Chapter 70 Chapter 70 Decision
Wu Tianyue accompanied the Chief Historian to Prince Zhongshun's study and invited him to sit down. Seeing Prince Zhongshun's face was solemn and silent, he asked in confusion, "Why did my father summon me?"
Prince Zhongshun looked at his son's calm expression and was surprised to find that he had grown up a lot. He was a little dazed, and only came to his senses when he heard his son speak. "How have you been these days?"
Father and son lived together, and since the disaster relief effort, Prince Zhongshun had been keeping a close eye on him. How could he not know what he had been doing recently? Wu Tianyue didn't ask, but replied respectfully, "My son has been doing well these days. He reads and writes every day, and participates in literary gatherings. It's been very fulfilling, and I'm feeling pretty confident about the upcoming provincial examination."
Hearing his son's distant tone, Prince Zhongshun felt a little uncomfortable, but he also knew that this was normal and could only be slowly repaired in the future, so he said nothing and told him what the emperor had said today.
Wu Tianyue frowned, wondering what they were up to. Sometimes they would allow him to do something, sometimes they wouldn't. But this offer was indeed very tempting. If he could really make a good living in the frontier, he wouldn't have to wait until later to take Daiyu away...
No, the emperor is not the prince. He gave me such a choice obviously because he values my ability but does not trust me at the same time. I am afraid that he will not let me take Daiyu away at that time.
However, the temptation of being able to establish oneself through martial arts and to fight for the future with what one is good at and likes is too great.
Wu Tianyue was very conflicted, telling himself that this was the emperor's conspiracy. Even if he really became a provincial governor, he could not take Daiyu away as long as the prince did not ascend the throne. But he also had an impulse to take the jade pendant and go out to explore the world regardless of the consequences, instead of being trapped in the capital and living a life that he could see the end of.
Seeing his son's frown and silence, Prince Zhongshun understood his concerns and sighed, "You've been incredibly strong and perseverant since childhood. You've never slacked off in your martial arts training, regardless of the seasons. So, whatever you choose, your mother and I will support you."
Then, she placed the jade pendant in his hand and said, "There's still half a month left. Take your time to think about it."
After saying that, he stood up and left the study.
Wu Tianyue held the jade pendant in his hand, looked down at the candlelight reflected on it, and felt a conflict between his conscience and his conscience.
"If you want to go, go ahead." The system had been watching him for so many days, and seeing him so conflicted, it advised, "The heroine and the hero have little to do with each other now, and she's your mother's beloved. Even if you're not around, nothing will happen to her."
[She's in poor health, has a simple mind, and is relentless in pursuing anything she sets her sights on. She's also sentimental. If anything happens to me...]
Having said this, Wu Tianyue paused. The system also had concerns after hearing this and stopped advising him. The surroundings became quiet again until the sky was slightly bright, and then Wu Tianyue stood up.
The night watchman outside saw him coming out and hurried forward to greet him: "Prince."
Wu Tianyue looked at him and asked in a hoarse voice, "Has my father gone to court?"
"The prince is still in the main courtyard," the servant replied, "but it's almost time for the prince to attend court as usual."
Wu Tianyue nodded and walked towards the main courtyard.
Prince Zhongshun had just finished his breakfast and was about to leave when his unshaven son walked in. He sighed and said, "It's still early. Take your time to think about it."
Wu Tianyue smiled and handed the jade pendant to King Zhongshun: "On the battlefield, swords have no eyes. It is normal for the elders not to let me go. I was ignorant before and made my father and mother worry."
Although this choice was a happy one for everyone, Prince Zhongshun and his wife felt a pang of anxiety as they looked at the jade pendant. "Are you sure you're giving up?"
Wu Tianyue smiled and said, "My son has recently attended several literary gatherings with great enthusiasm, and his feelings are very different from before. Perhaps he was too arrogant before, always thinking that civil officials were mostly vassals, unable to expand the territory, and always relying on their status to oppress the people. He was a little blinded by his own shortcomings."
Seeing the two men's serious expressions, he joked, "But my son will continue to practice martial arts. Not only will he strengthen his body, but he'll also have to find a place to use his strength. Otherwise, if he gets into an argument with someone and loses control and starts fighting, those weak scholars won't be able to withstand a punch from me."
Prince Zhongshun was about to say something when Wu Tianyue interrupted him, saying, "Father knows I'm not the type to dither. Once I've made up my mind, I won't change it. No one can persuade me. You should hurry up and attend court."
"Okay." Prince Zhongshun also knew his usual temper. After hearing this, he sighed and took the jade pendant. "You should prepare well for the provincial examination in the next few months."
"As you command, son." Wu Tianyue seemed to have let go of his worries. He replied to Prince Zhongshun and then said coquettishly to Princess Zhongshun, "Has mother sent for breakfast? I'm starving."
Seeing that he was fine, Prince Zhongshun felt relieved, changed into court clothes and rode into the palace in a hurry.
Princess Zhongshun was very worried. Her son had been a little lethargic before, and he felt much better after visiting the Jia Mansion that day. However, he was not as playful as before, and it was a bit suspicious that he suddenly returned to his old self.
But looking at his son eating with relish, he didn't know how to persuade him.
Wu Tianyue had no idea what she was thinking. After finishing his meal, he went back and had a good sleep. Then he resumed his usual routine, reading and writing like crazy, and attending various literary gatherings to discuss ideas with his peers.
