“It’s so cold!”
A cold gust of wind swept by, and an officer spoke while vigorously rubbing his hands.
As the year drew to a close, the weather in the northwest had become bitterly cold, enough to freeze water in an instant. Even wrapped in thick fur robes, the chilly wind still pierced to the bone.
If a seasoned veteran like him felt this way, he wondered how the younger ones were holding up.
“How about it, Xiao Zhou? Are you cold?” he asked, turning to look at Zhou Liu-lang on his horse nearby.
In just over a month, the pampered young man from the capital had been transformed by the northwest winds.
Though bundled in a thick cloak and wearing a large felt hat, his face was flushed and chapped, with frostbite covering his exposed earlobes.
“Cold,” replied Zhou Liu-lang, then smiled and added, “but I can bear it.”
The officer laughed heartily and praised, “Well said!”
“The New Year is almost here. Soon, you’ll get to experience the excitement of celebrating the year in the northwest,” he said, turning his horse around. “Let’s go.”
The group rode into the fortress, passing over firecrackers thrown by mischievous children on the streets, and headed straight into the official hall.
Zhou Liu-lang entered his room. Although his orderly had lit a brazier in advance, the room still felt chilly. He took off his hat, rubbed his hands together, and pressed them against his face and ears to warm them.
“Administrator,” an orderly said as he entered, carrying a large bundle. “Your family sent these.”
Zhou Liu-lang gestured for him to set it down and leave. After warming himself a bit longer, he walked over and opened the bundle. Inside were the usual items from home – clothes, shoes, socks, and a stack of letters from his family.
He picked up the letters and flipped through them, recognizing those from his father, mother, younger brothers, and sisters. A faint smile touched his lips. No matter the circumstances, the caring words from family never failed to warm his heart.
Before he could start reading, another orderly entered.
“Administrator, there’s another letter for you.”
Another one? It hadn’t been included with the ones from his family. Could it be…?
Zhou Liu-lang stood up abruptly, his heart racing. He reached out and took the letter, instantly recognizing Qin Shi’san-lang’s handwriting. Of course – there was him, too.
Zhou Liu-lang smiled, sat down, and unfolded the letter. He had barely read past the first few lines when footsteps echoed outside his door, followed by the sound of his orderly speaking with someone.
“Administrator, a man named Xu Maoxiu from below Shanyin Stronghold requests an audience,” the orderly announced, lifting the door curtain to enter.
Xu Maoxiu?
Zhou Liu-lang frowned. Since arriving in the northwest, their paths had seldom crossed – partly due to the distinction between officers and soldiers, and partly because they were stationed in different fortresses. As a result, they had had little interaction.
“Let him in,” he said, setting aside the letter in his hand.
Xu Maoxiu stepped into the room and bowed respectfully to Zhou Liu-lang.
For a moment, the two stood in silence, the atmosphere between them noticeably awkward.
“This is for you, sir…” Xu Maoxiu spoke first, extending a ceramic jar toward him.
“What is this?” Zhou Liu-lang asked, his expression stiff.
“It’s an ointment to prevent and treat frostbite. Just apply it to the skin,” Xu Maoxiu explained. “It was sent by my sister… well, no – by Lady Cheng.”
Lady Cheng…
A shiver crawled up Zhou Liu-lang’s spine, and he instinctively straightened his posture.
“I… I don’t need this,” he said.
Without another word, Xu Maoxiu set the jar on the table, turned around, and walked out.
“Hey!” Zhou Liu-lang called after him. “Take your things with you. Who wants this?”
He shouted, but his body remained rooted in place. He didn’t angrily or defiantly pick up the jar to throw it out.
Only when the sound of footsteps outside faded did his gaze drift back to the ceramic jar.
An ointment for frostbite…
He couldn’t help but break into a grin, though he quickly suppressed it.
What was he doing? There was nothing to smile about!
As if afraid someone might see him, Zhou Liu-lang glanced around nervously. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally stepped closer. He reached out tentatively, then pulled back, craning his neck to examine the jar as though it were something strange or even frightening.
Frostbite prevention… Hmph, only women would fuss over something like this…
A grin spread across his face again. He tried to hold it back, but the effort made his face flush red with suppressed emotion.
