The victory of the army made the whole capital lively for several days. People with festive lights and colorful decorations could be seen everywhere on the streets, just like the New Year. Those ordinary people didn't know how fierce the battle was, but they knew that if the general won, they would have a few years of peace. Who doesn't want to live a peaceful life these days? Therefore, General Yang and the Major General were simply gods in their minds.
However, Xiao Weishen was not happy, because the people had a very high opinion of the Yang family, and their prestige was even more intimidating than that of himself, a legitimate emperor. This made him very uneasy. No emperor could allow such a force to appear under his command, especially when they held the military power. This was like hanging a sword over one's bed, making one unable to sleep all night.
But if General Yang and his son were allowed to retire now, they would inevitably be criticized by scholars for abandoning their fathers after their lives were over. If it were spread out, it would be bad for their reputation in the future. Xiao Weishen was worried about this all day. Prime Minister Xia told him to be patient. Since ancient times, those who have accomplished great things have not been particular about small details, and he should not be impatient. Resigning military power should be done step by step. It is not something that can be completed in one or two days, so he must be patient.
So although Xiao Weishen was indeed very anxious, he had not taken any big action for the time being. He still trusted his uncle, and the relationship between them was unbreakable. Even if there were indeed various contradictions in between, it was not so easy to break them easily.
However, Xiao Weixin was able to keep his composure better than him. Yang Qixian was now very popular in the capital, and there was a constant stream of people coming to congratulate him. However, he was as calm as a rock and stayed at home without going anywhere. He only sent someone to deliver a gift, but the person claimed to be sick and stayed at home. He looked like a breath of fresh air.
Moreover, in addition to the victorious soldiers, Yang Qixuan also brought back captives from the Western Rong, the most important of which was their twelfth prince. Xiao Weishen wanted to exchange this prince for some conditions, as a son was worth some money. However, the Khan didn't care about this son at all, and threatened to kill him like a rogue, saying that he had no money or land to exchange, so he died. After all, he had twenty sons, and losing one would not affect him.
This made Xiao Weishen depressed and angry. He wanted to kill the prisoner on the spot, but was persuaded by General Yang. He said that keeping the twelfth prince might be useful someday. Besides, he had already surrendered, so it would be inappropriate to kill him now, as it would make him look like a tyrant.
Xiao Weishen was upset, but he couldn't argue with General Yang, so he had to order the twelfth prince to be thrown into a yard and kept as a hostage. If he dared to show any rebellious behavior, he would be killed.
So, the poor Twelfth Prince was kept in a pen like a pig.
"Your Majesty, the hostage's residence seems to be only one street away from us." Wang Chen whispered, "Doesn't it mean that our palace should be more low-key?"
Xiao Weixin was lying in a rocking chair reading a book. After hearing his words, he lazily replied, "Who is the twelfth prince?"
"I heard that he is just an unpopular prince. His mother's family is a small nomadic tribe, so their Khan does not value him. This time he was sent as a pioneer, probably to let him explore the way."
Xiao Weixin squinted his eyes and listened for a while, nodded to indicate that he understood, and then continued to read with his head down, as if he didn't take it to heart. Wang Chen knew that his master didn't intend to continue listening, so he quietly retreated.
However, You Shu was shouting desperately in her heart, and she really wanted to come out from behind the tree, pick the male protagonist up from the rocking chair, shake him hard, and then tell him that the opportunity had come!
The twelfth prince Nagatu is no small role, he is the future king of Xirong! He is an awesome character who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the male protagonist!
You have to build a good relationship with him and create a mutually beneficial cooperation, so that you will be one step closer to your career!!!
Xiao Weixin, get up!!!
You Shu scratched the tree with his hands in resentment, worrying about the male protagonist. Ying Er kept looking at him strangely, asking him what was wrong.
Xiao Weixin felt a little irritated after reading for a while. He threw the book on the table, stood up, drew his sword and started practicing martial arts under the tree. He was a disciple of Xie Feiyuan and started practicing martial arts at the age of five. His skills were not inferior to anyone else. If it weren't for the pressing situation, he could have fought on the battlefield like Yang Qixian and lived a carefree life, becoming a young general with high spirits.
You Shu squatted behind a tree and watched him in his flowing white clothes, black hair like clouds, and his unconventional sword moves. He suddenly understood what it meant to be "as startling as a graceful swan and as gentle as a swimming dragon". Xiao Weixin deserved any beautiful thing.
If he had a strong maternal family to support him, and if his damn father was not so confused and biased, he should have had a very normal life. Even if he did not become an emperor, he could have been a great general, or a free and easy prince.
You Shu felt a little sad and suddenly felt sorry for him.
In fact, You Shu had suffered a lot over the years and had nearly died in the Shadow Guard Camp several times, but he never cried. But now he felt sad for Xiao Weixin.
Perhaps this is the basic quality of a reader. The protagonist's life is my life. I can be single, but the protagonist must give me a flowery path!
He was distracted for a rare time and did not notice Xiao Weixin split the peach tree in front of him with his sword. When he came to his senses, the tip of the sword was only an inch away from his nose.
