{"id":6881,"date":"2025-02-25T11:22:52","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T10:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=6881"},"modified":"2025-02-25T11:22:52","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T10:22:52","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-44-the-plan-works","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2025\/02\/25\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-44-the-plan-works\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn&#8217;t! &#8211; Chapter 44: The Plan Works"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong&#8217;s face reddened slightly again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, he couldn\u2019t quite tell if it was out of embarrassment or anger.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For Qu Yunmie, Gao Xunzhi and Agusheja were like parental figures. To be ranked alongside them as equally trustworthy meant Xiao Rong had achieved his initial goal\u2014he had truly become one of the most trusted people in Qu Yunmie\u2019s heart.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The problem was, how long had he even been with the Northern Army?!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Including the time spent in Pingyang City, it had barely been four months!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you trust someone this much in such a short time? Have you lost your mind? No wonder later, the people who betrayed you popped up like potatoes during the autumn harvest\u2014pull one out, and a whole bunch would follow!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though a series of exclamation marks were going off in his head, in reality, Xiao Rong remained silent for a moment before gently smiling. &#8220;Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty, but that\u2019s not what I hoped for. In times like these, I would rather you be more suspicious. In this world, there is no one worth completely trusting, except oneself. Only you won\u2019t betray yourself.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie was startled. He repeated Xiao Rong\u2019s words, &#8220;Only oneself?&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong nodded firmly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The look in Qu Yunmie\u2019s eyes immediately changed as he gazed at Xiao Rong. Although Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t quite understand the meaning behind it, he could distinctly sense a shift, as if suddenly, Xiao Rong had become the one deserving of pity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong wasn\u2019t foolish\u2014he quickly realized why Qu Yunmie was pitying him. Regardless, Xiao Rong didn\u2019t see it that way at all. He believed he was doing just fine, and maintaining vigilance toward everything in the world was equally good. It was precisely because of this cautiousness that he was able to handle the affairs of Chenliu with such thoroughness. Since he trusted no one, no one could set a trap for him to fall into.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong wasn\u2019t angry about this, and even if he were, that would make him seem petty and defensive. So, instead, he calmly sipped his tea and smoothly changed the subject. &#8220;Once Huang Yanjiong delivers the gifts, I plan to travel south to Jinling personally.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had already mentioned this plan to Gao Xunzhi before Huang Yanjiong had left. Qu Yunmie, having picked up on this during their discussions, wasn\u2019t too surprised. He nodded in agreement. &#8220;I\u2019ll go with you.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though the thought of stepping foot in Jinling again made Qu Yunmie feel a desire to break something, those events were from ten years ago. Things were different now\u2014he was the King of the North. Those who had once mocked and insulted him, if they were still alive, would now be left with no choice but to bow before him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie\u2019s reasoning made sense, but he didn\u2019t notice the awkward expression on Xiao Rong\u2019s face. &#8220;Your Majesty, I was actually planning to go alone.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie paused for a second, then slammed his fist onto the table, nearly cracking it in the process. The shopkeeper gasped but didn\u2019t dare to come any closer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Say that again? Going alone to Jinling? Xiao Rong, are you tired of living?!&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong first glanced at the table, making sure it wasn\u2019t damaged, before frowning and explaining, &#8220;When I said I would go alone, I meant that I would be the only one of high status. Of course, I\u2019ll bring guards with me. Your Majesty can assign me a general to ensure my safety and that of the others. This way, there will be no concerns.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking at Xiao Rong&#8217;s serious expression and realizing he wasn\u2019t joking, Qu Yunmie\u2019s face seemed to freeze for a moment. After two seconds, he suddenly started laughing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;Yes, no concerns at all. So, how many guards are you planning to bring? Five? Ten? Why not take more\u2014bring twenty, and make sure to take your favorite Jian Qiao with you. No more than twenty! When I come to collect your body, I wouldn&#8217;t want it to be too much of a hassle.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He pressed his lips together and then asked, &#8220;Your Majesty, are you so certain that if I go alone, it will surely be a death sentence for me?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie crossed his arms and sneered, as if he couldn\u2019t even be bothered to answer.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong ground his teeth and tried to reason with him. \u201cJinling nowadays isn\u2019t some kind of death trap. As the Magistrate of Chenliu, I am at least a somewhat notable figure. Knowing that killing me would offend Your Majesty, why would the people of Jinling even consider doing such a thing?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie replied, &#8220;Because the officials in the court are all idiots! You can\u2019t predict their thoughts with common logic. If they see you weak and vulnerable, they\u2019ll just kill you without a second thought!