I Am Supreme
chapter-614

"Thank me?" Yun Yang asked with a frown, "Why?"

"I know your intentions," Shangguan Lingxiu said, "Everything you do for the Shangguan Family, I am well aware of. From gifting the cultivation art to the teaching and even sending them to Bao'er's side now… everything was done for our family."

Yun Yang chuckled. "Sister Lingxiu, you are taking it too seriously. Everything stems from chance and fate. I don't have so many thoughts and plans. The arrival of the six children, especially, is a great help to me – how can it be that I've helped them? This isn't right at all."

Even as he spoke, he valiantly tried to switch the topic. Shangguan Lingxiu was adamant as she replied seriously, "When I said that I'm well aware of it, I truly am. Bao'er is His Majesty's chosen child. Now the crown prince is doing badly and losing trust… If Bao'er grows up well and is capable, some things have basically been set in motion."

"When the time comes, those six children who grew up accompanying Bao'er will naturally be people that he trusts and depends on the most. Perhaps, it should be said that they'll be his earliest supporters. If that were really the case, it won't be an easy feat even if Shangguan Family of Generals chooses to fall."

Yun Yang kept quiet for a bit before he answered, "There's nothing definite in this world. What if the outcome isn't as expected? Or if something happens in the process? Receiving these six children here may be tying the Shangguan Family of Generals to a war chariot that can't retreat. When the worst does happen, the Shangguan Family of Generals will have to face a more precarious situation than it is facing now."

Shangguan Lingxiu let out a carefree laugh and said, "There are choices to be made regarding a lot of things when one lives in this world, sides to be picked. Wanting to have it all but not giving anything in return is impossible. We're still taking the lead in this gamble up to now. If what-ifs were to happen or if the situation isn't as expected, no matter how things go, at least there are still six pillars in the Shangguan Family of Generals. It can't be worse than where we are now."

"This is true. It is indeed so." Yun Yang could only nod.

Both of them moved on quietly while the guards behind them followed from afar; no one dared to interrupt the pair.

"Actually, as long as they can grow up quickly, you can also drop a lot of the Shangguan Family's affairs as well, free yourself of the shackles you have locked yourself in. Those burdens have been on you for far too long…"

Yun Yang sighed softly from the emotions and empathy, "Responsibilities that should be passed have to be passed on. The responsibilities of every generation will be moved to their next generation and such a transfer will be better for you the sooner it happens."

Yun Yang's words came from the bottom of his heart. Without a doubt, he was sincerely empathizing with Shangguan Lingxiu's situation, but that was all there was to it. He did not have anything laid between the lines, yet Shangguan Lingxiu thought they contained an ulterior meaning when she heard him speak.

Drop all of Shangguan Family's affairs as soon as possible? Free herself of the shackles she locked herself in?

Pass the responsibilities? Transfer them? The sooner the better?

Shangguan Lingxiu's mind was working furiously to figure out the meaning behind his words.

'What did he mean?'

'Does he think that… I'm losing out on my youth?'

'Is that why he made such arrangements? Solve my problems for me so I wouldn't have any more worries?'

'He said the sooner the better as well… What did he mean by that?'

'He can't bear to see me waste the prime of my life? Or is he unable to wait any longer?'

Shangguan Lingxiu's heart beat faster the more she pondered. Her face was flushed a long time ago and as she continued to muse, her neck and ears turned red as well.

Yun Yang's heart dropped as he watched the usually unfazed and tough general suddenly turn shy and reserved once he spoke.

'These are my honest thoughts, they are genuine words… How did it become a flirtatious comment?'

'How did this come to be?'

Yun Yang rewound his last few sentences and thought through on what he had just said. They were sincere thoughts and did not seem like they would have posed any issues… He then heard Shangguan Lingxiu speak rather sorrowfully, "Yes, I would certainly like to… transfer these responsibilities as soon as I can."

She thought of the years before her nephews could take over her burden and could not help feeling despondent once more. That would be a few years – a few years! She was already twenty-three years old now, how old would she be a few years later? How old would Yun Yang be? Would his state of mind change throughout these years?

Ji Lingxi… how could she let these years pass in vain? As long as the other took a step forward within these few years… she would be without hope then. She could not possibly be a concubine later.

Pondering, Shangguan Lingxiu was filled with worry and misery once again. When she came back to herself, she was surprised to see Yun Yang looking at her in shock. The lady felt exasperated. Forget the fact that the man was not a romantic; even if he could understand how a girl felt, how could she possibly take this step forward now?

Actually, it might not be a bad thing if he could remain oblivious and insensitive to romance forever… It would be the best if he could remain ignorant about this as well!

In spite of it all, Shangguan Lingxiu knew that she was fantasizing and making wild assumptions. It was only a wild wish of hers.

This man's real identity was Supreme Cloud, the think-tank of the Nine Supremes! Others might lack sense, but how was it possible that Supreme Cloud did not know anything?

"Young Brother Yun, if you are free, do accompany me for a few drinks." Shangguan Lingxiu asked instead, letting go of her worries and adopting her cool mannerism once again.

Since the future was uncertain and could not be grasped fully, she would appreciate the present and seize what she had now, to create more time and conditions for the both of them. With effort, things might not be hopeless; even if she was left with disappointment in the end and had to be alone for the rest of her life, she would be satisfied if she had memories worthy of reminiscing in her life.

"I am most pleased to agree to Sister Lingxiu's invitation!" Yun Yang breathed a sigh of relief and said, "No one is more apt than me when it comes to drinking. As long as we don't talk about romance, anything else is fine. I can chat about the martial arts world, the imperial court, anything…"

"Let's go! Why worry about life when you can be intoxicated…" sighed Shangguan Lingxiu.

"Of course, of course!" Yun Yang observed Shangguan Lingxiu's expression, feeling that the elder sister did not look very excited. Was there a bone in her throat that she could only tell him with the help of alcohol? Perhaps she only wanted to vent the misery in her heart.

Whatever it could be, Yun Yang thought that he deserved to accompany the lady to drink. Shangguan Lingxiu became her easygoing and imperturbable self once again as she strode forward to the most luxurious inn in Tiantang City, the Redolent Inn.