Chapter 67

When Mo Yin woke up, there was no trace of He Xuan in the room. He lay in bed, feeling the lingering warmth of another person around him. Recalling last night, every word and action of He Xuan seemed to convey a fact.

Despite three years passing, despite facing each other with swords, despite using force against each other, he was still so important to He Xuan.

It was interesting.

In this world, he hadn’t intentionally provoked He Xuan. When he sensed He Xuan’s feelings toward him turning sour, they had distanced themselves immediately.

Yet, it was still futile.

Mo Yin cleared his throat lightly, thinking that as a powerful natural person like him, attracting the protagonist wasn’t his fault.

He kicked the blanket with his toes, wrapped himself tightly, then coughed twice. He swallowed the metallic taste in his throat, lucky that he hadn’t coughed up blood in front of He Xuan last night. Otherwise, given He Xuan’s temperament, he might have softened and conceded.

He didn’t want to win by relying on the protagonist’s sympathy.

He had things he wanted to do just as He Xuan did. Standing on different sides was the fate of the protagonist and the antagonist. Let them clash head-on to see who was stronger.

After receiving the news, various generals gradually rushed toward the Beijing. Mo Yin had long stationed people at the relay stations along the way, using both persuasion and coercion. These people were not like He Xuan; they wouldn’t persist so stubbornly. Moreover, Mo Yin had collected plenty of dirt on these generals. As long as they supported the second prince, he could turn a blind eye to their actions. If they sided with He Xuan, these not-so-clean individuals might not have a good end.

As for those useless and corrupt civil officials who wanted to join He Xuan, they could go ahead. Sheep would remain sheep even when they grouped together, not worth fearing.

The Imperial decree, the capital’s guards, and the military generals were all in his hands. He didn’t believe the protagonist alone could resist the whole world.

The operations were kept secret, and his subordinates had already spread out like a net. Mo Yin could manipulate from behind the scenes and win from thousands of miles away, shuttling between the Grand Master’s mansion and the palace, preparing for the second prince’s coronation.

He Xuan was doing the same, confined to the Grand Master’s mansion every day. Mo Yin knew what he was waiting for. They had fought side by side on the battlefield for three years; his understanding of He Xuan shouldn’t be much inferior to He Xuan’s understanding of him.

Both sides were planning separately. The atmosphere in Beijing gradually became tense. With the arrival of the summer rainy season, thunderous roars seemed to echo the state of Beijing.

Under the eaves, raindrops formed continuous lines, and the ground was covered in mist. The heavy rain seemed to engulf the entire Beijing. Mo Yin leaned against the soft couch, listening to the rain. The rain cooled the climate a bit. Mo Yin coughed lightly, skillfully swallowing the metallic taste in his throat. His gaze fell on his hand holding the scroll.

His hand was long and pale, with blue veins crawling like they were connected to the bones. It was a hand with little vitality left.

Perhaps he wouldn’t make it through this winter.

He placed the scroll on the table, his expression indifferent, not giving in to despair.

As major antagonists, they wouldn’t give up until the last moment of their lives. More accurately, even at the last moment of their lives, he wouldn’t give up the goal of seizing the supreme power of this world.

Mo Yin put down the book and got off the couch. He didn’t bother putting on his boots; whether he wore them or not, his feet would be icy.

His green robe slipped off, revealing snow-white socks stepping onto the ground. Mo Yin walked to the door, watching the heavy rain outside. The rain fell like a waterfall, stirring up gusts of wind that fluttered his clothes.

A figure in dark clothes fell from the wall, soaked in the pouring rain, but agile as a nimble beast. With a few steps, he landed in the corridor. Water dripped from him continuously, soaking his bun and dark eyebrows, seeming slightly annoyed. Soon, he noticed the gaze beside him and abruptly turned his face.

Mo Yin looked at the thoroughly drenched figure with a faint expression.

Their eyes met, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward for a moment.

He Xuan subconsciously crossed his hands behind his back, straightening his posture with a general’s dignity.

Mo Yin smirked, turned his head as if he hadn’t seen anything, and continued to watch the rain.

He Xuan cleared his throat lightly as if inquiring naturally, “Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

Mo Yin didn’t respond. He waited until the person approached, drenched, before giving him a dignified glance, “No one’s serving.”

“Where are your maids?”

“You seem quite concerned about my maids?”

He Xuan pursed his lips, his whole body wet, unable to touch the person in front of him. Mo Yin’s eyes were fixed on him as if waiting for his next words or actions.

