Chapter 167 The Return Journey

"Your Highness, this cup of wine you're offering is too heavy. It's not the wine that's heavy, it's the master-disciple relationship you've forcibly imposed on me."

"Xihan Temple is too small, and Sang Ning's shoulders are too narrow to bear this burden. If it falls, Xihan Temple cannot bear it, and I, Xie Sang Ning, am even less able to bear it."

Her words were like ice water, poured over Pei Zhi's burning heart.

His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something.

Xie Sangning didn't give him a chance to speak. She turned her head and calmly looked at Pei Zhi: "You're kneeling here today because of a fit of pride and a bit of alcohol. Have you ever thought that this kneeling isn't a salutation to a master, but a death warrant?"

Pei Zhi shuddered, his hand holding the wine glass wobbled, and a few drops of wine spilled onto the floor tiles.

But he still stubbornly kept his head down. He knew he was being a bit shameless, but after this trip to Xihan, he truly admired Xie Sangning.

Shamelessness is invincible, and he really wants to learn it now, but after years of being a playboy, he has no direction at all.

Xie Sangning gave him some pointers today, and in his heart, Xie Sangning is already his master.

He wanted to do something for the people, even if it was just a little.

Even if... his father would stop favoring him because of this.

He suddenly realized that what he wanted more than his father's favor was for the people to live in peace and prosperity.

Along the way, apart from Jinling, the starting point, and Xihan, the ending point, there were beggars and refugees everywhere. Jinling seemed isolated from the world, and everything outside seemed different from the capital city where he grew up. But this seemed to be the reality. His father... did not seem to be as wise and powerful as he thought.

“Princess Jianing, I will not tell anyone about this, and I will not cause you any trouble. You have taught me today, and in my heart you are my master!”

After saying this, Pei Zhi downed his drink in one gulp, stood up, and staggered out of the flower hall. Xie Sangning watched his retreating figure and silently let out a sigh of relief.

This is truly... eye-opening.

Xie Sangning has been struggling in Xihan for so many years, what kind of monsters and demons hasn't she seen?

Arrogant foreign tribes, cunning merchants, and officials sent by the imperial court to cause trouble in secret…

She has a set of ways to deal with things.

But a royal playboy like Pei Zhi, who is of noble status yet also reckless and a bit silly... is truly a first.

“This Ninth Prince…” Lin Huan came back to his senses and murmured, but the second half of the sentence got stuck in his throat, and he didn’t know what adjective to use.

Xie Sangning twitched the corners of her mouth. She picked up her teacup, only to find it was already empty, and put it down again in annoyance.

"That's enough." A hint of weariness flickered in her voice. "He chose this path himself, and he made these words himself. Whether he becomes a dragon or a worm, whether he bangs his head against the wall with his 'serving the people' heart only to suffer a bloody end, or whether he's riddled with holes by the open and covert attacks of the capital, is his fate. I just hope..."

She paused, her gaze fixed on the direction where Pei Zhi had disappeared, a complex expression on her face.

"I just hope that when he is completely rejected by his good father and falls from grace, he won't regret kneeling today."

Actually, if you think about it calmly, Pei Zhi might not be completely stupid.

Perhaps it was just that the past twenty years had been spent in a daze, and the shock had unexpectedly ignited the passion and sense of responsibility that belonged to young people.

His actions today may seem reckless and foolish, but who knows if they weren't a desperate choice he made after weighing the pros and cons deep in his heart?

However, he may only see the cost of this choice as serving the people, but he may not have truly considered the bloodshed that would follow.

"Alright, the banquet is over, and everyone has left."

Xie Sangning stood up, flicked her sleeves, and said, "Let's pack up. We've been out for long enough; it's time to go back to Jinling."

The date for their departure back to Jinling was quickly set.

Before leaving, everyone gathered in the front hall to make final arrangements.

Xie Sangning was listening to Chen Feng report on the deployment of guards along the way when she saw Lin Huan slowly move to her side.

“Sister Sang Ning,” Lin Huan said, “I…I don’t want to go back to Jinling. I want to stay in Xihan.”

Xie Sangning raised an eyebrow, not too surprised: "Oh? So you're going to stay and learn from the master carpenter to the very end?"

She remembered that a few days ago, this kid kept running to the workshop, his eyes shining as he looked at the blueprints and wood shavings.

Lin Huan nodded vigorously: "Yes! Master said I have steady hands and a calm mind, and I'm a good prospect! He said there's a lot of carpentry work to be done here in Xihan, such as gear sets for new waterwheels, expansion mechanisms for hand-cranked spinning wheels, and wooden parts for improving crossbows for the guards... I want to stay and learn properly! These are things that you can't learn in Jinling... at home!"

As he finished speaking, his tone became pleading, "Sister Sang Ning, please let me stay. I promise I'll learn diligently from my master!"

Xie Sangning looked at his usually somewhat dull cousin, whose eyes now shone with an unprecedented light.

"Once you learn a skill, it's yours to keep; no one can take it away. Xihan may lack other things, but it offers plenty of opportunities to hone your skills. Stay here and learn well. If you need anything, just ask You Fu."

She turned to You Fu, who was smiling broadly beside her: "I'm entrusting my cousin to you. Don't let anyone bully him, and don't let him slack off."

You Fu immediately patted his chest and assured her, "Miss, you can rest assured! Young Master Lin will be well-fed and healthy here, and his cooking skills will improve rapidly!"

Upon receiving confirmation, Lin Huan blushed with excitement and repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

Just as Lin Huan was settled in, Lin Ziyuan suddenly jumped out: "Cousin! I have an idea too!"

Xie Sangning glanced at him: "Speak."

Lin Ziyuan straightened his chest and said in a loud voice, "I want to learn martial arts from Brother Chen Feng! I also want to be a great general! Like my uncle, riding a tall horse, majestic and awe-inspiring, protecting my country!"

As he spoke, he even made a gesture of swinging a knife, his eyes filled with longing.

Before Xie Sangning could speak, Chen Feng, who was standing next to her, was taken aback for a moment, and then a faint smile flashed across his eyes.

"Oh?" Xie Sangning looked at Lin Ziyuan with a half-smile. "Want to be a general? Do you know that being a general isn't about showing off your power? It's about shedding blood, risking your life, and taking responsibility. Chen Feng's kung fu isn't just for show. Can you endure that kind of hardship?"

Lin Ziyuan was taken aback by the question, then straightened his neck and said loudly, "I can endure hardship! Brother Chen Feng, please take me in! I'll even hold your horse's reins and tie your stirrups!"

He stared intently at Chen Feng, with the fervor unique to young people.

Chen Feng looked at Xie Sangning and asked for her opinion.

Xie Sangning nodded slightly, seeing Lin Ziyuan's defiant attitude of refusing to leave until he agreed.

This can be considered tacit approval.

Lin Ziyuan jumped for joy: "Thank you, cousin! Thank you, Brother Chen!"

The two brothers took different paths, but both found the direction they wanted to go.

Farewells are always fleeting.

Outside the West Cold City Gate, the wind and sand still blow.

Xie Sangning was helped into the carriage.

"They're gone."