{"id":8007,"date":"2026-06-09T09:33:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T07:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/?p=8007"},"modified":"2026-06-09T09:33:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T07:33:15","slug":"your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-124-lets-not-talk-about-it-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/2026\/06\/09\/your-majesty-you-mustnt-chapter-124-lets-not-talk-about-it-anymore\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Majesty, you mustn&#8217;t! &#8211; Chapter 124 &#8211; Let&#8217;s not talk about it anymore"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s words struck the ground like iron, and the atmosphere in the room immediately turned tense.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sitting between the two of them, Gao Xunzhi blinked, then subtly leaned back in a smooth and low-profile way, trying to reduce his presence as much as possible.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong stared wide-eyed. Qu Yunmie was silent for a moment, then slowly stood up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why not?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He asked it so calmly that it sounded as if Xiao Rong was being unreasonable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This only made Xiao Rong even angrier.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why? You\u2019re asking me why? What era is this? You\u2019re still talking about slaughtering prisoners of war! You even spared Xianbei captives before, but now you refuse to spare the Left Army and the Shen family army instead? Yes, many of them deserved to die, but there were also people who were forced into it and had no choice! Whether to betray the North Army\u2014how is that something a mere soldier can decide? They joined the army just to make a living! Why should innocent people pay for Yuan Baifu\u2019s crimes?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said: &#8220;Because I want to.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong froze.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie continued: &#8220;I don\u2019t care whether they are innocent or not. There are so many dead in this world, and not every one of them is guilty. There are plenty of criminals who live freely while innocent people die in the streets. They were unlucky to be caught up in this conflict, but that isn\u2019t my fault. Why should I spare those who raised weapons against the North Army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Listening to this twisted logic, he could hardly believe his ears.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s not your fault, so you want to take their lives? Do you even hear what you\u2019re saying? You feel no mercy at all toward disarmed prisoners\u2014do you want to become a tyrant?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said: &#8220;Tyrants who slaughter prisoners of war are countless. Even those who massacre cities have existed for hundreds of years. So what if I am a tyrant? Even so-called benevolent rulers have blood on their hands. How was that small country in Yizhou destroyed? It was wiped out by slaughtering the entire city!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t use empty morals to persuade me. If I am in a good mood, I will listen to you a little. But I am not in a good mood today. I want the entire world to know what the price of angering me is.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He placed both hands on the table and stared directly into Xiao Rong\u2019s eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In truth, killing the ringleaders is not enough! Only by killing everyone involved will others never dare to gamble with fate again. Anyone who betrays me will have only one ending\u2014death!!!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s expression stiffened. After a long moment, he finally found his voice again.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re right.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie still stared at him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong steadied himself and continued: &#8220;All rulers have blood on their hands. Even if you don\u2019t follow moral principles, no one can stop you. The Left Army betrayed you, the Shen family army provoked you\u2014even if you kill them all, no one will dare criticize you. But everyone knows it\u2019s wrong, and you know it too. Even if this doesn\u2019t affect your position, what about your conscience? You are clearly not a bloodthirsty person!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing this, Gao Xunzhi pressed his lips together.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He already knew what nonsense Qu Yunmie was about to say.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And as expected\u2014<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie sneered and straightened his back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How long has it been? And you\u2019ve already forgotten how the world described me? Didn\u2019t you also say it yourself? I am cruel and bloodthirsty.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He took another breath and closed his eyes in frustration. When he opened them again, he shot back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That was because I thought you had changed! No\u2014because I thought I had been misled by others! You are not cruel, and you are not bloodthirsty! After so long, people have finally started to change their opinion of you and the North Army\u2014why are you throwing your reputation back into the mud?! Do you think fear will prevent betrayal? It will only make them run faster! Today it\u2019s slaughtering prisoners, tomorrow what? Are you going to start exterminating entire clans and wiping out nine generations?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie suddenly fell silent.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A very bad premonition rose in his heart.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He walked around the table and approached Qu Yunmie: \u201cWhat are you planning now?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie looked at him, then finally said: &#8220;When I return to Chenliu, I will arrest all members of the Yuan family and execute them all. Not a single one will remain.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi lowered his head and sighed inwardly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If Yuan Baifu had not kidnapped Xiao Rong later on, perhaps after half a month or a month he might still have tried to leave them a way out. But now, it would already be good if they died quickly and painlessly. He could tell from Qu Yunmie\u2019s tone that he was already holding back. His original intention had not been this absolute\u2014only after seeing Xiao Rong\u2019s reaction did he compromise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But Xiao Rong did not notice the nuance in his words. He was already furious.