Chapter 25 Chapter 25 Snakes and Scorpions
His arm movements were fluid and expansive.
Every time until the very end.
Occasionally, objects would peek out from between his fingers and be brought to the surface with his movements.
Upon closer inspection, it is a thin, smooth, moon-white silk.
The two ropes above barely wrapped around his fingers, which he gripped tightly.
The splashing water droplets landed on the man's strong and muscular waist and abdomen, then slid down along the smooth muscle lines.
It exudes a captivating vitality and the breath of the wilderness.
Such things are as natural and open to him as eating.
After an unknown amount of time, the man's eyes openly revealed the greedy and arrogant predatory desires of a predator.
It flourished on that piece of silk.
Rong Si quietly looked at the silk in his palm; the small piece of fabric was crumpled beyond recognition.
Extremely fragile.
The chirping of insects rose and fell all around.
Rong Si casually washed the piece of cloth clean.
It reveals the true nature of that heart garment.
Rong Si returned to his tent. Footsteps sounded outside. It was Zong Cheng returning to report, "Shall we leave tonight or tomorrow?"
Rong Si didn't care at all, "Let's go to sleep first tonight."
Zong Cheng thought to himself that the leader was really carefree.
You can fall asleep like this.
He couldn't sleep; even if someone was on duty outside, he had to keep one eye open and keep watch.
A quarter of an hour later, Rong Si heard Zong Cheng snoring in the next tent in the darkness.
He was not sleepy at all, and held a piece of red paper in his hand.
The moonlight outside the tent illuminated the writing.
That was Yu Wanyin and Chu Yu's marriage certificate.
Rong Si looked at the words and congratulatory message on it and lit it casually.
The marriage certificate was also destroyed in the flames.
*
The next morning, Chu Yu covered the still-sleeping person with the bedclothes, got up and went out.
The door opened, and the faint light of dawn shone on the man's face.
Her jade-like face had a clear and bright look about it.
Chu Yu stepped out of the room, and Wu Zhou stepped forward. "Prime Minister, there are traces of them in the outskirts of the capital."
"Let's go take a look."
Chu Yu could not accept even the slightest possibility that anyone might covet his wife.
Why, out of so many people, did this groom specifically target the dowry maid?
Why didn't Yu Wanyin want him to go to Jiangling to suppress the bandits?
What is their relationship?
Who was Yu Wanyin with during the time she disappeared in Jiangling?
Chu Yu didn't want to force Yu Wanyin to confess, so he could only try to pry the bandit's words out of her.
Then kill him.
As dawn broke, several secret teams left Shang'an City and silently ventured into the dense forest.
Chu Yu stood atop the mountains and forests on the outskirts of the city, overlooking the endless mountain ranges outside Shang'an City.
He coldly observed the surroundings for any signs of trouble.
At this moment, higher up, Rong Si nocked an arrow and drew his bow, aiming at the figure of the elegant and graceful scholar in the distance.
Chu Yu suddenly turned his head and stared intently at the figure high above!
As they locked eyes, a short arrow pierced the air, aimed directly at Chu Yu's brow!
Despite the vast distance, the tension was incredibly high, with swords drawn and ready to strike.
Apart from Yu Wanyin, there was also a deep-seated blood feud between them.
Chu Yu did not move, but Wu Zhou deflected the short arrow first.
He kept his eyes fixed on the shadow.
In the dense forest behind Rong Si, countless shadows rose up in rebellion!
He was already surrounded.
Behind Chu Yu, Zong Cheng drew his sword and charged forward, and countless bandits emerged from the bushes!
For some reason, Yu Wanyin suddenly woke up from her sleep!
My heart was pounding.
She was momentarily dazed, then slowly propped herself up to sit up.
A deep sense of unease arose in my heart.
After a while, Yu Wanyin called Qingsong in to serve her.
Seeing her distraught state, Qing Song asked, "What's wrong, Madam?"
Yu Wanyin shook her head.
She didn't know how to express her current unease.
"It might be... something about the border. I'm uneasy," Yu Wanyin asked. "Did the Prime Minister go to the palace?"
"It should be."
Qing Song was also uneasy, but she still had to comfort Yu Wanyin, "Madam, don't worry, with the Prime Minister here, nothing will happen."
