The snow fell for several days. The assassination case was hastily closed, and the recent waves of turmoil were suddenly buried beneath the wind and snow, turning into a vast expanse of white. It was during this time that Li Jianheng heard that Xiao Chiye had fallen ill.
It was said that he had caught a cold while meditating, and ultimately collapsed on his bed, unable to rise. Li Jianheng braved the snow, drove to the Li Bei Prince’s residence, and, accompanied by his officials, restored his friendship with Xiao Chiye.
With everyone else gone, Xiao Chiye sat facing Li Jianheng, pale, helped up by Chen Yang.
Li Jianheng said, “I was misled by slander and reprimanded you that day. I am truly ashamed.”
Xiao Chiye replied, “Ministers and sovereigns are bound to each other; it is only right. Your Majesty need not dwell on it.”
A silence fell between them. In private, they had finally reached the point of addressing each other as sovereign and subject.
Li Jianheng forced a smile and said, “I used to think you were as solid as iron, never falling ill. I didn’t expect that you, too, are like ordinary people.”
Xiao Chiye said, “I am only flesh and blood. A blade cuts, and blood will flow.”
Li Jianheng recalled that night at the hunting grounds, when Xiao Chiye had ridden alone into the ambush set by the Embroidered Guard—surviving against impossible odds—to save him onto the throne.
Human nature was strange: when one resented someone, only their faults were remembered; when one felt guilty, only their virtues came to mind. All the words they had once yelled at each other now weighed heavily on Li Jianheng, making him feel even more remorseful.
He wanted to ask Xiao Chiye many things, but at that moment, he could not bring himself to do so. Xiao Chiye had said that flesh and blood would bleed—then what of the bond between them?
Li Jianheng said, “…Sitting in this position was never my choice. Ce’an, you never sat here; you wouldn’t understand the constant peril. Others think this position brings ease and freedom, and I once thought so too. But it is nothing like that.”
Xiao Chiye remained silent.
Li Jianheng’s eyes suddenly reddened. Unsure of why he felt sorrowful, he said, “I am but a rotten piece of wood. I know well, if not for all my brothers dying, this position would never have fallen to me. Yet what wrong have I done? I wanted only to be a leisurely prince. You pushed me up here without asking… I have tried my best, Ce’an. I truly have. How could I ever control the powers of this realm? I can only be controlled by it!”
He buried his face in his hands, sobbing.
“Ce’an, sitting above, it’s too high; nothing can be seen clearly!”
Xiao Chiye’s eyes were red as well. He said, “We are brothers. How could I blame you?”
Li Jianheng wiped his tears fiercely. “But I have harmed our brotherly bond.”
Xiao Chiye replied, “One cannot blame oneself for what cannot be helped. If I attracted trouble, it is my own doing.”
Li Jianheng said, “That is your nature; one cannot blame you. They incited me for their own purposes. I have wronged you, Ce’an.”
They seemed to have settled their differences, returning to a moment of heartfelt sincerity. Yet the lighthearted camaraderie was gone, replaced by a respectful, yet slightly distant, awkwardness.
Li Jianheng did not stay long. After speaking with Xiao Chiye, he left, bestowing many gifts and urging Xiao Chiye to rest well.
Once everyone left, Xiao Chiye tossed aside the pillow he had been leaning on, got up, dressed, and went to Xiao Jiming’s study.
Xiao Jiming was listening to Chao Hui report on military matters. Seeing Xiao Chiye, he waved him over.
Chao Hui continued without pause, “The previous year’s military provisions have been audited by the Ministry of Revenue. The amounts for this year are still under discussion in the Grand Secretariat. The heavy snow pleases the Juexi people—it signals a good harvest—but Zhongbo has already begun to freeze.”
“Zhongbo’s local offices have long been understaffed. With the heavy snow, there are few people capable of clearing collapsed buildings.” Xiao Jiming sipped his tea, considering, then said, “Tell the Ministry of Revenue to allocate forty thousand taels of silver from Li Bei’s military funds to repair the Chizhou area of Zhongbo early this year.”
Chizhou lay along the northeastern grain-and-horse route. Xiao Jiming’s gesture was timely assistance.
Chao Hui nodded and recorded it.
“Zhongbo’s government offices are understaffed. Few officials are willing to go, but leaving it empty is not a long-term solution,” Xiao Chiye poured tea for Xiao Jiming.
“Previously, Hua Siqian refused to manage it; it’s a hot potato. Whoever takes it must pay out of pocket,” Xiao Jiming said. “But now Ha Ge Lao is in charge. This spring’s imperial examinations should help us select someone suitable for Zhongbo.”
“Most newly appointed officials lack experience and authority. They may handle local clerks, but governing a border region would be unstable,” Xiao Chiye said. “We must select someone from the central administration to oversee Zhongbo.”
“Exactly. Zhongbo was formerly a vassal territory, adjacent to the Shen family. Its local entanglements are complex. Shen Wei had established order five years ago, but it was suddenly disrupted. Now the residents are mainly leftover garrison families and wandering bandits. It’s said that harsh lands breed unruly people—this is Zhongbo’s situation. Ordinary officials cannot maintain order; they would just invite trouble,” Xiao Jiming said.
