The oppressive atmosphere in the room dissipated somewhat.
Gu Moran didn't laugh for long before pushing Prince Murong's secret letter to Su Yao: "This letter cannot be left outside in its original form. Write a casual version, and put the original in the secret room."
Murong Xue stared at the letter, her fingers tightening. "My father's seal..."
Gu Moran lowered his voice. "Keep it, you might need it in the future."
Murong Xue pursed her lips and nodded.
Liu Ruyan took out a small copper box and sealed the letter.
Shen Ling'er applied medicinal powder to the corners of the box to prevent moisture and also to show whether anyone had touched it privately.
Su Yao reopened the ledger. " The Imperial Clan Court wants the initial volume; let's show them what we need to see."
Xie Wanqing picked up her pen. "The Prince is seriously ill, and there are many doctors accompanying him. Younger Sister Shen, please list more of the pharmacists, medicine chests, and medicine carts in your courtyard."
Shen Ling'er nodded. "The medicine cart can hold medicine for injuries, as well as some inconspicuous small items."
Lin Qingdai took the guard register. "The number of guards cannot exceed the old system. However, the coachmen, grooms, and general laborers can be dispersed."
Murong Xue looked at Tuoba Mang: "From today onwards, your name is Tuo Qing. Keep quiet, and don't ask everyone you meet if there's a battle going on."
Tuoba Mang raised his hand. "Can I ask the mountain bandits?"
Murong Xue: "No."
Tuoba Mang lowered his head and remained silent.
As Gu Moran watched the others put pen to paper, the mental image of the journey gradually took shape.
On the surface, Prince Yi's Residence's mansion is in a state of disarray, and the Sixth Hospital is busy moving.
Secretly, martial arts techniques, account books, connections, Northern Territory correspondence, and old military lines were all stuffed under the wheels of the car.
If someone stops him on the way, he wouldn't mind letting them try this starting gift first.
In the front hall, Cao Yuan was already getting restless.
When Du Heng looked towards the side gate of the inner courtyard for the third time, Uncle Fu returned, holding a preliminary roster in his hand.
Cao Yuan quickly replied, " Uncle Fu."
Uncle Fu didn't let go.
Cao Yuan was stunned.
Uncle Fu slowly raised his eyes. "Cao Lushi, you can have the register. The Prince's mansion is closed for medical treatment today. Who came to the front gate and what carriage entered through the back gate? The Imperial Clan Court should only record what it needs to record."
Cao Yuan's face turned pale. " Uncle Fu, what are you saying?"
Uncle Fu his grip. "Nonsense, this old servant is old and prone to gossip."
Cao Yuan clutched the booklet tightly, dared not sit any longer, and immediately took his leave.
As Du Heng turned around, half a piece of paper fell out of his sleeve.
The corner of the paper was on the threshold, and a crack was torn open by the wind.
Uncle Fu glanced at it, then bent down and picked it up.
There were only a few words written on the paper.
"Someone from the Northern Territory, Cha Murong Yuan."
There was no name at the end.
There is only a small remnant of the Eastern Palace.
When Uncle Fu placed the corner of the paper on the table, the smell of medicine in the room had not yet dissipated.
Su Yao unfolded the first volume, the abacus pressed against the corner of the page. " Tuoba Mang had just entered the manor when the Imperial Clan Court arrived shortly after. It's not surprising that they shouted so loudly at the front gate that people outside could hear them. But this piece of paper was written in advance, which means that someone was waiting to investigate Murong Yuan."
Xie Wanqing pressed her fingertip against Du Heng's name. " Du Heng is young and his eyesight is unsteady. Cao Yuan registrar of the Imperial Clan Court Affairs, seems like a mere errand boy; he's the one who's really keeping an eye on the inner court."
Liu Ruyan tucked the corner of the paper into her handkerchief, brought it close to her nose, then pulled away. "The ink scent is very faint, but the paper smells of incense ash from the palace. This is a common pattern used in the Hall of Proper Beauty of the Eastern Palace; it's not necessarily the only one."
