Chapter 1058 – Suspecting You Are Adopted Brothers
Huang Song wasn’t feeling too wonderful these past few days.
After all, people are not grass or wood; who can be emotionless?
Unlike Jiang Pengji, who has a wealth of experience and strong beliefs, and the Feng brothers, Feng Jue and Feng Jin, who are coldly rational and know they’re on different paths, Huang Song often felt a hint of regret when reflecting on his youthful days. If only the world were peaceful, how much less of this forced life would exist?
But he was Huang Song, a warlord who rose from humble beginnings in a chaotic era.
Though there was some softness in his heart, he wouldn’t hesitate to be tough when necessary, merely grumbling when he felt emotional.
“What if—what if I lose?”
Despite Huang Song’s calm façade, he had always been at a disadvantage against Jiang Pengji, past and present.
Win?
He desperately wanted to tell himself that he could do it—capturing Cangzhou, strategizing for Chenzhou, and then occupying three provinces, giving him the right to challenge the formidable Jiang Pengji who dominated the north. Yet, would things really go that smoothly? Huang Song felt a moment of confusion.
He couldn’t bring himself to share this confusion and lack of confidence with anyone, not even with his wife and son.
At night, he kept his mouth shut while sleeping, terrified that he might accidentally reveal his fears while mumbling in his dreams.
When he spoke such demoralizing words to Feng Jue, Huang Song felt guilty but couldn’t help but vent.
It wasn’t death he feared; he was just afraid he couldn’t bear the heavy expectations placed upon him.
Feng Jue fixed his deep, pitch-black eyes on him, and just when Huang Song thought he might see disappointment, Feng Jue smiled and said, “If you lose, I’ll accompany you to fight through hell itself. There, I can assure you, there won’t be a Liu Lanting.”
Huang Song was left dumbstruck.
What to even feel? It was as if he was struck by a bolt of lightning, every part of him filled with an overwhelming sense of emotion, limbs tingling all over.
Feng Jue then asked, “Leader, do you feel a lot of pressure these days?”
Huang Song nodded. He hadn’t felt it much before, but when he turned to see Jiang Pengji’s army disappear into the night, a thousand thoughts suddenly flooded his mind. Inadvertently, he had overthought things and placed heavy psychological shackles on himself—
As if this parting meant his youthful friendships could never turn back.
“Boga, you must understand—if you give it your all, it’s not just respect for yourself, but also for her. If Liu Lanting ends up the final victor, it’ll be because she fought for it with her own hands, not because her opponent took pity or chose to let her win.”
Feng Jue addressed Huang Song with his personal name.
Since the two had established their lord-subject relationship, such affectionate address had become increasingly rare.
Feeling a surge of emotion from earlier, Huang Song’s once-warm mind began to cool down after hearing Feng Jue’s words.
As the cold wind blew, the sun slowly rose above the horizon, the increasingly dazzling morning light driving away Huang Song’s doubts and gloom.
In front of Feng Jue, Huang Song still retained some emotional softness, but once he entered “Leader mode,” he became that person whose emotions were difficult to read, making it hard for anyone to glean his true feelings. Just as he was adjusting his mood, his clan uncle Yuan Xin mentioned he had important matters to report.
“What is it?”
Huang Song initially thought it was a report of unusual findings at the front lines, furrowing his brows slightly.
Yuan Xin clasped his fist in greeting, scanned the surroundings to ensure no suspicious individuals were nearby, and then whispered his concerns.
“I discovered yesterday that Nie Chengyun and Liu Xi have been getting very close, their relationship quite deep.”
Huang Song’s brows jumped, the slight easing of his mood shattered by this news from his uncle.
How many times had this kind of report been made?
“They’re both exceptional talents, aren’t they? It’s not surprising they’d become close friends.”
Huang Song was puzzled; this uncle was undefeated in battle and courageous, but he had a hard time with Nie Xun.
He had previously intervened to mediate their conflicts but hadn’t expected Yuan Xin to come running to him once again.
He was still on friendly terms with Meng Heng!
