Xiao Rong’s face reddened slightly again.

However, he couldn’t quite tell if it was out of embarrassment or anger.

…

 

For Qu Yunmie, Gao Xunzhi and Agusheja were like parental figures. To be ranked alongside them as equally trustworthy meant Xiao Rong had achieved his initial goal—he had truly become one of the most trusted people in Qu Yunmie’s heart.

The problem was, how long had he even been with the Northern Army?!

Including the time spent in Pingyang City, it had barely been four months!

Can you trust someone this much in such a short time? Have you lost your mind? No wonder later, the people who betrayed you popped up like potatoes during the autumn harvest—pull one out, and a whole bunch would follow!

…

Even though a series of exclamation marks were going off in his head, in reality, Xiao Rong remained silent for a moment before gently smiling. “Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty, but that’s not what I hoped for. In times like these, I would rather you be more suspicious. In this world, there is no one worth completely trusting, except oneself. Only you won’t betray yourself.”

Qu Yunmie was startled. He repeated Xiao Rong’s words, “Only oneself?”

Xiao Rong nodded firmly.

The look in Qu Yunmie’s eyes immediately changed as he gazed at Xiao Rong. Although Xiao Rong couldn’t quite understand the meaning behind it, he could distinctly sense a shift, as if suddenly, Xiao Rong had become the one deserving of pity.

Xiao Rong wasn’t foolish—he quickly realized why Qu Yunmie was pitying him. Regardless, Xiao Rong didn’t see it that way at all. He believed he was doing just fine, and maintaining vigilance toward everything in the world was equally good. It was precisely because of this cautiousness that he was able to handle the affairs of Chenliu with such thoroughness. Since he trusted no one, no one could set a trap for him to fall into.

Xiao Rong wasn’t angry about this, and even if he were, that would make him seem petty and defensive. So, instead, he calmly sipped his tea and smoothly changed the subject. “Once Huang Yanjiong delivers the gifts, I plan to travel south to Jinling personally.”

Xiao Rong had already mentioned this plan to Gao Xunzhi before Huang Yanjiong had left. Qu Yunmie, having picked up on this during their discussions, wasn’t too surprised. He nodded in agreement. “I’ll go with you.”

Though the thought of stepping foot in Jinling again made Qu Yunmie feel a desire to break something, those events were from ten years ago. Things were different now—he was the King of the North. Those who had once mocked and insulted him, if they were still alive, would now be left with no choice but to bow before him.

Qu Yunmie’s reasoning made sense, but he didn’t notice the awkward expression on Xiao Rong’s face. “Your Majesty, I was actually planning to go alone.”

Qu Yunmie paused for a second, then slammed his fist onto the table, nearly cracking it in the process. The shopkeeper gasped but didn’t dare to come any closer.

“Say that again? Going alone to Jinling? Xiao Rong, are you tired of living?!”

Xiao Rong first glanced at the table, making sure it wasn’t damaged, before frowning and explaining, “When I said I would go alone, I meant that I would be the only one of high status. Of course, I’ll bring guards with me. Your Majesty can assign me a general to ensure my safety and that of the others. This way, there will be no concerns.”

Looking at Xiao Rong’s serious expression and realizing he wasn’t joking, Qu Yunmie’s face seemed to freeze for a moment. After two seconds, he suddenly started laughing.

“Yes, no concerns at all. So, how many guards are you planning to bring? Five? Ten? Why not take more—bring twenty, and make sure to take your favorite Jian Qiao with you. No more than twenty! When I come to collect your body, I wouldn’t want it to be too much of a hassle.”

He pressed his lips together and then asked, “Your Majesty, are you so certain that if I go alone, it will surely be a death sentence for me?”

Qu Yunmie crossed his arms and sneered, as if he couldn’t even be bothered to answer.

Xiao Rong ground his teeth and tried to reason with him. “Jinling nowadays isn’t some kind of death trap. As the Magistrate of Chenliu, I am at least a somewhat notable figure. Knowing that killing me would offend Your Majesty, why would the people of Jinling even consider doing such a thing?”

Qu Yunmie replied, “Because the officials in the court are all idiots! You can’t predict their thoughts with common logic. If they see you weak and vulnerable, they’ll just kill you without a second thought!”

This seemed to make some sense, but Xiao Rong didn’t agree. “And if Your Majesty goes with me, will that really prevent such a thing? Even the strongest can’t fight off many—if you are there, wouldn’t it be just as dangerous?”

Qu Yunmie suddenly glanced at Xiao Rong and nonchalantly said, “Ten thousand people in Jinling are no match for me alone.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Your boasting is getting more outrageous!

At this rate, Xiao Rong thought he’d grind his back teeth down to nothing. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but even so, I must go alone. If you accompany me, my entire plan will fall apart. I need to leave the impression on the Grand Marshal that I am someone important to you, but not overly so. If you are by my side, it will make everyone overly cautious. Even if Jinling is full of fools, there must be one or two smart ones left. I cannot take that risk, and neither should you.”

The city defenses of Chenliu were still unsecured—they needed money!

Qu Yunmie thought Xiao Rong was being utterly unreasonable. “Are you willing to take the risk of losing your life?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Why does it always seem like he’s assuming I’ll lose my life? I don’t think that at all! I might even return from Jinling in glory!

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong smiled at Qu Yunmie. “Your Majesty, don’t worry. I’m actually a very likable person. I’m sure the officials of Jinling won’t have the heart to kill me.”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He suddenly recalled something Xiao Rong had mumbled before: “The heart of a scholar, the courage of a hero, and a face thicker than the city walls.”

Who had Xiao Rong used this phrase to describe before? Qu Yunmie couldn’t remember. Here and now, he felt that it perfectly described Xiao Rong himself.

No matter what Xiao Rong said, Qu Yunmie refused to agree. When he grew tired of arguing, he simply stood up and left. Xiao Rong watched as he quickly strode out of the teahouse, sighing as he did so. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small piece of broken silver.

Xiao Rong handed the silver to the shopkeeper, who accepted it in shock, repeatedly saying, “It’s too much, it’s too much.”

Xiao Rong smiled at him. “Consider this an extra tip. This teahouse is small, so I assume you overheard our conversation.”

The shopkeeper’s face instantly went pale, thinking Xiao Rong had come to settle accounts with him. Xiao Rong only smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, I’m not here to cause trouble.”

In another time, this might have been a simple joke, but in this era, such a joke was a bit inappropriate.

After all, there were indeed people who ate other people in these times. The common folk exchanged their children to eat, and the nomads outside would drag back captured prisoners to serve as their next meal.

Qu Yunmie had once blurted out that he would have Xiao Rong’s head as a snack. Even though it had been said casually, and neither the speaker nor the listener took it seriously, it was still a reflection of the societal conditions at the time.

There were many rumors about the Northern Army, both good and bad. One of the bad ones was that they were as savage as the nomads, even rumored to eat people.

The shopkeeper awkwardly forced a smile, which Xiao Rong noticed, though he didn’t let it show. If he revealed his discomfort, the conversation would stall.

So, pretending not to notice the shopkeeper’s stiff expression, Xiao Rong continued, “His Majesty and I are new to Chenliu City, so we’ll need your understanding going forward. Don’t be intimidated by His Majesty’s temper—he’s actually quite loyal and sentimental. Without his permission, I can’t push anything forward. By the way, your tea is excellent. We might come back in a few days, perhaps with the Chancellor, General Jian, and General Gongsun. No need to be too formal with us; treat us like any other guests. After all, we’re practically neighbors now.”

With another smile, Xiao Rong lifted the curtain and stepped out. Standing at the entrance, he didn’t immediately leave but glanced around. As expected, he spotted Qu Yunmie still lingering at the street corner, dragging his feet as he walked away.

If he had really stormed out, by the time Xiao Rong came out, Qu Yunmie would probably have already returned to his residence.

He pressed his lips together to suppress that slight, unworthy feeling of pride, and then hurried off to find Qu Yunmie.

Meanwhile, the shopkeeper in the teahouse was still standing there, dumbfounded, holding that bit of silver.

The attendant saw that the shopkeeper hadn’t moved and thought he was frozen in shock. After calling out to him several times, the shopkeeper finally snapped out of it, looking at the attendant as if he had just woken from a dream. “That young gentleman was so courteous to me.”

The attendant agreed with a sigh of relief. “Yes, that gentleman is very approachable.”

The shopkeeper then asked, “By the way, what was that gentleman’s name?”

The attendant didn’t know either. Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie hadn’t mentioned their names while speaking, but hearing the noisy chatter from the Huichuntang (a nearby establishment), the attendant suddenly leaned closer to the shopkeeper, eyes bright with excitement. “Could he be named Xiao? Could he be the kind-hearted Young Master Xiao that the Butewu people talk about?”

The shopkeeper clapped his hands and confidently exclaimed, “That must be it!”

It was a relief. Although the King of the North (Qu Yunmie) seemed just as fearsome as the rumors suggested, making people despair, it was a blessing that Young Master Xiao, a great man of virtue, was by his side. Now Chenliu had hope.

＊

Xiao Rong returned to the palace and first rested in his residence.

As for Qu Yunmie, that stubborn bull, as soon as he came back, he grabbed a horse and ran off to the military camp, still scowling as if he intended to blow off some steam there.

Xiao Rong didn’t care whether Qu Yunmie planned to rough up a few soldiers or chop up a few wooden stakes. Whatever he had decided, Qu Yunmie couldn’t stop him.

After adding a few more lines to Qu Yunmie’s character profile and transformation plan, Xiao Rong had just tucked the paper away when Gao Xunzhi happily rushed in. “Ah Rong, I heard today’s situation at the clinic went quite well?”

Xiao Rong smiled at Gao Xunzhi. “Indeed, most of the people were just curious and came to ask for news. There were only a few who came for real treatment or consultations, but by tomorrow, word will have spread all over Chenliu.”

Gao Xunzhi praised him several times. The fact that the Butewu people could live in harmony with the citizens of Chenliu would benefit the King greatly.

He was about to sit down and properly praise Xiao Rong, but Xiao Rong stood up first and asked him, “Chancellor, are there any skilled carvers in the Northern army?”

Gao Xunzhi was momentarily stunned and then shook his head. “No, there aren’t.”

Xiao Rong had expected that since carving required a certain level of talent. So he asked, “Are there any skilled painters or calligraphers in the Northern army?”

Gao Xunzhi was silent for a moment, then sheepishly shook his head again. “No, there aren’t.”

Xiao Rong asked “Are there at least skilled carpenters in the Northern army?”

Gao Xunzhi, afraid Xiao Rong might ask about something else they didn’t have, instantly relaxed when he heard this question. He smiled brightly and said, “Yes, yes, we do! Are you looking for someone to make something, Ah Rong?”

Xiao Rong also smiled. “I do want something made, but I’ll be leaving Chenliu soon, so I hope the Chancellor can help supervise them and ensure a sample is produced quickly.”

It sounded like Xiao Rong was planning another new project. Usually, Gao Xunzhi would be very curious and eager to be the first to know what it was. However, today he completely missed the point and asked in shock, “Ah Rong, where are you going?”

Xiao Rong then repeated what he had told Qu Yunmie earlier to Gao Xunzhi.

He thought Gao Xunzhi was a reasonable person and would be more accepting than Qu Yunmie. He believed that as long as he explained the pros and cons clearly, Gao Xunzhi would help persuade Qu Yunmie to agree. 

Xiao Rong had overestimated the situation.

As soon as Gao Xunzhi heard about it, his reaction was even stronger than Qu Yunmie’s, constantly telling him, “No, you can’t!” He almost startled Xiao Yi, who was studying in the next room.

That evening, everyone gathered once again in the council room nearest the front courtyard.

This time, they weren’t there to discuss official matters—they were there to collectively criticize Xiao Rong for his wild, overly idealistic ideas.

Qu Yunmie returned at dusk, covered in sweat. After his bath, he heard Gao Xunzhi was holding such a meeting. He strode in with a spring in his step, not even bothering to dry his hair.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He glared resentfully at Qu Yunmie’s half-wet, half-dry hair, but Qu Yunmie noticed his gaze and didn’t offer to help. Instead, he smiled smugly at him.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Gao Xunzhi thought Xiao Rong’s plan was too risky, and Yu Shaoxie shared the same opinion. Both of them had experience with Jinling—one had lived there for a year, the other had grown up there. They both believed that Jinling would be very dangerous for Xiao Rong, but for different reasons than what Qu Yunmie had mentioned.

They didn’t think Jinling officials would kill Xiao Rong out of stupidity. Instead, they feared that someone would notice Xiao Rong’s intelligence and his threat to Nanyong, and then scheme against him—either by detaining him or staging an “accident” that resulted in his death.

After all, the news of Xiao Rong’s prediction about Yizhou had spread far. Even if the common people didn’t know, surely Jinling’s officials were aware?

Xiao Rong had hinted that he wanted to use his words to trick and persuade the officials in Jinling. How could that be possible?! Sun Renluan was no pushover, and Yang Cangyi was no fool. Even if Xiao Rong was eloquent, Gao Xunzhi didn’t believe he could deceive both of them at once.

Xiao Rong silently stared at them. For the first time, he found himself in a position where everyone opposed him.

He was so angry he could almost explode like a pufferfish. However, he couldn’t reveal his entire plan to everyone. Each person had different loyalties, and his plan might touch on certain people’s limits. Even if they didn’t voice their objections now, dissatisfaction would accumulate. Anyone in this room was a key advisor to the King of the North, and a betrayal from any one of them could cripple the army.

The only people he could fully trust were Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi. However, the former wouldn’t listen, and the latter, even if he knew the plan, would still oppose it.

All because Xiao Rong’s plan was even more dangerous than what Gao Xunzhi imagined. Gao Xunzhi thought he was going to the Nanyong court to debate with scholars, but in reality, Xiao Rong intended to bypass the court and directly contact the young Emperor.

This would certainly be even more nerve-wracking for the officials than a mere debate. Although the young Emperor’s legitimacy was in question, his existence kept many people in check. He was Sun Renluan’s trump card and Yang Cangyi’s target. Xiao Rong’s attempt to contact him was indeed akin to courting death.

Even so, fortune comes with risk, and Xiao Rong was confident that he could leave Jinling unharmed. After all, even if someone wanted to kill him, so what? The only person in the world who could truly end his life was Qu Yunmie.

His ego was swelling, yet he couldn’t voice these reasons, so he sat there sullenly, listening to Gao Xunzhi’s heartfelt advice.

Gao Xunzhi didn’t know him well enough yet. Xiao Rong was an even more stubborn mule than Qu Yunmie, a very handsome stubborn mule.

…

Gao Xunzhi spoke until his throat was dry, but Xiao Rong still kept his head down, showing no reaction. Gao Xunzhi couldn’t help but sigh, a look of disappointment appearing on his face. When he fell silent, Yu Shaoxie began speaking, using his younger brother as an example. He reminded everyone that his brother had just recently defected from Nanyong. Currently, Nanyong wasn’t directly confronting the Northern Army, and the relationship between the two sides had become strained. If Xiao Rong went to Nanyong now, the anger from Nanyong would be directed at him.

Xiao Rong looked utterly hopeless, while Qu Yunmie, holding back a smile, nearly burst out laughing.

Watching Xiao Rong being “abandoned by everyone,” Qu Yunmie felt quite pleased as he sat to the side, enjoying the show. His expression relaxed, and just as he was about to pick up the wine cup in front of him, a calm voice suddenly spoke.

“I actually think this plan of Young Master Xiao’s could work.”

Qu Yunmie immediately stopped reaching for his wine cup and lifted his head, staring intently at Mijing, whose face under the candlelight appeared even more serene and peaceful.

That damned bald donkey, no wonder I’ve never liked you!

…!

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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