Chapter 62: Fengxiao, it's time for your medicine.

Zhen Yan understood Yuan Shao’s intentions very well; he was attempting to win over their Zhen clan. The reason behind offering Zhen Mi to the Emperor was to preserve his reputation. While Zhen Yan understood, there was nothing he could do to resist this offer.

Firstly, let’s not discuss whether they could refuse an imperial edict, even if they could, how would they bear Yuan Shao’s wrath?

“Second Brother,” Zhen Yao asked with a look of discontent, “is there no other way than to send our little sister into the palace?”

She truly did not wish to see her own little sister jump headlong into an abyss from which she might never escape, leaving her uncertain as to whether she’d be able to protect herself at all.

Even if the Emperor of Yecheng were real, the Han court had fallen on hard times, so what would becoming a consort or concubine bring her?

Zhen Yan fell silent, pondering strategies within himself.

At that moment, a young woman dressed in long robes of moonlight white walked into the hall and addressed Madam Zhang and Zhen Yan directly, “Mother, Second Brother, you needn’t continue discussing this matter—I will go to Yecheng.”

Her voice was clear and sweet, filling those present with an indescribable sense of comfort upon hearing it. The girl appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old, with a oval-shaped face bearing the charm of classical beauty. She possessed a slender figure, bright eyes, straight nose, delicate brows, and a charming dimple adorning her cheek, making her exceptionally beautiful. Though still youthful, her extraordinary allure shone through.

This young woman was none other than Zhen Mi, youngest daughter of the Zhen family.

Madam Zhang stood up in surprise at the sight of Zhen Mi and couldn’t help but ask, “Mi-er? You…you weren’t asleep?”

She had summoned her children to discuss this matter only after ensuring that Zhen Mi was sound asleep, so she hadn’t expected the girl herself to come forward.

“Mother has never urged me to retire early; how could I not notice when she suddenly does?” Zhen Mi blinked, then smiled as she replied.

Madam Zhang found herself speechless for a moment.

Zhen Mi turned toward her second brother, Zhen Yan, and said earnestly, “Second Brother, His Imperial Majesty’s decree has arrived. If I do not go, calamity will befall the entire Zhen family.”

“I am also a member of the Zhen family, and it is my duty to offer myself for the sake of our family’s interests. How can I choose to protect myself alone?”

“Furthermore, this is something we cannot avoid.”

Though Zhen Mi was young, her mind was mature beyond her years—this was largely due to her extensive education since childhood. She understood all too well their current predicament; the Zhen family was unable to contend with colossal forces like the Yuan clan. This imperial edict was largely Yuan Shao’s doing, and refusing would undoubtedly anger him, giving him reason to bring harm upon the Zhen family.

“But little sister…” Tears welled in Zhen Jiang’s eyes, and she continued to plead her case.

But Zhen Mi only shook her head gently and smiled. “Jie-ge needn’t worry; it’s not necessarily true that the Emperor of Yecheng is a pretender.”

“The fortune-teller who read my face once said I would become Empress, so being summoned to the palace now seems like an affirmation of his prophecy. Jie-ge should be happy for me instead.”

Madam Zhang felt a pang in her heart and turned away, quietly sobbing.

“Everything is my fault,” she said guiltily. “If only I hadn’t sought out that fortune-teller all those years ago, perhaps none of this calamity would have befallen us.”

A marriage alliance with the Yuan clan wasn’t inherently dangerous, but entering the imperial harem was fraught with perilous uncertainty.

And all because of those eight words uttered by the fortune-teller: “The phoenix has entered your life, bringing untold nobility.”

In that moment, Madam Zhang deeply regretted everything.

“That’s enough.” Zhen Yan sighed heavily, reaching a final decision. “Then preparations shall begin tomorrow, and we will send our little sister to Yecheng.”

He had watched Zhen Mi grow up, so he knew her temperament well. Though outwardly delicate, her inner strength was unyielding, and she possessed strong convictions that she never wavered from easily. Since she had decided to enter the Emperor’s harem, their attempts at dissuading her were futile. All they could do now was hope that the Emperor truly was who he claimed to be.

After deciding to send Zhen Mi to Ye City, everyone in the Zhen family had begun preparations for her entrance into the imperial harem.

First were all the goods necessary for the journey: gold and silver, precious stones, bolts of silk and satin, rouge and powder, jewelry, gifts, and so on—these things were essential no matter what. Even if entering the palace, expenses would not be avoided altogether.

One must understand that this Emperor fled Xu County alone to arrive at Ye City, leaving behind nothing but his personal belongings, which now rested solely upon the support of the Yuan clan. If Zhen Mi entered the palace under these circumstances, could she really expect the Yuan clan to bear her expenses as well? The Zhen family had more than enough money, nor did they wish their beloved daughter to live a meager life within the confines of the palace, so they began making arrangements with great fanfare. Altogether, they prepared over one hundred horse carriages filled with various goods! In addition to clothing, Zhen Mi’s favorite books, daily necessities, and other such items, the total number of carriages came to approximately one hundred fifty.

They also arranged for over a hundred servants, maids, and attendants.

This was undoubtedly an extravagant gesture, but considering the terrifying financial might of the Zhen family, it was still minuscule—a mere drop in the ocean.

Yecheng and Zhongshan were not far from each other, and the Zhen family’s business interests spanned across all of Jizhou, so they could easily support Zhen Mi financially at any time. Otherwise, considering the extravagant nature of the Zhen family, Zhen Mi would have required at least five hundred carriages to be properly matched with her station.

After three days of preparations, Zhen Mi set off from Wuji County accompanied by over one hundred servants, over one hundred fifty carriages full of goods, and numerous relatives bidding her farewell, heading for Ye City.

Meanwhile, within the imperial palace of Ye City…

Liu Xie finally found an opportunity to meet Guo Jia.

In a pavilion within the rear gardens, he spoke to Guo Jia, somewhat displeased, “Fengxiao, it has been quite some time since you last entered the palace to see us.”

Guo Jia cupped his hands respectfully. “This subject has indeed been busy these past few days. Yuan Shang relies heavily on this subject now, making him his most trusted advisor. This subject simply did not have the opportunity to enter the palace and pay respects to Your Majesty, but hopes that Your Majesty will forgive his indiscretion.”

“Busy as you may be, take care of yourself,” Liu Xie said earnestly, then pushed a bowl of ginseng tonic towards Guo Jia with a benevolent smile. “We prepared this for you.”

Liu Xie spoke with sincerity and pushed a bowl of ginseng tonic toward Guo Jia, smiling kindly.

“This is for you.”

“Shouldn’t it be time to take your medicine, Fengxiao?”

In history, Guo Jia had indeed died young at thirty-eight years old.

Of course, this could have been due to Mr. Cao overworking him—foolishly mistreating his employee—but Liu Xie believed himself to be a good boss; he refused to let his hard-working advisor meet such a tragic fate as his historical counterpart. Thus, it was imperative that he give Guo Jia plenty of nourishment.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Though somewhat helpless, Guo Jia felt warmth in his heart. He accepted the bowl and took a small sip, unable to resist smacking his lips.

The taste left quite the complicated aftertaste.

But since it was bestowed upon him by the Son of Heaven, Guo Jia braced himself and finished the entire bowl.

As he saw Liu Xie reaching for another bowl, Guo Jia’s eyelid twitched, and he hastily changed the subject. “Er… Your Majesty must already know about Zhen Mi, right?”

At these words, Liu Xie’s spirits instantly lifted—he had just been thinking to ask Guo Jia about this matter!