Chapter 282 - Farewell (2)

Xu Yuan shook his head and tapped the table lightly. “If possible, Old Jiang, I’d like you to keep this from Father. If the silver still isn’t enough, or you run into any trouble, contact me immediately. I’ll find some way to get more. And if there are any medicinal ingredients you need, I may be able to arrange those as well.”

As it turned out, his speculation about the northern frontier had been correct.

After conspiring with Jiang He for a while, Xu Yuan left Sky’s Fortune Garden and prepared to return to Feng Jiuxuan’s Sword Pavilion training ground for another round of being carved up.

Before he could get there, Xu Changge found him. His usually taciturn elder brother spoke more in one breath than he normally did in several days, laying out every concern, advantage, and danger in painstaking detail.

It all boiled down to one sentence. The imperial clan and the Chancellor’s Manor needed hostages of mutual trust concerning the northern frontier.

The children of both families had to be sent to the front lines.

After listening carefully, Xu Yuan glanced sideways at his elder brother, who was walking beside him toward the Sword Pavilion, and chuckled. “So, in simple terms, the Second and Third Princes will be sent to Mister Zong, while I’ll accompany the First Martial Princess and her Feathered Forest Army. Is that right?”

Xu Changge’s expression remained cold and stern, but the worry in his narrow phoenix eyes was plain to see. “Mhm. Those are the terms Li Yaoxuan offered Father.”

Xu Yuan lifted his eyes to the clear blue sky and replied. “I’ll go.”

Xu Changge frowned and lowered his voice. “Father is still discussing the matter with Li Yaoxuan. There is no need to decide so quickly. In the end, it may be the Crown Prince and me who are sent to the front instead.”

Because of the war in the north, both he and the Crown Prince had previously visited the Northern Barbarian Royal Court as envoys to negotiate ceasefires and other matters.

In other words, as long as no one had left the capital yet, the choice of who would be sent north was still open to negotiation.

Xu Yuan smiled and shook his head. “Xu Changge, if you go north, the sects will seize any opportunity they get to make sure you die there.”

Xu Changge glanced at him, an unreadable smile touching his thin lips. “The sects have always wanted me dead. No one has ever dared to make the attempt.”

Xu Yuan rolled his eyes, exasperated by his elder brother’s confidence. “Xu Changge, your cultivation may be high, but both sides have already massed over a million troops in the north, and the situation is chaos. You are the Chancellor’s Manor’s only acknowledged heir, and you are also a staunch advocate for war. Given the chance, they will spare no cost to kill you.”

He spread his hands with shameless frankness. “I’m different. I’m nothing but a wastrel. The sects won’t risk enraging Father beyond all reconciliation just to forcefully assassinate me.”

Xu Changge swept him with a cold glance. “Nonsense! With your cultivation, one moment of carelessness in the north and you’ll be dead.”

The corner of Xu Yuan’s eye twitched. After a sigh, however, he answered calmly, “Princes guard the nation’s gates. Sovereigns die for the realm. If those princes can go, why can’t I?”

A long silence followed.

The two walked a long way before Xu Changge finally spoke in a low voice. “Before Mother died, I promised her I would protect all of you.”

Xu Yuan looked back at him and smiled. “Big Brother, those who enjoy the benefits must also shoulder the burden. I cannot keep forcing Father to make difficult choices for my sake. Besides, if I intend to take charge of the Chancellor’s Manor one day, there is still much I lack. If I remain sheltered forever, I’ll become nothing more than an armchair strategist. This journey north may be dangerous, but it is indispensable.”

With that, his gaze sharpened, leaving no room for argument. “10 days from now, I will accompany Li Qingyan to the northern frontier.”

Inside the Sword Pavilion, Feng Jiuxuan watched his two nephews from afar at the entrance to the training ground.

He let out a quiet sigh, then turned and walked away.

??

Nine days later, after nightfall, at Heavenly Cloud Palace.

The establishment was crowded and noisy, packed with wealthy patrons and entertainers in fluttering robes of every color.

After what had happened last time, the latest gathering of the Four Young Masters of the Capital was once again held in a private booth within the main hall.

Xu Yuan and Li Junwu arrived first.

Neither of them held an official post, so they had the most free time.

Wang Chengping and Gong Yuanzeng both served as officials. Their families might have powerful backgrounds, but they still had to show at least a little respect for the robes they wore. Yet even after three rounds of wine, neither man had appeared.

So Xu Yuan and Li Junwu ordered drinks and listened to music.

The young entertainer danced gracefully, her long sleeves swirling around her. She wore a plain black palace dress with a low neckline that shifted gently as she moved. Whenever she raised one shapely leg, the hem parted just enough to reveal the black silk stockings beneath.

Taking in the entertainer’s outfit, Xu Yuan glanced sideways at Li Junwu, who sat beside him. “I heard all the girls in this newly opened pleasure house were once disciples of the rebel sects?”

Li Junwu stared at the young woman dancing in the open space before them, one leg crossed over the other. She answered absently, “Yeah. It only opened recently. Changtian, haven’t you already become engaged to the First Martial Princess? Why did you suddenly call us out for a gathering?”

Xu Yuan smiled. “What does my engagement have to do with visiting a pleasure house?”

Li Junwu turned to look at him, her expression peculiar. “Aren’t you afraid that murderous woman will chop you into pieces?”

“Murderous woman?” Xu Yuan found her description of Li Qingyan rather amusing. “You mean the First Martial Princess”

“Who else?” Li Junwu curled her lips. “My father once said that no fewer than a million souls have died by her hand. You think a woman like that will let you visit pleasure houses?”

Xu Yuan sighed. “Stop exaggerating rumors. Granted, what you said is technically true, but although she’s a little domineering, she’s actually a rather decent person overall.”

“Decent?” Li Junwu raised an eyebrow and teased, “You’ve only met her a few times, and you’re already defending her?”

Xu Yuan spread his hands with a smile. “Well, she is my fiancée.”

“Is she beautiful?” Li Junwu suddenly asked with interest.

Seeing the look in her eyes, Xu Yuan grinned and asked in return: “What, are you interested in her that way?”

Li Junwu took a sip of wine and shook her head. “I don’t like women like that. Sleep beside her, and you might wake up one morning without your head. I was only asking. Still, judging by your attitude toward her, she must be quite beautiful.”

“She’s probably a little prettier than you.” Xu Yuan thought back for a moment, then smiled. After a pause, he glanced at Li Junwu’s chest. “Though I don’t know whether she binds her breasts like you do.”

Amusement entered Li Junwu’s eyes. She looked down at herself and shook her head. “This thing is hardly comfortable. It squeezes so tightly that it’s stifling. I only wear it when I come out to play.”

“Spare me the personal experience. It’s not as though I’ll ever need it,” Xu Yuan complained.

Li Junwu rolled her eyes. A faint flush from the wine had already spread across her cheeks. She reclined upon the cushioned couch behind her and casually rested both shapely legs across Xu Yuan’s lap. “Massage them for me. I trained all day, and I’m exhausted.”

“You certainly don’t stand on ceremony,” Xu Yuan said with a laugh, though he did not refuse. “You actually dare order this young master to massage your legs.”

Feeling his hands begin to knead her legs, Li Junwu chuckled. “You seem perfectly willing. Your mouth may complain, but your hands are quite honest. Now tell me, why did you suddenly call all of us here?”

Xu Yuan smiled faintly as he continued massaging her legs. “I’m leaving for the northern frontier tomorrow. So I came to say goodbye.”