Chapter 8, Looking Back in a Daze

In this dynasty, the emperor has his ministers. Helian Yi finally had enough and spoke up: "Father, I... I suddenly feel a bit unwell..."

The Wasa people in the southern frontier are the most genuine individuals. When they are hungry, they eat whatever they can find, even if it is wild grass or tree bark. When they are tired, they simply lie down to sleep, regardless of the open sky above them. When they encounter someone they like, they wish to be with that person for a lifetime, treating her well and never changing their hearts. When friendly guests arrive, they are treated with fine wine, believing that all under heaven can be brothers. When faced with enemies, there is no pretense or false titles; whether the cause is just or unjust, if there is hatred in their hearts, they demand blood for blood. If extracting tendons and skinning the enemy can relieve their hatred, then they will do so. They treat her well and never change their hearts. When friendly guests arrive, they are treated with fine wine, believing that all under heaven can be brothers. When faced with enemies, there is no pretense or false titles; whether the cause is just or unjust, if there is hatred in their hearts, they demand blood for blood. If extracting tendons and skinning the enemy can relieve their hatred, then they will do so. If they cannot defeat their enemies and are killed, they still have their relatives and friends, their clansmen and brothers. As long as the Wasa people are not completely wiped out, they will pass down this hatred from generation to generation.

Jing Qidao: "As a subject, I bear the heavy burden of filial piety and do not dare to act recklessly"

Helian Pei shook his head and interrupted him: "If you are unwilling, then forget it. You... you are grown up now, you understand things. Later, I will introduce you to a teacher who is exceptional in both knowledge and character. When you have time, come to the palace more often to keep me company, so that my affection for you over the years will not be in vain"

"Cough, you child, you haven't made a sound for quite a while, I almost forgot about you," Helian Pei shot him a glance, "Why are you so dull at such a young age, like an old man? I have heard that for several months, aside from coming to the palace to pay your respects, you haven't even left the residence?"

The Second Prince Helian Qi chuckled lightly and said, "Eldest Brother, your words are truly heart-wrenching. The Southern Border is a land of savages, ignorant of etiquette and law. He is merely a child who cannot even hold a sword. According to your reasoning, if we do not force Father Emperor to kill this little child, it would mean that Father Emperor disregards the nation and its people, self-destructing the Great Wall, and chilling the hearts of all the civil and military officials? I wonder... esteemed lords, whose hearts have truly been chilled?" I wonder... esteemed lords, whose hearts have truly been chilled?

Jing Qi suddenly remembered that in his previous life, Helian Pei had subtly hinted at arranging a teacher for him, so he would no longer need to enter the palace. However, at that time, he was solely focused on Helian Yi and did not realize what he meant.

Unfortunately, at that time I was still young, and wasted Helian Pei's efforts

Helian Qi smiled with a facade of politeness, saying: "I am merely stating the facts, dear elder brother, please do not take offense. I am not very articulate, and if I have inadvertently offended you, I hope you can forgive me."

Helian Pei nodded and said: "Minister Chen, there are many matters concerning the southern border that require your attention while in the capital."

Yet he can say nothing and do nothing. He is merely someone who has just been granted the privilege to attend as an observer, holding the title of the Eastern Palace, but he has no real power; even speaking would invite ridicule from others. He must tread carefully, not saying a word too many or making a misstep, while his brothers, who are waiting to pull him down, watch him closely. He himself is walking on thin ice, so how could he have the capacity to manage the affairs of others

He thought that what the great wizard said about him being patient was actually wrong— for the sake of his people, he could not bow down and grovel. He was to represent the great god Gaxi, and if he were to become someone who only wagged his tail and nodded in submission, what would happen to his people?

I have never heard of any man from the Vasa tribe who, when bullied outside, would hide away in a cowardly manner, harboring resentment like a Central Plains person, or drooling like a stray dog, waiting for the other party to fall into misfortune before daring to step forward and spit on them.

