The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0602 Flying Into A Rage For A Beauty

Han Jianye was blindfolded and led out of the prison. When the hood covering his head was finally removed, allowing him to see daylight again, he realised he was in an unfamiliar place.

Looking at the bare walls, the small, high window, and the only difference from a prison cell being a thick quilt on the bed and a chamber pot, Han Jianye asked the person who had brought him here, ”Where is this?”

The person replied expressionlessly, ”Reflect on your mistakes here.” With that, he turned and left, locking the door behind him.

Outside, Huo Changqing spoke to Xu Daniu, ”Donʼt worry too much about him. As long as he doesnʼt starve to death, heʼll be fine.” Han Jianye had made a grave mistake. He couldnʼt be severely punished out of respect for the Han Shi, but letting him suffer a little was okay.

Xu Daniu hesitated and asked, ”Master, what if Madam blames us for this?” Madam had always looked after her Er Ge, Han Jianye. If they mistreated Han Jianye, she would surely be upset.

Huo Changqing replied, ”If Zaozaoʼs mother has a problem with this, just tell her it was my decision.” Teaching Han Jianye a lesson would prevent him from repeating the same mistake.

Xu Daniu nodded in agreement.

On the third day after Yun Qing set out for war, Er Nainai Zhao came to visit Yuxi. When she saw Yuxiʼs pale complexion, she couldnʼt hold back her tears. ”Meimei, how did you end up like this?”

Yuxi could move now, but strenuous activity was still out of the question. She sat up, leaned against the headboard, and smiled. ”My life is no longer in mortal danger.” She was well aware of her condition—full recovery would take at least two or three years. No one had told her this outright, but she knew it in her heart.

Er Nainai Zhao wiped her tears away and cursed, ”That Emperor is truly despicable! This was a matter between men—why take it out on us women?” She also believed that the Emperor ordered the assassination attempt on Yuxi, and it only deepened her contempt for him. If he thought Yun Qing was disobedient, he could have stripped him of his position as a general rank or even k*lled him—but to target Yuxi? Only a useless man would lash out at women.

Yuxiʼs expression stiffened. ”So you already know?” She had been the one who suggested that Yun Qing take Zhao Zhuo and Zhao Hao. Now, feeling guilty and uncomfortable, she found it hard to meet Er Nainai Zhaoʼs eyes.

Er Nainai Zhao replied, ”Since my husband left with General Yun, how could I not know?” Of course, she was worried, but there was no point in worrying about it now.

Feeling remorseful, Yuxi said, ”Tu Jiejie, Iʼm sorry.” Although she didnʼt think she had done anything wrong, she truly felt guilty towards Tu Qingmei.

Er Nainai Zhao smiled. ”What is there to be sorry for? This is their business as men. We women have no say in it.” She had no idea Yuxi had played a role in the decision—she assumed it was all Yun Qingʼs doing.

Seeing that Er Nainai Zhao could still smile, Yuxi couldnʼt help but ask, ”Tu Jiejie, arenʼt you worried?” Even though she knew that they had a good chance of winning, she still couldnʼt shake her anxiety.

Er Nainai Zhao said, ”How could I not be worried? Every time thereʼs a battle, Iʼm scared to death, let alone this time, when they set out without an official deployment order.” If they failed, the Zhao family could be wiped out. But worrying was pointless—it wouldnʼt solve anything.

Yuxi grasped Er Nainai Zhaoʼs hand and said, ”Tu Jiejie, Iʼm so sorry...” For the sake of her own family, she and her husband had dragged too many people into this mess.

Shaking her head, Er Nainai Zhao said, ”What is there to apologise for? This wasnʼt even your decision. Besides, the current Imperial Court is corrupt, and the Emperor is incompetent. Even if Yun Qing hadnʼt rebelled, someone in the Northwest would have eventually. Now that General Yun has taken action first, he has the advantage.”

Yuxi was stunned for a moment—she hadnʼt expected Er Nainai Zhao to say such things. But she quickly realised it was probably due to Madam Zhaoʼs influence. General Zhao had taken off his armour and returned to the field, and Zhao Zhuo had fallen out of favour with the couple. He will certainly not be reused by Yun Qing in the future. Therefore, the Zhao family needed Er Nainai Zhao to maintain a good relationship with her. Obviously, Er Nainai Zhao was unaware of these political intricacies.

Yuxi nodded, ”Yes, Herui also said that now was the best time to act. Otherwise, he wouldnʼt have left us three—me and our daughters—behind in Yu City.”

Suddenly, Er Nainai Zhao said, ”Yuxi, I really envy you.” The Imperial Court was undeniably corrupt, but few would dare to rebel. Yun Qing had faced multiple assassination attempts in the past but had never thought of rebelling. But after Yuxi was attacked, his fury led him to rise up against the Imperial Court.

Yuxi was confused. ”Envy me? For what?”

Er Nainai Zhao smiled. ”Of course, I envy you for having General Yun, who would go to war in a fit of rage for your sake! If I had a husband like that, Iʼd feel that my life was worth it, even if I had to die right now.” For her, Yuxi was the luckiest woman in the world.

Yuxi broke into a sweat, ”Who came up with such nonsense?” ʼGoing to war in a fit of rage for a beautyʼ? That phrase referred to a beloved concubine, but she was Yun Qingʼs wife, not some mere beauty.

