Uncle Alham slapped his thigh. “When Second Master Lu and Her Highness killed Anari for us, we took them to be our chiefs,” he declared in the Tatar language. “Since Her Highness will be going back to Great Zhou with His Highness, of course we are willing to escort Her Highness and lend her our strength!”
Uncle Alham turned his head and repeated his words to the two brothers, who solemnly nodded to indicate they were going to accompany the Great Zhou group.
Pang Xiao translated their words to Qin Yining.
Qin Yining, however, smiled in mollification. “Uncle Alham, I understand your good intentions and am extremely grateful for your kindness. However, His Highness and I will be facing extremely harsh trials on our way back to Great Zhou. I cannot allow the tribe to take such a risk with me.”
“No Minuo has any fear of death!” Uncle Alham pressed anxiously. “Each and every one of our warriors are capable of putting their lives on the line for our friends and people!”
“I know, I know that well,” Qin Yining responded soothingly. “Having lived together, I have become close friends and family with the Minuo. The solidarity and bravery of the tribespeople is something I seldom have the chance to see, and that is an indisputable truth.
“However, we went through so much struggle and hardship just to get here. Here, there is no tyranny of Tatar, nor are there any who will persecute our tribe. There is enough in the oasis for the tribe to live and thrive. No longer will you have to live as slaves, the provisions and seeds we brought are sufficient for everyone to survive on.
“The Minuo have endured so many struggles, and for what? We all put our lives on the line so that we may someday live freely and with dignity, didn’t we?
“We’ve achieved our goal now. Staying here and prospering is the best choice for the tribe. Under no circumstances will I allow the people to risk dire perils by traveling to Great Zhou with me and His Highness for our sakes.”
Pang Xiao nodded as well. “I agree with my beloved. Everyone must see the bigger picture here. The tribe staying here to live out your days is the best option.”
“But!” Uncle Alham found his heart stuck between a rock and a hard place.
In truth, his first choice was also to stay here. Thus, he’d first tried to convince Qin Yining and Pang Xiao to stay instead of returning to Great Zhou. However, he immediately thought of how much the princess consort had done for the tribe. He couldn’t shrink into himself and cower from death during her time of need, which is why he proposed for everyone to escort her to Great Zhou.
Harbhara and Caganbhara were on the same page as Uncle Alham. Though they yearned for the freedom this land granted them, they too would lead the tribe to accompany Qin Yining and the others to Great Zhou without a second thought, so long as she gave the word.
“Uncle, listen to me,” said Qin Yining. “Though you three are in charge of the tribe, their lives should not be decided by us. We are the minority. If there is a way to ensure everyone’s survival, why let everyone endanger themselves thusly? Furthermore, it isn't as if I will never return here if you stay. Perhaps one day when His Highness and I can’t take the capital anymore, this place will become our final retreat.”
“That’s very right,” Pang Xiao agreed. “I also don’t agree with the idea of risking innocents by taking them with us. I imagine the majority of the tribe wants to live in peace more. Henceforth, the heavy responsibilities of the development and prosperity of the Minuo rest on your shoulders. The people have endured so much hardship to see the arrival of this day, which means even the heavens don’t wish for the Minuo tribe to disappear from this world. Therefore, I definitely can’t lead these friends with me into the maw of danger.”
Seeing Pang Xiao and Qin Yining’s great determination, Lu Heng sighed, “Live here in peace here, everyone. Perhaps one day when we cannot stand our lives outside, this oasis will become our last retreat.”
“Sir Lu is also leaving?” Uncle Alham exclaimed in astonishment.
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining both looked at Lu Heng.
Lu Heng flashed a wry smile. “I, too, have unfinished business outside.”
Everyone present fell silent, melancholy spreading through their hearts manifesting in their tight expressions.
Qin Yining sighed, then turned to Liao Zhibing. “Mister Liao, would it be possible to teach the tracking bug technique to the tribe? When we were fleeing for our lives, we had split up into two groups. I want to use the tracking bug to help everyone find the others.
