When only the couple remained in the room, Yun Qing looked at Yuxi with a puzzled expression and asked, "How did you know that Old General Yan's courtesy name was Pingchuan?" This was truly surprising to him.
Yuxi naturally wouldn't hide such a trivial matter from Yun Qing. "My Dage1 suspected that Yan Wushuang wasn't dead years ago and had someone investigate the Yan family thoroughly." At that time, Yuxi had also reviewed the information they had gathered, and Old General Yan's courtesy name stood out as particularly unique, leaving a deep impression on her. Of course, this knowledge was simply bad luck for Meng Nian.
"When did this happen?" Yun Qing asked. When he heard that it happened twelve years ago, he exclaimed in genuine surprise, "You were only seven years old then, yet your memory is that good?" He could hardly recall anything from that time.
It was just a coincidence. Yuxi explained, "That person knows so much about you—it must be on Yan Wushuang's orders. What's unclear is his ultimate goal." Previously, Yuxi had thought they would have no dealings with Yan Wushuang, but now she realised how naive that idea had been.
Yun Qing remarked, "What he said likely reflects Yan Wushuang's intentions." He wasn't surprised that Yan Wushuang was planning a rebellion, as he himself had entertained similar thoughts. Yan Wushuang's ambitions were even greater.
Yuxi nodded. "If I'm not mistaken, this person is probably Yan Wushuang's stand-in. For Yan Wushuang to send his double to the northwest, his motives must be significant." After a brief pause, she added, "He Rui, I think we should hand this person over to the Imperial Court." Turning this impostor over would be a gesture of loyalty. As long as they hadn't completely severed ties with the Imperial Court, it was necessary to keep up appearances with them.
Yun Qing said, "There's no rush. Let's wait until we get his confession."
After discussing the impersonator Meng Nian, Yun Qing mentioned Duan Xinrong: "That Duan woman can't stay in the residence." She gave off the impression of being inappropriate, and leaving her in the mansion could lead to trouble.
Yuxi was surprised. Yun Qing usually didn't care about such things. She couldn't help but ask, "Why?" Yun Qing's attitude was quite unusual.
Yun Qing didn't provide any reason; he simply said, "After you talk to her, send her away."
Yuxi shook her head. "If she leaves, where will she go? The Duan family is gone; she's the only one left. In her current situation, if I don't help her, she'll have no way to survive."
Yun Qing wasn't a heartless man; he knew that Yuxi was soft-hearted. He finally compromised and said, "If you want to take care of her, I won't mind. But she can't stay in the residence." A woman with questionable behaviour had no place in their home.
If Yuxi had known that Yun Qing had discovered Duan Xinrong's time in a brothel, she would have asked him how he knew such details. Unfortunately, Yuxi was unaware and assumed that Yun Qing was only worried that Duan Xinrong might harm her. "All right, after I talk to her, I'll arrange for her to stay outside."
Yun Qing said, "Take Zijin, Hongqi, and Hongdou. Don't let her get close to you." Given Yuxi's current state, extra caution was necessary.
Yuxi smiled, "I know!"
From outside, Xu Daniu raised his voice and reported, "General, Deputy General Fu is here." Deputy General Fu was referring to Fu Tianlei. His arrival surely meant there was something important to discuss.
After Yun Qing left for the main hall, Yuxi came out soon after and said to Zijin, who was waiting outside, "Let's go and see Duan Jiejie2!"
When they arrived at the side courtyard, Yuxi turned to speak to Hongqi and Hongdou, "You two can withdraw now." With Zijin there, she felt sufficiently protected.
Hongqi and Hongdou walked out without any hesitation and didn't go far, just waiting outside the house. This way, they could rush back immediately if anything happened. Of course, their willingness to leave was also because they trusted Zijin's abilities.
Yuxi looked at Duan Xinrong, who seemed lost and confused, and asked, "Duan Jiejie2, the man pretending to be Yan Wushuang has been captured. What are your plans from here? If there's anything I can do to help, I will do so without hesitation."
Yuxi refrained from prying into what had happened in Liaodong. She understood that it was a painful chapter in Duan Xinrong's life, so she pretended she didn't know. Her focus was on Duan Xinrong's future. If she wanted to stay, Yuxi would ensure her safety. If she wanted to leave, Yuxi would provide her with the necessary resources.
Hearing Yuxi's words, Duan Xinrong burst into tears. "Yuxi, I'm sorry for lying to you. I'm not that man's wife. I was forced by him. My nephew Xiang-er is in his hands, and I had no choice but to obey."
If Yuxi were truly angry with Duan Xinrong, she wouldn't have said these things to her. She said gently, "I know you were forced to do it. But are you going to let Yan Wushuang keep threatening you forever?"
Duan Xinrong smiled bitterly. "What else can I do? My nephew, Zhengxiang, is the only heir of the Duan family. If I don't follow his orders, Zhengxiang may lose his life."
Hearing this, Yuxi frowned and said with displeasure, "What do you mean Zhengxiang is the only heir of the Duan family? Aren't you also part of the Duan family?"
Duan Xinrong shook her head. "It's not the same. Zhengxiang can continue the family line while I... I'm already tainted. When I die, I won't even have the face to meet my parents in the afterlife."
Yuxi frowned deeply as she said, "What do you mean by 'tainted'? The fact that you're still alive is already a blessing from the heavens. How can you wallow in self-pity like this?"
With red-rimmed eyes, Duan Xinrong said, "Yuxi, you don't understand, I..."
