Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Following the servant into the private room, Xue Fuguang encountered a familiar face.

The Sixth Prince rose to greet him proactively, the prince’s warmth was noteworthy: "It’s been too long since we last met, Noble Son. Your presence has been greatly missed."

Xue Fuguang found it amusing; the Sixth Prince truly knew how to play his cards.

He greeted the prince with a bow: "Your Highness honors me too greatly, for what merits does this humble subject possess to be graced by your thoughts?"

As they took their seats, Xue Fuguang inquired with feigned casualness: "Your Highness isn’t accompanied by the Twelfth Prince today? It has been some time since my last visit to the Imperial College due to consecutive engagements, I wonder how the Twelfth Prince fares?"

The Sixth Prince had a palace attendant pour tea for Xue Fuguang: "The Twelfth is doing very well, often expressing in the palace his desire to meet with the Noble Son. It was inconvenient this time, so he remains at the palace. Next time, I will surely bring him along for a meeting."

With a smile in his eyes, Xue Fuguang responded, awaiting the prince’s continuation.

In a short while, the Sixth Prince said, "Today is a fortunate day, having encountered the Noble Son and the left administrator from the Du family. It had not occurred to me before—does the Noble Son enjoy a close private friendship with Master Du?"

Xue Fuguang replied, "Not exactly. I grew up with Miss Du and we have a good relationship, but my acquaintance with Master Du is merely that of familiarity, not of a private nature."

"Oh?" The change in the Sixth Prince’s eyes was perceptible, "Recently, I heard that the Noble Son visited the left administrator in the imperial prison. Could it be that I was mistaken?"

Xue Fuguang sipped his tea, finding it not quite to his taste, and set it aside on the table: "Has Your Highness visited the Crown Prince recently? Now that he has been released from his restrictions in the Eastern Palace, I wonder whether the affairs of Dingzhou will be entrusted to him for supervision."

The Sixth Prince paused.

He was always adept at concealing his thoughts, also understanding the value of patience in securing a significant victory.

Yet he had to admit that Xue Fuguang was far more formidable than he had anticipated.

There seemed to be an enchanting ability about him, effortlessly using what others treasured most as bait, compelling them to bite eagerly at his hook.

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, "What thoughts does the crown prince harbor? Please speak, Chonghe is all ears."

Xue Fuguang's narrow, phoenix-like eyes gently half-closed, his chin propped up by his hand, a fingertip dabbed in tea water, drawing several intersecting lines on the tabletop, "I have no designs, Your Highness is the one with plans. Opportunity knocks but once, and you, more than anyone, should understand this. Otherwise, you wouldn't have sought an audience with me today, would you?"

The Sixth Prince gripped the edge of the table and after a moment said, "This palace will figure out a way to extricate General Xue from his assignment in Dingzhou."

He was gambling that Xue Fuguang held something in his hands worth the manpower and resources he was willing to expend.

Xue Fuguang shook his head, "Your Highness, the emperor’s decree cannot be defied. If you truly wish to assist me, why not send me to Dingzhou? I have grown up in the capital and have never seen the world outside. I am very curious. Unfortunately, with the journey being long and banditry rampant, I fear setting out alone; dying on the road in some obscure manner frightens me. If Your Highness is willing to assist, surely none of my fears will come to pass?"

Getting this done would be much easier than pulling Xue Hongwen out of his official post in Dingzhou.

The Sixth Prince laughed and agreed without hesitation, "Good, the young master’s wish is so modest, as schoolmates, Chonghe will surely fulfill it for you!"

Xue Fuguang bid farewell to the Sixth Prince and returned to his residence.

Xue Hongwen stepped into the courtyard a moment later: "Have you met with Du Ru’an?"

Xue Fuguang nodded, "How did you find the time to return, big brother? Aren’t you busy preparing for Dingzhou?"

