Chapter 28

The Nemesis of the Aloof Crown Prince

Urgent dispatches from the frontier reached the Eastern Palace, and not half an hour later, an imperial eunuch arrived at the palace to deliver a decree.

"The emperor has given a verbal decree, summoning Crown Prince Xiao Heng to enter the Imperial Study immediately to discuss matters of state without delay."

The shrill voice pierced the corridor, shattering the tender, lingering atmosphere that had just filled the Quiet Reflection Pavilion.

Hearing this, Xiao Heng knitted his brows tightly. He looked down at Shen Zhiwei by his side, his eyes full of guilt.

"I must enter the palace first. The outcome of this matter is uncertain, so you must not let your imagination run wild, and wait safely in the Eastern Palace for news."

Shen Zhiwei nodded gently, raising her hand to smooth out the slightly wrinkled hem of his collar, her voice gentle yet firm:

"State affairs are paramount; you must go ahead. I will stay here obediently and wait for you to return before discussing anything else."

Xiao Heng gave her a deep look, said no more, and turned to leave hurriedly in the wake of the imperial eunuch.

Inside the Imperial Study, incense smoke curled upward.

Several core high ministers of the imperial court had already all arrived, standing on either side with solemn expressions. On the imperial desk lay several military reports sent by flying horses from the Northern Frontier, the ink still fresh.

On the dragon throne, the Son of Heaven wore a gloomy expression, his fingertips tapping rhythmically against the desktop with dull thuds.

"All of you have read the urgent dispatches. The northern nomads have gathered thirty thousand cavalry, encamped outside the pass, and repeatedly crossed the border to spy on our outposts. Gentlemen, share your thoughts."

An old minister with white hair stepped forward, bowing as he spoke:

"Your Majesty, the nomads' action this time is rather suspicious. Although they would roam the border regions in autumn and winter past, they have never massed so many troops. In this old minister's view, we should hastily dispatch reinforcements to garrison the area and strengthen city defenses, and we must not lower our guard. However, we must on no account easily provoke war; once fighting begins, the state treasury will suffer massive depletion."

Another military general stepped out, his tone ringing with metallic crispness:

"The nomads harbor wolfish ambitions. If we blindly make concessions, it will only fuel their arrogance! This subject is willing to lead troops to rush to the Northern Frontier, guard the borderlands, and ensure the territory remains secure!"

Within the grand hall, the civil and military factions held opposing views, and for a time a hubbub of discussion arose.

Some advocated for holding fast to avoid the flames of war; others advocated for taking the initiative to apply pressure and overawe external enemies.

While everyone was arguing incessantly, Xiao Heng strode into the Imperial Study.

He first offered a salute to the emperor.

"Your subject greets Royal Father."

The emperor raised his eyes to look at his heir, his expression softening slightly: "Heng'er, you already know of the matters at the border. Now that the situation hangs by a thread, I have the intention in my heart to order you to set out for the Northern Frontier."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall instantly fell silent, and all gazes landed in unison upon the crown prince.

Not a few ministers calculated inwardly within their hearts.

The crown prince's wedding date was drawing near, as known to the entire realm that half a month hence would be the crown prince's grand wedding. Yet at this very juncture, the Northern Frontier was sounding alarms. If the crown prince traveled far to the borderlands, the journey being long and the trip back and forth consuming time, the grand wedding would inevitably have to be postponed.

Immediately, a civil minister stepped out to offer remonstrance.

"Your Majesty, absolutely not! The crown prince's wedding date is set, and the whole world knows it. If the crown prince travels far to the Northern Frontier at this moment and the wedding ceremony is delayed, the court and common folk will inevitably murmur, causing damage to the imperial dignity! It would be better to simply select another prince or great general to go and inspect instead!"

As soon as his voice fell, another military general stepped out in rebuttal.

