Despite being prepared, Chu Yu was still startled by these words.
She had known that trouble would come to Fengling, but it was supposed to happen after Song Wenchang’s death when Chu Lingyang led troops to ambush the Northern Di and retreated to Fengling. Why were they seeking help now?
Chu Yu took out the intelligence report on Fengling and, after confirming multiple times that Fengling was indeed not under siege, frowned and said, “They’ve sent three waves of people to Huajing. What exactly are they trying to send here?”
“I’ll have someone look into it,” Wei Yun pondered for a moment before telling Chu Yu, “Fengling is only two days away from here. I’ll send someone to investigate.”
After saying this, Wei Yun summoned someone and ordered them to go to Fengling to investigate.
During this time, Chu Yu went through reports from other places. The battlefield was mostly in retreat, with no unusual occurrences. Just a day ago, Chu Lingyang had sent a pigeon message to Wei Yun, stating his position at Yangguan, about a day’s journey from Fengling.
Still uneasy, she wrote a letter to Chu Lingyang inquiring about the current situation at the front. Then she looked up at Wei Yun and said, “Help me send a letter to Song Shilan. If the opportunity arises, he may kill Song Wenchang.”
“So urgent?” Wei Yun was somewhat surprised.
Chu Yu lowered her eyes. Killing Song Wenchang now was indeed a bit hasty, but the previous incident at the Wei mansion had made her realize that to change the fate of this world, one must solve problems at their root.
If Song Wenchang died, Chu Jin wouldn’t seek help, and Chu Lingyang wouldn’t go to the rescue, nor would he die for it.
After all, Song Wenchang was destined to die anyway. Whether he died earlier or later, it might as well be a more valuable death.
After some thought, Chu Yu added, “Tell him if he finds it difficult to do it himself, I’ll help him.”
Wei Yun was even more confused now. He frowned and asked, “Do you have a grudge against Song Wenchang?”
“Not a grudge,” Chu Yu looked at the intelligence report and calmly said, “I just have reasons to believe he must die within the next two months.”
As they were talking, Wei Qiu brought in a stack of papers and said to Wei Yun, “My Lord, the person in the dungeon has revealed some information during interrogation.”
Wei Yun acknowledged and had Wei Qiu present the papers.
This person was called Shen You, indeed born in the city that the Wei family had abandoned years ago. He was only twenty-three, grew up on the border between Great Chu and Northern Di, and due to his appearance, wasn’t fully accepted by either side, but managed to mingle between the two. He was a street urchin until the age of thirteen when Yao Yong discovered him and specifically brought him back to train as a spy. At seventeen, he entered the Northern Di military camp and stayed there until he was twenty-three. Upon returning, he concealed his identity and became an assassin under Yao Yong.
This time, it wasn’t originally his turn to assassinate Gu Chusheng, but Gu Chusheng was too difficult to track. So Yao Yong had deployed almost all his forces, sending out all his assassins to find him.
After reading the information on the paper, Wei Yun frowned, “If he was acting as a spy, why did he suddenly return?”
“He won’t say,” Wei Qiu calmly replied. “The man has been beaten badly. Further interrogation isn’t possible, so the subordinates came to report first.”
“You…” Wei Yun was taken aback, “Didn’t I say not to beat him so much?”
“I didn’t hit him much,” Wei Qiu said calmly. “It’s just some superficial injuries. He’s physically weak and couldn’t take it.”
Everyone present felt a bit conflicted that such a large man could be so frail.
Wei Yun was the first to regain his composure. Instead of pursuing the matter further, he turned to Chu Yu and said, “You know, this Yao Yong is quite capable. On one hand, he’s useless on the battlefield, always playing tricks and either abandoning cities or deserting. On the other hand, he’s so proficient at training spies to infiltrate Northern Di. That’s quite impressive.”
Chu Yu didn’t respond. She felt something wasn’t quite right about this situation. Seeing her silence, Wei Yun handed the papers to Wei Xia to compile, instructing, “Go back and ask why he stopped being a spy. If there are no issues, release him.”
“He’s Yao Yong’s man…” Wei Qiu hesitated.
Wei Yun sighed, somewhat helplessly, “The Wei family was unjust at first. How can we blame others for harboring resentment?”
