After leaving the residence, Xiao Rong led Qu Yunmie through several twists and turns and finally arrived near the Governor’s Office.

Although the Governor’s Office had been designated as their future administrative headquarters, major decisions were still made in the royal residence. With so few people, all the important figures lived in the royal residence, and they could gather together just by stepping out of their quarters. There was no need to walk the extra distance to the Governor’s Office to discuss matters.

Currently, only the advisory group resided in the Governor’s Office. They were responsible for handling the tedious, minor issues. After years of idleness, they were finally being put to use again, regardless of their feelings. Xiao Rong, at least, was quite pleased with this arrangement.

…

Xiao Rong seldom ventured out and, if he did, it was usually to inspect the city and return quickly. Qu Yunmie, on the other hand, left the city early every morning for the military camp and didn’t return to the royal residence until the afternoon when the sun was setting.

Neither of them wandered the streets, so not many citizens recognized them. They found a nearby teahouse, and after entering, Xiao Rong looked around before choosing a seat by the window.

At that time, paper was expensive, so not everyone used it to cover their windows. Wealthy households used silk, poorer ones used hemp cloth, and some families simply used wooden panels, propping them up during the day and putting them down at night.

This teahouse was relatively upscale, so they used wooden panels for the windows. However, they had a layer of grass curtains hanging above the windows. The weave of the grass was rather loose, but it was well-made, with few splinters. When the curtains were lowered, they provided shelter from the wind and rain while still allowing some light to enter, preventing the interior from becoming too dark.

Xiao Rong stared at the rolled-up grass curtain and thought of a term: minimalist rustic style.

He couldn’t help but chuckle, causing Qu Yunmie to look at him, puzzled. Xiao Rong, realizing this, coughed lightly and pointed diagonally across the street. “Your Majesty, look over there.”

At Xiao Rong’s words, Qu Yunmie turned his head and saw that it was the free medical clinic of the Butewu tribe.

The building had once been an abandoned restaurant, its owner either having met with misfortune or fled. Either way, no one wanted it, so Xiao Rong had ordered it to be cleaned up and repurposed as a clinic.

Xiao Rong even had a signboard hung outside, with the name “Huichun Hall” written on it.

Eight out of ten clinics were called this, and though it was a bit common, at least the people would immediately know what the place was for.

It seemed to be the clinic’s first day of operation. Agusheja had personally come to oversee things, directing people as they set up. A crowd had gathered around to watch, but no one dared to step forward and inquire.

That was because all of these people were dressed in the attire of a foreign tribe, and they didn’t look easy to approach. Rather than doctors, they looked more like bodyguards from a gambling den.

Danran was also among them, busy working. The signboard had been made by locals, but there was also a wooden plank that the Butewu tribe had written themselves. After living in the Central Plains for thirty years, they could speak and write some of the language.

The sign read: Free consultations for two hours every day. We treat headaches, fevers, and injuries from falls.

Xiao Rong nodded quietly to himself. At the beginning, it was best not to aim too high. Treating the simplest ailments was enough for now. Once they established a good reputation, perhaps they could begin accepting more serious cases.

Xiao Rong was quite pleased with the scene, but Qu Yunmie’s feelings were far more complicated.

When Xiao Rong had first brought up the idea, Qu Yunmie had hesitated. Xiao Rong thought it was because Qu Yunmie was reluctant to issue the order, but the truth was, Qu Yunmie simply couldn’t give that order.

The Butewu tribe’s affairs weren’t under his control. In times of war, he could manage them along with the rest of his forces, but in peacetime, he had no authority over their internal matters.

Yet Xiao Rong had enthusiastically urged him to assert his authority as the King of the North, leaving Qu Yunmie struggling to explain. In the end, he had kept quiet, hoping that the Old Lady would agree to the plan.

He hoped for it, but when he learned that Agusheja had indeed agreed, he was so shocked that he nearly dropped his weapon.

He couldn’t understand why the old lady, who had always been unwilling to get too involved with the people of the Central Plains, had suddenly changed his mind. He was also worried that today’s outcome might not go as smoothly as this group expected.

