Chapter 1124: Kang Jishou, it still has to be you (Part 1) [Requesting monthly votes]
“Shen Jun, she is Mrs. Wu.”
Wu Xian stared intently at Shen Tang with bloodshot eyes.
Even if Mi Kui didn't want her status as Wu Xian's concubine inscribed on her tombstone, her handwriting didn't need to be decided by Shen Youli, who was completely unrelated to her. He had only lost, not died. She was a concubine in life, but in death she could be his legal wife, buried with him in the same grave. He didn't care about Shen Tang's autocratic behavior elsewhere, but Wu Xian wasn't willing to back down on this matter.
He took a deep breath and softened his voice.
"Ultimately, this is a matter for the Wu family." Lady Mi had been with him since his youth, and the two had two sons and two daughters. Now that she was gone, her affairs after death should be handled by him, her husband, including where she was buried and what words were inscribed on her tombstone!
Seeing Wu Xian's vulnerability, Shen Tang asked a question that made him even more vulnerable: "It was indeed my oversight! If Brother Zhaode thinks it's too much trouble, then please use the way Brother Zhaode usually addresses her?"
Shen Tang didn't mean anything sarcastic when she said that.
In today's society, monogamy and polygamy are common. Mi Kui and Wu Xian had lived together for so many years, bearing children together. Legally speaking, Wu Xian was her family member, and he hadn't said he wouldn't handle Mi Kui's funeral arrangements. Under these circumstances, the wishes of the family should naturally take precedence. As a result, Wu Xian's face instantly turned as black as soy sauce.
It would have been better if he hadn't asked. But once he did, Wu Xian remembered that he had been calling Mi Kui "Mi Shi" all these years. He recalled that Mi Kui had said that before she became a dancer, her parents and sisters all called her by her childhood nickname. As for what her real name was, Wu Xian couldn't remember.
Or rather, he had never heard of it.
He was even unfamiliar with Mi Kui's given name. In his memory, "Mi Shi" was her given name.
Wu Xian suppressed the sweet, metallic taste rising in his throat and said reluctantly, "...South, south, that's good."
Indeed, nothing is more suitable for Mi Kui.
This woman, who had been gentle and attentive by his side for over twenty years, who always called him "my dear husband," thought of everyone before she died, but couldn't remember him, leaving him no words. This made Wu Xian wonder: how many moments of their harmonious marriage over the years were real? Which of her declarations of love were genuine? Or perhaps, she had never given him her true heart at all.
Shen Tang looked at Wu Xian, whose eyes were dazed, and her lips twitched slightly.
Alas, Wu Zhaode is still the same Wu Zhaode.
Always doing what he thinks is right at the wrong time—he's heartbroken for Mi Kui now, where was he all this time? If you truly care about someone, what's the point of just showering them with affection? Naturally, you should share everything you see as the best with them! Wealthy businessmen share their fortunes, politicians share their power; you should lift them up, not cage them. Some people mistake their attachment to a canary for love.
This isn't true love for Wu Xian.
However, the withdrawal symptoms came on too strong.
After a while, he should be able to calm down and recover.
Shen Tang rubbed her temples, which throbbed with pain.
Wu Xian is no longer the king of Gao Kingdom. No matter how badly the capital is burned, it has nothing to do with him. He can indulge in the grief of losing his beloved, but Shen Tang cannot.
She can't escape this mess.
"You continue, I'm busy."
Before he could even take a step, Wu Xian called out to him.
"Mr. Shen, I have another request."
"An unreasonable request? You tell me?"
A fleeting look of hesitation crossed Wu Xian's face. He knew his request was problematic; if Shen Tang were even slightly more suspicious, his life would be in danger. But he still had to ask: "Where is that Imperial Guard that escaped now?"
Shen Tang turned to look at Wei Shou and Gongxi Chou.
Wei Shou: "They all laid down their armor and weapons, awaiting their fate."
Shen Tang shifted his gaze back to Wu Xian's face, guessing Wu Xian's intention: "Why is Brother Zhaode asking them? Are you worried that I can't tolerate these people? Actually, I'm not that cruel."
Not every prisoner could be exempted from her special treatment of killing and surrendering.
If the Imperial Guard isn't too problematic, she could consider recruiting them, but their original structure would have to be completely dismantled, and they would be distributed among various military commanders of Kang, just in case. If the problems are serious, then they would have no choice but to be sent to do hard labor.
National infrastructure development cannot do without young and middle-aged laborers.
These able-bodied men were still prisoners of war. They were only provided with food, not wages. They would be exploited for three to five years. If they behaved well, they could be released and allowed to return to their natural habitats, find a legitimate way to make a living, and live ordinary lives. Shen Tang considered himself to be lenient and merciful enough.
What if we encounter other warlords?
A person who cannot be used by oneself cannot be used by others.
Kill them all, and you'll save yourself the trouble of eating; there's no way they'll survive!
