Chapter 33 Inventory
It was like sinking to the bottom of the dark, cold sea. My consciousness gradually surfaced. The first thing I felt was my head. A dull pain, as if being hit repeatedly by a heavy object, spread from my solar plexus to the back of my head. Every heartbeat brought a nauseating dizziness.
Wen Youqing frowned in pain, let out a low groan, and finally woke up.
"Are you awake?" A familiar and anxious voice sounded in my ears, with deep concern and relief.
Wen Youqing struggled to open her heavy eyelids. The light was a bit glaring, and it took her a while to adjust before she could clearly see the worry-filled face before her.
"Husband..." Her voice was hoarse and dry, like an old bellows.
Wen Youqing stared at him blankly, her memories shrouded in a thick, sticky fog. Her memories were lingering in a chaotic darkness, icy rain, piercing pain, and... endless cold...
How she came back she had no idea.
Shen Zijie's side was also dealt with, and several of Wang Rong's capable subordinates were also implicated. Some were demoted, and some had their salaries fined. Wang Rong was also embarrassed.
But there was no way around it. Shen Zijie had no right to interfere in military affairs. Cui Junji's move happened to coincide with a critical period of public instability and the Xiongnu invasion, and even the slightest problem would cause a huge stir.
What's even smarter is that Cui Junji didn't even take action himself. Those disciples he had when he was the chief priest, and his comrades who were impressed by his bravery when he entered the military camp alone... some joined the army, and some came from military families, so they naturally filled the vacancies.
The guards at Yanhui Pass are not just the Wang family army.
Looking at Shen Zijie's heavy face, Wen Youqing whispered: "What happened when I was unconscious?"
"It's nothing, just a fight between each other." Shen Zijie served the meat porridge, cooled it down, and fed it to Wen Youqing carefully.
"You don't seem to appreciate Cui Junji. You didn't even bet 50% on him." Wen Youqing said.
Shen Zijie paused for a moment, but continued, "You've discovered it. I think he's cunning and cunning, so I'm a little distrustful. If he's the key to our return, all he needs to do is reach the end of his previous life. His position as a high-ranking official doesn't conflict with our plan..."
"Then why do you trust Wang Rong so much? He has nothing to do with us, right?" Wen Youqing asked.
"At least he is really fighting against the Huns, not engaging in some evil cult, and he won't drag you into risks. I only want to deal with people who serve the country and the people. Whether you go back or not, be a useful person first." Shen Zijie said lightly.
"Oh my God, it's too great and glorious." Wen Youqing exaggeratedly covered her eyes to avoid looking directly at the "light" on Shen Zijie.
Shen Zijie was amused by her appearance and said, "Hurry up and drink. You've been lying down for two days."
A few days later, Wen Youqing was finally able to sit up, propped up against a soft pillow. Her face remained pale, but her spirits had finally recovered somewhat. The sunlight outside the window was bright, pouring in through the delicate lattices, bringing a warm glow. Si Shi was serving her a bowl of warming ginseng soup. The soup had a strong medicinal flavor, but it made her feel quite comfortable.
"Miss, Mr. Cui is here." Sishi reported softly.
Wen Youqing paused slightly with the hand holding the spoon, and rolled his eyes to the sky. How dare he come here?
"Please ask General Cui to come in." She put down the spoon and wanted to see what he was going to do.
The door curtain rustled softly, and Cui Junji walked in gracefully, holding a folding fan. He was dressed in a dark blue uniform, and his posture remained upright, but his face was pale from the blood loss, and the lines of his jaw were a little tense.
Cui Junji walked steadily and stopped a few steps away from the bed. His eyes fell on the intricate patterns on the carpet. His posture was respectful and distant, with a deliberate courtesy that was in line with his status.
"How is your recovery, Madam?" He saluted, his voice low and steady, without a trace of emotion. "Are you feeling better?"
"Thank you for your concern, Master Cui." Wen Youqing nodded slightly, her voice tinged with sickness, yet extremely sarcastic. "Master, please don't worry about me. If you do, I'll be on the verge of death." She raised her hand and gently pressed her forehead, her brows furrowed slightly. "Although it was you who saved me, Master, if you hadn't deliberately taken me with you, this drama wouldn't have happened."
Cui Junji remained in a bowing position, his lowered eyelids concealing the turbulent undercurrents deep within his eyes. He was silent for a moment, and when he spoke again, his voice remained steady, like the humble and courteous young man he always was: "Madam, I have already sent the best herbs to the kitchen. If you're still not satisfied, take your knife and stab me here."
