The estate and the trees were bathed in the morning light, wisps of soft mist slowly floating, and everything was so peaceful.
On his way to the door, Yun Qing turned to Yuxi and said, "You should go back. It's cold outside. You shouldn't come out." Too many things were going on, and he couldn't stay at the estate for too long, so he had to rush back to Yu City before dawn.
Yuxi didn't see him off. She just stood at the door and watched as Yun Qing got into the carriage and disappeared out of sight with his entourage.
Back inside the house, Yuxi couldn't sleep either, so she decided to read the letters everyone had written for her. Because Yun Qing was there earlier, Yuxi had only opened Han Jianming's letter and had yet to open the others. However, what Han Jianming wrote in his letter were things she already knew, and even using the previous methods didn't reveal anything unusual, so she let it go. But now, as she read Qiu Shi's letter, she realised it was completely different from the previous ones.
Yuxi's heart skipped a beat, and she decoded the letter using the previous method. The message she decoded made her face turn grave; it suggested that her Er Ge1 should pretend to be seriously injured and then have her Er Sao2 and their children come over and look after him. It was clear from this message that even the capital was not safe. Otherwise, her Dage3 wouldn't have considered sending her Er Sao2 over using this method.
After pondering momentarily, Yuxi put the letter back into her small box and called Guo Xun. "Send a message to my Er Ge1, saying that I need to see him for something important and ask him to come." Yuxi couldn't decide this on her own; she needed Han Jianye's approval. However, Yuxi suspected that given Han Jianye's temperament, he might not accept this suggestion.
As Yuxi had expected, Han Jianye did indeed refuse. "Yu City is so dangerous; bringing Ah Xiu and the children here would only endanger them."
Yuxi didn't dare tell Han Jianye that the capital might be unsafe, either. Even though Han Jianye had matured a lot after a few years of experience, she couldn't tell him such confidential matters based solely on speculation without any evidence. Yuxi said, "Er Ge1, that's not quite right. Are you saying that Dage3 is no longer willing to support Er Sao2 and his nephews? Don't you know what kind of person Dage3 is?"
Han Jianye glared at Yuxi. "When did I say that? Don't twist my words, okay?" Although Han Jianye was in Yu City, he spent most of his time at the military camp. According to him, he had to work even harder to prove that his promotion to Assistant Captain was not just because of his relationship with Yuxi.
Yuxi smiled. "I was just joking; why are you so worked up?" Seeing Han Jianye's embarrassment, Yuxi immediately changed the subject. "Our Dage3 must have had his reasons for suddenly writing to me about this. If you think this method is inappropriate, you can suggest another one. I think bringing Er Sao2 and Lil Boy An over first would be better."🤔
Han Jianye didn't immediately agree. "Let me think about it." In fact, Han Jianye wanted to avoid Lu Xiu and the two boys coming to Yu City. Aside from the dangers along the way, Yu City was a poor place with scarce resources. If his wife and children came here, they would only suffer.
Yuxi didn't press the matter any further. "Just let me know when Er Ge1 has decided." In reality, Yuxi didn't want Lu Xiu and the two children to come here either. The situation in the northwest was chaotic, and if something happened on the way, there would be nowhere to turn back. However, she would definitely discuss this with Han Jianye, as he was directly involved. Now that Han Jianye had refused, she felt relieved.
Han Jianye nodded and asked, "Where is Zaozao? Why haven't I seen her?" When Han Jianye heard that Zaozao had gone to Huo Changqing again, he couldn't help but say, "Uncle Huo is a grown man. If Zaozao stays with him for too long, aren't you afraid she'll be influenced?" Zaozao might act like a boy, but she was not a boy but a girl. Since she was a girl, she should behave like one.
Yuxi repeated the same excuse: "Zaozao is still young. Let's talk about this when she grows up." Yuxi had suffered since childhood, so she wanted Zaozao to grow up blessed and happy rather than worrying about the future at such a young age.
Han Jianye casually mentioned, "Yuxi, half a month ago, Yun Qing sent out eight hundred cavalry. Are they really only going to escort the provision caravans?"
Yuxi's heart skipped a beat, but she didn't show it on her face. She smiled and replied, "Of course, they were sent to escort the caravans. What else would they be doing? Why is Er Ge1 asking about this?"
Han Jianye responded, "I just feel that sending out eight hundred cavalry is too much. You may not know, but the cavalry Yun Qing sent are elite; one can take on ten enemies. Yun Qing's actions have led many to speculate that he has other intentions. Yuxi, remind him to be careful." Han Jianye originally intended to talk to Yun Qing himself, but he thought it would be better if it came from Yuxi. Since Yuxi had invited him over, he might as well tell Yuxi directly.
Yuxi sighed. "Er Ge1, you know the situation in the northwest is chaotic. If we don't send out more people, we might be unable to protect those provisions. If they are stolen, the soldiers will have nothing to eat. What will they do then?" Military provisions had been stolen several times under Marshal Qin. He would send cavalry to eliminate the bandits and recover the supplies as soon as he received information. Due to the Northwest Army's ferocity, few dared to steal their provisions.
