At this point, Yun Zhongyan lowered her eyes, thinking to herself, "Lin Ji, Lin Ji, you are the woman I love most in my life. How could I obey Lin Xihe's order to take your life? I long for you, and the bitterness in my heart is indescribable. I only hope that you can live a peaceful and happy life. Threatening to expose your identity was just out of jealousy and hatred for you bearing children for others. I wanted to persuade you to run away with me. If you really disagree, how could I really do something detrimental to you?"
Chu Tong thought to herself, "Yun Zhongyan is quite the romantic. He's been willing to go through fire and water for that vixen, the Second Madam. If my husband treated me that well, I'd be overjoyed!" As she thought this, she stole glances at Yun Yinghuai, thinking to herself, "My husband is Yun Zhongyan's nephew, and I grew up by his side. He must have been influenced by him through his words and actions. He must be quite the romantic too!"
Yun Zhongyan patted Yun Yinghuai on the shoulder and smiled, "Although I haven't been by your side all these years, Shi Youliang has been sending me letters, telling me everything you've done. I know you went to avenge Lin Ji for me and led the Yunding Sect to accomplish several great things in the martial world. Later, you were framed and expelled from the sect. I wanted to step forward to clarify things, but I thought that a real man should be patient and resilient, able to bend and stretch. This great change was just right to temper your character, so I avoided it. Then later, you quelled the Yunding Sect rebellion with overwhelming force and set up an ambush at the martial arts conference to protect the Yunding Sect. I am truly gratified. You have become a man of integrity."
Yun Zhongyan was a strict teacher who rarely showed a smile. Today, Yun Yinghuai was praised like this, and he felt a warm feeling in his heart. His eyes reddened, and he said loudly, "Disciple dares not disobey Master's teachings!"
Yun Zhongyan said, "A few months ago, Shi Youliang sent me a messenger on his 800-mile fast horse, saying that you were going to Chongmen Pass alone. Knowing your temperament, I was afraid that something might happen to you, so I hurriedly dispatched more than twenty imperial guards to protect you. Fortunately, they saw that white smoke in the valley that night and arrived in time, otherwise you and this heroine Yao would have been dead by the soldiers of the Great Zhou long ago!"
Chu Tong, quick-witted, immediately stood up and bowed in gratitude, saying, "Thank you so much, Elder Hero Yun, for saving my life! I am deeply grateful!"
Yun Yinghuai said, "Disciple thanks Master for saving me. But how can Master command the top imperial guards in the Northern Liang palace?"
Before Yun Zhongyan could reply, a voice came from the side hall: "The imperial guards are naturally sent by me." As he spoke, he lifted the beaded curtain and walked in. The man was about sixty years old, with a tall and imposing figure. He wore a black robe embroidered with gold dragons and had a matching silk belt around his waist. The belt was adorned with a gold round plaque inlaid with dragon patterns and jade. He wore a gold dragon crown. His appearance was seven or eight parts similar to Yun Yinghuai. He was dignified and had the air of an emperor.
Chu Tong hurriedly knelt down, thinking to herself, "My God! This old man is obviously the young master's father!" Yun Zhongyan put his hands together, bowed, and said, "Amitabha, this old monk greets Your Majesty."
The Emperor of Northern Liang stepped forward, grabbed Yun Yinghuai's shoulder, and looked him up and down with a sharp gaze. Then he burst into laughter and said, "That's right, that's right, this is more like my son! Mingjue, you really didn't lie to me!"
Yun Yinghuai had always thought of himself as an orphan, but upon suddenly seeing his biological father today, he was overjoyed and knelt down, saying, "Your son... Your son greets Father..."
Chu Tong glanced at the Northern Liang Emperor a few times and thought to herself, "Sure enough, children resemble their parents. The young master is so majestic, so his father must be just as imposing. Lin Xihe is a pretty boy who loves women, and his son Qin Ye is also a philanderer who enjoys writing poetry. No wonder I felt that Qin Ye looked familiar when I first saw him. Tsk tsk, it turns out he is Xie Linghui's brother."
