"He handed over the golden phoenix dagger. "This dagger is the proof of the imperial decree. Take it to him later, let it be compensation for all these years.""
Lei Kai took the dagger without saying another word.
By giving this dagger, Chu Yunnan was acknowledging Chu Ying's status as a prince.
It also meant he was serious. Since ancient times, a monarch's words are never a joke; Chu Ying had been banished to the cold and bitter borderlands, leaving no room left to turn things back...
Chapter 6: Banished, Eh?
Condensation Fragrance Palace, the residence of Consort Jin.
Seeing Consort Jin return to her quarters with an arrogant and triumphant swagger, Cuixiang and Li Fuhai instantly felt reassured.
Li Fuhai beamed, hurriedly serving the finest safflower wellness tea. Cuixiang was not to be outdone, rushing over to massage Consort Jin's shoulders.
"Not bad. Considering you two put in this much thought, Her Ladyship didn't make this trip in vain."
Consort Jin lay lazily on the chaise lounge, using her finger to wipe the corner of her eye as she feigned scolding, "Look at you all. Because of you, this prince even ruined her makeup from crying."
"It was this slave's fault for making Your Ladyship suffer. This slave will touch up Your Ladyship's makeup properly in a moment."
Cuixiang uttered a flattering remark, yet still couldn't help asking, "With Your Ladyship speaking like that, does that mean this matter..."
"Of course it's settled. When this prince steps in, what is there that cannot be handled?"
Consort Jin smiled triumphantly, took a leisurely sip of tea, and cast a sidelong glance at the servants. "All of you heard it. From now on, serve this prince well, and you won't be shortchanged."
"Many thanks, Your Ladyship."
Li Fuhai and Cuixiang exchanged glances, the heavy stones in their chests finally dropping. They served her with even greater diligence.
Heh, what of the First Prince? What if he slit his wrists?
A plucked phoenix is no better than a chicken.
With Consort Jin backing us like a towering deity, there's simply nothing he can do to us.
Just as they were feeling pleased with themselves, a voice suddenly drifted in from outside: "Eunuch Liu."
"Eunuch Liu is here! He must have come to convey His Majesty's decree. Quick, everyone, go out to welcome him."
Liu Yun was the Chief of the Imperial Household Department and the person most trusted by Emperor Chu. Consort Jin did not dare to neglect him, hurriedly leading everyone to kneel at the entrance.
During this, she even shot a glance at Li Fuhai and Cuixiang to let them know they could rest easy—this was at most a formality.
Yet.
When Liu Yun stepped through the threshold and finished reciting Emperor Chu's verbal decree, the mistress and her servants were all struck dumb.
"No, Eunuch Liu, you must have made a mistake, right? How could His Majesty issue such a decree?"
After a long while, Consort Jin finally snapped back to her senses, scrambling up to ask.
"Consort Jin, there is no mistake. For a mere servant to force a prince to commit suicide and not lose her head is already exceedingly fortunate. What else does Your Ladyship want?"
Liu Yun's words left Consort Jin completely speechless. Her face flushed red and turned pale, ugly to the absolute extreme!
She had just announced to her servants that the two slaves would be fine, only to be slapped in the face by Emperor Chu in the blink of an eye.
Now, she had truly disgraced herself beyond redemption.
Without wasting words, Liu Yun glanced at Cuixiang and Li Fuhai and waved his hand. "Take these two insolent slaves away and banish them this very day."
A group of guards following behind immediately stepped forward to pin the two of them down.
"No, spare me, Your Ladyship, save me! This slave doesn't want to be banished to the borderlands! Your Ladyship, save me!"
"Your Ladyship, didn't you say everything was fine? Why is it like this? Why... wails..."
Though already paralyzed with terror, the two somehow found the strength to struggle desperately, trying to break free from their captors, but it only earned them a flurry of fists and kicks. Beaten black and blue, they shrieked repeatedly.
To people about to be banished to the frontier, they were no different from the dead; these guards would certainly not show mercy.
Yet, let them shriek in heart-rending agony as they might, Consort Jin did not dare utter another single word, forced to watch helplessly as they were dragged away.
