Chapter 41

"Your Ma..."

Eunuch Sang straightened up, instinctively about to bow, but he quickly shut his mouth as if realizing something.

His movement was so abrupt he almost bit off a piece of his tongue.

The cabin's windows were closed, and the morning light was softly diffused through silk window screens.

The painted wooden screen and coiled dragon bronze lamp were all bathed in a hazy glow.

For a moment, it felt like a dream.

Yet, the emperor's presence was undiminished.

The moment Ying Changchuan cast his gaze downward, Eunuch Sang immediately lowered his head and held his breath, his hands trembling slightly while holding the wooden basin.

At the same time, he couldn't help but glance towards the couch.

The morning light illuminated the subtle patterns on the quilt, creating a soft glow.

—This is unmistakably His Majesty's quilt!

Eunuch Sang took a deep breath, realizing something, and quickly bowed, placing the wooden basin on the rack before bravely arranging the wash utensils on the lacquered tray in their designated place.

Afterwards, he silently retreated, closing the cabin door behind him.

He paused for a few seconds in place before gradually regaining his composure.

He signaled to the eunuchs in the corridor with a look, lowering his voice shakily, "Let's go, no need to guard here."

And before anyone could respond with "Yes," he raised his finger to his lips, signaling them to be quiet.

He then tiptoed away with his entourage, leaving the floor quietly.

Once downstairs, Eunuch Sang couldn’t restrain himself any longer and slapped his own cheek with a "snap."

His action startled the other eunuchs: "Eunuch Sang?"

"Eunuch, what's wrong with you?"

"...Did something go wrong in the emperor's presence?"

Eunuch Sang ignored them, just biting his teeth and walking forward with his head down.

After a while, he couldn't help but mutter softly, "How could I be so blind today!"

Never in his life had Eunuch Sang felt such regret as he did at this moment.

……

After the unobservant Eunuch Sang left, the equally unobservant Jiang Yuxun finally began to regain some awareness.

He unconsciously rubbed his cheek against the quilt.

Then he curled up, burying himself under the blanket, leaving only his nose exposed.

All of this was observed by the Emperor.

The time of the first frost had passed, and light snow was approaching.

The air in the south carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but sniffle.

...What time is it now?

Instinctively, Jiang Yuxun curled up further in the bedding, wanting to linger in bed a bit longer.

However, the chill in the air, like tiny hooks, swiftly pulled his consciousness back through his nostrils.

Waves crashed against the boat with a loud "whoosh," startling the person in the bedding to finally open their eyes abruptly.

...Oh no, I’m still on the houseboat!

Jiang Yuxun's breath hitched, and he cautiously extended a finger, mustering all his courage to slightly part the bedding to peek outside.

The light inside the cabin wasn’t bright.

But to Jiang Yuxun, who had adapted to the darkness, it was somewhat dazzling.

He squinted his eyes and peered through the narrow gap in the partition door.

A few seconds later, he could finally see clearly...

The Emperor, dressed in dark robes, had already finished washing up and changing clothes, and was now perusing memorials in the inner cabin.

Jiang Yuxun instantly became fully alert, his heart leaping to his throat.

How did I oversleep again?!

Strange, the attendants should have come to wake me up at the hour of the rabbit.

But why haven't I seen them today?

Jiang Yuxun had no time to ponder the reasons behind this.

Just as he was about to apologize, the Emperor in the inner cabin finally put down the memorial and said in a languid tone, "Today, the officials are dismissed from duties, and there will be no court session, so don’t be tense."

Phew...

Hearing this, Jiang Yuxun finally relaxed.

Just waking up, he almost forgot that during the return journey, the Emperor's main focus was on training the navy and houseboats.

Apart from the military leaders, the civil officials who had been busy all the way could finally rest for a while.

"Yes, Your Majesty—"

Now at ease, Jiang Yuxun quickly paid his respects, ready to leave as usual to change clothes in the next cabin.

But before he could finish his sentence, he couldn't help but sneeze again.

