Chapter 123 Consensus: The Road to the Throne Allows No Room for Luck...
Around midnight, Shen Yujiao almost fell asleep on the steps in front of the door. She dozed off against a stone pillar, but was awakened by a series of footsteps.
"Sister-in-law, how is my brother?"
Upon hearing that Jiang Yu had vomited blood again, Jiang Lin rushed back at top speed. When he saw the bloodstains on Shen Yujiao's shoulder, his rapid breathing suddenly stopped: "Is the situation very bad?"
"Xiao Jiu, don't panic—" Seeing his pale face, Shen Yujiao quickly stepped forward to help him sit down and gently comforted him, "It's not as serious as you think. The doctor said that this ordeal has cleared up the stagnation in your heart, so it's not entirely a sin."
Hearing Shen Yujiao's words, Jiang Lin's tense expression visibly relaxed. He stared straight at the ground, his eyes dark and unfathomable: "Sister-in-law, can you tell me what exactly happened?"
The night sky over northern Xinjiang was filled with glittering stars. Under the cool moonlight, Shen Yujiao met Jiang Lin's clear, bright eyes: "May I know what happened?"
The hope in the boy's eyes was irresistible, and Shen Yujiao understood the sincerity in them: Don't treat him like an ignorant and naive child, like others do.
She parted her thin lips slightly, nodded slowly, and began to recount the current situation in the capital. As she finished speaking, she saw shock replace the expression on the young man's face, followed by overwhelming grief. Tears welled up instantly. She heard a cry, different in emotion from Jiang Yu's, but equally sorrowful—"Father..."
"If you're feeling down, lean on me and cry for a while."
Shen Yujiao pulled the boy, who was only able to stand there blankly crying, into her arms, gently stroking his back again and again. Then, listening to his suppressed sobs gradually grow hoarse, she couldn't help but sigh.
For most subjects of the Great Xia Dynasty, the death of the emperor was merely the passing of their monarch, and even the princes were mostly treated the same way. The only ones who truly felt envy, heartache, and the pain of losing their father were probably Jiang Yu and Jiang Lin.
What was once unknown is now crystal clear. Shen Yujiao knows that the only son the emperor truly cares about is Jiang Yu, besides Jiang Yu. He is the eldest son he has genuinely valued and personally taught as his right-hand man. Jiang Yu is deeply embroiled in the struggle for the throne. No matter how ruthless and decisive his methods are, he has never had the idea of overthrowing his father.
Among these princes who coveted the throne, Jiang Lin was the only one who was different. He had no interest in power, disliked politics, and was not particular about food, clothing, or shelter. He enjoyed traveling and was happy to be the innocent youngest son under his parents' knees. It was precisely because of this that he was the emperor's only purest son, and none of the other princes ever made a move against him.
For these two men, the emperor was not a sovereign, but merely a father.
Jiang Lin cried on Shen Yujiao's shoulder until he almost fainted. It wasn't until the military doctor pushed open the door from inside the house that he managed to pull himself together and stagger after him.
"Your Highness has already received acupuncture treatment. He has just woken up and says he wishes to see the Crown Princess."
“Okay,” Shen Yujiao nodded. She turned to look at the distraught Jiang Lin and patted his arm. “Let’s go in together.”
"Is it okay?" Jiang Lin felt that it was inappropriate for him to disturb them.
Shen Yujiao smiled wearily at him: "Of course."
She was not the real Shen Yujiao. She dared not face Jiang Yu alone, fearing too many flaws and even more so, fearing numerous loopholes in her emotional expression. Although she was moved by their relationship, she never blurred the boundaries between herself and Shen Yujiao.
Jiang Chen was her lover. She couldn't embrace Jiang Yu with tenderness and love to be his support, nor could she comfort him as openly as she did Jiang Lin. She needed someone to be by her side as a cover.
Jiang Lin followed Shen Yujiao into the house and saw his elder brother, who was wearing a thick cloak and leaning against a recliner, his eyes reddening again. His elder brother, how brave and valiant he was when he went to war, was now seriously ill.
Seeing his weak appearance, Jiang Lin quickly took a few steps forward, squatted down in front of Jiang Yu, tightened his fox fur cloak, and called out "Big Brother" in a choked voice.
Jiang Yu raised his hand and touched the top of his head, asking in a hoarse voice, "What did your sister-in-law say just now?"
“Yes,” Jiang Lin nodded emphatically, hiding his tears inside his fox fur coat. He took a deep breath and changed the subject: “Brother, my sister-in-law and I are very worried about you.”
"It's alright, brother, it's alright."
Seeing their brotherly affection, Shen Yu sighed and sat down on the chair next to them. Although it sounded a little strange to hear them calling each other "brother" and "sister-in-law," she didn't correct them, considering the brothers' current state of mind.
“Ah—I already know the Crown Princess’s purpose in coming. If it is true, then A-Jin is indeed unforgivable, and I will not plead for him. However, my fifth brother is still fighting abroad. If the Crown Princess trusts me, I am willing to return to the capital with you and Xiao Jiu immediately to take charge of the overall situation.”
Jiang Yu's words were full of sincerity, but Shen Yujiao couldn't help but frown. She could trust Jiang Yu's character and conduct, but if Jiang Yu made other plans on the way back to the capital with their group, the situation would be irreversible. The struggle for the throne was something she couldn't afford to take any chances with.
That brief moment of hesitation stunned both Jiang Yu and Shen Yujiao, and they immediately began to regret it.
