The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0545 Quarrel (1)

This chapter hasnʼt been edited yet.

The cool air of a morning in the sixth month permeated every corner of the courtyard. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, falling softly and leisurely on the person inside the house, stretching her muscles.

After stretching, Yuxi walked out of the house. At that moment, a gentle breeze blew past her as if it had blown directly into her heart, bringing an indescribable calm and peace.

Zijin smiled and said, ”Madam, the way you look right now, you seem just like those grandmasters in the temples, exuding an inexplicable solemnity and reverence.”

As Mama Qu approached, she happened to hear this and coughed lightly. When Yuxi went to freshen up, Mama Qu scolded Zijin: ”What do you mean ʼlike the grandmasters in the templesʼ? It sounds as if Madam is a nun. Donʼt say things like that in the future; itʼs bad luck.” The older generation paid particular attention to such things.

Watching Yuxiʼs demeanour, Zijin sometimes felt something. Looking back now, it was indeed bad luck. Zijin quickly and earnestly apologised, ”Iʼll definitely watch what I say from now on, I wonʼt talk nonsense anymore.”

Mama Qu advised, ”In the future before you say or do something, think about whether you should say it or do it. That way, you wonʼt make mistakes or say the wrong thing again.”

Zijin nodded eagerly and said, ”I understand.”

Mama Qu shook her head helplessly, knowing Zijin probably wouldnʼt be able to follow through. Well, nobody was perfect. Trying to make Zijin behave like her was impossible.

Every day, Yun Qing came to breakfast on time. However, on this day, he didnʼt return as expected. Yuxi instructed, ”Go find out if the General has gone to the military camp.”

Zijin went out and returned shortly, saying, ”Madam, the General is in the study for a meeting.” Yun Qingʼs study was the most heavily guarded place in the Yun residence, where ordinary people couldnʼt enter. Even the people in the backyard, except for Yuxi, had never been there, not even Zijin.

Yuxi instructed, ”Set the breakfast, but keep the Generalʼs portion.” If he was in a meeting in the study, it must be about something important.

Just after Yuxi finished breakfast, Yun Qing arrived from the front courtyard. He said, ”Yuxi, thereʼs been a flood in Jiangnan. This yearʼs harvest in Jiangnan is not even half of last yearʼs.” Jiangnan was the land of fish and rice, so a reduced harvest there would cause a significant rise in food prices.

Yuxi did not smile. Ordinary people suffered when there were floods. Having lived in a village before, Yuxi deeply understood their plight. Especially during natural disasters, many resorted to selling their children.

Yun Qing said, ”Yuxi, itʼs not profitable to buy more food right now. Weʼve bought enough food to last us until the end of the year, so letʼs not buy any more.”

Yuxi shook her head. ”Letʼs stick to the original plan.” That meant they would continue to buy food as usual, including beans and seafood.

Yun Qing thought the expenses would be too high.

Yuxi suggested, ”Letʼs use the money we confiscated from the Xu last year.” Keeping the money hidden would bring no return, so it was better to use it now. They wouldnʼt lose anything by using it.

Seeing Yun Qingʼs hesitation, Yuxi added, ”Everyone knows the money is in your hands. If you donʼt use it, others might think you intend to keep it for yourself!” They werenʼt worried about using it since the Imperial Court was already aware of this matter but couldnʼt find any evidence against them. However, if they didnʼt use the money and prices went up again, it would lose value.

After some thought, Yun Qing said, ”Letʼs take out another two hundred thousand silver to buy food. We canʼt spend any more than that.” They had already spent over four hundred thousand silver from the money confiscated from the Xu. At this rate, it would last until next year at the most.

Yuxi chuckled. ”Why are you always thinking about saving money? Shouldnʼt you also be thinking about increasing your income?” Some money could be saved, but some couldnʼt. For example, you could have fewer clothes, but you absolutely couldnʼt skip a meal.

Yun Qing also wanted to increase his income, but it was easier said than done. Before Yuxi could speak, Yun Qing hurriedly said, ”Except for trading goods outside the border, all other ideas are acceptable.” Yun Shah had recently traded some salt, pots, and cloth to the border, but the amount was insignificant enough to affect the overall situation.

Yuxi said irritably, ”Even if you asked me to trade more to the border, I wouldnʼt agree.” Since Yun Shan was in an exclusive business, they suggested exchanging horses, which many herders agreed to.

Since last year, Yun Shan had exchanged more than three hundred horses. However, all these horses had been taken by Yun Qing, who didnʼt return the initial investment to Yuxi. Originally, Yuxi had planned to exchange the horses back to Yun Qing for his use. After all, who else would go into such a loss-making business? It wasnʼt a total loss, though, as it was lucrative, though not very profitable.

Yun Qing felt a little embarrassed. ”Do you have any better ideas then?”

Yuxi replied, ”There is, but Iʼm afraid you wonʼt be willing.” In fact, Yuxi felt that apart from selling goods across the border, there was no point in doing any other business.

Yun Qing responded, ”Tell me, as long as itʼs useful, Iʼll agree.” As long as it wasnʼt illegal or disruptive, he would definitely agree.

Yuxi explained, ”I remember thereʼs an escort agency in the capital called Xinglong Escort Agency, which is very profitable. We can follow their example. Anyway, we have a lot of retired soldiers on our hands. The Northwest is so chaotic now, I think it will definitely be profitable to set up an escort agency.”

After two years of marriage, Yun Qing had a good idea of Yuxiʼs personality. ”How much money can an escort agency make? Tell me, what actually do you want to do?”