“What’s more, although this is an oasis, that doesn’t mean everyone has to be forever confined here as if it’s a dungeon. Over the past century, the Xiyue people have tried and tried, but failed to leave the desert. I don’t wish for the Minuo tribe to suffer the same fate, they should have the right to choose for themselves.”
Chapter 552.1: Parting Ways
Uncle Alham’s eyes lit up when he heard Qin Yining’s words. He bobbed his head, excitedly translating Qin Yining’s words to the brothers behind him, making the rest of the tribe nod in approval as well.
“It’s a little difficult to raise the little guys, but it’s not impossible.” Liao Zhibing smiled. “How about this—choose someone smart and I’ll mentor him for a while. I’ll wait for him to master it before I leave.”
Uncle Alham kept nodding, deeply grateful to Liao Zhibing.
Qin Yining could tell from the expressions of Uncle Alham and the others that they’d agreed on staying. Seeing how they no longer strongly proposed being an escort to Great Zhou, she could finally relax taut heartstrings.
Pang Xiao and her were in a perilous situation themselves, so how would they guarantee the tribe’s safety if the tribe really did follow them to Great Zhou? Furthermore, if the Minuo really became embroiled in the matters of Great Zhou, the situation would turn even more complicated.
She didn’t want to make things even more difficult for Pang Xiao either, nor did she want the tribe to follow them into danger. If the Minuo stayed here, they wouldn’t have to suffer under Siqin’s persecution and could start a new, carefree life. For them, this was the best choice.
She rose, pulled Pang Xiao with her, and called over Lu Heng. The three of them quietly walked away, leaving the area for the excited tribespeople.
“We won’t be able to breathe air with such freedom in itback in Great Zhou,” Qin Yining heaved a deep sigh.
Pang Xiao couldn’t help but sigh with her, his big hand patting her shoulder. Nothing could ease the guilt and gentleness in his eyes. If she wasn’t married to him, Qin Yining would’ve been able to live a rich and comfortable life. She wouldn’t have to struggle like this, eking out survival as a desperate nomad, suffering all sorts of horrors, with a home she couldn’t return to.
Although he didn’t speak, Qin Yining could feel her husband’s regard and gently patted his hand.
Her fair hands overlapped with Pang Xiao’s, brushing against the clearly defined joints on his hands. The two hands, one soft and one firm, made for a strong contrast.
Lu Heng moved his gaze away from Qin Yining’s shoulder, pursing his lips as he looked into the distance. A gust welcomed his shift in attention, fluttering his hair and making his pale complexion even more evident.
“Brother Lu, you already know about what happened in your family, correct?” asked Pang Xiao.
Lu Heng nodded, his expression grave. “I heard from Captain Cao earlier, but I’m not sure about the most recent happenings.”
“Patriarch Lu fell quite ill and the situation isn’t looking good. House Lu’s power is now grasped in the hands of the second elder master. However, Brother Lu needn’t be too worried. I believe your patriarch is tenacious by nature and won’t give up that easily. Brother Lu can be at ease. Don’t blame yourself too much, your own health is still the most important.”
Pang Xiao could tell that Lu Heng’s health was just like Qin Yining’s—at the bottom of its dregs. It was very clear how arduous their days wandering ou
tside had been.
Although Lu Heng was worried about his family, he’d grown up in the thick of things. He was accustomed to matters such as power struggles and other machinations commonplace in large families. In fact, what tormented him the most was his forbidden feelings for Qin Yining.
However, since Pang Xiao had misunderstood, Lu Heng saw fit to roll with the punches. Although he would never receive Qin Yining’s love, he had her friendship and surely, a spot in her heart, no matter how small. This was the best possible ending that he could’ve strived for.
What Lu Heng wanted to do was to be able to stand by her side and protect her forever. As such, he naturally couldn’t let Pang Xiao misunderstand him and it was even more important not disturb the couple’s relationship.
