Yun Guan’s commander Luo Qi has not gone back to the capital to visit his home for two years now. In his memories, Luo Wei was still that often-hated little chubby boy, so when he saw this beautiful youth in front of him, he almost didn’t realize he was staring right at his own brother.
Luo Wei watched Luo Qi, his emotions were running wild in his chest. His eldest brother had been rendered to nothing but mud under the hooves of the horses of Northern Yan. His eldest brother, who’d died without even a body to bury, was standing in front of him right now, still as tall and as handsome as he’d remembered. Just by standing there, Luo Qi gave off the sense of someone who could be relied upon, who could protect others. Luo Wei really didn’t know if he ought to laugh or cry.
“You… You’re Luo Wei?” Luo Qi finally said, uncertainly.
“Big brother,” Luo Wei smiled as he called out to Luo Qi.
Luo Qi took his time looking over Luo Wei. It seems that Luo Ze didn’t lie to him in his letters, Luo Wei really was prettier than a girl now.
Luo Wei laughed, “Big brother, don’t you recognize me?”
Luo Qi chuckled too. He’d always been a serious person and didn’t smile or laugh often, but when he smiled, it was always warm and gentle, “Xiao Wei,” Luo Qi clapped his hand over Luo Wei’s shoulder hard, “You’re right, I almost couldn’t recognize you! Dad and your second brother sent me letters about how you’d become a good kid lately, and how you’ve started to help dad out. I’m glad to hear it!”
Luo Wei shook his head, a little embarra.s.sed, “It’s only because I’d been such a bad kid before.”
“Is that Luo Wei?” A surprised voice came from behind the two brothers.
Luo Wei turned to look. A man who still looked like a scholar despite his heavy armor walked over. As soon as Luo Wei saw him, his expression cooled momentarily. It was Chang Ling, Chang Lu Cheng. Yun Guan’s commander Luo Qi’s good friend, and the son of Ling Nan’s Chang family. He was the first of the vice-commanders of Yun Guan. Ling Nan’s Chang family had chosen the second prince in the end, and Chang Ling betrayed Luo Qi by guarding Yun Guan, and not sending back up when requested, resulting in the tragic death of Luo Qi.
“Lu Cheng,” Luo Qi left his hand at Luo Wei’s shoulder, “Look, our little Xiao Wei’s changed a lot, right?”
Chang Ling answered, “You can say that again, he’s changed all over! Xiao Wei, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Luo Wei smiled, “Almost, but didn’t big brother Chang call me Luo Wei just now?”
“Let’s talk inside.” Luo Qi headed in.
Chang Ling walked in front of Luo Wei, and he didn’t notice that moment of strangeness when Luo Wei saw him. Luo Wei followed behind Chang Ling, thinking about how Chang Ling had never even lived to see the day that Long Xuan ascended. It was only half a year after Luo Qi’s tragic death that Chang Ling died of a sudden illness. Was it karma or was he unable to escape his guilt? Luo Wei didn’t want to know the truth, because no matter what the reason was, knowing that he’d betrayed them was enough.
After they sat down, Chang Ling wanted to catch up with Luo Wei, but Luo Wei cut him off, “Big brother Chang, the enemy’s almost at our gates, this isn’t the time to discuss these trivial matters.”
Chang Ling rubbed his nose, hiding his own awkwardness.
“Please invite General Liu inside,” Luo Qi said to the soldier nearby, then asked Luo Wei, “Xiao Wei, did His Imperial Majesty tell you anything when you left the capital?”
Luo Wei answered, “His Imperial Majesty says he trusts in my big brother to protect Yun Guan, that the army of Northern Yan was nothing to be scared of.”
Luo Qi stood, then bowed in the direction of the capital, thanking the emperor’s praise.
Chang Ling said, “I didn’t expect the emperor to send you as the military supervisor, Xiao Wei.” Chang Ling saw Luo Wei as a younger brother, so he said whatever came to his mind and was not cautious of him.
Luo Wei smiled, “I don’t know how to fight, or how to direct an army, watching is about all I’m good for. But when I go back to the capital, I will tell the emperor exactly what I saw here. Big brother Chang, you better be careful, my eyes are real sharp. It won’t be good if I saw you doing anything wrong.”
Chang Ling looked at Luo Qi. Luo Wei’s words seemed to be all business, but it also felt like a joke, and he didn’t know how to react exactly, unsure of which one it really was.
TRANSLATOR’S NOTES
SORRY GUYS!!!! I took the entirety of last week off without letting you know, but I ended up having a lot of work recently… have to pay rent and everything, lol… My work is very seasonal so i try to do as much as i can when there is work in case there’s nothing in the week after… thank u all for all your patience, and thank u again for people who have donated over ko-fi. : ) <3 love you guys!!!