Years ago, when the Wei family abandoned the city, although they had saved most of the civilians, those they couldn’t protect were still left behind. For that portion of people, this was the Wei family’s injustice.
Regardless of whether it was reasonable or not, most people in this world make decisions based on their stance. Where is there any real right or wrong?
“If there’s no major hindrance, settle him well and leave him be. If he becomes an enemy again in the future, it won’t be too late to kill him then.”
Wei Yun gave the order, and this time Wei Qiu didn’t try to dissuade him, simply responding, “Yes, sir.”
While Wei Yun and Chu Yu were talking, in the dungeon, Shen You, whom everyone thought had fainted, slowly opened his eyes. He pretended to be unconscious, facing away from the guards. Seeing him motionless for so long, the guards assumed he had passed out and had long since lowered their guard.
The most alert Wei Qiu had already left. He had waited for a long time, and now was the moment.
He quietly moved his hand to his inner thigh and pulled out a small tube. He poured the powder from the tube and silently placed it behind him.
The powder had an extremely strong odor. Soon after it was released, everyone smelled something strange. One guard frowned and said, “What’s that…”
Before he could finish speaking, his vision blurred, and he collapsed with a “thud.” The others immediately sensed something was wrong and stood up to take action, but they couldn’t hold on. One by one, they fell.
Shen You stood up and used the chain on his hands to hook onto the chain on the cell door. He twisted the two chains into a strange angle, and after a few attempts, there was a “crack,” and the chain on the door broke. Shen You then pulled out a small rod from his ear. This small rod was several thin, long rods folded together. After unfolding it, Shen You inserted it into the lock, fiddled with it a couple of times, and the lock opened.
He quickly went forward, stole the keys from the guards, took a knife and some basic medicines and money, changed into one of the guard’s clothes, and hurriedly ran out.
He performed all these actions extremely quickly as if he had done them many times before.
Above the Wei mansion’s dungeon was a rockery, and beyond that was the mansion’s garden.
At this time, Wang Lan was walking along the rockery, supporting her belly. She was close to giving birth now, and her maid was quite worried, saying, “It’s so cold, my lady. You shouldn’t be walking around.”
“Today is Rong’er’s birthday,” Wang Lan said gently. “Every year on his birthday, he always liked to play in the rockery in the backyard. I miss him today.”
“My lady…” the maid sighed, “You’re about to give birth. You shouldn’t think about these things too much.”
“It’s alright,” Wang Lan smiled, looking up at the sky. “Go fetch me a coat. I want to be alone for a while. I’ll stay right here, don’t worry. Go quickly and come back soon.”
The maid agreed and left. Wang Lan sat on a rock, looking at the nearby pond, thinking of Wei Rong.
Wei Rong was childish. Even after being an official for a long time, he still liked to play hide-and-seek with her in the rockery and scare her.
Thinking of her husband, Wang Lan couldn’t help but smile, sighing, “Sixth Brother, I’ll be leaving in a couple of years. What do you think will happen then…”
Before she could finish, she heard rapid breathing and footsteps from behind the rockery. Wang Lan found it strange and just as she turned her head, she saw a man suddenly appear from within the rockery!
Wang Lan let out a startled “Ah…” but before she could finish, the man rushed over and covered her mouth. At the same time, he took out her hairpin and pressed it against her neck, growling, “Shut up!”
He moved so fast that she couldn’t see clearly. Shen You looked at the young woman before him, who appeared to be only sixteen or seventeen years old. Frightened by his actions, her eyes immediately filled with tears.
Women from the border were usually tough. He had never seen someone as delicate as a flower like her. Judging by her attire, which was exquisite and luxurious, she must be someone of considerable status in the Wei household.
She just looked at him timidly, obedient and docile, not saying a word.
Shen You suddenly found it hard to be fierce. He said in a hoarse voice, “Don’t speak, and I’ll let you go. If you make a sound, I’ll kill you immediately. Understand?”
Wang Lan nodded desperately. The hand behind her slowly released and seeing that she truly didn’t resist, Shen You gradually calmed down. Wang Lan, pale-faced, looked at him fearfully. Shen You’s gaze fell on her belly, and he put away his knife, saying, “I don’t usually kill women or children.”
