Chapter 160 – Departure
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The body of Liu Buwang had just been brought back, and there hadn’t been time to discuss the burial arrangements when someone came to inform Xiao Jue: the princess has sent people, and they have found Chai Anxi.
Xiao Jue, accompanied by Lin Shuanghe, immediately rushed to the Royal Mansion.
When they arrived at the main hall of the Royal Mansion, Mu Hongjin was speaking with her subordinates. Upon seeing Xiao Jue and Lin Shuanghe, she shook her head slightly and said, “He’s not doing well.”
As they entered the room, they saw a person lying on a bed. An arrow had pierced the center of his chest, and blood was continuously flowing out. A man who looked like a physician was pressing on the wound. Lin Shuanghe asked the man to leave and sat beside the bed, feeling the pulse. He shook his head at Xiao Jue and said, “There’s no saving him.”
He was just a physician, and contending with death was a matter of luck. With injuries like these, there was no way to save him. Lin Shuanghe took out a vial from his pocket, poured out a pill, and fed it to Chai Anxi.
Before long, the man on the bed struggled to open his eyes.
Lin Shuanghe stood up, “Time is running out. If you have any questions, ask them quickly. We can only hang on by a thread.” He patted Xiao Jue’s shoulder and left.
Chai Anxi, in a daze, lifted his head. When he saw Xiao Jue’s face, a faint light suddenly appeared in his dim eyes. He gasped for breath, “….Second Young Master?”
Xiao Jue stared at him indifferently.
“… Second Young Master,” Chai Anxi was somewhat stimulated, but as soon as he spoke, he spat out a mouthful of blood. He asked, “Why are you here?”
“I came to find you.” Xiao Jue sat down on a chair in front of the bed, his voice calm. “It’s been five years. Now I can know what happened during the Battle of Mingshui.”
Chai Anxi was stunned and remained silent for a while. In his youth, Xiao Jue often saw Chai Anxi. Chai Anxi was the deputy under Xiao Zhongwu and was not the best martial artist, but he was the most honest and loyal, like a black bear, with a physique similar to Shen Han. Occasionally, when Chai Anxi did errands at the mansion, he would see Xiao Jue and always greet him with a sincere smile, calling him “Second Young Master.”
But the Chai Anxi lying on the bed now was completely different from the one in Xiao Jue’s memory. Chai Anxi was about the same age as Xiao Zhongwu, and now he was in his prime, but he looked like an old man. His hair had turned white in large patches, and there was a burn mark on his face. His body seemed to have shrunk, either due to dehydration or some other reason, making him look extremely small, almost like an undeveloped child. The gaze he cast towards Xiao Jue no longer carried the affection of the past; instead, it was filled with regret, guilt, pain, or perhaps something else.
It was a complex gaze that sent shivers down one’s spine.
He forced a bitter smile. “Second Young Master, in fact, you already know, don’t you?”
Xiao Jue remained silent.
“The General was killed by someone, and that person… includes me.”
Xiao Jue suddenly raised his head, and the fingers in his sleeve clenched into a fist.
“You also know,” Chai Anxi said with difficulty, “The General was always dissatisfied with Xu Xiang’s excessive power, but His Majesty has always trusted Xu Xiang. The General reminded His Majesty to be more vigilant against Xu Xiang’s ambitions, but Xu Xiang had long harbored deep resentment towards the General.”
“The crown prince was tyrannical and weak, colluding with the faction led by Xu Xiang. They have long been dissatisfied with the general, and both of them feared the military power in the hands of the general. They originally planned to shift the blame onto the general, but the general’s lifelong integrity left no room for accusations. The crown prince and Xu Xiang joined forces and secretly plotted the Battle of Mingshui with the Southern Barbarians. In that battle, there was a traitor among the Nanfu soldiers, and the general was attacked from both front and rear… leading to his defeat and death.”
Xiao Jue looked at him, and a hint of mockery flashed in his autumn-like eyes. “Is the traitor referring to you?”
Chai Anxi’s expression became painful. “I’m sorry, Second Young Master… I’m sorry. They used my mother to threaten me. My mother was already seventy years old, and I… I promised them and copied the general’s defense plans to give to them… I was not the only one. At that time, among the Nanfu soldiers and the general’s trusted aides, there were others who betrayed. They used threats against their families to force them. At that time, I… I was confused and agreed.”
“Why did you go to Jiyang later?”
