Qiang Jin Jiu (Author : Tang Jiuqing 唐酒卿)

Chapter 58 : Heavy Snow

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The snow fell for several days. With the assassination case hastily concluded, the turbulent waves of earlier were swiftly buried under the snowstorm, turning into nothing more than a vast expanse of white. It was at this moment that Li Jianheng heard that Xiao Chiye had fallen ill. 

He had reportedly caught a cold, and yet he still faced the wall in self-reflection until he eventually collapsed onto the couch, apparently too ill to even get up. Li Jianheng braved the snow and set out on a carriage with his retinue to the Prince of Libei’s residence. He led the various ministers, and once again, became good buddies with Xiao Chiye. 

All the others had left the room. Xiao Chiye’s complexion was pale as he let Chen Yang help him up to sit face-to-face with Li Jianheng. 

Li Jianheng said, “I feel very ashamed for rebuking you that day after believing those slanders.” 

Xiao Chiye said, “The ruler and his ministers are interdependent on one another. That’s the way it should be. Your Majesty needs not take it to heart.” 

Li Jianheng fell silent, as did Xiao Chiye. In the end, they had both come to the point of addressing themselves as ruler and minister in private. 

Li Jianheng forced a laugh and said, “I used to think that you were made of iron and wouldn’t get sick. I didn’t expect you to be no different from the common man when you fall ill.” 

Xiao Chiye said, “This subject is merely an ordinary man with a body made of flesh and blood. I’d still bleed if I were to get stabbed.”
 
Li Jianheng recalled the night at the hunting grounds where Xiao Chiye had spurred his horse into the Imperial Bodyguards all alone as the Imperial Bodyguards outflanked them. He had barely come out of it alive, and subsequently, he had put him on to the dragon throne. 

Humans were truly strange. When they abhorred a person, they would only remember all that was bad about said person. But once guilt came calling, they would only remember his goodness. It was as if they had taken to heart those words they had used to cuss the other party with others, thereby feeling more and more ashamed. 

There were plenty of things Li Jianheng wanted to ask Xiao Chiye. But at this moment, he did not feel like asking anymore. Xiao Chiye said that a body of flesh and blood would bleed. Then, what about the friendship that had grown apart? 

So Li Jianheng said, “… Sitting in this position is not a choice I… I willingly make. Ce’ an, you’ve never sat here, so you won’t understand how it feels like to be in a precarious position. The others all think that sitting in this position will make them happy and carefree. In the past, I used to think so too. But this isn’t the case at all.” 

Xiao Chiye said nothing. 

Li Jianheng’s eyes suddenly reddened. He did not know what made him sad either, so he could only say, “I was originally a hopeless case. I’m telling you; I’m very much aware of it. If my brothers hadn’t died, this position would not fall into my hands. But what have I done wrong? I have always wanted to be an idle prince. You people shove me up here without even asking… I have done my best, Ce’an. I have really done my best. I’m not capable enough to control this power of the world; I can only let it control me!” 

Li Jianheng covered his face in agony and started to choke with sobs.

“Ce’an, it’s too high sitting up here that I can’t even get a clear look at anything!” 

Xiao Chiye’s eyes reddened too. He said, “We are brothers. Why would I blame you?” 

Li Jianheng forcefully wiped away his tears and said, “But when all is said and done, I have marred our brotherhood.”