The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0574 Sisterhood (2)

After being comforted by Yuxi, Duan Xinrongʼs mood had clearly improved. However, after putting in so much effort, Yuxi herself was somewhat exhausted.

Yuxi turned to Duan Xinrong and said, ”Iʼm a bit tired and need to rest. You should rest as well. Tonight, youʼll head to the village estate, and after some time has passed, you can come back.” That evening, Yuxi planned to have someone escort Duan Xinrong away.

Duan Xinrong had no objection and nodded, ”Alright.”

When Yuxi returned to the rear courtyard, she lay down directly on the couch to rest. She slept for half a shichen straight, which was quite normal for a pregnant woman who was prone to drowsiness.

After waking up, Yuxi summoned Mama Qu to inquire about Duan Xinrongʼs situation.

Without waiting for Yuxi to ask, Mama Qu began to report, ”Madam, Miss Duan is still pure. However, having spent so long in such a place, she inevitably carries a touch of the atmosphere with her. But given time, I believe this wonʼt be an issue.”

Yuxi breathed a sigh of relief and muttered, ”At least Yan Wushuang still has a shred of conscience left.” If Yan Wushuang had forced Duan Xinrong to receive clients, it would have been utterly inhumane. However, Yuxi would never tell Duan Xinrong this truth. Knowing it would only add to her pain. After enduring so much suffering, she deserved some peace in the days ahead.

Standing nearby, Zijin interjected, ”Mama Qu, could it be that Miss Duan is only feigning weakness to win Madamʼs sympathy?” One must always remain vigilant. While Madam might be soft-hearted,they could not afford to be.

Mama Qu, understanding the implication behind Zijinʼs words, replied, ”So far, I havenʼt noticed any issues.” In truth, Mama Qu didnʼt think there was anything suspicious about Duan Xinrong. Even if she were just pretending, it would be impossible to hide every trace of it.

Yuxi shook her head. ”A personʼs eyes are the most truthful; they never lie.” While Yuxi sometimes misjudged people, in the case of Duan Xinrong, she trusted her own observations.

Seeing this, Zijin refrained from saying more. After all, Duan Xinrong was about to be sent away and wouldnʼt stay at Madamʼs side. Even if she had ulterior motives, it wouldnʼt matter. She added, ”Madam, if you want to help Duan Xinrong, what will you do if the General opposes it?”

Yuxi shook her head and replied, ”The General will agree.” Yun Qing valued loyalty and would not oppose her helping Duan Xinrong. Besides, assisting Duan Xinrong wasnʼt a particularly difficult matter.

As expected, Yun Qing had no objections after learning of the situation. However, he did have one condition, saying: ”Once sheʼs sent away, donʼt let her come back here.”

At this moment, Yuxi finally sensed that Yun Qingʼs attitude toward Duan Xinrong was somewhat strange. She asked, ”Why?” Was there something she didnʼt know? After all, even eight bamboo poles could not reach between Yun Qing and Duan Xinrong.

Wait. As she thought about it, Yuxi suddenly pointed out, ”Herui, my connection with Xinrong Jiejie was actually brought about by you.” If not for Yun Qing, she would never have met Duan Xinrong, let alone formed such a deep sisterly bond.

Yun Qing was baffled. ”I brought it about? How could that be?”

Yuxi chuckled. ”Donʼt you remember? Back then, you were the one who saved Xinrong Jiejie. If it werenʼt for you, she would have been abducted and sold off.”

Yun Qing, not wanting to dwell on the past, replied, ”Thereʼs no need to bring up the past. By helping her this time, youʼve done enough for her. From now on, let her live peacefully on the estate.”

By now, Yuxi was sure that Yun Qing didnʼt have a favourable opinion of Duan Xinrong. Curious, she asked, ”Why?” In her mind, once Duan Xinyong gets better, they could still interact with each other.

Yun Qing replied, ”Who knows what her real intentions are? If she has ulterior motives, what would you do then?” Of course, this wasnʼt the real reason.

Seeing that Yun Qing wasnʼt willing to elaborate, Yuxi didnʼt press further. It wasnʼt worth arguing over something like this. She said, ”Given her current state, I wouldnʼt feel comfortable letting her stay at the Yun Residence either.” She planned to send Duan Xinrong to Scholar Tree Estate, where Zisu could also take care of her.

Yun Qing nodded and brought up another matter. ”Iʼve just received word that the anti-rebel army will arrive in Nancheng within the next couple of days.” Yun Qingʼs feelings were complicated. While the failure of the anti-rebellion army would benefit their cause, he found it emotionally difficult to accept, feeling as though he was aiding Zhou Wang in his tyranny.

The anti-rebel army arrived ten days later than expected. This delay not only reflected their lack of overall combat ability and discipline but also gave Peng Lianggong ample time to prepare. As long as Feng Dajunʼs plan was executed correctly, the anti-rebel army was doomed to failure.

Seeing Yun Qingʼs grim expression, Yuxi wisely chose not to discuss the matter further. Instead, she asked, ”I wonder where Battalion Commander Feng is right now?”

Yun Qing replied, ”As soon as we receive news of Bao Xiaofanʼs defeat, I can immediately dispatch troops to support him. At that point, even General Zhao will have nothing to argue about.”

Yuxi nodded. ”Letʼs just hope everything goes smoothly.”

Yun Qing nodded and assured her, ”Donʼt worry, nothing will happen.” With 800 cavalrymen escorting the grain, nothing could go wrong.

That night, the Yun Residence sent out a coffin. It was taken directly to the southern hills outside the city, where two guards buried it.

