"The Prime Minister's situation is much as you know. As for my return first, it was also the Prime Minister's idea."
"Did he anticipate that I was in danger?"
Yang Taozhi shook her head, her expression turning serious, and said, "The Prime Minister said that every time he returns to the capital in triumph, it is a challenge full of uncertainties for our family. We may emerge unscathed, or we may face utter ruin. We have survived the previous times, but if we don't survive this time, he wants me to lead you to escape."
"Dad is too pessimistic."
"But it was precisely this pessimism and caution of the Prime Minister that allowed this family to survive ten years of trials and tribulations."
Zhao Cheng understood Yang Taozhi's meaning: the ten years of trials and tribulations referred to the current emperor's reign.
During the reign of Emperor Jingwu, Zhao Huan began to distinguish himself, but due to his shallow foundation, he was not given much importance. Emperor Jingwu only appointed him as a teacher to the late emperor.
After the late emperor ascended the throne, Zhao Huan's talents were finally put to use. He fought in the south and north, making Yedan and Nanzhou breathless. Even the people of the Western Regions turned pale at the mention of his name. He also rose to the highest official position.
Unfortunately, the late emperor died young, and after Yuan Xiu succeeded to the throne, Zhao Huan began to be ostracized.
Zhao Cheng said, "Before Father went to war, I told him to avoid fighting if possible, and just to defend the country and prevent the Yedan people from gaining an advantage. Why couldn't he listen to me? Why is his will to survive so strong? And he even achieved a great victory! How could the Emperor not be worried?"
The emperor thought, "Old man, you're already fifty. Won't you get old? Besides, you've been idle in Yanchuan all this time. Aren't you going to become a useless person from being idle all the time?"
"Our mighty Great Jing Kingdom lost two commanders to the Yedan people, but you, sir, went and beat them to a pulp!"
"If I don't guard against you, who will I guard against?"
"You don't know the Prime Minister?" Yang Taozhi got up, picked up the kettle to pour water, and said as she walked, "He is a famous general who defends the city. He will never take the initiative to attack unless he has a 100% chance of winning. But this time... it's really not his fault."
"What? Are the Night Dan people going to run into the city walls themselves?"
Yang Taozhi paused for a moment, then turned to look at Zhao Cheng with surprise, and asked, "Did the Prime Minister show you the battle report?"
"No...no..."
"That's absolutely right!" Yang Taozhi said, "This great victory was delivered right to our doorstep by the Night Dan people!"
Yang Taozhi returned to the table, took a sip of water, and began to recount: "The fortifications built by the Prime Minister are virtually impenetrable. After suffering a loss once, the Yedan people remained in a stalemate for ten days without making a move. We all thought they were going to withdraw their troops. But suddenly one morning, they rushed over like madmen. They didn't come up with any new tricks; they just recklessly threw themselves at the enemy from dawn till dusk. As a result, they annihilated countless enemies at the city walls, and thus achieved a great victory."
"The Night Dan people keep wolves as mounts. Is it because someone was bitten by a wolf and contracted rabies?" Zhao Cheng guessed. "Or... is there some internal strife among them?"
"Ah Cheng is smart!" Yang Taozhi snapped her fingers deftly and said, "King Ye Dan is critically ill, and his brothers and sons are fighting fiercely. Those cannon fodder who come to die are all sacrifices in the power struggle."
"Let me guess..." Zhao Cheng's eyes darted around, and he quickly said, "After my father learned about their internal strife, he must have ordered the troops to return to the capital without even waiting a night?"
"Yes! The Prime Minister is afraid that if the Emperor finds out, he might act impulsively and order him to attack Yedan."
"Luckily, the old man is cunning enough!" Zhao Cheng breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed, "That was close! Ye Dan was almost destroyed. If that had happened... the old man's contribution would have been too great..."
Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "So, the reason Wang Yufeng's father was promoted by the Left Prime Minister at this time is probably to let him deal with the loose and scattered Ye Dan. It's too easy to make merit at this time."
That's how it should be.
"Wang Yufeng indeed had a bright future, but unfortunately, he was ruined by a woman."
Zhao Cheng sighed, "A person shouldn't be too lustful!"
Just then, a weak voice came from outside the door.
"Master, are you asleep?"
Upon hearing that it was Dong Hua, Zhao Cheng quickly asked, "You're not asleep? Is something the matter?"
"I...I can't sleep...I'm scared..."
After a pause, seeing that Zhao Cheng did not respond, Dong Hua outside the door said again, "Master, may I come in?"
"Let's go in," Zhao Cheng said casually.
When Dong Hua came in and saw Yang Taozhi there, she was taken aback for a moment, but Yang Taozhi immediately stood up and said, "We've finished talking, you should get some rest."
As she spoke, Yang Taozhi walked out, tilting her head slightly at the doorway, and said, "A person shouldn't be too lustful!"
*Smack!* The door slammed shut.
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Donghua asked, puzzled, "Commander Yang... what do you mean?"
"Haha, she said Wang Yufeng!"
Zhao Cheng pulled Dong Hua over, put his arm around her slender waist, and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you having trouble sleeping?"
“I’m just scared.” Dong Hua said earnestly, “Whenever I close my eyes, all I see in my mind is Wang Yufeng’s face before he died.”
"He's looking at me, staring at me!"
"He sometimes even smiles at me!!"
"That's terrifying!!!"
As she spoke, it seemed that she was thinking of that scene, and Donghua covered her face with her hands, her shoulders trembling.
Sigh, it's really tough on you, young lady.
Zhao Cheng understood that this was the first time Dong Hua had encountered something like this... After hiding a knife on her tongue for so many years, this was the first time it had come in handy. If it had been used on herself, it would have been fine; she would have died and known nothing. But it was used on someone else, and it even killed them.
That instinctive retaliatory action was actually a throat-slitting motion.
When it happens, you might be numb, but once you calm down, the more you think about it, the more frightened you become.
Zhao Cheng stood up, pulled Dong Hua into his arms, stroked her back, and said softly, "It will pass, everything will pass. You have to believe that time is invincible; it can dilute fear and make you stronger."
“I understand the reasoning…” Donghua leaned against Zhao Cheng’s chest and said timidly, “But I’m just scared. When I’m alone in the room, I don’t even dare to close my eyes!”
"As soon as I closed my eyes, Wang Yufeng appeared. He looked terrifying!"
Zhao Cheng supported Dong Hua's back, noticing that she was probably sore from nervousness, and suggested, "Why don't you go find Xia Qi and Qiu Shu? The three of you can sleep together, and you won't be so scared."
“I just went to their room and also to Sister Chunqin’s courtyard, but I didn’t feel safe there.”
Dong Hua looked up at Zhao Cheng, her eyelashes trembling, her watery eyes glistening with tears, and she said in a trembling voice, "Master, I only feel safe with you."
Zhao Cheng realized what was happening and asked, "What do you mean?"
"Let me sleep here tonight..."
"Master, please."
"Let me sleep..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
