Chapter 51: Departure

In late November, the first snow of this winter month fell softly on the ground.

Feng Bai Su lifted the heavy cotton curtain and walked in. She saw Wei Jing Mo sitting by the flower-patterned window, admiring the snowy scenery outside. He was wrapped in a fluffy cloak, with an exquisite small charcoal brazier at his feet. He looked completely at ease.

She immediately stopped in her tracks, looking down at the unmelted snowflakes on her body, feeling the coolness on her face that hadn’t yet warmed up. A strange sense of jealousy rose in her heart.

Why did she have to diligently go to work on such a snowy day?

Wei Jing Mo heard movement at the door and instinctively turned his head.

He saw Feng Bai Su standing there, her peach blossom eyes filled with complex emotions. He seemed to see envy in them.

Wei Jing Mo: “…”

He must have seen wrong, right?

He immediately got up and walked towards her, “Your Highness, you’re back!”

Seeing him approach, Feng Bai Su quickly stopped him, “Don’t come over yet, I’m too cold.”

As she spoke, she brushed off the snow on her body and took off her cloak, sitting by the charcoal stove to warm up.

Only when her body temperature rose did she pull Wei Jing Mo to sit on the soft couch inside.

“It’s so cold outside, yet you’re sitting by the window. Aren’t you afraid of catching a chill?”

Wei Jing Mo watched as she felt his hands, then touched his cheeks, only stopping when she found them warm.

A warmth flowed through his heart, his ink-black eyes shimmering. He raised the corners of his mouth, “I’m not cold, there’s always a charcoal stove burning in the room.”

“Why is Your Highness back so early today? Isn’t the Capital Prefecture busy?”

As soon as Feng Bai Su sat on the soft couch, she relaxed, her body unconsciously leaning back, half-lying on the cushions.

Her voice became casual, “The heavy snow has blocked half the street, and the Capital Prefecture happens to be surrounded. I got halfway there, saw it was impassable, and came back.”

“I see.”

Wei Jing Mo nodded, his expression somewhat worried, “This snow hasn’t stopped since last night, and even now shows no signs of weakening. Who knows how long it will continue.”

“Even the Imperial Astronomer’s Observatory didn’t predict this heavy snow. It caught everyone off guard. I wonder what the situation is like in other areas.”

Feng Bai Su’s voice was low, her face serious.

If even the streets in Feng Ling City were blocked, the situation in remote areas must be even more severe. Who knows if it might cause a snow disaster.

——

From that day on, the heavy snow continued for half a month. As Feng Bai Su had predicted, various snow disasters occurred in different regions.

In the past few days, reports from local officials requesting support from the court arrived daily.

This snow disaster could be said to be the largest natural disaster Feng Ling Country had encountered in nearly fifty years.

The disaster occurred suddenly, unpredictably, and affected a wide area. It could be said that it shook the entire court from top to bottom.

Especially the Emperor, who was overwhelmed by this widespread snow disaster. She dispatched all available personnel from the court.

Even so, the reports from local areas still poured in daily like a flood.

The Emperor was furious!

She issued several decrees reprimanding the incompetence of local officials, and even repeatedly warned the feudal kings in their fiefs.

Finally, with no other option, she even appointed several princesses to govern the severely affected areas.

The Sichuan-Shu region, with its many treacherous mountains, was the most severely affected area in this snow disaster.

Most villagers’ houses were buried by heavy snow, causing significant casualties and damage in the area.

Moreover, the Sichuan-Shu region is rugged and complex, harboring many bandits. These violent elements even took advantage of this snow disaster to start burning, killing, and looting in the area, causing considerable chaos.

The officials stationed in this area were even killed by them during the chaos.

The Gongyang King, residing in Shu, immediately sent three urgent orders, hoping the Emperor would quickly dispatch people to support.

As soon as the Emperor received the urgent orders, she immediately appointed Feng Bai Wei to go and assist in governance.

Thinking this was already the most serious matter, who knew that news suddenly came from the Southern Yi.

Because this snow disaster affected such a wide area, even the Southern Yi barbarian tribes were affected. To protect their people’s livelihood, they took the opportunity to instigate the surrounding 36 tribes to invade the borders of Feng Ling Country.

General Wei Yang was seriously injured when engaging the enemy forces due to being outnumbered. With no one to lead the army in the border area guarding Southern Yi, they had to send an urgent order overnight, hoping the court would dispatch troops to support.

The order subtly suggested hoping the Northern Garrison King would lead troops to support.

But the Emperor had finally managed to keep the Northern Garrison King confined within Feng Ling City, how could she easily let her out again?

Unfortunately, when it rains, it pours. Many areas were hit by snow disasters again, and all available personnel from the court had already been dispatched. Even Feng Bai Wei, whom she favored, had been assigned a mission.

