Chapter 22 Torture
The light in Yu Wanyin's eyes was increasingly blocked by him. "You still dare to meet me alone now?"
"It's you who always does things that make me misunderstand."
"I'm doing this for myself and for Qing Song." Yu Wanyin stopped him. "Don't come any closer."
Rong Si didn't stop walking. "You're living in fear and trembling in the Prime Minister's residence. Aren't you going to consider coming with me?"
Yu Wanyin was forced into the rockery behind him.
Rong Si looked at her, "Or I can take you away."
Surrounded by stone walls, with a man's muscular body in front of her, Yu Wanyin leaned her back against the stone wall. "Don't make me regret helping you."
"When you helped me, didn't you realize you were releasing a tiger back into the mountains?"
Rong Si imprisoned her in his eyes, leaned down and looked into her eyes, "Madam, I have reminded you time and time again that I am a bandit."
What is a bandit?
He is a shameless person who, having tasted a little sweetness, will stop at nothing to greedily demand more.
He has never been a gentleman.
"You seem to have no idea what bandits are."
Otherwise, they wouldn't keep flashing in front of him and doing things that would be considered provocative by the villains.
When bandits see something good, they will ruthlessly steal it all.
Even just a glance from her.
He also wanted people to go along with him and drag her completely into his quagmire.
Yu Wanyin saw that he was very close.
The feeling of being surrounded by masculine energy makes one's nerves tense.
Rong Si said leisurely, "You don't arrest me, and you even pity me. Have you ever thought about the consequences of your actions?"
Yu Wanyin was getting used to him talking like this. "Since you're a bandit, why do you think so highly of people?"
"Perhaps it's because you still have something on me in the Prime Minister's residence that I'm helping you. I'm lest you get agitated and reveal our secrets."
Yu Wanyin mimicked his way of speaking, "You'd better be careful. I'm still willing to help you while you're in the Prime Minister's residence, but once you leave, I'll find an opportunity to silence you, and then you'll be no threat to me anymore."
Rong Si found the provocation intriguing. "If you ever manage to silence me, you'd better pray that I'm completely dead."
"If I don't die, when I catch you, I'll torture you to death."
Yu Wanyin's eyelashes trembled. Before her was the man's broad chest, which enveloped her and made her unable to see anything else.
She couldn't bear to imagine being tortured to death by him, but she had seen how he tortured people.
Unable to live, unable to die.
Yu Wanyin turned her head away, looked at the strangely shaped rocks beside her, and asked another question, "When are we leaving?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Yu Wanyin thought so too, "The sooner you leave, the sooner you can take my weakness with you."
Now that Chu Yu is starting to have doubts, it's best to leave as soon as possible.
To avoid any unforeseen complications.
Rong Si looked at her for a while, "Is there anyone in the manor who needs my help? I can help you with that before I leave."
Yu Wanyin couldn't think of anything and didn't want to get too involved with him. "No need, there's hardly anyone here."
Rong Si did not ask any further questions.
Since she couldn't choose, he would choose for himself.
Consider it a favor to her.
Yu Wanyin was still filled with lingering fear on her way back.
It was as if I had done something shameful.
But they did nothing.
Yu Wanyin's tension, which had almost led to an affair, only dissipated after she returned to her room.
On the bright side, at least he's finally leaving.
To avoid it being like a bomb buried in the yard, which could potentially overturn her peaceful life at any moment.
It would be best if he kept these secrets with him.
I will never see her again.
Qingsong came in from outside, her hands trembling as she placed the nourishing meal on the table, the bowls and chopsticks rattling loudly.
"Don't be nervous," Yu Wanyin said, putting down her chopsticks. "If someone sees us again..."
Qing Song knelt down on the ground with a thud. "I will never be able to repay your life-saving grace, Madam!"
Yu Wanyin was still wearing her soiled dress and felt a little uncomfortable. "Then repay me by living. Help me change my clothes first."
Qingsong quickly got up to help.
Even after Chu Yu returned, he remained in his study.
There are still many unresolved issues in the military camp.
Regardless of other factors, it's clear that the current military situation is somewhat urgent.
More and more people in Shang'an City began to discuss the situation at the border.