The Emperor of Northern Liang lifted Yun Yinghuai up, looked him over from left to right, and was extremely satisfied. He said with a hearty smile, "Tomorrow I will order the Ministry of Rites to prepare to open the ancestral hall and issue an edict to the world, so that my son can recognize his ancestors and return to his clan."
Yun Yinghuai was overjoyed. Looking down, he saw that Chu Tong was still kneeling on the ground. Remembering the suffering he had endured in the past, with only this little girl by his side, he felt a pang of sadness in his chest. He stepped forward and helped Chu Tong up, saying to the Emperor of Beiliang, "Father, her name is Yao Chu Tong, and she is my betrothed."
The Emperor of Northern Liang looked closely and saw a girl of about sixteen or seventeen standing before him. She was very beautiful, and her bright, intelligent eyes shone with an indescribable cunning. As soon as the Emperor's gaze swept over her, Chu Tong immediately bowed and said, "This commoner, Yao Chu Tong, greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!" The Emperor had already heard some of Chu Tong's glorious deeds and knew that this little girl was clever, resourceful, and full of ingenious schemes, having saved his child's life several times. He couldn't help but treat her with new respect, offering a few words of comfort with a smile.
At this moment, Yun Zhongyan said, "Amitabha, now that you and your son are reunited, my wish has been fulfilled and I have no more worries. Starting tomorrow, I will go into the deep mountains to cultivate in seclusion, and I may never come out again in my lifetime."
Yun Yinghuai was taken aback and hurriedly stepped forward, saying, "Master, we have only just met. Your disciple wishes to serve you for the rest of my life."
Yun Zhongyan shook his head and said, "The two boxes are nowhere to be found, and the restoration of the Great Zhao is hopeless. My life has been full of ups and downs, and I have tasted both joy and sorrow. Now I only wish to break through the bonds of love as soon as possible and attain enlightenment." After saying this, he turned around, walked to Ding Wuhen, released Ding Wuhen's acupoints, reached out and stroked his hair, and said softly, "Wuhen, I have truly failed you. If it weren't for me, Lin Xihe would not have gone to the Heroes' Gathering, and would not have met your mother, your father would not have died tragically, and Lin Ji would not have been expelled from the royal palace." He sighed and said, "Originally, I was still hoping to restore the country and carefully nurtured Huai'er every day, but I forgot that you are also a child who needs care. If you are willing, come with me to the deep mountains to cultivate. I will definitely take good care of you and teach you all my martial arts skills..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ding Wuhen's face contorted in a frenzy. He yelled "Ah!" and pushed Yun Zhongyan's hand away, shouting, "I don't need your fake kindness! My parents are dead! I have nothing! I'm just an orphan!" With that, he turned and ran outside.
Footsteps came from the back room, and Dingdang ran out with tears streaming down her face, following behind Ding Wuhen and calling out, "Ding Lang, Ding Lang, you still have me! No matter where you are, I will follow you!" She cried as she chased after him.
A gentle east wind blows, and layers of clouds seem to swell my heart. The Han River flows southeast, washing away all my sorrows.
Chu Tong and Yun Yinghuai settled into the Northern Liang Palace, where the Northern Liang Emperor showered them with gold, silver, jewels, silks, and satins daily. Consort Xuan, separated from her child for many years, now wished she could offer everything to Yun Yinghuai, personally overseeing his every need and giving him detailed instructions. While Yun Yinghuai felt warmed by his parents' love, his accustomed freedom in the martial world made him feel somewhat uneasy.
Consort Xuan also summoned Chu Tong several times. Chu Tong was intelligent, perceptive, and eloquent. Consort Xuan was very pleased with her and rewarded Chu Tong with many valuable gifts.
Seven days later, the Emperor of Northern Liang issued an imperial edict proclaiming to the world: "The Seventh Prince, Qin Ye, is obsessed with extravagance and indulges in excessive desires; his palace is filled with silks and brocades, jewels and pearls, and incessant music and singing. He alienates upright officials and associates with treacherous flatterers. He has lost his ambition through indulging in toys and ruined his moral character through unrestrained desires. I hereby strip him of his title of Prince and demote him to a commoner, ordering him to immediately proceed to Lingshan to guard the tombs of his ancestors. This is the imperial decree."
