Chapter 42 Siblings, please write to me often when we part! Write so many good letters…
The campaign against Liu Bei was easier than expected, probably because Liu Bei had not yet established himself. Cao Cao pursued him in time, not only reclaiming Xuzhou but also bringing Guan Yu back.
Although Tushan made three vows, Cao Cao was already satisfied as long as Tushan was willing to follow him back.
This letter was different from the one given to Deng Jie; it was written on plain silk and was very, very long.
But Guo Jia had barely finished reading the beginning when his gaze fell on the last sentence:
Ce intends to attack Xu, but brother, do not worry, for your brother will surely punish him, and not rest until he is dead.
Guo Jia trembled as he held the white silk.
He closed his eyes in anguish; he was about to betray his wife again.
He had a vague feeling that this day would come, ever since Deng Zhao saw them off five years ago.
It was early morning of the second day of their marriage. Deng Jie was still packing his belongings in the room when Deng Zhao called him out and took him to a secluded corner to discuss things.
"Fengxiao, on your way to Xu County to seek refuge with Cao Cao, information from Jiangdong is indispensable, isn't it?"
Guo Jia's heart skipped a beat, sensing something was wrong: "Brother Yuanming, what do you mean?"
Deng Zhao took out a scroll of silk from his bosom, which unfolded to reveal the Yu family genealogy.
“Sun Ce had a strategist named Yu Fan, who was a relative of my father-in-law.”
Years ago, my father-in-law had a falling out with the clan due to business dealings, so he took Jingyuan with him and left, without including my wife's name in the genealogy… I intend to use this genealogy, under the pseudonym 'Yu Yuan,' to return to the Yu clan and lie low in Jiangdong.”
"But, back then, Lord Yu was not accepted into the clan because he went into business. What makes you so confident about this trip, Brother Yuanming?"
“Sun Ce is currently short of money and manpower, and a new person has taken charge of the clan. Yu Fan has a deep friendship with Sun Ce, and I have a way to persuade him to open up trade routes for them. At that time, Zhao can act as Fengxiao’s eyes and ears in Jiangdong.”
Guo Jia lowered his eyes and grasped Deng Zhao's hand, "Brother Yuanming's actions... are probably not just for this reason..."
Several months ago, Deng Zhao attempted to assassinate Sun Ce but failed. Given his personality, he probably wouldn't give up.
"You've made me say that... how can I feel at ease?"
Deng Zhao hesitated for a moment, then took Guo Jia's hand: "My sister and I... must part ways eventually. Now that she has married you, she should be taken care of by you."
“Cao’s army is currently in a period of development, and the Sun family is also gaining momentum. With the abilities of Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, they will probably face Cao’s army head-on within a few years. Why don’t you lead the caravan back north then, Brother Yuanming, so that the brothers and sisters can reunite…” Guo Jia tried to persuade him to take a roundabout approach.
"I'd be a disgrace if I didn't avenge this!" Deng Zhao clenched his fists tightly, unable to suppress the anger and hatred in his eyes, his voice rising with emotion, "Mother, Jingyuan, Ming'er... it was my incompetence that prevented me from protecting them! How can I not avenge this blood feud?!"
Guo Jia's heart tightened, and he timidly grasped Deng Zhao's fist, saying, "From what I've heard, that fire... was caused by my sister-in-law herself..."
"If Sun Ce hadn't pushed us too far, why would Jingyuan have set himself on fire and been shattered like jade?! It was Sun Ce who besieged Lujiang first, forced the Prefect to his death, and destroyed our home!"
When Lu Kang's death and the events in Lujiang were mentioned, Guo Jia was momentarily speechless. Then he suddenly remembered something that remained unclear, and he tried to ask: "When Sun Jun entered the city, he only issued a warrant for the arrest of Brother Yuanming, without mentioning Yi. Does Brother Yuanming know the reason for this?"
Although they have now escaped and have no more worries, Guo Jia still has a lingering question in his mind about the fragments of what appeared to be Deng Jie's clothing he saw among the wreckage that day.
Deng Zhao nodded sullenly, his tone also becoming somber: "Ayu... knows the cause and effect and has already told me."
Ayu... he was referring to the maid from the Lu family who saved him.
These past few days, Guo Jia had also developed this close relationship with that Lu woman. He thought to himself.
"Do you still remember Aqiao? She's the girl from Liu's Embroidery Shop who injured her finger."
Guo Jia nodded. Of course he remembered. Two years ago, he had been poisoned and contracted the Golden Poison disease while trying to save her.
“After you left, Aqiao was unable to weave because of the burns on her fingers, so she came to the house to ask for work. Jingyuan kept her to do some light chores. But on the day of the fire…” Deng Zhao’s narration was punctuated by a sigh, “Jingyuan probably heard Sun Jun shouting ‘Not one can be missed’… so she… she begged Aqiao to wear Ajie’s clothes… hoping that when the body was identified later, Ajie’s life could be saved.”
“Ayu and Aqiao are friends. She was outside the fire that day and wanted to help Aqiao escape... but when she arrived, she was already blocked by the fire.”
Guo Jia instantly understood why the Lu family had been distant and cold towards Deng Jie along the way.
Deng Zhao grabbed Guo Jia's wrist, "When we set off, you should take Ayu with you. She can be your maid or concubine, whatever you want. Give her a way out!"
