Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister Chapter 1050 - 526: What’s Wrong with a Bigger Temper When You’re Stronger? (Part 2)
Previously on Unstoppable Martial Arts: Starting with brother's wife and young sister...
Duke Qin was met with a flicker of reluctance in his gaze. To be honest, the thought of coming to the Ritual Department had never appealed to him, as it always made him feel rather uneasy. However, Duke Qin remained silent.
"Duke Qin, Duke Yuan!" Kang Bai hurried over, his back bent in a respectful bow. "Have the two Dukes graced the Ritual Department with their presence to see the Chief Eunuch?"
"Mm."
"How is Liu Sheng doing?" Duke Qin inquired. Kang Bai offered a smile in response, though internally, he scoffed. It had been ages since these two had shown any concern. Their personal visit to the Ritual Department today could only mean one thing: they weren't merely here to see the Chief Eunuch.
"He's largely confined to bed, recuperating," Kang Bai replied, his smile faltering as sadness touched his features.
"Let's go see him," Duke Qin stated, gesturing forward without the slightest change in his expression.
"This way, Your Graces," Kang Bai yielded, stepping aside and extending a hand. Despite his inner displeasure, faced with the two titans of Great Yu, he had no choice but to suppress his feelings.
Moments later, the trio stood before Liu Sheng's chamber door. Kang Bai took a step forward and knocked. "Chief Eunuch, Duke Qin and Duke Yuan are here."
Inside the room, Liu Sheng was relishing the sensation as Chen Xuan gently worked to clear the stagnation within his body. His eyes were half-closed, his brows relaxed in contentment.
The sound of Kang Bai's voice, however, caused his brows to furrow instantly. "What are those two doing here?" he asked, his voice deliberately not lowered.
Kang Bai, standing just outside the door, heard him perfectly. And of course, Duke Qin and Duke Yuan, mere steps away, heard him as well.
Chen Xuan offered a slight smile before stopping his work. "That's sufficient for now."
"Mm," Liu Sheng acknowledged, nodding to Chen Xuan. Understanding immediately, Chen Xuan rose to open the door, revealing Duke Qin and Duke Yuan. "Your Graces, please come in."
"Mm," Duke Qin replied, nodding. Once the two entered, Chen Xuan stepped out, closing the door softly behind him.
He then walked alongside Kang Bai. "Aren't you going to stay and attend to them?"
"I don't make a habit of waiting on people," Chen Xuan stated plainly.
He reasoned that remaining inside would place him in the lowest position, potentially requiring him to pour tea and serve water, tasks he was unwilling to perform. His service to Liu Sheng stemmed from genuine respect and kindness shown to him; Liu Sheng treated him like a mentee. But Duke Qin and Duke Yuan? They warranted no such deference from him, and he wouldn't offer it.
"You, ah... ai," Kang Bai sighed, though his gaze towards Chen Xuan held a trace of envy. He mused that in all of Great Yu, perhaps only Chen Xuan could utter such words; even the Princes would hesitate. After all, those were the two towering figures of Great Yu, especially Duke Qin, who was of the Imperial Family!
Inside the room, Duke Qin observed Liu Sheng reclining on the chair, his heart filled with a mix of emotions. To see such a formidable figure of Great Yu reduced to this state was saddening.
"Sit. Or do you expect a cripple like me to personally invite you?" Liu Sheng's words were laced with a discernible anger, though it was unclear whether it was directed at them or at Great Yu itself.
After taking a seat, Duke Qin inquired, "Is there still hope?"
Liu Sheng, however, did not answer. Instead, with a perplexed expression, he posed a different question: "Back then, between the National Preceptor and myself, who suffered the more severe injuries?"
A ripple of shock went through Duke Qin and Duke Yuan. Who was more severely injured? While others might not know, Duke Qin certainly did, which was precisely why Liu Sheng directed the question at him. He fell silent.
Yet, Liu Sheng's aged eyes remained fixed on him, unwavering. Having dedicated his entire life to Great Yu, he could not accept his current fate!
"Liu Sheng, that is a question I cannot answer for you," Duke Qin finally spoke. He knew the truth but could not voice it to Liu Sheng's face. More importantly, he dared not!
"Heh," Liu Sheng let out a cold laugh, choosing not to press the matter further.
Duke Yuan, who had remained silent thus far, now felt as if he were on pins and needles. Their initial hope was for Liu Sheng to permit Chen Xuan's involvement in investigating the situation with the two clans. They had never anticipated such a question arising.
While Duke Qin might have been merely startled, Duke Yuan was genuinely terrified. Such words bordered on treason, yet there was nothing inherently wrong with the question itself. For Duke Yuan also knew that the National Preceptor had been on the verge of death back then, only to be saved by His Majesty. The current predicament was that neither he nor Duke Qin could speak the answer.
“Focus on recovery. I’ll find a way to aid your healing.” Duke Qin declared, patting his shoulder. Even as a member of the Imperial Family, there was little he could do. “To have the thought is enough,” Liu Sheng replied, his words laced with sarcasm and an even greater measure of pent-up frustration. “Very well, in my current state, I cannot see you out. I’ll forgo the pleasantries.” Liu Sheng clearly dismissed them. The two couldn’t possibly remain. “Mm, we shall visit again when time permits. We won’t linger further,” Duke Yuan stated. Liu Sheng merely offered a slight inclination of his head in response. Duke Qin and Duke Yuan exchanged a knowing glance before promptly exiting the room. Once outside, Duke Yuan exhaled, a sense of unexplained oppression lifting from him. “What shall we do?” he inquired, looking to Duke Qin. “Let’s depart,” Duke Qin replied. His heart churned with irritation and a nascent anger—not directed at Liu Sheng, of course, but at another. After all, Liu Sheng had sacrificed himself for Great Yu; by any measure, his current predicament was difficult to justify. As the two reached the covered walkway, they encountered Chen Xuan and Kang Bai. “Your Graces!” Both men saluted and called out. Suddenly! Duke Qin halted, his gaze fixing upon Chen Xuan and holding there for an extended moment. Kang Bai grew involuntarily tense at this display. Chen Xuan, however, remained completely unfazed. “Duke Qin?” he softly inquired again. “Let us proceed,” Duke Qin said, this time directing his words to Duke Yuan. As they walked away, Kang Bai’s expression was one of bewilderment. He turned to Chen Xuan and asked, “It appeared Duke Qin had something he wished to convey to you, but… did he refrain?”