TRBDM -Chapter 246 The Grand Finale (Part 1)

Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, the New Year had passed, and it was already early spring.

An’an was four months old, chubby and healthy.

Whenever Wei Zhaorong was free, she loved holding and playing with An’an. Sometimes, when Xie Chuan wanted to hold his son, he had to wait until his mother had her fill.

Xie Chuan felt so aggrieved. An’an was too adorable, and this grown man was completely smitten. If he didn’t see An’an for even an hour, he would be anxious.

In the evening, when Wei Zhaorong grew tired, Xie Chuan finally got a chance to hold An’an—only for Xie Lan to return from school.

Now the younger uncle, Xie Lan, loved An’an just as much as anyone else.

As soon as he returned to the Marquis Mansion, the first thing he did was scoop up An’an.

An’an liked him too, always leaving Xie Lan’s face drenched in drool.

Xie Lan didn’t mind at all; in fact, he took pride in it.

Xie Chuan watched from the side, green with jealousy. Since he had a beard, An’an didn’t like to gnaw on his face at all.

“Well, Third Brother, after a whole day of studying, you must be tired. Here, give me An’an. I’ll hold him.”

Xie Lan kissed An’an’s cheek, then tried to hand him over, but An’an’s tiny hands clutched his hair tightly, refusing to leave Xie Lan’s arms.

Xie Lan chuckled to himself. “Big Brother, it seems An’an still prefers me.”

“Little rascal, you’re going to drive your father crazy!”

Xie Lan laughed and carried An’an to the Lan Courtyard. Only when Dou Shuyao returned from the storeroom did Nanny Zhang take An’an back from Xie Lan.

Winter passed into spring.

As the heavy winter clothes were shed, the Emperor announced a major matter—the reopening of General Fu Wei’s wrongful case.

Last year, the late emperor Zhao Kuang had fallen critically ill, and the northern border forces were restless.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, the court was unstable. Taking advantage of this, the northern forces repeatedly provoked and attacked Dachong’s border cities. Although the border troops managed to defend the cities, casualties were heavy, and a main general was urgently needed.

Zhao Jingheng looked at the increasing list of fallen soldiers in the memorial reports, worried.

At that moment, Zhao Lingchen entered the palace and voluntarily offered to lead troops to the border.

On the night they decided to support Zhao Jingheng’s rise, Zhao Lingchen had said she would annihilate the Northern Border State to avenge Fu Wei.

Zhao Jingheng agreed.

When Zhao Lingchen arrived, she was already mentally prepared.

Only… she worried about Xie Yu.

“Imperial Elder Sister, Yu’er is still young. Are you taking him to the border with you?”

A trace of concern flashed in Zhao Lingchen’s eyes, but she nodded firmly. “There are plenty of soldiers his age at the border. He can adapt.”

Though seemingly harsh, her words were filled with unspoken heartbreak.

Xie Yu carried the heavy duty of avenging his father and needed battlefield training.

Fu Wei’s son was not meant to live in a sheltered life; he would become an outstanding general, crush the Northern Border, and bring glory to the country.

Though Zhao Jingheng felt reluctant, he admired her determination.

“Thanks to Imperial Elder Sister for resolving the Northern Border threat for Dachong. I allow you to choose the day to set out! All military authority is entrusted to you; you may command all the troops as you see fit.”

Five days after receiving the Emperor’s order, Zhao Lingchen prepared to depart for the border.

Before leaving, she renamed Xie Yu.

He was her and Fu Wei’s son, and his surname should be restored.

Thirteen years ago, Fu Wei was declared a traitor. The entire Fu family was executed, all property confiscated, and the general’s mansion had long since been given to someone else.

At the Chang Princess Mansion, Zhao Lingchen established a memorial tablet for Fu Wei. Xie Yu donned plain clothing and knelt before Fu Wei’s tablet, bowing deeply three times.