As he spoke, he pointed to his heart, looking as if he was sincerely apologizing.
But Wen Youqing had seen enough of his seemingly humble, yet actually hypocritical, mask, and continued sarcastically, "You are so sorry for humiliating me. This is broad daylight, and in broad daylight, Master Cui must give me a serious crime punishable by beheading."
Cui Junji finally raised his head and glanced at Wen Youqing's face. She still looked sick, but her eyes had regained their clarity. It was good, she was still alive.
He was not shy and sat directly on a stool beside the round table, saying with a smile: "It is Madam who is righteous. Knowing that it is a crime, she is willing to go on a journey for the military and the people. Madam is right to blame me, and I deserve the punishment."
The room was filled with the faint aroma of medicine and sunlight. Wen Youqing leaned back against the soft pillow, her fingertips unconsciously stroking the smooth embroidery on the quilt, thinking to herself, "Go home, go home, okay? Why are you staying here?"
Finally unable to bear it any longer, she said aggressively, "Etiquette is completely unnecessary with me. I've seen your tactics and the tactics of the Cui family before. There's really no need for reciprocity. My husband and you are on good terms, that's your business. Don't bother to mention me for personal reasons. I find it disgusting."
The words were out, and there was no way to take them back. Wen Youqing looked directly at Cui Junji without fear, her eyes filled with disgust and fatigue.
Cui Junji stopped fanning himself. He stood up and looked at Wen Youqing coldly: "I thought we were close friends."
"Confidant? Don't think everyone is dark. I kill people to be a hero and show chivalry. I just happened to run into you. Why did you go there and what did you do? Who is your confidant?" Wen Youqing continued to speak, and every word was heartbreaking.
"That's right." Cui Junji laughed again, a smile as gentle as the breeze, which indeed made Wen Youqing's back feel cold. That last glance, that quick glance that seemed to carry a heavy burden, "I'm sorry to bother you, Madam."
She frowned, trying to grasp the fleeting feeling. There seemed to be something heavy and complicated in that look. Regret? Or some other emotion she couldn't understand?
Her head started aching again. She closed her eyes tiredly, suppressing the inexplicable doubt in her heart.
On the other side, Cui Junji returned home and threw everything in the house to the ground.
The guards stood quietly outside the door, not letting any sound reach the ears of outsiders.
—
Wen Youqing's headache gradually eased, and her pale cheeks finally regained some color thanks to the carefully prepared medicine and the warm atmosphere in the mansion.
The cliff fall coincided with a heavy rain that had not been seen in decades. Thanks to the heavy rain and Tian Xunsheng and his group, the potatoes planted by Wen Youqing had a very good harvest.
The wisdom of the people is endless. Without any instruction from the wise women, these clever women have come up with 108 ways to eat potatoes.
Then came the good news that Cui Junji had been transferred again. After gilding the border and placing their own people there, the Cui family didn't dare to let their precious child stay in this bitter cold place, so they immediately sent Cui Junji to Luoyang to take up his post.
Cui Junji doesn't have many friends here except Chen Zijie, and all of them are his subordinates.
He still had a farewell dinner with Shen Zijie. Both of them were in high spirits that day. They drank a lot of wine and talked a lot.
I don’t know how, but after talking about the ambition to serve the country and the people, we ended up talking about our own family affairs.
Chen Zijie patted Cui Junji on the shoulder and said from the bottom of his heart: "Your sister-in-law's attitude is your sister-in-law's. There's nothing we can do about it. Please bear with it."
Speaking of Wen Youqing, Cui Junji, who had just been impressed by Shen Zijie's admiration and even his integrity and ambition, sobered up a little. The man in front of him suddenly became hateful, and his words seemed to be showing off. After a long silence, Cui Junji said, "I have some regrets."
"What do you regret?" Shen Zijie had already fallen on the table due to drinking, but he still asked.
"I regret it!" He regretted using tricks to push her away and even nearly killed her. Even if she couldn't be his legal wife, he could take her in as a concubine and he would have a confidant.
But he couldn't express his thoughts in words. Cui Junji only said, "You don't understand. Look, my wife has only been here for a few days, and she already wants to leave. She can't even say she's suffering. There's nothing she needs in the mansion, but she just wants to leave."
Shen Zijie was drunk and fell into a deep sleep.
Cui Junji looked at Shen Zijie on the table, snorted coldly, and took a gulp of wine. He should leave and not indulge himself any longer.
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