Yu Wanyin nodded.
She spent her days reading books to pass the time.
But I couldn't get through the book at all.
It wasn't until evening, when a servant came to report that the Prime Minister had returned, that Yu Wanyin's anxiety eased slightly.
Yu Wanyin couldn't quite pinpoint the reason for her unease. "Is the Prime Minister in his study?"
"Yes, he's still in the study."
Yu Wanyin stood up. "I'll go take a look."
She walked to the door and reached out to stop Chao Yue, saying, "Madam, the Prime Minister is currently dealing with important documents and it may be inconvenient for him to see you."
"You can wait for the Prime Minister in your room. He will come over tonight."
Yu Wanyin had no choice but to stop and give up for the time being, "Alright then."
She saw Chao Yue standing guard at the door, something that hadn't happened before.
It was as if they were afraid she would run off to find Chu Yu.
Yu Wanyin couldn't understand it, and she didn't persist.
She went back to her room, intending to wait for Chu Yu to come over before asking him in detail.
Yu Wanyin waited until midnight, but Chu Yu still hadn't arrived. Unable to stay awake any longer, she went to sleep.
The study in the Prime Minister's residence was brightly lit.
The man sat in the inner room, his silver-white silk robe piled up around his waist.
His skin was naturally warm-toned and fair, thin and translucent, and even under the dim, soft light, it appeared somewhat fresh and tender.
It evokes the image of a delicious dish that makes your mouth water.
It was a pity that there was an extra short arrow in his shoulder blade, which pierced deep into his flesh and bone.
The moment Wu Zhou pulled it out, Chu Yu's brow twitched, but his refined face showed little emotional fluctuation.
A thin layer of sweat appeared, and her eyelashes trembled slightly.
A gentleman is a viper, a beautiful woman is a cunning woman.
Fresh blood gushed from the wound, but Wu Zhou quickly stopped it.
Wu Zhou had to whisper a reminder, "Prime Minister, you need to rest these few days and avoid any strenuous activity to prevent the wound from reopening."
Chu Yu was still thinking about the chaotic battle that had taken place during the day.
Rong Si's ambush didn't yield much advantage, probably because he hadn't anticipated that Rong Si also had an ambush.
To some extent, they were in sync.
Chu Yu was regretting that his ambush wasn't deep enough to kill the bandit.
Have they left?
"They disappeared in the mountains on the outskirts of the city. I don't know if it was a decoy or if they really ran away."
Chu Yu remained silent, his deep gaze lost in thought, as if pondering something.
A servant's voice came from outside, "Prime Minister, someone has sent a message to the Madam, but she is asleep."
Chu Yu asked, "Who delivered the letter?"
"It was sent from Shanshan." The servant presented the parchment envelope, and after hesitating for a while, he also brought forward another box that had been sent along with it, "There is also a totem jade pendant."
Chu Yu looked over upon hearing this.
The exchange of letters is not unusual; what is unusual is the jade pendant.
Giving a totem jade pendant as a gift is either for protection or to pray for blessings.
It could be a keepsake to bring her back.
Chu Yu stared at the letter and said almost with certainty, "They want to take her away."
Yet another person trying to take her away.
A sinister glint appeared in Chu Yu's eyes as he gestured with his hand.
He was very annoyed; how could they not kill them all?
The servant nervously handed the letter to Chu Yu.
Chu Yu did not look at it.
It's all because Yao Yao is too attractive.
The servants, seeing Chu Yu's face flickering in the lamplight, immediately lowered their heads.
She dared not look up at Chu Yu's face again.
Everyone knows that the new lady in the mansion is the only person this prime minister is wary of among his many murderous thoughts.
Within the mansion, matters concerning Yu Wanyin are the safest.
It is also the most dangerous.
With the lady's protection, even if the prime minister's knife were to fall on his head, he could make him take it back.
However, once the lady is involved, it is extremely easy to anger the prime minister.
In particular, some people coveted the lady.
Chu Yu slowly took the jade pendant, examined it carefully for a while, and then locked it in his cabinet along with the letter.
The servants inside didn't dare to utter a sound.
They were terrified of incurring the Prime Minister's wrath at this moment.
