Chapter 66
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Jiang Yanchi’s hand rested in front of him on the ruler, his fingertips lightly tapping twice. The dark light in his eyes shifted, and suddenly he asked, “The stab wound in your chest, was it caused by Zhao Lingqu?”
Xu Chunmu answered truthfully.
“No, that was inflicted by the pursuers from my Xu family. At that time, Lord Chu and I were forced to the edge of a cliff and had no choice but to…”
The ruler was suddenly pushed slightly, producing a noticeable sound in the quiet hall.
Xu Chunmu spoke halfway and then downplayed the urgency of that day, “I was injured and had to take him and jump into the river to escape. We drifted down to Huaiqi County and encountered chaos, where we came to know that Deputy General Zhao.”
The timeline matched.
But the motive was off.
If they encountered chaos, why didn’t they immediately head south? Why did they choose to stay in Huaiqi County and even go so far as to provide military tactics to Zhao Lingqu to stabilize the situation?
With Chu Xie’s cunning nature during the day, he would never do these thankless tasks.
And, it returned to one question.
How did someone with Xu Chunmu’s kind and simple nature get along with the Chu Xie during the day?
“Xu Chunmu, what do you think of Chu Xie?”
The young lord saw the emperor remain silent for a long time, feeling like a drum in his heart, unsure if his explanation had any unnoticed loopholes. Upon hearing this question, Xu Chunmu, instead, was caught off guard.
“Generous and kind, or scheming and crafty.”
The emperor’s body leaned slightly forward, resting his elbow on the table, carefully observing every change in Xu Chunmu’s expression.
He was puzzled for a moment, then his eyes shifted downward, appearing to be recalling and contemplating. His brows furrowed slightly, as if caught in some inner conflict.
Finally, he said, “Generous and kind.”
“Oh?”
The grand hall was empty, leaving only Xu Chunmu and Jiang Yanchi on the high platform. The two locked eyes, one deep and dark, the other clear and bright.
“He has a sense of justice and righteousness in his heart. Very intelligent, gentle but not weak, considering the feelings of others. Although occasionally, he may seem like a different person—what I mean is, he can suddenly become irritable, but most of the time, he has a good temper.”
Xu Chunmu admitted without lying, avoiding the critical points. He neither deceived the emperor nor contradicted his true opinion of Chu Xie.
With a clear conscience and fearless gaze, there was no trace of evasion.
The emperor knew he was not lying.
His body retreated slightly, and he reviewed Xu Chunmu’s words in his mind.
“Is he good-tempered both day and night?” the emperor asked again, “He won’t trouble you, nor will he… plot against you.”
“No,” Xu Chunmu didn’t understand why the emperor asked this way. In his memory, Chu Xie rarely troubled him, and often, it was he who troubled Chu Xie.
In the chaos of the Northern Territory, it was Chu Xie who endured pain, negotiating alone to save him.
When the Xu family faced calamity, it was Chu Xie who gave up seclusion, returned to the capital, and protected the lives of Xu family members and his eldest brother, Xu Changling.
He always helped within his means.
Even to the point of the current situation.
There was a slight tremor in Xu Chunmu’s voice.
“Chu Xie’s temper has always been good. Sometimes, he may appear aggressive and indiscriminate in court, but I don’t know why. In fact, that appearance is nothing like him.”
Jiang Yanchi’s eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light.
No, something was wrong.
Could it be that Chu Xie, when facing Xu Chunmu, had always been—the one with the nighttime personality?
In the last negotiation with Zhao Xuan, Jiang Yanchi learned that Chu Xie’s nighttime temperament was almost never revealed to the outside world. Even Zhao Shizi, who had been friends with him for more than ten years, had never seen through it. If it weren’t for Chu Xie wanting to stop the heinous actions during the day and choosing to come to assist him in the East Palace at night, he would never have touched this earth-shattering secret about Chu Xie.
Chu Xie’s dual personalities were indeed too contrasting.
That’s why, when Jiang Yanchi was searching for him for so long, going through countless turns and twists, observing every trace, he thought he had exhausted all means but couldn’t find a trace of the person from the night.