“Xu Xiang… How could Xu Xiang tolerate someone who knew the truth to live in the world? Several of the betrayers were later silenced during the Battle of Mingshui. I escaped luckily, intending to go back and escape with my mother, but when I returned home, my mother had already passed away… Xu Xiang’s men were searching for my whereabouts everywhere. I once heard the general say that Jiyang City is easy to defend and difficult to attack, the easiest to hide in. So, using some methods, I hid my identity, changed my name, and concealed myself in Jiyang.”
“Second Young Master… over the years, I’ve always wanted to come forward to explain what happened back then. But even if I spoke up, people from that time are all dead, there’s no evidence, and no one would believe me. I thought about going to find you, but as soon as I left Jiyang City, news about me would spread, and Xu Xiang wouldn’t let me live to see you. So, I could only wait. I knew that if Second Young Master was still alive, you would find me one day.”
Tears gradually filled his eyes. “You found me, that’s great… Second Young Master, you’ve grown up. If the general were still alive and saw your current appearance, he would be very pleased.”
Xiao Jue, looking at his tears, showed no emotion on his face and asked, “Who wanted to kill you?”
“…I don’t know,” Chai Anxi said in confusion. “Twenty days ago, someone tried to kill me when I was in Cuiwei Pavilion. A big fire was set at night, and I escaped. The facial injury is from that time. Later, I kept hiding until… until the people from Wutuo came to Jiyang, and I knew about Second Young Master. I wanted to come and find you, but I was chased and hurt halfway…”
He was no longer the powerhouse under Xiao Zhongwu from back then. Over the years, age and skills could not compare to the past. Due to the fire, old injuries resurfaced, making it easy for someone to ambush and hurt him. Instead of dying without a fight, he chose to keep a breath, hoping to see Xiao Jue alive and confessing his guilt and regret to the general in the afterlife.
“I… I can’t help Second Young Master with anything. Saying all this is just seeking peace of mind. I owe the general, Madam, the Eldest Young Master, Second Young Master, and my brothers in arms. I won’t be able to clear this debt in this lifetime.” He sounded like crying and laughing, “When I go, I will personally kneel and apologize to the general…” His voice suddenly stopped, his eyes still open but devoid of light.
He was dead.
Xiao Jue sat quietly, looking down without saying a word. After a while, he stood up, walked out of the room, and closed the door.
Chai Anxi was dead, and the last person who knew the truth about the Battle of Mingshui was gone. Xiao Jue couldn’t bring a dead man back to Shuojing City as a witness. Also, Chai Anxi had left no evidence behind.
This trip only confirmed some of the things he had speculated from the beginning.
Mu Hongjin and Lin Shuanghe were waiting outside for him. When they saw Xiao Jue come out, Mu Hongjin said, “When the Wutuo people arrived, the situation was complicated, and I couldn’t send someone to look for him. After the matter was over, someone found out Chai Anxi’s whereabouts. When my subordinates found him, he was being chased, and when he was saved, he had already suffered severe injuries. I had the city’s doctor temporarily stop his bleeding…” Mu Hongjin looked at Xiao Jue’s expression, frowned slightly, and asked, “Is he dead?”
Xiao Jue: “He’s dead.”
She sighed, without saying anything.
After searching for so long, the person was finally found, but he died. It was a bit regrettable.
Lin Shuanghe asked, “Huaijin, what are your plans for later?”
Xiao Jue remained silent for a moment before saying, “Chai Anxi is already dead, and the military affairs in Jiyang are settled. In a few days, we will set off to return to Liangzhou.”
“Are you leaving?” Mu Hongjin felt a bit reluctant. “You haven’t stayed here for long. Why not wait until Xiaolou comes back before leaving?”
Xiao Jue said, “There are other things to do.”
With that, Mu Hongjin didn’t feel it was appropriate to keep him any longer. Smiling, she said, “Anyway, this time, the security of Jiyang City was thanks to Commander Xiao. This Highness will write a memorial to the heavenly court, and His Majesty will surely reward and commend you.”
“No need.” Xiao Jue turned and walked forward. He seemed uninterested in these matters, showing a bit of impatience. Lin Shuanghe scratched his head and explained, “Huaijin is not in a good mood right now. Your Highness, please be tolerant.”
Mu Hongjin shook her head. Regardless, she felt grateful to him for preserving Jiyang City.
“By the way,” as if remembering something, Xiao Jue’s steps paused slightly. Without turning around, his voice slightly deepened, “Does Your Highness know that Mr. Liu is no longer here?”
Mu Hongjin’s expression stiffened.
