The Innocent Heart - Chapter 72

“Uncle, I wish to leave the capital with you.” In the quiet, warm inner chamber, Huo Qubing’s words struck like a sudden clap of thunder, causing the eyes of the other two people in the room to snap toward him instantly.

“No. You are still young; what could you possibly do there?!” Wei Qing rejected the proposal immediately, without a second thought.

Huo Qubing smiled, knowing his uncle had misunderstood his intent. Glancing to the side, he saw his friend, Guan Yueyao, also staring at him with a look of bewildered uncertainty.

“Uncle, A-Yao, you’ve both misunderstood. I don’t intend to follow the army beyond the fortress borders; I simply want to go to the frontier to see it for myself.” Huo Qubing took a deep breath. His tone was relaxed, yet his gaze was unwavering.

This was the expression he always wore when he had firmly made up his mind to do something.

Seeing this, Wei Qing felt a jolt of apprehension. However, out of trust for his nephew, he still wanted to hear why Huo Qubing wished to do this.

He knew that while Qubing was somewhat pampered in his daily life, he was not a reckless or willful child. Most of what he did was the result of careful deliberation and clear objectives. Consequently, to many who did not know him well, he appeared to be a youth of few words but swift action, earning him a reputation for being “reticent and discreet.”

Had it not been for his interactions with a playmate of the same age like Guan Yueyao lately—which had made him much more lively—Wei Qing could hardly remember what Qubing looked like when laughing heartily.

Thinking of this, a trace of pity rose in his heart. He softened his voice and asked warmly, “Why do you wish to do this?”

“Earlier, while A-Yao and I were in the courtyard, we heard that the Xiongnu were invading, and then you were summoned to the palace by His Majesty. I surmised that this time, His Majesty must be determined to deploy troops against the Xiongnu, and it is highly likely that you will go to the battlefield.”

From the moment Huo Qubing began speaking, Guan Yueyao kept her eyes fixed on her friend. At this moment, he was sitting upright and formal before the writing desk, his face a mask of solemnity.

Yet, beneath the desk, his hands resting on his knees were clenched tightly into fists.

Perhaps… Qubing is also a bit nervous right now, Guan Yueyao guessed, tilting her head. Recalling his earlier loss of composure, she could understand why.

Huo Qubing’s voice continued to calmly detail his reasons for wanting to go to the front lines.

“Uncle, I want to go to the front to gain experience. I don’t have to go onto the battlefield; I just want to observe the logistics of grain transport, the operation of frontier defenses, or even just see the local customs of the border regions! I don’t want to simply stay here in the capital region, day after day, engaging in the fantasy of deducing military formations on a sand table. How would that be any different from Zhao Kuo ‘fighting a war on paper’? All of my unease stems from this. Uncle! I promise to stay obediently within the mountain passes and not cause even the slightest bit of trouble for you or the army!”

By the end, the urgency and supplication in his voice were unmistakable.

Wei Qing could understand the source of the young man’s unease; in fact, he empathized with it. Wei Qing himself had only been to Dai Commandery twice on imperial orders, and his stays had not been long. So much so that now, when he thought of it, all that remained were the blurred images of frontier beacon towers and low city walls.

He had not expected Qubing to have such long-term foresight at such a young age. Wei Qing felt a surge of pride; truly, the student was surpassing the master. He began to regard his nephew’s future in the military even more highly. He recalled the Emperor’s previous assessment of Qubing: that the boy was meticulous in thought yet bold in action—a rare talent for leadership.

“Have you truly thought this through? The frontier is a bitter, cold place, not nearly as comfortable as home. Furthermore, once the army sets out, the march will likely be more arduous than you imagine.” Wei Qing looked at his nephew, who had been raised in luxury and had never suffered a day in his life, and couldn’t help but worry.

“I am not afraid, Uncle. If others can do it, I certainly can!” Huo Qubing replied firmly. He knew that by asking this, his uncle had essentially agreed.

“I want to go too! I want to go too!” To everyone’s surprise, Guan Yueyao spoke up excitedly from the side.

She raised her hand high, looking eager to try, as if she weren’t about to join a grueling military march but was instead heading out on a pleasant countryside picnic. Her anticipation was palpable.

Guan Yueyao’s sudden liveliness instantly dissipated the heavy atmosphere in the room, bringing a knowing smile to those listening.

“Well then, when the time comes and your hands and feet are frostbitten, don’t come crying to me saying you want to return to Chang’an. At that time, military affairs will be frantic, and I won’t be able to spare anyone to escort you back.” Wei Qing warned with a smile.

He then saw the two youths shake their heads and wave their hands in unison, promising together, “No, no, we will definitely follow the troop obediently!”

Their chemistry was remarkably in sync.

Wei Qing soon reported the matter of Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao wishing to accompany the army to the frontier to Liu Che (Emperor Wu). Upon hearing this, Liu Che was naturally very pleased.

He personally summoned the two youths. Looking at them standing in the hall—one tall, one short, both equally handsome with resolute gazes—he patted their shoulders with satisfaction.

