IDWBE -Chapter 295 One Dare Not Divine Too Fully

“I do not place great expectations upon him,” He Jixiang said with quiet satisfaction. “If in this life he can live safely, marry, and have children, I shall be content.”

As they spoke, the carriage came to a steady stop before the Prince He’s residence.

Hong Ying stood at the gate. Hong An immediately dismounted and knelt, kowtowing. “Disciple greets Master.”

Hong Ying nodded but did not otherwise acknowledge her. Instead, he turned to Xing Keshou and said, “Mr. Xing has traveled a long way. The Prince says you may rest first. You may have an audience tomorrow.”

Xing Keshou replied, “You are too courteous, Chief Steward. I would not dare keep the Prince waiting. I only ask that you allow this old man to wash and change before seeing His Highness. To appear with disheveled clothing would be most discourteous.”

Straightening his already stooped back, he followed Hong Ying into the residence.

Hong An and the soldiers remained standing at the gate, motionless.

Her master had not permitted her to enter, so she could not enter.

That was the rule.

Break the rule, and the bond between master and disciple would be severed.

Her master had said so.

Wang Tuozi said, “Constable Hong, come with me to the Administration Commission office.”

Hong An cupped her hands. “Many thanks.”

Wang Tuozi grinned. “We’re old acquaintances—don’t be so formal, or I’ll feel embarrassed.”

He strode ahead. Halfway there, he turned to Tao Yingyi, who was riding beside him, and asked curiously, “Weren’t you in Nanzhou? What the hell are you doing here?”

Tao Yingyi replied, “It was Mr. Chen Desheng’s decision. I’m a constable now too, serving under Constable Hong.”

After a pause, he added, “But I don’t understand something. If Constable Hong has come to Wuzhou, who’s going to Yong’an?”

Back when they stormed Wulin City, he had been the first to climb onto the city wall. Based on merit, being appointed chief constable of Yong’an’s Administration Commission would have been more than reasonable. He could have been a figure of authority in his own right—quite impressive when you thought about it.

Yet instead he had been sent to Wuzhou, merely to serve as Hong An’s deputy.

Wang Tuozi seemed to see through his thoughts and chuckled. “Wang Dahai left for Yong’an a few days ago. Didn’t you run into him on the road?”

“So it’s him…”

Hearing the name, Tao Yingyi lowered his head and forced a smile. “He may have originally followed Zhang Mian, but now he’s at General Shen Chu’s side. The general probably can’t do without him.”

He might outshine others—but he could not outshine Wang Dahai.

That fellow, a seventh-rank officer, was a ruthless man. In battle, he never spared his own life.

Wang Tuozi thumped his chest proudly as they walked. “And what about me? I’m now an adjutant, directly following the general! From now on, watch your tongue when you see me—or I won’t be polite.”

“Bah, don’t put on airs in front of me,” Tao Yingyi retorted irritably. “We both know each other too well.”

They were both from Yuezhou, and that made them closer than most.

Lin Yi sat in the main hall of the Prince He’s residence, habitually holding his teacup. When Xing Keshou entered and prepared to kneel, Lin Yi waved him off.

“That’s enough. You’re old bones—stop fussing. Sit and speak.”

“I would not dare.”

Xing Keshou nevertheless knelt straight down and kowtowed three times respectfully.

Seeing the graying hair, Lin Yi could not help but feel a twinge of softness. He gestured to Xiao Xizi.

Xiao Xizi stepped forward, helped Xing Keshou into a chair, personally brought him tea when it arrived, and added charcoal to his hand warmer.

“Many thanks, Eunuch,” Xing Keshou said.

Xiao Xizi smiled and withdrew behind the Prince.

Lin Yi said, “That Peng Guishou—I truly don’t trust him. That’s why I asked you to come. I’ve put you in a difficult position.”

Xing Keshou cupped his hands. “I dare not conceal the truth from Your Highness. This Peng Guishou and I are old acquaintances. In the twenty-seventh year of Yongguang, seeing that the Fourth Prince’s cause was hopeless, he turned wholeheartedly to support His Majesty. Thus he gained boundless merit. In prosperous Wuzhou, he has sat as Provincial Administration Commissioner for ten years—unshakable. He has enjoyed exceptional imperial favor.”

“Which is precisely why I don’t trust him,” Lin Yi said. “If my father utters a word one day, won’t he sell me out without hesitation?”

Xing Keshou replied, “Your Highness may not know—this man appears mild and courteous, always smiling warmly when speaking, yet he is narrow-minded and insidious. Once in power, he demands others attach themselves to him. Those who even slightly offend him are quietly ruined. Thus people say Peng Guishou hides a knife behind his smile. He excels at maneuvering and reading the wind better than anyone. As for loyalty—perhaps not so certain. But now that Your Highness’s great momentum has been established, it is unlikely he would waver.”

“So you mean I should continue to employ him?” Lin Yi asked.

Xing Keshou said, “Though he harbors private interests, he is indeed capable and efficient. Wuzhou has only just stabilized; the people’s hearts are unsettled. I believe retaining him is the wiser course.”

Lin Yi frowned, then sighed. “Very well. Keep him. But you’ll still have the final say.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I won’t hold a banquet tonight. Eat something simple and rest quickly. Whatever it is, we’ll discuss it tomorrow.”

“Many thanks, Your Highness.”

Xing Keshou withdrew carefully and left with He Jixiang for the Administration Commission office.

The residence was not only the Prince’s dwelling but also the Consort’s and the Princess’s; they could not linger lest they cause offense.

Even the Blind Man and the others still resided at the Administration Commission.

The Blind Man sat in the rear courtyard corridor, palms open, feeling snowflakes fall one after another into his hands.

The Monk suddenly said, “Why don’t you cast a divination for me? I’ve felt uneasy lately.”

The Blind Man shook his head. “One dare not divine too fully—for fear of Heaven’s unpredictable way.”

The Monk sighed. “You always speak in riddles.”

The Blind Man smiled. “In busy times, do not let your nature fall into chaos; cultivate clarity in moments of leisure. When facing death, let the heart remain unmoved; to do so, one must see through worldly matters while alive.”

“Must you always speak to me like this?” the Monk asked.

Tilting his head, the Blind Man said, “Monk, I listened to you. I didn’t kill her.”

“…Fine. Thank you,” the Monk said helplessly. “Blind Man, my heart is in turmoil. I haven’t meditated for two days.”

“Then follow your heart,” the Blind Man replied. “You were never a true monk to begin with.”

The Monk stood up. “You’re talking nonsense again.”

Without waiting for a reply, he left.

Hong An stepped out from behind a pillar, watching his departing figure with a smile. “Brother Monk has developed mortal feelings.”

The Blind Man smiled. “Even you can see it, yet he himself does not. Perhaps that is how it is—those within the situation are confused, while onlookers see clearly.”

“Brother Monk is a good man,” Hong An said.

“Xie Xiaoqing may not necessarily be a bad person,” the Blind Man replied. “Ah—you’re still young. Why am I saying this to you?”

“Blind Man, I’m sixteen—not a child,” Hong An said with a grin. “Stop treating me like one.”

They had grown up together at the Qidian Orphanage; she always showed him a little more warmth than she did others.

“Yes, you’ve grown up. I’ve grown old, always babbling nonsense,” the Blind Man said lightly.

“You’re only a few years older than me,” Hong An said irritably.