Chapter 105

The news of the crisis at the northern border city arrived suddenly; by the time it reached the military camp, it was already deep night. Quan Quan Aoyu stood inside the tent, gazing outward. The cold wind howled bleakly, as if snow were about to fall. His brows were tightly furrowed, his demeanor solemn, and he held a secret report tightly in his hand.

"Your Highness, Your Majesty summons you to return to the palace immediately." A guard's voice came from outside the tent.

Quan Quan Aoyu did not turn around, merely responding with a single word: "Understood."

Quan Quan Aoyu turned, cloaked in heaviness with a thick cloak, and walked out of the tent. The cold wind pierced the bone. He raised his head to gaze at the pitch-black night sky, his mind filled with myriad thoughts. Rebellion brewed within the northern border city, and the Northern Kingdom took the opportunity to invade; Beicheng hung by a thread. He must make a decision as soon as possible.

"Your Highness, the carriage is ready." The guard reminded him in a low voice.

Quan Quan Aoyu nodded and strode toward the carriage. Inside, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had arrived a step earlier.

"Quan Aoyu, what is the situation?" As soon as Quan Quan Aoyu settled, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin immediately asked.

Quan Quan Aoyu handed her the secret report and said in a heavy voice: "Beicheng suffers a snow disaster. Within lies rebellion; without, the Northern Kingdom's great army approaches. Grain and forage within the city are scarce; the soldiers lack clothing and food. They are afraid they cannot hold out much longer. The common people are in panic. We must reinforce them as soon as possible."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin quickly scanned the secret report, her brows furrowing tighter and tighter. "Your Majesty summoning us back to the palace is likely for this matter as well."

"Jun Zijin, the situation at the northern border is critical. I must personally lead the troops to campaign." Quan Quan Aoyu furrowed his brows tightly. "Jun Zijin, this time I need your support."

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's expression sharpened. Her gaze fixed tightly on Quan Quan Aoyu, her tone carrying a mix of concern and firmness:

"Very well. Whatever decision you make, I will be by your side. Only, the situation at the northern border is complex. Rebellion and the Northern Kingdom's great army strike from within and without. This journey is fraught with extreme peril. You must be extremely careful. Leave Jingcheng to me."

Quan Quan Aoyu took Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's hand. "Rest assured. I will be fine. Jingcheng is by no means a safe place either; you must also be careful."

The carriage sped through the night. The cold wind whistled past. By the time they returned to Jingcheng, it was already the Yin hour.

Quan Quan Aoyu went straight to the imperial palace, while Seeing Jun Jun Zijin went straight to her Junzhudian. Quan Quan Aoyu was to campaign at the northern border; she had to gather everyone together. No matter what, they must rush to produce the down jackets. She could not let him have any worries behind him.

Inside Junzhudian, lights burned brightly. Miss Huasheng was already waiting at the door. Hanxiao and Miaozhu were both inside Junzhudian, leading everyone in rushing the work.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin stood straight in the center of the main hall, her expression serious, her voice clear, cold, firm, and powerful:

"Do all of you know that the Crown Prince will soon personally lead a great army to campaign at the northern border? The journey is long, and the lands of the northern border are even more bitterly cold. Therefore, we bear a heavy responsibility—we must, before the Crown Prince departs, urgently produce twenty thousand down jackets! This is by no means easy; it is truly an extremely arduous task. However, even with difficulties piling up, we have no reason to retreat! The soldiers ahead are fighting with blood and life, throwing their heads and spilling their hot blood to protect our homes and country, to guard our dynasty's people and territory. At this very moment, we are in the rear. Though we cannot go to the battlefield to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with them, we must still do our utmost to ensure perfect logistical support. So, let us work with one heart, seize every second, and must complete the production of these twenty thousand down jackets on time! Additionally, double the wages for all workers!"

Originally, the plan was for ten thousand down jackets, but now that Quan Quan Aoyu was leading troops to reinforce, it meant more warm clothing was needed.

The craftsmen nodded one after another. One worker shouted loudly: "

The Crown Prince fears no hardship and danger, personally leading the campaign. The Princess Junzhudian, for the sake of the country and the people, fears no toil. We are willing to work day and night, giving our all. Moreover, there is such generous pay. Everyone, do you agree?"

The craftsmen responded in unison, their morale soaring.

On Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's side, the workshop immediately became bustling. The sound of cutting, the sound of sewing, the sounds of workers talking in low voices. Before dawn, the workers who purchased feathers had already gone out. Now that they had to make twenty thousand warm garments, they had to not only collect feathers but also gather wool and rabbit fur, all brought back together. On Seeing Jun Jun Zijin's side, she was busy beyond measure.

On Quan Quan Aoyu's side, upon returning to the palace, he went straight to the Imperial Study. The Emperor was sitting at the desk, his demeanor solemn. Seeing Quan Quan Aoyu enter, he looked at him with complex eyes: "Yu'er, have you already learned of the matter at the northern border?"

The Emperor's gaze made Quan Quan Aoyu's heart tighten. Around Emperor Tianqi lay four other kingdoms: the Northern Kingdom, the Southern Kingdom, Shudu, and Eastern Zhou. The Northern Kingdom and Eastern Zhou had always eyed Emperor Tianqi greedily. If Beicheng could not be held, it would inevitably trigger turmoil in the Eastern City, even an attack by Eastern Zhou. If Emperor Tianqi suffered a siege by two kingdoms, the consequences would be unimaginable.

He took a deep breath, bowed, and performed a ritual greeting: "Father Emperor, your son has received the secret report. The situation at the northern border is critical. Your son requests to personally lead the troops to campaign and resolve the crisis of the border city."

The Emperor's brows were tightly furrowed, his tone carrying a trace of anxiety: "Yu'er, the rebellion in Beicheng and the Northern Kingdom's great army strike from within and without. This journey is fraught with extreme peril. I have already ordered the General Who Guards the Nation to lead troops to reinforce. You need not go personally."

A surge of urgency rose in Quan Quan Aoyu's heart. He understood that his father was concerned for him, but this was a responsibility he must shoulder. He could not avoid it, nor would he avoid it.

He raised his head, his gaze firm: "Father Emperor, although the General is brave and skilled in battle, the situation at the northern border is complex. Unless your son goes personally, it will be difficult to stabilize the morale of the army and the people. Furthermore, your son has once been to the northern border region. For this campaign, only your son can do it."

The Emperor remained silent for a long time, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes: "Yu'er, you are the son I value most. I do not wish for you to risk your life. I promised your mother that I would surely protect you completely."

A wave of emotion moved Quan Quan Aoyu's heart, but he knew this was not the time for sentimentality. He stepped forward, his tone firm: "Father Emperor, your son understands your concerns, but with national disaster at hand, your son cannot retreat. Please, Father Emperor, grant your son's wish."

The Emperor sighed deeply and finally nodded: "Very well. Since your mind is made up, I will no longer obstruct you. But you must promise me to take good care of yourself. I will wait for your safe return."

Quan Quan Aoyu nodded solemnly: "Your son will certainly not fail the trust Father Emperor has placed in him."

Just as each side was nervously preparing for war, the cold wind howled outside. Before long, snow began to fall in Jingcheng.

Seeing Jun Jun Zijin stood in the courtyard of Junzhudian, gazing at the snowflakes dancing across the sky, her brows tightly furrowed. Snow had fallen in Jingcheng; the northern border must be even more bitterly cold. The warriors at the northern border were still holding fast in the cold wind. She must rush to produce this batch of warm clothing as soon as possible. Workers bustled back and forth in the courtyard, needles and threads in their hands moving swiftly, as if racing against time.

Late at night, Seeing Jun Jun Zijin had sent someone to deliver a message to the Old Lady early: "Grandmother, the temperature in Jingcheng has suddenly plummeted. Please take good care of your health. Your granddaughter is busy abroad making winter clothes for the northern border soldiers. Do not worry."

At the Jun family residence, the Old Lady instructed Wang Nainai to simmer soup for Seeing Jun Jun Zijin. But the snow outside fell without stopping, and Seeing Jun Jun Zijin did not return to the residence all night. Everyone in the various courtyards hid in their rooms warming themselves by the fire. The second daughter was too busy to return. The Old Lady felt both heartache and worry, had not slept well all night, and her spirit was somewhat weak, so she lay slumped against the head of the bed without getting up.

Wang Nainai was comforting the Old Lady, who was worried about Seeing Jun Jun Zijin, when she heard Li Shi's sharp voice from outside: