Recently, two major events occurred in the capital. One was the autumn hunt at the Rining Hunting Grounds, and the other was the Emperor finally deciding on the candidate for the Grand General of the Northern Frontier. The position did not go to Xie Zhui's deputy, Zuo Li, nor to Yin Tong or Xu Guang. Instead, the Emperor directly transferred General Rong Ji from the Southern Frontier to serve as the Grand General of the Northern Frontier.

It was worth mentioning that General Rong Ji's father was related by marriage to Xie Zhui's grandfather. Xie Zhui's father, Xie Sui, and Rong Ji have known each other since childhood and grew up playing together.

Now, the matter of the Grand General of the Northern Frontier finally settled, and it could be said that the outcome favored the Crown Prince.

Upon hearing the news, Xiao Shan asked Xie Zhui about Rong Ji's character.

Xie Zhui thought for a moment and said, "He was stationed in the Southern Frontier while my father was in the Northern Frontier. Because they were both in the military, they kept a low profile and didn't have much contact, except during holidays when they were quite close."

This was a subtle way of putting it. In fact, after Xie Sui went missing, Rong Ji almost defied military orders to search for him personally. Xie Sui had sent Rong Ji many military books and shared his experiences in leading troops and fighting battles over the years.

Both were men of strong character and had a lot in common when discussing border affairs.

In short, if Rong Ji becomes the Grand General of the Northern Frontier, it would be a good thing.

Xiao Shan's intention was different. He said, "Didn't your elder brother get poisoned in his eyes by a Gu? The Southern Frontier is known for its use of Gu. Since General Rong has some influence there, have you informed him about this situation?"

Xie Zhui replied, "Elder Brother has already sent a letter to the Southern Frontier, but to cure the Gu in his eyes, he needs to go there personally. Given his noble title and sensitive status, it's inconvenient for him to travel to the Southern Frontier without an imperial decree. Last time, Elder Brother mentioned in a letter that he had found a suitable method and believed the Gu poison would be cured soon."

After all, the identities of the Xie and Rong families were significant, and deep involvement could easily arouse suspicion.

Xiao Shan looked at Xie Zhui and said, "Next time something like this happens, tell me. Even if I can't think of everything, you should remind me."

Xie Chen's inability to go to the Southern Frontier was due to the lack of an imperial decree. If he could obtain one, these issues would no longer exist.

Xie Zhui nodded. In fact, if the matter of the Grand General* of the Northern Frontier had been settled earlier, he would have definitely discussed these matters with Xiao Shan.

*TN: Oh no… I noticed that I have been using both Great and Grand on this matter…. Hahaha… I have been having second thoughts about what might sound better… I am having second thoughts right now too. HAHAHAHA. Yep… I’ll just use them both………. I can't make up my mind.

However, this period was too sensitive, so they ultimately held back.

Fortunately, there was good news from Xie Chen's side.

With the matter now settled, Xiao Shan didn't dwell on it further.

Meanwhile, Xiao Jin, upon hearing the news, breathed a sigh of relief.

He had also put forward a general from a collateral branch of the Gu family, but although the Emperor did not choose this candidate from the Gu side branch, being able to select Rong Ji meant that he could be at ease for some time.

After the decision on the Grand General of the Northern Frontier was made, the Emperor commanded Zuo Li, Yin Tong, and Xu Guang to participate in the autumn hunt before returning to the Northern Frontier.

The three naturally agreed.

Xu Guang's attitude towards Zuo Li remained as before, but Yin Tong was a mix of angry, resentful, and sympathetic.

He was angry at Zuo Li's arrogance, resentful that the Zuo family looked down on their brothers who had fought and died together, and sympathetic that Zuo Li ultimately ended up with nothing.

With all these emotions combined, Yin Tong became increasingly sarcastic and strange in his behavior.

Regardless of what everyone was thinking, the autumn hunt at the Rining Hunting Grounds finally arrived.

However, there was a small incident before departure. Xiao Xian had been feeling unwell these past few days and was not in high spirits. The Emperor originally wanted him and Consort Xian to stay in the palace.

But Consort Xian said that Xiao Xian was unwilling and insisted on going along. She also mentioned that a man should be more active, hunting and fighting.

Hearing this, the Emperor thought Xiao Xian's idea was commendable and decided to bring him along.

The Rining Hunting Grounds were not far from the capital, and with so many people, they gradually set up camp throughout the day.

By this time, the weather had already turned a bit cold, but the hunting grounds, being a designated enclosed area, still had plenty of game to hunt.

That evening, in the tent closest to the Emperor's, Xiao Shan noticed that Xie Zhui didn't look well and said, "Wait here, I'll go find the imperial physician to check your pulse."

Xie Zhui shook his head and said, "It's nothing. I'm just a bit motion sickness. A night's rest will do."

He didn't know why, but he had felt nauseous throughout the journey, unable to vomit.

It wasn't exactly unbearable, but it wasn't comfortable either.

"Motion sickness? You've never been motion sickness before. Why suddenly now?" Xiao Shan was still worried.

Xie Zhui grabbed his hand and said, "Maybe it's the heat."

Lately, he had been feeling somewhat warm, but he knew his own body well and had no other symptoms, so he just let it be.

These past few days, he finally started to feel better, but sitting in the carriage for too long had upset his stomach.

Even so, he didn't want Xiao Shan out of his sight.

He couldn't bear the thought of being apart, even for a short time. Just the possibility made him feel very impatient.

Xie Zhui said sullenly, "A good night's sleep will help. If I'm still unwell tomorrow, you can call the imperial physician."

Seeing the vulnerability in his eyes, Xiao Shan's heart softened. He didn't let go to find the physician and said, "Alright, then you sleep. I'll watch over you."

Xie Zhui nodded and closed his eyes.

Holding Xiao Shan's hand, he felt extremely at ease.

Xiao Shan looked at the fatigue in his features, and an indescribable feeling welled up in his heart.

He felt a bit heartbroken.