The voice inside his head shouted loudly, but in reality, there wasn’t a single sound.

 

Qu Yunmie’s turned around to look at the direction where Danran had left, then turned his head back, looking at the remnants of tea and fruit peels on the table.

 

Having finished preparing, he casually asked Xiao Rong, “Have you seen Huang Keji?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He actually pretended not to hear.

 

Since Xiao Rong was in a good mood that day, he let him off the hook and didn’t press him. He lifted his clothes and sat back down, moving the teapot aside to look at the charcoal fire burning below.

 

While poking at the coals with the tongs, he answered, “I’ve seen him. This child has suffered a lot. He saw Huang Yanji’s attitude toward him, and he’s unwilling to leave so simply.”

 

Qu Yunmie didn’t understand. “Then what does he want to do?”

 

No matter what, Huang Yanji was still his uncle. He couldn’t possibly take action against him.

This was the most twisted thing nowadays: A father kills his son, and the father is innocent. Yet when the son just refuses his father’s request, the son is thrown into prison.

 

Even if the government didn’t throw this son into prison, once the matter spread, “righteous people” would soon come to teach the son a lesson. Beating him would be the least of it. The real worry was the assassins from the Qingfeng Sect who might come and take the son’s life, then loudly declare what a good deed they had done.

 

The customs were like this. From the Imperial Family down to commoners, everyone thought it was perfectly normal. Although Huang Yanji wasn’t Huang Keji’s father, he was still his uncle, and an uncle carried a paternal weight. Huang Keji couldn’t openly do anything to him.

 

After asking this question, the only sounds around were the water from the waterfall crashing against rocks and the crisp sound of the charcoal pieces clashing. Xiao Rong also pretended not to hear. Suddenly, he put down the tongs and shifted the conversation back to Danran. “I made a suggestion to Miss Danran, I wonder what the King thinks?”

 

Xiao Rong’s suggestion was for the Butewu tribe to offer free medical services. Qu Yunmie was taken aback. He didn’t oppose it, but…

 

“That old woman and others don’t like seeing outsiders.”

 

Xiao Rong asked, “Is it that they don’t like seeing strangers, or that they don’t like seeing people from the Central Plains?”

 

Qu Yunmie pursed his lips. “Both. The Butewu tribe isn’t good at interacting with outsiders, and people from the Central Plains… are quite hostile to foreigners.”

 

Xiao Rong smiled. “The Central Plains people are hostile to the Huhar people. The Butewu tribe’s appearance differs a bit from the Central Plains, so they’ve been lumped together with the Huhar people. As long as it’s explained clearly, it’ll be fine. First, let the Butewu tribe share their medical skills and use the doctor-patient relationship to bridge the gap. Let the people in the city get to know them. Then, we’ll show that the Butewu tribe isn’t the same as the Huhar people. The further apart they stay, the more rigid their relationship will be. The King doesn’t want his mother’s tribe always living outside the city, being misunderstood all the time, does he? Doesn’t that make the King uncomfortable?”

 

Qu Yunmie furrowed his brow. Although he was somewhat moved by what Xiao Rong said, he still felt uneasy. “You’re not from a foreign tribe. You don’t know how difficult it is to step out.”

 

Xiao Rong was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. “The King is right. I really can’t empathize with it. So the King shouldn’t worry about these difficult problems. Just treat it as an order to be given to the subordinates. The King will have to issue many such orders in the future, and not every order will be liked. People act for their own benefit, and that’s not necessarily wrong. But as a ruler, the King must think not just of one person or one tribe, but of everyone, all tribes.”

 

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong, his eyes hesitant.

 

Xiao Rong met his gaze and softened his voice. “The Butewu tribe is just the beginning. There are too many suffering nations in this world. The Huhar people are cruel. When they’re not bullying the people of the Central Plains, they’re bullying other ethnic groups. Even among the Huhar people, not everyone accepts their lifestyle of eating raw flesh and drinking blood. Some people are born into Huhar families but yearn for the civilized ways of the Central Plains. The King has also experienced being displaced. How does it feel to have no home? How does it feel to always feel like an outsider wherever you go?”

 

Qu Yunmie didn’t answer his question but instead looked at him warily. “Xiao Rong, what are you really trying to do?”

 

His tone became more serious. “Are you trying to allow foreign tribes into the capital?! This is a fool’s dream. Foreign tribes can never be trusted!”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He didn’t expect such a strong reaction. Xiao Rong paused, realizing that it wasn’t the right time, so he changed his tone. “The King needn’t worry. I’m not that naive.”

 

Qu Yunmie’s tense posture relaxed slightly, but his gaze towards Xiao Rong was still unfriendly. “Then what do you mean by all this?”

 

Xiao Rong, wary of pushing him further, took a moment to compose himself before answering. “We can talk about the future later. Taking in foreign tribes is a huge move, and I won’t consider it until the King’s position is more secure. What I’m aiming for is to let the Butewu tribe be seen by the people. Let them see that the Butewu tribe loves peace and brings medical skills that can heal people. Once their reputation improves, the King’s reputation will improve as well. Besides, this sends a friendly signal. The King knows about the Rouran, who are enemies of the Xianbei, and the Shanshan, who signed a peace treaty with the King. Both of these nations are in difficult times, and many people have turned to become mercenaries. But mercenaries don’t have any guarantees. In the end, they’re either mercenaries or bandits.”

 

Upon hearing Xiao Rong mention the Rouran, Qu Yunmie’s expression changed inexplicably.

 

The Rouran and the Xianbei were originally the same people. After internal strife and division, they became two separate nations. When the Xianbei were at their strongest, they didn’t allow anyone to call the Rouran by that name, instead, they called them “Ruoru,” meaning they weren’t even considered human, just a bunch of worms.

 

………… 

 

The Xianbei people were truly despicable. The Rouran, unable to defeat them, could only silently endure. Later, when the Xianbei weakened, the Rouran immediately restored their original name.

 

When the Huhar people broke into Yanmen Pass, the Rouran weren’t part of it, because the Xianbei still looked down on them and didn’t include them. As for Qu Yunmie having any good feelings toward the Rouran, that was impossible.

 

At most, they didn’t launch a massive invasion into the Central Plains. The other Huhar people did similar despicable deeds, and the Rouran weren’t exempt from that.

 

Still, Qu Yunmie mostly understood Xiao Rong’s point. “Because I have the bloodline of the Butewu tribe, and the people under my rule have accepted their existence, it will give the impression to the world that I am somewhat friendly toward foreign tribes. As a result, these fleeing foreigners would choose to come here to serve under me.”

 

Xiao Rong smiled. “That’s right. In this case, when hiring them, the King can press the prices down. Foreigners who do anything for money will always seek the employer who offers more. This will act as a selection process: those who cherish their lives and want to live well will come here, while those who live recklessly will go elsewhere. In the future, whether for big or small battles, the Northern Army is the King’s greatest support, and it should be used cautiously. These foreigners, who come to sell their lives, can help the King with minor tasks.”

 

Qu Yunmie looked at Xiao Rong and suddenly smiled in an enigmatic way.

 

Placing one hand on the stone table, he toyed with an intact fruit, then spoke softly, “Perhaps the Northern Army was once my foundation, but it’s not anymore.

 

“Now, my foundation is you.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Receiving such a sudden compliment, especially one so high in praise, Xiao Rong felt a bit uncomfortable. He quickly blinked a few times and then cautiously said, “Thank you, my King?”

 

Hearing his uncertain tone, Qu Yunmie smiled again. His emotions were usually quite subtle, except when he was angry.

 

Xiao Rong felt a strange sensation in his heart and couldn’t quite handle this side of Qu Yunmie. He decided to interrupt the moment. “I’m still curious. What exactly are you afraid Miss Danran might say to me?”

 

Qu Yunmie: “…”

 

The effect was immediate. The strange atmosphere that had made Xiao Rong uneasy vanished instantly. Qu Yunmie’s expression seemed as though he wanted to get angry but couldn’t, so he could only irritably say, “I’m not afraid!”

