Chapter 509 : Fillial Son (1)

When Shiqin arrived at the Duke’s residence, Qiu Shi was reciting scriptures in the Buddhist Hall.

Mama Li walked into the Buddhist Hall and told Qiu Shi about it. When she saw that Qiu Shi had no intention of going out, Mama Li whispered, “Madam, Wangfei1 will definitely not send her maid, Shiqin, just to bring potted flowers. I think something has happened to Wangfei1, and asking Shiqin to send flowers is just an excuse.”

Qiu Shi pondered momentarily, then put down the Buddhist beads in her hands and said, “Then let’s go and have a look.” Maybe there really was something going on! Although Qiu Shi didn’t like Yuchen, she didn’t hate her.

Shiqin held up the flowers and then glanced at the person next to Qiu Shi. Mama Li waved her hand, dismissing everyone, including herself.

Qiu Shi said, “Just say what you have to say!”

Shiqin finally relayed Song Guifei2’s words about wanting Yuxi to return, saying, “Wangfei1 said that this matter needs to be notified to Si Gunainai3 as soon as possible.”

After hearing this, Qiu Shi’s face turned green with anger. “I am aware of this. Go back and tell Yuchen that I thank her.” These two years of practising vegetarianism and reciting Buddhist scriptures had been beneficial; at least she didn’t lose her temper on the spot. If it had been the old her, she would have already used foul language by now.

Shiqin bowed and then left.

After Shiqin left, Qiu Shi couldn’t help but curse, “Evil woman!” Qiu Shi truly wished she could bite Song Shi to death. If Yuxi returned to the capital, wouldn’t she be a grass widow4? Besides, Yuxi didn’t even have a son. If she really went back to the capital, who would she depend on for the rest of her life? Why didn’t that wicked woman just die?

When Mama Li entered, she happened to hear these words and was greatly startled. She hurriedly asked, “Madam, what’s going on?”

Qiu Shi didn’t hide anything from Mama Li, mainly because Mama Li had been with her all her entire life and was very discreet. She immediately began to curse, “It’s that evil woman who wants Yuxi to return to the capital.”

When Mama Li heard this, she exclaimed, “We absolutely cannot allow Si Gunainai3 to return to the capital! Madam, we must inform His Grace the Duke immediately!”

Qiu Shi nodded. “Send someone to fetch Jianming immediately. Yuxi’s life was about to take a turn for the better, but this evil woman had come to mess everything up again. Why didn’t Buddha just take her away!” This was truly the case of good people not living long but evil people living for a thousand years!

Since Han Jianming was still observing the mourning period, he spent most of his time at home. When he heard Qiu Shi had an urgent matter for him, he rushed over and asked, “Mother, what’s so urgent?”

Qiu Shi immediately explained the matter and said, “You must quickly send someone to inform Yuxi and have her prepare herself.” Yuxi must not return to the capital. If she went back, her whole life would be ruined by that wicked woman. Without a son and with her husband away, she had only one daughter with her. Her whole life would be ruined.

After Han Jianming finished listening, his expression turned cold. Yun Qing had just taken power, and it was time to reap the rewards. If Yuxi returned, all their previous investments would go down the drain. “Mother, don’t worry. I will have someone send a message to Yu City.”

Qiu Shi couldn’t help but wonder, “Ming-er, do you think Yuxi had dug up the Song family’s ancestral tomb in her previous life? Otherwise, why would that evil woman be so merciless and unable to see Yuxi happy?” If it weren’t for that evil woman, Yuxi would have married Chen Ran, and their lives would have been peaceful and uneventful. It wouldn’t be like it was now, full of hardships and near-death experiences.

Han Jianming comforted her, “Mother, rest assured, I will definitely not let Song Guifei2 have her way.” Yuxi was no fool, so how could she possibly return to the capital? However, now that Yuxi had received the news in advance and was prepared, she would devise an even more appropriate way to avoid returning to the capital.

After comforting Qiu Shi, Han Jianming returned to the front courtyard. He did not immediately send a letter to Yu City but instead summoned Mr Zhao and told him of the situation.

