Chapter 65: The Heart's Dilemma

  Zhao Yan could also get up and lie on the bed, but this would inevitably expose him. Zhao Yan was very curious about what happened to his body. Was the golden dragon he dreamed of that day real? And that strange ice bead that entered his body, the sacred medicine passed down from the Wu family, made Zhao Yan feel as if there were several kilograms of TNT explosives in his body that could not be removed, and the worst part was that he did not know when it would explode.

  Zhao Yin knew that Feng Huang Lou had so many secrets, if Feng Huang Lou knew that Zhao Yin could be immune to the effect of the yin-yang creation pill, he would definitely be caught and experimented on, or killed. Feng Huang Lou would never allow anything to threaten its own existence. The power of Feng Huang Lou far exceeded Zhao Yin's imagination. This time, Tang Yuwei intentionally or unintentionally revealed the background of the wealthy merchant, which was a warning to Zhao Yin not to make any small moves. Zhao Yin naturally understood.

  People under the eaves have to bow their heads, be wise and safe, and compromise in order to survive. Before having the power to destroy Feng Huang Lou, they will not dare to confront it. Zhao Jin won't do something as foolish as hitting a stone with an eggshell, let alone now that Feng Huang Lou hasn't asked him to do anything.

  Zhao Kong analyzed that the main reason was that Feng Huang Lou did not expect Zhao Kong to defend both Yan Shan Fu and He Dong at the same time, which made his reputation in the military and among civilians quite high. Adding to this, since Zhao Kong's attitude towards Wu Jia is currently ambiguous, Feng Huang Lou will not put too much pressure on him, but rather just have Tang Yuwei keep a close eye on him.

  Lying on the ground, Zhao Jiong was thinking about his future path. He had to go back to Bianjing himself. As long as he appeared in the imperial city of Bianjing, those false charges would be self-evident, but King Yue and others were not fools either. If they couldn't do it openly, they could use underhanded means, and they would never let Zhao Jiong return alive to the imperial city of Bianjing. It was easy to avoid open attacks, but difficult to guard against secret arrows. Zhao Jiong did not have the confidence to dodge the assassination of countless killers.

  Zhao Tan sighed, now he had no choice but to ask Yang Zai Xing to escort him back to Bianjing. There were many things that needed to be done urgently, such as negotiating with the Liao dynasty's descendants, urging Li Gang to deploy troops in Bianjing, contacting Wang Xi Zhen who was in the Western Army, and integrating the Qin Feng army that had come to support Bianjing from the Western route. Zhao Tan could be certain that although he had resisted the Jin army in Yanshan Prefecture and Hedong Province, it was possible that the emperor would misunderstand the arrival of the Qin Feng army as a private mobilization, threatening the capital's intentions. At that time, the Qin Feng army might not simply be dispersed like they were in history. For a moment, Zhao Tan felt like he was being suffocated and couldn't breathe.

  Before long, Tang Yuwei walked in, and Zhao Jiong looked at Tang Yuwei's side and found that someone was missing, so he asked: "Miss Tang, where did Li Yue go?"

  Tang Yuwei glanced at Zhao Jian and smiled, saying: "I told Li Yue that you need to rest quietly, so she left. I said, sir, you can't fall in love with one person after another, Cai Xuan will be heartbroken."

  Zhao Kan was a bit silent, Wu Caiyun was irreplaceable in his heart, but now if he abandoned Li Yue, it would be somewhat unfeeling and unjust. Zhao Kan shook his head, no longer thinking about these issues, there were still too many things to do, personal feelings could only be put aside.

  Tang Yuwei suddenly inserted the silver needle into Zhao Jian's body, and his leg immediately transmitted a severe pain. Zhao Jian hummed and Tang Yuwei smiled slyly: "Can the young master leave now? This is slave's room, after all."

  Zhao Kang bowed with his fist and walked out of the room. Tang Yuwei looked at Zhao Kang's back, her eyes flashing.