"Mr. Wu wanted to meet him and ask him directly."
Shen Tang stared intently at Wu Xian's face for several breaths before nodding in response: "It's a small matter, I agree to it."
Allowing Wu Xian, the former king of Gao, to have face-to-face contact with the former commander of the Gao Imperial Guard was clearly something only a fool would do. If the two conspired, even if the chances of a successful rebellion were zero, they could still annoy Shen Tang for decades. Wei Shou and the others naturally disagreed, but since their lord had already agreed, they, as her subjects, couldn't refuse her or displease her.
Wu Xian indeed did not have the plans they imagined.
The reason for summoning this Imperial Guard leader was merely to inquire about the details.
Now that things had come to this, the leader of the Imperial Guard no longer concealed the truth.
On that day, Mi Kui took the token that Wu Xian had given her before his expedition and asked the leader of the Imperial Guard to lead troops to escort her and her son out of the city.
This action undoubtedly suggests a fear of death.
The Imperial Guard leader was displeased, but he could only agree verbally, because seeing Mi Kui's token was like seeing Wu Xian. As a military officer who had risen through the ranks, he was originally a street thug, a ruthless and violent rogue. After accidentally killing the son of a powerful figure, he fled in panic, fearing retaliation, and was unexpectedly rescued by Wu Xian.
Upon returning home, he learned that his elder brother's family, who had raised him, had suffered retaliation from powerful figures and perished in a fire. He gritted his teeth, determined to avenge this tragedy, and thus devoted himself to following Wu Xian. Wu Xian was his benefactor, and to demonstrate his loyalty, he swore an oath of martial prowess after Wu Xian obtained the imperial seal. After the establishment of the Gao Kingdom, internal strife intensified, and he diligently helped Wu Xian select good citizens to form this special imperial guard. These soldiers were unique in that they had no ties to any families within the Gao Kingdom; they were solely dependent on Wu Xian.
The leader obeyed the king's orders and worked for Mi Kui.
As for Mi Kui's intention to kill, he did not ask why.
The departure that day was too hasty, and many soldiers' families were left in the city, but the leader wasn't worried about any problems. When he was with Wu Zhaode, he had heard the latter talk about Shen Youli's deeds more than once, so he wasn't afraid that the latter would go crazy and massacre the city.
However, no one expected that the capital would be burned down.
The leader was extremely anxious, but he couldn't go back now. Not only would it be too late, but even if he did, he would most likely run into Shen Tang's troops, which would be suicide. He could only choose to suppress the Wu soldiers to prevent chaos, until the aristocratic families came to persuade them to rebel.
At that time, the leader really agreed.
The representative of the aristocratic family informed them that the fire was arranged by Mi Kui and her son.
The leader's expression changed drastically: [What evidence do you have?]
[General, do we really need witnesses and physical evidence for this? In such a short time, how many people and belongings did each family take? Didn't they leave everything else in the capital? How many blood relatives are among them? On the other hand, Lady Mi and her son are orphans and widows, with no ties whatsoever! What loss would they suffer by using this fire to stop the rebels? Since there is no loss, why can't Lady Mi and her son do it?]
The leader was speechless when asked the question.
Indeed, the fire did not cause any damage to Lady Mi and her son.
On the other hand, all of these refugees suffered heavy losses.
The leader suppressed her raging anger; even with Wu Xian's token in her hand, she couldn't control her urge to kill. After the aristocratic family representatives who had come to persuade her to defect left, Mi Kui took advantage of her son's sleep to come and talk to the leader late at night.
He barely suppressed his murderous intent and asked their purpose.
Under the moonlight, Mi Kui's gentle features took on a cold glint. She cut to the chase: "If I'm not mistaken, someone must have approached the General, hoping you would personally kill my son and me?"
Are you spying on me?
"Surveillance? General, you overestimate a mere woman like me. If I had that ability, I wouldn't be living in such a precarious situation."
[Is the mistress implying that the arsonist was someone else?]
Mi Kui shook her head: "I have no evidence to prove my innocence, only this head on my neck! I will prove it with my death! The fire in the capital will surely cause heavy casualties. General, have you considered your future? I dare to suggest one: my child and I can exchange our heads for your bright future. You didn't kill us, so you won't bear the infamy of regicide. On the contrary, you will still be seen as a loyal servant who remained devoted to his former master even in dire straits! Is that acceptable?"
The leader asked, "What does the mistress want?"
Mi Kui sneered: "As long as it was agreed upon beforehand."
She only wanted those people's lives.
Those who scheme against others will ultimately be schemed against themselves.
The leader hesitated upon hearing this: "Perhaps—"
Mi Kui: [General, what is there to hesitate about? The arsonist is either my child and I or them, and there is no evidence on either side! Better to kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free! If we only kill one side, there is a 50% chance that the murderer will go unpunished. How will you face your wife and children in the afterlife? How will you face the soldiers who have followed you through thick and thin? It's better to kill them all; at least one of them will avenge the blood feud between you and your soldiers!]