Even Wu Zhou's movements as he bandaged Chu Yu were much gentler.
By the time they had completely finished cleaning up, it was past midnight.
Chu Yu quietly pushed open the bedroom door.
The room was filled with calming incense, which just masked the lingering smell of blood on his body.
The room was quiet, and the person looked like they were fast asleep.
He didn't even hear it when he came back.
Chu Yu bypassed the outer room and entered the inner room.
He just stood there by the bed, watching the person in the gauze curtains, and only after a long time did he remember to change his clothes and go to bed.
In her half-awake state, Yu Wanyin felt herself being enveloped from behind.
He carefully and seamlessly embedded her into his body.
As Chu Yu hugged her tightly, he inevitably touched his own wound.
When she was around, he seemed more like a living person, and even the pain was clearer to him.
He was almost pathologically obsessed with all the feelings she gave him.
Even pain can be addictive.
Chu Yu tightened his grip on her.
Yu Wanyin felt her breathing space being compressed and shifted uncomfortably.
Unfortunately, it hit the wound on his shoulder.
Chu Yu not only didn't let go, but instead pressed his wound closer to hers, asking, "Where are you going?"
"Yaoyao is not allowed to go anywhere."
Chu Yu's shoulder wound was rubbed raw, causing blood to seep through his pure white nightgown.
He hugged her tighter and tighter, his face growing increasingly red, "No one can take you away from me."
Yu Wanyin smelled a hint of blood in her sleep.
His whole body seemed to be bound by chains, unable to move.
She slept very soundly that night. When she opened her eyes, she subconsciously looked around but did not see anyone beside her.
She almost thought that everything she felt last night was just a nightmare.
Yu Wanyin didn't have enough time to think about those oddities.
The battle report of the Northern Chi's breach of the pass came much faster than usual.
The soldiers, covered in blood, struggled to stay afloat on their horses and rode into the city.
Fresh blood dripped as he ran.
The air was thick with the smell of blood and dust.
He didn't even make it to the palace; he bled to death at the palace gate.
A long arrow was stuck in his back, clearly indicating that he had been attacked on his way back.
They were prevented from sending a message by the rebels.
The long arrow stood upright, its tail feathers a deep red, like a victor's triumphant banner.
People were filled with anxiety.
Upon seeing this, the palace guards hurriedly opened the palace gates.
The Imperial Guard Commander arrived to assess the situation, and his subordinates drove away the people who had gathered outside the palace gates.
But the panic in the city intensified.
"Didn't they say they could hold out? How come they've already broken through the pass?"
"Yes, judging from this, there are even Northern Chi rebels inside the pass!"
There are rebels not only within the pass, but even a long arrow piercing the lung can only last for a day or two at most.
This indicates that the rebels were aiming directly at Shang'an, which was at least a hundred li away by foot.
This is no different from the enemy being at our doorstep.
King Jiang finally grew anxious, pacing back and forth in the main hall. "Why was there no news before? And now they've attacked?!"
In his anger, he kicked over the table, yelling, "What are you all doing?!"
The civil and military officials below were either filled with anxiety or unease.
Either he was burning with anger, or the Imperial Guard Commander was furious.
They had told King Jiang about the urgency of the matter from the very first day it occurred, urging him to mobilize troops immediately.
King Jiang feared being threatened if he transferred troops, so he held onto his military power tightly and refused to transfer any troops, even scolding them.
Even if they had three heads and six arms, they wouldn't be able to do anything if they had such a monarch.
After the Teng family army was completely wiped out in the Yuanchuan Rebellion, the border defense was already riddled with loopholes and consisted of scattered soldiers. How long could it hold out?
It's perfectly normal for them to break in now.
It wouldn't be surprising if they attacked his doorstep and took his head.
Left with no other choice, the Imperial Guard Commander could only look to Chu Yu.
He realized that he wasn't the one doing it.
Many people in the court had begun to resent King Jiang and looked to Chu Yu for a solution.
During this period, relying on the Left Prime Minister had become their habit.
Chu Yu spoke up at the right moment, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
King Jiang was furious. "The border has fallen! How can I possibly calm my anger?"
