowed to enter."

"Does this Princess count as a random person?"

"The Princess is naturally not considered as such, but without His Majesty's orders, this old servant truly does not dare let the Princess enter."

It was common knowledge throughout the imperial palace that Princess Yueyan was fond of the Prince. So Eunuch Guo did not think too much of it, assuming that Princess Yueyan only wanted to sneak a peek at the Prince.

But Yueyan knew that Brother Prince Shu had said that today was her only chance to get close to Brother Prince.

Even though she couldn't get in, Brother Prince Shu had said he would help her.

Even with Eunuch Guo repeatedly blocking her, Princess Yueyan persisted standing outside the entrance to the hall, unwilling to leave...

She had to stand guard properly outside Qinzheng Hall...

And wait for the Prince to come out...

... Inside Qinzheng Hall.

The extravagant great hall had purple pillars and golden beams. The window lattices and screens were inset with pearls and jade. It was a dazzling spectacle of gold and jade, with fragrant incense coils drifting about.

The bronze beast-headed censers with gold overlay contained burning hot coals, giving off scorching heat. Zhao Changdu's brows knitted almost imperceptibly and he sat in the Grand Tutor's chair that the Tianqi Emperor had ordered to be moved here for him.

It had been several months since his return to the capital, but he still wasn't quite used to the extravagance of the palace.

The bitter cold of the border regions, his grandfather training troops through the winter, fighting through frost and snow without stopping even when their legs were numb from the cold.

The Qilin Army had fought desperately to retake cities seized by the enemy, with the Zhao family troops rushing ahead without regard for their own lives, spilling hot blood on the battlefields.

What they obtained in exchange was the waste and decadence of the Bianjing officials and nobility, their singing, dancing, and keeping of dogs and horses.

The Tianqi Emperor glanced at this young military talent from Dong Li.

The two of them had discussed the fate of the Qilin Army over the past several days. Today was the day Zhao Changdu would make his decision.

They exchanged some polite conversation. Zhao Changdu could clearly sense that the Tianqi Emperor's attitude had changed compared to previous days. Things were unlikely to go smoothly.

There was a tense atmosphere in the hall.

Suddenly, Eunuch Guo's voice rang out from outside.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Wan has sent snow pear soup."

The Tianqi Emperor raised his brows. "Let it in."

As Eunuch Guo brought in the snow pear soup, a beautiful shadow flashed by outside the doorway. Concubine Wan had always been sensible and knew that women of the imperial harem could not interfere in politics, so she never took it upon herself to enter Qinzheng Hall.

Zhao Changdu had zero interest in the Emperor's harem and maintained an impassive expression, pondering over the words His Majesty had just said.

The Qilin Army could be dispersed to armies on the various borders, but the talismans of command must be destroyed.

Zhao Changdu's prominent brows knit together almost imperceptibly, and his profound eyes swirled with dark undercurrents.

The Emperor's actions made sense, after all the Qilin Army was like an army sent down by the heavens, an extremely fierce and powerful force who only answered to the Zhao clan. It was only natural for the Emperor to be wary.

It's just that destroying the talismans completely contradicted their previous negotiations. In the span of two short days, what exactly had gone wrong?

Snow pear soup was served up. The Tianqi Emperor then had Eunuch Guo ladle out bowls for both himself and Zhao Changdu.

This was his preference.

On cold winter days in Bianjing, snow pear soup was perfect for moistening the throat and dissolving greasiness. Moreover, it was personally made by Concubine Wan, his beloved. There was nothing unsatisfactory about anything she made.

"Since Sir insists on disbanding the Qilin Army, keeping those command talismans would be useless anyway, might as well destroy them."

Zhao Changdu's thin lips pressed together slightly. His expression was tranquil with no fluctuations. He looked indifferently at the Tianqi Emperor. His eyes and the corners of his brows carried an icy chill.

The command talismans were a foregone conclusion as decreed by the Emperor. He picked up the porcelain bowl and slowly drank a mouthful, not daring to meet Zhao Changdu's piercing eyes. "Does Sir Zhao find the snow pear soup unpalatable?"

This snow pear soup was akin to the words carelessly thrown out by the Son of Heaven.

Whether or not he would hand over the talismans and disband the Qilin Army hinged on this bowl of soup, and whether or not he would drink it.

Thunder and rain alike were imperial grace.

Zhao Changdu's straight brows and cold eyes were like a keen sword sheathed by his side. He had not missed the displeasure in the Emperor's tone, yet he only felt empty desolation in his heart.

In contending for power, and fighting the enemy for their lives.

How much true sentiment did the Emperor on the dragon throne have for those men who rushed ahead to be beheaded and spill hot blood?

He raised up the porcelain bowl bestowed upon him by the throne, frowning as he stared at the snow pear soup within. After a lengthy silence under the probing and profound gaze of the Tianqi Emperor, the edges of his lips quirked up in a cold, faint smile. "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your bounty."

Zhao Changdu who often tasted blood on the blade's edge always carried a terrifying sanguine aura about him. His powerful bearing and cold, stern features made it so that even the Tianqi Emperor could only force himself to remain outwardly composed. Hearing Zhao Changdu's acquiescence, he secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

The Qilin Army had always been a massive thorn in his side. When Zhao Changdu had voluntarily proposed disbanding them before, he even felt somewhat gratified and agreed to keeping the talismans.

Yet Prince Shu had paid a sudden late night visit to the palace to see him a couple days prior.

When the topic turned to the command talismans, Prince Shu stirred up feelings of unease in him again.

If the talismans remained, then even if the Qilin Army was dispersed into the various border armies, wouldn't they still rise up at the Zhao clan's call?

He couldn't take that risk, which was why he had decided the talismans must be destroyed.

"Ah, the entire Zhao clan is filled with loyal and righteous heroes, they really are a model and example of loyal service to ruler and patriotism for us officials of Dong Li." The Tianqi Emperor laughed and continued, "Speaking of which, it shames me to admit this Changdu, but last night the Lieutenant Governor of Yueyang memorialized that after months of continuous heavy snowfall, the common people of Yueyang have been suffering from the snow disaster for over half a month already. The snow disaster situation is extremely urgent and requires an experienced and capable person to lead disaster relief efforts. I thought it over time and again, no other in this court is up to the task. Instead, Changdu, you have lived on the frigid borderlands for years so you must have abundant experience in dealing with snow disasters. How about taking the Qilin Army on one last mission to share the court's burden before they officially disband?"

"You can rest assured, We will definitely reward the Qilin Army's merits afterwards without shortchanging any soldier."

Zhao Changdu's thin lips flattened. On the surface the Emperor seemed to be giving the Qilin Army a chance to earn achievements, if he refused it would make the Zhao clan seem unappreciative.

"What does Sir think?"

Zhao Changdu's expression barely changed but he was beginning to realize something strange was going on.

Raising his eyes, he looked at the Emperor seated on the dragon throne. His dark phoenix eyes were as fathomless as the abyss. After a lengthy silence, he heavily replied, "This subject will lead them on a trip to Yueyang."

The Tianqi Emperor relaxed once more and began chatting with Zhao Changdu about family matters, constantly trying to probe his feelings towards Gu Ying.

Setting up emotional ties was like erecting towering ridges; without desires one would be steadfast and strong. Once a man developed a soft spot, he would be easy to control.

Zhao Changdu's jaded and aloof bearing did not let slip a single word about his young wife.

Deeming it fruitless, the Tianqi Emperor instead brought up the health of the retired Duke.

Yet at this moment, Zhao Changdu's brows wrinkled. He suddenly felt a burst of heat surging up from deep within his body.

...