Han Jianye understood Yun Qing's predicament and said, "I understand Yun Qing's difficulties, but he still needs to be more careful. If things go wrong, it could lead to a disaster."
Suddenly, Shiliu announced from outside, "Madam, Guard Yu is here." If Yu Cong came at this time, it must be something urgent.
Han Jianye tactfully said, "I'll go check on Zaozao first and come back later." Although he and Yuxi were siblings, there were certain things he couldn't interfere with.
Yu Cong entered and told Yuxi, "Madam, just received news that Song Guojiu5 was assassinated in Liaodong. As soon as the General heard of Song Guojiu5's assassination, he immediately sent me to inform you." When he said this, Yu Cong seemed excited. Obviously, he was pretty pleased about Song Guojiu5's assassination.
When Yuxi heard this news, she showed no joy and instead asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me more about it."
Yu Cong shook his head. "We only received the news that Song Guojiu5 was assassinated, but we don't have any specific details." Seeing Yuxi's expression, Yu Cong asked, "Madam, is something wrong?"
Yuxi replied, "Of course, that's not true. If Song Guojiu5 could be assassinated easily, he would have died countless times. How could he compete with Grand Chancellor Yu for so many years?" Tong Chunlin's death happened because Yan Wushuang seized an opportunity. Song Guojiu5 went to Liaodong fully prepared, and with many people from the Song family who were promoted under Tong Chunlin, the Song family wielded great power in Liaodong. In this situation, it was basically impossible for Yan Wushuang to successfully assassinate him.
Song Guojiu5 didn't kill Yun Qing not because everyone under him was incompetent but because Marshal Qin protected Yun Qing. When Marshal Qin passed away, Yun Qing's feathers and wings were already full6, and Song Guojiu5 couldn't kill him anymore. Of course, Yun Qing's good luck also played a role.
Yu Cong's face changed as he asked, "Madam, does that mean that the news of Song Guojiu5's assassination is fake?" If so, then their joy would be short-lived.
Yuxi nodded. "It's almost certainly fake."
Yu Cong was very disappointed. "It would be better if it were true." Song Guojiu5's death would be a heavy blow to the Song family.
Yuxi said: "Tell the General not to act rashly. I will return tomorrow, and we'll discuss everything when I'm back." It was getting dark now, and Yuxi didn't dare to return to Yu City. The road was rough, and if the carriage jolted too much, she might have a miscarriage. There would be no place for her to cry7 then.
At that moment, a wealthy patron arrived at the largest brothel in Liaodong, Yichun Brothel. This patron entered the Yichun Brothel and threw a heavy gold ingot weighing five taels at the brothel madam, "I want Miss Qianqian to accompany me." Miss Qianqian was well known in Yichun Brothel; her musical skills were unmatched in Liaodong, but unfortunately, she was an untouched courtesan who only sold her art, not her body.
After receiving the gold ingot, the brothel madam ushered the patron upstairs with a smile. She went to Qianqian's window and called out loudly, "Qianqian, there's a patron who wants to hear you play the qin. Open the door quickly." Qianqian only sold her art, but her value in the Yichun Brothel was second only to the number one courtesan. The brothel madam would surely take special care of this cash cow.
Soon, the door opened, and a girl of about thirteen or fourteen came out. This girl was called Ah Yi, Qianqian's personal maid. Ah Yi told the brothel madam, "Mama, Miss isn't feeling well today. Could you let her rest for a day?" Seeing her Miss desperately washing her hands after each performance filled Ah Yi with immense sadness.
The brothel madam's expression changed when she heard this, but she still patiently walked into the room and said to Qianqian lying on the bed, "Qianqian, this patron is very important; you must accompany him well. Otherwise, not only you but even I won't come out of this unscathed." Just by looking at the man's aura, it was clear that he was someone who often shed blood. Such people were either from the military or bandits. And these were the people they must not offend the most.
Qianqian responded, "Mama, I only sell my art, not my body." She had to emphasise this several times and felt deeply humiliated each time she said that.
The brothel madam smiled and assured her, "Don't worry, the patron said he was only here to listen to the music." Who would say no to money? He'd already offered fifty taels of silver up front and would undoubtedly pay more later.
Disgust flickered in Qianqian's eyes. These people simply didn't understand the qin. Playing for them would be no better than playing for a cow! However, Qianqian didn't refuse. With her current status, refusing wasn't an option as long as the price was high. She said expressionlessly, "Please let him in."
The brothel madam smiled and walked out, inviting the patron into Qianqian's room.
Footnotes Full List
- er=second, ge=older brother, short form for Gege
- er=second, sao=sister-in-law
- eldest brother
- Huh, what about his other son?
- the Emperor's maternal uncle or brother-in-law
- A metaphor used to describe someone who has gained enough power and independence to stand alone.
- This implies that the situation is so bad that the person is completely lost and doesn't know what to do. They are so overwhelmed with grief or despair that they don't even have the energy to cry.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi