Chapter 37: What a twisted friendship!

Chinu is usually gloomy, but when he speaks harshly with a fierce look, it makes people feel a bit fearful.

Being scolded, Yu Baobao's brows and eyes, which had just been touched by a smile, stiffened at once.

But he is not merely a foolish person who only knows how to giggle.

As Yu Baobao had said before, he is just a little lazy, not stupid.

Even so, he is quite clever; it's just that his way of conducting himself differs from ordinary people.

What followed far exceeded what Du Shanü had imagined.

Most of the time, when mentioning the former dynasty, Yu Baobao always looks weary and wan.

But once it involves her principles, Yu Baobao has no trace of inferiority, nor does she withdraw.

Facing Chinu, he got straight to the point, frankly and solemnly raising his own discomfort:

"Nuonu, I don't like you saying such things."

"What lust for beauty, what ulterior motives, hoping for repayment... are merely your conjectures."

He knows Chinu is very smart and very capable.

Perhaps what he said is indeed the result.

But people cannot act solely on conjecture.

Moreover, there are always things more important than the outcome.

Earlier, the fierce fire oil emerged, burning without cease, sweeping away the peripheral kingdoms and pressing straight at the Yin Dynasty. Everyone then knew the Yin Dynasty was destined to be unable to resist, but would that allow us to simply abandon the old capital, offer no resistance, and let the foreign tribes invade?

No, it isn't.

That's wrong, not acceptable, not good.

Earlier, the Mysterious Armor Army marched out in armor, backs to the old capital; everyone knew the soldiers faced near-certain death, but could knowing they would die justify abandoning home and country, letting foreign tribes trample the land?

No, it isn't.

That's wrong, not acceptable, not good.

Earlier...

Earlier, both my foster father and my biological father said Chinu was no good and told me to kill him.

But could he really kill Chinu?

The hardest thing to recall is his youth.

From childhood he knew that, for those who do not crave it, the throne is merely a confinement.

The Grand Ancestor was such a confined emperor.

The vast palace, though majestic and splendid, is far colder than ordinary people imagine; all the servants are reverent and lifeless, either hiding in corners or kneeling on the ground, their faces never seen, only like shadows swallowed up.

Only Chinu would stand and speak with him, meeting his gaze...

It made him feel that, after all, there were people like him here too.

It made him feel that, after all, he too had a friend.

Though others say a thousand, ten thousand times that Chinu is bad, he always remembers Chinu's kindness—taking him to study and learn characters, accompanying him in martial training to strengthen his body, even when they roughhouse and play, it's joyful, giving him a sense of humanity.

Everyone said Chinu would become his beloved official.

But if Chinu did not become his beloved official, does that mean he is no longer Chinu?

No.

No.

Chinu is Chinu; perhaps not that good, but certainly not that bad.

He would never bear to kill this close friend.

Or rather, he never even considered it.

That's wrong, not good.

Worldly affairs may be changeful, or perhaps hard to control.

But, but as Mother said, we need hope and expectation for tomorrow to be better.

Why would one rather cling to a trembling tomorrow than properly live today?

This is simply unreasonable!

Fleeting light, fleeting light—coming and going, no more than a hundred years.

Why bother worrying about future affairs?

Even if Chinu could foresee events like a god, calculating that one day the Wife Master would utterly despise him...

Before that day arrives, is he not also happy?

Moreover, even if the Wife Master doesn't like him, it's fine! He likes the Wife Master!

At worst, he could beg for mercy, letting the Wife Master and the newcomer keep him!

After all, he doesn't eat much either...

Even if it's for the Wife Master, he could eat even less.

Yu Hen's voice isn't loud, yet it happens to be audible to the two in that small space.

That especially resolute expression on his face fell into Du Shanü's eyes, and the previously restless feeling suddenly calmed.

Du Shanü slowly sat down, her brows and eyes smiling:

"Yu Baobao...... you're shining!"

Radiant and spirited, dazzling and eye-catching.