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This seemed to make some sense, but Xiao Rong didn\u2019t agree. &#8220;And if Your Majesty goes with me, will that really prevent such a thing? Even the strongest can&#8217;t fight off many\u2014if you are there, wouldn\u2019t it be just as dangerous?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie suddenly glanced at Xiao Rong and nonchalantly said, &#8220;Ten thousand people in Jinling are no match for me alone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your boasting is getting more outrageous!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this rate, Xiao Rong thought he\u2019d grind his back teeth down to nothing. Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself. &#8220;Please forgive me, Your Majesty, but even so, I must go alone. If you accompany me, my entire plan will fall apart. I need to leave the impression on the Grand Marshal that I am someone important to you, but not overly so. If you are by my side, it will make everyone overly cautious. Even if Jinling is full of fools, there must be one or two smart ones left. I cannot take that risk, and neither should you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The city defenses of Chenliu were still unsecured\u2014they needed money!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie thought Xiao Rong was being utterly unreasonable. &#8220;Are you willing to take the risk of losing your life?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why does it always seem like he\u2019s assuming I\u2019ll lose my life? I don\u2019t think that at all! I might even return from Jinling in glory!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After a moment of silence, Xiao Rong smiled at Qu Yunmie. &#8220;Your Majesty, don\u2019t worry. I\u2019m actually a very likable person. I\u2019m sure the officials of Jinling won\u2019t have the heart to kill me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He suddenly recalled something Xiao Rong had mumbled before: \u201cThe heart of a scholar, the courage of a hero, and a face thicker than the city walls.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who had Xiao Rong used this phrase to describe before? Qu Yunmie couldn\u2019t remember. Here and now, he felt that it perfectly described Xiao Rong himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter what Xiao Rong said, Qu Yunmie refused to agree. When he grew tired of arguing, he simply stood up and left. Xiao Rong watched as he quickly strode out of the teahouse, sighing as he did so. He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small piece of broken silver.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong handed the silver to the shopkeeper, who accepted it in shock, repeatedly saying, &#8220;It\u2019s too much, it\u2019s too much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong smiled at him. &#8220;Consider this an extra tip. This teahouse is small, so I assume you overheard our conversation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shopkeeper\u2019s face instantly went pale, thinking Xiao Rong had come to settle accounts with him. Xiao Rong only smiled reassuringly. &#8220;Don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not here to cause trouble.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In another time, this might have been a simple joke, but in this era, such a joke was a bit inappropriate.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After all, there were indeed people who ate other people in these times. The common folk exchanged their children to eat, and the nomads outside would drag back captured prisoners to serve as their next meal.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie had once blurted out that he would have Xiao Rong\u2019s head as a snack. Even though it had been said casually, and neither the speaker nor the listener took it seriously, it was still a reflection of the societal conditions at the time.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There were many rumors about the Northern Army, both good and bad. One of the bad ones was that they were as savage as the nomads, even rumored to eat people.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shopkeeper awkwardly forced a smile, which Xiao Rong noticed, though he didn\u2019t let it show. If he revealed his discomfort, the conversation would stall.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, pretending not to notice the shopkeeper\u2019s stiff expression, Xiao Rong continued, &#8220;His Majesty and I are new to Chenliu City, so we\u2019ll need your understanding going forward. Don\u2019t be intimidated by His Majesty\u2019s temper\u2014he\u2019s actually quite loyal and sentimental. Without his permission, I can\u2019t push anything forward. By the way, your tea is excellent. We might come back in a few days, perhaps with the Chancellor, General Jian, and General Gongsun. No need to be too formal with us; treat us like any other guests. After all, we\u2019re practically neighbors now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With another smile, Xiao Rong lifted the curtain and stepped out. Standing at the entrance, he didn\u2019t immediately leave but glanced around. As expected, he spotted Qu Yunmie still lingering at the street corner, dragging his feet as he walked away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If he had really stormed out, by the time Xiao Rong came out, Qu Yunmie would probably have already returned to his residence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He pressed his lips together to suppress that slight, unworthy feeling of pride, and then hurried off to find Qu Yunmie.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, the shopkeeper in the teahouse was still standing there, dumbfounded, holding that bit of silver.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The attendant saw that the shopkeeper hadn\u2019t moved and thought he was frozen in shock. After calling out to him several times, the shopkeeper finally snapped out of it, looking at the attendant as if he had just woken from a dream. &#8220;That young gentleman was so courteous to me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The attendant agreed with a sigh of relief. &#8220;Yes, that gentleman is very approachable.