Chapter 45 Suspicion: Why can't Zhang Yin come back?
A cold voice came from inside the door: "You defected from the Chang'an military government, how can we trust you?"
Feng Huaihe remained surprisingly calm: "A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on. I see that the future does not lie with the Tang Dynasty. I want to change masters. How can that be considered defection?"
"..."
Zhu Qing thought about it and realized that someone like Feng Huaihe wouldn't come to Jinyang rashly without preparation.
But she still came, worried.
She could understand Feng Huaihe's composure and trust his abilities, but Zhu Qing did not believe in the unpredictability of life.
"Please inform him that I have urgent business with the Crown Prince." Zhang Yin's voice brought Zhu Qing back to his senses. The soldier who was speaking to him said, "His Highness has important guests to see. Sir, please wait a moment."
Zhang Yin wanted to say more, but the soldier said, "His Highness specifically instructed that, except for urgent reports on the war in Chang'an, no one else should be seen."
Zhang Yin shut his mouth.
He turned to look at Zhu Qing and saw that she was wearing a cloak with a hood, the white fur brim of which covered her small face, making her features appear even more delicate.
The lamplight from the stone niche in the Prince's residence illuminated her face, and Zhang Yin could clearly see the worry in her eyes.
He quickly reassured him, "Don't worry too much. The heir apparent values talent and is discerning; he won't make hasty judgments."
Zhu Qing didn't reply, but just glanced at him.
Her gaze was as indifferent as snowflakes falling from the sky. Although they were only an arm's length apart, Zhang Yin felt as if she were far away.
He was stunned for a moment.
It seems that her attitude changed ever since I last saw her in Chang'an.
Zhang Yin frowned, about to say something, when Zhu Qing suddenly looked up and shouted at the tightly closed gate: "Your Highness, I apologize for my intrusion! The Tang Dynasty is now in the hands of a eunuch. What future can we talk about? If we do not escape from Chang'an, will we be killed or captured by Huang Chao when he attacks?"
"The success or failure of a strategist lies in choosing a lord. If changing to a lord with a better future is considered betrayal, then how many successful strategists are there in this world?"
Her shout stunned Zhang Yin, who was completely bewildered. He couldn't believe that such a small and frail woman could have such a loud and powerful voice, which seemed to slow down the snowflakes falling in front of him.
Zhu Qing stared intently at the tightly closed door, determined to break it open with her own strength tonight.
After a moment of silence, amidst the soft sound of falling snow, the door creaked open before Zhu Qing's eyes.
Zhu Qing saw that there were four or five people surrounding Feng Huaihe, who were like judges, judging him.
Historically, Li Cunxu, who pacified the north and conquered the Central Plains to establish the Later Tang Dynasty in a short period of time, yet was ruined by an actor, sat on the highest general's seat, one hand on his forehead, seemingly extremely annoyed.
The moment the door opened, Li Cunxu looked down at Zhu Qing.
Warm light from inside the room spilled out from the wide-open door, shining on the thick snow and reflecting a cold, hazy light.
Zhu Qingli stood in that cold light, short and thin, yet her eyes were firm and her expression resolute. Her cloak was filled with the cold wind, billowing behind her.
“Your Highness the Heir Apparent,” she bowed to him.
Li Cunxu remained silent for a moment, then let her and Zhang Yin come in together. He then turned to Feng Huaihe and asked, "Is this the wife you mentioned earlier?"
Feng Huaihe watched Zhu Qing enter the room, and only after she stood beside him did he say, "Yes. My wife is an even more capable person. If Your Highness trusts her, my wife and I will serve Your Highness together."
Li Cunxu pondered for a moment, then asked Zhu Qing, "You just said that the future of the Tang Dynasty will no longer be controlled by eunuchs, so who will control it? You chose to pledge allegiance to me, could it be...?"
Zhu Qing knew what kind of answer he wanted to hear.
But Zhu Qing also knew that the person sitting in front of her was not the future of this chaotic world. She had no power to change history; she could only submit to it and find a slightly more stable place to settle down.
However, if she flatters Li Cunxu, her reputation will likely be damaged when the Later Tang Dynasty falls, making it difficult for her to survive the next power transition.
If I were to speak the truth, I fear I would incur the displeasure of the heir apparent.
Just as she was hesitating about what to say, Feng Huaihe, who was standing beside her, said: "War is constant and the world is unpredictable. We are not prophets but strategists. We can only make a rough judgment on who will win and who will lose based on the current situation. But who will end the war depends on the right timing, the right place, and the right people. No one can know."
"If the heir apparent wants to hear flattering answers, he should go to a fortune teller rather than a strategist."
Another person inside the room shouted angrily, "How dare you speak to His Highness like that?"
Feng Huaihe glanced at the man indifferently, without saying a word.
Li Cunxu waved his hand, dismissing the man, before saying, "I know that times create heroes, and such important future events are uncertain. But according to you, the Tang Dynasty is destined to fail?"
Whether it was a misperception or not, Zhu Qing had a feeling that Li Cunxu was setting a trap for him.
She remembered that Li Cunxu and his son were loyal to the Tang Dynasty in history, and later occupied the Central Plains and established the Later Tang Dynasty.
Now you're asking whether the Tang Dynasty is destined to lose?
Zhu Qing has backbone and courage, but she lacks the ability to use psychological tactics to subtly manipulate people.
Without the vigor he had shown earlier, he immediately wilted.
She looked at Feng Huaihe beside her. He remained calm and composed, and slowly said, "If the Tang Dynasty continues to be held in Tian Lingzi's hands, it will surely be defeated."
He lived for over a century, and his ability to use persuasive rhetoric and subtle tactics was second nature to him.
Seeing that he didn't give a definite answer, Li Cunxu became somewhat impatient, but he didn't want to kill this talented man so easily. Back when Emperor Yizong of Tang was still alive, the Tang Dynasty was on the verge of collapse many times, and it was this man who single-handedly turned the tide.
Although it couldn't revive the Tang Dynasty, it persisted for so many years.
This earned him a reputation, and later, somehow, he assisted Tian Lingzi, allowing a lowly stable boy to rise to such a high position.
Li Cunxu also hoped to be assisted by him, but he was worried about the man's deep scheming nature.
Li Cunxu pondered for a moment and said, "You have to show some sincerity."
Feng Huaihe laughed and said, "The heir apparent should also know that I have nothing. The only thing is that the Feng family has been wealthy merchants for many years and has some money."
Li Cunxu frowned; he was not short of money.
Feng Huaihe saw through his thoughts and continued, "The heir apparent is indeed not short of money now, but with war raging everywhere, the State of Jin cannot remain unaffected and will inevitably be drawn into the conflict in the future. At that time, will Your Highness need military pay, weapons, and better armor? All of these will cost money."
Upon hearing this, Li Cunxu was somewhat tempted, but it still wasn't enough to attract him.
As the eldest son of the Jin state, he was not short of money.
Feng Huaihe said, "What if I could find the renowned swordsmith of Jiangbei back then to forge weapons for Your Highness and then build an army even more valiant than the Shence Army?"
Upon hearing this, not only Li Cunxu, but also the eyes of those around them who seemed to be judging them lit up.
Those people were all Li Cunxu's current advisors and retainers. One of them couldn't help but ask, "Are you talking about that swordsmith from Lingnan?"
"Exactly."
Li Cunxu was surprised, but he didn't show it on his face, maintaining the demeanor of a minor king. "How can I trust you?"
"Your Highness has many ways to test me."
Feng Huaihe smiled confidently and said, "If I were to offer a solution, Your Highness would probably be even less trusting of me."
Li Cunxu choked.
It must be admitted that Feng Huaihe has some merit to have reached this position.
He was silent for a moment, then rose from his general's seat, walked over to Feng Huaihe, and handed him a token. "This is a curfew order. You and your husband go back first. I will give you a month. I want to see the weapons."
Feng Huaihe nodded and took Zhu Qing's hand. Zhu Qing was about to struggle when she remembered what Li Cunxu had said earlier. Clearly, even before she arrived, he had already been referring to her as his wife to outsiders.
If I act strangely at this moment, it might arouse suspicion.
Zhu Qing had no choice but to temporarily suppress her desire to struggle.
She followed Feng Huaihe out hand in hand. Zhang Yin stared at their backs as they walked hand in hand, feeling a lump in his throat. Could they really be husband and wife?
Zhang Yin didn't believe it. Zhu Qing's brothers all said that she was not married yet. Last time he met Zhu Feichuan, a merchant in Jinyang, he also learned that Zhu Qing and Feng Huaihe did not have a good relationship when they were young.
It's not a case of childhood sweethearts making a scene at all.
Zhang Yin had doubts in his heart and hurriedly followed, not even hearing Li Cunxu calling him.
