Chapter 536: Sleep

A successful hereditary succession meant that a new vassal king had emerged in the Liyang Dynasty. Besides the establishment of a Crown Prince and the ascension of a new emperor, there was no event more significant than this, especially since this particular vassal king was the King of Beiliang. Not only Liangzhou, but also Youling and Liangzhou were decorated with lanterns and streamers, almost to a frenzy, creating an atmosphere even grander than the lantern market during the Lantern Festival. This was all done to curry favor with the new king. Influential families, in particular, secretly competed over whose lanterns were bigger and more numerous. It felt as if anyone who dared to hang fewer lanterns would be reported and executed the next day. The result of this constant rivalry was that wealthy households hung more and more celebratory red lanterns, so many that they were an eyesore, overwhelming and tiresome.

The Qingliang Mountain Royal Residence, however, was not overly boisterous. Some lanterns were temporarily added, but they were much simpler than those for past festivals. Nevertheless, the stewards and servants of the residence were beaming, walking with a lighter step. They were genuinely delighted from the bottom of their hearts. Who wouldn't be happy that the new master of the house had achieved such great success, bringing prosperity to all associated with him? If the new King of the residence couldn't control Beiliang and ended up being overpowered by guests, then no one in the residence would have an easy life.

After the Xu family father and son returned to Liangzhou City from the border review, one could often see the young master—now to be addressed as the King of Liang—walking with the Grand General around the residence. Sharp-eyed and observant people secretly counted on their fingers which of the two future royal consorts spent more time with the father and son. Later, they simply stopped bothering, because the young woman from Qingzhou, Miss Lu, had accompanied them only a handful of times, losing out significantly to the literary genius, Wang Dongxiang. Miss Lu from the Lu family was occasionally seen helping the Second Princess push her wheelchair. But when comparing the two, how could anyone in the residence fail to grasp which was more important? Furthermore, deep down, they didn't particularly like that reclusive Miss Lu, who reeked of money. Wasn't it just because her family was wealthy that she managed to step across the threshold of the royal residence? Linquan was just a mere foot soldier carrying a flag back then; hadn't everything been bestowed upon the Lu family by the Grand General? Qingliang Mountain sent clever maids to serve the two young women. Over time, the maids working in Wang Dongxiang's courtyard looked down on the maids in Lu Chengyan's courtyard. And the royal maids in "Lu's courtyard" also started internal conflicts, beginning to look askance at the maids brought in from the Lu family. As it has been since ancient times, where there are many women, there are always murky waters and internal struggles.

After returning to the residence from the border for a few days, the two generations of the Xu family, except for Huang Man'er who was practicing martial arts, gathered in the pavilion on Listening Tide Lake to rest. Compared to before, Wang Chudong and Lu Chengyan, the two future daughters-in-law about to marry into the Xu family, were present. With Xu Weixiong also in her wheelchair and Xu Longxiang absent, this imbalance gave a slight feeling of female dominance over male. However, it was evident that Xu Xiao looked very well and was full of vigor, likely due to his satisfaction with both his prospective daughters-in-law. One was renowned across the court and commoners for her talent, the other was naturally skilled at managing a household. The important thing was that there were no signs of jealousy between the two women; one simply didn't understand such things at all, and the other was too smart to engage in them. With them managing the inner quarters, his son wouldn't face trouble, nor would there be disputes that even an upright official would find hard to resolve.

Xu Xiao, who had defiantly and voluntarily relinquished his title as King of Liang, leaned languidly against a red lacquered pillar of the pavilion, listening to the witty and humorous Q&A between Xu Fengnian and Ms. Wang (Wang Chudong). The old man laughed continuously. When the young girl from the Wang family would say half a line like "How much sorrow can one have?", Xu Fengnian would complete it with "Just like lacking money to buy that green ant wine." Wang Chudong's smiling eyes would narrow into crescent moons. When she asked "Suddenly I turned my head back...", Xu Fengnian would answer, "That fellow was climbing a tree." When the female literati said, "My clothes grew looser, but I had no regrets," the young man, now the most esteemed vassal king of Liyang, laughed and said, "Going to fetch water for a widow." And the woman quietly sitting in the wheelchair, who was far more of a literary genius than Wang Chudong, also had an imperceptible warm smile at the corners of her mouth. The refined lady Lu Chengyan, from a prominent family, smiled without showing her teeth, and when she couldn't help but laugh, she raised her hand to cover it.

Even someone with poor eyesight could distinguish Wang Chudong's position, naturally closer to Xu Xiao and Xu Fengnian, the father and son. Lu Chengyan, however, could only subtly and unconsciously gravitate towards the Second Princess, who managed a courtyard of "female Hanlin scholars who approve red documents."

Xu Xiao chuckled, "Nian'er, see Chengyan out. I'll chat a bit more with your sister and Chudong."

Xu Fengnian hummed in assent and walked out of the pavilion with Lu Chengyan, who had risen upon hearing the words. All the way to the courtyard, they remained silent. Lu Chengyan walked behind him, her lips pursed. When she turned around at the courtyard gate, she was already smiling at him. Xu Fengnian hesitated, seemingly wanting to speak, then chuckled softly, "Remember to go out more for walks and fresh air; it's not good to stay cooped up at home all the time. Beiliang isn't as picturesque as Jiangnan, but our northern region also has its unique scenery. It would be a pity not to see it for yourself on horseback. I should have accompanied you, but I'm currently tied up with duties and can't be idle. Also, I'll be leaving soon for the northwest to sort out the mess of two hundred thousand or so exiled refugees. If you're still up for it when I return, I'll take you to Wudang Mountain for a visit."

After Lu Chengyan genuinely brightened, her eyes showing a hint of charm, she blurted out the first character "Feng" (of Xu Fengnian's name), then quickly swallowed the second character "Nian" which should have followed. She said softly, "King of Beiliang, there's no need to be so polite."

Xu Fengnian bent his finger, making a gesture as if to tap her forehead. He said with a helpless expression, "Honestly, who's being more polite?"

Lu Chengyan's lips curved upward. Xu Fengnian smiled and turned, then turned back again, indeed seeing her standing at the doorway, twisting her sleeve with two fingers, not having moved. He waved to her, then left. Xu Fengnian didn't see Xu Xiao by Listening Tide Lake, so he walked towards the always quiet Royal Consort's Mausoleum. After gently entering the tomb, which outsiders claimed had "gates and halberds grander than a vassal king's," he ran his hand over the austere stone figures. At the far end, a hunched old man sat diagonally in front of a tombstone. There were very few ancient trees in the mausoleum. It was rumored in Beiliang that this was because the mother of the female sword immortal had such powerful sword qi that even after her death, the formidable aura of the female sword immortal remained, so only a few ancient trees were left in the once tree-filled royal consort's mausoleum. When Xu Fengnian was young, he heard that after becoming an immortal, one could turn beans into soldiers and even bring people back from the dead. During that time, he read late into the night, almost completely going through the Buddhist and Taoist ancient texts in Listening Tide Pavilion, only to be severely scolded by his master, Li Yishan, who never believed in ghosts or spirits. It seemed that even if he wanted to be scolded now, there was no one to do it; and in the future, even fewer would dare to scold him, Xu Fengnian, the King of Beiliang. Xu Xiao heard footsteps, smiled, and said, "You're here," with no further words. At that moment, the family of three present consisted of him standing, Xu Xiao sitting, and the Royal Consort of Beiliang lying.

Xu Fengnian showed no signs of grief, merely standing silently before the tombstone. In early spring, the branches of the ancient trees showed tender yellow and light green shoots. Xu Fengnian walked under a tree, picked a leaf, and played the "Ballad of the Spring God" that his mother had taught him as a child. If sung with lyrics, it roughly meant a village girl leaving home and going down the mountain, meeting a man she admired, and growing old together. The hunched old man closed his eyes, listening to the all-too-familiar tune, one hand gently tapping a rhythm on his knee.

