Chapter 158: Return
Lu Qiuyan continued, "As the prince knows, I used to have some informants in Xunyang, and I know the prince's whereabouts very well. Since the death of Prince Yuzhang, the prince hasn't returned to Jiangzhou for almost half a month, but recently he has been returning frequently despite the trouble. Why? Because the princess is in Xunyang. Wherever the princess is, the prince will go. Similarly, as long as the princess is in Jingzhou, the prince will definitely attack."
Sima Jun didn't say anything.
Lu Qiuyan said, "I have told you all these things truthfully, without a single falsehood."
Sima Jun's eyes were deep. After a moment, he suddenly asked, "Does the Chief Secretary have any family?"
Lu Qiuyan was stunned for a moment and said, "I lost my parents when I was young and grew up living with my clansmen and neighbors. I have no family."
"In that case, it's understandable that the Chief Secretary is confused." Sima Jun said coldly, "The person who came to pick up the Chief Secretary is outside."
After saying that, he stood up and was about to leave.
Then Lu Qiuyan said, "Thank you, Your Highness, for not killing me. Allow me to ask again, Your Highness, is your decision to spare me? Is this the Princess's wish?"
Sima Jun paused.
He turned around to look at Lu Qiuyan.
Although Lu Qiuyan was asking questions, his expression was firm.
Sima Jun asked, "Why do you think this is the princess's intention?"
Lü Qiuyan smiled faintly and said, "Although the princess is a woman, she does have different insights than ordinary people. She sees my usefulness most clearly. Out of consideration for the prince, the princess must not want him to kill me."
Sima Jun smiled when he heard this, but it seemed a little strange.
"Don't forget what I said." He said lightly, then turned and left.
——
The situation in Jingzhou changed dramatically within a day.
Huan Yi fell seriously ill and fell into a coma, and chaos reigned. Later, Huan An led the vanguard battalion into Jingzhou and quickly stabilized the situation.
On this day, the eldest son Huan Ding came forward to summon civil and military officials and issued a notice to reassure the people.
Because Huan Yi was unable to take charge of affairs, his position as Duke of Nanjun was taken over by Huan Ding, and his post as Governor of Jingzhou was taken over by Huan An.
It's said that the most disgruntled individuals after this announcement weren't ordinary citizens or officials, but members of the Huan clan, particularly the Second, Third, and Fifth Princes. Huan An, with his 8,000 troops guarding Jingzhou, was a threat they didn't dare to provoke. Instead, they turned their attention to Huan Ding, accusing him of seizing power while Huan Yi was ill.
Everything became muddy as Sima Jun said.
Sun Wei knew that it was time for her to leave.
However, Sun Wei had not seen Sima Jun for two consecutive days.
He had neither come specially to greet him nor dropped by occasionally. Every time Sun Wei sent someone to inquire about him, he was told that he was busy.
When we see him, it's time to set off back to Xunyang.
And Sun Wei finally knew what Sima Jun had been busy with these past two days.
Also setting off with them were 20,000 troops from Jingzhou.
After a few visits, Sima Jun finally got what he wanted.
Large ships, loaded with soldiers, lined up in a long dragon on the river, their sails raised to block out the sun.
Sun Wei looked at this spectacular scene and said happily, "I've been thinking these past two days that since the Crown Prince has helped General Huan so much, General Huan must give the Crown Prince something."
Sima Jun hummed, and said, "Madam, follow me."
A warship was approaching the shore. As soon as the planks were lowered, a man who looked like a military general walked quickly down from it.
Sun Wei looked closely and recognized that it was Chu Yue.
"Greetings, Princess!" Chu Yue came forward with a smile and said politely, "How are you, Princess?"
"General Chu, I hope you are well." Sun smiled and replied, "Why are you here, General?"
Chu Yue was about to speak when Sima Jun said, "The Jingzhou general leading the troops is just ahead. I'll take you to greet him."
After he finished speaking, he turned to Deng Lian, who had just gotten off the boat, and said, "Take my wife aboard."
Chu Yue smiled and bowed to Sun Wei: "I will talk to the princess later." After that, he followed Sima Jun.
Sun Wei looked at the backs of the two men, stood there for a while, and followed Deng Lian onto the ship.
Not long after, the warship set off.
Sima Jun was always busy, either discussing matters in the boat house or inspecting everywhere, as if he never had any free time.
However, Chu Yue actually came and chatted with Sun Wei.
When he mentioned the Northern Army Rebellion last year, he still had many feelings.
"Fortunately, the princess told me about that matter," he said. "If the princess had told the prince, I'm afraid he would have just thought it was nonsense and forgotten. The princess knows that he hates seeking immortals and asking questions of gods the most."
Sun smiled and said, "How is General Xie?"
"Changxuan is very good. He is now being kept in Kuaiji by the Crown Prince to assist Ruan Hui. Although he holds no official position, I see that he is much more cheerful than before. Ruan Hui is also a learned man, and under his guidance, Changxuan has become more calm and composed."
Sun Wei nodded and asked, "How is Madam Xie?"
Chu Yue knew she was asking about Xie Fu and smiled shyly.
"Afu is now seven months pregnant and her belly is this big."
He gestured at his belly as he spoke, "I'm going to give birth in two months. But I'm so busy, I don't know if I can make it back by then."
Sun Wei recalled that when she was newly married in her previous life, Sima Jun was always away from her.
"Does the lady blame the general?" she asked.
"Strange! Why not?" Chu Yue smiled bitterly, "She went through so much hardship during her pregnancy, but I couldn't help at all. If I were her, I would definitely scold her even more harshly than she does."
As he spoke, his smile deepened: "I'll just listen and not say anything back. When her resentment subsides, she will only feel sorry for me."
Sun Wei couldn't help but smile.
To be honest, she was a little envious.
If this happened to her and Sima Jun back then... she didn't dare to think about it.
"You're just busy talking about me. How's the princess doing these days?" Chu Yue diligently poured tea for Sun Wei. "Princess, are you used to living in Xunyang Palace? The palace is so empty. I always feel lonely when I go there."
"I'm used to living here, so I don't notice it anymore." Sun Wei said.
"The princess is truly a heroic woman," Chu Yue said with sincere admiration. "I heard that the Duke of Nanjun attacked Wuchang a while ago, but it was actually thwarted by the princess."
"It was just luck. I didn't know the prince had other plans, otherwise he wouldn't have acted so hastily."
Chu Yue said with a grin, "The prince is wrong this time, but he's not having a good time either. He was mad with worry when he found out his wife was taken away by Lu Qiuyan."
Sun Wei looked at him: "How did the General know?"
"How could I not know?" Chu Yue asked, "I was originally in Yuzhou when I suddenly received an urgent letter from the Crown Prince, ordering me to lead my troops to Jingzhou without delay. I didn't dare delay, and while I was halfway there, I received another letter from the Crown Prince saying there was no need to rush. I stopped my ship in Jiangzhou, and only then did I hear from Deng Lian that the princess had been taken away by Lü Qiuyan. I've known the Crown Prince for so many years, but this is the first time I've seen him so panicked and disregarding the consequences."
Sun Wei didn't know these things.
"In that case, the general's trip has been in vain."
"That's too polite," Chu Yue said. "If that Luqiu guy really dares to do anything, I will join the Crown Prince in destroying Jingzhou!"
"Thank you, General." Sun smiled and said, "I do have something I want to ask you."
"Princess, please speak."
"What has the prince been busy with these past two days?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