Jiang Yuxun casually picked up the neatly folded silk handkerchief from the bedside and began to wipe his nose.

However, the moment he smelled the faint scent of ambergris, his movement stiffened.

The bright yellow silk in his hand shimmered faintly, clearly not an ordinary item at first glance.

...Oh no, it seems I've picked up the wrong one.

This seems to be the silk handkerchief gifted by Ying Changchuan!

Jiang Yuxun carefully looked up towards the emperor, trying to hide the handkerchief back in his palm.

But his luck lasted less than a second before he met Ying Changchuan's gaze directly.

Jiang Yuxun immediately gave up struggling:

"Your Majesty, I had no intention of offending you. I had nowhere appropriate to place this handkerchief, so I had to carry it with me. After changing clothes last night, I just put it here..." Jiang Yuxun's voice grew more and more guilty.

How could an item bestowed by the emperor actually be used?

I wonder if Ying Changchuan will be angry after seeing this...

"It doesn't matter," the emperor returned his gaze to the memorial he was reading, "Once it's gifted to my beloved official, how it's used is naturally up to him."

Jiang Yuxun finally felt relieved.

In this regard, Ying Changchuan really doesn't seem to be petty at all.

After a narrow escape, he let out a long sigh of relief, couldn't help but smile, and then raised his hand in a salute, ready to leave.

However, just as he reached the door, Ying Changchuan's voice came again: "What is my beloved official laughing about?"

"To reply to Your Majesty, I was just marveling at Your Majesty's magnanimous generosity," Jiang Yuxun answered smoothly.

Inside the cabin of the tall ship, the emperor couldn't help but slightly lift the corners of his lips.

In his smoke-grey eyes, the morning light added a few degrees of warmth.

Jiang Yuxun, stepping out of the cabin, couldn't help but feel puzzled for a second.

Even a laugh warrants a question?

Strange, since when did Ying Changchuan become so concerned about his subjects.

-

Just like on the way there, the southern inspection fleet stopped at the confluence of the Yi River and the main river, where the group disembarked to continue their journey back to Zhaodu by land.

Compared to the journey there, the return took slightly longer.

By the time the group laboriously made it back to Zhaodu, the surroundings had transformed into a wintry landscape of chilly mountains and cold waters.

A night of continuous snowfall had blanketed the brown earth like a thin quilt.

Between heaven and earth, everything was covered in pristine white, except for the newly cultivated fields in the farmstead, where little wheat sprouts braved the winter, showing some delightful green shoots.

The first day of rest after returning from the southern inspection.

Zhuang Youli, having regained his energy, arrived early at the Jiang family's farmstead.

Warming himself by the fire in the main hall, he reminisced about his experiences during the southern inspection, musing, "After returning home and giving it some thought, if it weren't for seasickness, traveling by water is indeed more convenient and comfortable. At least one can get a good night's sleep, and it's not as bumpy as a carriage."

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but stretch languidly:

"Dazhou is mountainous, and the official roads wind through the mountains, making waterways comparatively broader and more direct. Once the Yi River is renovated, one could travel directly south by boat from Zhaodu."

"That sounds wonderful," Zhuang Youli said longingly, thinking of the scenery vastly different from the north, "Now both my father and I have visited the three southeastern counties. Perhaps in the future, we could even take mother to see them!"

Jiang Yuxun joined him in laughter: "Certainly, you can."

No sooner had he spoken than the voice of a family steward from the farm echoed from outside:

"Young master, the snow has stopped now. If you wish to visit the distillery, you should go soon, lest it starts snowing again—"

Jiang Yuxun looked outside the window, following the steward's words.

The heavy snow, which had been like goose feathers, had stopped without notice.

Seeing this, Zhuang Youli's eyes lit up: "I'd like to go and see it too!"

"Then let's go together," Jiang Yuxun said with a smile, clapping his hands. He took a sip of hot water before stepping out of the house.

A cold wind, carrying fine snow, drifted past them.