…

After everything was set up, since it was the first day, Agusheja herself was the doctor on duty. Her apprentices and fellow tribespeople stood in a straight line behind her, all with tense expressions. However, because the Butewu people had slightly darker skin, their nervousness made them look a bit fierce and intimidating.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He turned his head back, frowning at Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong glanced at his expression and then said softly, “Don’t worry, just keep watching.”

Qu Yunmie paused, then turned back again. This time, he actually saw a patient approaching.

The man, groaning in pain, was holding his arm, unlike the other wary townspeople. He plopped down in front of Agusheja and, in a loud voice, asked, “Are you the doctor?”

Agusheja: “… Yes.”

“You’re from a foreign tribe, right? I’ve never seen anyone dressed like you before. What tribe are you from?”

Agusheja looked at the man suspiciously. His arm was injured, yet he had the energy to chat?

She didn’t answer, and the question was about to hang in the air awkwardly when Danran, one of the children, suddenly spoke up. Her voice was naturally sharp, and she intentionally raised it even higher, nearly deafening the tribespeople beside her.

“Yes! We are from the Butewu tribe. General Qu Yunmie’s mother was our former clan leader, and from now on, this place will be the capital of the Northern Kingdom. We want to be part of it too. Since we don’t have many skills to offer, we can only repay the people of Chenliu with our medical skills for taking us in!”

Agusheja: “…”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Danran spoke proudly, her words flowing smoothly, making it clear she had rehearsed them many times. Qu Yunmie stared blankly at her and then quickly turned to look at Xiao Rong.

Turning the forced settlement into a story of the Chenliu citizens “taking them in” was exactly the kind of rhetorical twist that Xiao Rong was famous for.

At that moment, the tea was served. Xiao Rong scooped a spoonful, smiled, and said, “Miss Danran is quite clever. I wonder if she takes after General Qu or the general’s wife?”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Feeling speechless, Qu Yunmie didn’t respond to Xiao Rong’s question and continued watching the scene unfold.

Agusheja, clearly unaware of these behind-the-scenes details, looked a bit stiff. Meanwhile, Danran and the patient worked together to explain the free clinic’s purpose and rules, completing their task. Finally, the man extended his arm, and with a stern face, Agusheja reached out, pressed his arm a couple of times, and then swiftly popped it back into place.

The man had been suffering from a recurring dislocation, his arm would dislocate with even the slightest movement. He also happened to have a booming voice, so he had been chosen to play the role of a “plant” in the crowd.

Being a plant was one thing, but he hadn’t expected Agusheja to actually reset his bone. He had endured enough pain from bone-setting recently, so just as he was about to cry out in pain, he realized his arm had been reset.

This time, his reaction wasn’t fake—he was genuinely surprised as he looked at Agusheja. “It doesn’t hurt! It really doesn’t hurt!”

Agusheja didn’t want to look at him. She picked out a pack of herbs and handed it to him. “Boil this into a paste and apply it to the joint. Change it after four hours. Do this three times, and it should heal.”

The man thanked her profusely and left, clearly overjoyed. As soon as he left, another person immediately took his place.

It was a similar situation. After some small talk about how they were injured and a few questions about why the Butewu tribe was skilled in treating injuries, they made sure everyone nearby could hear. Soon, the plants had gathered all the information about the Butewu tribe, and the cautious expressions on the townspeople’s faces gradually began to disappear.

All fear stems from ignorance. Once they learned that the Butewu people were simply hunters living in the mountains, spending their days hunting, tanning hides, and gathering herbs and fruits, many realized it wasn’t so different from the lives of some in the Central Plains. Every mountain had its own mountain folk.

The Central Plains people were most afraid of nomadic Huhar tribes who had no permanent homeland and raided wherever they went. Yet the Butewu tribe didn’t herd livestock and had their own roots. They had only come down from the mountains because they had no other way to survive.

As Xiao Rong listened to the townspeople’s whispered conversations, he felt that the time was right. He picked up a piece of charcoal beside him and tossed it out of the window.

