Chapter 91
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“I think these tools should be given to local hunters for them to copy,” reassured Han Jiao. “Scaling them up allows for the capture of not just birds but also small creatures, which can be taken to the market for sale while avoiding concerns about spoilage. Your Highness will have helped the hunters greatly.”
Xie Xiu’s disappointed gaze brightened once more.
Han Jiao’s emotions were entirely stirred by this young man. Seeing him with a sunny disposition and a wagging tail, he felt an indescribable sense of ease and happiness. “How about it, Your Highness? Before the treatment, do you want to tell me if you dreamt of anything unusual last night?”
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know?”
Xie Xiu nodded. “I remember my dreams from the day before, and a few days ago, but not from last night.”
Han Jiao thought for a moment. “Is it because you slept especially soundly last night?”
Xie Xiu nodded. “Tonight, I’ll make an effort to dream.”
Han Jiao smilingly reassured him, “No need, Your Highness. Just let it happen naturally. Having no particular dreams is a good sign. It means you’re recovering faster than I expected.”
Xie Xiu’s lips curled upwards. He started nodding repeatedly, swaying his body slightly like a roly-poly toy.
“Is Your Highness happy?” Han Jiao was amused by his way of expressing joy. He stepped closer to face him and softly hummed a cheerful song he used to enjoy. As his body moved in rhythm with the song, he invited Xie Xiu, “Your Highness, would you like to sway your body like this with me?”
Many people with Asperger’s syndrome find relief from stress using this method.
As a young prince, Xie Xiu might have been forbidden from making such large, erratic movements during his childhood. Thus, he could only sway discreetly, resembling a roly-poly toy, to avoid drawing attention.
Han Jiao knew that his dancing skills were very poor, but for such a simple sway, it couldn’t be that bad, could it? Unexpectedly, Xie Xiu seemed startled, turning away and refusing to look at him.
“Your Highness?” Han Jiao tried to save face, quickly stopping and smiling, “I’m not a good dancer. Could you show me how to do it?”
Xie Xiu gazed at the sky outside the courtyard. “I can’t dance like that.”
Han Jiao raised an eyebrow. “Why not?”
“You’ll laugh at me.”
“I won’t,” Han Jiao suppressed a laugh and raised his hand to swear to the sky, “I promise, if I laugh at Your Highness, I’ll have a year of bad luck!”
Xie Xiu nervously shifted his gaze back to Han Jiao and asked quietly, “Do I have to dance?”
“Come on, Your Highness. Dancing will make you really happy!”
Xie Xiu lowered his head, clumsily moved his limbs, and then looked at Han Jiao seriously. “If you can’t help but laugh, you can laugh. You don’t need to have a year of bad luck.”
He actually believed it.
Han Jiao indeed burst into laughter, and as he laughed, he felt unexpectedly moved. “Thank you for the permission, Your Highness.”
Right then and there, Han Jiao had the chance to witness Prince Duan’s extremely uncoordinated dance moves, sometimes moving his hands and feet at the same time.
Han Jiao followed his rhythm, humming a little tune, and unabashedly danced the most unattractive dance.
“Hahaha! Your Highness, can you give me your hand?”
Xie Xiu looked at him slowly, unsure which hand to extend.
Han Jiao took the initiative to bend down and grab his hand, lifting it high and leading it to swing around from under his arm. “Like this, Your Highness, you should give it a try.”
Xie Xiu was eager to try, but he wasn’t sure which way to turn. His arm was a bit stiff, and he suddenly raised it, pulling Han Jiao in front of him. He turned around, getting stuck halfway.
Han Jiao couldn’t stop laughing and had to tiptoe to create some space. They turned half a circle, ending up facing a pond not too far away.
Han Jiao’s smile froze instantly, but Xie Xiu was still trying to crawl under his arm.
Regaining his composure, Han Jiao respectfully bowed to the man who stood quietly by the pond. “This subject greets Senior Minister Li.”
Xie Xiu, still having a great time, looked around bewilderedly at the mention and finally spotted Senior Minister Li. He called out with a smile, “Master has arrived.”
Senior Minister Li nodded with a small smile, signaling them to continue playing.
Han Jiao dared not go wild anymore and quickly whispered to Xie Xiu to go back to the house for a rest.
Back in the main hall, Senior Minister Li smiled apologetically. “I arrived at an inopportune time and disrupted your enjoyment.”
Han Jiao almost wanted to find a hole to hide in. He had just wanted Xie Xiu to have some fun. He had no idea how long Senior Minister Li had quietly watched.
“Elder, I apologize for my lapse in etiquette. His Highness was enjoying himself just now,” Han Jiao took the initiative to admit his mistake.
“No need for apologies,” Xie Xiu’s eyes gleamed, “I like it this way.”
Senior Minister Li nodded. “From the first time I met Your Highness, I’ve always said that you’re different from the other Princes. You don’t need to be bound by formalities. It’s rare to see Your Highness so carefree. I hope Master Han will visit often.”
Han Jiao nodded in gratitude to the generous Senior Minister.
“I’ve come here urgently today because there’s an important matter I need to discuss with Your Highness.”
Han Jiao promptly rose, about to take his leave, but Senior Minister Li gestured for him to stay seated.
“It’s not a secret. Since Master Han is here, why not consult together for His Highness?”
Han Jiao had no choice but to sit back down and wait for Senior Minister Li to explain further.
Senior Minister Li got straight to the point. In just a few sentences, Han Jiao’s face turned pale with shock.
“Is this Senior Minister Xu’s idea?” Han Jiao was astonished. “The court has never waged war with the Luzhou’s tribes. Even with thorough preparation, unforeseen circumstances may arise. How can they allow His Highness to personally join the battle?”
“It was Prince Yan who volunteered for the battle. As for whose intention it specifically came from, I cannot determine.”
Han Jiao quickly regained his composure, not wanting Senior Minister Li to realize the extent of his concern for Prince Yan.
“Is Sixth Brother leaving the capital for war?” Xie Xiu asked with hesitation, looking at Senior Minister Li.
Senior Minister Li appeared startled and turned to face Xie Xiu. “What did Your Highness say?”
“Is Sixth Brother leaving the capital for war?”
Even the most significant storm couldn’t conceal the shock in Senior Minister Li’s eyes. He turned silently to look at Han Jiao, as if realizing something.
Senior Minister Li had intentionally indulged Han Jiao’s feigned allegiance. His aim was for Han Jiao to genuinely give up on Prince Yan and willingly turn to him.
At this moment, Xie Xiu’s casual mention of Prince Yan, even calling him “Sixth Brother,” was something Senior Minister Li had never anticipated.
All this time, Xie Xiu couldn’t speak the name “Prince Yan.” For seven years, not even Senior Minister Li had been able to fathom the source of Xie Xiu’s fear. He knew Xie Xiu’s fear of Prince Yan was an absolute no-go zone, an area no one could step into.
Yet, Han Jiao had dispelled this fear in just two and a half months.
Without the formidable shield of “fear,” Xie Xiu might very well re-establish contact with Prince Yan, which meant…
The situation was on the verge of spiraling out of control.
Senior Minister Li had never been concerned about this drastic change in strategy because he had never believed anyone could change Xie Xiu.
This was the first time, and he had underestimated the situation.
When Han Jiao heard Xie Xiu call out “Sixth Brother,” his heart skipped a beat.
But he quickly relaxed again.
Because the plan was already about 80% successful, and Senior Minister Li was only now realizing it, which was too late.
He believed Senior Minister Li wouldn’t seek revenge for this, as Han Jiao was just an insignificant figure but was highly favored by the Ninth Prince.
Senior Minister Li should understand that despite the Ninth Prince’s seemingly passive attitude, he possessed keen political acumen. At this point, he wouldn’t risk angering Xie Duo’s favorite courtier out of frustration.
Soon, the sharpness in Senior Minister Li’s eyes subsided. He continued discussing the original topic with the same amicability, “In my view, the decision to participate in the battle should be Prince Yan’s own idea. The authority for appointment and command of this battle is in the hands of the Prime Minister, and he simply let things flow without hindrance.”
Han Jiao truly admired Senior Minister Li’s ability to handle this. If his seven years of support had suddenly collapsed, he probably wouldn’t be capable of coherent thought right now.
“Can we avoid going to war?” Xie Xiu suddenly asked.
Senior Minister Li turned to the young prince and sighed. “Now it’s not the court wanting to wage war against them. It’s them wanting to wage war against the court. Their arrogance has simmered for centuries, and the court isn’t declaring war, but responding to it. This battle is unavoidable.”
Han Jiao respectfully inquired, “Elder, has the Emperor already agreed?”
“The imperial edict hasn’t been issued yet, but I’ve heard some rumblings. His Majesty is greatly pleased with the bravery of Prince Yan. The Chieftain of Luzhou has repeatedly challenged the imperial authority, and Prince Yan will be representing the Emperor in this campaign, which is a tremendous honor.”
“What can I do to help Sixth Brother?” Xie Xiu asked timidly, looking at Senior Minister Li.
Senior Minister Li smiled faintly. “I came here with the intention of seeking Your Highness’ approval to issue a decree in your name to boost the soldiers’ morale.”
“What’s the use of writing those?”
With this statement, both Senior Minister Li and Han Jiao appeared somewhat uncomfortable.
This formality was simply a gesture, considering that Prince Yan had volunteered for the battle. Prince Duan couldn’t show no sign of support.
But it couldn’t be said to Xie Xiu in this manner. Han Jiao stepped in for Senior Minister Li, explaining that writing this decree would encourage Prince Yan. Only then did Xie Xiu agree, and it was, of course, penned by Senior Minister Li.
After a brief conversation, it started getting dark. Senior Minister Li excused himself, and Han Jiao couldn’t linger either, so he bid his farewell. The treatment would have to continue another time.
Walking to the gates of the royal mansion, Han Jiao once again bowed to say goodbye to Senior Minister Li and respectfully saw him off as he boarded his sedan.
“Master Han is truly a genius of our time,” Senior Minister Li sighed in a low voice.
Han Jiao paused for a moment, understanding that this wasn’t a compliment. He chose not to respond and simply nodded before seeing Senior Minister Li off.
“It’s a pity, though. You’ve only just entered the political scene, and you still have a lot to learn.”
Han Jiao raised his eyes, attempting to discern from the old fox’s expression whether this was a sincere piece of advice or just empty words.
“Please, Elder, guide me.”
“If you genuinely seek advice, then this is the final piece of advice I’ll offer you.” Senior Minister Li turned to face Han Jiao, his sharp eagle eyes focused on him. “Until the Crown Prince is established, you must not instigate an alliance between Prince Duan and Prince Yan. I’ve said my piece. Master Han, please consider this carefully.”
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