Han Jianye was blindfolded and led out of the prison. When the hood covering his head was finally removed, allowing him to see daylight again, he realised he was in an unfamiliar place.
Looking at the bare walls, the small, high window, and the only difference from a prison cell being a thick quilt on the bed and a chamber pot, Han Jianye asked the person who had brought him here, "Where is this?"
The person replied expressionlessly, "Reflect on your mistakes here." With that, he turned and left, locking the door behind him.
Outside, Huo Changqing spoke to Xu Daniu, "Don't worry too much about him. As long as he doesn't starve to death, he'll be fine." Han Jianye had made a grave mistake. He couldn't be severely punished out of respect for the Han Shi, but letting him suffer a little was okay.
Xu Daniu hesitated and asked, "Master, what if Madam blames us for this?" Madam had always looked after her Er Ge1, Han Jianye. If they mistreated Han Jianye, she would surely be upset.
Huo Changqing replied, "If Zaozao's mother has a problem with this, just tell her it was my decision." Teaching Han Jianye a lesson would prevent him from repeating the same mistake.
Xu Daniu nodded in agreement.
On the third day after Yun Qing set out for war, Er Nainai2 Zhao came to visit Yuxi. When she saw Yuxi's pale complexion, she couldn't hold back her tears. "Meimei3, how did you end up like this?"
Yuxi could move now, but strenuous activity was still out of the question. She sat up, leaned against the headboard, and smiled. "My life is no longer in mortal danger." She was well aware of her condition—full recovery would take at least two or three years. No one had told her this outright, but she knew it in her heart.
Er Nainai2 Zhao wiped her tears away and cursed, "That Emperor is truly despicable! This was a matter between men—why take it out on us women?" She also believed that the Emperor ordered the assassination attempt on Yuxi, and it only deepened her contempt for him. If he thought Yun Qing was disobedient, he could have stripped him of his position as a general rank or even k*lled him—but to target Yuxi? Only a useless man would lash out at women.
Yuxi's expression stiffened. "So you already know?" She had been the one who suggested that Yun Qing take Zhao Zhuo and Zhao Hao. Now, feeling guilty and uncomfortable, she found it hard to meet Er Nainai2 Zhao's eyes.
Er Nainai2 Zhao replied, "Since my husband left with General Yun, how could I not know?" Of course, she was worried, but there was no point in worrying about it now.
Feeling remorseful, Yuxi said, "Tu Jiejie4, I'm sorry." Although she didn't think she had done anything wrong, she truly felt guilty towards Tu Qingmei.
Er Nainai2 Zhao smiled. "What is there to be sorry for? This is their business as men. We women have no say in it." She had no idea Yuxi had played a role in the decision—she assumed it was all Yun Qing's doing.
Seeing that Er Nainai2 Zhao could still smile, Yuxi couldn't help but ask, "Tu Jiejie4, aren't you worried?" Even though she knew that they had a good chance of winning, she still couldn't shake her anxiety.
Er Nainai2 Zhao said, "How could I not be worried? Every time there's a battle, I'm scared to death, let alone this time, when they set out without an official deployment order." If they failed, the Zhao family could be wiped out. But worrying was pointless—it wouldn't solve anything.
Yuxi grasped Er Nainai2 Zhao's hand and said, "Tu Jiejie4, I'm so sorry..." For the sake of her own family, she and her husband had dragged too many people into this mess.
Shaking her head, Er Nainai2 Zhao said, "What is there to apologise for? This wasn't even your decision. Besides, the current Imperial Court is corrupt, and the Emperor is incompetent. Even if Yun Qing hadn't rebelled, someone in the Northwest would have eventually. Now that General Yun has taken action first, he has the advantage."
Yuxi was stunned for a moment—she hadn't expected Er Nainai2 Zhao to say such things. But she quickly realised it was probably due to Madam Zhao's influence. General Zhao had taken off his armour and returned to the field5, and Zhao Zhuo had fallen out of favour with the couple. He will certainly not be reused by Yun Qing in the future. Therefore, the Zhao family needed Er Nainai2 Zhao to maintain a good relationship with her. Obviously, Er Nainai2 Zhao was unaware of these political intricacies.
