{"id":7599,"date":"2025-10-21T09:12:19","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:12:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=7599"},"modified":"2025-10-21T09:12:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T07:12:19","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-89-2-you-dont-owe-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2025\/10\/21\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-89-2-you-dont-owe-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn’t! – 89.2 – You Don’t Owe Me"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

After Qu Yunmie woke up, he first drank three bowls of medicine, then ate two bowls of food. He allowed the military doctor and Agusheja to treat him together. The final conclusion was: he had suffered severe damage to his vitality, but his life was no longer in danger.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After prescribing the medicine, the military doctor changed Qu Yunmie\u2019s bandages and then left. Agusheja stayed behind to massage his muscles and bones using their Butewu clan\u2019s methods. He had been lying down for five days, barely eating or drinking \u2014 his body was already too weak.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

As she massaged his arm, Agusheja looked at his complexion. After a while, she lowered her gaze and said calmly, “You now remind me of when you were a child \u2014 knowing you shouldn\u2019t fight but fighting anyway. Coming back injured without saying a word. Gao Xunzhi called you a stubborn donkey, I called you a dumb bird. Do you know why we both called you that?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie didn\u2019t respond.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Agusheja answered herself, \u201cBecause you made us angry. You were too much trouble, but we had no other choice. You are the child of Qu Yue and Ishtar. We had to take care of you, and we had to raise you as if you were our own. You are Gao Xunzhi\u2019s and my responsibility, but you aren\u2019t Xiao Rong\u2019s responsibility.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Agusheja paused, because she suddenly felt the arm she was holding tense up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a moment, she continued massaging him rhythmically and spoke in an equally emotionless voice, \u201cI don\u2019t know exactly what happened between you and Xiao Rong, but I advise you not to insist on meaningless things like before. Right or wrong isn\u2019t important \u2014 what\u2019s important is that you\u2019ve hurt someone who had no responsibility to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie still hung his head. At this point, Agusheja let go of him. Qu Yunmie looked up and saw her gazing at him with a very complicated expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>I know you feel wronged. I know you\u2019re heartbroken too. This isn\u2019t the reunion you wanted, nor the one you hoped for, but this is how things are now. Don\u2019t make it worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie looked at her and finally asked hoarsely,\u00a0 “Old Lady, how do I look?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Agusheja was silent for a moment, then replied, “Terrible. Like someone about to die.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He had actually looked better when he was unconscious.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie showed no reaction. He just nodded aimlessly. “Once I\u2019m a little better, I\u2019ll go see him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Maybe if he looked better, Xiao Rong would hate him a little less.<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\uff0a<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After Xiao Rong woke up, he got up and began reading the military reports from the past few days. After failing in their pursuit that day, the Xianbei quickly retreated. Logically, they should\u2019ve taken advantage of his injury, struck hard, and directly attacked the Northern Army while their commander was near death and morale was low.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

They didn\u2019t. They became as quiet as chickens. Each day, aside from sending a few thousand men to engage in skirmishes, they just kept sending scouts to gather intel.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong understood \u2014 they were waiting.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

They were waiting for confirmation that Qu Yunmie had died before launching a full attack.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

They still deeply feared Qu Yunmie. That\u2019s why they wouldn\u2019t move until they were sure he was dead. To be this fearful, and yet still dare to set such a deadly trap, risking a counterattack \u2014 it didn\u2019t make sense.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

These two contradictory strategies felt like they came from two different minds. If the Xianbei were really that ruthless, why were they so inactive the past few months? News that Qu Yunmie was preparing to fight them had already leaked last year, and by this year, everyone knew. If they had such a deadly plan, why wait until they were at the gates to use it? Weren\u2019t they afraid that, rather than collapsing, the Northern Army \u2014 enraged by the death of their commander \u2014 would march straight into Shengle City?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

The bones\u2026 those weren\u2019t right either. Yuan Baifu sent people to check. The graves of General Qu and Lady Qu under Yanmen Mountain had indeed been dug up \u2014 and carefully reburied. The earth was refilled meticulously, as if the diggers didn\u2019t want anyone to know.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

However, by the Mid-Autumn Festival, those bones had already been sent to the Northern Army. How could no one notice?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It probably wasn\u2019t the Xianbei who dug them up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

It could be that the Xianbei gave the order, and some Central Plains people carried it out \u2014 people who didn\u2019t know what the Xianbei planned to do with them, so they still tried to cover it up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Maybe not just people from the Central Plains \u2014 maybe someone from Yanmen County.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Or even maybe someone inside the Northern Army.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Six months ago, the Northern Army was full of leaks. Six months later, it still was.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Even so, Xiao Rong couldn\u2019t understand. In the Central Plains, grave robbing \u2014 especially ancestral tombs \u2014 was the most despicable and unforgivable act. Those who did it were condemned to the deepest hells and the harshest punishments in life and death. Just how evil did someone have to be to do such a thing?<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He leaned against the central log in his tent, deep in thought. Just as he was about to grasp something, Zhang Biezhi lifted the flap and entered. “Mister Xiao, time to eat. We\u2019re having roasted lamb again tonight. The food in the army is rough. If you\u2019re tired of it, I\u2019ll go out tomorrow and see if I can find rabbits.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong returned to himself and put aside the military reports. \u201cNo need to go through the trouble. I\u2019ll eat what everyone else eats. Lamb is already a luxury. Six months ago, I barely got to eat meat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zhang Biezhi scratched his head. He wasn\u2019t great at comforting people \u2014 the only tricks he knew were ones he used on his sister. Honestly, his sister was much easier to cheer up than Xiao Rong.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He laid out the dishes and set the utensils for Xiao Rong. Now that Ah Shu was staying in Chenliu, Zhang Biezhi had taken over those duties.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Yu Shaoxie and Jian Qiao acted like Xiao Rong was a storm cloud, about to unleash divine punishment at any moment, but Zhang Biezhi felt he was better now \u2014 at least more agreeable. He even invited him to sit and eat together.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zhang Biezhi, of course, sat down immediately. Just as he picked up his chopsticks, Xiao Rong suddenly froze mid-movement. He held his chopsticks in midair, as if the food had turned into his mortal enemy. He pressed his lips together, then with a clatter, dropped the chopsticks onto the table.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zhang Biezhi was confused \u2014 then felt a cold wind at his back. He turned around and saw the heavily injured King slowly walking in.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Except for the royal tent, which had a ceiling almost three meters high, most tents were pretty low to save cloth \u2014 they were just sleeping quarters. Xiao Rong had arrived too suddenly, so Jian Qiao had hastily built a temporary tent for him. As such, it wasn\u2019t of the best quality.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong already had to duck when entering, Qu Yunmie had to tilt his head to get inside.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong was staring him down, eyes cold as ice. Qu Yunmie had taken a step in but hesitated and stepped back. He pressed his lips together, not moving forward, but also not leaving. He just stood there, inside the tent flap \u2014 the lowest part of the tent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zhang Biezhi watched as Qu Yunmie\u2019s head pushed up a little bump in the tent roof. He gaped in awe \u2014 then remembered what Yu Shaoxie had said earlier.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He quickly shut his mouth and shot to his feet, chopsticks still in hand. He gave a fist-salute to Xiao Rong. \u201cMy brother-in-law calls for me, I should go. Mister Xiao, enjoy your meal.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Without waiting for a reply, he turned to leave \u2014 only to find Qu Yunmie blocking the exit.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a pause, he turned sideways and very slowly, very smoothly slid half his body out. Everyone knows \u2014 if the top half can get through, so can the bottom.<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n


<\/span>

<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Zhang Biezhi successfully escaped and wiped the sweat from his forehead as he hurried to report to his brother-in-law. Inside the tent, both Xiao Rong and Qu Yunmie were left in silence by Zhang Biezhi\u2019s maneuver.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

A scene that would\u2019ve been comical at any other time \u2014 now, neither of them could laugh.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie paused, then took a few steps toward Xiao Rong. The space was small \u2014 just three steps, and he stood before him. Xiao Rong saw his stiff posture, his slow steps, and how his back twitched twice as he sat down.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong turned his eyes away and asked coldly, “Why has the King come?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie had changed clothes, covering all his wounds \u2014 except for a bit of white gauze showing at his neck. He didn\u2019t realize it. He lowered his gaze and said, voice steadier than before, “You knew I would come.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong gave a cold laugh. “I didn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie looked at him for a moment, then carefully said, “I know you\u2019re very disappointed in me. I made a promise but nearly failed to keep it. You don\u2019t believe I did the right thing \u2014 I wasn\u2019t as\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong cut him off. \u201cI believed you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie froze. “What?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong said, \u201cI thought I didn\u2019t believe you, but the truth is \u2014 I did.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie stared at him, unable to speak, as if something was stuck in his throat.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Then Xiao Rong gave a mocking laugh \u2014 mocking himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

\u201c<\/span>So it wasn\u2019t you being self-righteous \u2014 it was me. I\u2019ve been so worried these past days, but even so, I did nothing. I didn\u2019t come looking for you, didn\u2019t reach out \u2014 because deep down, I trusted you. I thought you would make it, that you\u2019d value and protect yourself, that you\u2019d return safely to Chenliu just as you promised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie felt like he had fallen into an icy abyss. He didn\u2019t even know why it felt so terrifying \u2014 but the moment Xiao Rong said he truly believed him, it felt like he was drowning.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He struggled to say, “I\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Then Xiao Rong smiled briefly and said, “It\u2019s okay.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie stared blankly at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong continued, “It\u2019s okay. I know this isn\u2019t your fault. Just like everyone says \u2014 the Xianbei forced you. No one could endure seeing their parents insulted. You only did what any son would. I don\u2019t blame you. You don\u2019t need to feel sorry for me. When two responsibilities conflict, we choose the heavier one \u2014 anyone would do the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie sat straight despite the pain. It hurt, but that was good \u2014 when the body hurt, the heart hurt less.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

He looked at Xiao Rong, who looked back at him. Xiao Rong\u2019s expression was calm, but Qu Yunmie\u2019s face was tense, his eyes red. He stared into Xiao Rong\u2019s eyes and listened like a masochist. He had to hear it all.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

After a pause, Xiao Rong said the final words, \u201cQu Yunmie, you don\u2019t owe me anything \u2014 so don\u2019t worry about me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Qu Yunmie stared at him. Suddenly, he bent forward, gripping the table tightly. His breathing grew rapid, and his fingers dug into the wood.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Finally, he straightened again, pulled at the corners of his mouth, and repeated, “I don\u2019t owe you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n

Xiao Rong looked at him for a moment, then lowered his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n

Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

 <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Support translation:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\"This<\/a><\/figure>\r\n\r\n

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<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After Qu Yunmie woke up, he first drank three bowls of medicine, then ate two bowls of food. He allowed the military doctor and Agusheja to treat him together. The final conclusion was: he had suffered severe damage to his vitality, but his life was no longer in danger. After prescribing the medicine, the military […]<\/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-7599","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\/7599","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=7599"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7599\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7600,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7599\/revisions\/7600"}],"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=7599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}