Huo Ling's words were not wrong. According to seniority, Huo Peng, who was older than Huo Ling, was indeed Huo Ling's "grandnephew."
"I never expected that I actually have a 'grandnephew'..." Huo Ling sighed with emotion and waved at the bundled-up Huo Peng, who couldn't move, "Hello, grandnephew."
Huo Peng: ...!
Having imagined many scenarios for meeting Huo Ling, Huo Peng had not expected the current situation—Huo Ling was just looking at him, asking a question about whether he was his grandnephew, devoid of the scorn and disdain that he had imagined countless times. It was as if he wasn't some despised "rat," but a newly discovered relative, unfamiliar, polite, and even filled with eager curiosity.
Facing Huo Ling's gaze, Huo Peng even had the illusion that in the eyes of the other, he was just an ordinary person.
Ha!
Realizing this, the suddenly changed Huo Peng struggled frantically, even breaking free from the ropes that bound him directly.
"What do you think you are! Why would you look at me with such eyes?" Huo Peng glared at Huo Ling, sneering, "Do you know anything?"
The overwhelming aura of resentment made Huo Ling feel somewhat bewildered. He hadn't done anything; why was the other so fierce towards him?
Feeling a bit aggrieved, Huo Ling was about to explain to Huo Peng, but his expression of confusion and grievance stimulated the latter. With a loud roar, Huo Peng lunged at him.
"You know nothing!"
Huo Peng's movement was swift, but before he could reach Huo Ling, who was being constantly watched by Ye Xiao, he was kicked to the corner. Before Huo Peng could stand up, the "Grand General" on the side, who was gnawing on a bone, dropped the bone from its mouth and forcefully restrained Huo Peng, who was already weakened, under its body.
"Arf!"
With a bark, the "Grand General" dropped the bone onto Huo Peng's face, intending to show off its achievement to Huo Ling.
Everything happened too fast. It wasn't until Ye Xiao called out "Your Highness" from the side that Huo Ling reacted. After a moment of daze, he quickly satisfied the "Grand General's" desire for appreciation, "Great job, 'Grand General'! Don't worry, your lunch today will definitely be sumptuous."
"Woof woof!"
Hearing the praise, the "Grand General" wagged its tail even more happily, with its drool even dripping onto Huo Peng's face, who was underneath. This made Huo Peng, who had wanted to make some defiance, tightly shut his mouth, fearing that something would fall into it.
With a slight smile, Ye Xiao stood up and walked over to the corner where Huo Peng was. Standing before Huo Peng, he patted the head of the "Grand General," which had obediently moved aside to make space. Then, using the rope that Huo Peng had just broken, Ye Xiao bound him again.
During this process, despite Huo Peng's hopeful gaze hinting at him to help wipe his face, Ye Xiao, who always liked cleanliness and expected others to be clean as well, didn't pull out a handkerchief. Rather, with great skill, he avoided touching any part of Huo Peng that he didn't want to touch.
Ye Xiao remained calm in expression and swift in movement. However, Huo Peng still felt that he was being judged by the former, and that too, quite visibly.
Glaring at Ye Xiao, Huo Peng closed his eyes, fearing that a few drops of the "Grand General's" drool on his forehead might enter his eyes.
Because of the "Grand General" happily gnawing on a bone on the side, when Huo Ling squatted down in front of Huo Peng and attempted to chat with him, the response to Huo Ling was nothing but silence.
Squatting in front of Huo Peng, looking at the tightly bound figure crouched in the corner, Huo Ling attempted to understand the thoughts of this grandnephew he didn't know about for so many years. "Are you resentful? Why?"
"Won't you say anything to me?"
Sitting by the corner, Huo Peng opened his eyes, glanced at Huo Ling, and then closed his eyes, saying nothing.
At that time, Huo Ling was quite far away, and his view was also obstructed by Ye Xiao's figure. He didn't know what these glistening things on Huo Peng's face were, and thought they were tears of distress. Concerned that wiping these tears would be seen as interfering too much, Huo Ling, who thought he was understanding, ignored the "tears" on Huo Peng's face, and even averted his gaze from his face unintentionally.
Feeling rejected in conversation, Huo Ling helplessly pursed his lips, pushed himself up using his knees, and said, "If you don't want to talk, then don't. It's nothing serious anyway."
Huobeng, as the only son of his third brother, regardless of whether he is a legitimate or illegitimate child, and regardless of whether he betrayed Dazhou, his ultimate fate will be decided by the father emperor. He can just be an onlooker at that time.
With this thought in mind, Huoling decisively returned to his seat.