Shang'an City is far from the border.
Half a month has passed since the battle report from the border was sent over. Given the unusual activity that occurred half a month ago, it's uncertain what the situation is like at the border now.
Everyone knows this principle.
The situation was even worse for Madam Nie of the Yu family; she had been having nightmares more and more frequently lately.
I always dream about the situation of the capital being moved after the Northern Chi tribe invaded.
The dreams became increasingly detailed.
Chu Yu seized military power and launched a desperate resistance, resulting in rivers of blood and countless corpses.
He crossed the border into the new capital, accompanied by his trusted confidants, unaware that Chu Yu's plans and schemes had been intercepted along the way.
The scene there was like a living hell.
Mr. Nie woke up from his midday nap drenched in cold sweat.
In particular, in the dream, Yu Wanyin followed Chu Yu and took the secret route prepared by Chu Yu, barely surviving without telling them.
But they were implicated because of her.
We should have said earlier that we should have let Heyue marry into that family.
While Nie was at it, she summoned her servants to go to the Prime Minister's residence to inquire about Yu Heyue's situation.
He was trying hard to figure out exactly how that route was taken.
Yu Heyue felt uneasy as she was urged on.
Since Chu Yu had been away from the manor for many days, she had no way to proceed.
After much deliberation, Yu Heyue went to see Yu Wanyin first.
Yu Wanyin was not surprised to see her coming over.
After all, Yu Heyue had often come to keep her company during this period.
Accompanying her was only on the surface; Yu Wanyin knew perfectly well what her real purpose was.
But since Yu Heyue was willing to serve her, she did not refuse.
It wasn't until Yu Heyue tentatively asked, "Sister, why hasn't the Prime Minister been with you lately?"
“He’s busy,” Yu Wanyin said casually, “He doesn’t have time to be with me.”
Yu Heyue leaned closer, "Did you two have another fight?"
Yu Wanyin pursed her lips and confessed, "We didn't argue. This is how the Prime Minister and I usually are."
Yu Heyue didn't feel anything until she asked her, but when she did, Yu Wanyin felt that it seemed there wasn't much difference between arguing and not arguing between her and her husband.
They were very polite.
No one mentioned the last bandit suppression incident again, which eased the tension somewhat.
But I didn't see any difference from how we got along before.
Not only was she polite to him, but he was too.
It was as if he had many things he couldn't let her know.
Yu Wanyin interpreted these as alienation and defensiveness, saying, "Maybe we didn't have much affection for each other to begin with."
Yu Wanyin spoke directly and clearly.
But every word struck a chord in the heart of the man outside the door.
Chu Yu stood outside the door, listening quietly.
Qing Song, who was blocked by Chu Yu from going in to report, closed her eyes in despair.
She glanced at Chu Yu cautiously.
Chu Yu remained expressionless, his demeanor indifferent.
I just stood at the door for a while.
He also gave Qingsong a few more instructions, asking him to take care of Yu Wanyin's daily life.
They left as if nothing had happened.
Yu Heyue was also somewhat surprised by Yu Wanyin's frankness.
Unexpectedly, she directly said that she had no feelings for the Prime Minister.
"The Prime Minister probably just felt that I was of marriageable age and wanted to marry me and keep me at home." Yu Wanyin and Chu Yu's relationship was peaceful and respectful, which was not a bad thing.
“He’s good to me, I know that. So if he wants me to help him in any way he wants, I’ll agree.”
But he always felt it was good, and he would have done it no matter who was in his backyard.
Yu Wanyin was good at comforting herself, "Those who are concerned about the court usually don't care too much about the inner court. Just live a good life."
"Actually, I don't care much about the backyard, especially now that the border is in turmoil."
Yu Heyue's eyebrows twitched slightly as she silently pondered something.
Unexpectedly, Yu Wanyin spoke first, "I know all about your intentions in staying here."
Yu Heyue was startled.
Yu Wanyin said slowly, "The point of what I'm telling you today is that with the Northern Chi invasion imminent, it would be quite pointless for us to fight over trivial matters in the backyard."
"You should consider whether you really want to enter the Prime Minister's residence and whether it's a good choice for you."