Yuxi nodded, "Yes, He Rui also said that now was the best time to act. Otherwise, he wouldn't have left us three—me and our daughters—behind in Yu City."
Suddenly, Er Nainai2 Zhao said, "Yuxi, I really envy you." The Imperial Court was undeniably corrupt, but few would dare to rebel. Yun Qing had faced multiple assassination attempts in the past but had never thought of rebelling. But after Yuxi was attacked, his fury led him to rise up against the Imperial Court.
Yuxi was confused. "Envy me? For what?"
Er Nainai2 Zhao smiled. "Of course, I envy you for having General Yun, who would go to war in a fit of rage for your sake! If I had a husband like that, I'd feel that my life was worth it, even if I had to die right now." For her, Yuxi was the luckiest woman in the world.
Yuxi broke into a sweat, "Who came up with such nonsense?" 'Going to war in a fit of rage for a beauty6'? That phrase referred to a beloved concubine, but she was Yun Qing's wife, not some mere beauty.
Nevertheless, Er Nainai2 Zhao remained deeply moved. "Yuxi, you are truly blessed." Even after giving birth to two daughters, Yun Qing showed no disappointment and still cherished her deeply. This made Er Nainai2 Zhao both envious and touched—envious that Yuxi had married such a good man and touched that such men still existed in the world.
On this matter, Yuxi agreed. She said, "Marrying He Rui is indeed my greatest fortune." Although Yun Qing was not one for sweet words or tender gestures, his actions always warmed her heart.
Er Nainai2 Zhao teased, "You have no idea—just yesterday, my mother-in-law joked that those girls who refused to marry General Yun back then must have regretted it so much that their intestines turned green6." Of course, she was only joking. At that time, Yun Qing had been the most undesirable bachelor in the Northwest despite his high rank and numerous military achievements. His aura was too intimidating—women trembled at the sight of him, let alone dare to marry him.
Yuxi smiled, "They can regret all they want—it's too late now." Yun Qing was her husband, and he was now beyond anyone else's reach.
Since Er Nainai2 Zhao was visiting, she naturally asked about Yuxi's premature daughter. "How is the baby?" It would be hard to raise a premature child.
Yuxi replied, "Liu-er is very weak, but fortunately, Mama Lan is taking excellent care of her. Otherwise, I wouldn't even know what to do." Thanks to Mama Lan, she wasn't overwhelmed with worry—without her, Yuxi wouldn't have been able to eat or sleep peacefully, constantly fretting over Liu'er's fragile state.
Sensing the sadness in the topic, Er Nainai2 Zhao quickly changed the subject. "Your Mother truly dotes on you, sending such a capable person like Mama Lan to help." The more time she spent with Yuxi, the more Er Nainai2 Zhao realised how different the powerful noble families were from hers. If Yuxi had come from an ordinary household, the turmoil of her illness and Yun Qing's departure would have thrown the household into chaos. But in the Yun household, everything remained orderly and well-managed, as if nothing had changed.
The mention of Qiu Shi made Yuxi feel melancholy. She sighed, "Yes... But I worry that this situation might implicate my Mother." Although Qiu Shi was not her biological mother, she had done as much for Yuxi as any real mother would.
Er Nainai2 Zhao hesitated, not sure how to respond. To say that Qiu Shi wouldn't be affected would be a lie, but to say otherwise would only add to Yuxi's distress.
After some thought, Er Nainai2 Zhao said, "Don't be too upset. This isn't something within your control. Besides, you were forced into this situation."
Yuxi nodded. "Yes. If we hadn't been driven to desperation, He Rui would never have taken this path of no return. Now, I just hope my Dage7 can find a way to avoid disaster and protect the Han family. Otherwise, I'll go down in history as the Han family's eternal sinner."
