When Xiao Jingyan entered the door of the Xie residence, it was Xie Bi who ca forward to receive him. The first words out of his mouth were, Your Highness has co personally? Please co in. Brother Su is at Snow Cottage.
Prince Jing was slightly taken aback, and asked, What, Mister Su knew I was coming?
Oh, its not like that, Xie Bi smiled. Brother Su just ca by to say hello, and said that His Highness Prince Jing was going to take charge of the three children from the Secluded Court to train them to beco his personal guards, and so would be sending soone to collect them soon. I just hadnt expected Your Highness to co personally.
Prince Jing let out an Oh, and then took his cue from Xie Bi and continued, I am interested in Mister Sus thods of teaching swordsmanship, and mainly ca to ask him about that, but can take the children away with while Im here.
Your Highness is known for your brilliant military achievents, so naturally you would be interested in those martial techniques. Now as for , I wasnt gifted with that talent. Xie Bi led the way, talking all the while. The two arrived at the door of Snow Cottage and stood waiting to be announced. Fei Liu appeared imdiately and looked at them coldly, his gaze like icy needles, which made Xie Bi very uncomfortable.
Go in! The youth said stiffly.
Xie Bi forced a smile, then said to Prince Jing, Its better for Brother Su to have quiet while hes ill. I wont go in to disturb him. Your Highness, please make yourself at ho.
Prince Jing hadnt wanted anyone elses company anyway, and so nodded and entered the small courtyard. i Changsu was already waiting beside the stairs, and aside from the three children lined up behind him, there was no one else present.
Your Highness, i Changsu bowed, and Tingsheng and the others followed suit.
Please rise, Prince Jing said coolly. My carriage is at the gate. The three children can wait for there.
On hearing this, i Changsu imdiately understood that Prince Jing had sothing he wanted to discuss in private, and ordered Fei Liu to call over a servant of the Xie household, who led Tingsheng and the others out, while he invited Prince Jing indoors and served up tea.
Princess Nihuangs narrow miss today, do you know about it? Prince Jing asked coldly, seeming not to see i Changsus outstretched arm inviting him to sit, but instead remaining standing with his hands behind his back.
Hasnt she already been rescued safely?
If I had arrived just one step later, the Princess would have already been led deeper into the palace, and then no matter what force I used, I would not have been able to save her. Did you know that? Prince Jing stepped forward, his tone growing severe.
Since Prince Jing had entered Snow Cottage, i Changsu had sensed that he was harbouring so hidden fury, which he had originally thought was leftover anger towards Noble Consort Yue and her son, but now, he was realizing that it was instead being directed towards himself.
Although there was danger in the process, everything has ended well. Why is Your Highness in such a rage? i Changsu pondered, then suddenly paled. Unless the Princess beca angry after her humiliation
Do you really care about the Princess feelings? Prince Jing laughed coldly. Warning her in advance to prevent everything from happening would have been a small favour, but it would not have given Noble Consort Yue and the Crown Prince the chance to commit such a cri, so of course you were not satisfied. Now the result is perfect I fought desperately to save her, the situation was full of excitent, and the Princess is endlessly grateful to , so that in the future if any conflict arose, the Yunnan Mu clan would undoubtedly choose to support . This is everything you hoped for, isnt it?
i Changsu felt palpitations stir in his heart. He turned slowly, and after a long while, said, Could it be that His Highness believes I purposefully concealed the truth from the Princess, and let everything happen in order to reap the greatest benefit from this plotting?
Are you telling thats not what happened? Prince Jing fixed his gaze tightly on him. You knew the events would take place at the Zhaoren palace, and you had an opportunity to warn the Princess beforehand, so why didnt you tell her? You had ti to tell her to beware the Empress, but didnt have ti to say two more words, Consort Yue?
Seeing Prince Jings nacing expression, i Changsus thoughts were scattered. He had honestly never thought Prince Jing would misunderstand him in this way. A persons thoughts were truly deep beyond all fathoming, and you could never really say that you had grasped the mind of another person. Even the most intimate relationship between a father and son could be eroded by rumours and gossip.
