ROHYX Chapter 726 : Wu Kuo Pledges His Allegiance (1)

That evening, Yuxi stayed with Qiu Shi, and they chatted until midnight. Noticing the tired look on Qiu Shi's face, Yuxi said, ...

That evening, Yuxi stayed with Qiu Shi, and they chatted until midnight.

Noticing the tired look on Qiu Shi's face, Yuxi said, "Mom, it's late. You should rest now. I'll tell you about the other matters tomorrow."

Qiu Shi lightly patted Yuxi's hand and replied, "All right then. You should go back early as well." In truth, Qiu Shi had many things she wanted to say, but ultimately decided not to speak them aloud after weighing them in her mind.

By the time Yuxi left the courtyard, it was already close to zi hour¹. There was no moon that night, only a few stars scattered across the sky.

As soon as Yuxi entered the courtyard, she saw that the bedroom lamp was still lit. Walking inside, she saw Yun Qing still reading memorial documents. Yuxi said unhappily, "It's already so late. Why aren't you asleep yet? You still have a pile of things to deal with tomorrow!"

Yun Qing set the memorial aside and asked, "What did you talk about with Mom?"

Yuxi narrowed her eyes and answered, "What else could we have talked about? Of course, I was praising you." Yun Qing's actions today had moved Yuxi deeply and also made her very happy.

Yun Qing held Yuxi's hand and said, "There's no need to say how good I am. Mother-in-law can tell at a glance." When other people were present, Yuxi would be unhappy if Yun Qing behaved too intimately. But when it was just the two of them, she did not mind. Therefore, when the couple was in the back courtyard, the old women servants and maids would usually not come out to act as light bulbs².

Yuxi laughed. "You really are quite confident."

The next day, Yuxi had planned to spend quality time with Qiu Shi. However, that same day, a very unusual person requested to see her.

When Yuxi saw the name Wu Kuo on the visiting card, she was somewhat surprised. After a moment's thought, she instructed, "Tell him to come back in two days."

Qiu Shi smiled and urged Yuxi, "Go and attend to your business." Seeing that Yuxi did not move, she nudged her gently and added, "Perhaps the person who came to see you has something important to discuss. What if delaying it ends up ruining matters?"

Yuxi pondered for a moment before reacting. "Mom, I'll go out and have a look. I'll come back quickly." The mother and daughter had not seen each other for many years, and they really should spend time talking properly.

After Yuxi left, Lu Xiu whispered, "Mom, Si Mei³ is helping Guye⁴ handle government affairs now. It's fine for the time being, but it can't go on like this forever, can it?"

Qiu Shi removed the Buddhist prayer beads from her wrist and held them in her hand. She reminded Lu Xiu gently, "You can say such things in front of me, but not in front of Yuxi."

Lu Xiu responded, "Mom, I don't mean anything else. It's just that Meifu⁵ now holds a high and powerful position, so it would be safer if Si Mei³ gave birth to a son sooner." While the couple did have a good relationship, the absence of a son remained a significant hidden risk.

Qiu Shi gently rotated the prayer beads and said, "Regarding this matter, I believe Yuxi knows what to do. Besides, Liu-er is only ten months old now, so there's no need to rush." After a pause, she continued, "In a few days, you should take Lil Boy Shun to Yu City. With you and the child by his side, I think Ye-er will become a bit steadier."

Lu Xiu nodded. "All right."

When they reached the front courtyard, Yuxi saw Wu Kuo. He was wearing a long, dark blue satin robe, but it was stained, making him look extremely dishevelled and miserable.

Yuxi was very surprised when she saw Wu Kuo. "What happened to you? Has something happened to the Wu family?" If he were still the heir to the Wu family fortune, there was no way he would be in such a wretched state.

Although the Northwest and Jiangnan were not very far apart, it had to be said that Yuxi's information was still too delayed. Otherwise, she would already have known about the Wu family's situation.

Seeing the grief written all over Wu Kuo's face, Yuxi waved her hand. "Sit down and talk." She guessed that it was a big stage play of brothers fighting over family property, and in this struggle, Wu Kuo was the loser.

Xu Wu stood beside Yuxi like a guardian deity. After the previous incident, she had become very cautious. This was the helplessness of someone who did not know martial arts. If it were Yun Qing, he would not need to be so careful, because he had enough ability to protect himself.

Wu Kuo did not sit down, but remained standing in the middle of the room. "This time I came to the Northwest in the hope that Madam will take me in." He had come to seek refuge with Yuxi.

The fact that Wu Kuo couldn't even find a place to hide in Jiangnan spoke volumes about how serious his situation was.