When Zhu Qing and Feng Huaihe arrived at the gate of the Prince of Jin's mansion, they saw a carriage parked not far away. Bao Fu, wearing a straw hat to protect himself from the snow, was dozing off in the front room.
Zhu Qing withdrew his gaze and asked, "Li Cunxu still doesn't believe us, does he?"
"He will probably secretly have someone guard Xihuatang afterwards. You don't need to worry. As Li Keyong's outstanding eldest son, he has plenty of ways to verify his suspicions. His sending someone to guard Xihuatang is actually a form of protection."
Zhu Qing nodded, still feeling somewhat uneasy.
Snowflakes drifted onto her furrowed brow, and Feng Huaihe reached out to smooth them. "Why did you suddenly come here? You were very brave tonight, but you can't do that again next time. Today you were only being kind to the Prince because of his good temper. If it were Zhu Wen, who knows what the outcome would have been."
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard footsteps behind him. It was Zhang Yin who had come out, holding an umbrella, and handed it back to Zhu Qing: "Your umbrella."
Zhu Qing accepted it: "Thank you for tonight."
Zhang Yin glanced at Feng Huaihe beside her and, likewise, felt that unprecedented hostility again.
He frowned, increasingly confused as to why.
He looked at Zhu Qing, "Could we speak in private?"
Before Zhu Qing could speak, Feng Huaihe had already stood in front of her, shielding her and asking, "What do you want to say to her?"
Zhang Yin moved his lips, but Feng Huaihe spoke first: "We're getting married soon, so there are some things you should keep to yourself."
Zhang Yin remained silent, only looking at Zhu Qing.
Zhu Qing stepped out from behind Feng Huaihe and gestured for Zhang Yin to follow her.
Seeing this, Feng Huaihe opened the umbrella and handed it to Zhang Yin, gritting his teeth and saying, "Hold it up for her."
Zhang Yin took the umbrella, held it over Zhu Qing's head, and slowly walked with her to a corner next to the Prince's residence.
Zhang Yin glanced at Feng Huaihe in the distance under the night sky and hesitated before asking, "Did he force you?"
"What?" Zhu Qing looked up, her almond-shaped eyes bright.
"You and Feng Huaihe aren't really husband and wife, are you? Did he force you?" Zhang Yin frowned, his tone serious: "If you need anything, or if you have any difficulties, you can tell me, and I will help you."
Zhu Qing remained silent for a moment, then said, "No. Is there anything else?"
Zhang Yin's fingers, which were holding the umbrella, tightened their grip. He cleared his throat and asked, "Is it just my imagination? Ever since we met in Chang'an, you've treated me much worse than before. I can see the subtle tension between you and Feng Huaihe. If you're in trouble, I can help you. Why don't you say so?"
Why should I say it?
Zhu Qing retorted, looking at him coldly.
This person might have been suitable for her in her previous life, and she herself took the initiative to step forward and sacrifice herself, so she doesn't blame him for tacitly accepting her sacrifice.
But in this life, Zhu Qing will not choose such a person as her husband again.
His tacit acceptance of sacrifice is no different from tacitly allowing her to suffer. Even if you told him, he couldn't actually take her away.
Perhaps they took her away, but her fate was still death.
Zhu Qing said coldly, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
She didn't take the umbrella and walked straight into the snow. Zhang Yin called after her, but she didn't turn around.
Walking up to Feng Huaihe, she saw that the corners of his mouth were turned up high. He took off his cloak, spread it out to shield Zhu Qing's head from the wind and snow, and then got into the carriage.
Bao Fu, who had been dozing, woke up, straightened his straw hat, and rode away.
Zhang Yin watched their carriage disappear from sight, feeling his hand holding the umbrella stiffen, unsure whether it was from the cold or something else.
"Young master, shall we go back?" the servant in his carriage called out.
Zhang Yin nodded, folded his umbrella, mounted his horse, and sat in the carriage. He couldn't help but say, "I feel like I know her very well. From the first time I saw her in Qingxi Village, it was like we'd known each other forever."
At that time, Zhu Qing was quite enthusiastic towards him, chatting and laughing with him, and even asking him where he would go in the future, and was willing to let him help choose a lot of writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.
Zhang Yin murmured in confusion, "Why have you suddenly become so cold towards me?"
The servant turned his head and said, "Young master, are you overthinking this?"
"I hope so."
Zhang Yin, however, remained unconvinced that he was overthinking things. Zhu Qing became very cold towards him, and often said harsh things, as if she were sulking.