Qin Ye was struck dumb upon receiving the imperial edict. He immediately requested an audience with the emperor, but the emperor refused to see him. Qin Ye then turned to Consort Xuan for help. He stood outside the imperial palace for three days, and finally, Consort Xuan sent a eunuch with a tray containing one hundred taels of silver. Upon seeing it, Qin Ye fainted. During these days, Qin Ye's concubines and maids were nowhere to be seen, only his secondary consort, Du Yujuan, remained by his side. In the end, she hired a carriage to take him away.
Chu Tong and Yun Yinghuai sat on the top floor and watched silently for a while. Yun Yinghuai sighed, "The most ruthless are those in the imperial family. Just a few days ago, Qin Ye was living a life of luxury, surrounded by beautiful women. Now, he has been reduced to a commoner and has nothing left. The only thing left by his side is the wife he used to despise. It is truly lamentable."
Chu Tong said, "Qin Ye's biological father is a prince of Southern Yan, and his half-brother is a general of Great Zhou. Of course, your biological father would have to be wary of him."
Yun Yinghuai thought to himself, "That's it. Father is a man who cherishes old friendships. Otherwise, he could have easily found a pretext to make Qin Ye 'die suddenly' and completely eliminate this hidden danger. Putting Qin Ye under house arrest in the ancestral mausoleum is actually giving him a way out." He pondered for a moment and said, "I just received a letter from the Cloud Peak Sect. The letter said that Shi Yiqing and Chu Yue have returned to Southern Yan and are both unharmed... It's just a pity that of the Six Heroes of Phoenix City, each of them is a hero. Only two of them escaped alive from the ambush that night."
Chu Tong clapped her hands and said, "Brother Shi and Sister Chu have both escaped danger safely, that's wonderful."
Yun Yinghuai said, "Jiang Wansheng is still missing, but the spies from Beiliang have reported that they have not heard of the Great Zhou soldiers capturing the woman. I hope she is safe."
Chu Tong looked up, her round eyes fixed on Yun Yinghuai's firm, jade-like face, and asked, "Young husband, do you... still like her?"
Yun Yinghuai glanced at Chu Tong, then stretched out his long arm and pulled her onto his lap. His eyes, like autumn water, gazed at Chu Tong's face. After a long while, his face flushed slightly as he said, "Xing'er, only you are my wife. The only one in the world who calls me 'Little Husband' is you." He rarely uttered words of love, and this time he expected Chu Tong to be overjoyed, clinging to his arm and asking, "Really? Really?" Unexpectedly, Chu Tong sighed softly, leaning against him and saying, "Little Husband, now that you've become a prince, I feel both happy and worried."
Yun Yinghuai raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh? What do you like?"
Chu Tong said, "I am naturally happy for you that you have found your parents and cleared your name. Besides, your parents are very generous and have given me so much gold and silver jewelry. I am very happy every time I see it."
Yun Yinghuai chuckled softly and said, "If you like, I'll give you mine too." Then he asked, "So what are you worried about?"
Chu Tong said, "You are a prince now, and I am just a commoner. That title of 'heroine' is worthless; it's all just a lie. Your father and mother will also make you marry a young lady from an official family as your first wife, second wife, and so on. In the future, you will have hundreds or thousands of 'Twelve Beauties of Jinyang' in your household..."
Before Chu Tong could finish speaking, Yun Yinghuai reached out and covered Chu Tong's mouth, saying, "There are thousands or tens of thousands of beautiful women in the world, but there is only one Yao Chu Tong."
Chu Tong was startled and looked up, staring straight at Yun Yinghuai's face. She saw Yun Yinghuai's bright eyes looking deeply into her eyes. Chu Tong's face flushed slightly. Yun Yinghuai chuckled and leaned down to gently kiss her lips. He whispered in her ear, "If you're still worried, then I won't be a prince. I'm not used to being one anyway. It's better to be free and unrestrained in the martial world."
