“Xue Fang?”
Even when calling his name, he felt his body tremble. The moonlight spilled over his solid muscles, further highlighting the breadth of his chest. Those smooth lines and firm abdominal muscles made Xi Huai uncontrollably think of the time he had stepped on him beneath the cliff.
Xi Huai’s face burned, and he looked away, embarrassed. Then, he heard Xue Fang’s cold voice: “I am fine. It is freezing, and the Emperor’s face is windburned. Let us descend from the roof first.”
Xi Huai was still dazed, but Xue Fang had already carried him down from the eaves. He brought him to a stone table, bowed, and prepared to take his leave.
“Wait!” Xi Huai stopped Xue Fang. Once he realized what he had done, he collapsed internally. Has my brain been eaten? Why did I stop Xue Fang? Wouldn’t it have been better to just let him leave?
“Thank you for that day. If it were not for you, I would not have made it back.”
Xi Huai was referring to the day he fell off the cliff and Xue Fang found him. Fortunately, he had Xue Fang, which spared him from being killed by Li Jue after Li Jue regained his memories.
However, Xue Fang’s lips were pressed into a straight line. His jaw was tense, and his expression was stiff, as if he had heard nothing. In fact, Xue Fang had not heard what Xi Huai was saying. Instead, an unprecedented and absurd feeling had taken root in his heart.
When he saw the Emperor interacting intimately with someone else, his once calm mood became uncontrollably agitated. Like a filthy rat catching a glimpse of the light and envying those who possessed it, he was undoubtedly jealous of Li Jue. He had never felt this way before, and he could not understand his own emotions. Yet, he could not stop his jealousy from spilling over.
“Was that person just now Imperial Noble Consort Li?”
Xi Huai was startled. As expected of a shadow guard sent by Qin Mingjing, his eyesight was excellent. But what does this have to do with whether or not I am disappointed in you? Don’t change the subject.
Xue Fang said, “General Qin once spoke to me about this.”
Xi Huai was confused. “What did Qin Mingjing tell you?”
“General Qin said that the Imperial Noble Consort is not Li Wan, but Li Jue, an illegitimate son of the Li family who was sent as a substitute. The General ordered me to protect the Emperor well and not let anyone with ill intentions take advantage of the situation. Since the Emperor knows Li Jue’s true identity yet keeps him by his side, does the Emperor like him?”
Xi Huai was stunned. So you all knew that Li Jue was not Li Wan, but an assassin? You found out so long ago, yet why did no one tell me that Li Jue was an assassin?
Xi Huai could not understand, but Xue Fang continued to mutter to himself, “I thought the Emperor trusted General Qin.” His tone was strained. “It is only natural that the Emperor is disappointed in me because of the assassination attempt at the hunting grounds. I understand, but…”
Xue Fang paused, his face pale, and he finally said, “I just thought that, at the very least, the Emperor trusted General Qin.”
Xi Huai: “???”
Xi Huai did not understand what Xue Fang meant. He felt the topic had jumped around. Why would he not trust Qin Mingjing, and why would he be disappointed in Xue Fang?
Xue Fang did not even know what he was saying himself; his body was stiff. He was simply venting his emotions in the name of General Qin, as if this was the only way his troubled heart could find peace. He still felt uneasy, as if a boulder were stuck in his chest; he felt his brain was a mess of tangled threads.
While deep in thought, he seemed to realize he had spoken out of turn. In a panic, he knelt down and said, “My apologies, I have been impolite.”
Xi Huai: “…”
Xi Huai saw Xue Fang’s mental confusion, and even his own thoughts became tangled by Xue Fang’s incoherence. He studied Xue Fang. Xue Fang’s head was pressed against the ground; he could not see his expression, but he could clearly see the cowlick on his head. His hair was fluffy and still had a few fallen leaves stuck to it, making him look flustered. His humble, prostrate posture looked like a dog showing its loyalty.
Xi Huai was stunned, his mind drifting; seeing him like this, he suddenly wanted to raise a dog.
Thinking this internally, he said the opposite externally. He helped Xue Fang up. “Rise, Minister. Naturally, I trust General Qin. General Qin worries about the country and the people; he is one of the few loyal ministers in the court who does not fear the powerful. How could I not trust General Qin? And…” He paused, looking at Xue Fang sincerely. “When have I ever been disappointed in you?”
Because he had never had any expectations, how could there be disappointment? They were merely an employer and an employee. Xi Huai really did not understand Xue Fang’s way of thinking, so he simply stated the facts. “I survived only because of you beneath the cliff. I am surrounded by danger. This assassin was one of the Regent’s men. Without you, I would likely be dead already.”
Xi Huai also explained, “I have never said that I like Li Jue. Li Jue’s background is pitiful, which is why he was forced to dress as a woman and remain in the palace. I pity him for his lack of control and having no one to rely on, but that does not mean I like him.”
Xue Fang’s body trembled. He looked up abruptly, his eyes unfocused. His eye shape was very fluid, and when he raised his gaze, he looked like a wagging puppy. Despite his burly build and muscular physique, his personality was a huge contrast. In those round, puppy-like eyes, it seemed he had imagined something, and his eyes welled with moisture.
He repeated almost to himself, “You are not disappointed in me, and you do not like Li Jue?”