Huobeng, who felt like he had dog hair on his lips, said, "..." Don't leave, wipe my face for me, you can say whatever you want me to say!
Huoling, who couldn't read minds, only saw the other party refuse to speak to him and gave up the idea of chatting with Huobeng, instead turning to chat with Yexiao, trying to figure out what happened last night.
"Last night?" Thinking of everything he witnessed behind the Guanyin statue last night, he suddenly felt sorry for Gongsun Xun. Yexiao not only briefly explained what happened last night, but also rare defended Gongsun Xun, "Your Highness, be a little kinder to Gongsun Sir... don't always bear a grudge over what he used to think of you."
"Gongsun Sir, now you can be said to be—" Yexiao slightly tilted his head, and reluctantly found a suitable description, "A true friend is willing to die for his friends... from his usual observations of Gongsun Xun, it seems that the current state of the other party can indeed be described in this way. It's just that he didn't know what Huoling had done, not only changing Gongsun Xun's attitude, but even becoming the other party's "friend."
Yexiao couldn't help but carefully scrutinize Huoling in front of him, trying to understand whether his success was due to luck or strength. However, just like he couldn't figure out whether Huoling was truly foolish or pretending to be foolish as the emperor, despite Yexiao's keen observation, he couldn't make a final judgment on whether Huoling's success was due to good luck or superior ability.
Perhaps it's because of what Li Yuemei said... "Main character?"
He hoped that his deputy would not disappoint him and could really dig out something more interesting from Li Yuemei.
Thinking like this, Yexiao, who hadn't been listening to Huoling very much, lightly smiled, listening to Huoling explain, through the presentation of facts and sound reasoning, that he absolutely was not Gongsun Xun's confidant.
"Let me tell you, every time I see Gongsun Xun's 'aloof' face, I know he's silently cursing me..." All the explanations suddenly disappeared under Yexiao's smile. Huoling, who felt inexplicably uncomfortable, scratched the back of his head and concluded on his own, "Yes, that's it, no room for argument!"
"Your Highness, as long as you're happy."
Huoling: "..."
Sudden silence. The room was so quiet that Huoling felt as if he could hear the sound of flowers blooming outside the window.
Subconsciously turning his head to look out the window, the sunlight made Huoling squint unconsciously. Indeed, a blooming peach blossom had extended into the room at some point, bringing a fragrance to the room.
Touching the peach blossom that had extended into the room, Huoling, who was adept at regulating his emotions and diverting the topic, did not seem uncomfortable at all. He changed the subject to the now sleeping Huobeng, who they had left forgotten in the corner of the room. "By the way, Yexiao, does the third sister-in-law know about Huobeng's existence?"
"She doesn't know."
Leaning in, Huoling stared at Yexiao and asked, "Does she not know about Huobeng's existence, or do you not know if the third sister-in-law knows?"
Looking up at Huoling, the smile on Yexiao's lips gradually disappeared. "Your Highness, do you think I should know?"
As the commander of the Jin Yi Wei, Yexiao did have extensive connections, however there were indeed things in this world that he should not know, and things he shouldn't meddle with. Without explicit orders from the emperor, Yexiao was not someone who could use special means against the Princess of Deyang, An Shi. He did not know whether the Princess of Deyang knew about Huobeng's existence, nor was it a matter he should be concerned with.
As a cousin who had grown up with Yexiao, even though there was not even a hint of fluctuation in the other party's eyes, Huoling still caught a glimpse of Yexiao's thoughts. Feeling that he had asked an inappropriate question, Huoling rubbed his nose and decisively changed the subject once again. "Yexiao, when are we returning to the capital?"
Although life in Yanchi County was quite interesting, he had already started to miss life in the capital—his father emperor who occasionally threw a book at him, the supervisor An De who gained weight every day, the mother consort who loved the hustle and bustle but also prepared delicious food for him, and the Princess Consort who was perfect in every way. Most importantly—despite the people who couldn't stand him, the ones who despised him, he had truly started to miss life in the capital.
Huoling lay directly on the table, leaned his head to look at Yexiao and asked once again, "When are we going back?"
Without correcting Huoling's posture, which did not fit the image of a crown prince at the moment, Yexiao, who had been too busy to even think about this question recently, lowered his head and looked down at Huoling, whose face was distorted from lying on the table. "Wouldn't it be better for Your Highness to help Li and Gongsun with the county office affairs while we're here?"
"After we've done what we need to do, we'll be able to go back. I believe that with Your Highness's help, we'll definitely be able to shorten the time it takes to return to the capital."
