Although this matter was clearly very important, Xiao Rong acted as if he didn’t care much about it, and Qu Yunmie’s mood became unsettled. He wanted to be excited, but could not get excited. He wanted to stay calm, but could not stay calm either.

……

After remaining silent for a long time, Qu Yunmie stepped back a few paces, walked to a chair, and sat down. He muttered in a low voice, “Then I won’t marry either.”

Xiao Rong looked at him. He didn’t say anything, but Qu Yunmie seemed to understand his silence. He blocked Xiao Rong’s words in advance. “In this world, haven’t I done a few rebellious things? If I say I won’t marry, who would dare force me?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

He wanted to say it wasn’t about that, but rather that there were no more members of the Qu family left. There was a throne at home, yet they couldn’t find a relative to inherit it. This was really…

Even so, this was not the issue at hand. People changed, or they might not change. Only when the throne truly fell into Qu Yunmie’s hands would Xiao Rong need to face this matter. Anything said now was too early.

Xiao Rong walked to Qu Yunmie’s side and sat down. The two looked at each other. Xiao Rong slowly opened his mouth. Just as he was about to say something to Qu Yunmie, someone knocked on the door.

Xiao Rong instinctively looked toward the door, but Qu Yunmie raised a hand and blocked his line of sight. “Ignore him. What do you want to say to me?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

The knocking grew more urgent and louder. Xiao Rong pushed Qu Yunmie’s hand away and walked over to open the door. “What is it?”

The guard knocking on the door froze for a moment. He looked inside at Qu Yunmie, and Qu Yunmie was staring at him with obvious displeasure.

The guard said, “Reporting to Sir Xiao, General Gongsun has returned. He wishes to see the King.”

Xiao Rong paused. He turned to look at Qu Yunmie, but Qu Yunmie had already lowered his gaze, his expression somewhat complicated.

……

Before his marriage, Gongsun Yuan and Yuan Baifu had always been inseparable. Although Qu Yunmie trusted Yuan Baifu the most, he was busy, and he didn’t have the mindset for jealousy, so he often saw the two of them together, appearing very close.

Yuan Baifu’s rebellion affected Gongsun Yuan more than anyone else. More than even Qu Yunmie, because Gongsun Yuan was usually quiet and did not like to interfere in political affairs.

Qu Yunmie went out to see him. After thinking it over, Xiao Rong followed, but he didn’t go to the main hall. Instead, he entered through the back door and hid behind a screen wall, secretly listening to what they were saying.

Qu Yunmie had sharp hearing and naturally knew someone was standing behind the screen wall, but he said nothing. He simply sat down in silence and waited for Gongsun Yuan to enter.

Xiao Rong wondered why Gongsun Yuan left Yu Shaocheng behind and returned alone to Chenliu. A suspicious and cautious person like Qu Yunmie must have prepared himself mentally. However, after Gongsun Yuan came in obediently, those concerns were dispelled. Even in his maddened state after being provoked, Yuan Baifu knew not to appear before Qu Yunmie. Gongsun Yuan, who was still normal, certainly wouldn’t travel all the way just to assassinate Qu Yunmie to avenge his brother.

Xiao Rong followed because he was afraid Qu Yunmie would take his anger out on others. If Gongsun Yuan mentioned Yuan Baifu, and since he hadn’t witnessed Yuan Baifu’s cruelty himself, he might still feel sorrow for his brother.

That did not happen, because the first thing Gongsun Yuan did upon entering was kneel before Qu Yunmie.

Hearing the dull sound, Xiao Rong’s heart jumped violently. He secretly looked from behind the screen wall and saw Gongsun Yuan prostrated on the ground, indescribably humble and heavy.

The one who had done wrong was Yuan Baifu, yet the one apologizing to Qu Yunmie now was Gongsun Yuan.

His shoulders trembled slightly, and his voice no longer carried its usual calmness. “My King, I deserve to die, I deserve to die, I deserve to die…”

Xiao Rong froze. At that moment, Qu Yunmie’s voice sounded. “The one who betrayed me was not you.”

Gongsun Yuan said, “But I should have discovered his intentions, I should have known… but why did he do this? Why did he betray the King and the Northern Army?!”

Xiao Rong knew the answer. He had told Qu Yunmie, so Qu Yunmie knew, but he hadn’t told anyone else. The reason was too ridiculous; knowing it was worse than not knowing.

Qu Yunmie was silent for a moment. He stood up from his chair, helped Gongsun Yuan up, and repeated to him what others had told him. Gongsun Yuan gradually calmed down. After regaining clarity, he knelt again, though this time it was only a normal half-kneel. He pledged loyalty to Qu Yunmie and said he would never betray him like Yuan Baifu. As for Yuan Baifu, that villain, he no longer felt even the slightest sorrow for him.

Qu Yunmie nodded. He wasn’t a sentimental person and couldn’t say anything moving.

Gongsun Yuan had returned this time specifically because of Yuan Baifu. He brought only a small number of men and escorted the captured Khitan King. Most of his troops remained in Khitan under the joint management of his deputies and Yu Shaocheng. His trust in Yu Shaocheng made Qu Yunmie feel somewhat relieved.

