Crown Prince and Ghost King

Chapter 65

«Memories have got you?».

Snapping out of it, Xie Lian turned around to see Lang QianQiu approaching him at a leisurely pace. He looked far more relaxed than before, probably thanks to the time he spent watching over GuZi after that... fight? with Qi Rong.

If it could be called a fight, even.

«I forgot how many I had here», the god sighed, turning his back to the collapsed pavilion. «These days I only tend to remember the bad ones».

Lang QianQiu pressed his lips into a thin line as he accepted the silent invitation from Xie Lian to walk around together, having nothing to reply.

It was mostly the same for him, after all. Years of resentment and grief had hardened Lang QianQiu more than he himself realized, and he ended up forgetting how great his childhood had been. Before everything went to shit, he was genuinely happy. He respected and admired his Guoshi, enjoyed their lessons together even when Xie Lian would have him practice calligraphy for hours to end.

And... more importantly, he could tell he was loved as a disciple. When Fang Xin still existed, his strictness never took away from his care. Punishments were always just, while rewards felt like deserved prizes instead of condescending gifts.

Too bad everything had to be ruined.

But then again, what would have happened if Qi Rong never decided to scheme against Yong'An and make a bloody mess of its court?

«Would you have stayed?», the martial god asked, with curiosity fueled by melancholy. «If the Gilded Banquet never happened, would you have stayed?».

Xie Lian had to stay silent for a long while after that question. Not because he didn't know the answer, but because he didn't know how to deliver it in a good way that wouldn't offend him.

In the end, he shook his head, clasping his hands behind his back: «Not for too long», Xie Lian admitted, his steps slowing down. «I would have stayed to see you become a righteous ruler who respected and valued innocent lives, and they I would have left».

In fact, he would have made sure Lang QianQiu actually valued the lives of innocent people, no matter their descent. Only then Xie Lian would have left. Staying... he never planned to keep himself in Yong'An. Once Lang QianQiu was on the throne, he knew the kingdom wouldn't dare an offense against the remainder of XianLe, maybe not even if Qi Rong attacked while he was king.

When the Gilded Banquet happened, Lang QianQiu was unfortunately still too young and influenceable for Xie Lian's liking. It was for the best that he never heard his father's last order before dying, or he would have probably disregarded his Guoshi's teaching in favor of his parent's.

He was capable, sure, and had learned quite efficiently what he had been taught, but Lang QianQiu needed more time to stray from Yong'An's traditional animosity towards XianLe and its people. Since the fault was at most in those who were wealthy and in the army – aside from some, common people didn't particularly care about those of XianLe descent living among them – it was obvious that Lang QianQiu would hear many mouths say foul things.

And while justified bitterness was a thing, because some of the animosity couldn't be thrown aside by excuses, hatred towards the innocent was a whole different problem. Xie Lian knew they couldn't have helped Yong'An, he tasted the bitter medicine himself when he tried, but he also couldn't blame those scared and angry people that came to his kingdom's door in search of aid.

And at the same time, he couldn't blame XianLe for refusing to open its doors to everyone, after witnessing what happened in the Royal Capital amongst the common folk.