Nevertheless, Er Nainai Zhao remained deeply moved. ”Yuxi, you are truly blessed.” Even after giving birth to two daughters, Yun Qing showed no disappointment and still cherished her deeply. This made Er Nainai Zhao both envious and touched—envious that Yuxi had married such a good man and touched that such men still existed in the world.

On this matter, Yuxi agreed. She said, ”Marrying Herui is indeed my greatest fortune.” Although Yun Qing was not one for sweet words or tender gestures, his actions always warmed her heart.

Er Nainai Zhao teased, ”You have no idea—just yesterday, my mother-in-law joked that those girls who refused to marry General Yun back then must have regretted it so much that their intestines turned green.” Of course, she was only joking. At that time, Yun Qing had been the most undesirable bachelor in the Northwest despite his high rank and numerous military achievements. His aura was too intimidating—women trembled at the sight of him, let alone dare to marry him.

Yuxi smiled, ”They can regret all they want—itʼs too late now.” Yun Qing was her husband, and he was now beyond anyone elseʼs reach.

Since Er Nainai Zhao was visiting, she naturally asked about Yuxiʼs premature daughter. ”How is the baby?” It would be hard to raise a premature child.

Yuxi replied, ”Liu-er is very weak, but fortunately, Mama Lan is taking excellent care of her. Otherwise, I wouldnʼt even know what to do.” Thanks to Mama Lan, she wasnʼt overwhelmed with worry—without her, Yuxi wouldnʼt have been able to eat or sleep peacefully, constantly fretting over Liuʼerʼs fragile state.

Sensing the sadness in the topic, Er Nainai Zhao quickly changed the subject. ”Your Mother truly dotes on you, sending such a capable person like Mama Lan to help.” The more time she spent with Yuxi, the more Er Nainai Zhao realised how different the powerful noble families were from hers. If Yuxi had come from an ordinary household, the turmoil of her illness and Yun Qingʼs departure would have thrown the household into chaos. But in the Yun household, everything remained orderly and well-managed, as if nothing had changed.

The mention of Qiu Shi made Yuxi feel melancholy. She sighed, ”Yes... But I worry that this situation might implicate my Mother.” Although Qiu Shi was not her biological mother, she had done as much for Yuxi as any real mother would.

Er Nainai Zhao hesitated, not sure how to respond. To say that Qiu Shi wouldnʼt be affected would be a lie, but to say otherwise would only add to Yuxiʼs distress.

After some thought, Er Nainai Zhao said, ”Donʼt be too upset. This isnʼt something within your control. Besides, you were forced into this situation.”

Yuxi nodded. ”Yes. If we hadnʼt been driven to desperation, Herui would never have taken this path of no return. Now, I just hope my Dage can find a way to avoid disaster and protect the Han family. Otherwise, Iʼll go down in history as the Han familyʼs eternal sinner.”

Er Nainai Zhao quickly reassured her, ”Donʼt worry—I believe your Dage will be able to protect the Han family.” Having a capable elder brother was a blessing.

Yuxi nodded and then asked, ”And what about you? The last time we spoke, you said you suspected that concubine of being pregnant. Has it been confirmed?” The day before Yuxi was attacked, she had spent half a day chatting with Er Nainai Zhao. Er Nainai Zhao had suspected that the concubine was expecting but had pretended not to be for fear that Er Nainai Zhao, would harm the child.

Er Nainai Zhao nodded. ”I had a physician examine her and itʼs confirmed—sheʼs almost two months pregnant. Since she is so wary of me, I donʼt want to bother with her. I simply let my mother-in-law assign someone to look after her.” After a pause, she added, ”She used to act all meek and well-behaved, but now that sheʼs pregnant, sheʼs showing her true nature. Honestly, Yuxi, you saw through her better than I did!” When they first accepted the concubine, it was only to ensure an heir—there was no way she would harm the child.

Yuxi shook her head. ”Itʼs not about foresight—just human nature. Leaving her in the care of your mother-in-law is wise. If anything happens to her, it wonʼt be your fault.”

Er Nainai Zhao hesitated, looking conflicted.

Curious, Yuxi asked, ”Tu Jiejie, if you have something to say, just say it. No need to hold back.”

Er Nainai Zhao hesitated momentarily before asking, ”Yuxi, I have heard that your difficult labour has affected your health this time. Is it true?” If Yun Qing succeeded, his status would change drastically. At that point, women would throw themselves at him for power and wealth. If Yuxi couldnʼt bear any more children, her future could become very difficult.

Yuxi nodded. ”Giving birth to Liu-er has weakened me greatly. It will take two to three years for my body to recover.” Surviving was already a blessing in itself, and Liu-erʼs well-being was an even greater fortune—she had no complaints.

Er Nainai Zhaoʼs face lit up with relief. ”Really?” Seeing Yuxi nod again, she clutched her chest and sighed in relief. ”Iʼve been so worried these past few days. As long as youʼre okay, thatʼs all that matters.” With how much Yun Qing cherished Yuxi, waiting two or three years wouldnʼt be a problem.

Yuxi could tell the difference between genuine concern and false sympathy. Having such a sincere friend made her feel incredibly lucky.