The fire of Prince Jings rage was fueled by i Changsus distracted, indifferent expression, and he took his silence for affirmation of his accusation. When he rembered Princess Nihuang lying fallen on the steps, her face full of pain and sha, he couldnt suppress the fury that rose up in his chest, and he reached forward and grabbed i Changsu by the collar, pulling him close, his other arm gripping his shoulder tightly, as if the heat of his rage could lt the ice-cold skin of the person before him.
Listen well, Su Zhe, Xiao Jingyans words were spoken through tightly gritted teeth. I know that you strategists not only act treacherously and shalessly, but also that not even the most powerful can stand against the cold arrows of your plotting. But I must warn you, since you have accepted as your liege, you will be clear about my boundaries. Princess Nihuang is not like those who only wallow in power and fight for wealth. She is the commander of a hundred thousand soldiers of the Southern border; she has shouldered the military responsibility of protecting the country. It is the blood she has shed on the battlefield that protects people like you, so that you may sche and plot safely in this flourishing capital! How could soone like you, who only seeks power and profit, understand the iron blood of a soldier, the hostile smoke of the battlefield? I will not allow you to take people like her as your chess pieces, to use and dispose of as you will. If you do not even know how to respect these veterans who have paid the price on the battlefield with their blood, then I, Xiao Jingyan, will never be associated with you! Do you understand?
A wave of heat rose in i Changsus chest, and a hint of a bitter smile lingered at the edges of his mouth. Not understand what it ans to be a soldier? Not understand the battlefield? Perhaps, in the snow of that bitter winter twelve years ago, his heart had frozen, and his blood had frozen, but the things that had been burned into his very bones had they frozen too?
But at this mont, he did not have to think anymore about this, and neither did he have to answer the posed question, because in i Changsus trembling field of vision, Fei Lius furious face had suddenly appeared.
The youths palm sliced through the air with murderous intent, trailing cold air in its wake, aid at Prince Jings neck like the scythe of the reaper himself.
Stop! As he shouted sternly for Fei Liu to stop, i Changsu shoved Prince Jing to one side with all of his strength, putting his own body in front of him as a shield.
Fei Lius ferocious slice was descending when Su gege suddenly appeared in the target area of his attack, and, knowing that he wouldnt be able to take the hit, he was horrified and imdiately pulled back with all of his strength, blocking his right arm with his left. But the cold energy of his attack still assaulted Prince Jings side and i Changsus shoulder.
Prince Jing had been through regular endurance training, and his muscles and bones were strong as iron, so this small piece of much reduced cold energy didnt do much to him, but to i Changsu, it felt as if he had been struck with a shower of ice cold needles. There was a sudden sweetness in his throat, and he felt a surge of fresh blood rush into his mouth, which he forced back down doggedly.
Su gege! Fei Liu cried loudly.
i Changsu ignored the pain in his chest, gathered his composure, and said severely, still standing guard in front of Prince Jing, Have you forgotten everything Ive said to you? Have you forgotten that you promised to never, ever hurt this person, to never touch even one hair on his head?
But he Although Fei Lius face was rigid, his wide eyes were filled with the hurt of a child.
Dont argue! i Changsu reprimanded sharply. What is forbidden is forbidden! Apologize to His Highness Prince Jing!
Fei Lius whole body trembled. He pressed his lips tightly together, his lovely face stretched taut, and twisted away stubbornly.
Prince Jing had not the slightest shred of antipathy towards Fei Liu, and said with a crease in his brow, You dont need to force him.
No, i Changsus face was like ice. He must rember this. Fei Liu, are you going to apologize or not?
