As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Xiao Yue’s commanding presence was overwhelming, but Qin Zhao simply met his gaze calmly. Even upon hearing such words, his expression remained composed, with not the slightest ripple of emotion.
Not one bit inferior.
The onlookers were so stunned they couldn’t utter a word. Gu Changzhou, sensing trouble, quickly stepped in to mediate. “The General may not know, but Master Qin is in poor health. He recently suffered a severe illness and truly cannot drink.”
“A severe illness?”
Xiao Yue scrutinized Qin Zhao for a moment and indeed noticed his pale complexion and the sickly look on his gaunt face.
“So, you’re a frail invalid.” Resting his chin on his hand, Xiao Yue’s smile returned as he drawled, “Does that mean I, the General, owe you an apology?”
Qin Zhao replied, “No need, General Xiao. You don’t need to take it to heart.”
Xiao Yue: “…”
Everyone at the table inhaled sharply.
This… Does this mean he’s accepting the General’s apology? How could he dare to use such a tone—
Xiao Yue was momentarily at a loss but showed no sign of anger. Instead, he let out a hearty laugh. “Interesting. Very interesting… Let’s eat, everyone. No need to just sit there.”
The meal proceeded in an atmosphere of tension, leaving everyone on edge and unable to enjoy the food. Qin Zhao, on the other hand, seemed completely unaffected, as relaxed as if this were an ordinary family dinner.
Xiao Yue barely touched the food, silently downing cup after cup of wine placed before him.
Finally, the banquet drew to a close. The guests began to put down their chopsticks, but none dared to leave. Xiao Yue, now visibly tipsy, swept a blurry gaze across the room. “All done eating? Then leave.”
With that, he ignored everyone, stood up unsteadily, and staggered out.
One of his subordinates tried to help him, but he shoved them away forcefully. “Get lost! Does this General need your help?”
He turned and walked out, his steps slightly unsteady but still firm enough.
The subordinates accompanying Xiao Yue hurriedly bid farewell to the others, exchanging polite courtesies before leaving one by one. Relief was evident on their faces as they exited the boat.
Gu Changzhou and Qin Zhao stayed behind until the very end.
Gu Changzhou lowered his voice and asked, “Are we really just letting him leave like this?”
“We won’t,” Qin Zhao replied calmly, finishing the last cup of tea and carefully wiping his fingers with a silk handkerchief before standing up. “Let’s head out as well.”
The two stepped out of the boat, only to find that the others who had accompanied Xiao Yue had already dispersed. As they were heading toward the front hall, someone suddenly blocked their path.
“My General wishes to speak with this gentleman alone,” the person said.
Dressed plainly as a commoner, the man moved with an unnatural silence, clearly skilled in martial arts. Gu Changzhou hesitated and looked at Qin Zhao, who said, “You go ahead. Have Ah Qi return as well, and let my husband know I’ll be home late. Tell him not to worry.”
“I’ll go meet that general.”
…
The location remained a pleasure boat, but this one was smaller and far less conspicuous than the one they had dined in earlier. The attendant leading the way merely opened the door for Qin Zhao before standing aside. Looking inside, he saw a single low table placed within, with Xiao Yue sitting at it, his back facing the entrance.
As Qin Zhao stepped aboard, he felt the boat sway slightly. Turning back, he saw the attendant untying the rope securing the boat to the shore. With a firm push of the oar, the boat drifted away from the bank.
The pleasure boat floated until it reached the middle of the lake, where it finally stopped.
Then, with a light thud at the bow, the attendant leapt into the air, using light footwork to skim across the water, and in no time had returned to the shore.
Now, only Qin Zhao and Xiao Yue remained on the boat.
Qin Zhao silently adjusted his breathing and approached Xiao Yue. Seeing two cups of wine already poured on the table, he frowned slightly.
“Can you not survive without alcohol?” Qin Zhao seated himself across from Xiao Yue and gazed at him calmly. “Xiao Yue.”
“Whether I live or not has nothing to do with you. But you… I’m curious how you’re still alive.”
Xiao Yue pushed one of the cups toward Qin Zhao, then raised his gaze, his voice cold. “Qin Shu.”
Qin Zhao remained silent.
