Chapter 35: Spoil the Scene, Give Me Money
Marquis’ Mansion, Wenhui Hall.

Xie Chongkun looked solemn.

"Have you been relieved of your post as the border guard?" Xie Chongkun thought he didn't hear clearly and asked again.

Xie Chengyi said bluntly, "Yes, His Majesty said that he wants me to enter the court."

"How did you reply?" Xie Chongkun looked at his son worriedly.

"No." Xie Chengyi said lightly.

Xie Chongkun's mind suddenly became filled with blood and he asked, "What?"

Then, there was a barrage of accusations, "How can you be so straightforward? He is the current emperor! If he punishes you for this, not only you, but the entire mansion will suffer!!!"

"So what? I said I won't go, so I won't go!" Xie Chengyi could not understand his father's blind loyalty. As a human being, one should always do what he should do and not do what he should not do.

After being yelled at, Xie Chongkun looked at Xie Chengyi with red eyes and remained in shock for a long time before he reacted.

After Xie Chengyi calmed down a little, he said quietly: "Ten years ago, I would rather go to the border than enter the government; ten years later, I still feel the same way."

Xie Chongkun seemed to see his son ten years ago again at this moment. He always thought that ten years would heal any pain, but now he realized with a broken heart that his son had been like this from the beginning to the end. It was them who had changed...

“If Your Majesty investigates—” No matter how much Xie Chongkun could understand his son, it would not work, because they were under the rule of Northern Jin, and they had to obey His Majesty’s words.

Xie Chengyi had already thought of a countermeasure, as if what he said had nothing to do with him. "Now, Chenglin has begun to follow in his father's footsteps. With his temperament and character, he will be able to take charge of things on his own within ten years. Father can pass the throne of the crown prince to Chenglin. As for me, I will travel around and never care about worldly affairs again. Even if Your Majesty is angry, I can guarantee my safety in life because of my unrivaled military achievements in the past ten years."

Xie Chongkun thought his son was just talking nonsense and said angrily, "You are so stupid!"

Xie Chengyi had an indistinct expression and neither said a word nor moved.

"Do you think His Majesty will tolerate it again and again? By that time, you will no longer be a general who has taken off his armor to protect the country, but a traitor who has disobeyed the emperor's order! Still want to travel around? It would be more like you are buried in the mountains and rivers!" Xie Chongkun, who was so angry that he stroked his chest, said with his eyes slightly closed.

"Forget it, let's see what His Majesty says. His Majesty didn't say anything even though things were so tense today. Perhaps there's still room for easing the tension." Xie Chongkun carefully considered His Majesty's behavior and comforted his son.

Xie Chengyi remained silent.

"There is another way." Suddenly, Xie Chongkun's heart moved.

Xie Chengyi turned his head and looked at his father.

"If you become the Third Princess's consort, then..." Everyone in the court could see the Third Princess's feelings for her son. Many ministers joked that he would marry into the royal family. That was why many noble ladies from aristocratic families, although they admired her son, were waiting and watching. If he married the Imperial Consort, they would be safe.

As expected, Xie Chengyi interrupted directly: "Impossible!"

"Are you still thinking about her?" Xie Chongkun, who had endured it for so many years and never dared to say it out loud for fear of upsetting his son, finally couldn't help it.

Xie Chengyi's expression was hidden in the shadow of the candlelight, his eyes were cold and erratic, "No."

Perhaps not wanting to argue about this matter any further, Xie Chengyi stood up.

Xie Chongkun was left there for a long time, and after a long time, he let out a long sigh.

***
After coming out of Wenhui Hall, Xie Chengyi did not return to Songqing Courtyard immediately, but stopped in the garden in front of Songqing Courtyard.

Diagonally opposite Songqingyuan is Yimeiyuan.

He sat in the dark, looking at the bright white moon, the twinkling stars, and the flickering candlelight, and his heart felt empty for no reason...

After Huo Aying came back from the palace, she went to Songhua Courtyard to pay her respects to Guan Yulan. Regardless of whether it was a face-saving job or not, it was necessary to pay her respects to her aunt. Fortunately, Guan Yulan had already heard the reply from the palace, so she didn't embarrass Huo Aying too much. She said a few polite words and let her go back.

When Huo Aying reached the corner, he vaguely saw a reflective jade pendant.

He took a few more steps and glanced sideways slightly.

"What's wrong, girl?" Su Jian looked around in confusion.

