Five days later.
Thousands of miles away in Yi Prefecture, Gu Moran was still standing on the riverbank, watching the craftsmen fix the new fireworks tubes onto the wooden frames.
The wind blew from the river, carrying a damp, cold mist.
Yun Shuyue, wrapped in a snowman-shaped cloak, stood not far away inspecting the safety ropes.
Suddenly I sneezed.
Gu Moran looked up at her.
I told you to wear an extra layer last night, but you wouldn't listen.
Yun Shuyue rubbed her nose and stubbornly said, "I run on rooftops, I'm not made of paper."
Shen Ling'er came from behind carrying a bowl of medicine. Upon hearing this, she first glared at Gu Moran, then looked at Yun Shuyue.
Neither of you should try to be strong.
"One of them coughs if exposed to wind again."
"He climbed over the wall as soon as his back injury had healed."
Yun Shuyue immediately shrank her neck.
Gu Moran up the medicine bowl, lowered his head to smell it, and just as his brows furrowed, a messenger came running quickly through the snow from afar.
"Your Highness, an urgent letter has arrived from the capital."
Gu Moran took the sealed bamboo tube, opened it, and only read a few lines before his finger stopped at the edge of the paper.
The letter was delivered by Gu Moli.
Chaos erupted in the capital.
The crown prince killed the fifth prince.
The emperor fell into a coma.
Gu Moran was taken aback and quickly folded the letter, putting it into his sleeve.
The river breeze stirred the hem of his clothes.
The fireworks display frames have already been set up on the riverbank.
He looked at the northern horizon, which was covered by snow clouds, and the smile in his eyes slowly faded.
"Big brother, you're much more capable than I imagined."
The snow in Yi Prefecture was not as heavy as in the capital.
Only a thin layer of white snow covered the eaves of the old prince's mansion. The bamboo branches in the courtyard swayed gently in the wind, and the snowflakes fell on the stone steps, quickly turning into damp marks.
After Gu Moran woke up and read the secret letter sent by Gu Moli, he discussed things with Si Renyou and Zhen Daijin in the study until late at night. After everyone left, Shen Ling'er blocked the door with a bowl of medicine in her hand.
Before he could even say a few kind words after drinking the medicine, Shen Ling'er pressed him back onto the bed.
No matter how chaotic things get in the capital, you can't afford to stay here any longer.
If you fall ill, who will guard Jiannan Circuit for you?
Gu Moran was leaning against the pillow at the time, watching her carefully tucking him in. He thought to himself, "When the imperial decree arrives, even sleeping well with the ladies will probably become a luxury."
The next day, just as dawn broke, the sound of rapid hoofbeats echoed in the front courtyard of the Prince's mansion.
The horse's hooves crunched through the thin snow and came to a stop outside the door.
Uncle Fu hurried over, wearing an outer robe, forgetting to even perform the proper etiquette.
"Your Highness, an envoy from the capital."
Gu Moran sat up.
Shen Ling'er first reached out and pressed down on his shoulder.
"Put on a coat."
Gu Moran at her.
"The imperial edict has already arrived at the door."
"An imperial edict won't disappear just because you're wearing one less piece of clothing."
Shen Ling'er draped the fox fur over his shoulders and then adjusted his collar.
The movement was very light; when her fingertips brushed against Gu Moran's neck, Gu Moran looked down at her.
Shen Ling'er's ears felt a little hot, but she still kept a straight face.
"What are you looking at?"
"Look how strict my wife is."
"If Your Highness finds my meddling annoying, then just throw away the medicine as well."
Gu Moran immediately shut up.
When he arrived at the main hall, Si Renyou and Zhen Daijin had already arrived ahead of him.
The two men stood below the hall, their expressions solemn.
Yun Shuyue, wrapped in a snowman-shaped cloak and holding half a steamed bun, had obviously run from the kitchen upon hearing the news.
When she saw Gu Moran out, she quickly hid the steamed bun behind her back.
Gu Moran glanced at it.
"Stealing food?"
Yun Shuyue pursed her lips.
"I'll test the saltiness for Tiedan."
Where is Tiedan Man?
"Still sleeping."
Gu Moran couldn't help but laugh.
At that moment, a servant announced something from outside the door.
"Imperial edict has arrived."
Everyone immediately composed themselves and knelt down.
