Chapter 94: Replying Letter ◇

◎If she were alive... he would see her with his own eyes. ◎

The Lingnan region, a remote and desolate corner of the land, is sparsely populated and plagued by bandits. It has long been a territory that military strategists have deemed unworthy of contention.

Hua Ji, however, chose to take the opposite approach.

He has established this place as his stronghold, spending over half a year to build a mountain fortress here, using it as a base for training and assembling his troops.

Amidst these mountainous terrains, venomous creatures and treacherous miasma abounded, making it a perilous place for anyone unfamiliar with the area, except for the native villagers.

Yet, Hua Ji and his followers had established a village that housed over ten thousand people right in the heart of one such great mountain. Surrounded by towering peaks on all sides, the village was naturally fortified, virtually impregnable, and largely unknown to the outside world. Most of its inhabitants were robust young men and women.

At this moment, in the central courtyard of the village, a group of men sat in two orderly rows. They were led by a youthful, refined man dressed in a simple green robe. With lowered eyes and furrowed brows, his face resembled fine jade, and a faint crease between his eyebrows hinted at either displeasure or deep contemplation.

The bearded man reporting to him immediately fell silent, sensing the tension.

Amidst the gentle spring breeze carrying the warm scent of blooming peaches, a young man hurried into the courtyard. He was named Zhu Qing, with an upright countenance and demeanor. His composed expression and reserved nature spoke volumes without the need for words.

First, they bowed to the master seated in the prominent position, then handed Hua Ji an unopened small letter tube retrieved from a homing pigeon's leg, whispering a few words into his ear.

The crease between the man's brows smoothed instantly, his eyes shimmering with a warm glow. His long-serving shadowy subordinates understood the unspoken message and fell silent, prepared to be dismissed by their master mid-discussion. They knew this was likely a letter from home, and on such occasions, their master would send them away until he had finished reading and responding to it.

It had been months since any news had come from that side; how could their master not be anxious?

But this time, the matter seemed more urgent. They wondered whether their master would read the letter first or finish the discussion before doing so.

In the Lingnan region, bandits ran rampant, and the indigenous people were stubbornly resistant, fiercely barbaric. The common folk lived in tribes, far removed from the central court's jurisdiction. The provincial governors sent by the court either lacked authority or met untimely deaths. The previous one had died from "insect poisoning," and over a year had passed without the court appointing a replacement.

It was precisely because of this vulnerability that they chose this place to nurture their forces. However, a month ago, unexpected news emerged: after a year's delay, the court had finally dispatched a new Governor of Lingnan, who would arrive in just two days.

They were in the midst of discussing strategies to deal with this new governor. If they didn't handle him promptly, and he discovered the existence of their village, the information might reach the court, leading to military intervention. Even though this area was difficult to conquer, discovery would invite significant trouble.

After all, their master held a unique identity.

The original shadowy subordinates remained silent, awaiting their master's instructions with a tacit understanding. In contrast, the newer advisors and underlings were utterly perplexed.

What's going on?

Duo De was a young counselor who had pledged his allegiance halfway through, with the appearance of a delicate scholar, thin physique, and pale complexion, as if his days were numbered.

He patted the person next to him and asked what was happening.

The one beside him was a fellow from the covert intelligence unit. This brother, also part of the "Bamboo" generation, was named Zhu Xin. It was he who had delivered the news of the imperial governor's arrival.

Zhu Xin made a face and gestured for silence, indicating that Duo De should not speak. Seeing that Duo De was still confused, he whispered, "The Master's letter from home has arrived!"

A letter from home?

Duo De muttered to himself. He had assumed that his master was likely a lonely figure. After following him for several months, he had never met any family members. Suddenly, a letter from home appeared out of the blue.

He asked softly, "Is it from the Lady?"

Zhu Xin: "…Sort of." The letter wasn't technically from the master's family but from Zhu Ying. However, rumors had it that Zhu Ying, that young man, had defected and become an ardent admirer of the Lady. If he were the one who wrote the letter, chances were high that it would be filled with tales about the Young Lady. So, in a way, saying it was from the Young Lady wouldn't be entirely wrong – at least half-right.

Duo De was startled once again. His master had a lady?

