The leading general waved his hand with a stern look, cutting off his subordinate’s words. His mind had long twisted itself into knots of confusion.
They’d obviously forced the Minuo into a corner, and the tribe had decided to respond by bringing the supply wagons into that swathe of barren desert. It seemed the tribe would rather throw their lives away than hand over the supplies!
That group of filthy slaves were having a swell time with their defiance, but what about them who were ordered to retrieve the supplies?!
It wasn’t like he could just put on a sheepish expression and report to the khan, “We are truly very sorry. Our calvary couldn’t overtake a group of old, weak troops transporting heavy wagons. We chased them into the barren desert, and then didn’t dare pursue further!”
They might as well kill themselves first if they wanted to say that!
“After them! Speed up! We have to overtake them before they enter the no man’s land!” The general’s obvious franticness lit a fire under the usually calm soldiers. Rushing around with preparations, those who were taking a break and quaffing some rations were urged back onto their horses to continue the chase.
Who dared to slack off when their lives were at stake?
However, they didn’t catch a single trace of the Minuo in the whole trip from the camp to the border of the desert. Howling gales leveled massive hills of sand into flat ground in the blink of an eye, to say nothing of hoof or foot prints. There were no tracks to follow!
The battalion tightened their reins anxiously as they looked in the direction of neverending mounds of sand. Nobody dared set even half a step into the desert.
The general’s face turned an unsightly pallor as he swung a fist at the air, as if that would help vent some of the brooding frustration in his heart.
“General, what do we do?” His lieutenant scanned the worsening weather and whirling sands in the desolate sand dunes, gulping in fear. If they were ordered to continue chasing, he feared that there’d be few who would have the courage to actually do so.
Everybody knew how frightening the vast, barren deserts were. The climate was dreadful and the landforms were always changing. Flat land could turn into sandy dunes with just a moment’s notice, and just one’s night sleep could leave one buried alive. Furthermore, it was impossible to know where to go from here. Nobody knew how far away or what was to be found on the other side.
Entering the desert was tantamount to stepping half way into hell. Nobody had the courage to challenge it.
“Curse those Minuo madmen!” The general spat angrily, gnashing his teeth. “Set up outposts and keep an eye out along the entire border of this swathe of desert. I don’t believe those crazies aren’t afraid of death!
“They have a similar number of people as us, so maybe, just maybe, somebody will come back out soon. If they aren’t led well, we can take advantage of their internal strife! If we can bring back one of them alive, that’ll be enough to get us off the hook.”
“The general is wise!” Everybody saluted, secretly heaving sighs of relief. Anything was fine as long as they didn’t have to pursue the tribe into the desert! The soldiers split into several groups and scattered into a big net around the desert border, waiting to scoop up any possible deserters.
However, they had no understanding of the Minuo’s determination and unity.
……
At this moment, Qin Yining was leading the group in a bleary trek through the desert. Harsh winds found the smallest chinks in their headscarves to send grains of sand through, and sometimes the gales threatened to send her toppling over. However, she continued to persevere, forging on at the head of the group while leading on a horse saddled with jugs of food and water.
Lu Heng also pulled along a horse as he walked by her side. During particularly gusty moments when the wind blew so hard that her delicate figure could barely move, he badly wanted to take her arm in support.
However, his arm just hovered from start to finish and never touched her. Instead, he seemed more like a guardian with arms spread out wide to protect her.
When Uncle Alham, Harbhara, and Caganbhara saw the two at the front, notes of lament sprung in their hearts.
They could all see the affection that Lu Heng cherished for Qin Yining, but they also tell that the princess consort was wholeheartedly devoted to her husband. She only saw Lu Heng as a comrade she could trust.
They were companions on a journey that brought them a little closer to death with every step they took. At this point, mere matters of the heart all seemed quite superfluous. If they could exit the desert alive, it meant that the heavens wished for them to live.
Although the icy grasp of fear closed around the tribesmen’s hearts when they considered this desert that seemed to have no end to it, no one ever breathed a word of complaint. If they’d remained in the capital, they might have already been tortured to death in the Tatar court.
