Chapter 1033: The path of a sovereign lies with choice (2/2)

But Tang LI faced Long Feiye instead, his tone earnest. “Big bro, I’m certain. I thought it over for an entire day. I’m certain!”

Long Feiye clenched his fists so hard the knuckles cracked. He wasn’t angry at Tang Li, but the person who instigated him. This was his beloved little brother, the boy he’d protected for over 20 years. Within the East Qin camp, he was the relative with the least schemes, the pure boy he never had to worry about. He too, was the one who lived most freely.

Just who was it that clued him in to all the harmful implications?

Just who was it that taught it it was better to abandon his wife and sacrifice himself for the sake of state affairs?

Just who was it that gave him such a heavy weight to bear?

Hadn’t he, Long Feiye, shouldered enough burdens in this lifetime? Did Tang Li have to join him as well?

“Baili Yuanlong’s arrived?” Long Feiye asked coldly. He had already issued orders on the way back for Baili Yuanlong to come here personally for discussions with the Di Clan generals. The man and the other deputy generals should be arriving within these few days.

“Big bro, I’m certain. This is my own affair. I have the right to make my own choice!” Tang Li proclaimed loudly.

“What do you know?” Long Feiye said icily. He had already been angered by Han Yunxi today, but now Tang Li just infuriated him further.

Tang Li stared into Long Feiye’s eyes, his voice choked with sobs. “I know you! Big bro, I understand, I understand everything!”

Long Feiye gave a start before quickly pulling his eyes away. Over the past twenty years, his little brother had never looked at him with such an earnest gaze, or spoken in such sincere tones. Only now did Long Feiye realize that Tang Li was completely serious. Meanwhile, Tang Li seized the chance when they broke eye contact to flee out the gates.

“Big bro, General Baili’s already outside the city gates. I’ll go pick them up!” So speaking, he fled.

Then Long Feiye realized that it hadn’t been General Baili who taught the lesson to Tang Li. Who else would tell him that “the end of spring, approaching summer” was the best time to attack? Very quickly, he thought of someone and immediately walked out the courtyard. Han Yunxi followed after him with quick steps.

Long Feiye soon reached Gu Beiyue’s courtyard and pounded on the door. Han Yunxi watched from a distance, her gaze complex.

“Your Highness, this one is here,” Gu Beiyue voice came from behind them. Actually, he had been waiting for Long Feiye at the tea table in his courtyard. After telling Tang Li so much, it’d be strange if Long Feiye didn’t come looking for him to settle accounts.

Long Feiye looked at him coldly. “What did you mean by this?”

Gu Beiyue rose to his feet, unruffled nor cowed by Long Feiye’s rage. He even rendered him silent with one statement.

“Your Highness, Tang Li isn’t the only person by your side, nor is he the sole man with a wife. The losses incurred by an early spring expedition will be increased; moreover, the matter of the Phoenix energy concerns both the princess and yourself. With the dual cultivation a failure, you are the one in greater danger. Your Highness, you should know that you and Ning Cheng are the same. Once you fall, both the Baili Army and south central regions--even the Tang Clan--will refuse to ally with West Qin. At that time, no one will be able to salvage the situation.”

Gu Beiyue was extremely calm. “Your Highness is a sagacious man and should understand that this northern expedition is crucial. No one can afford a loss! Without absolute preparations, it’s better to wait than to rush.”

Long Feiye broke into a bitter laugh. “Gu Beiyue, you’re even crueler than this crown prince.”

“Your Highness, this isn’t cruelty, but a choice.” Gu Beiyue said lightly. “A choice is only concerned with comparisons between right and wrong, not compassion and cruelty.”

By being cruel to Tang Li, Long Feiye’s decision to change the attack time would only seem merciful to his troops. Most of the generals from the south central regions, the Baili Army, and even the Ning Clan troops had never been to Northern Li before. They hadn’t experienced any of its chilly springs! Under these circumstances, it was all too normal for them to fall victims of frigid temperatures and disease and die. Compassion and cruelty had no set standards, but right and wrong did!

“Your Highness, the difficulty of a sovereign’s path lies in choice,” Gu Beiyue took a step back and made a deep, respectful bow. “As to the differences between right and wrong, this one only asks that you be prudent!”

The fire had long gone out from Long Feiye’s eyes as he stared at Gu Beiyue. In the end, he couldn’t help smiling and shaking his head. Han Yunxi too was grateful for the doctor’s speech.

Who says gaining Perplexing Butterfly Illusion wins one the world? It’s gaining Gu Beiyue that wins one the world!

He was a true doctor who treated diseases, people, hearts, and the lands under Heaven! By embracing the coveted calm of a doctor’s heart, he possessed the rare gift of a doctor’s ability to differentiate and choose. Tonight, he had treated Long Feiye.

“Your Highness, it’s getting late. Please go back! This one only speaks as one person, but the choice lies with you,” Gu Beiyue said.

Long Feiye hung around for a while before leaving soundlessly. He saw Han Yunxi waiting by the gates. She too, was silent. Although she understood Gu Beiyue’s spiel on the path of a sovereign, she could admit that she wasn’t capable of making those choices. She couldn’t bear to abandon Tang Li or Ning Jing, much less the baby waiting to see its father.

Long Feiye intoned, “Let’s ask Bai Yuqiao if there’s a way to guarantee everyone’s safety.”

“Alright!” Han Yunxi nodded promptly.

She had no idea what kind of choice Long Feiye would make, but by asking for Bai Yuqiao’s input, it showed that he hadn’t given up on Tang Li and Ning Jing yet.

What kind of answer would Bai Yuqiao give them in return?