Ever since that day, Da Qian, which had been prosperous for a hundred years, began to show signs of decline. Eventually, it started its first step towards disintegration. Yu State formally separated from Da Qian. Although Prince Pingyang did not ascend to the throne and proclaim himself as an emperor, he changed his title to King Yu. Starting from the day when the golden plaque of Pingyang Prince Mansion was changed to Yuwang Residence, Yu State had completely separated from Da Qian.
More than ten cities from Lian City to Yu State were incorporated into the territory of Yu State. The trajectory of history quietly changed. The people who were still immersed in the false prosperity of Da Qian were slapped in the face with this change. They belatedly realized that Da Qian had weakened to such an extent, and Yu State was not as rife with bandits and remote areas filled with barbarians as they had imagined. Instead, it turned out to be a paradise on earth thousands of miles away.
Only when Yu State completely separated did the people of Da Qian start to truly understand it.
——
"Plop," a stone was thrown into the calm lake, causing rings of ripples.
"Hey! Why can’t it fly? Li Nan, how do you do this? Why does mine just sink?" Xiao Bei complained a bit.
As he spoke, he turned his head towards Xiao Chai Fire, only to find him sitting on a stone by the lake, lost in thought, seemingly oblivious to his words.
Xiao Bei waved a hand in front of his eyes: "What are you doing?"
"Hmm?" Xiao Chai Fire came back to his senses.
Xiao Bei frowned: "Why are you spacing out again? What’s been wrong with you lately? You are unable to focus, and this morning, you were punished by master during our training because of it."
Xiao Chai Fire’s eyes were indifferent: "Nothing."
Xiao Bei asked curiously: "Actually, Yu State becoming independent is a good thing, at least my sister and brother-in-law no longer have to be restrained by the court and its taboos anymore. They are free and happy now, isn’t that wonderful? My sister is also quite happy, and it seems that the common people and nobles of Yu State are also pleased. But why have you become more and more depressed, your mood does not seem too good."
Xiao Chai Fire pursed his lips but said nothing. He casually picked up a stone and threw it straight into the lake, creating five splashes.
Xiao Bei immediately clapped his hands: "Amazing! How do you play it? Teach me please."
Xiao Bei exclaimed as he realized something, pointing at Xiao Chai Fire excitedly: "Li Nan, you can’t divert the topic with this game! I’m asking you something serious, who cares about you skipping stones?!"
Xiao Chai Fire twirled a stone in his hand and explained: "Hold it like this to make it more stable, and it’s easier to get control of the force. Then with a quick flick of the wrist, let it fly out over the water surface..."
As his words fell, another five ripples spread across the lake.
Xiao Bei immediately watched carefully, then picked up a stone and started to practice: "Let me give it a try!"
Xiao Chai Fire stood up: "You continue, I’ll go."
Xiao Bei didn’t pay much attention to his departure, by the time Xiao Chai Fire was out of his sight, he belatedly realized... Was he fooled again?!
Indignantly, Xiao Bei flung the stone in his hand away, pointing at the departing figure of Xiao Chai Fire: "Li Nan! You bastard! Are you treating me like a kid? I’m asking you something important!"
——
Inside Pingque Terrace, several embroidery women were showing the sample dresses they had newly made to Ji Xinhe.
Xinhe glanced over the dresses and occasionally picked out one or two that she liked: "This one is good."
Shulan took the dresses that Xinhe liked.
Ah Guai held a large apple and bit into it while her little legs swung in midair. She was eating cheerfully.
When Xiao Chai Fire came in, he greeted respectfully: "Princess."
Xinhe smiled: "You came just in time. Pick something you like."
Xiao Chai Fire seemed surprised: "Is the princess choosing the new models for the Winding Pavilion?"
Xinhe smiled: "No, pick something for you to wear. The Chinese New Year is coming and we naturally have to prepare some new clothes. We have prepared some for you and Xiao Bei. Check if you like them."
Xiao Chai Fire nodded: "Anything is fine with me."
Xinhe gave him a look: "Pick quickly!"
Xiao Chai Fire obediently chose a dark-colored outfit: "Then this one."
Xinhe then stuffed a light blue robe in his hands: "Take this one."
This silly boy always chose dark and gloomy colors, at just sixteen, acting as if he was sixty. Ji Xinhe felt irritated looking at him.
Xiao Chai Fire looked expressionlessly at the brightly colored robe in his hand and said nothing.
Why did she let him choose if she had already made her choice?
Ah Guai giggled, holding a cute pink dress, she grinned, "This must be for Ah Guai, right?"
Xinhe pinched Ah Guai’s little face: "Our Ah Guai is so cute, it must be for Ah Guai."
Xiao Chai Fire said: "The end of the year is near, the Winding Pavilion must be very busy. I’ll go and check on things, so Manager Jin doesn’t get overwhelmed."
During the year-end period, the Winding Pavilion is always the busiest because everyone wants new clothes and jewelries for the New Year, so business is always exceptionally good.
At this time every year, Xiao Chai Fire was usually extremely busy.
However, Xinhe replied: "No need, Li Saner and Lai Fu are helping out at the Winding Pavilion, they can cope for now. They are smart and there won’t be any big mistakes."
After hearing this, Xiao Chai Fire’s eyes darkened slightly and he lowered his head: "I see."
Ever since Marquis Mu returned, he began to gradually arrange people to handle Ji Xinhe’s affairs. Over the years, Xiao Chai Fire was probably the only close confidant of Ji Xinhe, because he was exceptionally reliable. Now, in this mansion, Xiao Chai Fire unintentionally became a man with nothing to do.
Every affair he wanted to be involved in, Ji Xinhe no longer needed his help.
Seeming to sense Xiao Chai Fire’s low spirits, Xinhe laughed: "It’s good that they are busy for you; you can have a rest. Don’t be busy with trivial matters; study more. Don’t forget the promise you made to me before, to pass the examination in three years."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