…
In the Cui Mansion, in a room, Chu Zhao was brewing tea in a small stove.
His expression was calm, his movements patient. When Ying Xiang handed him a handkerchief, he took it and placed the teapot on the table.
“Chai Anxi should be in bad shape.” Ying Xiang whispered.
“Being able to find Jiyang after all this time and surviving for five years before dying, Chai Anxi can be considered a talent,” Chu Zhao smiled faintly.
“But, Fourth Young Master,” Ying Xiang didn’t understand, “why not just kill him directly? Instead, you deliberately kept him alive, letting him see Commander Xiao, and revealing the truth, wouldn’t that expose Lord Xiang?”
“Even if he didn’t say it, Xiao Huaijin had already guessed who the mastermind was long ago.” Chu Zhao didn’t care much, and he smiled slightly, “Saying it out loud is just to make him more relieved. Chai Anxi vented in front of him, and he would hate Master Xiang even more. The greater the threat Xiao Huaijin poses to Master Xiang, the more Master Xiang will value me. After all, no one understands the art of balance better than Master Xiang.”
“Besides, this is Jiyang. Since there is no one around, what we do here is our own business.” He casually said, “Reduce or increase the fire, it’s all up to us.”
Ying Xiang nodded. “I understand. Fourth Young Master, now that Chai Anxi has died, and Master Xiang’s instructions have been fulfilled, are we going back to Shuojing?”
“No,” Chu Zhao said, “there’s one thing I’m curious about, so I decided to go to Liangzhou Garrison first.”
“Liangzhou Garrison?” Ying Xiang was surprised. “That’s Commander Xiao’s territory.” Chu Zhao and Xiao Jue had always been at odds, and Chu Zhao wouldn’t gain any benefits in Liangzhou Garrison.
“It’s interesting to snatch someone on Xiao Huaijin’s territory.”
The tea leaves in the teacup floated up and down. Chu Zhao looked at them and gradually smiled.
…
The return journey was scheduled for two days later, after Lui Buwang’s body was taken back. He Yan and Xiao Jue, along with others, set off for Liangzhou Garrison.
This visit to Jiyang had its joys and sorrows. The most regrettable part was that they had to part ways just after reuniting with old friends.
He Yan, contrary to her usual self, fell silent and slowly packed her luggage in the room. Actually, she didn’t have much luggage to begin with. The clothes for women that Lin Shuanghe paid for at the Embroidered Brocade Lane in Jiyang, He Yan couldn’t bring back to Liangzhou. A “big man” carrying women’s clothing would likely be looked at strangely.
So, He Yan left behind all those clothes, along with accessories and shoes, given to the four Yiniangs of Cui Yuezhi. However, when she packed and looked at them, she couldn’t help feeling a bit reluctant. Probably because after playing the role of a woman for a long time, returning to being a man felt somewhat uncomfortable.
Under the pillow, there was still a clay figurine. The colors of the figurine were no longer as vibrant as when it was first made. It had dimmed, and the clay had gradually dried, showing signs of cracking. He Yan picked it up and looked at it carefully.
This was a clay figurine she bought from a street vendor during the Water God Festival, on the way to Firefly Spring with Xiao Jue. The vendor saw her and made one in her likeness. With long hair braided across her forehead, flowing down the back, a red dress, and black boots, she looked unfamiliar but also like herself.
Knowing that she couldn’t take it back to Liangzhou Garrison, but having to leave it here made He Yan reluctant. As if the place where the clay figurine existed was where memories existed, if she left it here, it would be like abandoning the memories of Jiyang.
But she was unwilling to give up these memories, whether bitter or happy.
“Don’t want to take it back?” Xiao Jue sat at the table and glanced at her.
He Yan sighed, “I’m afraid of being discovered by people from Liangzhou Garrison. It wouldn’t be good if I am exposed.”
Xiao Jue chuckled, “You’re good at deceiving people. Why can’t you find a suitable excuse?”
He Yan thought, “Other things can be let go, but when it comes to concealing one’s identity, I’ve been cautious. After all, a small mistake can lead to total defeat. Better safe than sorry.”
“Be careful on a boat for a thousand years.” She said casually while holding the figurine’s wooden stick tightly, reluctant to let go.
Xiao Jue smirked, “You can say you bought it to give to your fiancée when you get back.”
He Yan was taken aback and looked at him, “Is this acceptable?”
