The following morning greeted me with a biting chill. The winds were sharp enough to sting my skin, and I had a feeling it wouldn't be long before I caught another cold.
"You remember what you're presenting, right?" Renshu asked, his voice calm but firm.
"Yes. Everything I know should be enough for the expedition," I replied, pulling my sweater tighter. "The timeline we calculated will work."
"Good." He mounted his horse with ease. "You know we're heading to my workstation today, right?"
"What? You have a workstation?"
He looked at me as if that was obvious."Yes. Where else do you think I work?"
I blinked, caught off guard. "You never mentioned it before."
"Not everything needs to be mentioned," he said dryly.
I decided not to argue and instead turned to my horse. Climbing on was still a struggle. My legs hadn't fully regained their strength yet, and even the simple act of mounting felt like an accomplishment.
"You can ride with me if you want—"
"No!" I interrupted quickly, my voice sharper than I intended. "I mean, no thank you."
He raised a brow, clearly amused.
The last thing I needed was a repeat of that kind of closeness. If he remembered to ask that question again, I wasn't sure how I'd respond.
It took me a while to balance properly, but once I did, we started our journey. The road curved toward a direction unfamiliar to me—away from Gao Ming's residence, into a stretch of land that grew narrower and rougher with each passing minute.
The cold air bit through my clothes, and I tried to rub warmth into my hands. The silence between us stretched, filled only by the sound of hooves on Winter soil.
When I glanced sideways, I caught a glimpse of Renshu's face—focused, serious, almost as if he was heading into battle rather than to a meeting. His eyes were fixed ahead, unwavering.
I quickly looked away when he turned toward me. He didn't need to know I'd been staring.
The once-vibrant summer trees were now skeletal, stripped bare by winter. Their branches stretched toward the grey sky. I found myself wondering if the flowers at the Rear Palace still bloomed—those blue inter blossoms that had once filled the gardens with fragrance and calm.
"Why did you stop?" Renshu's voice snapped me out of thought.
My horse had halted abruptly. The path ahead had vanished, replaced by barren land sprinkled with patches of grass.
"There's no road," I said, confused. "Where are we even going?"
"Who said we need a road to reach somewhere?" He nudged his horse forward. "Follow me, Meilina."
I hesitated, then sighed and did as told.
"There must be a reason you chose such a remote place," I said as we rode deeper into the wilderness. "No path, no landmarks—what's the point?"
"Of course there's a reason," he replied, almost proudly. "I don't want people knowing where I work. The fewer who know, the better. No road means fewer visitors."
"You're quite secretive," I remarked.
"Perhaps," he said, smiling faintly. "Though, I'd say less so than you."
I frowned, unsure if that was a compliment or an accusation. His teasing seemed to increase by the day.
The landscape slowly shifted, the emptiness giving way to color.
"We're here," he said.
In front of me stood a palace—not massive, but regal. Its walls and roof glowed with a crimson hue, blending perfectly with the flowers that surrounded it.
"Charming, isn't it?" Renshu asked, watching my reaction.
I nodded, it was beautiful.
The red palace glowed under the pale sunlight, like fire surviving in winter's breath. For a fleeting moment, I thought I could live in a place like this—quiet, hidden, peaceful.
As we rode closer, familiar faces came into view: Colonel Gao Ming, Commander Wei Fang, and several others, likely the remaining colonels.
"Ahh, late as always, General Renshu!" Wei Fang greeted cheerfully. "And our young Aryan! I trust you're doing well?"
"Yes, sir," I said, dismounting—though not without help which felt ironic to my answer.
As we entered the building, my heartbeat quickened. I wasn't sure if it was nerves from the cold, the presentation, or the man walking beside me.
Inside, the workstation resembled more of a royal chamber than an office. A long table stretched across the room, lined with red-cushioned chairs, the faint scent of ink and parchment filling the air.
Renshu stood at the head of the table, his voice commanding instant silence.
"Everyone, as you know, Aryan will be presenting his proposal today—the Ku Tu poison strategy." He turned toward me.
I froze for a second before realizing all eyes were on me. My throat felt dry.
"The plan I'll be presenting today," I began, steadying my voice, "concerns the Ku Tu poison—commonly found in the northern regions of Bharat and southern China. The plant that produces it is known as Nux Vomica. Once ingested, it causes muscle weakness and vomiting. Eventually—"
"Why use this poison?" one of the colonels interrupted. "We have similar ones within our borders."
I nodded, expecting that question. "Because this particular poison is more stable in water. It retains potency longer than others. Now, as for the plan itself—"
I spoke quickly, hoping no one would interrupt again. "With the Mongol troops advancing as they are, they'll reach critical points within two months. This gives us an advantage—time. If we begin now, we can continue poisoning their water supply for at least three weeks, ensuring that their strength dwindles before battle even begins."
When I finished, silence followed. Then, a sea of raised hands.
I inhaled deeply and braced myself.
"What are the real advantages?" Wei Fang asked, his tone testing.
"Three main ones," I said. "First, stability. The poison doesn't weaken easily when diluted. Second, its symptoms mimic natural fatigue—muscle pain and exhaustion, which are common in prolonged campaigns. Third, it causes agitation and frustration. Given the Mongols' notorious cruelty, such tension could lead to internal disputes and disorder among their ranks."
I paused before adding, "It's also slow-acting. The soldiers won't realize they're being poisoned. They'll keep drinking from the same tainted source. We don't have to worry about it's taste or smell as they are both minimal in water."
For a moment, the room was silent again—then filled with low murmurs.
Wei Fang's expression softened slightly, as though reconsidering his stance. Gao Ming's usual neutral face bore a faint smile.
Renshu raised a hand. "Those in favor of initiating the expedition—raise your hand."
A vote? Already?
I didn't expect anyone to agree. Not for a plan proposed by a foreigner. But Gao Ming's hand went up immediately, followed by another colonel's. Two votes. Just one more and—
Slowly, Wei Fang's hand rose.
My eyes widened. He was voting in favor?
"The plan is risky," Wei Fang said. "But I'll admit—it's intriguing. However…" He leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "How are you so certain about this poison's effects?"
A wave of murmurs spread again. Their voices overlapped—questions, doubts, half-whispered suspicions. My heart pounded. I didn't know which question to answer first.
Renshu's voice cut through the noise. "Enough." His tone silenced the room instantly.
He turned his gaze toward me, eyes steady, unreadable. "Aryan," he said, his voice low but commanding. "Tell us. How are you so knowledgeable about this poison?"