Ji Xuan had already started suppressing the bandits. And based on his personality, this bandit suppression would definitely cause trouble in the Northwest. At that time, it would be Yun Qingʼs chance.

Now that the time had come, Yuxi no longer hid it from Yun Qing. ”I want them to familiarise themselves with the terrain first.” It was definitely impossible to make money with an escort agency. Yuxi was just using it to lead into the following conversation.

Yun Qing was a general, very sensitive to topics like familiarising themselves with the terrain. His face immediately changed, and he asked, ”Familiarise themselves with the terrain? Why are they familiarising themselves with the terrain?”

No one else was in the room then, so Yuxi spoke directly, ”To familiarise themselves with the terrain so that it will be easier to suppress the bandits.”

Yun Qingʼs expression became grave. He stared at Yuxi and said, ”Yuxi, as long as thereʼs an order, even if Iʼm unfamiliar with the area, I can still wipe out the bandits. Thereʼs no need to go to such lengths.”

Yuxi chuckled softly, ”Herui, donʼt be silly. No matter how chaotic the Northwest becomes, the Emperor will never order you to lead troops to suppress the bandits. Compared to those bandits, youʼre the one who needs to be more careful.” Those bandits were just a crowd of gathering crows and posed no threat to the Imperial Court. On the other hand, Yun Qing was a great general with an army of 100,000 men. If he had ulterior motives, the damage he could cause would be tens or even dozens of times greater than that of the bandits.

Yun Qingʼs face became very ugly. ”Yuxi, do you know what youʼre talking about? Deploying troops without an order is tantamount to rebellion.”

Yuxi touched her belly and said softly, ”I donʼt know what rebellion is; I only know that if you donʼt seize this opportunity, I, Zaozao, and the child in my womb will surely die.” Yuxi used the word ʼsurely dieʼ because she was very sure that if Yun Qing continued to stick to his principles, their family would all die one day.

Yun Qing clenched his fist and swore, ”I will protect you and the children.” Despite all his words, Yuxi still didnʼt believe him.

Yuxi looked up at Yun Qing and said, ”Herui, no matter how capable you are, can you be compared to Marshal Yan? But what happened to Marshal Yan, who dedicated his life to the country? Not only did he meet a tragic end, but all the members of the Yan family were also killed. Herui, if you donʼt seize this opportunity, our family will follow the same path as the Yan family sooner or later.” After saying that, Yuxi looked at Yun Qing and said word by word, ”Hey Rui, itʼs not that I donʼt trust you; itʼs just that I donʼt trust the one who sits on the Dragon Throne.” She, too, longed for a peaceful married life, but she was born at the wrong time, when the world was in chaos and under incompetent rulers. Since she didnʼt want to die and wanted to live a good life, she had to rise up on her own.

Yun Qing fell silent for a while before opening his mouth. ”I remember you said that Yan Wushuang is still alive...”

Before Yun Qing could finish his sentence, Yuxi interrupted him, ”Yes, Yan Wushuang may still be alive. But dozens of the Yan family have died tragically, leaving only him alive. Not only does he have to endure the pain of losing his loved ones, but he also has to hide from the endless pursuit. Herui, how agonising do you think this suffering is? No one can understand Yan Wushuangʼs pain better than you.” Yun Qingʼs and Yan Wushuangʼs experiences were very similar—both had lost their families and were hunted by the Song family. Moreover, both were lucky to survive amidst the pursuit.

Yun Qing could not argue with Yuxi, but he had his own principles. He said, ”Regardless, I cannot do anything to dishonour our ancestors.”

Yuxi knew Yun Qingʼs temperament well, which was why she had only brought up this matter now. This would put an end to Yun Qingʼs hope that the Imperial Court would issue a mobilisation order: ”Do you think reputation is more important than our familyʼs lives?”

Yuxi sighed and said, ”Herui, you know, you can only choose between your reputation and the lives of your family.” She also wanted to have both, but the way of the current world wouldnʼt allow it!

Yun Qing hesitated, then walked out with long strides.

Yuxi touched her slightly bulging belly and said to Yun Qingʼs back, ”Herui, for me, the lives of our family are more important than reputation and power. As for what you think is most important, ask your own heart.” If Yun Qing still believed that reputation was more important than the lives of his family, then she had nothing more to say.

After a short pause, Yun Qing walked out.

Yuxi sighed softly as she touched her belly and said, ”Child, your Mom can only do so much. The rest is up to your Dad.” Yuxi didnʼt blame Yun Qing; after all, he had been taught to be loyal and patriotic since childhood. To ask him to commit such a heinous act, which was tantamount to treason, was definitely not something he could agree to right away.

Zijin rushed in and saw Yuxi standing in the middle of the room, looking calm and relaxed. She breathed a sigh of relief and said, ”The General walked out with a gloomy face just now. I thought you two had a fight?” She wasnʼt worried about the fight; she was just worried about Yun Qing getting violent towards Yuxi. He had a history of being violent.

Yuxi replied, ”Yes, we had a fight.” They had been married for two years and had never really argued before; this was the first time. Of course, it didnʼt really count as an actual argument.

Zijin exclaimed, ”Madam, how come youʼre not angry at all after arguing with the General?” When she argued with Yu Zhi, she would be furious. Of course, they rarely argued.

Yuxi chuckled, ”Anger doesnʼt always have to be explosive.” Everyone expressed anger differently.

Zijin muttered, ”Madam, donʼt lie to me. Who can argue and still smile so brightly afterwards?” She figured they must have had a disagreement, and the General must have been the only one upset; otherwise, how could Madam be so relaxed?