Xiao Yan’s head snapped up. “Father and Mother Consort’s remains were swapped out?”
Xu Yu nodded. “Though incomplete, they were properly buried. Their tomb is on the Cao clan’s ancestral land. I go every year to pay respects, and the Cao family regularly sends people to maintain it.”
Xiao Yan’s expression shook. He had thought his father and mother’s remains had been reduced to ashes, given the late emperor’s hatred for his father. There was no way he would have allowed them a proper burial. Yet Cao Dejiang had managed to retrieve them, risking everything to inter them on Cao clan land.
If discovered, the entire Cao clan would face execution.
Xiao Yan abruptly stood, facing Cao Dejiang directly. He lifted the hem of his robe and knelt. “Yuan Sheng thanks Lord Cao for his great kindness.”
Tang Ning, deeply moved, knew the immense risk Cao Dejiang had taken. This was not the act of the self-serving man he claimed to be. She stepped beside Xiao Yan and bowed deeply to Cao Dejiang. “Thank you, Lord Cao, for your great kindness.”
Cao Dejiang was stunned by their kneeling and quickly moved aside.
Seeing Shi Chang’an standing still, perfectly positioned to receive their bow, Cao Dejiang kicked the chestnut-peeling Shi Chang’an. As Shi winced, Cao pushed him, causing him to stumble and fall awkwardly onto a nearby table.
“What are you doing?” Shi Chang’an glared.
Cao Dejiang glared back. This shameless man, daring to bask in the bow of Great Wei’s future emperor?!
After shoving Shi aside, Cao shot the bewildered man a sharp look, then hurried around to Xiao Yan and Tang Ning, trying to pull them up by their arms.
But despite his effort, the two remained steadfast.
Cao Dejiang could only say, “What are you doing, kneeling like that out of nowhere?”
Xiao Yan said earnestly, “Lord Cao’s kindness deserves this kneel.”
Cao Dejiang frowned. “I told you, I acted on Senior Brother Rong’s request…”
“Grand Tutor is Grand Tutor, and Lord Cao is Lord Cao. I remember the Grand Tutor’s kindness, but without you, my father and mother’s remains would have no peace.”
“It was just a small effort. His Highness the Crown Prince once recognized and promoted me…”
Cao Dejiang tried to explain, a hint of unease on his face. He could spar verbally with Xiao Yan or even scheme against him without fear. In the game of lord and vassal, probing each other’s limits was mutual growth. But Xiao Yan kneeling so solemnly before him…
Cao grabbed his arm. “Get up already.”
Having Xiao Yan kneel to him, he feared it would shorten his life!
Xiao Yan, understanding his concern, didn’t insist on staying down. He rose with Tang Ning, following Cao’s pull, and said solemnly, “Lord Cao’s kindness, Yuan Sheng will never forget.”
…
Xu Yu didn’t stay long in the room, knowing Xiao Yan and Cao Dejiang had more to discuss. He respectfully withdrew, and Cao Dejiang turned to Xiao Yan. “Xu’s appearance has changed, and most of the old palace servants are gone, but his identity is sensitive. If you take him back, how will you arrange for him?”
Xiao Yan replied, “I can’t take him yet. I’ll need to trouble Lord Cao to keep him a bit longer.”
Cao Dejiang paused, then understood that Xiao Yan wasn’t ready to reveal his true identity. Leaving Xu Yu in his residence meant Xiao Yan was preparing to act. Otherwise, with his capabilities, arranging for one person wouldn’t be difficult, unless Xiao Yan was about to draw more attention, making it unwise for Xu Yu to be seen with him.
Cao Dejiang didn’t press for details, only nodding. “Then he’ll stay with me.”
Xiao Yan said, “Thank you, Lord Cao.”
The old man added, “I won’t ask what you’re planning, but be cautious in all things. Don’t underestimate His Majesty.”
He pointed at Shi Chang’an. “This Shi fellow has some half-baked skills, excels at reading people, and is cunning as a fox. He knows more about Beiling and the border than anyone. Though he lost to Xiahou Ling and was humiliated, he’s still useful.”
“If you trust him, keep him around. He can offer strategies. He’s easy to keep, just give him some food and stick him in Rongsheng Academy. He’s been a schoolteacher before, so it’s putting him to good use.”
A chestnut flew at his head. Shi Chang’an snapped, “Surnamed Cao, who’s humiliated?!”
Cao Dejiang snorted. “Not humiliated? Then why’d you hide in Puyao teaching books?”
“I was enlightening the masses.”
“More like a coward hiding your head…”
“Cao Boru!”
Shi Chang’an, furious, shouted Cao Dejiang’s courtesy name.
Cao Dejiang turned to Xiao Yan. “If you don’t want him, that’s fine. This Shi has no ambition left, just clinging to life day by day. He might not be much use anyway…”
“Enough! Getting bolder with every word, huh?” Shi Chang’an slammed down the tongs and glared at Cao Dejiang.
“You don’t need to goad me. Xiahou Qing’s still alive, and no matter how little ambition I have, I won’t forget my sect’s vengeance.”
Shi turned to Xiao Yan. “I know Your Highness has grand aspirations. After clearing your name, there’s no second path but to ascend. I have one question: once you achieve your goal, what will Great Wei’s stance be toward Beiling?”
Xiao Yan’s gaze turned cold. “An enemy that has invaded for years, killing countless Great Wei people. I will lead troops to subdue them. If they don’t surrender, they’ll be eradicated.”
Shi Chang’an’s expression grew serious. “I may not be like Cao Dejiang, able to aid you in court, but if Your Highness promises that after crushing Beiling, you’ll hand Xiahou Qing to me, I’m willing to stay at Rongsheng Academy, teach students, and fully support you.”
Xiao Yan replied, “Mr. Shi’s talents are too great to be confined to the academy.”
“Tang Ning has kept the academy head position open for you. You can go there anytime, teaching students in your spare time. But in the future, you should have a broader stage.”
Shi Chang’an paused, catching the meaning in Xiao Yan’s words. His eyes flickered with uncertainty. “You’d let me enter the court?”
“Why not?”
“I’m not from Wei.”
“So what?”
Shi Chang’an said gravely, “Southern Qi to Great Wei is no different from Beiling to Great Wei. The two nations have long been at odds. Though not at war like with Beiling, tensions persist. Great Wei despises Southern Qi, and Southern Qi likely harbors ambitions.”
“I come from Southern Qi. Aren’t you afraid that, even if I enter Great Wei’s court, my heart would remain with Qi?”
Xiao Yan laughed. “Since ancient times, wise vassals seek enlightened rulers. The Southern Qi emperor doesn’t seem like one.”
“Back then, Mr. Shi held a position in Southern Qi’s court, yet Xiahou Qing, after destroying your sect, strutted openly in their capital and left on an official Qi ship to return to Beiling. Meanwhile, you were forced to flee, barely surviving until Lord Cao saved you in Great Wei.”
“If you could still be loyal to the Southern Qi royal family after that, I’d have nothing to say.”
He paused, his eyes sharpening. “Besides, my ambitions don’t lie solely with Great Wei. When the world no longer distinguishes between Wei and Qi, what difference does it make whether you serve a Qi lord or a Wei lord?”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 470 (100+ extra chapters) here
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