Unlike Huoling, who was playing with "General" and hadn't slept for three days, Yexiao, who had not a single hint of dark circles under his eyes and did not have a headache, was full of energy, and even smiling as he talked to Huoling who had naturally woken up today.
"Your Highness, what do you think?"
As for the image and demeanor that a commander of the Jin Yi Wei should have... as Huoling's cousin, today Yexiao, who always smiled, indicated that he had absolutely no idea what that was.
Huoling: "...!!!!"
Author's Note:
①: "A true friend is willing to die for his friends, a woman smiles to please her lover." This phrase comes from "Strategies of the Warring States" by Zhao Ce. It describes the story of Yu Rang who sought revenge for Lord Zhi, concluding with the above phrase.
Ye Xiao also said that Gong Sunxun was "the man who dies for his friends", but with his current attitude, is "friend" something edible?
Huo Ling watched Gong Sunxun expressionlessly and when he reminded him again in the Yamen, he lowered his face and waved his hand at the unchanged Gong Sunxun by his lips, "Go on, go on, you go busy."
"Your Highness, forgive me."
"Uh-huh, go, go, go."
Disheartened by Gong Sunxun's rebuff, Huo Ling quickly restored his composure and, with his hands behind his back, left the county office, strolling along the Yellow River with the accompaniment of the Imperial Guards.
The Yellow River was surging, and a cool breeze was blowing.
The soldiers and the spontaneously arriving common people were bustling about, and Li Gongming, in a nearby tent, was engaged in a lively discussion with others, with many discarded manuscripts scattered on the ground.
Standing by the Yellow River, Huo Ling listened to the discussions about the usefulness of the things the people hoped to build, without any emotional sentiments about the river's waters, or the poetic verses about the river. He just sighed, "The water is so turbid! The waves are so big!"
Li Gongming received a message and deliberately came over to meet Huo Ling just in time to hear his sigh.
Pausing in his steps, suppressing his annoyance at being interrupted in his train of thought by Huo Ling's arrival, Li Gongming greeted him with a smile, "Your Highness, do you have something to discuss?"
"Oh," Huo Ling turned his head and grinned at Li Gongming, "I came to see if there's anything I can help with."
Li Gongming: "..." What can you do? Bewildered by this question, Li Gongming's expression stiffened, before he smiled to welcome Huo Ling's arrival, "It's our honor to have Your Highness here."
"I believe that under Your Highness's guidance, we can overcome all the obstacles and make the Yellow River a true 'mother river' for the people."
Li Gongming gestured, "Your Highness, please."
"Okay."
Leading Huo Ling into the still-busy tent, Li Gongming invited him to the head.
The tent was simple, but the things inside were anything but simple, even the things that Li Gongming and others were discussing were something that Huo Ling could not understand.
Why should the diversion bank be built at that location? Where should the flood discharge channel be located? What is the regulating gate used for?
Adhering to the principle of asking when in doubt, Huo Ling wanted to hear Li Gongming's explanation, but looking at the table in front of him, which seemed at any moment ready to collapse, he quietly backed away, along with the chair.
As the discussion between Li Gongming and the other authority came to a critical point, each had their own reasonable reasons and neither could convince the other. In an impassioned manner, Li Gongming rolled up his sleeves and slammed his hand on the table, "The regulating gate should be located there, that's the most suitable place."
The other official who did not have as high a position as Li Gongming but had enough prestige, also banged the table, "Have you considered the difficulty? If it's placed there, it won't be completed in three years!"
"Since we are doing it, we should do it well."
"Are we just going to do this for the next three years? Where will the money come from? Where will the manpower come from?"
With both hands supporting the table, Li Gongming stared at the other person intently and said slowly, "What we want to do is something that can be used for a hundred years, not some shoddy thing that can be barely managed for a while."
"To be an official, one must be accountable to the people as well as one's own conscience."
Li Gongming once again persuaded the people and, after determining the construction plan of the regulating gate, they continued to discuss the next issue, even flipping over the manuscript with stuff scribbled all over it, looking for a blank space to calculate the things that came to mind previously.
Unable to find any opportunity to interject, Huo Ling blinked, looked at Li Gongming, whose hair was casually tied up, and then at the other adult with ink smudges on his face, and his gaze swept over the busy but orderly people. Huo Ling once again felt his own uselessness.
What can he do here?
He can't do anything.
Realizing this, without disturbing Li Gongming, who was immersed in his own thoughts, Huo Ling conscientiously left the tent.
Because Huo Ling was about to leave, Ye Xiao, busy with arrangements, also specially arranged for his deputy, Du Yu, to follow him.