In the end, she was left standing alone at the doorway, trembling all over with rage.
...
The news of Consort Jin's punishment also reached the Imperial Hospital. Hearing it, Chu Ying felt his mood lighten considerably.
In truth, he had been gambling—betting that Emperor Chu would still retain a shred of familial affection.
Fortunately, he had won the gamble.
For a short time, he and Consort Rong should enjoy a period of peace without needing to worry about being bullied again.
At this moment, he had no idea that he had incurred Emperor Chu's displeasure and had already been banished to the bitter, cold lands.
After wrapping his wounds and returning from the Imperial Hospital, Chu Ying quickly noticed something unusual.
The normally dead and desolate little courtyard was actually host to a group of Ministry of Works craftsmen carrying various tools, currently repairing the buildings.
Consort Rong stood at the entrance, supported by a palace maid of sixteen or seventeen years old.
Seeing Chu Ying return, Consort Rong hurried over, grabbing his hands to check him over repeatedly. "Ying'er, are you alright? How are your wounds? Let Mother take a look."
"Rest assured, Mother. It was just a little blood, and the imperial physician said it'll be fine," Chu Ying comforted her with a smile.
"As long as you're fine, but don't pull such reckless stunts next time. You almost scared Mother to death just now, cough, cough..."
Chu Ying hurriedly supported her, saying with a heart-pinching ache, "It's cold outside, and Consort Mother's health isn't good. Let's go inside first."
At that moment, the young maid stepped forward and curtsied gracefully. "Your Highness, please allow this slave to support Consort Mother."
"Who are you?"
"This slave is Qiaoyu. I have been ordered by imperial decree to come and tend to Consort Mother's daily life."
So the emperor still has a bit of a conscience... Chu Ying let out an "oh" and nodded. Naturally, he wouldn't harbor extravagant hopes that Emperor Chu would come to visit in person.
He was already quite satisfied that the man had sent a maid over.
Although he and Consort Rong were mother and son, he was a grown man now, and certain matters between men and women were always a bit inconvenient.
Having Qiaoyu around would make things much easier for him.
"Your Imperial Father has shown mercy this time. Not only is there Qiaoyu, but he also sent quite a few supplies over. Among them are a few ginseng roots. Later, Mother will have Qiaoyu stew them to nourish you..."
The three of them had barely entered the house when a man's voice rang out from outside:
"I am Imperial Guard Commander Lei Kai. By order of His Majesty, I have come to convey an imperial decree. Will His Highness the First Prince please come out to receive it."
"It's Master."
Chu Ying and Consort Rong exchanged glances and went out to welcome him together.
Chu Ying had followed Lei Kai to study martial arts in his youth, and the two shared a deep master-disciple bond.
Moreover, because Lei Kai had frequently provided relief to the mother and son over the years, Consort Rong was also deeply grateful to this guard commander.
"Master."
Seeing Chu Ying greet him, Lei Kai looked at him with a complex gaze before taking a deep breath and resuming his stern expression:
"Your Highness, please receive the decree."
Once Chu Ying, his mother, and the maid Qiaoyu knelt, Lei Kai produced the golden phoenix dagger and read aloud on the spot:
"By order of His Majesty, Prince Chu Ying is specifically commanded to set out after the Lantern Festival for Shuncheng Prefecture in the North Yan Province to take charge of his fief. Let there be no delay."
What? He's actually giving me a fief? A flash of astonishment crossed the depths of Chu Ying's eyes. He had expected Emperor Chu to change somewhat, but wasn't this change a bit too massive?
"This subject son receives the decree."
He still couldn't quite believe it until he stood up to accept the decree.
Although the territory of a single prefecture was only slightly larger than a county and hardly befitted the status of a prince,
he was, after all, a disgraced criminal. For Emperor Chu to make an exception and grant him a fief could already be considered a favor.
Just as he was thinking he had come out ahead, he heard Consort Rong let out a cry of grief:
"How could this be? The North Yan Province is a harsh and bitter borderland, and it's so close to the enemy Northern Xiong. Isn't His Majesty doing this just to send Ying'er to his death?"