Chu Tong exclaimed "Ah!" and said happily, "That's great... but I'm afraid your father and mother won't agree."
Yun Yinghuai said, "I have already asked my father not to bestow a title upon me. I am used to freedom and do not want to be confined in the deep palace. After thinking it over, I think it is more enjoyable to roam the martial world and seek revenge. Although my father was not pleased to hear this, he did not object."
Chu Tong cheered upon hearing this, and said with a grin, "I don't like the palace either. Although there is a lot of gold and silver treasures, it's not fun at all because you have to kowtow and smile all day long."
Yun Yinghuai laughed and said, "I knew you were bored here. We'll head back to Da Zhou in a few days."
Chu Tong's eyes widened as she asked, "What are we going back to the Great Zhou for?"
Yun Yinghuai reached out and tapped Chu Tong's forehead, saying, "I don't know which young lady said that after getting married, she would go to Nanhuai to visit her mother's grave."
Chu Tong exclaimed in surprise, "You still remember what I said after all this time!" She felt incredibly sweet inside, as if she had never been so happy in her life.
Seeing Chu Tong's cheeks flushed with joy, Yun Yinghuai felt both pity and happiness. He smiled and said, "Although we are not yet married, I have already considered you my wife. It would be good for me, the son-in-law, to meet my mother-in-law ahead of time."
Hearing Yun Yinghuai's words, Chu Tong was overjoyed and nodded hurriedly, saying, "Yes, yes! If my mother knew that my husband is a great hero, she would be so happy." She then smiled sweetly at Yun Yinghuai. This smile made her eyes sparkle and her expression even more charming and pleasing. Yun Yinghuai's heart fluttered, and he pulled Chu Tong to his chest and kissed her lips deeply.
The two of them recuperated in the palace for another half month. Yun Yinghuai then informed the Emperor of Beiliang of his whereabouts. Although the Emperor and Consort Xuan were reluctant to part with him, they could not bear to go against Yun Yinghuai's wishes. Moreover, the Emperor of Beiliang was known for governing the country with benevolence and filial piety. He was naturally pleased to hear that Yun Yinghuai was taking Chu Tong back to pay respects to his mother, and sent eighteen imperial guards to accompany and protect her.
Before their departure, Yun Yinghuai and Chu Tong went to bid farewell to Yun Zhongyan. Yun Zhongyan had already entered seclusion in Lingshan, and Yun Yinghuai could not see him. He and Chu Tong could only kowtow three times outside the secluded cave, gather their feelings, and set off for Da Zhou.
The two traveled slowly, enjoying the scenery, and after more than two months, they finally arrived in Nanhuai. Chu Tong wept bitterly before her mother's grave, sparing no expense to hire a feng shui master to find an auspicious site and move her mother's grave there. A few days later, news arrived from the capital of Great Zhou: the Emperor had suddenly fallen ill and died. The chief eunuch read the late Emperor's will, in which the late Emperor deposed Crown Prince Deming and installed the Third Prince Dexin as Emperor. Half a month later, the deposed Crown Prince Deming, along with Xie Linghui, rebelled, and Consort Lan, Xie Xiujing, hanged herself in the palace. Wang Lang, son of the Grand Chancellor Wang Ding, was appointed acting Minister of War to defend the capital. Great Zhou was instantly shrouded in bloodshed.
While the people of Da Zhou were living in fear, Chu Tong was overjoyed. She was oblivious to the affairs of the country, but she knew that De Ming and Xie Linghui had both rebelled, so no one would pursue the terrible disaster she had caused. She felt relieved and, thinking that she had not seen Wang Lang for many days, urged Yun Yinghuai to go to the capital of Da Zhou to visit old friends.
