Chapter 280: Chapter 274: Jealousy
Xie Jue’s eye illness relapsed. Although he didn’t go blind, his vision became blurry, as if everything was shrouded in mist. The doctor advised him not to overexert himself and to avoid straining his eyes. After detoxification, Xie Jue had traveled day and night. Coupled with the sorrow of losing his family, his emotions churned, and his relentless efforts in Ningzhou ultimately wore him down.
The stabbing pain in his eyes first occurred on the night of his arrival in Ningzhou City. Xie Jue didn’t take it seriously, but recently, the discomfort had worsened, and under the strain and pressure, his condition finally protested severely.
Xie Xun asked, "Will his eyes recover?"
"As long as the remaining toxins in the Second Young Master’s body are cleared and he recuperates properly, he should recover!"
The doctor was cautious with his words. Xie Xun’s worry was hard to conceal. A maid brought the freshly prepared medicine, and Xie Jue drank it down cleanly and decisively. "Daybreak is near. Don’t just stand here in the way. Go and prepare!"
"Second Brother, I’ll escort the silver and provisions to Jinzhou. I’ll make sure to return as soon as possible. Fengyu will stay in Jinzhou. I’ll have Nuanyang lead two thousand cavalry to accompany her. Firstly, to ensure her safety, and secondly, to prevent bandits from causing trouble. Xu Zhou and General Cui will assist with military affairs."
"You are the commander. Deploying and managing troops is your responsibility; you don’t need to consult me." Xie Jue said he wouldn’t interfere, and he truly let go entirely, leaving all military matters to Xie Xun.
Xie Xun was acutely aware that his unguarded words had hurt his second brother. He wasn’t the type of man to shirk responsibility. "Second Brother, I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?"
Xie Jue remained silent, and Xie Xun’s heart clenched with pain.
"This time, I’ll let it pass," Xie Jue finally said, his tone shifting. "But it won’t happen again. Dare to speak recklessly once more, and don’t blame me for being ruthless."
Xie Xun’s tense nerves relaxed, and he hastily agreed, "Alright, alright, alright. It won’t happen again. I won’t dare anymore!"
"Hah!" Xie Jue scoffed. Since childhood, he had heard that same promise countless times until his ears grew calluses.
"Second Brother, rest well. Sorting everything out won’t be a quick task, and wearing yourself out isn’t worth it. When I return from Jinzhou, we’ll resolve it together."
Xie Jue closed his eyes, unwilling to respond.
As dawn broke, Xie Xun stood on the command platform in light armor, longsword in hand. The three armies gathered, their dark armored ranks stretching to the horizon, obscuring the sky.
From this day forward, the Northern Iron Cavalry was officially renamed the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Xie Xun proclaimed himself king with the title of Prince Qin. The Xie brothers led the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry in breaking away from Yanyang, declaring independence and dividing the land. From Salt City to Ningzhou, six cities were under the governance of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. New policies were implemented in Ningzhou and the other cities, no longer subject to Yanyang’s jurisdiction, and the citizens revered Prince Qin as their ruler.
Although the formal edict would be issued later, Xie Xun’s self-declaration as king was announced to the three armies and to the world, marking Ningzhou’s formal secession from Yanyang.
At the cusp of dawn, the soldiers knelt in unison, their voices resonating with unshakable fervor. "May the Prince be ever-victorious, undefeatable in battle!"
"Ever-victorious, undefeatable in battle!"
...
Standing atop the command platform, Xie Xun listened to their invigorating chants. His heartbeat roared like thunder, and the blood that had turned cold on that rainy night in the Capital now flowed again, surging and boiling. The first light of dawn reflected off his silver armor, illuminating his eyes. Xie Xun felt an unprecedented longing.
A longing for revenge.
A longing for victory.
And an overwhelming longing for the unification of the world!
"I, Xie Xun, the sixth-generation Family Head of Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, hereby assume the position of Commander-in-Chief of the three armies of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. With utmost sincerity, I swear to the mountains and rivers, to the spirits of Heaven and Earth, that I shall lead the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry to protect the people of Yanyang for generations to come. I shall defend the honor of the cavalry, stay loyal to the cavalry, and fight until death!" Xie Xun raised his longsword to the heavens. "Ningzhou Iron Cavalry! Ever-victorious, undefeatable in battle!"
The troops erupted in renewed vigor, chanting the slogan in unison.
"Ningzhou Iron Cavalry! Ever-victorious, undefeatable in battle!"
Their voices thundered, shaking the heavens and echoing through the clouds.