Gu Moran picked up the teacup, then put it down again.
My elder brother knows he's doomed, and even in death he's determined to take a piece of my flesh.
Of course, it could also be the empress.
"Let's investigate his origins first." He looked at Xie Wanqing. "The register of those in charge of the Imperial Clan Court, where Du Heng came from, who recommended him, and which government offices he's visited in the last three months. I'd appreciate it if you could look it up, Madam."
Xie Wanqing placed the green token under Du Heng's name. "He looked at the side gate of the inner courtyard a lot today. If he was just curious, he wouldn't have looked three times."
Just then, Tuoba Mang's loud voice came from outside the door.
"Is there any meat? Drinking too much tea makes my stomach even emptier!"
Murong Xue's voice was laced with anger. "If you shout again, I'll starve you for three days."
Tuoba Mang said aggrievedly, "I only ate half a plate of pastries."
Gu Moran pressed her temples, then turned to Uncle Fu and instructed, "Prepare a table of Northern Territory for dinner tonight. Roast lamb, stew, and strong liquor—bring it all."
Su Yao looked up. "You still let him drink?"
"Would he be willing to be locked up? He'll only stop talking once he's well-fed and watered."
Lin Qingdai leaned against the door, her short sword still sheathed. "Tonight's meal should not just be a spectacle; we need to see what these Northern Territory soldiers are really here for."
Gu Moran took the medicine bowl, the smell of the medicine filling her nostrils, so bitter it made her tongue numb.
From outside, Tuoba Mang called out again, "Princess, I'm hungry. Tuo Qing wants to eat."
Murong Xue slammed her riding whip on the ground. "If you utter another word, you'll get a whipping tonight."
Gu Moran finished drinking the medicine, paused for a moment, and then said, "Let him take it. Let's see just how much more information he's hiding."
Dinner was served in the side hall.
On the table were roasted lamb leg, stewed beef, flatbread, and strong liquor.
The aroma of meat overpowered the smell of medicine. When Tuoba Mang sat down, his eyes lit up. He reached out halfway, but Murong Xue slapped his hand back with her chopsticks.
Wash your hands first.
Tuoba Mang looked down at his hands. "Not dirty."
Shen Ling'er put the medicine box on the table. "You just flipped over the boot tops."
Tuoba Mang immediately stood up. "I'll wash."
Su Yao brought the ledger to her seat, while Xie Wanqing brought a blank guestbook.
Lin Qingdai sat near the door, and Liu Ruyan instructed her maid to close the courtyard gate.
Gu Moran sat in the main seat, with only a cup of weak tea in front of her.
After washing his hands, Tuoba Mang returned, grabbed a piece of meat, and began to gnaw on it.
Murong Xue stared at him. "Slow down."
"That's how it is when you eat in the Northern Territory," Tuoba Mang said, his mouth stuffed with meat. "If you eat too slowly, someone else will steal it."
Gu Moran saw this and asked with a smile, "What are the rewards from the imperial court for the great victory in the Northern Territory?"
" The Ministry of War has already been urging us to compile the military merit lists." Tuoba Mang took another bite of meat. "On our way back to the capital, the post stations are all saying that the Northern Territory will be awarding a great reward this time."
Su Yao's pen fell to the ground. "Rewards, military merit register, grain allocation, horse allocation."
Lin Qingdai picked up her teacup. " The Ministry of War will be very busy these days."
Tuoba Mang looked at this one, then at that one. "You keep a tab for your meals?"
Su Yao didn't look up. "You should continue eating your meat."
Tuoba Mang was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Murong Xue: "Princess, she insulted me?"
Murong Xue said coldly, "No, she praised you for being useful."
Tuoba Mang puffed out his chest. "Of course."
Gu Moran tea, concealing a slight smile from his lips.
