Chapter 50: Epiphany “Even a blind man can see how good he is to you.

Since my father and Qi Ling love the throne so much, let them sit on it. After we have dealt with He Lianzhu's bloody army and caught the people above Mei Niang, I will go to Nanling with my master and stay away from it. We will never have to care about the troubles in this world again.

Xihe yawned as Shuangjiang pushed him in. He happened to witness the two bidding farewell. "It's so late at night, Duke Jingguo, do you have something important to discuss?"

"Excuse me, Miss Xi." Chen Yu took his robe, sat down at the wooden table, and asked in a gentle voice, "How is Miss Xi's injury?"

Xi He smoothed out the wrinkles on his legs from his hasty change of clothes, poured himself a cup of tea, and said, "It's nothing serious. The Duke invited me here late at night. I believe there is something important to discuss. Please speak."

"I have to go back to Ningbei. Please keep this for me, Miss Xi." Shen Yu took out a booklet from his arms and handed it over.

"That's what they're fighting for?" Xihe smiled and took it. "You really trust me."

Chen Yu came back to his senses from his previous state of loss, tapping the tabletop with his index finger regularly, and said calmly:

"Master Xi is upright and honest, and his only daughter is also able to distinguish right from wrong. Besides, Miss Xi is Xiaojiu's wife, so why should I be worried?"

"What is this?" Xihe looked at the three big characters "Peony Pavilion" on the cover. At first glance, it was just an ordinary storybook, so she really didn't know what he meant for a moment.

Here, Chen Yu saw that the sky was already getting light and stood up decisively: "There's no time to explain, you'll know once you see it." Xi He frowned slightly: "So urgent, is there any unusual movement in the Moon Country?"

Chen Yu obviously didn't intend to answer. He avoided the question, turned around and took one last look at Qi Xin's sleeping face, then said to Xi He, "This is our responsibility. I hope Miss Xi will take good care of her."

"Of course." Xi He raised his head and responded. Then, when Shen Yu pulled open the door bolt, he couldn't help but said to his back:

"Let me say a few words. Since the Duke was able to escape death, he must have become very rich and powerful. Please cherish your life and don't make Xinxin worry anymore..."

Shen Yu's body froze, but in the end he said nothing and left without looking back.

"Thank you Miss Xi for your help. I will take my leave first." Shuangjiang, who was standing aside, also set off quickly.

After everyone had left, Xihe glanced at the couch, drank the remaining half cup of tea, and said nonchalantly: "Okay, everyone has left, stop pretending, get up."

Qi Xin jumped up and looked at her with some annoyance: "Am I pretending to be really bad? How did you see that?"

"Is this the first day I've met you, my princess?" Xihe's black pupils were bright, and even the bags under her eyes curved into a beautiful arc.

"Great, great, great." Qi Xin grinned, "So, do you think he can tell?"

Xihe asked knowingly, "Hey, who are you talking about?"

"My other skills haven't improved this year, but I have learned how to pretend to be deaf and dumb from those nobles." Qi Xin cursed with a smile and threw the round pillow beside him.

"I can't accept that. Let me tell you, the year you left..." Xi He steadily caught the round pillow, stopped his chatter, and said hesitantly, "If you really mean Chen Yu, then it's hard to say."

After hearing what she said, Qi Xin fell silent.

Xi He looked at her with a dark face and said nothing, and jokingly said, "No way, your iron tree is really blooming? You're turning your fake into real."

Qi Xin didn't even think twice and continued decisively: "What if I say yes?"

"Oh, my Xinxin, love between men and women is such a normal thing. You just push yourself too hard."

Xihe burst out laughing, but unfortunately he was unable to move, so he could only look up at her seriously and said earnestly:

"But Xinxin, although you were born into the royal family, the responsibility for this country is not yours alone. You have done very well."

"Then what do you think of him--" Qi Xin curled his lips and changed the subject again.

"Even a blind man can see how good he is to you," Xihe teased, laughing so hard that she fell forward and backward, rocking the mahogany wheelchair until it creaked for a long time before it stopped. Then, she suppressed the lingering smile in her eyes and said earnestly, "But you heard my final reminder, and I think you understand."

Qi Xin swallowed hard and said with difficulty: "Do you think he is playing with his life?"

As the eldest princess, Qi Xin was taught royal etiquette by the most strict nanny in the palace since she was young. Most of the time, she knew how to behave politely, especially when others were speaking. She would listen to what they said first and then express her own opinions, and would never argue along the way.

However, now, she didn't know why, she suddenly felt the urge to say something for Shen Yu.

Qi Xin knew that despite their different social statuses, they had never once considered this important. As the oldest member of the Qi royal family, she was expected to lead by example, her words and actions a model for the royal family, without the slightest fault.

But who has ever cared that she was once a child, ignorant, busy, and longed to be cared for instead of being rewarded, punished, and ordered around.

But Xihe is very different.