This is not merely her outstanding appearance, but the soul that shares half its nature with Du Shanü's, singing aloud.

Although I don't understand why Yu Baobao, while speaking, suddenly began using such frank 'matrimonial' words as 'plea,' 'new person,' and 'retain.'

But Du Shanü is quite certain that the other person truly shares half of her nature.

Not insecure, not withdrawn, confident, self-loving. (No names)

Always believe the sun will rise tomorrow, and always believe that this world will still have a patch of pure land. (No names)

Her vision is really great!!! (No names)

"Yu Baobao......!" => Yu Baobao appears.

"Wife Master...... hulu lu......!" => Wife Master appears.

Du Shanü grabs the other's head and gives it a vigorous rub; Yu Hen's eyes aren't fully healed yet, so he just lets himself be moved around while letting out a contented nasal snort like a deflated balloon, showing no trace of his earlier serious and solemn demeanor. => Du Shanü, Yu Hen appear.

After they played for a while, Du Shanü remembers that Chinu is still nearby; she glances over and sees that the gaunt youth has somehow already sat up, his face no longer pale... => Du Shanü, Chinu appear.

It still seems a bit dim? (No names)

"Chen Weifang." => Chen Weifang appears.

After a long while, Chinu finally utters three words, then reverts to his former aloofness, keeping everyone at arm's length: => Chinu appears.

"This name, quit messing around in front of me and annoying me." (No names)

Du Shanü's heart stirred, she realized—— => Du Shanü appears.

Chinu, after all, still turned out soft-hearted. => Chinu appears.

These two childhood friends really understand each other. (No names)

No wonder Chinu has followed the Young Emperor all the way here...... => Chinu, Young Emperor appear.

Perhaps she missed a crucial point from the start. (No names)

The point is, the Young Emperor is far from being Chinu's upper limit, but he is certainly Chinu's lower limit. => Young Emperor, Chinu appear.

Yu Hen is pure-hearted; as the Young Emperor, he might be enough to hold things together, but he lacks an iron fist, so when faced with a major crisis like a foreign invasion, he can only be helpless. => Yu Hen, Young Emperor appear.

The Young Emperor may not measure up to Emperor Taizong, but his benevolent virtue is enough to leave anyone who sees him feeling ashamed.

Du Shanü believes Chinu hates the Young Emperor and refuses to serve him, but she now also believes he could never kill the Young Emperor.

Even, it's uncertain whether Yu Baobao might occasionally still help her speak......

What a twisted friendship.

Du Shanü complained repeatedly in her heart, yet she still smiled and said:

"Sir, who is the Chen Weifang you just mentioned?"

Chinu had already anticipated her fickle demeanor, wanting to sneer, but the motion of sitting up was too large, already causing fine sweat to bead on his forehead.

It might be the pain of this breath, or perhaps something else.

Chinu slightly closed his eyes, and then said:

"An old acquaintance I met during the previous dynasty, a friend despite the age gap."

"He entered service during Emperor Taizong's reign, rising to the post of Grand Minister of the Imperial Stables, but after criticizing Yuan Lang's usurpation he was demoted...... I never expected to meet him here, and yet he willingly took the humble post of Chief Clerk. He is thoughtful and perceptive, speaks little, yet possesses quick wit."

"When I previously went to see the magistrate, using the Young Emperor as bait, he didn't see me, but he already sensed my ill intent. Had the magistrate heeded his advice and eliminated me upon my later visit, there would have been no subsequent uproar at the Xian Xie."

It's a pity that the newly appointed magistrate, who took office posthaste, clearly did not understand this person, nor recognize his talent, and thus did not adopt his advice.

What followed was already settled.

?? Chen Weifang, who appears in this chapter, had already appeared in chapter 20, a minor Chief Clerk.

? If you have any doubts, you can review chapter 20~ The author's writing is very enjoyable to read! Keeping up with the updates is worthwhile!

? If you have any doubts, you can go to chapter 20 to review~ The author's writing is very enjoyable to read! Keeping up with the updates is worth it!