Chapter 14: A Heartfelt Farewell

Since that day, it is unknown what misunderstanding Sima Ye had about him. Even when Wen Qiao was not around, he would often send someone to invite him over. Sometimes they would study and practice calligraphy together, but more often they would simply play together.

Children of the imperial family, living in such a chaotic world, had very little time for play. They could only afford simple pleasures like riding bamboo carriages and playing chess. Even those who could play chess like Sima Ye were extremely rare.

Having lived two lives, Liu Jun naturally had no interest in such things, but he didn't want to offend Sima Ye, and he also felt that Sima Ye genuinely wanted to comfort him, so he reluctantly mustered his spirits and went along with his nonsense.

My past life was full of hardships, but in this life I'm busy with my studies, which has made up for some of the regrets.

Liu Jun, holding onto the bamboo cart, watched Sima Ye happily riding the bamboo horse around, holding a wooden sword in his hand as if to slash, his face completely numb.

"Maotou!" Sima Ye heard his childhood name from someone and began to call him by it, even granting him special permission to use his childhood name "Munu".

Liu Jun repeatedly declined, saying he dared not. Although Sima Ye was disappointed, he did not force him, but he still happily shouted "Maotou Maotou!"

Several days later, news finally arrived that Liu Kun would soon return to Chang'an to escort the emperor and the imperial family back to Luoyang.

Upon hearing this, Sima Ye immediately abandoned his studies and went to meet the emperor. However, he returned dejectedly a short while later and sat down next to Liu Jun.

"What's wrong?" Liu Jun looked up and saw that his face was pale. He put down the bamboo slips and asked with a frown.

Sima Ye pursed his lips. "I want to stay in my fiefdom in Chang'an. My father agrees, but the Prince of Donghai and my uncle disagree."

Liu Jun said indifferently, "It's fine if the Prince of Donghai controls the government, but Your Highness is the ruler of a prefecture. Why do you need to consult your uncle? I vaguely remember that the court has never given him the power to handle the government and military affairs in Guanzhong, or even to exercise the power of a regional prince."

Sima Ye stammered, "But he's my uncle..."

"You are a prince of the Sima family, how could it be the Xun family's place to make decisions for you?" Liu Jun felt a mixture of satisfaction at the turn of the tables and a hidden disappointment.

Sima Ye thought for a moment, then leaned against the armchair. “But the Prince of Donghai also ordered me to stay, so there’s nothing I can do… However, His Majesty has also returned to Luoyang, so there’s nothing wrong with accompanying him back.”

Strangely enough, although Sima Zhong was an emperor, even children weren't particularly afraid of him. Perhaps it was because he was a fool who couldn't accomplish anything, or perhaps it was because they knew that compared to others, he wasn't inherently bad...

"Mao Tou, will you also return to Luoyang?" Sima Ye asked sullenly.

Liu Jun shook his head, "Wherever Father is, that's where I'll be. I'll probably be going back to Ye City."

Although Sima Ye was young, since his birth, the entire Jin Dynasty had been in turmoil, making him more mature than children in peaceful times. Upon hearing this, he knew that Liu Kun was in charge of the army, and that Liu Jun would eventually take up arms and ride into battle. With reddened eyes, he said, "Then you must take care on your journey. Remember to write to me... If you come to Luoyang to pay homage, remember to come to the Prince of Qin's residence to find me..."

After speaking, Sima Ye couldn't help but choke up. Liu Jun looked at him quietly. He thought he had been cold and distant to Sima Ye, and had been perfunctory in accompanying him to study or play. He never expected that Sima Ye would value him so much and be so reluctant to part with him.

I wonder if he will still retain the pure heart of a child when he grows up.

Liu Jun could hardly imagine him becoming one of those scoundrels from the Sima family, and he could no longer remain indifferent to him. So he took his hand and said, "If you wish to write a letter, please send it to my father. Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."

In this world, all good fortune is illusory. Whether you're a king or a general, or a commoner, all you ask for is peace and safety.

Half a month later, Liu Kun thought his beloved son would ask him all sorts of questions as usual, but to his surprise, for three or four days, apart from initially waiting for him at the city gate, Liu Jun was nowhere to be seen. When asked, he was sure that Liu Jun was at the Prince of Qin's residence.

So, the day before the emperor's return to the capital, Liu Jun returned to his residence when the moon was bright and the stars were few. He found Liu Kun sitting in the hall, looking at him with a displeased expression.

“Father.” Liu Jun hurriedly bowed.

Liu Kun snorted irritably. Liu Jun, knowing he was in the wrong, stood beside him obsequiously, refilling his teacup and water.