The current royal family bore the surname Qi. Among them, Prince Rong, the only prince of a different surname, was named Qin Shu, courtesy name Chengchao.
When Qin Zhao had wandered to Linxi Village after losing his memory, he had chosen the name Qin Zhao based on fragments of his recollection.
…
The night was moonless and starless. The pleasure boat floated quietly in the lake’s center, and the lantern hanging at the bow swayed slightly in the breeze, like a lone light in a long, dark night. It was a picture of solitude and silence.
Inside, the same quiet lingered. Xiao Yue tilted his head back and drank a sip of wine before chuckling. “The once all-powerful Regent, abandoning his princely status to live under a pseudonym and even take the imperial exams. What’s the matter? Was retirement too dull? At your age, you still felt the need to prove your talents?”
In such a short time, Xiao Yue had already uncovered so much about him. That level of thoroughness was no small feat.
Qin Zhao looked at him with a complicated expression and reminded him, “I’m five years younger than you.”
Xiao Yue: “…”
“You’re still as infuriating as ever,” Xiao Yue muttered, pouring himself another cup of wine. “Try it. This isn’t the swill from those taverns; it’s mare’s milk wine I brought back from the border. You won’t find this on ordinary days.”
It was only then that Qin Zhao noticed the wine in the cup was milky white, with a faint aroma of milk that set it apart from regular spirits.
A flicker of thought crossed Qin Zhao’s eyes, but he still shook his head. “I really can’t drink.”
The nonchalant look on Xiao Yue’s face finally faded, replaced by a frown. “What’s wrong with you…”
Qin Zhao pressed his fingers to his temple.
He was still recovering from a serious illness and had already stayed out too long today, leaving him exhausted. “Do you think I’m faking it?”
This time, it was Xiao Yue’s turn to fall silent.
He stared at Qin Zhao for a moment before asking in a deep voice, “What exactly happened? I thought you—”
“Thought I stepped down voluntarily?” Qin Zhao sighed. “That was how it was supposed to be.”
Xiao Yue: “What went wrong?”
“I don’t know.”
Xiao Yue’s fingers lightly traced the rim of his wine cup as he spoke languidly, “Though I’ve been far away at the border, I’ve heard quite a bit.”
“When the young emperor ascended the throne at just twelve years old, the late emperor entrusted him to you. The court was in turmoil, and you executed countless corrupt officials, but you ended up with a reputation for harboring ambitions as a wolf.”
“…That rumor was intentional on your part, wasn’t it?”
“It was,” Qin Zhao said calmly. “Weren’t you also afraid I’d seize your military power? That’s why you went to the border and stayed there for so many years.”
Xiao Yue cursed, “The hell I was afraid of you—”
Qin Zhao raised his eyes to look at him.
Xiao Yue’s words caught in his throat, and he quickly changed the subject. “Keep talking. What happened after that?”
Qin Zhao said, “The late emperor was gravely ill for years. Corruption plagued the court and government. Pulling out one rotten thread risked unraveling the entire system. It was impossible to fix through legitimate means.”
Xiao Yue: “So you used your reputation as an excuse to execute them all and replaced them with your own people.”
That was the story the rumors told—that the Regent was a bloodthirsty tyrant who purged dissidents under the guise of eliminating corruption.
Qin Zhao corrected him, “I replaced them with capable individuals.”
“Same thing. They were still your people.” Xiao Yue waved dismissively. “I already knew all that. What happened next?”
Qin Zhao said, “It took me five full years to stabilize the situation. As the emperor grew older and more capable, I began planning my retirement.”
Xiao Yue understood. “You deliberately shaped yourself into the image of a treacherous minister. When the time was right, you staged a performance with the young emperor, allowing him to publicly ‘eliminate the traitor’ and reclaim power.”
Qin Zhao nodded. “Exactly.”
These memories had only recently started returning to him.
As time passed, most of the gaps in his memory had filled in. Without this, he wouldn’t have dared to show himself so casually in front of Xiao Yue.
The animosity between them was real.
The Xiao family had always been staunch defenders of the throne. When the late emperor entrusted Qin Zhao with the regency, many feared the throne’s authority would be undermined. Xiao Yue had been the most vocal opponent.
