A reunion between relatives was naturally a good thing, especially when they could still come together after Eastern Qi's destruction, a change of dynasty, and their lineage's decline-and even showed faint signs of joining forces to recover their former glory. That made it all the more interesting.
But His Majesty might currently be enduring the worst stretch of his life. As public servants of Great Wei, being too casual now, indulging in private affections, or even dining and drinking at public expense inevitably seemed somewhat disrespectful of His Majesty.
"As I see it, His Majesty was merely rattled at first. He thought no one would dare truly defy him-not even his imperial uncle, much less anyone else. That was why he could never let go of Dongyi, a mere corner of the world, repeatedly defying him, and why he wanted Yang Shen shot into pulp after his rebellion... This time in the Western Pass, he rounded up all five chief administrators as easily as slaughtering chickens, and dealt with the Taiyuan Regional Commander with a single sentence. Then the Wu Clan, whom he had personally subdued back in the day, actually came, and he really panicked." Wine cup in hand, Zhang Xing leaned crookedly against the table and spoke with a mocking air. "But what truly frightened His Majesty was Dulan Khagan's arrow... After that arrow, His Majesty suddenly realized that he might lose not only his dignity but his life, and promptly collapsed like a routed army fleeing a thousand miles."
"So that was it." Luo Shu stroked his thin, long beard with one hand and raised his cup with the other, smiling as he leaned against the table in the same posture. "But in that case, might His Majesty become cautious and conscientious after this experience? Wouldn't that