“You are mature beyond your years, while the King of Qin is innocent and naive. I never expected that you two would get along so well.” Liu Kun picked up his teacup, his expression softening.

Liu Jun sighed, "War rages everywhere, and all around are mature-beyond-the-years; innocent and carefree spirits seem rare now."

Liu Kun was already used to hearing surprising things from him from time to time. "Thinking about it, it really makes sense. By the way, I heard Taizhen say you want to learn the zither? And you even want to learn Ji Kang's Four Pieces?"

Liu Jun, in his previous life, was well-versed in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, and was also a skilled chess player. However, he lacked expertise in the zither. When the topic of Ji Kang resurfaced, he thought of using it to reflect on his lost country and mourn the departed. But he couldn't say this to Liu Kun, so he smiled and said, "The ancients said that governing through the zither is a virtue. After hearing the story of Ji Kang, I admire that spirit and aspiration. I also wish to cultivate myself, express my aspirations, and convey my feelings through the zither. When I return to Ye City, if possible, I would like to find a good musician..."

"No need," Liu Kun interrupted him.

Liu Jun thought for a moment and realized that in times of chaos, it was best to focus on learning both literature and martial arts. It would be inappropriate to be involved in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting at this time. Just as he stood up to apologize, he heard Liu Kun say, "In terms of music, although you may not be as good as Ji Kang, how many people in this world can surpass you, Father?"

This was an unexpected delight, and Liu Jun exclaimed with joy, "Thank you, Father!"

Seeing the adoring look in his eyes, the father's vanity was greatly satisfied. Liu Kun smiled and took out a smooth and translucent white jade belt hook from his sleeve. "You will be a person with a title and salary in the future. Your clothes and appearance can no longer be as casual as before. Keep this belt hook safe. You will need it when you pay your respects to the emperor in the future."

Seeing that Liu Jun accepted the item with little interest, Liu Kun couldn't help but curse him under his breath as a heartless debt collector. He then took out a sword and handed it to him, saying, "How can a young master from a noble family not carry a sword?"

Liu Jun took it, pulled it out and looked at it. Although it was not as good as the Emperor's Sword of his previous life, it was still an excellent sword. The smile on his face became noticeably stronger, which earned him a glare from Liu Kun.

The next morning, banners and flags fluttered in procession, and despite the dire state of the nation, the emperor's entourage remained grand and imposing, showing no sign of frugality.

Liu Jun and the others respectfully saw off the emperor, and later found Sima Ye and Wen Qiao among the princes' entourage.

Wen Qiao, having secured a military advisor position at the Prince of Qin's residence, naturally returned to Luoyang with him. He was chatting idly with his subordinates, full of pride, when Sima Ye jumped down from his carriage, grabbed his hand, and cried, "I knew you'd come! Remember to write a letter, and when you go to court for an audience, remember to come find me..."

With so many people around, Liu Jun felt a little awkward and gave vague answers. Unexpectedly, an eunuch behind Sima Ye immediately stepped forward and presented him with a box.

"This is a precious sword that I found in the treasury. The moment I saw it, I felt it was a perfect match for you. Now I give it to you. From now on, when you see this sword, you will see me!"

Liu Jun opened the sword case and stood there stunned—the sword gleamed like a shooting star, was four feet two inches long, and weighed one pound and fifteen ounces…

"Forged in the clear Zhang River, sharpened with stone, adorned with jade, and sculpted with rhinoceros horn, its brilliance shines like a shooting star," Liu Jun murmured. "It's actually a hundred-refined treasure sword?"

Seeing his fluctuating emotions of sadness and joy, Sima Ye was unsure whether he had given him the right sword. "That's right, this is the Flying View Sword among them."

Liu Jun snapped out of his reverie, suddenly feeling a pang of guilt as he realized he hadn't prepared a gift for him. He then took out the sword hilt and belt hook from his sleeve, saying with shame, "This jade is of natural quality, perfectly suited for crafting these two items, which I now present to Your Highness. However, while this jade is already rare for me, compared to such divine weapons, it is far too simple..."

Sima Ye took the belt hook with sparkling eyes, then placed the sword slide on the Flying Scene Sword and compared it. "I'll take the belt hook, but you can keep the sword slide safe."

The carriages of the King of Donghai and the King of Wu were already moving slowly ahead. Sima Ye looked up at Chang'an, then looked at it again with reluctance, tightly gripping the belt hook in his hand, and boarded the carriage with a few glances back.

Even at only six years old, he clearly understood that this journey might be his last.

Life is fleeting, like morning dew. In the twilight of life, its influence cannot be retrieved.