Xiao Rong rubbed the spot where he had been pushed, grumbling unhappily, “Such a bad temper.”

 

He used so much force that Xiao Rong felt like his ribs had been bruised.

 

The sky had darkened, and the lights on the tower weren’t very bright. Qu Yunmei didn’t hear Xiao Rong’s muttering, nor did he see him speaking. So, he stepped back a few paces and asked, “What are you doing here?”

 

Upon hearing the question, Xiao Rong stopped rubbing his sore spot and immediately got into character. “I heard that General Yuan returned victorious and brought back some clues, so I came to find Your Majesty—”

 

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly paused.

 

He saw that Qu Yunmei was now tense all over, his sharp eyes watching Xiao Rong warily. Xiao Rong was self-aware enough to know that even in his healthiest state, he wouldn’t be able to take on Qu Yunmei, who was renowned for his achievement of single-handedly cutting down a hundred enemies.

 

Legend had it that after his sword broke, he continued to tear apart two soldiers with his bare hands before finally being surrounded and captured by the army.

 

Although this might be an exaggeration, the fact that such a story existed about a defeated man spoke volumes about Qu Yunmei’s valor.

 

Therefore, his wariness wasn’t because he feared Xiao Rong would harm him but because he was on guard against what Xiao Rong was about to say.

 

After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong, without considering Qu Yunmei’s feelings, said what he had originally intended, “I was thinking that traitors must have somewhere to betray to. Collaborating with the Xianbei is indeed a ruthless tactic that Southern Young might employ. However, the actual ruler of Southern Young, that imperial uncle, is still a principled man from the Central Plains. With him around, those traitors must tread carefully. If he learns the full story, those traitors will find no refuge, even in Northern Yong.”

 

“Now that I’ve heard the news that General Yuan has brought back, I feel relieved. It’s always better to know the enemy well than to have them hidden.”

 

As Qu Yunmei listened, his initially tense posture gradually relaxed.

 

He had assumed Xiao Rong, like Yuan Baifu, was there to persuade him not to pursue Li Xiuheng any further.

 

Sitting back under the eaves, Qu Yunmei remained silent for a while before slowly speaking, “Li Xiuheng—”

 

Xiao Rong plopped down beside him, attentively listening.

 

Qu Yunmei: “…”

 

Honestly, others were more respectful and constantly expressed their loyalty and patriotism. Yet no one was as familiar and unreserved as Xiao Rong, who already seemed to consider himself as part of the inner circle.

 

Such thick skin.

 

Although Qu Yunmei thought this, he didn’t drive Xiao Rong away. People generally knew about his bad temper and frequent outbursts, so they didn’t dare provoke him. As a result, no one realized that he was actually quite easy going unless someone touched a particularly sensitive nerve.

 

Suppressing the strange feeling of being watched so closely, he continued, “Since the sixth year of Guangjia, Li Xiuheng has been living in hiding for ten years. The Northern Border Army wishes to eat his flesh and drink his blood, yet every year, some are swayed by him and defect to the enemy.”

 

Xiao Rong’s face showed a look of understanding. “After all, he was the commander of the Northern Border Army for thirteen years after General Qu. The army followed his orders for a long time. It’s natural that some would still be loyal to him.”

 

Xiao Rong felt his comment was objective. Who knew that Qu Yunmei would suddenly glare at him. “Why should such scum be remembered fondly? It was he who insisted on serving the Yong Dynasty. When Emperor Guangjia ordered the southward migration, no one came to inform us! Do you know how furious the Xianbei were when they discovered the Emperor had moved south? We and the civilians were abandoned by that dog emperor. If the Xianbei hadn’t arrived so quickly, I would have long since turned Li Xiuheng into minced meat!”

 

Xiao Rong stared at him blankly, while Qu Yunmei’s eyes shifted slightly. Seeing Xiao Rong’s stunned reaction, Qu Yunmei seemed to understand and sneered, “Of course, you’re from Linchuan. How would you know what things were like back then?”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

After a moment of silence, he noticed Qu Yunmei’s expression had turned gloomy again. Xiao Rong quietly spoke, “I heard that in the spring of the following year, swallows returned North, looking for the nests they had built under the eaves of a certain house the previous summer. Yet after circling the city for three days, they couldn’t find a single intact house.”

 

Qu Yunmei stared at the ground, saying nothing.

 

The sky had darkened, and what was once a clear view of the distant mountains was now pitch black.

Although Qu Yunmei seemed indifferent, his ears twitched slightly, indicating he was listening.

 

Xiao Rong continued, “Ten years ago, I was a child. Your Majesty was unknown, the Xianbei were rising, and the Northern Border Army was in decline. Ten years later, Your Majesty is renowned, the Xianbei are waning, and the Northern Border Army is at its peak. As for me, I have finished my studies and have come from afar to pledge my ambitions and hopes to Your Majesty.”

 

As he said this, he looked at Qu Yunmei’s profile. The moon appeared at that moment, and Qu Yunmei, sensing the intensity of Xiao Rong’s gaze, turned his head.

 

In the silver moonlight, Xiao Rong smiled slightly and said softly, “Your Majesty, human hearts are unpredictable. Not everyone has a good memory, and not everyone is as persistent and clear in their love and hate as you. Today’s betrayals and disappointments may happen again in the future, but I swear to the heavens, as long as Your Majesty needs me, I will remain loyal and by your side through life and death.”

 

Qu Yunmei looked at him, his expression unreadable.

 

His gaze was like needles, piercing Xiao Rong’s skin, but Xiao Rong wasn’t afraid of a little pain. He met his eyes calmly.

 

After a moment, Qu Yunmei suddenly stood up, bringing a gust of cold spring wind. Xiao Rong felt a bit chilly but didn’t show it. He just uncomfortably rubbed his nose.

 

Looking down at him, Qu Yunmei said, “I don’t care how many people betray me or are loyal to me. Your actions overestimate yourself. Don’t forget, I kept you here to see your true self, not to listen to your flattery.”

 

Xiao Rong listened without looking up, slowly lowering his hand.

 

Qu Yunmei waited for a few seconds, seeing that Xiao Rong had nothing more to say. Feeling stifled, Qu Yunmei turned and left.

 

With his long legs and big strides, he quickly descended the tower. However, as he reached the last step, he suddenly stopped, frowned, and instructed the soldiers guarding the tower, “Help him down when he’s ready.”

 

The soldiers nodded. The man above indeed seemed weak, so helping him was necessary.

 

Then, Qu Yunmei added, “Don’t let him stay too long, or he’ll freeze to death up there.”

 

The soldiers: “…”

 

This was unusual. They didn’t know their Lord cared about people.

 

As they were still puzzled, Qu Yunmei, who had taken two steps away, suddenly came back and angrily said, “Give him a cloak!”

 

The soldiers: “…”

 

The guards were dumbfounded, unable to determine whether the person above had gained their Lord’s favor or not.

 

Above, after Qu Yunmei left, Xiao Rong happily stretched and relaxed his muscles, then walked to the edge of the wall to gaze at the starry sky.

 

Propping his head on one hand, Xiao Rong looked at the beautiful scenery and smiled knowingly. 

 

“Big fool. I’ll drive you crazy sooner or later.”

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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