Chapter 51

He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind to explain something, and his voice became a few decibels lower: "The witchcraft of the Southern Frontier is sinister and bizarre, and cannot be tolerated in the world. The land and its arts must be completely eradicated. If it is allowed to spread, it will surely become a great calamity for the world. At that time, Xie Qilan was almost insane. She even tried to control that evil thing to devour the entire Southern Frontier... At that time, that thing will be unrestrained, and the consequences will be unimaginable."

He sighed, a complex weariness creeping into his eyes. He knew how many despicable schemes lay hidden in his heart, schemes that no amount of explanation could clear. "Xi Xiao, as long as you... as long as you're willing to stay by my side, all this turmoil will subside. I won't let anyone else get hurt. I'll handle everything properly. Trust me this once, okay?"

Xi Xiao's tears welled up again without warning. She didn't understand why, in the end, all the blame and burdens seemed to fall on her "uncompromising" stance.

“You’re wrong!” she retorted weakly, her voice hoarse from crying and exhaustion. “It’s all because of you, because of your enormous ambition. You destroyed the Southern Frontier just to expand your territory! You weakened the regional military governors to consolidate your imperial power and unify Yuan Chu! Now, the conquest of the Northern River is still to satisfy your insatiable lust for power! You crave supremacy, you crave the groveling of all living beings!”

She suddenly raised her hand, her fingertips trembling as she pointed at him, her eyes filled with despair and disgust: "Don't say anything about doing it for me anymore, don't say anything about liking me anymore, I just feel disgusted!"

Pei Yun's temples bulged with veins, and his jaw tightened into a cold, hard line, clearly as he struggled to suppress his surging anger. He lunged forward, grabbed her slender wrist, and dragged her into the nearby kitchenette without a word.

In the cramped space, the two faced each other in silence, a tense atmosphere hanging in the air. The stove was cold, still carrying the lingering smell of New Year's Eve dinner.

However, the expected thunderous rage did not descend. Pei Yun merely gave her a deep look, his gaze indescribably complex, containing anger, pain, and even a hint of helplessness... compromise.

He didn't say anything harsh in the end, but silently turned around, rolled up his sleeves, skillfully lit the stove fire, added water, kneaded the dough, chopped scallions... In this small kitchen on a cold night, he personally made longevity noodles for her.

On the main table, there were several dishes of New Year's Eve dinner that were almost untouched. Clearly, because of Qingfeng's departure, no one had the heart to truly celebrate this year.

The flickering firelight reflected on his handsome yet taut profile, and his blue and white brocade cloak, which seemed out of place amidst the smoke and fire. He watched Xi Xiao stand silently to the side, tears streaming down her face, before finally letting out a very soft sigh.

The noodles were ready quickly—clear broth with white noodles, topped with a perfectly poached egg. He placed the bowl on the small table and said in a low voice, "Eat."

Xi Xiao didn't even glance at the steaming bowl of noodles.

Pei Yunqiang suppressed the surging emotions in his heart, grasped her cold hand, and put the chopsticks into her hand. His tone was filled with an almost helpless obsession: "I'll leave after you finish eating. If you don't eat, I'll stay here with you and wait until the noodles get cold. I'll make another bowl until you're willing to eat."

Xi Xiao glared at him resentfully, her chest heaving violently. Finally, as if she had exhausted all her strength, she snatched the bowl and chopsticks and almost wolfed down the longevity noodles.

*

In late February, with the chill of early spring still lingering, the army had been marching for over a month and was only two days' journey from the border of the Northern River. Pei Qie, dressed in military attire, rode at the head of the column, followed by an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage, moving slowly forward with the procession.

Inside the carriage, the light was dim. Xi Xiao held an ancient book filled with obscure and difficult-to-understand runes, her brow furrowed as she read intently. Yunwu leaned on her shoulder, nibbling on a piece of fruit candy, occasionally glancing curiously at the scribbled characters in the book.

Xi Yu sat opposite them, her gaze mostly fixed on Xi Xiao. Her lips moved several times as if she had something to say, but in the end, they all turned into silent sighs. The atmosphere in the car was heavy and oppressive.

The army stopped to rest midway. Xi Yu silently got off the carriage and returned a moment later, holding a few wild fruits that had just been washed by the stream and were still dripping with water. He handed them to Xi Xiao.

As the page was gently turned, Xi Xiao's gaze remained fixed on the ancient book in her hands, completely ignoring the fruit he offered, as if he didn't exist at all.

Yunwu was very perceptive and immediately jumped up: "Miss, I...I'll go get some water!" After saying that, she darted out of the carriage like a startled little rabbit.

Xi Yu sat down in the spot where Yun Wu had been sitting. Just as she was about to speak, Xi Xiao slammed her book shut and moved noticeably to the side, widening the distance between them once again.

Xi Yu's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, a trace of helpless sadness flashing across his face. He was silent for a moment, then his voice was low and deep: "His Majesty's decision to launch this northern expedition was made hastily, and even the military pay was only barely raised recently after the investigation of the embezzlement case. Appointing Pei Qie as the commander-in-chief is even more childish. He is merely forcing me to take action. If this plan fails, he will surely have other tricks up his sleeve..."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Xi Xiao's cold profile. "Xiao Xiao, this moment has come for me and him, but believe me, I have another plan. Once this matter is over, no one will be able to force us or disturb us."

Xi Xiao finally turned her head to look at him and asked, "What's the plan?"

