Chapter 274 Wish
Xiao Qing knew about this.
Duke Anguo once said that Xiao Fu was like a mischievous monkey, never able to stay still. While other girls stayed home embroidering and practicing the zither, Xiao Fu would find ways to skip her female tutor's lessons, climbing trees, scaling walls, playing with spears and sticks, and even repeatedly begging her family to hire a martial arts instructor for her. Unfortunately, Xiao Fu's mother was strict at that time. In her mind, her daughter should be gentle, refined, and a quiet lady, so she sternly refused and instructed the female tutor to be even stricter.
Unexpectedly, after the calamity that befell the Xiao royal family, Xiao Fu was able to receive personal guidance on military strategy and other matters from a seasoned general like Zhao Ziyuan in Nanhua.
The fact that Zhao Ziyuan has such a high opinion of her now is certainly not something she achieved overnight.
Xiao Qing had long felt that Xiao Fu was naturally interested in military strategy and the like. Now that she had someone to teach her and was working hard every day, Zhao Ziyuan sometimes regretted that she wasn't born a man.
Thinking of this, Xiao Qing wanted to laugh again. "Tell me, what favor does our Princess Xiao Fu want?"
Xiao Fu's eyes lit up. "After Zhao Youchen returns, I want to go to Yingzhou with Zhao Ziyuan."
"Go to Yingzhou?" Xiao Qing was somewhat surprised. "What are your plans?"
Xiao Fu looked into Xiao Qing's eyes and leaned closer. "I'll tell His Majesty that His Majesty cannot tell my grandfather."
Xiao Qing nodded, a vague guess forming in her mind.
“I want to join the Yingzhou Army. In the future, I want to follow General Zhao,” she paused, her voice deepening, “to the border.”
Xiao Qing was startled. She had guessed that Xiao Fu wanted to join the Yingzhou army. After all, Zhao Ziyuan would return sooner or later. Although the two were not officially master and disciple, they were in fact master and disciple. If Xiao Fu wanted to make more progress in military affairs, she would definitely want to go to Yingzhou with Zhao Ziyuan.
But going to the border?
Xiao Fu did not hide anything, "Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor attaches great importance to the matter of conscription. Although I am dull-witted, I know that it is not just to fill vacancies. I, Xiao Fu, have no intention of getting married in this life. It would be better to go to Yingzhou. When I go north in the future, I can fulfill this wish."
Xiao Qing stared at her intently, feeling a touch of emotion within him.
The northward journey is a settled matter, and it will surely take place when the time is right. Meanwhile, Southern Xiao, having weathered many storms, will only need more talent to resume its war efforts. Xiao Fu's ambition and aspirations are beneficial to the nation.
This is not something that is difficult to approve, but it would be inappropriate if the old Duke Dingguo was completely unaware of it.
Xiao Qing could also guess that, from the Duke of Dingguo's perspective, he probably didn't want his granddaughter to make this trip.
"I won't tell your grandfather about this, but he's getting old. If he finds out you left without saying goodbye, have you thought carefully about how to deal with it?"
Xiao Fu originally wanted to say that her grandfather loved her, but by the time he found out, the matter would be settled and he would no longer stop her. However, when she heard Xiao Qing linger on the words "getting older," she was touched again.
Xiao Qing patted her shoulder. "Think it over carefully. If you're determined but can't persuade the Duke of Dingguo, I promise you'll try to talk to him from the sidelines."
Xiao Lang held the wine glass with two fingers, his wrist slightly twisting as he looked down at the wine in the glass, but a mocking smile appeared on his lips.
Old people's offspring all have such a warm and gentle face.
Xiao Lang gently lifted his eyelids, concealing the fierceness in the corners of his eyes.
After several rounds of drinks, Xiao Qing was already a little tipsy. She glanced at Fu Mingyi, who was surrounded in the middle, and then at Xiao Lang and Xiao Yan, who were sitting quietly to the side, only occasionally raising their glasses to others. She thought to herself that this Prince Lang and Prince Yan really did resemble each other in some ways; they were indeed brothers.
