Chapter 4

Dongfang Qingyuan woke up with a body covered in cold sweat. He dreamed when Liu Yue was beheaded. Liu Yue's disappointed gaze at him. He who only watched from the side. Qiu Ruiwen's words kept spinning in his head. [You are now Dongfang Ruo Cheng not Dongfang Qingyuan. How can you prove his innocence? Since you chose to be Dongfang Ruo Cheng, you should know. You have let down all your troops!]

Dongfang Qingyuan held his aching head. "Brother Ruo Cheng, I brought you food and medicine." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said coming in. Dongfang Qingyuan got up from the bed and knelt down.

"Brother Ruo Cheng I told you..." Emperor Xue Feng Ning's words were interrupted by Dongfang Qingyuan's words. "General Dongfang Qingyuan pays respect to His Majesty the Emperor." Dongfang Qingyuan said calmly.

"What did you say?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. The Emperor's face looked unpleasant to look at. "General Dongfang Qingyuan pays respect to His Majesty the Emperor." Dongfang Qingyuan repeated. Dongfang Qingyuan's face was quite pale.

Emperor Xue Feng Ning's face became angry. "Your Majesty, General Dongfang seems to be feeling unwell. Let him sit down first." Eunuch Hong said. "Rise," Emperor Xue Feng Ning said.

Dongfang Qingyuan walked to the table and sat down after Emperor Xue Feng Ning sat down. Although he didn't like it, Emperor Xue Feng Ning didn't say anything. "This General has heard the main point and knows why Your Imperial Majesty is unhappy." Dongfang Qingyuan said.

"Tell me why this Emperor is unhappy?!" Emperor Xue Feng Ning said unhappily. "Because this General is not your closest relative, Dongfang Ruo Cheng. You called Dongfang Ruo Cheng back because you thought he was still alive. But Your Imperial Majesty, he has already died in the war. Then..." Dongfang Qingyuan's words were cut off because the door was forced open.

"Ruo Cheng, I brought your favorite desserts from Moon Restaurant." Li Tao said in panic. "Insolent. Don't you know how to behave?!" Eunuch Hong said angrily. "Leave him alone. He brought Brother Ruo Cheng's favorite desserts." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said smilingly.

Dongfang Qingyuan frowned. 'How long is he going to pretend?' thought Dongfang Qingyuan silently. As soon as the plate of desserts was brought out. The image of Liu Yue being beheaded filled his head. That desserts was the last desserts Liu Yue ate before being captured.

Dongfang Qingyuan immediately ran out to the courtyard and vomited his guts. Emperor Xue Feng Ning stood beside Dongfang Qingyuan. "Tonight in the palace." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said before leaving with Eunuch Hong.

---palace---

@Sun Palace

"Why do you think Dongfang Qingyuan vomited his guts when he saw the desserts?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "Answering Your Imperial Majesty, I think that General Dongfang probably has bad memories of the desserts." Eunuch Hong replied.

"You also feel that Li Tao's actions are to cover something up while Dongfang Qingyuan seems to not want to keep anything a secret." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said coldly. "Your Majesty, this servant has heard from Eunuch Ju that General Dongfang can't read or write. It's very likely that the report was written by Li Tao and not General Dongfang." Eunuch Hong explained.

"Summon Lan Zhi Xuan here." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said. Eunuch Hong went out to order his subordinates to deliver the message to Lan Zhi Xuan.

Meanwhile, at the inn, Dongfang Qingyuan took a deep breath before exhaling. "What did the emperor tell you?" Li Tao asked. The imperial guards guarding there frowned in displeasure. Dongfang Qingyuan smiled. "His Majesty said that I am being held here temporarily." Dongfang Qingyuan explained.

"I need to leave for a while. When your house arrest is over. I will take you to have some fun at the Autumn Pavilion." Li Tao said smilingly. "We don't have enough money to go to a place like that." Dongfang Qingyuan said frowning.