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Over the years, she had experienced the full range of human warmth and indifference. Only Yuxi had treated her with unwavering kindness. That was why she didn't want to tarnish their bond or deceive Yuxi. After making up her mind, Duan Xinrong bit her lip and confessed, "Didn't you once ask Duke Han to search for me for two years, but he couldn't find me? That's because, during that time, I was rescued—by the man you've just captured. He saved me, but then he sent me to a brothel. I've been living there ever since."
Yuxi was surprised that Duan Xinrong would reveal such a painful part of her past. However, her honesty reassured Yuxi and showed that Xinrong hadn't changed at all. Yuxi said, "So what if you've spent all these years in a brothel? You were forced into it; it wasn't your choice." Based on her understanding of Xinrong's character, Yuxi believed that if not for her nephew, Xinrong probably wouldn't have survived.
With tears streaming down her face, Duan Xinrong cried, "Yuxi, you don't understand..."
But Yuxi understood perfectly. "Duan Jiejie2, I know you think that falling into a brothel and not ending your life to prove your innocence has brought shame to the Duan family. You think that dying is the only way for you to face your ancestors. But this wasn't your choice—you were forced into it." After a pause, she continued, "Duan Jiejie2, I'm a mother too. Parents only ever want their children to live a safe, healthy life. They would never willingly see them suffer. I believe that if Uncle and Aunt Duan were alive, they would feel nothing but pain for the hardships you've endured. They wouldn't have the heart to blame you."
Seeing that Duan Xinrong's expression softened slightly, Yuxi pressed further, "Duan Jiejie2, don't you think I'm right?"
At the mention of her tragically deceased parents, Duan Xinrong's tears fell once more.
Yuxi called out for Hongqi and instructed her as she entered, "Have someone bring water for Duan Jiejie2 to freshen up, and call Mama Qu here."
After Hongqi left, Yuxi turned to Duan Xinrong. "Duan Jiejie2, there's nothing more important than being alive. Living well from now on will be the best way to honour Uncle and Aunt Duan." Ironically, death could sometimes be a form of liberation, while those left behind suffered the true agony.
Duan Xinrong's face was desolate as she said, "Someone like me has no future. I'm just surviving from day to day."
Yuxi frowned and said sharply, "Don't say such nonsense. What do you mean by 'just surviving'? I may not have been able to before, but now, as long as I'm here, no one in Yu City will dare to harm you." Since childhood, her relationship with Duan Xinrong had been the closest, and she didn't want to lose her best friend.
Duan Xinrong hesitated before saying, "That man won't let me go. I'll only bring you trouble if I stay by your side." Knowing that Yuxi still cared for her after all these years, she didn't want to drag her into the mess.
"As long as you listen to me, not only will you be able to escape from Yan Wushuang, but your nephew Zhengxiang will also be safe," Yuxi said. Yu City was their territory. As long as Duan Xinrong was willing to cooperate, there was nothing she couldn't do.
Duan Xinrong was, of course, willing to live freely without being threatened, but she was a little scared. She asked Yuxi, "Will it cause you any trouble?"
Yuxi hesitated for a moment before answering, "It won't necessarily cause any trouble, but if you follow my plan, there will be no more Duan Xinrong in this world." This wasn't just to deceive Yan Wushuang but also to ease Duan Xinrong's mind. By faking her death and assuming a new identity, she could cast off the chains of her past and start afresh.
Duan Xinrong didn't mind giving up her identity, but she was worried about her nephew. "Yuxi, will Yan Wushuang really not harm Zhengxiang?"
Yuxi smiled as she assured her, "Don't worry, I can guarantee that Yan Wushuang won't harm your nephew." The Duan family's downfall was due to Yan Wushuang, and although he used Duan Zhengxiang to threaten Duan Xinrong, he wouldn't actually harm him. People were made of flesh and blood; if Yan Wushuang did such a thing, his followers would undoubtedly lose faith in him. Yan Wushuang was too clever to make such a mistake.
Duan Xinrong didn't know why, but when she heard Yuxi's firm words, she inexplicably believed her. Duan Xinrong stated, "Yuxi, it is my greatest good fortune to meet you." She didn't need to mention Yuxi's actions during the time when the Duan family was raided. Even now, Yuxi was still putting in so much effort for her. She would never be able to repay Yuxi's kindness for the rest of her life.
Yuxi smiled and said, "As long as you live well, that will be the best reward for me. I believe your parents in heaven will also be pleased."
Mama Qu came over and curtsied to Yuxi.
Yuxi turned to Duan Xinrong and introduced them, "This is Duan Jiejie2, my best friend from before." In fact, she had already told Mama Qu about this, and this was just a re-introduction.
Duan Xinrong felt a little embarrassed as she said, "Yuxi, there's no need to be so polite."
Mama Qu's eyes were sharp, and as soon as Duan Xinrong spoke, she knew that Duan Xinrong had received special training. However, since Yuxi had spoken, she naturally would not go against Yuxi's wishes. She curtsied to Duan Xinrong and greeted her, "Greetings to Miss Duan."
Yuxi smiled. "Mama Qu, please help Duan Jiejie2 with her make-up."
Under Mama Qu's skilled hands, Duan Xinrong's appearance changed completely after she was washed and dressed. Yuxi couldn't help but sigh in admiration—such craftsmanship must be passed down; otherwise, it would be a great waste.
Footnotes Full List
- eldest brother
- older sister
Tags:
The Rebirth of Han Yuxi