“Some time ago, I had a dream.”
Yun Chu slowly began to speak.
“In the dream, it was probably over ten years later. Father led the Yun family army and utterly defeated the Western Frontier. The vast Western Frontier was incorporated into our territory. The Yun family established such great merit that the entire nation celebrated… Just at that time, someone suddenly memorialized the throne, saying the Yun family intended to rebel. They even produced letters showing the Yun family had colluded with foreign powers. The Emperor ordered a thorough investigation. The result of the investigation was that the Yun family had colluded with foreign powers and attempted to help the Eighth Prince ascend the throne. With both human testimony and physical evidence complete, it shocked the entire court and countryside. Over a hundred people from the Yun family, from top to bottom, were all thrown into the imperial prison, and our home was raided!”
“Grandfather, to prove the Yun family’s innocence with his own body, used this very blade to slit his own throat!”
Yun Chu looked at the great saber placed on the table. This blade that had severed the heads of countless enemies was Grandfather’s meritorious achievement, yet in the end…
She continued speaking. “Father established such great merit and should have returned to the capital to receive rewards. But he had barely entered the capital when he was arrested and thrown into the dungeon… Eldest Brother was the first to be imprisoned and was tortured to death within a few days. Mother and Elder Sister-in-law couldn’t endure it in prison and also died… Brother Jiang and all the remaining members of the Yun family went to the execution block…”
She couldn’t continue speaking. She lowered her head to hide the pain in her eyes.
“What about you? What about you?” Yun Silin pressed her. “Chu’er, you’re a daughter married out. Even if something happened to the Yun family, it shouldn’t have fallen on you, right?”
Yun Chu raised her head and smiled. “I’m a daughter married out, but my surname is Yun. The Xie family feared being implicated and forced me to drink poisoned wine.”
Behind her, Yun Ze walked in, his face full of disbelief. “So, Chu’er, this is the reason you and Xie Jingyu haven’t been getting along lately?”
No wonder that recently, no matter what happened to the Xie family, Chu’er never mentioned it when she returned to the Yun family. He had thought it was because of Concubine He.
But years ago when Tingyu became a concubine, Chu’er hadn’t become estranged from the Xie family. So actually, it was this dream that created the rift between Chu’er and the Xie family?
“That you could have such a dream shows you worry daily about something happening to the Yun family. This isn’t strange, because the Yun family has indeed risen to too high a position and cannot tolerate the slightest mistake. But—” Yun Ze looked at her. “How could you dream of the Xie family making you drink poisoned wine? One thinks by day and dreams by night. In daily life, has the Xie family done something excessive to you that makes you worry they would kill you?”
“Elder Brother, the point isn’t the Xie family—it’s our Yun family.” Yun Chu spoke. “In over ten years, the Yun family might be completely executed. What can we do now to avoid such an ending?”
“Dreams are always the opposite. Chu’er, don’t frighten yourself.” Yun Silin patted her shoulder. “You tell Father—what grievances has that fellow Xie Jingyu given you? Father will teach him a lesson for you.”
Yun Chu smiled bitterly.
Xie Jingyu’s life was nearly gone—there was no need for her father to take action at all.
She could handle the entire Xie family by herself, but as a daughter married out, she couldn’t control the path the Yun family walked. So she could only discuss it with her father and brothers.
But clearly, the three men before her didn’t believe her dream at all. Instead, they were more concerned about whether she had suffered grievances at the Xie family.
“My dream wasn’t only about the Yun family—it also contained some future events about to occur.” Yun Chu spoke. “I dreamed the Crown Prince was gravely ill, and indeed the Crown Prince fell ill. I dreamed Xie Shi’an became the top candidate, and that was also the truth. I also dreamed that next, Father will receive an imperial edict ordering him to lead people to the Southern Frontier to execute the General of Chariots and Cavalry who guards the Southern Frontier…”
Old General Yun’s eyes widened in shock.
The Crown Prince had indeed fallen ill some time ago and still hadn’t recovered, remaining bedridden.
Xie Shi’an had indeed become the top candidate in the academy examination, and the Xie family had even hosted a banquet for guests.