Er Nainai2 Zhao quickly reassured her, "Don't worry—I believe your Dage7 will be able to protect the Han family." Having a capable elder brother was a blessing.
Yuxi nodded and then asked, "And what about you? The last time we spoke, you said you suspected that concubine of being pregnant. Has it been confirmed?" The day before Yuxi was attacked, she had spent half a day chatting with Er Nainai2 Zhao. Er Nainai2 Zhao had suspected that the concubine was expecting but had pretended not to be for fear that Er Nainai2 Zhao, would harm the child.
Er Nainai2 Zhao nodded. "I had a physician examine her and it's confirmed—she's almost two months pregnant. Since she is so wary of me, I don't want to bother with her. I simply let my mother-in-law assign someone to look after her." After a pause, she added, "She used to act all meek and well-behaved, but now that she's pregnant, she's showing her true nature. Honestly, Yuxi, you saw through her better than I did!" When they first accepted the concubine, it was only to ensure an heir—there was no way she would harm the child.
Yuxi shook her head. "It's not about foresight—just human nature. Leaving her in the care of your mother-in-law is wise. If anything happens to her, it won't be your fault."
Er Nainai2 Zhao hesitated, looking conflicted.
Curious, Yuxi asked, "Tu Jiejie4, if you have something to say, just say it. No need to hold back."
Er Nainai2 Zhao hesitated momentarily before asking, "Yuxi, I have heard that your difficult labour has affected your health this time. Is it true?" If Yun Qing succeeded, his status would change drastically. At that point, women would throw themselves at him for power and wealth. If Yuxi couldn't bear any more children, her future could become very difficult.
Yuxi nodded. "Giving birth to Liu-er has weakened me greatly. It will take two to three years for my body to recover." Surviving was already a blessing in itself, and Liu-er's well-being was an even greater fortune—she had no complaints.
Er Nainai2 Zhao's face lit up with relief. "Really?" Seeing Yuxi nod again, she clutched her chest and sighed in relief. "I've been so worried these past few days. As long as you're okay, that's all that matters." With how much Yun Qing cherished Yuxi, waiting two or three years wouldn't be a problem.
Yuxi could tell the difference between genuine concern and false sympathy. Having such a sincere friend made her feel incredibly lucky.
Footnotes Full List
- 二 èr = two/second, 哥 gē = elder brother, short form for 哥哥 gēge
- 二 èr = two/second, 奶奶 nǎinai =young mistress of the house
- 妹妹 younger sister
- 姐姐 jiějie = elder sister
- 解甲归田 (jiě jiǎ guī tián): This phrase is often used metaphorically to describe a soldier who retires from military service and returns to a peaceful, civilian life, particularly to farming or a simple rural life.
The idiom "冲冠一怒为红颜" (chōng guān yī nù wéi hóng yán) is used to describe a man who takes drastic actions out of love or passion for a woman. It can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying that the man is being impulsive or irrational. However, it can also be used in a more romantic light, suggesting that the man is deeply devoted to the woman. The phrase comes from a poem called "圆圆曲" (Yuán Yuán Qǔ) by the Qing Dynasty poet Wu Weiye. The poem tells the story of Chen Yuanyuan, a renowned beauty who was initially the concubine of a Ming Dynasty general. When the general surrendered to the Qing Dynasty, Chen Yuanyuan was taken by a Qing official. This enraged Wu Sangui, a Ming Dynasty general who had initially surrendered to the Qing but later rebelled against them. It is said that Wu Sangui's anger at Chen Yuanyuan's capture was a significant factor in his decision to switch sides and fight against the Qing.
The poem includes the lines:
恸哭六军俱缟素，冲冠一怒为红颜。
This translates to:
The six armies wept in mourning, and he, in a burst of anger, stormed for a beautiful woman.
- 悔青了肠子 (huǐ qīng le cháng zi) is often used to describe someone who feels intense regret about a past decision or action that cannot be undone.
- 大哥 = eldest brother
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The Rebirth of Han Yuxi