"The Northern Frontier is a vital gateway of the nation! With the nomads eyeing us covetously, ordinary high officials going there might not necessarily be able to suppress the situation. The crown prince is already well-versed in border defense military affairs, and with the crown prince going in person, only then can he manifest the imperial court's importance and overawe the northern barbarians! As for the matters of children's marriage, what harm is there in temporarily postponing it!"

Inside the Imperial Study, two voices clashed back and forth.

On one side was the consideration for the imperial wedding's dignity, and on the other was the heart tied to the safety of the border territory.

The emperor remained silent, his gaze falling upon Xiao Heng as he wished to hear the crown prince's own heartfelt desire.

As the hubbub of the hall reached his ears, Xiao Heng's very first thought was of Shen Zhiwei in the Quiet Reflection Pavilion.

The grand wedding he had anticipated with all his heart would most likely be shelved because of this. A trace of guilt inevitably swept across the bottom of his heart.

Yet in a flash, the heavy burden of country and family pressed down upon his shoulders. As the heir to the nation, the safety of the state ought properly to be placed above all else.

He drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed in prostration, his voice clear and resonant without a shred of hesitation.

"Royal Father. This subject is willing to travel in person to the Northern Frontier."

The moment these words were uttered, the entire hall broke into an uproar.

"Although the wedding ceremony is near, the borderlands are the gateway of the nation. Once the nomads break through the pass and enter, those who suffer will be the countless common people of the Northern Frontier. Marriage is merely a matter of private self. State affairs are paramount, so postponing the wedding date is nothing."

His expression was open and unperturbed, without a single trace of grievance or resentment.

The Son of Heaven looked at his son, a flash of approval crossing his eyes, tinged with a measure of pity: "Have you thought it through? Once you leave like this, it will take at the very least a month or more. The marriage between you and Miss Shen..."

"This subject has thought it clear." Xiao Heng lowered his gaze. "Zhiwei is deeply sensible of righteousness, so I imagine she will be able to understand. As for the Eastern Palace, however, I hope Royal Father will bestow extra care upon it."

The emperor slowly nodded, his mind made up:

"Good. I grant your request. In three days, lead two thousand elite troops and set out immediately for the Northern Frontier. Provisions, weaponry, and the Ministry of War shall make full and proper allocations."

The major matter was thus settled.

With the discussion concluded, the various ministers successively withdrew from the Imperial Study.

Stepping out of the palace gates, the setting sun cast its slanted rays upon the vermilion palace walls, stretching out long shadows.

Xiao Heng walked alone along the path back to the palace, myriad thoughts surging within his heart.

Establishing merit to defend the country was his bounden duty. Yet the mere thought of failing that young lady who was looking forward with all her heart to her bridal robes and wedding ceremony made his chest ache with a dull tightness.

He returned to the Quiet Reflection Pavilion of the Eastern Palace.

Shen Zhiwei was sitting by the window, holding a cup of warm tea in her hands and waiting quietly.

Hearing footsteps, she raised her gaze to look over, instantly reading the answer from between Xiao Heng's brows.

Without needing to speak, she had already guessed the outcome in her heart.

Xiao Heng walked up to her, gently grasped her hands, his eyes full of apologies.

"Zhiwei, Royal Father has ordered me to set off for the Northern Frontier in three days' time. The grand wedding must be postponed."

The loss and grievance she had anticipated did not arrive.

Shen Zhiwei looked at him quietly, gently wrapping her hands back around his, a faint, light smile blooming at the corners of her mouth.

"I had already foreseen it. The borderlands are crucial. Go with a tranquil mind, and take care along the way. As for the Eastern Palace here, I will wait properly for your return. No matter how long it takes, I will wait."

Xiao Heng gazed into her limpid, serene eyes, his myriad thoughts transforming into a single soft sigh as he reached out and folded her tightly into his embrace.

The afterglow of the setting sun pierced through the lattice window, enveloping the two figures holding each other close.

Happiness was right before their eyes, yet first they had to cross a thousand miles of passes and mountains. With a long road stretching ahead, he only hoped the traveler would return in peace.