Chapter 61

“Oh,” Shen Yu took a long pause before speaking, “I went out for a while today.”

She knew she couldn’t escape Xie Tingzhou’s scrutiny when she went out, so she admitted it straightforwardly.

“Mm,” Xie Tingzhou responded softly, not probing further about where she went or whom she met.

Shen Yu stared at the tabletop. “I’m beginning to doubt myself.”

Only then did Xie Tingzhou lift his head from the book. “Why is that?”

Shen Yu’s mood was somewhat downcast as she hung her head. “Actually, I still have many things to do. I’m afraid that if I do this one thing, I won’t have time for the others. So I don’t know if what I’m doing now is right or wrong.”

She feared not having enough time to spend with her grandmother and feared not doing both things well.

Xie Tingzhou watched her, a small shadow forming under her eyes.

He asked, “By your standards, what is right and what is wrong?”

Shen Yu shook her head. “I don’t know.”

“You doubt yourself because you fear being wrong,” Xie Tingzhou paused for a moment before saying, “Since you don’t know, how can you define it as wrong after doing it?”

Shen Yu was momentarily stunned by his question, looking up at him.

Xie Tingzhou avoided her expectant gaze and said calmly, “Don’t ask whether it’s right or wrong in this life, and don’t talk about the affairs of the mortal world.”

He looked out the window. “Moreover, many things have no clear distinction between right and wrong, but seek only to have a clear conscience.”

“A clear conscience,” Shen Yu repeated silently.

Yes, in her previous life, she lived daily with guilt, her father and brother died in battle, bearing disgrace, and she agonized every day and night, agonizing over why she couldn’t do anything.

Now, given a second chance by fate, she couldn’t save them, but she could let them depart cleanly and even make those who harmed them pay with their lives.

“I understand now,” Shen Yu suddenly smiled, “I’ll strive for a clear conscience.”

The gloom between her brows dissipated, and that smile was momentarily dazzling, causing Xie Tingzhou to avert his face slightly.

Shen Yu made a bold move and booked an entire floor at the Shiyue Pavilion the next day.

Xie Tingzhou didn’t object, which was as good as approval. Many people from the mansion went, and Shen Yu brought Erya along too.

Returning from Yanliang Pass, it was rare to be so relaxed; many people drank until they were unconscious.

Shen Yu hadn’t fully recovered, and Xi Feng cautioned everyone not to force her to drink.

Xi Feng didn’t drink much herself and carried Chang Liu, who was unconscious, back. She also had to report to Xie Tingzhou.

Xie Tingzhou was sitting alone under the eaves in the adjacent courtyard, tearing meat to feed Baiyu. Big Yellow lay at his feet.

Rhubarb didn’t eat raw meat, and even when it was thrown to him, he didn’t eat it. Baiyu was very proud, not even glancing at him.

Since Dahuang arrived, Cang had been locked in a cage, and these days, his resentment grew.

Hearing footsteps, Xie Tingzhou didn’t turn around. “Everyone’s back?”

“Back,” Xi Feng said, “A few brothers drank too much, and Chang Liu drank too. I stopped him from drinking too much.”

Xie Tingzhou tossed a piece of meat into the air. Baiyu flapped its wings and caught it before it hit the ground, swallowing it while perched on the railing.

Xi Feng continued, “His Majesty summoned His Highness tomorrow during court. It might not be a good sign.”

Xi Feng picked up a cloth from the nearby tray and offered it.

Xie Tingzhou took it and wiped his fingers unhurriedly. “What else can he do? He’s fifteen. If he doesn’t make a move now, there’s no reason for him to keep me in Shengjing. Tomorrow is just finding another reasonable excuse.”

The Hall of Eternal Peace towered, with two golden dragons on the eaves seeming to soar. The vermilion pillars supported the roof, each one entwined with a giant dragon.

Xie Tingzhou was summoned to the palace and stood with a group of ministers for the first time during court.

