Chapter 44: The War

Chapter 44: The War

Observing the troubled expression on Lady Rong's face, Tang Youyu asked with concern, "Is there something bothering you that you can't share with Elder Brother Rong?"

Recalling the young lady official's age and the time she entered the palace, Yuan Jun replied, "When I entered the palace, I was still very young. My memories of my family members are somewhat vague..."

Tang Youyu smiled. "So it's because of your affection that you're apprehensive. Don't worry. I heard from the supervisor that Elder Brother Rong exempted his family from taxes and corvée labor to join the military when he was fifteen. By the time he left, your younger sister had just been born. She probably doesn't remember him, but the family has been thinking about him. He returned home with military honors and came specially to see if there's anything he can do for you."

Only then did Yuan Jun feel relieved. "If he joined the military at fifteen, he must be in his thirties now..."

Tang Youyu remarked, "Indeed, I've heard that he has a robust and majestic figure, quite unlike your grace and elegance, Lady Rong."

Yuan Jun: "Very well, it's not convenient here at the manor. I'll meet him at the medicinal cuisine shop tomorrow."

The following morning, as expected, Rong Yi, Rong Bi's elder brother, faithfully adhered to the instructions and stood guard in front of the medicinal cuisine shop. The establishment was spacious and imposing, with a bustling crowd right after it opened its doors in the early hours. The walls were adorned with wooden plaques, each displaying the names of various medicinal dishes, accompanied by detailed descriptions of their benefits. A resident physician and an apprentice pharmacist were stationed on one side; the apprentice would elucidate the properties of the dishes, while the physician offered additional paid services, such as pulse diagnosis for customers and personalized recommendations for medicinal cuisine.

The two-story restaurant was already packed with people early in the morning. The wealthy sat in private rooms, slowly sipping a large pot of medicinal porridge they had ordered. Many commoners, on the other hand, only ordered a few pieces of Fuling cakes, Eight Treasures cakes, almond cakes, or pancakes made from millet flour, and then sipped on the complimentary beef bone and radish soup. The choices were as diverse as the people themselves.

Intrigued, he helped himself to a bowl of oxtail and radish soup. As it flowed down his throat, a warm current spread through his intestines, its flavor exceptionally fresh, rich, and savory — a stark contrast to the thin, insipid soups often served complimentary in outside eateries. Surprisingly, it was seasoned with the precious spice, pepper, and hinted at the subtle taste of astragalus. After heartily downing two bowls, he indeed felt warmth seep through his entire body, even breaking into a light sweat on his back. Accompanied by a few affordable slices of porridge cake infused with fennel, his stomach was satiated, and his spirits lifted.

Only to see the manager who had conveyed his message earlier descending from upstairs. Upon spotting him, the man smiled and said, "Master Rong, why haven't you gone up? Fourth Master has already arrived. Hurry up."

Rong Yi was puzzled but knew he should maintain a low profile. He followed the steward up to the third floor. There, he saw armed guards stationed at the stairwell entrance, allowing them access to the third floor. Outside the room, two more guards stood watch, opening the door for them. Inside the outer chamber, a slender and delicate maid in a red dress bowed slightly upon seeing him, announcing in a raised voice, "Master Rong has arrived." She also helped to hold back the curtains for him.

Rong Yi entered to find a young man seated prominently at the head of the room. His features were delicate yet carried an aura of aloofness. When their eyes met, his gaze was like frosty lightning, exuding authority without any need for anger. Rong Yi felt as if his very heart and lungs had been laid bare before this person. Terrified, he wondered if this striking individual in masculine attire could possibly be his own sister? Wasn't she supposed to be serving as a palace attendant to nobles? How could she possess such an imposing presence, one that even high-ranking officials like the former Inspector General he had encountered didn't match?

Yuan Jun was also studying Rong Yi. To his surprise, Rong Yi was a burly man with a thick beard, tall and robust, with piercing eyes. The contrast between him and Rong Bi was striking, but upon closer inspection, beyond the whiskers, his features were well-defined, and his deep, insightful eyes did bear a resemblance to Rong Bi.

He gestured for him to sit, "Please take a seat, Elder Brother. Your journey must have been arduous. I shall have you refreshed later."

Rong Yi's eyes reddened at the confirmation that it was indeed his sister. Stepping forward, he wept bitterly, "My little sister has grown up! It's pitiful that she's been serving in the palace all this time. It's all because of our useless brothers that she ended up in this harsh and cold land!"

Yuan Jun: "..."

