The rain hadn’t stopped all night, and the plan to travel in the early morning naturally fell through.

Still, because of the rain, the soldiers and people who had been traveling for almost a month got to rest for a day. Previously, they had to wake up after just two or three hours of sleep, but now they could sleep soundly until dawn.

Even Xiao Rong rarely had such a good sleep; he didn’t dream at all and felt as if he had returned to the carefree days of infancy, with every cell in his body relaxed.

Qu Yunmie thought that Xiao Rong’s sudden illness was caused by his anger. Xiao Rong believed his sudden illness was due to Qu Yunmie being so stubborn and insistent on his own views, which could only lead to a big pitfall. Falling into such a pit would surely lower his luck, and that was why he had fallen ill again.

However, this was a misunderstanding. His body’s warning had nothing to do with their argument. The real reason was that Huang Yanjiu, far away in Jianning, had finally received the letter from Qu Yunmie.

Aside from Huang Yanjiu’s cruelty, he was a competent leader. Upon receiving Qu Yunmie’s letter, he neither flew into a rage nor made any rash decisions about going or not going. Instead, he quickly summoned his advisors to discuss what to do.

Both he and his advisors thought this was a trap. Everyone knew that Qu Yunmie hated the Xianbei, but now Qu Yunmie was waving a banner of righteousness, praising Huang Yanjiu as a righteous person and stating that personal grudges should be set aside in the face of a devastated country. He hoped Huang Yanjiu would, for the sake of the Emperor and the people, go to Chenliu to discuss the campaign against the Xianbei.

Huang Yanjiu: “…”

This scoundrel has ill intentions.

Even so, he couldn’t simply refuse. After all, Qu Yunmie had elevated him, and if he refused, Qu Yunmie could publicly claim he was timid and useless. Huang Yanjiu was still in the early stages of his career and couldn’t afford such slander.

Moreover, Qu Yunmie had already made his move. If Huang Yanjiu didn’t respond and simply feigned ignorance, it would cause unrest among his own subordinates and damage his image with them.

He expressed his concerns, and his advisor agreed, adding more.

“What the governor says is absolutely correct. However, there is one thing revealed in this letter that deeply concerns me.”

Huang Yanjiu asked, “What is it?”

The advisor sighed. “The governor and the Northern King haven’t met for ten years. After driving out the Huhar people, the Northern King stayed at Yanmen Pass and never mentioned the governor. Now, having just moved his capital, the first person he chooses to contact is the governor. It’s worth noting that the governor and he weren’t on good terms. This person is also very stubborn. This contact is obviously not for reminiscing; he must have learned something about the governor’s movements and knows you have provisions and troops here. He is testing you, and his intentions and purposes are inscrutable.”

Huang Yanjiu’s eyes widened. “You mean he wants to seize my troops?!”

The advisor shook his head. “What he wants to do, I cannot guess at this moment. Jianning is far from Chenliu, with places like Jinling in between. The Northern King’s reach isn’t that long.”

Huang Yanjiu’s insides churned upon hearing that Qu Yunmie wanted to seize his things. Although he had prepared many resources, if Qu Yunmie really came to attack, he would have no choice but to abandon his gear and flee overnight.

After hearing his advisor’s words, Huang Yanjiu was about to breathe a sigh of relief when the advisor’s tone shifted. “Even if his reach is limited now, it may not be so in the future. The Northern King has already set his sights on you. You can no longer remain hidden as you did before.”

Huang Yanjiu: “…”

He grew anxious again. “What should I do?”

The advisor smiled. “Don’t worry, Governor. You have seen the Northern King before. Do you think he is capable of great things?”

Huang Yanjiu fell silent.

In truth, he couldn’t judge. He knew that Qu Yunmie had many shortcomings, but at the same time, he was exceptionally strong militarily and was very good at warfare. As a teenager, he had used his talent to deceive the army, never having a single soldier captured, which was crucial in chaotic times.

Huang Yanjiu had been very angry when his concubine was taken, but as time passed and his mindset changed, he no longer cared about that incident. What mattered more to him was that he had once been defeated by Qu Yunmie, and he was afraid of losing to him again.

People have a fear of those who have defeated them, and want to avenge themselves while, at the same time, fearing another defeat.

Huang Yanjiu, feeling troubled, asked directly, “If you have any suggestions, please speak. I will follow them.”

The advisor smiled. “Do you remember how the Northern King killed the Governor of Jinning?”

Huang Yanjiu was stunned. He certainly remembered. After hearing about it, he had laughed heartily and eaten two extra bowls of rice that evening.

