Chapter 67 - A Brothers Dilemma
historical
An Ping stood outside his master's study room with red eyes. For the past two days, he had been following his An San after his master ordered him to do so.
But what he discovered was never within his expectation.
An San was passing each and every information about his master to Princess Wenling. Everything about Xi Manor, about Lady Li, about young master's health. He didn't hide anything.
This was not the only thing. There were many servants in Xi manor who worked for Princess Wenling and An San knew this.
The revelation shocked An Ping. Betraying the master was the path of ruin.
When did his younger brother start to go down this path? Why did he not notice it?
Master had asked him to report everything about An San but with what face he should go there and tell his master that his younger brother was betraying him(Xi Ying), his own brother, and everyone else.
Now he was loyal to Princess Wenling only.
With this same face, years ago he had begged in front of master to take An San and himself with him. He had promised that his brother and he would remain loyal to the master till their last breathe.
But it seemed like it was only him who had taken that oath.
An Ping could not gather his courage to tell master all this. In a daze, he went to his village.
He sat beside his mother's grave for a few hours. He kept apologizing to his mother that he could not keep An San safe as she had asked him.
He was not a good brother and son.
However, no matter how much he tried to avoid it, he knew that he had to tell his master.
His hand trembled as he raised it to open the door. He retracted it and gripped his sword tightly with that hand.
Closing his eyes, An Ping remembered his oath.
"From this moment till the last breath, An Ping knows only one person that is his master. Everyone else is stranger to An Ping from now on."
'Even if it was his younger brother.'
When An Ping opened his eyes again they no longer had any hesitation and fear inside them. He indifferently opened the doors and went inside.
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Xi Ying was working on some documents when he felt someone coming in.
"An Ping greets My Lord"
He didn't raise his head and waited for An Ping to say something else. Seeing that An Ping came two days late from the time he had asked him to report, he knew that An Ping already knows the truth about his younger brother. What he wanted to see was if An Ping would tell him the truth or he would lie because An San was his brother.
"My Lord, An Ping had followed An San just like My Lord ordered."
Still, with his eyes on the documents, Xi Ying hummed nonchalantly which was a sign for An Ping to continue.
"This servant watched An San sharing the information of Xi Manor with Princess Wenling with his own eyes."
Hearing these words, Xi Ying raised his head and asked nonchalantly.
"Oh.. that is against the rules, right?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"An Ping raise your head and tell me how should I punish An San?"
An Ping raised his head and Xi Ying's sight went to his red eyes.
"My Lord should give whatever punishment there is according to the rules for the betrayal."
Xi Ying nodded his head and said
"Good. However, this is not the right time for this. You can leave."
An Ping bowed his head again and turned around to leave again. Just then, he heard his master's voice again.
"An Ping, do you regret following me back then?"
An Ping fists were clenched tight and it took him a moment to answer the asked question.
"No, An Ping never regretted it. Following the master was An Ping's own choice."
'Because it was the only choice he had back then to keep himself and his brother safe.'
Saying this, An Ping exited the study.
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As soon as An Ping left the study room, Shui Cao came with three maids to Xi Ying.
The three maids kneeled on the floor with their eyes full of fear. The cold aura of the man sitting on the couch was too much for them.
"Raise your heads."
At the command, the maids raised their heads instantly.
Xi Ying glanced at the maids' faces indifferently and then said
"Leave."
The maids left the room and Xi Ying looked at Shui Cao who was standing in a corner bowing his head.
"Shui Cao."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Send them to Plum Courtyard today. The three of them will be the personal maidservants of Wangfei and Xi Ling."
"Yes, My Lord."
"In the coming days, change a few servants every week and appoint only those one who is bought from a very far place. Only when you are sure that they have never stepped inside Imperial City before, you will take them inside the manor. Don't give the servants any chance to mix up between themselves. A week later, spread this in the whole Manor that Xi Ling was poisoned in my absence so I have asked you to change all the servants of the manor. "
When Shui Cao heard the last sentence his eyes widen a bit. Although he had many questions in his heart, he didn't dare to ask anything and replied respectfully.
"Yes, My Lord."
Frowning a little, Xi Ying continued again.
"Don't throw those maids out who was inside Plum Courtyard that day. Let them stay in the manor. They themselves and nothing that belongs to them will be allowed to go out of Xi Manor."
He can't let those maids spread the news that he was going to Li Rui's courtyard every day. Not until he can assure the safety of Li Clan.
"You yourself will send four times meal or any other eatable thing to the Plum Courtyard. Everything will be tasted by Chef before it is sent to the Plum Courtyard."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Leave"
"Yes, My Lord."
Shui Cao exited the room.
Leaning on the headrest, Xi Ying sighed pressing his eyebrows.
For the first time, he didn't feel any satisfaction even if things were going according to his plan.
What was there to be happy for when he had to leave Rui here and go to the borders alone? Where he would not be able to see her?
He was also worried that Princess Wenling would try something in his absence. That is the reason he had asked Shui Cao to look for the maids that can serve Li Rui. He sent his own man to confirm that they have never stepped in Imperial City before.
Still, he was afraid. Till now, he couldn't find out who tried to kill Li Rui on that day. Last time, Li Mei saved Li Rui but what if ..
Sighing in frustration again, he stood up and walked to the Plum Courtyard. There was only one person in this world whose presence can calm his mind and heart.
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Stepping inside the Plum Courtyard, he saw Xi Ling sitting in the lap of his mother. The little boy was learning to read words from her mother very seriously.
When Xi Ling saw his mother pronouncing the words without any difficulty, he praised her with bright eyes.
"Mother is so intelligent just like father. Xiao Ling also wants to become like mother one day."
Xi Ling's ears were red while saying the last sentence. He felt shy whenever he called himself Xiao Ling but it felt sweet because his mother also calls him by this name.
Li Rui smiled softly and stroked his son's forehead.
"Xiao Ling will be more intelligent than Father and Mother in the future."
Xi Ling smiled widely at these words.
While Xi Ying who was standing at the doors felt his heart skipping a beat.
A smile made its way on his lips when he heard Li Rui's words. He stood there and watched the duo for a long time.
For countless times, he imagined himself there with them where he was making Li Rui laugh intentionally, where Xi Ling hid behind his mother whenever he tried to hit him because of his mistake in pronouncing the words.
This kind of family he could have if he had not done all that things in the past four years. He destroyed everything with his own hands.
His trance was broken when he heard Xi Ling calling him.
"Father"
Xi Ling jumped down from his mother's lap and ran towards him. The smile instantly disappeared from Li Rui's lips.
Xi Ying picked his energetic son in his arms and asked him to wait for him inside the room.
When he could no longer see Xi Ling, Xi Ying looked at Li Rui. Folding his hands behind his back, he cleared his throat and said
"I have to go out of Imperial City tomorrow for a few days."
Li Rui was confused as to why he was telling this to her.
"Will you see me off tomorrow?"
His face showed no emotion but only he knew how nervous he was feeling inside his heart.
When he heard no response, his eyes dimmed a little and he tried to smile as he said.
"It's alright if you do..."
But amidst his words, he heard her soft voice.
"Rui will be there to see off Lord Xi tomorrow."
Li Rui replied calmly. As a Wangfei, it was her duty so she can't refuse something like this.
Xi Ying nodded his head calmly. However, when he turned around, he had a wide smile on his lips.
He had never thought that one day such a trivial thing would give him so much happiness.
Perhaps this was the power of love.