The messenger, dressed in a heavy crimson official robe, had snow clinging to the edges of his boots from the journey. His fingers were stiff with cold as he unfolded the imperial edict.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."
" Prince Yi, Gu Moran, is respectful and diligent in guarding the borders and in managing the civil administration. Now, with the threat of Tubo eyeing Jiannan Circuit, you are hereby granted the authority to command the defense of Jiannan Circuit as needed."
"All Zhechong Command in Yi Prefecture, along the route, the grain transport garrisons, and the guards at the passes are under your command."
"The emperor commands Si Renyou to assist in managing military supplies, Zhen Daijin to train the troops. All prefectures and counties must not disobey."
"An additional ten thousand taels of silver will be awarded at the end of the year, specifically for border defense, fortification repair, and relief for the military and civilians."
So be it.
The main hall fell silent for a few moments.
Zhen Daijin looked up first, his eyes lighting up immediately.
Over the years, while he was in charge of Yi Prefecture Zhechong Command, he faced problems such as insufficient troop numbers, inadequate military pay, and leaky stables. Even repairing a row of sheds required him to haggle with the prefectural government for a long time.
Now, Prince Yi has gained control over Jiannan Circuit.
There were also ten thousand taels of silver.
This means they can do more.
Si Renyou pressed his fingers on the ground, his knuckles clenching slightly.
He waited for more than a decade.
From the moment Lord Liu left Chuan-Shu, he pretended to be at odds with both the civil and military officials in Yi Prefecture, waiting to give them free rein.
Today, the day I've been waiting for has finally arrived.
"Your subject obeys the decree."
Gu Moran accepted the imperial edict with both hands.
When he stood up, his fox fur coat hung at his side, and his face was still pale from illness, but his hand holding the imperial edict was very steady.
The messenger then ordered three large wooden boxes to be brought in.
The box lid was opened, revealing neatly stacked silver ingots inside.
The silver light reflected off the snow outside the hall, making Yun Shuyue's eyes widen in disbelief.
She quietly approached Su Yao and whispered, "How many pork ribs can you buy with ten thousand taels?"
Su Yao didn't look at her.
"Buying pork ribs will make you stuffed to death."
The Yun Shuyue is not obedient.
"I can eat."
"This money isn't for you to eat."
Gu Moran heard this and turned to look at her.
Yun Shuyue immediately stood up straight, pretending that she hadn't said anything.
After delivering the decree, the messenger took out another secret letter from his sleeve and presented it to Gu Moran with both hands.
"Your Highness, there is still confidential news from the capital."
Gu Moran opened the secret letter.
The crown prince murdered his brother.
The fifth prince died.
The emperor suffered a stroke and fell into a coma.
The Empress and Consort Xian were confined to their respective palaces.
The prime minister, acting on behalf of the central government, drafted a document, suppressed Prince An's absurd secret letter, and instead hastily granted him military power.
Gu Moran quickly pretended to be shocked, squeezed out a few tears, and prayed for her father.
"May God bless my father!"
After the messenger left...
Everyone in the hall was looking at Gu Moran.
Si Renyou asked in a low voice, "What happened in the capital?"
Gu Moran handed him the secret letter.
Si Renyou's expression changed after reading only a few lines.
Zhen Daijin took it and saw the words "Crown Prince murders brother," and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.
"With the capital in such chaos, if Tubo receives the news, they will surely act even faster."
Gu Moran nodded and looked out of the hall.
The sky was white after the snow, and the distant city walls stood silently in the wind.
Yi Prefecture has just completed the construction of irrigation canals and opened trade routes.
The Tubo wanted to seize it.
Prince An wanted to use someone else to do his dirty work.
The capital city was in complete chaos.
But the more this is the case, the more important it is to prevent chaos in Yi Prefecture.
Gu Moran placed the imperial edict on the table, looked at the map showing Tubo and Dali, and made a plan in his mind.
"Your Highness?"
"Sigh, I've been thinking about some things."
Five thousand taels of silver will be used for the defense of passes, military provisions, arrows, winter clothing, and the repair of post roads.
"Five thousand taels were allocated to resettle the local people and military families along the route."
[Thanks to: Jiu Meng for the flower petals and love letters x7, Enjoy the show, Bingbing's milk tea, Yan Se and Gu Changge for the likes, Sun Mian for the flowers and love letters, Dian Jin for the flowers, and everyone for their love and support ヾﾉ≧∀≦)o]