The rebel army's offensive was far too fierce, plunging the capital's civil and military officials, along with all its residents, i...
The rebel army's offensive was far too fierce, plunging the capital's civil and military officials, along with all its residents, into panic and unease. Yuchen was naturally among them.
Jing Wang returned to his residence with an extremely grim expression and stared at Yuchen as he asked, "What exactly did Song Mingyue teach you?"
Yuchen was perplexed by the question, but she still replied patiently, "As I've said before, Teacher Song taught me music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as poetry and prose, along with blending incense and preparing tea."
Jing Wang asked coldly, "What about Han Yuxi? What did she study under Song Mingyue?"
Yuchen's heart skipped a beat, but she answered, "Yuxi only studied chess, calligraphy, and painting. She wasn't willing to learn anything else." After a pause, she added, "However, Yuxi truly loves reading. Sometimes she reads so intensely that she forgets to eat and sleep. I used to jokingly call her a bookworm. Wangye1, what has happened?" This matter was clearly connected to Yuxi.
Jing Wang sat down and gulped a mouthful of tea before responding coldly, "I've just received word that Yun Qing has appointed Han Yuxi to govern the Northwest. From now on, all affairs there will be handled by her." Currently, the Imperial Court's top priority was dealing with Yan Wushuang, and there had been no significant activity in the Northwest. Nevertheless, upon hearing this news, Jing Wang was seething with anger. If it weren't for that woman Han Yuxi, the Northwest would not be in chaos. If the region were stable, they could redeploy a large army from there to suppress the rebellion. Unfortunately, not only could they no longer transfer troops, but they now had to send forces to guard against the Northwest instead.
"What…?" Despite her strong mental fortitude, Yuchen could not help but cry out in shock. She quickly regained her composure and asked, "Could there be a mistake? Yuxi is indeed intelligent, but she isn't capable of governing a region yet." High-ranking provincial officials who ruled entire territories had forged by a thousand hammerings2 before rising to such positions. Such positions required experience and an exceptionally steady temperament.
Jing Wang set down his teacup and asked coldly, "How could something like this possibly be wrong?"
With Yuxi governing the Northwest, it was unclear whether the Duke's household would be implicated. Yuchen steadied herself and said, "Although Yuxi is intelligent, she is unfamiliar with administrative affairs. Allowing her to govern may actually benefit us. If she ends up throwing the Northwest into complete disorder, the Imperial Court will be able to suppress the rebellion there swiftly. Wangye1, I believe our most urgent task is to figure out how to stop Yan Wushuang." She was trying to divert Jing Wang's attention so that he would stop probing into Yuxi's affairs.
Before Jing Wang could respond, his attendant announced from outside, "Wangye1, we've just received news that Jinzhou has fallen."
This news was even more shocking than Yuxi's appointment to govern the Northwest. Yuchen's face turned pale with terror. "How could Jinzhou fall so quickly?" At this rate, the rebels would reach the capital in less than half a month. How could they possibly survive when that time came?
Jing Wang placed a hand on Yuchen's shoulder and comforted her, "Don't worry. As long as I'm here, I'll take care of everything." In truth, he himself had no absolute confidence. Given Yan Wushuang's temperament, once the capital fell, it was likely that princes and imperial descendants like themselves would be the first to suffer once the capital fell.
Yuchen clutched Jing Wang's hand and asked, "What should we do now, Wangye1?" She felt that leaving the capital as soon as possible was the best option—remaining there was far too dangerous.
Jing Wang answered, "We'll discuss this after I return."With that, he left.
Momo Gui entered the room and, upon seeing Yuchen's horrified expression, tried to comfort her. "Wangfei3, you don't need to worry. Jinzhou is nearly a thousand li4 from the capital. We still have ample time to prepare."
After a long while, Yuxhen gave a bitter smile. "How could it be that easy?" If the Emperor did not leave, they would not be able to either.
Momo Gui had no better ideas either.