“Even if we don’t quell our anger, we cannot stop the Northern Chi from entering the pass,” Chu Yu said in a calm and steady voice. “The Northern Chi’s actions are not as simple as just losing the border and wanting to take over a few cities.”
"The Northern Chi's target is Shang'an."
King Jiang felt a pang of fear, "Isn't it all the fault of..."
Chu Yu interrupted him, still raising his hand in a salute, and said quietly, "Your Majesty, the most urgent task is to protect my Yingzhou and your throne."
King Jiang fell completely silent upon hearing the mention of the throne.
He slumped onto the lacquered, golden throne, shouting, "Yes, mobilize troops! Quickly mobilize troops to protect the city!"
The generals below all rolled their eyes.
Now they're willing to relinquish military power, you fool.
Chu Yu was still able to calmly discuss with him, "We have considered that if we send troops to defend the city, we will not be able to hold out for long. If the Northern Chi launch an attack, Shang'an will fall sooner or later within half a month."
He looked up and said, "Why not move the capital?"
King Jiang was stunned for a moment before finally realizing what Chu Yu meant by moving the capital.
"this……"
Chu Yu analyzed the pros and cons of moving the capital point by point and informed King Jiang.
This patience and composure calmed down the previously uneasy people in the court.
It seems that with him around, everything can be taken care of.
King Jiang nodded repeatedly after hearing half of it, "Yes, move the capital."
"We'll move the capital immediately, and you'll be in charge of everything." King Jiang held up the tiger tally used for troop deployment. "I'll do as you say."
Chu Yu glanced at the tiger tally in King Jiang's hand from afar, then lowered his eyes and said, "Your subject obeys."
After the court session, Chu Yu walked out of the main hall.
Wu Zhou stepped forward, and with a single glance from Chu Yu, he knew the matter was settled. He bowed and withdrew to prepare for the relocation of the capital.
The story of Bei Chi breaking through the pass is true.
But the situation is not so critical; they still have time.
The arrow that struck the messenger's back was fired by them.
Chu Yu had everything under his control, allowing no mistakes whatsoever.
Otherwise, Jiang Wangyuan would not have relinquished power so quickly.
News of the relocation of the capital spread far and wide.
All of this happened so suddenly that when the people of Shang'an City received the news, it was like a bolt from the blue, and they hurriedly packed their things to flee.
The streets and alleys, which were quiet and peaceful just the day before, are now filled with people preparing to flee.
Shops on the street were closed, and people were all too busy taking care of themselves.
Qingsong, carrying a bamboo basket, was jostled by the crowd as she went shopping.
The wind was heavy and dull in late summer, and even the cicadas' chirping sounded hoarse and unpleasant.
The sun is not visible on the horizon, and the thick clouds do not indicate that it is going to rain.
Unpredictable weather, turbulent and unsettling.
Qingsong turned her head and found that even the things in her basket had been stolen at some point.
She was about to lash out, but all she could see were heads darting around and anxious faces.
It's impossible to determine who did it.
Looking at the scene before her, Qing Song could only sigh and return to the manor to tell Yu Wanyin what she had seen and heard.
Yu Wanyin held the hot tea, her brows furrowed. "It's that serious?"
Shang'an City did not receive much information from the border.
The main reason is that those in power don't care.
Yingzhou had been stable for hundreds of years, and probably no one would have thought that a mere barbarian could conquer the Central Plains.
The last time the Hu people invaded was during the Yuanchuan Rebellion, but they were eventually driven back and there was no movement for more than ten years.
Perhaps they thought this time would be like the previous times, just a minor skirmish, and that good news would eventually come.
But unexpectedly, the news that arrived directly was that the Northern Chi tribes were about to invade Shang'an.
But thinking about it, it's both unexpected and reasonable.
In a court rife with corrupt officials, holes have been gnawed out, and naturally, some will try to exploit the loopholes.
Qingsong realized that his master's composure was indeed extraordinary.
Even so, he remained calm and focused.
Yu Wanyin's questions were all serious: "So, is the Prime Minister preparing to move the capital?"
"yes."
Yu Wanyin pondered, "Moving the capital is the best solution at the moment."
If we remain in Shang'an, the Northern Chi tribes will soon invade, and we will be trapped like turtles in a jar.
Yu Wanyin sighed, "The risks are great, after all, it involves the very foundation, and the road to relocating the capital will likely be fraught with difficulties."
Qing Song felt a pang of sadness. "I see people are packing up and running away from the backyard."
“If they have a good place to go, they can leave.” Yu Wanyin felt that it was unreasonable to keep everyone tied to them right now. “I can’t take them all with me, and even if I do, there’s no guarantee that they will be safe with me.”
Yu Wanyin looked at Qing Song and asked, "Are you going to come with me?"
“Of course,” Qing Song replied matter-of-factly. “Wherever Madam is, I will be.”
Yu Wanyin couldn't make many promises to her; all she could say was, "No matter what happens in the future, I will never abandon you."
The relocation of the capital was scheduled very quickly, with only seven days for preparation.
Fortunately, the palace was burned down, which saved a lot of things that needed to be brought into the palace.
King Jiang always picks and chooses his favorite gold and silver treasures.
Yu Wanyin listened to these stories and sighed with emotion.
Without official documents from the central government, the relocation to the new capital was essentially a complete reconstruction of the regime.
King Jiang still covets those gold and silver; if the reconstruction is truly completed, the king might even be replaced.
Yu Wanyin didn't have much to pack. Moving the capital was tantamount to fleeing, so it was best to keep things simple.
As for the other things, she only packed the letters that her aunt and elder sister had sent her.
All the letters from the past ten years or so.
As dusk approached, Chu Yu came in from outside and happened to see her packing her things.
He asked, "Is there anything I need to bring?"
"That's all." Yu Wanyin closed the box. "I don't have much stuff. You can arrange the rest."
Chu Yu's gaze fell on the box in her hand. "This is..."
Yu Wanyin explained simply, "This is a letter sent by my aunt."
Chu Yu pondered for a moment, "Is this all you brought?"
Yu Wanyin nodded, "These are the important ones, the rest don't matter."
Everything else is irrelevant.
Chu Yu lowered his eyes and said after a long pause, "Put it away for Madam."
Qing Song agreed and helped Yu Wanyin put it away.
Chu Yu looked up at her.
Yu Wanyin keenly sensed a hint of danger.
She didn't know what she had done to offend him again, and after thinking about their conversation, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
It can't be because of those letters.
Yu Wanyin tried to change the subject and ease the atmosphere, "Have you had dinner yet? Otherwise, I'll go..."
Just as she was about to walk around him and leave, he grabbed her arm.
Chu Yu asked abruptly, "And what about me?"
"You...what?"
The man's long, slender fingers slid down her arm, down to her wrist.
That soft, feather-like touch instantly spread from my forearm to every part of my body. "Am I alright?"
It really was because of those letters.
Yu Wanyin suppressed the strange feeling, "You are my husband, how can it be alright?"
Chu Yu grabbed her wrist and walked towards her, coaxing her like a ghost, "Then Yao Yao, prove it to me, okay?"
Yu Wanyin was forced to the edge of the wedding bed and collapsed onto the quilt.
The thin shirt slipped off her snow-white shoulders.
Inside the room, the gauze curtains were scattered, and the candlelight flickered before going out completely.
The late summer evening breeze was still stuffy, mixed with damp air.
After a muffled clap of thunder in the dead of night, Chu Yu stepped into his study from the corridor.
Wu Zhou was startled to see that his clothes were soaked in blood again. "Prime Minister, why has the wound reopened?"
Chu Yu seemed to feel no pain, his tender eyes almost overflowing with affection. "It's nothing."
How can one be without hindrance?
This has happened repeatedly, even though it's summer.
If not handled properly, the wound may worsen.
Wu Zhou hurriedly went to get the first-aid kit for treating wounds.
The next morning, Yu Wanyin heard during her breakfast that Chu Yu had developed a fever the previous night.
This fever came on suddenly and violently; he developed a high fever and fell into a coma in the morning.
With the relocation of the capital imminent, everyone is counting on the Prime Minister to make the arrangements.
His illness caused turmoil in the once peaceful Prime Minister's residence.
Yu Wanyin thought to herself that Chu Yu's illness this time was most likely related to last night.
After what happened last night, Chu Yu did not stay in the bedroom to rest, but went directly to the study.