As soon as the door opened, the chill rushed in from outside.

Jiang Yuxun involuntarily inhaled sharply and stepped back: "Hiss... it's really cold outside."

Zhuang Youli, who stepped out with him, shivered even more: "Summer is definitely better!"

Today, Jiang Yuxun wore a "Kuan robe" filled with cotton padding, made from fine, soft material with exquisite craftsmanship, a common winter garment among the nobility and officials.

Although cotton was available in Dazhou, in an era where most people struggled for food, it had not been widely cultivated or promoted.

Currently, it is still a luxury item only popular among the upper class.

As for the majority of commoners, in winter, they can only rely on "Yun robes" stuffed with worn-out cotton, chicken feathers, or even reeds to withstand the bitter cold.

Seeing this, the family steward Li Run hurriedly draped a fox fur coat over Jiang Yuxun, saying, "Young Master, please be careful not to catch a cold."

"Thank you," Jiang Yuxun glanced at Li Run and slowed his pace to say, "If you're cold, go inside first. Youli and I will head to the distillery on our own."

Li Run quickly waved his hand: "Not cold at all! This coat is stuffed with fresh cotton, it's both warm and soft!"

He then lifted his sleeve to show Jiang Yuxun.

Generally, a high-ranking steward like Li Run could only wear old clothes handed down from his masters.

But this year, everyone in the Jiang family farm had new winter clothes filled with cotton padding.

All thanks to the silver earned from selling liquor.

As they talked, Li Run led the two towards a corner of the farm.

Every servant they passed stopped to bow to Jiang Yuxun and, like Li Run, showed off their new clothes.

Approaching the distillery, Jiang Yuxun encountered a middle-aged woman dressed in a brown cotton garment.

Although Jiang Yuxun did not often come home, he still hoped to remember the name of every person in the farm.

So, as soon as she approached, Li Run quietly introduced her: "Young Master, this is Shi Qiaoping, who now works at the distillery."

During the conversation, this woman named Shi Qiaoping, carrying a bamboo basket, chattered away and, becoming overwhelmed, began to wipe away tears.

Only after Li Run cleared his throat as a reminder did she turn away, embarrassed: "...I've lived for over forty years and have never worn such fine clothes, I must be making a fool of myself in front of the Young Master."

Last year at this time, she was a refugee, robbed of everything by bandits.

Who would have thought that this year she would be wearing such fine clothes!

Over the past half year, Shi Qiaoping not only gained a healthier complexion but also put on noticeable weight on her face.

This was a stark contrast to her initially desolate appearance when they first met.

Remembering her past, she felt a surge of emotion and couldn't help but want to kneel in gratitude to Jiang Yuxun.

Jiang Yuxun was startled by her grand gesture: "Auntie, please get up quickly!"

He, along with Zhuang Youli, then helped her up: "This year, you all helped me cultivate the farm and brew liquor, busy for two whole seasons. This is what you all deserve."

Shifting the topic, he suggested: "Since Auntie works here, why not show us around the distillery?"

Hearing this, Shi Qiaoping, while wiping her tears, eagerly began: "Of course, of course! Master Jiang, this year we've experimented with several common grains. Rice wine is mellow, millet wine aromatic, sorghum wine rich, and barley wine strong, each with its own distinct flavor."

Gradually calming down, Shi Qiaoping led them towards the distillery.

"Among them, the blend of millet and barley wine tastes the best. You and Young Master Zhuang must try it!"

Knowing his own tolerance for alcohol, Jiang Yuxun naturally dared not try.

Before he could politely decline, Zhuang Youli, shaking his head like a drum, interjected: "No, Auntie. Before coming to the farm, my mother specifically instructed me not to drink here."

As they conversed, the group entered the distillery.

At that moment, the distillery was still not completely constructed and appeared quite spacious.

Zhuang Youli’s voice echoed inside the building, prompting laughter from the numerous workers there.

Shi Qiaoping also forgot her earlier emotions and joined in the laughter.

-

"Young Master, does this distillery match what you had in mind?"