Cheng Jing and Feng Zhen were pen pals, for crying out loud!
Feng Jue and Feng Jin were biological brothers!
What was wrong with a couple of casual words exchanged between Nie Xun and Meng Heng?
Huang Song had a generally good temper with his clan, but it wasn’t endless; he would get angry if his bottom line was crossed.
However—
Yuan Xin said, “Leader, I suspect Nie Xun and Meng Heng’s relationship is more than just a simple acquaintance.”
Huang Song took a deep breath, asking, “Why do you say that?”
Yuan Xin stood tall, speaking with conviction, “I found out that Nie Chengyun once addressed his wife Night Language, calling Meng Heng ‘Elder Brother’!”
Huang Song: “……”
His first reaction wasn’t to ponder over the mysterious term of ‘Elder Brother,’ but rather to be angered that Yuan Xin had planted someone in Nie Xun’s residence!
Huang Song laughed in anger, his smile icy as he replied, “And then? What’s wrong with calling someone ‘Elder Brother’?”
Now, it was Yuan Xin’s turn to hesitate, uncertain whether to divulge further.
After some thought—
He decided to say it anyway!
“These two—are very likely to be adopted brothers!”
Huang Song was nearly knocked off his horse by this conclusion.
Adopted brothers?
What in the world is that?
Originally meant to be a bond of sworn brothers, but now it implied a couple relationship? Yuan Xin actually suspected Nie Xun and Meng Heng to have something like that going on.
Huang Song was stunned by this dark train of thought, maintaining a stoic expression while his mind was decidedly in turmoil.
Meanwhile, Yuan Xin had his theory brewing.
If Nie Xun and Meng Heng didn’t have a deeper connection, why would the former refer to the latter as ‘Elder Brother’?
They weren’t even related, one being from the Zhong Zhao Nie Clan and the other from the Dongqing Meng Clan—strangers in the vast scheme of things.
These days, people were becoming increasingly accepting of male relationships. It was not only the high-ranking nobility that indulged, but many places had taken it as custom.
Regardless of status or appearance, each group found a way to connect with one another, with older males being referred to as adopted brothers and younger ones as adopted younger brothers. The adopted brother would take care of the younger brother’s financial responsibilities and familial obligations, treating him as a son. Those in tight bonds would even live together as if they were a couple.
You see, many common folk don’t even bat an eye at it, treating the adopted younger brother as a son-in-law, even providing some expenses when it comes time for marriage.
But—
Hmph, both Nie Xun and Meng Heng were married, with their wives pregnant, yet they could still have such a despicable relationship.
Huang Song struggled hard to emerge from this murky thought.
“Uncle, you’re not even a woman of the inner house; why are you so gossipy?” Huang Song said with no small amount of rudeness, leaving Yuan Xin blushing with embarrassment, utterly flustered. “Chengyun is my trusted confidant and a true gentleman. How could he engage in such… affairs? Besides, you ought to restrain yourself and quickly remove any eyes and ears you have in Chengyun’s residence. Although he does not indulge in the inner house, he will eventually discover this!”
After Huang Song’s reprimand, Yuan Xin felt wholly embarrassed, nearly losing face after more than forty years.
While he wouldn’t hold hatred toward Huang Song, he would certainly place the blame on Nie Xun.
Before leaving, Yuan Xin still mustered the courage to add, “Leader, I am loyal to you; how could I harm you? There is indeed some suspicion regarding Nie Chengyun—” Yuan Xin had finally become considerate for a change, dragging Feng Jue back in as a shield, “Mr. Feng and Feng Jin are biological brothers, and they know how to avoid suspicion. They’ve only seen each other a couple of times recently. If Nie Chengyun really had nothing to hide, why wouldn’t he evade Meng Heng, especially calling him ‘Elder Brother’ during private conversations with his wife at night?”
At that moment, Huang Song truly found himself believing Yuan Xin’s wild thoughts, but rationality made him choose to trust Nie Xun.
“Don’t speak of this matter again. Uncle, you may leave now.”
