Xiao Rong only truly, sincerely worried for one minute. After that, he realized he had been overthinking it. Someone as insane as Yuan Baifu was rare in this world. If another one appeared, it would mean there was something wrong with the Northern Army’s feng shui.

……

After inquiring about the current situation, the entire army had already entered the city, and the citizens followed them. The city gate area gradually became quiet. Zhang Biezhi had people bring over two carriages and quietly sent everyone back.

They said there was a feeling of both eagerness and nervousness when returning home after a long absence. After getting out of the carriage and looking at the plaque of the Wang residence, which he had personally commissioned someone to carve, Xiao Rong took a soft breath before stepping inside.

Xiao Yi and the others were already waiting there. They were Xiao Rong’s family, not officials of Chenliu, so they had not gone to greet them at the city gate. A month earlier, when news of the army’s victorious return arrived, Xiao Yi had happily gone to tidy up his brother’s room. He hadn’t even needed Ah Shu’s help. Who would have thought that an entire month would pass, during which bad news, good news, and more bad news kept coming in cycles, tormenting Xiao Yi to the point that he didn’t even know how he had endured it.

Finally seeing Xiao Rong appear before him, Xiao Yi tried very hard to act like an adult, but his nose turned sour and his eyes reddened. In the end, he embarrassingly burst into tears.

He ran toward Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong froze for a moment, then immediately braced himself and successfully caught Xiao Yi’s small body. Hearing the boy’s sobbing in his ear, Xiao Rong patted his back.

“Alright, alright. I’m back, aren’t I?”

Compared to him, Ah Shu performed slightly better. Ah Shu, who used to cry very easily, only choked up while looking at Xiao Rong today, without actually shedding tears.

This separation had made Ah Shu grow a lot. That sentence was not only metaphorical, but literal as well.

Xiao Rong wanted to comfort him, but he looked up in shock and stammered, “A–Ah Shu, you’ve grown taller again?”

Ah Shu sniffled and lowered his head shyly. “Your Lordship has good eyesight. I’ve grown another inch.”

“…”

He had only been gone for… how long? Two months?!

……

When news of the army’s first victorious return arrived, Xiao Yi excitedly told Madam Chen. At that time, Madam Chen was also very happy and asked Xiao Yi every day where the army was at that moment.

Later, when Yuan Baifu rebelled and the King and Xiao Rong both rushed to Ningzhou to suppress the rebellion, Xiao Yi didn’t dare tell her for fear she would worry. Later still, news came that Xiao Rong had been kidnapped, and although the news of his rescue followed shortly after, Xiao Yi still didn’t dare say anything for fear of further accidents.

During that time, Xiao Yi was in a bad mood, and the atmosphere in the residence was extremely tense. Everyone was very busy. Madam Chen still asked Xiao Yi where Xiao Rong was. Xiao Yi lied to her twice, and perhaps she sensed something herself, so she stopped asking.

When Xiao Rong asked Zhang Biezhi about Madam Chen’s situation, it was essentially a useless question. Zhang Biezhi was busy and knew nothing about his inner household matters. Moreover, he didn’t understand Madam Chen at all. In his eyes, she was doing fine, but in Xiao Yi’s eyes, she was calm—so calm that it became abnormal.

Regardless, Xiao Yi couldn’t spare any energy to worry about her, since his grandmother was right in front of him, while his older brother’s life or death was unknown.

Hearing this, Xiao Rong fell silent.

The others had not yet returned, and the residence was quiet. Xiao Rong decided to go see the old lady himself. Before leaving, he suddenly remembered and asked, “Where are Miss Danran and Madam Sang?”

Xiao Yi replied, “They are at the wounded soldiers camp in the city. There are not enough doctors, so they went to help.”

Xiao Rong nodded and left.

……

On his way to see Madam Chen, Xiao Rong could not help but think of his own grandmother in the modern world.

She was a businesswoman in her sixties, though she didn’t even look like she was fifty. She was domineering, strong, wealthy, and a little intimidating.

His father wasn’t an only child, so he was certainly not the only grandchild. His impression of that grandmother was always that she was rich, liked giving red envelopes, and after giving them would ask about his grades and how many extracurricular classes he was taking.

Everyone had different personalities. That grandmother was simply showing care in her own way. Their family itself was rather emotionally distant, without troublesome conflicts or unfair treatment, so Xiao Rong had already been very fortunate.

As for Madam Chen, she had become his grandmother in a confused, accidental way. In her heart, Xiao Rong wasn’t so much a specific person as a vague concept. She remembered that she had a grandson, but not what he looked like or what his personality was. This allowed Xiao Rong to take advantage of the situation. When facing her, he could treat it like a job: the job was to act as her eldest grandson, and the payment was not having his background questioned.

Yet relationships between people were never that simple. Xiao Rong was neither good enough nor bad enough, so while acting, he often ended up investing himself emotionally as well. It had almost become his behavioral pattern.

….

Pushing open the door, Xiao Rong saw Madam Chen sitting on the bed sewing something. He hesitated for a moment, as if afraid of startling her, and then said in a very soft voice, said, “Grandmother, I am back.”

Madam Chen paused her stitching. She looked up, and after recognizing that it was Xiao Rong, she quickly put down her embroidery frame. “Rong’er is back. Have you eaten?”

Xiao Rong instinctively shook his head. “No… huh?”

He had prepared himself for Madam Chen to hold him and cry for a day and a night, but he did not expect to only receive this sentence. Hearing that he hadn’t eaten, Madam Chen smiled at him. “Then wait here. Grandmother will cook you noodle soup, with two poached eggs, right?”

Xiao Rong nodded blankly. “Right.”

Madam Chen hurried to the kitchen, and in less than half a quarter of an hour she brought back a bowl of noodles. Xiao Rong was still unable to react, but under her expectant gaze, he sat down and began eating in a daze.

Whenever he stopped, he would glance at Madam Chen in confusion, and she would urge him, “Eat. Eat.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He lowered his head and continued eating. After finishing the bowl, he still didn’t dare to ask whether Madam Chen remembered what had happened before. The maid took the bowl away, and Xiao Rong stayed there for a while. When Xiao Yi returned and Madam Chen showed no intention of keeping him, he left in confusion.

He was a little full from the large bowl of noodles. Back in his own residence, Xiao Rong sat down first and enjoyed the comfort of luxury for a moment. Then, suddenly thinking of something, he immediately stood up and walked to a distant wardrobe. He pulled the door open forcefully, and the full closet of clothes startled him.

The valuable garments were stored elsewhere. This cabinet was only used for Xiao Rong’s undergarments and everyday clothes. Originally there hadn’t been many pieces, and later Ah Shu had packed them for him to take along, leaving it half empty. Now, however, it has been filled again. Xiao Rong picked up the top set. Seeing that the pattern was exactly the same as the one Madam Chen had just been embroidering, he gently touched the fine stitching on the fabric and lowered his eyes slightly. After a long time, he put it back.

*

Chenliu remained orderly even without him. Although his family was worried about him, they were still alright.

Between going to see Song Shuo and going to sleep first to recover his energy, Xiao Rong chose the latter.

Song Shuo had neither come to receive them nor appeared in the residence, clearly showing that he was going to throw a tantrum. Without enough strength, it would be difficult to handle him, so Xiao Rong wisely chose to rest. As for the fact that the longer he delayed, the angrier Song Shuo would become… he did not care. Who didn’t have a temper?

……

After a half-hour nap, when he woke up, Ah Shu quickly brought him a cup of tea. While he drank it to clear his mind, Ah Shu also asked what he wanted for dinner—roasted pork, lamb-oil baked flatbread, or duck-skin steamed cabbage.

Hearing Ah Shu list the dishes, Xiao Rong almost teared up on the spot. He looked up and sincerely sighed. “It’s so good to be home.”

Hearing this, Ah Shu slowly pressed his lips together.

He understood.

Serve them all! He would make up for all the suffering his lord had endured!

……

After the army’s triumphant return, the number of people wanting to see King of the North and Xiao Rong almost broke down the gates of the residence. The King of the North didn’t let these people disturb Xiao Rong. He saw those he could see himself, and those he could not were handled by Gao Xunzhi.

Even though he was tired too, he patiently listened to everyone because they were all his people.

Everyone was shocked that the King of the North had become so mild after returning. Many were so nervous that they failed to say anything proper and only rambled, but the King of the North didn’t lose his temper. He merely frowned and, without even saying “get out,” waved his hand and dismissed them.

The remaining people outside exchanged looks, all thinking the same word in their hearts.

“Wow.”

Knowing when to stop was a rare virtue. Most people would push further when given an inch, and the King of the North still didn’t know what kind of precedent he had set—he would be very busy in the future.

With external matters being handled, Xiao Rong felt relieved, as if his status bars were full again. He was ready to deal with Song Shuo. However, he soon learned from Ah Shu that Song Shuo had moved out of the residence.

He had moved out just yesterday, after hearing that the army would soon arrive in Chenliu.

Xiao Rong: “…”

He was stunned. So this wasn’t just an act—he was truly angry, so angry that he had run away from home!!

