Yang Duoming asked Fu Qingluo, "What kind of person is Madam Yun, really?" Fu Qingluo was very fond of Yang Duoming and naturally would not speak well of other women in front of him, including Yuxi, who was married with children.
Fu Qingluo hesitated for a moment. "She's a very calculating and manipulative woman. You have no idea that Yun Qing, a dignified general, is completely controlled by her." She couldn't possibly praise another woman in front of her husband!
Unaware of Fu Qingluo's petty jealousy, Yang Duoming said, "As far as I know, she has an outstanding reputation in Yu City. She not only takes in orphans but also educates them." As a scholar himself, Yang Duoming greatly admired Yuxi's establishment of Qingming Hall.
Fu Qingluo's face darkened. "Besides that, she provides work for the Northwest Army's disabled soldiers on her estates and sells grain at fair prices in Yu City. After hearing all this, do you think she has the heart of a bodhisattva?" A sneer appeared on her lips. "What bodhisattva's heart, virtuous and kind? Those are just her tricks to win people's hearts."
Yang Duoming naturally saw Fu Qingluo's sullen expression, but instead of appeasing her, he said, "Even if she's doing it to win people's hearts, it's still remarkable. If there were more people like her in the world, things wouldn't be so chaotic." The Children Charity Home didn't just house one or two children, but hundreds. Qingming Hall didn't educate just a few, but seven to eight hundred students. Regardless of Yuxi's motives, she had done practical things for the people and soldiers of Yu City, and that alone was admirable.
Fu Qingluo snapped, "Since she's so great, why don't you just go to her!" If one were to ask who Fu Qingluo was most wary of, it would be Yuxi. Although Fu Qingluo usually acted as if she despised Yuxi, deep down, she felt inferior for lacking Yuxi's grace, talent, demeanour, and skills. Moreover, Fu Qingluo believed Yang Duoming would prefer a woman with Yu Xi's elegant temperament, gentleness, and talent.
Yang Duoming's face darkened. He coldly asked, "Do you even know what you're saying?" It was true that he liked Fu Qingluo, but she had too much of a young miss' temperament. Moreover, she spoke without thinking and often lost her temper, which Yang Duoming particularly disliked.
Fu Qingluo's eyes immediately reddened.
Yang Duoming didn't comfort her. "Next time, think carefully about what to say and what not to say." He turned and left. He had to arrange everything quickly and leave for Nancheng. Any delay would increase their risk.
After a while, Fu Qingluo spoke, feeling quite aggrieved, "If you think I'm wrong in the future, just tell me directly." If Yang Duoming had tried to coax her with sweet words, Fu Qingluo might not have fallen for it. But his attitude forced her to compromise. It was the case of one thing overcoming another.
Yang Duoming embraced Fu Qingluo and said softly, "You must change your temper. Otherwise, how will you get along with others in the future?"
Hearing this, Fu Qingluo looked up at Yang Duoming and asked, "What do you mean by that? What do you mean by getting along with others?"
Yang Duoming didn't hide it from Fu Qingluo. Despite her spoiled behaviour, she was devoted to him. "I want to pledge allegiance to Yun Qing." He wouldn't want to be a bandit if it weren't for the circumstances. Now that Yun Qing and Madam Yun had extended an olive branch, he naturally accepted it willingly. It was with this intention that he had agreed so quickly without making any demands.
After a moment of silence, Fu Qingluo spoke, "Yang Duoming, I don't want to pour cold water on you, but even if Yun Qing changed his ways, he wouldn't use us. Yun Qing treats my brother like his own kin..." She didn't continue the rest of her sentence, believing that Yang Duoming would understand.
Yang Duoming replied, "If Yun Qing disagrees, we will seek refuge with Madam Yun. I believe she will make use of us." From the information he knew, he was confident that Madam Yun would not guard the old rules with ink1. As long as Madam Yun saw his value, she would surely utilise him. Yang Duoming wanted to join forces with Yun Qing and Yuxi not for glory but for revenge. He knew he couldn't take revenge with his skills alone, but his revenge could be swift with Yun Qing and Lady Yun's help.
Fu Qingluo looked conflicted.
Yang Duoming continued, "Qingluo, now that I've married you, I won't think about other women. I won't do anything to betray you." Qingluo's acceptance of his past as a bandit touched him deeply, making it worth his while to treat her well for the rest of his life. However, he felt he had to be ruthless in helping Qingluo correct her shortcomings. Otherwise, just like before, she wouldn't even realise when she had offended someone.
These words comforted Fu Qingluo, and she no longer felt conflicted. She said, "Although Han Yuxi is cunning, she is generous and kind to those around her. It is better to ally with her than with Yun Qing." It was easier to change rivers and mountains than one's own nature. Yun Qing's character might have changed somewhat for now, but even if he takes Duoming in, he won't trust him, let alone give him any real responsibility. On the contrary, Han Yuxi was more accommodating.
Yang Duoming hurriedly asked, "What do you mean?"
Fu Qingluo then awkwardly told Yang Duoming about her past interactions with Yuxi: "Looking back now, I was indeed unreasonable back then, but Han Yuxi didn't hold a grudge and treated me as before." If it were her, she absolutely couldn't do it. Of course, at the time, she thought Yuxi was just putting on an act and secretly disliked her. But now, looking back, she realised that she had read too much into it.
Yang Duoming thought momentarily before asking Fu Qingluo, "Is your relationship with General Yun not good?" It was probably worse than just not good.
Fu Qingluo hesitated. "It's terrible. Yun Qing is very old-fashioned. He thinks women should just stay home and take care of the house. Going out is some kind of unforgivable crime in his eyes." Yun Qing was traditional but not quite as extreme as Fu Qingluo described. He just thought Fu Qingluo's clothes were too immodest.
