Chapter 20 (2/2)

Qi Chen only felt bitterness in his heart, but accepted the emperor’s sentiments without a flicker in his expression. He smiled along with the emperor, the irony of the situation weighing heavily on him.

An official came in to indicate that it was time for lunch. Qi Chen wanted to take his leave, but the emperor had him stay. As Qi Qiang sat at the carved wooden table, he asked, “My son, it still worries me a little if you head for the border region by yourself. How about this, I’ll have Nan Xun accompany you?”

“All shall be as royal father decides.” Qi Chen nodded.

The emperor’s smile grew even more gratified. Qi Chen departed the palace in wonderful spirits after lunch. He had sworn silently when his father had looked at him with that gratified expression that he would handle this matter properly, so that his father would commend and recognize him even more.

Upon return to his manor, Qi Chen had someone summon Jun Huang. She didn’t have much of a reaction when he relayed the emperor’s words. All that had happened had been within her expectations. When Qi Chen saw how insightful and bold Jun Huang was at such a young age, he truly felt that Sir Feng was a stroke of good fortune that the heavens had sent him. He couldn’t stop smiling in his delight. “Brother Feng, you are truly my lucky star. I would have you join me on this trip to the border. What are your thoughts?”

Jun Huang nodded and flicked a glance at her healed arm, seemingly unconsciously reminding Qi Chen of the importance of maintaining his composure and being patient. If anyone laid hands on any of his secrets at this time or others, he would end up the same as the crown prince. She raised her head to look at Qi Chen, a curve on her lips. “Whatever Your Highness decides.” She wasn’t opposed to going to the border, she’d just felt slightly complicated emotions when she heard that Nan Xun would also be going.

Qi Chen didn’t detect Jun Huang’s s.h.i.+ft in emotions and happily went out the door. As Jun Huang watched his figure grow smaller in the distance, her smile turned a bit cold. She naturally knew that it wouldn’t be easy to uproot the crown prince. But in order to help Qi Yun, she would need to borrow Qi Chen to eliminate the crown prince’s faction.

The money was quickly gathered for the campaign. As the border citizens were still sunk in agony, the emperor had Qi Chen set out with all due haste. Qi Qiang saw them out of the capital, and the entourage began their arduous journey to the border.

This particular region of Northern Qi was covered with mountains of yellow sand. The drought had caused even hardy gra.s.s to wither, and dried creeks and riverbeds lay exposed beneath the sun. There wasn’t the slightest hint of green for miles. Which was no surprise, since not a drop of rain had fallen from the skies in months. The people had even dug out all of the gra.s.s roots and eaten the land clean. Jun Huang quite empathized with the people as she traveled over the barren soil. She’d long heard of the long drought on the borders this year, but had no idea it had grown this bad. It was as if this land had never flourished with life, sending one’s thoughts spiraling.  The fierce sun overhead elicited even more pity for the barren scene before them. Having experienced the fall of her country, Jun Huang could deeply empathize with the citizens when she witnessed this ravaged land.

Nan Xun followed behind them on his tall, stocky horse, a slight frown on his forehead as he monitored the slender man up front. He really couldn’t understand why Qi Chen had brought Jun Huang to such a place. He remembered that Jun Huang had been injured, how could she suffer through such hards.h.i.+p?

Jun Huang was mounted atop a fine specimen of a steed and looked very das.h.i.+ng. Meanwhile, Qi Chen, accustomed to a life of easy comfort, actually had someone prepare a luxurious carriage. He didn’t look like he was going to help at a disaster zone. The entire entourage looked more like a rich dandy going on vacation. Some shook their heads internally. Most knew that Qi Chen was just here for show. How would someone like him truly care about the the life of the refugees?

Qi Chen had likely never imagined that he would one day be standing on such poor soil. Thanks to Jun Huang, he was being battered daily by the dust stirred up from the dry wind. Qi Chen covered his nose and mouth, “To think that my Northern Qi would have such a place!”

Jun Huang vaulted off her horse and walked up to Qi Chen, looking into the heart of the area in front of them. Things were much more severe than she’d imagined. The people were barely clothed in rags and tatters, their waxy complexions and malnourished appearances inviting pity. There were children sitting on collapsed walls and wailing. Perhaps due to the long lack of water, they weren’t shedding any tears. They were merely keening brokenly.

Apart from the yellow sands filling the air, there were many shrieking black crows soaring overhead. They hovered and refused to leave, since every so often someone would topple over. Then they would swoop down, their sharp beaks piercing through skin to consume the flesh of the newly deceased.