novelraw Chapter 440 - 325: Life Is Worth Living
Chapter 440 - 325: Life Is Worth Living
A year has passed, and many people and events have changed, but at this moment, Yuan Lang is certain that Rong Heng has not changed.
Realizing this, a hint of embarrassment flashed in Yuan Lang’s eyes.
He once thought that his days as a hostage in Yan Country were the darkest period of his life.
During those times, he arrogantly believed that he and Rong Heng were the same kind of people, both unwilling to be manipulated by fate. Given the opportunity, they would both strive to climb upwards. However, he was willing to endure hardship and humiliate himself, while Rong Heng simply possessed more indifference and dignity.
But now Yuan Lang realized that they were never companions on the same path.
Rong Heng’s gaze remained as indifferent as ever, perhaps only Gu Lan could stir any emotions in him.
Rong Heng finished the last bite of fish and rice, leaving not a single grain in his bowl — the Fifth Young Master Rong, accustomed to hunger, was particularly frugal no matter what he ate, adhering to the principle of not wasting food.
The ink on the secret recipe for roasted fish given to Rong Heng by the shopkeeper had dried. He carefully folded the paper and tucked it into his sleeve before looking at Yuan Lang:
"We are indeed not on the same path, but we can collaborate."
Yuan Lang stared at him, his voice somewhat hoarse, his glassy eyes shining with an intoxicating light: "Rong Heng, at least our goal is the same, it’s that position."
Rong Heng didn’t look at him, seemingly not hearing his words.
What he was thinking about was, what Gu Lan might be doing at this moment. It’s dinner time, so she’s probably eating better than him, right?
At this moment, the Young Master Gu, who was gnawing on steamed buns and pickles in the Imperial Court, sneezed.
As for Yuan Lang in front of him, Rong Heng had long considered him peculiar, wanting to dissect him for research. Back then, Gu Lan forbade him, and look now, he’s still dreaming of becoming an emperor.
"I am different from you," Rong Heng said flatly, gently rubbing the warm jade and copper coin bracelet in his hand, "I have no interest in the throne, but I don’t mind ending this chaotic era. This is her wish and mine."
As Rong Heng said this, he thought of Gu Lan, and a faint smile involuntarily appeared at the corners of his mouth.
This smile brought life to his cold, icy face, making Yuan Lang pause. He had never thought that Rong Heng could smile so gently.
Jiu and Xiao Qi were already used to their master’s increasingly peculiar demeanor since he met the Young Master Gu. Not only was he no longer aloof, but he also often smiled at the air, yet they still felt a sense of fullness, like someone had stuffed them with food while they were walking down the street.
Rong Heng lowered his gaze, his long lashes like fans, his thin lips slightly upturned.
What he and Gu Lan wanted was never that supreme position built on piles of bones, but rather the freedom to leisurely row a boat on a lake and share endless hot pot meals.
To watch the snow in winter, admire chrysanthemums in autumn, roast duck in Mu City, grilled fish in Jinjiang, osmanthus cake, candied beans, almond pastries... there was still so much in this world that they loved, so he had to protect her wishes and safeguard this country.
Yuan Lang watched Rong Heng’s face, from which the coldness had dissipated, and murmured softly:
"Now I believe, we truly are not travelling the same road."
In any case, the meeting had to continue. As the "captured" Prince Lin’an, Yuan Lang’s previous probing of Rong Heng left him losing the initiative.
Yuan Lang did not hesitate and decided to disclose everything he knew to the real Rong Heng.
As Rong Heng listened, he analyzed what Wei Junzhuo might do.
Yuan Lang was not as wasted as he appeared. On the contrary, even though his remaining forces in Bian had been purged by Wei Junzhuo and Wei Liuyu, and he had only Lin’an and two relatively large cities left in his hands, he had turned misfortune into a blessing by gaining the support of some old aristocrats in the southern part of Wei Country.
Moreover, as long as the emperor of Wei Country was still a baby in swaddling clothes, as long as his name was still "Yuan," he could always garner support from a group of old ministers.
— No one wanted Wei Liuyu, a "mere woman," to control the court, and Yuan Qian was just a baby. How could he be emperor? Those old ministers and former nobility of Wei Country wouldn’t allow the centuries-old lineage of the Yuan Family’s Imperial Family to be broken by the Wei siblings.
Even if they were once that country’s past masters.
This time, Yuan Lang was particularly cautious in guarding against Wei Junzhuo.
Wei Junzhuo had indeed reached an agreement with the envoy of Qi Country. He planned a two-pronged attack: ostensibly sending troops from Qingzhou City of Qi Country to attack Cang Wind Port along the Qing River, but in reality, the Wei Army would take a detour through the Qing River within Qi Country, bypassing Cang Wind Port, and launch a surprise attack on Qingshui County in Yan Country.