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shopkeeper then asked, &#8220;By the way, what was that gentleman\u2019s name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The attendant didn\u2019t know either. Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie hadn\u2019t mentioned their names while speaking, but hearing the noisy chatter from the Huichuntang (a nearby establishment), the attendant suddenly leaned closer to the shopkeeper, eyes bright with excitement. &#8220;Could he be named Xiao? Could he be the kind-hearted Young Master Xiao that the Butewu people talk about?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shopkeeper clapped his hands and confidently exclaimed, &#8220;That must be it!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was a relief. Although the King of the North (Qu Yunmie) seemed just as fearsome as the rumors suggested, making people despair, it was a blessing that Young Master Xiao, a great man of virtue, was by his side. Now Chenliu had hope.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\uff0a<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong returned to the palace and first rested in his residence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for Qu Yunmie, that stubborn bull, as soon as he came back, he grabbed a horse and ran off to the military camp, still scowling as if he intended to blow off some steam there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong didn\u2019t care whether Qu Yunmie planned to rough up a few soldiers or chop up a few wooden stakes. Whatever he had decided, Qu Yunmie couldn\u2019t stop him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After adding a few more lines to Qu Yunmie\u2019s character profile and transformation plan, Xiao Rong had just tucked the paper away when Gao Xunzhi happily rushed in. &#8220;Ah Rong, I heard today\u2019s situation at the clinic went quite well?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong smiled at Gao Xunzhi. &#8220;Indeed, most of the people were just curious and came to ask for news. There were only a few who came for real treatment or consultations, but by tomorrow, word will have spread all over Chenliu.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi praised him several times. The fact that the Butewu people could live in harmony with the citizens of Chenliu would benefit the King greatly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was about to sit down and properly praise Xiao Rong, but Xiao Rong stood up first and asked him, &#8220;Chancellor, are there any skilled carvers in the Northern army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi was momentarily stunned and then shook his head. &#8220;No, there aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had expected that since carving required a certain level of talent. So he asked, &#8220;Are there any skilled painters or calligraphers in the Northern army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi was silent for a moment, then sheepishly shook his head again. &#8220;No, there aren\u2019t.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong asked \u201cAre there at least skilled carpenters in the Northern army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi, afraid Xiao Rong might ask about something else they didn\u2019t have, instantly relaxed when he heard this question. He smiled brightly and said, &#8220;Yes, yes, we do! Are you looking for someone to make something, Ah Rong?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong also smiled. &#8220;I do want something made, but I\u2019ll be leaving Chenliu soon, so I hope the Chancellor can help supervise them and ensure a sample is produced quickly.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It sounded like Xiao Rong was planning another new project. Usually, Gao Xunzhi would be very curious and eager to be the first to know what it was. However, today he completely missed the point and asked in shock, &#8220;Ah Rong, where are you going?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong then repeated what he had told Qu Yunmie earlier to Gao Xunzhi.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He thought Gao Xunzhi was a reasonable person and would be more accepting than Qu Yunmie. He believed that as long as he explained the pros and cons clearly, Gao Xunzhi would help persuade Qu Yunmie to agree.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had overestimated the situation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As soon as Gao Xunzhi heard about it, his reaction was even stronger than Qu Yunmie\u2019s, constantly telling him, &#8220;No, you can\u2019t!\u201d He almost startled Xiao Yi, who was studying in the next room.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That evening, everyone gathered once again in the council room nearest the front courtyard.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This time, they weren\u2019t there to discuss official matters\u2014they were there to collectively criticize Xiao Rong for his wild, overly idealistic ideas.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie returned at dusk, covered in sweat. After his bath, he heard Gao Xunzhi was holding such a meeting. He strode in with a spring in his step, not even bothering to dry his hair.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He glared resentfully at Qu Yunmie\u2019s half-wet, half-dry hair, but Qu Yunmie noticed his gaze and didn\u2019t offer to help. Instead, he smiled smugly at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi thought Xiao Rong\u2019s plan was too risky, and Yu Shaoxie shared the same opinion. Both of them had experience with Jinling\u2014one had lived there for a year, the other had grown up there. They both believed that Jinling would be very dangerous for Xiao Rong, but for different reasons than what Qu Yunmie had mentioned.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They didn\u2019t think Jinling officials would kill Xiao Rong out of stupidity. Instead, they feared that someone would notice Xiao Rong\u2019s intelligence and his threat to Southern Yong, and then scheme against him\u2014either by detaining him or staging an \u201caccident\u201d that resulted in his death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After all, the news of Xiao Rong\u2019s prediction about Yizhou had spread far. Even if the common people didn\u2019t know, surely Jinling\u2019s officials were aware?