"I told you before we got married that if you were sure you wanted to, you should go and tell the Prime Minister. If not, or if the Prime Minister has no intention of doing so, then don't delay your own life."
"If so, the Prime Minister also likes you. Ask the Prime Minister to speak to me, and I will not refuse."
If Yu Heyue enters the Prime Minister's residence, she can leave.
Yu Wanyin is looking at a map right now.
She had watched the road from Shang'an to Shanshan countless times.
Yu Heyue came out of Yu Wanyin's room, still somewhat unable to understand what Yu Wanyin had said.
On the way back, Yu Heyue repeated Yu Wanyin's words to Granny Lai, "What do you think she meant by that?"
"You believe what she said?" Granny Lai scoffed. "The border war has nothing to do with our homes. How far is the border from here?"
"Furthermore, even if there is a war on the border, there are layers of soldiers and armor, so how could it endanger our Shang'an?"
"It's just an excuse. Perhaps he knows he can't win over the Prime Minister's heart and won't be able to have children in the future, so he wants to ask you for help."
Granny Lai advised Yu Heyue, "Saying we won't fight is just to fool you. Aren't we all fighting for face and a way to make a living in the backyard?"
"I reckon she'll win you over and use you first, and then she'll be jealous of you once you're truly favored."
"To put it bluntly, if you really enter the household in the future, and you sisters become close, and you even give birth to a child for her, she will make her move."
Yu Heyue was somewhat taken aback. "Really?"
"Aren't these kinds of things common in the backyard? You've really threatened her position as the Prime Minister's wife. Let's see if she'll still keep you." Granny Lai patted Yu Heyue. "But since she's said so, then girl, you can do it without worry. I, this old woman, will take care of the rest."
Yu Heyue pondered in silence for a long time, and then realized that it made sense.
How can we not compete?
If you don't fight, you'll have nothing.
Granny Lai went into Yu Heyue's room, discussed things carefully with her, and then left triumphantly.
Qiu Rong came out to see her off, and the two walked for a while, chatting more and more happily.
Granny Lai reassured Qiu Rong, "I know our girl well. Putting everything else aside, who wouldn't love her?"
Qiu Rong sighed, "Yes, I am afraid. The young lady's words are like a needle hidden in cotton, poison hidden in sugar."
Granny Lai remained noncommittal, saying, "That young lady always pretends to be calm and innocent, but in reality, she wants everything."
"Otherwise, she wouldn't have paraded around at the palace banquet, attracting men."
Granny Lai covered her mouth with her fan and said, "I reckon if it weren't for the fact that Marquis Jiang died suddenly that night, she would have offered herself up to be his concubine."
Qiu Rong thought so too, "It's not that the Marquis couldn't get close to him, but he used some tricks to get close to the Prime Minister. Originally, the girl he wanted to marry was our girl."
Granny Lai fanned herself as she pondered, "But since she's currently not favored by the Prime Minister, that's good for us. Tell the Second Miss not to worry about anything else; after all, the Eldest Miss is taking medicine from time to time, and it's hard to say what will happen in the future."
"Besides, this old woman has plenty of ways to make the second daughter the official wife of the prime minister."
Qiu Rong quickly expressed her gratitude, "Fortunately, you were there to help out at the Prime Minister's residence."
Granny Lai waved her hand, "Alright, that's enough, I'll head back now."
Qiu Rong told her and went back to her room first.
Granny Lai let out a long sigh of relief and slowly strolled back.
As I walked through the rocks in the backyard, a cold wind suddenly swept past me, sending chills down my spine.
Granny Lai paused slightly and looked back suspiciously.
Finding nothing amiss, they continued walking forward.
She had just turned the corner when suddenly a strong wind arose!
A short arrow shot out without warning, whistling sharply in the wind, and struck him squarely between the eyebrows!
Granny Lai's body suddenly stiffened, her eyes widening in astonishment. She was thrown backward by the immense impact!
They fell into the deep abyss of the pool beside them.
Blood streaks floated on the turquoise-black pool water, only to be quickly dispersed by the strong wind.
Rong Si stood on high ground, calmly putting away his arrows as if he had merely crushed an ant.
The news of Granny Lai's disappearance went unnoticed until the next day.
Her roommates assumed she had gone to the Yu residence again, and no one paid any attention.
Rong Si acted as if nothing had happened, continuing with his work as usual.
Qiu Rong was the first to notice that Granny Lai was missing.
Qiu Rong carried the basket back to her room. "Today I went to the backyard to find Granny Lai to prepare ingredients, but I didn't expect her to be gone, so I went to the market to buy some myself."
Yu Heyue didn't take it seriously and looked through the ingredients in the basket. "Maybe she's busy with something else."
"We shouldn't associate with her too often, lest we give others something to gossip about."
Qiu Rong took out the medicinal herbs that Granny Lai had given her. "After tonight, you will be a proper member of the Prime Minister's household. It's fine to have contact with her."
These words made Yu Heyue blush all over. "Stop talking."
“It won’t do for the young lady to be so reserved,” Qiu Rong whispered. “I’ve inquired; the Prime Minister will be returning tonight…”
The cicadas chirped loudly outside the window, causing a few leaves to swirl and fall from the treetops.
Qiu Rong helped prepare the Five Yang Soup early on.
Yu Heyue waited until evening, then divided the soup into two portions and sent them to Yu Wanyin and Chu Yu.
Yu Wanyin's soup was sent by Qiu Rong.
Chu Yu's soup was delivered by her personally.
Yu Heyue was dressed lightly today, and under the dim light of the setting sun, her clothes were as thin as cicada wings.
She walked to the study door, took a deep breath, and gently knocked.
No one answered from inside the house.
Yu Heyue went to find a guard nearby, "Has the Prime Minister not returned yet?"
"No," the guard asked. "Is there something you need, young lady?"
"It's nothing, I just came to deliver some soup."
The guard knew that Yu Heyue had been bringing things to him quite often lately, so he wasn't surprised. "Miss, you can send them to the kitchen. Maybe the Prime Minister will be back soon and they'll be able to use them."
Yu Heyue agreed, "Okay."
She hesitated for a moment, but still sent it to the kitchen first.
About half an hour later, as the last rays of the setting sun were stretched out by the darkness and disappeared, Chu Yu finally stepped into the mansion.
He went into the study first, took out several secret letters, and asked as he read them, "How is Madam today?"
Just then, the servants from the kitchen brought up the prepared dinner.
The Five Yang Soup prepared by Yu Heyue had been tested and showed no abnormalities, so it was included in the soup as well.
Chao Yue replied, "Madam is the same as always, there's nothing different."
"Your Excellency has returned early today."
Chu Yu's eyebrows twitched slightly.
He came home early today because he had promised yesterday that he would drink the soup she had just made.
Chu Yu looked up and happened to see the dinner that had been delivered.
There was a bowl of soup inside. "Was this delivered from the backyard?"
The servant who delivered the meals pondered for a moment, remembering that Yu Heyue was currently living in the backyard, and replied, "Yes."
Chu Yu nodded and didn't ask any more questions, gesturing for him to leave.
Reaching out to take the bowl of soup, he asked Chao Yue, "Have the assassins we sent out scouted the way?"
"The reconnaissance is complete. Everything is in place and awaiting the Prime Minister's command."
Chu Yu nodded and began arranging the specific details for the future.
The relocation of the capital was something he had planned in advance, and most people in Shang'an City were unaware of it.
The later outsiders find out, the less likely they are to break through his plans and strategies.
It is especially difficult to know the path he arranged for Yu Wanyin.
At least she's safe.
Chao Yue looked at the dinner brought from the kitchen. Chu Yu didn't touch anything else, but finished the bowl of soup.
He then received the orders and went down to the next level.
Chu Yu was now the only one left in the study.
The evening breeze, still warm, blew past outside, but instead of cooling things down, it only added to the restlessness and irritability.
Chu Yu found the chirping of insects tonight particularly disturbing, making him feel restless and angry.
The evil thoughts lurking beneath the quiet and gentle exterior began to fester, stimulating every inch of the body's senses as the blood boiled.
The night grew deeper, but the restlessness found no solace.
Just then, Yu Heyue walked to the door of the study.
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