After the little ballad finished, the father and son silently walked out of the mausoleum again. Xu Xiao suddenly said, "Nian'er, you can let Huang Man'er go home now."

Xu Fengnian bit his lip, stopped, then quickly caught up, nodding.

Tai'an City still carried the lingering charm of the Lantern Festival, with streets bustling with visitors. Inside the palace, after the chief eunuch Han Shengxuan "died suddenly in the palace," the Grand Eunuch Song Tanglu, who succeeded him as the head of the imperial inner court, was terrifyingly young. The matter of pasting spring couplets on the palace gates in the first year of Xiangfu was entirely his doing, handled meticulously. Originally very popular among the Twelve Bureaus, after resigning from the Bureau of Internal Officials, he focused on his duties as the chief eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. He gradually alienated many elderly grand eunuchs who had accumulated seniority to earn the title of Grand Eunuch. So much so that Song Tanglu didn't even visit his master, who had given him his name, during the New Year. Once one entered the palace and became a eunuch, respecting one's master far more than one's father was an unshakeable rule. The reputation and goodwill Song Tanglu had painstakingly built up were like water in a copper clepsydra, dripping away, bound to run out one day. However, the seemingly extremely clever Song Tanglu didn't care about this at all. Today, he cautiously followed a father and son to that tall building, the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. It was a place where prophecies were issued every few years. And these fragments of prophecy were all solemnly written on gilded talismans, placed in an ancient yellow clay box passed down by the Zhao family for centuries, and finally handed to the emperor after he had bathed and changed clothes. After reading them, the emperor had to burn them to ashes himself.

An hour before, after Song Tanglu became the chief eunuch, it was his first time retrieving the clay box from the Imperial Astronomy Bureau. The Emperor then rushed to the bureau with an unexpressive face. However, Song Tanglu, who had served the Emperor for years, knew that he had never clearly perceived the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, to be so happy before. This time, when going to that tall building, the Emperor called for the Crown Prince. Outside the building, the group was a motley mix of tall and short, old and young. After the old Director of the Bureau died, the one who took over the Imperial Astronomy Bureau was not the prestigious Lord Qiehu, but a young child. The old Director used to affectionately call him "Little Bookshelf," and everyone inside and outside the Bureau also picked up the nickname and forgot the child's real name. Besides the Director, who was of primary school age, and the highly respected Lord Qiehu, Song Yujing, there was also a popular new noble in the capital, the King of Qingcheng, Wu Lingsu, dressed in a purple Taoist robe. This "king of a different surname," apart from Xu Xiao, was now the leader of the Northern Taoist sect, and, like Zhao Danping, a Feathered Minister (a high-ranking Taoist official). No one mocked his title of "king of a different surname" as undeserved anymore. Especially as Liyang undertook a massive, sweeping suppression of Buddhism, the Northern Buddhist sects experienced a catastrophic disaster. Wu Lingsu, living up to the imperial decree, personally went to Liangchan Temple and affixed a mountain-sealing talisman to its main gate! The fate of thousands of temples, large and small, in the northern regions was entirely in Wu Lingsu's hands. With the two Taoist leaders of north and south, even with the ascension of the two great True Men of Longhu Mountain's Celestial Master's Residence, Wu Lingsu remained aggressive in handling the Buddhist temples of Guangling Road, which bordered north and south. Longhu Mountain could only retreat step by step. Under the watchful eyes of all, the Huangzi nobles of the Celestial Master's Residence, who shared the imperial surname, were utterly humiliated.