For a moment, the situation became quite thorny!

During the court session, someone from below suggested sending the Seventh Princess Feng Bai Su.

Firstly, as a princess, Feng Bai Su’s noble status would naturally have a unifying effect among those scattered military officers.

Secondly, Feng Bai Su and the Northern Garrison King’s heir apparent were wife and husband, and the Mighty General Wei Yang guarding Southern Yi was Wei Jing Mo’s elder sister. If Feng Bai Su went to Southern Yi, she could integrate better and wouldn’t be rejected by those soldiers.

All things considered, at this time, Feng Bai Su turned out to be the most suitable candidate!

The Emperor didn’t immediately agree in court, but after another urgent report came two days later, she finally issued an edict to the Seventh Princess’s residence.

Feng Bai Su was appointed as the Vanguard General, leading an army of 100,000 to support Southern Yi, with the imperative to drive back the Southern Yi barbarian tribes!

After receiving the imperial edict, Feng Bai Su was stunned for a long time. She hadn’t expected this task to fall on her.

The edict was issued urgently, ordering Feng Bai Su to set out immediately in three days. The transfer order for the 100,000 troops had already been issued earlier that day.

When Wei Jing Mo learned of this news, he immediately went to the study to find Feng Bai Su.

As soon as he entered, he anxiously asked, “Your Highness, is it true that Mother Emperor has ordered you to go to Southern Yi for support?”

Feng Bai Su was still holding the imperial edict at this time. Hearing Wei Jing Mo’s voice, she looked up.

Seeing this, Wei Jing Mo paused, instantly understanding the answer.

He was silent for a long time, then asked hoarsely, “…When will you depart?”

“In three days.”

“Only three days.” Wei Jing Mo was dazed for a moment, “Then when will you return? When can you come back?”

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su was somewhat silent, her voice low, “The return date is undetermined, it might be…”

She didn’t finish her sentence, but Wei Jing Mo understood her meaning.

They had only been married for a little over a month, and suddenly hearing news of separation, without even a set return date.

Wei Jing Mo’s heart was naturally filled with reluctance.

But the imperial edict had been issued, and the situation in Southern Yi was urgent. Wei Jing Mo was equally concerned about his second elder sister’s condition, who was seriously injured there.

Various emotions intertwined, causing his eyes to redden involuntarily.

But fearing Feng Bai Su would see, he quickly lowered his head.

Feng Bai Su had somehow walked in front of him.

Wei Jing Mo’s slight emotional changes naturally didn’t escape her eyes.

She raised her hand to lift his chin, looking at his obviously reddened eyes, and softly said, “Do you want to come with me?”

“Can I?”

Wei Jing Mo choked up, his eyes brightening slightly, “Won’t it affect you?”

“How could you affect me?”

Feng Bai Su couldn’t help but chuckle lightly, a few traces of consideration crossing her face, “I also roughly understand the situation in Southern Yi. This war probably won’t end in a short time. It might be half a year at the shortest, or two to three years at the longest. If I leave you alone in Feng Ling City, I’d be worried. It’s better if you come with me.”

Her expression remained calm and natural, “There are also towns at the border, mostly inhabited by families of stationed troops. You can live there when the time comes. It’s also close to the garrison camp.”

“However,” her voice paused, then continued, “The environment at the border is harsh, conditions not comparable to Feng Ling City. If you come with me, you might suffer some hardships. Even so, do you still want to come with me?”

“I’m not afraid!”

Wei Jing Mo spoke hurriedly, as if fearing Feng Bai Su might change her mind.

He replied seriously, “I want to go with Your Highness. And I want to see second elder sister’s condition for myself to be at ease.”

“Mm… then come with me.”

Feng Bai Su raised an eyebrow slightly, smiling.

Then, her eyes moved slightly, as if thinking of something else, and she spoke unhurriedly, “We’ll set out for the border in three days. You can use this time to say goodbye to others first.”

Hearing this, Wei Jing Mo immediately let go of Feng Bai Su’s hand, saying hurriedly, “Then I’ll go back to the Northern Garrison King’s mansion now!”

With that, he turned and rushed out.

Feng Bai Su looked at his departing figure, shaking her head and chuckling softly.

The young Master Wei now showed no trace of his former cool composure!

——

Three days later, Feng Bai Su set out for the border with Wei Jing Mo.

Due to the urgency of the situation, they only prepared two carriages and one horse.

Wei Jing Mo sat in one carriage with Dong Qing and Dong Gua, while the other was loaded with supplies they needed for the journey.

Feng Bai Su rode on horseback.

For this border trip, Feng Bai Su didn’t bring Cong Bai along, but instead had her stay at the Seventh Princess’s residence to keep an eye on the movements within Feng Ling City.