That day, there was a poetry gathering outside the city. Wu Tianyue was about to leave when he saw the little maid from Xianyun Tower come in and reply, "The young lady came here today, saying she had something to discuss with the prince. Does the prince have time?"
"Of course." Wu Tianyue said, "When will the young lady come over?"
"The Queen sent people as soon as she received the news, so maybe it will be soon."
Wu Tianyue nodded, ordered people to postpone the poetry party, and waited for Daiyu in the room.
I had only finished reading half of the book when someone outside said, "Sir, the young lady is waiting for you in Xianyun Tower."
Why didn't you tell me you were here in advance? Wu Tianyue was a little confused and hurriedly put down the book and went to Xianyun Tower.
When they arrived at Xianyun Tower, Daiyu was directing the little maid to dry books. When she saw him coming, she snorted, and perhaps because there were many people in the yard, she turned around and went into the house without saying anything.
Have you done anything to irritate her recently? Wu Tianyue was a little confused and followed Daiyu into the house.
Just as they got to the house, Zijuan and her maid left. Wu Tianyue saw Daiyu looking like she was going to accuse someone, and he was a little amused and asked, "What's going on?"
"What's wrong?" Daiyu snorted, "Don't you know what you did?"
Wu Tianyue came forward and sat down next to Daiyu, saying with a smile, "What did I do to make you angry?"
Daiyu saw him approaching and moved aside. "Haven't you always wanted to be a military commander? Why don't you go for it now that you have the chance?"
"What else do I think it is?" Wu Tianyue poured himself a cup of tea. "My mother has nothing to do, and she has to ask you to persuade me for such a small matter."
"The Queen is worried about you," Daiyu disagreed. "Besides, this is no small matter. You've been practicing martial arts since you were a child, isn't it so that you can defend your country one day? Why refuse?"
Wu Tianyue had no intention of letting her know about the plotting in the court, so he deliberately teased her: "The situation on the battlefield changes rapidly. If you are not careful, you will be injured or killed. Are you willing to let me go?"
Daiyu naturally didn't want him to take risks, but since they met, the happiest time of his day was when he was practicing martial arts, and he would talk endlessly about military strategies.
Now that there is an opportunity, Daiyu doesn't want him to hesitate, miss the chance, and regret it for the rest of his life.
Moreover, she had just told him a few days ago that she didn't want to leave the capital, and now he refused the opportunity to go out. Daiyu always felt that he made such a choice because of her. Seeing that he was still joking, she asked bluntly: "But because of me?"
"This is my own choice, it has nothing to do with you." Wu Tianyue smiled, "The emperor is suspicious and doesn't want to give up power. There are too few capable military officers in the court. He has no choice but to use me. If someone can replace me in the future, he will throw me away without hesitation."
"I don't know the inside story," Daiyu said seriously, "but I do know that gossip can melt metal. Given the prince's caution, as long as he doesn't do anything out of line, and you keep your distance from the crown prince, the prince, and the others, His Majesty won't dare to abandon you. The most you can do is lose your military power."
Having said this, he paused and continued, "Moreover, the Crown Prince is kind and has many civil officials around him. Although your talent is decent, it is not the top scholar among thousands. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, he will have as many talents as he wants. Will there still be a place for you by his side then?"
Wu Tianyue was surprised that Daiyu, who seemed indifferent to worldly affairs, could see things so clearly.
Daiyu's face turned red when he looked at her, and she scolded, "Why? I can't analyze these things?"
"Yu'er, go on." Wu Tianyue knew that she was shy, so he didn't respond and smiled.
Daiyu glanced at him, not taking it seriously, and continued, "Although you may not be the most outstanding in literary talent, poetry, or painting, few can match your bravery and skill in battle. Furthermore, you and the Crown Prince have a close personal relationship, and you were both... plotted against before. Although you can't communicate openly now due to obstacles from above, I believe your private relationship will continue. So even if you were dismissed from your post after commanding the army, it would be easy for you to take up your post again after the Crown Prince ascends the throne."
Wu Tianyue had to admit that Daiyu's words were too inflammatory, and his originally firm heart would always be shaken by her.
Seeing him bow his head in deep thought, Daiyu continued, "Although I don't understand, I also know that military officers need experience the most. Talking about military strategy on paper is not enough. You are in your prime now. If you don't take this opportunity to gain experience, even if the Crown Prince agrees or even if your family and country need you, you will never be able to command the army again."
Wu Tianyue's ambition was stirred up again by her few words. He felt a little excited for a moment and couldn't help but laugh: "It's a pity that Yu'er didn't become an advisor."
"I don't want to spend all day calculating this and that." Daiyu smiled. "But given my personality, if I had such a genius, I would definitely look for an opportunity to display it, and I wouldn't be so hesitant like you."
At this point, he felt a little uncomfortable: "You weren't like this before, what happened recently?"
"Maybe it's because I'm just an ordinary person after all, and easily influenced." Wu Tianyue moved over and put his arm around Daiyu's waist, resting his head on her shoulder. "But I'm lucky to have hooked up with a fairy like you who has a pure mind. I can get guidance from you all the time."
"You're such a smooth talker." Daiyu smiled and pushed him away, then said seriously, "I just want you to do what you want to do and not suppress your thoughts because of others, especially me."
Wu Tianyue stared at Daiyu's watery eyes for a long time. Seeing that she was very serious, he smiled and said, "Okay."
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