Mr Zhao looked at Han Jianming, whose face was etched with worry, and asked, “Is my Lord concerned about Si Gunainai3’s safety?” This matter alone was insufficient to elicit such an expression from Han Jianming. Even if they had not received the news beforehand, with Yuxi’s intelligence, she would not have returned to the capital so obediently.

Han Jianming nodded. “Yuxi’s recent actions have attracted too much attention. I’m afraid someone will target her.” Setting up free schools, adopting the orphaned children of martyrs, and even organising aid for the soldiers of Yu City during the Early Spring Battle—these actions alone would only make the Crown Prince, Grand Chancellor Yu, and others wary of Yuxi, but not to the point of wanting her life. However, the problem lay in the words Song Mingyue spoke that day, and when compared to what Yuxi had done, those words became a death sentence.

Mr Zhao pondered the situation briefly before saying, “Let’s give Si Gunainai3 a heads-up. As long as she is on her guard, even if the Crown Prince has murderous intentions, nothing will come of it.”

Han Jianming thought momentarily and then suddenly asked, “Mr Zhao, do you think Cao De was really killed by horse thieves?” There was something suspicious about his death. Even the most daring bandits wouldn’t dare to intercept Imperial Envoys in broad daylight! Anyone with an ounce of common sense would know that killing an Imperial Commissioner would invite relentless pursuit by Imperial Troops. Besides, the Imperial Envoy’s itinerary was kept secret, so the bandits couldn’t have known about it.

Mr Zhao was quick to react and soon asked, “Does my Lord mean that Si Gunainai3 is involved in Cao De’s death? If so, Si Gunainai3 is truly bold.”

Han Jianming replied, “We all know she has been in the limelight too much. How could Yuxi not be aware of her own predicament? Perhaps that girl, realising the danger, decided to kill Cao De and muddy the waters. That way, the Crown Prince won’t have the energy to deal with Yun Qing and her.”

These words seemed reasonable on the surface, but in reality, they didn’t make much sense. Mr Zhao said, “If the Crown Prince wants to deal with her, he can still do so after the bandit suppression campaign is over.”

After pondering for a moment, Han Jianming finally spoke, “Now that you mention it, I think killing Cao De is likely just the beginning. This bandit suppression campaign will most likely not go smoothly.”

Mr Zhao, still struggling to understand, asked, “Even if the bandit suppression campaign is unsuccessful, how could it possibly be linked to Si Gunainai3?” The Crown Prince would certainly not deploy the Northwest Army for such a task. Without an official order, Yun Qing could not leave Yu City unless he was planning to rebel. However, even a rebellion would require considerable resources, which Yun Qing lacked. Si Gunainai3 was an intelligent woman, and she wouldn’t do something so foolish.

Han Jianming, who couldn’t figure it out either, said with a wry smile, “Who can fathom the thoughts of that girl!” However, as long as Yuxi was prepared, he wouldn’t have to worry about her anymore.

Mr Zhao gazed at Han Jianming as he asked, “Is my Lord not concerned that Si Gunainai3’s actions may implicate the Duke of the State’s estate?” His Lord’s heart was not usually this big.

Han Jianming shook his head. “No. That girl is very cautious and values her life greatly. Yuxi would not do something without a high degree of confidence.” In other words, either Yuxi was absolutely sure of success in this matter, or this matter would not implicate her.

Mr Zhao also agreed with Han Jianming’s assessment of Yuxi’s character, particularly her cautiousness and value for her life.

With this understanding, Han Jianming was in no hurry to send a letter to Yuxi. Instead, he waited a few days and collected a pile of things to be sent to Yu City in Qiu Shi’s name. Qiu Shi often sent things to Yu City, so it didn’t seem unusual. Of course, most of those things ended up in the hands of bandits. However, Qiu Shi was still happy to send them, saying that those bandits also had a hard life and wouldn’t be a waste if they took them. In this respect, even Han Jianming admired his old mother.