Emperor Tongxu sat on the dragon throne. “The Crown Prince of Beining has made great contributions by rescuing Yanliang Pass and saving the people of the region. He deserves a great reward.”

Xie Tingzhou bowed his head. “Your Majesty overpraises. Expelling the invaders is the duty of a subject; I dare not claim credit.”

Emperor Tongxu smiled, his eyes sharp. “When rewarding, a mere material reward such as gold and silver items is too light. After multiple discussions with the cabinet, it has been decided to grant you a leisurely position. What do you think?”

The hall fell silent.

Xie Tingzhou had no choice at all.

He couldn’t be Xie Tingzhou; he must be the playboy in everyone’s eyes at this moment.

Xie Tingzhou raised his head and suddenly laughed. “Your Majesty, may I ask, what rank is the position of a commanding officer?”

This was rude, but Emperor Tongxu’s icy expression instantly softened, pointing at Xie Tingzhou with a hearty smile. “This boy, always thinking about his official rank. How about it? Are you not satisfied with the low rank?”

Xie Tingzhou’s gaze swept around and landed on a man in the hall. “How does his rank compare to mine?”

Jiang Lianzhi stepped forward. “I am the Ministry of Revenue Assistant Minister, ranked third. The position of a commanding officer is on par with mine.”

Xie Tingzhou nodded slightly, seeming reluctantly satisfied. “Then I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. Shengjing is so prosperous that one can’t help but linger. My father has sent letters urging me to return to Beining. I was worried about finding an excuse to refuse. Your Majesty has resolved my urgent need.”

Emperor Tongxu laughed heartily. “Excellent, decree it.”

After leaving the court, various officials congratulated him.

Someone asked, “In the future, should we continue to address you as the Crown Prince or as Commanding Officer Xie?”

Xie Tingzhou smiled and mingled with the crowd, “It’s just a title, colleagues, call me whatever you like.”

Beining was too powerful, and Emperor Tongxu was afraid. Wanting to confine the son of the prince in the capital as a hostage was just a matter of a decree.

Without an official position, Emperor Tongxu couldn’t logically keep him in Shengjing.

It was just to give him a leisurely position after going through so much trouble, showing Emperor Tongxu wanted to establish himself as a wise ruler.

The Hall of Fengtian gradually receded behind Xie Tingzhou. With each step he took on the blue stone slabs, his steps grew heavier. He was fed up with this place.

“Your Highness, please wait!”

Xie Tingzhou halted in his tracks as he turned to see someone hurrying over, dressed in a peacock-feathered official robe, exuding an air of elegance.

“Mr. Jiang, do you need something?”

Jiang Lianzhi walked up to him. “I have something I’d like to discuss with Your Highness.”

“Is it official business or personal?”

“Personal.”

“What personal matter could there be between me and Mr. Jiang?” Xie Tingzhou began to walk away.

Jiang Lianzhi caught up. “When the Crown Prince returned from Yanliang Pass, I wanted to ask if he saw a woman on the battlefield. General Shen’s daughter, Shen Yu.”

It was about Shen Yu again.

Xie Tingzhou’s steps slowed slightly as he glanced sideways at Jiang Lianzhi.

Jiang Lianzhi continued, “To be frank, General Shen’s daughter is someone I admire. I heard she went to the battlefield, but there’s been no sight nor word of her since, and I…”

“Mr. Jiang,” Xie Tingzhou stopped, “do you know why there’s been no word of her?”

Jiang Lianzhi looked puzzled, “I would like to know.”

Xie Tingzhou narrowed his eyes slightly, “Because there were too many bodies. As far as the eye could see, it was all the bodies of soldiers, some frozen together, some trampled beyond recognition by horses. So you see, why wouldn’t they be found? It’s simply a matter of not being able to recognize them; they were all piled up and burned together.”

Jiang Lianzhi’s face went deathly pale in an instant as Xie Tingzhou brushed past and left.