He Xuan waved his sleeve, “It’s chilly outside, let’s go in.”

Mo Yin leaned back slightly, avoiding the water droplets splashed from He Xuan’s sleeve.

He Xuan’s expression stiffened, slowly lowered his sleeve, quietly wringing out some water behind his back.

Mo Yin turned and went inside, sitting back on the soft couch. His socks were dirty, so he took them off. He Xuan hesitated in the corridor, water dripping all around him.

After a while, he heard footsteps approaching.

He Xuan appeared in front of him. “Do you have a dry cloth?”

“No.”

“…,” He Xuan fell silent.

Mo Yin’s eyes remained on his book, but he caught a glimpse of a hint of frustration on He Xuan’s now mature and handsome face.

On a rainy night like this, why had he come running here?

Mo Yin raised the book slightly.

On the shelf hung clean cloths and inner clothes. He Xuan was slightly taken aback. He didn’t feel good enough about himself to think these were prepared for him. He dried his hands first, then lightly touched the inner clothes with his fingertips. It might be his illusion, but he always felt a chill from the clothes.

“You can’t wear these.”

He Xuan turned around. Mo Yin had somehow moved behind him. He glanced at He Xuan from head to toe, the wet clothes outlining He Xuan’s chest. “Too small.”

“I know.”

“Go back,” Mo Yin said, “We are no longer in a relationship that warrants private meetings.”

“Didn’t you say you considered me a friend?”

“Friend…” Mo Yin’s lashes flickered downward for a moment. He said casually, “What does that even mean?”

He Xuan’s breath caught, slowly reaching for his chest.

Mo Yin looked away.

The embroidered box was inside his clothes, untouched by the rain.

“The medicine you had at the border.”

Mo Yin’s gaze traveled from the box in his palm to He Xuan’s wet face.

“With our current situation, shouldn’t you be hoping for my death?” Mo Yin said lightly.

He Xuan’s hand tightened. “You were on the city tower, yet you didn’t really attempt to kill me?”

Mo Yin remained silent, thinking to himself that he knew he couldn’t kill him.

Seeing that Mo Yin showed no intention of taking it from him, He Xuan opened the box and took a pill in front of him.

“Now you can rest assured,” He Xuan said.

Mo Yin still stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes looking at He Xuan strangely. “I didn’t suspect you of poisoning me.”

“Then why didn’t you take it?” He Xuan said in a deep voice. “This medicine is effective for your condition, as you claimed.”

That was a lie, Mo Yin couldn’t be bothered to say more. He reached for the box. “Alright, the medicine is delivered, you can leave.”

“Will you take it?”

Mo Yin also took a pill in front of him, swallowed it with a gulp, then stuck out his tongue. “Satisfied?”

Perhaps laughing at this moment was somewhat inappropriate, but He Xuan couldn’t help it, he smiled faintly.

Mo Yin said, “Leave quickly, if you don’t, I’ll have someone throw you out.”

He Xuan stared at him and said, “This medicine has an additional ingredient that helps with calming and sleep.”

Mo Yin remained impassive, his lips pressed tightly, suppressing the urge to cough. He waited until He Xuan had left the room for a while before bending over, clenching his fist, and coughing twice. He took a deep breath and returned to the couch, his hand loosened, and the box rolled to the side.

Outside, the thunder continued incessantly. Mo Yin coughed lightly amidst the thunder, the taste of medicine lingering in his mouth, still sweet.

He Xuan, is so naive. But in his hands, there would be nowhere for his enemies to bury themselves.

*

The next day, the rain stopped. Mo Yin greeted several generals in the city tower, just as he had greeted He Xuan before. But they seemed much more astute; they dismounted and knelt, waiting not for a rain of arrows but for good wine and feasting.

In the mansion of the Grand Master just across the street, Li Yuan’s face was full of worry. “Several generals have gone to see the military advisor.”

He Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, calmly watching in the opposite direction. He rarely interacted with those generals, and his impression of them was mediocre at best. He remembered that these men were only mediocre in battle, but he hadn’t expected them to be so skilled at surrendering.

“It’s not fair to say I’m not disappointed.”

He Xuan lowered his eyes, furrowing his brow. He had considered that some people might be coerced or tempted to join Mo Yin’s side, but what he hadn’t expected was that none of the generals would be exempt.