The further north they went, the more urgent the situation became, and the more brutal the battle. Along the way, soldiers and officials from all over the Great Zhou Dynasty flocked to the capital. Deming had been preparing for the rebellion for many years, and Xie Linghui was extremely skilled in military tactics. By the time Chu Tong and the others arrived in the capital, Xie Linghui had already captured three cities.
Returning to the capital, Chu Tong was filled with mixed emotions. Passing by the Xie residence, she couldn't resist the urge to go inside. The Xie family's vermilion gates were already sealed off. Seeing this, Yun Yinghuai grabbed Chu Tong and leaped over the wall. The entire Xie family had been convicted of treason and had already fled with their valuables, their whereabouts unknown. The remaining possessions had been confiscated by the court. Chu Tong looked around and saw only devastation and desolation. The once grand mansion was now deserted, a scene of utter bleakness. She walked along the cobblestone path, recalling the splendor she had witnessed when she first entered the Xie residence, and her legs unconsciously led her towards Tanwu Garden.
The plaque hanging outside Tanwu Garden was half-crooked, and the empty room seemed even more spacious, covered in dust. A gust of wind caused the double-panel lattice door to creak, sending chills down one's spine. The garden was dilapidated, except for a single peach tree blooming vibrantly in the breeze, its delicate beauty contrasting sharply with the gray walls and crumbling well, adding to the overall sense of desolation. Chu Tong, who hated Xie Linghui to the core, had initially thought she would applaud the scene, but now felt a pang of melancholy. She silently paced around the room, then looked up at Yun Yinghuai and said, "Young husband, let's go."
Yun Yinghuai nodded. As the two passed by Xia Han Garden, where the Second Madam lived, Yun Yinghuai pointed to the hall and smiled at Chu Tong, saying, "This is where we first met. You were wearing an old and oversized floral cotton-padded jacket, with your hair in two buns, and you sneaked into the hall to steal cakes from other people."
Chu Tong's eyes widened as she asked, "You still remember?"
Yun Yinghuai smiled without saying a word. After walking for a while, Chu Tong pointed to Lanzhao Hall not far away and said, "Young husband, this is where we used to worship heaven and earth." Then she wrinkled her nose and said, "But later you abandoned me here alone, and when we met again, you didn't even reveal your identity. You're such a heartless man." After saying that, she pinched Yun Yinghuai's arm, but found that Yun Yinghuai's arm muscles were hard and it hurt her hand instead.
Yun Yinghuai held Chu Tong's hand and said, "When I escaped from the Xie family that day, I was covered in injuries. The world is dangerous, how could I protect you? It's much safer to leave you here..." He deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Besides, you little girl have too many strange and wonderful ideas in your head. If you want me to tell you stories and perform the wedding ceremony, I really can't handle it."
Chu Tong chuckled, her sorrow and melancholy lessening considerably. She took Yun Yinghuai's hand and left the Xie residence. After boarding the carriage, Chu Tong couldn't help but look back one last time. The setting sun painted the high-rising eaves of the Xie residence with a golden hue, making it appear both magnificent and tinged with an indescribable sense of decay.
The slanting sunlight illuminates the clear sky, the water and sky are vast and open, and the curtains are rolled up to reveal the spring dawn in the painted hall.
The Wang residence has been quite turbulent these past few days. Master Wang Ding and several military officers have been suppressing the rebellion of the deposed Crown Prince Deming in the west, while Wang Lang is also extremely busy overseeing the defense of the capital. The entire Wang family has taken on a tense atmosphere reminiscent of a military camp. Today, the gatekeeper heard a knock on the door knocker, opened the gate, and saw a man and a woman standing there. The man was tall and imposing; the woman appeared to be sixteen or seventeen years old, extremely beautiful, wearing a red satin cloak that accentuated her snow-white skin. The woman smiled and handed over a visiting card, saying, "Yao Chutong wishes to pay her respects to the Third Young Master Wang. Please inform him of your arrival."