He focused his gaze and saw the man sitting at the head of the room, as elegant as jade, tearing open the letter tube and pulling out its contents.

He unfolded the letter slowly, and Duo De noticed a slight tremble in his master's index finger. For a fleeting moment, a ripple appeared in his starry eyes before they turned as deep as ink.

His voice was usually mild and low, but now it descended even further as he called for them to withdraw.

Duo De retreated slowly, not daring to spare another glance, and followed Zhu Xin out. He was curious; what kind of woman could make the future monarch he had chosen so preoccupied? If his lord's great undertaking succeeded, would sentimentality hinder his progress?

Zhu Xin: "..." That's why it's not good for scholars to have too many thoughts. Overactive imagination is a problem that needs addressing.

The familiar handwriting and long-lost code on the letter made Hua Ji's fingertips tremble slightly. He quickly scanned down the page. There wasn't much written on the first sheet – his father had never been a verbose man. Even when corresponding with his resurrected eldest son, who he had been deeply concerned about, his words were concise, without a single superfluous phrase.

First, he asked where Hua Ji was, what he was doing, and if he was in danger. Then, he exhorted him to prioritize safety above all else. If his life was at risk, he should abandon his endeavors early on, even if it meant living under an assumed name. As long as the whole family could be together, what was there to object to?

He had long since seen through power and fame. A year of change and a tranquil rural life had transformed the once-power-hungry War God Marquis into an ordinary father, son, and husband who cared only for his family's well-being. Now that his eldest son had returned from the dead, his own heart had come back to life. How could he not cherish him and watch him engage in perilous pursuits?

At the end, the tone shifted, and his father's strictness emerged in the question: "Your wife is currently waiting for you at home, unaware that you are still alive! How long do you plan to keep this a secret? I'm sure you're already aware of everything she has done for you. Let me warn you, Hua'er, don't let her down."

The word "wife" was strangely foreign, yet for some reason, it felt like a honey-coated dagger piercing his heart, making his heartbeat accelerate and warmth rush to his ears. He felt an itch in his fingertips.

He couldn't help but lessen his grip, and in that instant, the two letters slipped from his fingers and fell to the ground. He lowered his gaze, took a few breaths, and bent down to retrieve them.

Thus, the second page of the letter also fell into view.

This page was written by Zhu Ying. He was too lazy to rephrase, so he began with a submissive account of how the Marquis discovered his master was still alive. The rest of the text was largely a copy of the letter intercepted by the Marquis on New Year's Eve.

Zhu Ying, having recently mastered the art of secret messaging, had written her words in a clumsy, uneven script that made the man laugh in exasperation.

Especially the subtly yet piercing lines that questioned the very core of his conscience made him crumple the corner of the letter in agitation.

A father's disappointment, a subordinate's concern – both regarded him as a heartless man, fearing he would betray the "wife" at home.

The thought of that title and the woman who bore it stirred his mind, causing a moment of profound silence.

Having lived through another life, Hua Ji claimed to have seen through the intricacies of human nature and was well-acquainted with the true characters of those he had encountered before. Yet, this "wife" remained an enigma to him.

In his previous life, after his military defeat, he and his entire family were imprisoned. To spare them from the fate of decapitation, he voluntarily surrendered all his power, including the secret underground network he had established since his teenage years.

He naively believed that by surrendering his power, the new emperor, seeing them no longer as a threat and wishing to demonstrate his mercy, would spare their lives, allowing the whole family to survive. He was unwilling to let his failure bring harm to his grandmother and mother, for that would be the ultimate disrespect.

However, he never expected that the new emperor would indeed display his benevolence and magnanimity by sentencing them all to a three-thousand-mile exile. Secretly, he dispatched skilled assassins disguised as bandits to kill them along the way.

At that time, both he and his father were subjected to harsh torture in prison, their bones shattered, bound in chains, leaving them defenseless against the killers. They helplessly watched as their entire family was slaughtered, unable to intervene.

He died filled with hatred, yet unexpectedly gained a second chance at life. But the timing of his regained memories was too late. If only it had come a day or two earlier, he could have altered the current emperor's reign and avenged his past grievances.