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong had hinted that he wanted to use his words to trick and persuade the officials in Jinling. How could that be possible?! Sun Renluan was no pushover, and Yang Zangyi was no fool. Even if Xiao Rong was eloquent, Gao Xunzhi didn\u2019t believe he could deceive both of them at once.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong silently stared at them. For the first time, he found himself in a position where everyone opposed him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was so angry he could almost explode like a pufferfish. However, he couldn\u2019t reveal his entire plan to everyone. Each person had different loyalties, and his plan might touch on certain people&#8217;s limits. Even if they didn\u2019t voice their objections now, dissatisfaction would accumulate. Anyone in this room was a key advisor to the King of the North, and a betrayal from any one of them could cripple the army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The only people he could fully trust were Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi. However, the former wouldn\u2019t listen, and the latter, even if he knew the plan, would still oppose it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All because Xiao Rong\u2019s plan was even more dangerous than what Gao Xunzhi imagined. Gao Xunzhi thought he was going to the Southern Yong court to debate with scholars, but in reality, Xiao Rong intended to bypass the court and directly contact the young Emperor.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This would certainly be even more nerve-wracking for the officials than a mere debate. Although the young Emperor\u2019s legitimacy was in question, his existence kept many people in check. He was Sun Renluan\u2019s trump card and Yang Zangyi\u2019s target. Xiao Rong\u2019s attempt to contact him was indeed akin to courting death.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even so, fortune comes with risk, and Xiao Rong was confident that he could leave Jinling unharmed. After all, even if someone wanted to kill him, so what? The only person in the world who could truly end his life was Qu Yunmie.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His ego was swelling, yet he couldn\u2019t voice these reasons, so he sat there sullenly, listening to Gao Xunzhi\u2019s heartfelt advice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi didn\u2019t know him well enough yet. Xiao Rong was an even more stubborn mule than Qu Yunmie, a very handsome stubborn mule.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi spoke until his throat was dry, but Xiao Rong still kept his head down, showing no reaction. Gao Xunzhi couldn\u2019t help but sigh, a look of disappointment appearing on his face. When he fell silent, Yu Shaoxie began speaking, using his younger brother as an example. He reminded everyone that his brother had just recently defected from Southern Yong. Currently, Southern Yong wasn\u2019t directly confronting the Northern Army, and the relationship between the two sides had become strained. If Xiao Rong went to Southern Yong now, the anger from Southern Yong would be directed at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong looked utterly hopeless, while Qu Yunmie, holding back a smile, nearly burst out laughing.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching Xiao Rong being \u201cabandoned by everyone,\u201d Qu Yunmie felt quite pleased as he sat to the side, enjoying the show. His expression relaxed, and just as he was about to pick up the wine cup in front of him, a calm voice suddenly spoke.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I actually think this plan of Young Master Xiao\u2019s could work.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie immediately stopped reaching for his wine cup and lifted his head, staring intently at Mijing, whose face under the candlelight appeared even more serene and peaceful.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That damned bald donkey, no wonder I\u2019ve never liked you!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8230;!<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/bePatron?u=25191841\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"217\" height=\"51\" class=\"wp-image-338 lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/become_a_patron_button.png?resize=217%2C51\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 217px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 217\/51;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ko-fi.com\/lajnaa\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/kofi3-3.png?resize=185%2C47\" alt=\"This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is kofi3-3.png\" width=\"185\" height=\"47\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 185px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 185\/47;\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>\r\n<p><!--EndFragment--><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Xiao Rong&#8217;s face reddened slightly again. However, he couldn\u2019t quite tell if it was out of embarrassment or anger. \u2026 &nbsp; For Qu Yunmie, Gao Xunzhi and Agusheja were like parental figures. To be ranked alongside them as equally trustworthy meant Xiao Rong had achieved his initial goal\u2014he had truly become one of the most [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6644,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6881","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-your-majesty","entry","has-media"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/ontimestory.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/20240106180053_200_280-1.jpg?fit=199%2C280&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6881","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6881"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6881\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6883,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6881\/revisions\/6883"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6881"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6881"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6881"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}