Only then did Xiao Rong panic. He immediately rushed to Song Shuo’s new residence. Standing outside, he blinked in shock.

This large mansion, if one judged by just the gate, wasn’t inferior to the King’s residence. After thinking carefully, he remembered that it had been the residence of a certain aristocratic family in Chenliu. It was larger than the King residence but not as refined. There was nothing to be done, this was simply the difference between nobility and commoners.

Even so, the house was extremely expensive. In a time when house prices were like cabbage prices, it had still sold for six thousand gold.

Hearing this, Ah Shu shook his head. “My Lord, it sold for eight thousand gold.”

Xiao Rong was shocked. “Why did the price go up?”

Ah Shu shrugged. “Probably because so many people came to settle in Chenliu, so prices rose. The King of the North just won a victory, so housing in the main city has become more expensive. Now the prices change every day, which is quite alarming.”

Xiao Rong said, “These houses are sold by the government. Who sets the prices?”

Could it be Song Shuo?

Ah Shu said, “The newly appointed Secretary Aide. Master Gao put him in charge of property sales in the city, and in his first month he made quite a lot of money. Master Gao really likes him.”

Xiao Rong raised an eyebrow. “Did ordinary residences rise that much too?”

Ah Shu shook his head. “No. The smallest three-room courtyards only rose by a few silver coins. The ones that rose the most were these large houses. The bigger they are, the more they increase. This house was actually reserved early by Master Song, and he personally asked the Secretary Aide to lower the increase a bit, which is why he got it for eight thousand gold. I heard many people wanted it and originally the Secretary Aide planned to sell it to the highest bidder.”

That would’ve made the price far more than eight thousand. Perhaps even eighteen thousand would not have been enough.

Xiao Rong listened with interest. This Secretary Aide was quite talented. In times of war, prices usually skyrocketed, but housing paradoxically lost its value. Yet now, war has begun. People were merely panicking and seeking safety, so housing prices naturally rose.

The instincts of commoners weren’t as sharp as those of aristocratic families. If even the commoners began fleeing en masse, the nobles would certainly leave even faster. Xiao Rong had a sense that Chenliu had become a prized target in many people’s eyes.

He more or less understood. Song Shuo hadn’t run away from home at all. He had gone out to receive or join his family.

He asked Ah Shu, though he already knew the answer in his heart, “The Song family of Xiangdong also came. They are living here, right?”

Ah Shu nodded repeatedly.

Not only the Song family. Many aristocratic families from all over had come to the city. They sent invitations to Master Song and even to the young Lord. However, because the atmosphere in the city had been tense, Master Song kept his doors closed and didn’t meet them, nor allowed the young Lord to see them. Those people had been wandering around the city instead, and most of the rising-price houses had been bought by them. Some even wanted to buy farmland from Master Song.

Xiao Rong: “…”

In just two months, those jackals had already followed the scent.

Some people planned to defend Jinling to the death, but clearly most had already begun making alternative arrangements. After Jinling fell, Chenliu would become the next Jinling in their eyes. They would seize the best terrain first, control nearby farmland, then travel with gold and treasures to build connections everywhere. Once they were all acquainted, they would offer up their resources, ensuring the new court would take the bait.

After all, the court always lacked money and resources. The reason aristocratic families remained powerful was because of their secret methods and craftsmen. They trained their descendants to become high officials while maintaining relationships and business with existing officials. Once both power and commerce were in their hands, the court would become an empty shell, forced to be led by them.

……

Xiao Rong couldn’t help but glance at Ah Shu. Although Ah Shu lived in the residence and had more ways to gather information than others, his growth from a timid little servant into a skilled informant was impressive.

He was the same age as Xiao Yi and still young. If trained properly, he might one day become a steward.

Not his steward, but the steward of the residence—and eventually, the steward of the palace.

Wait. Palace stewards were usually eunuchs, right?

No, why did he assume eunuchs must exist? That was inhumane. Abolish it.

No, that was still not right. That was something only relevant after the King of the North became emperor. He was thinking too far ahead.

……

Xiao Rong snapped out of it and asked Ah Shu to knock on the door. Ah Shu obediently stepped forward, then retreated a few steps so that Xiao Rong stood at the front.

After a while, someone unfamiliar opened the door. The moment he saw Xiao Rong, his eyebrows shot up and he immediately looked disdainful, assuming Xiao Rong was another minor aristocrat seeking favors.

Then he noticed Ah Shu standing in the corner.

He froze.

Ah Shu looked back at him quietly. The man suddenly felt a chill rise from his feet to his scalp. After forcing a strange smile, he asked, “May I ask what you need?”