The doorman's beady eyes widened instantly, remembering Wang Lang's repeated instructions that if a Miss Yao came to the mansion to see him, he must treat her as an honored guest. He immediately put on a beaming smile and said, "Miss and young master, please come in. My third master is out right now, please wait a moment." After saying that, he led Chu Tong and Yun Yinghuai inside. A servant led the two to the Han Ying Pavilion where Wang Lang was staying, where clever maids greeted and entertained them, serving them hot tea, fresh fruit, and other items with great hospitality.
Yun Yinghuai looked around the room, admiring the various trinkets on the display shelf and the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, and couldn't help but smile and say, "Wang Lang is quite a refined person, with a keen interest and a broad mind."
Chu Tong said, "Young Master Wang is extremely intelligent and a truly remarkable person." Then she frowned and said with worry, "However, it is really worrying that a scholar like him has to face Xie Linghui on the battlefield."
Yun Yinghuai said, "That's right. Deming has many ministers in the court who support him. He has cultivated a lot of power over the years as crown prince. In addition, Xie Linghui became famous in one battle and has a high prestige in the army. His tactics are unpredictable, which makes Deming even more powerful. Xie Linghui's sister, Xie Xiuyan, is married to the late emperor's only brother, Prince Duan, and is now extremely favored. Prince Duan also holds military power. Although he doesn't control many people, his defection at this time would be a fatal blow to the defense of the capital. He is still observing. If he were to side with Xie Linghui, the newly enthroned emperor might be forced to move the capital."
Before Yun Yinghuai could finish speaking, a voice said, "Hero Yun is right, but I fear the dangers don't end there." With that, the curtain was lifted, and Wang Lang entered. He was dressed in official robes, his face haggard and weary from his journey. He smiled bitterly, "In just two months, Xie Linghui has captured three cities. His troops are the very soldiers he personally trained during the Battle of Chongmen Pass; they've been battle-hardened and are unstoppable. These battles have demoralized our army, while the enemy has grown stronger with each battle. The front lines are constantly reporting emergencies. Although troops have been transferred from other provinces, I don't know if they can stop Xie Linghui in time." He then walked to the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and drank it all in one gulp. "Although the Wang and Xie families appear to be at peace, they are secretly at odds. If Deming's uprising succeeds, Xie Linghui will surely rise to power, and the Wang family will face ruin! Therefore, I will do everything in my power to ensure the Third Prince's throne is secure and to suppress the rebellious traitor!"
Chu Tong said, "That's right. It's like gambling. Young Master Wang, you had no choice but to bet all your money, so now you might as well go all out. If you lose, you might lose your head, but if you win, your whole family will rise to prominence."
Wang Lang sighed, thinking to himself, "How can it be so easy? If we lose, it's not a big deal if I die, but what about the hundreds of lives in the Wang family? The best outcome would be for the men to be exiled to the army and the women to be reduced to slaves for generations. So, we cannot afford to lose this battle! If we lose, the Wang family's century-old foundation will be finished."
Seeing Wang Lang looking worried, Chu Tong comforted him, "Young Master Wang, there's always a way out. With your intelligence and wisdom, you'll surely be able to turn the tide."
Wang Lang forced a smile and said, "I have sent three invitations to the Prince Duan's residence, but the Prince Duan always claims to be ill and refuses to see me. If this continues, the capital is in grave danger. Chu Tong, before the war breaks out, you should leave with Hero Yun."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tong's eyes widened immediately. She patted her chest and said, "Young Master Wang, how could I, Yao Chu Tong, be an ungrateful person? You saved my life and are my good friend. How could I abandon you? Even if we have to escape, we will escape together. Young Master Wang, if things go wrong, you can come back to Bei Liang with us. You can live a carefree life every day. It would be so pleasant."
Wang Lang shook her head, but her beautiful face showed a resolute look. She said, "I absolutely cannot abandon the Wang family! Since I became the acting Minister of War, I have sworn to live and die with the capital."
Yun Yinghuai nodded inwardly, thinking to herself that Wang Lang was indeed a hero for standing up for his family. She felt a surge of admiration for him.
