Chapter 17: Truce in the Desert, Murong Yu Returns to the Capital

An Yi reported from the tent entrance: "Master, we are back."

Murong Yu put down the letter in his hand, looked up at An Yi and An Er, and said, "Yes, come in."

Murong Yu: "Has the person been delivered?"

An Yi: "Reporting to Master, it has been delivered safely."

Murong Yu: "Alright, you can all go and rest now."

The next day, Murong Yu received a letter from the desert, which indeed requested a truce.

To show his sincerity, the Great King of the Northern Desert will personally travel to the capital to sign the ceasefire agreement.

The Desert King was old, and he had two sons, both of whom were brave and skilled in battle, and were also tall and strong.

The King of Beiyuan was a few years older and more composed than the King of Nanyuan. It was the King of Beiyuan who led the delegation to seek peace this time.

Murong Yu ordered his men to pack up and return to the capital the next day with the King of Beiyuan and his entourage.

After a long and arduous journey, the group finally arrived in the capital two months later.

Murong Yu arranged for the King of Beiyuan and his entourage to rest at the post station and assigned a team of guards to protect them. While they were called guards, there was also an element of surveillance involved.

After settling everything in, Murong Yu did not return to his residence, but went directly to the Crown Prince's residence.

Crown Prince's Palace

The guards at the door immediately knelt down and bowed to Murong Yu, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness!"

Murong Yu dismounted and said, "No need for formalities."

Without lingering, he went straight to the Crown Prince's study.

It's afternoon now, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Crown Prince will be in his study reading and practicing calligraphy.

Murong Yu bypassed the pavilions and towers and soon arrived at the Crown Prince's study. The Crown Prince was dressed in white, tall but somewhat thin.

Seeing Murong Yu arrive, he did not stop writing and calmly finished the last stroke.

He put down the vermilion brush, looked up at Murong Yu, and smiled faintly: "You're back."

These three simple words gave Murong Yu a sense of peace. He had been worried about his brother these days, even though their letters had always said that the poison in his body was under control and that he was fine.

However, the prince was already physically weak, and this poisoning further damaged his health. He could no longer take any tonics, and he looked even thinner than when he returned.

Murong Yu's eyes stung a little, but he suppressed his worry and said, "I'm back. The Great Desert has come to negotiate peace this time, and there won't be any war for several years."

"After we see off the King of Beiyuan and his entourage, I will post an imperial edict to recruit talented people from all over the world. Your health cannot be delayed any longer."

Murong Zhi looked worried: "This..."

Murong Yu: "I know what you are worried about, brother. It is indeed not advisable to publicize your poisoning, lest it cause turmoil in the court."

At this point, he looked up at his elder brother. His brother, the crown prince, was suffering from a deadly poison but was not receiving proper treatment. Murong Yu felt an indescribable sadness in his heart.

Suppressing the strange feeling in his heart, he continued, "I've already thought it through. I'll pretend to be sick, claim to be poisoned, and post an imperial edict asking for a doctor."

"The war with the desert has stopped. Even if word gets out that I'm poisoned, it won't have much of an impact. In fact, it might divert some attention."

Prime Minister's Residence

After parting ways with Duan Yang and the others, Mu Qi returned to her residence. When she got back to her courtyard, she found Mu Ya waiting for her inside.

Mu Qi: "Ya'er, what brings you to your brother so late?"

Mu Ya stammered, "Big brother, next spring hunt..."

Mu Qi looked at Mu Ya, who was showing a rare hint of girlish charm, and said, "Why did you suddenly ask about this, little sister? There are still several months until next year's spring hunt."

Mu Ya stammered, "I, I..."

Mu Qi smiled and shook his head, saying, "Alright, I understand. I'll definitely take you with me."

Every year during the spring hunt, the emperor would lead his ministers and princes to participate.

Officials would also bring along their favored younger relatives, making it both an exchange event and a hidden matchmaking event.

Imperial concubines would choose suitable daughters from among the daughters of officials to become princes' wives, and the matriarchs of ministers' households would also take the opportunity to find suitable partners for their younger relatives.

The spring hunt is considered one of the largest aristocratic gatherings of the year.

In previous years, Mu Ya would always refuse to go, because she was still young and her family spoiled her.