Jiang Yu blamed himself for not considering Shen Yujiao's current position. If she returned to the capital with him, where would that leave her reputation?
Shen Yujiao felt guilty for subconsciously only considering herself and Jiang Chen, without taking into account Jiang Yu's current physical condition. If it were Shen Yujiao, she would never have allowed Jiang Yu to suffer another serious injury at this time.
"I--"
"you......"
The two spoke at the same time, but then stopped talking at the same time and looked away from each other.
Shen Yujiao secretly pinched her palm. This wouldn't do. She couldn't get along with Jiang Yu like Shen Yujiao had. But these were special times, and they couldn't remain in this awkward and uncertain situation. Just as she was about to speak after mentally preparing herself, Jiang Lin broke the awkward silence first—
“If my elder brother and sister-in-law trust me, I am willing to take the lead and sneak into the capital region first.”
The two men were taken aback upon hearing this and both looked at Jiang Lin. Jiang Lin squatted down beside Jiang Yu, leaning closer to him somewhat uncomfortably. He whispered, "For this expedition, in addition to Generals Qi and Liu, Sixth Brother also sent his personal guards to my side. They can contact Sixth Brother. As long as Sixth Brother is still waiting for my news, I can open a passage from the camp outside the capital and enter the capital first to make arrangements."
A blush flashed across his face, contrasting with the remaining bloodshot in his eyes. As if he had made a decision, he raised his head and looked at the two men: "Although I am not as learned as my brothers in both literature and military strategy, I have learned a lot from my campaign. If you two trust me, I am willing to act as the vanguard and persuade my brother to provide support in the capital, so that we can open the city gates with minimal cost."
Taking a city without bloodshed is the ultimate dream of every general who fights on the battlefield to serve his country. In every war, they always try to minimize the harm to the people. Fighting is never about fighting for war itself, but about fighting for the peace and prosperity of the country.
This realization was the most profound lesson Jiang Lin learned during his trip north.
Looking at the determination in his eyes, Shen Yujiao's heart seemed to be touched by something. It was a light completely different from the one in Yong'an's eyes. It was not the ambition and lust for power of a politician or a person in power, but the desire of a young son who had lost his father to defend his father's dignity.
“Okay,” Jiang Yu replied, then patted his shoulder as if to encourage him: “Our Xiao Jiu is already a mature young man who can shoulder great responsibilities.”
“Yes,” Shen Yujiao nodded with a smile, “This time, I’m accompanied by Shen family guards. I’ll have them escort you back.”
"Thank you, brother and sister-in-law."
This was the first time in his life that Jiang Lin had been recognized and treated as an adult capable of taking charge. He felt an overwhelming surge of excitement and nestled close to Jiang Yu, bowing his head deeply.
The current problem remains unresolved; his stance should be clearly stated. He has no authority to decide on more important matters, nor can he offer any further assistance.
Jiang Yu and Shen Yujiao noticed this timely silence. The bloodline of the royal family and the Qi family could not produce an innocent and naive girl. Jiang Lin had always been worldly-wise but not cynical.
"Ah Chen's return date is uncertain. Do you have any plans?"
Jiang Yu finally understood her hesitation for that second and addressed the question directly: "If you want to wait for him to return, the situation in the capital will become unpredictable."
“I know, I’ve already sent someone to tell him. I don’t intend to waste all my time here,” Shen Yujiao lowered her eyes. “Once you’ve recovered a bit, I’ll go back to the capital with you first.”
Jiang Yu was taken aback upon hearing this, and looked up at her as if she couldn't believe it. Shen Yujiao didn't intend to explain further, and continued, "Time waits for no one. If Xiao Jiu has no problems, she can set off first today, and you can follow closely behind later."
"We can do it tomorrow—"
“Then let’s go the day after tomorrow,” Shen Yujiao interrupted him. “Your health cannot be compromised. Before we set off, we need to prepare all the medicine for the journey, take stock of our manpower, and coordinate the Hancheng outpost of the Northern Frontier Camp. Once everything is arranged properly, we can leave.”
"good."
Almost obediently, Jiang Yu agreed to the decision without the slightest hesitation. Shen Yujiao had just arrived, Jiang Yu had just woken up, and Jiang Lin was not concerned with military affairs. The three of them summoned Jiang Chen's personal guards, carefully learned about the current situation, and then took stock of the soldiers who had returned to the capital with Jiang Lin. Until dawn broke, Jiang Lin led his troops away in the still dim light of the sky.
After seeing Jiang Lin off, the heavy weight in Shen Yujiao's heart sank once more. She had no choice but to return to the courtyard and sit down opposite Jiang Yu again.
Since they have agreed to cooperate and decided to join forces, they must make it clear how much resources they have and how many cards they can play. This is not a simple trade, nor is it an exchange of interests between two forces. This is a consensus reached on the road to the throne.
Shen Yujiao didn't know how to start the conversation, so she remained silent, while Jiang Yu seemed to be enjoying the quiet and didn't speak first either.
As the rising sun gradually climbed to the summit, its vast and bright light illuminated this northern region. Shen Yujiao looked up amidst the warmth of the morning sun filling the room. At this moment, the sky was bright and the room was clean and bright. The young man sitting opposite her had bright, sparkling eyes.
In those bright eyes, there was a deep love that needed no words to express, a clarity and purity I had never seen before since we met, a daze that felt like we had traveled through time and space even though we were only a few steps apart.
So this was the Jiang Yu that Shen Yujiao had mentioned, the Jiang Yu who had shed the aura of Prince Huan.
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