Chapter 230: Keep The Knife

The pillow that hit someone wasn’t even painful. Xie Wei took it and placed it back, standing to the side, lifting his finger to press on his lips and chuckling softly.

At this point, Jiang Xuening could no longer afford to act defiant.

Grinding her teeth in frustration, she got up hurriedly and went behind the screen to bathe. However, even though she knew Xie Wei’s words earlier were probably mostly a joke, she couldn’t forget them. They kept echoing in her head. As she sat in the bathtub filled with water, she found herself unable to wash away the thoughts. Instead of feeling cleansed, the bath seemed to wash a whole mess of chaotic thoughts into her mind.

After saying that shocking and outrageous thing, Xie Wei remained calm, unfazed, still sitting at the table by the window, fiddling with a plain guqin he had found a few days ago.

The guqin wasn’t a particularly fine instrument, but in this situation, having a guqin was already a great effort on the part of the members of the Tianjiao sect.

The two of them ended up tossing and turning until late into the night before they finally fell asleep.

The next morning, Jiang Xuening, as usual, lingered in bed and continued sleeping. Xie Wei, on the other hand, went out as usual to meet with Wan Xiuzi and others to discuss military matters.

The victories on the frontlines were coming one after another, and Tianjiao was gaining a great reputation. The members of the sect looked full of energy and excitement. After all, once the prosperous southern lands were captured, it would only be a matter of time before they pushed northward. As for the imperial court, filled with useless and incompetent people, they had already been defeated decisively. Their soldiers had been scattered, fleeing in disarray. They were practically “a punch that couldn’t even land a blow.” Any further resistance would probably not be very effective.

At this rate, capturing the capital city wouldn’t be difficult. Once that happens, the Tianjiao sect would rule the world, and they would be the new lords of a new dynasty!

The branch leaders spoke with faces glowing, and although they still addressed Xie Wei with courtesy, he was now only considered a half-prisoner, and their repeated victories on the frontlines were their own accomplishments.

Who would give credit to Xie Wei’s role in this?

After all, wasn’t it just a defense map?

In the final analysis, the success of the campaign was thanks to the overwhelming morale of Tianjiao’s army, and Xie Wei’s contribution was nothing more than “adding icing on the cake”—helpful if present, but not crucial if absent.

During the discussion, the leaders slapped their chests like they were beating a fan, their eyes gleaming with a look of superiority as they said, “Rest assured, Sect Leader. After we capture the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, several tens of thousands will join our army. Wherever our flag goes, the people will follow. The imperial court is already on the brink of collapse. The momentum has run out, and their fate is sealed. The future will belong to you, Sect Leader, as the new ruler of the world!”

Wan Xiuzi, hearing this, was naturally overjoyed.

He knew that these words were partly flattery, but the fact that tens of thousands were joining the army was true, and the imperial court had indeed suffered major defeats. Who didn’t like hearing praise?

Xie Wei stood by silently, offering no comment on the matter.

As the saying goes, when Heaven wants to destroy someone, it first makes them arrogant.

So, what would a few tens of thousands joining the army really change? Warfare wasn’t as simple as eating a meal. Ordinary people, who had a steady livelihood, weren’t likely to take the risk of joining an army where death was a real possibility. Most of those joining were probably refugees and bandits with their own habits. If there were proper restraints, they could be organized into an army for battle. But without them, or with improper constraints, who knew what kind of chaos could unfold?

But since no one asked, he certainly wouldn’t volunteer this information.

If they wanted to jump into the pit, let them do so. Why not let them?

The plan Xie Wei had laid out for the next few weeks almost perfectly matched his predictions.

After they reached the Xuchang branch, the frontlines sent back more good news—the Tianjiao army had captured another city, and this time, there had been almost no casualties. Halfway through the siege, the defenders couldn’t hold back against the waves of attacks, and eventually opened the gates and surrendered.

This victory boosted the morale even further.

What did it mean when the imperial court willingly opened the city gates to surrender?

It meant that Tianjiao’s reputation had reached the point where they could win without fighting, and crushing the imperial court was only a matter of time.

The victory had come with minimal cost, so they took a brief rest, barely even pausing to catch their breath, and then continued their advance, marching quickly to the next city.

Who would have thought such a strategy could work?

The governor of that state had no preparation, and by the time they reached his doorstep, he could only react hastily—it was already too late. The officials of the state were arrested, paraded through the streets, and beheaded in front of the townspeople.

They stayed in Xuchang for more than ten days before moving on to Nanyang. Within just a couple of days in Nanyang, more good news arrived.

When the news reached the branch, everyone was ecstatic!

Wan Xiuzi couldn’t help but smile broadly, praising their efforts. Since the frontlines had won again, there was no need to stay in Nanyang, so they set off immediately for the next city, Runiangfu.

Jiang Xuening already knew Xie Wei’s full plan and couldn’t help but feel anxious on the way. She was afraid that Wan Xiuzi would move before Xie Wei did.

Fortunately, Wan Xiuzi hadn’t made any moves yet.

However, when she heard that they were heading for Runiangfu, her heart couldn’t help but tense. This was the place where Xie Wei had already decided to make his move. The outcome would be decided there!

Before long, it was the third month of the year in Jiangnan. The willows swayed gently, and everything seemed to renew.

That afternoon, the group set off for Runiangfu.

Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei shared a carriage.

The front and back of the carriage were surrounded by members of the Tianjiao sect, and even the driver was a skilled member of the sect. The two didn’t dare to speak too openly.

Xie Wei was looking at a sheet of guqin music.

Seeing him remain so composed, still calmly reading the music even at this time, Jiang Xuening couldn’t help but admire him. “You really can still focus on the music.”

Xie Wei’s fingers lightly touched the yellowed edges of the score. He looked up at her with a gentle smile and said, “In times of great turmoil, one must remain calm. You, on the other hand, are far too impatient.”

Jiang Xuening rolled her eyes at him.

Xie Wei knew her well enough to understand her nature, and even when she rolled her eyes, he found a kind of teasing charm in it—an authentic expression with no pretenses. It stirred something within him, and he couldn’t hold back. He reached out, pulled her into his arms, sitting her on his lap, and held her delicate waist, kissing her deeply.

In her past life, Jiang Xuening would never have dared to imagine such intimacy with Xie Wei. Hugs and embraces felt so ordinary now. In the beginning, she had naturally been unfamiliar and resistant, but after more than a month, the initial discomfort faded. She gradually became used to it.

It was like drinking alcohol. The first few sips burned uncomfortably, but after a few more glasses, the warmth spread, a drowsy, floating feeling overcame her, and she lost herself in a state of bliss, as if the world outside ceased to exist.

Her mouth was small, her tongue soft, and before she knew it, her cheeks flushed with heat as he kissed her.

But it was still daytime. In the past, they always shared such moments under the cover of night, with darkness as their shield. Now, the sunlight was bright, and the wind occasionally lifted the edge of the carriage curtain, revealing the sight of galloping horses and the swaying robes of the sect members.

Even though she had thick skin, Jiang Xuening didn’t dare to be reckless in such an exposed situation.

Seeing Xie Wei’s growing boldness, she shot him a glare.

He suddenly laughed, conceding, and slowly lowered his hand, just holding her in his arms with her back against the carriage wall. His gaze shifted to the fluttering corner of the curtain, but deep in his eyes, there was no trace of the ease he was showing on the surface.

Runiangfu was slowly approaching, and the sky was darkening.

Jiang Xuening lightly furrowed her brows, wiping away the lip rouge that had smudged at the corners of her mouth. She reflected inwardly that while she would have once felt embarrassed to do such things with Xie Wei, he now seemed like an expert at hiding his true feelings. They had become so accustomed to these intimate moments, they had become as ordinary as eating and drinking.

She muttered to herself, not paying attention to Xie Wei.

After a while, she looked up, only to find him unstrapping the hidden blade from his wrist.

Since the night in Luoyang when he had killed someone, this thin blade had been hidden away and had never appeared again. After he had used it in the killing, he had driven it deeper into the wound. Tianjiao’s members, not involved in investigations, never suspected any difference in the wounds. They assumed that the blade that had been seized had done all the damage, never realizing that there was another hidden blade on him.

At this moment, seeing him unstrap the blade, Jiang Xuening’s eyelids twitched.

However, after removing it, Xie Wei unexpectedly asked her to extend her hand.

She was confused.

Xie Wei, though, remained calm, his lips pressed together, and gently pulled her wrist toward him. He carefully strapped the thin blade to her wrist, saying, “We don’t know what will happen. If there’s chaos, it’s unlikely I’ll be able to protect you. If something unexpected happens in the secret chamber, we’ll need to be ready.”

His gaze darkened as he spoke, and he didn’t continue.

Jiang Xuening suddenly felt a bit lost. She looked at him, then slowly lowered her gaze to the blade on her wrist. She raised her hand to press it gently, asking in a daze, “Why are you giving me a knife?”

Xie Wei noticed her strange expression and answered, “It’s better to have a sharp blade than to be empty-handed. In case of danger, it’s better to have something to defend yourself with. Even though you may not use it, having it is better than not.”

He then asked, “What’s wrong?”

At that moment, Jiang Xuening’s vision blurred, and tears began to fall.

In her previous life, Xie Wei had also sent her a dagger.

It had been quietly placed on a lacquered tray. The eunuch who delivered it dared not speak a word, only saying it had been selected by Master Xie to be sent to her. At that time, the court and the people criticized her for her relationship with Yan Lin, accusing her of being a seductive disaster, a source of trouble, and demanded she be buried with the former emperor.

But what could she do?

Yan Lin had bullied her, and she had no strength to fight back. She finally managed to bribe a small eunuch from Qianqing Palace, sneaking into the palace as if clinging to a life-saving straw, seeking his protection. Even if it meant debasing herself, offering him her bed.

The next morning, she heard that the small eunuch had been punished. In the evening, a dagger was delivered.

It was intricately inlaid with jewels, delicate and beautiful. However, under the setting sun, the sharp blade seemed cold as ice.

Later, she used that dagger to take her own life, and both Xie Wei and Yan Lin stood outside the palace gates…

Seeing her cry, Xie Wei couldn’t help but feel a bit helpless. He raised his hand to wipe her tears, but they kept falling like there was no end.

It took a long while for her to regain some composure. She buried her face in her arm, closed her eyes tightly, and hoarsely whispered, “I’m fine.”

Outside, the sunlight slanted, the carriage rattled, and they had finally arrived at Runiangfu.

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