Yuwen Nuo asked softly, biting his fingernails, “So, what if one day, Brother Emperor grows up? Mother once told me that it would be good when Brother Emperor grows up.”
Yuwen Guang said calmly, “I may not be able to compete with Sixth Uncle. You may not know, but Sixth Uncle taught me to read. He knows all the books and writings I know by heart, effortlessly. Whether it’s strategy or military tactics, no minister in the court can match him.” He rubbed Yuwen Nuo’s head and whispered, “Don’t think too much. Remember everything others say and keep it to yourself. Otherwise, we might not even live to see the day when we grow up.”
Yuwen Nuo was frightened and shook his head vigorously, “I won’t say it, I won’t say it.”
Yuwen Guang sighed, feeling that this was probably fate. He was unfortunate to be born into the royal family, and Yuwen Chu was unfortunate not to be the legitimate heir. He hadn’t grown up yet, and the country was already in turmoil; when he grew up, the country would remain the same, but the people would be different. Simply put, he wasn’t qualified to compete with Yuwen Chu now, and he wouldn’t be qualified in the future. If Yuwen Chu died now, he wouldn’t live for many years either. So, he had to pray for Yuwen Chu to survive, to resist the Xiongnu and Zhongshan Wang, so they could have a glimmer of hope.
But it was impossible for Yuwen Chu to wholeheartedly assist him. Because he would grow up eventually, and one day, he would have to kill Yuwen Chu. If Yuwen Chu couldn’t help it, he could only resign himself to death, but if there was a chance, he had to fight for it, for himself, and for those around him.
So this was destiny.
In the Jishan Camp, a major reorganization was taking place.
Many people were awakened from their sleep, taken out of their barracks, and never returned. Among them were soldiers and officers. Some people tried to stir up trouble, inciting the soldiers to mutiny or something, after all, they thought there was safety in numbers. But they quickly found out that this wouldn’t work because many people had witnessed what happened earlier. Those who supported Yuwen Chu spontaneously distanced themselves and surrounded them.
Many people began to feel desperate, realizing that there was no turning back, and they were just following the wrong person. They felt extremely wronged. It wasn’t until this moment that they began to regret; if they had known earlier, they wouldn’t have blindly followed others to cause trouble. What about their wives, children, and elderly mothers?
Amidst the solemn atmosphere, the Jishan Camp welcomed the morning sunlight. The bewildered soldiers received orders from their superiors to have their meals and conduct drills on time. The well-maintained military discipline created an orderly morning, with soldiers changing formations, and battle cries still resounding.
By noon, it was time for everyone to rest and eat. They were surprised to find that many of their comrades who had been taken away in the morning had quietly returned and were still scrambling to grab food with them. So the entire camp was buzzing. You see, although they had ignored these confused and bad elements before, they still remembered that these people were their fellow townsfolk and comrades. Some even had relatives and friends among them, and they used to get along well. They would still be saddened if they died.
The released companions quietly scrambled for food, eating more fiercely than anyone else. So everyone speculated in secret, “Are they back to eat their last meal before execution?” The Regent is truly magnanimous, allowing them to eat until they burst. Therefore, everyone looked sympathetically at this group of people and didn’t compete with them for food.
However, some people were not satisfied. Why should they? Just because they were all soldiers, those who had done wrong and were about to be executed were still so arrogant. Why didn’t they think about the consequences when they did something bad? Go starve to death! I won’t serve you anymore! So, a brawl broke out, fists flying everywhere, and pots and pans were turned upside down.
The fire-headed soldiers quickly stepped forward to stop it when they saw trouble brewing. However, because their ringleader, Lao Huang, was a notorious troublemaker, many people looked at them with disdain and joined in the fight against them. The usually strict officers didn’t intervene, silently scanning the scene before turning back to their own affairs, chatting about the Xiongnu and the rebels of Zhongshan.
It wasn’t until those who needed to be disciplined were disciplined enough that someone came out to stop the chaos and issued the Regent’s orders: the principal offenders must be punished, but the followers would not be questioned. Everyone who participated in the fight was to run ten laps around the training ground, pay for the damaged pots and stoves, and then they could enjoy drinking and feasting together in the evening as good brothers.
No one dared to haggle. The soldiers who had exchanged greetings with each other’s families earlier cheered together after a moment of silence and happily lined up to run laps. The fire-headed soldiers wiped away their tears and went to clean up the battlefield, slaughter pigs and sheep, and prepare dinner.
Mingzhu walked into the Jishan Camp amidst the orderly running footsteps. Many people stared at her, their gazes filled with hostility, but they were quite skilled at it, quickly retracting their gazes after a hard look and maintaining a serious expression. Then, when no one was paying attention, they cast another fierce glance at Dong Hui and the others.
Huayang Wang, Yuwen Xin, came out to welcome Mingzhu. Seeing the situation, he couldn’t help but curse, “Fools, what are you looking at? Can’t you greet the Regent Wangfei properly?”
After that, no one stared at Mingzhu and Dong Hui anymore. Everyone turned into gentle and quiet little lambs, their smiles as warm as the spring breeze. Mingzhu was not shy and calmly nodded to everyone, appearing very approachable.
It was quiet in Yuwen Chu’s barracks. Zhang Huan saw Mingzhu and excitedly came forward to greet her, “The Wangfei’s arrival is just in time. His Highness was just talking about you.” Without waiting for Mingzhu to speak, he quickly informed those inside, “Your Highness, Wangfei is here!”
Yuwen Xin also smiled at Mingzhu, “Sister-in-law, please come in quickly. Sixth Brother has been waiting for you.”
Through the crack in the door, Mingzhu could see Yuwen Chu sitting upright, but she hesitated and refused to move forward. When the situation was uncertain and she hadn’t seen him, she worried about Yuwen Chu’s safety. Now that she was about to see him, she remembered that she was still cold-shouldering him. Going in like this would be too embarrassing.
In another barracks, Jiang Zhouzi yawned and walked out, rubbing his sleepy eyes. When he saw Mingzhu, he asked, “Why has Wangfei come here?”
Mingzhu immediately found an excuse, angrily pointing her riding whip at Jiang Zhouzi and scolding, “How dare you come to see me!”
Jiang Zhouzi was startled and completely awake now, “What did I do? Why wouldn’t I dare to see Wangfei?”
“Come with me!” Mingzhu gritted her teeth, wanting to whip him a few times, and strode into his room, lowering her voice to ask, “I’m asking you, how long has it been since the Great Empress Dowager stopped having you diagnose her pulse? Why didn’t you come and tell me?”
Jiang Zhouzi blinked, feeling a bit guilty, “So it’s about this matter.”