However, thoughts of family were truly painful. Whenever he recalled his grandfather’s high hopes for him and the love and care showered upon him since childhood, it felt like flames of anxiety licked at his heart.
“It’s all my fault.” Lu Heng hung his head with guilt.
If he hadn’t dug out the treasure map and stubbornly pursued it to the end, none of this would’ve happened. His grandfather had spent so many years raising him to be the new patriarch, but with one mistake of his, the entire plan had been ruined. Years of preparation had been wasted and even left his grandfather at death’s door. The pain that stabbed at Lu Heng’s heart was even greater than what could be caused by an actual dagger.
Pang Xiao and Qin Yining both understood his despair, but Qin Yining wasn’t sure how to comfort Lu Heng. Finally, Pang Xiao thought of something.
“All of it has already happened, so there’s no use blaming yourself now. It’s more important to think of a solution for the situation at hand. With Brother Lu’s years of experience in business, a lifetime of being groomed as the family head, and all your connections and skills, I believe there’s much more to you than what you’ve shown thus far.”
Lu Heng raised his head and looked at Pang Xiao. When he saw how spirited Pang Xiao was even in such a plight and his optimistic view of the future, he immediately felt that his earlier attitude was far too lacking for a man.
He took a deep breath. “You’re right. If we’re to talk about tidying up and taking back control of the family, I naturally have the confidence to do so. However, there are some things that You Highness doesn’t know. For instance, there are certain rules and customs that must be observed in our family. After all, we are a clan with a hundred years of legacy.”
Pang Xiao nodded. “The Lus are a well-established aristocratic family with a century of history, and parts of its traditions even stretch back to the founding of Northern Ji. It’s only natural that you have a robust set of rules that you operate by.”
Chapter 552.2: Parting Ways
Lu Heng nodded with a smile. “An aristocracy with a centuries-long history, especially one that continues to tower without falling, will always have a collection of rules that shift with the times. I’m not afraid to speak of them to Your Highness either: the Lus survived all of the different monarchs in Northern Ji and gained important positions after the establishment of Great Zhou is all due to our family’s core philosophy: to forever be imperialists.”
When Lu Heng mentioned ‘imperialists’, Pang Xiao immediately understood. Their clan’s notion of protecting the emperor didn’t mean supporting whoever was the emperor, but flocking to the banner of whoever had the best chances of becoming the emperor.
“So basically, the Lus have a good eye for choosing people.” Pang Xiao smiled.
Lu Heng nodded approvingly. “Of course Your Highness understands. Though there’s been all sorts of changes in the palace throughout the years, our clan has always been able to choose the right faction to support. We’ve continuously enjoyed imperial trust, allowing our family to take root and become a strong tree, growing ever stronger.”
Listening to the two, Qin Yining couldn’t help but interject, “So what you mean is that the problem with your current situation is because of your family’s traditions, and not because you lack the ability to vie with your second uncle?
“Since you’ve lost the emperor’s favor, the family has discarded you. As an abandoned son of the family, you have to know your place. Just like a gecko with a severed tail, you must keep silent and refrain from obstructing the other factions in the family?”
“That’s right.” Lu Heng sighed, “In face of the family’s interests, I’m not that important at all.”
Hearing that, Pang Xiao and Qin Yining both nodded in understanding.
Lu Heng’s way of thinking was very proper. The Lus owed their current survival and prosperity to the presence of many who thought in the same manner as Lu Heng, generation after generation.
“Since it’s like that, it’s actually better for you to stay here. If you return to Great Zhou, you’ll be faced with winds of violence and rain of gore. At that time, you’ll have to face not only pressure from court, but also pressure from your family and the emperor. Since your clan has such rules and you agree with them, wouldn’t staying here and starting a new, leisurely life be better?”
“I understand what Your Highness means, but I can’t shirk my responsibilities. If I remain here, it might haunt my conscience for the rest of my life.” Lu Heng’s words resonated strongly with Pang Xiao and Qin Yining.
