The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

When Lu Xiu heard that Qiu Shi wanted her to leave the capital, she was more than willing to do so. ”Mom, my own mother will definitely help me leave the capital.” Lu Xiu had wanted to leave the capital for a long time, but things had kept being delayed until now. Now that there was finally an opportunity, she couldnʼt wait to leave immediately.

Qiu Shi nodded. ”If the rebel army breaks in, it will be too late to escape. So this matter should be done sooner rather than later.”

Lu Xiu raised no objections. ”Mom, Iʼll go back to my natal home later.”

She had been returning to her parentsʼ home every few days during this period. The recent calm of the Han household was also thanks to the discreet assistance of her Lu family. Otherwise, how could a household of orphans and widows possibly have lived so peacefully?

Qiu Shi said, ”You should go there tomorrow, then.” It would take Han Gao at least four or five days to deliver the letter to Wang County and then travel to Gushu Manor to gather the others, so they still had time to prepare.

The next day, Lu Xiu went to the Lu household and told Second Madam Lu about the matter. ”Mom, my husband is in Yu City, and Si Gunainai is in that state. If my children and I stay in the capital, we definitely wonʼt survive. Mom, I plan to leave the capital and go to the Northwest.”

Hearing this, Second Madam Lu asked, ”Have all the arrangements been properly made?” Seeing Lu Xiu nod, she continued, ”Are you worried you wonʼt be able to leave the capital?”

Lu Xiu nodded. ”Mom, as you know, the Dukeʼs household is in a difficult situation. With children in tow, I definitely wouldnʼt be able to leave.”

Second Madam Lu thought for a moment, then said, ”When are you planning to leave? Iʼll escort you out of the capital then.” She only had this one daughter, and she would defy her husbandʼs wishes if necessary to ensure her daughterʼs safe exit from the city.

Lu Xiu took Second Madam Luʼs hand and stated, ”Mom, I heard from my mother-in-law that the Imperial Army canʼt hold back the rebels. In less than half a month, theyʼll reach the capital. Mom, our family must also make early preparations.” Lu Xiu felt that her natal family was in even greater danger than the Dukeʼs household. They were currently trusted confidants of the Emperor, but if Yan Wushuang were to break into the capital, disaster would befall the Lu family.

Second Madam Lu stroked Lu Xiuʼs head and assured her, ”You donʼt need to worry about our family. With your Grandfather and Dad here, nothing will happen.”

Hearing this, Lu Xiu felt overwhelmingly distressed. ”Mom, then I wonʼt leave. Iʼll bring the children back to live here. If we must die, then weʼll die together.”

Second Madam Lu laughed helplessly. ”What foolish things are you saying? Youʼre still young, and you have two children—how can you speak so lightly of death?” Seeing Lu Xiu with tears brimming in her eyes, Second Madam Lu was saddened too, yet she still smiled. ”Why are you crying? Shaanxi is close to Sichuan. Once you reach Shaanxi, you can even go see your eldest and third brothers.” Lu Lin had been transferred to Sichuan in the middle of last year, so the timing was truly perfect. Had it been any later, he would have been dragged onto the pirate ship of rebellion by Yun Qing.

That evening, Second Master Lu returned home. He had been so busy recently that he had barely had time to come back. This time, he went back because he knew his daughter was home. ”What did Xiu-er say to you when she came back today?” Han Gao had returned to the capital yesterday, and Xiu-er had come home today—there must have been something that the two women had discussed.

Second Madam Luʼs expression stiffened slightly as she replied, ”What could she have said? Just a few intimate words between mother and daughter.” In truth, Second Madam Lu had always wanted Lu Xiu to go to the Northwest, but her husband had refused, citing the chaos outside. Without her husbandʼs support and with the Dukeʼs household in such a shambles, how could she possibly dare to let her daughter and grandsons flee the capital? With the outside world rife with warfare and banditry, everything had to be carefully arranged for Xiu-er to leave the capital with her two children if they were to survive.

Second Master Lu did not get angry when he heard her answer. He took off his outer robe and handed it to a maid. ”Iʼve already received news—Han Jianmingʼs old injuries have flared up again, and heʼs currently recuperating in Wang County, unable to return.” After saying this, he sat down and continued, ”Go on—what exactly did Xiu-er come to see you about?”

Second Madam Lu knew she could no longer hide the matter from Second Master Lu. She confessed, ”Master, you already know Xiuʼerʼs current situation. Her husband is stationed in the Northwest, leaving her in the capital with their two children. How could she possibly manage to live well like that? Although Xiu-er is a married daughter, she is still the flesh that fell from my body. Master, please let Xiu-er leave the capital and go to the Northwest to find her husband. Keeping her here is the same as sentencing her to death.”

At this point, Second Madam Lu the Secondʼs tears streamed down uncontrollably. ”Master, Iʼm already a person with half of my body buried in the ground. Iʼve enjoyed enough blessings in this lifetime—if I were to die today, Iʼd have no complaints. But Xiu-er is still young, and our two grandchildren are so little. They must be given a way to live.”

Second Master Lu sighed helplessly. ”I never said I wouldnʼt send Xiu-er away from the capital. I disagreed before because the timing wasnʼt right.”

Upon hearing this, Second Madam Lu even forgot to cry and asked,

”What timing?”

By this point, Second Master Lu was no longer hiding the truth. ”Youʼre well aware of the Han familyʼs situation. If Lu Xiu had left the capital with the children earlier, would that person above have let it go so easily? Before they could have made it out of the capital gates, the entire Han family would have been thrown into prison. Even if we had wanted to help, we wouldnʼt have been able to do anything then. But now itʼs different—the rebel army is about to attack. His Majesty will be too preoccupied to care about a group of old, weak women and children at the Dukeʼs residence.”

