Fate's Thread: One Suffers, Two Rejoice, Three Part

Xiao He grabbed Xiang Yuan's wrist and, without another word, started dragging him away with his entourage.

After a couple of steps, he found he couldn't pull Xiang Yuan along, so he turned and glared at Yue Huanjiang. "Look at you, all prim and proper, like some sanctimonious beast in fine clothes. Haven't you heard that a melon forced off the vine won't be sweet? If you have any shame, let go immediately."

Yue Huanjiang's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't loosen his grip. He said calmly, "A gentleman loves wealth but acquires it righteously, views it with moderation, and uses it with restraint. You, sir, relying on your background and forceful methods, are no gentleman."

"Gentleman? Where are the gentlemen here? That's hilarious. D-do you mean... me?" Xiao He's eyes widened, a hint of joy appearing.

Just as Xiang Yuan had predicted, the two of them together created a starkly conflicting dynamic.

Yue Huanjiang had never encountered such a shameless person. He said with a cold face, "Sir, do not feign madness. I and my sworn brother Xiang hit it off immediately. He is a distinguished guest of White Cloud Manor; how can I allow you to act so recklessly here!"

"I am acting recklessly. What are you going to do about it? Try and stop me, and tomorrow I'll have my father smash your shops!" Xiao He straightened his back, his good looks making him seem imposing, whether you liked it or not.

"Are all disciples of the Xiao clan as overbearing as you?"

"Precisely."

"..."

Xiao He was like a hedgehog with its quills up. When he threw all shame aside, he was practically invincible. Against a gentleman, he had both immunity and a special attack bonus. Yue Huanjiang found no way to get a grip on him, completely helpless.

Seeing that Yue Huanjiang was a gentleman, Xiao He's spirits soared even higher. He tilted his head up, speaking directly into Yue Huanjiang's nostrils. "If you want rules and reason, I'll give you justice that resides in the hearts of the people. Little Brother Yuan is a constable at the county yamen. He has a dispatch and writ from the Fengxian County Lieutenant, ordering him to eat, live, study, and play with me, protecting me closely. It's all in black and white, with the yamen's seal."

As he said this, he truly pulled a document from County Lieutenant Qin out of his robes.

He had originally thought that since Xiang Yuan had caused trouble at White Cloud Manor, he could take responsibility with this document, first doing Xiang Yuan a favor, then saying some nice words of apology, and thus happily win over his destined partner.

Everyone would be happy, and the two would fall for each other.

Who would have thought that Xiang Yuan was doing so well at White Cloud Manor, and the document's purpose would change accordingly?

"Rules are dead, but people are alive. If White Cloud Manor were to speak up, the County Lieutenant could amend the writ, couldn't he?" Yue Huanjiang snorted coldly.

Xiao He was unfazed. "Heh heh, rules are dead, but people can be dead too. If that Qin fellow dares to collude with bandits, I'll petition my father to have him punished. Then I'll confiscate his entire family and seize all his beautiful concubines."

As the two clashed, Xiao He, backed by King Zhao, held the moral high ground of the court. White Cloud Manor conducted legitimate business, and Yue Huanjiang was no match for him.

Xiang Yuan looked left and right, exclaiming that he was learning a lot. Seeing Yue Huanjiang losing momentum, he said with concern, "Brother, do not worry. Don't forget, even if we can't have a heart-to-heart talk, we can still row a boat together and drink under the river moon."

Life is like a dream, a cup poured out to the river moon.

Yue Huanjiang recalled this line and was even more unwilling to give up.

County Lieutenant Qin's path was blocked. There was still County Magistrate Sima and Assistant County Magistrate Wu at the Fengxian yamen. Both had more authority than the County Lieutenant. However, as Xiao He had said, King Zhao commanded all civil and military affairs across the eight prefectures, naturally giving him the moral high ground. They wouldn't risk drawing trouble upon themselves for such a minor matter.

In the end, the key still lay with Xiang Yuan.

"My dear brother, if you are unwilling, just say the word. I will only follow your wishes!" Yue Huanjiang said sincerely.

"Brother, you must not. You are, after all, a businessman. Harmony brings wealth; that is the right path."

Xiang Yuan suppressed his urge to spectate the comical scene and calmly took over. He advised Yue Huanjiang not to escalate the situation. From White Cloud Manor's perspective, it truly wasn't worth it to ruin things for such a trivial matter.

These words struck Xiao He as particularly jarring, akin to 'If love between two people can last for eternity, why should they be concerned about the morning and evening?' He could endure this humiliation, but he couldn't! He immediately unleashed his full fury, determined to sever this "affair."

"Hahaha, Little Brother Yuan, you speak so well, so tactfully. If you're too embarrassed to say it, I'll say it for you."

Xiao He puffed up with pride. "Clearly, you and I hit it off immediately, and our bond deepened with constant companionship. This demon man tempts with his looks but only has the surface, not the heart. After much thought, you still find me better."

You can forget it. If my master hadn't calculated so accurately, and if I hadn't already shot the arrow, would we even be interacting?

Xiang Yuan inwardly scoffed. He broke free from their clasped hands and cupped his fists towards Yue Huanjiang. "Do not act impulsively out of momentary anger. I will find another day to have tea with you, brother."

Yue Huanjiang sighed inwardly. White Cloud Manor had grand plans, and it wasn't good to stir up trouble and offend the Xiao clan. He could only nod. "If my dear brother wishes to go, I will not stop you. The small token of appreciation has already been prepared, and it would be inconvenient to take it back. I will send someone to accompany you."

You even prepared a gift!

Pfft, Little Brother Yuan isn't the star performer at Yusheng Workshop. Why are you inflating the prices like this!

Xiao He's eyes widened. He had also prepared a gift of apology, fearing he would be outdone.

No, I have to go back and add more money.

Watching the backs of the two as they left, Yue Huanjiang felt reluctant, sensing that this departure meant parting ways, and there would be little chance to reconnect.

He asked expressionlessly, "Who is that fellow?"

"He is Xiao He, the fortieth son of King Zhao Xiao Yan. He is untalented and not favored by King Zhao, who left him in Fengxian County to fend for himself."

The shopkeeper, who was well-informed about the situation in Fengxian County, explained, "Ultimately, he is King Zhao's biological son, not just an adopted one. Various factions are unwilling to cause trouble for him, hence they mostly yield."

"Left in the Southern Border to fend for himself?" Yue Huanjiang frowned deeply.

"He's not favored. Perhaps King Zhao wouldn't mind if this son died in the Southern Border," the shopkeeper whispered. A useless person who couldn't achieve anything was better off dead. If he could be used to expose the crimes of some faction, it would be making the best use of him.

The shopkeeper's words made sense. In the past, Yue Huanjiang would have ignored a "useless person" like Xiao He and simply smiled it away.

But today was different. He was quite fond of Xiang Yuan and couldn't believe Xiang Yuan would abandon him for a good-for-nothing.

Reconsidering, was this good-for-nothing... truly useless?

Meanwhile, Xiao He was dragging Xiang Yuan along the East Street, having bought several snacks to please him.

When he turned back, several attendants from White Cloud Manor were following with gift boxes.

"Bad luck!"

Xiao He looked at Xiang Yuan with dissatisfaction and grievance. "Brother Xiao, who is that guy? How can you call him brother?"

"He's like jade, I admire him greatly," Xiang Yuan said wistfully.

This wasn't said to deliberately disgust Xiao He, but the honest truth was hurtful and achieved the goal of disgusting Xiao He.

Why admire him? Admire me!

The word "缘" (yuan, fate/affinity) is like love. One person suffers, two are happy, three separate. When they separate, there are joys and sorrows, partings and reunions, and all sorts of drama. That's why Xiao He got anxious as soon as he heard it.

Who is this third party interfering, daring to snatch my fated person, Xiao He!

Xiao He had already figured out the situation at the White Cloud Manor shops in Fengxian County. Yue Huanjiang was not a man with such an elegant and refined demeanor. Judging by his speech and appearance, he was truly an extraordinary gentleman of noble birth, with a distinguished background.

"Brother Xiao, what's the demon's name? He's completely captivated you?"

"There's no demon, only a brother named Yue Huanjiang."

"Never heard of him..."

This was the first time Xiao He had heard of Yue Huanjiang. He guessed the other party was an inner disciple of White Cloud Manor who rarely ventured into the jianghu, or perhaps, like himself, a hidden, low-key, but formidable individual.

Either way, this person was extraordinary and not vulgar.

"Speaking of which, Young Master Xiao, what brings you to White Cloud Manor? You cut off my opportunities and future, which is truly hateful," Xiang Yuan said coldly.

Xiao He held snacks in his arms and said with a smile, "I was just afraid Brother Xiao would suffer. As soon as I received the news, I rushed over to rescue you. Luckily, I came in time. You have no idea how extravagant the children of these rich families are. They particularly like handsome young men like you. You can't go to White Cloud Manor anymore."

Xiang Yuan ignored him.

Xiao He gritted his teeth. "There are too many people here. I'll kneel down for you when we get back."

Xiang Yuan remained unmoved.

Xiao He's expression turned serious. "Brother Xiao, I offended you before, and it wasn't my intention. Everyone in Fengxian County knows I've always been an uneducated scoundrel, not someone who specifically deceives you."

"Who exactly are you?" Xiang Yuan lowered his voice.

"We'll talk when we get back."

Xiang Yuan heard the telepathic message and marveled at Xiao He's profound martial arts realm. He became even more curious about his abilities and his purpose for pretending to be crazy and coming to Fengxian County to study.

And what about Wang Wenxu and Xu Jixian? What were their identities? Were they really from Six Doors, as Xiao He claimed?