Momo Gui had been keeping a close eye on the Duke’s residence’s movements. She saw that there was no activity for the first few days, and only after five days did the Duke’s residence send someone with goods to the northwest. She immediately informed Yuchen, saying, “It is indeed strange that the Duke did not send this important matter to the northwest immediately.” Although sending it a few days later would not cause others to suspect her Wangfei1, the delay still made Momo Gui suspicious.

Yuchen also felt that this matter was unusual, but she had no intention of investigating further, saying, “Dage5 must have his own considerations.” It was no problem to inquire about minor matters from the Duke’s residence, but such confidential information was impossible to obtain. Moreover, she had no intention of inquiring. The Duke’s residence was her maternal home, not her enemy, so why should she investigate?

Momo Gui sensed the dissatisfaction in Yuchen’s words and did not dare to pursue the subject.

Yuchen suddenly remembered something and asked, “How is Heshou doing in the Eastern Palace?” After Qingyang Gongzhu6’s funeral, Heshou was placed under house arrest in her own courtyard by the Crown Prince.

Momo Gui’s expression was rather subtle as she replied, “Heshou Xianzhu7 has begun to eat vegetarian food, recite scriptures every day, and has an attitude of detachment from worldly desires.” She had expected Heshou to become restless after being confined for so long but was surprised to find that Heshou looked as if she was about to embrace Buddhism.

Yuchen sneered, remembering how Heshou had managed to escape to Wutai Mountain with the help of Qingyang Gongzhu6 last time. Now, she wondered who would help her in a similar way. Yuchen said, “Even if she recited the scriptures all her life, it wouldn’t absolve her of her sins.”

Momo Gui remarked, “Heshou no longer has the divine power of foresight. The Crown Prince will probably keep her confined for the rest of her life.” Heshou’s situation was unique. The Crown Prince certainly would not kill her, but he would not release her either. Confining her was the best course of action.

Shiqin lifted the curtain and hurriedly entered, informing Yuchen, “Wangfei1, Wu Gunainai8 is here to say that the Old Lord has fallen ill.” Although Yurong had not yet married, her status had been elevated.

Yuchen’s expression changed slightly. It couldn’t be that he got sick because he found out she had sent a pot of camellia to the Duke’s residence, could it? However, Yuchen quickly dismissed this thought. Her father wouldn’t stoop to such a level of pettiness. “Quickly invite Wu Gunainai8 in.”

Yurong entered wearing a moon-white garment. This attire caused Momo Gui to frown, as wearing all white in the Wangfu9 was considered highly unlucky.

When Yuchen saw Yurong, she anxiously asked, “Father was perfectly fine just two days ago. How did he fall ill?” Her use of the phrase ‘fall ill’ suggested a more serious condition than a simple cold.

Yurong explained, “Mother10 had an argument with Father about Ba Di11, and he suddenly fainted. A physician had already been consulted, and he had diagnosed Father as being physically weak. He had lost consciousness after receiving a shock.”

After hearing these words, Yuchen’s face was filled with confusion. “Father is physically weak? How did this happen?” She couldn’t understand how her father, who had been perfectly healthy, could suddenly become frail.

For the past year, Han Jingyan had been a vegetarian, not eating any meat, fish, or even eggs. As time passed, his body naturally couldn’t take it anymore.

Yuchen knew that Han Jingyan had been a vegetarian all this time. Of course, during the mourning period, one was supposed to abstain from eating meat, as was publicly stated, but very few people could go three years without eating meat.

Yurong said with red eyes, “I had the kitchen prepare nutritious food like bird’s nest porridge, but Father wouldn’t eat them. San Jie12, please persuade Father! I’m afraid his body won’t be able to take it if this continues.” Yurong’s tears were real. If something happened to Han Jingyan again, she would have to mourn for another three years. If that happened, the Jiang family would definitely break off the engagement, and she probably wouldn’t be able to marry in the future, or even if she could, she wouldn’t be able to marry well.

Yuchen immediately entered the bedroom and changed into a fresh set of clothes before accompanying Yurong to Jinyu Lane. Despite Yuchen’s deep disappointment in Han Jingyan, he was still her biological father, and she sincerely wished him well.