After a few more words, Gongsun Yuan withdrew on his own. After he closed the door, Xiao Rong finally came out from behind the screen.

His expression was somewhat complicated. “Gongsun Yuan is…”

He couldn’t quite put it into words, but Qu Yunmie finished for him, “He was afraid of being implicated by Yuan Baifu, so he came back to show his loyalty to me.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

So you do understand.

After thinking carefully, this was indeed Gongsun Yuan’s nature. In history, he had always weighed things repeatedly and felt that following Qu Yunmie was a dead end. After Yuan Baifu’s rebellion he joined him. He didn’t care who he was close to, he only cared about what benefited him.

Coming back now was the same: joining Yuan Baifu’s rebellion would have been a dead end, so he would never do it. In fact, once he learned of Yuan Baifu’s betrayal, he hurried back immediately.

He was rational and self-interested. There was nothing wrong with that, but it could make those close to him feel a little chilled.

Xiao Rong looked worriedly at Qu Yunmie. Qu Yunmie noticed his gaze, his facial muscles moved slightly, and he said, “I’m fine.”

Xiao Rong imitated his usual tone and replied with, “Really?”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

He chuckled softly. “Of course.”

Compared with Yuan Baifu’s stabbing betrayal, this was merely self-preservation.

Moreover, human relationships were the most unpredictable thing. Even Qu Yunmie himself could not guarantee that he would always place these brothers first in his heart, so what right did he have to demand the same from others? Gongsun Yuan had a wife and children. Wanting to live peacefully was not wrong.

In the past, he hadn’t understood this and had treated these old subordinates and brothers in the same old way. Now that his life had something more important in it, he would no longer be so naive.

Xiao Rong observed his expression for a while and felt he was not lying. He smiled, then sat beside Qu Yunmie and said, “Since General Gongsun has returned and the Khitan King is now a prisoner, My King might as well issue a military order and let the scattered generals and soldiers hold a celebration banquet together. Let those outside decide how many days they want. As for Chenliu… how about seven days? Food and drink in abundance, rotating the city guards, while the rest of the soldiers need do nothing. For these seven days, let them eat, drink, and enjoy themselves freely. They all need a proper rest.”

Qu Yunmie could not help raising an eyebrow. Ordinary victory banquets lasted one day. In places like Jinling, that spent money extravagantly, might have a banquet that lasts three days. Yet Xiao Rong was planning seven days—did he not intend to continue living?

He reminded him, “Do you know how much those soldiers can eat? A seven-day banquet will cost a lot of money.”

Xiao Rong smiled. “It’s fine. We have plenty of money now.”

Qu Yunmie: “…”

Fine. Don’t regret it later.

……

Xiao Rong would not regret it. He was right—the soldiers needed to be properly rewarded. After a victory, and with Yuan Baifu’s rebellion just resolved, although Qu Yunmie had suppressed everything by force, a stick needed to be followed by a sweet date.

Moreover, they also needed to display the Northern Army’s financial strength, to show the observing noble families and the shrinking turtles in Jinling.

In the past they truly had no money, so they never showed off. Now that they were wealthy and effectively number one, of course they should flaunt it heavily and make others jealous.

……

When news of the banquet spread, the whole city was in an uproar. The Baibao Street merchants immediately sprang into action. They had been trained by Xiao Rong to see everything as an opportunity for profit.

Those with meat supplies rushed to the authorities to offer business, restaurants offered chefs, even unrelated shops joined in by announcing seven-day discounts.

When Xiao Rong heard about it, he only said one word: “6.”

Truly six.

……

The entire city became lively, as if it were New Year. Visiting noble families were shocked. The business enthusiasm of Chenliu alone made them want to join in.

……

The celebration banquet was officially held. Xiao Rong had never seen a feast like a “lake of wine and forest of meat,” but standing by the outdoor stoves and watching buckets of millet rice and trays of sauced meat being carried out, he felt a little heartache.

It was all money.

Though bleeding inside, as the organizer he could only maintain a benevolent smile and watch the food disappear.

After a while, he couldn’t bear it anymore and returned to the residence.

The palace had become the quietest place, since everyone had gone to the banquet. Soldiers were eating, Qu Yunmie and the generals were drinking, and even officials like Song Shuo were busy calculating expenses.

Xiao Rong finally rested for a moment, sent Xiao Yi away as well, and prepared to sleep. Just as he was about to lie down, he suddenly remembered two people he had forgotten.

Startled, he quickly got up again and rushed out.

Others were at the banquet, and the wounded soldiers had arrangements, but some injured people were not in the infirmary and had been placed in the palace by Xiao Rong’s order.

After Song Shuo moved out, Wang Xinyong and Yao Xian stayed in his courtyard to recover. The place was quiet, and under Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi’s strict protection, not even a fly could enter the palace. Even high-ranking people like Wang Xinyong could not freely go anywhere.

Xiao Rong had forgotten them for a moment and worried that no one had remembered them. With such a grand banquet, they would surely feel lonely if completely left out.