On the street outside Zhou Liu-lang’s residence, Xu Maoxiu walked with a faint smile.
“Third Brother, why did you give that guy a jar? Sister never said to share it with him,” Xu Bangchui grumbled, his face sulky.
“In this life, crossing paths with someone is a kind of fate,” Xu Maoxiu replied warmly. “Besides, that kid isn’t so bad. With the New Year approaching, let’s all share in the joy. Life is hard enough – why not spread a little more happiness?”
Xu Bangchui frowned, utterly baffled. None of that made any sense to him.
“I don’t care about joy or happiness. You gave away your own ointment, so don’t come asking for mine,” he huffed.
Xu Maoxiu laughed heartily and gave him a light kick.
“Come on, let’s hurry back. There’s plenty to do to get ready for the New Year,” he said cheerfully.
…
In the imperial palace, not a trace of New Year’s atmosphere could be felt. The wind swept through the corridors, making the atmosphere feel even more gloomy and cold.
Grand Coordinator Gao, his expression somber, hurried into the Consort’s chambers.
“What is it now? Why is Her Majesty becoming so unreasonable at a time like this?” he muttered under his breath, his tone blunt and impatient.
Ignoring his displeasure, the Consort anxiously glanced around before stepping closer.
“This is exactly the time when it matters most,” she urged.
“What is it now?” Grand Coordinator Gao asked.
“Do you know which doctor Duke Jin’an went to see?” the Consort said.
Grand Coordinator Gao let out an exasperated sigh. It was futile to expect these women to focus on matters of real importance…
“I couldn’t care less which physician he visited. Unless he sought out an immortal, it’s hardly worth mentioning,” he retorted.
“But that’s exactly it – he did go to see an immortal!” the Consort insisted urgently.
Grand Coordinator Gao raised a hand to his forehead in exasperation.
“Your Majesty, what exactly are you trying to say?” he asked bluntly, cutting straight to the point.
“What if he actually manages to cure Prince Qing?” the Consort whispered, her voice hushed but urgent.
Grand Coordinator Gao couldn’t help but let out a derisive laugh.
“Don’t you laugh!” the Consort insisted anxiously. “That miracle doctor might really be able to heal him! Think about Chen Shao’s father, or that Tong Neihan who consumed mercury and gold…”
Grand Coordinator Gao was familiar with these rumors circulating among the common folk.
“You mean the miracle doctor who charges ten thousand strings of cash for a life?” he asked, his expression turning serious.
“Exactly! What if it’s really…” the Consort pressed, her worry palpable.
She couldn’t tell whether Duke Jin’an had done it intentionally or not. At first, he hadn’t revealed which doctor he was seeking, appearing to ask random, disjointed questions before suddenly departing. By the time she managed to find out which doctor he was visiting, he had already been gone for several days.
If anyone claimed the young duke hadn’t been scheming or taking precautions, not even a ghost would believe it!
“Wasn’t it said that she was just a charlatan? People claim she isn’t a real doctor – she just happened to have a secret remedy that worked for specific cases. She isn’t actually all that remarkable. Otherwise, why would she vanish without a trace after treating just a few people?” Grand Coordinator Gao replied hesitantly.
“But what if, by chance, this remedy also works for Prince Qing?” the Consort argued.
“By chance? Even if he were cured, Prince Qing would still have suffered a serious fall and injury. He could never compare to the First Prince…” Grand Coordinator Gao said.
“He cannot be allowed to recover!” the Consort interrupted urgently.
Grand Coordinator Gao looked up sharply, his expression turning grave.
“So, the rumors aren’t baseless slander spread by schemers after all?” he asked slowly, emphasizing each word.
The Consort’s eyes darted nervously.
“No, it’s not that – well, yes, but… Oh, heavens! He’s just a child. How could he possibly do such a thing?” she stammered. “I’m only worried that if the child wakes up, someone might deliberately coach him to say the wrong things. You must understand – this is a rare opportunity. If even you suspect something, the Empress certainly won’t let it slide…”
Grand Coordinator Gao stared at her, his face darkening. He let out a heavy sigh.
“Where is that doctor now?” he asked slowly, leaning on the table and narrowing his eyes.
