Volume 1, Chapter 45: Confrontation

Unlike other military generals, Xue Nian was exceptionally gifted from a young age. Not only was he well-versed in military strategies and statecraft, but he could also recite the Four Books and Five Classics entirely from memory. He was truly a versatile talent proficient in both literary and martial arts. Coupled with his past travels and wide-ranging adventures across the land, he was intimately familiar with numerous folktales and marvels. Therefore, as long as court politics were not involved, conversing with Shen Ran was remarkably harmonious.

The two sat together, chatting and smiling. Xue Nian spoke with wit and humor, holding forth with eloquence, while Shen Ran listened attentively with a gentle smile. Of course, he did not merely nod or shake his head throughout; occasionally, he would offer a comment or two—incisive, penetrating, and hitting the nail squarely on the head—sparking Xue Nian's desire to continue the conversation.

This harmonious scene between monarch and subject left the onlookers completely astounded. Even Xue Wu could not hide her profound astonishment, and the anxiety that had weighed heavily on her heart ever since returning to the Grand General’s Manor gradually subsided.

She knew very well that Shen Ran disliked her elder brother.

Conversely, Xue Nian felt the same way about Shen Ran.

Her twin brother had detested confinement since childhood.

Yet he found himself bound hand and foot precisely because of the emperor's suspicions.

In his earlier years, due to his youth, he had been able to leave Shengjing to tour the mountains and rivers freely. As he grew older, however, Shen Ran grew increasingly close to Liu Shizhuang, while becoming ever more wary and distant toward Xue Yuandao. To avoid placing his father in a difficult position, Xue Nian had no choice but to dull his sharp edges, remaining cooped up in Shengjing day after day, holding an idle title while mingling among dissolute youth.

Although Xue Nian never spoke of it aloud, as his sister, how could Xue Wu fail to see the deep grievance pent up in his heart?

Without Xue Yuandao’s daily lectures and admonitions, Xue Nian would never have submitted to Shen Ran as emperor, let alone with the lingering shadow of the Zhao family affair hanging between them. During the period when the Zhao family met its downfall, Xue Yuandao had inexplicably and harshly flogged Xue Nian under the pretext of unruly behavior. The underlying reasons compelled Xue Wu to ponder deeply, and such contemplation filled her with unease.

She would never forget the spring when she was seven years old, when she and Xue Nian had accompanied their mother to offer incense at Qingjing Temple outside the walls of Shengjing.

It was the season of blooming peach blossoms; Qingjing Temple was bustling with visitors, and pious men and women bowed devoutly before the main hall.

Xue Wu knelt down alongside her mother.

Only Xue Nian remained standing.

This unusual behavior naturally drew the attention of many.

Among them was Master Jueyuan, the abbot of Qingjing Temple.

Unable to resist stepping forward, Master Jueyuan asked, "Little benefactor, why do you not kneel?"

To which Xue Nian replied with calm indifference, "I only know to rely on myself, not to beg of others."

At these words, a pin-drop silence fell over the entire grand hall.

At that time, Xue Nian was only nine years old, yet his words and demeanor already radiated a compelling dignity and brilliance that brooked no disrespect.

Xue Wu had always understood that her twin brother possessed an unyielding, unbreakable backbone of iron pride. If he could not be truly won over, he might endure for a time, but he would never willingly bow to another for long. In truth, aside from fearing that Xue Nian might arouse Shen Ran's suspicions, this was one of the main reasons Xue Yuandao had always refused to take Xue Nian with him onto the battlefield.

No one knows a son better than his father.

A subject's first duty is loyalty to the sovereign, obeying the imperial will. But once Xue Nian held military power in his hands, if an imperial edict ran counter to his convictions, he might well refuse to obey.

In the past, Shen Ran had never summoned Xue Nian, and Xue Nian had avoided him whenever possible. The two men had shared no private opportunities to interact, so even though they viewed each other with disdain, they had never clashed. Yet this time, Shen Ran had come to the Grand General’s Manor in person, throwing the two of them together abruptly. Regardless of who eventually ruffled the other's feathers, she would be caught in the middle, trapped in an awkward dilemma. And yet...

