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He bowed deeply, "This servant thanks Your Highness for your mercy."

Gui Zhong's appearance was merely a brief interlude, unable to alter the situation.

Half an hour later, the carriage resumed its journey.

Rong Shu lowered the carriage curtains.

Gu Changjin and Gui Zhong's conversation had left Yingyue and Ying Que utterly perplexed. Knowing that their young miss was astute, Ying Que was about to inquire of Rong Shu when she caught sight of her expression, causing her voice to falter.

Miss was unhappy.

Even someone as straightforward as Ying Que could sense Rong Shu's unease, let alone Yingyue.

"Is your headache still bothering you?" she asked.

Rong Shu shook her head; her injury on the forehead had already healed during her stay at Qingyan Temple.

"I'm fine, just a bit stifled," she replied.

She softly acknowledged, lifting the carriage curtains once more to gaze at the vast, snowy landscape outside in silence.

Thanks to Gu Changjin's presence, their journey to Datong had been exceptionally smooth.

On the twenty-first day of the second month, the carriage arrived at the gates of Datong Prefecture.

The Eastern Palace's Crown Prince himself was visiting the border, and Mu Rong, along with the local officials of Datong, had been waiting at the city gates. Apart from the officials, many commoners had also gathered, crowding the entrance.

When Gu Changjin stepped down from the carriage, a great commotion erupted from the crowd.

Datong, being a border region, had a liberal culture where even unmarried young women could openly participate in battles alongside the Duke of Dan Zhu. Thus, the girls here were known for their passionate dispositions.

The commotion was the result of the ladies' exclamations of admiration.

Everyone knew that the Crown Prince had long been renowned for his virtue. Before he was retrieved by the Empress, his fearlessness before power and adherence to justice had already won the hearts of the people.

However, they hadn't expected the prince to be so strikingly handsome. General Mu Rong was already famous in Datong for his good looks. Standing beside the Crown Prince, he was now overshadowed.

Rong Shu also gazed at the man surrounded by officials.

He was dressed in a dark robe embroidered with golden threads depicting a five-clawed dragon, adorned with an ink jade headdress. Slim-waisted and with luxuriant hair, he was tall and elegantly built, his exquisite features resembling a masterpiece of art. He was indeed a peerlessly noble and refined young noble, unparalleled in the world.

His appearance had always been a source of attraction for women.

However, it wasn't merely his good looks that drew people in; it was also the power that lay hidden within him, as well as the imperial dignity that he radiated, akin to a renowned sword sheathed.

Rong Shu glanced at him and quickly averted her gaze. At that moment, two voices called out simultaneously,

"Zhaozhao!"

Following the sound, Rong Shu looked up and, upon recognizing the newcomers, her eyes widened in surprise before breaking into a smile. She lifted her skirt and rushed towards Shen Yizhen and Mu Nijing.

"Aunt! Nijing!"

Yesterday, while resting at an inn, Gu Changjin had mentioned that Aunt had yet to reach Da Tong. Hence, Rong Shu was overjoyed to unexpectedly encounter her now.

Shen Yizhen had arrived in Da Tong just two hours ahead of Rong Shu. Along the way, she had heard about the snowslide on Longyin Mountain. Despite the haste, she managed to arrive just in time.

Seeing Rong Shu unscathed, the anxiety that had been hanging precariously in her throat finally settled with relief.

The man surrounded by others at the city gate turned his head upon hearing the two soft cries of "Zhaozhao." Seeing Rong Shu's face radiant with joy, a faint smile also tugged at the corners of his lips.

He had known for two hours that Madam Shen had arrived in Datong, but had refrained from contacting her to give her a pleasant surprise.

She was indeed overjoyed.

Mu Rong, standing nearby, had also heard his sister calling out to Rong Shu. He glanced at the blossoming young lady not far away and then at the gentle Gu Changjin, his expression momentarily complicated.

Last year, the two of them had crossed paths at the Hundred Performances Pavilion, both aware of their affection for Rong Shu.

Mu Rong had intended to confess his feelings to her once she arrived in Datong Prefecture, hoping to marry her.

His plan was well laid out, but unexpectedly, a few months later, news came from the capital that Gu Changjin had been appointed as the crown prince.

This news was like a bolt from the blue.

If Gu Changjin were still just Lord Gu of the Board of Censors, Mu Rong would have had no qualms about pursuing Rong Shu.

But now, this Inspector General Gu was no longer merely an Inspector General; he was the crown prince, the future emperor, someone he was bound to serve with his life.

Knowing that the future emperor has set his heart on Rong Shu, would he still dare to recklessly seek her hand in marriage?

As he pondered, the man before him turned, locking eyes with him intently.

Mu Rong's heart stirred slightly as he heard the man say, "General Mu."

Mu Rong bowed his head and replied, "I am here, Your Highness."

"The Tatar royal court has fallen into internal turmoil, hence the cessation of hostilities this year occurred earlier than usual," Gu Changjin stated. "Of course, the Tatar army's withdrawal is also due to General Mu's capable governance. However, once their internal strife ends, their military strength might surpass their previous might. I speculate that this chaos within the Tatar kingdom will conclude no later than next year."

The Mu family had been stationed in Da Tong for many years and were well-informed about the affairs of the Tatar royal court.

Emperor Taiyan of the Tatar had been severely ill for the past few years, and his dozen or so sons had resorted to every conceivable means in their rivalry for the throne, their eyes almost bloodshot with ambition.

The internal strife within the Tatar court was undoubtedly beneficial for Great Yin. It was precisely due to this chaos that Mu Rong had managed to lead the Mu family's army to carve out a path for themselves.

However, if one of Emperor Taiyan's sons were to emerge victorious and consolidate the military power of his brothers, the strength of the Tatar army would be on a whole different level.

Mu Rong's grandfather, father, and various uncles had all perished during Emperor Taiyan's heyday.

Mu Rong straightened his expression and bowed respectfully. "Yes, Your Excellency! I will not be negligent in the least!"

Gu Changjin nodded. "I shall depart for the capital in three days. Before I leave, there is a matter I wish to discuss with you."

The outbreak of horse plague in Datong next year was not a natural disaster but a man-made calamity. It was orchestrated by the Tatar spies who had been concealed in Datong for many years, acting on the orders of the new Khan.

If these spies were capable of causing mischief, they could equally accomplish feats.