Guo Jia grasped his hand in return and said solemnly, "Brother Yuanming, since you know that Miss Lu has a rift with Shuoyi, how can you arrange things this way? Besides, I have been with Shuoyi for two years and have long been used to the two of us being together. I don't want anyone else to distract me."
Seeing the pain in Deng Zhao's eyes, he spoke even more earnestly: "But you, Brother Yuanming... that Miss Lu clearly has feelings for you. She said last night that she also advised you to take her as your wife. Wouldn't it be better if you took her with you and supported each other?"
Deng Zhao smiled bitterly, withdrew his hands, and slowly shook his head: "I know you mean well... but I only want to avenge my family. I am prepared to die on this trip. How can I drag innocent people down with me?"
“But merchants travel alone, and if Yu Fan is a wise man, he will not easily trust him. If Brother Yuanming truly wants to ambush him, Miss Lu… you must take her with you.” Guo Jia tried to use this as a way to give Deng Zhao a chance to survive.
Deng Zhao, who was never as thoughtful as Guo Jia, realized that what Guo Jia said might have some merit. He stopped arguing, took out a copper talisman from his sleeve and stuffed it into Guo Jia's hand: "You know the caravan's contact points. Send it to these places... and we will be able to contact them again."
Guo Jia tightened his grip on the bronze talisman and bowed deeply to Deng Zhao: "Brother Yuanming..."
"Fengxiao!" Deng Jie came out looking for him, carrying a bundle.
Seeing the tense atmosphere between the two, she slowed her pace, her gaze shifting between them. "The carriage has arrived..."
Guo Jia put away his worry and put on a gentle smile as he stepped forward: "Alright, let's go then."
He naturally took the bundle from Deng Jie's hands and gently supported her arm with his other hand.
Deng Jie glanced at Guo Jia, then quickly walked to Deng Zhao, his eyes brimming with tears.
She gripped Deng Zhao's arm tightly, looking up at her elder brother, who was nine years her senior and whom she considered like a father: "Brother...!"
Deng Zhao remained silent in the face of her sobbing, simply watching her quietly.
When Deng Zhao went out to make his way in the world at the age of twenty, Deng Jie was still a little girl. After he brought his new wife home to bring his mother and sister to move to Lujiang, Deng Jie decided to study medicine because of Yu Qiu's heart palpitations.
Deng Zhao would travel for three or four months at a time. Knowing that she liked spices and medicinal herbs, he would always make a special effort to bring her some local specialties from different places for her to study and enjoy.
Deng Jie also saw that Deng Zhao and his wife had a close relationship and did not want to be arranged to marry. He waited until he was almost twenty years old before he gradually developed feelings for Guo Jia, whom Deng Zhao brought home.
Now that he is gone, and his family is all gone, only he and his sister remain as blood relatives.
"Promise me you'll come to Xuxian to find me!"
Seeing the reluctance in his sister's eyes, Deng Zhao felt a lump in his throat. His face twitched slightly, but in the end, he simply nodded slowly.
"And, and!" Deng Jie added urgently, tears finally rolling down her cheeks, "You must write to me often! Just like before, write so many! I, like my sister-in-law, have been waiting for you...!"
Deng Zhao felt as if a knife was scraping his heart. He stared blankly at Deng Jie's face, nodded slowly again, but dared not speak easily.
Seeing the complex and unspeakable sorrow in her brother's eyes, Deng Jie felt a strong unease welling up inside her. She took a step forward, opened her arms, and hugged Deng Zhao tightly, burying her face in his chest and sobbing, "Brother, brother... please... please don't think about revenge anymore, you must take good care of yourself... your sister-in-law certainly wouldn't want you to go... I will wait for you to come back in Xu County... you must take good care of yourself... take good care of Miss Lu..."
Deng Zhao's body stiffened for a moment the instant she lunged at him, then a surge of overwhelming sorrow welled up in his chest. He didn't speak, but simply tightened his arms around Deng Jie.
This hug carried too much unspeakable reluctance and farewell.
The carriage slowly came to a stop, and the driver urged them on.
Guo Jia stepped forward and gently put his hand on Deng Jie's shoulder. "Say yes... it's time to go."
Deng Jie reluctantly withdrew from Deng Zhao's embrace, her eyes brimming with tears, and was led towards the carriage by Guo Jia, who was half-supporting and half-embracing her.
Deng Zhao raised his hand in a salute to the backs of the two men, and Guo Jia stopped and solemnly turned around to return the salute.
"Brother Yuanming...take care..." Guo Jia dared not say more; all his words could be summed up in these two words as a farewell.
Deng Zhao simply nodded slightly and said in a low voice, "A-Jie... is in your hands now."
"Giddy up!" The driver cracked his whip, the horse neighed, and the wheels began to turn.
As the carriage disappeared into the woods, Deng Zhao could no longer suppress his grief. His straight back seemed to have lost all strength, and he hunched over instantly, two streams of hot tears gushing out.
His legs went weak, and he was about to kneel down when a short figure blocked his way.
"Master..."
Lu Yu supported him, looking up at him.
Deng Zhao was startled, hurriedly straightened up to wipe away her tears, and Lu Yu held her hand.
"The owner doesn't need to force himself to stay afloat."
Deng Zhao gasped and pulled her into his arms. "I'm so sorry..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
