Chapter 1513: Chapter 1513: Who Goes?
Zhou Shuren remained silent, and the Emperor offered words of comfort, "Until the person is found, anything is possible."
Zhou Shuren said in a hoarse voice, "Your subject will take his leave."
The Emperor instructed the Crown Prince, "Escort Marquis Zhou out of the Palace."
Zhou Shuren understood in his heart: when buried under an avalanche, rescue is exceedingly difficult. Even in modern times locating missing persons proves challenging, let alone in ancient times.
The Crown Prince observed Marquis Zhou’s hunched shoulders, noticing how he seemed to have aged several years in an instant. Concern flickered in his eyes. After escorting Marquis Zhou out of the Palace, the Crown Prince hurried back and asked with a conspiracy-tinged tone, "Father Emperor, could this have been orchestrated by the other factions?"
The Emperor responded, "Rong Mingteng represents the Rong clan."
The Crown Prince sighed; so it indeed stemmed from the prairie people’s vengeance. His maternal grandfather dared not move against Rong Mingteng because the Emperor would not permit it—such was the Retired Emperor’s obsession.
The Crown Prince expressed his worries, "Grandfather has just recovered his health; this news cannot be hidden from him."
"Your grandfather is strong at heart!"
Despite these words, the Emperor’s feet told a different story as he walked briskly outward.
At Zhou Manor, Zhulan lifted her head at the sound of footsteps, curling her lips into a bitter smile, "You’ve returned."
Zhou Shuren stepped quickly towards her, despite Qing Xue’s assurance that his wife was unharmed. He remained anxious, "Are you feeling discomfort anywhere?"
"I can endure; how about you?"
"I just returned from the Palace."
The couple sat in silence, each aware of the terror an avalanche could invoke. To survive such a calamity—what a miracle that would be.
Zhulan stood up, "I’ll fetch you a change of clothes."
Zhou Shuren followed her into the room. Inside, only the two of them remained. They desired quiet and sought solitude, avoiding anyone else.
Outside, Qing Xue and Jin Yan stood speechless, deeply worried for Marquis Zhou and his wife.
Zhou Shuren changed out of his official garb into comfortable casual clothing. Once seated, he was reluctant to move, "I heard from Qing Xue that you’ve kept the news sealed."
"Yes, for now, only you and I are aware within this residence."
Zhou Shuren replied, "This news cannot be concealed for long. Chang Yi and Chang Zhi will learn of it eventually. Thankfully, Chang Li and his wife are away from the capital."
"Then let’s address it after they return from the government office."
"Alright."
Zhulan’s throat felt strained and dry; she sipped a cup of tea, "Lau Jia’s side won’t remain ignorant either."
"Hmm, as long as your uncle doesn’t find out."
"Agreed."
The couple fell back into silence once more.
After a long pause, Zhou Shuren remarked, "Shen Xing was accompanying Ming Teng; who knows how he’s faring?"
Zhulan countered, "What do you think?"
Zhou Shuren sighed deeply, Shen Xing must have been closely following Ming Teng. With Ming Teng in trouble, Shen Xing too would face dire odds. "Why did Ming Teng trust the prairie clanspeople? I warned him repeatedly; I told him he should not trust anyone from those tribes. Why didn’t he listen?"
"We don’t know the full circumstances yet."
Frustration welled up in Zhou Shuren’s chest, his voice rising, "But it still falls on him for not listening! He completely disregarded my words. If he had truly taken them to heart, this wouldn’t have happened! He wouldn’t have gotten into trouble!"
Zhulan’s gaze flickered with complex emotions. She could see Zhou Shuren’s deep sorrow, and her own heart felt like it had been sliced open. They had watched Ming Teng grow up, witnessing him mature bit by bit into someone capable of standing on his own. Despite having several grandchildren, their attention had always been heavily invested in Ming Teng.
Outside the door, Qing Xue and Jin Yan exchanged worried glances. It was the first time they had heard Marquis Zhou shout, but their anxiety offered no comfort.
The news of Ming Teng’s accident spread slowly from Zhou Shuren’s departure from the Palace.
When the Retired Emperor received word, he remained silent for an extended period. Ming Teng was a promising youth whom he had endorsed to inherit and uphold the Rong clan’s honor. He had privately pushed Ming Teng forward numerous times. Why did such a fine child have to suffer this fate?
The Emperor watched his father intently; the longer the silences drew on, the more unsettled he felt. Unable to contain himself, he finally said, "As long as the person hasn’t been found, there’s still hope."
The Retired Emperor’s eyes showed little emotion; he did not believe those words. "Send Rongchuan a response, Emperor."
The Emperor replied, "Yes."
His father’s intent was clear—vengeance would rain.
In the snowy mountains of the prairie, Rongchuan’s bloodshot eyes betrayed his exhaustion. Since Ming Teng went missing, he had barely rested, and his frozen cheeks were red from the cold. His gaze fixed sharply upon the mountain of snow before him. Despite extensive digging, they had yet to uncover the missing person.
The City Defender of Qin Prince’s Residence remarked, "Prince, you should return and rest. If you continue to push yourself, your body won’t be able to handle it."
Rongchuan adjusted his cloak, "I’m fine. Tell the diggers to speed up."
The City Defender responded, "We can’t dig faster; the risk of another avalanche is too high."
Rongchuan clenched his fists, his eyes cold as ice, "If the person isn’t found, these diggers will be buried here permanently."
The City Defender said nothing. The diggers were locals from nearby tribes. If they weren’t deemed useful, the Prince would have already unleashed a massacre.
The City Defender anxiously stared at the snow-covered mountain ahead, wondering—did Rong’s Princely Heir still have any hope of survival?
Rongchuan’s legs felt numb. He flexed them slightly, stealing another glance at the snow-covered expanse. His face hardened as he turned to leave. Ming Teng was someone he had taken out under his wing—how would he explain this to his in-laws?
Regret consumed Rongchuan; he regretted being too lenient with the tribespeople. Had he employed brutal suppression from the beginning, this might never have occurred.
Back in the capital, Chang Yi learned of the situation just as he was about to leave the government office. Upon returning home, he happened upon his fourth brother and Mingyun together. Mingyun, visibly anxious, called out "Second Uncle" before hurriedly rushing into the manor.
Chang Yi and Chang Zhi stopped in their tracks, frowning. Chang Zhi asked, "You’ve heard as well?"
"The news is spreading all over the capital now. Who knows how Father and Mother are holding up?"
Chang Zhi quickened his pace, "Let’s move faster."
The two brothers jogged all the way to the main courtyard, where Mingyun was already kneeling. The brothers immediately turned to gauge their parents. Their expressions were grim, filled with the ache of hope dashed by headlines of loss.
Zhou Shuren gestured for his two sons to sit, addressing Mingyun, "Grandfather understands your urgency, but you cannot go to the prairie."
Mingyun protested, "Grandfather, I can’t find peace of mind without seeing Ming Teng myself. If disaster truly strikes, I must personally bring Ming Teng home."
Zhou Shuren raised his hand, "Your household is already burdened—Ming Hui is injured, Ming Jung still young. As the eldest son of the first branch, you must shoulder these responsibilities. Instead, your fourth uncle will go."
Chang Yi assumed it would be him, "Father, I have more experience than Fourth Brother—it’s better I go."
Zhou Shuren refuted, "Your elder brother isn’t home; you cannot leave."
Turning to his youngest son, he asked, "Do you have anything to say?"
Chang Zhi, steadfast by nature, voiced his commitment, "Father, I will bring Ming Teng back."
Zhou Shuren replied, "Good. No matter what, bring Ming Teng home."
Chang Zhi’s heart was heavy, "I understand, Father. I’ll prepare my belongings now to depart at dawn tomorrow."
Zhou Shuren queried, "You’re currently compiling books; departing now would render your prior progress futile. Are you willing to set it aside?"
Chang Zhi sat up straight with conviction, "Father, family weighs foremost in my heart."
"Good. Very good."
Chang Zhi noted that his mother’s complexion appeared stable, which eased his concerns. He rose to prepare for his trip.
Chang Yi and Mingyun stayed behind as Zhou Shuren continued, "While you two remain, keep the news strictly sealed within the manor. Grandfather must not find out."
Both understood; the old master couldn’t bear such a blow—his heart was too invested in Ming Teng.