He could only respond gently, "It's rare for us to meet like this. There's no need for you to be sorrowful, I've been doing well. It's not easy to be discharged from military service. How did you manage to return home?"

Wiping away his tears, Rong Yi explained, "Last year, I earned a military merit. I pleaded with the general, saying that I didn't want a title, just permission to return home. We're all from good families, not military households. With our parents growing older, I begged to be released to support them and carry on the family line. The general, considering that another son of the Rong family is still in the military and that I'm still unmarried, specially allowed me to be discharged and even gave me silver to return home."

Yuan Jun asked, "Which general were you under? And what about Second Brother?"

Rong Yi said, "Your second brother is serving in the Jiangnan Military Guard, while your third brother is with the Tianwei Navy."

Yuan Jun was taken aback. "How did he end up in the navy?"

Rong Yi replied, "He was originally part of the Jiangnan Army, but they were forming a navy to fight pirates and needed men skilled in water. Since your second brother has been swimming and fishing since he was young, he was recruited for the task."

Yuan Jun asked, "What about third brother?"

Rong Yi answered, "He passed the provincial exam last year and is preparing to take the metropolitan exam in the capital. Initially, he wanted to come with me, but our parents said that after waiting three years, he couldn't afford to delay his studies. They believed I could handle it on my own."

Yuan Jun calculated their ages mentally and nodded slightly. It was quite an achievement for a farmer's family to have a son pass the provincial exam at this age. He said with satisfaction, "Third brother is an excellent scholar."

Rong Yi continued, "He always says it was your sister's dowry money that helped heal his leg. How could he not work hard in his studies, knowing that? He feels he owes it to her."

Yuan Jun fell silent. Rong Yi added, "Our family has already overcome our struggles. I've returned home to establish myself and provide for the family. Your second brother is serving in the navy, and your third brother has earned the title of Juren. With these accomplishments, we no longer need to pay taxes. The silver you sent back will be used to buy property, but it's all reserved for you as your dowry when you return home. Our three brothers would never use your money. Knowing you're here alone, our parents worry about how you're doing. They felt the need to see for themselves before they could truly rest easy, which is why I came."

Yuan Jun said, "I'm doing alright..."

Rong Yi countered, "But you're still serving others, unable to make your own decisions. How can that be considered alright? Besides, the nobles' moods are unpredictable, and lives can be lost at their whim. Even if you were fortunate enough to serve a merciful master, wasn't it still the Emperor's decree that led to your marriage in this remote, cold land?"

Yuan Jun: "..." He couldn't, in good conscience, claim that Rong Bi was thriving. Back then, she was chosen by Empress Luo to serve as his accountant, and almost ended up with the third prince. If not for their body swap, it would have been a long wait for these three brothers to see their beloved younger sister again.

Burdened with guilt, Yuan Jun's expression turned somber. Seeing his sister in such distress and having blossomed into such breathtaking beauty, Rong Yi knew that her allure could only bring trouble. His heart ached as he suggested, "If the princess is amenable, perhaps Elder Brother should approach her and the Prince to request your release back home. I would be more than willing to dedicate my services to the Prince and Princess in exchange for your freedom."

Yuan Jun fell silent for a moment before saying, "I'm afraid... it might not be possible to redeem her. The princess has entrusted me with a mission, and I have gained her considerable favor. In the future, she will undoubtedly repay me and my family generously. Brother, please rest assured."

Rong Yi countered with a question of his own: "Can you assure there will be no threat to anyone's life?"

Yuan Jun was speechless. Rong Yi pressed on, "I've heard that there's tension between the prince and the princess. Given your sister's beauty, if the prince were to develop an interest in her, how would you protect yourself? Or if she were hastily given away as a concubine to some general, how would she maintain any control over her fate?"

Yuan Jun was left speechless.

Rong Yi declared, "When Father named you Bi, it was with the intention that you would be as precious to us as a jade pendant, not to be exchanged for the wealth of a city. Our family is content with modest prosperity; there's no need for you to endure such hardship. Listen to your elder brother and seek the princess's favor to return home. Once you're back, if you wish to marry, we'll find you a suitable match, and you can become a respected lady with a loving husband. If marriage isn't what you desire, you can remain with us. Your three brothers will ensure your well-being for life! As long as you are happy, that is all that matters."

Yuan Jun sighed inwardly. If their souls hadn't switched places, this little palace maid would indeed have a peaceful and prosperous future if released back to her hometown. Thus, he inferred that the "Bi" embroidered on the handkerchief belonged to her original name. Presumably, when she entered the palace, it was altered by the officials to the more delicate and homely "Bijiu."