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she thought of her brother again. Her gaze towards Xiao Lang softened unconsciously.
Even though I know it's not true, physical appearance is still deceptive.
Xiao Lang took a sip of wine, his fingers unconsciously applying a bit of force.
Xiao Qing silently withdrew her gaze, picked up her wine glass, and stood up to leave.
Ma Hong and Chu Qingzhou exchanged a glance and followed behind Xiao Qing, while Chu Qingzhou stayed in the hall.
Whether Duke Anguo was truly drunk or simply emboldened by the alcohol, he insisted on discussing matters concerning children with Fu Mingyi. The conversation drifted to Xiao Fu's recent hardships, and he even shed a few tears. The surrounding Xiao clan members laughed and offered words of comfort, creating quite a lively scene. Fu Mingyi occasionally responded, but out of the corner of his eye, he saw Xiao Qing carrying a wine cup and leaving.
He was just thinking about whether he should go out and avoid the area when he saw Xiao Lang also get up with a cup in his hand.
Xiao Yan sat there quietly, gesturing to the palace servant beside him to bring him a plate of snacks, seemingly oblivious to everything.
Outside the palace, Xiao Qing raised his cup to the moon, then lowered his head and spilled the wine on the ground.
Xiao Lang saw this scene from a short distance behind and unconsciously frowned.
Who is this toasting? That old man? There seems to be some father-son affection between them, huh.
"Your Majesty." Xiao Lang approached lightly, but was stopped by Ma Hong who stepped forward.
Xiao Qing quickly composed herself, lowered her hands, and turned around.
"Brother Lang, are you out for some fresh air too?" She smiled slightly, though her eyes still felt a little warm.
Xiao Lang looked at her unguarded smile and sneered inwardly. Such a kind and gentle nature, and she was actually that old man's child. He wondered if it was a bloodline mutation or if she had already inherited the true essence at such a young age.
"Warm wine makes one even more intoxicated, so I came out for a walk." He stopped at a suitable distance, his slightly pale face appearing even more frail and ethereal against the backdrop of his solemn and elegant clothes.
Xiao Qing stared at that face, her thoughts drifting away again.
Her brother, who had always been healthy and optimistic, had the same face but was plagued by all sorts of illnesses, and his frail appearance made her feel even worse.
“We have already sent renowned doctors from all over the country to recruit them. Brother Lang, please take good care of yourself,” Xiao Qing’s tone became slower and gentler, as if afraid of disturbing something. “Now that you have come to Nanhua, just rest and recuperate for a while. There is nothing else to worry about.”
Excessive worry is always bad for one's health; this is true even for ordinary people, let alone someone like Prince Lang with his physical constitution.
Xiao Qing knew that saying these words might be no different from saying nothing at all, but with the face from both worlds appearing alternately in her mind, she simply couldn't remain indifferent.
here we go again.
Xiao Lang had seen this strange look in the young emperor's eyes quite a few times in the past few days.
baffling!
He lowered his head slightly, suppressing the inexplicable irritation, and pondered every word Xiao Qing said. "I am grateful for Your Majesty's concern, but my health is truly beyond cure, so there's no need for such efforts. As for matters that require my attention... I am already content with Your Majesty's grace in allowing me to return to Nanhua to celebrate the New Year. Even if something were to happen to me in the future, Your Majesty would surely be able to arrange everything in Langzhou, so there's nothing for me to worry about."
Xiao Qing turned her eyes away, knowing that this topic could not be continued.
The Prince of Lang's past and present circumstances do not allow him to place his trust in her. No matter how sincere she speaks, he will probably only take it as a facade, or he may even have other interpretations.
We just need to wait for a renowned doctor to come and treat him; there's no point in saying more.
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