This battle cry had been passed down for generations, inspiring countless Ningzhou Iron Cavalry soldiers to charge fearlessly into danger. Now, after the fall of their previous commander, the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry had welcomed their new leader.
Xie Xun had officially become the Commander-in-Chief of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry.
All the generals gazed passionately at Xie Xun, clad in battle gear atop the command platform. In that moment, he bore the same commanding presence as Marquis Zhenbei, Xie Zhang—a figure who, once donned in armor, could block entire armies single-handedly.
He was their new commander!
"Your Highness, as you’ve just assumed command of the cavalry, your noble status should not be put at risk. Allow Lan Song to make the trip to Jinzhou in your stead," General Cui was the first to address him with newfound respect in his tone compared to previous days.
Xie Xun smiled and said, "Lin Xiao and Zhang Boxin are leading the Kyoto Capital Guard to survey Liangma Road between Ningzhou and Jinzhou. Road repairs and rerouting face considerable challenges. Since future provisions will be transported from Jinzhou, besides escorting the silver and provisions, I want to see the road for myself. You generals will remain in the city. General Cui, I’ll leave the defense of North City to you. Don’t worry, I’ll return by the end of the month."
"Your Highness, rest assured. This subordinate will ensure the North City gates are kept secure." General Cui paid heed to Cui Lansong’s earlier advice. The power dynamics in Ningzhou City had shifted; they all had to adapt to the new reality.
It was up to them to adjust to their new commander, not the other way around!
Xie Xun selected fifty thousand cavalry to accompany him to Ningzhou. General Xiao Liu handled logistics at the rear as they set out in the afternoon.
At the Marquis Mansion, Fengyu was already prepared for departure. She initially planned to bid farewell to Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and Zhou Liyu, but they were all occupied with military duties outside the city, so she had to let it go.
Inside the mansion, Fengyu could hear the cavalry’s battle cries echoing. The entire city of Ningzhou seemed invigorated by Xie Xun. Fengyu thought to herself, someday, he would achieve his aspirations.
At the same time, unease crept into her mind. Xie Xun was accompanying her to Jinzhou, but would he allow her to stay there?
"Is your luggage packed?" Xie Xun, now out of his light armor and dressed in summer attire, arrived at Feng Mansion leading a group of personal guards. Standing at the door, he asked, "Only one carriage?"
Whenever the Third Miss traveled, she was typically surrounded by countless attendants, with her belongings occupying three to four carriages.
Seeing that his tone was calm and seemed to signal a thaw in their standoff, Fengyu’s heart lightened. She chuckled softly and said, "I left the Capital on a rainy night with little to carry. I’ll add whatever I need when I reach Jinzhou."
As Xie Xun glanced at the Third Miss, her simple long dress and silk flower in her hair stirred bittersweet feelings in his heart. His delicate girl was still in mourning with him. It had been so long since he’d seen her in vibrant clothes or adorned with gold and silver jewelry.
"I’ll ride with you in the carriage," Xie Xun said gently, taking her hand to help her onto the carriage.
"That wouldn’t be appropriate, would it?" Fengyu was startled. She felt the heat of Xie Xun’s palm, warmer than the summer breeze. "You’ve just assumed command of the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry. Riding with me in the carriage could undermine your authority."
"My authority was never earned by riding a horse!" Xie Xun retorted, gripping her waist and lifting her into the carriage. Turning back, he commanded sternly, "Move out!"
"Yes, sir!"
Unable to resist, Fengyu had no choice but to go along. If he didn’t mind, she was naturally happy. Their long cold war, with neither willing to yield, had gone on for too long. It had been an eternity since they’d had a proper conversation.
As she gazed at Xie Xun’s increasingly hardened features, her heart softened and ached. She didn’t want to fight with him anymore. She missed the playful, teasing little Marquis he used to be, and she pitied the now cold and steely Prince Qin he had become.
"Have you ever been to Jinzhou?" Fengyu asked.
Xie Xun shook his head. "Never."
"I haven’t either. I only heard my sister mention it. She said Jinzhou is prosperous, second only to Hua City in Jiangnan," Fengyu said, tentatively intertwining her fingers with his as she eagerly sought reconciliation. "Zhixu, please don’t be mad at me anymore, alright? You’ve gone thirteen days without speaking to me properly, and it’s making me so sad."
"Is that so?" Xie Xun replied coolly. "You’ve been chatting enthusiastically with Second Brother. I doubt you’ve even thought about me."
Fengyu, "?"