Very well, this time we can remain silent and save everything

This is an exceedingly sorrowful era, where prosperity has already begun to decline, and the heroes, still lacking in strength, can only watch as the bears run rampant. The unwillingness and indignation are prematurely suppressed in the hearts of the children, allowing them to grow up under such forces, waiting to unleash their anger towards the entire world, transforming it into a force that can shatter everything.

Jing Qi rolled her eyes, thinking to herself that after listening to your words, she could truly hang herself on the southeastern branch

Not far away, Minister Chen Yuanshan of the Honglu Temple was conversing with Wu Xi. Chen Yuanshan was polite to everyone, so it was unlikely that he would offend this temperamental shaman from the southern frontier.

In a moment of farce, Jing Qi felt like laughing, while Helian Yi wanted to cry. Yet perhaps, whether one wants to cry or laugh, the feelings are ultimately the same

The Minister of the Honglu Temple, Chen Yuanshan, hurriedly replied: "I am here."

Chen Yuanshan hurriedly said: "I shall obey the command."

Helian Pei nodded and said to the shaman boy: "This is my Great Qing's Nanning King, and you can be considered of equal status, so it does not disgrace the distant guest. From now on, you will reside in the capital, and it would be good for Beiyuan to help you get closer to the sons of noble families as well. Yi ... "

Jing Qi suddenly felt that, in fact, the Emperor was just a lonely and helpless person after all

Even Zhao Mingji, who just moments ago was unable to live, has silenced himself and no longer seeks death

Wu Xi was taken aback: "I... I am eleven, and the Grand Sorcerer is my teacher, but I have not read the books from your Central Plains"

Helian Yi slightly raised her face, while Zhao Mingji's angry scolding echoed with a mix of exclamations and sighs. The ministers engaged in a fierce verbal battle, exchanging retorts back and forth. Gradually, he became somewhat numb to it all, lifting his head with a somewhat vacant gaze, unconsciously mimicking the same upward glance as Wu Xi.

Jian Shangshu is indeed a cunning and skilled master of muddling through. Jing Qi underestimated his level of shamelessness. By the time Jian Sizong realized what was happening, he neither crashed into a pillar nor a wall, nor did he cry, make a scene, or attempt to hang himself; he simply rolled his eyes, stretched out his legs, and fainted.

The way of staring coldly at others resembles a wounded, immobile wild beast, prideful yet cowardly.

Jing Qi rolled her eyes internally but could only respectfully say, "I accept the decree."

Jing Qi gradually found it hard to smile; he let out a gentle sigh, feeling a slight sense of helplessness as an outsider. At first, he thought the shaman boy from the southern border was somewhat detestable, so young yet so vengeful, lacking any capacity for tolerance. However, at this moment, as he looked at Wu Xi kneeling silently in the center, he realized that the child's eyes were not evil; they were simply too dark, not malevolent, but too stubborn.

He had just uttered a single word when he recalled that Helian Yi had just been taken out due to illness. He slightly furrowed his brows, his eyes scanning the great hall, and a fleeting expression of helplessness crossed his face. After a moment's pause, he finally spoke: "Where is the Minister of Rites?"

Helian Pei sighed and reached out to squeeze his shoulder: "Although Mingzhe and I are of different surnames, he is like a brother to me... Alas, very well, Beiyuan, you must take care of yourself. I know your filial piety, but do not neglect your own well-being. As of now, the residence for the shaman children in the capital has not yet been completed, so they must stay at the post station for a while. When guests come from afar, we cannot be negligent. I see that he is about the same age as you. Although he is not familiar with the official language, it should not be a problem for daily conversation. You are of similar age and will have some topics to discuss. Please make sure to host him well on my behalf."

Herlian Pei waved his hand impatiently and said, "Alright, what are you making a fuss about? What does it look like?! Everyone, get up!" He glanced at Wu Xi, who was still kneeling there, and softened his voice slightly, saying, "Shaman boy, you get up too."

Helian Pei looked at his youngest son and found that he was indeed extremely pale, as if the color had drained from his lips, and he was slightly trembling. He then said, "Oh? What is going on? Someone, help the Crown Prince down and summon the imperial physician."

Helian Zhao angrily said: "What do you mean by this?"