“Because he killed the Governor of Jinning, scholars across the world speak ill of the Northern King, and no one is willing to serve under him anymore. The governor can do the same. If the Northern King claims to act out of righteousness, you can turn that righteousness into unrighteousness. In this way, he will no longer be able to coerce you, and he will never be able to hold his head high in front of you again.”

Huang Yanjiu listened, and his first reaction to the example of the Governor of Jinning was to offer up his own wife.

He considered that if she were to be made to appear pitiable, perhaps Qu Yunmie would take her out of sympathy, as he had done before, which seemed likely to succeed. If this became known, Qu Yunmie’s reputation would be ruined.

Yet…then, his own reputation would be in tatters too!

Being cuckolded twice by the same person, especially when the first time was his own doing—was Huang Yanjiu really such a shameless person???

Huang Yanjiu immediately rejected the idea, explaining his reasons to the advisor, who fell silent.

After a long while, the advisor hinted, “Governor, I wasn’t suggesting your wife. How could personal matters be publicized? Moreover, this only affects private morals and cannot incite public outrage. Think about it, is there anything you can do to completely suppress him?”

Huang Yanjiu looked at the advisor in confusion. He thought hard for a while and suddenly had a change of expression.

Looking at the advisor, Huang Yanjiu blurted out, “My elder brother!”

Seeing that he finally understood, the advisor smiled and said no more.

On the 8th day of the 5th month of the 6th year of Shengde, Chenliu opened its city gates to welcome the Northern Army into the city.

Of course, the ones opening the gates weren’t the Chenliu people, but the Northern Army, who had arrived early to arrange things. The actual Chenliu residents stayed quietly at home, opening only a small window to observe the soldiers entering the city.

In Xiao Rong’s view, the Northern Army was lax and undisciplined. However, to the local people, the Northern Army was already a rare good army, as they neither harassed the people nor took their belongings.

The Northern Army had once been called a bandit group by the court, mocked as a mob that might change its banner and become mountain bandits. To prevent ridicule, Qu Yunmie had strictly forbidden his men from bullying the common people. Some people couldn’t tolerate this rule, but more complied obediently.

 

……

Ten years ago, when Nanyong was established, a large number of Chenliu’s people fled, leaving about one-third of the houses empty. After ten years of efforts by the local people, one-third of that one-third had regained some vitality.

However, ten years later, upon learning that the Northern Army was to be stationed there, and fearing that Nanyong might take notice and bring war, another group of people fled. This time, fewer people left compared to before, but Chenliu became significantly quieter.

As for the empty houses, Jian Qiao didn’t concern himself with their previous owners. Mr. Xiao had instructed that they should be registered and redistributed to the new residents. If the original owners came later, they would be compensated according to the market price at that time.

Nowadays, many things were expensive, but houses were cheap. Thatched houses were rented for a few hundred to five hundred a month, and slightly better wooden houses cost double that; still affordable with small amounts of money. Real tile-roofed mansions required payment in gold and silver, ranging from one and a half silver ingots to one gold ingot, depending on size and location.

Houses with a monthly rent exceeding one gold ingot weren’t available. Such high-priced houses were reserved for high-ranking officials, and ordinary people couldn’t afford them. Those who could afford them wouldn’t choose to rent.

These were approximate prices, the actual prices changed daily. Gold and silver were relatively stable, but the exchange rates for large and small denominations of money fluctuated wildly. Each day, people asked about the exchange rates for silver and copper coins when buying things. The more silver they could exchange, the happier they were, the less, the more they sighed.

 

When Xiao Rong rented a house in Xinan, he had learned about the real estate situation and used Xinan’s house prices as a reference. However, he didn’t know that Chenliu’s prices were even lower.

After all, Xinan was a major city in Nanyong, while Chenliu, though a large city north of the Huai River, was still not as prominent.

……

Gongsun Yuan didn’t enter the city with the army but arranged things outside. Jian Qiao went to organize the exhausted people who had traveled for a month. As for Qu Yunmie and the others, they settled into their lodgings first and planned to gather for a meeting in the evening.

The staff members were easy to arrange; they went directly to the Governor’s residence, as they didn’t dare to demand better treatment. Jian Qiao and Gongsun Yuan had already chosen where they would live. They both had families, which had also left separately.

So those who still had to choose were the bachelors.

Xiao Rong, Gao Xunzhi, the two brothers Yu Shaoxie and Yu Shaocheng, and, oh yes, Mijing.

……

Gao Xunzhi didn’t mind where he stayed, so he only asked Xiao Rong, “Ah Rong, your family should’ve arrived by now, right?”