"Don't worry, my brother has enough money for that." Li Tao said smilingly. "But..." Dongfang Qingyuan's words were cut off. "Don't worry, I guarantee you'll be happy there. I have to go see my brother first." Li Tao said before leaving.

Dongfang Qingyuan went inside to return to his room. The two guards looked at each other before sending a message to Commander Lu Ming.

@inn room

The table was full of scrolls and books. Dongfang Qingyuan sat down and started reading them. "A Yuan" Qiu Ruiwen suddenly called. "Hn, what's wrong?" Dongfang Qingyuan asked. "Can you really lie to the Emperor?" Qiu Ruiwen asked worriedly.

"I'm not lying. I am indeed Dongfang Qingyuan, and Li Tao is also a traitor not only to the Light Army. He also dared to collude with the prince for the throne so I only gave him a suitable poison." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly.

"If I didn't know clearly then I would think you weren't Dongfang Qingyuan. You've changed so much." Qiu Ruiwen clearly smiled. 'If I don't change to be cruel then I will lose all of you.' thought Dongfang Qingyuan sadly. "You can still joke. Help me read it all." Said Dongfang Qingyuan smiling.

Qiu Ruiwen smiled and helped Dongfang Qingyuan. "I got a reply from Liu Yue. He said he had left without permission and indeed used your carriage." Qiu Ruiwen explained. "It's okay." Said Dongfang Qingyuan smiling. 'He hasn't changed.' thought Dongfang Qingyuan.

That night, when Dongfang Qingyuan arrived. He saw two people he knew. Lan Zhi Xuan and Xue Zhengming/ Lord Yue were there. "I've heard everything from Minister Lan." Said Emperor Xue Feng Ning. "He said he persuaded you to explain everything but you were afraid because it was deceiving the Emperor even though the report was written by someone else." Said Emperor Xue Feng Ning.

"Do you intend to protect your subordinate who even dared to betray you?! Do you know who the brother Li Tao is referring to?! It's the second prince!" Said Emperor Xue Feng Ning angrily.

Dongfang Qingyuan knelt down. "This general only has one life. If Your Majesty wants, you can take it. But this general has never thought of colluding with anyone. This general only wants to quickly explain everything and return to the border to live a peaceful life." Dongfang Qingyuan said before taking out a book and three scrolls.

Eunuch Hong, Emperor Xue Feng Ning and Xue Zhengming were shocked. From a glance, they knew that the three scrolls were the Emperor's edict. Eunuch Hong went to take them before giving them to Emperor Xue Feng Ning.

After reading the contents of the edict, Emperor Xue Feng Ning could be said to be quite relieved. In the end, the Light Army would return to the Royal family. "Royal Uncle, stand up." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said. Dongfang Qingyuan looked at Lan Zhi Xuan. "Didn't you hear, His Majesty asked you to stand up." Lan Zhi Xuan said flatly. "Return the edict to royal uncle." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said. Eunuch Hong took the three scrolls and returned them to Dongfang Qingyuan. Dongfang Qingyuan accepted and put them away.

Dongfang Qingyuan stood up. Emperor Xue Feng Ning looked at the book that Dongfang Qingyuan brought and his face was unsightly. "Imperial uncle, this is the bookkeeping for the Light Army. Why is it so little?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "Answering Your Imperial Majesty, this general heard that the finances are in crisis so the finances for the Light Army are being cut until the crisis is over." Dongfang Qingyuan replied calmly.

"Crisis? How can you survive with so little money?!" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked angrily. "We grow our own vegetables to eat and hunt wild animals to exchange for rice." Dongfang Qingyuan explained.

"Interesting, I remember the Ministry of War often complained about the Light Army's expenditure request which was even twice that of other armies but the Light Army was even poorer than other armies." Xue Zhengming said laughing. "Little brother, this is not a funny thing." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said warning Xue Zhengming.

