Chapter 59: Night Talk in Xishuang Garden

  The housekeeper led Guo Fei and the two of them did not go to the main city in the northwest, but instead went to the Wei City north of the main city. Guo Fei looked at the crowded crowd, thought for a moment, and followed closely behind him.

  This man seemed to have noticed Guo Fei's vigilance, and at such a close distance, it was clear that Guo Fei could instantly hurt him. He smiled slightly and said: "Brother Guo doesn't need to be like this, I think the princess has arranged for you to stay in a villa under her name, which is more suitable than anywhere else."

  The garrison city is much smaller than the main city, but it still has a majestic momentum. The guards seem to be more strict, and after entering the city, the sound of loud shouts and killings can be heard from time to time. Guo Fei, who had been in the military camp, recognized that this was the sound of soldiers practicing stabbing drills.

  It seems that this garrison has stationed a considerable number of troops. There are not many civilians and businessmen here, it's cold and deserted, every passerby is dressed in bright clothes, not like ordinary civilians. It should be the residence of people with status and position in Blackstone County.

  The sun sets in the west, and several people urge their horses forward. When entering the city gate of Weicheng, the guide produces a token from his waist, and the soldiers let them pass. Along the street, they enter a secluded alley and come to a courtyard surrounded by dense forests. It is obvious that not everyone can have such a courtyard in the city.

  Xī yuàn. This is the name of this courtyard, a wooden plaque hangs on both sides of the vermilion gate. Guō Fēi faintly felt that this name had a story to tell, and it can be seen that the person who named it was very thoughtful.

  Entering the courtyard, you are immediately greeted by two elegant two-story wooden buildings. Behind the wooden buildings is a garden about the size of a basketball court, with lush green bamboo and wisteria, and various colorful flowers scattered about like stars.

  "Guo Xiao brothers, is this noble guest also staying here?" The man who brought Guo Fei here looked at Hu Xiaoyue, who was wearing a bamboo hat and followed them, and asked suddenly.

  "This is a friend I met on the road, she came to Heishi County to visit relatives, staying here tonight and leaving tomorrow." Guo Fei didn't want to reveal too much and it wasn't good to mention Hu Xiaoyue's identity, so he smiled lightly.

  "Ah!" The person looked at Hu Xiaoyue with a suspicious gaze, and a hint of surprise appeared on the corner of his mouth. He continued: "Since you are a friend of my younger brother, please stay for now. There are three servants here, if you need anything, just ask them. The county lord will make time to see you. Don't worry, it's very safe here, there won't be any problems."

  "Thank you!" Guo Fei's heart skipped a beat, as if there was more to what this person said.

  "I'll take my leave then, farewell!" The man left with a few others.

  In the courtyard, there were two male servants around fifty years old and one female servant around forty years old. It seemed that the three of them had received orders long ago and had prepared everything they needed.

  Guo Fei handed over the horses to them, they went to feed on their own, and then took Hu Xiaoyue into the small building.

  The interior of the small building was not very luxurious, but simple and elegant, spotless, with all living necessities available, which made Guo Fei quite satisfied. After taking a hot bath, he had a sumptuous dinner in the company of Hu Xiaoyue. Guo Fei felt that his tense mood over the past few days finally relaxed.

  Hu Xiaoyue was very worried and carefully checked the food one by one, smelling it to see if it was poisonous. Moreover, before Guo Fei ate anything, she would taste it first.

  "Don't worry, since it's Zhao Xue who sent someone to pick us up, we should be safe. Moreover, the people who ambushed us on the road were so fierce, it seems they knew that once we entered Heishi County, they wouldn't dare act again, which is why they made a hasty move. This Wei City isn't simple, it looks like there aren't many people, but its defenses are tight." Guo Fei said calmly.

  Night fell, Guo Fei went to sleep, but Hu Xiaoyue didn't. She was worried and sat quietly in the small pavilion in the courtyard, practicing her breathing exercises while keeping watch.

  At midnight, a team of knights arrived outside the courtyard, quietly coming to the outside of the courtyard. The horseshoes were neat and uniform, with a clear rhythm, obviously a well-trained cavalry. Hu Xiaoyue quickly hid in the small building, the servant opened the door, welcomed them in, and then woke up Guo Fei.

  Guo Fei, wearing only a thin garment and underwear, sleepily made his way to the first floor living room, where he immediately spotted Zhao Xue, standing tall and slender in her blue robe, with a smile on her face.

  "The princess sees me in the middle of the night and is not afraid to let people suspect that we have some improper dealings. Hehe!" Guo Fei smiled at her.

  "Oh. Little brother, after leaving me, do you think day and night about what 'mischief' we will have between us?" Zhao Xue smiled sweetly, turned around and sat down, lazily lying on the sofa looking at Guo Fei.

  Kuo Fei was taken aback, not expecting her to say such a thing. He immediately composed himself and said: "This is not possible, I am just a lowly soldier, how dare I have such wild thoughts, that even my bones would be swallowed by others."

  "Hehe. I know you have complaints, blaming me for being unkind and getting you involved in the Zhao family's whirlpool. However, since you can safely arrive here, it means you've passed the test, and everything will get better." Zhao Xue smiled and said in a gentle voice.

  "Oh. The county master is well aware of our encounter on the road. Is this test set up by you?" Guo Fei's face turned cold, and he said in a low voice.

  "You misunderstood, of course it wasn't me." Zhao Xue immediately sat up straight and refused categorically.

  "But you know!"

  "Not bad, I admit, I expected you to encounter assassination, and it's quite tragic. Because this is my fate, anyone I want to get close to will encounter assassination, even if I have a slight affection for them." Zhao Xue said with a hint of sadness.

  "I don't understand!"

  "Do you know why this courtyard is called Xi Yuan? The one who used to live here was my childhood playmate, named Wang Xi. His father had saved mine from the battlefield, but he himself died a miserable death. My father took in his wife and their only son, and arranged for them to live here. We grew up together like two shoots of bamboo. He died a miserable death at 16. Later on, every man I had some feelings for all died miserable deaths." Zhao Xue laughed angrily.

  "County master, don't joke around. Are you a heavenly calamity, killing them off one by one?" Guo Fei's body hair stood on end, but he immediately relaxed, thinking that in this world where ghosts and demons existed, nothing supernatural would happen, and couldn't help but laugh.

  "Of course not, someone assassinated them, just like they would you. And it's the same force at play. Do you want to know why?" Zhao Xue leaned back into the sofa again, half her body sinking into the couch as she gazed faintly at Guo Fei, looking particularly solemn under the dim light of the lamp.

  "I don't want to, I'm just a small soldier, I don't want to get involved in the affairs of your Zhao family." Guo Fei's mouth curved slightly as he said this in a low voice.

  "Guo Fei, I have to say, you're a cunning person. However, this incident is like a river, now that you've jumped in, do you think you can stay dry? It's too late."

  "Alright then, go ahead and tell me, I'll just pretend it's a story."

  "We, the Zhao nation, were founded after the collapse of the empire where the Gui tribe invaded and the Gui Mo was located. The founding king had a twin brother, the two were close and skilled in joint combat techniques, and fought side by side in all battles big and small. After the founding, the elder brother became king, and after his death, he passed the throne to his younger brother. After the younger brother's death, he remembered his older brother's kindness and passed the throne to his older brother's son, thus burying the roots of disaster."

  In the previous three generations, the elder brother's line and the younger brother's line were very harmonious and took turns as king. However, good things didn't last long. In the fourth generation, a fierce struggle broke out between the two lines for the throne, with both sides suffering heavy losses. Finally, they sat down to negotiate and established a new rule for succession: whoever achieved the highest cultivation in the Zhao family would become the king.

  Moreover, whether it is the king or the duke, after the age of sixty, they must retire behind the scenes and become the elder of the family. An elder council will be set up to discuss matters within the Zhao family. As for national affairs, they are not allowed to interfere." After finishing speaking, Zhao Xue took a light sip of the tea placed by the servant and slowly caught her breath.

  "County master, what does this have to do with assassinating me? Don't beat around the bush." Guo Fei yawned, impatiently.

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