Compared to their previous nightmare of enslavement, oppression, exploitation, and wanton slaughter, this was much better. They now grasped life and death in their own hands, and satisfaction filled their hearts even under such desperate straits. All was fine as long as they could persevere together with their comrades.
……
Just as Qin Yining led her group through the desert and pursuing soldiers set up a large net around the desert border, Li Qitian glowered broodingly at Li Guanwen back in the imperial palace of Great Zhou. “What did you say? Repeat it to Us once more.”
Li Guanwen fell to the ground in fear, repeatedly kowtowing on the floor. “Please quell your anger, Your Majesty. This-this servant is sure I heard that the Faithful Prince of the First Rank left the city with his manor’s personal guard.”
Chapter 524.2: Token
Li Qitian smashed a teacup on the marble floor as soon as the eunuch finished speaking. Porcelain shattered everywhere, shards drawing several bloody traces across Li Guanwen’s face, but he didn’t dare even wince.
“Your Majesty, please quell your anger!”
Li Qitian shot to his feet in throes of fury, furiously slamming his fist on a pile of documents on the table.
“Pang Zhixi, what a great man you are, Pang Zhixi! He dares disregard Us to these depths! Defying just one imperial decree is a capital crime and grounds for execution! We showed him mercy, but he then stirs up this kind of trouble! What, does he want to rebel after running off with his private army? Men, go surround the Faithful Prince’s manor! We would like to interrogate those two Yao old wretches and that slut of a mother how they raised their son!”
Who dared venture anything different in the emperor’s fit of anger? Li Guanwen hastily agreed and led a group to prepare for the emperor’s trip.
……
At this moment, twenty-five kilometers outside of the city gates, Ji Zeyu waited on the silver-white steed that Pang Xiao had gifted him. A blazing red fox fur cape wrapped around him, his fair and slender hands grasped black reins, at ease in the center of the road.
Pang Xiao pulled his black steed to a stop, a surprised smile on his face. “Ah Lan? What brings you here?”
Ji Zeyu shook his reins and urged his horse closer. Although the expressions of the Elite Tigers behind Pang Xiao didn’t change, their bodies tensed, ready to fight.
The prince consort frowned slightly as he swept his gaze across the group. A wave of uneasiness swept through the soldiers, curbing the sharp pressure they’d been directing towards Ji Zeyu.
“You wish to search for née Qin? Is it that unbearable for you?”
Pang Xiao frowned as well and nodded. “I’ve been, well, I’ve been quite anxious these days. I feel like if I don’t go, something will happen to my wife.”
Ji Zeyu frowned as he took a deep look at Pang Xiao; the contours of his friend’s handsome face jutted out from all the weight he had lost. The prince consort pursed his lips as he sighed, “You really care about her that much?”
“Ah Lan, she is my life.”
> “Didn’t you used to always say that a right and proper man doesn’t worry about the lack of a wife? Even if née Qin is one in a million, she is still just one person. Can she really compare to all the lives depending on you?
“If you hare off like this, aren’t you afraid of implicating your family in your actions too? I believe that even if something were to happen to née Qin, she would hope for you to live on, to live well, to take care of your family and hers. She wouldn’t want you to impulsively leave the capital in private like this. You should know that right now, your actions are crossing the emperor’s bottom line!”
Ji Zeyu was a naturally aloof man of few words. However, such habits always fell by the wayside when it came to Pang Xiao’s matters.
Moved, Pang Xiao jumped off his horse. His black, sable fur cloak flew up in the air, exposing powerful, black-clad legs that had been hidden underneath his clothing. He tossed his whip to Huzi behind him and walked towards Ji Zeyu.
The prince consort also jumped down from his horse, a deep frown on his face as he walked up to the prince. Another furrow added to the lines of his forehead, the tender fairness of his skin highlighted by the fiery cloak.