Because, at that time, he didn’t even consider the possibility that this person was the infamous Imperial Zhangyin.
Xu Chunmu definitely hadn’t dealt with the ruthless Chu Xie. Otherwise, with his innocent nature, he wouldn’t casually utter the words “generous and kind.”
Thinking carefully, since Xu Chunmu first entered the capital, he got along very harmoniously with Chu Xie, even staying at his mansion.
In theory, these two individuals’ characters should not get along. Xu Chunmu, honest and straightforward, couldn’t tolerate Chu Xie’s ruthless methods and endless manipulation and probing.
Xu Chunmu couldn’t see Chu Xie’s cruel side. In other words, Chu Xie had never revealed that side to him.
Why?
“Your Majesty?”
“Are you acquainted with Chu Xie?” Jiang Yanchi frowned slightly.
“No,” Xu Chunmu’s heart sank, “Your Majesty, I have been guarding the border all along and have never entered the capital. How could I be acquainted with Imperial Zhangyin?”
That made sense.
Jiang Yanchi clarified one aspect, but now he felt there were even more things he couldn’t fathom.
Chu Xie seemed to be harboring a huge secret.
He always felt that this person was holding back something from him. But his explanations, responses, and justifications were flawless. He couldn’t dig anything out forcefully, and coaxing him also yielded nothing.
Sometimes he felt close, but at other times, he seemed distant.
“You have said what I know. The matter of Changye County ends here. You will be fined half a year’s salary. You may leave for now,” the young emperor said. Having stayed awake all night, he now felt a growing sense of exhaustion, pressing his hand against his forehead. His eyelids were twitching intermittently.
Returning to the Chengluan Hall, stepping through the stone steps into the courtyard, and turning into the inner hall, he saw Chu Xie in a red ceremonial robe. His cheeks had just gained a pair of red seals, with a pure white pearl on his forehead, and a purple-gold phoenix crown secured above his brow, swaying with golden pendants.
In the bronze mirror, the two locked eyes, feeling that the pair of captivating eyes became even more soul-stirring.
Drawing eyebrows, tinting lips.
Tao Li carefully applied the final layer of makeup for him, assisted by a matron.
“Niang Niang, you truly have an exquisite appearance,” the matron put down the brush and moved the bronze mirror a bit closer, “In my decades in the palace, I rarely see such a charming and graceful demeanor.”
Jiang Yanchi approached with gentle steps, as if afraid to crush something. He placed his hands on Chu Xie’s shoulders, watching the reflection in the mirror. “My empress, is undoubtedly the most beautiful person in this world.”
“The Majesty is right.”
The matron joyfully bowed, receiving a reward, “This is just a trial of makeup and attire. It’s just for the festive atmosphere. Tomorrow is the crucial day. My lady, just focus on eating and resting well. There are many rituals tomorrow, and I will come early in the morning to do your makeup.”
“No need to be too early. Just in time will do,” Jiang Yanchi instructed, “You may leave.”
“Yes. This servant will take her leave.”
Jiang Yanchi gestured to Little Xizi and pulled Tao Li, Tao Li, and others serving in the room out.
The faint fragrance of powder mixed with the scent of cypress rushed into their noses. His eyes softened instantly. He leaned down and rubbed his nose against Chu Xie’s cheek.
“Ah Xie…”
Chu Xie pushed against his chest, showing a hint of resistance, “Your Majesty.”
Jiang Yanchi reached out and hugged him, replacing himself on the deer leather bench, placing the person in his arms.
Chu Xie was surprised, instinctively struggled, but quickly stopped. He said with a hint of coldness, “You promised…”
“Yes, I’m just giving you a hug. Is that okay?”
The voice was close to his ears, sounding somewhat aggrieved. Jiang Yanchi reached out and tinkered with the gold pendant at Chu Xie’s ear, making a melodious sound.
“If the Shen family hadn’t had an accident back then, you should have been a young general with noble status. Ah Xie, the Shen family has been prosperous for a hundred years since the founding of the country. Generations were brave in battle and invincible. Why were you, born like this, weak and sickly?”
Jiang Yanchi held the slender person tightly, leaning against his back, “Do you want to clear the name of the Shen family?”