After the laughter, Shi Qiaoping, following close to Jiang Yuxun, couldn't help feeling nervous.

In the past few months, Jiang Yuxun had been busy with court affairs or away from Zhaodu, accompanying the emperor on the southern inspection.

The distillery before him was built entirely based on his sketches, augmented by everyone's imagination. He wondered if it met his expectations.

Jiang Yuxun stood at the entrance, peering inside.

Though not large, the distillery before him.

Boasted a complete setup with stoves, drying platforms, and even drainage ditches.

In one corner, several jars of blended new wine were fermenting.

The storage area at the other end housed grains, and even had a variety of plums, dates, and peach kernels.

Zhuang Youli couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

"Exactly," Jiang Yuxun's eyes shone brightly, "even better than I originally imagined."

The workers in the wine cellar all gathered around, eagerly saying, "You mentioned we could try adding different things, so we experimented with whatever we could find in the farm."

Shi Qiaoping, as if remembering something, clapped her hands and said, "Oh... the imperial physician from the palace also came yesterday!"

Jiang Yuxun paused, turning to Shi Qiaoping with curiosity: "The imperial physician?"

A worker busy near the buried clay pots looked up and added, "Sent by His Majesty, to assist you in making 'medicinal wine'!"

On the return journey from the southern inspection, Jiang Yuxun had shared his plans for the distillery with Ying Changchuan, including the idea of 'medicinal wine'.

Jiang Yuxun didn't expect that the busy Ying Changchuan would still remember this after so long.

Zhuang Youli, confused by the conversation, finally couldn't help asking, "Ah Xun, what is this 'medicinal wine' you speak of?"

Speaking, they had already reached the containers of blended wine.

Jiang Yuxun, while lightly sniffing the fragrance of the wine, turned to answer, "This year alone, countless wastelands near Zhao Du have been cultivated. If all goes well, next year's grain harvest should be bountiful, and then we can produce more wine."

Zhuang Youli nodded in agreement.

"Then we can categorize the wines based on taste, set different prices, and expand the range of sales."

Jiang Yuxun silently added in his mind: And even try selling it to Zhe Rou.

"We can also produce medicinal wines for external use—"

"I get it," Zhuang Youli suddenly realized before Jiang Yuxun could finish, "If it's only used as medicine, even someone like me who doesn’t drink would buy it."

Jiang Yuxun nodded, "Exactly! That’s the idea."

He remembered that external-use medicinal wines also had the effects of activating blood circulation, dispelling blood stasis, and relieving pain.

If it could be produced in large quantities, it could even be used in the military.

The conflict between Zhou and Rou was an inevitable part of history.

Since it was unavoidable, it was necessary to make all the preparations that could be made in advance.

Thinking of this, Jiang Yuxun unconsciously tightened his grip.

-

Meanwhile, at Xianyou Palace.

The snow had started to fall again, leaving nothing but a blanket of white outside the window.

Yet, inside Liuyun Hall, there wasn't a hint of chill.

The former royal family spared no expense in luxury, even installing heating walls in Xianyou Palace, originally intended for summer retreats.

At this moment, an imperial eunuch was kindling a fire under the corridor outside Liuyun Hall.

The heat, channeled through pre-dug channels beneath the walls, warmed the entire palace, making it comfortably toasty.

It was even hot enough to cause beads of sweat on the forehead of the kneeling Minister of Clan Affairs.

Ying Changchuan set aside the memorial he was reading.

Seeing this, the eunuch by his side quickly bent over, took the memorial with both hands, and handed it back to the Minister.

"Your Majesty, the accumulated water in the palace has already receded, and the rainy season is over. I believe it's a good time to refurbish the palatial rooms to ensure their smooth use next year."

While speaking, Xing Lifen, the Minister of Clan Affairs, cautiously raised his eyes to glance at the emperor.

—Although he came from a prominent family and was a minister from the previous dynasty.

He was always extremely cautious and meticulous, ever fearful of inadvertently offending the emperor.