She knows best that people are more likely to get sick at times like this.
I wonder if he got caught in the rain.
As Yu Wanyin was thinking, she heard the servants outside the window talking worriedly, "It's like when it rains, it pours. How did the Prime Minister suddenly fall ill?"
"The Prime Minister has been so busy lately that even a person made of iron couldn't keep up."
"But we have to set off in a few days. What should we do? Could it be that Heaven is really going to destroy Yingzhou?"
Yu Wanyin put down the nourishing meal she was holding. "Help me go see the Prime Minister."
Qing Song agreed and helped Yu Wanyin up from the bedside.
The rain outside had not stopped, relentlessly pounding against the brick and tile eaves.
Yu Wanyin walked along the corridor to the study.
Servants came and went in the study.
The physician of the manor bowed to Yu Wanyin upon seeing her, saying, "Madam."
Yu Wanyin gestured for him not to be so polite. As soon as she entered the room, she saw that Chu Yu's clothes were half open.
The sides of his shoulders were wrapped in cloth, which was stained with bright red blood.
Yu Wanyin was quite surprised, "When did the Prime Minister get injured?"
The physician respectfully replied, "It's been a few days."
"How many days?" Yu Wanyin asked incredulously, "But I..."
How come I didn't notice anything?
"The Prime Minister was afraid that his wife would worry, so he didn't tell her. But the wound was repeatedly torn open for many days, and the summer heat and rain made his health worse."
The wound must have been torn open last night.
But last night he kept coming from behind...
Yu Wanyin looked away, a hint of guilt rising in her eyes. "So, what's the current situation?"
"This time you really need to rest. You can't lift heavy objects or move around too much. If you can stabilize for three to five days, that would be great."
Three to five days.
They're about to set off.
Yu Wanyin thanked the physician, who left a prescription, gave her a few instructions, and then departed.
She looked at Wu Zhou, "How did you get injured, Prime Minister?"
Looking at the current situation, Wu Zhou confessed, "It was because the Prime Minister discovered a group of bandits outside the city the day before yesterday, and was injured in the battle between them."
"What thief?"
Wu Zhou hesitated, concealing some of the facts, "I don't know their origins, but there was an ambush as soon as we left the city."
"The next day, news came from the other side that the pass had been breached."
These two things are too close together.
It's hard not to make the connection.
The invasion of foreign enemies was already imminent, and now bandits were attacking at the gates of Shang'an City, which was very unfavorable for the situation in Shang'an.
Yu Wanyin asked, "Are they still outside the city?"
If the relocation of the capital has already begun but the city is still outside, it's hard to say whether it will pose a threat to the relocation team and the people.
They were all destroyed outside the city before they even set off.
When the Northern Chi tribes enter, they become easy targets.
Wu Zhou explained, "The original plan was to start patrolling the suburbs today to see if they had left."
Yu Wanyin knew the importance of this matter, so she turned to Qing Song and said, "Go and get my box of purple pearls."
Qing Song didn't know why she wanted to take the bead, but since Yu Wanyin had said so, she obediently went to get it.
Yu Wanyin instructed Wu Zhou, "The Prime Minister's original plan cannot be delayed, otherwise there will be endless troubles. You should continue to inspect the roads in the suburbs as usual."
"By the way, are they Northern Chi people or Central Plains people?"
“The people from the Central Plains,” Wu Zhou added, “but they are ruthless and have considerable strength and firepower. It seems they have some grudge against the Prime Minister.”
Yu Wanyin considered, "What kind of deep-seated grudge is this? Can we discuss a truce and deal with the external enemy first?"
"A feud that is irreconcilable is not open to discussion."
Yu Wanyin took a deep breath, feeling that things were getting a bit complicated.
Although she knew that Chu Yu had many enemies, the lives of thousands upon thousands of people in Shang'an City depended on Chu Yu at the moment.
Including her.
At this critical moment, ensuring the safety of so many people is paramount, so her stance must be on Chu Yu's side. "Since it's a fight to the death, then let it be a fight to the death."
"What they care about is what makes them easily controlled."
"Since you care about the grudge, send a puppet to impersonate the Prime Minister and lure him into a trap."
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