  Zhao Song arrived at Liang Fangxu's residence, and upon hearing the report, immediately put down the steel knife in his hand and walked towards Zhao Song on his knees, saying: "The subordinate has failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive me."

  Liang Fangxu was shirtless, sweat dripping down, and several scars were visible on his bulging muscles. Zhao Jiong felt a bit apologetic, as he had been somewhat cold to Liang Fangxu recently due to his abilities, hurting the old general's feelings. Zhao Jiong hastily stepped forward to help Liang Fangxu up, saying "General Liang has been troubled these days."

  Li Fangxu took a deep breath: "I'm afraid I've let you down, Your Highness."

  Zhao Kuang handed the envelope to Liang Fangxu and solemnly said: "General Liang, I have decided to go to Bianjing alone. General Liang, please send someone to contact Li Geng in the court immediately. This letter is extremely important, and General Liang must choose a trusted person to deliver it."

  Li Fangxu solemnly accepted the envelope and said seriously: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will go there in person."

  Zhao Kuo said: "General Liang, it's not possible for you to go. You've been following me for a long time and many people already know you well. This time, sending the message requires someone inconspicuous, only then can we be completely safe."

  Li Fangxu humbly said: "It's still Your Highness who is being thorough in consideration, this general will take the lesson."

  Zhao said, "This afternoon, we will hold a swearing-in ceremony. Liang Fangxu can go and order the whole army to gather. The stone monument that was ordered from the craftsmen a few days ago should also be retrieved quickly. After the swearing-in ceremony is over, I will head to Bianjing in no time. Before arriving in Bianjing, please ask General Liang to lead his troops to escort me."

  Liang Fangxu clasped his fists and said: "I will absolutely not bring shame upon your orders."

  He took off his heavy armor and put on a light Confucian scholar's robe, fanning himself with a folding fan, his whole body filled with elegance, transforming into a refined young gentleman.

  Taiyuan City has been visited by merchants one after another, and the market has slowly become lively. Although most of the houses have collapsed, various delicious food and goods are already on display on the streets. Zhao Can bought some rice and dishes at a street stall and headed to Li Yue's home. Mrs. Li was doing handicrafts on one side, while Li Yue, wearing coarse linen clothes, was cooking by the kiln. Steam rose vigorously, and Li Yue wiped away the sweat that had broken out with her hand, throwing the grain provided by the army into the pot, squatting down to throw firewood into the stove, where thick smoke suddenly billowed up, making Li Yue cough repeatedly and tears stream down her face.

  Zhao Kan felt a pang of sympathy, walked forward and put the lunchbox in his hand on the table, took over the firewood from Li Yue's hand. Li Yue and her mother were startled, stood up and looked at Zhao Kan, who smiled and said: "Auntie please sit down, don't mind my identity, identity is used to scare oneself."

  Zhao Song saw the two being reserved and continued: "Taiyuan City doesn't have any good food to eat right now, just make do with these things, Auntie don't be picky."

  Mrs. Li did not sit down, and asked in a low voice: "Your Highness, can you spare my daughter? Your Highness saved my daughter, our whole family is grateful, but as a mother, I hope my daughter can live an ordinary life, so please spare me and my family." As she spoke, Mrs. Li was about to kneel down, but Zhao Ji rushed forward and helped her up. Li Yue stood aside, looking somewhat despondent, clearly having been told all this by Mrs. Li beforehand.

  Zhao Yan was taken aback, but quickly understood. Aunt Li estimated that Zhao Yan's identity as a royal prince would be like those spoiled young masters, let alone the fact that Zhao Yan was an imperial son and would not lack beauties in the future. Now, perhaps Zhao Yan was young and attracted to Li Yue's beauty, so he casually accepted her, but there would be no name or status for her in the future. Aunt Li did not know that Zhao Yan had agreed to marry Li Yue out of a sense of responsibility and Yang Zai Xing's coercion, nor did she know what had happened between Zhao Yan and Li Yue in the fire scene, so she misunderstood.