Xi Huai froze and nodded. “I am not disappointed in you, and I do not like Li Jue.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Fang’s eyes suddenly became firm. He let out a sigh of relief and took two envelopes from his robe. One was addressed to Qin Mingjing, and the other to Sheng Mingyue. Handing the two letters to Xi Huai, Xue Fang left the courtyard, feeling at peace. Xi Huai did not understand what Xue Fang had been imagining. Forget it, let me read the letters first.
Qin Mingjing’s handwriting was strong and vigorous. The text was overly formal, but in simple terms, it meant that the situation in the Northern Territory was stabilizing. He would return to the capital with Sheng Mingyue soon and hoped the Emperor would rest assured.
It was earlier than he had expected; he had thought they would return in the coming year as in the original plot. Although it was a bit surprising, Xi Huai was not overly shocked. However, when he saw the contents of Sheng Mingyue’s letter, Xi Huai completely lost his composure.
Sheng Mingyue, you bastard! You did this on purpose! Why didn’t you tell me sooner before you left?!
In the military camp of the Northern Territory, Sheng Mingyue was quietly staring at the bright moon, playing with the folding fan in his hand. Despite being the Chief Minister, he dressed more like a pampered young nobleman, and the previous air of frailty had been swept away.
Even so, the officials stationed in the Northern Territory were tearfully offering him mooncakes. “Thank you, Minister Sheng. Only because of you could the Northern Territory peacefully resist the natural disaster.”
Sheng Mingyue smiled and accepted the mooncakes. “It is all the Emperor’s credit. It is because of the Emperor’s benevolence and increased funding that the disaster was stabilized.”
The officials stiffened. Who did not know that the little Emperor of Daqing was a dissolute and incompetent ruler? He was greedy, lustful, and never cared for the lives of his people. Yet, during this disaster, not only did he send the Chief Minister and General Qin to provide disaster relief, but he also waived taxes, opened the granaries, and stabilized grain prices to prevent people from taking advantage of the situation.
This was certainly not something an incompetent ruler would do. Thinking of the Empress Dowager and the Regent, the officials speculated whether the Emperor was in a difficult situation and had to disguise himself as an incompetent ruler until now.
“I understand. I will not forget the Emperor’s kindness. Daqing has a wise monarch and a virtuous minister; the land will be at peace.” The officials revealed an understanding expression, chatted for a few more sentences, and bowed to withdraw.
Only Sheng Mingyue remained, looking at their retreating backs with a faint smile, saying nothing. The mooncake in his hand still radiated warmth, but Sheng Mingyue did not eat it. Instead, he placed it on a porcelain platter and poured a cup of wine.
The bright moon hung in the sky, and the scent of incense filled the air. Only when a soft, slow sound of footsteps approached from behind did Sheng Mingyue look back. He saw Qin Mingjing walking over.
“Why is General Qin here?”
Qin Mingjing held up a wine pot. “It is the Moon Chasing Festival tonight. Why should the Chief Minister not have a drink with me?”
Sheng Mingyue moved aside to make room. Qin Mingjing sat down with a smile and poured wine for both of them. The mellow aroma of wine drifted all around. Sheng Mingyue drank a cup and sighed, “Good wine.”
Qin Mingjing took a large gulp of wine before wiping his lips and saying, “I originally thought the Chief Minister only reluctantly agreed to be the Emperor’s teacher because of the Emperor’s pleas, while still retaining reservations about him.”
Sheng Mingyue naturally understood that he was referring to that night when he had praised Xi Huai for being diligent and serving the people—a compliment so polite it sounded insincere. But so what? Xi Huai had disrupted all his plans. He should have been angry, yet Xi Huai had become his only student.
“But the Chief Minister had already acknowledged the Emperor.”
Qin Mingjing was unaware of this; he simply seemed to see through his thoughts, his eyes understanding. “The Chief Minister has never looked down on the Emperor, nor has he lightly trusted rumors and believed the Emperor to be an incompetent ruler.”
Sheng Mingyue paused, not understanding how he had come to that conclusion; he only felt that Qin Mingjing was open and honest, a warrior with no hidden agenda.
“I overheard the Chief Minister’s conversation with the officials just now. I did not expect you to take the time to clear the Emperor’s name while overseeing disaster relief.” His voice was clear, his tone carrying a hint of apology. “Instead, it was I who judged him by my own standards and felt the Chief Minister was failing the Emperor’s trust.”
Sheng Mingyue fell silent and responded with a light smile, “General, there is no need to apologize. As the Emperor’s confidant, it is natural for you to consider the Emperor’s interests.”
Qin Mingjing frowned and sighed, “Enough. Minister Sheng has high moral character, which is why you do not hold it against me. I understand.”
Without further ado, Qin Mingjing changed the subject. “The Emperor should have received our letters by now.”
Sheng Mingyue laughed, which made Qin Mingjing look at him curiously. “What is Minister Sheng laughing at?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking about the look of shock on the Emperor’s face after he reads the letter, and I could not help but laugh.”
“Letter?” Qin Mingjing was confused. He was baffled. “What did you write in the letter, Minister Sheng?”
Sheng Mingyue lowered his eyelashes. “Nothing much. I just reminded the Emperor not to forget his studies, and that I would check his progress when I return to the capital.”