The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0569 The Closest And Yet The Most Distant Relationship (2)

Yu Xiyu gazed at the hollowed-out gold nail guard inlaid with rubies in her hand, sighed softly, and then took it off.

Momo Jin asked, ”Niangniang, why are you sighing?” It was not a good thing to sigh for no reason!

Yu Xiyu replied, ”I originally thought that Han Yuchen lived a happy life, but I didnʼt expect...” *I didnʼt expect her not to have a good life either. If she had, she wouldnʼt have said that appearances were merely superficial and that the key lay in inner qualities. Speaking of which, who among the wives of those rich and powerful families in the capital was truly carefree and happy?

Momo Jin commented, ”Life never goes exactly as one wishes. Jing Wang is already very fortunate. Jing Wang loves and respects her, and now Jing Wangfu only has one heir.” Compared to her own mistress, Han Yuchenʼs happiness was enough to make others envious.

Yu Xiyu remarked, ”People are afraid of comparison. With comparison, the heart naturally becomes unbalanced.”

Momo Jin didnʼt quite understand what she meant, ”Apart from Xia Junzhuʼs matter this time, who in the entire capital lives a better life than Jing Wangfeiwang=king, fei=consort)?”

Yu Xiyu casually spat out a name, ”Han Yuxi.”

Momo Jin was stunned. ”How could that be? What does the Fourth Miss Han have that Jing Wangfei envies?” Marrying into that barren land in the northwest, whatʼs there to envy or be jealous of?

Yu Xiyu confessed, ”Personally, I also envy Han Yuxi.” Yu Xiyu wasnʼt jealous of Yun Qingʼs devotion to Yuxi. Han Yuxi was still young now, so it was normal for Yun Qing to be devoted to her. But in a few years, things might not be the same. What she envied was Han Yuxiʼs freedom and carefree life in the Northwest. She could do as she pleased there. For them, the noble ladies of the capital, that was something precious. For people like them, even speaking, let alone acting, required careful consideration and deliberation before deciding whether it was appropriate to say it out loud. Moreover, Han Yuxiʼs attitude towards life was also something that Yu Xiyu admired. Han Yuxi didnʼt live or die like other noble ladies when she married in the Northwest. Not only did she actively adapt to life there, but she also worked hard to help those in need. On this point, Yu Xiyu admitted that *even she couldnʼt do it.

Momo Jin said, ”Niangnang, Han Yuxi is a dangerous person. Not only does His Majesty think so, but even the Old Master also finds her terrifying.” However, Grand Chancellor Yu never openly expressed his opinion on this.

Yu Xiyu did not deny that Han Yuxi was a dangerous person. ”If you want to blame someone, blame the Empress Dowager! If she hadnʼt bestowed Han Yuxi to Yun Qing, His Majesty wouldnʼt be in such a dilemma.” Yun Qingʼs rise to power was too fast, catching everyone off guard. The current Yun Qing was no longer someone who could be killed easily.

No matter how much harm Yuxi might cause, she was not an immediate threat to her, and it should be the Emperorʼs headache anyway. Since there was no direct conflict of interest between Han Yuxi and herself, Yu Xiyu immediately changed the topic, ”Tong Shiʼs assassination was done by Jing Wangfei. If I have guessed correctly, Zhou Yan and Zhou Xiaʼs smallpox had something to do with Tong Shi.” Apart from this reason, Yu Xiyu couldnʼt think of any other reason why Han Yuchen would want to assassinate Tong Shi. Unless there were deep-seated hatred, it would have been impossible for Han Yuchen to be this ruthless.

Momo Jin frowned slightly. After a moment of silence, she said, ”Why would Tong Shi want to kill Yan Shizi and Xia Junzhu?” For Tong Shi to act with such cruelty would require a deep-seated grudge. Yet, as far as Momo Jin knew, there was no connection between Jing Wangfei and Tong Shi. No, there was—the deceased Song Ce Fei.

Yu Xiyu replied, ”Tong Shiʼs favourite child is not her two sons, but Song Lingʼer.” Yu Xiyu was very knowledgeable about such matters in the capital. If there were any enmity, it could only have been instigated by Song Ce Fei. Remembering how Zhou Yan and Zhou Xia had mysteriously contracted smallpox earlier, Yu Xiyu speculated that Tong Shi might be behind it, seeking revenge for Song Lingʼer.

Momo Jin shook her head. ”That shouldnʼt be the case! If this matter were exposed, how would Tong Shi still have her life?” Not only would Tong Shi suffer, but even her two sons would be implicated.

When Yu Xiyu heard this, a sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. She responded, ”The Song family has long forgotten how high the sky is and how thick the earth is.” The Song family has been arrogant and domineering for so many years, taking no one seriously. That was why Tong Shi didnʼt take Jing Wang and Jing Wangfei seriously; otherwise, how would she dare to poison Zhou Yan and Zhou Xia!

Momo Jin exclaimed, ”Thatʼs too bold. Ahem, speaking of which, not to mention Jing Wangfei, even the Old Master Grand Chancellor has been suffering a lot in the Imperial Court recently.” The reason why the Empressʼs position was so stable was because of the Empressʼs grandfather, Grand Chancellor Yu.

Yu Xiyu didnʼt continue the conversation but instead asked, ”Does Empress Dowager still like to take rose petal baths recently?” This rose petal bath would make the skin of oneʼs entire body soft and delicate, and it would also emit a faint fragrance. Empress Dowager Song had been very fond of it ever since she received this recipe, and she must take it every day.

Momo Jin nodded. ”Yes, she has been taking it all the time!”

Yu Xiyu didnʼt speak again, but a strange smile crossed her lips. She was different from Han Yuchen. Han Yuchen could use a simple and brutal method to avenge her children, but she couldnʼt. So, she could only use this kind of roundabout strategy.

