i Changsu smiled and took his arm, saying lowly, Today is the first ti, ng dage, would you care to accompany to the imperial Jing residence for a stroll?
Good, ng Zhi replied without hesitation, then turned and took down the fur-lined cloak from its hanger, draping it over i Changsus shoulders. It will be damp in the tunnel, put this on.
Are you really going to go with ? Sothing flashed across i Changsus gaze. Then, when Prince Jing asks why youre with , how will you answer?
ng Zhi had not thought up to this point, and stared blankly as he said, I thought he knew.
He knows you and I have interacted before, and he also knows you appreciate , and are partial towards . i Changsu gazed fixedly at this Commander of the Imperial Guard. But he does not know the truth of the relationship between you and . If you erge with out of the most secret tunnel in the entire capital, then this will reveal to him that the relationship between us is ten tis closer than he had previously thought, and how could he not be stunned? How could he not inquire further until he reached the truth?
Then. ng Zhi furrowed his brow and thought for awhile. Lets say that youve saved my life in the past, and I am repaying this debt, or say that you have so information you can use against , so I have no choice but to.
i Changsu laughed in spite of himself as he shook his head. Jingyan is not so easy to fool. What kind of a rank is the Commander General? If you were really only repaying a debt, or only under a threat, then at the most I could only use you a little. If you were not in my absolute confidence, if you were not soone I trust as much as I would my own hand or foot, how would I have told you about this secret tunnel, which itself holds the key to my life or death, to my success or failure?
Xiao Shu, ng Zhi suddenly grabbed his hand, tell him everything, tell him the truth about our relationship, and tell him the truth about your.
i Changsus gaze suddenly grew cold, and the gentle expression in his eyes suddenly frosted over like ice, freezing all emotion beneath its surface, and even his tone of voice grew a little cold.
ng dage, what I am most afraid of, is that you will not be able to hold yourself back in this. i Changsu gripped ng Zhis hand tightly, the tips of his fingers digging into his skin. In the future, you and Jingyan will have more and more chances to interact, but you must rember, above all else, no matter what, you must grit your teeth and never tell him who I am, not even one word!
But why?! Why must you bear this weight alone? If Prince Jing knew the truth, he would surely.
On the contrary, that would ruin everything. i Changsu cut him off coolly. Prince Jings resolve to strive for the throne is currently quite steady, he has listened to all of my advice regardless of how he feels, and he has cooperated with all of my plans and actions, and has never protested, do you know why?
Because. ng Zhi stamred, unable to finish his sentence.
Because his heart is free from distraction, and to him, the throne is currently the most important consideration. Everything I do for him, he has only to consider whether it is beneficial towards this goal, and that is all. As for what consequences all of this will have for i Changsu himself, he simply does not need to care. i Changsus tone was cold, but as he smiled, a hint of grief drifted across his gaze in spite of himself. But once he knows that I am Lin Shu, the sequence of priorities will reverse, he will not be able to help himself in wanting to protect , to leaving a way out for , and that would tie both of our hands, and we would beco a hindrance to one another in the end.
ng Zhi knew Prince Jings nature and character well, and so knew that he had spoken truly, and he could find no way to refute his words, only feeling a grief well up in his heart, a pain that was difficult to suppress.
Actually, on the other hand, not telling him will lighten my burden as well. i Changsu drew a deep breath and forced a smile. Jingyan and I are too close as friends, if I stand before him as i Changsu, then no matter what I plot or sche, I do not feel much of anything, but as soon as I turn back into Lin Shu, then it would be difficult to avoid feeling sad and hurt, and there will be an inexplicable restlessness in my heart. If I gave in to such emotions, never mind the throne, many human lives would also be implicated in such a fall.
Dont say any more. At this mont, even iron-warrior ng Zhis eyes were rimd with red. I promise you, no matter what, I will never reveal even half a word. And it doesnt matter if Prince Jing doesnt know, theres still , xiao Shu, from now on, ng dage will look after you, I will die before I let anyone wrong you again.
i Changsu held back the surge of emotions in his chest and lightly patted him on the shoulder, saying soothingly, Dont worry, Jingyan is not one of those heartless types who get rid of people as soon as they stop being useful, and who are willing to share in suffering but not in reward, so I will not co to much grief in the future.
Thats true, ng Zhi sighed. Bad at trickery and tactics, bad at adapting to change, and valuing friendship and loyalty too highly these have always been Prince Jings faults. You have your work cut out for you, helping him to the throne.
i Changsu turned his head slightly towards the window, his face as clear as pure snow, an icy smile playing lightly at the corner of his lips as he said coldly, In our Da Liang, do we still lack for harsh and suspicious emperors who only know how to play in the sches and feuds of the court? Helping Jingyan to the throne will be a bit difficult, but once we succeed, then, by his unswerving determination and unyielding will, by his keen observations and honest discernnt, by his orderly style of work and just conduct, would he not make a good Emperor? As long as internal friction is decreased, a ruler and his ministers can work as one to repair and build up a benevolent governnt. In these recent years, youve seen as well, in the court, the ministers do not think about politics, and the military does not think about war, they are occupied only with guessing at how to please their superiors, and with how to secure and guard their own power and positions. It is fortunate that Da Liangs power is still strong and solid, and its political system robust and sound, and so it is just about holding up under this empty fra, but if the next dynasty is like this as well, I fear our nations power would continue to crumble, and if we do not work to pull ourselves together now, in the future, when tigers and wolves co from every side to tear us apart, how will we defend our country and protect our people?
