72 Both Sides of the Story (2/2)
Meng Fuyao was neither afraid of Xiao Dao's secret plots nor that she would be harmed, but she couldn't bear to see the girl harming those around her. Accepting Xiao Dao meant that she was putting her companions in danger.
Meng Fuyao kept her eyes on Xiao Dao as if she was observing a young beast. Xiao Dao's sudden appearance was strange and suspicious. Was her pitiful appearance all an act? And the three sound soldiers... was she the one who had lured them over?
Meng Fuyao's knife was half-pulled out and reflecting the first rays of morning sun. She was gathering strength in her hand. While feeble, she was resolute enough to take Xiao Dao's head down.
Yuan Zhaoxu smiled suddenly and stopped her.
”We can get rid of obvious enemies without hesitation, but those less clear... no harm pondering over it a little.”
He placed his hands behind his back and turned to Xiao Dao. ”Dao Naier?”
Upon hearing those words, Xiao Dao quivered and looked up at him in disbelief.
Yuan Zhaoxu studied her expression, which jolted a piece of memory. After some time, he asked unhurriedly, ”Is Chahan Erjin doing well?”
Xiao Dao shuddered even more violently, but Yuan Zhaoxu continued with a smile, ”He has eight sons, and his biggest wish is to own a grassland. Looks like his wish is coming true soon.”
Xiao Dao whipped her head around, yelling, ”How dare you mention him? How dare you?”
Yuan Zhaoxu gazed at her calmly, before adding, ”Looks like he really sees you as a gem. He wouldn't have told you about it otherwise. You're only so young...”
”Why wouldn't I know?” Xiao Dao stared at him, her words and gaze sharp as a knife. ”From when I started remembering events, Mother has been telling me that we used to own a rich grassland full of livestock. Our white-as-pearl tents stretched across the northern part, and we had more cattle and sheep than all the stars in the sky. My father was a brave soldier and the noblest king in that region. Warriors lowered their head and kneeled to kiss his feet. What about now? We're living in a torn tent, guarding a few skinny goats and leading a life in exile. My father has to slog it out, and the hands that were supposed to be holding horse milk wine are now gripping coarse reins. These... all because of you. You made the northern Rong king believe the southern Rong king's words that the men on the grassland were brothers, which allowed the southern spies to infiltrate the northern region, ultimately banishing the noble king of the north.”
Meng Fuyao stared in shock at Xiao Dao, whose eyes were burning with hatred. 'What a good speaker. What is she talking about? Internal strife? Sounds familiar...'
”Why didn't your mother tell you that as a king responsible for the lives of countless herdsmen, should your father only know how to battle, ride horses and brandish his knife? Should he only remember how to sip on his tea, eat his crackers and wrestle with his soldiers? Why hasn't your mother told you that the reunification of the Rongs in the north and south was good? The southern king, upon acknowledging allegiance, immediately sent envoys to Zhongzhou, to learn about the culture and etiquettes on the plains? And what was the northern king doing at that time? Hunting or drinking his horse milk wine?”
Yuan Zhaoxu raised his head slightly, basking in the clean and pure rays of sunlight, his features appearing exceptionally prominent and god-like.
”We Han people have a phrase, ”Wisdom will forever win strength,” and also ”Winner takes all,” Yuan Zhaoxu shared. Has your mother ever thought that it was the southern king who sent your family into exile, and not your family that made the first move?”
Xiao Dao glared at him, somewhat understanding. The words that her mother had spoken to her ran through her head. ”God-like youth, extraordinarily brilliant,” her mother had described. Her mother had told her that this magnificent man was their real enemy; without him, the northern Rongsmen would've claimed victory over the southern Rongsmen and become the rightful owners of the grassland. Because of his appearance, the northern king had gained a ”brother” from the southern tribe, who eventually betrayed him and seized the northern region. Her mother also mentioned that Xiao Dao would definitely be able to recognize their enemy if she came across him because his brilliance was irreplaceable.
The first time Xiao Dao had met him was in the brothel. She had simply looked at him in suspicion without doing anything since there were too many people around.
Their second meeting was in the garden, where she gradually gained confidence that he was the person who matched her mother's description.
The night before, she had snuck out of the city. Her heart was filled with hatred, and thus, she attacked the northern-southern Rong army camp with flame arrows she had crafted in advance. It was then that she had witnessed the man's skills.
Those distorted, snake-like bodies were what made her certain as her mother had shared that their enemy had done the same thing years ago.
That indifferent yet elegant demeanor indicated that he was the one. Hence, she had recognized him.
She was going to take revenge for her powerless father, for her mother, whose beauty had withered from years of tough labor, and for the tribesmen who had lost their land and livestock.
Xiao Dao had no regrets about all that she had done, but the only thing was that she daren't to do was look Meng Fuyao in the eye. To her, everyone was evil, but Meng Fuyao... she didn't seem all that bad.