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau had the privilege of not kneeling before the Emperor. The King of Qingcheng, Wu Lingsu, who looked like an enlightened immortal, also had this privilege. However, upon seeing the Emperor and the Crown Prince, he still respectfully knelt. Several officials of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau originally intended to follow custom and just stand and bow. But seeing the leader of the Northern Taoists act this way, they had no choice but to kneel and prostrate themselves to the Emperor. Only the Little Director never knelt. The Zhao Emperor was not angry; instead, he was very pleased. Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan even stepped forward quickly and pinched the child's cheek. The Director, nicknamed Little Bookshelf, was a bit annoyed. The Emperor burst into hearty laughter at the sight. After suppressing his laughter, he led the way into the building, reaching the "Connecting Heaven Terrace" on the top floor. Crown Prince Zhao Zhuan wandered around a bookshelf that required a ladder to reach its higher books. Wu Lingsu and Song Yujing cautiously accompanied him. However, the Crown Prince was famously known in Tai'an City for being easygoing, good-tempered, and kind-hearted, so Wu and Song were not overly reserved. When the Crown Prince jokingly said he preferred more daughters, he asked Wu Lingsu, who had once used "bedroom arts" to curry favor with ministers and officials in the capital, if there was a way to have a daughter as the firstborn instead of a son. This left the King of Qingcheng dumbfounded, unsure how to answer. The stern-faced Song Yujing smiled knowingly, thinking to himself that the Crown Prince truly retained his innocent heart, which was rare and precious. To have such a Crown Prince would surely be a great blessing for the dynasty.

Outside the building, there was a "Star-Picking Path" made of eighty-one white marble slabs, abruptly extending six *zhang* (about 20 meters) out from the pavilion. The Zhao Emperor and the Little Director walked one after another on the spotless "heaven and earth beam." The bright-eyed and spirited child seemed to have no fear of this middle-aged man who sat on the dragon throne and ruled the empire. And the Emperor didn't mind this trivial matter at all. There were simply too many people in the world who willingly served him like oxen and horses or even dogs. For one or two not to fear him, especially if they posed no threat, was not a bad thing but a good one. And among those in the world who didn't fear him even a bit, nearby was this "Little Bookshelf," and further away, setting aside the barbarians of Beimang, in the Liyang court and common society, they could be counted on one hand. And among those few, there was only one whom he truly feared! And this person was about to die soon. How could he not want to laugh, to laugh heartily? The Zhao Emperor extended a finger, pointing to the northwest of the dynasty, then retracted it into a fist, bending over and clutching his stomach, suppressing his laughter. His gaze fixed on the roof of a grand hall, where three men had once drunk and discussed heroes, together forging the grand imperial enterprise of the current Liyang Dynasty. Now, all were dead! Good riddance! The oldest one, if he hadn't died, the Emperor couldn't have ascended the throne! That bald monk died at Tiemen Pass, a fitting end, though a bit regrettable. The last one, about to lie in his coffin, had chosen to stand by indifferently during the imperial princes' struggle for succession, which made the Emperor hate him intensely! In his view, this old man was dying far too late.

The Zhao Emperor turned and patted the head of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau's Director beside him, smiling as he asked, "Little Bookshelf, do you think a benevolent posthumous title is safer for him, or would a derogatory one be more appropriate?"

One was safer, the other more appropriate.

Serving a monarch is like serving a tiger.

If it were those old foxes who had spent most of their lives in court, carefully guessing the Emperor's thoughts, they would immediately discern the true meaning from the monarch's words.

But the Little Director said earnestly, "Grandpa Director said before he died that once our Imperial Astronomy Bureau's new calendar is released, it will 'hijack' the sinister calendar of the white-robed monk from Liangchan Temple. Whether the King of Beiliang is given a derogatory or a benevolent posthumous title will no longer matter to the overall situation. I think since the ancient sages said that a gentleman should help others succeed, giving a benevolent posthumous title would also be fine. But Emperor Uncle, what does 'hijack' mean?"

The Zhao Emperor, whose expression had been shifting subtly and rapidly, finally broke into a gentle smile, muttering something to himself. Then, raising his voice, he chuckled, "'Hijack,' ah, your Grandpa Director's old rival, Huang Longshi, was the first to say that. I suppose it's similar to a *ko* in Go. By the way, Little Bookshelf, We hear you're quite good at chess. When will you challenge Us to a game?"