Xiao Rong nodded. “General Jian said they arrived four days ago. My younger brother and the others are staying in a vacant house in the west of the city. We’ll decide where to live once I arrive.”

Gao Xunzhi smiled. “It’s good that they arrived safely. In that case, why don’t we find two houses around the Governor’s residence to be neighbors? That way, we can look out for each other.”

Yu Shaoxie immediately said, “Then my brother and I will make similar arrangements.”

Gao Xunzhi smiled at him. “Great, so you brothers will live together?”

Before Yu Shaoxie could speak, Yu Shaocheng next to him had already awkwardly made a sound of agreement.

Gao Xunzhi: “…”

Just agree, no need to be shy about it.

They discussed this matter at the entrance of the former Marquis’s residence. Mijing stood on the ground, feeling uncomfortable all over.

Like a compulsive disorder, he stared at his feet, trying to see if any small bugs had passed by. Hearing this, he forced himself to focus and asked, “I wonder how many Buddhist temples there are in this city?”

Xiao Rong answered him, “There are six temples in the city, as well as five Taoist temples, but none are in the city center. Three of the temples are built on the mountains. It would be better to have the Buddha’s disciple stay at the Governor’s residence for now, and later, when we build a new temple, we can invite you to move in.”

Mijing smiled. “There’s no need. The Governor’s residence is already very good. Wherever the heart resides is an ancient temple. I thank Young Master Xiao for his kind offer, but since I have entered the world, I no longer cling to such external things.”

Xiao Rong felt that he just wanted to observe the Northern King’s small team closely, but he didn’t reveal it. Instead, he smiled and agreed to his request.

Xiao Rong turned his head and discussed with the others where they should stay. Qu Yunmie’s team walked out from inside. Just as he crossed the threshold, he heard them discussing going to look for houses near the Governor’s residence.

The Governor’s residence was two streets away from the former Marquis’s residence. The area around the Governor’s residence was lively, while the former Marquis’s residence was quiet, with residents being either wealthy or noble.

Qu Yunmie’s team was wiping the dust off their hands with a handkerchief. After listening for a while, he raised an eyebrow and then stepped in. “Why go look for houses? This Marquis’s residence is very large. Can’t it accommodate you all? Master Gao is old, and Xiao Rong’s health is not good. How can I feel at ease if you are all scattered? It should be as before. Each of you should stay with me.”

Gao Xunzhī: “…”

Now you remember I’m old? Last year, you sent me to fight in order to have some peace and quiet. Why didn’t you mention my age then?

Xiao Rong: “…”

Have you forgotten that I also have a family to support now?

Yu Shaoxie: “…”

Clearly, it was a story about four people, but my brother and I don’t have names.

Yu Shaocheng: “…”

It doesn’t matter. As long as I can stay with my brother.

…

 

Where to stay was originally a minor issue. Since Qu Yunmie’s team had spoken, the few of them looked at each other and had to comply with his wishes. Yu Shaocheng, being the Captain of the Guards, should stay beside Qu Yunmie. Yu Shaoxie saw that his friends and brother had been taken away by the king, so he had to bow and ask Qu Yunmie to make room for him as well.

Yu Shaoxie hadn’t had an argument with Qu Yunmie for a while. The latter almost forgot the previous times he had been infuriated. To him, it was just one more person. Qu Yunmie really didn’t care. He waved his hand and gave his tacit approval.

Seeing this, Mijing changed his mind. He performed a single-hand salute to Qu Yunmie and said that he also wanted to stay there.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He didn’t want to agree.

He didn’t know why, but he had agreed to let Yu Shaoxie, who had offended him, stay. However, looking at Mijing’s smooth, round face, Qu Yunmie just wanted him to go as far away as possible.

Before speaking, he subconsciously glanced at the expressions of the others. Everyone was waiting for him to speak, especially Xiao Rong, whose dark eyes were staring at him without blinking.

Qu Yunmie replied, “… Since the Buddha’s disciple doesn’t mind, then let him stay as well.”

Xiao Rong: Feels like it sounds lifeless.

In any case, everything was arranged. Gao Xunzhī and the others went inside to find their accommodations. Xiao Rong didn’t move. When Qu Yunmie turned around and saw he was still there, he felt a jolt of anxiety.

He almost had a mental breakdown. Every time Xiao Rong specifically let the crowd leave in order to be alone with him, it was to give him advice, but he had done nothing today. Could it be that Xiao Rong was dissatisfied just because he had answered slowly earlier?

