At night, campfires burned throughout the encampment. Those who had been on the battlefield before were indeed different from a complete novice like Ning Xuan. Whether marching or setting up camp, everything was carried out in perfect order. Even the arrangement of the tents and the placement of the campfires were neat and uniform. This was something even Han Fei, who had served as an official for many years, could not deny. Without saying a word, he slipped into his own tent and holed up inside.
The soldiers standing guard pulled open the tent flap for Ning Xuan. He stepped inside with a mild expression and cupped his hands in greeting. “This official greets Eighth Prince.”
Feng Xuanzhen heard someone speak, but no one had announced a visitor. He was still bent over the terrain map in his hands, wondering who it could be, when the moment he heard that voice, he jerked his head up as though struck by lightning and immediately stood at attention.
“What is Your Highness doing? You’re making me look as though I’m some kind of destructive force.” Ning Xuan looked amusedly at Feng Xuanzhen’s astonished expression. As one of the few people who knew the truth behind everything, Ning Xuan had always interacted rather casually with him. Even when the gulf between their statuses had been immense, Ning Xuan had still joked with him and pulled faces without restraint. “Even if someone ought to be on guard, shouldn’t I be the one guarding against Your Highness? The first time we met, you immediately gave me a show of authority by tossing me straight into a lake in the middle of winter.”
“You still remember that?” Feng Xuanzhen lowered his eyes and rubbed his nose awkwardly.
“Of course.” Ning Xuan lifted his chin, looking every inch the petty man intoxicated by sudden success, though only he himself could taste the bitterness and helplessness beneath it.
Far too much had happened since that day, since that moment. A beautiful dream had shattered. He had been forced to confront so-called reality and accept so-called difficulties, to understand helplessly and watch in silence. No matter how much bitterness he suffered, he could only swallow it himself.
“Sit.” Feng Xuanzhen pointed toward the seat of honor, unexpectedly behaving with modest courtesy.
“Don’t. I’m really not accustomed to you acting like this. You should take the seat of honor. I’ll sit here.” As he spoke, Ning Xuan flicked the folds of his robe and dropped onto the low stool to the right.
“One situation is one situation. Under ordinary circumstances, I am a prince and you are an official. You salute me, and I accept it as a matter of course. But inside this military camp, that is not the case—at least, not during this campaign. You are the commander-in-chief, while I am a deputy commander. All fifty thousand soldiers are looking to you, General Who Pacifies the West, for their lead. You were strongly recommended by Marquis Dingbei and personally appointed by Imperial Father. How could I possibly fail to take it seriously?” Although Feng Xuanzhen used the language of officialdom, he did not sound as artificial as usual. Instead, his words carried a touch of teasing. He spoke with perfect solemnity while waggling his brows meaningfully.
Perhaps it was because they were close in age, or perhaps because their first meeting had been a complete misunderstanding. Despite the enormous difference in their status, the two of them shared an inexplicable understanding and sense of harmony. Whenever they were alone, both behaved freely and casually.
Ning Xuan did not stand on ceremony with Feng Xuanzhen. Hearing this, he straightened his back and cleared his throat. Even his upturned phoenix eyes took on a touch of condescending authority. “Right Deputy Commander, receive your orders.”
“Huh?” Unable to react to Ning Xuan’s sudden transformation, Feng Xuanzhen’s eyes widened like bronze bells. He thought to himself that this brat truly had no intention of being polite.
“What do you mean, ‘huh’? This general is issuing you a perfectly serious order.” Ning Xuan twisted his stiff neck, doing his utmost to keep his face stern and perfectly flat.
“Oh.” With a flick of his cloak, Feng Xuanzhen dropped to one knee and cupped both fists. The movement was fluid and practiced, completed in the blink of an eye. “This subordinate awaits your orders.”
The corners of Ning Xuan’s lips twitched uncontrollably. He desperately suppressed the urge raging inside him. “From today onward, you will teach this general martial arts.”
“This subordinate accepts—” The formal response left Feng Xuanzhen’s mouth before he realized what had actually happened. He looked up at Ning Xuan in confusion. “What did you say?”