His voice was deep and low, and his tone was not passionate, but as ng Zhi listened, he felt as if the blood in his veins all over his body had suddenly sped up, and it was as if a scalding iron had been placed on his chest. Restoring the dignity of the imperial court by reviving law and discipline, and draining away the tainted pools and replacing them with fresh water this had always been the long-cherished wish of the Emperors eldest son, Prince Qi. Back in those years when ng Zhi had been in the Chiyan Army, he too had once heard this wise prince describe his vision of an ideal court. But after his death, the crowd of shining talent that had gathered in his manor was scattered to the winds, so were implicated in his cri and died as well, so disappeared into hiding, so changed their aspirations with ti, and so had been oppressed all along and could not rise in the ranks, and all that was left in the court was a horde of yes-n, sinking in a heavy, lethargic fog. The Emperors pleasure and anger beca the standard by which everything was asured, and all anyone thought about was how to acquire power, how to curry favour, and how to choose the correct stance to secure the best future. The Crown Prince and Prince Yu certainly never seed to tire of this ga, and had practically written the art of toying with others will into the guiding texts of how to rule a country. If there was anyone left in the entire palace of Da Liang who still bore a little of Prince Qis ideals about governing a nation, then, in truth, there only remained Prince Jing, who had grown up by Xiao Jingyus side, receiving his teachings from a young age.
ng dage, i Changsu smiled faintly, as if he had read his thoughts from the expression in his eyes, and said lightly, Do you understand now? There are many things I cannot let Jingyan take responsibility for, alongside . If we must journey into hell, and beco demons with hearts full of poison, then let be the one to do so, Jingyans pure and innocent heart must be preserved. Although there are so things he must understand, and so naive ideas he must alter, I will do my best to preserve his principles and his standards, he must not beco too tainted in the process of the fight for the throne. If the person I help to the throne in the future is an Emperor of the sa temperant as the Crown Prince and Prince Yu, then Jingyu gege and the Chiyan Army will truly have died in vain.
ng Zhis heart was a turmoil of emotions, and he could only nod heavily, unable to speak for a long ti. Although he had promised i Changsu many tis not to reveal the truth, it was only in this mont that he truly yielded, and carved his sworn word into his heart.
i Changsus gaze had resud its peaceful and gentle expression, and he leaned against his desk as he said, ng dage, when I asked you to accompany today to the imperial Jing manor, I was joking. In order not to raise Jingyans suspicions, Im afraid you must co to from his side.
ng Zhi didnt understand imdiately, and blurted out, Co to you from his side? How?
i Changsu was feeling a bit tired, and he sat down in a wooden chair nearby, gesturing for ng Zhi to sit as well as he said slowly, Recently, because of the case of the murdered eunuchs, the Emperor has grown suspicious towards you without any good reason, and your two vice commanders have been transferred away as well, everyone has seen this, and naturally, Prince Jing also knows that you have been wronged. I will find an opportunity to advise Prince Jing, he can take this chance to interact with you more, and take in your n into his manor. As for you, do your best to subtly make him understand your distaste for the Crown Prince and Prince Yu, and your reminiscence of Prince Qi. Your relationship has been good all along, and once it is a little closer, you can pretend to accidentally discover the entrance to the tunnel in his bedroom, and force him to tell you the truth. When that happens, you can take him into your confidence entirely, and express to him that although you yourself would never forsake the Emperor, in the matter of the succession, you can support him. Prince Jing has always known of your loyalty, and understands your inclinations, so he will certainly believe you beyond a doubt. Since the tunnel has already been discovered by you, he cannot hide it even if he wishes to, and then, it should be you accompanying him, and arriving here to give a fright.
Oh you. ng Zhi couldnt help laughing. Let see how big that brain of yours is, well in that case, I will logically end up as both of your confidants, it is only that Prince Jing must first receive a good scare.
If it were not essential for Prince Jing to know that you are on our side, in order to facilitate events in the future, why would I co up with sothing like this? Afterwards, we will both be fellow-workers serving the sa lord, and there are no conflicts between us, so even if our friendship seems to deepen, Prince Jing would not think it strange, so isnt this better than any kind of excuse of repaying a debt?
Youre right, lets do it your way. Its just that, tonight, I cannot accompany you on this first ti.
You have kept company as my guest this whole day, I am tired as well, and there is nothing urgent, so I had not planned to go over anyway. It is not early, you should return to your residence, or Sister-in-law will be worried about you.
ng Zhi examined his complexion closely, then said frowning, You do look a bit pale, you must really have worked too hard today. The tunnel is here, and if you do not go today, it will not disappear, its more important to rest and take care of your health. Ill stop bothering you, go in and sleep.
i Changsu was indeed very tired, and he did not need to keep up courtesy around ng Zhi, and so he only nodded and then went straight into his room, lay down on his bed, and went to sleep. Fei Liu, who was in a little bed in the room, lifted his head, and seeing that it was him, only blinked twice before closing his eyes again, and it was difficult to tell whether he had truly woken or not.
At this adorable display, ng Zhi felt a smile spread across his face, but he made no sound, and only carefully closed the windows and doors and blew out the candle on the desk before quietly taking his leave.
Translators Notes:
1. I think I might have actually cried while typing this translation.
2. ng Zhi and Lin Shu, brotherhood eternal
3. This is the missing scene from the drama that explains the scene where ng Zhi declares his loyalty to Prince Jing!!! I an, we all knew MCS was behind it, but now we get the whole rationale and explanation too. Sorry, Im more of a MZ than a MCS clearly I needed that explanation lol. Still, it was a pretty touching scene regardless. Arghhhhh all MZ declaring loyalty scenes make sob. LOYALTY IS IN THE HEART NOT THE NA
4. For so reason, its much easier for to see MCS as Lin Shu in the novel, compared to the drama. Hearing him so casually refer to XJY as Jingyan here.my heart
5. JINGYU GEGE *DIES*
6. Whats my tag? Ah yes #everytiithinkthisstorycantbreakmyheartanymore
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