But Xiao Yue couldn’t beat him and had left in frustration, volunteering to guard the border.
In the years that followed, Xiao Yue continued to monitor the happenings in the capital from the border, gradually piecing together Qin Zhao’s intentions. Likewise, Qin Zhao had never planned to interfere with Xiao Yue’s military authority.
Both men understood that their actions were for the stability of the court.
Yet even Xiao Yue, upon learning the truth, couldn’t help but feel a chill.
Power was the most seductive force in the world. Many who tasted it were utterly transformed, their personalities changed forever. And yet, here was a man who had wielded immense authority for years and could let it go without hesitation.
What kind of mind could achieve such a feat?
Xiao Yue steadied himself, forcing the unsettling thoughts aside.
Years of leading troops allowed him to quickly piece together the situation based on Qin Zhao’s explanation. “You obviously weren’t intent on seeking death, so I assume you planned to fake your death and vanish. Did the plan go wrong during the fake death?”
Qin Zhao shook his head. “The plan hadn’t been put into motion.”
He had indeed intended to step back, but a staged death alone wouldn’t suffice.
What would happen to the officials who remained loyal to him in the court? What would become of his old subordinates? Would they be subjected to retribution? These were all issues he couldn’t ignore.
Therefore, his plan had been to gradually withdraw his influence, ensuring all was in order before making his departure.
But something unexpected occurred.
“At the time, I happened to be near Jiangling. I was ambushed, and all my personal guards were killed. As for me…”
He was poisoned, lost his memory, and eventually ended up in Linxi Village.
As Qin Zhao recounted these events, Xiao Yue’s frown deepened. When the story concluded, he slammed the table in anger. “What’s this supposed to mean? Using a donkey until it’s useless and then slaughtering it?”
Qin Zhao’s brow twitched; he wasn’t particularly fond of Xiao Yue’s phrasing.
Still, he let it slide. Xiao Yue continued, “Wait a minute. Are you saying the young emperor sent assassins after you? Where would that boy get the guts?”
The current emperor was known for his timid nature, one of the reasons the late emperor had hesitated to entrust the throne directly to him.
But the late emperor had terrible luck—his other children either died young or were plagued with illness or incompetence. The current emperor, though soft in personality, was at least intelligent and capable.
Xiao Yue hadn’t seen the young emperor in years. The last time, the boy had been clinging to Qin Zhao’s leg, tearfully wiping his face.
Qin Zhao sighed. “I don’t know.”
Xiao Yue, being a straightforward soldier, wasn’t interested in overthinking the court’s labyrinthine plots. He simply asked, “So, what are you planning to do?”
“Go to the capital and uncover the truth.”
“It’s been so many years. The dead can’t speak. How will you investigate?”
“Confront them directly.”
“You’re planning to storm the palace gates?” Xiao Yue straightened up slightly, frowning. “Don’t expect me to help you stage a rebellion. While I’m not a fan of that young emperor, the royal family has been good to the Xiao family. I won’t commit treason.”
“…” Qin Zhao replied, “I have no intention of rebelling.”
Xiao Yue: “Then what are you—”
“I just hope that, if necessary, you’ll lend me a small favor.”
“How small?”
“A mere flick of the wrist.”
Xiao Yue withdrew his gaze and seemed to take a sudden interest in the wine cup before him.
Qin Zhao said, “Name your terms.”
Xiao Yue opened his hand and held up five fingers.
Qin Zhao: “…”
A dull headache began to set in. He closed his eyes briefly and said, “Xiao Yue, have your years at the border finally turned you into a bandit?”
Xiao Yue protested, “What do you mean, bandit? Do you know how many troops I have to feed? Do you know how much those brats eat? The court’s monthly provisions barely keep them half-fed. Asking you for 50,000 taels—what’s wrong with that? You, the great Regent, can’t even spare that much?”
Qin Zhao almost laughed out of sheer exasperation.
He replied evenly, “Do you know I’m currently working as a tutor for the Gu family?”
“I know.”
The moment he left the pleasure boat, Xiao Yue had called for the innkeeper and pried all of Qin Zhao’s recent affairs out of him.