“If the court sent a military commander, they could maintain control under the pretext of suppressing bandits,” Chao Hui added. “But judging the situation, they would be hesitant.”
Indeed, the northeast had Li Bei’s cavalry; the southeast had the Qidong garrison. Reinforcements risked being caught in entanglements. Zhongbo could not be left unattended, yet sending someone carried risks. A balanced solution was required.
“This is a headache for the Grand Secretariat,” Xiao Jiming said, pushing aside the military reports, “what do you think?”
Xiao Chiye leaned on the chair arm, trying to stretch his legs, then said, “You scared the emperor badly. I think he’s afraid, yet still wants to remain brothers with me, however reluctantly.”
“You two have some camaraderie. It’s better that he fears than not,” Xiao Jiming smiled.
“Fu Linye worked hard. I should find a chance to thank him properly,” Xiao Chiye said.
“Better to thank those who assisted you in secret,” Xiao Jiming said. “Many contributed to this case passing smoothly. With Fu Linye’s experience, it shouldn’t have gone so easily into a trap.”
“Hmm…” Xiao Chiye smiled and changed the topic. “Gu Jin, call him in; I have instructions.”
“Better call everyone; I have instructions too,” Xiao Jiming said, signaling Chao Hui.
Chao Hui left to summon the others. Meng also came in, shaking off snow onto the drying clothes. Ding Tao kicked off her shoes and stood straight before Xiao Jiming. Chen Yang and Gu Jin followed.
“Your Highness!” Ding Tao said, showing her white teeth. “Give any orders! I, Ding Tao, will follow them without hesitation!”
“Ho,” Xiao Chiye raised his tea cup, “why have you never called me Second Master when giving orders?”
Ding Tao said, “You always ignore me, sir.”
“What did you do wrong?” Xiao Jiming asked gently.
“Nothing,” Ding Tao said. “It’s just that Second Master keeps having me watch that—”
Xiao Chiye nearly spat out his tea, slammed the lid, and exchanged a glance with Chen Yang. Chen Yang immediately silenced Ding Tao, dragging her out to be buried in snow.
Gu Jin thought, What did I say? What the hell did I say?
Standing before Xiao Jiming, he knelt and received the tea cup respectfully.
Xiao Jiming looked over everyone, making Xiao Chiye uneasy.
“Did you hide someone in the residence?” Xiao Jiming asked.
Xiao Chiye said, “Impossible, elder brother. I haven’t proposed marriage yet; I wouldn’t ruin a lady’s reputation.”
Xiao Jiming observed for a long moment, then let him continue.
Xiao Chiye said, “I want Gu Jin to investigate Xiang Yun Lane.”
Chao Hui pondered, “Xiang Yun Lane on East Dragon Street is a den of all sorts. A covert investigation won’t be easy. You suspect Xiang Yun?”
“She definitely has issues,” Xiao Chiye said. “Wei Huaixing has her testimony. Why would she offend me for no reason?”
Chao Hui said to Xiao Jiming, “Your Highness, I’ve heard it said she acts out of love turned to hatred.”
Xiao Jiming calmly said to Xiao Chiye, “Since she is an old flame, you must have a new affection now. I’ve been in the capital a few days; how come you never mentioned it?”
“I was just muddling through,” Xiao Chiye said.
“Stop blinking when you speak,” Xiao Jiming said. “Blinking means lying. Whose daughter? Your father and sister-in-law care. If there’s a hint this time, informing your elder brother is no problem. The family can arrange it.”
“No,” Xiao Chiye said, restless. “No, really. I don’t plan to marry. It would only delay others.”
“Marriage will make you grow up,” Xiao Jiming said, wanting to pat his head but restrained himself. “Your elder brother and sister-in-law won’t be around forever here; someone must watch over you, talk with you. Whoever you like, your family will do their utmost. Even a family lady, if you like her, we will arrange it.”
Xiao Chiye’s heart stirred. “Marshal Qi… could he arrange that too?”
Xiao Jiming’s expression shifted slightly. He hadn’t expected Xiao Chiye to favor someone like the Marshal. After a pause, his mood complicatedly said, “…If she hadn’t nearly killed you, I would agree.”
That night, when Xiao Chiye got into bed, he suddenly stepped on something. Leaning down, he picked up a pearl used as a button.
Following the trail of pearls, he looked under the bed.
“Chen Yang.” Xiao Chiye suddenly opened the window and called.
Chen Yang came up the steps. Xiao Chiye considered for a moment, then said, “Tomorrow morning, go to the jewelry shop on Shenwu Street.”
Before Chen Yang could reply, Xiao Chiye handed him a box.
“Have them made into earrings, all sorts of styles, but only one per set,” Xiao Chiye said, thinking for a long while. “Keep it simple, not too fancy.”
Chen Yang looked at the box, hesitating. “…All of them?”
“All of them.” Xiao Chiye closed the window, sat in silence for a moment, then reopened it.
Chen Yang, still hesitant, held the box and asked, “Master?”
“Keep accounts!” Xiao Chiye said.