Early the next morning, Xiao Rong changed into a fresh and clean outfit, then crawled out of his tent and walked toward the royal tent where Qu Yunmie was staying.

Gao Xunzhi and Agusheja were standing in the open space talking. When they saw him, they both shut their mouths at the same time. Even when Xiao Rong lifted the curtain and entered the tent with a calm expression, the two of them still hadn’t recovered from their shock.

Agusheja didn’t understand. “Weren’t they arguing?”

Gao Xunzhi replied, “Matters between young people—we wouldn’t understand.”

＊

Those who were shocked weren’t just Agusheja and Gao Xunzhi. Also inside Qu Yunmie’s tent were the military doctor, the guards, and Dongfang Jin.

The doctor came to change Qu Yunmie’s dressing. The guards were assigned to menial tasks like sweeping, fetching water, and wiping tables. Dongfang Jin was speaking with the half-reclining Qu Yunmie when he heard footsteps. He turned around and, upon seeing Xiao Rong, looked pleasantly surprised. “Mr. Xiao!”

Then he remembered some gossip he had heard the previous night. He quickly restrained his smile and cupped his fists respectfully. “This subordinate greets Mr. Xiao. You must be exhausted after your long journey.”

Xiao Rong looked at him. “Journey? I didn’t travel by carriage or boat. I came on horseback.”

Dongfang Jin was momentarily stunned. He didn’t understand why Xiao Rong emphasized that, but he still followed his lead. “T-Then it was even harder on you. From Chenliu to Shengle is nearly two thousand li. Even a robust man might not endure that kind of trip. I admire you, Mr. Xiao.”

Xiao Rong smiled at him. “It seems there are still people in the Northern Army who know how to speak properly.”

Dongfang Jin: “…”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Dongfang Jin didn’t even dare turn his head. As a rare high-EQ general, he immediately understood who Xiao Rong’s sarcasm was directed at.

Just standing there felt awkward, so after hesitating a bit, he turned back and lowered his gaze humbly. “My Lord—”

Qu Yunmie said, “Get out.”

Dongfang Jin replied, “Yes, sir.”

After saying that, he left without looking back. Still, he had some decency. Before leaving, he secretly signaled the guards. Upon seeing the gesture, the guards hurriedly put down what they were doing and filed out behind him.

The moment Dongfang Jin revealed how eager he was to leave, Xiao Rong’s expression turned cold. He stared at their retreating backs. All of them felt like pins were sticking into their backs and didn’t dare look at him. When they were all gone, Xiao Rong suddenly turned his head toward the military doctor who was slinging his medicine bag over his shoulder.

The doctor: “…”

He slowly adjusted the strap on his shoulder and, as if afraid of disturbing something, said in a small voice, “I… I’m going to check on General Yu.”

Xiao Rong said nothing, so the doctor tested the waters and took one step forward.

Then another.

Then another.

Just as Xiao Rong thought he was going to take yet another small step, the doctor suddenly dashed off like a character in a cartoon. Xiao Rong could even see a trail of dust as he ran out of the tent.

Xiao Rong muttered under his breath, “He can run pretty fast.”

From the bed, Qu Yunmie added, “When it’s life or death, everyone can run.”

Xiao Rong turned his head. Qu Yunmie was looking at him. Judging from his complexion, he wasn’t much different from the previous day. Qu Yunmie was waiting to see how Xiao Rong would stab him with words, but Xiao Rong merely looked at him for a moment, then turned to walk toward the long table. He sat down, reached for a military report on the table, then frowned and called out loudly, “Someone come in!”

After a brief scuffle outside, a rather meek-looking guard was shoved in.

……

Xiao Rong ordered, “Make me a chair, then two tables. One square table for eating, one long one for working. Bring me two pieces of animal hide—one to lay on the floor, one to cover the chair. Also bring a tea stove, a wrist rest, incense burner, and a new set of writing tools. This inkstone is cracked—I won’t use it. Oh, and for breakfast, I don’t like meat. Just boil a bowl of plain congee with some small side dishes.”

The guard stared at him blankly. Xiao Rong noticed he wasn’t moving, and his expression darkened. “What, do you not remember my orders?”

The guard jolted to attention and shouted, “I remember!”

He then rushed out to prepare everything. Meanwhile, Xiao Rong lowered his head and began reading the day’s military reports.

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He was completely ignored. Xiao Rong sat upright with his back to him. Qu Yunmie watched his movements and quietly pressed his lips together.

Yesterday, Xiao Rong had said he would learn his lesson and stay by his side. As someone with strong execution, after one night of sleep, Xiao Rong immediately came to fulfill his promise.

On the other hand, things outside that promise were no longer his concern. They had parted unhappily the day before, and Xiao Rong didn’t want to talk to him. So even under the same roof, he still ignored him.

This extremely clear-cut separation of public and private matters—it really made one grit their teeth.

Since Xiao Rong entered, Qu Yunmie’s back had been unconsciously tense, but now, his body finally relaxed.

As his weight shifted, the cushion beneath him sank a little more. He looked at Xiao Rong’s perfectly arranged hair and suddenly revealed a slightly comforted smile.

＊

Soon, the guards brought in everything Xiao Rong asked for. After breakfast, Xiao Rong had them spread a bear hide on the floor and place the taller desk on top. The new desk was positioned at the far end, opposite the bed—far from Qu Yunmie, but close enough to monitor him anytime.

Once the people left, others soon arrived.

Yuan Baifu and Gongsun Yuan came to visit Qu Yunmie and noticed changes to the layout of the tent. Yuan Baifu was momentarily stunned. Gongsun Yuan, however, didn’t notice anything and simply wondered why Yuan Baifu wasn’t moving.