On Xue Hongwen’s usually expressionless face appeared, for the first time, an expression akin to a headache, seemingly troubled by Xue Fuguang.

He reached out, gently patting the top of Xue Fuguang’s head, "Ah Ru, whatever you desire, your big brother will help you obtain. But you must always remember, you are the most important. Everything else must come second, understand?"

Xue Fuguang held onto his brother's hand on his head, his smile childlike as he obediently replied, "I understand, big brother. Whether it's you, elder sister, or father, you all care about me the most. So, I will take good care of myself."

Xue Hongwen gently pressed on the nape of Xue Fuguang's neck, drawing his brother into an embrace, holding him through the cold armor he had not yet removed, "Ah Ru, with your big brother here, you won’t suffer any more grievances in the future."

Xue Fuguang softly responded, "Mhm."

Xue Hongwen’s time was limited.

It was only because he received news of Xue Fuguang meeting with Du Ru'an that he specially took time out from his busy schedule to rush back and instruct Xue Fuguang.

After seeing his brother, he immediately mounted his horse and rushed back to the military camp.

Xue Fuguang stood at the entrance of the courtyard, watching his brother ride away. After a long time, he turned back and saw Mu Jianshu staring intently at him, without blinking.

He asked, "What are you looking at?"

Mu Jianshu rarely met Xue Fuguang's gaze directly, but now he looked straight at him: "The master has agreed to the marquis's request."

Xue Fuguang lowered his eyes, a light laugh escaping him: "And so? If my elder brother prioritizes me, if all the Xue family holds me dear, why shouldn't I reciprocate?"

Without waiting for Mu Jianshu to speak, he murmured to himself as though answering his own question, "Naturally, it is possible."

The sound of the wind was brisk and rustling.

Inside the Listening Bamboo Pavilion, the green bamboo whispered and swished.

Though spring was nearly over, Xue Fuguang was still dressed in several thick layers of clothing. His robe's hem layered and fluttered in the wind, mingling with the flowing ends of his dark hair.

Mu Jianshu stepped half a pace forward: "My life, I have given to my lord."

Xue Fuguang lifted his eyes: "I know."

Unable to help himself, Mu Jianshu caught the fluttering ribbon of Xue Fuguang's robe, holding it in his palm: "Therefore, whatever the master wishes to do in the future, I can help you achieve it..."

Do not risk yourself.

Do not get hurt again.

Do not despise yourself.

Now that Mu Jianshu was no longer avoiding his gaze, Xue Fuguang realized for the first time that the pity in his eyes was so intense it was almost tangible.

Xue Fuguang thought to himself, how pitiable must he appear for this spy from an enemy nation to feel such sorrow for him?

He used to be nothing more than a tragic figure manipulated by the plot, a stepping stone for others, and now he was a villain manipulating human nature, sinister and malicious in thought. Why should anyone feel pity for him?

Moreover, he was nothing but a knife in his own hand.

A knife feeling sorrow for the one wielding it?

His thoughts suddenly stirred.

He asked Mu Jianshu, "What do you desire? Whatever you seek, I can provide for you."

This was not the first time he had posed the question.

Yet, it was the first time he sincerely wished to know what Mu Jianshu truly desired.

The knife had been very useful since it pledged allegiance to him.

It often acted without even needing his explicit orders.

The affair in Dingzhou had gone smoothly; Xue Fuguang was well aware of how many agents Mu Jianshu had employed.

Du Ru'an even believed that these were operatives placed by Xue Fuguang himself.

Though Xue Fuguang held many cards in his hand, deploying them was not always so controllable or easy.

Mu Jianshu's loyalty to him could be described as utterly devoted.

Such loyalty had been easily secured with just a few favors and shards of a broken vase.

It was rare for Xue Fuguang to feel a trace of sincerity towards someone not of the Xue family, an outsider.

Perhaps he was not entirely averse to truly fulfilling Mu Jianshu’s request. Even if it meant engaging in warfare to retrieve leverage that Mu Jianshu might have in the hands of the Ying dynasty—it was not inconceivable.