Qu Yunmie was on the verge of breaking down and anxiously took the initiative, “What did I do wrong now?!”

Xiao Rong was stunned. “Did the King make a mistake?”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Realizing he might’ve misunderstood, Qu Yunmie stiffened and, under Xiao Rong’s increasingly enigmatic expression, asked again, “Why are you standing here? Why don’t you go inside?”

Xiao Rong smiled. “It seems the King really forgot.”

A question mark appeared on Qu Yunmie’s head. Xiao Rong smiled even more happily. “I’m waiting for the guards to bring the horses. My family arrived in Chenliu City four days ago. I need to find them first and then bring them inside to settle in.”

Qu Yunmie looked enlightened. Since entering the city, he had been so busy that he had indeed forgotten about this. As he spoke, the guards brought over the horses, two in total, one for Xiao Rong and one for the guard.

Qu Yunmie directly took the guard’s horse. Turning to Xiao Rong, he softened his expression. “This King will go with you.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Fine.

He didn’t refuse because he also wanted Qu Yunmie to meet the old lady first to avoid any misunderstandings later. With Qu Yunmie’s temper, Xiao Rong was genuinely afraid that the old lady might offend him and end up being dealt with harshly.

…

The poor guard had no horse and could only walk along. Only he knew the way, so Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie had to let the horses walk slowly.

Because of this, they had a good view of Chenliu City.

Chenliu City had mountains, but they were all low hills, unlike the Taihang Mountains they had seen before. The city also had various rivers, with clear, green water, a color that wasn’t polluted.

At this time, the people in the city didn’t know Xiao Rong or the Northern King. Even if they saw these two, they were merely amazed by their appearance and couldn’t imagine the significant changes these two would bring to Chenliu City and even the Central Plains.

Soon they arrived at their destination. Qu Yunmie dismounted first. He looked at Xiao Rong, expecting to help him, but Xiao Rong’s movements were even smoother. He lifted his leg, jumped, and dismounted.

Moreover, whether it was his eyes deceiving him or not, when Xiao Rong lifted his leg, it almost flew above his head, then drew a half-perfect circle before touching the ground.

Qu Yunmie had never seen a compass. Otherwise, he would’ve exclaimed, “A living compass!”

…

Qu Yunmie stared blankly at Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong took a few steps forward and then looked at him strangely. “King?”

Coming to his senses, Qu Yunmie responded with a grunt. Xiao Rong glanced at him again, saw that he was fine, and then walked inside.

Qu Yunmie followed him, staring at Xiao Rong’s back, and noticed something shocking.

Xiao Rong was three and a half inches shorter than him, but his legs were the same length as his own.

Which meant, his upper body was three and a half inches longer than Xiao Rong’s.…

For some reason, once he figured this out, Qu Yunmie’s face turned green.

He wasn’t the kind of man who would use his looks to his advantage and despised such men, but now he suddenly felt embarrassed and didn’t want anyone to find out.

Qu Yunmie was lost in thought and didn’t notice he had already entered the house. The house wasn’t big, and knowing that the Northern Army had entered the city, Ah Shu had brought them downstairs early. When he saw Xiao Rong enter, Xiao Yi first stood up excitedly but didn’t rush over immediately. Instead, he shook his grandmother’s arm first.

“Grandmother, look, Elder Brother has returned. It’s Elder Brother! Grandmother, you’ve been mentioning him every day. Do you see, is it him?”

Xiao Yi’s real Elder Brother had left to study when he was ten. For eight years, he hadn’t returned home even once, living frugally. Xiao Yi, when older, had gone to look for him once but only once.

As for the old lady, Chen Sheyu, she hadn’t seen her eldest grandson for a full eight years.

Xiao Yi had pointed to Xiao Rong and had the old lady recognize him many times, telling her repeatedly that this was her eldest grandson. The old lady was puzzled, but eventually believed Xiao Yi’s words.

However, nine months later, she had forgotten again. Fortunately, Xiao Yi reinforced the impression every day, telling her that his Elder Brother was a handsome man, and his name was Xiao Rong, which meant melting ice and snow.

The nine months of effort weren’t in vain. Chen Sheyu gradually remembered she had an eldest grandson. As she looked at the person in front of her, her eyes instantly reddened.

Xiao Rong stopped and looked at her nervously.

Chen Sheyu shed tears and ran over quickly. “Rong’er! My good Rong’er!”

As she cried out, she tightly embraced Qu Yunmie behind her.

Xiao Rong: “…”

The others: “…”

Well, seeing that the old lady didn’t recognize him, they felt right instead!

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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