Volume One, Chapter 14: Master Chen Returns to Issue a Side Quest
The news of Xie Zheng’s grand wedding quickly spread throughout the capital. For the once-useless Sixth Prince to suddenly command such significant military power after marrying Princess Anyang was astonishing.
The Divine Martial Army, under the control of the Twelve Banners, was a force not to be underestimated even across the entire Da Ning kingdom. It was established within Yuanzhou City of the Northern Seven Provinces.
The emperor, princes, two marquises, and all the ministers gathered at Qing’an Palace to celebrate the grand wedding, proving that the Sixth Prince was far from the rumored unloved royal.
Of course, these discussions merely elevated the Sixth Prince to the status of an ordinary prince. After all, Da Ning ruled by the sword, and the other princes had held power for years, their foundations far stronger than his.
Thus, the Sixth Prince remained the weakest among them.
Seven days later, the Sixth Prince left the capital for Yuanzhou.
He took command of the Divine Martial Army, but more importantly, as a prince, he was required to enlist and train himself. Many grew eager to see what achievements this Sixth Prince would bring forth.
In truth, the ministers were placing their bets, choosing among the princes whose future reign would become their greatest support.
...
During these seven days, Xie Zheng devoted himself mostly to martial training, occasionally taking time to deepen his relationship with Qin Yuan.
Calling it a relationship was generous; it was more a matter of formality. Neither harbored deep emotions—they were more like newlyweds maintaining appearances.
Qin Yuan didn’t mind; she was no idle woman. As the third scholar of the academy, her studies were demanding.
So, for the most part, they each kept to their own affairs during those seven days.
Then Master Chen arrived.
As one of the academy’s three great scholars, his literary talent was unmatched, and his strategic mind astonishing.
Because of his prowess, he was secretly appointed as the Sixth Prince’s strategist—a fact known to few.
Today, Master Chen wore plain clothes and had subtly altered his face, appearing as an ordinary old man; even those familiar with his intellect might not recognize him.
“Master! My husband is training right now. Please wait a moment!” Qin Yuan naturally understood the reason for Master Chen’s visit.
Xie Zheng’s journey to Yuanzhou was crucial, and Master Chen’s presence was key.
Qin Yuan did not trust Xie Zheng’s abilities but felt compelled to consider her husband’s safety and success.
She poured tea for Master Chen, even requesting, “Master Chen, during the trip to Yuanzhou, please look after my husband carefully. After all, the Divine Martial Army is filled with Xu family connections!”
Master Chen nodded. “Rest assured! The emperor has ordered me to take care of him.”
Qin Yuan nodded, then added, “Although my husband lacks talent and sometimes acts foolishly, I worry he might suffer in the camp. Please advise him to be more assertive.”
“Very well,” Master Chen replied.
Qin Yuan continued, “He’s always afraid of offending others—a true people-pleaser. Such people are the most vulnerable in the military; they’re often betrayed without realizing it. Master, please warn him to be more vigilant and not assume kindness is genuine.”
Master Chen kept replying ‘Very well.’
Still, Qin Yuan feared that with Xie Zheng’s nature, problems were inevitable in the Divine Martial Army camp.
She went on, “Though he’s somewhat awakened, his talent is limited. Starting training now won’t bring great improvement. Master, please supervise him carefully and don’t let him train blindly!”
“Understood.”
In the main hall, a young woman and an old man sat together. The girl frequently made requests, which the old man always answered with a smile.
Ling’er was curious why her young mistress had hardly interacted with the Sixth Prince in those seven days but suddenly expressed so much concern before departure. She couldn’t understand.
Master Chen looked at Qin Yuan. “Anything else?”
Qin Yuan’s face flushed with embarrassment, feeling she had babbled too much.
She wasn’t usually so talkative!
She blamed her husband—so incapable yet headed to such a dangerous place. As his wife, she could not let him suffer.