Mu Jianshu’s lips parted as he met Xue Fuguang’s gaze, but his courage seemed to drain away. Shifting his eyes, he let go of the ribbon and took a half-step back, maintaining a less presumptuous distance.

Head bowed, hands clenched and not daring to look at Xue Fuguang, he replied after a long pause with a hoarse voice, “I desire nothing.”

Xue Fuguang studied him intently for a moment, the cool breeze chilling his face as the inexplicably rising emotions within him slowly settled.

He nodded, “Then keep it for now. I’ve given you a token; when you decide what you want, come and tell me.”

He walked past Mu Jianshu, pausing after a few steps to say in a detached tone, “Also, in the future, do not look at me with such pitiable eyes. I am fully aware of what I am doing, what I want, and I do not need anyone's pity.”

Mu Jianshu touched his chest softly.

A hairpin lay there.

He was not pitying him.

……

Mu Jianshu rather regretted his impulsive actions that day.

He ought to have kept his emotions in check.

Fortunately, Xue Fuguang's indifference did not last long.

At the end of April, Xue Hongwen and Du Ru'an led the envoy team to Dingzhou. Xue Fuguang also received news from the Sixth Prince, preparing to depart.

The Crown Prince intended to tamper with the mission in Dingzhou to assassinate Xue Hongwen, while the Sixth Prince brazenly interfered, complicating his scheme.

Moreover, with his forces dispersed in the search for Xiujin, the news of Xue Fuguang’s impending arrival in Dingzhou left him feeling somewhat helpless.

With the Empress Dowager’s support, the Sixth Prince’s resources were not inferior to his own.

And having recently been severely reprimanded by the Emperor over Xiujin, estimating the number of those who harbored dissent in secret was challenging.

After much deliberation, the Crown Prince finally decreed: Xue Hongwen may return alive, but Xue Fuguang must die!

If Xue Fuguang were content to lay low in the capital, he'd have no way to touch him, but foolishly, he chose to sneak off to Dingzhou. If he didn't avenge the plots against Xiujin, the repeated conspiracies, he’d fail in his princely duty!

Since his available forces were insufficient, he might as well target the more vulnerable one.

Shortly after Xue Hongwen left the capital, Xue Fuguang exited the city gates, and once in the suburbs, he immediately changed his clothes and took an alternate route, riding on horseback with Mu Jianshu to the next station along a lesser path.

Shaojing rode a horse, with an unconscious Xiujin tied up behind.

The luxurious garments were discarded near the capital, leaving the Duke’s men to find nothing upon their search.

Once they entered Yunzhou territory, the party slowed down, preparing to enter the city to replenish their carriage and provisions.

Xue Fuguang lay on the horseback, discomforted by the jostling.

He had learned to ride horses before, but a fall that resulted in a broken leg had cast a shadow over his heart.

His siblings had forbidden him from touching horses again, and what he had learned so many years ago was nearly completely forgotten.

He gripped the mane too tightly, causing the horse discomfort and to become somewhat irritable.

Mu Jianshu, following behind, wrapped his arms around Xue Fuguang's waist, pulling him up against his chest and soothing him, “My lord, you won’t fall; I am here.”

Blinded by the wind, Xue Fuguang squinted and said, “Ride slower.”

A voice echoed from above, "Good."

The author has a message for you: Xiao Mu: It's not pity I feel for you, but love.

VIP access on the 30th! A mega update of 10,000 words is coming, kisses to everyone!

Special thanks to all the little angels who cast their King's Vote or nourished me with their nutrient solutions from 2021-09-27 23:50:36 to 2021-09-29 03:39:06~

Thank you to the angels who nourished with nutrient solutions: Ban Yu Rua, 5 bottles; Bookworm, 2 bottles;

Thank you so much for your support, I will continue to work hard!