Chapter 42 Change of Fortune
After wringing out the last long dress, I shook the water off my hands, feeling so tired that I couldn't even straighten my back.
Night had long since fallen. I looked up at the starry sky, feeling somewhat lost. He Yan was also kept in the palace, and A Man continued to accompany the emperor to court every day to discuss important military and national affairs.
However, I couldn't help but feel worried; in which direction would things ultimately develop...?
Although night had fallen, Consort Dong's palace in the distance was as bright as day, with lights intertwined and flowers in full bloom. That lively place proclaimed that Consort Dong had once again been favored tonight.
Wherever that young emperor went, it was always as bright as day, so noisy and exaggeratedly lively.
Deep down, he was just a kid who was afraid of the dark and afraid of being alone...
"Search!" someone ordered, and everyone responded in unison.
Was that Guan Yu's voice?
The sound of orderly footsteps drew closer. What was happening?
I turned around and bumped into a strong embrace. I looked up and saw it was Aman.
"What happened?"
Ah Man seemed different. He just stared at me without saying a word. His black hair was a little disheveled and his clothes were torn in half.
"Are they after you?" I asked anxiously, glancing back at him.
"Mmm," he responded softly.
The footsteps grew closer and closer. Without hesitation, I grabbed Ah Man's hand and pulled him into the house, closing the door behind me.
"Open the door! Open the door!"
Before they could hide Aman properly, there was a loud knocking on the door.
Aman clenched his fist slightly and stiffened his body.
I started to panic. There were pursuers in front of me and no way out behind me. What should I do in this situation?
Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck me, and I remembered those clichéd scenes that are often shown in TV dramas.
Looking around, I spotted a large wooden tub for washing clothes in the corner, about half a person's height.
People outside had already started banging on the door.
"Quick! Go in!" I hurriedly pushed Aman inside. "Squat down and don't make a sound," I said, while quickly taking off my shirt.
"Bang!" The door finally gave way and was smashed open.
Guan Yu was the first to rush in.
Then... everyone was dumbfounded.
I crossed my arms in a panic, stared at them with wide, innocent eyes for a full three seconds, and then let out a high-pitched scream: "Ah..."
Guan Yu paused for a moment, then regained his composure and said, "Get out, all of you."
The soldiers filed out in a hurry.
"What...what are you looking at..." I stammered. This wasn't an act; under his icy gaze, I felt like I was freezing.
Without saying a word, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.
I breathed a sigh of relief and was about to help Aman to his feet when I suddenly paused. I realized I was completely naked, so I quickly grabbed my clothes to put them on.
Suddenly, the door opened again.
Caught off guard, I turned my head in astonishment to look at the doorway.
Guan Yu was also completely taken aback, looking as if he had been struck by lightning.
This time, they really saw everything...
Then... a splash of red spread across his fair face... uh, a red-faced Guan Gong?
A face as red as a jujube... so that's where the origin of the name comes from.
"I'm sorry." He apologized calmly, closed the door calmly, and left calmly.
While I was in a daze, someone draped a coat over me and wrapped me in their arms.
I turned around in a daze and looked into Aman's narrow eyes; something seemed different about him.
"Why did they arrest you?" I asked after a long pause.
He shook his head.
My doubts were growing, but I had no way of asking. Something felt off. No matter how oblivious I was, I could tell that Aman was different. But I didn't have time to think about it. I was already sleepy. I had been tormented by that damned Duan Zi all day, and I was exhausted.
"You're tired, take a rest," Aman whispered in his ear.
His voice was like a lullaby. I was so tired and weary that I snuggled up to him and fell into a deep sleep.
"Go to sleep, or the weather will change when you wake up." In my hazy state, I seemed to hear him whispering.
When he woke up the next day, Cao Cao was gone.
I stretched, opened the door and went outside, moving the wooden basin containing clothes that was placed by the door.
I shook out the clothes I had washed last night and stood in the sunlight to hang up Consort Dong's dresses.
"No need to sunbathe anymore," a voice said softly.
I looked up and saw He Yan. He stood in front of me with his hands behind his back, looking old and decrepit, but his fair and delicate face glowed softly in the sunlight.
"Hi, little beauty." I greeted her with a smile. "Thank you for your concern. This is no problem for me. Back in the orphanage..." I stopped myself in time, making sure I didn't let it slip.
Fortunately, He Yan didn't press me further, only glancing at me sideways, "These clothes are no longer needed."
"Huh?" I was puzzled, then understood. "Hehe, although Consort Dong is pregnant, she can still wear these clothes after the baby is born."
"She's dead." He Yan said these three simple words.
I froze for a moment, not even noticing the clothes I was holding fall to the ground. I bent down, picked up the dress, and casually brushed off the dust. My smile was forced, and my hands seemed to be trembling involuntarily. "Don't joke around. You were fine last night."
“Dong Cheng attempted to murder Father, but he was executed early this morning. Liu Bei and the others left Xuchang overnight. Consort Dong, Dong Cheng’s younger sister, has also been executed,” He Yan said, looking at me.
The Records of the Three Kingdoms states: In the first month of spring of the fifth year, Dong Cheng and others' plot was exposed, and they were all executed...
They were all executed...
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