“Instead of killing everyone, it’s better to clear the Shen family’s name, restoring your family’s innocence, allowing you to live openly in this world, and let everyone know who you are.”
Chu Xie was stunned.
“Back then, the Shen family’s case triggered the Yongan Rebellion, leaving a scar in many people’s hearts. How can we simply reopen it?” Chu Xie responded softly, “Even if the case is reopened, what’s the point? The Shen family… only has me, a person with lingering illnesses, still alive.”
“And I, too, am nearing…”
Nearing death.
Chu Xie didn’t say it all, but his heartache was evident.
For the original owner, this was such a desperate world.
There was no way out in sight. Only the resolute decision to destroy everything sustained him through these twenty-some years.
“Don’t worry.”
Jiang Yanchi turned him around, looking into those autumn eyes, parting the golden beads, their noses almost touching, and lightly kissed his lips.
A brief touch, stopping at a slight taste.
As if without any excessive desire.
“I will help you.”
“To reopen the Shen family’s case would involve too many people, Jiang Yanchi, let it be. This way is enough.”
Anyway, I’m close to death.
Chu Xie thought.
“You shouldn’t be thinking about what to give me right now, but stabilizing your own position. You are the emperor, the emperor of Great Wei… Don’t forget that.”
The young emperor smiled, nodded, “Ah Xie, you always like to plan, mediate, and calculate on your own. But once someone wants to help you, you can’t try to believe and cooperate.”
“I will never betray you.”
“You can try to rely on me.”
He took off the purple-gold phoenix crown on his head and placed it on the table. Then he untied the hair bun, letting the dark black strands fall freely. “You have to wear this heavy crown all day tomorrow, so you can rest for today. Get some good sleep.”
He also took off the heavy outer robe, serving him like an attendant.
“Then can I…”
Jiang Yanchi’s movements paused, and a hint of joy emerged in his chest, “Hmm, tell me, what do you want.”
“If you can’t temporarily suppress Zhao Lingqu’s military power, don’t hold Xu Chunmu in the capital.”
Chu Xie took a big step back.
This time, he didn’t force Jiang Yanchi to do something he couldn’t do now. Just spare Marquis Xu.
“Why?”
The young emperor’s voice was steady and gentle, showing neither agreement nor disagreement.
Now that Xu Changling is no longer the deputy commander of the Imperial Guards, the Xu family’s two sons have no real power in the capital. Once a turmoil occurs, they cannot protect themselves.
Although it looks splendid right now, for both of them, Jiang Yanchi and Chu Xie, it’s very clear.
The throne is teetering, facing countless open and hidden threats.
The winds in the capital are unpredictable. A slight misstep could lead him and the new emperor into an irreversible situation.
He must first get Xu Chunmu out.
Considering the current situation, Chu Xie prepared his argument. “Your Majesty, I have said that Xu Chunmu will not rebel. If you are concerned about the Xu family, holding Xu Changling is enough. There is no need…” Chu Xie shifted his persuasion, “And with the continuous warfare in the western regions, once the Northern Xiongs counterattack, there will be no available garrison troops outside of Puyang County. The Northern Border will have no capable generals to defend. It’s not a long-term plan.”
“Yes, that makes sense.”
“Trust those you employ, and do not employ those you distrust.” Seeing Jiang Yanchi showing signs of flexibility, Chu Xie continued, “Since Your Majesty knows Xu Chunmu’s innocent heart and acknowledges his military talents, you should let him return to the Northern Border to guard the frontier.”
“What about Xu Changling?” The emperor asked again, “Do you only want to send Xu Chunmu out of the capital?”
“Since Your Majesty is worried about the Xu family, it’s enough to keep one person in the capital.” Chu Xie said lightly, “If Xu Chunmu really has any wrongdoing in the future, just kill Xu Changling. If they can coexist peacefully, it can ensure his brother’s prosperity in the capital for a lifetime.”
The young emperor smirked slightly, “You have considered it thoroughly.” Chu Xie’s heart eased a bit, and his voice softened, “So, Your Majesty, have you agreed?”
However, there was no response from behind.
Chu Xie vaguely sensed something was wrong.
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