Chapter 401: Chapter 389: Clever and Obedient
Xie Xun’s focus was primarily on military affairs. When he returned to Jiaozhou from Zhongzhou, he quickly took control of Jiaozhou and had his own system of operation within the army. General Chen, Xu Zhou, and several other generals were able to stabilize the army’s morale. Recently, the main task was to strengthen the defense of Jiaozhou City, so Xie Xun was relatively free, and Xie Jue, having nothing else to do, taught him civil governance.
Speaking of which, Xie Xun was a well-rounded talent in both literature and martial arts. When he studied at the Imperial College, although his writings were not outstanding, they were above average. However, his policy papers were mostly practical, without much embellishment. In the army, he was able to quickly gain people’s loyalty and had his unique way of managing subordinates. Even in the Kyoto Capital Guard, he could quickly establish a foothold. He was good at recognizing and utilizing talents, without being suspicious or overthinking things, and he would like to ascend the throne as emperor in the future.
As long as he knows how to recognize and utilize talents and understands balance, managing subordinates should be no problem. However, Xie Jue wanted to teach him some administrative affairs, such as grain distribution, land taxes, financial expenditures, cost control, and how to manage a city or a county. Xie Xun had no interest in this. From a young age, he was trained as a military general, and upon hearing such things, he would drowse off.
Xie Jue initially taught him patiently for a day, but later, he couldn’t continue. He let the staff in Jiaozhou teach him. When their grandfather taught him and his cousin, it wasn’t this strenuous, and Xie Jue didn’t want to bear this hardship.
In fact, even if Xie Xun didn’t learn, it wouldn’t be a big deal since recognizing and utilizing talents was sufficient. However, if he didn’t understand at all, he wouldn’t even know if his subordinates deceived him in the future, so Xie Jue hoped he could dabble in all areas. Yet, Xie Xun was truly uninterested, so Xie Jue, knowing his own bad temper, chose to avoid seeing him.
Thus, seeing Xie Xun hitting a wall with Fengyu, the Second Young Master had a subtle sense of balance.
The results of the Shadow Guard’s investigation for Xie Jue were identical to Xie Xun’s, so there was nothing peculiar. They had inquired with neighbors and residents, and Xie Jue even sent someone to monitor a medical hall day and night, yet there was nothing unusual.
Fengyu was relieved. Ten years had passed, and given their special identities, it was necessary to investigate thoroughly; otherwise, she wouldn’t feel at ease. Three days later, when Xiaoqi recovered, Fengyu brought him to her residence.
Xiaoqi was fond of smiling. He had a small dimple on his right cheek, which made him charming when he smiled. His eyes were dark and brilliant, lively, fond of smiling, and likable. Qiuxiang and Chunlu prepared for him several close-fitting narrow-sleeved winter clothes. Once dressed up, he did not at all resemble a street orphan for many years, but rather a pampered young master from a prestigious family.
Fengyu kept praising how handsome he was.
How could he not be handsome?
Back then, the children who were abducted and then sold to Jiangnan intending to serve people, were all good-looking!
Fengyu had the small kitchen prepare a pot of chicken soup to nourish Xiaoqi’s body.
Xiaoqi said, "It smells so good, sister, I haven’t had chicken soup in such a long time."
"From now on, Xiaoqi can have it every day," Fengyu said with a gentle smile, serving him a bowl. Xiaoqi was drooling over the aroma. "I really didn’t expect to see you in Jiaozhou. At that time, I sent someone to look for you under the cliff, but only saw white bones. Was Xiaoqi saved by someone?"
Xiaoqi drank the chicken soup, smiled cleverly, and said, "I was rescued by a passing merchant caravan. Later, I recovered with the caravan. I had a broken lower leg that took a year to heal. To repay the caravan for saving me, I helped them for three years. Later, I thought sister should be a Ningzhou person, so I came to look for you, but I couldn’t find you."
Fengyu felt a pang in her heart. Her brother had traveled all the way to Ningzhou but didn’t find her. He must have been very disappointed. Probably at that time, they had gone with Feng Changlin to Liling, so they missed each other. Otherwise, they could have met in Ningzhou, and Xiaoqi wouldn’t have had to suffer so much.
"And then?"