As the saying goes, family speaks the same language. He was lucky to have such a considerate wife; surely he had burned incense for good fortune in a past life.
“That’s all… Master.”
Upon hearing this, Master Chen asked no more, though his eyes showed he had predicted this outcome.
He understood human nature well and had known from his first encounter in Anyang that this young woman was pure and kind-hearted—not one to look down on others due to status.
Pure kindness was not absolute goodness but a deep understanding; those in love were destined to be good.
At that moment, Xie Zheng finished training. According to Ning Ling, Master Chen was already waiting in the hall.
Honestly...
Xie Zheng found Master Chen somewhat annoying, but he was clever and resourceful. Having him as a protector meant the Divine Martial Army mission would not lack guidance.
So, though annoyed, Xie Zheng would never offend such a sage.
Entering the hall, Master Chen sat solemnly beside Qin Yuan, who appeared to be whispering something to him. Naturally, Xie Zheng paid no mind; his usually taciturn wife’s words were almost always about him.
“Student Xie Zheng, greetings, Master!”
Xie Zheng’s tone was decent. Qin Yuan cast him a glance, then dropped her chatty demeanor, becoming cool and aloof.
“On your way to Yuanzhou, do not be a burden to Master!”
Her words were cold, but Xie Zheng was used to her icy and disdainful attitude.
He approached Master Chen and refilled his tea cup, shedding his usual disdain and arrogance.
“Master, please have some tea. Though it cannot compare to the spring tip tea granted by the emperor, it’s still passable.”
Master Chen, seeing through human hearts, understood Xie Zheng’s insincerity—he was flattering him because he was his support in Yuanzhou.
Master Chen, however, chose not to expose this.
“Your Highness, I have been commanded by the emperor to accompany you to Yuanzhou.”
“From now on, I will be your strategist. But I will not interfere in your affairs except at critical moments. You may act at your own discretion.”
Hearing this, Xie Zheng wanted to complain.
Who didn’t know Master Chen was close to the emperor? The emperor sending him to be strategist for a useless son like Xie Zheng clearly showed disdain.
Besides, only a useless person needed a sage’s guidance. This was a clear sign that he was deemed worthless.
Still, having Master Chen along eased some of Xie Zheng’s tension and pressure.
“I will consult with you often and not act recklessly.”
Though he said this, whether he could truly keep his word was uncertain.
Master Chen saw through everything but said nothing.
“The emperor also commanded that apart from daily drills at the Yuanzhou Divine Martial Army camp, Your Highness must undertake another task.”
Master Chen was a typical NPC—serious matters lasted barely three seconds.
“Please, Master, tell me.”
“There is a family in Yuanzhou called the Li family, remnants of the royal lineage from the old Northern Zhou Kingdom. Their power remains untamed. The emperor wishes for you to curry favor with them and establish contact with the Li family’s young lady…”
Mention of the ‘Li family young lady’ caused Xie Zheng to feel a gaze fixated upon him, and even Master Chen did not avoid it.
Master Chen smiled. “The Li family young lady is in the bloom of youth and somewhat renowned in Yuanzhou City. To gain the Li family’s support, you must interact with her.”
Master Chen didn’t mince words, and Xie Zheng felt as if needles pricked his back.
Because Qin Yuan had once said in bed...
“Do not entangle with outsiders; be wary lest you lose your manhood.”
Xie Zheng never understood why the high and mighty Qin Yuan, who didn’t really like him, was so adamant about forbidding him from courting other women.
Truly a complicated woman!
Xie Zheng knew this mission was just a side quest, but being used to Master Chen’s assignments, he said nothing more.
“Master Chen, please wait a moment. I’ve already instructed my servants to prepare the carriage. After lunch, we depart!”
“I will prepare first. Master Chen, please wait!”
“Very well!”
Xie Zheng left. Master Chen was watched by Qin Yuan with a somewhat unfriendly gaze.
“Master Chen, who exactly is this Li family young lady?”