Yuchen sat on the cushioned couch and, in a low voice, wondered, "Momo, tell me—how does Yuxi have such enormous nerve, to actually dare take charge of the entire Northwest?" Whether Yuxi truly had the ability was another matter. The mere fact that she dared to take on such responsibility was remarkable in itself. If it were her, Yuchen would never dare — in this respect, she could only feel inferior.
Momo Gui did not immediately understand. "Taking charge of the entire Northwest? What does that mean?" Having spent so many years in the inner palace, the belief that women should not involve themselves in politics was ingrained deep in her bones, so that possibility had never even crossed her mind.
Yuchen patiently explained, "Yun Qing handed over the political affairs of the Northwest to Yuxi, giving her full authority to manage them." Yuxi was bold, but Yun Qing was even more daring. He was not afraid that Yuxi might plunge the entire region into chaos from which it could never recover. It was not that Yuchen underestimated Yuxi, but rather that the administration of two provinces was beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person.
Momo Gui's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. After a long moment, she exclaimed, "This is far too shocking and unconventional." She had never heard of political affairs being entirely entrusted to a woman before.
Yuchen murmured to herself, "This Yun Qing really is no ordinary man. To be able to marry such a man, Yuxi can be considered truly fortunate." Setting aside the risks of the matter, purely from an emotional standpoint, Yuchen could not help but envy Yuxi for having such a completely accommodating husband.
Momo Gui said, "Wangfei3 doesn't need to envy her. Whether Fourth Miss truly has good fortune cannot yet be decided." By letting Yuxi have her way, who knows what state the Northwest might end up in?
Yuchen said nothing more. Whether Yuxi's governance of the Northwest would turn out well or badly was none of her concern; she was merely voicing her thoughts. "Could Yuxi governing the Northwest end up implicating the Han family?" Han Jianye had not died and remained in Yu City, so Yuchen was deeply worried that the Emperor might punish the Han clan.
Momo Quan replied, "If punishment is imposed, it would only fall upon the Duke's household. It should not implicate the Third Branch."
Yuchen shook her head and said nothing more.
On that very day, Han Jianming's personal attendant, Han Gao, returned. Seeing that he had come alone, Ye Shi felt a sense of foreboding. "Where is my Lord? Why hasn't he returned?"
Han Gao wiped the sweat from his forehead and answered, "My Lady, the Duke's old injury has flared up again. But please rest assured—the physician says there is no danger to his life. It was merely the strain of long travel that caused it to recur."
Only upon hearing that the Duke was not in danger did Ye Shi finally feel relieved. "Where is the Duke now? Who is taking care of him?"
If anything were to happen to her husband, the entire household would be at a loss as to what to do.
Han Gao replied, "The Duke is currently recuperating in Wang County, Baoding🖼️."
Upon hearing the name 'Wang County', Ye Shi felt even more at ease. The county magistrate of Wang County was Ninth Master Han, who shared the same great-grandfather as Han Jianming, and the relationship between the two branches had always been good. With Han Jianming recuperating there under the Ninth Master Han's care, nothing could go wrong.
However, given the seriousness of the matter, Ye Shi did not dare to keep it from Qiu Shi.
After hearing this, Qiu Shi calmly said to Ye Shi, "Go and summon Han Gao. I have something to ask him." Only by questioning him personally would she feel reassured.
Looking at Han Gao, Qiu Shi asked, "Just how serious is the Duke's injury?" As a mother knows her child best, unless he was so severely hurt that he could not even hold a writing brush, Ming-er would undoubtedly have written to her by now.
Seeing that only Qiu Shi, Mama Li, and Ye Shi remained in the room, Han Gao immediately told the truth. "Old Lady, the Duke's injuries are not serious. It's just that the current situation is extremely dangerous, so this is being used as an excuse to delay his return to the capital." Under such circumstances, the Duke certainly could not return to the capital openly and ostentatiously.
Qiu sat up in bed and asked, "What is going on?" Fortunately, she had spent the past few years chanting scriptures, tempering her disposition until it became very calm; otherwise, pretending to be ill for half a year would have made even a healthy person truly sick.
