Doted By The Regent King-Chapter 583: Willing to Go to Beiyan with Me?

Firecrackers could sound again, but they wouldn’t make me long for you as I do.

Wufu was slightly dazed, looking at the man opposite her, Is this, a love confession?

Ah Jiu stared at her face, which appeared particularly delicate under the Palace Lantern, and felt a moment of stupefaction before realizing what he had said. His face heated up, and he lowered his head, calmly picking up the teacup and sipping tea.

Yet Wufu was unaware that his fingers were trembling slightly underneath the small table, and his ears were also warm.

Wufu didn’t know what to say for a moment, coughed once, and asked, "Where are we going?" She noticed that the carriage had begun to move slowly.

Ah Jiu said, "Not sure. Just wandering around."

Wufu uttered an "Oh."

Ah Jiu looked at her, wanting to say more but hesitated.

The Small Red Furnace inside the carriage was burning vigorously, the charcoal crackling. The carriage was warm and cozy, Wufu had drunk some liquor and was feeling tipsy, bordering on sleepy.

She was half-slumped, half-leaning inside the carriage. To speak of elegance and poise was completely out of the question, and in front of a man, it could even be considered indecent.

Ah Jiu, however, found it comforting. The more relaxed she was around him, the more at ease he felt.

"Don’t fall asleep now, or you’ll accidentally catch a cold," Ah Jiu reminded.

Wufu hummed through her nose, half-opening her eyes to ask him, "You said after the new year you’ll head to the Capital, is it Nanyue?"

"Yes. To be precise, to the capital of Nanyue — Changan." Ah Jiu explained, "And Beiyan’s capital city is called the Capital."

The corners of Wufu’s mouth lifted slightly, "I know, I’ve seen the Map. It’s quite rare; the two kingdoms have been divided for two hundred years, and during this time, no strong leader has emerged to unify the world."

Ah Jiu said, "That’s because right after the division, a hundred-year peace treaty was signed. Once the hundred years passed..." He showed a bitter smile and said, "Originally, Beiyan had the opportunity to unify the world."

"Hmm?" Wufu opened her eyes.

"A hundred years ago, there has been an Emperor Xiao Wu in Beiyan, famed for his martial prowess and strategy. After years of conquest, Nanyue was nearly driven overseas. But at that time, Empress Xiao, who had joined Emperor Xiao Wu in the campaigns, died suddenly and unexpectedly. Empress Xiao was his primary wife and the only wife he had. Her sudden death was a great blow to him, and it allowed Nanyue to find an opening. Utilizing spies and shamans, Nanyue cast a spell on Emperor Xiao Wu, leading him to take his own life."

Ah Jiu took a sip of tea and continued, "Once the mausoleum collapsed, Beiyan immediately fell into civil strife. Several Vassal Kings fought for power among themselves, while Nanyue took the opportunity to regain lost territory. By the time Beiyan settled the chaos and a new emperor rose, Nanyue had already solidified its defenses, and the advantage was lost. Both kingdoms needed time to recover and so a hundred years of peace ensued. However, these past few years, the Nanyue Court has decayed, and the Emperor Star has dimmed. Nanyue’s national fortune is already in decline; it remains to be seen if anyone can turn the tide."

Wufu’s eyelids were half-open as she said, "So, a hundred years ago, Beiyan dug its own grave. A hundred years later, it’s Nanyue that’s doing the same. The opportunity you spoke of, this is it."

Ah Jiu’s gaze flickered, "Almost there."

Wufu, with closed eyes, curled the corner of her lips. What’s missing? The right timing, geography, and human relations are essential; what’s missing, an opportunity?

"If the two nations go to war, it’s the common people who will suffer. Wufu, when the time comes, would you be willing to follow me to Beiyan?" Ah Jiu asked.

No one replied, only the sound of shallow breathing. Ah Jiu looked over to find that she had already fallen asleep, breathing gently and regularly.

The light from the Palace Lantern fell softly on her face, Ah Jiu sighed, draped a cloak gently over her, and as he watched her, he suddenly felt like having a bit of liquor too.