Transmigration: The Fate of the Villainess

110 I was born to protect my brother, not to govern anyone Part III

“You’re challenging Zhen’s rule?!” His tone was harsh and forceful. Ouyang Feilong knew what his brother meant.

“Your Majesty...” The formal form of address was used again. He lifted his face up to his brother. His gaze was calm and unwavering despite what the Emperor had said. “I have already told Your Majesty that I have no desire for the throne.”

Ouyang Hongxian knew what his brother, whom he had raised with his own hands, was thinking. No matter what Ouyang Feilong wanted, as an older brother, he would provide. But as the Emperor, he could not even act on his own wishes, let alone his brother’s. His brother had never asked anything of him, but if one day he did, he would be willing to give it, even the dragon throne.

“You’ve never asked Zhen for war. Even as the Commander General, you always seek peace first. But now, you’re pleading with Zhen to start a war for a single woman.”

Ouyang Feilong was silent. The silence was no different from acceptance.

Ouyang Hongxian sighed. He walked toward the tall figure that was still kneeling. His hand touched his brother’s arm, gently pulling him up. “Long-er.”

Pain flashed through his golden eyes for a split second before disappearing. Still, it could not escape Ouyang Feilong’s gaze.

To Ouyang Hongxian, Ouyang Feilong was no different from the son he had raised by himself. When his brother decided not to inherit the throne after him, he tried with all his might to thrust Ouyang Feilong away from the same path he had walked, and was still walking on, until there was an heir to inherit it. The battle in the court then became the responsibility of Ouyang Mingxian, his son, whom he had high hopes.

“You already know that those beauties I’ve sent to you are all pretty faces and powerless in politics. I hope you’ll choose one of them as your wife so that you can avoid the throne fight.

.....

Ouyang Feilong looked at his brother’s gentle face, which was the polar opposite of his earlier expression. “I understand, brother.”

“I’m not angry that you never spare them a glance. But now, you’re interested in the woman you’re not supposed to touch. The power behind Miss Bai will drag you back into the bloodbath you’ve always tried to avoid.”

“I never want it.”

“That’s why I don’t want you to take even a step closer to this side.” He patted his brother’s shoulder. “I know what you think. I am well aware of your loyalty. Others, however, do not.”

‘Others’ meant not only the officials and aristocrats, but also...their own mother.

“Why her?”

Ouyang Feilong shook his head. He did not want to worry his brother at all. The corner of his mouth lifted as he answered. “Because she has saved my life so many times, Your Majesty.”

The formality in his words came with the weight of a lie. This was the role and the status that Ouyang Feilong had to bear without a chance to escape. He chose to use it to replace his true feelings once again.

“Do you protect her because she has saved your life?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Is that all?” Ouyang Hongxian stared into his brother’s golden eyes.

Ouyang Feilong gave him a mild smile. “That’s all, Your Majesty.”

On the day the former Empress passed away, Ouyang Mingxian silently cried while holding his mother’s corpse. As the Emperor, Ouyang Hongxian turned his eyes away from the cold body of the woman who had been beside him for many years. He walked away, and walked until he reached the royal study, all while pretending to work as if he was unbothered by the loss.

He might not love her, but they both had formed a certain bond after going through various hardships together. He would naturally grieve, like any other person.

However, when he stepped into the study, he met someone there...

It was not the official who came to express condolences while hiding his delight at the empress’ family’s power being reduced along with her.

It was not a consort who came to cry while rejoicing in her heart at the chance of becoming the next Empress.

It was Ouyang Feilong who was waiting for him in full armor, still dripping with blood of the enemies. Ouyang Hongxian instantly knew that his brother had brought victory to him and Da Yang once again. However, the word ‘victory’ from his brother was not what he needed to heal his battered heart. They were normal words, spoken with the voice of a boy on the cusp of growing into an adult. ‘Your Majesty can rest assured.’

That same feeling-he had felt it once in the year he ascended the throne after his father. It was Ouyang Feilong who led his soldiers to suppress the coup. However, that did not mean he would become a powerful emperor. There were far too many old powers that had taken root since his father’s reign.

Years later, those families’ influences were lessened with the help of Ouyang Feilong. To repay for those deeds, he rewarded the commander general with everything he had...apart from the dragon throne.

Officials, both civil and military, were distrustful. They always warned him to be careful of his younger brother. However, Ouyang Hongxian still trusted his brother wholeheartedly. That was what compelled Ouyang Hongxian to ask Ouyang Feilong on that day.

‘Do you want to inherit the throne?’

Ouyang Feilong kneeled down, so forcefully, as if he was uncaring of how his armor would dig into his skin and created bruises. His hoarse voice firmly replied with the words he and his brother usually used to express their sincerity toward one another. Two pairs of eyes met.

‘I was born to protect my brother, not to govern anyone.’

‘Even if I want to give the throne to you?’

‘No matter whom Brother chooses to give it to, I’ll protect that person the same way I protect Brother.’

‘Even if that person I choose is you?’

“Even if it means betraying all of Da Yang. As long as it’s the person Brother has chosen, I’ll support him with all I have.’

The older brother was stubborn, and the younger one was equally unyielding.

In the end, Ouyang Hongxian gave up on passing the throne to his brother. In the same way, Ouyang Feilong swore to himself that he would protect the person Ouyang Hongxian chose to the bitter end, and he would never betray his brother.

Reminiscing the past, the two men with golden eyes instantly found the way out. There was no hesitation as his knees hit the floor once again. With a slight smile, Ouyang Feilong nodded to his brother. No matter how rare it was to see this smile, it could only make its beholder’s heart ache, rather than be enchanted.

“Commander General Ouyang Feilong, hear your royal decree!” Ouyang Hongxian straightened his back and spoke loudly throughout the royal study. “...One month from now, Zhen appoints commander general Ouyang Feilong to lead the army to protect Da Yang’s border from Da Chu. Vanquish our enemies and drive them away, otherwise...”

His voice suddenly became hoarse at the final sentence. He had to restrain his true feelings... The golden eyes slowly closed, and then words that pierced his own heart were uttered. “Otherwise..Never, ever set foot in the capital again for the rest of your life!”

Never return to this battlefield ever again, brother.

Ouyang Hongxian was Da Yang’s Emperor...yet he could protect his brother only to this extent.

The son of heaven could not accomplish everything...and the general could not kill everyone.

There was no one to blame but fate...If he and his brother were born as mere commoners, they would never have to face the pain of parting...

Again...

And again...