  Li Yue had once fiercely debated with her mother when she said these words, but after careful consideration, she found that the gap was indeed very large. Zhao Jin may still be interested in Li Yue's appearance today, but what about ten or twenty years later? Although Mrs. Li didn't know many characters, she understood reason. Once entering the imperial palace, it's like being in a deep sea. Mrs. Li didn't want glory and wealth; she had only one precious daughter and hoped that her daughter could marry an ordinary person and live an ordinary life.

  Zhao Yan did not blame Li Shu's intention, but rather admired Li Shu very much. Li Yue marrying Zhao Yan was like ascending to heaven in one step, and Li Shu also became a relative of the imperial family. However, Li Shu refused these temptations, unlike some people who would sacrifice their children's marriages for personal gain, exchanging them for status, power, and money. Instead, Li Shu sincerely expressed her true thoughts, with everything based on her daughter's genuine happiness, which is what true maternal love is all about.

  Zhao Yan smiled and said: "To be honest with you, I do have a girl in my heart that I like. We've been through thick and thin together for a long time, but I have a good impression of Li Yue. I hope Li Yue can follow me, and I will treat her well for the rest of my life. If Auntie Li agrees to let Li Yue follow me, I will lead the army back to the capital soon and send you to Qin Feng City on the western border of Xia. If Auntie Li thinks that I, Zhao Yan, am just a wealthy young master who is greedy for beauty, then I will give you some silver and send someone to escort you to a relatively safe place in the south. To be honest, Taiyuan City will experience another disaster, but this matter is confidential, so please don't reveal it."

  Aunt Li had not spoken yet, but Li Yue said: "Young master, I am willing to follow you, no matter what the future holds, I will never regret today's decision."

  "Auntie Li was somewhat incredulous. 'Yue'er, you...' Earlier, Li Yue had promised not to look for Zhao Yan again, but now she had changed her mind."

  "A girl is not allowed to stay at home." Li Shu's eyes were slightly red, and Li Yue said so. Although Li Shu found it hard to believe, she was not particularly surprised. Li Yue had been without a father since childhood, and was strong-willed but extremely obedient and well-behaved. Just now, after listening to her reasoning for a long time, even getting angry, Li Yue finally reluctantly agreed. But Li Shu understood that deep down in Li Yue's heart, there was an unyielding cry of discontent. She didn't expect Zhao Yan's sudden arrival would make Li Yue's suppressed emotions suddenly erupt, and it could no longer be taken back.

  Zhao Yan knelt down on one knee and clasped his fists together, saying: "Please, Aunt, fulfill your promise."

  Aunt Li looked at Li Yue's promising eyes, helplessly nodded, Zhao Song smiled and took Li Yue's hand, came to Aunt Li's face and said: "I will take good care of her, I hope you can rest assured, in a few days I will arrange for General Liang to escort you and Yue'er to Qin Feng City."

  "What about you, young master? Aren't you coming with us?" Li Yue asked with some concern.

  "Zao Yan smiled and said, 'I still have some things to take care of when I return to the capital, don't worry about me. It's Auntie and you who will be traveling by horseback and carriage all the way.'"

  Li Shu actually had a good impression of Zhao Jiong, but unfortunately, Zhao Jiong's status was too high and not someone that ordinary people could aspire to, so she always had doubts in her heart. Moreover, during the late Northern Song dynasty, there were many idle sons of wealthy families who were useless but skilled at eating, drinking, and having fun. If Jin Ren compared with them, he would definitely lose miserably. Furthermore, these idle sons came from influential backgrounds, and many common people had complaints about them. Therefore, Li Shu was cautious towards Zhao Jiong, which is a normal human reaction.

  Zhao Yan stayed at Li Yue's home for several hours before bidding farewell to Auntie Li and heading to the Taiyuan City arena, where Zhao Yan would decide on a new beginning, or rather, a start of the heart.