With that, her tears began to fall again.
Chu Ying finally figured it out and smiled bitterly to himself.
Damn it, I was wondering why there'd be such a good thing. Turns out the old emperor banished me...
Chapter 7: Through Mountains and Rivers, I Will Accompany You to See Them
Consort Rong was heartbroken.
Weeping as she coughed incessantly, she flustered the newly arrived Qiaoyu, leaving the girl at a loss for what to do.
"Consort Mother, actually, you don't need to be so sad."
Unable to bear watching his mother suffer, Chu Ying supported her and comforted her softly.
"How can you expect Mother not to be sad? My son is going to suffer in the borderlands, and whether he lives or dies is a mystery. Wails... Heavens, why is my life so bitter?"
Consort Rong cried uncontrollably, making Chu Ying's heart ache as if pierced by needles.
"Rest assured, Consort Mother. No matter how much we suffer, could it possibly compare to this Cold Palace?"
Chu Ying's words gave Consort Rong pause. He smiled slightly and continued, "I actually think this is an opportunity."
Covering Consort Rong's frozen hands with his own, he explained, "Think about it, Mother: your child has grown up. I can't possibly remain trapped in a place like this forever, right?"
"Don't you want to leave this place, Mother, and take another look at the world outside?"
With an unwavering and resolute gaze, he solemnly declared, "Your child swears to the heavens that upon going to Shuncheng, I will strive with all my might to build a career, and sooner rather than later rescue you from this icy cage!"
Consort Rong seemed moved by his words. She withdrew one hand, stroked her son's cold yet handsome face, and murmured softly:
"That's what you say, and Mother hopes for it too. But can it really be achieved?"
"How will we know if we don't try?"
Chu Ying raised his head to look at the sky, his tone resolute: "We were born free. Rather than wasting away trapped in a cage and awaiting death, your child would rather be buried in the borderlands, sleeping alongside the mountains and rivers, and keeping company with the sun and moon! At least, I would be free."
"Well said!"
Lei Kai had been silently watching his disciple. Hearing this, he couldn't help shouting in praise:
"Sleeping alongside the mountains and rivers, keeping company with the sun and moon! Truly worthy of being someone chosen by Lei Kai. A real man should aim high. If one is a Kunpeng, how could a mere borderland ever trap him?"
He suddenly drew a deep breath and bowed deeply to Consort Rong: "Consort Jin—ah, Consort Rong—this humble subordinate begs you in the name of being His Highness's master: let him go."
"This... Commander Lei, please rise. This matter..."
Consort Rong was at a loss, unable to help looking toward Chu Ying. The latter also bent down and bowed:
"As the legend goes: 'When the roc rises with the wind in a single day, it soars ninety thousand li...' Does Mother hope your child becomes a Kunpeng soaring across the universe, or a loach hiding its head in the mud?"
"A Kunpeng, of course!"
At that moment, Consort Rong finally understood. Resisting her agitation and tears, she nodded and said, "Alright. Mother promises you. Mother will wait for you to return and lead me out of these palace walls to look at this world anew."
"Please rest assured, Mother. When your child returns, I want a world where not a single person can manipulate our fate! By then, through mountains and rivers, I will accompany you to see them!"
Chu Ying's words caused Lei Kai's expression to shake. He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
On the other hand, Qiaoyu stood nearby, looking curiously at this legendary First Prince.
Thinking to herself, what an enormous tone he has. In this world, how can anyone avoid being manipulated? Is he planning to become the emperor or something?
Besides, can any of this really be achieved?
Consort Rong did not speak; she merely nodded, biting her lip to force back her falling tears.
She suddenly discovered that her decision had been the right one.
In the moment he spoke, the Chu Ying before her radiated a brilliance and confidence she had not seen in him once in the past ten years.
She felt it was worth it.
Lei Kai was equally proud of Chu Ying's choice. Once the three of them went inside, he followed them in and handed the golden phoenix dagger to Chu Ying.