Little Bookshelf thought for a moment, then replied with a bright smile, "Grandpa Director taught me five things: joseki (set patterns), offense and defense, life and death, endgame, and reversal. I know the first four, but I don't quite understand 'reversal' yet. But Grandpa Director said there's no hurry with that; whenever I understand it, I can call that old Huang fellow to Tai'an City for a game of Go. Grandpa Director also said that if one wanted Huang Sanjia to lose a rank, only two people would have a chance, and I'm one of them."

Seeing the child innocently pointing to himself, the Zhao Emperor was greatly pleased. He took off a priceless jade pendant hanging from his waist and chuckled, "Then We won't bring humiliation upon Ourselves. This jade pendant is for you; it's fine even if you give it away. Haha, Our Liyang truly produces many talents. That madman Huang Longshi, he deserves to die without support and without a grave."

Little Bookshelf gave an adorable, innocent laugh, holding the jade pendant in both hands. "Well, I saw a palace maid sister, and I liked her at first sight. If I see her again next time, I'll give her the jade pendant."

The enlightened monarch of Liyang, who surpassed all previous emperors in diligence, frugality, and dedication to governance, smiled and nodded. "Let Emperor Uncle tell you, you should give her the jade pendant only when you're grown up, and then you'll have a wife. Don't worry, We'll find that palace maid for you and keep her reserved."

Little Bookshelf nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice.

A spring breeze brushed his face. The Zhao Emperor turned and walked towards the pavilion, a cold sneer forming on his lips. According to Liyang law, posthumous titles were awarded. Benevolent titles were divided into civil and military. Civil titles began with characters like 'Zheng' (正), followed by 'Zhen' (贞), 'Zhong' (忠), 'Duan' (端), 'Kang' (康), 'Yi' (义), and so on, totaling twenty-four characters. Military posthumous titles were generally lower and fewer, but still divided into eighteen ranks, hence the sayings "Scholars should be granted a twenty-four" and "Great men should be granted an eighteen." Among the high-ranking officials who had died in recent years, most were civil officials. Although these old men wouldn't be exaggeratedly granted titles like 'Zheng', 'Zhen', 'Zhong', or 'Duan', people generally expected them to receive 'Wen Kang' or 'Wen Yi'. For example, the two masters of the Song family, and Lu Feichi, the head of the Qing Party who had served under three emperors and held the title of Shang Zhuguo (Pillar of the State), were all in this category. Unfortunately, these individuals did not maintain their integrity in their later years. Although they were eligible for the twenty-four character civil titles, their posthumous titles were extremely low. In contrast, the Lu family from Jiangnan Road, known for its "brilliant jade," whose family reputation was originally far inferior to the Song and Lu families, was now expected to secure two of these grand benevolent titles.

Xu Xiao?

"We won't give you a derogatory posthumous title, but you've already been stripped of your Grand Pillar of the State title. Therefore, don't even think about receiving a civil posthumous title as a military official. And among the eighteen military ranks, We will 'generously' bestow upon you the lowest possible one: 'Wu Li' (Martial Severity/Harshness)! After you die, even the most cowardly fence-sitter will send you off, Xu Xiao, with mockery."

That night, the Qingliang Mountain Royal Residence, accustomed to the old King of Liang's barely concealed fatigue, showed no signs of abnormality. They even thought that perhaps when they woke up tomorrow, they would be able to see the old man and the young King of Liang taking a leisurely walk together somewhere in the residence.

In the inner room of the small courtyard where Xu Xiao resided, Xu Weixiong's wheelchair was near the door. Her hands were on her lap, tightly clenched. Xu Longxiang, who had rushed home, stood at the bedside, his head bowed and eyes red.

From outside the door, only a back figure sitting by the bed could be seen.

