What on earth did Lou Xingzhou mean by those words? He must know something, right?
"You know everything, don't you? You're aware of all this, huh?" Jing Xunche asked through gritted teeth with a dark face.
Mu Fengqie could clearly feel that the temperature around them had dropped a few degrees. The chilling aura emanating from him made one couldn't help but shiver.
Lou Xingzhou's face showed great pain. If he could, he would rather not have heard those words at all. Since then, he had been living a wretched life. Now, seeing Jing Xunche standing right in front of him, his heart was filled with mixed emotions. He didn't even know how to face him.
Seeing his expression, Jing Xunche already had the answer in his heart. He never thought that his good brother who had grown up with him since childhood would betray him. How could he trust others in the future?
"Don't say anything. I understand. From now on, we'll go our separate ways. I'll act as if I've never known you," Jing Xunche said as the breath he had been holding in his heart was finally let out.
Lou Xingzhou saw Jing Xunche's intention to leave and immediately stepped forward to grab his arm. "Zhanzhi, it's not like that. By the time I knew about this, you had already been exiled. I was going to rescue you, but you escaped. I know my family owes you. If killing me can relieve your anger, then just do it."
He had dreamed countless times that Jing Xunche would come to take his life. He knew he was sorry for Jing Xunche, but he couldn't just watch his father die. If there had to be someone to die to resolve Jing Xunche's hatred, Lou Xingzhou was willing to be that person.
Jing Xunche stared at Lou Xingzhou with his blood - red eyes. He drew out his sword and pressed it against Lou Xingzhou's neck.
Mu Fengqie nervously stepped forward to stop him. This matter had nothing to do with Lou Xingzhou. If Jing Xunche really killed him, not only would it not be worth it to bear a life on his hands, but he would surely regret his decision later.
Lou Xingzhou looked at Jing Xunche with a smile and then slowly closed his eyes. If his life could make Jing Xunche let go of his obsession, it would be worth it. He would finally be free from the daily torment...
After his outburst of anger, Jing Xunche took the sword away from Lou Xingzhou's neck and said calmly, "I disdain to take your life. You'd better not interfere in the matter between your father and me. Otherwise, don't blame me for not considering our years of friendship. From now on, we're no longer brothers but strangers."
After saying this, Jing Xunche pulled the frightened Mu Fengqie away. Lou Xingzhou stood there stunned. He walked aimlessly on the street like a walking corpse, still holding the unfinished wine in his hand. Maybe only wine could be his salvation in this world.
Mu Fengqie had been quietly following Jing Xunche. She knew he was in a bad mood, so she didn't bother him. It wasn't until they returned to the Listening to the Maple Garden and lay on the bed that neither of them could fall asleep.
"Are you feeling better? If you can't sleep, I can talk to you. Don't keep everything to yourself."
"Actually, I don't hate him. I'm just angry that he chose Lou Mingkou over me. But now that I think about it, if I were in his shoes, I might have made the same choice. So we're destined not to be lifelong friends."
On the way back, Jing Xunche had thought a lot. What he cared about regarding Lou Xingzhou was their brotherhood, which was why he was so angry and couldn't accept Lou Xingzhou's deception at that moment.
Mu Fengqie sighed. "It's only human nature. He should be a good person. It's really not easy to be a good person in such an environment."
She still remembered that at the tea - party, Lou Xingzhou looked like a graceful young gentleman, completely different from the drunkard just now. It was obvious that he was also suffering.
"We should go to the palace tomorrow. It's getting late. Go to sleep quickly."
...
Early the next morning, Jing Xunche and Mu Fengqie were summoned to the palace. It was also the day when the envoys from the Beiming Kingdom were to enter the palace, so they entered the palace one step ahead of the envoys.
"Father, this is Lieutenant Jing I've mentioned to you. I'm sure Father is not unfamiliar with him. Thanks to him, we've achieved a great victory this time. Moreover, I think he's a remarkable person. I hope Father can reward Lieutenant Jing handsomely," Yuan Yuhan said with his head lowered.
This was part of their plan. If Jing Xunche could become a general again, the military talisman in Yuan Yuhan's hand would come in handy.
Hearing this, the emperor looked at Mu Fengqie beside Jing Xunche and finally remembered where he had seen him. So this ugly - looking man was Mu Fengqie's husband. It was really a case of a beautiful flower being stuck in cow dung.
"So you're the husband of Princess Anning. Thanks to you for the great victory this time. Do you have any rewards you want? Just tell me. I'll surely satisfy you."
Although the emperor didn't have much affection for this person, he had indeed made military contributions, so the emperor had to reward him.
Jing Xunche knelt down and bowed. "Your Majesty, I don't want any rewards. I only hope to serve the country and Your Majesty forever."
The emperor was quite satisfied with his answer, so his attitude towards him improved a lot. "In that case, I'll fulfill your wish. I'll confer the title of Invincible General on you. From now on, you'll assist the Fifth Prince. Don't let me down."
Hearing this, Jing Xunche's lips curled up. This was exactly the effect he wanted. Only in this way could he be in the spotlight and do some things openly.
"Thank you, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty live forever!" Jing Xunche thanked the emperor.
Mu Fengqie was also very happy in her heart. He was originally a general and a war god. Finally, he had regained his former identity. Although he had survived under someone else's name, this could be regarded as the first step towards success.
Yuan Yuhan and Jing Xunche looked into each other's eyes, both of them filled with pride. Especially Yuan Yuhan, who had made great contributions this time. He could clearly feel that the emperor's attitude towards him was much better than before.
Among the princes, he was the only one who had a general to assist him. Even the crown prince didn't have such influence. The crown prince was no longer a threat to his current strength.
Yuan Yuchuan stared at Yuan Yuhan viciously. He never thought that Yuan Yuhan could come back alive from the battlefield and even make military contributions. Now his limelight had surpassed his own.
"Your Majesty, the envoys from the Beiming Kingdom have arrived outside the city. Please send envoys to greet them."
"Han'er, you're familiar with the Seventh Princess of Beiming. Go and greet them outside the city on my behalf."
"Yes, Father. I'll obey your order!"
Yuan Yuhan showed a proud smile at Yuan Yuchuan. How could Yuan Yuchuan let his scheme succeed?