Chapter 133: Who Will Claim the Prize?

Chapter 133: Who Will Claim the Prize?

Xie Heng didn't directly answer Liang Xigui's question; the flush on the youth's cheeks spoke volumes about his affection that had blossomed during his travels.

Liang Xigui struggled to contain his tumultuous emotions, his voice barely concealing a tremor. "Whose daughter is she? She seems unfamiliar."

When it came to discussing the girl's background, Xie Heng appeared at a loss for words.

"Not from an aristocratic family?"

Xie Heng nodded. "Her father is a leather merchant, and her mother is a Jiangnan embroiderer—ordinary people striving to make a living."

Liang Xigui couldn't bear to see Xie Heng in such a quandary. He patted the wooden chair beside him, gesturing for Xie Heng to sit closer.

"Tell me, Xingxing, how did you meet her, and how did you come to like her?"

Xie Heng's ears turned even redder, as if recalling something. When embarrassed, people often become unusually busy, and Xie Heng was no exception.

His fingers drummed on the teacup without any rhythm, and the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upwards.

"When the army was stationed there, I bought writing supplies at a local bookstore and happened to meet her. She has a straightforward personality. Despite being a woman, she knows astronomy and geography, seemingly capable of anything."

As Xie Heng recounted his encounters with the girl, his eyes sparkled with light.

He kept telling Liang Xigui how wonderful she was, how tender and gentle she became when shy, making his heart race as if he'd lost the ability to speak.

Liang Xigui managed to maintain a smile of blessing on his face. Wearing this mask of warmth for so long, he sometimes couldn't distinguish reality from pretense.

After years of restraint, he thought he could face this calmly, but now that the moment had arrived, why did his heart still ache so much?

It felt like a splinter had pierced his fingertip, traveling through his veins into his heart, embedding itself in fresh flesh. The pain was bone-deep, leaving him barely alive with just a breath.

"I think I'm truly fond of her, Master Liang. What should I do?"

Xie Heng wore a conflicted yet hopeful expression. His experiences over the years made him subconsciously rely on Liang Xigui, seeking his opinion on significant decisions.

Liang Xigui initially wanted to use the royal authority to pressure Xie Heng, but remembering Xie Heng's lack of favor, he realized that if Xie Heng were to marry a commoner, the factions supporting the princes would undoubtedly approve.

"Xingxing, marrying this girl wouldn't be difficult, but have you considered whether you truly have no interest in the throne?"

As he spoke, Liang Xigui refilled Xie Heng's teacup, pushing it toward him with a curved finger.

In the imperial court, only Liang Xigui dared to discuss the succession so openly. If investigated, it could be construed as plotting treason.

Xie Heng didn't disappoint him, pushing the teacup back. In every life, his Xingxing was a man of deep loyalty and righteousness.

"I promised her that once I achieved military honors, I would visit her family to propose marriage. I'll carry her off in a grand procession, with all the formalities and ceremonies."

Xie Heng's voice was resolute, devoid of any hesitation or regret.

Liang Xigui's heart finally sank. He composed himself and said, "Good. When the time comes, I'll give Xingxing a large red envelope."

As night fell, Liang Xigui invited Xie Heng to stay overnight at his residence, planning to return to the palace early the next morning.

The two lay together on Liang Xigui's bed. Xie Heng was visibly excited, pulling Liang Xigui into endless chatter.

Under normal circumstances, Liang Xigui wouldn't indulge him so much, but thinking about Xie Heng's impending departure and his future marriage, he didn't want to close his eyes easily.

"Master Liang, why haven't you married yet? You're handsome, hold a high office, and your grandmother is a kind person. Logically, there should be many matchmakers coming forward."

Hearing this, Liang Xigui closed his eyes in pain. "Xingxing, I'm not as good as you say."

Xie Heng wasn't pleased with this response. Sitting up abruptly, he said somewhat forcefully, "Master Liang, be careful with your words. Don't belittle yourself."

These words of reprimand were returned to Liang Xigui verbatim, causing him to almost laugh.

"Alright, I understand. Now lie down."

Xie Heng insisted on staying awake all night, but in the end, he was the first to fall asleep.

Liang Xigui sat up, tucking the blankets around Xie Heng and, under the pale moonlight, carefully traced the contours of his face.

After the trials of military camp, his features had shed some of their youthful innocence and naivety, gaining a touch of maturity and handsomeness. No wonder a girl would fancy him while he was buying a brush.

Having someone covet what he had cherished for so long, Liang Xigui now felt like a mother-in-law whose son had married a new wife, experiencing a mix of sourness and bitterness.

But since it was what Xingxing wanted, how could he not grant it? Marriage and children were paths that Xie Heng should tread.

Since Xie Heng showed no interest in the throne, Liang Xigui's value as a pawn was gradually diminishing. All he could offer was support.

My Xingxing, in this life, you will no longer be alone.

The next morning, after a hasty farewell, Xie Heng rode his horse back to the palace.

Following this parting, Xie Heng and Liang Xigui didn't see each other for five long years. During this time, Liang Xigui frequently heard news of great victories from the border.

Xie Heng led the charge, gradually showcasing his military prowess. The emperor appointed him as a general, ordering him to guard the borders and expand the territory.

After one particularly significant victory, the emperor issued an unprecedented edict, summoning Xie Heng back to the capital for an audience.

Over the years, Liang Xigui had built his own network of relationships and knew that Xie Heng's return to the capital was a trap.

On the surface, it seemed like a commendation, but in reality, the emperor, swayed by the Crown Prince's slander, believed that Xie Heng's achievements had overshadowed his position, potentially breeding disloyalty. He planned to fabricate a nonexistent crime to execute Xie Heng.

Liang Xigui knew that there was something he could no longer delay. He went to the Crown Prince Residence late that night, claiming urgent matters to discuss.

"What? You're saying Xie Heng wants to marry a commoner's daughter as his main wife?"

"Your Highness, it's absolutely true."

The Crown Prince wasn't a fool; with Liang Xigui's prompt, he instantly grasped the stakes involved.

By inciting his father to eliminate Xie Heng now, he could indeed achieve a permanent solution. However, in the future, when his father reflects on it, he might suspect that he harbors intentions to harm his own kin.

But if he were to inform his father about this matter at this juncture, he could topple Xie Heng effortlessly and murder him without a trace, all while earning a reputation for magnanimity.

From the Emperor's perspective, this would be a beneficial and harmless move, allowing him to gradually reclaim military power without inviting criticism.

This plan was indeed a killing of two birds with one stone, achieving a win-win situation.

"Alright, I understand. You may go back now. Keep me informed of any developments regarding Xie Heng."

Liang Xigui bowed respectfully before turning away, the deference on his face vanishing, replaced by a mocking and disdainful smirk at the corner of his lips.

He would remember today's events. Even if Stars didn't wish to become the Emperor, he wouldn't allow the Crown Prince to ascend to the throne.

Who would ultimately come out on top remained uncertain. Everything was yet to be decided.