Chapter 104: Striving

◎ This was almost a matter that concerned Yu Lian's entire life. ◇

The soldiers Hua Ji dispatched indeed found the emperor's corpse, buried not far from Upper Village. After confirming the identity, they cremated the body and brought back the ashes.

Yu Lian watched as that man gazed intently at the box of ashes with darkened eyes, calmly giving orders, "Scatter them and feed them to the dogs."

"…" Grinding bones to dust was no less harsh than this. What deep grudge could there be? If it was just the enmity from a failed rebellion, it shouldn't have gone this far. Throughout history, the victor was always justified, and although Hua Ji's actions were extreme, he didn't seem to be a narrow-minded person. So why treat the dog emperor like this? Was there some hidden truth she was unaware of?

Could it be related to Hua Ji's sudden resurrection and counterattack?

Yu Lian narrowed her eyes in thought. Unlike the original story, he had not only returned but also taken power. There was only one possible explanation... The villain's core had changed?

Like her, he had been possessed?

But if someone else had possessed him, why would they bear such great hatred towards the emperor? Even if they sought the throne, it only indicated ambition and capability, not a need for such a vengeful attitude towards the emperor.

Moreover, Hua Ji's demeanor, polite and refined like the moon, and his familiarity with his family all suggested a genuine ancient person. He was completely identical to the original, making it unlikely that he had become a different person.

Considering this, a chill ran down Yu Lian's spine, causing her to accidentally knock over the teacup beside her.

The man assumed she was frightened and hastily asked, "Is something wrong?"

Yu Lian shook her head in a daze. Her fair face had turned ashen, making Hua Ji believe that the mention of scattering the emperor's ashes had startled her. He personally accompanied her back to her room, opened the door for her, pulled back the covers, and urged her to rest well. He even offered to have someone prepare a soothing soup for her. Yu Lian had been in a trance until now, and only then did she realize that the man had escorted her inside. She shook her head, biting her lower lip, her small face still pale. "No need."

Seeing the man still standing there with concern etched on his face, Yu Lian gently pushed him away. "You can leave now. I'll take a break."

The man looked down at her quietly. He caught a fleeting glimpse of fear in her eyes, and he sighed deeply. No matter how strong a woman might be, she was still kind-hearted and couldn't bear to hear such horrifying things.

He raised his hand, intending to pat her shoulder for comfort. However, for some reason, when he saw the mistiness in her clear eyes, his hand landed on the back of her head, softly rubbing it twice, slightly mussing up her hair. He smiled slightly.

"There's no need to be afraid. I would never do such a thing to you." Even if she had secrets from him or had changed between her two lifetimes to deceive him and gain something from him, he wouldn't harm her.

All because she had saved his family and taken care of them for four years. For that favor alone, he wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

The woman's gaze remained distant, and she slightly avoided his large hand. The man sighed again, hesitated for a moment, and explained, "I have a deep grudge against him."

"What great grudge could warrant such animosity? You're not one with a narrow heart!" Yu Lian asked impulsively without much thought.

In truth, she already had an answer in her heart and grew more certain that this man before her might have been reborn.

It transpired that she had transmigrated into the second iteration of the villain's rebirth. No wonder the plot had utterly collapsed later on. The villain, defying the original story, not only survived but also succeeded in turning the tables.

At this moment, Yu Lian felt like slapping her own forehead. She should have been clearer about which plotline she was in when playing the role of a deeply affectionate character! Now, after causing a commotion without understanding the situation, she realized that the man before her, the unfaithful one, was reborn. He likely already knew all about the protagonist's past actions and their consequences.

In this life, she entered his household on the very day he was to be executed, leading his family away from the capital, and crafted an image of herself as a deeply devoted and unwavering companion. The contrast between her two lives was so stark. With Hua Ji's sharp intellect, how could he not sense something amiss?

No wonder she sometimes detected a gentle yet inquisitive glint in his eyes, no wonder she sensed a distant barrier between them despite his kindness, as if there was an unresolved issue at play. No wonder Hua Ji occasionally seemed to hold back, desiring to speak but never quite finding the words.

Once a crucial piece of the puzzle fell into place, everything else became as clear as daybreak after a dissipating mist. Only if this man had been reborn or regained memories from his past life could all the anomalies be explained, with every change and transition connecting logically.

He supported her trembling shoulders, lifting her lowered head, and held her chin with one hand, gazing intently into her eyes. "I have a deep, unforgivable vendetta against him."

Whether it was a second chance at life or the revival of memories from a previous existence, neither could be shared with another soul. At first, the man saw his rebirth as an opportunity for revenge granted by fate, but at times he felt like a freak, bearing an overwhelming burden that set him apart from everyone else, even his closest family like his parents and grandmother. He had no intention of revealing his origins to them.

His lips moved, and finally, he whispered, "I won't harm you. Don't be afraid."

Yu Lian forced a smile, mustering her strength in this difficult moment. She gazed at him with tender concern, shaking her head weakly but resolutely. "I'm not afraid."

"I... I may be angry with you, but if there's anything on your mind, don't keep it to yourself. You can... tell me," she said, her words tinged with bashfulness as she gently nudged him out the door.

Standing at the entrance, the warmth from her touch still lingered on his arm. As the door closed before him, a crack seemed to open in his heart, allowing a sliver of light to seep in from outside.

