When they reached the latter part of the massage, Xiao Rong fell silent.

 

Was it no longer painful? No, he had just suddenly realized there were a lot of people around. His vanity made him instantly quiet. Even when his face turned red, he resolutely remained silent.

 

Xiao Rong buried his face in the grass, pretending he was dead.

 

…

 

After finishing the massage, Old Wu was puzzled and touched his back with her hand.

 

Her process was a traditional method of the Butuwu tribe. In general, it involved massaging to promote blood circulation, relieve fatigue, and unblock meridians. It couldn’t cure major illnesses or immediately solve minor problems, but it was effective for chronic illnesses, congenital weaknesses, and troublesome aftereffects.

 

The Butuwu tribe had once lived in the deep mountains. On one mountain, they were the only inhabitants, so they had to develop their own civilization, including their language and medical practices.

 

Agusheja was among the best in her field. She had been interested in medicine since childhood. After her sister and brother-in-law passed away, she became even more devoted to it and led her entire tribe in this direction.

 

When there was a shortage of military doctors during battles, the Butuwu people filled in.

 

Even if Old Wu hadn’t seen thousands of patients in her lifetime, she still had seen thousands of people.

 

Therefore, she found it very strange that Xiao Rong, who clearly appeared to have insufficient vital energy and meridian damage, showed no reaction after a session.

 

Normally, after such a massage, a person’s back would become very hot, almost like it could fry an egg. If there was no such reaction, there were only two possibilities.

 

First, she had made a mistake due to not having massaged someone in a long time.

 

Second, it had nothing to do with her; Xiao Rong was simply not sick.

 

Agusheja was silent for a moment and lowered her gaze. Indeed, it was her mistake.

 

＊

 

She also knew her hand strength was strong, and the average person from Central Plains could hardly endure it. One session was enough to cause trouble, and another could make a delicate child like Xiao Rong cry on the spot. So, Agusheja quietly stood up, deciding to give Xiao Rong another session another day.

 

She didn’t mention this frightening matter but said, “Let him go.”

 

As soon as hands left Xiao Rong, he sprang up from the ground.

 

He stood there with a flushed face, covered in grass leaves and a green stalk stuck in his hair.

 

Xiao Rong clenched his fists, his chest heaving. Although Qu Yunmie intended to remove the stalk, as soon as he reached out, Xiao Rong suddenly looked at him, startling him into freezing mid-motion, awkwardly holding his arm in place.

 

If looks could kill, Qu Yunmie would be cooked right now.

 

…

 

In both his past and this life, Xiao Rong had never been so embarrassed. He couldn’t even speak, disregarding all notions of respect and hierarchy. His hanging hands clenched into fists, shaking with anger. He wanted nothing more than to bite Qu Yunmie on the spot.

As he struggled to calm himself, he didn’t notice that everyone around was staring at him. When he realized he was being laughed at, Xiao Rong’s expression froze, and he turned to leave.

 

Seeing this, Gao Xunzhi immediately followed. Qu Yunmie, not daring to act, stood silently in place.

 

Agusheja’s gaze followed Xiao Rong until he disappeared into the crowd, then she turned to Qu Yunmie and said, “This young man has quite a commanding presence.”

 

Qu Yunmie: “…”

 

He sighed with relief. It was good to hear that Old Wu also thought so. He had worried that only he found Xiao Rong intimidating sometimes.

 

Though he thought this, he didn’t show it on his face and said casually, “It’s nothing special.”

 

Agusheja: “…”

 

Foolish bird.

 

＊

 

People who are good-looking often care about their image. There is a saying about beauties losing their charm and heroes meeting their end. These can be compared to show how great the psychological impact of losing beauty can be on a beautiful person.

 

Although Xiao Rong hadn’t lost his beauty, he had completely lost his image today.

 

Being pinned to the ground in front of everyone and screaming like a pig…. 

 

Xiao Rong buried his head in the pillow again, wishing he could just suffocate himself.

 

When Gao Xunzhi arrived, he saw Xiao Rong isolating himself. Initially confused about what he was doing, he soon figured it out. Qu Yunmie was a straightforward person, and Xiao Rong, though knowledgeable, wasn’t mysterious. Despite his vast knowledge, in terms of character, he was much like Qu Yunmie.

 

In Gao Xunzhi’s view, both were innocent and sincere.

 

Gao Xunzhi bit his lip, held back his laughter, and then sat down next to Xiao Rong.

 

Xiao Rong heard movement but didn’t want to get up. Gao Xunzhi didn’t press him but waited for a moment before speaking softly. “I met the Northern Defending Army in the second year of Yushun. To avoid embarrassing you, I initially arrived in Yanmen Pass as a convicted criminal exiled to Liaoxi.”