Zhao Lingchen stood to the side and said to the tablet: “Brother Wei, our son has grown up. Starting tomorrow, he will inherit your armor and march to the Northern Border to avenge you.”

“For fourteen years, Yu’er has suffered greatly. Thanks to the Mingde Marquis Mansion’s Xie family for raising him and giving him the name Xie Yu. Now, as he sets out with me, he will revert to the Fu surname.”

Zhao Lingchen thanked Wei Zhaorong for giving him the given name “Yu,” so only the surname changed.

From that day, the world had one less Xie Yu, and one more Fu Yu.

Xie Yu knelt perfectly straight.

“Father, Fu Yu will avenge you and annihilate the Northern Border.”

The sunset’s golden light brushed across Fu Yu’s young cheek, his dark eyes burning with determination and passion.

Mingde Marquis Mansion

Xie Lan got up at his usual time, washed, and after having breakfast, paid his respects to Wei Zhaorong.

A fleeting, unreadable expression crossed Wei Zhaorong’s eyes, but in the end, she said nothing.

Xie Lan smiled and bid her farewell, then turned toward the door.

The mansion gate was wide open. As soon as Xie Lan stepped outside, he froze at the sight before him.

Fu Yu sat atop a tall horse, clad in dark armor. His cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing an inner lining embroidered with cloud patterns on rich brocade.

Behind him stood Zhao Lingchen, and beyond her, the soldiers stretched out so far the eye could not see the end.

“Fo…Fourth Brother,” Xie Lan stammered, unable to make a sound.

A sudden unease gripped his heart, a sharp pang of worry.

Fu Yu dismounted and approached Xie Lan.

He was now taller than Xie Lan. Wearing the armor of a soldier, with his long black hair tied in a high ponytail, he looked heroic, sharp, and formidable—a stranger to Xie Lan’s eyes.

Fu Yu’s expression was serious as he spoke in a deep voice:

“Third Brother, today Mother and I are departing for the border. I came to bid you farewell.”

This sudden farewell took Xie Lan’s breath away.

“Wh…What…what do you mean?”

“Third Brother, I am the son of General Fu Wei. My father was framed by the Northern Border forces. Mother and I must avenge him.”

Xie Lan’s legs went weak; he could barely stand.

He had never imagined that his fourth brother, trained in the Chang Princess Mansion, would be going to the battlefield!

The border was harsh and perilous, with constant warfare and danger.

What if… what if…

Xie Lan dared not think further.

After all, even a mighty general like Fu Wei could fall to the Northern Border forces.

And Fu Yu… he was only fourteen.

His throat moved tens of times, his mouth filling with a bitter taste.

All the words of advice and pleading were at the tip of his tongue, yet he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Despair poured from Xie Lan’s trembling eyes.

His heart was being torn—pain, worry, helplessness, and despair all surged together, threatening to overwhelm him.

Suddenly, Fu Yu embraced him.

Almost at the same moment, Xie Lan hugged Fu Yu tightly in return.

“Third Brother, take care.”

Having said that, Fu Yu released his hold and was about to walk away, but Xie Lan didn’t let go.

A trembling voice sounded in his ear:

“Fourth Brother, you promised me… you’d write letters, right?”

Fu Yu smiled faintly, tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Yes. I will write to Third Brother.”

Xie Lan’s eyelashes quivered. A thousand words were stuck in his chest, yet none could be spoken.

They finally let go, sharing a brief smile.

In that moment of silent understanding, they seemed to return to the servant’s courtyard of the Marquis Mansion.

A despised illegitimate son and a mistreated servant, two weak children, warming each other—becoming each other’s only light.

Time had passed, and childhood illusions of eternal togetherness faded. Growing up, they realized separation was inevitable.

Yet they would always be brothers. Even without blood ties, that truth could never change.

In the morning light, Fu Yu mounted his horse, tightened the reins, and rode toward the horizon. Under Xie Lan’s gaze, he set out on his own path.