In haste, he chose to save his family by faking his death, planning for future schemes.

Everything unfolded according to his plan, except for one unexpected turn: his former fiancée, the Sixth Miss of the Wei Duke's residence.

In his previous life, she had died even before him, just as his family was escorted out of prison for exile. Along the journey, he heard the citizens discussing how the Sixth Miss of the Wei Duke's household, his former betrothed, had failed to seduce the emperor and was expelled from the palace, disgracing herself to the point of suicide in the city moat.

The Wei Duke's residence publicly announced that the Sixth Miss had succumbed to an illness, adamantly denying that the body in the moat was hers. Only the third branch of the family suddenly severed ties with the Wei Duke's residence, retrieved their daughter's corpse, and retreated into seclusion. The couple resigned their official positions and disappeared with their youngest son, leaving no trace behind.

In both lifetimes, this woman had trampled on his dignity and subjected him to immense humiliation. The only difference between the two was that in one, she chose to enter the palace to "seduce" the emperor, only to be cast out and meet a disgraceful end. In the other, she chose to take her own life on the day of his execution, wearing her wedding attire, severing ties with the Wei Duke's residence to marry into his family and care for his elderly, weak, and female relatives. The entire capital praised her deep affection and loyalty, even composing ballads that spread throughout the land.

The disparity between the two is like that between heaven and earth.

Hua Ji, who prides himself on his astuteness, has yet to see through her after all this time.

For so long, Zhu Ying's letters have been filled with praise for that woman, making her seem like her most devoted admirer. She genuinely regards her as her young lady, and if even her loyal subordinate feels this way, how much more so her family, whom she cares for deeply?

It's likely that his parents, grandmother, and younger siblings also share a deep bond with her. Zhu Ying mentioned that she has taken excellent care of the whole family. Whenever any of the three younger siblings have an issue, they would seek their sister-in-law first. His father even wrote to warn him not to take his wife for granted.

Hua Ji lowers his gaze, his eyes landing once again on the poem. He softly utters the final line aloud: "In spring, recognize the butterflies in twosome..."

How can one pen such heartfelt verses if their feelings are false?

And why would she indulge in solitary drunkenness in her chamber on a moonless night if she has ulterior motives? Whom is she trying to deceive?

But if it's genuine...

Why is there such a vast difference between the same person across two lifetimes?

There must be a reason, and that reason undoubtedly lies with Yu Lian. Given her cowardice and love for status, could it be that, like him, she has been reborn into this world?

Yet, that didn't make sense either. In her previous life, Yu Lian had passed away before him. To her, he was merely a defeated captive awaiting death. Even if her soul had wandered for a long time like his, she should be aware that he perished during his exile.

What could there possibly be to gain from him?

Hua Ji dismissed this conjecture himself, but he knew the issue still lied with Yu Lian.

He dared not entertain that possibility – if it were true... if there were hidden reasons behind everything, if she genuinely cared for him with all her heart, that boundless joy...

What made him worthy of such affection?...

His icy heart softened abruptly, only to be swiftly snuffed out as he forcefully cut off such thoughts.

But in that moment, he became acutely aware of his true feelings.

He crumpled Zhu Ying's letter and tossed it into the box.

When he picked up his pen, his heart was locked tight, and his response to both his father and Zhu Ying's inquiry about revealing his survival to Yu Lian was an unwavering and cold rejection.

He declared himself an un filial son, asking his father to believe he was already dead. He requested three years; if he succeeded in his endeavors, he would return to confess and explain. If he failed, it would mean his life as the price, rendering everything else insignificant.

Should she still be alive... he intends to see her with his own eyes.

Let us see whether the depths of her heart are colored with red of virtue or the black of malice.

Hua Ji: My beloved, declare your love for me swiftly! You are not allowed to not love me! Not allowed, I say!

Laughter echoed as I typed, but for some inexplicable reason, my pen seemed to stumble whenever the male lead was involved. Keen observers might have noticed that every time I attempt to portray his entrance, my updates come to an abrupt halt - due to writer's block! This chapter has undergone three revisions (ten thousand words) and yet, I continue to rewrite it! Ah, what frustration!

What is love in this world, that it drives one to tear their hair out in frustration?