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cEven children?\u201d he asked.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said: &#8220;As long as they are surnamed Yuan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong fell silent, then nodded slowly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Good. So even infants in swaddling clothes\u2014you don\u2019t intend to spare them either.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi wanted to point out that the Yuan family currently had no infants and Yuan Baifu himself had no children, but this was clearly not the time to speak.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie said: &#8220;Why should I spare them?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong suddenly raised his voice in anger.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because they don\u2019t even know what Yuan Baifu did! Don\u2019t you think it\u2019s tragic for them to die for something they never did?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie shot back: &#8220;Then what about those who died at Yuan Baifu\u2019s hands? They also did nothing wrong! And what about me? Did I do anything to deserve what Yuan Baifu did to me? Yet what did I suffer? They are pitiful, but so am I. Why don\u2019t you speak up for me instead of always blocking me for irrelevant people?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong said: &#8220;How am I supposed to defend you? You went to Ningzhou without hesitation\u2014I supported you. You wanted to attack Southern Yong\u2014I supported you. As long as it\u2019s what you want and it doesn\u2019t harm the overall situation, I support everything! But now you are just venting your anger! You use twisted logic to convince me, as if you truly have no choice\u2014but you don\u2019t! Yuan Baifu died too easily, so you are angry. If you can\u2019t kill him, you\u2019ll kill others instead. Even if I wanted to defend you, I can\u2019t find an excuse\u2014you will be a tyrant!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Throughout their argument, the system never intervened. Xiao Rong had always felt fine about that.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And that was exactly what frightened him\u2014the fact that it was fine.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie wanted to kill innocents. He wanted to wipe out the Yuan family.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And now he was too powerful\u2014so powerful that even mass killings and retribution would not diminish his fortune. This meant he no longer needed to care about the opinions of scholars. He had reached a level where literary condemnation could no longer shake his rule.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong\u2019s task was to maintain Qu Yunmie\u2019s rising fortune, but that did not mean he would abandon right and wrong. Qu Yunmie was the emperor he had helped build. He wanted him to surpass every ruler in history\u2014not become like them: high above, wielding life and death at will.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, Qu Yunmie\u2019s attitude revealed that tendency. And that terrified him, because he did not know what to do.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He was required to guide Qu Yunmie to the throne\u2014that was his job. But making him a benevolent ruler was not part of the system\u2019s requirement. So why did he insist on it?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Helping Qu Yunmie become emperor was his duty. But making him a good emperor\u2014that was no longer a duty. It was closer to a personal ideal.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And ideals were different. They belonged to oneself. No one else should be forced to disregard their own will just to fulfill someone else\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was the second time Xiao Rong had called him a tyrant. But unlike the first time, this one was different.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As soon as he said it, he regretted it\u2014but words once spoken were like water spilled, impossible to take back.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The atmosphere froze.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie clenched his fists. The veins on his forehead twitched as he gritted his teeth. But slowly, he forced himself to relax.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His fists loosened. His expression returned to calm.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He looked at Xiao Rong and gave a faint, almost mocking smile: \u201cYou\u2019re right. Human nature cannot be changed. And my nature is that of a tyrant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi opened his mouth, watching them in shock. The situation had escalated too quickly\u2014they were clearly about to break down completely. If he did not intervene now, things would only worsen.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He quickly tried to think of something to say, but before he could act, Xiao Rong spoke first.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi immediately sat back down, pretending nothing had happened.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/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;\">In truth, neither of the other two even noticed him. They had likely already forgotten there was a third person in the room.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong said: &#8220;I don\u2019t understand.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He said those three words very softly. Both Qu Yunmie and Gao Xunzhi looked at him, while Xiao Rong kept his head lowered, his jaw almost clenched to the point of breaking.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You have already experienced far more life and death separations than I have\u2014far more than me.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie\u2019s expression changed. He slightly opened his mouth, but did not know what to say. Xiao Rong had not finished speaking.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why is it that something I only experienced once is something I can never forget, yet you have never even realized it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing this, even Gao Xunzhi showed a somewhat confused expression. He also did not understand what Xiao Rong meant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At this moment, Xiao Rong finally lifted his head. As soon as he did, Qu Yunmie\u2019s expression turned slightly pale. He stared at Xiao Rong in shock, while the latter remained completely unaware.