spoiled brat

Chapter 121, Section 120: Lingering Resentment (Part 20)

Xiu Yi said calmly, "After I recovered from my injury that time, I went back into battle. I was young and weak, so I only dared to shoot arrows and fight on the periphery. But the situation on the battlefield can change in an instant. The few guards around me all died. Why should they also get separated from me?"

"I hid in the trench, trembling with fear. I didn't even dare to show my head, let alone fire an arrow."

"Coincidentally, a cowardly barbarian also hid in the trench. When he saw me, he immediately put down his knife, signaled me not to attack, and told me to hide with him until the horn sounded before climbing out."

Even knowing her son was safe and sound, Zhan Ruoshui's heart was still in suspense: "This is a trick that old soldiers often use, trying to take advantage of you when you're not paying attention."

"A trick? He has a knife, but I've lost mine and only have a bow and arrows... Why would he need to use clever words against me?"

“He wasn’t a seasoned veteran either; he was about my age and a new recruit.”

"If he weren't a barbarian, and if we hadn't met on the battlefield, perhaps we would have become friends."

“But he was a barbarian, a barbarian who could kill me. I was afraid he would kill me, so I had no choice but to kill him first. When he was not paying attention, I strangled him with the bowstring. At first he resisted with all his might, but after he had no strength left to struggle, he cried.”

"He said a lot of things, but I couldn't understand a word. Maybe he was cursing me, or maybe he was begging me. I never imagined that my bowstring would be so fast, fast enough to cut off a person's head."

"..."

“That was my first military achievement. Later, I asked an old soldier in the army who understood the barbarian language, and that’s when I found out what he was saying before he died. He begged me not to kill him, because his mother was waiting for him to come home.”

"..."

"Later I killed many people, cut off their heads to earn military merits. The faces of the dead were stacked up, and now I can't remember what they looked like."

Xiu Yi looked at Zhan Ruoshui and asked calmly, "But I still remember the emotion I felt at that time. It was hatred. Do you know what I hated?"

"What is there to hate?"

“I hate that you and Mother gave birth to me, and I hate that I am destined to live this life, either as a silent and reserved person, like a lifeless statue on a shrine; or as a person who treads on mountains of corpses and seas of blood to gain worthless praise and fame—I don’t like these things, I don’t like them at all.”

Zhan Ruoshui remained silent for a long while before saying, "It's all my fault, Father. I'm useless; I let the flames of war spread to the younger generation." She pulled a register from the table and handed it to Xiu Yi: "Take a look."

This is the troop roster. Every time a camp is broken up, everyone from the generals to the lowest soldiers has to sign their names here.

The scroll in Xiu Yi's hand was a register of generals, containing the names of twelve generals under Prince Ning, but his name was conspicuously missing.

"without me?"

"without you."

"The enemy is strong now, and even if we use all the strength of the country, we may not be able to win. Moreover, since we moved south, all the front-line generals have been replaced by Wu's faction. This northward march is no different from getting rid of tigers and wolves in a den of snakes and rats."

Zhan Ruoshui said, "This journey is extremely dangerous. Father will go by himself, while you stay in your fiefdom and act according to the situation."

"You used to teach me that a general must not be cowardly, but now you want to leave me in the south as a coward?"

Xiu Yi coldly replied, "Besides, if I don't go, who will support you and launch a coordinated attack? Of your twelve generals, who understands your military strategy and command better than me? With enemies in front and bandits behind, I cannot let you risk your life alone."

Zhan Ruoshui smiled, a rare fatherly kindness appearing on his face: "Son, in my life of military campaigns, I have never been corrupt or abused my power. This time is the only exception in my life. I didn't bring your mother, nor did I bring you... This time, I really wasn't confident that I could protect you."

As he spoke, his voice became hoarse: "In a few months, you will be eighteen years old. You will be a man now, and you should be more responsible. Don't be impulsive or reckless. Always think about your family, your mother, and your sister."

Zhan Ruoshui gently patted Xiu Yi's shoulder and choked up, saying, "I used to be too strict with you and said many cold things. It was my fault. Please forgive me."

Xiu Yi's eyes reddened, and he was about to say something when a cool breeze suddenly came to his ear. He hurriedly dodged, but he couldn't escape his father's hand.

I experienced severe pain in the back of my neck and a sudden dizziness.

Before his consciousness faded, he saw his father's sorrowful, tearful eyes, and a thousand words remained unspoken. Zhan Ruoshui sat silently for a moment, composed herself, and called in her deputy, instructing, "Send the young master back to his residence and have the Princess keep a close watch on him."

The lieutenant, who already knew about this, was not surprised: "Yes."

“Ten thousand soldiers were to be assigned to guard the fiefdom.”

Zhan Ruoshui strode outwards, her waist saber striking her armor with a clear, ringing sound.

"Pass down the order: break camp tomorrow."

-

Capital.

The wind was strong, the snow was thick, the frost was heavy, and the horses were slippery; a carriage moved slowly forward.

Yi Xing lifted the curtain and saw the sickly morning sun already rising, the world bathed in a pale white light. He laughed and said:

"My good uncle is quite shrewd. Knowing the dangers of this journey, he abandoned Xiuyi and headed north alone."

"Prince Ning knows we're plotting against him, so how could Minister Jiang not know?"

He Wang touched his nose and muttered, "If we go to visit your residence now, wouldn't we be inviting trouble?"

Yi Xing lazily raised an eyebrow: "It was the Wu family who plotted against him, what does it have to do with me?"

Before they knew it, they had arrived at the Jiang residence.

The gatekeepers, seeing that it was an official's carriage, respectfully stepped forward to greet it.

When Yi Xing stepped down, the servants were stunned. They never expected that it was this gentleman who had come. After bowing, they hurriedly went into the mansion to invite Minister Jiang to receive the emperor.

A moment later, Jiang Jince arrived in full regalia to greet him.

He was fifty years old, yet vigorous and upright, resembling an ancient pine tree leaning against a cliff when viewed from afar, and his bowing was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Your Highness, this humble subject pays his respects."

Knowing that he suffered from a leg ailment, Yi Xing disregarded formalities and helped him inside.

Passing through the covered walkway and around the screen wall, one finds no strange rocks or elegant birds, nor ancient trees or famous flowers, but only a hexagonal pavilion standing by the lake, its top covered in snow.

Just as Yi Xing was about to exaggerate a few words about the refined and austere demeanor of a scholar from humble beginnings, Jiang Jinze stopped and pointed to the lakeside pavilion, saying:

"The rooms inside the mansion are shabby, so I will not offend Your Highness's eyes and ears. Please sit in the pavilion."

How can the crown prince be received like this?
He Wang's expression darkened, and he was about to make trouble, but then he heard Yi Xing laugh:
"Very well, with our soldiers fighting and dying on the front lines, how can I, holding a high position in the rear, enjoy a life of ease and comfort?"

Jiang Jinze replied indifferently, "Your Highness is wise."

The two entered the pavilion and sat silently, remaining speechless for a moment.

The servants brought tea, which was brewed properly, but it couldn't withstand the cold wind by the lake and froze in no time.

Yi Xing looked at the teacup in his hand, which was already covered with ice crystals, and chuckled:

"Old Jiang, I grew up in the cold palace, where I lacked clothes and clothing. It was common for me to wear summer clothes even in the snow. I am not afraid of the cold, but don't your legs hurt?"

Jiang Jinze, too lazy to consider, spoke bluntly:
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Although I was suffering from a serious illness, I was fortunate to receive some medicine from the Prince of Ning's residence, and my leg ailment has greatly improved."