Fei Liu rarely received this kind of stern, forceful scolding from i Changsu. His face was flushed, his breath heavy, his chest heaving, and his teeth were gritted so hard that the muscles of his face were stretched taut and veins were showing in the skin of his neck. If he had not been trained from childhood to show no expression on his face, he would certainly have been close to tears.
i Changsu sighed, his heart softening, and he walked forward slowly and wrapped his hands around Fei Lius face, rubbing gently, and said quietly, Dont grind your teeth, youll get a headache
Fei Lius lips pursed, then he rushed forward and fell into i Changsus embrace, wrapping his arms tightly around his waist.
Alright, alright i Changsu murmured. Is Fei Liu going to listen to Su gege?
listen
Then apologize to His Highness.
Fei Liu thought for a mont, head bowed, then suddenly raised his head and glared at Prince Jing, saying stiffly, Him first!
Prince Jing raised an eyebrow in confusion, but i Changsu had already instantly understood Fei Lius aning.
Dont speak nonsense. Why would His Highness apologize to you?
To you!
Not to neither.
He hit you!
He did not hit , i Changsu rubbed his shoulder helplessly. He was only a little angry, and drew a bit close to while speaking. He apologize! Fei Liu insisted.
I am not going to apologize. i Changsu had not yet answered when Prince Jing unexpectedly spoke up. Xiao Jingyans expression was serious as he turned to face Fei Liu. He did not take advantage of the boys intellectual disadvantage to tease or deceive him, but instead continued in a solemn voice, Everything I have said just now was from the bottom of my heart, not one sentence was false or wrong, and so, I will not apologize. But, Su Zhe, neither will I ask this young brother to apologize to . He was only fulfilling his responsibilities as a bodyguard, and did not do anything wrong. I think, however, that you owe Princess Nihuang an apology.
i Changsu looked at him, deep in thought, and then asked, Does Princess Nihuang also think I purposefully deceived her?
Xiao Jingyan was startled. Actually, no, she thought you were disrupted before you could finish.
Then what is the use of apologizing now and frightening her for nothing? i Changsu said indifferently. The Princess has already suffered much in the capital. Must you add to her grief?
Prince Jing had not considered this, and stood in a daze.
I will rember Your Highness words well, and I will take care in the future. i Changsu continued, But I also have a few words for Your Highness. You cannot reject all strategists as one. Against people such as Prince Yu and the Crown Prince, one cannot succeed with only a heart full of passion. Sotis, we must be ruthless, treacherous, cruel; if we are complacent for even a mont, we will lose everything, with no hope of recovery. You will not fail to understand this point, am I right?
Xiao Jingyans brows were furrowed tightly, but he knew there was truth to these words. He only felt as if his chest were stuffed tightly with sothing, a disgust and hatred he could not easily express.
i Changsu had been watching the changes in his expression closely, and continued in a cold, hard voice, Your Highness cannot help feeling uncomfortable on occasion, but you must bear it. I know your boundaries, and I will not cross them. But I also have my own thods and ways of handling matters, and I am afraid Your Highness will have to get used to them slowly. You and I share the sa goal, and for the sake of this, is it really too much to ask for us to sacrifice so of our personal feelings?
Prince Jing raised his head and took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a mont, then slowly opened them again and directed his shining gaze towards i Changsu. This is what you really believe. I understand. I will also share with you this truth: I no longer harbour the slightest trace of brotherly love or affection towards the Crown Prince and Prince Yu. Against them and those who do their will, I do not care what thods you choose to use.
Your Highness speaks frankly, to say these words in front of .
Since I am working with you, what is the point of hiding anything? If you truly wanted to do harm, then simply knowing Tingshengs secret would have been enough to tie my hands. Although you work in the shadows with poisonous scheming, you are nonetheless truly talented. If I did not have soone like you by my side, then what power would I have against the Crown Prince and Prince Yu? But in all of our Da Liang, and in the royal court, there still remain ministers who are pure of heart, and who have not participated in the fight for the crown, and against them
I must still use them. i Changsu spoke coldly. But, to the best of my ability, I will not also harm them.