 

Xiao Rong remained unmoving but opened his eyes, listening to Gao Xunzhi’s words with curiosity.

 

Gao Xunzhi squinted slightly, recalling past events. “I came from a poor family. My grandfather made a name for himself in the military, which allowed the rest of the family to rise from poverty. My father was influenced by others and participated in the rebellion of the Five Kings in the fifth year of Tai Ning. After the change of dynasty, all those involved in the rebellion were executed, and any remaining family members were exiled.”

 

Realizing he had gone off-topic, Gao Xunzhi smiled apologetically. “It’s all in the past. Despite the misfortune, I am quite content with the past twenty years in the Northern Defending Army. I participated in the war to protect the country, personally killed the Hun people, and watched the Northern Defending Army King grow from a small child into the towering figure he is today. Such experiences are unique.”

 

Xiao Rong closed his eyes tightly, unwilling to listen to any praise of Qu Yunmie.

 

Gao Xunzhi observed him and continued, “Do you know who just treated your meridians? That’s the King’s Old Wu. Oh, Old Wu means ‘Aunt’ in the Butuwu tribe, and it also refers to an aunt or mother. The Butuwu tribe is small, and they usually live together in a large family, raising children collectively. So ‘parents’ is a general term.”

 

“Rong might not know this because the King wouldn’t tell you. Although life is better now, the King suffered greatly in the past due to his foreign bloodline. He rarely mentions his maternal family. The last time he sought the salt girl for you, it was shocking enough. Today, he even had Old Wu come out in public to treat you, which was unexpected. If it weren’t for the fact that no one else could replace the King, I would almost think that person wasn’t him.”

 

Xiao Rong suddenly sat up with a look of disbelief. “What exactly is the Prime Minister trying to say?”

 

Gao Xunzhi was startled by Xiao Rong’s sudden movement, almost forgetting the rest of his words. He widened his eyes, swallowed, and then said, “What I mean is, since Rong arrived, the King has shown new changes every day. I understand that Rong is anxious, but I hope you can give the King some time. For the past ten years, he has adhered to the principle of avenging enemies and handling everything himself to protect everyone. If he weren’t so determined, the Northern Defending Army would’ve been disbanded long ago. This approach, developed through trial and error, won’t change easily. Rong needs to be patient.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

He pursed his lips and stared at Gao Xunzhi. Gao Xunzhi smiled because he noticed that although Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie were similar in some ways, they were opposite in others. Qu Yunmie’s silence meant trouble, but in Xiao Rong’s case, it meant he was truly listening.

 

Compared to Qu Yunmie, Xiao Rong was much easier to persuade. Gao Xunzhi, pleased, added, “It doesn’t need to be a long wait. After all, the King genuinely cares about A Rong. He worries about your health and listens to what you say. Look at how anxious he was today. I believe it won’t be long before the King changes.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

After speaking, Gao Xunzhi cheerfully left, while Xiao Rong glared at the lowered curtain, turned over, and buried his face in the pillow again.

 

So annoying!!!

 

＊

 

Due to this incident, the army rested for the night. As night was approaching, they made a fire to cook and then let everyone sleep. They would resume traveling in the early morning.

Qu Yunmie stayed at the Butuwu tribe’s camp and didn’t return. It seemed he was asking Agusheja about Xiao Rong’s condition, but in reality, he was afraid to go back. He felt that if he returned, Xiao Rong would confront him with a fierce face and bite him to death.

 

…

 

Agusheja had never seen him like this before. Compared to Gao Xunzhi’s surprise, Agusheja felt both surprised and disdainful.

 

She thought to herself that Qu Yunmie must’ve inherited her Central Plains brother-in-law’s awkward personality, which was quite cumbersome and not at all straightforward.

 

While talking to Qu Yunmie, she placed the prepared herbs into a pot and simmered them, producing a bowl of brown medicinal liquid. Qu Yunmie knew it was for Xiao Rong. Since the meridian treatment hadn’t been effective, Agusheja feared he might still be in pain, so she prepared this bowl of medicine for him. Just as Qu Yunmie was about to reach for it, Luo Wu’s arm extended to pass the bowl to someone else.

 

“Dan Ran, take this to him.”

 

Qu Yunmie: “…”

 

He complained, “Old Wu!”

 

Why make Dan Ran deliver it? Why couldn’t he do it himself? This way, he would have a reason to go back!

 

Agusheja looked up slightly, her face calm, and said, “Why are you calling for me? You’re not in a hurry to leave, so stay a bit longer.”

 

Qu Yunmie: “…”

 

On the other side, Xiao Rong had stayed by himself for a while, managing to pull his head out of the pillow. He leaned weakly against it, unable to tell if his weakness was due to his vitality or his emotional ups and downs.