"His Majesty specifically instructed this humble subordinate to hand this to Your Highness. It is a precious item, symbolizing royal status. I've added a jade slide to it for you so it can be hung at your waist. That way, even if you go out, no one will dare look down on you."
"Thank you, Master. You should just call me by my name."
Chu Ying expressed his gratitude—not for the precious golden phoenix sword, but for Lei Kai's genuine concern.
"That will not do. Distinctions of rank must be maintained. Your Highness is Your Highness."
Though in his heart Lei Kai acknowledged Chu Ying as his disciple, he never presumed to style himself his master when speaking.
Seemingly recalling something, he smiled and said, "Oh right, His Majesty also said that since Your Highness will soon be leaving the palace, you are permitted to freely enter and exit the palace grounds over the next few days.
"By the way, I wonder if Your Highness is free tomorrow night? This humble subordinate would like to host a farewell banquet for Your Highness at Taibai Tower."
"Taibai Tower? Is that the very famous restaurant in the Capital?"
Chu Ying looked quite interested. "I've heard of it for so long, but I've never been there. I'll have to put Master to the expense."
"Then it's settled. We won't stop drinking until we're drunk."
After seeing Lei Kai off, dusk was already drawing near.
Chu Ying returned inside and saw Consort Rong sitting by the table, coughing as she sewed something by the dim, flickering light of an oil lamp.
He frowned, unable to resist stepping forward to advise her:
"Consort Mother, it's getting late, and your health isn't good. You should go lie down and rest first; stop sewing these things."
"Indeed, Your Highness. This slave has also advised her several times. Clearly, a batch of clothes was sent from the inner palace, yet Her Ladyship insists on sewing them herself."
Qiaoyu was busy preparing dinner and turned around to chime in.
"Cough, cough... You're young and don't understand. Cough, cough... How could clothes made by the Directorate for Imperial Apparel compare to something you sewed to fit snugly?"
Consort Rong looked at Chu Ying with eyes full of maternal love, her hands never stopping for a moment. "You are about to travel far, and Mother has nothing to prepare for you. While there are still a few days left, of course I have to sew a few robes for you.
"When you get over there, be careful in all things. Remember to value harmony when dealing with others, dress warmly, and drink plenty of hot water. After this, no one will be around to remind you..."
Her rambling chatter consisted entirely of the same words uttered by mothers everywhere. Hearing them, Chu Ying felt not the slightest annoyance, but instead an extraordinary warmth.
*A loving mother's thread in her hand,*
*A garment for her wandering son.*
*Before he leaves, stitches thick and tight,*
*Fearing his return will be delayed.*
At this moment, accompanied by the dim yet cozy lamplight of dusk, Chu Ying had found the most precious thing in the world—something he had been deprived of for a very long time.
Maternal love.
There was no emotion in this world more selfless and great than this.
"Thank you, Mother."
This sentence came straight from Chu Ying's heart. Like the murmur of a child acting spoiled, it earned him a knowing, heartfelt smile from Consort Rong.
"Silly child, what are you thanking me for? Isn't it completely normal for a mother to make clothes for her son?"
How was this normal? In both of my lifetimes, this was the first time a mother had ever sewn clothes for me.
This deep filial affection made Chu Ying cherish the moment dearly.
Qiaoyu's cooking skills were quite good—at least in Chu Ying's view, they reached the standards of a professional chef from his past life.
She was also pulled up to the table, and that night, the three of them gathered together to eat a fairly lavish dinner.
Chu Ying silently savored this family-like feeling of happiness.
In just a few days, he would be leaving this place. He wondered when the three of them would ever sit down and eat together like this again.
Before even leaving, Chu Ying already felt a mild sense of longing.
For the first time in his life, he was experiencing this kind of trouble.
He had no idea that at the very same time, someone was worrying even more than he was. Consort Jin was destined to suffer a sleepless night tonight...
Chapter 8: A First Encounter
"Why? Why must His Majesty treat me this way? Why?"
"Could it be that my youth has faded and His Majesty despises me? Or is it like Consort Rong, where someone in my family did something wrong..."
Through the long, dragging night, Consort Jin tossed and turned, utterly unable to sleep. The more she thought about it, the more panicked she became.