Yuxi said, "Wu Kuo, I can't agree to your request without knowing from where the dragon's coming and where its vein's going⁶." Although she had already formed some ideas in her mind, she did not reveal even the slightest hint of them on her face.

Wu Kuo said, "My father died unexpectedly. Wu Qian framed me, claiming that I had poisoned my father in order to take over as head of the family." He had always known that Wu Qian was unwilling to accept him as the one inheriting the family estate. Thus, Wu Qian had made constant 'small moves' over the years, but Wu Kuo never imagined that to seize the position of Head of House, Wu Qian would actually frame him for murdering their own father.

Seeing Yuxi's expression, how could Wu Kuo not understand? He smiled bitterly and added, "My mother also sided with Wu Qian." With Wu Kuo's own mother, Yu Shi, making those accusations, the charge that he had murdered his father was effectively confirmed.

At this point, Yuxi felt some sympathy for Wu Kuo. When parents could not hold a bowl of water level⁷ when it came to their children, it not only affected their children's character but might also cause siblings to turn against each other as enemies.

Since Wu Kuo had decided to seek refuge with Yuxi, he naturally explained everything clearly: "Wu Qian poisoned my food, intending to make everyone believe that I had committed suicide out of fear of punishment for my crimes."

Yuxi raised her eyebrows slightly and asked, "So you ran away?"

Wu Kuo replied, "Just as I was preparing to deal with Wu Qian, I discovered that my father had actually been k!lled by people from the Yu family." With that single sentence, Yuxi understood that Wu Kuo's escape was not because of Wu Qian, but because of the Yu family.

Only then did Yuxi nod, finding it logical. "Why would the Yu family attack your father?" The Wu family essentially served as the Yu family's money bag, a fact already common knowledge. The Yu family probably attacked Wu Meng because they felt he was no longer obedient and wanted to replace him with someone more compliant—and that person was certainly not Wu Kuo. The fact that Wu Kuo had gone to the Northwest years earlier to do business made it clear he intended to break free of the Yu family's control.

At this point, Wu Kuo no longer hid anything and explained, "My father feared that the Yu family might one day k!ll the donkey once the millstone was turned⁸, so he had made preparations." Unfortunately, people from the Yu family discovered this and decided to eliminate his father.

Yuxi asked, "What precautions did your father take?" Seeing that Wu Kuo remained silent, she smiled and added, "If you'd rather not say, that's fine."

Wu Kuo replied bitterly, "It's not that I can't talk about it; it's that my father never told me." Had he known, he would have had some bargaining chips in his hand as well.

Seeing that Yuxi remained silent, Wu Kuo continued, "I truly don't know."

Seeing his reaction, Yuxi realised that the backup plan Wu Kuo's father had left behind was not a treasure of gold or silver. "You want revenge?" The hatred of killing one's father could not exist under the same heaven⁹. Of course, if someone were like her, who had not the slightest affection for her biological father, that would be another matter.

Wu Kuo nodded. "Yes, I want revenge." Unfortunately, the Yu family was powerful and influential, so relying on himself alone would be no different from striking a rock with an egg¹⁰.

Yuxi said calmly, "Grand Chancellor Yu has already passed away. Without someone holding the rudder¹¹, the Yu family will soon decline." What Yuxi meant was that Wu Kuo did not need to rush to seek revenge.

Wu Kuo shook his head. "Madam, although Eldest Master Yu lacks boldness, his son, Yu Chunhao, is a clever man. With both father and son there, the Yu family won't collapse anytime soon."

They, Yun Qing and Yuxi, just happen to lack someone skilled in business and making money, and it was far too coincidental that Wu Kuo should come asking for help at this time. Yuxi did not believe in luck, so she immediately said, "If you want revenge, I can't help you." She had her own plans and could not allow them to be disrupted by one Wu Kuo.

Wu Kuo spoke frankly, "I never expected Madam to avenge my father's death. I will do that myself. All I ask is that Madam can take me in and give me a place to stay."

Yuxi nodded. "I never take in useless people."

Wu Kuo said, "Madam, I believe you must be in need of money, and making money happens to be what I'm good at."

Without changing her expression, Yuxi asked, "Aren't you afraid of ending up like your father, becoming a tool for me to make money?" Wasn't Wu Meng just the Yu family's tool for them to scoop money out¹² in Jiangnan?

Without hesitation, Wu Kuo replied, "I believe Madam is not someone who would k!ll the donkey once the millstone has been turned⁸." These words came from the bottom of his heart.

Yuxi smiled but did not respond to that remark. Instead, she leaned back in her chair and said to Wu Kuo, "What is your real purpose for seeking refuge with me? If you don't tell me the truth, I won't keep you." He didn't want her to avenge his father's death and was even willing to earn money for her—there's no such thing as stuffed pancakes falling from the sky falling from the sky¹³ in this world.

