Chapter 746: Chapter 747: A Move with No Regrets

Lu Yu took a letter from his robes and handed it over.

"My master said that with all the recent commotion in the Capital City, he was worried it might disturb Second Miss Ye’s peace. He sent me to deliver this letter to you and to ask that you rest easy, undisturbed by the chaos outside."

Ye Chutang took the letter and opened it immediately. Inside was a single, thin sheet of paper.

The calligraphy on the paper was elegant and unrestrained, its strokes hiding a sharp edge—just like its author.

There were only a few short lines, yet they covered three matters.

—Shui Xingqiu met privately with Prince Jing today.

—Ye Yunfeng is in a precarious position. It is best to be careful with all matters.

—The third month brings the warmth of spring and blooming flowers, a perfect time for an outing.

A smile touched Ye Chutang’s lips as she put the letter away.

"I’ve received the letter. Go back and tell your master that I understand his meaning completely."

Lu Yu nodded. In the next second, his figure flashed and disappeared beyond the courtyard wall.

Ye Chutang turned around to see Xiao Wu staring eagerly at her and the letter in her hand.

Lu Yu had visited so many times that Xiao Wu had grown used to his presence. Now, she could skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point.

Ye Chutang knew she was curious about the letter’s contents, but there were some things Xiao Wu didn’t need to know yet.

Ye Chutang gently tapped her on her little head.

"The weather’s getting warmer. I’ll take you, your third brother, and your fourth brother out for a stroll later."

The moment Xiao Wu heard "go out," she immediately perked up.

’So the Young Master was asking Big Sister to go out with him?’

But then she puffed out her cheeks in conflict, her big eyes blinking rapidly.

’Then... if that’s the case, my third brother, fourth brother, and I shouldn’t tag along, right? That would be so inappropriate!’

Ye Chutang: "..."

’So young, yet so considerate.’

"That’s not something a girl your age should be worrying about," Ye Chutang said, poking her gently. "Besides, your fourth brother probably won’t be staying in the Capital City for much longer. It would be good to go out more while there’s still time."

Xiao Wu’s eyes widened in surprise. She forgot all about asking where the Young Master was taking her big sister and focused entirely on her fourth brother.

’Big Sister, is Fourth Brother leaving again?’

In truth, Xiao Wu knew that her fourth brother’s return this time was already an unexpected blessing.

Moreover, it was a hard-won opportunity he had earned only by fighting desperately, winning a great victory, and achieving merit.

Now that the rewards had been granted, Fourth Brother would eventually have to return to the border to continue his post.

She knew all of this. It was just... just that she couldn’t bear for him to leave...

Seeing her little face fall, Ye Chutang bent down, stroked her cheek, and spoke in a much gentler tone, her eyes curving into a beautiful arc.

"Doesn’t Xiao Wu look forward to her fourth brother fighting on the battlefield, earning more military honors, and returning home in triumph?"

Xiao Wu froze, her dazed eyes meeting Ye Chutang’s smiling gaze.

Ye Chutang said softly, "That is what your fourth brother wants to do most, after all."

That’s right!

It dawned on Xiao Wu: ’Ever since he was a child, Fourth Brother’s dream has been to go to the battlefield, slay enemies, and earn glory!’

"No one’s path is ever perfectly smooth. The road your fourth brother has chosen is especially fraught with hardship and danger. A single misstep could mean being left on the battlefield forever. But—"

"This is the choice he made for himself."

Ye Chutang looked at Xiao Wu, her expression calm and her tone gentle, yet it carried a resolution that no one could deter.

Xiao Wu only half-understood, but she etched every one of Chutang’s words deep into her heart.

"Once a move is made, there are no regrets."

Tuoba Yu didn’t groggily wake up until the next morning.

But he still had a high fever and was so weak he could barely get out of bed, let alone travel back to Nanhu.

The journey was long and would inevitably be rough. In his current condition, he certainly couldn’t endure it.

Therefore, although everyone in the Southern Hu Mission was eager to return, they chose to remain in the Capital City for a few more days.

They would set out once Tuoba Yu’s injuries had improved.

To avoid arousing suspicion, they didn’t dare summon a physician. The only one they could rely on was Shui Xingqiu.

However...

"There’s nothing I can do about the wound on Prince Su’s shoulder," Shui Xingqiu said again, his tone already laced with impatience. "Since you refuse to let me use the Gu Technique to treat him, this is the only outcome."

"This—"

Si Kouji glanced worriedly at Tuoba Yu, who was lying on the nearby bed, afraid that these words would upset him further.

However, perhaps because he had endured too much recently, Tuoba Yu had lost all his spirit. Or maybe he had already expected this outcome. Hearing Shui Xingqiu’s words, he showed no particular reaction. He simply lay there, motionless, staring blankly at the ceiling, like a pool of stagnant water, devoid of any sign of life.

Si Kouji sighed inwardly.

"Water Family Master, it’s not that we don’t trust your abilities, but... Prince Su is of such noble birth, and these poisonous insects..."

Shui Xingqiu raised a hand, signaling that he didn’t need to explain.

This might have been acceptable for someone else, but since it concerned Tuoba Yu, they had to ask the Monarch for permission first.

But that was impossible to do at a moment’s notice, so this was the only way.

In truth, Shui Xingqiu was also extremely frustrated.

Ostensibly, he was Tuoba Yu’s teacher. With Tuoba Yu’s accident, he would inevitably be affected.

Moreover, Tuoba Yu’s shoulder was ruined. He would likely be useless in the future. For Shui Xingqiu, a valuable asset had just turned into a burden.

How could he not be bothered?

"If Prince Su’s injuries recover quickly, we can set off in five days," Shui Xingqiu said.

Si Kouji didn’t want to stay here for another day, but at this point, he could only endure it.

"Very well. For the next few days, we will take turns caring for Prince Su diligently, in hopes that he recovers soon."

Seeing Shui Xingqiu get up to leave again, Si Kouji opened his mouth. "By the way, yesterday... I trust everything went smoothly for the Water Family Master?"

Shui Xingqiu had left abruptly and only returned four hours later. Si Kouji hadn’t intended to ask, but seeing Shui Xingqiu’s icy expression this morning, it seemed yesterday’s business had not gone well. Worried, he couldn’t help but inquire.

’It wouldn’t matter if something happened to Shui Xingqiu himself, but if it implicated the entire Southern Hu Mission, it would be a huge problem!’

Si Kouji was still responsible for the others.

His words only served to remind Shui Xingqiu of yesterday’s unpleasant conversation.

He narrowed his eyes. "You needn’t worry about my affairs, Lord Si Kou. Just focus on taking care of Prince Su here."

Si Kouji was at a loss for words.

He was a veteran official with deep seniority. Having to speak so carefully and politely to a junior younger than his own son was utterly infuriating!

But the other man’s reputation had skyrocketed in recent years, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Swallowing his pride, Si Kouji finally said, "...Of course."

Shui Xingqiu turned and walked toward the door, looking as if he was about to go out again.

"Shui—"

Si Kouji started to say a word, then swallowed it back down.

Shui Xingqiu acted as if he hadn’t heard, or perhaps simply didn’t care, and continued straight outside.

This time, moreover, he left openly.

When he reached the entrance, a carriage was already prepared.

"To Yunlai Tavern," he said.

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