Chapter 417 Let's bravely move forward!

"Yes, I only recently learned that Xiao Jiuzhu, the famous swordsman who created the Star-Picking Sword Technique, is actually the brother of Physician Xiao. Half a month ago, Xiao Jiuzhu suddenly wrote to Physician Xiao, and Mo Wen, the old master's student, wrote to Pei Ji about the recent situation in the Song Kingdom. The meaning is self-evident."

"Old Master Mo has never taken sides before, so I guessed why he did this. Xiao Jiuzhu proactively informed me of this matter to request that I temporarily refrain from launching a war against the Song Kingdom, thus buying Pei Ji time."

Sheng Sheng's expression was serious as she slowly and meticulously digested the passage.

oh……

Uncle Xiao wrote a letter to Physician Xiao, saying that Mo Wen's student, who was also the young master Su Wenyuan she had met, had compiled a general overview of the various forces in the Song Dynasty and sent this information to Brother Pei Ji.

In other words, Grandpa Mo wanted to help Pei Ji understand the current situation in the State of Song.

Grandpa Mo wants to help him understand the situation, which means he should side with Pei Ji and secretly assist him in the conflicts of the Song Kingdom!?

Uncle Xiao conveyed this matter to Emperor Gan Ning through his brother in order to buy Pei Ji time.

ah!

He understood.

This is to give Pei Ji time to develop!

Without Xiao Jiuzhu's letter, the State of Jin would have continued to formulate plans to launch a war against the State of Song.

However, if war were to break out and the State of Song were to face the State of Jin, defeat would only be a matter of time. Perhaps before Pei Ji truly had sufficient ability, the State of Song would cease to exist.

Sheng Sheng was a little excited, her eyes shining.

"Your Majesty, since you've come to inquire about Brother Pei Ji, it means you're already inclined to avoid war, right?"

"Of course," Emperor Gan Ning replied directly. "If it weren't for protecting their homeland, which soldier would want to die? The same goes for Jin. If it weren't for defending its own interests, Jin would never have initiated a war of aggression. The people of Song have lives too, and the people of Jin have lives too. Although Jin is absolutely certain, it's not without its sacrifices. Peaceful coexistence is the best course of action."

This Ninth Prince is merely a hostage trapped in the Kingdom of Yu, yet he managed to persuade Elder Mo Wen to leave his seclusion, and he also has Xiao Jiuzhu by his side. If this unknown Ninth Prince is worth trusting just once, I might not be unable to accept Xiao Jiuzhu's request.”

Sheng Sheng nodded: "So this is why Your Majesty wanted to inquire about Brother Pei Ji from me. I understand, ability is indeed important, but character is even more crucial. Brother Pei Ji now has Uncle Xiao in martial arts and Grandpa Mo in literature; his ability to impress Grandpa Mo is enough to demonstrate his capabilities. As for the other hand, I can assure you with my life that Brother Pei Ji is absolutely qualified to shoulder this great responsibility!"

Sheng Sheng's eyes shone brightly, as if tempered with starlight, and without the slightest hesitation, she began to express her views on Pei Ji with all her might.

Xie Yun-yang was unaware of Xiao Jiu-zhu's situation and took a long time to process it.

Listening silently to Pei Ji's sincere words, every word filled with complete trust and appreciation, she couldn't help but start to worry.

He had no prejudice against Pei Ji, but he couldn't really call Pei Ji a friend. In Xie Yun's eyes, Pei Ji was just an ordinary kid who was also studying at the Wenhua Hall and was five years younger than him.

His silly little sister, Sheng Sheng, is only six years old. How could she understand the unpredictability of people's hearts and the complexities of the world?

The status of a hostage is inherently sensitive, and there are undercurrents of turmoil in the imperial court, let alone between two countries.

Is Pei Ji's current gentle and respectful demeanor his true nature, or is it a disguise he makes to gain a foothold in the inner palace of a foreign country?

Xie Yunyang looked at her sister's unguarded smiling face, her fingertips secretly clenching the corner of her sleeve, the hidden worry in her heart like cotton wool soaked in water.

However, Xie Yunyang's concern was only for Sheng Sheng.

Aside from worrying, Xie Yunyang trusted her younger sister even more.

Sheng Sheng is innocent and carefree, but she is also clever and quick-witted.

Moreover, trust is the foundation of friendship.

Only then did Xie Yunxiang understand Xie Yunchuan's good intentions.

After learning that Sheng Sheng had become friends with Pei Ji of Jingyue Pavilion, Xie Yunyang began to worry and even discussed the matter with Xie Yunchuan.

He worried that Sheng Sheng would be taken advantage of and end up heartbroken.

However, Xie Yunchuan never restricted Sheng Sheng's contact with Pei Ji. Instead, he silently made himself stronger, secretly controlling everything so that he could provide Sheng Sheng with a safety net.

Even if Pei Ji really wanted to use Sheng Sheng, Xie Yunchuan would immediately stand in front of Sheng Sheng and not give him the chance.

Coming to his senses, Xie Yun smiled and, after pausing to drink some tea to clear his throat, continued, "Your Majesty should know what kind of person my second brother is, right?"

"Your Highness is referring to the Second Prince?" Emperor Gan Ning asked thoughtfully. "To be honest, I know more about your country than about the Second Prince."

Xie Yunyang chuckled: "It seems that His Majesty also knows that Second Brother is more outstanding than me."

"Hmm?" Sheng Sheng blinked, not understanding why the conversation had suddenly turned to Xie Yunchuan.

Xie Yun-yang continued, "Through all the experiences along the way, I have come to understand more clearly what my true heart desires. After we return to Yu Kingdom, I will explain to Father Emperor again that my second brother is more deserving of the position of Crown Prince."

Xie Yun smiled easily: "My second brother is the future ruler of Yu Kingdom. I wonder if his trust in Pei Ji will carry more weight in His Majesty's heart?"

The tea in the teacup gradually cooled, and ripples spread out in circles as the wind blew.

Sheng Sheng's gaze darted back and forth between the two.

Just as Sheng Sheng was about to say something to break the silence, Emperor Gan Ning suddenly sighed again.

"What kind of person is it that can have Xiao Jiuzhu and Mo Wen assisting them, and that you trust so much?"

Sheng Sheng and Xie Yun-yang exchanged a glance, Sheng Sheng unable to hide her joy.

She knew that Emperor Gan Ning had already softened his stance from the beginning, and this sentence meant that he had agreed!

Sheng Sheng was filled with a strange excitement.

Is Brother Pei Ji about to expand and rise to power?

No, it wasn't the beginning; perhaps he had taken action much earlier.

Even his older brother helped him.

But no matter what, when Sheng Sheng recalled the time when he first met Pei Ji, he seemed very depressed.

It wasn't just because he didn't have meat to eat that made him thin; it was also because he had a lingering sense of melancholy in his heart.

Now it's all right.

Brother Pei Ji can forge ahead bravely and become stronger until he achieves what he wants to achieve and can protect what he wants to protect.

Did the desperate young Pei Ji, who was initially assigned to the State of Yu as a hostage, ever imagine that one day he too could have such an opportunity and hope?

Brother Pei Ji, boldly walk forward on the flower-lined path, you can definitely do it!