“I’m only asking you to teach me a move or two during the evenings while we’re making camp and resting. Once we reach the battlefield, even if I can’t defend myself properly, at least I won’t be killed in a single move.”
“This…” Feng Xuanzhen frowned and looked at Ning Xuan in bewilderment. “Although our dynasty does not especially revere martial prowess, almost every man knows at least a little. Yet you actually…”
“Think or say whatever you like. I’m completely powerless even to truss a chicken. So what?” Ning Xuan muttered unhappily. “I wasn’t born into a princely or aristocratic household like you, carrying a golden spoon from the moment I left my mother’s womb. Nor did I grow up with special instructors teaching me horsemanship, archery, martial arts, and scholarship. Now I’m trying to make up for my natural shortcomings through hard work and humbly asking for instruction. Is that not allowed? I’m sincerely asking for guidance and earnestly seeking a master. At the very least, shouldn’t such a spirit be encouraged and rewarded?”
Ning Xuan’s reasoning poured out fluently and logically. Feng Xuanzhen opened his mouth, but could not think of a single word to stop him. He sighed helplessly. “Look at that attitude of yours. I only made one casual remark, and you already had so many sentences waiting behind it.” He then looked at the perfect military salute he was still performing, raised a brow, and gestured toward himself with his eyes. “And this—does this look like the proper ceremony for acknowledging a master?”
“Master, please rise.” Taking a mile after being given an inch while wearing a flattering smile had always been one of Ning Xuan’s greatest skills. “Since you said that, I’ll take it as your agreement.” He fawningly brushed the dust from Feng Xuanzhen’s knee. “Besides, I was only taking the opportunity to temporarily avenge the grudge from our first meeting, when you tossed me into the water without saying a word.”
“So today’s ‘temporary revenge’ is being paid in installments?” Feng Xuanzhen was amused by him. “Then could you tell me when you plan to deliver the next installment, so I can prepare in advance and avoid being caught off guard?”
“Don’t take it seriously. I only said it casually, so you can listen casually. When will you have time to start training me?” Ning Xuan’s face was filled with anticipation.
“Why are you in such a hurry?” Feng Xuanzhen looked at him in amusement. “Besides, I never agreed.”
“Don’t be like that. Didn’t we already settle it? Besides, apart from you, I truly don’t know who else I could ask in this military camp.”
“So you only came to me because you had nowhere else to turn.”
Ning Xuan wanted nothing more than to slap himself across the mouth. The more critical the moment, the less control he seemed to have over it.
“Of course not. I came because I’ve long admired your reputation. Who doesn’t know that our renowned Prince Yu is proficient in sabers, spears, swords, halberds, and all eighteen martial arts? I practically grew up listening to legends of your great deeds—”
“Stop!” The veins at Feng Xuanzhen’s temple throbbed as his glare flew toward Ning Xuan like knife after knife. “Exactly how great do you think the age difference between us is, that you could have grown up listening to stories about my deeds?”
Ning Xuan could only kneel to himself in defeat, all because of his uncontrollable mouth. Wearing a miserable expression, he performed a deep and respectful bow, looking every bit like a meek little child bride. “Prince Yu, just tell me plainly. What will it take for you to teach me?”
“The price of asking for my help is extremely high.” Feng Xuanzhen assumed a calm, all-knowing air.
“What could I possibly have that you would want to scheme for?” When Feng Xuanzhen raised a brow, Ning Xuan mentally slapped himself across the mouth yet again and hurriedly put on a flattering smile. “What could I possibly do in Your Highness’s service?”
Feng Xuanzhen pressed his lips together and stared silently at Ning Xuan for a long while. Only when beads of sweat began forming at Ning Xuan’s temple did he suppress his laughter, finally winning back the round after being toyed with earlier. “Naturally, you have your uses. I simply haven’t decided how to use you yet. I’ll record the debt for now. When the time comes that I need you, I certainly won’t be polite.”
Sure enough, a person asking for a favor had neither dignity nor status. Apart from nodding eagerly and cheerfully, what other path did Ning Xuan have?
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