The light was scarce, but in the pitch-black room, it appeared glaringly bright, momentarily illuminating the entire space. He lowered his gaze to his palm, questioning himself – could he push the door open?

Let the light in entirely.

The following day, Hua Zhan and Zhu Ying, who had been missing for several days, returned.

Zhu Ying had been trapped within the city, and Hua Zhan went in search of him. The city allowed entry but not exit, so once Hua Zhan found Zhu Ying, they were both trapped inside.

The two were now in the same predicament. Although Hua Ji had returned to his hometown to fetch his family, he had done so secretly. An undercover subordinate, skilled in disguise, was temporarily handling his affairs in the city. With the recent conquest of the imperial city, chaos reigned both inside and out. The enthronement ceremony had yet to take place, and decisions needed to be made regarding the appointment or reappointment of officials, the handling of influential families in the capital, and rewards for the victorious warriors. All these matters awaited Hua Ji, the rightful ruler, to resolve.

Initially, his trusted advisors had opposed his risky return to fetch his family. If discovered at this crucial time, with the capital captured but unmanaged, and if remnants of the old regime regained strength, what would become of them?

Nonetheless, Hua Ji had roughly planned the subsequent steps, jotting them down on paper. He arranged for one of his subordinates to impersonate him through disguise, then fled with his people.

This implied that the entire world believed the new emperor was still in the capital. It was reasonable for the city to remain under lockdown while the search for the fugitive emperor continued. Hua Ji's men, who had brought his father and Zhu Ying back, requested to depart.

Despite having trusted subordinates impersonating him temporarily, there were countless matters that required his personal attention and decision-making. His loyalists were reliable, but it was not advisable for him to be away for too long; prolonged absence could lead to unforeseen changes.

Hua Zhan had long suspected that his eldest son was the leader of the Hua Banner. After meeting with Zhu Ying, he learned that Hua Ji had conquered the dynasty and personally orchestrated a regime change. Overjoyed as he was, his predominant relief was that his eldest son had returned safely. If anything had happened, he wouldn't have known how to face his daughter-in-law.

Now, at last, he could openly tell his entire family that their beloved Hua'er was back, and he was alive.

With slightly reddened eyes, Hua Zhan firmly patted his eldest son's shoulder. Though no words were spoken, the sentiment was clear: it was good that he had returned. Hua Ji sensed his father's complex emotions, as if he had been carrying a heavy burden that only lifted with their reunion.

Hua Ji prostrated himself on the ground, pounding his head fervently while repeatedly apologizing, admitting his disobedience and expressing remorse for causing concern to his parents and grandmother.

Upon his return, Hua Ji had already paid his respects to his grandmother and mother. Today, he kneeled before his father once more. Yet, he knew that the weight on his father's shoulders was the heaviest. Firstly, they had grown up together, and as adults, they ruled side by side as father and son, sharing an uncommon bond. Secondly, his father had already discovered that he was still alive. Compared to those unaware, his father's concerns and fears, along with the guilt of keeping this secret from the family, had become a tremendous burden.

Hua Ji solemnly bowed his head three times, only to be helped up by Hua Zhan.

Hua Zhan sighed, "At this point, I don't wish to delve into the past. Hua'er, you've grown up, and your wit and intelligence surpass mine since childhood. But let me tell you, the living are of utmost importance – this is something no other matter can compare to. No matter how ambitious you are, how discontented, how vengeful, or how filled with hatred, can it outweigh the value of your own family? I only hope that in the future, you will think more before acting and not be headstrong."

Saying this, she turned her gaze towards her daughter-in-law, her eyes brimming with satisfaction. "You should be well aware of how much your wife has done for you. Now that you're returning to the capital, do you have any preparations in mind?"

Yu Lian slightly lowered her head, displaying bashfulness. She felt a hint of gratitude towards her father-in-law; he truly deserved her efforts in treating him well and was indeed the former East Yuan Marquis, striking directly at the heart of the matter.

Although the matriarch and Mrs. Chen treated her kindly, they were oblivious to political aspects and wouldn't know how to secure her interests. They would likely react only when her rights were compromised, believing that with Yu Lian being such a good daughter-in-law, Hua'er would naturally treat her well.

However, they failed to understand the unpredictable nature of men's hearts. Only a man could understand another man, and only someone like her father-in-law, who had once been in the center of power, could grasp the essence behind it all - the distribution of benefits.

With Hua Ji's successful rebellion and ascension to the throne, their entire clan would naturally rise with him. But the question was, how much would they gain? Would he appoint another as empress or keep the title exclusive, allowing for multiple consorts? What kind of rewards would he bestow upon his wife's family?... These considerations, rooted in politics and calculations, could make or break Yu Lian's life.

Taking advantage of their time before returning to the capital, where they could still interact as a normal family without titles or constraints, it was better to clarify matters now than risk the eldest son, should he be unable to handle the situation, causing disharmony within the family. Despite believing that his eldest son wasn't such a person, Hua Zhan still wanted to clarify everything before returning to the capital, determined not to allow any actions that might lead to regret.

All outsiders had left, and the main hall was closed, with only family members present. Even Zhu Ying didn't dare linger, standing guard by the door.

This was a conversation best suited for a father-in-law, and Hua Zhan was a valuable ally. Haha, cheers to Team Dad!

Flower Child: Returning for revenge, her father became her father-in-law...