For the first time, the leader felt a subtle, oppressive aura emanating from an ordinary woman, and he had to admit that Mi Kui's words made a lot of sense. Aristocratic families were adept at using silver tongues, and Mi Kui was trying to drag people down with her. He couldn't trust either of these groups!
only--
Does the mistress's statement indicate she has already decided to die?
Mi Kui said, "I had no way to survive."
Those five words left him speechless, so he said, "The mistress's words are reasonable. This humble general is willing to eliminate all the villains for you!"
She succeeded in changing his mind.
The leader explained the aristocratic family representative's plan to Mi Kui.
Mi Kui sneered: "Why don't we turn the tables on them?"
What a satisfying scene it would be if, having thought victory was assured, the executioner's blade wasn't pointed at her as they had expected, but instead beheaded their own people! Just imagining it would release most of the anger that had been building up in their hearts for over twenty years!
The commander of the Imperial Guard responded.
And so the battle that night began.
Mi Kui also kept her promise.
After explaining all this, the leader of the Imperial Guard knelt down before Wu Xian to beg for forgiveness, while Wu Xian was still in a daze: "She said she 'had no way out'? What cruel words! Shen Youli herself promised not to harm them, mother and child. As long as she didn't, didn't do anything unnecessary, they would all be safe and sound... How could this not be a way out!"
Does she think all the favoritism I've shown her over the years is worthless?
Imperial Guard leader: "..."
He always felt that Wu Xian's focus was somewhat off.
However, seeing Wu Xian weeping and sobbing, the commander of the Imperial Guards couldn't help but feel his pain. After all, they were all widowers who had lost their wives and children, and their eyes also reddened with grief. Wu Xian cried for a while before wiping away his tears with the back of his hand.
He asked, unwilling to give up, "Did she mention me?"
The leader of the Imperial Guard thought for a long time but couldn't utter a single word.
Wu Xian felt like he was about to shatter.
The leader of the Imperial Guard forced himself to comfort him.
"Lord Zhaode, please accept my condolences." Calling him "Lord" or "Your Majesty" was inappropriate, and he was afraid that Shen Youli would suspect Wu Xian if he wanted to. So he could only choose something that wouldn't go wrong. He said in a formulaic way, "...If the mistress and the young master are watching from heaven, they would not want you to be so sad."
Wu Xian was even more heartbroken upon hearing this.
Due to restrictions on his personal freedom, Wu Xian could not move around much, let alone retrieve Mi Kui's body. He could only find stone to carve a piece for her by hand, using the words given to him by Shen Tang. However, he struggled with the line about Mi Kui's husband's house and the signature.
"Never mind."
Let her child sign it.
Speaking of his children, Wu Xiancai remembered that he still had one son and two daughters who were living away from home. He hurriedly put down his chisel and went to find Shen Tang.
Wu Xian realized he had arrived at the wrong time.
Military doctors were bustling in and out of Shen Tang's makeshift tent, their expressions hurried and their eyes filled with obvious worry. Wu Xian knew immediately that things were bad; going there now would be like walking into a trap!
Wu Xian wisely left and continued carving the tombstone.
They dared not inquire what had happened inside the tent.
Hehehe, of course it's not a good thing.
Shen Tang couldn't help but cover his head.
She was wrong, she was really wrong, and terribly wrong.
What gave her the confidence to believe that Kang Jishou had "reformed"? During the fire in the capital, Kang Jishou displayed his literary prowess. He was a gambler who always won, but luck is conserved, and Shen Tang ended up paying the price for all the bad luck! Ironically, after the fire was extinguished, Shen Tang's life went back to normal. She didn't nearly choke on water, didn't have a flock of birds pooping on her when she went out, and didn't sprain her ankle while walking on flat ground—the crutches she had prepared beforehand were completely unnecessary.
"When have you perfected the way of the scholar?"
This is the only explanation for why the plague god is no longer causing plague.
Kang Shi's facial features were almost distorted.
My lord, you're really bringing up a sore subject!
Given his character, if he were to perfectly fulfill the duties of a scholar, it would be his incompetence if the neighbor's dog didn't even know about this good news.
"Your subject has not yet achieved perfection."
"That's strange, how come I'm fine?"
Kang Shi almost fainted from her question—the master is really hard to please! She complains about being too unlucky, and she's also the one who says why she's not having any bad luck! Isn't it a good thing to not have bad luck?
Shen Tang said, "What do you know?"
She muttered, feeling wronged, "I'm just afraid it's a harbinger of an impending storm! Don't you know what 'the wind howls before the rain' means? The longer the warning sign, the stronger the storm. I'm getting a little creeped out..."
|ω`)
Thank goodness I wasn't put in the dark room today.
PS: The first keyboard draw on WB should be on the 5th, I don't know if the system will draw it automatically or how.
(End of this chapter)
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