novelraw Chapter 374
Chapter 374
Prime Minister?
Father still uses the old form of address...
Chu Ruoyan's brow furrowed slightly, but Yan Zheng patted her hand and turned to say, "Very well, Father-in-law."
Inside the side tent.
The candle flame flickered.
Chu Huaishan seemed to have aged overnight, streaks of grey appearing at his temples.
Yan Zheng did not rush him, simply sitting quietly opposite, waiting. Finally, the Duke of the Xia dynasty spoke: "Is there truly no room for maneuver?"
Yan Zheng did not answer directly. Instead, he rose, took a sealed letter from a box, and said, "This is a secret missive intercepted upon entering the military camp a few days ago. After reading it, Father-in-law should understand."
Chu Huaishan unfolded it. "This is His Majesty's handwriting! This is... for General Mei Sheng?"
His eyes scanned the lines rapidly. When he read, "We are deeply troubled and hope you, Minister Mei, will kill the traitor Yan and seize the Tiger Tally. If outmatched, you may borrow troops from the Southern Barbarians," he gasped in horror. "His Majesty is being foolish!"
Once the Southern Barbarians entered the Central Plains, would they ever withdraw easily?
Was this not inviting a wolf into the house?
He instinctively wanted to tear the letter, but looking up at Yan Zheng's impassive face, his hands stilled. "His Majesty... His Majesty truly is—Ah!"
With a heavy sigh, Chu Huaishan covered his face with his hands.
Yan Zheng said calmly, "Father-in-law should now understand. It is not that I am unwilling, but the one you serve will not permit it."
Willing to collude with the Southern Barbarians just to kill him—this showed that in Murong Feng's heart, Yan Zheng posed a far greater threat than the Southern Barbarians, even far greater than the common people of the borderlands.
After all, once the Southern Barbarians entered, they would be like a plague of locusts, burning, killing, looting, committing every atrocity, only causing the people to shed more blood...
Chu Huaishan remained with his face covered for a long time before speaking gravely, "I understand. For things to have reached this point, one can only say fate is playing tricks... But I, Chu Huaishan, am a subject of the Xia dynasty, deeply indebted to His Majesty's great grace. Though he acts without benevolence, I cannot act without righteousness. This, Prime Minister—son-in-law, you can understand, can you not?"
Yan Zheng did not miss the change in address and nodded in understanding. "I will not force Father-in-law to take my side. But you are Ayan's adoptive father. I do not wish for you to put her in a difficult position."
Chu Huaishan said, "That is precisely what I wish to say to you. Whether it is warfare or seizing the throne, these are men's affairs. I do not wish for you to involve her."
Yan Zheng was taken aback, his brows slowly drawing together.
Chu Huaishan continued, "Yan'er is a good child. Once she sets her mind on something, she pursues it with utter disregard for her own life. But what you are plotting this time is the empire. The slightest misstep could mean utter ruin. Therefore, son-in-law, I hope you will agree to let me take her away. If you succeed, come to Yangzhou to fetch her. If you fail, I can send her to the Western Frontier to preserve her life."
Yan Zheng immediately clenched his fist.
He had not been blind to the consequences of failure. With Yun Lang there, and the Western Frontier, he could ensure her safety regardless!
Now that Chu Huaishan had raised it, he had no grounds for refusal. Yet, he simply did not want her to leave!
They had only just been reunited for such a short while, having spent so little time together, finally meeting after long separation...
"Son-in-law, if you aim for great deeds, you must avoid being overly sentimental. Moreover, Yan'er is with child. How can she endure the hardships of your travels and campaigns?"
Yan Zheng pinched the bridge of his nose. "Father-in-law's admonishment is correct. I have been too selfish. Then let Ayan go with you—"
Before he could finish, the tent flap was suddenly thrown open.
Chu Ruoyan strode in. "I am not leaving!"
"Yan'er!" Chu Huaishan chided softly, but Chu Ruoyan took Yan Zheng's hand and said stubbornly, "Father, you also know Yan Zheng faces mortal danger this time. Yet you ask me to leave him at such a critical juncture. I beg your forgiveness, but your daughter cannot do that!"