 

Xiao Rong’s expression shifted slightly. He thought he had concealed it well, but Qu Yunmie immediately saw through him. His face clearly displayed the words: You say it, then it’s fine.

 

….

 

With a roll of his eyes, Qu Yunmie suddenly had a moment of clarity and said, “Danran is my older brother’s posthumous child. I’m not worried about what she might say to you, but rather what you might say to her.”

 

Xiao Rong was completely confused. “What could I possibly say to Miss Danran?”

 

He wasn’t Qu Yunmie. He was kind, adorable, and strong; he wouldn’t bully a child!

 

Qu Yunmie could read Xiao Rong’s expression, but sometimes, when things were too complicated, he couldn’t figure it all out. Like now, he could tell Xiao Rong seemed to be boasting, but he didn’t realize that Xiao Rong was practically praising himself to the heavens.

 

“Danran was raised by the Old Woman. After my older brother passed, my sister-in-law personally handed Danran over to Old Woman, so she could only be a Butewu tribe member in the future. If nothing goes wrong, she will be the next tribe leader. You always have so many ideas, what if you influence her and make her want to return to being a Central Plains person? What should we do then?”

 

Xiao Rong immediately furrowed his brows. “But that’s Danran’s own choice! If I say a couple of words and change her mind, it would only prove that her original decision wasn’t firm. How could that be my fault?”

 

Xiao Rong wasn’t happy because he had a similar experience. When he was young, he wanted to learn dancing, and while his parents agreed, his grandfather didn’t. As a result, two years were wasted. So, when it came to situations like this, Xiao Rong got angry for others. A child might be young, but they weren’t stupid. Couldn’t she know what she really wanted?

 

Xiao Rong had prepared himself to argue fiercely with Qu Yunmie, but Qu Yunmie shifted his gaze away, feeling secretly relieved inside.

 

—He believed it. He actually believed it.

 

—Hahaha, Xiao Rong wasn’t as smart as he thought.

 

…………

 

Just when he thought the day was over, an unexpected situation arose before bed.

 

Zhou Liang had escaped.

 

The first person to discover Zhou Liang’s escape was, of course, Huang Yanjiu. Since it was a bit embarrassing, he didn’t immediately inform Qu Yunmie and the others. It wasn’t until he couldn’t find him and couldn’t hide it anymore that he returned with a dark face, angrily saying that the next time he encountered Zhou Liang, he would tear him apart. 

 

Xiao Rong had already been lying on his bed when he heard the report from the guards. He jumped up from the bed, quickly threw on his clothes, rushed outside, and he ran into Gao Xunzhi, who was looking for him.

 

With an anxious expression, Xiao Rong asked, “When did Zhou Liang escape?”

 

Gao Xunzhi frowned. “It was around noon when he ran. Rong, the King has gone after him.” 

 

Xiao Rong initially nodded absentmindedly, but as soon as he realized what Gao Xunzhi had said, he was immediately stunned. “The King is chasing Zhou Liang?!”

 

Gao Xunzhi furrowed his brows even more tightly. “Yes. Huang Yanjiu’s subordinate defected. Why did the King personally go after him? It wasn’t necessary at all.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He vaguely understood Qu Yunmie’s thoughts. After all, Qu Yunmie had been held back for so long, and now that he finally had a chance, he certainly didn’t want to let him escape.

 

The person with the strongest enemy-chasing ability in the Northern Garrison was Qu Yunmie. If he went after them, others would have no use. In the end, Xiao Rong and Gao Xunzhi exchanged looks and both chose to go back to bed.

 

At dawn, Qu Yunmie returned, soaked with dew.

 

Xiao Rong had slept too much the day before and now returned to his usual routine. He was now one to rise with the sun and rest at night. As a light sleeper, he immediately woke up when he heard movement outside.

 

When he came out, Qu Yunmie was talking to Jian Qiao. Xiao Rong quickly walked over and asked them, “Did you catch him?”