Chu Tong thought to herself, "Bah! I can't let Young Master Wang go to his death. He's loyal and devoted to me, and I have to find a way to keep him safe." She racked her brains, then rolled her eyes and said, "Young Master Wang, since you're worried that Prince Duan will surrender to Xie Linghui, why not just kill him? A dead man can't rebel. Then we can frame Xie Linghui without anyone knowing. That would be perfect." Yun Yinghuai said, "You saved Xing'er's life. If you want me to kill Prince Duan, I have no objections."
Wang Lang shook his head and said, "I appreciate Hero Yun's kindness, but Prince Duan is cautious and the Prince Duan's mansion is heavily guarded. Killing him would be as difficult as climbing to heaven."
Chu Tong, whose first plan failed, came up with another, saying menacingly, "Then let's kill Xie Xiuyan. Without this woman whispering in Prince Duan's ear, he won't rebel. After that, we can frame someone else, or even fake Xie Xiuyan's suicide. That would solve everything."
Wang Lang had been frowning for days, but after hearing Chu Tong's words, he couldn't help but laugh and said, "I'm afraid that won't work either. Killing Xie Xiuyan at this critical juncture will surely arouse suspicion..." He was halfway through his sentence when suddenly an idea struck him, and he shouted, "I've got a plan!" With that, he lifted his robes and hurriedly ran outside, then turned back to Chu Tong and smiled, "Miss Yao is indeed resourceful and wise; Wang Lang admires her greatly." After saying that, he laughed heartily and left.
Chu Tong was first stunned, then patted Yun Yinghuai's chest triumphantly and said, "See? This sect leader is wise and mighty. I can enlighten people with just a few ideas and turn the tide for a country!"
Yun Yinghuai was drinking tea when he heard this, and before he knew it, he choked.
Why do you laugh at me for my sorrowful heart?
Two years ago
After bidding farewell to Wang Lang at the back gate of the Prince's mansion, Xie Xiuyan returned to the Xie family in tears and fell ill. She lay in bed for half a month, thinking about how her beloved had rejected her, how her father and second brother wanted to marry her off to Prince Duan, and how her mother had developed hysteria. She felt that there was no one in the world who could stand up for her, and she spent her days in tears.
That day, Xie Xiuyan was sobbing under the covers again when she heard the maid at the door open the curtain and say, "Second Miss, Second Master is here." As soon as she finished speaking, Xie Linghui walked in, went straight to the bedside and sat down. He saw that Xie Xiuyan's eyes were red and swollen like peaches, her face was haggard and covered in tears. He couldn't help but feel sorry for her, patted Xie Xiuyan's shoulder and said softly, "Sister, don't cry."
Upon seeing Xie Linghui, Xie Xiuyan immediately threw herself into his arms and burst into tears. Xie Linghui gently patted Xie Xiuyan's back and said, "Xiuyan, you are a noble lady from a wealthy family. Your elder sister is a current imperial concubine, and your father is a powerful minister in the court. Now you are crying like this for a man. Not only have you disgraced the Xie family, but your mother would be furious if she knew."
Xie Xiuyan was taken aback. She raised her tear-streaked face and said blankly, "Second brother, how...how did you know I was doing this for a man..."
Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes flashed as he waved away the maids on either side, saying, "At my birthday banquet that day, when you played 'Jianjia,' I knew something was amiss. Upon closer investigation, I discovered that you and Wang Lang had already been secretly having an affair! Xiuyan, you are usually so clever and quick-witted, how could you be so easily fooled by a few sweet words from Wang Lang? If Wang Lang were from another family, it would be understandable, but, but he happens to be a member of the Wang family! Fortunately, you ended things with him early on, otherwise I would have definitely cut off this thought for you."
Xie Xiuyan took Xie Linghui's handkerchief, wiping away her tears as she said, "Since childhood, Xiuyan has respected and admired Second Brother. My only wish in this life is to find a husband like Second Brother, someone accomplished in both literature and martial arts, a man of extraordinary talent. Wang Lang is exceptionally gifted; in the whole world, perhaps only he can compare to Second Brother..." At this point, Xie Xiuyan, her eyes brimming with tears, tugged at Xie Linghui's sleeve, saying, "Second Brother, I know you love me the most, so... please grant my wish!"