Yang Duoming naturally knew Fu Qingluo was exaggerating, but one thing was undeniable: Yun Qing would definitely look down on him. With this in mind, Yang Duoming said, "As soon as things are settled in Nancheng, let's join forces with this Madam Yun!"
A noob translator, きつね, translated this noob translation. Please read this chapter at xin-shou.site. If you read this in another location other than the site stated, it has been taken without the translator's permission. Please don't support this kind of act.
Fu Qingluo felt a little uncomfortable because joining forces with Han Yuxi meant she would have to follow Yuxi's orders in the future. However, when she met Yang Duoming's hopeful gaze, she nodded firmly and said, "Alright." She would do anything for Duoming.
Yang Duoming felt a pang of guilt, knowing that it was because of him that the ever-proud Qingluo had to bow her head. With his own abilities alone, he could never seek revenge, so he had to let Qingluo endure for the time being. He hoped Madam Yun was truly as generous as Qingluo had described her.
Xu Daniu descended the mountain, circling several times before losing his pursuers. He then arrived at the dilapidated temple where he had agreed to meet with Feng Dajun.
Xu Daniu found the temple deserted when he arrived. He wasn't worried, though, and leaned against one of the stone pillars. The past few weeks had taken a toll on him. From Yu City to Maluo Mountain, then accompanying Feng Dajun to Nancheng. Once Feng Dajun had finished the battle plan, he'd ridden straight to Yang Family Village without a break. He hadn't slept properly in over ten days. As he leaned against the pillar, he soon dozed off.
Just as his eyes closed, Xu Daniu sensed someone approaching. Reacting swiftly, he rolled away from his spot. As he prepared to draw his weapon, he realised it was Feng Dajun. Xu Daniu was instantly furious. "Madman, are you trying to scare me to death?" Feng Dajun's nickname was 'Madman2', derived from his surname. Of course, this was Xu Daniu's handiwork. He had given nicknames to everyone except Yun Qing and Huo Changqing.
Feng Dajun coldly rebuked him, "If I were an enemy, you'd be a corpse by now." Feng Dajun was usually jovial, often going out drinking with friends in Yu City. However, once he accepted a mission, he wouldn't touch a drop of alcohol and maintained a high level of vigilance.
Xu Daniu replied sheepishly, "I'm just too tired." He had not slept properly for more than ten days, and his body couldn't take it anymore.
Feng Dajun retorted, "I think you've gotten too comfortable in the residence and lost even your basic alertness." He thought he should suggest to the General that the guards at the Yun residence should be rotated regularly. Otherwise, they would lose their combat effectiveness and be unable to protect Madam and Young Miss.
Without arguing, Xu Daniu said, "Yang Duoming has agreed to persuade Peng Lianggong. But it went too smoothly. I'm a bit uneasy."
Feng Dajun listened patiently as Xu Daniu recounted the details of his meeting and conversation with Yang Duoming. Afterward, Xu Daniu wondered, "Doesn't it seem too easy?"
After listening, Feng Dajun asked, "Yang Duoming didn't make any demands?" Seeing Xu Daniu nod, a playful smile appeared in Feng Dajun's eyes. "Interesting."
Xu Daniu still had a question. "Madman, why did Madam take such a roundabout way? Wouldn't it be better if we gave the battle plan to Peng Lianggong directly?" With a disguise, Peng Lianggong wouldn't recognise them.
Feng Dajun replied, "If we give it to him directly, how can you guarantee there won't be a problem? If the news leaks, won't the General's situation become dangerous? Now that Yang Duoming is acting openly, everyone will assume he's doing it for revenge." Furthermore, Feng Dajun felt that Yun Qing and Yuxi must have had their own reasons for instructing them to do this.
Xu Daniu asked, "Then do you think Yang Duoming and Fu Qingluo are reliable?"
Feng Dajun replied, "It doesn't matter if they're unreliable; we have leverage over them." No one would believe Yang Duoming and Fu Qingluo's words without leverage. Even if someone tried to use this against the General and Madam, they wouldn't be afraid.
Xu Daniu suddenly looked panicked. "I left the map with them. Doesn't that count as evidence?" Actually, Xu Daniu's panic was all an act. The map was just a bunch of circles and dots, with the labels stuck on afterward. To call it his handiwork was a joke.
Feng Dajun, aware of Xu Daniu's antics, rebuked him, "Stop with this nonsense. Get some rest. Once you're rested, head back to Yu City." Seeing Xu Daniu's bloodshot eyes, he knew that Xu Daniu was exhausted, so he allowed him to rest. Otherwise, he would have sent him back immediately.
Xu Daniu chirped, "Go and hunt some game. I'll eat it when I wake up. I need a full stomach for the journey." A good night's sleep followed by a hearty meal was the ideal way to prepare for the journey back.
Feng Dajun ignored him and turned away.
Xu Daniu slept most of the day. When he opened his eyes, he saw a golden-roasted rabbit on the fire. He pounced on it without hesitation, tearing off pieces and devouring them. His ravenous appetite suggested that he hadn't eaten in days.
After Xu Daniu finished eating, Feng Dajun walked in. "Now that you're full, let's get going." While Xu Daniu slept, Feng Dajun kept watch. Despite their blunt exchanges, they shared a deep bond.
As they parted, Xu Daniu said, "Madman, I'll wait for your safe return."
Feng Dajun snorted. "Nonsense. I'll definitely return safely to Yu City."
Footnotes Full List
- Chinese idiom: to stick to the old ways/blindly follow tradition
- The fēng in the Chinese character for the word madman, 疯子 (fēngzi), has the same sound as Feng Dajun's surname, 封. Xu Daniu was making a pun on Feng Dajun's surname.
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi