Chapter 60 Rainbow Fart

Another month passed, and the bitter winter arrived quietly. The streets of the imperial capital were covered with a thin layer of frost, and a sharp, chilling cold permeated the air.

Chu Nan stood at the entrance of his shop, watching the rising steam from the steamer of a street vendor not far away.

He saw the figures of children chasing each other in the snow, and instinctively shrank his neck, complaining, "It is truly freezing today. The winters in the north are utterly relentless, unlike the south where it is probably still quite warm."

Just as he picked up his teacup to warm himself, he saw a familiar figure push open the door of the small shop and walk in.

The person was dressed in official attire; it was none other than Shangguan Ya'er, who had been dealing with him frequently of late.

"Lady Shangguan?" Chu Nan raised an eyebrow, set down his teacup, and smiled, "What is this? You surely aren't here to press me for military provisions today, are you? I've been quite idle these past two days."

Shangguan Ya'er stepped inside, her pace light yet carrying a sharp, imposing aura.

She took off the cloak draped over her shoulders, casually shook off the snowflakes clinging to it, and said directly, "Master Chu, you must have heard some rumors about the south recently, haven't you?"

"The south?" Chu Nan was startled at the words, then quickly reacted, "You mean the matter regarding Prince Jing?"

Shangguan Ya'er nodded, her tone calm yet impossible to ignore, "Prince Jing harbors wild ambitions and intends to rebel. Her Majesty caught wind of it early on and personally led several hundred imperial secret guards south to suppress the rebellion."

Chu Nan froze, his relaxed expression instantly vanishing.

He set down the cup in his hand, his brows furrowing slightly: "Personally went to suppress the rebellion? Although the south is a prosperous region, Prince Jing's rebellion is merely in its nascent stages, without even solid evidence."

"Why would the Empress need to take such a personal risk?"

Shangguan Ya'er shook her head gently, her gaze as calm as water, "Master Chu is mistaken. This is not a mere nascent sign, but an imminent crisis."

"Prince Jing has been secretly recruiting soldiers and purchasing horses, and had long since prepared to raise troops."

"Had it not been for Her Majesty's thunderous methods and personal expedition south, I fear this rebellion would have dragged down the entire imperial court."

Listening to this, Chu Nan lowered his head in deep thought for a moment before letting out a soft sigh: "The Empress is truly decisive..."

"Prince Jing had barely stirred his thoughts, and she was already striking at his doorstep."

"Such clean and swift methods make me admire her more and more."

"Her Majesty never shows mercy in her actions," Shangguan Ya'er said, a trace of reverence in her tone. "The south has been prosperous since ancient times. If Prince Jing were truly allowed to succeed, the consequences would be unthinkable."

"Master Chu might as well rejoice that Her Majesty has already brought the situation under control."

Chu Nan nodded thoughtfully, though a complex wave of emotion surged in his heart.

His evaluation of the Empress was already high, and this time it was tinged with genuine admiration.

He let out a soft sigh and mocked himself, "Indeed, I thought too simply of it, always feeling that a rebellion was a distant matter, never expecting it to press so close."

"Master Chu," Shangguan Ya'er looked at him, her voice softening somewhat, "you should know that once Her Majesty handles the affairs in the south, she will naturally return to the imperial capital."

"But before that, everything within and outside the capital must remain as steady as Mount Tai."

"As for the matter of provisions, there is no need to trouble yourself for the time being."

Chu Nan nodded, but instead of taking up her point, he shifted to a lighter topic: "Speaking of which, Lady Shangguan, you came here specifically to tell me all this—surely it wasn't out of fear that I would be bored to death?"

Shangguan Ya'er smiled faintly, "I am merely informing Master Chu of Her Majesty's movements. After all, your cooperation with Her Majesty cannot be underestimated."

She then cupped her fists and said, "If there is nothing else, this official will take her leave."

Chu Nan watched her depart, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward the cold street outside.

Shangguan Ya'er's words still echoed in his ears. He turned back into the room, sat down at the table, picked up his teacup, and fell into a slight trance.

"The south... Prince Jing..." Chu Nan murmured softly, a look of deep contemplation in his eyes.

He recalled some rumors he had accidentally overheard in his early years, concerning Prince Jing of the southern water towns—always ambitious, yet never with conclusive evidence.

This time, it had erupted so swiftly.

"The Empress is truly extraordinary," he smiled lightly, yet his eyes carried a hint of worry, "I hope she returns safely."

"Although this southern rebellion seems like a small matter, who knows what hidden troubles might lie dormant within it."

Chu Nan shook his head and set down the teacup, a thought rising in his mind.

Since the Empress had personally campaigned in the south, should he not enter the palace to pay his respects?

To sound out the situation, or see if there was any way he could be of help?

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated, got up to put on a thick long robe, and changed into clean shoes.

He casually tidied his hair and stepped out of the small shop.

The cold wind was biting, and snowflakes fluttered as Chu Nan walked the path leading to the imperial palace.

Even draped in his heavy robe, he could still feel the chill drilling straight into his neck.

He couldn't help rubbing his hands together, exhaling a puff of warm air, and muttered, "This weather is truly terrifyingly cold; the south must be much more comfortable than this..."

"Still, for the Empress to triumphantly return amidst this bitter winter is something well worth paying respects for."

A quarter of an hour later, Chu Nan stepped into the towering and solemn imperial palace.

The golden tiles and white snow on the halls gleamed with a cold radiance under the sunlight, and guards clad in thick furs wore stern expressions, their swords reflecting the snowy glare.

Chu Nan produced the pass token previously given to him by the Empress, easily passing through several palace gates, and walked familiarly toward the Imperial Study.

As he drew close to the Imperial Study, he heard voices drifting from the hall from afar.

Vaguely, it seemed the Empress and Shangguan Ya'er were conversing.

He stood still outside the door, just about to ask an attendant to announce him, when he heard Chief Eunuch Liu's slightly shrill voice ring out: "Your Majesty, Master Chu has arrived."

The voices inside the hall abruptly ceased. A moment later, a cool yet gentle female voice came: "Let him enter."

Chu Nan straightened his clothes and stepped into the Imperial Study.

The moment he crossed the threshold, a wave of warmth rushed toward him, driving away the chill from his body.

Inside the study, Empress Cheng Lingyu was seated behind the desk, dressed in a moon-white court robe.

Adorned with golden hairpins, she exuded a noble aura.

To the side, Shangguan Ya'er stood with her arms crossed, her expression calm.

"Your humble subject Chu Nan pays respects to Your Majesty."

Chu Nan cupped his fists and bowed, his actions respectful yet carrying his characteristic, composed smile.

"Master Chu." Cheng Lingyu lifted her gaze, a hint of a smile touching her lips.

She raised a hand in a gesture and said, "No need for formalities. Please, rise."

Chu Nan straightened up, a trace of appraisal in his eyes.

He noticed that the Empress's complexion looked slightly more fatigued than when he last saw her, but her spirit was exceptionally vibrant, and that gaze still held a breathtaking sharpness.

He secretly praised in his heart: "She is indeed an extraordinary woman."

Cheng Lingyu looked at him, her tone carrying a touch of ease: "Master Chu, that I was able to smoothly march south and suppress the rebellion in the south this time is largely thanks to your timely supply of provisions."

"Otherwise, it would have been impossible for me to pacify the situation in the south so rapidly."