Chapter 476: Xiao Yan's Ambition: No More Distinction Between Wei and Qi
Xiao Yan suddenly looked up: "Did my father and mother's corpses get swapped out?"
Xu Yu nodded. "Although it is incomplete, it was finally buried properly. The tomb is on the Cao family's land. I, this old servant, will go to keep vigil for my master every year, and the Cao family also sends people to look after it from time to time."
Xiao Yan was shocked. He thought that his father and mother's bodies had long been ground to dust. With the late emperor's hatred for his father, he would never let them be buried properly. However, Cao Dejiang brought them out and even took a huge risk to bury them in the Cao family land.
If anyone finds out, the entire Cao family will be executed.
Xiao Yan suddenly stood up and faced Cao Dejiang. He lifted the hem of his long gown and knelt before him: "Yuan Sheng thanks Cao Gong for his great kindness."
Tang Ning was also very moved. She knew how much risk Cao Dejiang had to take to achieve this. This was definitely not something that the selfish person he mentioned would do.
She also walked to Xiao Yan's side and bowed to Cao Dejiang: "Thank you, Lord Cao, for your great kindness."
Cao Dejiang was stunned by the two men kneeling and quickly turned sideways.
When he stood firm, he saw Shi Chang'an standing there motionless, and the angle was just right for him to receive the salute from Xiao Yan and the other man.
Cao Dejiang raised his foot and kicked Shi Chang'an who was peeling chestnuts. The pain made Shi Chang'an stagger and fall directly onto the table beside him in a miserable state.
"What are you doing?" Shi Changan glared.
Cao Dejiang glared back. What a shameless fellow! How dare this Shi take advantage of the kneeling ceremony of the future emperor of the Great Wei?!
After he kicked the man away, he gave Shi Chang'an, who looked puzzled, a cold look, and then he quickly walked around to Xiao Yan and Tang Ning, wanting to grab their arms and pull them up.
But who would have thought that when they exerted force, the two men remained motionless.
Cao Dejiang could only ask, "What are you doing? Why are you kneeling for no reason?"
Xiao Yan said seriously: "Lord Cao is so kind, I deserve to kneel down."
Cao Dejiang frowned: "I've already said that I was entrusted by Senior Brother Rong..."
Xiao Yan: "The Grand Tutor is the Grand Tutor, and Lord Cao is Lord Cao. I will always remember the Grand Tutor's kindness, but if it weren't for you, my father and mother would not be able to rest in peace."
"It's just a small favor from me. Your Highness the Crown Prince has shown me great appreciation and support..."
Cao Dejiang broke down the sentence, a look of embarrassment on his face. He could argue with Xiao Yan, and he wasn't afraid of him plotting against him. Between ruler and subject, it was a back-and-forth relationship, testing each other's boundaries and personalities to achieve mutual success. But Xiao Yan was kneeling straight before him like this...
Cao Dejiang grabbed his arm and said, "Hurry up and get up."
He was afraid of shortening his lifespan if he asked Xiao Yan to kneel before him!
Xiao Yan also knew what he was worried about, so he didn't continue to kneel down. He just pulled Tang Ning up with the help of Cao Dejiang, and then spoke to him very solemnly.
"Yuan Sheng will always remember Cao Gong's kindness."
…
Eunuch Xu didn't stay in the inner room for long. Knowing that Xiao Yan still had something to say to Cao Dejiang and the others, he respectfully withdrew. Cao Dejiang then said to Xiao Yan:
"Eunuch Xu's appearance has changed a bit, and most of the old palace staff have passed away, but he still has a special status. What are your plans for his care after you bring him back?"
Xiao Yan said, "I can't take him away for the time being. I'd like to trouble Lord Cao to keep him for a while longer."
Cao Dejiang was stunned for a moment, and then he realized that Xiao Yan was not planning to reveal his true identity for the time being, but he kept Xu Yu in his house, which meant that Xiao Yan was planning to take action. Otherwise, with his ability, it would not be difficult for him to place someone in a place, unless Xiao Yan became more conspicuous than before and Xu Yu could not appear by his side.