"Husband and wife are one. We should share life and death. Do you think if he dies, your daughter could bear to live on alone?"
"Ayan!" This time it was Yan Zheng whose expression changed. "Don't speak nonsense. You must live, and live well!"
Chu Ruoyan bit her lip, staring unblinkingly at her father.
Chu Huaishan was stunned for a moment, then sighed again. "Forget it. Since you have made up your mind, even if I forcibly took you away, you would eventually return. Only, with your condition..."
"Please don't worry! I will take good care of myself!" With that, the woman let go of Yan Zheng and took her father's arm. "Thank you, Father!"
Seeing his eldest daughter acting just as she did in childhood, Chu Huaishan's gaze softened slightly. But remembering what Yan Zheng was about to undertake, a wave of sorrow washed over his heart. "I am old. There are some matters I cannot assist you with, and some matters I will not hinder you in. Tomorrow, I plan to take my wife and Lan'er back to Yangzhou. If you have urgent need, you may come find us there."
Chu Ruoyan knew her father was disillusioned and would no longer involve himself in court affairs.
For him, who had been loyal his entire life, this was the best possible outcome.
So she said, "Very well. But when we come, it may not be just Yan Zheng and I. Father and Grandfather had better prepare two big red envelopes!"
Mentioning his future grandchild, the worry on Chu Huaishan's brow eased slightly. "Good. Then I shall await your arrival!"
The heavy atmosphere finally dissipated a little. Chu Ruoyan and Yan Zheng exchanged a glance and smiled faintly.
Just then, a clear voice chimed in. "What's so good about it? If Eldest Sister isn't leaving, then I'm not leaving either!"
The three turned to see Chu Ruolan run into the tent from outside. She grabbed Chu Ruoyan's hand. "Eldest Sister, I'll stay too! I can take care of you!"
Recalling her third younger sister's legendary feats of burning rice and boiling pots dry, Chu Ruoyan's mouth twitched. "Are you sure?"
Chu Ruolan nodded vigorously. Chu Huaishan scolded, "Nonsense! A young lady like you, what would you look like staying in an army camp?"
But Yan Zheng said, "Father-in-law, please don't be angry. If Third Sister wishes to stay, she may. It so happens Yan Zhao is going to Yangzhou to fetch Wenjing. She could help the soldiers write letters in his stead..."
Before he could finish, Chu Ruolan glared and interrupted, "What? Dead Fish is leaving?"
Yan Zheng feigned ignorance as he looked at her. "Third Sister didn't know? Wenjing followed my second sister-in-law to the manor estate and then went traveling in Yangzhou. Now that turmoil is upon the land, it's time to bring them back."
Chu Ruolan immediately declared, "Then I'm not staying! Father, I want to go to Yangzhou with you!"
Watching her change her mind faster than turning a page, Chu Huaishan chided, "Shameless!"
Chu Ruolan stuck out her tongue and smiled contentedly at her eldest sister.
She just wanted to stay by Dead Fish's side and keep an eye on him. If another princess popped up from somewhere, she couldn't bear it!
The next day, when seeing off Chu Huaishan and the others, Nanny Zhou and Yulu knelt on the ground, refusing to rise, weeping and begging to stay.
Yan Zheng raised a hand, about to agree, but Chu Ruoyan said, "This is an army camp. The soldiers live day-to-day, uncertain of the morrow. How would it look for me to have two maidservants attending me?"
Yulu's eyes reddened, and she cried even harder. Nanny Zhou suddenly spoke up, "This old servant is not a maid! Before Old Xu left, he said he wished to spend the rest of his life with this old servant. I am willing to agree. That would make me a military dependent, eligible to follow the army, wouldn't it?"
Chu Ruoyan was stunned, having truly not considered this angle.
Yan Zheng made the decision. "Good. Then Nanny Zhou stays."
Chu Ruoyan shot him a reproachful look. The man whispered, "You should have someone to look after you. Consider it my one act of using power for personal gain?"
She chuckled and did not object further.
After waving farewell to his father, he was just about to speak when a young soldier came running over in a panic: "General, Miss Pei is threatening to kill herself! You must go and see her at once!"