I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 320 - 242: Retreating at the Crest of the Wave

Chapter 320: Chapter 242: Retreating at the Crest of the Wave

"Every month, my mother sends me a letter," Rong Shuo casually took the letter, placing it aside, his tone gentle yet surprised, "It’s been three months this time, and I thought something had occurred. I didn’t expect you were sent to deliver it."

Rong Heng quietly watched him, his eyes deep and silent.

Rong Shuo met his gaze with puzzlement: "What’s wrong, Wu? Is there something you want to say?"

Rong Heng opened his mouth. He wanted to say that Consort Jia had no more than two or three months to live, but he didn’t know how to bring it up to Rong Shuo.

Even if he said it, with the urgent war situation, Rong Shuo couldn’t return to the capital.

Furthermore, Consort Jia was harmed by the Empress Dowager, and no one knew the reason. If he told Rong Shuo about it, it might overturn his perceptions of the court.

Unaware of Rong Heng’s thoughts, Rong Shuo adjusted his position, sitting up straighter.

His injuries hadn’t healed, yet his body was straight as a pine, his broad and erect back and shoulders exuding a reassuring steadiness.

"Actually, there’s something I want to discuss with you and Young Brother Gu."

Rong Heng’s throat tightened as he lowered his gaze: "You speak first."

Rong Shuo chuckled a bit awkwardly, but spoke nonetheless:

"Life doesn’t last a hundred years. My old injuries haven’t healed yet I’ve added new ones. Perhaps in this life, I’ll only live a half-life... If I die, so be it. But on the brink of life and death, I suddenly thought of the Princess Consort, thought of Baoyi and Yunhao. So tomorrow, I want... to be selfish, just this once."

Throughout his life, he obeyed his mother’s words and hid his talents far from the capital when he was young, later protected his brothers on the former Emperor’s orders, and then followed the old Marquis Pingnan’s command to battle the frontiers. Now, he expanded territories under Rong Jing’s orders.

Loyalty to the Emperor and protection of the country, he owed nothing to the people and the king, yet he owed too much to his wife and children.

Rong Shuo looked at Gu Lan, recalling Gu Chengzhao.

A fellow frontier official, Gu Chengzhao was at ease and free-spirited, but he was different. As a Rong family member, the eldest son eligible to ascend the throne, he was like a chained watchdog, unable to see his path ahead, losing his way back.

Gu Lan became a bit more serious, speaking solemnly: "Please speak, Prince."

"Young Brother Gu, if you wish, you can call me brother."

Rong Heng: "She doesn’t want to."

Gu Lan straightforwardly called out: "Big Brother!"

Rong Heng frowned, unhappy: "Young Master Gu has many sisters, and plenty of brothers as well."

Gu Lan: "Your big brother is my big brother."

Rong Shuo’s gaze roamed between Gu Lan and Rong Heng, sharp and intense like searchlights, making Gu Lan somewhat nervous.

It seemed she had turned his brother, uh... Prince Rui wouldn’t want to hold her accountable, hopefully. But since the Prince and Brother Hang didn’t have much of a relationship, he might feel awkward.

Rong Heng seemed to sense Gu Lan’s tension, reached over, and gently held her hand.

Their fingers interlocked, Rong Heng whispered softly in Gu Lan’s ear: "Don’t be afraid, he just looks scary."

Rong Shuo twitched his mouth: "Wu, do you think I’m deaf?"

Irritated, Rong Shuo rolled his eyes dramatically, his gaze softening as he turned towards Gu Lan.

"Young Brother Gu, about you and Wu... cough, the last time we met, I felt your relationship was unusual. Though I don’t understand, I respect and bless it," Rong Shuo spoke seriously, his tone exceedingly gentle. "Since Wu experienced that incident as a child, he’s been reclusive, making no friends, having none at all. Your choice of him is his good fortune. I used to think, with his temperament, he might end up alone his whole life."

Rong Heng replied coldly: "Even if you’re lonely forever, I won’t be."

"Oh, Wu has indeed become much more vivacious," Prince Rui teased.

Rong Heng: "..."

At this moment, the Prince’s gaze towards the two was quite gratified, reminiscent of a father finally getting his rebellious son ’married off.’

His eyes had a hint of curiosity and inquiry, carefully asking: "Just curious, of you two, who is...?"

Rong Heng coldly replied: "My matters with Gu Lan are none of your concern. Speak quickly if you have something to say."