Cao Dejiang didn't ask what he was going to do, but just nodded: "Then let him continue to stay with me."
Xiao Yan said, "Thank you, Lord Cao."
The old man said, "I won't ask you what you are going to do, but remember to be careful in everything you do and don't underestimate His Majesty."
After saying this, he pointed at Shi Changan and said:
"This Shi has some mediocre skills, and is extremely adept at reading people's minds. He's also cunning and treacherous, and knows the situation in Beiling and the border better than anyone else. Although his defeat at the hands of Xiahou Ling was somewhat humiliating, at least he can still be of use."
"If you trust him, then you can keep him here and let him give you advice. He's easy to support. Just give him some food on a daily basis and keep him at Rongsheng Academy. Anyway, he was a teacher at the school a while ago, so you can make the best use of him."
A chestnut flew towards his head, and Shi Changan was furious: "Cao, who is embarrassed?!"
Cao Dejiang snorted coldly: "Aren't you ashamed? Why are you hiding in Puyao to teach?"
"I was educating the people."
"I think you are more like a coward..."
"Cao Boru!"
Shi Changan was so angry that he called out Cao Dejiang's name.
Cao Dejiang then turned to Xiao Yan and said, "Of course, it's fine if you don't want to. Anyway, this Shi guy has no ambition now. He just wants to survive. He lives one day at a time. Maybe there's no point in keeping him around..."
"That's enough, you're getting more excited the more you talk, aren't you?"
Shi Changan put down the tongs in annoyance and glared at Cao Dejiang.
"You don't need to provoke me. Xiahou Qing is still alive. Even if I have no will, I will never forget the revenge for my master."
Shi Chang'an finished speaking and looked at Xiao Yan. "I know the emperor's eldest grandson has lofty ambitions. If he doesn't ascend to a high position after clearing his name, he has no other choice. I only want to ask you one question: after you achieve your wish, what will be the attitude of the Great Wei towards Beiling?"
Xiao Yan's eyes were cold. "This enemy has been invading us for years, killing countless people in the Great Wei. I will lead my troops to attack them. If they don't surrender, I will destroy them."
Shi Chang'an said solemnly: "Although I am not like Cao Dejiang, who can help you in the court, if the emperor's eldest grandson can promise to hand over Xiahou Qing to me after he pacifies Beiling, I am willing to stay at Rongsheng Academy to teach students and help you with all my strength."
Xiao Yan said, "Mr. Shi is a man of great talent. It would be a shame for him to stay in the academy."
"Tang Ning has always reserved the position of the academy's principal for you. You can come over anytime. Right now, you can teach the students in your spare time. But in the future, you will have a broader world to explore."
Shi Changan was stunned for a moment, then realized what Xiao Yan meant. There was something unfathomable in his eyes: "Are you willing to let me enter the court?"
"Why not?"
"I am not from Wei."
"So what?"
Shi Changan said in a deep voice, "Southern Qi's relationship with Wei is not much different from Beiling's. The two countries have been at odds for years. Although not as constantly at war as Beiling, they are still not very stable. Wei has long disliked Southern Qi, and Southern Qi may not be without covetous intentions."
"I come from Southern Qi. Aren't you afraid that after I enter the Wei court, I will still be loyal to Southern Qi?"
Xiao Yan laughed when he heard this: "Since ancient times, wise ministers have sought wise rulers, but the Emperor of Southern Qi doesn't seem like a wise man."
"Mr. Shi also held a position in the Southern Qi court. However, Xiahou Qing was able to remain in the Southern Qi imperial city openly after murdering your entire school, and later returned to Beiling on a Southern Qi official ship. In contrast, you were forced to flee, narrowly escaping death before arriving in the Great Wei and being rescued by Cao Gong."
"If you can still be loyal to the Southern Qi royal family under such circumstances, I have nothing to say."
He paused, his brows and eyes showing a sharpness.
"Besides, my heart is not with the Great Wei. When the world is no longer divided between Wei and Qi, what difference will it make whether you serve the Lord of Qi or the Lord of Wei?"
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