Second Madam Lu wiped her tears and remarked, ”You could have told me earlier.” She had even blamed her husband for being cold-hearted, for not caring about their daughter and grandchildren.

Second Master Lu said, ”Donʼt overthink it. Iʼll make proper arrangements.” After that, he went out to look for the Old Master.

Although Old Master Lu was nearly seventy years old, his body was still robust. In the Lu household, he was like the divine needle that stabilises the sea.

Second Master Lu stated, ”Dad, I want Han-er to go with Xiu to the Northwest!” Lu Han was Second Master Luʼs second di grandson, who was twelve years old this year. He had practised martial arts since childhood, a good seedling.

Before Old Master Lu could speak, Second Master Lu explained, ”I want Han-er to find Jianye and stay with him in Yu City, without getting involved in external affairs.” Staying in Yu City would be relatively simpler and safer.

Old Master Lu asked grimly, ”You donʼt trust that your elder brother can hold Sichuan?” If his second son truly trusted his eldest son, he wouldnʼt be sending his great-grandson to the Northwest—he would send him to Sichuan instead.

Second Master Lu replied, ”Dad, you know Dageʼs temperament better than anyone. Sichuan is now riddled with rebellions. Just the internal chaos alone is more than he can handle, and if there are external enemies as well, it will be very hard for him to hold onto Sichuan.” Lu Boda was formidable in warfare and had crushed every rebellion. However, the people had been exploited so harshly that they could no longer survive. Unless this problem was resolved, no amount of killing would stop the uprisings. Since he had killed so many, Lu Bodaʼs reputation among the common people was poor.

Old Master Lu asked, ”Do you really think that highly of Yun Qing and Han Shi?”

Second Master Lu fell silent for a moment before answering, ”Dad, Iʼve already received word that Yun Qing is now in charge of military affairs in the Northwest, while Han Shi is in charge of governance. The first thing she intends to do after taking charge is to develop water infrastructure. Everyone knows the Northwest lacks water. In order to change this, dams and canals must be built, but no one has ever attempted it before. Han Shi is the first to try. If they succeed, the Northwest will surely become prosperous.”

Old Master Lu asked, ”Have you considered what would happen if Han Shi and Yun Qing used Han-er to threaten Gang-er?” Using a son to threaten his father would be a very effective tactic.

Second Master Lu replied, ”The one who controls Sichuan is Dage, Lu Boda, not Lu Gang. Using Han-er as leverage wonʼt threaten Dage. Han Shi is intelligent; she wouldnʼt do something so foolish.”

Old Master Lu said sharply, his gaze piercing, ”Are you that certain Han Shi will let Lu Han stay in Yu City?” After hearing Second Master Lu say that Yuxi owed him a personal favour, Old Master Lu finally realised that his son intended to gamble the future of their family on Han-er.

Second Master Lu nodded. ”Yes, Iʼm gambling. If it succeeds, the Lu family may still have hope of revival.” As for what would happen if it failed, he did not say. In truth, Second Master Lu was deeply frustrated. When he had originally sent Lu Lin to the Northwest, it was to leave himself another escape route. Unexpectedly, his Dage was displeased and submitted a memorial citing manpower shortages, requesting that Lu Lin be transferred to Sichuan instead. Otherwise, they would not be struggling so desperately now.

Old Master Lu said, ”Yan Wushuang is violent by nature and extremely unpredictable. He harbours deep hatred towards the Emperor and the Song family. If he captures the capital, there will likely be a massacre. Make proper arrangements for all the children.” The Lu family had been loyal to the Emperor for generations and would certainly not be tolerated by Yan Wushuang.

Seeing that his father did not object, Second Master Lu felt relieved. ”Dad, I plan to have Luo Shuigui escort Xiu-er to the northwest.”

After a momentʼs thought, Old Master Lu said, ”Have Old Mai drive the carriage. Heʼs an old hand at this—thereʼll be less jostling on the road.” This Old Mai was not actually a coachman, but rather Old Master Luʼs personal bodyguard. He was highly skilled in martial arts and usually accompanied Old Master Lu wherever he went.

Second Master Lu hesitated. ”Dad, isnʼt this inappropriate? You canʼt do without Uncle Mai by your side!” This Uncle Mai was much younger than Old Master Lu, being only fifty-seven this year.

Old Master Lu stated, ”Itʼs settled.”

Three days later, Lu Xiu departed in the Lu familyʼs carriage. Because everything had been arranged in advance, they left the city smoothly without encountering any obstruction.

Rather than going to Lingshan Temple, the group went straight to Qiu Shiʼs dowry estate, Gushu Manor. It was only after meeting the people sent by Han Jianming to receive them that Second Madam Lu finally spoke plainly.

Lu Xiu was utterly astonished. ”Mom, Dad wants me to take Han-er to Yucheng? Why?” She was going to the Northwest because her husband was in Yu City, but why should her nephew be going there too? If he were to go anywhere, it should be to Sichuan.

Second Madam Lu replied, ”Since your Dad wants Han-er to accompany you to Yu City, he must have his reasons. Xiu, Iʼm entrusting Han-er to you—you must take good care of him.” Although she did not understand her husbandʼs intentions, she was still pleased that her grandson could leave the capital. Staying in the capital could very well mean losing oneʼs life. Those with connections were trying every possible way to leave, while those who remained were either unable or unwilling to do so.

Lu Xiu nodded. ”Mom, donʼt worry. I will take good care of Han-er.”

Han Gao urged, ”Second Lady, letʼs keep this brief. Itʼs getting late, and we still need to travel.” Once night fell, they could no longer be on the road. Despite having many guards, they were still travelling with children.

きつねʼs Heartfelt Apology