 

He looked listlessly at the top of the carriage. Suddenly, he heard a dripping sound on the roof. Xiao Rong was stunned and propped himself up to see if it was raining outside.

 

Before he could act, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, and a little girl tightly hugged something in her arms. Her hair and clothes were wet, but the item she was holding remained dry. She quickly placed the item inside the carriage, then turned and let the curtain fall back. Because she was dirty, she didn’t dare step inside but stood awkwardly, looking at him.

 

She was the same little girl who had encountered Xiao Rong twice and had run away both times.

 

Xiao Rong raised his eyebrows, wondering what she had to say.

 

Dan Ran: “…”

 

Not daring to look Xiao Rong in the eyes, she lowered her head and mumbled, “This is the medicine that Old Lady asked me to bring you. Oh no, sir, remember to drink it.”

 

Xiao Rong glanced at the medicine bowl, which looked like a miniature big-bellied vase, probably made by their Butuw tribe. 

 

In the context of military campaigns, such a bowl was indeed practical, though it looked strange.

 

Xiao Rong responded with an “oh” and didn’t say whether he would drink it. He only asked, “Who is Old Lady?”

 

Dan Ran replied, “She is my grandmother, the one who just treated you.”

 

Xiao Rong asked, “Your biological grandmother?”

 

Dan Ran looked up in confusion, recalling how Central Plains people addressed their relatives, and answered softly, “Great-aunt.”

 

Xiao Rong calculated for a moment and was astonished.

 

This child was actually Qu Yunmie’s niece. Qu Yunmie had only one elder brother—was she his child? No, that didn’t add up, the ages didn’t match!

 

He thought he had stumbled upon some high-society secret and swallowed his curiosity. He paused before asking, “Why did you run away when you saw me before?”

 

Dan Ran: “…”

 

Her voice became even softer, like a mosquito. “You’re too handsome. I… I was scared.”

 

Xiao Rong twitched his mouth. He had only been making a joke, but it turned out he really had frightened her off.

 

Moreover, Xiao Rong didn’t understand how being good-looking equated to being frightening.

 

He expressed his confusion, and Dan Ran felt embarrassed. She knew she had been rude but couldn’t control herself. Since there was a chance to explain, she tried to clarify.

 

Her Central Plains dialect was fluent, and Xiao Rong understood it quickly. She explained that she had been bullied by a good-looking person when she was young. That person had thrown her into the sky because she was afraid of heights and even placed her among geese because she was afraid of them, which had left her with a psychological scar. Since Xiao Rong looked like that person, it triggered her trauma.

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

So, Qu Yunmie had such a scoundrel working for him who bullied children. Unbelievable! Xiao Rong was still fuming from the indignation he had suffered earlier and was ready to act on it!

 

Xiao Rong demanded angrily, “Who is that person you mentioned?”

 

Dan Ran smiled. “It’s my relative, also known as your king.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

His expression froze. After a while, he pointed at himself and asked, “I look like your relative?”

 

Dan Ran nodded firmly. “You both look almost identical.”

 

Xiao Rong asked for confirmation, “Your relative is called Qu Yunmie?”

 

Dan Ran replied, “Yes.”

 

Xiao Rong was astonished. He had never seen such a child who could lie with their eyes wide open.

 

He and Qu Yunmie looked alike?! Identical? Could that word even be used for them? Standing next to Qu Yunmie was like seeing two nesting dolls, with him as the inner one. A punch from Qu Yunmie could splatter brains everywhere, while a punch from him would crack his own bones.

 

They were supposed to be similar?

 

Like a ghost!

 

Xiao Rong’s disbelief was written all over his face. Dan Ran noticed he didn’t believe her and wanted to explain further, but at that moment, the curtain at the back was lifted again.

 

Qu Yunmie frowned and approached, observing the two of them. He asked, “What are you discussing?”

 

Seeing him, Xiao Rong recalled his earlier “humiliation” and his expression stiffened. He coldly replied, “Nothing.”

 

Qu Yunmie: “…”

 

He then looked at Dan Ran, who remained silent out of guilt.

 

Qu Yunmie said, “You can go now. I’ll make sure he drinks the medicine.”

 

Dan Ran quickly nodded. She didn’t want to stay, as one was her childhood trauma personified and the other seemed like his twin. She wished she could sprout wings and fly away.

 

Dan Ran left, and Qu Yunmie lowered the curtain and picked up the medicine bowl. Just as he was about to hand it to Xiao Rong, Xiao Rong coldly remarked, “It’s raining. Aren’t you afraid she’ll catch a cold?”

 

Qu Yunmie paused slightly and said, “A little rain won’t matter.”

 

Xiao Rong was about to argue that a bit of rain could cause illness, and many people had fallen ill from being caught in the rain, not to mention it was a child with even weaker resistance.