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong shouted at Qu Yunmie in a hoarse voice: \u201cA person&#8217;s only possession is their own life! Do you know how hard people struggle just to stay alive? Do you know how many people lose their lives over something trivial and never open their eyes again?! This world is full of things that take lives\u2014death moves faster than the wind! Everyone who manages to grow up safely is a survivor! Who do you think you are, and what right do you have to casually take away their chance to live with just a single sentence?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie stared blankly at Xiao Rong, not moving for a long time. His brows furrowed and then relaxed, repeating this two or three times. Only then did he ask: &#8220;Are you crying?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong froze. He raised his hand to touch his face and indeed found it covered in tears.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He himself went still.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie\u2019s reaction was even more unexpected.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking at the tear tracks on his face, Qu Yunmie seemed as if he wanted to laugh, yet could not.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re crying over this.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong looked up, not understanding what he meant.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie took a step back and showed a somewhat absurd expression.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can cry for unrelated people, but you have never shed a single tear for me.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong was completely stunned. Qu Yunmie\u2019s focus felt absurd to him\u2014so absurd that it turned into numb silence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He did not know how to respond. Should he say that he had been wronged, that he had cried before, but he never let Qu Yunmie see it because he thought it was embarrassing and he did not want to lose face in front of him, because he cared too much about his dignity?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Impossible. Even if he were beaten to death, he could not say such words.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since there was no answer, the conversation no longer needed to continue.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When he had just lifted his head, Xiao Rong\u2019s face had tear streaks, but his eyes were still normal. The tears had come because Qu Yunmie\u2019s words had triggered something in him, reminding him of unpleasant memories, and he himself had not realized it\u2014so his eyes had not yet reacted.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But while he silently looked at Qu Yunmie, a hint of redness appeared in his eyes.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lowering his gaze, Xiao Rong said nothing and walked away. Qu Yunmie was blocking the doorway, so Xiao Rong avoided him without touching him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">His departure brought a faint chill of air.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie stood stiffly in place. Only after Xiao Rong left did he reveal an awkward and helpless side of himself.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Faced with Xiao Rong\u2019s questioning, Xiao Rong had not explained anything at all. To Qu Yunmie, that meant he did not want to explain\u2014because he had been right.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps he should not have said those words. After all, he had always known Xiao Rong\u2019s personality. He was strong and emotionally distant. Qu Yunmie had accepted that. He had only thought that even if Xiao Rong was cold, he would still be special to him. Xiao Rong had already treated him as well as he possibly could, so even if Xiao Rong had never cried for him, he had never minded it.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But today, upon discovering that in Xiao Rong\u2019s heart he was not even as important as strangers, he suddenly could not control his temper.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But why was he jealous of unrelated people? He should not have said that.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie also began to regret it\u2014but he did not yet know that what he would come to regret was far more than this.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gao Xunzhi frowned. After a long while, he finally spoke: \u201cLittle Rong has cried for you before.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie froze slightly and looked at him. Gao Xunzhi\u2019s brows tightened further.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you were ambushed by the Xianbei, he neither ate nor slept and still insisted on going to find you. I advised him to rest on the way, and he cried\u2014but that was only an accident. It happened suddenly, and he had no time to hide it, which is why I saw it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As Gao Xunzhi spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, Qu Yunmie\u2019s expression grew increasingly stiff.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After finishing, Gao Xunzhi paused. He originally intended to leave it at that, but in the end he could not help adding: \u201cFrom the very first day you met Little Rong, he has always revolved around you. As long as you needed him, he would immediately put down everything and come to you. If something happened to you, he would abandon everything just to see you once. Can you even calculate how long it has been since Little Rong last saw his younger brother and grandmother? Chenliu is his life\u2019s work, yet he has not returned for a long time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t take his kindness toward you for granted. Because he gave you permission, you assumed you should always come first in his world. Little Rong cares about you\u2014even an old man like me can see that. But why do you think he gave you this privilege in the first place? Little Rong is not foolish. He treats you well because he has something he needs from you. If you want more from him, then you should see what he still needs\u2014not behave like a drunken man in a tavern, only complaining about injustice in the world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After saying this, Gao Xunzhi also left.