Receiving the signal, Jian Qiao immediately pricked up his ears, then made a dramatic entrance, limping in on his bad leg.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Even you’re joining in on this?

Jian Qiao: I’m not just joining in, I’m the one running this whole show.

…

What had come before was just an appetizer. The real highlight was Jian Qiao’s lines.

Agusheja was completely numb by now. She watched as Jian Qiao, who had been perfectly fine yesterday, hobbled over to her, not explaining what happened but first chatting with Danran.

He immediately asked Danran a question, one that naturally followed the previous person’s. “So, why didn’t you have a way to survive?”

Danran answered, “Because of that big snowstorm thirty years ago.”

Wow—the townspeople were thoroughly stirred.

The snowstorm from thirty years ago was a shared trauma for everyone. Having gone through the same hardship made it easy to build a connection. Most of the people still living here were natives of Chenliu, and though they were far from the Butewu tribe back then, they had endured the same bitter struggles.

Now some of the townspeople began to approach them, asking about what the Butewu tribe had gone through during that time. Did people freeze to death? Danran should have been the one answering, but an elderly Butewu woman from the back couldn’t hold back any longer. She, too, had wanted to talk about the events from thirty years ago!

Excited, she shared that not only did people freeze to death, but many starved as well. Her own sister had starved to death in that snowstorm. All the mountain roads were buried in snow, making hunting impossible. Those who ventured out risked getting lost in the blizzard, and the food they had stored wasn’t enough. Back then, many of the elders chose to take their own lives, leaving more food for the younger ones.

It was truly tragic. The people listening had tears in their eyes and began sharing their own stories. The rivers had frozen over, their clothes weren’t warm enough, and some who went out to gather firewood froze to death in the streets. Huddling at home didn’t help because they had neither fuel nor food. They were city folk without land, and the grain merchants raised prices to extortionate levels, making it impossible for ordinary people to afford anything. Eventually, the grain shops just closed, refusing to sell at all. Every day, they heard the cries of their neighbors, and every day, they saw bodies wrapped in straw mats being thrown out.

Oh dear, now everyone’s emotions have been stirred. The painful memories from thirty years ago weren’t that far in the past, and it wasn’t just one year of snow—there had been snow every year since, though none as bad as that first storm. More and more people gathered, sharing the hardships they had endured over the years. In that moment, it didn’t matter whether they were from the Central Plains or the Butewu tribe—everyone felt an overwhelming urge to cry together

In such a heartfelt moment, Xiao Rong actually grew a little anxious. Don’t just cry—someone needs to raise the tone and elevate the conversation!

He was too far away to intervene, and it wouldn’t be right for him to suddenly jump into the crowd. Fortunately, Danran stepped up. Although Xiao Rong hadn’t assigned her this task, seeing the adults so heartbroken, she instinctively spoke up. “This kind of thing won’t happen again! Young Master Xiao has brought many things to help people stay warm, and he also said he’ll teach everyone how to build heated kang beds. Young Master Xiao said there won’t be any more people freezing to death in Chenliu this year, and next year, there won’t be anyone freezing to death north of the Han River either. We came to treat people because Young Master Xiao recommended it. He said it’s a good deed that will help us improve our medical skills while easing everyone’s suffering. We’ll do our best—this is how we’re saying thank you!”

The people gathered around were deeply moved when they heard this and began to say:

“Young Master Xiao is a good man.”

“A really good man.”

“My grandfather broke his leg a few days ago. Can you treat that?”

…

The decoys had successfully completed their task and could now withdraw. Some people continued discussing events from thirty years ago, but genuine patients and their families also began to inquire about medical treatment. Qu Yunmie, amazed, watched the area around Huichun Hall. In less than half an hour, it had gone from nearly deserted to bustling with people.

Finally, he turned back, intending to express his admiration for Xiao Rong. Who would have thought a few fake patients could have such an effect?

However, when he looked at Xiao Rong, he noticed that his expression had turned as dark as the bottom of a pot.

Qu Yunmie: “…What’s wrong with you?”

