"I don't care about your family affairs. I once told General Ge Long'an that if he could persuade you, Zian, I would agree to let him accompany us on our journey," said Emperor Xin Zizhao.
Wei Shuxuan sometimes thought Xin Zizhao was really sly. He threw this decision - making problem back to Ge Zian. In this way, he would neither offend Ge Long'an nor make Ge Zian unhappy. After all, it was Ge Zian who would make the decision.
Since Xin Zizhao had said so, Ge Zian wouldn't have any complaints. However, he still wouldn't agree to let his father accompany them.
"Zian, are you really not going to agree?" Ge Long'an's eyes rarely turned serious.
"Father, you're already 65 years old. Don't come with us. What if something happens on the way? What should I do then?" Ge Zian had his own reasons.
"Then come with me to the study. I have something to tell you."
"Okay."
Watching Ge Zian follow Ge Long'an into the study, Wei Shuxuan, feeling a bit bored, propped her chin up. She asked Xin Zizhao, who was sipping tea leisurely, "Xin Zizhao, why do you think Father Ge called Zian into the study?"
"Of course, to persuade Zian."
"What do you think Father Ge will say to make Zian agree?" Wei Shuxuan tilted her head slightly, looking at Xin Zizhao's still - handsome profile.
"How would I know what General Long'an will say? But judging from the old general's character, he probably won't say anything nice."
In the study.
Ge Long'an took out a brocade box from the drawer. He opened it and took out the thing inside. Ge Zian recognized it. wasn't it the dart they had picked up when they went to the border to search for General Wei Tu's body?
"Father, why did you take this out?" Ge Zian didn't quite understand why his father had taken out this dart.
"Zian, you should know that if it weren't for Brother Wei taking all the blame back then, our family wouldn't be living so comfortably now, and you wouldn't be the young general. Now, in the remaining days of my life, all I want is to find the murderer who killed Brother Wei."
Hearing Ge Long'an's words, Ge Zian had prepared a lot of words to counter his father before entering the study. However, he didn't expect his father to bring up the past. But it was indeed the truth, and all the words he had prepared for refutation were left unsaid.
"Zian, didn't I teach you when you were a child that one should repay a kindness a hundredfold? Brother Wei protected us so much. If we don't help him find the real murderer, we'll be sorry for him. I want to go to the border with His Majesty this time to investigate the real culprit who killed Brother Wei's family. So, you can't stop me. This is my last wish."
Ge Zian was really helpless. It was truly a dilemma between filial piety and righteousness. However, judging from Ge Long'an's character, even if he disagreed, his father would still follow them secretly. Indeed, the matter of General Wei Tu had always been a heart - ache for their family. Even if his father didn't solve it, he would. He had to find out the truth.
"Alright, I understand. I'll agree to let you go, Father. But Father, you mustn't act impulsively on the way. You know the border is a very dangerous place. There are always soldiers from Qiangfeng Country pretending to be citizens of Yulong Country in Kele Town."
"Father knows. You don't need to be so verbose. We can start packing our things now. We'll set off in two days. This dart must be taken with us."
"...... I know. I'll go and tell His Majesty and Xuan'er first, and then I'll go back to my room to pack my luggage."
Wei Shuxuan thought Ge Zian and Ge Long'an would talk for a long time. Moreover, she thought they would surely quarrel loudly. However, she didn't hear a single sound.
"Your Majesty, Xuan'er."
Hearing Ge Zian's voice, Wei Shuxuan turned around and saw Ge Zian walking in from outside. "Hey, Zian, let me guess. Have you agreed to Father Ge's request?"
"..... Ah, you guessed it right."
"Your expression gave you away. It was easy to guess."
"Zian, I thought you would hold your ground. I didn't expect you to soften your heart and agree to General Long'an's request."
"Your Majesty....." Ge Zian wanted to complain, but in the end, due to the difference between the monarch and the subject, he didn't say anything.
However, Xin Zizhao saw the complaint in Ge Zian's heart at a glance and smiled. "I know you'll complain about me. And according to General Long'an's character, whether I agree or not, the old general will still follow us. Instead of me making the choice, it's better for you to make it."
"Your Majesty, you're really sly."
"Hahaha. Xin Zizhao has always been so sly. Well, the matter is settled. Then Xuan'er and I will go back to pack our things. See you in two days."
When they were about to leave General Long'an's mansion, Wei Shuxuan said to Xin Zizhao, "Xin Zizhao, I want to talk to Zian. You can get in the carriage first. I'll come later."
"Okay. I'll wait for you in the carriage."
Seeing Wei Shuxuan walking towards him, Ge Zian was a bit surprised. "Xuan'er, what do you want to tell me?"
Wei Shuxuan looked around warily, then lowered her voice and leaned towards Ge Zian. "By the way, Zian, you should tell Sima Yongheng to pack his things. He'll go with us in two days."
"Eh? Did His Majesty agree? I thought he would never agree."
Ge Zian was extremely surprised. He didn't expect Xin Zizhao to agree to Xuan'er's request and let Sima Yongheng go to Kele Town with them.
"Although I don't know the reason, it's really great that he agreed. Well, I won't talk more. I'll go back first. Xin Zizhao is waiting for me in the carriage."
"See you in two days, Xuan'er."
"Yeah, see you in two days."
Two days passed quickly. Wei Shuxuan and Xin Zizhao had packed their luggage and were ready to leave. Just before going out, Xin Zizhao asked Wei Shuxuan, "Xuan'er, do you still need to take anything?"
"Probably not. We can go now."
"Then let's go, Xin Shang."
"Yes, my lord."
Wei Shuxuan, Xin Zizhao and their entourage took the carriage to the gate of General Long'an's mansion. Ge Zian, his father and Sima Yongheng had already prepared their carriages and were waiting for them at the gate.