The carriage sped along the road leading away from the capital, finally stopping on a small path.
Two people alighted from the carriage: a white-haired elder in official robes, and another man of handsome appearance.
"The journey is long, and I can only accompany you this far. Please take good care of yourself, young master," Yu Ji said respectfully, bowing low.
"Uncle Yu, please rise quickly," Qiao Weihai stepped forward and helped Yu Ji up.
Yu Ji looked up, his eyes filled with reluctance. "Young master, you've just escaped from the wolves and are now heading into the tiger's den. The County King..."
Qiao Weihai smiled. "So what? As long as I'm alive, I can avenge the blood feud, can't I?"
Yu Ji paused slightly, seemingly surprised by his words.
Qiao Weihai withdrew his smile and gazed towards the capital, a brilliant spark flashing in his eyes.
"Uncle Yu, serve the Empress well. One day, when I return, I hope to see the Empress standing alone."
"Young master..."
He merely smiled and shook his head. Whether in the past, present, or future, she was always out of reach, unattainable.
But forever in his heart.
He turned, leaving behind a light remark, "I will return."
At that time, he would stand before her in his best form.
Yu Ji bowed. "Young master, take care!"
The carriage gradually disappeared from Yu Ji's sight.
Three days later, Dong Ling Pass.
"Young master, would you like to go down and take a look?" Cui Ying asked, looking at the three large characters, Dong Ling Pass, on the city gate seen through the carriage window.
Qiao Weihai slowly closed his eyes. "Let's go!"
Cui Ying nodded. "Yes, young master."
After another day's journey, the carriage drove out of Dong Ling Pass.
Qiao Weihai, who had been closing his eyes, suddenly opened them. "Stop."
Cui Ying quickly said to the coachman outside, "Stop."
The carriage halted, and Qiao Weihai impatiently alighted.
He looked up at the three large characters above the city gate, tears faintly welling in his eyes.
This place where he was born and raised, he was now leaving.
"Young master, it's getting late. You should enter Fenzhou quickly," Cui Ying said.
Qiao Weihai withdrew his gaze. "Let's go!" He would return.
Cui Ying nodded. "Yes, young master."
Fenzhou, Xue Country.
Qiao Weihai looked at the prosperous scenery outside, somewhat shocked.
He remembered hearing only of Xue Country's past decline and ruin, and its people's suffering. But what he saw now was beyond his expectations.
Cui Ying observed his expression and said, "This is all thanks to the Crown Prince. Xue Country is very prosperous now."
Qiao Weihai said slowly, "This Crown Prince is truly an extraordinary person."
He had heard the rumors about the Crown Prince.
A legendary figure.
It was said he was extraordinarily handsome. Because of his extreme beauty, no one had ever seen his true face; people had only ever seen him wearing a mask.
The moving carriage suddenly stopped.
Qiao Weihai looked at Cui Ying.
Cui Ying suddenly knelt in the carriage and bowed. "Young master, someone wishes to see you."
Qiao Weihai was startled. "Who?"
Cui Ying replied, "The Crown Prince."
Qiao Weihai trembled. "The... Crown Prince?"
Cui Ying nodded. "Yes."
"Where... where?"
"Outside."
Qiao Weihai quickly got out of the carriage and saw a figure in white, as if adorned with snow, standing on a nearby hillside.
In the whistling wind, the white robes fluttered.
He stood there, like a statue.
Qiao Weihai stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Your Highness."
"Young Master Qiao, welcome to Xue Country."
A faint voice emanated from his lips.
"May I ask why Your Highness seeks my presence?" Qiao Weihai inquired.
The man turned. He saw a silver mask on his face, covering half of it. "Xue Zhaoyuan is currently recruiting soldiers and buying horses. I require Young Master Qiao's assistance."
Qiao Weihai was taken aback and said, "Since Your Highness knows, why not stop it?"
The Crown Prince said lightly, "I have other matters to attend to. No one is more suitable than Young Master Qiao to handle this."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Weihai chuckled softly. "Your Highness, I am from Huangze. Aren't you afraid I will defect?"
The Crown Prince was not angered by his words. "You will not."
Qiao Weihai was stunned. "Your Highness, you trust me too much, don't you?"
"Because Xue Zhaoyuan is colluding with the Regent of Huangze. If Young Master Qiao can still live peacefully with those who destroyed his clan, what is there left in this world worth protecting?" the Crown Prince said coldly, looking at him.
Qiao Weihai trembled, his gaze turning icy. "Are you telling the truth?"
"I never speak falsehoods."
"Very well, I can work for Your Highness, but I have a condition."
"Speak," the Crown Prince uttered a single word.
"I want the Regent's head," Qiao Weihai said, word by word.
"This, I may not be able to guarantee."
"Your Highness cannot do it?"
The Crown Prince glanced at him lightly. "It is not that it cannot be done, but that there are family laws and national regulations. The Regent's judgment is most appropriately rendered by the Empress of Huangze."
Qiao Weihai blinked. He hadn't considered this. "Alright, I agree."
"One month is the deadline," the Crown Prince stated.
"I will do my best," Qiao Weihai bowed.
After a long silence with no response, Qiao Weihai looked up. Where had the Crown Prince gone?
He hadn't even noticed when he left.
Returning to the carriage, Cui Ying asked, "Shall we set off, young master?"
"Are you someone from the Crown Prince?" Qiao Weihai suddenly asked.
Cui Ying was startled and nodded after a moment. "Yes."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Weihai asked again, "My mother..."
Cui Ying nodded. "Madam is also with the Crown Prince."
Qiao Weihai nodded. "Was it deliberate when Mother reunited with Father back then?"
Cui Ying was startled.
"Do not hide it from me."
Cui Ying lowered her eyes. "Yes."
Qiao Weihai gazed into the distance, his tone icy. "What does the Crown Prince intend to do? Unify the world?"
Cui Ying trembled and quickly knelt. "Young master..."
Qiao Weihai suddenly smiled again, his tone even colder than before. "What he does, I do not wish to know, nor do I wish to ask. But, you go back and tell your master not to think of eyeing Huangze. Otherwise, even if it means spilling every drop of my blood, I will stop him."
"Yes, young master," Cui Ying replied.
"Let's go!" Qiao Weihai closed his eyes and said slowly.
The carriage entered Fenzhou.
Imperial Study.
Yu Ji bowed. "Your Majesty, Young Master Qiao has left Huangze."
Xue Zining looked up. "Lord Yu, thank you."
Yu Ji was surprised. "Your Majesty, you flatter this old servant. In fact, Young Master Qiao left willingly."
He saw the young girl rise and stand there. For some reason, he could imagine that day when the Empress would stand over this land of Huangze.
For this, he needed to continue to strive.
"I must also work hard," Xue Zining said slowly, gazing into the distance.