 

Before he could speak, he saw Qu Yunmie’s genuinely indifferent expression, and the words were stuck in his throat.

 

The child had traveled with the Northern Town Army, traversing countless battlefields. Exposure to the elements was a regular part of life for her. She wouldn’t think much of a bit of light rain.

 

Gao Xunzhi’s words had taken root in his mind. He began to understand Qu Yunmie’s experiences and situation.

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

This wasn’t a good sign!

 

Xiao Rong immediately shut up, turned away with an unhappy face, and muttered, “Since the King doesn’t mind, I won’t say anything more. Just put the medicine down, and I’ll drink it when I wake up.”

 

He closed his eyes as if ready to sleep.

 

Qu Yunmie looked at his tightly closed eyes and began to feel that same annoying sensation. It was different from the frustration that made him want to kill; this annoyance was like being trapped in a windowless, doorless room. He wanted to get out but couldn’t find a way, endlessly pacing like a caged beast, unable to settle down.

 

Not breaking the cage meant he would suffocate, so he had to resolve this today.

 

After a moment of silence, Qu Yunmie put the medicine bowl down again. The clay bowl made a dull thud when it hit the wooden board, and the rain outside, which had started as a light drizzle, created a crackling sound in the small carriage.

 

The atmosphere was suitable for sleeping, but Xiao Rong had no intention of sleeping. He could feel Qu Yunmie watching him.

 

He was waiting for Qu Yunmie to speak, and Qu Yunmie was waiting for a signal to start talking. They faced each other in a silent standoff, with one of them eventually having to give in.

 

Finally, Qu Yunmie spoke first.

 

He started with, “I will still take revenge in the future. No matter what you say, I won’t let go of my enemies.”

 

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

You’re really something.

 

Xiao Rong was so angry that he started grinding his teeth. At that moment, Qu Yunmie added, “But I will try to keep it a secret that I took revenge.”

 

Qu Yunmie was extremely reluctant to say the last few words. He was very proud and thought that acting secretly wasn’t the behavior of a true hero. Despite this, seeing Xiao Rong so angry, Qu Yunmie had no choice but to compromise.

 

After saying this, he continued to stare at Xiao Rong. Xiao Rong, after a moment of silence, slowly sat up. As soon as he revealed his face, his brows furrowed. “Does the King think I don’t want you to take revenge? I don’t want you to kill easily. As the saying goes, ‘What the superior does, the subordinates follow.’ If the King takes lives carelessly, the soldiers below will do the same. What kind of army will the Northern Town Army become then? Like—”

 

Like a bandit group.

 

He originally intended to say that, but paused and changed to another statement, “Compared to how it was when you were a General, is it still the same? As the King’s advisor, I naturally hope all good things in the world belong to the King—whether it’s fertile land, victories, wealth, or public support, and including the reputation for benevolence and wisdom. I want the King to have it all. So when I see the King casually discarding something that is within easy reach, I can’t help but lose my temper.”

 

At this point, Xiao Rong’s frustration was genuine. He regretted speaking impulsively. Fortunately, Qu Yunmie didn’t punish him. If Qu Yunmie had agreed with him at that moment, he would’ve had no place to cry.

 

In the end, he had become arrogant. Because Qu Yunmie was quite polite and they had been getting along well, when he was angry he forgot that Qu Yunmie was the King and his master. His life wasn’t only tied to this person’s luck but also to his whims.

 

Xiao Rong sat quietly, reflecting, without noticing the fleeting discomfort on Qu Yunmie’s face.

 

He opened his mouth, intending to say something, but seeing Xiao Rong not looking at him, he closed his mouth. After a while, he spoke again. “This King knows your intentions. You should really adjust your temper. You didn’t even say much before getting yourself worked up. Your health isn’t good, how can you withstand such agitation?”

 

Saying this, he picked up the medicine bowl and firmly shoved it into Xiao Rong’s hands. Xiao Rong didn’t bother to refuse and drank it all in one go.

 

After that, neither of them spoke. They sat quietly on opposite sides. After an argument, people often feel mentally exhausted and enter a period of calm. Qu Yunmie didn’t think about much, but listening to the sound of the rain outside, he suddenly remembered that just an hour ago, they had been shouting hoarsely.

 

Qu Yunmie had had disagreements with many people, and the final outcomes were always very unpleasant. Xiao Rong was the only one who could make him take a step back and the only one who would still accept him, advise him, and treat him sincerely, no matter how intense the argument.

 

This feeling was somewhat new and not bad.

 

He reached out, gently lifting the curtain on his side, and looked at the rain outside. He slightly curved his lips.

 

However, the next second, Xiao Rong, still reflecting, spoke unhappily, “King.”

 

Qu Yunmie quickly pulled back his hand, and the curtain slowly fell, blocking out the curious raindrops.

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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