Zhao Cheng was not a heartless person. When he heard Yang Cai'e's confession, he appeared calm on the surface, but he was actually quite upset inside.
Zhao Cheng walked towards Yang Cai'e and said, "You know, your tricks can't shake her position. She is the eldest princess of Da Jing and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Right Prime Minister's mansion. I can't change that."
Seeing Yang Cai'e remain silent, Zhao Cheng continued, "I know I wronged you, it was my fault. But I love you, and that's something I can't change, just like I can't change my relationship with Yuan Yun."
"Take me as your concubine." Yang Cai'e didn't explain further, but said firmly, "If you're still willing."
Zhao Cheng grasped Yang Cai'e's hand and said softly, "You're not a petty woman. Tell me, why did you do this?"
Yang Cai'e shook her head and said, "Knowing too much is not good for you."
"But if you want to stay by my side, you can't keep anything from me!"
"You...you still want me to stay?"
"Everyone makes mistakes. I can't judge you based on this one thing, because I know you have your reasons."
Zhao Cheng said solemnly, "Tell me, I cannot keep my promise to marry you, so let me share your pain."
“Cai’e, it’s for your own good to tell you this. Otherwise, even if you get into the Right Prime Minister’s residence, Yuan Yun will still be wary of you.”
“But let me tell you, I didn’t do anything wrong.” Yang Cai’e smiled bitterly and said, “The things I did may have been done in the wrong way, but I did nothing wrong.”
As she spoke, Yang Cai'e's expression darkened, and she clenched her fists, saying, "The Yuan family has a blood feud with me!"
Zhao Cheng was stunned.
Noticing Zhao Cheng's expression, Yang Cai'e asked, "Do you still want to know the truth?"
Zhao Cheng did not answer Yang Cai'e with words, but instead pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Feeling Zhao Cheng's savagery and the warmth in his arms, Yang Cai'e was stunned.
My nose tingled, and tears involuntarily streamed down my face.
"Speak, whatever it is."
Zhao Cheng stroked Yang Cai'e's head and said, "I'm here for you."
The light blurred Yang Cai'e's vision...
Yang Cai'e's father was an official in the Dajing region, and also a senior official in Changsui. Although not a high-ranking official, his living conditions were considered quite wealthy. Yang's father was quite literate and, after many hardships, married a woman from the Western Regions. This woman was Yang Cai'e's mother. The couple had a difficult time together and doted on their two daughters. Under her father's influence from a young age, Yang Cai'e became well-mannered, knowledgeable, and loved reading and writing.
In the last year of the late emperor's reign, news of his critical illness spread, and the Western Regions states, which had always been vassals of the Great Jing, suddenly united in rebellion. The states of Abilia, Teluntu, Dayue, and Jinran, which were usually locked in fierce battles, joined forces with dozens of smaller states to simultaneously invade the western part of the Jing Kingdom.
The western border of Dajing had been peaceful for many years, but it was caught off guard and attacked suddenly. The three prefectures of Tianyong, Qinhuang and Yichuan all fell. The Western Regions allied forces even entered Guliang Prefecture within a month. If they went further east, they would enter the heart of Dajing!
The entire Great Jing Kingdom was shocked, deeply feeling that the barking dog bites but doesn't bite, and the sudden attack from the Western Regions was even more destructive than the Night Dan!
They burned, killed, looted, and committed all sorts of atrocities, leading many Jing people to even fear the impending doom of their nation.
In this time of crisis, the late emperor seemed to have a sudden burst of energy before his death, and issued three imperial edicts.
It was these three imperial edicts that saved the Great Jing Dynasty.
The first order was to appoint Grand Marshal Zhao Huan as commander-in-chief, leading the Dragon Spear Warriors as the main force, and to oversee the entire army in a comprehensive resistance against the Western Regions coalition. Meanwhile, all the troops stationed in Changsui City and the Imperial Guards of Jing Palace were transferred north to guard against the Yedan forces taking advantage of the chaos. At the time, the entire nation was astonished that the late emperor's move was a gamble, betting that the undefended Changsui City would not be subject to rebellion.
The second decree ordered Minister Tu He to travel to Southern Zhou for assistance, aiming to persuade Southern Zhou to send troops to reinforce the southwest of Da Jing, with the condition that Southern Zhou would not take advantage of the situation to plunder. The invasion of Da Jing by the Western Regions states was different from the invasion by Ye Dan. If it were Ye Dan, Southern Zhou might indeed seize the opportunity to advance north and divide Da Jing's territory with Ye Dan. However, if the Western Regions states destroyed Da Jing, the entire eastern lands would be thrown into chaos, which would be detrimental to Southern Zhou's northern expedition plan. The late emperor had precisely foreseen this, which is why he took this action.
The third order was to appoint Grand Commandant Erzhuhua to lead a rectification campaign within the imperial prison, purge foreign spies in Changsui, eliminate all those suspected of having connections with the Western Regions, and ensure stability in the rear.
It was this third imperial edict that brought utter destruction to Yang Cai'e's family.
At that time, the whole country was tense, especially Changsui City, which was filled with a sense of impending doom. Because of Yang Cai'e's mother's status, the Yang family was not spared. Knowing that there was no hope, the adoptive father tried every means to send his two daughters away.
Yang Cai'e was only eight years old at that time.
Young Donghua was too young to understand what had happened in her family, but Yang Cai'e lived forever in hatred.
Especially after being separated from her younger sister, Yang Cai'e led a life of wandering and hardship.
She hated the Yuan family and the imperial court.
"It was such a happy family, and my parents were both very patriotic. Even though my mother was from the Western Regions, the unrest in the Western Regions had nothing to do with her! But the Yuan family... indiscriminately killed innocent people!"
At this point, Yang Cai'e's eyes were filled with anger, but no tears.
Perhaps all the tears that needed to be shed had already been shed.
Zhao Cheng also felt a pang of sadness, realizing that individuals and families are far too insignificant in the face of national interests.
Given Erzhuhua's personality and the way the imperial prison operated, Yang Cai'e's mother, being from the Western Regions, certainly wouldn't survive.
Zhao Cheng and Yang Cai'e were sitting in the corner outside the study. He put his arm around Yang Cai'e's shoulder and said, "It's hard to imagine how you've managed these past ten years."
“I don’t know either…” Yang Cai’e leaned on Zhao Cheng’s shoulder and said, “But when I saw Dong Hua, I suddenly felt that it was all worth it. Zhao Cheng, it was your Zhao family that saved Dong Hua.”
Zhao Cheng said, "I haven't experienced what you went through, so I'm not qualified to advise you to let go of your hatred. But I still have to say that the imperial edict was issued by the late emperor and had nothing to do with Yuan Xiu or Yuan Yun. At that time, they were just children."
"But they are all members of the Yuan family, aren't they?"
“You said it yourself, your mother was from the Western Regions, but she had nothing to do with the rebellion in the Western Regions. Conversely, they all share the surname Yuan, but they are different.”
"But I... but I really hate it!"
Zhao Cheng patted Yang Cai'e on the shoulder and said, "What else can we do? This world belongs to the Yuan family. You think you can turn the world upside down?"
Yang Cai'e remained silent.
“Cai’e, living your own life well is the greatest revenge against your enemies.”
Zhao Cheng grabbed Yang Cai'e's arm, turned her around to face her, and said, "Will you live a good life with me?"
"Even if not for yourself, you should think about Donghua. She's so happy now!"
"Can you bear to let her live in pain as well?"
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