 

Qu Yunmie answered slowly, “No, we didn’t see Zhou Liang along the way. He couldn’t have run that fast alone; he probably changed his appearance and hid.”

 

Xiao Rong wasn’t surprised by this answer. Zhou Liang had successfully escaped from Huang Yanjiu’s hands before, and this time, he had escaped even earlier. He didn’t know where he had gone. Hopefully, he didn’t end up under He Tingzhi’s command again.

Then again, if he really had gone to He Tingzhi, Xiao Rong couldn’t do much about it.

 

Thinking this, Xiao Rong shook his head. “Forget it, let him run. We’ll just stay alert in the future. Your Majesty, Zhou Liang is just a small man. Why trouble yourself to chase him? Besides, Your Majesty only wasted a trip.”

 

Jian Qiao looked at Xiao Rong in shock. It had only been a few days, and Master Xiao had grown so much in confidence.

 

Despite this, Qu Yunmie showed no objection to his attitude. He simply began to remove his armor. “Anyway, it’s not like I have anything else to do. It doesn’t matter.”

 

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow. “Doesn’t matter? Your Majesty hasn’t slept all night. Don’t you need to go back and catch up on your rest? By the time you wake up, your duties will have piled up.”

 

Qu Yunmie said, “I’m not tired.”

 

Xiao Rong silently stared at the dark circles under his eyes.

 

He still thought he was fifteen or sixteen? He was twenty-four! In this day and age, he could be a father of six kids

 

Shaking his head again, Xiao Rong turned his back, rolled his eyes, and then waved his hand as he walked away. “Your Majesty, go rest. I’ll take care of your work.”

 

Soon, Xiao Rong’s figure disappeared behind the archway. Qu Yunmie paused in removing his armor. He subtly smiled before continuing his task.

 

When he finally took off the armguards and was about to hand them to the guards, he saw Jian Qiao looking at him strangely.

 

Qu Yunmie asked, “What is it?”

 

Jian Qiao didn’t know what he was thinking. He had only been watching Qu Yunmie and Xiao Rong interact, and suddenly felt inexplicably envious.

 

An uncontrollable thought arose in his heart: Why couldn’t his wife help him with his duties?

 

…… 

 

At a quarter past the hour of the serpent, Xiao Rong put down the accounts, rubbed his stiff neck, and seeing that no one was around, he stood up and began stretching his limbs.

 

As a dancer, he knew the drill—stretching the legs, bending the waist, and so on. 

 

Xiao Rong leaned back, and as his hands touched the ground, he heard the door to the council hall being pushed open. Xiao Rong was startled and immediately straightened his back with a swift motion, so quickly that Mijing was left dumbfounded.

 

He had once seen a monk in India who could place one foot behind his ear while meditating, but that monk did it slowly, unlike Xiao Rong, who changed his posture in an instant.

 

Mijing stared at him in shock, afraid that Xiao Rong appeared calm but had actually broken his back.

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

Without changing his expression, he lied. “I was practicing martial arts. After I frequently fell ill, I met a wise master who taught me a set of exercises. If practiced daily, it can extend one’s life. Would you like to try it, Buddha’s son?”

 

Mijing: “…”

 

No, thank you. He feared that if he tried it, he’d meet the Buddha directly.

 

Both of them felt a little awkward, so they decided to drop the subject. Xiao Rong invited Mijing to sit and then made him tea.

 

Xiao Rong had a more formal way of making tea than others. He didn’t like boiling it, only steeping it. Also, he liked to add little ornaments to the tea tray, calling them “tea pets.” Though no one understood why he insisted on drinking tea this way, to be honest, the process looked quite pleasant. His movements were smooth and graceful, with an aura that was unique.

 

Mijing watched as the tea poured over the tea pet and then suddenly commented, “Young Master Xiao seems to have met many wise masters.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He held the teapot with a smile and said, “Most people go through their lives without meeting a single one, while some rare few meet ten. I am one of those rare few. Such experiences are rare, but not impossible.”

 

Mijing nodded and smiled. “Indeed, Young Master Xiao gives off the impression of someone who has fate with many people.”