“Truly, heroes emerge from the youth! I am very pleased that you have such grand ambitions! Wang He, go and fetch those new furs I received and reward them to Qubing and Yueyao!”

After saying this, he looked at the two and added, “The frontier is near the outer lands, unlike Chang’an. Take the furs back and have them made into cloaks and capes to bring with you.” His concern for them was evident in his voice.

At this moment, Liu Che’s attitude was warm and approachable, much like an elder in a family advising beloved juniors about to depart on a long journey.

The grudge Guan Yueyao had previously felt toward Liu Che due to the scandal of the deposed Empress seemed to gradually vanish under his pleasant demeanor.

Human nature is largely complex; it is not simply black and white, nor does it require total enmity over a single disagreement. The many gray areas in between are what is most common in humanity. Ultimately, compared to Liu Che, Guan Yueyao was not well-acquainted with the deposed Empress, Chen Ajiao.

Hearing of Chen Ajiao’s fate had inevitably reminded Guan Yueyao of her own mother. However, people distinguish between those close to them and those who are distant; for those they are familiar with and feel fondly toward, they are often willing to make concessions and compromises. Even if the other person’s words or actions do not entirely align with their own views.

“We thank Your Majesty for the reward!” Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao accepted Liu Che’s kindness naturally and thanked him happily. This display, of course, made Liu Che even more delighted.

“What has made Your Majesty so happy?” At that moment, Wei Zifu entered, leading her maids who carried several boxes of freshly prepared pastries from the imperial kitchen. They were steaming hot and looked mouth-watering.

“It is Qubing and Yueyao. These two children want to accompany Zhongqing (Wei Qing) to Dai Commandery!” Liu Che answered with a smile.

Without the Empress Chen pressing down from above, and with her imperial favor at its peak, Wei Zifu now had the aura of the most favored consort in the harem. Although she still maintained her gentle and submissive nature, her bearing had become much more composed.

She froze for a moment upon hearing the news, her hand trembling slightly as she set down the pastries for Liu Che. However, she quickly regained her composure, her gentle smile unchanging as she said softly, “Qubing is no longer a small child; it is good for him to go out and see the world. After all, as the saying goes, ‘traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books.’ Staying constantly within the high gates of Chang’an makes it easy to develop pampered habits. Training with the army will be a good thing for him.”

“Oh? Qubing is your most beloved junior, Zifu. Can you truly bear it?” Liu Che looked at Wei Zifu teasingly. He saw her eyes lower slightly, a few strands of black hair falling across her chest, creating an indescribable air of grace.

“Is Qubing not also Your Majesty’s most beloved junior? If Your Majesty can bear it, how can I not?” Wei Zifu replied with a smile, her tone rare in its playfulness. It was clear the two had been getting along very well lately.

Liu Che laughed upon hearing this. “A boy should indeed be tempered early. Since Qubing and Yueyao have such aspirations, how could I refuse out of a momentary lack of resolve?”

“Are your bags for the journey packed? An early winter brought such heavy snow; I fear it will be even colder later on. Qubing is one thing, but has Yueyao prepared enough warm clothes, shoes, and socks?”

Seeing Liu Che in high spirits, Wei Zifu showed great concern for the two youths kneeling before them. This was born both of genuine care and a desire to please the Emperor; she knew what Liu Che liked to see.

“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The clothes for Yueyao and myself have already been prepared by the household. We only await the army’s departure to set out,” Huo Qubing answered respectfully with a formal bow.

“The items from the manor, after all, cannot compare to those in the palace. I remember Your Majesty rewarded several pieces of high-quality fox fur last month; why not reward them to the two children today so they can make some capes?” Wei Zifu suggested with a smile.

“Haha, Zifu, you are too late! I have just rewarded them with furs. By now, they have likely already been delivered to Zhongqing’s manor.” Liu Che was in an excellent mood today, continuing to joke with Wei Zifu.

“Oh dear, what shall we do then? I truly do not know what one must prepare for a military campaign, but as it is the first time these two children are traveling far from home, I, as an elder, should reward them with something.” Hearing this, Wei Zifu played along with Liu Che’s joke, putting on a troubled expression.

While the Hall of Clear Coolness was filled with such harmony, the atmosphere in the Wei Manor was much colder.

Wei Shao’er only learned from the Chief Eunuch Wang He—who had come to deliver the furs—that Huo Qubing and Guan Yueyao were leaving Chang’an with her brother, Wei Qing, to head for the frontier.

She forced a smile as she accepted the wagon-load of furs. After seeing Wang He off, she led her maids back into the courtyard.

“Go and take these furs to the sewing room. Have them finish the capes and cloaks for Qubing and Yueyao before the army departs.” Wei Shao’er’s expression was neutral, showing no sign of joy.

Learning that her child was about to leave on a journey, such an attitude from a mother did not seem particularly strange. The maids did not think much of it and respectfully went to carry out their orders.

Wei Shao’er walked quietly into her room and closed the door, locking herself inside the inner chamber.

“To have to learn the news of my own child’s distant journey from an outsider… am I, as a mother, truly such a failure?” She sat on the couch, staring blankly out the window at the snow that had fallen all night and showed no sign of stopping.