Never did he imagine, despite all his calculations, that he would be undermined by his own son!

Even now, his son, who dealt in illicit liquor and fake spirits, was still locked up at the Xuan Yin Monitoring Station.

Thinking of this, Xing Lifen became increasingly uneasy.

But as a court minister, he still had to say what needed to be said: "Now that our Great Zhou is at peace on all fronts, I believe it's an opportune time to refurbish the imperial palace."

Ying Changchuan casually twirled his black jade ring and instinctively glanced towards the empty spot next to the desk.

The next moment, he unexpectedly let out a soft chuckle.

If Jiang Yuxun were here today, he would surely be the first to speak out against this proposal.

Perhaps even citing classics to warn against it.

"...Your Majesty?"

Seeing Ying Changchuan remain silent, a sweat-drenched Xing Lifen finally couldn't help but speak up to remind him.

Ying Changchuan slowly ceased his actions and shifted his gaze to another memorial, then casually said, "Let's not discuss this matter for now, my dear minister, you may withdraw."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Xing Lifen let out a sigh of relief.

He immediately clutched the memorial, retreating backwards out of Liuyun Hall.

Currently, with Great Zhou flourishing and the northern Zherou region casting a covetous gaze, it's certainly not the best time for palace renovations.

However, as the Minister of Clan Affairs, failing to even raise the matter could be seen as negligence.

Today's outright rejection by Ying Changchuan actually came as a relief.

……

After Xing Lifan left, the Liuyun Hall became empty again.

The bright white outside the window made the hall even more luminous, eliminating the need for lighting lamps.

For a moment, the only sounds in Ying Changchuan's ears were the rustling of falling snow and the crisp sound of snowflakes pressing against the delicate bamboo.

Without Jiang Yuxun, the Liuyun Hall seemed too quiet.

After a brief pause, Ying Changchuan finally withdrew his gaze and continued to peruse the memorials.

-

"Alright, you all rest inside the manor," said Jiang Yuxun as he mounted his horse, turning to the Xuan Yin Monitor's deputies following him, "Don’t worry, it's not far. I'll go with Youli and a few family clerks."

Finally, his gaze fell on Gu Yejiu: "It would be good for you to stay here and accompany your parents."

"But—"

Zhuang Youli, who also disliked being 'watched' by the Xuan Yin Monitor, nodded in agreement: "You haven't rested for a long time; there’s no need to follow us today."

The elder members of the Xuan Yin Monitor expressed their concern: "If something happens on the way, we can't explain it to His Majesty..."

"Don’t worry," Jiang Yuxun said while turning his horse, casually adding, "It's just a meal at Youli’s house, nothing to worry about."

As his words fell, he rode off with the family clerks toward the manor.

Waving his hand, he quickly disappeared from sight.

……

More than ten horses trotted along the official road, leaving a trail of hoof prints that were soon gently covered by the falling snow.

Today, with the snowfall, there were far fewer people on the road than usual.

Concerned about the slippery official road, Jiang Yuxun slowed down after setting out.

He casually chatted with Zhuang Youli as they rode.

On his slightly shorter horse, Zhuang Youli excitedly described his mother's special dishes.

In the midst of talking, he somehow ended up discussing his own name: "Actually, my name was given by my mother, who craved pears throughout her pregnancy with me. Hence, I got this name upon birth."

Zhuang Youli sighed lightly, somewhat enviously saying, "But I prefer your name, Ah Xun. It doesn’t sound so childish."

Hearing this, the family stewards accompanying them couldn't help but laugh.

Unlike the General of the Southern Expedition, who was stationed in Lanzhe County and thus had no residence in Zhaodu.

Zhuang Youli's family lived on the busiest street in Zhaodu.

It took about half an hour on horseback from Jiang's farm.

By this time, they were near Zhaodu, but since the commoners were hibernating for winter, the official road was still sparse.

Opening one's mouth in winter meant inviting the cold wind into one’s belly.