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After leaving, Xiao Rong felt somewhat low in spirits and did not know what to do.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In any case, he did not want to go back to the room. Last night he had slept in the same room as Qu Yunmie, and he did not want to recall what had happened yet.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So he simply put on an outer robe and went out for a walk.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the moment he left the courtyard, all the guards stationed at the gate followed him in a rustle.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He turned back and saw that the courtyard was surrounded\u2014about fifty or sixty guards were stationed there.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The corner of his mouth twitched. Even if the young emperor He Fu were to appear, he would not be followed by this many eunuchs.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But he could not be bothered to argue with them. He was no longer ignorant of military affairs. A glance at their armor told him they were Qu Yunmie\u2019s personal guards.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie was extremely generous to his personal guards. Each set of armor was made from high-quality materials with excellent craftsmanship. A full set weighed over 36 kg.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It was precisely because of this that these men could serve as personal guards\u2014without such strength, Qu Yunmie would not have acknowledged their ability.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong walked on silently. He was fine, but every step of the people behind him produced a clattering sound. Xiao Rong\u2019s expression was numb, and he felt like he had become an overly conspicuous presence.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After walking several meters, he could no longer hold back. He suddenly turned around, startling the guard in front of him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong asked with suppressed anger: &#8220;Now that we are in the city and the battle is over, can\u2019t you at least change into lighter armor?!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guard: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He also wanted to change into lighter armor, but the King did not allow it. Moreover, not everyone in their group wore heavy armor\u2014only about twenty of them did. The rest were already in lighter gear.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different duties require different equipment. If Xiao Rong were interested, he could even lead this escort unit to attack small fortified settlements.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guard gave a hesitant reply. Xiao Rong looked at him and became even more irritated. Truly, a stubborn soldier raised a stubborn group.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the end, Xiao Rong still compromised. Wherever he went, the clattering sound followed him. To outsiders, it would look as if a great general was inspecting the city in disguise.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong looked at the streets. This place was not like Hanzhong. The civilians of Hanzhong had been highly accepting of the North Army, on the very day they entered the city, people had already dared to come out and observe.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But in Zitong, three factions had just fought a major battle here. The civilians now thought everyone looked like a madman and did not dare open their doors.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Qu Yunmie\u2019s godlike killing aura had also left a deep impression\u2014he had probably scared countless people to tears. In his lifetime, the people of Zitong would likely never be able to erase their psychological shadow of him.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong thought: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serves them right.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There was nothing much to see in such a small city. Even the most prosperous area could not compare to larger cities. After walking just one street, Xiao Rong had already lost interest.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He turned to the guard behind him and asked: &#8220;Where is the wounded soldiers\u2019 camp?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The guard paused, then pointed him in a direction.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">*<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/><\/span><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong was sitting beside Yao Xian\u2019s sickbed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian\u2019s injuries were not limited to his shoulder. He had been beaten by Yuan Baifu, whipped by Yuan Baifu\u2019s personal guards, and imprisoned for several days. During that time, he was given no proper food and only dirty water. He had suffered greatly.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But compared to Wang Xinyong, he was still far less miserable.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong said: &#8220;For more than ten days in a row, I could only hunt animals to survive. Mostly birds or rabbits. Once I was lucky enough to catch a fox, but after eating it, I stank for three whole days.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He looked at him sympathetically: &#8220;General, you have suffered.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong shook his head slightly: &#8220;What is that worth mentioning? Once you fall into the mountains and forests, you just treat yourself as a wild man. Let yourself stink if you must. No one could smell me anyway, except those two useless boys. What I truly could not stand was that I ate too much meat and did not defecate for many days. My lower abdomen kept feeling bloated\u2014right here, I can still feel it when I touch\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even though this was his respected general, he could not bear to listen any further.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He hurriedly stopped him: &#8220;G-General, it\u2019s all in the past. There is no need to mention it anymore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong paused slightly, then nodded: &#8220;You are right. It is all in the past. We will not mention it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But if they did not mention it, there seemed to be nothing left to talk about. Wang Xinyong was not good at conversation, and neither was Yao Xian. Although they were very close, their bond had been formed through repeated battles, and they had rarely discussed personal matters.