Chapter 75 (First published on Jinjiang) (3rd update) I have to come back...

It was late at night.

When Char left the tent with unsteady steps, Naren was also a little tired.

Granny You stepped forward and said, "Hadun, take a rest."

Naren shook her head, then slowly raised her head: "Ruan Yu is back? How could she be back? Didn't she... succeed?"

Granny You was also a little puzzled: "I'm certain that Granny Yin has succeeded, but... could it be that the shepherd doctor has found a way?"

Naren: "Impossible. Granny Yin would never make a mistake. I instructed her to kill with one blow. How could the shepherd have that ability?"

Granny You: "This... I don't know either. I'll inquire about it tomorrow. But actually, whether or not we take this Sikedun's life seems to have little impact on our plans... That lady from the Central Plains has already fallen into the trap and, as you wished, has gone to confront Saren..."

Grandma You's voice grew softer and softer, but Naren's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

"Yes... I used a little trick, and she got furious and lent me a hand..."

Naren still couldn't understand: "Although it doesn't matter whether Ruan Yu lives or not, since we've already taken action, we naturally don't want to leave any worries behind. You should still go and find out more..."

Before Naren could finish speaking, another figure walked in from outside. Upon seeing Naren, the figure quickly stepped forward and whispered a few words.

Naren's expression changed drastically!

"How dare she defy me!"

Granny You: "What happened?"

The man whispered, "The reason it didn't work is because the old woman changed her mind at the last minute and switched the Love Silk Poison for her mentally challenged son, which is why it didn't... kill him in one blow."

Granny You: "Fool!"

Naren's face turned green with anger: "Useless...where is she?"

“How could the Four Taijis possibly let her go? She's already dead, and her whole family... they've all been arrested by the Four Taijis. As for where they are, well…”

Naren was so angry her fingers were trembling; she had planned everything perfectly…

But I never expected my teammate to be such a liability! He really caused me a lot of trouble!

Granny You closed her eyes again: "This old woman has truly dedicated her entire life to her foolish son...! We must sacrifice this pawn."

"Nonsense," Naren gritted her teeth. "Withdraw immediately, completely and utterly. We absolutely cannot... let Chaolu trace it back to me..."

Granny You whispered, "It seems we can't make a move against Si Ke Dun now. It would be best if we pinned all the blame on Sa Ren and buried her with her coffin..."

Naren narrowed her eyes: "Chaolu likes her, and he will definitely cherish her like the apple of his eye. Let's put this matter aside for now."

"Yes, Hatun."

...

Several days of chaos and turmoil ensued.

Chao Lu also looked somewhat tired.

He took Ruan Yu back to his own tent.

Xuan Niang and Qing Guo brought over some light snacks, and Ruan Yu had someone prepare a calming soup, which was also served.

"Husband, shall we have some wine and rest?"

The couple were both a little tired, and they grunted in response to Lu. Suddenly, Lu asked, "Are you feeling unwell today?"

Ruan Yu smiled and said, "I'm fine. Doctor Xu came to check my pulse this afternoon and said I'm all right. He seemed to be prescribing some kind of pill, which I should take every day. The pill is a bit bitter."

Chaolu: "I'll buy you candy tomorrow."

“We have milk candy at home,” Ruan Yu said with a smile.

Chao Lu: "Yunqi Town also has fruit-flavored ones, I'll buy more to bring back!"

"Alright, thank you, husband."

Chaolu felt utterly exhausted from being outside, and only when he returned to his tent and lay with his beloved woman did he feel most comfortable...

After they both washed up, they rested, and Chao Lu pulled the other person into his arms with one hand.

What did your mother say to you today?

Speaking of this, Chao Lu opened his eyes.

"I only learned about my mother's background today..."

He repeated it, and after hearing it, Ruan Yu's drowsiness vanished.

"The Wei family of Jiangnan, they really are...!"

Chao Lu: "What's wrong? You know?!"

Ruan Yu: "I... I had heard before that my mother-in-law was from Jiangnan and her surname was Wei, so I thought of such a person, but I was too young at the time, and I only heard about her from my elders..."

