Doted By The Regent King
Chapter 268: Take Under My Wing?

Chapter 268: Chapter 268: Take Under My Wing?

The room fell quiet, and Ah Jiu let out a long sigh, his young face showing signs of fatigue.

Yuan Ye felt a pang of heartache and couldn’t help but say, "My lord, if it really doesn’t work out, we could call over Liu Zhou and Shi Shan."

Liu Zhou was the most stable and oldest of the lord’s few personal guards, someone who could stand firm in tough situations.

And Shi Shan, clever and astute, excel at inferencing, both were capable people.

Having them by your side, lord, would ease your burdens greatly.

"Now that we’re out, Liu Zhou is keeping watch at home. He’s like our eyes and ears there. If he left, we’d be blind and deaf," Ah Jiu sighed. "As for Shi Shan, he has just found his footing in the Five Cities Army. We can’t afford to pull him out."

Yuan Ye fell silent.

It was precisely because they were so important that it was such a dilemma.

"In the end, since we left, my nature seems to have become more unrestrained. It’s fortunate that we’ve now seen the drawbacks. Otherwise, when a major issue arises, if the people around me are not reliable, I can only wait to take the hits," Ah Jiu said with a self-deprecating sneer.

Yuan Ye immediately said, "My lord, don’t overthink it. Master Kongxu also said that you shouldn’t be overly suspicious and worry too much, otherwise..."

His face turned pale, not daring to continue.

Ah Jiu snorted, "That old baldy, always spouting grandiose and alarmist talk. I’m now the age of crown-wearing, but why haven’t I died an untimely death?"

"My lord!" Yuan Ye cried out in alarm and knelt with a thump.

Ah Jiu raised his hand, "Get up."

"Please, my lord, don’t speak of such unlucky things again. Otherwise, the Royal Mother would be worried if she knew," Yuan Ye pleaded, staying on his knees.

"I know," Ah Jiu said wearily. "How would I dare to say such things in front of her? I’m just venting here. It’s been two years since I’ve seen the Royal Mother."

"My lord, by the end of next year at the latest, we can go home," Yuan Ye said with a smile. "Once Xiao Li returns this time, we should know if Master Kongxu has any enlightenment to offer you."

"I hope so,"

Ah Jiu stood by the window, gazing at a sweet osmanthus tree outside, and said, "No matter where I am, I’ve set those under me straight. If I return home, it will only get harder."

"Don’t worry, as you yourself said, after a few setbacks, one should learn from them." Yuan Ye poured a cup of tea and handed it over, "Speaking of which, it is our first time following you out to experience the world. We still have much to go through, and we are all young."

Ah Jiu took the tea and said with a bitter smile, "Xiao Ye, although I say so, I also know that life only comes once. What I’m afraid of is that one setback could cost my life."

No one’s life can be relived a second time. If those under me are still useless like a scattered pile of sand, sooner or later, an accident will cost me my life.

In that cutthroat place, hasn’t he seen enough of it?

"So, my lord, are you thinking of taking that girl under your wing?" Yuan Ye ventured after a long pause.

Ah Jiu spat out his tea, "What taking under my wing? What kind of talk is that?"

Yuan Ye offered a handkerchief, "I see that you quite admire her."

"That girl is very smart, isn’t she? Only fourteen years old, too. Given time, who knows how far she can go!" Ah Jiu’s eyes sparkled.

Yuan Ye said, "If she truly is talented, my lord, and you wish it, you could take her into your service."

"Let’s wait and see. She might not even want to follow me," Ah Jiu sighed softly, the girl was untamed and wilful.

Yuan Ye mused to himself, if her identity was revealed, would she be unwilling? It was an opportunity to soar to the branches above.

"Xiao Ye, tell me, am I really long-winded?" Ah Jiu asked again, "Do you think that I was born too impatient?"

Yuan Ye: "..."

If you don’t care, why bother with what others are saying?