When they reached the outer city gate, Feng Bai Su didn’t expect to encounter Feng Bai Wei.

Seeing her, she suddenly remembered that Feng Bai Wei had been appointed as an imperial envoy to govern the snow disaster in the Sichuan-Shu region, and her departure time seemed to be set for today as well.

Her travel arrangements were the same as Feng Bai Su’s. She rode a horse in front, with two carriages following behind.

As the wind blew the carriage curtain, Feng Bai Su seemed to see Shen Ruo sitting inside.

Seeing this, her eyebrows moved slightly. She was somewhat surprised that Feng Bai Wei would bring Shen Ruo along. She wondered what Feng Bai Wei was planning.

However, this was none of her business. Although she saw it, Feng Bai Su only glanced briefly before quickly averting her gaze.

After nodding to Feng Bai Wei in the distance, she continued to move forward.

It was Feng Bai Wei who suddenly rode her horse to Feng Bai Su’s side, looking at her with a smile and saying, “Seventh Imperial Sister, I didn’t expect you to set out at this time too. The Sichuan-Shu region and the Southern Yi border are in the same direction, why don’t we travel together?”

Her eyes were filled with smiles, sincerely inviting.

Hearing this, Feng Bai Su smiled back at her and nodded, “Then… I’d be delighted!”

The destinations of the two were indeed in the same direction, and there was only one road to take. Even if Feng Bai Su didn’t agree, what could she do?

Since Feng Bai Wei had intentionally invited her, Feng Bai Su saw no need to coldly refuse.

The two nodded and smiled at each other knowingly, then continued to move forward.

Inside the carriage, Wei Jing Mo heard the commotion outside and lifted a small corner of the curtain to look out.

He saw Feng Bai Wei riding her horse side by side with Feng Bai Su, with two carriages following behind her as well.

When his gaze fell on the front carriage, his expression paused slightly.

Dong Qing and Dong Gua, sitting beside him, also noticed the commotion outside and whispered in surprise, “Master, is that the Fifth Princess in front? She also has two carriages following her, could the young master be in one of them?”

Wei Jing Mo glanced out and then let the curtain fall.

Hearing the two’s words, he spoke calmly, “There’s no need to concern ourselves with that. Just follow Her Highness’s lead.”

After speaking, he closed his eyes and pretended to doze off.

Hearing this, Dong Qing and Dong Gua looked at each other.

Seeing Wei Jing Mo’s somewhat cold demeanor, neither of them spoke again, just sitting quietly in the corner.

On the other side, Shen Ruo sat in the carriage, with Lian’er and He’er by his side.

He naturally noticed the commotion outside as well.

He’er and Lian’er lifted the curtain to look outside and said to Shen Ruo, “First Husband, the person outside is the Seventh Princess, with two carriages following behind. The Seventh Prince Consort should be in one of them.”

Hearing this, Shen Ruo’s expression didn’t change at all. He just lightly hummed in acknowledgment and said nothing more.

Seeing this, He’er and Lian’er glanced at him carefully, not daring to speak again.

They all knew that the young master had changed, no longer the lively, proud, and pure-hearted young master of the past!

Even He’er and Lian’er, who had been by his side since childhood, no longer dared to speak freely in front of him.

Shen Ruo leaned against the carriage wall, his lowered eyelids hiding the emotions in his eyes.

This journey with Feng Bai Wei was something he had begged for.

If asked why, perhaps it was still unwillingness! Not wanting to admit defeat so easily.

As for why Feng Bai Wei agreed? He couldn’t fathom her thoughts now.

Or rather, he had never truly understood her!

Feng Bai Su and Feng Bai Wei rode their horses in front, occasionally exchanging polite words and chatting casually.

Although they were on the official road, the snow was still very thick.

Moreover, scattered snowflakes were still falling from the sky. Though not heavy, they still covered one’s face, sneaking into ears and necks.

The nearest town ahead was Quanzhou, and the group sped up, hoping to arrive before dark.

After all, it was freezing outside and snowing. Camping outdoors would be troublesome.

Feng Bai Su and Feng Bai Wei naturally knew this, so they stopped chatting and focused solely on hurrying forward.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned!

When they were about fifty kilometers from Quanzhou, the official road ahead was blocked by accumulated snow, making it impassable.

In the end, the group had to take a detour!

Although the small road was passable, it was much rougher and harder to travel compared to the official road.

By the time it was completely dark, they had only covered half the distance, still thirty kilometers away from Quanzhou.

It was too dangerous to travel on snowy roads at night, so they had to stop nearby.

Luckily, they found a dilapidated temple that could provide temporary shelter, allowing them to rest their feet and make do for the night.