010—An Unsatisfied Heart

For a moment, Fu Jian was silent. Slowly, he said, “Younger Brother, regarding this matter, We also feel that this is not the result that We wanted. However, We believe that the most important thing for our two nations right now is peace. When We go to war against Yan, it is for the purpose of unification; when We don’t go to war with Yan, it is also so that our two countries can unite again. No matter if our countries are at war or not, We try to think about Our own citizens first. Younger Brother, can you try to understand what We’re talking about?”

Xuan Cheng was forced into an unsettling silence.

Fu Jian pulled at his shoulder until they were looking eye to eye. “Younger Brother, you always did say that the most important things to remember when ruling a country are compassion, benevolence, and righteousness.”

Xuan Cheng didn’t want to respond, he really didn’t. Fu Jian’s eyes were too compassionate, filled with a kind of tender, profound expression that made it impossible for one to escape his pull.

Seeing that Xuan Cheng was still uncommunicative, Fu Jian began stroking his shoulder. “Younger Brother ah, why don’t you properly rest, then? We will return to our tent.”

As he turned around to leave, Xuan Cheng grabbed the corner of his robes.

“Younger Brother?”

Xuan Cheng stared at him, muttering under his breath for a while. He opened his mouth again, hesitant. “Fu Jian, do you still remember to words I told you earlier today?”

“What is it?” Fu Jian said, forcing a smile.

“I’m not your younger brother.”

Fu Jian stiffened. They stared at each other in silence.

Finally, he gave a light smile. “Younger Brother, no matter what you say, no matter what you do, no matter who you claim to be, inside Our heart, you will always be Our brother.”

“Alright, We must leave now. Go get some rest.” He lightly patted Xuan Chen’s shoulder, calmly exiting the tent.

Once again, the tent became empty. Outside were the sounds of soldiers doing drills and the constant rush of flowing water, presumably from the moats of Luoyang.

From where he was sitting he could see the silhouette of the candle flame, small wisps of light dancing against the fabric. A small ray of moonlight spilled inside, casting a dim glow.

Within the tent, however, surrounded by darkness, Xuan Cheng felt excruciatingly alone.

In this place, he could only fend for himself. After all, he’d lost all his friends and loved ones after travelling to Former Qin. Perhaps this was something that the Heavens had ordained. Perhaps this had been secretly his greatest wish. Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…

There were just too many perhaps.  Perhaps, in the end, he would find that this all was just a dream, and that he hadn’t really travelled to the past in his sleep.

The second day, Fu Jian had a terse conversation with Wang Meng before the journey.

In front of the military tents, Wang Meng watched them leave, his gaze fixed on the departing troops. Xuan Cheng turned around just as Wang Meng stooped into a deferential low bow, and watched that thin figure in the distance become smaller and smaller and smaller. Eventually, like a shooting star, it vanished into nothingness.

At this moment, Xuan Cheng’s heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Xuan Cheng had read before in a history book about Fu Jian’s entourage. The women in the harem never wore embroidered brocades or satin, and the men in his court wore thin, frugal silks. None of the women’s robes dragged against the ground, and his councilors wore humble, unassuming clothes. Fu Jian himself chose to eat prudently and did not amuse himself with indulgent entertainment like music. All the gold and treasures were given to the soldiers, and the previously private natural wonders were opened to the public. With every resource shared with all, and the troops armed well, the state of Qin had recuperated through the years, bringing joy to the common people.

This was Fu Jian.

He would personally fight and suffer through the hardships of war with his people. His war chariot looked none different than any of the commoners.

Xuan Cheng turned his head to look at him. Sitting on top of the horse, with his body rigid and clothes billowing in the wind, his smile looked as if it had been carved by the Heavens itself.

Older Brother, Xuan Cheng had a sudden urge to call out.

Perhaps, he might as well follow through. In the past, the owner of this body had cultivated a close relationship with his brother.

Before, Fu Jian would call him “Younger Brother”. In response, this body would smile and gently reply, “Older Brother.”

The emotions of a newborn, with all its profound selflessness, was the true meaning of love.

Fu Jian’s body was covered with tattered silks, giving the impression of a crude and coarse man. However, even like this, Xuan Cheng still felt that he looked extraordinarily outstanding. From the side, his face was impossibly beautiful, the angle showcasing the sharp edges of his jaw and his prominent cheekbones. This was the true magnificence of an emperor.

Xuan Cheng looked down, then, gazing at himself.

Enclothed in black, his own pale skin was almost reminiscent of moonlight. However, he knew that he would never truly become like moonlight. Only those who were widely admired could shine as bright as the moon.

And that was Fu Jian.

Xuan Cheng curled his lip, a strand of jealousy unexpectedly sprouting inside of him