He didn't know how to deal with it, so he just kept babbling on and on. He knew Zhu Qing was annoying, but he could only try to ease the awkwardness by talking a lot and pretending to be busy.
Zhang Yin felt that although he was not sensitive, he still had basic cognitive abilities.
He was quite certain of Zhu Qing's change in attitude towards him, and also quite certain that Feng Huaihe harbored deep hostility towards him.
But Zhang Yin didn't know why.
-
Prince Si's Mansion.
After everyone left, one of Li Cunxu's advisors couldn't sit still and asked in bewilderment, "How dare Your Highness trust Feng Huaihe? Tian Lingzi's proclamation has already been sent from Xingyuan. We are loyal to the Tang Dynasty and should return the man to Tian Lingzi for the Tang court to deal with."
"Your Highness not only refuses to hand over personnel, but also intends to employ them. Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"
Li Cunxu said confidently, "Heroes are made by the times, and Feng Huaihe is right. Tian Lingzi, a eunuch, has controlled the Tang court for many years. How can the Tang Dynasty be saved?"
"If I get Feng Huaihe's help, drive out Huang Chao, and then force Tian Lingzi to hand over power, and restore the Tang Dynasty to its rightful place, there might still be a glimmer of hope."
The man said worriedly, "But I always feel that Feng Huaihe is cunning and treacherous. I can't see through his eyes at all. What if he's up to something..."
"His ancestors were just merchants. For many years, he has been a strategist without a single soldier. Now, in Jinyang, he is like a lone bird flying into a pack of wolves. How can he escape? Please rest assured, everyone, he cannot cause any trouble in Jinyang. I know this very well."
Li Cunxu thought for a moment and continued, "I see that his wife has a bright and resolute gaze, which surpasses many men. She must be a woman of great potential. With the assistance of her and her husband, I will surely rise to even greater heights!"
Upon hearing this, the staff recalled Zhu Qing's appearance and felt that it seemed to be true, so they did not dare to persuade him further.
-
Zhu Qing sat in Feng Huaihe's carriage, where a warm charcoal stove was burning. She took off her hood and cloak and shook off the snow.
Feng Huaihe suddenly took her hand.
Zhu Qing frowned and swatted the paw away, "Don't touch me."
"What did Zhang Yin say to you just now?" Feng Huaihe snatched her cloak, shook off the snow, folded it aside, forcefully grabbed her hand, pulled her to his side, and hugged her.
Zhu Qing was trapped in his arms, struggling uncomfortably. He laughed and said, "You don't think it's enough? Then let me hold you tighter?"
As she spoke, Zhu Qing felt his arms tighten around her waist, holding her so tightly she could hardly breathe. She dared not struggle anymore and let him hold her, only then did she feel his grip loosen considerably.
But he pressed on, "What did Zhang Yin say?"
Zhu Qing didn't hide anything and told the truth.
Upon hearing this, Feng Huaihe hugged her and chuckled softly.
Zhu Qing lay on his chest, looking up at him, only able to see his chin and Adam's apple. "What are you laughing at?"
His laughter resonated in her chest, blending together in her ears.
"Laugh at his overestimation of his abilities." Feng Huaihe's smile vanished, his expression turning cold. "So what if he found out? Does he think he has the ability to take you away from me?"
Zhu Qing gritted her teeth: "Don't be too smug. Even if I don't need him to guide me, I'll be able to walk on my own one day!"
“Fine, if you want to play the game of capturing Meng Huo seven times with me,” Feng Huaihe said, laughing out loud, “then run away.”
Zhu Qing: "..."
She suddenly realized that she was no match for Feng Huaihe; in terms of words, he truly lived up to his reputation as a literary figure!
Before I could figure out how to retort, he said, "You still haven't explained why you came today? You went to see Zhang Yin, how would you know where he lives?"
As if afraid Zhu Qing was lying, Feng Huaihe finished speaking, hugged Zhu Qing and spun her around, turning her to face him. "Look at me. Could it be that you met with him privately while I was away?"
Zhu Qing sighed speechlessly, "It was when he came from Yunzhong Mountain last time. He was chattering away in the carriage, telling me all this. I have a good memory, so I remembered it."
Feng Huaihe looked closely into her eyes, and after a few seconds, as if confirming that she wasn't lying, he changed the subject and said, "You came here today because you're afraid I'll die?"
His eyes shone with bright joy.
Zhu Qing spat at him, "I'm just afraid you won't be trusted. If Li Cunxu strikes, it will implicate me. After all, the travel documents are tied to yours. If you know I'm traveling with you, and you die, will you spare my life?"
Feng Huaihe pursed his lips, somewhat displeased.
He was often unhappy, but Zhu Qing didn't care. She felt uncomfortable sitting in his lap and struggled to get down, but he suddenly reached out and pressed down on her thigh, not allowing her to move.
“If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have come to Jinyang rashly.” Feng Huaihe put one arm around her waist and pressed down on her leg with the other. “Are you so afraid of death because of Zhang Yin’s trauma, or because you don’t trust my abilities?”
Zhu Qing said earnestly, "I just don't believe in the unpredictability of life. No matter how capable you are or how well you plan, there's always the possibility of something unexpected happening, and I don't want those accidents to happen. I'm afraid of dying."
Feng Huaihe remained silent for a long time.
He then said, "You should know that I think three steps ahead before taking any action, and I won't let anything unexpected happen. You don't need to worry that I'll drag you down with me, and don't go looking for others out of worry. You're very kind, and you might be taken advantage of."
Zhu Qing denied it: "No one can take advantage of my kindness."
"Then how could Zhang Yin have taken advantage of your kindness and schemed against us in our previous life?"
Zhu Qing felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't want to recall the past at all, and her tone turned cold: "Can you please stop bringing this up?"
What are you afraid of?
Feng Huaihe lowered his eyes and looked at Zhu Qing coldly, his voice flat and emotionless: "Are you afraid that if I mention him, you'll feel sorry for him, or something else?"
After saying that, Feng Huaihe suddenly parted Zhu Qing's legs, letting Zhu Qing sit on his lap, facing him.
Feng Huaihe wrapped his arms around Zhu Qing's back and pressed her down, their noses brushing together: "Speaking of this, I've always wanted to ask you, since you remembered what happened before, did you also remember your relationship with him as husband and wife?"
"You've fallen for him again? Can't you forget the bond you formed during those chaotic times?"
Zhu Qing looked down at him. It was the first time she had seen Feng Huaihe from this position. From this angle, she could clearly see his eyes, which were like the thin mist rising in the morning, cold and pale.
“Answer me,” he said, giving Zhu Qing a hard squeeze on the waist.
Zhu Qing hissed uncomfortably.
After spending so much time together, Zhu Qing could tell from Feng Huaihe's tone that he had started again.
Going a little crazy, seeking a sense of existence, confirming a humble expression of love.
Looking at him, Zhu Qing felt as if she were seeing herself arguing with her parents. She had also been scolded by her parents. Why did she like to go home and act crazy?
The difference is that she was fighting for family ties, while Feng Huaihe was fighting for romantic love.
Zhu Qing felt that she shouldn't empathize with a scumbag like Feng Huaihe who forced her to be his partner, but she couldn't help feeling sorry for another 'self' who was desperately seeking a sense of existence.
She knew how agonizing that constant struggle was.
Zhu Qing was silent for a moment before finally explaining, "In that life, Zhu Qing was never needed by you. It just so happened that Zhang Yin needed her for advice and was also warm towards her, which is why she developed some feelings for him."
“I don’t need that now. I don’t miss those feelings, and don’t be happy about that, I hate you more than he does. I don’t want you to bring this up again.”
Seeing that Zhu Qing was speaking seriously, Feng Huaihe fell silent.
He held Zhu Qing's slender waist, frozen for a long time.
He hadn't expected to receive an explanation from her. This matter had been buried in his heart for a long time, and today it was finally laid bare.
Feng Huaihe silently breathed a sigh of relief.
Once she stops thinking about Zhang Yin, it will be much easier for him to do many of the things he wants to do...
At this moment, Zhu Qing said, "But I don't want you to do anything to him either. He's only nineteen years old now, those grudges have nothing to do with him, and shouldn't be imposed on him now."
Feng Huaihe didn't say whether it was good or bad, but instead asked, "I just feel that Zhang Yin seems a bit abnormal. Have you noticed anything?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Qing pondered carefully.
"He's talking more now."
Feng Huaihe nodded.
In his previous life, Zhang Yin wasn't particularly talkative. But in this life, he's become a chatterbox, blurting out everything.
"I'm scared..."
Feng Huaihe thought, if he could come back, and Zhu Qing, who had crossed the long river of history, could come back, why couldn't Zhang Yin come back?
Zhu Qing immediately understood what he meant.
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Author's Note: I'll try to update at 10:30 PM every night from now on, hehe, 9 PM is a bit too early, [please!]
First draft every night at 10:30 PM [kissing emoji]
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