Chapter 27: The Fate of the Extra

Wei Wuji found himself bewildered by the old general’s muddled words, his own thoughts growing more tangled by the moment. What on earth was happening? Why did he keep running into these bizarre and inexplicable events today? Could it be that he had encountered a false transmigration? Was he truly in a madhouse? Once again, Wei Wuji began to question the very fabric of his reality.

Just then, a discordant voice broke through, “General, that’s the one—unruly, lawless, inciting others—” But before Wang Xian could finish, Xu Anhong cut him off with a stern command, “Step back!”

Wang Xian was left speechless, completely thrown off. Normally, General Xu was known for his steady hand and measured temperament—what had gotten into him today? Still, Wang Xian didn’t dare linger. He hoped fervently that Xu Anhong’s anger would be directed entirely at Liu Xuanba and his lot. Yet what happened next left Wang Xian utterly dumbfounded, and not just him—everyone present, save for Wei Wuji and his companions, looked as if they had seen a ghost in broad daylight.

After regaining his composure, Xu Anhong dismounted and approached Wei Wuji. Then, with the utmost formality, the old general cupped his hands and offered a respectful salute. Though advanced in years, Xu Anhong’s bearing was still vigorous and his every movement precise.

Wei Wuji, flustered, scrambled to return the courtesy. He hadn’t anticipated the situation would unfold in this direction. It would have sufficed if the old general simply recognized him and handled matters impartially—who would have thought Xu Anhong would treat him with such decorum?

But how could Wei Wuji have known that, in this world’s Wei Kingdom, the rules of hierarchy were even stricter than the tyrannies he had read of in his previous life? In Wei, distinctions of rank were absolute. A prince was a prince, a minister a minister—even as a minor son, he was still the Marquis of Wei’s child, and thus, everyone’s lord.

It was an iron law: the subject bows to his lord!

Only after Wei Wuji returned the salute did Xu Anhong resume his usual stoicism, once more the unflappable Pillar State General.

“Your Highness?” Xu Anhong asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“I am,” Wei Wuji replied, straightening his back. This was his first time facing one of Wei’s true elites, and he couldn’t help feeling a little tense.

Yet to Wang Xian, this exchange was like a thunderbolt from a clear sky. Your Highness? He really is a prince? Wang Xian suddenly wanted to slap himself. Xu Anhong would never joke about something so grave. Moreover, he vaguely recalled that Wei Wuji had earlier claimed to be a prince. Regret flooded Wang Xian’s heart—how had he been so unlucky?

Had Wei Wuji heard Wang Xian’s silent lament, he would have scoffed—unlucky? Who was more unlucky than him?

Leaving Wang Xian’s misery aside, Xu Anhong and Wei Wuji began to converse.

“The Fifth Prince?” Zhang Yunliang inquired further.

Wei Wuji was unsure—he had no idea which prince he was supposed to be—so he glanced at Zheng Dali for confirmation.

Of all present, Zheng Dali was best informed, and he alone knew of Wei Wuji’s muddled mind. Seeing Zheng Dali give a slight nod, Wei Wuji turned to Xu Anhong and gave a corresponding nod.

“I’ve long heard that the Fifth Prince bears a striking resemblance to the Marquis of Wei,” Xu Anhong remarked. “Seeing you today, it is indeed so—even I was momentarily taken aback.”

At these words, everyone—save for Xu Anhong himself, and the already stunned Wang Xian—was thrown into shock once more.

Wei Wuji gleaned two key facts: first, he was the Fifth Prince of Wei; second, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the Marquis himself.

The onlookers were most struck by the latter. That Wei Wuji was a prince, and the fifth at that, was within the realm of expectation. But that he looked so much like the Marquis—this was truly unexpected.

Many soldiers present, who had never seen the Marquis, found themselves stealing glances at Wei Wuji. So, this is what the Marquis looks like, they thought, seeing the young man’s face. Instantly, Wei Wuji’s standing among the soldiers rose several notches.

“I never thought the prince would so closely resemble His Lordship,” Liu Xuanba murmured.

Wang Xiu remained impassive, but after regarding the faintly startled Wei Wuji, he replied, “Father and son—what is so surprising if they look alike?”