Pang Xiao sighed as he patted his friend's shoulder, his voice low. “Take advantage of how the emperor still trusts you and prepare a way out while you have time. Don’t be caught unprepared when something actually happens.”
Ji Zeyu glared at Pang Xiao, “If you didn’t let your emotions affect your judgement, you would also have the emperor’s trust. I’m talking about you right now, so why are you flipping it back onto me?”
“You’re still the same as when we were kids, always saying what’s on your mind.” Pang Xiao smiled in return. “You’ll also never admit to doing so.”
Ji Zeyu glared at him again but didn’t refute his friend. “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Yes. I have to go, or I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
“You’re not the sort to let your emotions affect your decisions. Where did all those years of calm and rational action go? You say you don’t want to regret it for the rest of your life, but there will always be times in life where you have to choose what you don’t want. How many can really live a life without regret?”
“Ah Lan, I understand your good intentions. I’ve already sent my maternal grandparents and mother back to the Qins, so if something happens while I’m gone, my father-in-law will know and should help me take care of my family.”
Seeing that Pang Xiao had already made up his mind and that there was no room for negotiation, Ji Zeyu could only sigh helplessly. “Alright, if you want to go, go. Don’t worry, I’ll also help look after everything.”
Pang Xiao nodded with great emotion. “Be careful. Remember my words and think of a way out for yourself.”
“Don’t you worry, I’m different from you.” Ji Zeyu smiled faintly. “You have much to worry about, but I have no family or anything else, so I’m not afraid of anything.”
“How can I truly relax? No one would’ve ever thought that us brothers would one day end up where we are now. Ah Lan, you have to stay safe. I’ll try to return as soon as possible.”
Ji Zeyu nodded in response to the solemn expression on Pang Xiao’s face and passed the whip in his hands to Pang Xiao.
“Take this. The Dragon Riders stationed at the border are all my former subordinates and around a hundred of my trusted aides are also within that group. They will all recognize this token of mine. If you need it, just take this whip to their leader, Tao Jun. He currently holds the position of commander and is a bit over thirty years old. He has a scar on his forehead and a heavy smoker. You’ll recognize him immediately.”
Chapter 525: Settled Scores
Pang Xiao gravely accepted the black whip. As he examined the tassel at the end of the whip and the pendant hanging from its handle, he couldn't help feeling a wave of emotion.
"Then... use mine in return." He walked over to Huzi to take his own whip—which he had used for many years—and handed it to Ji Zeyu.
Ji Zeyu took the whip and gave it a few swings. Laughing, he replied, "It's a deal, then. I'll take it as a gift from you. Let us make haste, it's getting late."
Pang Xiao nodded. Suddenly, he spread his arms and gave Ji Zeyu a tight hug. The two were approximately of the same stature and build. Moved by his sworn brother’s camaraderie, he gently patted Ji Zeyu on the back with the hand holding the whip.
The prince consort froze for a moment, then slowly raised his arms to return the embrace. A rare, warm mirth that couldn't be concealed blossomed in his dazzling eyes.
"My good brother, we should go drinking after I return."
"Absolutely. No one’s going home until both of us are drunk." Ji Zeyu clapped Pang Xiao on the shoulder.
Pang Xiao laughed heartily and squeezed Ji Zeyu tightly again; only then did he mount his horse. He gave Ji Zeyu a lively wave. "I'm off."
Pang Xiao's horse whip in hand, Ji Zeyu backed up a few steps with his silvery-white Ferghana horse to make way. Following Pang Xiao, the Elite Tigers rode past Ji Zeyu. It wasn’t long before the group disappeared into the distance.
Only then did Ji Zeyu's face revert to his customary expressionless demeanor, his grip tightening on Pang Xiao's whip. Mounting his horse, he sped back to the capital.
Instead of returning to his own residence, he took a detour to the Qin manor. Worried that scouts were still keeping watch, he didn't dare show his face and elected to take a look from afar.
Little did he know that as soon as he turned the corner, he would see a troop of men on horseback slowing down before the front door of the Qin manor at the end of the alley.
