Chapter 345 – Brothers’ Bond

Luo Zhiqiu could no long sit still in the study, getting up and pacing around. Xie Yu sat still, surprisingly more composed than Luo Zhiqiu at this moment, but Xie Yu didn’t think that his self-control was superior to his teacher’s just because of this. After all, Luo Wei was Luo Zhiqiu’s son, and worrying about family was something that applied to anyone.

“I have to send someone to find them,” Luo Zhiqiu finally spoke after pacing around the study for a while, “Maybe Wei and Wei Lan accidentally revealed their whereabouts and were discovered.”

“No,” Xie Yu quickly interjected, “What if this is just a test from His Majesty? If you send someone to look for them, won’t it confirm to His Majesty that Yunqi is not dead?”

Luo Zhiqiu started pacing again. Xie Yu made sense. He couldn’t send people to find Luo Wei and Wei Lan, as it might put them in danger.

Xie Yu walked up to Luo Zhiqiu, steadying him and said, “Teacher, sit down first. The more you are anxious, the less clear-headed you will be about this.”

“I don’t even know where they are!” Luo Zhiqiu exclaimed anxiously, “What if their whereabouts have been exposed?”

Xie Yu firmly seated Luo Zhiqiu on the chair and said, “I think His Majesty is testing us. If he really knew Yunqi’s whereabouts, he wouldn’t need to come to the mansion himself. Wouldn’t he just send someone to arrest him?”

“Tonight,” Luo Zhiqiu said, “Did I say anything wrong tonight?”

“Your order to dismantle Yunqi’s courtyard seems to have hit the mark,” Xie Yu said, “At least His Majesty is unsure of his suspicions. So before leaving, he wanted to scare you once more.”

“What about building the Yi Jin Garden? Is that also a test for me?”

“We’ll know whether it’s true or false in a few days,” Xie Yu said, “The country is currently at war, and whether His Majesty has enough money to build a garden remains uncertain.”

Luo Zhiqiu patted his forehead, “You’re right,” he said to Xie Yu, “I can’t do anything now. I can’t harm Xiao Wei again.”

Xie Yu sat down next to Luo Zhiqiu and said, “Where do you think Yunqi and the others might have gone?”

“Wei Lan is from the martial arts world, so he naturally has places to hide,” Luo Zhiqiu said, “I miss Xiao Wei, but I’d rather not know where they are.”

“They just need to hide well, but I’m worried,” Xie Yu’s words trailed off, shaking his head, refusing to continue.

“What are you worried about?” Luo Zhiqiu asked.

“Why does His Majesty want to find Yunqi?” Xie Yu said, “There’s no benefit to him if Yunqi is alive. Does he still expect that Yunqi will come back and help him govern the world?”

“Does he want to kill and silence him?” Luo Zhiqiu said, “Xiao Wei is the only threat to him. Does he have to make sure Xiao Wei dies?”

“But by searching like this, isn’t he letting everyone know that Yunqi is still alive?” Xie Yu said, “If everyone knows Yunqi is alive, how can he kill Yunqi? Isn’t he just causing trouble for himself?”

Xie Yu’s string of questions left Luo Zhiqiu stunned. Considering Long Xuan’s position, the death of Luo Wei was the most convenient outcome for him. What on earth did this Emperor want to do?

Xie Yu looked at Luo Zhiqiu. His teacher had never been as confused as he was tonight in front of him. Thinking about what he was about to say, Xie Yu hesitated a bit. Was it better to say it or not?

“If you have something to say, just say it,” Luo Zhiqiu glanced at Xie Yu and said, “My mind is a little confused right now, I can’t think straight. I want to hear your analysis.”

“If I say it, it might not sound pleasant,” Xie Yu gave Luo Zhiqiu some time to prepare mentally.

“Go ahead,” Luo Zhiqiu said, “I don’t believe you would insult Xiao Wei in front of me.”

Xie Yu leaned closer to Luo Zhiqiu and whispered, “I think His Majesty’s intentions towards Yunqi are wrong.”

Even though Luo Zhiqiu was prepared for Xie Yu to say something unpleasant, this statement still hit him like a thunderbolt. “What are you saying?!” he stared at Xie Yu wide-eyed, “Do you know what you’re saying?”

“Teacher, you know I’m not joking, especially not about something like this,” Xie Yu said.

“They…” Luo Zhiqiu would have slapped him in the face if he hadn’t known that Xie Yu was not a bad person, “Xiao Wei is with Wei Lan because they like each other. But him with His Majesty? How is that possible? They are brothers!”

“Yunqi must naturally hate His Majesty even more,” Xie Yu said seriously to Luo Zhiqiu, “Why does His Majesty insist on finding Yunqi? There’s no benefit to him if Yunqi is alive, he must know that. If Yunqi is alive, he wouldn’t even dare to use his brothers, like Shiyi, anymore. Why would he bring trouble upon himself?”

Luo Zhiqiu was stunned. He couldn’t figure it out, but he would never believe that it was because Long Xuan had other intentions towards Luo Wei.

Once Xie Yu started speaking, he didn’t intend to take his words back. He continued boldly, “Why is he looking for Yunqi? To let the world know about his friendly relationship with his brothers and dispel suspicions of fratricide? With seven princes still alive, he can easily play the role of a good brother. Why is he fixated on Yunqi? Prince Yu is his true uterine brother. Does it make sense that he would be punished for Yunqi’s sake? Teacher, this is not my imagination. I truly believe that His Majesty’s intentions are wrong.”

“That’s enough,” Luo Zhiqiu couldn’t bear it anymore. His mind was now even more chaotic, and he felt stiff all over. He tried to move, but he couldn’t seem to move anymore.

“He even wants to keep the flowers and trees in Yunqi’s courtyard,” It was impossible for Xie Yu not to finish his words at this point. The obsession shown by Long Xuan towards Luo Wei made Xie Yu feel scared. “Would Teacher have the same father-son affection towards Yunqi as His Majesty? I believe that when it comes to brotherly love, Brother Shiyi and the others must have deep feelings for Yunqi. Would they do this? I even suspect now that His Majesty’s desire to retrieve Yunqi’s ashes from Northern Yan is not just an excuse for war. He truly wants Yunqi’s ashes back.”

Luo Zhiqiu gulped down a cup of cold tea to calm himself. “You can say this again when His Majesty actually builds the ‘Yi Jin Garden’. Mingyuan, they are brothers, it goes against the natural order. Are you trying to make Xiao Wei bear the eternal sin of the Long clan?”

“What does this have to do with Yunqi?” Xie Yu said. “This is His Majesty’s twisted mindset. If we talk about sinners, shouldn’t it be His Majesty?”

“Mingyuan!” Luo Zhiqiu lowly scolded Xie Yu, “You’re talking about the Emperor you’re currently assisting!”

Xie Yu tugged at his collar, looking at the wall opposite him with some annoyance.

“Let me think about it again,” Luo Zhiqiu said. When he saw that Xie Yu remaining silent, he seemed to be relieved and said “I’ll pretend I never heard what you just said.”

“But Yunqi must not be found by His Majesty,” Xie Yu emphasized to Luo Zhiqiu, “If he falls into His Majesty’s hands again, Teacher, mark my words, Great Zhou will surely descend into chaos!”