Both Xiao Rong and Ah Shu simultaneously showed disappointed expressions.

Ah Shu spoke first. “My Lord wants to see Master Song.”

Xiao Rong then politely said, “This junior, Xiao Rong, has come to pay a visit. May I ask if Young Master Song is at home?”

The man’s face changed instantly. He hurried inside to inform the others. Soon, the entire Song family rushed out to greet him, led by the family head, welcoming him like a visiting dignitary.

Xiao Rong: “…”

After Song Shuo learned of this, he rushed out in fury. At that moment, his father was already seating Xiao Rong in the position of honor, smiling warmly as he tried to build rapport. He clearly wanted to leave a good impression, hoping Xiao Rong would treat his son better in the future.

Song Shuo didn’t appreciate any of it. He stormed out and, seeing all his uncles and elders, shouted in anger, “What are you doing?! I told you not to bring that kind of behavior here!”

Then he grabbed Xiao Rong and dragged him away. Xiao Rong even turned back and smiled politely at the others, easing the awkwardness.

In Song Shuo’s room, Xiao Rong rubbed his reddened wrist and asked in confusion, “Why are you so angry? Your father did not say anything wrong.”

Song Shuo said darkly, “I know he did not, but others might have!”

Xiao Rong said, “Even if they said something inappropriate, it is fine. This is your home, not the King’s residence.”

Song Shuo said, “You don’t understand. They are dreaming of greatness. They want to become the next Sun family!”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He said helplessly, “You do not need to be so agitated about everything. Having ambition is good, but whether it succeeds is not something they decide.”

Song Shuo, with dark circles under his eyes, stared at him like a vengeful ghost. “They want to marry my two cousins to the King of the North.”

Xiao Rong froze.

Song Shuo continued, “And if the King doesn’t want them, then they will marry you instead.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He went on with a twisted smile. “They plan to see how things develop. If the King of the North and you are close, then one will marry the King and the other will marry you. That way, all three families would be bound together.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

After a long pause, Xiao Rong said, “When the Yu brothers return, you can ask them whether they want to arrange marriages.”

Song Shuo was shocked. “You actually want my cousins to be married off?!”

Xiao Rong said helplessly, “What is wrong with the Yu brothers? Yu Shaoxie will become a civil official, and Yu Shaocheng is a rare general in the King’s eyes. Both have bright futures. If your family insists on marrying the girls off for protection, then marrying them to them would also be good.”

Song Shuo fell silent.

Xiao Rong was an outsider, so he could speak so lightly, but in reality his family dreamed of becoming imperial relatives. They would not easily marry the girls to someone like Yu Shaocheng, even if he was capable.

Seeing Song Shuo’s troubled expression, Xiao Rong could not help but laugh.

Song Shuo frowned. “What are you laughing at?”

Xiao Rong shrugged. “I am laughing that you still have sisters to worry about, and such a large family that came all this way to rely on you. Although your uncles are a bit… Well, your father still cares about you. Every sentence he spoke to me was praising you.”

Thinking of Xiao Rong’s own pitiful family, Song Shuo felt awkward and didn’t want to continue the topic. He sat down heavily and began to interrogate him instead. “I thought you would have arrived an hour earlier.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

Smiling, he replied, “I thought I would see you at the city gate.”

Song Shuo grew angry. “I was the one left behind! Am I not allowed to put on airs?!”

Xiao Rong said, “You are allowed.”

He shrugged. “So I came here personally to apologize. Master Song, Lord Song, you have worked hard these past months. Please be magnanimous and stop holding it against me, alright?”

Song Shuo glanced at him and said nothing.

Seeing this, Xiao Rong thought, You forced my hand.

He sighed and, under Song Shuo’s doubtful gaze, cleared his throat. “Yan zheng ah~~~~~”

Song Shuo: “…”

“Stop it!” he said angrily. “Do not call me that! How improper would it be if others heard!”

Xiao Rong obediently stopped. “So, are you still angry?”

Song Shuo immediately shook his head. He didn’t dare to admit otherwise. Only then did Xiao Rong smile.

After a while, Song Shuo let his servant check outside. Seeing no one, he pushed Xiao Rong out. Xiao Rong left casually, and just as he was about to walk out of the corridor, Song Shuo suddenly called him again from a distance.

“Xiao Rong.”

He turned back and saw Song Shuo leaning against the doorframe, his expression shifting repeatedly. Finally, he said the words he had been holding in his throat for a long time.

“Do not stay away for so long again.”

“Two months… is too long.”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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