Yet, inwardly, Wang Xiu was anything but calm. In a flash, countless thoughts raced through his mind. If the prince looked so much like the Marquis, surely he held extraordinary weight in his father’s heart. A bright future lay ahead—what did this mean? It hinted that, one day, the prince might well succeed as Marquis himself.

At this realization, Wang Xiu’s heart trembled. If he continued to follow the prince, perhaps he too would rise to become a Pillar State General. The thought made him glance unconsciously at Xu Anhong.

Meanwhile, Xu Anhong had set aside all airs, conversing with Wei Wuji amiably. Though he knew this prince, with the Marquis’s features, was not favored, a prince was a prince, and he dared not hold himself aloof.

“Your Highness, what has happened for you to be in such a sorry state?” Xu Anhong asked.

Wei Wuji replied, “Forgive me, General, my men and I fought a bitter battle with the Chen forces—it was only with great effort that we repelled them.”

He spread his hands and went on, “And so, we ended up in this state.”

“What then transpired between you and Captain Wang?” Xu Anhong pressed, showing no intention to prod further about the Chen encounter.

“Captain Wang…” Wei Wuji glanced at the ashen-faced Wang Xian by his side, and recounted all he knew to Xu Anhong.

After hearing him out, Xu Anhong fixed Wang Xian with a cold stare. “Captain Wang, explain yourself…”

Right and wrong were already clear. Given Wei Wuji’s status, Wang Xian’s accusations were feeble.

Wang Xian knew he had run headlong into disaster. Who could have guessed Wei Wuji was truly a prince?

What prince looked like this? Weren’t they all elegant and spirited? Wang Xian cursed his own rotten luck.

But Xu Anhong’s question could not go unanswered. Choking with emotion, Wang Xian pleaded, “General, I am guilty beyond pardon—I have gravely offended the prince.”

He was decisive—knowing he had fallen hard, he made no futile resistance, hoping for leniency through honest confession.

Wang Xian turned to Wei Wuji, knelt, and begged, “Your Highness, I was blind to your greatness and offended you—please punish me as you see fit.”

Before Wei Wuji could respond, Xu Anhong interjected, “Wang Xian, you have truly lost your senses. Military and state matters are no place for recklessness!”

“Yes, yes, I deserve death!” Wang Xian hurriedly replied.

Wei Wuji noticed they had left him out of the conversation, discussing matters privately, and felt a twinge of annoyance. Wasn’t he the injured party?

“General, does this mean I am now free of blame?” Wei Wuji asked.

Xu Anhong replied, “How could Your Highness be at fault? It was all Wang Xian’s doing—unable to recognize you, he committed a grave error.”

Wei Wuji was puzzled. Was Xu Anhong implying that Wang Xian could be let off simply for not recognizing him? That wouldn’t do—he wasn’t about to let it slide so easily.

“But I believe Captain Wang bears a grudge against me,” Wei Wuji insisted. “Otherwise, why would he insist on searching me? I made it clear I am a prince of Wei.”

He was determined to press the matter—if he let people bully him without consequence, how could he maintain authority in the future?

Wang Xian panicked. If the charges kept mounting, his life would be forfeit. He could only plead for mercy, casting desperate eyes at Xu Anhong.

“You should be punished,” Wei Wuji declared coldly. “To lay hands on me, and on soldiers who have bled for Wei—is there anything left in this world you would not dare?”

Those watching—Wang Xiu and the others—couldn’t suppress smiles at Wang Xian’s plight. Serves him right!

After a moment’s silence, Xu Anhong spoke. Now was not the time to deal with Wang Xian. “Your Highness, with a decisive battle against Qin looming, I ask you to show magnanimity and allow Captain Wang to redeem himself through service.”

Wei Wuji had no intention of letting him off so easily. “General, I am not a petty man…”

Wang Xian’s eyelids twitched—if you’re not petty, why heap such grave charges on me?

Wei Wuji continued, “But I think he should lose a hand. That will serve as an apology to me and to my men. Besides, even with one hand, he can still earn redemption in battle.”

Wang Xian’s face turned the color of ash. Was his fate really to be decided just like that? He looked once more to Xu Anhong, his sole remaining hope.