Chapter 28

Shen Yu had just returned to the infirmary when she was summoned by the guards.

Before leaving, she specifically instructed You Dazui not to spread the news of today’s competition in the infirmary.

This wasn’t Shen Yu’s first time entering the tiger’s den, but this time it was particularly crucial because it was related to whether she could stay by Xie Tingzhou’s side.

Following Chang Heng would allow her to enter the Qingyun Guard, but Xie Tingzhou would soon head to the capital. If the Qingyun Guard followed him to the capital, any random accusation of attempting to seize the throne would be enough to cause trouble for Xie Tingzhou.

So the Qingyun Guard would most likely return to Beilin. If she didn’t stay by Xie Tingzhou’s side, she wouldn’t be able to uncover the truth behind this defeat.

Her father, her brother, and a hundred thousand soldiers should not have died in vain. She wanted the mastermind behind the scenes to pay with their own blood.

Before entering the tent, she took a deep breath and walked in after lifting the curtain.

“Your Highness,” Shen Yu bowed.

Xie Tingzhou was sharpening his knife. Upon hearing her, he said, “Sit.”

Shen Yu chose a chair neither too close nor too far, watching Xie Tingzhou sharpening his knife.

The knife was already shining brightly, its blade gleaming with cold light. It was unclear what he was sharpening it for. The deer skin slowly wiped across the blade, giving it a peculiar color, reddish as if soaked in blood.

After Xie Tingzhou finished, he threw the deer skin on the table and glanced over the blade, asking, “What do you think of this knife?”

He tossed the knife to Shen Yu.

Shen Yu caught it quickly. The knife felt light in her hand. She examined it from top to bottom and couldn’t help but admire sincerely.

“A fine knife.”

To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools. She had been interested in weapons since she was young.

She had seen many good things, but this knife caught her attention.

“Is this the ‘Startling Frost’?” Shen Yu asked.

Xie Tingzhou raised an eyebrow lightly. “You know about the Startling Frost too?”

Shen Yu nodded. “Naturally, I know. I’ve heard it mentioned in books, a blade that can kill without shedding blood.”

Xie Tingzhou chuckled lightly. “Exaggeration. Startling Frost is actually a sword.”

Shen Yu was surprised.

Rumors had it that the weapon of Beilin’s Crown Prince Xie Tingzhou was called “Startling Frost,” a weapon that could kill without spilling blood. But it remained only in legend because he sealed it after being injured on the battlefield.

Shen Yu thought it was a pity. She hadn’t seen the legendary Startling Frost in action yet.

She placed the knife on the table and asked seriously, “What does His Highness want from me?”

Xie Tingzhou looked at her. “I thought you should be clear.”

Shen Yu’s heart skipped a beat. “I don’t understand what His Highness means.”

Xie Tingzhou sheathed the knife and continued, “You want to stay by my side, and I will make it happen.”

Shen Yu’s fingers tightened, then slowly relaxed. “Why does Your Highness say this?”

“Don’t play dumb in front of me,” Xie Tingzhou stared into her eyes, “Shi Yu, I like smart people.”

That feeling came again, the feeling of being seen through.

The excuses she had prepared got stuck in Shen Yu’s throat. She smiled faintly and gave up struggling. “Your Highness truly sees everything clearly. Thank you for your kindness.”

Xie Tingzhou’s fingers crossed in front of him. “You might as well tell me, what do you want by trying so hard to stay by my side? I’ll give it to you.”

With such a face saying such words, it was seductive and tempting, scratching at one’s desires.

As if saying, What do you want? Just say it, I’ll give it to you.

Shen Yu looked at him, thinking, indeed a demon.

She calmly said, “Naturally, I want to pursue a promising future. Serving under General Chang is not as good as being by Your Highness’s side.”

Xie Tingzhou gazed at her for a while, then called out, “Xi Feng.”

Xi Feng entered through the curtain. “Your Highness.”

“From today onwards, assign Shi Yu to the Imperial Guard,” Xie Tingzhou said.

Xi Feng glanced at Shen Yu, not daring to ask further. “Yes.”

Xi Feng led Shen Yu away. In just one day, the news spread throughout the camp.

Upon hearing the news, Chang Heng came to complain, “I was the first to notice her. How could Your Highness come and snatch her away from me? This is bullying! I remember Your Highness once warned us against such behavior.”

Xie Tingzhou chuckled. “She wasn’t interested in you. What can I do?”

Usually, as long as it didn’t involve official matters, Xie Tingzhou was quite easygoing with his subordinates. When he was in a good mood, he would even joke around, like now.

Chang Heng said, “She wasn’t interested in me? What does that have to do with needing Your Highness’s interest in me?”

Xie Tingzhou, in a rare good mood, patiently explained, “She offended the Qingyun Guard today. What would happen if she stayed with them?”

Chang Heng thought for a moment. “It would be like throwing water into oil.”

This was also a problem he had thought about for a long time.

In that battle on the arena, the young man had shown arrogance and hubris, trampling on the honor of the Qingyun Guard. Once such enmity was formed, it was hard to dissolve.

Xie Tingzhou nodded. “You’ve been quite attentive to him. He couldn’t possibly not know that you wanted to bring him into the Qingyun Guard. So he deliberately offended the Qingyun Guard thoroughly, preventing you from accepting him.”

Chang Heng suddenly realized. “So this brat really wasn’t interested in me? Why not? What’s wrong with Chang Heng?”

Xi Feng chuckled and chimed in, “Weren’t you just saying you weren’t attractive to men?”

Chang Heng glanced at Xie Tingzhou. “So he wants to be by Your Highness’s side. Losing to Your Highness, I have to admit defeat. But such a person must have ulterior motives. Your Highness should be careful.”

Xie Tingzhou never worried about conspiracies because he grew up amidst them. The intrigues and deceits shaped him.

He enjoyed challenges and liked taming others. After years of keeping a low profile, life had become too dull. Suddenly encountering such an interesting person made his journey to Yanliang Pass worthwhile.

It became even more interesting when people were placed right under his nose.

With that in mind, Xie Tingzhou looked up at the sky and asked, “Where are they now?”

Xi Feng replied, “Just past Sui Prefecture. If they travel day and night, they should reach Shengjing within five days.”

Xie Tingzhou chuckled. “He’s playful. I doubt he’ll even make it by the end of the month.”

…

Two imperial edicts were issued in the capital. Just as the newly appointed governor of Ganzhou arrived at Yanliang Pass with the final edict, everything on this side had just been arranged.

As the calendar entered the twelfth month of the seventeenth year of Tongxu, Xie Tingzhou finally took several key suspects related to the defeat at Yanliang Pass to the capital.