“Aren’t you a pure and innocent person, guarding your purity for your fiancée. With such deep affection, naturally, you would think about them wherever you go. Buying a commemorative clay figurine and bringing it back, what’s wrong with that?”
This remark reminded He Yan. Indeed, she still had a “fiancée.” For a moment, she felt that Xiao Jue’s reason was very reasonable. So, she picked up the figurine and put it in the bundle, praising Xiao Jue, “Commander, I now realize that when it comes to deception, you are a true master.”
Xiao Jue put down the military book in his hand and looked at her, raising an eyebrow slightly. “I said it casually, don’t take it to heart.”
He Yan sighed, “It’s just that I’ve stayed in Jiyang for a long time, and I’m a bit reluctant to go back to Liangzhou Garrison.”
This gentle water town, simple and honest people, naturally bred a sense of attachment. She didn’t know if she would have a chance to come back in this life, but even if she did, she didn’t know how many years it would be.
“Do you want to stay?” Xiao Jue asked.
He Yan nodded, then shook her head, “No. I like it here, but there are more important things to do.”
If she didn’t have the grievances from her previous life, just as the identity of “He Yan,” if she could stay here permanently, it would naturally be desirable. But she still had unsettled grudges, and even if the scenery was beautiful, she couldn’t linger. She had to keep moving forward.
“Are you referring to making contributions?” his voice carried a hint of sarcasm.
He Yan smiled, “Sort of. But Commander, you promised me before. As long as I follow you to do things in Jiyang, you’ll let me join the Nanfu Army. You did promise that, right?”
Xiao Jue said, “It counts.”
He Yan became happy; at least, she was a bit closer to her desired goal.
Xiao Jue lowered his eyes, concealing the deep meaning in his eyes. When he raised his head again, his expression had returned to calm. Just as he was about to speak, someone knocked on the door from outside, and it was Cui Jiao’s voice, “Madam.”
“Come in.”
Cui Jiao walked in, holding neatly folded clothes in her hands, and first looked at Xiao Jue with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
“What’s the matter?” He Yan asked.
“The Fourth Young Master Chu next door… asked the servant to return these clothes to you. He said that thanks to Madam’s clothes and skirts sheltering him, he was able to escape with his life and is extremely grateful.”
He Yan remembered that when Chu Zhao delivered clothes to Mu Hongjin on her behalf, she had given him a “waterproof and fire-resistant” dress, suggesting that he use it as armor. If Cui Jiao hadn’t returned it on his behalf, He Yan would have almost forgotten about it.
Taking the dress, He Yan thought for a moment and placed it on the table. When she returned to Liangzhou Garrison, she would still be a woman, but she wouldn’t need this dress anymore. She decided to leave it to the concubines of Cui Yuezhi.
As soon as she placed it down, she met Xiao Jue’s slightly cold eyes. The young man looked at her, calmly saying, “Did you give the clothes I bought to Chu Zilan?”
“It’s not like you bought it,” He Yan replied truthfully. “Wasn’t it paid for by Brother Lin?”
Xiao Jue’s expression remained indifferent.
He Yan realized that this person was angry. Upon reflection, it made sense. He and Chu Zilan were arch-enemies, and she had given Chu Zilan the thing he chose. Naturally, he would be displeased.
After thinking for a moment, she explained proactively, “At that time, I asked Cui Jiao to deliver the Princess clothes to me, but Brother Chu was afraid that something might happen to Cui Jiao, so he came over himself. I saw that he was a big man, without the strength to bind a chicken, and he was by the canal. If he encountered the Wutuo people, he could be killed with two blades. The little guy in the embroidery shop said that this dress is impervious to knives and fire. Since I have armor and I’m not afraid, I gave him this dress as armor.”
The situation was chaotic at that time, and He Yan had forgotten about it. Besides, this dress was feminine, and she gave it to Chu Zilan. Perhaps Chu Zilan wouldn’t even wear it.
“Brother Chu?” Xiao Jue asked.
He Yan took a step back, realizing that she misspoke again, “Fourth Young Master Chu, Fourth Young Master Chu.”
He sneered, “I see that you’re quite familiar with Chu Zilan.”
“No, we’re not that close.” He Yan explained seriously, “It was just a chance encounter. We won’t meet again in the future.”
“I’ll remind you again,” the young man raised an eyebrow, his voice cold and indifferent, “you can like whoever you want, but if you like Chu Zilan, you’re courting death.”
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my delulu self says hes JEALOUS but i know xj is just being cautious and reasonable ig…and maybe a TINY bit jealous