The old man lying on the bed struggled to suppress a cough, then slowly said, "Father knows you don't like this Xu Xiao who now only prattles on with grand theories. Yes, your father is very skilled with blades and guns, and indeed not one to spontaneously lecture. Father doesn't particularly like it either. For all these years, Father has been a coarse man who hits whoever curses him, an old curmudgeon who stood in the Golden Imperial Hall with a saber, sometimes on the left, sometimes on the right, depending on his mood. But Nian'er, if Father doesn't say these things, if he doesn't finish what he has to say, he won't be at ease about you. Remember, since you've taken on the position of King of Beiliang, you must be able to listen to things you don't want to hear, and tolerate people you don't like. A hundred kinds of people are raised by the same rice; each has their own difficulties, and thus their own loves, hates, and temperaments. Especially with those who don't remember the good deeds of others, many times you'll have to endure it. Who made you the King of Beiliang? It's not about losing to any one person, but about considering the bigger picture. Father, having been a Grand General and King of Beiliang for so many years, also suffered many grievances that he couldn't speak of to anyone; there was no other way.

"I remember back then, I led a group of old brothers out of Jinzhou and into Liangliao. A powerful commandant from Liyang severely harmed us, and many brothers died. In a fit of rage, I took the forty-odd surviving brothers and stormed his home. Of course, it wasn't for food or drink; it was to kill his entire family. We tied everyone up like *zongzi* (rice dumplings) and dragged them into the courtyard. Do you know what happened then? That fellow was called Cai Qinghe. I'm sure no one remembers him now. Cai Qinghe was ruthless in his climb through officialdom, resorting to any means. When he schemed against people, he was cold-blooded and merciless. He had agreed that our two forces would advance and retreat together, but he just watched as my eight hundred men fought desperately against two thousand enemies, without bringing his thousand-plus men into the battle. Afterwards, he even sent me a message saying he'd rather forgo military merits than allow me, Xu Xiao, to rise. Such a cunning villain, before his death, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed to me, saying that if I spared his wife and children, he would willingly accept death and commit suicide, even if it meant being cut into a thousand pieces. In the end, of course, I didn't agree. All thirty-odd members of his family, old and young, were killed with one blade in front of him. Because I, Xu Xiao, had forty-odd brothers still standing behind me. And if I didn't do that, there would surely be a second Wang Qinghe, a third Song Qinghe who would emerge to harm me in the future. I, Xu Xiao, can face death, but I fear my brothers dying for me! Building an empire? Building an empire requires deaths, many deaths. As long as I, Xu Xiao, am alive for one more day, I owe a debt to each of those old brothers who left early."

"When did Father start fearing death? It was after marrying your mother. In the world Father lived in, where dying was far easier than living, fearing death didn't necessarily guarantee survival, but those who didn't fear death certainly died. Father had seen too many such deaths, and many of them died by Father's hand. But the older Father got, the less he dared to kill. Father told himself that he had to accumulate virtue and blessings for you four children, even if it meant disregarding himself. Isn't that right? No matter how coarse Father is, he knows that parents in this world should give their children ten parts good, and there's no reason to keep even one part for themselves! As for Father, he was ignorant when he was young, much more so than you as a child. He just drifted through life, always thinking about the outside world, wishing to be thousands of miles from home. He never thought of home. After both old folks passed away, he felt even less like he had a home. When he left Liangliao, he told himself that if he were to die, he had to die gloriously outside, and he'd die before ever returning to that small place. Later, he met your mother. After tricking her into the family home, he felt that wherever she was, that was his home. And then, after you children were born, and she passed away, he felt that wherever you were, that was home. Our family is a bit different from many others. In our family, it was reversed: your mother played the strict, 'bad cop' role, while Father protected you children. Your mother rarely got angry. Father remembers one time very clearly: when Father was little, he told you that if anyone bullied you when your parents weren't around, you should hit them back. If you couldn't beat them, throw stones. If you could wield a knife, then use a knife to cut them. Your mother then got very angry. At first, Father thought he was in the right: 'My son is such a kind child, who would dare bully my son? How can I not make them lie in bed! If my son makes other people's sons lie down, then I, Xu Xiao, as his father, will make their fathers lie down too! That's the Xu family way!' After your mother got angry, she calmly told me that it wasn't that she was willing to let others bully Xiaonian, but that Xiaonian was destined not to be an ordinary child in the future. If he developed too fierce and eccentric a personality, never knowing how to be kind to others, not understanding that suffering a loss can be a blessing, then ultimately, our own child would suffer the greatest loss. She also said, 'You, Xu Xiao, will eventually grow old and die. What will happen when there's no one to protect Xiaonian then?' Your mother left early. Father, being the most unconventional person, couldn't teach you anything, but he firmly remembered one thing your mother said: 'Spoiling a child is like killing a child.' Nian'er, those few times Father lost his temper with you, it wasn't because Father blamed you; Father was blaming himself for not fulfilling his duties as a father well enough. Before, you never wanted to call me Father, and Father truly wasn't angry. Every time you chased me with a broom to hit me, every time I took a blow, it hurt more and more, and I knew Father was old, and you had grown up. That's a wonderful thing."