Du Yu, busy with setting aside his work to deal with Huo Ling, was also a little unhappy, but he did not show any difference on his face. Even when Huo Ling stood by the Yellow River, looking distracted after leaving the tent, he asked very considerately, "Your Highness, where are you planning to go next?"
Coming back to his senses from the sounds of the waves, Huo Ling looked at Du Yu, "Are you, by any chance, fed up with me?"
"Your Highness, you're joking." There was no panic in Du Yu's face when questioned by Huo Ling, "How could I dare to be fed up with you?"
Huo Ling looked at the other person expressionlessly, "Is that so?"
Under Huo Ling's gaze, Du Yu pursed his lips and, imitating their own leader, gave him a smile.
Huo Ling: "..." Fine.
Once again disheartened, Huo Ling took a deep breath and tried to maintain a smile, "Let's go back."
"Yes."
Having accomplished nothing, Huo Ling returned to the county office. As he passed by Gong Sunxun, who was talking to the temporary deputy county magistrate, he had not yet greeted him, and noticed that Gong Sunxun, who had noticed his presence, spoke first, "Your Highness, perhaps Commander Ye needs your help?"
Suddenly cut off by Gong Sunxun, Huo Ling finally realized a fact, "You, indeed, are fed up with me."
"Your Highness, you're joking."
Pressing his lips tightly, Huo Ling's gaze swept over the respectful merchant's child standing to the side with his head bowed, not wanting to damage his image in front of outsiders. He tried hard to suppress the idea of accusing Gong Sunxun and, in all seriousness, went along with the conversation, "Right, I was just joking." Nodding lightly, Huo Ling's tone changed, "Since you have something to do, I won't disturb you."
Adjusting his sleeves, Huo Ling made a gesture and carried himself with a dignified air as he looked at Gong Sunxun, "If there's anything that requires my presence, let someone find me."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Gong Sunxun inclined his body towards Huo Ling, "Your Highness, take care."
"Okay."
With a straight back, Huo Ling calmly walked out of Gong Sunxun's sight, and as soon as he stepped into his own courtyard, he finally relaxed his tense back.
Rubbing his face, dismissing the guards who followed him, and lifting his hem, Huo Ling sat directly on the steps.
Huo Ling held his face in his hands, lost in thought.
No one starts off wanting to be a waste, and Huo Ling didn't want to be one either.
Even the "Great General" can follow the soldiers on patrol, catch thieves, and deter evildoers, whereas he... Although he had long known he was useless, when Ho Ling truly felt it, he couldn't help but feel a little sad.
The sorrowful Ho Ling touched his face but suddenly found himself in shadow. He maintained the pose and looked up at Ye Xiao standing in front of him, "Ye Xiao, is there anything I can help you with?"
With no "kind lies," Ye Xiao replied succinctly, "No."
Ho Ling blinked, his voice inevitably becoming subdued, "Is that so? Indeed, I am useless."
Before Ho Ling could bury his head in his knees, Ye Xiao sat down beside him, reaching out and grasping his shoulder, "Your Highness, why do you always have to compare yourself with others?"
"Hmm?"
"Just be yourself," with his arm around Ho Ling's shoulder, Ye Xiao squinted at the setting sun gradually sinking on the horizon, let the lingering light of the sunset wash over his whole body, "Why can we be here? Why can we do these things freely?"
"Because Your Highness is with us."
As the sun melted into gold, bathing the earth in its remaining warmth, people living on the ground gathered enough heat, ready to face the approaching dawn with calm and fearlessness.
As the sky grew darker, the afterglow lingered.
"So..." Ye Xiao withdrew his gaze from the horizon, turning to look directly at Ho Ling, and earnestly said, "Your Highness, you are already great. You don’t need to compete with anyone."
Ho Ling let go of his face, "Really?"
"Yes, really."
Looking at Ye Xiao, Ho Ling didn't miss a single change in his expression, "Am I important?"
"Very important."
Nodding, Ye Xiao patted Ho Ling's head, "Your Highness, you don’t need to belittle yourself."
Ho Ling's emotions came and went quickly. After receiving comfort and his mood suddenly restored, he also had time to care about Ye Xiao's purpose for coming, "You’re not just here to comfort me, are you? Is there something you want to tell me?"
Facing the ever-keen Ho Ling, Ye Xiao raised an eyebrow—Who said Ho Ling was useless?
Suppressing the smile at the corner of his lips, Ye Xiao stood up, "Your Highness, we will return to the capital tomorrow."
"Hmm?"
"So, you don't need to dwell on these meaningless questions."