He ran all the way, sweating even in the cold winter. When he was about to arrive, he heard voices inside.

Sang Yan was already there, as she was responsible for caring for the wounded in the palace. She was not simply nursing them, but truly following Xiao Rong’s instructions—bringing food, serving dishes, and occasionally checking their pulses. Wang Xinyong was obedient, and Yao Xian was considerate, so she seemed more relaxed.

At that moment, she finished serving the meal and turned to leave.

Wang Xinyong, who had been too afraid to move, quickly said, “Thank you!”

Sang Yan paused, then turned and gave a slightly stiff curtsey—the etiquette of Central Plains women, which she hadn’t performed in a very long time.

Wang Xinyong’s face darkened slightly, but it was hard to see because he was already very dark.

He lowered his head and picked up his chopsticks. From the corner of his eye, he felt something was off, so he turned and saw Yao Xian looking at him with admiration.

Wang Xinyong asked, “What do you mean by that look?”

Yao Xian shook his head and picked up his chopsticks, while thinking that if their general was no longer his general, would the King let him become the main commander?

….

The people inside stopped speaking and silently continued eating, while outside, Xiao Rong wore an expression as if he had been struck by lightning.

Sometimes being too sensitive about emotions was not a good thing. He had not even sorted out his own matters yet, and now—good grief—there was another one?!

Well… it couldn’t really be put that way. His own matters could be decided by himself, but other people’s matters were not something he could interfere in.

Even though he felt as if he had been struck until he was scorched on the outside and tender on the inside, Xiao Rong silently closed his mouth. After all, others were not like Qu Yunmie. Qu Yunmie was “mutated,” so even after discovering he liked men, he dared to say it out loud. Others did not have that kind of courage. Even the slightest disturbance from the outside world could frighten them into never showing their faces again.

Moreover, this was only a hint—just a small hint on Wang Xinyong’s side. It did not really count for much.

Thinking this, Xiao Rong prepared to leave. Since someone was already taking care of them, there was no need for him to go in anymore.

Before leaving, he glanced inside once more. At that moment, he showed the same admiring expression as Yao Xian.

I thought you were someone who didn’t compete for anything…

Turns out you made a big move right away!

—

That night, a heavily drunk Qu Yunmie was brought back by Gao Xunzhi, who, despite drinking a thousand cups, was still sober.

After placing him on the bed, Gao Xunzhi considered whether to let Qu Yunmie sleep as he was or help remove his clothes when the door opened behind him. Seeing Xiao Rong enter, Gao Xunzhi finally relaxed.

“Rong is here. Then I’ll take my leave. I drank too much tonight as well and should go to the latrine.”

Xiao Rong: “…”

After saying that, he left. Xiao Rong looked at the large lump on the bed and slowly walked over.

He had never seen Qu Yunmie this drunk before. Qu Yunmie was usually quite restrained. Once he reached a slight buzz, he would stop drinking. Today was probably an exception because everyone was happy.

Xiao Rong thought of how Qu Yunmie had once used drunkenness to trick him into speaking, and could not help but smile slightly. He pulled Qu Yunmie closer and used two fingers to gently lift his eyelids.

A pair of hazy eyes was thus forcibly “powered on.” They slowly moved and then focused on Xiao Rong.

Xiao Rong asked him, “Do you still remember who I am?”

Qu Yunmie replied, “Rong.”

The pronunciation was a bit slurred, but still correct.

Xiao Rong asked again, “Then who are you?”

Qu Yunmie opened his mouth and answered with a string of garbled, incomprehensible words.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Fortunately, he had heard this before. Although he did not understand it, the Butewu tribe occasionally spoke like this. This was Qu Yunmie’s name in their language. Xiao Rong didn’t know what it meant, but in his mind, he automatically translated it as “Qu Yunmie.”

Unexpectedly, even when drunk, Qu Yunmie still recognized this Butewu tribe language version of himself. Xiao Rong could not tell whether this was drunken nonsense or drunken honesty.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to test further. “What is your relationship with Yuan Baifu? Do you still remember?”

Xiao Rong’s intention was to see whether Qu Yunmie was still conscious, but upon hearing this question, Qu Yunmie suddenly stopped speaking. He quietly looked at him, then slowly turned red-eyed.

Xiao Rong: “…”

Damn.

Are you going to cry?

Don’t cry!

A man like you—iron-blooded and passionate—you can’t just cry!

Xiao Rong was already panicking, and under his increasingly horrified gaze, Qu Yunmie rubbed his eyes, sat up, and said to him, “It’s my turn.”

Xiao Rong was still reeling from the shock that Qu Yunmie was actually using tears to scare him. Before he could react, he barely had time to look up and ask what “your turn” meant—

He let out a startled cry as Qu Yunmie pressed him down onto the bed.

Qu Yunmie leaned over him. He raised two fingers and gently pressed on Xiao Rong’s brow bone. With a faint smile, he asked, “Who am I?”

Xiao Rong: “…”

 

 

Edited by: Antiope

 

Support translation: