discomfort

Almost simultaneously with the western expedition's launch, Cui Jie in Qin Province issued an imperial edict denouncing Cui Yi, calling upon loyal subjects to rise against him.

Chengying found it strange. At this point, whose imperial edict carried weight? He should have issued it immediately after fleeing the capital to rally support. Now, with Cui Yi already on the throne for half a year, who would heed the call of the "former emperor"?

Of course, there were others besides Chengying who had this question. In fact, all the officials in the court were puzzled, but only Changsun Tai knew the reason. It turned out that when Cui Jie fled, he was so anxious that he didn't even take the Empress or the Empress Dowager with him. Upon learning this, Lady Rong flew into a rage and wanted to gather valuable items from the palace to catch up with him, but it was already too late. Cui Yi and Zhong Yuanshan had already sealed off the nine gates of the capital, leaving the Rong family trapped like rats in a hole.

As the Empress Dowager's family, the Rongs naturally had some power, but with the emperor fleeing, and the Empress Dowager having no authority to command, the male members of the family fought bravely until they finally surrendered dejectedly. Lady Rong was then placed under house arrest in the Yanshou Palace, attended by only one personal maid, receiving the lowest monthly stipend given to a cai-nu, and no one was allowed to visit her.

Qin Zhoumu Bao Yide's ex-wife was from the Rong family, and he would only show respect to them. Cui Jie, a fleeing emperor with only 20,000 troops, lacking food and clothing, was not someone Bao Yide would take seriously. Thus, when Cui Jie arrived exhausted at the gates of Qinzhou, he received his first closed door.

Bao Yide demanded that Cui Jie hand over his 20,000 imperial guards, disband them, and incorporate them into the Qinzhou army before allowing him to enter the city. Cui Jie was so furious that he couldn't believe that a fallen phoenix was treated worse than a chicken, being bullied by a mere prefect.

But the soldiers had been traveling for days, their meager food supplies long gone. Except for him, the "emperor," everyone else had already started buying food from villages along the way with their own money. If he couldn't find a place to settle, these last loyal followers might leave because they saw no future, leaving him truly powerless.

In this helpless situation, Cui Jie gritted his teeth and agreed to Bao Yide's demands, and more than 20,000 people finally had a temporary place to rest. It was late August, and the people of Qinzhou were busy harvesting rice. Cui Jie proposed several times to counterattack the capital, but Bao Yide refused each time on the grounds of insufficient food.

By now, Cui Jie was a true figurehead. The Empress Dowager, who once supported him, was left behind in the palace. The Changsun family was abandoned halfway when food ran out. Most other ministers were controlled before they could escape, and the only one who followed him to Qinzhou was Guo Mao.

On the day the capital fell, Guo Mao happened to be paying respects in the palace and thus went with them. He knew that unlike Shan Jian, even if he surrendered to Cui Yi, he wouldn't be valued, so he had no choice but to follow Cui Jie. Although they had a year-long cold war, he still tried his best to offer advice along the way.

However, Cui Jie, who had already lost all semblance of humanity, abandoning wife and children, even his mother, wasn't interested in pretense anymore. With the enemy in hot pursuit, everyone was living in constant fear, and Cui Jie's temper grew increasingly irascible, refusing to listen to any advice.

On the way west, Guo Mao suggested using the rugged terrain of Fengzhou to ambush and strike back. With 20,000 troops and his status as emperor, a single victory could rally more support. But this suggestion was rejected. Cui Jie believed these were his last fighting forces and mustn't suffer any losses. Though Fengzhou's terrain was complex, who could guarantee victory against Dai Zhibei? Ultimately, it was cowardice.

When they reached Qinzhou and the army was confiscated, Bao Yide delayed action. Guo Mao then suggested granting Bao Yide at least a third-rank official position. Qinzhou was rich in grain and resources, and Bao Yide was waiting for the emperor's promise. If Cui Jie offered satisfactory terms, Bao Yide would gladly become a meritorious official. But this suggestion was also rejected, and Cui Jie didn't even bother to explain, simply throwing a book at him and expelling him.

Guo Mao sighed to the heavens, knowing his lord had gone mad. Still clinging to his high imperial status despite his downfall, he was surely doomed. So, he stopped seeking him out.

Cui Jie, proud and arrogant, unaccustomed to setbacks, was almost twisted by such a massive blow. After six months of arguing with Bao Yide, Bao finally lost patience. After the spring harvest, he sent a declaration of war to the capital and prepared for battle.

Upon receiving this clumsy manifesto, Cui Yi and Chengying in the capital treated it as daily amusement, mocking it before burning it.

The Qinzhou army clashed with Dai Ping and Yang Qiong's western expeditionary force in Fengzhou. Both sides suffered losses, but the Qinzhou troops, unused to warfare due to the secluded terrain, were far less capable. Within two months, they were defeated, and Bao Yide was captured. Dai Ping reorganized the Qinzhou prisoners and ordered Yang Qiong to lead ten thousand men into Qinzhou to capture Cui Jie.

This time, Cui Jie panicked and rushed to seek Guo Mao's advice. Guo Mao, knowing the situation was hopeless, initially said he couldn't help. But when Cui Jie knelt down desperately, Guo reluctantly gave a suggestion.

"Back then, King Wu, starting as a vassal prince exiled to Yanzhou, managed to regroup and fight his way back to central China. If Your Majesty can humble yourself, willing to endure hardships and bide your time, you could head north to Liangzhou, mobilize the Liangzhou army, and challenge King Wu to a final showdown."

Kneeling before him, Cui Jie urgently asked, "How likely is this plan to succeed?"

Guo Mao sighed repeatedly, "When Your Majesty dispatched the Liangzhou army to Maquan Pass, General Han failed to kill Huerhana and, to make amends, attacked Yanzhou with Bai Yingchun. Despite their efforts, they were defeated by Changsun Chengying, and the Liangzhou army scattered. How many troops remain is uncertain."

Cui Jie clutched his clothes, pleading loudly, "Sir! Please think of a way to save me! Once I reclaim the throne, I will appoint you as chancellor, second only to the emperor, with endless glory for your descendants!"

Guo Mao knew that with Cui Jie's personality, today's humiliation would be avenged later. But since he chose to serve him, he had to try his best.

"Your Majesty, please rise. This requires careful planning," Guo Mao helped him up, "King Wu took three years to return from Yanzhou, understanding the danger of nurturing a tiger. You must hurry north to occupy Liangzhou before the western expeditionary forces besiege the city or block the northern route."

Cui Jie realized the urgency and hurriedly thanked him, packing up to leave. Guo Mao looked at his dilapidated hut, lamenting his poor choice, packed some essentials, and waited by the city gate.

With the 20,000 imperial guards taken by Bao Yide, Cui Jie had less than 200 guards. They traveled through mountain paths, avoiding villages, surviving on roots and bark. Cui Jie, pampered all his life, fell ill after drinking raw water for days, unable to ride a horse and needing to be carried on a stretcher.

When Yang Qiong reached Qinzhou, it was deserted. Interrogating Bao Yide yielded no information about Cui Jie's whereabouts. Reluctantly, they withdrew to the capital.

Not capturing Cui Jie annoyed Cui Yi, but he couldn't blame Dai Ping and Yang Qiong. He rewarded them and reassigned new officials to manage Qinzhou while ordering strict surveillance to find Cui Jie.

A month passed with no trace of Cui Jie. Where could he have gone? With 20,000 guards lost and only 200 left according to Bao Yide, where could he flee?

An unseen threat was more dangerous. Until Cui Jie was found, Cui Yi remained uneasy.

"Maybe my father knows," Chengying said while helping him dress, "North of Qinzhou is Liangzhou, south is Yizhou. Liangzhou is vast with hunting grounds, though harsh, uniting with western states could allow a return to central China. Yizhou, with its dense forests and isolated terrain, is ideal for hiding. It depends on who advises him. Their character and influence determine his path."

Cui Yi yawned, having slept poorly again. Holding a ginseng tea, he rubbed his eyes, "Ask him. Six months ago, I confined him under the guise of illness. If he cooperates, I'll let him live with his family outside the capital. If he remains stubborn..."

Chengying adjusted his crown, smiling, "Father is probably too proud to yield. He might think you've forgiven him."

Cui Yi snorted, "If not for raising you for sixteen years, I'd have him executed." Then, he hurried to court.

After he left, Chengying sat pondering. Xiaqiu worriedly asked, "Majesty, are you unwell? Shall I summon a doctor?"

Chengying declined but reconsidered, "Summon the doctor who treated my father."

Changsun Tai had fainted in prison and was then confined in the palace under the pretense of illness, forbidden visitors. This was Bai Lianzan's idea, avoiding immediate execution or release. A doctor visited periodically, though Chengying hadn't inquired about the specific doctor.

The doctor arrived quickly. Chengying lazily leaned on the couch, finding the voice familiar but couldn't recall where she heard it. "Raise your head."

Seeing his face, she recognized him—Zhong Wei, her sister's husband in the previous life. Also, the doctor who examined her in Yanshou Palace, whom she hadn't noticed due to exhaustion.

"Zhong Shuji, you're still working in the Imperial Medical Institute?" Chengying addressed him directly, "Aren't you afraid the emperor will execute you?"

Zhong Wei, 23, looked older than his age, worn out from stress. Chengying observed him closely, asking, "How is my father?"

Zhong Wei bowed respectfully, "Lord Changsun is well, though confinement has made him irritable. I've prescribed calming remedies, and he's currently stable."

Chengying nodded, extending her right hand. Zhong Wei immediately placed a cushion and began examining her pulse.

"Do you feel discomfort anywhere?"

Chengying casually mentioned feeling lazy, sleepy, and without appetite, vomiting even plain porridge. She watched him intently, "What do you think, Sir?"

Xiaoqiu added, "Indeed, she used to love fatty foods, now preferring simple dishes. What's wrong, Doctor?"

Zhong Wei carefully examined her pulse multiple times, concluding, "Your body shows no abnormalities. Perhaps recent dietary changes caused the symptoms. I'll prescribe a stomach-soothing remedy."