Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Xiao Yao heard this and was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and said, "Oh, really? Then I will light a perpetual lamp for you at home."
"You don't oppose it?" He Yu asked, somewhat incredulous. Over the years, during their occasional conversations about this matter, Xiao Yao always wore a disapproving expression, so He Yu had always thought she was against him going to war. However, now that the situation was right in front of them, Xiao Yao surprisingly did not stop him.
This surprised He Yu. Xiao Yao noticed his confusion and lightly smiled, "If I strongly opposed it, would you still be able to not go?"
"This..." Xiao Yao's question left him momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond.
After all, if the emperor truly issued an edict for him to lead a western expedition, would he dare to defy it? No, that was not an option; the cost would be too great.
Seeing He Yu's conflicted expression, Xiao Yao appeared quite calm. "You see, whether or not you go to the battlefield is not up to you. In the past, I opposed it because I genuinely dislike war and knew you could avoid going. But now, with military generals in short supply and both the Eldest Prince and Fourth Prince having fallen in battle, there is no way Qidi can let the Crown Prince go out again. The Third Prince does not have enough influence to command respect. Looking at it from any angle, you are the only one left. Even if I oppose it, an imperial edict is an imperial edict; it cannot be disobeyed, can it?"
Usually aware of Daughter-in-law's intelligence, He Yu was surprised by her insight. He wiped his face and said, "Yes, you're right; I really can't defy the edict."
"So I will light a perpetual lamp for you at home and pray for your safe return," Xiao Yao said with a smile.
Her calm demeanor belied the heartfelt sincerity behind every word. He Yu embraced Xiao Yao, holding her tightly. "I promise you I will return safely. Our family will be safe."
As expected by both He Yu and Xiao Yao, within three days, Qidi issued an edict appointing He Yu as a General, granting him the tiger talisman of General Xuanping, allowing him to proceed to the front lines.
He Yu accepted the edict without a word and performed three kneelings and nine kowtows in reverence.
After returning home, Xiao Yao and the children repeatedly looked over the imperial edict.
In their eyes, the three characters "General" were incredibly enticing. He Ziyi turned to look at He Yu. "Father, can I also become a General in the future?"
"Of course you can! As long as you study hard and practice diligently, when His Highness becomes emperor, he will make you a General," He Yu replied with a smile.
Xiao Yao gently tapped him on the shoulder. "You're just painting dreams for the children; what if it doesn't come true later?"
"It’s fine; when they grow up, they will understand," He Yu chuckled, showing no embarrassment for his playful deception of the children. "Children from royal families mature mentally earlier than others; do you think they don’t understand? In fact, they know everything." Having gone through that phase himself, he was well aware of what children thought.
Alright, since we've come this far, there's no need for anything else. Xiao Yao quietly put down his hands, intending to send a few children back.
Suddenly, He Yu asked He Ziyao, "Do you want to come along this time for some training?"
"Me?" He Ziyao's eyes initially showed a hint of confusion, but he quickly reacted and immediately became excited. "Can I really?!"
"If you want to, of course you can," He Yu nodded firmly.
"Then I'm going!" He Ziyao turned around and stood straight in front of He Yu. "Father, I want to go to the battlefield."
"Good!" He Yu laughed a few times and patted He Ziyao's shoulder. "Well done! Since that's the case, I'll take you with me. However, once we reach the battlefield, you will be a soldier without question. All actions must follow my commands; you are no longer the young master of the Xuanping Prince's Mansion. You cannot be willful or run around freely. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand!" He Ziyao replied loudly.
That night, He Yu held Xiao Yao and said, "I thought you would oppose me taking Ziyao to the front lines."
"Ziyao has a relatively stable temperament and has experienced storms before. I think it's good for him to train outside. After all, seeing more things is not a bad thing for a boy," Xiao Yao said word by word in the darkness. "Moreover, I am certain that you will both return safely."
He Yu smiled and leaned in to give Xiao Yao a gentle kiss on the lips. "Don't worry, as long as I'm here, Ziyao will be safe."
"Mm," Xiao Yao wrapped her arms around He Yu's waist and kissed him back. "I believe you."
In the East Back Courtyard, He Zi Xi looked serious. "Brother, are you really planning to go with Father?"
"Yes," He Ziyao nodded firmly. "Zi Xi, Prince Xuanping and Princess Xuanping raised us; we must do something."
"I know, but there's no need to go to such a harsh place like the border. Your throat just..."