"Just wandering around. I followed the caravan north and south, gained a broader view. With my own hands and feet, I wouldn’t starve to death. Just had no fixed abode, couldn’t stay long in any place, and didn’t know where to find sister. So, I simply changed places every now and then. In Yanyang, I’ve been to many cities except the Capital City."
"Why didn’t you go to the Capital City?"
"I didn’t want to!" Xiaoqi’s smile dimmed a bit, appearing somber and heavy. "I’ve mentioned to you I have enemies in the Capital City. That place... I don’t like it."
"Who is your enemy? I’ll avenge you!"
Xiaoqi laughed, blinking, and said, "Forget it. So many years have passed, grievances long gone, no need for revenge. Meeting you now, I’m content and ask for nothing more. As long as I live happily each day, why seek trouble for myself."
"Xiaoqi is magnanimous!" Fengyu offered him more food, sympathizing with his years of wandering, "Eat more, you’re too thin."
"Okay, thank you, sister!"
Xiaoqi was even younger than her by a year. When they first met, he had white teeth and red lips, dressed in clothes embroidered with gold threads, evidently raised as a noble family’s child. Yet now, he wandered destitute, and still maintained such a generous disposition, which was indeed not easy.
"From now on, stay with sister," Fengyu wanted to fulfill her promise from years ago, "I’ll take care of you."
"Wouldn’t it be inconvenient?" After wolfing down his meal, Xiaoqi set down his bowl and chopsticks, and those dark eyes looked at Fengyu with a smile. "We’ve both grown up, with no blood relation. If I stay by sister’s side, the Prince won’t be happy, would he?"
"Do you want to stay with sister?" Fengyu asked.
If Xiaoqi wanted to stay with her, she wouldn’t refuse him. Finding him and taking care of him had been Fengyu’s wish for many years.
Xiaoqi had also grown up. The childhood promise she made, she intended to keep a lifetime. This life of hers was saved by Xiaoqi. Without him, she wouldn’t have survived till now and would have long perished outside Ningzhou. She respected all of Xiaoqi’s choices. If he wished to settle in Jiaozhou, she would buy him a house, let him settle down, and provide him with money so he could live without worries. She would be Xiaoqi’s most steadfast support.
"I want to!" Xiaoqi said sadly, "I have no relatives, only one sister. The days of wandering, though carefree, feel like a kite with a cut string, no place to land, just drifting emptily. If sister is willing to take me in, I’d naturally stay with sister. I know some martial arts and can cook, so I won’t let sister support an idle person."
"Xiaoqi, by sister’s side, do what you like without restraints," Fengyu comforted him, cherishing this childhood friendship deeply, "Lady Thirteen is also with me. She is now in the Capital, and we will reunite in the future."
"Sister Thirteen is there too?"
"Yes!" Fengyu said with a gentle smile, "I reunited with them long ago, and now the three of us are together again. Unfortunately, Sister Bao’er is not here anymore."
Xiaoqi’s mood turned somewhat low. Fengyu didn’t talk much about the past and quietly accompanied him through the meal.
Fengyu, fearing Xiaoqi’s unease, had Zhang Da show him around the residence. Xiaoqi’s lively and cheerful nature quickly won over Qiuxiang, Chunlu, and Zhang Da, who were all willing to accompany him to get familiar with the residence and the people and things around Fengyu.
When Xie Xun came over, Qiuxiang and Chunlu were arranging accommodations for Xiaoqi, just to the left of Fengyu’s in the western wing, right next to Zhang Da.
"Prince!" Qiuxiang and Chunlu paid respects and pulled Xiaoqi.
Personal aura is mutual. One can distinctly feel dislike or appreciation. Xie Xun didn’t like Xiaoqi at first glance, and Xiaoqi didn’t like Xie Xun either.
He obediently paid his respects, his voice clear and pleasant.
Xie Xun’s eyebrows slightly furrowed, walking into the courtyard without a second glance.
Xiaoqi said, feeling wronged, "The Prince doesn’t like me."
Qiuxiang comforted him, "The Prince, apart from the young lady and the Second Young Master, doesn’t like anyone. He’s the same to everyone. Let’s go, we will take you to get some clothes made."
With Xie Jue in Jiaozhou, Fengyu was quite leisurely, not as busy. During this ice-cold, snowy season, the Residence Report from the West Continent also hadn’t arrived, so she spent more time reading in her room.