"Minister Lan, I want you to find the money. No matter who, punish them." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said. "Imperial uncle, do you have someone you will choose to succeed you?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "This general is still looking for him. But that person must be from the Royal family." Dongfang Qingyuan explained.

Emperor Xue Feng Ning looked relieved but he tried to hide it. "Imperial uncle, I want you to start learning how to write and read. How about my younger brother teach you?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning offered. "This general accepts the order." Dongfang Qingyuan said calmly. "Tomorrow, you must attend the morning court. It's getting late, imperial uncle can go home." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said.

Dongfang Qingyuan took his leave. Lan Zhi Xuan stayed behind. Xue Zhengming also took his leave. "Do you think Dongfang Qingyuan will choose Xue Zhengming?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked coldly. "He definitely won't choose Xue Zhengming." Lan Zhi Xuan said confidently.

"The person he will probably choose is the seventh prince." Lan Zhi Xuan said. "He snuck out again." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said dizzy. "But why do you feel it's him?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked confusedly. "Maybe he feels similarities between them. Both of them are like free souls who don't want to be confined." Lan Zhi Xuan explained.

"I understand. I don't want him to return to the border so soon in case he rebels. What excuse should I make without being suspected in your opinion?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "I feel that Your Majesty can say that a new case has been opened and he is a witness so he cannot return to the border." Lan Zhi Xuan explained.

"I understand. You can go back." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said. Lan Zhi Xuan took his leave. "Do you think Lan Zhi Xuan really wants to help me or wants to defect?" Emperor Xue Feng Ning asked. "Answering Your Majesty, his idea itself shows that he is loyal to Your Majesty." Eunuch Hong replied. "I hope so." Emperor Xue Feng Ning said tiredly.

@palace gate

Dongfang Qingyuan sat in front of Lan Zhi Xuan's carriage. "Are you going to wait for him?" Xue Zhengming asked, looking at Dongfang Qingyuan boredly. "I know, you like Dongfang Ruo Cheng. So enjoy your time with him instead of taking care of unnecessary things." Dongfang Qingyuan said coldly.

Xue Zhengming's eyes widened. 'How did he know?' Xue Zhengming thought in shock. "Don't worry, I have no intention of telling anyone about it. Mind your own business, Lord Yue." Dongfang Qingyuan said flatly.

"You told me. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you?" Xue Zhengming asked, pointing his knife quickly at Dongfang Qingyuan's neck and being blocked with a short sword by Dongfang Qingyuan.

"That is if you can do it, Lord Yue." Dongfang Qingyuan said mockingly. In martial arts, no one could fight Dongfang Qingyuan or be faster than him.

"What are you doing, Lord Yue?" Lan Zhi Xuan asked angrily. The royal guards pretended not to see and seemed shocked by Lan Zhi Xuan's anger. Xue Zhengming put away his knife and Dongfang Qingyuan put away his short sword.

Xue Zhengming left angrily. "Are you okay?" Lan Zhi Xuan asked worriedly. "Let's go inside. Then talk." Dongfang Qingyuan said as he entered the carriage followed by Lan Zhi Xuan. Lan Zhi Xuan's bodyguard sat in front replacing Dongfang Qingyuan after put away the stairs.

The carriage moved slowly. "Why did he attack you?" Lan Zhi Xuan asked worriedly. "I just made him angry." Dongfang Qingyuan said smiling. "You're tired of living." Lan Zhi Xuan said as he massaged his temples. "Thank you." Dongfang Qingyuan said suddenly.

Lan Zhi Xuan was shocked before smiling. "I did what I could. After all, you are Ruo Cheng's twin brother? So I think he will be sad if you get hurt." Lan Zhi Xuan said smiling. "There is still another problem. You can't go home for a while." Lan Zhi Xuan was obviously serious.

"I know. I also have some business in the capital." Dongfang Qingyuan said smiling. Lan Zhi Xuan smiled but didn't ask further.

......Desserts......

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***