Xiao Rong sat on a soft fox-fur chair, a thick cotton blanket over his lap. Cotton goods existed now, though still rare. The merchant caravans from the Kingdom of Qiuci had brought many for sale, and Xiao Rong was one of their biggest clients. He was always afraid of the cold, so before setting off, Ah Shu had packed a blanket for him.

To his left bubbled a tea stove, to his right curled smoke from a small brass incense burner. Between them lay a writing set borrowed from allies. In the upper right corner of the table was a satin-stitched wrist rest.

Xiao Rong enjoyed his refined life on one side, while on the other side, their King lay on a wrinkled bed—half of his shoulder still exposed.

……

The King’s gaze was heavy as he looked at Xiao Rong. His recent illness had left his cheeks thinner, making his expression even more fierce.

Yuan Baifu had vaguely heard about the dispute between the two the previous night. After a moment of silence, he walked over to Qu Yunmie. Gongsun Yuan followed once he moved.

They spoke in unison. “This subordinate greets the King.”

Xiao Rong didn’t have Qu Yunmie’s keen ears and could only recognize Qu Yunmie’s footsteps. He had been too focused earlier to notice anyone entering. When he saw them, he immediately stood and walked over.

Yuan Baifu had just started asking Qu Yunmie how he was feeling when he heard Xiao Rong ask, “General Yuan, have you caught the suspects?”

Yuan Baifu looked up, took a moment to react, and then realized what Xiao Rong meant. He shook his head. “There were no suspicious people in the army. I sent people to thoroughly investigate Yanmen County. We found two suspicious families. Both were relatives of soldiers in the Northern Army. One family had two sons serving as ordinary soldiers, the other had one son who was a squad leader. These two families fled seven days ago. I interrogated the three soldiers—they had no idea what their families had done.”

Xiao Rong asked, “So you’re saying the lead is gone?”

Yuan Baifu lowered his gaze. “I’ll keep investigating. I won’t let them escape.”

Qu Yunmie showed no emotion. Whether it was the Northern Army aiding the enemy or their relatives doing so—it was all the same to him.

They all deserved death.

Yuan Baifu thought the topic had ended, but Xiao Rong interrupted again, “They left, but their homes remain, right? Did you search their houses?”

Yuan Baifu paused. Of course he had—how else would he know they fled?

Still, he remained polite. “We searched them. There were no signs of hiding.”

Xiao Rong shook his head. “That’s not what I’m asking.”

Seeing Yuan Baifu’s puzzled expression, Xiao Rong continued, “I mean, did they leave in a hurry? Did they pack everything? Did they flee or were they coerced? Was there anything unusual in the house? For instance, was some place unexpectedly charred—like not the kitchen, but still blackened?”

Yuan Baifu was stunned. He didn’t understand. Not knowing Xiao Rong well, he tried to think it through before asking—but Qu Yunmie had no such patience.

He asked directly, “What are you suspecting?”

Xiao Rong glanced at him, still not wanting to talk, but since it was important, he said, “At this time, to betray the Northern Army and side with the Xianbei—it doesn’t make sense. Even a child knows the Xianbei are finished. Why would these people choose death? I’ve thought about it again and again. I believe these people didn’t even realize they were working for the Xianbei. This isn’t the first time. Remember the last group that cooperated with the Xianbei?”

After a pause, Yuan Baifu and Gongsun Yuan shouted in unison. “The Qingfeng Sect?!”

Xiao Rong smiled ambiguously. “Just my guess. I’m not sure if they were involved, but only the Qingfeng Sect could make people abandon their conscience and commit such atrocities. These people must be caught. There are Qingfeng followers in Yanmen. Start with them. Maybe they know where the families went. These weren’t wealthy households. Even after seven days, they couldn’t have gone far. The attack on Shengle can only begin once the King recovers. With General Wang holding the front, there’s no need to worry. For now, the priority is finding these people and confirming if a third party is involved. General Yuan, let General Jian assist you. You’ll be faster working together.”

Yuan Baifu said nothing. He glanced at Qu Yunmie, only to find him with his eyes lowered—clearly permitting Xiao Rong to handle military matters.

After a pause, Yuan Baifu turned back. “General Jian is currently managing the central army.”

Xiao Rong smiled. “That’s fine. Let General Gongsun handle it instead. General Yu’s injuries aren’t serious—he can help, too. General Jian and General Yuan are the most capable men in the Northern Army. The most important task should naturally go to you two.”

Other generals might have been displeased hearing this, but Gongsun Yuan only heard the part about managing the central army and made a mental note of it. He didn’t care about the rest.

……

Since no one else objected, Yuan Baifu couldn’t say anything either. Just as they were about to leave, Qu Yunmie suddenly said, “Find them within two days.”

What if they didn’t? He didn’t say—but everyone who knew him understood: failure meant military punishment.

Yuan Baifu hesitated but still cupped his fists and accepted the order.

Xiao Rong watched them leave. His expression became less composed. Qu Yunmie watched him, propped himself up, and said, “A-Rong—”

Xiao Rong abruptly turned, his eyes as sharp as knives. “What did you just call me?”

Qu Yunmie froze.

Xiao Rong frowned. “Don’t call me that.”

He turned back, returning to his desk. He began organizing the scattered papers. The tapping of paper on the table was loud and crisp.

After tidying for a while, Xiao Rong subtly glanced up, wondering why Qu Yunmie gave up so easily. Just then, he saw Qu Yunmie staring at him with his arms crossed.

Their eyes met. Xiao Rong’s fingers tensed around the papers. He snapped, “What are you looking at me for?”

Qu Yunmie didn’t respond. Instead, he mimicked Xiao Rong’s earlier shrug with a slight smile.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Why did it still feel like he was being provoked?

……

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

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