After two bowls of wine, Tuoba Mang washed off the powder from his face, but his ears turned red.
He was enjoying his meal when he suddenly slammed his hand on the table. "Speaking of which, that madman on the way back to Beijing was absolutely hilarious!"
Murong Xue looked up. "Who?"
Lin Yichen.
The cup stopped in Gu Moran's hand.
The new chosen one.
The God of War has returned.
Gu Moran didn't speak immediately, but simply placed the teacup back on the table. "He's back in the capital?"
Tuoba Mang nodded. "I'm going back. My old wounds haven't healed yet, but I insisted on traveling. He fought like a madman in the Northern Territory, and he was fiercely eager to claim credit."
I initially thought he was after a promotion, but then I found out, hahaha!
Was it because Murong Xue was sent here for a political marriage, and wasn't the original plan to decide on the bride selection three months later?
That fool went mad; all he wanted was to fight quickly, gain merit, and return to the capital to ask for the princess's hand in marriage.
"I asked him why he liked you, and he said that although he had only met you once, he remembered that your eyes were green and very beautiful."
The sound of chopsticks chopping in the side room stopped.
Murong Xue put down her chopsticks, her face gradually darkening. " Tuoba Mang."
Tuoba Mang was still unaware. "It's true. He even asked me about the princess's recent situation, and I told him that she had already married her husband."
Gu Moran looked at Murong Xue.
Her lip line was drawn very straight.
I was annoyed that someone had mentioned my name as a reward.
Tuoba Mang scratched his head and continued, "Then he coughed up blood in anger. His personal guards helped him back to his room, and when he woke up, he said he wanted to continue fighting."
I was wondering, if they can't marry her, why fight a war...?
"Shut up."
Murong Xue lowered her voice very much.
Tuoba Mang put down the meat, his shoulders slumping. "Did I say something wrong again?"
Murong Xue stared at him. "Don't use me as a prize in the army anymore. Do you understand?"
Tuoba Mang's lips moved, and finally he nodded. "I understand."
Gu Moran caught the key point and changed the subject.
"You mean, Lin Yichen still wants to fight?"
Tuoba Mang immediately perked up. "I remember... that guy, even lying in bed he'd ask where he could still fight."
Gu Moran suppressed a smile and looked at Uncle Fu.
"Quickly fetch that map that I enjoy looking at and sketching in my spare time!"
Uncle Fu quickly spread the diagram on the table.
The edges of the kraft paper are worn and aged, and the ink lines extend outward from the Northern Territory.
This is a simplified world map that Gu Moran drew based on his knowledge of Blue Star when he had nothing else to do.
Murong Xue pointed to the northern front. "This is where the fighting took place this year. Further north, there are more grasslands, which are difficult to traverse in winter."
Gu Moran pushed the line outward with his fingertips. "Look, north of Lake Baikal, there are vast grasslands."
West of the Black Water River, tribes lived scattered. The Guligan, Kyrgyz, and Shiwei tribes each had their own leaders and were not of one mind.
Further west, there are even more trade routes.
Tuoba Mang's eyes brightened. "So powerful? Can you fight a battle?"
Where there are grasslands, there are horses. Where there are horses, there are people to plunder. Where there are tribes, there are wars.
Tuoba Mang slammed his hand on the table. "I understand what you mean!"
Gu Moran continued pointing at the map, "Beyond the far western grasslands, there are vast plains, suitable for cavalry to roam."
Lin Yichen's sword must not rust in front of the palace gate.
Looking north, the military achievements are far greater than those in the Northern Territory.
Look again, this is our Great Yan, it only occupies a tiny part of this map.
There are too many battles to fight in all directions, there are simply too many to finish...
✧(ง·̀ω·́)ง✧
[Thank you to King of Flowers x5, Smiling's Update Request Charm, Chen Qing's Milk Tea, and all the lovely fans for your support!]