Chapter 17 – The Worrying Intelligence of Jianmei and His Highness’s Honesty

Stan Star

The central palace was majestic and splendid, with solemn and magnificent main halls. Outside the main shrine stood statues of dignified gods, their faces exuding compassion and mercy, commanding respect and admiration. A row of Wuxi trees lined the exterior of the shrine. These trees bore abundant branches and leaves, rumored to possess the most divine power. Water-blue ribbons were tied to the branches, swaying in the breeze.

After entering the palace and meeting the emperor, Lu Xingwang emerged from the main hall. Before taking a step forward, he noticed a young general kneeling beneath a Wuxi tree. They had briefly encountered each other at a banquet. The young general, usually spirited and unyielding, now had a tense expression, remaining in that position for several days.

He seemed tireless, having noticeably lost weight. It was evident to perceptive onlookers that he had reached his limits, yet he persisted, perhaps out of necessity. The fate of the Zuo family now relied solely on him.

“Why are you staring at me like that, Your Highness?” Zuo Qingshan’s expression remained devoid of emotion. “If you’re here to convince me to return, there’s no need to speak.”

Lu Xingwang raised an eyebrow. “General, you’re overthinking. I have no such intention.”

Zuo Qingshan was somewhat surprised but pursed his lips, refraining from further speech.

Lu Xingwang lowered his gaze, observing him. “I simply find it meaningless for the general to continue kneeling here, even if you choose not to return.”

“The Zuo family and its people need you,” Lu Xingwang said calmly. “The soldiers in the army are also waiting for the general’s return to take charge of the situation.”

Veins bulged on Zuo Qingshan’s forehead, his temper flaring up. “The Crown Prince has joined forces with those individuals to strip my father of his military rank. They won’t tolerate the Zuo family. So, what meaning would it hold for me to return now?”

Lu Xingwang’s dark eyes remained tranquil. “Then, does it hold any meaning for you to remain here, kneeling?”

Zuo Qingshan faltered, unable to respond.

Nevertheless, he still harbored inner discontent:

“My father was wrongfully accused. He couldn’t possibly be a deserter. Since childhood, my father has taught us that soldiers who have a place to call home and die on the battlefield earn endless glory, showing loyalty to their country, family, and our ancestral war god, who embodies loyalty and courage. Throughout his life, my father has never committed any act that would betray heaven, earth, or his own conscience. Now, merely based on the divinations of those priests and some fabricated videos, how can His Majesty believe that my father is a deserter?”

Lu Xingwang interrupted him. “Zuo Qingshan.”

Zuo Qingshan’s indignant words were cut off as he met Lu Xingwang’s abyss-like face. The youth’s half-face, exuding a non-human-like handsomeness, bore terrifying red scars due to the influence of toxins. The hardships of life weighed heavily on Lu Xingwang, yet he gazed calmly at Zuo Qingshan. “Has His Majesty announced the revocation of the Zuo family’s military authority?”

Zuo Qingshan was taken aback and instinctively replied, “It seems like there isn’t…”

“Then why are you crying here?” Lu Xingwang slowly squatted down, locking eyes with him, and spoke in a tone that only the two of them could hear. “Do you think the civil officials aligned with the Crown Prince Party want to eradicate the Zuo family?”

Zuo Qingshan nodded.

Lu Xingwang spoke slowly, “I’ve investigated the position and distance of the B Star System. At the time of the incident, if they were to transmit the message back, the tower should have received it first. The Crown Prince and the Empress should have received the news at the earliest the next morning. However, it took less than a day from the impeachment of your father to the Grand Uncle rallying his faction for a collective accusation.”

Zuo Qingshan gradually grasped the implications of this straightforward line of thought. He said, “Could it be that there are people loyal to the Crown Prince in the military?”

…

Lu Xingwang closed his eyes with a sense of despair.

In the end, he could only be more direct:

“It’s highly probable, although extremely slim. I have individually investigated the backgrounds of the soldiers who followed your father that day. Their accounts showed no financial transactions, and their family backgrounds align with the loyalists nurtured by the Zuo family since childhood. The possibility of them being undercover agents is very small. Furthermore, I investigated the routes and activities of the interstellar pirates. The B Star System is not a common domain for them. On that day, the number of black hole vortexes was the highest within a week. Based on their modus operandi, they would never take such a risk. But…”

The young man’s analytical logic was clear as he laid out the aspects that Zuo Qingshan had overlooked, almost slapping the words “something is wrong” on Zuo Qingshan’s forehead.

Zuo Qingshan finally reacted, “Are you saying someone did it intentionally?!”

“Is it… the Crown Prince’s doing?”

“Did the Crown Prince kill my father?”

“Do you have any evidence?”

Desperate and grasping at a straw, Zuo Qingshan tried to seize Lu Xingwang, but the young man stepped back, avoiding him, his expression blank. “I haven’t said anything.”

Zuo Qingshan became frustrated. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Lu Xingwang gazed calmly at him, his cold jawline and slightly chilling tone. “Does it really matter to the young general whether there is evidence or not? Even if there is, given the current situation of the General’s Residence, what can you do to the Crown Prince?”

Zuo Qingshan choked up.

“Go back and protect the authority and position of the Zuo family,” Lu Xingwang said condescendingly, uttering the final words, “Only then will you be qualified to seek justice for your father.”

The wuxi trees around the main hall rustled as the wind blew, and the ribbons fluttered with a touch of desolation. Kneeling under the tree, Zuo Qingshan trembled with anger but couldn’t refute. The black-robed young man standing up was about to leave when he heard the suppressed voice of the young general, “Why are you helping me?”

Lu Xingwang’s footsteps halted.

Without any pleasantries or sweet words, he answered straightforwardly, “I’m not helping you, I’m helping myself.”

“The Noble Consort Lan passed away not long ago,” Zuo Qingshan raised his head and looked at the desolate young man. “Why do you seem unaffected?”

A mocking smile tugged at the corners of Lu Xingwang’s mouth, accompanied by his eerie countenance. “Does being sad bring people back to life?”

“Wake up.” He looked at the young general who seemed not to have grown up yet. “You look like a living corpse. It only brings joy to those who are waiting to see you as a joke.”

Zuo Qingshan was stunned.

Silence lingered for a long time.

The once heroic young general finally stood up slowly, his gaze gradually firm. “Alright, I’ll listen to you.”

It was an ordinary afternoon, seemingly an ordinary conversation between two young boys. However, it marked the first time the most loyal war god under the future emperor expressed his allegiance.

…

The next day.

Over half a month had passed. Summer was fading away, and autumn was approaching. The fallen leaves outside the window gradually increased as the days grew colder.

Recently, Lu Xingwang noticed something slightly unusual. The boy who used to always find him and talk incessantly seemed to be seeking him less frequently. And whether it was his imagination or not, this kid seemed inexplicably guilty… avoiding him?

“Ding Dong.”

While pondering, a message arrived.

Jianmei’s daily greeting: “Good morning! ^_^”

In the past, they would exchange a few more words about what they had for breakfast and going to school. They would talk about what happened at school and any difficult questions. Lately, it was just a simple “good morning” and “good night.” Out of some unknown reason, as their conversation was about to end, Lu Xingwang finally asked one more question: [Are you busy lately?]

If A Ruo saw this question, she would be shocked to death.

After all, Lu Xingwang had always prioritized himself, and he wouldn’t waste unnecessary attention on someone he deemed valueless. It was surprising that he would voluntarily ask someone if they were busy.

Jianmei’s response came swiftly: “I’m okay, just a little busy.”

[Hmm] Lu Xingwang didn’t say much. [Go ahead and be busy.]

In the past, even if it ended like this, Jianmei would usually chatter a bit more, and Lu Xingwang would at least ask what they were busy with. But this time, it ended with just one sentence, and Lu Xingwang’s attitude was rather cold. Jianmei felt a bit annoyed when he saw this message. He pouted, feeling a little unhappy. “You don’t even ask me what I’m busy with?”

Lu Xingwang: [What are you busy with?]

“…”

Jianmei felt inexplicably frustrated!

But despite being frustrated, he remembered Cheng Yu’s words not long ago. He was just an online friend, pouring his heart out to Lu Xingwang, but Lu Xingwang wouldn’t share anything with him. After thinking it over, he felt a bit stifled and didn’t know how to express it. People are naturally greedy; when they have a little, they want to gain a little more. He really wanted to understand Lu Xingwang.

Could it be that Lu Xingwang thought he was a fraud and that’s why he didn’t say anything?

Could it be that he really looked like a fraud? That’s impossible, right?

Or maybe he had been hurt by a fraudster before, so he was extra cautious?

Upon careful consideration…

It’s not entirely impossible!

After pondering for a while, Jianmei finally decided to ask tentatively, “Can I ask you a question?”

Lu Xingwang: [Go ahead.]

“Well, I mean, do you think there are people around you like that?” Jianmei attempted to lead his imagination. “You know, those who have unclear intentions, seem a bit strange, treat you well, but actually want to deceive you for money and have malicious intentions.”

Silence lingered for a while.

Lu Xingwang said, “Aren’t you the only person around me with an unclear identity and mysterious whereabouts?”

“…”

Jianmei pursed his lips, feeling wronged.

He never expected that he would be the fraudster in Lu Xingwang’s eyes.

“Ding Dong.”

Another message came through:

Lu Xingwang: [However, your last two sentences don’t match.]

Jianmei’s eyes lit up. Could it be that Lu Xingwang actually trusts him, believes that he’s not that kind of person?

[Because] Lu Xingwang said indifferently, [With your intelligence, it’s already fortunate if you can avoid being deceived, let alone trying to deceive others.]