 

Fate with many people?

 

Xiao Rong was momentarily stunned, finding this phrase a bit fresh, but he didn’t think much of it. He handed the tea to Mijing and asked, “Did Buddha’s Son come to see me for something?”

 

Mijing replied, “It’s not a big matter. When I returned from the Western Regions, the kings of the Western nations gave me some gifts. As a monk, I don’t need these worldly possessions, but since you may need them, I brought them along.”

 

Xiao Rong widened his eyes, looking at Mijing’s movements. Mijing was unwrapping a bundle he had brought. With a few quick motions, the bundle opened, and the dazzling jewels inside almost blinded Xiao Rong.

 

Holy moly!!!

 

A gemstone the size of a fist! Bright green jade bangles! A string of 108 Buddha beads as white as snow, each bead as big as a human eye! Wait, is that a crown?!

 

Seeing that Xiao Rong’s eyes were glued to the crown, Mijing couldn’t help but laugh. “This is the queen’s coronet from the Kingdom of Yutian. The king and queen invited me to a royal banquet, and the queen insisted on giving this to me, so I had no choice but to accept.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He looked at Mijing with a dazed expression. You brat, you got a good deal and still pretend like it’s a bother!

 

From the way you’re talking, it sounds like you think this crown is a hassle!

 

This is really… 

 

People really do die from comparison. Mijing wasn’t the first person to go on a pilgrimage to India. In the past few decades, thousands of monks have traveled that same path, but either they died halfway, or when they returned, they were poor beggars. None of them became wealthier like Mijing did.

 

Xiao Rong couldn’t even imagine how popular Mijing must have been abroad. He was even gifted a crown! If he asked for something, would he instantly become the nation’s protector?

 

At the same time, Xiao Rong understood something that had been puzzling him. When the scout had said that Mijing seemed wealthy, he had wondered where the money came from.

 

Now, he probably had the answer.

 

“Back when the Northern Army first met Buddha’s Son, did you think they wanted to buy you out?”

 

Mijing froze. “How did young master Xiao know?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

As expected.

 

With a slightly tired smile, Xiao Rong said, “Thank you for the kind gesture, but these are gifts for you. Buddha’s Son should keep them well. Chenliu City isn’t exactly rich, but we don’t need to use these to fill the gaps in our accounts.”

 

Mijing said, “I know these items aren’t worth much when exchanged for gold and silver, but this is a small token of my goodwill toward the Northern Army and Chenliu City. The capital’s construction cannot be rushed. Young Master Xiao, you’re kind and don’t want to exploit the people, but the gap still needs to be filled. Please accept it. Otherwise, I won’t feel at ease.”

 

Xiao Rong blinked. Seeing how insistent Mijing was, he finally agreed. “Alright, but unless absolutely necessary, I won’t use these, especially this crown. It represents the friendship between Yutian and Buddha’s son.”

 

Mijing smiled, and Xiao Rong returned the smile. However, he suddenly said, “There must be many Yutian trade caravans in the Central Plains. If you take this crown to them, won’t they offer many gifts?”

 

Mijing: “…”

 

His smile froze. Seeing this, Xiao Rong couldn’t help but laugh ungraciously. “Don’t worry, Buddha’s Son, I’m just joking.”

 

Mijing let out a breath of relief. However, in the next second, he heard Xiao Rong say, “How can we ask people for gifts? We should say that we’re asking for investments. First, invite their caravan leaders to Chenliu as guests. Let them see the crown’s worth and build a Yutian Kingdom rest station here. Whether they come for trade or to rest, they should come to Chenliu. If they want to do business with Southern Yong, that’s easy. We’ll send some people to help them with buying and selling. We’re familiar with the Central Plains’ geography and can save them a lot of detours. They don’t need to pay much, just offer us a fair price.”

 

At this, Xiao Rong smiled and asked Mijing, “What do you think of this plan, Buddha’s Son?”

 

Mijing: “…”

 

I think, Young Master Xiao, it’s a shame you didn’t go into business!

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

Support translation: