Chapter 823 - 820: I Believe
The King of Xihuai’s eyes were red, his voice weak: "Go back... to collect the bodies of the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, or to guard their tombs! We still have to return!"
"Has Your Highness never thought, if it truly is too late... then don’t go back, continue southward, to settle in a place of serene mountains and clear waters, where the seasons are gentle and pleasant, and live as a wealthy man?" Xiao Rongyan looked earnestly at the King of Xihuai, seizing the opportunity to convey his thoughts, "In Wei Kingdom, Your Highness has aided Rong Yan greatly. Rong Yan sincerely wishes to establish an estate for Your Highness... fulfilling Your Highness’s desire to spend a lifetime as a carefree wealthy man."
The King of Xihuai looked at Xiao Rongyan, his eyes reddening further, and smiled through the mist that had begun to cloud his vision: "Rong Yan, despite having numerous friends in this life, the only one who has truly lent me a hand in my time of crisis is you! Becoming friends with you in this lifetime... has indeed been worthwhile!"
As he spoke, tears fell from the King of Xihuai’s eyes. He hastily wiped them with his sleeve, exhaling deeply. After a moment of melancholy laughter, he composed himself and looked seriously at Xiao Rongyan.
"Rong Yan, you mustn’t return to Wei Kingdom! Though you are from Wei, your businesses are spread across many lands. And... you are betrothed to the Princess of Zhen Kingdom. Although this princess struggles with lineage, she is indeed a rare beauty. Should you join the Bai family, you will also become a relative of the Jin Kingdom’s royal family, and surely no one will dare to look down on you!"
"If you value offspring too much, do not take concubines, nor engage in romantic pursuits within the borders of Jin Kingdom," the King of Xihuai chuckled again. "I forgot, you are not inclined towards such things! That’s well... indeed well! If you truly cherish the Princess of Zhen, you can adopt a successor in the future!"
The King of Xihuai prattled on, his words somewhat incoherent, yet heartfelt, wanting to give his final instructions to his friend, Xiao Rongyan.
Xiao Rongyan clenched his fists and said, "Your Highness need not return to Wei Kingdom. The Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Gongsun tasked Your Highness with seeking survival for Wei Kingdom, hoping you could preserve some bloodline of the Imperial Family for the future!"