(Signed) Two formidable leads ✘ devoted to each other
(Self-disciplined and proper ✘ reunited after years apart, bound to the bone)
(Prince of the former dynasty ✘ son of a former general)
Xiao Yan is the young marshal of the Xiao family.
When he was ten, an eight-year-old child joined the household. Thin as a reed in the wind, the boy walked without a sound and ate nothing but the pickled radishes in front of him.
Six years later, on the eve of the Xiao family’s destruction.
Shen Zhiyao came out of Xiao Lie’s study. Instead of returning to his own room, he went to Xiao Yan’s.
He stood at the door and told Xiao Yan his story, one sentence at a time. His surname was Chen. He was the seventh son of the last emperor of the former dynasty. At eight years old, he had been sent to the Xiao residence by the Old Chen Society to serve as a spy.
He said Xiao Lie already knew, and had told him to take his mother’s surname, Shen, from then on.
When he was done, he lowered his head and waited.
As if awaiting a reckoning that had been six years in coming.
After hearing him out, Xiao Yan said only five words: “Don’t tell anyone else.”
The following night, Zhao Chong framed the Xiao family for treason, and the whole household was slaughtered. After killing them all, he set the place on fire, leaving the old residence a charred ruin. The two were separated in the inferno.
They met again twelve years later.
Xiao Yan, under the alias Xie Qi, entered the Grand Tutor’s residence as a northern retainer who had “pledged allegiance.”
Zhao Chong called out, “Zhiyao.”
A man emerged from behind the screen, wearing a moon-white robe, his phoenix eyes lowered.
His folding fan snapped shut.
“Warrior Xie.”
“Master Shen.”
Neither of them let on that they knew each other.
Two small bitter gourds🥲
👍 Good looking