After chatting for a while, everyone fell silent.

For a time, only the light sound of horse hooves could be heard on the official road.

Perhaps due to the excessive quiet, Jiang Yuxun started to feel somewhat uneasy.

He unconsciously tightened his grip on the reins, looking around as he rode.

The fields on both sides of the official road stretched out, vast and empty.

Thus, Jiang Yuxun immediately noticed—several dark figures rapidly moving towards their position from the other end of the road.

"Wait," he frowned, lowering his voice to the others, "Someone's coming towards us over there!"

Instinctively, he tugged on the reins and placed his hand on the light sword at his waist.

-

"...Jiang Yuxun is here! As expected, he didn’t bring any Xuan Yin Monitoring guards."

"Quick! Everyone, follow me to confront them—"

"There’s nowhere to hide in this open area, and even if the Xuan Yin monitors are trailing him, they must be at a distance."

"Charge!"

Saying this, several men in brown robes and masked faces galloped their horses towards the other end of the official road.

The cold gleam of their swords aimed at the group.

At the other end of the road, the stewards, who a second ago doubted Jiang Yuxun's concerns, immediately tensed up.

"Go! Retreat quickly."

They swiftly turned around, heading back the way they came.

However, before they got far, arrows shot from behind startled the horses, causing them to neigh and refuse to move.

"Attack—"

"Capture Jiang Yuxun alive!"

During their approach, the sorcerer had instructed them to bring Jiang Yuxun back alive.

It was not out of fear of Jiang Yuxun or the court.

But with the intent to use Jiang Yuxun's blood for a sacrificial ritual to the Great Diviner at the Listening Heaven Terrace!

"Yes!"

In the midst of their conversation, twenty or so desperados had already launched an attack from behind.

Their eyes were filled with murderous intent, clearly bearing deep hatred for Jiang Yuxun.

Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but grit his teeth.

Daring to rob on the official roads near Zhao Du, these men must be connected to Ling Tian Platform.

Jiang Yuxun immediately turned to Zhuang Youli and the family clerks, saying, "They are after me. Don't confront them directly. Take the chance to escape when you can!"

The family clerks shook their heads, gripping their long swords tightly: "We are Jiang family’s people. Even if we die here, we will not leave your side!"

Zhuang Youli, however, was petrified on horseback, unable to utter a word.

Before Jiang Yuxun could say more, the assailants from Ling Tian Platform charged.

A few of them engaged the family clerks, while the rest surrounded him.

The heavy blades clashed against the light swords.

Jiang Yuxun's arm suddenly ached, and the next moment his sword clattered to the snowy ground.

"Run—" He turned and yelled to the family clerks.

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain struck his abdomen.

"Cough, cough, cough..." Jiang Yuxun immediately lost his strength and slumped over the horse's back.

Before he could react, someone grabbed him and pulled him onto another horse.

Then turned and ran towards the nearby forest.

Seeing this, the rest didn't linger in battle and quickly followed.

"Cough, cough..." Ignoring everything else, Jiang Yuxun used all his strength to shout to the family clerks who were still pursuing, "Go get help!!!"

"Save us, if you don't get help now, we're all going to die together!"

Hearing this, the family clerks hesitated for a moment but finally turned and headed towards the other side of the official road.

The jolting made the pain in his abdomen even more intense.

Jiang Yuxun, coughing and weakened, lay helplessly on the horse's back, his vision growing dark.

If there's a next time, he must not be so reckless again; he must keep the Xuan Yin Monitor by his side...

In a daze, he also heard Zhuang Youli, who had finally come to his senses, yelling at the other end of the official road: "Mother—"

Mother?!

At this moment, even the usually stubborn Jiang Yuxun felt a surge of despair and regret.

What’s the use of calling for your mother now? Will she come here to save us?

Looking back at the official road from within the dense forest.

Just before losing consciousness, Jiang Yuxun couldn't help but whisper in a voice as faint as a mosquito, "Cough, cough, cough... Ying Changchuan, save me..."