Their leader wore a cloak and embroidered hat made of sable pelt, his steed a tall chestnut. Scowling with a glowering expression, he dismounted his horse with the assistance of a grovelling person dressed in steel-grey cotton robes.
Though it was a great distance apart, Ji Zeyu didn't have to look hard to identify that the man was none other than the emperor who should’ve been meeting with his court in the royal palace—Li Qitian!
Ji Zeyu hastily dismounted and hid behind a wall, cautiously poking his head out, his brows furrowing tightly out of worry.
Li Qitian was approaching the door of the Qin manor with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression somber. Li Guanwen and a group of royal guards tripped over themselves to carefully escort the emperor from all sides.
He’d just been to the residence of the Faithful Prince of the First Rank, only to find that no one was home save for their servants. Apparently, Pang Xiao's maternal grandparents and mother had left at the crack of dawn to visit relatives, and no one knew when they would return.
How was it that they’d just so happened to go visit relatives? This wasn't his first day of being acquainted with Pang Xiao; since when were there any members of the Yao clan left for them to visit?! He clearly meant to toy with the emperor!
Very well then; even if they were visiting relatives, didn't their in-laws primarily consist of the Qins? He was quite looking forward to seeing how the Qins would react to his visit! If Qin Huaiyuan was so bold as to hide things from his emperor like Li Qitian was speculating him to be, then heavens help the old man!
Li Qitian was so furious that he’d lost the capacity for rational thought. In a low voice, he ordered, "Announce Our presence."
Not daring to ignore his command, the guard immediately responded and rushed to knock.
They were received extremely quickly. Seeing the group of hostile visitors before the door, the doorkeeper grew so nervous that he was momentarily unable to respond. "This is the Qin Manor. Who might you be?"
Hands behind his back, Li Qitian straightened up without a word. Li Guanwen turned back to glance at his master for instructions.
Should we announce our identity, considering the current situation? Or shouldn’t they? Since His Majesty didn’t express his intent, the eunuch agonized between a rock and a hard
place!
After some inner grumbling, all Li Guanwen could do was guess at what the emperor wished to do. "You are to receive an esteemed guest. Hurry and call for the master of the house."
Perplexed, the servant looked at the anonymous yet lavishly dressed man, then at the rich, middle-aged man who seemed to be suppressing a burning fury beneath a calm facade. All he could do was nod and reply, "This servant will do just that."
Not daring to hesitate, he hastily turned and dashed inside. Compared to the Faithful Prince of the First Rank's underlings, the Qins' servants were evidently much more well-versed in the ways of hospitality.
Li Qitian’s expression remained frosty, but was slightly mollified at how nervous the servant had been just now.
Even so, his ill temper needed to be slaked. He’d already ordered his men to go after Pang Xiao; if they returned empty-handed, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't take out his frustration on them.
In any case, he had to first see how Qin Huaiyuan responded.
Footsteps soon sounded from inside. The door opened to reveal Qin Huaiyuan, dressed in a navy pongee robe that was neither brand-new nor well-worn. Seeing the visitors outside, he immediately fell to his knees in a grand gesture of greeting.
Li Qitian made no move to stop him, accepting the courtesy with his hands behind his back.
Seeing that the emperor was in casual clothes, Qin Huaiyuan didn't dare address him directly and merely said, "Please hurry inside."
Although the manor servants didn’t know who the visitor was, they could tell he was someone highly prestigious—judging from their master’s response. No one dared slack off, and they scurried off to tidy up the front hall and prepare refreshments.
After entering the manor, Li Qitian hesitated for a moment before electing to order his guards to stay outside and only brought Li Guanwen in with him. Having read the situation, Qin Huaiyuan also dismissed his servants, so as to not disturb his esteemed visitor.
After Li Qitian was seated, Qin Huaiyuan kowtowed deeply yet again; only then did he dare speak. "This humble servant has neglected to properly receive Your Majesty’s gracious presence at my humble abode. I ask for Your Majesty to punish me as is proper."
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