Volume One, Chapter 19: So That's How It Is

As Chen Fuzi had predicted, Xie Zheng endured a night filled with countless nightmares. In his visions, not only did he see his foster father completely naked in the gambling den, but he also witnessed his biological mother, once awake, searching desperately for her son. She eventually found a grave in a corner of the room, bearing her son’s name on the tombstone. Mourning for days, she tragically ended her life by drowning in a well.

The dream wove in many details absent from the play—such as the woman’s decomposed corpse after death, soaked and swollen, with her head sinking first and even her eyeballs squeezed out. The horrific and terrifying image haunted Xie Zheng deeply.

He awoke trembling, recalling how his foster father initially intended to gamble merely to earn some extra money for the children at home, but instead took the perilous shortcut into addiction. Unexpectedly, he fell deeply into debt with ruthless loan sharks, leaving him unable to find peace even in death.

That family’s tragedy was most heartbreaking in the child. Despite having loving parents—though the foster father was not biological—the child was cherished and cared for. Even if life was poor, the household had been happy. Yet, the end was so devastating.

Unable to return to sleep, Xie Zheng sipped some water to calm his nerves and stepped into the courtyard, sitting beneath the moonlight. The night’s moon was particularly beautiful.

At that moment, Ning Ling looked through the window, saw him sitting outside, and came out, concern in her voice: “Young master, did you have a nightmare?”

“Yes,” Xie Zheng replied, “that family’s story is truly tragic.”

Ning Ling responded simply with an “Oh,” showing no particular emotion.

“You didn’t dream about it?”

Usually, if one experiences something terrifying or deeply unforgettable during the day, it would recur in dreams at night. He had suffered such dreams—did she not?

“You think that family is pitiful, but knowing what I’ve been through, I don’t see them as truly unfortunate,” she said calmly.

It wasn’t that Ning Ling wished to compare suffering, but in her eyes, that family’s fate was still better. Xie Zheng couldn’t fully grasp or feel her experiences, but he knew that having escaped the northern town’s death row, she must have endured countless painful ordeals. Perhaps she had grown accustomed to nightmares, and her current composure was truly poignant.

“Ning Ling, things will only get better for you. At least your nightmares will grow fewer. Don’t worry! From now on, I will give you more silver so you can buy more cosmetics,” he said with a smile.

Had it been the original owner of his body, Xie Zheng’s thoughts would have been consumed solely with making money, never considering understanding or empathy. But now, he realized that these innocent and pitiful souls still held some shred of human warmth. Without guidance, it was hard to imagine how people like Ning Ling and Ning Zhuo’er would not become numb, detached from the world.

“You are truly generous, young master!” Ning Ling sat beside him, giving a thumbs-up, feeling warmth blossoming inside. Just as he said, things would only get better.

Of course, only because of you.

***

The next morning, Chen Fuzi was downstairs eating breakfast when Xie Zheng and Ning Ling came down. Chen Fuzi’s first question was directed at Xie Zheng, not Ning Ling: “How do you feel?”

“Uncomfortable,” Xie Zheng answered honestly. “The root cause of that family’s tragedy boils down to three words: too good.”

“Too good?” Chen Fuzi smiled. “That’s an interesting perspective. Please, elaborate.”

“The mother and child’s misfortune stemmed from being ‘too good.’ The widow and her son were fortunate to meet a kind foster father; to find a man who didn’t despise them; to have a considerate husband; and to be surrounded by loving family.”

“So the woman, wanting to repay this ‘too good’ kindness, believed only a child of their own blood could match such a man worth ‘too good.’”

“But ironically, this very desire led her to become obsessed with having their own child, overlooking the fact that they already had a ‘too good’ family.”

“Raising one child was already stretched thin, but life was bearable. Yet her longing for a shared child became a catastrophe.”

“The spark that ignited everything was this woman’s idea of ‘too good.’ So this rumor… it really happened, didn’t it?”

Xie Zheng looked to Chen Fuzi; these words carried a subtle metaphor.

“You are right. This incident recently occurred in Zhongyuan City. The three-person family in the play symbolizes a real noble family’s scandal there.”

“It serves as satirical allegory. Those who understand the play’s meaning can see through the rumor. Thus, the noble family can be easily manipulated—even a mere beggar could control their fate.”

“Therefore, Your Highness, you can employ similar tactics in the future. What seems harmless can cause collapses and utter ruin.”

“The court is like this, and so is the military camp.”

Chen Fuzi’s words were meant to teach Xie Zheng this principle.

Within the military camp, soldiers lacked the intricate scheming of the court—only minor intrigues existed, nothing grand. But these small things required special methods to fully restrain and subdue. This psychological warfare could sway a loyal member of a clan.

Xie Zheng was not naive and understood clearly.

Chen Fuzi, true to his title, was guiding him to learn how to deal with the strongest opponents using minimal effort.

On the journey ahead, besides continuing to practice the “Gou” character classic, Xie Zheng contemplated how to survive steadily upon reaching Yuanzhou.

They soon passed through the northern central cities.

***

Ahead lay several cities in the far north of Daning—the seven northern prefectures.

It is said by all:

The seven northern prefectures are Daning’s bulwark, the Great Wall guarding against foreign invasion. As long as the seven prefectures stand, so does Daning’s realm.

If the seven prefectures fall, the northern barbarian cavalry will descend unopposed.

Of course, the north is also known as a place of exile—desolate and cold, often where remnants of the previous dynasty and northern barbarians are imprisoned.

Yet, the seven northern prefectures are vast, hosting numerous noble families, forming a secondary political center.

“Young master, Yuanzhou lies in the western part of the seven northern prefectures. There, the Northern Marquis established the Divine Martial Army,” Ning Ling explained.

“Zhuo’er arrived early and sent a letter saying that the heir of the Xu family encountered many people along the way—especially many county magistrates and heads of noble families within the seven northern prefectures.”

“In Zhuo’er’s words, Xu Cheng seemed to have come home.”

Those words carried weight, proving that in this place, Xu Cheng’s influence might exceed that of the prince himself.

Clearly, Xie Zheng must tread carefully on this journey to Yuanzhou.

“Who will greet Xu Cheng?”

At this question, Ning Ling’s expression darkened with caution.

“It’s Captain Xu Tai of the Divine Martial Army.”

“Xu Tai?”

“Yes, he was once a disciple recruited by the Northern Marquis. Later, he distinguished himself in the Battle of the North and was promoted to captain, receiving the surname ‘Xu.’”

Ning Ling continued, “Though Xu Tai’s position in the Divine Martial Army isn’t very high, he is the captain under whom you will train. So, Your Highness, you will most likely encounter both Xu Cheng and Xu Tai.”

Petty grudges and power plays are inevitable.

It seems the three-month probation period for new soldiers will be fraught with trouble from these two.

“So, who are the current generals of the Divine Martial Army?” Xie Zheng asked.

Only then did Ning Ling relax slightly.

“They are General Zuo Xiao and General You Xiao, known collectively as the Left and Right Generals.”