Prince Jing stared at him steadily, and slowly nodded after a long mont, then said, pronouncing each word carefully, See that you rember.
i Changsu smiled faintly, understanding that this days discussion had co to an end, and stepped back and bowed. Prince Jing didnt waste any more words, but turned and strode away towards the courtyard. At the door, he stopped suddenly and said, without turning his head, Thank you, for saving Tingsheng.
Youre welco. i Changsu continued indifferently, I hope Your Highness will not overindulge him out of pity for his sufferings, but send him into the army for training, that he may learn from an early age the rigors of manhood, and not turn out like , with a mind filled only with plots and sches.
Xiao Jingyans figure seed to freeze for a mont, but in the end, he didnt reply, and only walked away into the courtyard.
Fei Lius furious glare had been fixed on him all along, and even after his shadow had disappeared, he continued to glare in that direction, unwilling to turn away.
No, Fei Liu. i Changsu took the boys hand, and pulled him forcefully into the middle of the room. Su gege will say it one more ti: you are absolutely forbidden to hurt this person, no matter what, do you understand?
Understand.
Su gege is very upset about what happened today.
Hes bad! Fei Liu sounded hurt. He hit you.
He did not hit . I would never, ever let him hit . i Changsu rubbed Fei Lius head and said, If he had hit , Su gege would be angry. Look at , do I look angry?
Fei Liu looked closely, then shook his head.
To tell you the truth, Su gege is actually very happy. i Changsu smiled and pinched the boys cheek. Really, very happy.
Happy Fei Liu cocked his head, looking doubtful.
Because, he still hasnt changed. As i Changsu spoke, his eyes gradually beca misty. Although he doesnt speak or laugh much now, although he is not as cheerful or as bright as before, although his heart has been filled with fury and revenge, still, in his bones, he is still that warmhearted Xiao Jingyan, he is stillthat good friend, who sotis bullies , and is sotis bullied by .
Su gege.
Hmm? What is it?
Dont cry!
Alright, i Changsu took a breath, still smiling, and used a finger to lightly brush at the corner of his eye. I wont cry. After all, we are very happy.
Happy! Fei Liu suddenly forgot his previous troubles and pointed outside. Sun! Can play!
Alrightlets go play.
Despite agreeing to play, i Changsu only sat on the long bench under the tree, enjoying the weak warmth of the sunshine of an early winters afternoon. Fei Liu sat in the shade, playing joyfully with the shadows of the tree branches, and returning periodically to his Su geges side for i Changsu to mop his sweating forehead with a gentle handkerchief.
Suddenly, it was as if the flow of ti had reversed, and he had returned to the careless days of his youth. He was taming horses, bare-chested, on the grasslands, the yellow earth flying by beneath the wild hooves of his horse. Jingyan, standing outside the fence, tossed him a sack of wine, which he caught and upended over his face in one smooth motion. The wine splashed over his chest, and his father ca over, smiling, and rubbed at his forehead with his own handkerchief, gently wiping it clean.
Su gege. Fei Lius clear eyes were wide as he called his na.
Its alright, i Changsu replied gently. The sun is so warm. Im falling asleep.
Then sleep! Fei Liu jumped up and brought a blanket over, lightly spreading it over i Changsus body, then curled up beside him, resting his head on his knee.
As the day drew to a close, the entire Snow Cottage suddenly beca unusually quiet.
But for i Changsu, who had already been sucked into the storms of deceit and deception, as ti went on, peaceful monts like these would only beco rarer and rarer, and shorter and shorter.
I dont get it either. Is it an explicit reference to Prince Qi or is it just an example to emphasize his point? (But then, when had Prince Qi and the Emperor ever had an intimate relationship? I thought theyd never understood each other.)
referring to mood, not intelligence
Chapter 31 Translators Notes:
The beginning was painful to translate. (Xiao Jingyan, you are going to be a wonderful emperor, but sotis, you are such a water buffalo.) The parts with Fei Liu were fun. And I was totally not prepared for that part at the end. Every ti I think this story cant break my heart any more.
(Nevermind, I still enjoyed this chapter way more than the last few.)
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