To Qi Xin, Xihe was more like a teacher and friend. Though she was only a few years older, she fulfilled her role as an older sister. Every once in a while, Xihe would share her recent insights with her, or they would improvise poems and songs together for her enjoyment. Or, while they were reviewing their kung fu, Xihe would take her to experience the local customs.

Perhaps Xihe's original intention of approaching Qi Xin was not so pure, but since they met, he has been wholeheartedly hoping for her well-being.

"Yes!" Xi He looked at Qi Xin opening his mouth and then lowering his head in thought, and said without hesitation:

"Wait, don't rush to refute. You don't feel that way because you're just like him! You're used to being the strong protecting the weak, always putting your own feelings aside. But even heroes are still living people, feeling sad and happy, crying and making a fuss, and having all sorts of emotions. You just can't choose your own birth, not your own future. Don't box yourself in, think more about yourself."

Xihe slowly and methodically nailed these words into Qi Xin's heart one by one.

Qi Xin has been influenced by this ever since he could remember, and he never felt that there was anything wrong with it. He just did his best, and as for what he thought and felt, it didn't matter.

But Xihe was not wrong. His master was even better than himself. He was willing to take risks, so as long as he wanted to do something, he could do it better.

Maybe he has feelings for himself.

But he is not only his master, he is the Duke of Jingguo and the commander-in-chief of the Jingguo Army of the three major camps in Ningbei. Those people who are in dire straits and are in danger of their lives also need him. Even if they have to face the cruel truth in the future, he will never abandon them.

To a certain extent, Qi Xin was extremely envious of him.

Although the old Duke Jingguo passed away in an unclear manner, because of his unconditional love and thoughts, the master left behind his skills and enthusiasm, and his whole body was immersed in light.

Although his parents seemed to be alive and he enjoyed the most luxurious honor in Shengguo's generation, in fact he had nothing.

My father often says that I am unfilial, but my mother treats Xing'er and Master as her own children. What should I do to show my loyalty and filial piety?

Is it only by tearing off one's flesh and blood and throwing out that bloody heart that one can prove one's sincerity?

Isn't it just crazy?

So what?

I have been following the rules for twenty years, and now that the blood pill has eroded me to the point where I only have half my life left, why can't I live as I please?

Qi Xin felt a little hot and sour in her nose. She sniffed and the moment she turned her head, a hot tear rolled down from the corner of her eye.

Although the Yuyang Palace avoided him like the plague, it was not without reason. Tiantian was dragged down by him before, and if this continued, Xihe would also be implicated by him.

After all, in this life, I have been coming and going, and it is ultimately inappropriate. Why should I drag innocent people with me to perish together?

Since my master is going to the Yellow Springs Road, I am just going to take the same journey too. We will end up in the same destination, just different paths.

Although she tried her best to conceal it, Xihe still noticed something was wrong. They had been friends for more than ten years, and even if she just moved her eyebrows, Xihe could understand what she was thinking.

"Xinxin, I didn't mean to stop you. If you've thought it through, then go ahead." Xihe rubbed her face fiercely, her hands moving heavily, as if venting some helplessness. Then she straightened her arms and handed over a booklet, "Take a look at this, maybe you need it."

When Qi Xin took it, he looked at the three big characters "Peony Pavilion" on the book, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

She was still wondering why her master had set up a trap to get close to Mei Niang even though the sword was so deadly, so that he could take this thing away.

Qi Xin raised his eyebrows: "Originally?"

"What?" Xihe pulled out the corner of her sleeve and looked up at her. "Xinxin, do you know something?"

"It's a long story—" Qi Xin leaned close to her ear as she was pulling him:

"You should take good care of your injuries and remember to be careful of Murong Fei. He and Mei Niang, the owner of Handanfang, should both be working for the Shicha underground casino. However, the city lord's attention should still be on me and Shen Yu. As long as I leave Shengdu, Shengdu will be safe for the time being."

Xi He was a little amused and said, "No wonder you two are attracted to each other. Can't you just stop being so stubborn?"

"Xi—He—" Qi Xin knew Xi He was soft-hearted, so he summoned the same stubborn energy he had used to regret his move during the previous game. He shook her arm and said, "Actually, there's something I want you to know... If possible, can you help me find out who the leader of the Shadow City Guard is?"

Xihe was a little surprised: "Hiss, Xinxin, shouldn't you be closer to the water tower? After all these years, you haven't found any clues?"

"You know I was under close scrutiny in the palace before, and then I went to the Moon Country, so I never had a chance..." Qi Xin pursed her lips, blinked her grape-like eyes, looked at her closely, and said, "I know you have your ways."

"You!" Xihe poked her forehead lovingly, raised his chin and said, "Wait for my letter."

"Can you please—"

"Looking for a fast horse?" Qi Xin was about to finish her words when Xi He gave her the go-ahead. "Alright, go to the stable and pick one yourself. You're such a fool! Others flew over on eagles, and you have to ride your own horse. The best tribute horses sent by the Western Dan Kingdom are all here. As for whether they can make it to Ningbei, it all depends on luck."

Qi Xin placed his hand, which was originally around Xihe, on her shoulders. Finally, he patted her gently twice and turned away.