The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0622 Brother And Sister (2)

The candlelight in the room cast Han Jianyeʼs shadow onto the floor. As the flame flickered, the shadow swayed with it.

Seeing Han Jianyeʼs pained expression, Yuxi crossed her hands over her chest and said softly, ”Herui has already led his troops to the gates of Lanzhou City. He may have already taken it by now.”

Han Jianye was stunned for a few seconds. After a long pause, he reacted and asked in disbelief, ”Youʼre saying Yun Qing has seized Lanzhou City?”

Yuxi, looking weary, said, ”That assassin was sent by the Emperor. When Yun Qing found out, he flew into a rage and raised his army.” Given how single-minded Han Jianye was, if he knew that she and her husband had been planning a rebellion for a long time, he would probably sever all ties with her. Her Dage had only claimed that he had broken off relations with her because he had been forced by circumstances to put on a show for outsiders. But if Han Jianye were to cut ties, he would *really mean it.

Han Jianye had heard rumours before that Yun Qing had harboured rebellious intentions, so when he heard this, he questioned Yuxi directly. ”Did he rebel in a fit of anger, or did he harbour such intentions all along? You should know better than me.”

Hearing these words, Yuxi was stunned for a moment. She had expected Han Jianye to be furious that Yun Qingʼs rebellion would implicate their family, but not this.

Leaning against the bedpost, Yuxi spoke softly, ”Does it matter how he rebelled?”

Han Jianye, both angry and frustrated, said, ”Yuxi, do you know how many innocent lives will be caught up in Yun Qingʼs rebellion? I always thought you were kind and compassionate, but I never expected you to sacrifice so many lives for your ambition.” Once war broke out, not only would countless soldiers die, but innocent civilians would suffer as well.

Yuxi lowered her head and stared at the embroidered koi fish on the quilt. The embroidery was exquisitely done, making the fish look lifelike and beautiful. But no matter how beautiful something seemed on the surface, its inner workings could be pretty ugly once unravelled. As she traced the embroidery with her fingers, she spoke slowly, ”Youʼre mistaken, Er Ge. I have always been a selfish person.” She never saw herself as noble or selfless—if she were genuinely noble, she would have been a pile of bones by now.

Han Jianye said disappointedly, ”Yuxi, I wonʼt speak about anyone else, but arenʼt you afraid that your rebellion will destroy the entire Han family?”

Yuxi sighed. She honestly hadnʼt expected Han Jianye to be so loyal to the Emperor and the Imperial Court. ”Donʼt worry. Dage will lead the Han family away from this storm.”

Han Jianyeʼs face flushed red, whether from anger or urgency. ”Yuxi, you are the daughter of a noble house. How can you rebel without dragging the Han family into it?”

Not wanting to argue any further, Yuxi said, ”That is not something you need to worry about. When things settle down here in the Northwest, you should return to the capital.” The Northwest was no longer a place for Han Jianye.

At that moment, Yuxi couldnʼt help but feel relieved that she had ordered Han Jianye to be locked up earlier. Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble he might have been tempted into?

Han Jianye saw that Yuxi was resolute and asked, ”Are you determined not to turn back?”

Yuxi replied indifferently, ”That is not your concern. Even if Herui fails, our family of four will simply reunite in the underworld.” Earlier, when Han Jianye had sent assassins after her, leaving her with serious injuries and a difficult birth, she had resented him - but only for his naivety and lack of vigilance. But now she felt truly cold towards him.

Han Jianye clenched his fists. ”Zaozao and Liu-er are your own flesh and blood. How can you be so cruel and selfish?”

At this point, Yuxiʼs face was utterly expressionless. ”If you must blame someone, blame their misfortune of being born as my daughters. Since they were born to me, I have the final say over their fate.” A child without a mother was like a blade of grass, and an orphaned girl was even worse off. In Yu City, most orphaned girls ended up being sold into servitude, and if they were particularly beautiful, they might even be forced into brothels. Rather than leave her daughters to suffer a fate worse than death, she would rather they all leave this world together.

Han Jianye knew that he could no longer persuade her. ”If that is your decision, I have nothing more to say.” If she could be so callous about the lives of her own children, what else was there to discuss?

Yuxi said, ”Er Ge, in your heart, loyalty to the Emperor and love for the nation are more important than my life. But for me, my family of four is what matters most—no one, not even the Emperor, can take that away from me.” Seeing that Han Jianye still wanted to speak, Yuxi shook her head with a slight smile. ”Er Ge, our paths are different, so there is no point in discussing this further. When this is over, you should return to the capital.”

Han Jianye said, ”I want to leave for the capital now.”

Yuxi chuckled. Han Jianye had just accused her of being cold-hearted, yet now he wanted her to let him go? How contradictory. With a blank expression, she said, ”Until everything is settled, I wonʼt let you leave. Zijin, escort Er Ge out.”

Han Jianye didnʼt say another word and turned to leave.

At the courtyard gate, Zijin stopped and said, ”General Yun Qing has been assassinated countless times over the years, and since marrying him, Madam has faced several assassination attempts as well. Do you think they wanted to rebel? They were forced to. Second Master, your words just now were too hurtful.” Although she still called him ʼSecond Masterʼ out of habit, her tone lacked its former warmth.

Han Jianye responded, ”Throughout history, how many rebels have ever met a good end? Not only do they perish, but they also drag down everyone around them.” He didnʼt fear for himself but for the hundreds of Han family members who would be involved.

Zijin snorted coldly. ”Is that what youʼre afraid of? If it werenʼt for Madam, do you think youʼd still be alive to lecture her? General Yun Qing would have k*lled you with a single sword strike.” Talking sense into him was pointless.

After handing Han Jianye over to Xu Wu, Zijin returned to the bedroom. As she entered, she saw Yuxi leaning over the babyʼs cradle, about to pick up the sleeping Zaozao. Fortunately, the baby was a good sleeper and only woke up once during the night. That was why Yuxi had moved her back into the bedroom.

Yuxi picked Zaozao up, laid her on the bed, kissed her on the cheek and then lay down under the covers. ”Even though weʼve made all the preparations, success is still uncertain for Herui.” If their children lost both parents and had no one to protect them, their fate would be dire. Rather than leave them to suffer, it was better to take them along. Though she spoke of it easily, in truth, if that moment ever came, she didnʼt know if she would have the heart to do it.

Zijinʼs eyes were filled with determination. ”As long as I am here, no one will harm Madam or Zaozao.” She would stay by Madamʼs side until the very end.

Yuxi shook her head. ”I donʼt want you to sacrifice yourself needlessly. If the worst happens, all I ask is that you and Yu Zhi take Zaozao away and raise her.” With careful planning, Zaozao might survive. But as for Liuʼer, given her fragile health, she probably wouldnʼt make it.

Zijin knew that Yuxi always planned for the worst. She straightened her back and vowed, ”If that day ever comes, I will raise Zaozao to adulthood.”

Yuxi lay back down and whispered, ”Thatʼs good.”