Chapter 40 (1/2)
Chapter 40
Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
”Okay,” Chu Qiao laughed as she pushed Yan Xun in front of the desk, pointing towards the map and vividly recounting the details of her trip seriously.
The skies were foggy and a profound silence engulfed them both. Drinking a mouthful of tea, Chu Qiao jotted down a final stroke and began pointing at the chart. ”As long as General Meng Tian ruled the Meng clan, I would not have to worry about them. Due to current circumstances, instead of worrying about the Sheng Jin palace or about Wei Fa, we have to worry about the Zhuge clan.”
Yan Xun picked at his brows and said, ”Didn't Zhuge Huai just leave the capital? In recent years, Zhuge Muqing had slowly retreated from the Grand Elder's Council, handing the family matters to Zhuge Huai. Would he interfere this time?”
”I think you have underestimated the slyness of this old fox.” Chu Qiao shook her head. ”In the empire's reign of 300 years, the Grand Elder's Council had been led by different families. Among the founding elders, only the Zhuge clan had fought their way out of the prairie, along with the Great Emperor Pei Luo. The Zhuge clan understood the balance of power; this was their greatest asset. They have never placed themselves in harm's way, unlike the Muhe clan, which craves the limelight. The recent emperors wanted to consolidate their power, starting from the ones who had the most limelight. This was the only reason why the Zhuge clan had survived all these years. There were constant disputes within the empire, although it seems Zhuge Muqing had always taken the neutral stance, avoiding any conflicts that came their way. This did not happen by chance. Look here,” Chu Qiao pointed at the chart, ”this is the intelligence that I have gathered over the months. The Zhuge bloodline seems like they are not plotting anything on the surface, but the supplies, salt, and metal ores, in the northwestern region were reallocated on a small scale. Although there hadn't been much that was allocated each time, the frequency of reallocation was very high. Zhuge Xi had been sent to Xi Han City from Song Shui to collect the taxes for land and supplies. However, it has already been two months and he is still not back. The officials felt that Zhuge Xi was dull-witted and was not of much use. However, in my opinion, although the size of Xi Han City is small, it sits beside the Ya Ming Gates, which is one of the places we must pass in order for us to return to Yan Bei. It sits in the center of the courier routes of Yao Shui, Fu Su, and Chi Shui, causing it to have significant strategic importance. That city must not be overlooked.”
”Also, look here on the eighth of last month, the Grand Elder's Council had agreed to announce Zhuge Ran as the official call to arms. Zhuge Muqing did not send his son back to their northeastern camp. Instead, he was sent to the southwestern camp to be a general. The southwestern camp neighbors the northwest, with the southwestern camp situated within the territories that are under the control of the Bataha clan. If the Zhuge family had not secretly communicated with the Bataha clan, how would Old Batu allow an outsider to camp within his territory? Also, this is the most important point: did you not notice that Zhuge Yue might be coming back very soon?”
Yan Xun nodded. ”I have noticed all that you said. Lady Yu sent her men to remind me about this a few days ago.”
”Oh?” Chu Qiao's eyes brightened. ”What did Lady Yu say?”
”She said that it was still too early to act. When various powers gather to celebrate the Xia Emperor's birthday, there will be too many variables to consider. For now, we can only react accordingly.”
Chu Qiao's brows instantly furrowed as she looked up at Yan Xun. She said slowly, ”Yan Xun, do you think that it is okay? I fear that there will be trouble. I think we should prepare ourselves in advance to be absolutely sure.”
”AhChu, there are no perfect plans in this world. Talking about preparation, haven't we prepared ourselves adequately throughout the years?” Yan Xun gazed seriously into her bright eyes. ”Do you believe me?”
Chu Qiao nodded. ”I do.”
”Then you should take a rest.” Yan Xun laughed softly. ”Leave these matters to me. Your trip to the Nan Ji Mountains has stressed your body too much, you are too exhausted for this.”
”Yan Xun…”
”I do not want to return to Yan Bei alone.” Yan Xun suddenly said in a deep tone, ”I do not have any relatives left. AhChu, you mean the most to me.”
The candles burned warmly, Yan Xun's gaze was as soft as water. He raised his hand and stroked Chu Qiao's cheek. ”AhChu, do you still remember the year that we stepped into Sheng Jin palace when my fever was so severe, and there was no medicine to treat it? Do you remember what you said to me?”
Chu Qiao was stunned as Yan Xun continued, ”You said that you wanted me to rest without worry, that you would be awake until I woke up. In the end, I woke up four days later and you were still awake, taking care of me all of that time. Now that I have the ability to take care of you, you can rest without worry. I will be awake until the day we can close our eyes together and sleep in peace.”
Chu Qiao lowered her head and pursed her lips gently. A bunch of warm flames tingled deep within her heart, reassuring her within this cold and dark winter night. ”Okay, then I will not leave. I will stay by your side, waiting for you to bring me away from here.”
Yan Xun nodded and had a bright gaze. His smile was so warm it seemed like a thawed lake in March. The worry she had had over the past months vanished instantly.
”AhChu, we walked in here together and we will walk out together. You have to trust me because, in this world, we are all we have.
At that time, snow accumulated in mid-winter as the long tranquil night passed. Zhen Huang City was peaceful. However, no one knew about the devilish sharp blades that lay beneath its surging undercurrents. The bizarre and unpredictable currents broiled silently, ready to overflow at any moment, annihilating everything in its way. The people on the shore could only tread with caution, trying their best to save their clothes from the muddy water. When a person could not fight against the tide, the most he could do was stay away.
Closing the door of Chu Qiao's room, he saw the candlelight within the room going out. His gaze turned cold and stern as he raised his head, looking in the direction of Xia Hua hall with an intense memory flashing before his eyes. He squeezed his fingers together, breaking a dried twig within his palm. He looked up and closed his eyes, suddenly remembering one night, years ago.
That day, Chu Qiao was just nine years old, and she was frantically looking for medicine that could cure his illness. However, Wei Jing found out about it as he was spying on them in the dark. In the end, she was whipped and beaten by 20 big, burly men. In order to prevent him from getting targeted with this excuse, she neither escaped nor fought back. She was beaten to a pulp, with blood flowing down her body. When he arrived, the child was almost dying but she was still clutching the packet of stolen medicine.