Their circumstances were identical to Lu Heng’s. Even though they knew they could live free and leisurely lives by staying here, and would no longer have to wrack their brains in a dog eat dog world, they still wanted to return to Great Zhou. Despite all the dangers, they just couldn’t leave the terrible mess they’d made for their elders to deal with.
“What are you planning to do once you return?” asked Pang Xiao.
Lu Heng pursed his lips with thought, pondering for a long while before his reply. “Perhaps behind the downfall of every large clan is a person like me, one who causes trouble and refuses to look at the bigger picture.”
Qin Yining and Pang Xiao exchanged a glance, already understanding what Lu Heng was implying. He wasn’t planning on giving up the patriarch’s seat to his second uncle.
Seeing guilt and conflict war in his face, Qin Yining gave him a comforting smile. “Nobody is certain about the future. If one faction holds all the power in the family, who can guarantee that your second uncle’s choices are correct? With two forces checking each other, it doesn’t matter which faction chooses right. Either way, House Lu will have one surviving branch. This is a much more dependable strategy than throwing all your eggs into one basket.”
Startled, Lu Heng’s eyes lit up. “You’re right. I was too short-sighted earlier and became muddle-headed.”
All of his pent up stress and anxiety had unexpectedly been dispelled by a single word from Qin Yining. He’d always been confident in decision-making abilities, but after wandering around homeless in a dilapidated manner for so long, his confidence had been exhausted and there were no foundations to rebuild from.
However, when he thought of the situation in the capital and the grandfather who loved him so much, he pulled himself together. There were certain times when the situation wouldn’t allow him to shrink even the slightest step back. He had to press on forward.
Although Lu Heng’s complexion was still a little wan, his smile was resolute. The boulder weighing him down finally seemed to have rolled away, allowing him to breathe freely.
“Since you’ve made your decision, once we leave the desert and arrive at a safe area, I’ll ask Captain Cao to secretly take you into Great Zhou,” pondered Qin Yining. “If people see you traveling with us, they may grow suspicious of you.”
Lu Heng didn’t want to separate from the one he liked. However, Qin Yining had already reunited with Pang Xiao, so there was no point in always lingering by their side. Furthermore, he also wasn’t someone who couldn’t let things go. There were more important things waiting for him right now. The only way he could help Qin Yining and Pang Xiao was to get
stronger himself.
When his thoughts traveled here, Lu Heng no longer hesitated and nodded instead. “It is indeed better to split up and move separately. Let me thank you for making you go to the trouble then.”
You and I are companions who’ve gone through life and death together.” Qin Yining smiled. “Thanking me would be treating me as an outsider.”
Qin Yining was aboveboard and forthright by nature, so her tone and smile were both very open. It actually made Lu Heng feel even worse that his thoughts were wandering in other directions, as if any deeper affections would only be blaspheme of her friendly regard.
Thus, he nodded and conceded with a smile, “You’re right.”
Chapter 553.1: The Way Home
After the three finished their discussion, they returned to camp.
Brothers Caganbhara and Harbhara had already undergone the formal master-disciple ceremony at this point in time. With Uncle Alham as their translator, a few of the Minuo tribe learned how to raise and control tracking bugs.
In the days to come, everyone threw themselves into preparation work—the Minuo made arrangements for their permanent settlement in Xiyue, the brothers continued learning the tracking bug technique, and Lu Heng was in charge of negotiating with the Xiyue officials on behalf of the tribe.
However, as Pang Xiao was the heaven-appointed Prince of Xiyue and the goddess as his consort, the court officials were rather obedient to their new liege. Therefore, negotiations proceeded quite smoothly for Lu Heng and Pang Xiao’s subordinates.
First and foremost, Pang Xiao made arrangements for Zhou Meng's wives and children. Instead of taking out his anger on them as they’d feared, he summoned all of the officials before him and announced that the former imperial harem would not be dealt with harshly.
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