Chapter Thirty-Four: The Memorial of Xiao Zhi

Xiao Zhi used the name of the Henan Prefect to send a 400-li emergency dispatch, effectively masking his true identity.

Upon hearing that an emergency dispatch had arrived from Henan, Qin Yong immediately guessed it was a letter from Xiao Zhi. Seeing Hu Bao holding a large parcel, Qin Yong asked skeptically, "What kind of treasure has Xiao Zhi obtained?"

When opened, it contained a sealed memorial and a large, sealed box. The memorial was naturally for Qin Yong, while the box was clearly marked: "To be opened personally by Princess Changping."

Receiving a gift for the Princess while he only received a memorial made Qin Yong frown; something felt off.

"Open it. Let Me see what is inside," Qin Yong commanded Hu Bao.

The Chief Eunuch looked troubled and stole a cautious glance at Qin Yong. Seeing that the Emperor was in a good mood, he ventured, "Your Majesty, are you not afraid that if the wax seal is broken, Princess Changping will pull your hair?"

"I imagine there are no secrets, just some curiosities. The Princess stays indoors most of the time; she likely needs some novelties to pass the time."

Qin Yong thought it reasonable. His sister had a difficult life, so he felt embarrassed to pry. The box would stay with him, and perhaps when the Princess came to retrieve it, she would open it right there.

"Go inform the Princess that Xiao Zhi has brought her something."

Hu Bao sighed in relief and hurriedly agreed, only daring to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead once he stepped outside.

Qin Yong opened Xiao Zhi's memorial. It was written in charcoal, the strokes bold and vigorous—a unique style in all the world. The memorial was brief, detailing only a few matters.

The first was the "hand-thrown thunder." Xiao Zhi had taken all the existing ones before leaving the capital, but those remaining at the Imperial City Bureau continued production. Xiao Zhi suggested sending these to the border city. It wasn't that the border city was closest to the Northern Barbarians, but it had seen fewer conflicts in the past, making its defenses the most lax. The Northern Barbarian King was a brilliant strategist, and Xiao Zhi suspected he would be unable to resist a surprise attack on the border. After all, a massive firecracker had been set off in his royal camp, killing many—could the Barbarian King truly swallow that insult? Currently, production was too low, so the Great Chu could only gamble on which point the Barbarians would attack.

After witnessing the power of the hand-thrown thunder, Qin Yong had considered mass production by the Ministry of Works, but eventually abandoned the idea. Once mass-produced, it would be difficult to keep secret, and at the very least, the Ministry was not yet trustworthy. Thus, Qin Yong accepted Xiao Zhi's suggestion to build a base in Ghost Valley. Once completed, those living within would not be allowed to leave at will, and outsiders would be forbidden from entering. While the workers seemed to lose their freedom, in this era, countless people would gladly trade it for good food, clothing, and housing—a life of happiness far exceeding that of most. History was full of such examples; for instance, the forging of weapons was often done in entirely enclosed towns, with some craftsmen spending their entire lives inside.

Iron-smelting technology was already treated with such caution, so the formula for black powder, which surpassed this era, required even stricter protection.

The second matter was a report of his travel route, intended to put Qin Yong at ease. Although Xiao Zhi held no official rank, he was effectively serving as a general abroad. Since the Emperor feared rebellion, Xiao Zhi reported his movements in real-time to demonstrate his loyalty. The rest were trivial matters, such as polite inquiries.

Setting down the memorial, Qin Yong immediately ordered the Imperial City Bureau to transport the hand-thrown thunder to the border city and issued a secret decree to Qin Chuan. Whether the Northern Barbarian King would target the border city, even Xiao Zhi did not know; it was merely a guess based on existing intelligence. Moreover, the border city was not far from other garrisons, allowing for rapid reinforcement should war break out.

Hu Bao left the palace and headed straight for the Princess Changping’s residence without delay.

When he arrived, the Princess was in a small pavilion feeding fish, looking distracted. She looked up at the sky and sighed. She tossed some fish food into the water and sighed again. Annoyed, she tossed the entire plate of fish food into the water, drawing a swarm of fish. But she lost interest, sat at the stone table, and stared blankly.

It was at this very table that Xiao Zhi had sat across from her, telling her those strange, fantastical tales.

"Is the world you come from really that good?"

"Will you return to that world one day?"

"Then there will be no you in this world."

"Without you, the world loses its color; what meaning is left?"

"If only I could go to that world with you..."

The Princess was completely unaware she was murmuring to herself, not even noticing when Tong Yuan approached.

"Your Highness?"

"Your Highness?"

After a few calls, Princess Changping returned to her senses and looked at Tong Yuan, "What is it? Has he returned?"

Tong Yuan giggled and said, "Eunuch Hu is here. He said Lord Xiao sent something to the palace via a 400-li emergency dispatch. There is something for you, kept with His Majesty."

Princess Changping didn't even stop to wonder why Qin Yong had asked her to go retrieve it instead of having the eunuch deliver it directly. The Princess drifted into the palace like a gust of wind, her long, snow-white sleeves trailing behind her.

"Imperial Brother, where is it?"

Qin Yong had never seen the usually composed and wise Princess Changping so flustered. He pointed casually at the box placed to the side.

Princess Changping smiled radiantly, picked up the box, inspected it from every angle, and then opened it with extreme care.

Eunuch Hu glanced at Qin Yong, thinking, *Your Majesty, it is a good thing I am a eunuch; if you had opened this, the Princess would be pulling your hair right now.*

Inside the box were stacks of loose papers, appearing somewhat disorganized. On top lay a letter, upon which Xiao Zhi had drawn a small heart. Princess Changping did not know what this strange symbol meant, but she thought it looked lovely.

She opened the letter; it contained only a few lines, also written in charcoal. Princess Changping recognized the writing—Xiao Zhi’s charcoal script was robust and full of character, impossible to forget once seen.

*Radiant and beautiful, your skin like snow, dispelling the heat. Delicate clouds loosely frame your neck, your dark hair richer than if washed. A faint flush of red, like a peach blossom in bloom. No other flowers can compare. A fragrance of heaven, a beauty of the nation, even spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums pale in comparison.*

*Meeting you, I regret it was not sooner, our hearts entwined. Since parting, I only recall your celestial grace; the path is blocked by the jade flute. Where are the twelve railings, the ethereal terrace? A time for our reunion is yet to be divined. I pour all my longing into these few words, a lingering嘱托 before the wine cup.*

This was a *Liuyueling* poem by Fang Qianli.

Princess Changping read it through twice, her joy growing with each word. She carefully tucked the papers back, pressed them against her chest, closed her eyes slightly, and let out a long, soft breath.

Seeing the moisture in the corners of Princess Changping’s eyes, Qin Yong asked, "Linghua, what is written in the letter? Has Xiao Zhi offended you?"

Qin Yong, as Emperor, had every woman he could desire, and all of them fawned over him. How could he understand the taste of longing? Seeing the tears in the Princess's eyes, he concluded that Xiao Zhi had committed an offense.

"Oh, my Emperor, how would Lord Xiao dare to offend Princess Changping?"

Eunuch Hu was at a loss for words. *Good heavens, even I, a man without roots, can see it—how can you not understand?*

Princess Changping rolled her eyes at Qin Yong, looking slightly haughty. "Imperial Brother, mind your own business."

Since she said so, Qin Yong was happy to drop the matter, his attention having been drawn to the drawings in the box. The stacks of paper were filled with strange pictures, each little figure vivid and lifelike, with circles extending from their heads containing lines of text.