Huo Aying turned to Su Jian and said, "You go back first. I'll stay here quietly for a while."

"Then Su Jian will accompany you?" Su Jian considerately put the cloak on Huo Aying. Huo Aying smiled slightly, "It's okay, I can stay here by myself."

Su Jian didn't think much about it, and handed the corner lantern to Huo Aying, bowed slightly and walked into the yard.

Huo Aying, holding the lamp, took two steps, looked down at the lamp, blew it out, and put it aside.

Xie Chengyi lowered his head and closed his eyes lightly, his mind filled with endless border scenes.

When he approached, Huo Aying saw Xie Chengyi lying on a bench, with his arms folded and his brows furrowed. In the faint moonlight, one could tell that he looked a little melancholy.

Huo Aying had never seen Xie Chengyi like this before. He was like a lone lion licking its wounds alone, so proud, so profound, so lonely and sad...

Somehow, Huo Aying felt a sudden pain in his heart, but subconsciously he felt that he was very pitiful. With such a family background, such achievements, such appearance, and such amorous feelings, he still had troubles?

She couldn't help but soften her voice even though she was sharp-tongued. "If you're tired, go back to sleep."

Xie Chengyi was startled and looked at Huo Aying.

Since when did he become so alert?
"What's wrong? The son of a marquis and the general of the Northern Jin cavalry also has troubles?" Seeing that he didn't say anything, Huo Aying deliberately joked.

Xie Chengyi did not answer, but stood up, hunched his chest slightly and looked forward.

If it were according to Huo Aying's usual personality, she would have turned around and walked away, but the entanglement in her heart made her pause.

"Sit down." Xie Chengyi's voice was hoarse and cold, as if it came from the bottom of a deep icy cliff.

It was the first time that Huo Aying was so obedient. He picked a corner of a bench and sat down.

"Why do you think people should live?" When Xie Chengyi said this, his ethereal expression was just like that of a little child, and Huo Aying couldn't help but chuckle.

Xie Chengyi was a little stunned.

Huo Aying said leisurely: "I thought something was wrong, it turns out that our noble prince is thinking about life..."

Xie Chengyi was also broken by Huo Aying's relaxation, and the corners of his mouth curled slightly.

"My father is a gambler, my mother was forced to death, my brother was sold and disappeared, and I was also sold here. If you ask the same question, why do you think I am alive, Prince?" The more easily Huo Aying said this in a joking tone, the more distressed people could not help but feel.

Xie Chengyi's eyes softened as he looked at Huo Aying, who was more radiant than the white moon.

"Is the prince much happier than me?" Huo Aying tilted his head slightly and asked with a smile on his face.

Xie Chengyi suddenly had the urge to touch Aying's head.

Huo Aying immediately retracted his gaze and said, "My Lord, the existence of you princes and nobles in this world is much more important than that of ordinary people like us. Because of your existence, the people can live and work in peace and the border can end the smoke of war. Isn't this worth your life?"

"If people like you paid more attention to the court, perhaps ordinary people like me could have a little more hope..." Ah Ying murmured softly.

Xie Chengyi, who was praised by Huo Aying, instantly felt as if he had opened up his Ren and Du meridians. He was always trapped in the knot in his heart ten years ago and actually ignored these...

"You're quite good at flattering people." As soon as Xie Chengyi regained his senses, his desire to tease Huo Aying began to become active again.

Huo Aying frowned, "Why are you so fickle? I'm just trying to comfort you, okay?"

Xie Chengyi felt more relieved when he saw Huo Aying's slightly resentful expression.

Seeing Xie Chengyi's face become clearer, Huo Aying felt as if a ray of sunshine had entered his heart. He bowed slightly and said, "It's getting late. I'll go back first. My Lord, please go back earlier. It's very cold here."

Xie Chengyi looked at Huo Aying quietly with gentle eyes.

After Huo Aying stood up, Xie Chengyi whispered happily: "See you tomorrow."

Huo Aying turned his head to look at Xie Chengyi who was looking deeply at him, and said one sentence to kill the atmosphere, "I left the palace safely, so please don't give me too little money, you have to pay double for all the trouble and worry!"

What is her identity? Can she still hope to have any connection with Xie Chengyi? Stop dreaming, it’s better to make money realistically!
Good morning everyone

Happy Children's Day
Aying: Life is like this, either you get something or you learn something.