Chapter 453 The Young Master and His Young Mistress
"What?"
Mu Xian's expression was solemn, but he didn't show much surprise or anger. He remained silent for a moment before saying, "Why do you say that?"
Cheng Qiao said, "The General's residence caught fire. Such a big thing, and you only investigated a little bit and then stopped?"
"..."
"It's as if they don't want to investigate further."
"..."
"Furthermore, the General's illness has dragged on for so many days without any improvement. We can't find a cure; are we just going to let it drag on like this? Wouldn't that only lead to death?"
At this point, he seemed hesitant to continue.
Mu Xian's eyes flickered even more intensely.
He said in a deep voice, "You... suspect the young mistress?"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Qiao's expression changed, and he hurriedly waved his hands: "No, I didn't!"
"..."
"I just feel... a little strange."
"..."
"And then there's the Crown Prince. He came suddenly this time, saying the Ministry of War wanted to hold them accountable for the previous defeat, but after he arrived, he didn't say a single word to Ma Xu. Also, why do I feel like there's something going on between the Crown Prince and the Young Madam..."
He was very careful when he said this. He was talking about his master's affairs, and specifically matters between men and women. Before he could finish speaking, he noticed that Mu Xian's expression had changed drastically. He immediately shut his mouth, but then saw Mu Xian give him a complicated look, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated. Cheng Qiao became even more puzzled.
He asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
Mu Xian was silent for a while before saying, "You just came from Jiangdu, so you don't know. However, you will have to know sooner or later. Being by the general's side, you will also have to know this taboo."
"Taboos? What taboos?"
"Young mistress, the arranged marriage was originally for you to the heir."
"What!?"
Cheng Qiao stared at him in astonishment for a moment, then turned back to look at the courtyard that was now far away, only faintly visible in the night. She stammered, "The young mistress and the young master are—, then—"
He lowered his voice, saying incredulously, "Do you suspect the young mistress—"
Mu Xian frowned and gently shook his head.
He said, "Although I also feel that the young master seems to have a bit of a problem with the young mistress... I still understand the young mistress's character. She is definitely not the kind of person who is fickle."
"..."
"However, just as you said, her actions this time were indeed a bit unusual."
"..."
"The General's illness came on so strangely this time. The young mistress neither investigated the cause nor inquired about the outcome. She just stayed in Fufeng like this. This is not like her usual behavior."
"So what should we do?"
Mu Xian pondered for a moment, then said only, "No matter what, the general's safety is the most important thing. No matter what happens next, we must protect the general and also safeguard Fufeng. This is our duty on this expedition."
"I see."
Cheng Qiao nodded and followed him forward, but as they were leaving, she couldn't help but look back at the quiet and eerie courtyard.
Almost everyone left.
Shan Tong'er also led a newly dispatched team to patrol the courtyard. He was indeed on high alert, carrying a pair of copper hammers and looking menacing. He would stare at a fly for a long time.
Seeing him like this, Yuwen Qian let out a soft chuckle.
He still wore that piece of cotton gauze, covering most of his face except for his clear and bright eyes. His smile made him appear even gentler. Shang Ruyi turned her head to look at him, said nothing, and then lowered her head again.
Yuwen Qian said, "This child is quite interesting."
Shang Ruyi said, "Mm."
“I heard my father say that Feng Chen subdued it from Wanggang Village.”
"yes."
"I heard that he was originally a substitute in the palace for Zhao—who became a monk for His Majesty, and his name was Shan Congzhen."
"It's him."
"I never imagined that even the children in the palace would be used by Feng Chen."
"...If you have the will, you can use not only the children in the palace, but even the palace guards."
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Qian's eyes flickered. He looked down at Shang Ruyi, a faint smile playing on his lips: "For example?"
"..."
Shang Ruyi did not answer him.
After bowing his head and remaining silent for a while, he looked up at Yuwen Qian and said, "It's getting late, brother, are you going to rest?"
Yuwen Qian raised an eyebrow slightly, glanced at her, and then looked back into the room.
Then he said, "I should go and rest too."
"..."
"However, this time I came in a hurry, and then I ran into that incident right away. They haven't had time to prepare a room for me to rest. I'm afraid I'll have to stay here for a while longer."
Shang Ruyi said, "Brother, did you not inform the people here in advance before you came to Fufeng this time?"
Yuwen Qian said, "No."
"..."
Shang Ruyi's brow furrowed slightly again.
Seeing her flickering eyes, Yuwen Qian smiled faintly and said, "What, does it seem like you doubt me, sister-in-law?"
Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I wouldn't dare."
Yuwen Qian said calmly, "As I said, I am currently working in the Ministry of War. This time, the Ministry of War wants to hold Fufeng accountable for its previous defeat. In addition, I am worried about Fengchen's health, so I volunteered to come. In this situation, I naturally did not notify you in advance."
Shang Ruyi paused for a moment, then nodded: "In that case, then—"
Before she could finish speaking, a loud shout came from outside the courtyard wall: "Who goes there!?"
The sudden sound in the quiet night startled the two people under the eaves. They heard a commotion outside, as if someone had been caught.
The two exchanged a glance and hurriedly went outside.
Not far from the courtyard gate, Shan Tong'er was leading a group of guards surrounding a person, arguing loudly. The person shouted anxiously, "I'm here to find the Crown Prince!"
When Shan Tong'er heard this, he was stunned.
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Qian walked over and, after taking a look, said gently, "It was someone I found. Don't misunderstand."
Shang Ruyi stepped forward and saw a man dressed in shorts who looked unfamiliar.
Shan Tong'er pouted and said, "Young Master? Why did you call someone here in the middle of the night? You scared us for nothing."
Shang Ruyi immediately addressed him: "Good boy!"
Shan Tong'er pursed her lips and lowered her head.
Yuwen Qian didn't seem to mind being questioned. He simply smiled gently and said, "I just wrote a letter requesting the post station to come and pick it up immediately and send it out overnight. I didn't mean to cause any misunderstanding."
After saying that, he took out a sealed letter from his pocket and handed it to the man.
The man took the letter, bowed, and turned to leave.
They came and went in a hurry.
Shan Tong'er didn't say much, and just led the guards to continue patrolling. Shang Ruyi stood there, watching the man's figure disappear into the night.
Then he turned to Yuwen Qian and asked, "Brother, where should we send this letter?"
Yuwen Qian looked down at her, quite composed, and smiled, "Daxing."
"...?"
Shang Ruyi frowned slightly and said, "Brother, you just arrived and you're already sending a letter back? Is that letter addressed to the Ministry of War?"
"I haven't dealt with the matter that the Ministry of War wants me to be held accountable for, so naturally it's not for the Ministry of War."
"That is—"
"For my father."
Shang Ruyi's breath hitched, and she subconsciously opened her eyes wide to look at him. She saw that Yuwen Qian's expression had become more serious, and he lowered his head to say to her, "The previous battle report only mentioned that Feng Chen had fallen ill, and Father was already very worried; but I only learned about Feng Chen's real condition after I came here, so naturally I cannot hide this from him."
"..."
"As you should know, it takes about a day to travel from here to Daxing at a fast horse, which means—"
Shang Ruyi's breathing became slightly heavy as she continued, "In other words, Father's instructions will also reach Fufeng in two days."
"good,"
Yuwen Qian said, "At that time, it also happened to be the time when Feng Chen was ill—"
Although he didn't finish his sentence, Shang Ruyi already fully understood what he meant.
If Yuwen Ye's condition does not improve, he might die in three days—at that time, she would need to explain herself to the Duke of Sheng, since it was she who insisted on not letting Yuwen Ye leave Fufeng, where there were no good doctors or the right medicine; if Yuwen Ye's condition improves, the Duke of Sheng, who knows his true condition, will definitely let Yuwen Ye return to Daxing in three days.
It's even possible that the Duke of Sheng might not issue the order in his own capacity, but instead send a direct order from the imperial court, since he is already the Grand Chancellor.
By then, Yuwen Ye would have no choice but to leave.
This is a foolproof arrangement.
Shang Ruyi's breathing became heavier, and she whispered, "I understand."
"..."
"Brother's actions are indeed meticulous."
Yuwen Qian looked at her for a while, then said, "However, now that my letter has been sent out, I will no longer urge you to leave with Feng Chen."
"..."
"So you can go ahead and do whatever you want next."
"..."
"I will help you."
"...!"
Shang Ruyi glanced at him, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.
Whether it was sunny during the day or dark at night, the eyes in front of her were always semi-transparent, with a mysterious depth that was hard to fathom. Just like everything he said and did after revealing his true form and appearing in front of her, even if Shang Ruyi tried her best to convince herself that he was an enemy and not a friend, she could not be sure.
Who knows what his "help" might actually be?
After a long silence, Shang Ruyi said, "Then, thank you very much, brother."
Just then, Chief Secretary Zhu Zhe walked over, bowed to the two of them, and then said to Yuwen Qian, "Your Highness, your lodging has been arranged, it's right next door."
Yuwen Qian nodded, then turned to Shang Ruyi and said, "Then, I'll go and rest first. Please take care of Feng Chen's affairs, sister-in-law."
Shang Ruyi replied, "I wouldn't dare."
Yuwen Qian smiled slightly, turned around and left.
Shang Ruyi stood there, watching his figure gradually disappear into the deep night.
And in her eyes, a shadow deeper than the night appeared.
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