The malice of their intentions is sufficient to warrant punishment

He finished speaking and turned to leave

Immediately, a father-in-law stepped forward, and Helian Pei supported the young prince's arm. After taking a couple of steps, as if recalling something, she turned back to glance at Jing Qi and said softly: "I heard Yi'er mention that you said you would request to be a tutor in the Wangfu once your health improved, and would no longer accompany the reading in the palace, correct?"

He recalled what Master Zhou had said about history: Master Zhou stated that when a nation is on the verge of collapse, monsters and aberrations are sure to emerge

Jing Qi was taken aback: "Your Majesty, the regulations of our dynasty..."

The Crown Prince Helian Zhao forcefully bowed his head to the ground and said: "Father, this is a sign of a chaotic nation. If this person is not executed, it is feared that the hearts of all the officials will be chilled!"

Helian Pei rubbed his brow, his face showing unmistakable signs of fatigue. He waved his sleeve and stood up, saying: "Let this be enough for today; I am weary. Let us disperse."

This means that they want to kill him. Wu Xi understood this and turned his head to glance at the overly agitated Crown Prince Helian Zhao, who seemed to have a deep-seated grudge against him. He thought to himself that if he had known they would want to kill him for this, he would not have used the love curse earlier, letting that old scoundrel surnamed Jian bleed from all seven orifices to see his dead father instead.

The great hall remains unchanged, yet the sky of Daqing is on the verge of collapsing

His gaze shifted to the side, where Helian Qi bore a striking resemblance to her mother, the Zhuang Empress. Her eyes were slightly upturned, exuding an air of delicate femininity. However, when she turned her head with a seemingly playful smile, the delicate aura transformed into something more ambiguous and peculiar.

He felt a deep sorrow in his eyes and wanted to roar, "You all shut up!" He wanted to pound the table and loudly exclaim, "Look at you so-called saints and noble offspring, what kind of people are you?" He wanted to say to take those who corrupt the court and all the vile remnants of the southern border and execute them all!

Elder Xi made a respectful bow and personally assisted Helian Yi down. Jing Qi looked at his back and the shadow of his figure, and unexpectedly felt that the young man's silhouette seemed to be slightly hunched.

Wuxi knelt there calmly, unusually composed. He did not feel that he had done anything wrong, nor did he have any regrets. The man referred to as "Your Highness" extended his finger almost to Wuxi's nose, and although he could not understand most of what was being said, he knew it was not pleasant.

Jing Qi was taken aback, not expecting to be called out suddenly, and hurriedly bowed, saying: "Your servant is here"

The Emperor's decree has been issued, and it would not be appropriate to neglect it without any acknowledgment. Thus, a smile was arranged on the spot before proceeding towards Wuxi.

Helian Pei asked Wu Xi with a friendly expression: "How old are you, and have you ever studied in the Southern Frontier?"

Those with discernment will immediately understand that the following words are meant for the esteemed descendants of the Feng family, who are of noble lineage. Those who do not possess such status should promptly keep their mouths shut

Helian Pei's gaze darkened as it swept over his two adult sons: "The sage once said, 'Govern by law, and the people will be free of shame. Govern by virtue, and the people will have a sense of shame and will be disciplined.' He is merely a confused child, uneducated and unrefined. A benevolent person should impart virtue and receive with propriety; how can one speak of killing so casually? If we were to kill this person, and this matter were to spread, would it not cause the people of the world to laugh at our Da Qing rulers for their lack of measure and their tyrannical slaughter?"

Helian Pei shook his head, expressing great regret: "What a pity, what a pity! The beauty of reading lies in engaging with the sages of the past and the worthy of the present, discussing one or two matters—how wonderful it is! It is truly unfortunate that you are in such a remote place, having never experienced such immense joy—sigh! The North Abyss..."

The ministers bid farewell to the Emperor and gradually departed. Helian Qi smiled and performed a bow towards Helian Zhao, who, with a cold expression, snorted and left in a huff. Jing Qi observed all of this and thought to himself that this foolish Emperor, after all, was not entirely foolish; he had indeed considered his own interests and had subtly hinted to him not to get involved in the ugly conflicts among his sons.