After feasting, the generals left the Grand Master’s mansion, each boarding their own carriage. But they were intercepted by He Xuan’s men shortly after leaving the alley. “Gentlemen, General He requests your presence.”

The situation was reported to Mo Yin by a spy. Mo Yin toyed with a small embroidered box in his hand and said calmly, “Let them go.”

The promises he made, He Xuan couldn’t afford to fulfill, nor would he. He Xuan would only use his theory of loyalty and patriotism to try to persuade his colleagues. By then, He Xuan would naturally realize how ridiculous he was.

Things were not as simple as he had thought.

“General He, since the late emperor’s decree is so, why not follow it?”

“The late emperor favored the Second Prince. We naturally follow the late emperor’s will and assist the Second Prince with all our efforts.”

“Isn’t the Crown Prince infected with smallpox? We don’t even know if he’s alive or dead. General He, are you joking?”

“…,” The slippery old generals handled it skillfully, speaking eloquently but revealing nothing.

On the battlefield, He Xuan had great patience when facing enemies, willing to wait for days and nights to deliver a fatal blow. But these were his colleagues. They should have stood together.

He Xuan frowned. Did he have to treat his colleagues as he did enemies?

The old generals felt the pressure emanating from He Xuan and thought to themselves that Mo Yin was right. Someone like He Xuan, who couldn’t tolerate any dissent, might seem willing to be courted for the greater good, but he would surely settle scores later. By then, they would have been used as pawns for others, gaining nothing in return.

Not long after, the spies waiting in the distance reported back to Mo Yin, “All the generals have left the Grand Master’s mansion.”

So soon.

Mo Yin smiled as if he could already see He Xuan’s blackened face.

That night, he indeed saw the blackened face that He Xuan presented to him in his room, just as he had imagined.

“What exactly did you promise them?” He Xuan said in a low voice, showing no shame for sneaking in, as if he were just dropping by.

“Is General seeking advice from me?” Mo Yin leaned against the headboard, flipping through a book, and coughed lightly. “You should greet me properly first.”

He Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, his profile tense. “As a minister, only thinking of personal gain, truly despicable.”

Mo Yin smiled, closed the book, and said to He Xuan, “Has the General never had selfish intentions?”

He Xuan was about to reply “Of course not,” but when he looked at Mo Yin’s fair face, the words wouldn’t come out.

He had also had selfish intentions, protecting someone he didn’t want to harm.

Mo Yin said, “Give it up.”

“You’ve lost to me more than once,” Mo Yin said, “What harm is there in admitting defeat once more?”

He Xuan didn’t respond. After a moment, he reached out and held Mo Yin’s hand, frowning. “Why are you still so cold? Haven’t you taken your medicine?”

“I have. It’s an old ailment,” Mo Yin said, scrutinizing He Xuan’s strong features. “It won’t get better.”

He Xuan fell silent, releasing Mo Yin’s hand and sitting at the edge of the bed. He reached inside and touched a foot, intending to check if it was still cold. Instead, he felt icy skin. He looked up, his brow furrowing tightly. “Your feet are cold too.”

He Xuan’s hands were large and warm. Mo Yin didn’t hesitate to use his foot to press down on He Xuan’s hand under the covers. He reclined lazily. “The day after tomorrow is the Second Prince’s coronation ceremony. I’ll stand behind him and accept General He’s sincere homage.”

He Xuan withdrew his hand from Mo Yin’s foot, clasping both of Mo Yin’s cold feet in his hands. He didn’t respond.

By the time it was dawn, He Xuan had returned to his mansion.

Li Yuan had been waiting for a long time. “General, the army has arrived.”

He Xuan stared expressionlessly at the rising sun in the distance.

Li Yuan continued, “The palace has also been arranged accordingly. It seems the Crown Prince hasn’t contracted smallpox after all. He’s currently under house arrest in the Yuqing Palace. General, when do we rescue him?”

As the sun rose slowly in the sky, He Xuan said, “Tonight.”

Inside the room, a maid half-knelt to help Mo Yin put on his boots. Mo Yin stood up, walking slowly forward.

A sedan chair was already prepared at the door. The late emperor had allowed him to use a sedan chair in the palace, and it was arranged for him to move around the palace according to his instructions.

The sedan chair gently lowered, and the guards respectfully lifted the curtain. Mo Yin bent down and stepped out of the sedan chair, raising his gaze to the vermilion palace gates. The plaque above the gates clearly displayed three characters —

Yuqing Palace.