As the saying goes, good news seldom travels far, but bad news spreads like wildfire. The story quickly spread throughout Yu City, and as rumours tend to do, it evolved along the way. People began to say that the coffin contained a maid who had tried to climb into Yun Qingʼs bed. When Yuxi discovered this, she supposedly beat the maid to death and then dumped the body in the southern hills.

When Er Nainai Zhao heard this rumour, she immediately went to the Yun Residence to ask Yuxi, ”I heard that you beat a maid who tried to seduce General Yun to death. Is that true?”

Yuxi was well aware of the circulating rumours. She smiled and asked, ”Look around at the people who serve me. Do you see anyone who might be capable of such a thing?” The people who served Yuxi were either older women like Mama Qu and Mama Bai or young girls like Gancao and Shiliu, who were only twelve or thirteen years old. There wasnʼt a single maiden of a suitable age.

Er Nainai Zhao was familiar with Yuxiʼs attendants, so she couldnʼt help but laugh after hearing this. She said to Yuxi, ”Thatʼs true! How could I not think of that?” It was a case of overthinking out of concern.

Yuxi smiled, ”I wonder whoʼs deliberately spreading these rumours to ruin my reputation.” Xu Wu had already looked into the matter. However, the person behind it was hiding very well. Still, no matter how well they hid, it was likely either the Emperor, the Song family, or the Yu family.

Er Nainai Zhao remarked, ”Whoever is behind this is truly malicious. If you catch them, you must not let them go unpunished.” The audacity of someone to spread slander about Yuxi in Yu City was genuinely shocking.

Yuxi, however, didnʼt take it to heart. She had been through far worse slanders before. Acting unbothered, she changed the subject and asked Er Nainai Zhao, ”How is the concubine your mother-in-law gave to Second Master Zhao doing?” This time, the Zhao family held a formal banquet for Zhao Hao to take a concubine. However, they didnʼt invite any outsiders. They only held a two-table banquet for their own household, which was considered to have gone through the formality. Yuxi had yet to see what this concubine looked like.

Er Nainai Zhao replied, ”Sheʼs very well-behaved.” Not only was she obedient, but her appearance was also plain. Er Nainai Zhaoʼs mother-in-law had chosen her because she had a plump figure, considered ideal for childbearing.

Although Yuxi had no personal experience, her theoretical knowledge was extensive. She said, ”Being obedient now doesnʼt mean sheʼll stay the same in the future. You canʼt let your guard down.” In the capital, many concubines were submissive before they bore a son. But once they had a child and were firmly established in the household, they rarely remained so docile. This was understandable—human desires were endless.

Er Nainai Zhao, who greatly admired Yuxi and trusted her advice, nodded. ”Yes. All the deeds of sale for the maids who serve her are in my hands.” Holding their deeds of sale essentially gave her control over their lives and ensured their loyalty.

Yuxi shook her head, ”Itʼs not enough to have their deeds. You must also promise them a good future. Thatʼs the only way to ensure true loyalty.” Subordinates should be controlled not only by threats but also by rewards. By balancing authority with kindness, their loyalty could be secured for the long term.

Er Nainai Zhao thought momentarily before nodding, ”Thank you for the advice, Yuxi.” As for what a good future should be, she would have to think about it some more.

Yuxi smiled.

Er Nainai Zhao then shared some gossip she had heard recently. ”A few days ago, I heard an amusing story. Apparently, a young general rescued a beautiful maiden. The girl wanted to offer herself to him out of gratitude, but the officer told her he already had a wife and children, so he couldnʼt marry her. Guess what happened next?”

It was rare for someone to share gossip with her, so Yuxi was naturally interested. Playing along, she asked, ”What happened next? Did the girl say she was willing to become his concubine?”

Er Nainai Zhao sighed and replied, ”Exactly. The girl said she was willing to be his concubine. Honestly, even if you want to repay a life-saving debt, you donʼt need to sacrifice your entire future for it!” In Yu City, women had no trouble finding husbands. Girls from respectable families would never agree to be concubines except under special circumstances.

Yuxi, however, had a different perspective. ”You said heʼs a young general, so his future prospects must be promising. Becoming a concubine to someone like that is much better than marrying a useless man and living in poverty and hardship for the rest of her life.” In Yuxiʼs view, the girlʼs gratitude was just an excuse—what she really wanted was a comfortable life.

Er Nainai Zhao laughed, ”Your view is the same as my mother-in-lawʼs.” Er Nainai Zhaoʼs mother-in-law also believed the girl had ulterior motives for expressing her gratitude in this way.

This was just idle chatter between the two, and the topic quickly passed. Later, however, Yuxi would deeply regret not asking more about the matter. If she had, what happened later might have been avoided. But alas, thereʼs no cure for regret in this world.

Yuxi changed the subject. ”Iʼve heard that Chen Shiʼs pregnancy has stabilised. Thatʼs good news.” With Chen Shiʼs condition improving, she wouldnʼt need as much attention, and this would ease Fu Tianleiʼs household situation, allowing Yuxi to avoid further involvement.

Er Nainai Zhao responded, ”Letʼs hope this time the child will be a son.” While she didnʼt like Chen Shi, as a fellow woman, she still hoped that Chen Shi could fulfill her wish.

This was one of the reasons why Yuxi cherished her friendship with Er Nainai Zhao—because of her character. Even when dealing with people she disliked, Er Nainai Zhao never harboured ill intentions. Yuxi sighed, ”Yes, letʼs hope itʼs a boy.” As a woman herself, she understood the challenges women faced. In truth, Yuxi was also hoping for a son. However, the chances of that happening with this pregnancy seemed slim, so she could only pin her hopes on the next one.