Momo Jin returned to the previous topic and asked, ”Niangniang, how should we handle this matter?” *Should we expose Han Yuchen or help her cover it up?

Yu Xiyu said lightly, ”Donʼt worry, I believe Han Yuchen can solve it.” Otherwise, she wouldnʼt have mentioned it at all.

Meanwhile, in the carriage, Momo Gui asked Yuchen, ”Wangfei, it seems that the Empress suspects Tong Shiʼs assassination attempt has something to do with you?”

Yuxi shook her head and stated, ”Itʼs not a suspicion; itʼs already confirmed.” Otherwise, Yu Xiyu wouldnʼt have invited her to the Imperial Palace. However, it was obvious that she didnʼt want to expose her.

Back at the wangfu, Yuchen did nothing else but call her son over to teach him to read and write. Zhou Yan, now three years old, was ready to begin his studies. As Jing Wang was too busy, this responsibility fell to Yuchen. Next year, they planned to hire a renowned scholar to guide him formally.

In the evening, Jing Wang returned from outside. When the people in the wangfu saw his gloomy expression, they all shrank to the side, not even daring to breathe out loud. When he entered the main chambers and didnʼt see Yuchen, he coldly asked, ”Whereʼs Wangfei?”

He hadnʼt expected to learn that the attempt on Tong Shiʼs life had been orchestrated by Yuchen. Even now, he found it hard to believe and had come home to question her directly.

Shiqin, trembling with fear, replied, “Wangfei has taken Master Shizi for a walk in the garden.” Judging by Wangyeʼs demeanour, it was as if he was ready to kill someone.

Jing Wang suppressed his anger as he instructed her, “Bring her back. I need to speak with her.” No matter how upset he was, he didnʼt want to have a public quarrel, as it would damage their image as a couple.

When the news was brought to Yuchen, she calmly responded, “Understood.” She then turned to Zhou Yan and said, “Yan-er, your father has returned.”

Zhou Yan exclaimed happily, ”Father! I want Father!ʼ

Yuchen picked Zhou Yan up and returned to the main chambers. The moment she entered, she noticed Jing Wangʼs stormy expression. Pretending not to know what had happened, she asked, ”Has something happened at the Imperial Court again?” It seemed like nothing good ever came out of there - it was always chaos and trouble.

Jing Wang said to the wet nurse standing beside him, ”Take Shizi away.”

After their son left, he stared at Yuchen and directly asked, “Was it you who orchestrated Er Jiumuʼs assassination?”

Yuchen lowered her head, and just as Jing Wang’s patience was about to run out, she looked up and said, “Yes. It was me. Itʼs just a shame that sheʼs still alive. I couldnʼt even avenge my Xia-er.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as she spoke, her grief-stricken expression eliciting deep sympathy.

Word by word, Yuchen continued slowly, ”My sweet and obedient Xia-er died prematurely because of that vile woman. How could I let her roam free? How could I face my innocent daughter who died unjustly?”

As the image of her daughter dying in her arms resurfaced, Yuchen felt as if a knife was twisting her heart. She had wanted nothing more than to tear Tong Shi to pieces, but all she could do was leave her bedridden for life. Overwhelmed with grief, Yuchen fainted on the spot.

Seeing her like this, Jing Wang could no longer bring himself to blame her. He was also furious with Tong Shi, but he had planned to wait for his Da Jiu to return before dealing with her. He hadnʼt expected his wife to act so decisively.

When Yuchen regained consciousness, she saw Jing Wang sitting by her bedside. Her voice hoarse from crying as she said, “Wangye, I know this has put you in a difficult position. But every time I close my eyes, I see Xia-erʼs lifeless form before me.” Yuchen understood Jing Wang well; the fact that he had come to confront her meant he already had evidence. At this point, it would be pointless to deny it. Being honest was her best option.

Looking at the frail and broken Yuchen, Jing Wangʼs earlier anger vanished completely. ”Iʼll take care of this. Donʼt dwell on it.” Although it was Yuchen who had taken action, Er Jiumu was still alive, so this matter could still be resolved relatively easily.

The couple had barely exchanged a few words before Jing Wangʼs attendant came to urge him on. He released Yuchenʼs hand and said, ”Get some rest. Iʼll take care of everything outside.”

Yuchen nodded. ”Go ahead. Iʼll be fine here.”

Once Jing Wang left, the room fell into silence. Shortly after, Momo Gui entered and reported, “Wangfei, Wangye has gone out.”

Yuchen opened her eyes, and the fragile, sorrowful demeanour from earlier was gone. She asked Momo Gui, ”Did you do everything as I told you?” Yuchen had expected Jing Wang to discover the truth, so her fainting was a calculated move to allow Momo Gui to act.

Momo Gui nodded. ”Yes, everything was done as you said. After hearing Wangfeiʼs tearful account, Wangye seemed much more forgiving.” Seeing Yuchenʼs weak and frail appearance, Wangye would naturally forgive her. 

Yuchen muttered to herself, ”I never thought Iʼd see the day…” She actually used the tactic she hated the most on Jing Wang - acting weak and playing the victim. These were methods typically used by concubines vying for a favour, yet here she was, using them herself.

Momo Gui comforted her, ”Wangfei is also doing it for Grand Junzhuʼs sake.” She knew how proud Yuchen was, and making this choice must have been a deeply conflicted decision. But this was the only way to minimise the fallout.

Yuchen quickly regained her composure and said, “Whatever the reason, itʼs done now.” Since the decision had been made, there was no room for regret. Still, she hadnʼt expected her relationship with Jing Wang to reach this point. The old saying, ʼThe closest and yet the most distant relationship was that of a husband and wife,ʼ truly proved to be accurate.