Ying Er had no time to remind him, his eyes were filled with fear, fearing that the prince would accidentally kill him.
Fortunately, Xiao Weixin did not move forward. He retracted his sword and met You Shu's gaze.
His brows were slightly furrowed, You Shu still had that expressionless face, but the emotions in his eyes were very complicated. Xiao Weixin couldn't tell what it was, but he could feel that it contained a lot of things.
Worry, admiration, pity, and a hint of... tenderness.
"What's that look in your eyes?" Xiao Weixin regained his composure and asked unhappily.
You Shu hurriedly lowered his head to cover himself and said in a deep voice: "I admit my guilt."
Xiao Weixin didn't like people staring at him, but You Shu didn't make him feel offended. Although the look in his eyes made him feel a little strange, he didn't get angry. He just said, "Xie Feiyuan said that your ability is second only to his. How come you couldn't even dodge my sword?"
You Shu could tell that he was not really angry, so he answered sincerely, "In reply to your Highness, I was distracted just now and did not have time to react."
"Humph." Xiao Weixin looked at him coldly, "As a shadow guard, is this how you guard?"
You Shu felt a little ashamed, "I know I was wrong."
Xiao Weixin picked up the sword in his hand and looked at it casually. Suddenly, another sword stabbed at him. You Shu subconsciously stepped back to avoid it and looked at him puzzled. Xiao Weixin smiled provocatively: "My hands are itching today, why don't you come and fight with me for a few moves."
You Shu never thought that one day he would have the opportunity to fight against Xiao Weixin, so he had to bite the bullet and go for it.
If other shadow guards encountered such an opportunity, most of them would not dare to step forward. Even if they were following orders, they would definitely let their master win. But You Shu was a serious person. He felt that since Xiao Weixin wanted to challenge him, there was no need to hide. Deliberately challenging him would be disrespectful.
Ying Er was very worried, but he had no choice but to stay where he was. He could not leave his post without the prince's order.
You Shu was good at assassination with sleeve arrows, but he was also fearless in a head-on confrontation. The long sword in his hand made a buzzing sound as he swung it, and the tip of the sword seemed to be flashing with silver light. Xiao Weixin did not lose the upper hand, and secretly thought that Xie Feiyuan had not lied to him.
The two men were evenly matched, one black and one white, wandering in the yard, the afternoon sunlight shining on them, and they both felt like they had met their match. Xiao Weixin seldom met such a suitable sparring partner, and he could not enjoy fighting with Qi Han and Wang Chen, the two lackeys, because they always pretended to be weak on purpose, and he scolded them every time. It was not as satisfying as fighting with Gen You Shu.
After all, he still had little practical experience and was not as good as You Shu who had survived real battles. After a hundred moves, Xiao Weixin was finally defeated. The sword in his hand was kicked away by You Shu and stuck into the tree in front of Ying Er, while he was pushed into the corner by You Shu, with the long sword coldly placed on his neck.
"How dare you." Xiao Weixin said coldly, "Who allowed you to commit treason?"
Although he said this, he did not mean to blame. How could You Shu not hear it? He put away his sword, stepped back a few steps, and knelt on one knee: "Please punish me, Your Majesty."
Xiao Weixin leaned against the wall, staring at the young man on the ground with a stern look. Something flashed in his eyes, and he said leisurely, "Get up."
You Shu took the order and stood up, with his brows lowered and without looking up.
Xiao Weixin was full of curiosity about him at this moment. He had never seen someone like You Shu before. He was clearly a lowly shadow guard, not even as good as a servant who guarded the house, but he did not show any inferiority or cowardice in his eyes, nor any resentment, as if he was a very indifferent person.
He was brave, but he was very respectful to me and never offended me. He was timid, but if I asked him to fight with me, he would come with his sword, not giving way at all, and every move was aimed at my weaknesses. If they were enemies, I might really die under his sword.
He seemed calm, but there seemed to be something in his eyes.
Xiao Weixin didn't know that when a person starts to be curious about another person for no reason, the subsequent developments are usually out of his or her control, because once you care about some people, you can never let them go.
"If I want to find someone to practice with in the future, you must not refuse. Do you understand?"
You Shu nodded hurriedly: "I obey your command."
Xiao Weixin looked at his respectful attitude towards him, feeling both satisfied and dissatisfied. Suddenly, he became unhappy again: "Get out."
You Shuyu didn't have time to think about it. He disappeared from the spot in a second with the wind under his feet, and quickly jumped out of the yard, not even leaving Ying Er behind.
Xiao Weixin squinted his eyes and watched him running faster than a hare. He could not see the well-behaved and obedient person in front of him just now.
You Shu felt that there was something wrong with his prince. Although his personality was cool, he didn't seem to be so moody. How could he be talking to him nicely just now and asking him to do a good job, and then get angry and tell him to get out the next second
Although I don’t quite understand it, my prince is just awesome.
You Shu was diligently brainwashing himself today, and his protagonist filter was extremely thick.