Xie Linghui's phoenix eyes narrowed, and his handsome face immediately darkened. He shook off Xie Xiuyan's hand and scolded, "Nonsense! Xiuyan, how can you not see the current situation? His Majesty is supporting our Xie family to rival the Wang family. How can the Wang and Xie families be related by marriage!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Xiuyan felt a pang of sadness in her chest and began to sob again, whimpering, "Even if I can't marry Wang Lang, I... I don't want to marry that Prince Duan!"
Xie Linghui rubbed his temples. The second madam doted on her only daughter and always protected her. Therefore, although Xie Xiuyan was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, she still had a carefree and romantic nature. Xie Linghui pondered for a while, then patted Xie Xiuyan's head and sighed, "Xiuyan, your second brother has a few words to say to you today. You must remember them well."
Hearing Xie Linghui's solemn tone, Xie Xiuyan stopped crying and raised her head. Xie Linghui said, "You are a member of the Xie family, enjoying wealth and luxury since childhood. A single garment you wear is worth three years' worth of food for an ordinary person, and a single pearl hairpin you wear can feed five farming families for three years. Being born into the Xie family, such enjoyment is only natural. However, there are always gains and losses in this world. You have enjoyed the ultimate wealth, but you must pay a greater price than ordinary people. Marriage is one of them, and you cannot act according to your own whims. Didn't my elder sister enter the palace for the sake of the Xie family?" He felt a pang of pain in his heart as he said this, gritting his teeth and thinking, "Yes, I am the same. For the sake of the Xie family, I can only… kill her…"
Xie Xiuyan struggled, saying, "But... I don't love Prince Duan. How... how am I supposed to live like this..."
Xie Linghui snorted and said, "Xiuyan, you've been reading too many romance novels about talented men and beautiful women, and that's why you've lost your mind. Love is an ethereal thing, and also the most helpless thing. One moment you love, the next you may not; one moment you can be together forever, the next you may have to endure heartbreak and draw your sword against someone... Xiuyan, love isn't everything. If you treat it as everything, the result will inevitably be scars, and that feeling is far too painful..."
As Xie Linghui spoke, his expression darkened, and a deep sorrow filled his brows. Xie Xiuyan had never seen him so haggard, and her heart skipped a beat. She grabbed Xie Linghui's arm and asked, "Second brother... is something troubling you?"
Xie Linghui perked up and saw the concern on Xie Xiuyan's face, which warmed his heart. He took Xie Xiuyan's hand and said, "Xiuyan, you are my only sister. We are born of the same mother. How can I let you suffer? This marriage was carefully chosen for you by my father and me."
Xie Xiuyan's face darkened, and she pouted, saying, "Carefully selected? Marrying me off to an old man is what you call carefully selected?"
Xie Linghui raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that Xie Xiuyan was naive and ignorant of worldly affairs. He patiently explained, "Prince Duan is the current emperor's only brother, and the two are very close. Prince Duan also holds military power and has fought on the battlefield several times, achieving great military exploits. His principal wife is the daughter of Tao Liangdong, a Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet and a first-rank official. The Tao family was granted the title of Duke of Wei for two generations, and they are known for their literary and scholarly traditions. Tao Liangdong's second son, Tao Linguang, is currently the Governor of Guangbei and enjoys great favor from the emperor. Although your father is a powerful minister, his foundation is too shallow. It is not a disgrace for you to become his concubine. Prince Duan is in his forties and in his prime, but he is handsome and, more importantly, he is not a womanizer. He only has one wife and two concubines. If you marry him, not only will the Xie family's position be more secure, but Prince Duan is also a man of integrity and will surely treat you very well."
With tears in her eyes, Xie Xiuyan said aggrievedly, "Xiuyan doesn't care if he has mountains of gold and silver. I just want to marry a talented man who can compose poems, play chess and play the zither in his daily life. I don't want to marry a warrior who only knows how to wield swords and spears."