Xi Yu's Adam's apple bobbed as he considered how to explain, when a commotion suddenly broke out outside the car, followed by soldiers shouting "Welcome, Your Majesty!" in a mix of astonishment and excitement.

Both of them were startled, exchanged a glance, and saw surprise in each other's eyes.

The next moment, He Ying's voice rang out respectfully from outside the carriage: "Young Master Xi, His Majesty requests your presence for a chat."

Xi Yu took a deep breath, gave Xi Xiao a long look, and got out of the carriage. Along the way, he heard soldiers excitedly whispering among themselves: "His Majesty has actually come to the front lines?!" "Heaven bless Yuan Chu! Victory is assured!"

His move easily boosted the morale of the troops.

Stepping into the obviously more spacious and luxurious imperial carriage, one sees Pei Yun leaning lazily against the soft cushions, gazing at the marching troops outside the window. He doesn't turn around, but speaks softly, his tone devoid of emotion: "I thought you wouldn't come for the Marquis's mansion."

Xi Yu found a seat opposite him and sat down, but her gaze was fixed on the window, as if she could see through the distance and see the people in the green-canopied carriage. "Is Your Majesty now... left with no other choice? So you can only resort to such a despicable tactic of sowing discord."

He chuckled lightly, a laugh tinged with obvious sarcasm: "But Your Majesty is far too impatient... Can't you even wait two years?"

Pei Yun's body stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment. Xi Yu slowly stood up, her gaze no longer concealed, looking directly at the figure that was once so familiar but now so unfamiliar. Her tone was as firm as iron: "As long as I am here, no one can force her to do anything she doesn't want to do."

The ruler and his minister, who once shared everything, now stood on opposite sides in this confined space, the air thick with silent tension, ready to draw their swords.

Pei Yun sat up straight, slowly turned his head, stared at Xi Yu for a moment, and suddenly a cold smile appeared on his lips: "Do you think you... can stop me?"

Xi Yu said no more, suddenly raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain, jumped down from the carriage, stood on the carriage shaft, his back to the magnificent imperial carriage, his posture as upright as a pine tree, his voice clearly carried on the wind: "Is Your Majesty not afraid that one day you will suffer the consequences?"

*

Inside the commander's tent at the Beijiang camp, the flickering candlelight cast Ling Zhouling's shadow long and short on the leather tent wall. He held a thin corner of a letter between his fingers, slowly moving it to the dancing flame. The flames greedily licked the paper, devouring it in an instant, leaving only a small patch of ash and a faint, acrid smell in the air. He rubbed his fingers together expressionlessly, as if trying to dissipate the lingering warmth of the fire.

"Report!" A guard rushed into the tent and knelt on one knee. "Your Highness, scouts report that the vanguard of the Yuan Chu army has reached our Beijiang border, which is only a day's journey away!"

Before the words were finished, the tent flap was lifted again, and a burly middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a Beijiang general strode in. It was Chen Jian, the former deputy general who had followed Regent Ling Zhouli. He seemingly respectfully clasped his hands in a fist salute to Ling Zhouli, but his tone carried an undisguised disdain and self-righteousness.

“Your Highness,” Chen Jian’s voice boomed, “Although Yuan Chu has come with great force this time, most of its elite generals have come with our army. Those who have left behind to betray us are not worth worrying about. Moreover, I have heard that they have sent a greenhorn with no experience as their commander. This is simply the most ridiculous thing in the world! In my opinion, why should Your Highness bother with such a demoralized army and an incompetent commander? Sending my nephew Sun Wei to give them some practice will be enough to defeat them.”

After speaking, he didn't wait for Ling Zhouling to reply, but instead dismissed the messenger, walked to the table, poured a cup of warm tea, and handed it to Ling Zhouling. Although his behavior seemed respectful, his words and actions clearly placed him above the commander-in-chief, indicating his strong will.

Ling Zhouling raised his eyes, gave him a half-smile, and spoke calmly, revealing no emotion whatsoever: "Uncle Chen, you are very kind, but... Sun Wei is your nephew, and the only heir of the Sun family in this generation. On the battlefield, swords have no eyes, and danger is extreme. If he were to suffer any mishap or injury, even though you are understanding and won't say anything, I... would feel very guilty."

Upon hearing this, Chen Jian immediately straightened his back, adopting a righteous and loyal demeanor, and raised his voice even higher: "For the sake of Beijiang's foundation, for the sake of the Prince, even if he dies on the battlefield wrapped in a horse's hide, it will be his glory!" He became more and more excited as he spoke, as if his true feelings were being revealed, "Your Highness, my Chen and Sun families have been deeply indebted to the Prince for generations, and have always been loyal to the Prince and Beijiang, as heaven and earth can attest! Now that the Prince has perished, Your Highness is our only pillar of support. We, your humble servants, swear to serve Your Highness to the death, without hesitation!"

These words of loyalty were spoken with force and passion, as if he had completely forgotten the dishonorable role he played in that conspiracy and poisoning.

In this situation, Ling Zhouling's eyes quickly welled up with tears. He hurriedly stood up, held Chen Jian's arm tightly with both hands, and said in a voice with just the right amount of sob and emotion, "Uncle Chen, please don't say that. With your and all the other uncles' strong support, it is Ling's good fortune and Beijiang's good fortune. With our hearts and minds as ruler and subject, what is there to worry about in achieving great things!"

The two men held hands and looked at each other. After a heart-to-heart talk between the ruler and his subject, the atmosphere in the tent was incredibly harmonious and trusting.