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A silence fell. Yao Xian also began to feel awkward. After a while, he noticed Wang Xinyong\u2019s slightly stiff leg resting on the ground and quickly asked: &#8220;General, what did the doctor say? Can your leg recover?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong laughed: &#8220;This? He said it can. As long as I go back and rest properly, do not move around recklessly, and change the dressing every day, there should be no lasting issues.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian immediately brightened: &#8220;That\u2019s wonderful! The general will still be able to lead us into battle in the future!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong also smiled. But after smiling, he hesitated slightly and pursed his lips.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The doctor said I need to stay in bed to recover. I only have an elderly mother at home, and I do not want her to see me like this. Since you are also injured, why don\u2019t I go to your home to rest for a while? We could lie down together and chat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chat like this?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, Yao Xian was married. His wife was not like the general\u2019s. Upon learning that Yao Xian had gone north of the Han River, she had immediately packed her belongings and gone to find him. Even now they were deeply in love, and their children were well-mannered and filial. Every time he returned home, Yao Xian felt rejuvenated.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Still, even if it was the general, he did not want to share a bed with him\u2014that was his wife\u2019s place\u2026<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian was about to figure out how to refuse when Xiao Rong suddenly walked in.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing Wang Xinyong\u2019s words, Xiao Rong gave a light laugh: &#8220;Why trouble General Yao? The King residence has plenty of places for you to rest. You survived a great disaster and should recuperate properly. Don\u2019t worry\u2014when you return, I will arrange eight maidservants for you, ensuring you will not need to get out of bed at all during your recovery.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wang Xinyong: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For some reason, he felt a little afraid of Xiao Rong. Not long after Xiao Rong arrived, he quickly found an excuse and left.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After he left, Xiao Rong naturally sat down beside Yao Xian.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking at Yao Xian\u2019s injuries all over his body, Xiao Rong said: &#8220;Thank you. I have already heard. It was your merit that kept the rear army from acting rashly. Later, when I was abducted, you ignored your own injuries and only wanted them to rescue me. I will remember this favor.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian said shamefully: &#8220;Lord Xiao, you are too kind. If not for you, I would already be dead. If anyone should be thanked, it is I.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong smiled lightly, as if to say it was unnecessary.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian was deeply moved and was about to say something more\u2014such as pledging loyalty with his life\u2014but before he could speak, Xiao Rong\u2019s expression changed.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Then let\u2019s talk about you spreading news of my injuries throughout the entire army.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian froze: &#8220;Ah?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong continued: &#8220;It would have been fine if you told one person, but you told so many! I didn\u2019t even tell others about your injuries when you were beaten\u2014why did you tell everyone about mine?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He looked helpless: &#8220;B-because, Lord Xiao, you are weak and injured. Of course I had to tell the King.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong said: &#8220;What do you mean \u2018of course\u2019? Whether Qu Yunmie knew or not, wouldn\u2019t he have come to rescue me anyway?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian glanced at him and bravely said in a small voice: &#8220;That is true. But the King cares so much about Lord Xiao that he would certainly want to know everything about you. If it is something that should not be hidden, then I should not have hidden it. If the King found out on his own, wouldn\u2019t he be very upset?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong froze, then looked away.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian waited a moment. Seeing that he still said nothing, he cautiously asked: &#8220;Lord Xiao?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong suddenly stood up.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He turned to leave, but before going, he turned his head back again and said to Yao Xian: &#8220;When we return to Chenliu, you should also come to the King residence to recover. That way you can lie down with General Wang and chat.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian: \u201c\u2026\u2026\u2026\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Xiao Rong left.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yao Xian sat there in shock, and at the same time thought inwardly: <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jian Qiao really didn\u2019t lie\u2014Sir Xiao really does change faces instantly!<\/span><\/i><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>Edited by: Antiope<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s words struck the ground like iron, and the atmosphere in the room immediately turned tense. Sitting between the two of them, Gao Xunzhi blinked, then subtly leaned back in a smooth and low-profile way, trying to reduce his presence as much as possible. \u00a0 \u2026 &nbsp; &nbsp; Xiao Rong stared wide-eyed. Qu Yunmie [&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_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[107],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8007","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\/8007","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=8007"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8007\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8008,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8007\/revisions\/8008"}],"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=8007"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8007"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontimestory.eu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}