He spoke calmly, "My dear brother, please have patience for a while. Once sister has completed her duties, I shall...fulfill your wish." He looked sincerely into the eyes of this caring elder brother, his heart filled with genuine intent, thinking to himself, I will always repay your kindness.

Rong Yi raised an eyebrow, gazing at his younger sister, dressed in male court attire, her beauty transcendent amidst the guards with swords at her side and attendants accompanying her. It was clear that she held significant favor with the princess, and... he felt a twinge of guilt. His sister had sacrificed much for their family. He pondered before saying, "If my sister has aspirations, as her brother, how could I not support her? However, having seen and heard what I have on this journey to Fufeng City, it's evident that war is imminent. In times of conflict, people are treated no better than livestock, at the mercy of others. Listen to your elder brother and find a way to avoid the turmoil for now! No matter how greatly the princess has favored you, our family would never wish for you to risk your life for mere prospects."

He looked at his sister with genuine concern, "Being ennobled and appointed to high office, brothers will strive for that on your behalf."

Yuan Jun was deeply shaken, abruptly standing up and asking, "What did you say? Is war imminent?"

Rong Yi was taken aback, "Does the Princess not know? Right... It's said that there's tension between the Prince and the Princess... He probably wouldn't share such significant matters with her."

Approaching hastily, Yuan Jun asked, "How do you know about the war?"

Rong Yi replied, "On my journey here, I noticed strict inspections of merchants traveling back and forth, checking their documents and scrutinizing their goods and carriages. The price of grain in the market has increased significantly, as have animal feeds, leather, horseshoes, iron tools, and carriage prices. More importantly..."

Rong Yi's tone turned serious, "I visited the parents of an old comrade on my way here and gave them some money. His family is a military household; a month ago, all male members of the Jingbei military households were summoned to return to their units, bringing their own horses, provisions, and food supplies. I also inquired with a coachman from a security company. They, being near Bei Xi, have already been recruiting local strongmen and convicts for logging, digging ditches, fortifying garrisons, and repairing roads! Some well-informed merchants have already started transporting furs from the inland to this region."

Yuan Jun murmured, "Fortifying defenses and clearing fields... Is it against Bei Xi or against the imperial court?"

Rong Yi was startled again, "The imperial court? Why would the Prince wage war against the court now? Doing so at this time would be courting death. Bei Xi has just elected a new king, and their army is at its peak strength. If he raises an army against the court, Bei Xi would certainly march south as well. Unless they ally with Bei Xi to conquer the court, but that would be inviting a wolf into the sheepfold, inviting universal condemnation. Would the Prince of Jingbei be so foolish and unjust? Besides, there's a deep-seated vendetta between Bei Xi and the Jingbei Guo family. They wouldn't form an alliance easily."

Yuan Jun couldn't help but study Rong Yi more closely, "Brother seems to have a good grasp of military affairs."

Rong Yi scratched his head, "Back then, when I joined the military, I was still young and was assigned to guard the military clerk. He saw my youth and taught me to read and write, as well as some military strategies. Although Jingbei has its disagreements with the court, they still maintain a superficial peace, after all. The Prince just married the Princess as his queen. Even if he were to rebel, it wouldn't be now, unless the court initiates hostilities first or commits an unjust act. Otherwise, if Jingbei were to rebel first, they would lose the moral high ground, and the entire realm could rise against them. The Guo family of Jingbei wouldn't be that foolish."

Yuan Jun murmured under his breath, "The court has already acted unjustly... Does the plan of cutting off descendants count as such?"

Rong Yi shook his head and said, "These are matters for the nobles of the court, not our concern. It's best we don't get caught in the crossfire here. Listen to your brother and let's go home."

Looking at him with a complicated expression, Yuan Jun abruptly stood up and bowed deeply. Rong Yi hurriedly rose to his feet, saying, "Sister, there's no need for such a grand gesture. I can't accept this."

Yuan Jun spoke softly, "I have a favor to ask of you, Brother. Please, when you see the princess, relate to her in detail what we've seen and heard today. If there's a misjudgment, the princess might lose her advantage and fall under someone else's control. At that time, when one falls, all will feel the chill. I fear I won't be able to escape the consequences either."

Seeing the gravity on his sister's face, how could Rong Yi refuse? He stammered, "There's no need for this, Sister. Just tell me what you want me to do!"