“You… you have the demeanor of a great hero,” Wang Lan said, her face ashen, sweat dripping down.
Shen You sensed something was amiss, but the situation was urgent, and he didn’t know what to do. Somehow, he found himself speaking carefully, “Then… I’ll be going?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen You felt foolish. He was escaping for his life, yet here he was saying “I’ll be going” as if they were close acquaintances.
Shen You turned to leave, but immediately heard a “thud.” The woman had suddenly collapsed, leaning against a rock, lying at an angle, and starting to breathe rapidly.
Shen You instantly turned back, saw Wang Lan’s condition, and asked fearfully, “What… what’s wrong with you?”
Hearing him speak, Wang Lan felt a glimmer of hope. She grabbed Shen You’s sleeve and said with all expectation, “Great hero, I’m timid. I was frightened by you earlier… Now… I’m afraid… I’m about to give birth.”
“What?!” Shen You was stunned for a moment, then said, “You… wait, I’ll call someone for you.”
But as soon as he said it, he froze. What was he thinking, calling for someone? He was escaping! Calling for help would be like asking to be caught. Was he out of his mind?!
“Thank you…” Wang Lan gasped, “Thank you, great hero…”
Hearing these words, Shen You was at a loss for what to do.
This situation was indeed caused by him, and he was someone who took responsibility for his actions, especially towards women.
Shen You thought for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, “Fine.”
With that, he stood up and said, “Wait here, I’ll call someone for you.”
“Great hero, don’t go!” Wang Lan wouldn’t let him leave, clutching his sleeve tightly, “I’m scared…”
As she spoke, Wang Lan’s tears fell. Seeing her cry, Shen You was completely at a loss and could only say, “Alright, alright, I’ll stay here and call for help.”
Saying this, Shen You took a deep breath and used his inner strength to shout, “Help! Someone! There’s a woman giving birth by the rockery!”
Shen You’s shout, infused with his inner strength, was heard throughout the entire Wei mansion, front and back.
Shen You shouted several more times, and even the slowest person would have realized what was happening by now.
Currently, Wang Lan was the only one in the Wei mansion about to give birth. As soon as they heard this, Chu Yu and Wei Yun immediately sensed something was wrong. They had people prepare the delivery room, doctors, and midwives, and headed directly towards the source of the sound.
After shouting, Shen You immediately turned back to Wang Lan and said, “My lady, I’m on the run right now. I’ve called for help for you. Can I leave now?”
“Great hero, it’s because of you that I’m giving birth…” Wang Lan cried, “How can you abandon me here alone? You must take responsibility for what you’ve done.”
“My goodness,” Shen You took a sharp breath, “This child isn’t mine. I bumped into you, I called for help, what more do you want?”
“You should at least… wait until someone comes… What if… what if I die here? What then?”
Wang Lan grew more frightened as she thought about it, and red began to appear beneath her skirt.
Shen You had never encountered such a situation before and was completely terrified. Seeing the red staining the woman’s skirt, he stammered, “Then… then… what should I do now?”
Wang Lan couldn’t speak anymore. She was breathing lightly, and Shen You quickly took her hand, continuously transferring his inner energy to her.
Sustained by Shen You’s inner energy, Wang Lan barely managed to stay conscious. Chu Yu and Wei Yun rushed over, and seeing the scene, they quickly had someone feed Wang Lan ginseng soup and carried her to the delivery room.
As Wang Lan was being lifted onto a stretcher, she smiled at Shen You and said, “I’ve… caused trouble for you, great hero. You truly are a good person.”
Shen You was stunned. No one had ever spoken to him like this in his life.
He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt his face grow hot.
He watched as Wang Lan was carried away. Wei Yun noticed him staring in Wang Lan’s direction and slowly walked over.
“Brother,” Wei Yun looked him over and smirked, “Impressive, aren’t you?”
Shen You finally came to his senses.
Damn it, he had called people to catch him this time!
He tried to maintain a calm facade and said coolly, “Aren’t you here to take me back?”
As he spoke, he held out his hands, “Go ahead, tie me up.”
“Why would we tie you up?” Wei Yun smiled, “Come, please, I’ll personally take care of you.”
Shen You’s face turned pale.
He knew it. Being caught and brought back meant he was finished.