Qin Zhao said, “Then you should also know my monthly stipend is only 30 taels. And I haven’t even been able to visit the Gu family for two months.”
Xiao Yue: “…”
The look Xiao Yue gave Qin Zhao suddenly brimmed with sympathy.
“Wait.” He frowned, suddenly suspicious. “That Gu fellow is one of your people, isn’t he?”
“Yes.”
“And isn’t he filthy rich? Can’t you just ask him for some money?”
“I could,” Qin Zhao replied, “but there’s no way he’ll give you that much. 10,000 taels.”
Xiao Yue was incredulous. “Your counteroffer is way too ruthless!”
Qin Zhao remained indifferent, offering no response.
“You’re the one asking for my help, not the other way around,” Xiao Yue said irritably. “I could simply refuse, and it wouldn’t cost me a thing. But you? Who else do you have to turn to besides me?”
Qin Zhao admitted, “Indeed, there’s no one else but you.”
Before Xiao Yue could revel in this, Qin Zhao added, “But likewise, right now, I’m the only one who can help you.”
He was, of course, referring to the court’s intentions to seize military power.
Qin Zhao continued, “You don’t want to hand over your troops and let others do as they please with them, nor do you want to clash with the court. You could refuse to work with me, but that would leave you as you are now—returning in secret just to bury your mother.”
Xiao Yue’s expression darkened instantly, his gaze turning ice cold.
Meeting his stare head-on, Qin Zhao said calmly, “No one else will help you with this. Only I can.”
A long silence spread throughout the pleasure boat before Xiao Yue finally sighed and made his decision. “I heard you had an estate on the outskirts of the capital. It was confiscated by the emperor after the incident. Once this is done, give that estate to me.”
Qin Zhao clenched his teeth. “That estate is worth far more than 50,000—”
Xiao Yue raised an eyebrow.
“Fine. Once I get it back, it’s yours.”
Xiao Yue grinned. “Deal!”
Draining the wine in front of him in one gulp, Xiao Yue rose and said, “Let’s head back.”
Qin Zhao remained seated. “How?”
To ensure privacy, Xiao Yue had instructed his men to row the boat to the middle of the lake. Now, all his subordinates were waiting onshore, and the distance to the shore was considerable.
Xiao Yue was unconcerned. “It’s not that far. I can use light footwork to get us across.”
Qin Zhao gave him a silent look.
Xiao Yue suddenly realized, “Oh, right. You’re a frail invalid now.”
“Then what? I’m not carrying you. That’s disgusting,” Xiao Yue muttered, shivering at the thought of the scene.
Qin Zhao reminded him, “There’s an oar at the bow.”
“Fine, we’ll row back.” Xiao Yue turned to leave but noticed Qin Zhao still sitting. “Why aren’t you getting up?”
Qin Zhao replied, “The night wind on the lake is too strong. I can’t take it.”
“…” Xiao Yue was annoyed. “I’m a damn general, and you’re making me your boatman?”
“Move quickly,” Qin Zhao said nonchalantly. “I have a headache.”
Cursing under his breath, Xiao Yue stomped to the bow. Qin Zhao glanced at the untouched cup of mare’s milk wine in front of him. After a brief hesitation, he lifted the cup and took a small sip.
The rich aroma of milk and wine wafted over him. Qin Zhao savored it for a moment, then took another small sip.
The indulgence cost him. On the way home, Qin Zhao came down with a fever again.
Leaning against the window of the carriage, his lips pale, he spoke weakly, “Turn left here. The house is at the end of the road.”
Xiao Yue, never having seen him in such a state, found it oddly amusing. “With a body like this, can you really make it to the capital?”
“I won’t die.”
“You’d better not,” Xiao Yue said. “I’ve had my eye on that estate of yours for a while. If you fail, I’ll have to find another way to get the emperor to grant it to me.”
Qin Zhao glanced at him. “Pathetic.”
The carriage stopped in front of Qin Zhao’s house. Seeing how unwell he was, Xiao Yue graciously helped him to the door.
As soon as Xiao Yue knocked, the door swung open.
“You’re finally back! Who’s the bastard with no sense who kept you out so late—”
Xiao Bastard Yue: “…”
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