Ye Jingchuan had indeed gone to see Zhou Weizhao. In recent years, the number of times he’d seen Zhou Weizhao could be counted on one hand. It wasn’t that he harbored resentment in his heart—it was simply that after all, he had befriended Song Chuyi before Zhou Weizhao did, and felt he’d been more attentive to Song Chuyi than Zhou Weizhao had been. Yet in the end, Song Chuyi had chosen not him but someone else. Heartbreak was inevitable.
Being heartbroken, yet unable to be angry at others, he could only avoid them. But now he was about to rush to the front lines against the Japanese pirates. Since he was going, he was resolved not to return—though he’d agreed with his father and elder brother that he’d take the opportunity to learn skills well under Regional Commander Wang, on the battlefield, who dared say they would definitely emerge unscathed? Moreover, he wasn’t going only to learn skills—he truly was going to fight the Japanese pirates.
And since he was resolved, he naturally wanted to consider Song Chuyi’s situation more carefully. Though Song Chuyi might not need this concern from him, at least he himself would feel better in his heart.
After many years of friendship, seeing him silent for a long while, Zhou Weizhao personally took the pot and poured tea for him. Looking at the tea leaves floating on top, he smiled: “Jingchuan, you’re still the same as when you were young.”
Ye Jingchuan had already forgotten what he was like as a child. Probably just as his uncle said—full of hot blood, naive and lovable. Previously he’d felt this was what distinguished him from those dandies who only knew cockfighting and dog racing, and felt proud. Now he felt uncomfortable—Song Chuyi had never been that kind of person since childhood. She was so much more mature than her peers. Naturally she would like someone as mature and steady as herself. That kind of person would also understand her better, wouldn’t they?
His heart felt slightly bitter, yet he still pulled at the corners of his mouth: “Yes, when I was young I always laughed that you’d never find a wife. But looking now, you’ve clearly found the best girl in the world.”
If it were someone more suspicious hearing these words, they would surely be displeased. But Zhou Weizhao wasn’t suspicious. He had always known of Ye Jingchuan’s feelings for Song Chuyi, and also knew that Song Chuyi had never had such feelings for Ye Jingchuan.
He was silent for a moment, then looked up at Ye Jingchuan. Speaking of it, he didn’t have many friends. Ye Jingchuan counted as one. But friends were friends—the things that could be yielded could all be yielded. Having grown up on Longhu Mountain since childhood, he actually didn’t have much of the domineering nature of those in power. He had always been willing to give up other things. Only Song Chuyi—since he’d become sensible, apart from the position that should belong to him, she was the only person he wanted to possess. To ask him to yield—it was impossible.
Therefore he was only silent for a moment. He couldn’t very well say “I’m sorry” to Ye Jingchuan, or “Xiao Yi chose me and didn’t choose you.” In matters of the heart, how could one distinguish right from wrong or superiority? If one found someone pleasing to the eye, they did. If one didn’t like someone, they didn’t.
Fortunately he didn’t say “I’m sorry”—Ye Jingchuan felt somewhat better in his heart. Instead, he seemed possessed by Prince Zhennan, discussing the current situation with Zhou Weizhao: “Now that the Yang clan is dead, I’m afraid Prince Gong’s resentment toward you in his heart has gone up another level.”
This was also unavoidable. Even if the Yang clan hadn’t died, even if Zhou Weizhao had never offended this royal uncle, ultimately they were separated by an insurmountable blood feud. It was determined by their positions, related to their interests—there was no changing it.
“But Prince Gong isn’t foolish either. Right now it’s best if he behaves himself properly. Otherwise when my father goes to Bingzhou, perhaps he’ll have to add another task—replacing all the officials in Bingzhou.” Ye Jingchuan finally displayed maturity and wisdom beyond his years: “As long as Empress doesn’t create any more incidents, as long as you peacefully marry and work at the Ministry of War according to His Majesty’s wishes, after a few years when the time is ripe and you have a victorious battle, your position will be secure.”
But how difficult would these intervening years be? Ye Jingchuan worried for him: “You and Sixth Miss Song are both extremely intelligent. Intelligent people naturally know how to respond and how to read hearts. But intelligent people also have their disadvantages. Intelligent people always love to overthink. If others can’t get at you in other ways, they’ll try to drive a wedge between you husband and wife. Sixth Miss Song… she’s someone who thinks too much. Don’t do anything to let her down and give others an opening.”
Zhou Weizhao couldn’t help but admire Ye Jingchuan’s heart. Though having others be overly concerned about one’s beloved naturally made one feel awkward, he wasn’t a rigid person. After thinking briefly, he accepted it himself—after all, he himself treated Song Chuyi even better and didn’t feel he had any guilt in his conscience. He nodded to Ye Jingchuan: “I know all this. Don’t worry. As for you yourself, be careful of everything when you get there.”
Ye Jingchuan wasn’t like ordinary dandies. He wasn’t one of those who feared death. When he was still young, he’d dared to go to Zijing Pass to fight the Tartars. Later at Guo Huaiying’s place he’d killed Japanese pirates. Now going to the notoriously daring Regional Commander Wang in Taizhou, the opportunities to go to the front lines would only increase.
Ye Jingchuan made an affirmative sound and turned his cup for a long time, staring at the fish playing among lotus leaves pattern painted on it until he almost saw double images. Only then did he look at Zhou Weizhao and say in a muffled voice: “I’m going to say something—don’t be angry. Treat Sixth Miss Song better. On the road to Tianshui Town back then, for your sake, she nearly lost her life. No matter when, no matter what happens, even if you’re angry, you must remember this.”
Zhou Weizhao felt somewhat moved by his words and nodded solemnly: “Rest assured. Others may not know, but don’t you know me? What I say, I will definitely do.”
Ye Jingchuan believed these words. Zhou Weizhao had always been someone who did more than he said. He stood up: “Then I’m relieved. Don’t find me long-winded. If the husband she’d chosen were someone else, you couldn’t beat me to death to make me come say these things—I’d fear causing her trouble. But since it’s you, I’m not afraid to say these words. I know you’re not that kind of person and can listen. The days ahead are long. You two live well together. With her abilities and your abilities, as long as you two don’t develop conflicts, others can’t do anything to you. I’m also going to make something of myself, then come back to see you.”
Just as Prince Zhennan had predicted, there would eventually be a great battle with the Japanese pirates along the coast. Ye Jingchuan was going to scout the path and lay groundwork for Zhou Weizhao. Zhou Weizhao was also worried about his safety, but Prince Zhennan was right—wealth and honor are sought in danger. Since he had this ambition, Zhou Weizhao shouldn’t obstruct him. Moreover, keeping him in the capital at this time would also make his heart uncomfortable.
Zhou Weizhao stood up with him: “When that day comes, I’ll see you off again.”
“Don’t bother seeing me off.” Ye Jingchuan waved his hand, not accepting this sentiment: “Right now you should still keep a low profile and behave yourself. Our relationship doesn’t depend on whether there’s a send-off or not.”
Even Qing Zhuo, who had always regarded Ye Jingchuan as a rival to his own Highness, couldn’t help but scratch his head. Turning back, he remarked to Han Feng: “Putting aside everything else, Second Young Master Ye can say pretty words much better than our Highness. Fortunately Sixth Miss isn’t someone who loves hearing nice words, otherwise how could she have taken a fancy to our Highness?”