Wu Kuo said, "I hope that in the future, Madam will allow my sons to enter official service." In other words, he wanted to change the gate and courtyard of his family¹⁴.

Yuxi asked calmly, "Are you planning to bring your wife and children to the Northwest?" If Wu Kuo was willing to bring them there, she might believe him; otherwise, she certainly wouldn't trust his words.

Wu Kuo nodded. "Once I'm settled here, I'll send someone to bring them over." This vow was his way of demonstrating loyalty.

Yuxi nodded in agreement.

After Wu Kuo left, Yuxi frowned and instructed Xu Wu, "Immediately investigate whether what Wu Kuo said is true." In truth, even if Wu Kuo brought his wife and children over, Yuxi still wouldn't fully trust him. She feared that what was falling from the sky might not be an iron cake¹⁵, not a stuffed pancake.

Xu Wu nodded.

Even Wu Kuo's confidant, Wu Shun, did not quite understand his actions. Wu Shun asked, "Master, what is there about this Han Shi that's worth us selling our lives¹⁶ for?"

Wu Kuo replied, "I just want to take a gamble. If I win, I will secure a future of brocade and embroidery¹⁷ for my descendants. If I lose, our situation won't be any worse than it is now."

Wu Shun did not quite understand. "A future of brocade and embroidery?"

Wu Kuo nodded. "Han Shi is a very ambitious person, and Yun Qing is skilled in warfare with numerous capable generals under his command. They won't remain trapped in this land the size of a pellet¹⁸ in the Northwest forever." What he said was just short of directly stating that Yun Qing and Yuxi intended to seize all under heaven¹⁹.

Wu Shun opened his mouth in surprise. No wonder his master had travelled thousands of miles with such difficulty to the Northwest—so that was the reason! But as his thoughts shifted, Wu Shun began to worry again. "But Madam Yun hasn't given a definite reply yet."

Wu Kuo was not worried. "Madam Yun won't be able to find a better candidate than me any time soon." His experience and connections were unmatched by others. Therefore, Wu Kuo was not the least bit concerned that Yuxi would choose not to employ him. In this regard, he was extremely confident.

Footnotes Full List

1. 子时 (zǐ shí): the first Earthly Branch of the Chinese time system, roughly corresponding to 11:00 PM – 1:00 AM, commonly understood as midnight.
2. 电灯泡 (diàn dēng pào): (slang) a third wheel—someone who intrudes on a romantic moment between a couple.
3. 四妹 (sì mèi): fourth younger sister
4. 姑爷 (gūye): son-in-law (used by wife's family)
5. 妹夫 (mèifu): younger sister's husband; brother-in-law
6. 来龙去脉 (lái lóng qù mài): The complete background or full sequence of events behind a matter.
7. 一碗水端平 (yī wǎn shuǐ duān píng): To treat everyone equally and fairly, without favouritism
8. 卸磨杀驴 (xiè mò shā lǘ): To discard or eliminate someone after they are no longer useful; betrayal after benefiting from someone's work.
9. 杀父之仇,不同戴天 (shā fù zhī chóu, bù tóng dài tiān): an extremely deep, irreconcilable hatred that must be avenged
10. 以卵击石 (yǐ luǎn jī shí): to attempt something hopelessly futile against a far stronger opponent.
11. 掌舵的人 (zhǎng duò de rén): the leader or person in charge guiding a group or family.
12. 捞钱 (lāo qián): to make money rapidly, often implying aggressive or opportunistic profit-seeking.
13. 掉馅饼 (diào xiàn bǐng):  an unexpected windfall or free benefit without effort (similar to "a free lunch")
14. 改换门庭 (gǎi huàn mén tíng): to change one's family status or affiliation, often to rise socially or politically.
15. 铁饼 (tiě bǐng): Used here as a metaphor to contrast with 掉馅饼 (windfall); instead of good luck falling from the sky, it might be something dangerous or harmful.
16. 卖命 (mài mìng): to risk one's life or serve with extreme dedication.
17. 锦绣前程 (jǐnxiù qián chéng): a bright, prosperous future or career. The imagery of 锦绣 (jǐnxiù) refers to luxurious embroidered silk, symbolising wealth, success, and honour.
18. 弹丸之地 (dàn wán zhī dì): (fig.) a very small territory or insignificant place.
19. 谋夺天下 (móu duó tiān xià): to plot to take control of the entire country or imperial throne. 天下 (tiānxià) literally means "everything under heaven," a classical Chinese term referring to the entire realm or empire.

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