The old man's words were intermittent, constantly interrupted by heavy gasps and difficult coughs.

The young figure, silent, simply held the old man's hand on the bed with both of his own.

The old man, who had never shed a tear in front of any of his children, this old warrior, reviled as a butcher by the court and commoners alike, finally wept incessantly today. Even if the old man wanted to wipe them away, his vitality and spirit were already as depleted as lamp oil, and he no longer had the strength to raise his hand.

And the young man, whose expression even his sister and brother couldn't see, didn't even dare to pull one hand away to wipe the old man's tears, fearing that if he let go, the old man would truly be gone.

"When one becomes emperor, one is called a lonely man; that's due to the distinction between ruler and subject. Moreover, after being emperor for a long time, one truly stops treating others as human, genuinely believing oneself to be some 'Son of Heaven' nonsense. Our Xu family's King of Beiliang, achieved through our own struggles, is not much different from an emperor. Nian'er, putting other things aside, the taste of being a lonely man is not pleasant. Father has tasted it, and he especially doesn't want you to follow this old path. That's why Father never regretted letting the Yan Jiexie family go to the capital to become imperial relatives. I, Xu Xiao, dared to scold even the old Grand Secretary until he was half dead with rage; how could I put a pedantic scholar in my eyes? Father just didn't want you and Yan Chiji to become sworn enemies. Even if you two were destined not to be brothers, it's better to leave you with some good memories. The happiest things for Father these past years were coming home from the border and seeing that you all were well, and occasionally dreaming of your mother. I, Xu Xiao, have been indebted to your mother ever since she agreed to marry me. The only thing Father resents her for is leaving too early. Between a husband and wife, it's truly the one who leaves later who suffers more. This suffering isn't about toiling for the family's enterprise; that's what we men should do. It's just that many times when good things happen, there's no one beside you to share a word or two with. Or when you miss her dearly, you can't see her, can you? The world is vast; Father has traveled many places and met many people, but in Father's eyes, there has always been only your mother, one woman."

At the doorway, Xu Weixiong clenched her fists over her lips, still sobbing uncontrollably.

"The loquat tree in the courtyard, your mother planted it herself after she came here. In the future, when it bears loquats, and you happen to think of Father and your mother, remember to pick some and place them on the grave."

"Nian'er, Father is entrusting your second sister and Huang Man'er to your care. And our Xu family, our Xu family's three hundred thousand iron cavalry, you'll have to carry it all by yourself from now on. You'll be very tired. Don't blame Father for making you take on this burden."

The young figure nodded.

Huang Man'er raised his arm, covering his face, and quietly whimpered.

When the old man spoke what would be his last words that night, Xu Weixiong lunged from her wheelchair and wailed loudly.

The young figure tilted his head up.

His back to his sister and brother, he merely opened his mouth wide, weeping silently, afraid of disturbing the old man who had closed his eyes.

The old man's last words were: "Father will sleep for a bit."