What did your father say?

Ruan Yu pursed her lips. The Marquis of Zhenbei could not be considered her biological father. The late emperor had determined that the Wei family was corrupt, and the historical record was already a foregone conclusion.

Marquis Zhenbei is a beneficiary; what good things could he possibly say?

She certainly didn't need to tell Chaolu about these things...

"It's nothing, we probably don't even know each other..."

Chaolu: "I never knew my mother's background was so complicated. These past years... she's had a very hard time..."

Ruan Yu was also shocked. "If what my mother said is true, then Lord Wei was wronged... This is so unfair!"

A shadow of gloom flashed in Chaolu's eyes: "I don't understand, why doesn't Father Khan help Mother?"

Ruan Yu choked.

How can I help...?

One is the emperor of the Central Plains, and the other is even the overlord of the grasslands. With the current strength of the tribe, it would be a pipe dream to fight against the royal family. Besides... would the Great Khan really raise an army for a woman?

Ruan Yu was very suspicious.

But Ruan Yu also felt very disheartened.

Even if not, over the years, her mother-in-law had lived on the grasslands with great difficulty, even though Ruan Yu had long seen that the Khan had genuine feelings for her.

But this sincerity is shattered when faced with interests and status.

It seems that it is also vulnerable.

She also became depressed.

Chaolu suddenly pulled her close and held her in his arms: "Yuyu... I would never do this to you..."

Ruan Yu's heart skipped a beat.

"What nonsense are you talking about? We wouldn't..."

"No, you don't know, Mother said today that she doesn't want me to compete for the position of Great Khan."

Ruan Yu paused for a moment before saying, "I understand... but Father Khan hopes you can shoulder great responsibilities. Isn't that right?"

"What does 'great responsibility' mean?" Chaolu suddenly felt a little lost.

"I can lead troops, I can risk my life for the Chaha tribe, but as for the rest, I don't know..."

Ruan Yu suddenly reached out and drew a circle on his forehead.

Chao Lu turned his head to look at her.

"If I don't know, I won't think about it. Lately, you've been frowning like an old man, and I don't like it."

Old man?

Chaolu suddenly rolled over and pinned her down.

"You mean... you dislike me?"

"A little, but don't frown, at least not in front of me."

Chaolu chuckled softly, "The Khatun is really getting more and more domineering."

"I don't care, you just want to know whether it's right or wrong?"

"Yes, I agree." Chao Lu leaned forward and bit her cheek, then moved to her neck. Ruan Yu closed her eyes...

He moved down inch by inch, his movements exceptionally gentle.

But when he buried his face in Ruan Yu's neck, he didn't move for a long time...

Ruan Yu waited for a while before opening her eyes.

I could hear the sound of even breathing.

Ruan Yu was incredulous...

She reached out and poked him, but Chao Lu didn't budge.

A surge of frustration rose in her chest, and Ruan Yu couldn't help but bite her lip and give him a light kick.

…………

Early the next morning.

The atmosphere in the Golden Tent was quite solemn.

Black Stone seemed very dissatisfied with Hurile's inability to find the murderer, but Sarin's body had already been examined.

Indeed, there was nothing suspicious about it.

Hurile lowered his eyes: "I am also very sorry that my wife has passed away, but since things have come to this, let Saren be laid to rest."

Black Stone said with a grim face, "Now that Aohan has launched an attack, it's time for us to discuss the next steps. May I ask, Great Khan, which Taiji do you wish to send to lead the expedition?"

Hurile: "In terms of martial arts, my fourth son, Chaolu, is the most outstanding."

Chao Lu remained silent in the crowd, but his posture was upright.

Black Stone glanced at him and said calmly, "Why not, Your Highness?"

Hurile: "Damu has been in poor condition recently, so I, the Khan, hereby appoint him as my deputy general."

Black Stone stood up and said, "Fourth Prince, your martial arts are good, but you are young and impetuous and need more training. I propose that San Taiji Chaer be the commander-in-chief, with Damu Chaolu and my grandson Temur accompanying him!"