Watching Shen Ran and Xue Nian transition from tea to wine, exchanging toasts with bright smiles and witty banter as though they were sworn brothers facing life and death together—

Xue Wu rubbed her eyes, unable to stop herself from wondering if she had been overthinking everything.

It seemed that not only had Shen Ran’s temperament changed, but after five years apart, her twin brother was also quite different from the past.

Xue Wu could not help but heave a sigh of relief.

Regardless of what they truly thought in their hearts, at least the surface pretense was maintained.

Nearby, however, the old steward Xue Zhong was filled with anxiety.

Seeing Shen Ran and Xue Nian drink cup after cup, he stepped forward to urge caution, "Young General, this wine is far too potent. The Grand General has yet to return; perhaps you and His Majesty should drink a little less."

Xue Nian could hold his liquor through a thousand cups, drinking wine as if it were water, and had few rivals even within the military.

It was uncertain how well Shen Ran could handle his wine; even if his tolerance was decent, it was unlikely to surpass Xue Nian's.

What if Xue Yuandao returned only to find that Xue Nian had drunk Shen Ran under the table, causing the sovereign to lose face? What would happen then?

At first, Xue Nian paid no heed to Xue Zhong’s dissuasion. It was only when Xue Zhong ventured his ninth attempt to intervene, and Xue Wu also realized the impropriety and joined in the persuasion, that Xue Nian finally set down his cup with a smile. Sighing with emotion, he remarked, "This is the only drawback to drinking at home—one is always being fussed over and restricted, unable to drink one's fill. I hope Your Majesty will forgive this unseemly display."

"How could that be? It merely shows that someone cares deeply for you."

Shen Ran toyed with his wine cup in a nonchalant manner, saying, "Gold is easily found, but a soulmate is hard to meet. It is rare for Us to find such a kindred spirit in you, and getting drunk together on occasion is no harm at all."

Hearing this, Xue Nian burst into laughter.

The corners of his thin lips curved upward as he slowly said, "Your Majesty’s words are truly as refreshing as a spring breeze. For Your Majesty to deem me a soulmate and a kindred spirit touches my very soul. My life and livelihood are entirely entrusted to Your Majesty, and I shall certainly strive to the utmost of my strength, remaining loyal until my dying breath."

Amidst the flickering candlelight, their gazes locked once more, an undercurrent surging beneath the calm exterior.

A fierce tiger, its claws still sharp, could lower its head and bow to pledge loyalty, yet it could never feign a humble, timid, or flattering posture; it remained terrifying nonetheless.

Just like that fiery red attire he wore. He possessed an innate radiance; standing in a crowd, even if he did nothing at all, he would inevitably draw every eye and turn every head.

Yet the bystanders remained entirely oblivious, while the principals understood each other completely.

The delicate little wine cup spun suddenly between jade-white fingertips. Shen Ran tilted his head slightly, a faint smile hidden within his crystal-clear eyes. With a lazy tone, he murmured, "We naturally know Your Excellency's staunch and steadfast loyalty."

Just moments ago, he was addressed as "young master," and now he had become "Your Excellency the Minister."

In the Great Zhou dynasty, emperors only used this title for ministers holding extremely high offices or enjoying immense favor—a mark of supreme honor.

Sincerity or pretense aside, the surface was executed with absolute perfection, as though the two truly shared a profound bond, each complementing the other brilliantly.

Xue Nian fell silent for a fraction of a second, then broke into a sudden laugh.

To love and hate with clarity was his true nature; playing a part was his unavoidable necessity.

Since following one's heart was so gratifying, why did everyone seem to prefer necessity?

Raising his wine vessel once more, he slowly declared, "I shall drink three cups of my own accord to toast Your Majesty, in gratitude for Your Majesty's trust."

Yet Shen Ran smiled and caught him by the wrist. "A thousand cups are too few when drinking with a soulmate. If Your Excellency wishes to prove your sincerity, this cup is perhaps a bit too small."

After a brief pause, Xue Nian turned his head to look at him and smiled, "As Your Majesty says."

He then instructed Xue Zhong to replace the cups with large bowls, and truly, with great spirit, he drained three bowls in succession without a pause.