"He Zi Xi!" He Ziyao sternly interrupted He Zi Xi's words. "Have you been living too comfortably that you've forgotten who you are?!"
"I..." He Zi Xi was startled by He Ziyao's reprimand and quickly came to her senses.
He knew that his elder brother wanted to train himself, to grow quickly and become independent, so that in the future he could take revenge for the Zhong Family and support the Xuanping Prince's Mansion. However, at this year's Spring Festival banquet, the Emperor had already acknowledged He Ziyi as the heir. Whether the Xuanping Prince's Mansion could be upheld by the two of them, outsiders, was still uncertain. As for revenge, that would have to wait until they grew up.
Over the years, the two brothers had walked hand in hand through thick and thin; no matter how difficult their circumstances were, they had never separated. Now, for the sake of so-called military affairs, they were actually going to be apart. Just thinking about it made him feel extremely uncomfortable.
He Ziyao stepped forward and placed his hands on He Zi Xi's shoulders. "I know what you're thinking, but Zi Xi, our father taught us that even a small favor should be repaid with a great kindness. Have you forgotten?"
"Of course I haven't forgotten!" He Zi Xi shook off He Ziyao's hands and shouted angrily, "But even if we repay kindness, it shouldn't cost your life..."
"Slap!"
A crisp sound broke through the quiet night sky. Before He Zi Xi could react, a sharp pain shot across his face. He touched his cheek and said, "Brother, you..."
He Ziyao looked at his own hand in disbelief. He had never imagined he would hit his own brother. After a moment of shock, he coldly said, "He Zi Xi, I'm going out this time not just to repay kindness. I know very well that the Xuanping Prince's Mansion cannot be supported by us alone. But one must understand gratitude. This is something our father has always taught us, and I hope you can remember it. Get some rest."
With that, He Ziyao took a few steps out of the room and turned back into his own.
Throwing himself onto the bed with a long sigh, he looked at his hand that had struck He Zi Xi. His fingers were long and covered with thick calluses from holding reins, bows, and weapons. The slap had been powerful enough on its own; combined with the calluses, it must have hurt quite a bit. But...
But his words really did warrant He Zi Xi slapping him back; it seemed unavoidable.
When did his brother become such a selfish person? He didn't even know.
Yes, he understood that Prince Xuanping and Princess Xuanping adopting them was merely adding two more pairs of chopsticks to the table for the Xuanping Prince's Mansion.
However, for them, it meant pulling them back from the brink of death; they owed a debt of gratitude that could never be repaid.
But perhaps Zi Xi was just worried about himself, which made him seem a bit agitated. He Ziyao thought silently. He didn't know if he had hurt him; after all, his brother had always been the weakest among them four boys. The princess had put in a lot of effort to improve Zi Xi's health; if this slap caused any harm...
Forget it; maybe he should apologize tomorrow morning.
No! His thoughts were too dangerous; he needed to let him reflect on this for a while.
But if something really happens, what should he do?
It still wouldn't work; he needed to make him reflect on his words properly.
Thus, after tossing and turning all night, He Ziyao finally dozed off in a daze just as dawn began to break.
When He Ziyao woke up, it was already bright outside. The sunlight was somewhat blinding, and he quickly realized that it must be quite late by now!
He jumped out of bed instantly, got dressed, and rushed toward He Zi Xi's room. The room was tidy, but the person had long since left.
At that moment, Yun Bi happened to pass by the door. Seeing He Ziyao, she smiled and said, "Zi Yao is up! Zi Xi, along with the eldest and second young masters, went to the temple in the Beijing Suburbs to pray for safety talismans."
Hearing this, He Ziyao quietly breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, he didn't even know what he was afraid of. He nodded and said, "Thank you, Aunt Yun Bi."
"It's nothing. Oh, by the way, the prince just came by and said for you to find him in the study at the Central Courtyard once you wake up," Yun Bi suddenly remembered and continued.
He Ziyao immediately became anxious. "Okay, I'll go right now." With that, he ran toward the Central Courtyard without looking back. Yun Bi stood behind him watching his figure disappear into the distance. She slapped her forehead and muttered to herself, "My memory has really been terrible lately; I even forgot what the prince instructed me to do. Sigh, I'm truly overwhelmed." While saying this, she turned back to walk away. Starting today, she needed to prepare He Ziyao's belongings for his expedition to avoid any last-minute chaos; if anything was missing, it would be quite inconvenient.
Comment 0 Comment Count