"Charle?"

"No way, Third Prince?"

The golden tent instantly erupted in a noisy chatter, with everyone chiming in with their own opinions.

Hurile's expression changed slightly: "Char? Black Stone leader, Char is eloquent, but as for the matter of fighting? I'm afraid..."

"The commander-in-chief does not necessarily have to fight with real swords and spears, but he must be resourceful and wise. Great Khan, my Kereit tribe will send five thousand iron cavalry this time, and will obey Char's orders."

The expressions on everyone's faces in the Chaha tribe suddenly changed; this...

Some people noticed something amiss and eventually focused their attention on Charles.

It was him...

The Taijis remained silent, and Chaolu did not argue; everything was waiting for Hurile to make a decision.

Hurile's face gradually darkened—

"This matter will be decided after I discuss it further."

Black Stone nodded: "It is possible, but the Second Prince is injured, and Aohan is watching us like a tiger, ready to send troops at any time. I sincerely advise the Great Khan to make a decision as soon as possible."

...

"Charle?!"

Ruan Yu was shocked when she heard the news in her tent.

Qingguo: "Yes! Everyone was stunned! In terms of martial arts and archery, it shouldn't be the Third Prince at all... I thought the Fourth Prince was a sure thing..."

Ruan Yu pondered for a moment and seemed to understand the reason.

"The Kereit tribe is powerful, but Damu and Saren are no longer viable. Perhaps they want to support Char and Naren..."

“Narenhadun? But isn’t she not very popular with the Kereit tribe? And Prince Char, not that the Third Prince is bad, but he’s never seemed to be serious…”

Ruan Yu: "You can't say that. Among the large tribes, bloodlines are the most important. The position of Great Hadun is very important to the Kereit tribe, so of course they will support one of their own to take the position."

At this moment, Ruan Yu finally understood why her mother-in-law didn't care about the position. She knew from the beginning that if she went up there, she might not get anything, but she would definitely become the target of everyone's criticism.

Xuan Niang said, "Looking at it this way, it's actually a good thing? His Highness has just returned and is about to go on a campaign. I'm worried..."

Ruan Yu was also a little worried. Ao Han was very strong; even Bayar was injured. She went to see Qiqige in the morning, and Qiqige was very sad and absent-minded.

If Chao Lu were to become the commander-in-chief, it would also be a dangerous situation.

How could Chao Lu feel good about it?

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the hall; it was Chao Lu returning.

Ruan Yu quickly got up and went out to greet them.

His expression didn't seem to show any frustration or disappointment, but rather...

When Chaolu saw her, he suddenly smiled.

"It's alright, I don't care about the position of commander."

Ruan Yu breathed a sigh of relief: "You really think so?"

"Hmm, let them fight it out! It's just going out to fight! I'm used to being free and unrestrained, and suddenly having such a heavy responsibility makes me feel constrained!"

Ruan Yu asked Qingguo to hand him a handkerchief to wipe his hands and face.

"It's good that you think that way. Your mother is probably worried about you going out... after all, it's going to the battlefield..."

A hint of worry flashed in Ruan Yu's eyes.

Chao Lu smiled, took her hand, and gave a look to those around him.

Everyone instantly understood and quietly slipped out.

He squeezed Yu Yu's fingers: "With you here, I'm sure I'll be fine. If something happens to me, won't you become a widow? I'll have to come back and have Yu Yu give me a few children."

Ruan Yu was surprised that he suddenly spoke so freely and unrestrainedly in broad daylight, and her cheeks turned bright red. She pinched him hard a few times!

"Don't talk nonsense!"

She turned and left.

Chao Lu chased after him into the inner room: "Who said I was talking nonsense! I was just too tired last night! I'll make it up to you properly today!"

-----------------------

Author's Note: I don't understand why the art style always changes drastically when it comes to Big Dog [doge emoji]. I just can't control myself...

This chapter revisits a small foreshadowing—the old woman's poisoning.

It's past midnight, that's all for today, I can't add any more, everyone.