Rong Shuo coughed, suppressing his curiosity helplessly, slowly speaking:

"I want... to indulge myself for once. Tomorrow, I’ll appear in the army, handing over all authority of the Southern Border’s border army to Young Brother Gu, and I will report to Your Majesty, asking Your Majesty to enfeoff Wu as a prince, to oversee all states and cities in the Southern Border."

Both Rong Heng and Gu Lan were stunned.

Gu Lan recalled the original plot, where after the Young Master and Rong Heng arrived at the chaotic Southern Border, Prince Rui had already died in battle, the Southern Border leaderless, forcing them to take over the border army. Yet now, with Prince Rui alive, he plans to directly hand the army over to Rong Heng and herself?

Could the plot resolve in such a way?

Rong Heng fixed his gaze on Rong Shuo, silent, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.

"What’s wrong, Wu, speechless from being moved by me?"

Rong Shuo showed his dazzling white teeth, laughing heartily.

Not waiting for Rong Heng to retort, he continued:

"I’ve thought about this for a long time. Since Your Majesty has spared your life and you’ve already become a Military Discussion Captain, it signifies that Your Majesty has let go of his prejudice against you. Moreover, you’re growing in age. If you can replace me, become the new Prince of Yan Country, to fight for Your Majesty and guard Dayan, it would also be a smooth path."

Rong Heng spoke in a deep voice: "That’s absolutely impossible."

"Wu, don’t be too quick to refuse. Listen to me. Over the years, Prince Rui’s mansion has endured countless wary eyes, the Li Family, the clan relatives, the Su Family... Even though I’m unwilling to align with others in court, behind me are countless forces gathered.

These forces are intricately intertwined, causing worry for Your Majesty. It’s better for me to resign, leave the Southern Border, abandon those powers, and be an idle person in the court. Thus, I can go back to teach Yunhao and spend time with Furong and Baoyi. Those forces can also be pacified by stepping back in this way."

Rong Heng, his voice hoarse: "You want to hand over this mess at the Southern Border to me? Do you know if you really hand over military power to Gu Lan and me without permission, what you will face when you return to the capital?"

An Imperial Prince with high prestige, yet without military power, what would he face — Rong Heng didn’t believe Rong Shuo was unaware.

"I am confident I can persuade Your Majesty," Rong Shuo’s lips maintained a faint smile, gentle and calm.

He looked at Rong Heng, recalling the once bright and unrestrained child.

"Although it’s not very nice of me to say this, Wu, you’re all alone with almost no support in the court, not having even... a maternal family, which makes you more suitable as a general on the battlefield than me.

All these years, the reason Your Majesty allowed you in the palace was due to the former Emperor’s fondness during your childhood. However, you, me, and Your Majesty, we are brothers."

Rong Heng slightly shook his head, murmuring: "Brothers?"

Rong Shuo would never know what Rong Jing once did to him and Rong Luo.

But he wouldn’t speak of it. Nian Xia wouldn’t let him, and Rong Shuo’s life had been hard enough. Why let him spend his remaining years in guilt and remorse?

"Oh, right, Young Brother Gu, don’t think I’m being partial to Wu. The Dingyuan Marquis Mansion originally commands the Northern Territory’s Dingyuan Iron Cavalry. If I don’t allow Wu the enfeoffment and give all the border army to you, the court’s officials and ministers won’t agree," Rong Shuo explained.

"Big Brother, I’m not doubting whether you can convince the Emperor, I’m...," Gu Lan frowned, "I’m just worried that without military power, given the Emperor’s nature, you might not become the idle prince you imagine."

Not to mention the Emperor might kick him aside, even the Empress Dowager wouldn’t spare him. What Rong Shuo considers a strategic retreat could actually be paving his way to doom.

Rong Shuo smiled: "I believe I am guiltless to the court and to the Emperor... Moreover, severely injured, with half my martial arts gone, handing military power to you doesn’t threaten the court. Why not be an idle person?"

He picked up Consort Jia’s letter, intending to open it, his voice lowering:

"These years, I truly am exhausted and wish to rest."

In making this decision, he has no regrets.

The military powers in his hands never provided even a moment of security. Instead, they felt like towering mountains pressing him down, leaving him struggling to breathe.

If one day Dayan needed him, the Rui Prince, he would don armor and charge again. But for now, he desired rest.

Rong Heng looked at Rong Shuo’s pale and cold countenance, taking a deep breath:

"I agree to let you, Rong Shuo. If you wish to return to the capital, then go back as soon as possible.

Perhaps, there is still time... to see Consort Jia one last time."