Xiao Rong… couldn’t put his feelings into words.

Such a great opportunity, the perfect moment to win the favor of the townspeople, and somehow it had all been credited to Danran!

What good was it to win the favor of the common people? They didn’t even know who he was! Qu Yunmie was the one who needed this reputation boost!

Now it was too late to say anything. When Danran got excited, she blurted out everything. Xiao Rong used to think this was a useful trait, especially for gathering information, but now, he wasn’t so sure.

Danran had brought both success and failure.

Xiao Rong took a deep breath, trying to refocus, but his emotions were hard to control, and he still found Danran a bit irritating.

Narrowing his eyes, Xiao Rong suddenly asked Qu Yunmie, “Which one of those people is Danran’s mother?”

He wanted to identify Madam Qu and find a chance to complain later.

…

Qu Yunmie was startled. He turned around, carefully scanning the crowd before shaking his head at Xiao Rong. “None of them. Though my sister-in-law lives with them, she rarely goes out. She definitely wouldn’t come to an event like this.”

Xiao Rong frowned. “If she keeps isolating herself like that, she’ll make herself sick.”

Qu Yunmie understood that, but as her brother-in-law, there wasn’t much he could do.

Lowering his gaze, he said, “Ever since my elder brother passed away, she’s been like this. They were childhood sweethearts and deeply in love. She’s never been able to accept his death.”

Xiao Rong blinked. “So, Madam Qu’s father was also in the Northern Army?”

Qu Yunmie shook his head. “No, her father passed away early. Her family was originally from Youzhou. One day, a group of refugees broke into their estate, killed everyone, and looted their belongings. She and her mother escaped but lost all the valuables they had brought with them. With no other options, they couldn’t reach their relatives in the south, so they had to beg their way to Yanmen Pass. They collapsed from hunger on the official road, and it was my brother, returning from hunting, who brought them back. That’s how their marriage came to be.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He pressed his lips together in silence. Was this marriage a blessing or a curse? Though they had loved each other, they were now separated by life and death. Danran had even been born posthumously, meaning the couple hadn’t been married for long. Now, Madam Qu was left widowed at such a young age, living like a ghost, spending the rest of her life in memories and pain. Was a life so full of sorrow really worth it?

Even though he thought this, Xiao Rong knew he wasn’t in a position to judge. The love between them must have been so precious that losing it had caused this unbearable pain. Xiao Rong had never experienced such feelings, so he couldn’t understand.

With a soft sigh, Xiao Rong changed the subject. “Huang Yanjiong has been gone for some time now. The letters you prepared for the King can be sent out.”

He was referring to the invitations Qu Yunmie had already written, inviting powerful princes and warlords to join forces in attacking the Xianbei. Qu Yunmie nodded, offering no further comment.

Xiao Rong looked at him and added, “With such a grand plan, the Xianbei must have already caught wind of it. Make sure to notify the soldiers guarding Yanmen Pass. They mustn’t let their guard down.”

Hearing this, Qu Yunmie chuckled. “Don’t worry, the Northern Army never naps.”

Xiao Rong also smiled, though his smile wasn’t as sincere as Qu Yunmie’s. He trusted Qu Yunmie’s abilities in leading an army and maintaining strict discipline, but he didn’t trust his skill in managing his subordinates.

Otherwise, why had his army suddenly shrunk by half in the historical records? Even if they lost a battle, there was no reason for 200,000 men to disappear overnight. There could only be one explanation: he had been betrayed, and the one who betrayed him held enough power and respect to take half the Northern Army with them.

Xiao Rong hadn’t planned to bring this up so soon. Circumstances were different now, and many things might not happen the same way, but he was still curious. He wanted to know how Qu Yunmie viewed his so-called loyal brothers.

“May I ask, Your Majesty, who is the person you trust the most in this world?”

Qu Yunmie was taken aback. To Xiao Rong, this seemed like a simple question, and not particularly sensitive. Yet Qu Yunmie glanced at him several times before cautiously answering, “Gao Xunzhi, Old Wu, and you—none of them in any particular order.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Who asked about the order?!

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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