Han Gao replied, "Old Lady, my Lady, the situation in the Northwest has changed." He then explained to Qiu Shi that Yuxi was now in charge of governing the region.
Ye Shi was so shocked that she broke out in a cold sweat. In contrast, Qiu Shi remained calm. "What does Ming-er want us to do?"
Han Gao answered, "The Duke believes the capital is doomed to fall. At most, the rebel army will arrive within half a month. When that happens, the capital will descend into complete chaos, and the Old Lady and my Lady can take advantage of that moment to leave the city. The Duke will be waiting outside to receive you." Once the rebels arrived, no one would have the leisure to pay attention to the elderly, weak, women, and children of the Duke's household.
With a grave expression, Qiu Shi questioned, "Be honest with me—does Ming-er's injury truly pose no problem?" Her eldest son had always been one to report good news but conceal the bad.
Han Gao nodded emphatically. "Please rest assured, Old Lady—the Duke truly has no serious injuries. If I, Han Gao, have spoken even half a lie, I place myself entirely at your disposal."
Qiu Shi nodded and said to Han Gao, "When the rebels truly attack, trying to flee the capital amid the chaos may instead cost one's life." By then, not only would the capital be in turmoil, but the surrounding areas would be just as chaotic. If they fled for their lives, being only the old, the weak, women, and children, they would have nowhere to turn if they encountered bandits or brigands.
Without hesitating for a moment, Han Gao stated, "Old Lady, please give whatever instructions you wish."
Qiu Shi said, "In a couple of days, I will arrange for Lu Xiu and Lil Boy Shun to go to Gushu Village. You can meet them there." Comparatively speaking, Lu Xiu would find it easier to leave the capital than Ye Shi, Qiu Shi and Lil Boy Chang, who were all under close surveillance.
Han Gao hesitated slightly.
Qiu Shi instructed, "Pass these words on to Ming-er. He will know what to do." At a time like this, saving even one person was better than saving none.
After Han Gao left, Qiu Shi held Ye Shi's hand and said, "Lu Xiu and Lil Boy Shun are inconspicuous, and with the Lu family's help, it will be much easier for them to leave the capital. As for us, it is not yet appropriate for us to take action."
Although Ye Shi felt distressed, she still understood propriety. "Mom, what if the Lu family is unwilling to help?" The Second Master Lu controlled security throughout the capital. If he were willing, Lu Xiu and the child could certainly leave the city. This condition was precisely the reason why Qiu Shi had suggested that Lu Xiu and Lil Boy Shun leave first.
Qiu Shi replied, "This matter only needs to be discussed with the Second Madam Lu. There's no need to let Second Master Lu know." Women were generally more willing to sacrifice for their children. Moreover, Lu Xiu and the child's leaving would not harm the overall situation.
Lowering her voice, Ye Shi asked, "Mom, do you think it might be possible for Qiqi and Lil Boy Chang to leave with Dimei5?" With the capital being so dangerous, getting even one person out was better than none.
Qiu Shi shook her head. "If it were possible, I would want them to leave the capital too, but it can't be done." Lu Xiu would have great difficulty leaving the city alone with two children. How could she possibly take care of them all if Qiqi and Lil Boy Chang were added to the mix?
Ye Shi's expression dimmed.
Holding Ye Shi's hand, Qiu Shi promised, "Rest assured—even if I have to stake my own life, I will protect Qiqi and Lil Boy Chang."
Footnotes Full List
- 王 wáng: king, 爷 ye: lord
- 千锤百炼 (qiān chuí bǎi liàn): literally "forged by a thousand hammerings," meaning hardened through extensive experience.
- 王 wáng: king, 妃 fēi: consort
- 里 (lǐ): a traditional unit of length, equal to 150 zhang (市丈), and equivalent to 0.5 kilometre or 0.311 mile
- 弟妹 dìmèi: younger sister-in-law
COMMENTS