The outskirts.

Military camp.

Zhang Kui saw off Zhu Qing and returned to the tent. Seeing the boss staring blankly at the charcoal basin, he didn’t dare step forward to speak. He poured out the cold tea, replaced it with hot tea, and placed it on the small table.

Bu Liu heard the movement and came back to himself: “Saw him off?”

“Saw him off.”

“Didn’t say anything more?”

“Not a single word.”

After listening, Bu Liu was silent for quite a while: “What do you think—how credible are Zhu Qing’s words?”

“Half and half, I suppose. After all, there’s no real evidence.”

“I think they’re eighty percent credible.”

Eighty percent?

That much?

Zhang Kui walked over and sat beside him: “Boss, why?”

Bu Liu recalled that day’s situation.

“Though those black-clothed men left no traces, the skill in their hands gave me the feeling of wild wolves—surrounding and encircling in packs, yet unhurried and unflurried.”

Zhang Kui listened in a fog.

“If Third Master Xie hadn’t been young and hot-blooded, unexpectedly drawing that blade, we had no chance of victory.”

Bu Liu: “We soldiers who march and fight, on the battlefield our eyes hold only the enemy. In the eyes of wild wolves, there’s also only prey. From this one can see—behind those black-clothed men’s master is someone who’s been on the battlefield.”

“Boss, that’s too… far-fetched!”

“However, the timing of Third Master having Zhu Qing come is somewhat thought-provoking.”

Bu Liu didn’t bother with Zhang Kui’s doubts and continued speaking: “At morning court His Majesty just said he would personally lead the expedition and have the Prince of Han accompany him…”

Zhang Kui grew anxious: “Boss, keep talking!”

“This kid is solidly Crown Prince faction!”

Bu Liu shook his head and smiled: “Seems his initial friendliness toward me should also have been for this reason. After all, the Crown Prince has no foundation in the military.”

Though Zhang Kui didn’t understand why Third Master Xie was Crown Prince faction, hearing the boss say this, his heart strongly resonated.

“I said as much—he couldn’t be without purpose.”

Just as the words fell, a guard spoke outside the tent: “General, people from the Ministry of War have come. They request the General go to the Ministry of War early tomorrow morning to discuss matters.”

“I understand.”

Bu Liu picked up the tea bowl and slowly took a sip.

The Ministry of War summoning him to discuss matters—nine out of ten it was to have him accompany His Majesty on expedition, still in the vanguard position, clearing a bloody path for the great army.

Third Master Xie sending word at this critical juncture had also anticipated he would definitely accompany His Majesty on expedition.

“Zhang Kui.”

“Boss, here.”

“Tomorrow entering the city, I’ll go to the Ministry of War. You make a trip to the Military Commission and ask Third Master if he dares drink another round with me.”

“Boss, you’re going to…”

“Since this old man can’t investigate it…”

Bu Liu’s tone suddenly turned harsh: “Then I’ll use this opportunity to force him to speak himself!”

Zhang Kui was again in a fog.

What couldn’t the boss investigate?

Force Third Master to say what?

…

Deep night.

The separate estate.

Zhao Yishi wore a gray brocade robe, his expression calm, showing nothing unusual.

Pei Xiao and Xie Zhifei had talked until their mouths were dry. He still unhurriedly drank his wine.

Pei Xiao: Brother, what do we do?

Xie Zhifei: Don’t know.

Pei Xiao: How about picking a beauty from the Bureau of Music to keep him company for the night?

Xie Zhifei: You’re asking for a beating.

Pei Xiao: Find an eminent monk from the Buddhist Registry Bureau to chat about Buddhist teachings and discuss life?

Xie Zhifei: Worse than the Bureau of Music.

“Tell me, what’s good about being born into the imperial family?”

He finally spoke: “Caught between His Majesty and the Crown Prince—not right either way.”

Zhao Yishi rarely complained. His endurance was stronger than anyone’s, so hearing him say such words, both Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao felt especially heartbroken.

“For one day I’m Imperial Grand Prince, I must comply with His Majesty for one day. Even if he told me to marry a man as principal consort, I could only marry, not refuse.”

He lowered his head, his voice hoarse beyond recognition.

“If I cast off this layer of skin as Imperial Grand Prince, there’s only one outcome—death. Not only must I die, every single one of you would die too.”

Xie Zhifei kicked Pei Xiao: Still because of Hero Li.

Pei Xiao sighed in his heart: The word ‘love’ wounds people!

“In this world, from peddlers and laborers below to princes and ministers above…”

Zhao Yishi gritted his teeth: “Who isn’t struggling bitterly? Which one has it easy? Who can do as they please?”

Xie Zhifei reached out to embrace him briefly but said nothing.

Pei Xiao patted his shoulder, also saying nothing.

From Huairen’s position, what he said and did were both right. From Li Buyan’s position, her refusal was also right.

Since both were right, then who was wrong?

“Sometimes I truly envy you both.”

Zhao Yishi raised his head, looking at Pei Xiao: “Though your father calls you ‘little beast’ daily, in his heart he loves you more than anyone. Needless to say about Minister Xie.”

Xie Zhifei nodded.

As long as he wailed a few times to his own father, the old man would give him whatever he wanted.

“Do you know?”

Zhao Yishi’s eyes slowly filled with red light: “I only ask that he give me a smile, and I feel everything is worth it.”

His body trembled, his voice trembled, saying softly again—

“Giving her up is also worth it.”

…

One mustn’t drink sorrowful wine—the more one drinks, the more sorrowful one becomes.

Zhao Yishi got drunk.

When drunk he was well-behaved—neither noisy nor troublesome, curling up under the covers by himself with his head covered.

Xie Zhifei and Pei Xiao, one made do for the night on the bed, the other curled up behind it all night.

The next day, when Zhao Yishi awoke and saw their sleeping positions, his eyes held a warm moisture.

Yesterday’s few words were also forced out to a certain degree, spoken with liquid courage.

He had no one to tell.

He was the lofty Imperial Grand Prince, extremely noble, extremely wealthy. Who would believe that for over twenty years he’d survived on one word alone: endure.

Only with these two was he willing to occasionally reveal a bit of his vulnerability and collapse.

Zhao Yishi silently got out of bed.

Shen Chong entered. Just about to speak, he was stopped by a glance.

“I’ll return to the palace first. When they wake, have people serve them well. There must not be the slightest neglect.”

…

Actually, Xie Zhifei had awakened when Zhao Yishi got out of bed, just pretending to sleep without moving.

Men all need face.

Huairen was no exception.

After the footsteps faded, he sat up and reached to push Pei Xiao, only to see Pei Xiao staring at him with both eyes open.

This kid was also perceptive, pretending to sleep along with him.

Xie Zhifei wiped his face: “On the Prince of Han’s side, we still need to think of something. If he follows along, it’s too dangerous.”

Pei Xiao rolled his eyes to the heavens.

Who doesn’t understand this reasoning? But what can be done?

Besides, discussing such things first thing in the morning—can people live or not?

After the two ate breakfast at the separate estate, they each returned to their offices.

Just as Xie Zhifei received hot tea from Ding Yi, Zhang Kui in ordinary dress followed Zhu Qing inside.

Why has he come?

Xie Zhifei quickly set down the tea bowl and rose to greet him: “Big Brother Zhang, rare guest, rare guest.”

Look at that smooth tongue—how warmly he addresses him.

Zhang Kui felt disdain in his heart. Clearing his throat: “My boss has a message for you, sir.”

“Please speak.”

“The boss asks Third Master—do you dare drink another round with him?”

What’s there not to dare?

Xie Zhifei’s sword-like brows rose: “Drink!”