“Ren, something happened.
We have to go back to the capital.” Because he had stayed up far too late the previous night, and because he had been constantly pushing his mind to its limits using his recollection state to master blacksmithing, Ren was indeed running a bit later than Zuko, who always rose early to practice.
“Don’t rush.
What happened?
Take your time.” Ren mumbled the words around his toothbrush.
Seeing how calm Ren was, Zuko’s own urgency eased a little.
He gathered his thoughts before speaking again.
“My cousin died on the front lines.” “Prince Lu Ten died?” His time in Shu Jing had almost made Ren forget the state of the world beyond the manor.
Lu Ten’s death reminded him that he was living in a brutal age of war, where even someone as noble as the heir to the throne could not escape dying in battle.
Before Ren could fully process it, Zuko gave him an even more explosive piece of news.
“The Siege of Ba Sing Se is over.
Uncle Iroh has ordered a full retreat…” At this point, Zuko let out a heavy sigh, finishing quietly, “We lost.” The news hit Ren like a sudden thunderbolt.
Though he had vaguely anticipated this outcome based on his knowledge of the world, having it actually happen still made his eye twitch involuntarily.
“Is that true?
Where did you hear it?” Ren, unwilling to give up, still wanted to question the reliability of the news.
“Azula told me.
Mother sent a letter telling us to return.
She lies all the time, but I don’t think she would deceive me about something this important.” That more or less confirmed the source.
Since it had already happened, Ren could only force himself to accept it.
He spat out the foam in his mouth, then patted Zuko on the shoulder.
“Then let’s pack up.
We’ll go say goodbye to Master Piandao together in a bit.” Zuko nodded quietly.
By the time they paid their respects to Master Piandao and stepped out of the manor, the sun had already risen.
The green trees along both sides of the road were lit bright, forming two vivid lines of emerald railing.
“You’re late.
Don’t you know I absolutely despise waiting for people?” Ren looked toward the voice and saw Azula kicking a pebble, clearly displeased.
Mai stood beside her with her arms folded, as cold and uninterested in everything as ever.
As for Ty Lee, she was crouching on the ground, watching a line of moving ants with immense curiosity.
Ren brought his hands together in a mock prayer of apology, bowing repeatedly.
“Sorry, sorry.
Thanks for waiting.
Let’s go.” But Azula’s attention was clearly not on Ren at the moment.
Her eyes narrowed slightly as she circled around to Zuko’s side.
“Zuzu, where did you buy that hairpiece?
It’s rather special.” Azula was sharp-eyed and quick-minded.
The hairpiece Zuko usually wore had always been the standard Fire Nation royal clasp.
The one he wore today was clearly made from ordinary materials, not at all fitting for the noble status of a royal.
And Zuko, as prince, had his pride.
He would not lower himself by wearing such a plain hairpiece for no reason.
So what was the reason?
Azula’s gaze darted back and forth between Ren and Zuko, clearly recalling that Ren had spent the last several days learning how to forge weapons.
She turned a razor-sharp glare toward Ren.
“My future captain of the guard, would you care to tell me where Prince Zuko’s hairpiece came from?” Ren, who had no idea when he had suddenly been promoted, felt rather speechless.
He was the only future guard Azula had reserved for herself.
Was “captain of the guard” supposed to mean he would be managing himself?
Zuko carried his luggage in one hand and glanced at his unpleasant little sister.
He stepped into Azula’s line of sight and said flatly, “What hairpiece I wear doesn’t seem to have anything to do with you.” “I was asking my captain of the guard.
What does that have to do with you?” Azula snapped back at once.
Zuko frowned.
“Ren isn’t your servant.
You don’t have the right to order him around.” “Cousin Lu Ten is dead.
That means Father has a much greater chance of inheriting the throne.” Azula emphasized the point with a cold smile.
“What are you trying to say?” Zuko’s brow furrowed.
He could not quite follow her logic.
“What I’m saying is that if Father becomes Fire Lord, then I’ll be heir to the throne.
“And as the future Fire Lord, of course I have the right to command my subjects.” Azula gave a cold little snort.
“But you’re not Fire Lord yet!” Zuko seized on the main point and shot back.
“Oh?” Azula laughed.
“Zuzu, you don’t actually think you have what it takes to become Fire Lord, do you?
“Ren, what do you think?
Between me and Zuzu, who’s more suited to be Fire Lord?” Suddenly called out, Ren found everyone looking at him.
He scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
“Then make it two Fire Lords.
I have no objections.” “Two Fire Lords?
How did you even come up with that?” Azula’s eyes widened, startled by his borderline treasonous answer.
“Sorry.
I’m just an ignorant commoner.” Ren said the cowardliest thing possible in the most confident tone imaginable.
“Forget it.
Let’s go.” There was nothing Azula could do with him, and she had no interest in pressing the question further.
“I’ll carry your luggage for you, Your Highness,” Ren said politely.
Azula was still angry.
She glanced at him and said, “You’re dismissed.
I don’t need you anymore.” “All right.” Ren had no objection and immediately set the luggage down.
“Hey, you’re really not carrying it?!” Azula grew even angrier.
She had not expected him to actually do something so rude.
“Well, yeah.
Look at how much luggage you brought.
I’m just an ordinary non-bender, how am I supposed to carry all of this by myself?” Ren explained, entirely exasperated.
“That isn’t my problem.
That’s something my captain of the guard should figure out.” “But wasn’t I dismissed?” “You’ve been reinstated.” “The carriage is here,” Mai said, cutting in at exactly the right moment and ending the argument.
When everyone looked at her, Mai explained calmly, “I asked Mr.
Fa, the swordsmanship assistant.
He said this is a special situation, so an exception can be made.” “Why didn’t you say so earlier?” Azula side-eyed her.
“You didn’t ask me,” Mai said evenly.
At this critical moment, Mai’s rescue was truly invaluable.
Ren looked toward the carriage coming up the road and said happily, “Mai, you really saved us.
You’re so gentle.” The corner of Mai’s mouth lifted slightly in a quiet smile, though she quickly smoothed it away.
Once the carriage arrived, loading the luggage became much easier.
After all, it was a luxury carriage reserved for the royal family, equipped with the best of everything.
With help from the guard, Ren and Zuko soon moved all the luggage onto the carriage.
Ren let out a breath of relief.
After climbing inside, he looked at the siblings sitting opposite each other, both determined not to glance at the other.
He suddenly felt that giving the two of them time alone that night had clearly not been a good idea.
If anything, it seemed to have made their relationship worse.
At this rate, there was probably no chance of these two siblings making peace anytime soon.