Emperor Chu's punishment of her during the day was still vivid in her mind.
She worried this was a signal to her—a signal that she was about to be discarded by Emperor Chu.
"No, I must do something that wins His Majesty's approval and consolidate my position in his heart. Yes, that's it!"
This thought tortured her until dawn without her coming up with any concrete ideas.
Therefore, Consort Jin summoned all her servants to brainstorm together.
"Your Ladyship, this slave actually has a method." A newly arrived maid volunteered to step forward.
"Speak," Consort Jin said, hiding a yawn.
"This slave heard from sisters in the palace that over the past two days, the palace has been hosting the crown prince and princess of the Donglan Kingdom.
"The two crown princes and princesses are around the same age as the Fourth Prince. One of the sisters said they were asking about the night scenery of the Capital and seemed to have the intention of traveling incognito tonight."
The maid's eyes rolled, brimming with shrewdness. "Think about it, Your Ladyship: since they aren't familiar with the Capital at night, they're bound to need a guide. Why doesn't Your Ladyship send someone to contact them in advance and have the Fourth Prince accompany them on their outing?
"The Donglan Kingdom and our Great Chu have always been on friendly terms. If the Fourth Prince can win the favorable impression of the two of them and they subsequently put in a good word for him before His Majesty, does Your Ladyship need to worry about being neglected by His Majesty?"
This Fourth Prince was precisely Consort Jin's son. He was eighteen this year, and his reputation among the princes was rather mediocre.
However, in Consort Jin's eyes, this son of hers was naturally the most outstanding person in the world.
Her audacity in the inner palace was largely related to having given birth to a dragon seed.
After all, not every consort possessed the qualification to lodge preemptive complaints before the emperor in the Imperial Study.
"This is a good idea."
Consort Jin was overjoyed, feeling this method was entirely feasible.
Since ancient times, mothers achieved nobility through their sons, especially within the imperial family.
If her son's status rose, it would be difficult for his mother not to rise with him.
"You shall handle this matter. There will be a heavy reward afterward."
Bolstered by Consort Jin's promise, the maid left in high spirits.
Before half a day had passed, she brought back good news: the Donglan Crown Prince was very easygoing and had already agreed.
"Quick, go call Hao'er to this prince."
At Consort Jin's command, a long time passed before the Fourth Prince, Chu Hao, arrived tardily with a personal eunuch, still wearing an utterly unwilling expression.
"Consort Mother, really now. Your child was in the Hongwen Pavilion gambling with those young scions of nobility, and I was just about to win! Now look, thanks to your people disturbing me, I lost it all... No, you have to compensate me, at least a thousand taels."
The Hongwen Pavilion was a place specially approved by Emperor Chu for princes and the sons of nobility to study.
As for gambling, it was just throwing dice.
Not only did this fellow Chu Hao casually shift the blame after losing a gamble, but he also came forward righteously to demand accountability.
Even more bizarrely, Consort Jin smiled from ear to ear, not feeling in the slightest that her son's obsession with gambling was a bad thing.
"Be a good boy, Hao'er. This prince has found a chore for you. If you agree, never mind a thousand taels, this prince will double it for you."
"There's such a good thing?" Chu Hao's eyes lit up, and he suddenly revealed a trace of vigilance. "It's not going to be some thankless task, is it? Let's make it clear first—I'm not doing any tiring labor."
"Rest assured, when has Consort Mother ever shortchanged you? It's just walking with people, drinking with people, chatting with people..."
Consort Jin earnestly instilled her grand three-accompaniment strategy regarding befriending the Donglan crown prince and princess into Chu Hao.
"Hah, and here I thought what it was—isn't it just eating, drinking, and making merry? I'm good at that. Consort Mother, pay the deposit."
"Remember, you must do exactly as Consort Mother told you. You understand?"
"Aiyah, I know, I know. Hurry up and hand over the money."
Obtaining a thousand-tael silver note from Consort Jin, Chu Hao and his attendant happily swaggered away.
"Your Highness, we're really not going to accompany the crown prince and princess of the Donglan Kingdom tonight, are we?"