But receiving an edict to go to the Southern Frontier?
Execute the General of Chariots and Cavalry?
This was highly unlikely.
Their Yun family had always guarded the Western Frontier. If they were dispatched to the Southern Frontier, the Western Frontier would be left vulnerable.
Furthermore, the General of Chariots and Cavalry was a nephew from the Empress Dowager’s maternal family, a general the Emperor valued greatly. How could he possibly dispatch someone to execute him?
“I know you all don’t believe my words.” Yun Chu said slowly. “Then just wait and see.”
Her expression was so serious that it made the three generations of Yun family men’s faces become grave as well.
At this moment, a voice came from the courtyard: “Is General Yun here? The Minister of War has urgent business to discuss with General Yun.”
“Everything Chu’er just said—let it rot in your bellies.” Old General Yun spoke. “We’ll discuss this matter after the Emperor issues the edict. Dismissed.”
Yun Silin walked out and saw it was Prince Pingxi, Chu Yi. He smiled and gave Chu Yi a punch. “I heard you’ve exterminated all the bandits within a hundred li of the capital. Impressive, impressive.”
“No matter how impressive, I can’t compare to General Yun. The five words ‘Grand General’ strike fear into surrounding small nations and demonstrate our national might.” Chu Yi took the punch. “The Minister of War is rather anxious. General Yun, please go quickly.”
Yun Silin nodded and strode rapidly toward the front courtyard.
Yun Chu walked out from the old general’s courtyard and saw Chu Yi, who hadn’t yet left.
He had probably come directly to the Yun family after leaving the palace, wearing his official robes, appearing imposing and authoritative, exuding a cold aura from head to toe.
However, when he turned his head, Yun Chu was surprised to discover that the icy coldness in his eyes gradually faded away.
“Lady Xie.”
Chu Yi called out.
Although he inwardly rejected these three words, he could only address her this way.
“Greetings, Your Highness.” Yun Chu curtsied slightly. “Does Your Highness have business to attend to?”
Chu Yi had been helping the Minister of War find someone, which was why he had followed the Yun residence servant to this place. The next matter would be nothing more than returning to the banquet to continue drinking.
He spoke: “No business.”
“There’s a matter I’d like to discuss with Your Highness.” Yun Chu’s face showed a smile. “Your Highness, this way please.”
She led Chu Yi to a pavilion in the Yun residence. One of Chu Yi’s guards, along with her two maids, all stood at the edge of the pavilion.
Not far away was the main path within the residence, with many servants bustling back and forth. The two of them speaking here was not improper.
Chu Yi sat across from her. As he breathed, he once again caught that familiar fragrance and couldn’t help but ask: “What fragrance is Lady Xie using?”
As soon as these words left his mouth, he suddenly felt it was abrupt.
Asking a married woman such a private question was somewhat offensive.
For the first time, he was grateful his mind worked quickly and immediately added: “Changsheng likes you. I think she would also like the fragrance you use.”
“I use jasmine fragrance that my mother made.” Yun Chu spoke. “Next time I’ll have someone bring some to give to Changsheng.”
Chu Yi’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
Jasmine fragrance?
There was a little bit of that, but more of that familiar scent—he didn’t know what it was. Very faint, very subtle.
When close to her, he could smell it quite clearly.
He must have smelled this scent before.
When was it?
He couldn’t remember.
“Your Highness.” Yun Chu interrupted his thoughts. “I’d like to discuss a business venture with Your Highness. I wonder if Your Highness is interested.”
Chu Yi had no particular interest in discussing business.
But for some reason, he wanted to hear her speak.
He nodded: “Let’s hear it.”
Yun Chu spoke methodically: “I bought an estate in the capital’s outskirts and unexpectedly discovered hot springs—even larger than the imperial bathing pools. If I present it to the Imperial Family, I’m somewhat unwilling. But keeping it myself carries many hidden dangers. So I’d like Your Highness to jointly bear the risks and jointly share the profits. What do you think?”
Chu Yi took a sip of tea and said: “Why seek me out?”