Chapter 244: Room for Maneuver

Chapter 244 Breathing Room

When the envoy of the Yu Dynasty arrived, the rare winter snowfall in Champa astonished many, who whispered that it was a divine miracle brought by the envoys from the mighty empire.

Princess Yu Cao heard these rumors but did not suppress them. Instead, she secretly fanned the flames.

The more the Great Yu was deified, the less the ambitious factions within Champa dared to act rashly, and the more secure her and her brother's positions became.

—Those few nobles actually planned to renege on their agreement with the Great Yu after reclaiming their lost territories, refusing to establish a Protectorate and pushing her and her brother off the throne. They truly had no idea what 'death' means.

Just months ago, their neighboring Annam, which had been flexing its military might and invading other countries, had already become the Great Yu's Jiaozhou Province!

Yu Cao straightened her attire before the seaside terrace of the palace and requested an audience with the envoy of the Yu Dynasty.

The winter sea breeze brushed against her skin, bringing a bracing cold. As she slowly ascended the steps, she felt as if she had returned to half a year ago.

Back then, she had bid farewell to her mysterious teacher here, never expecting to see him again in this lifetime. Yet half a year later, her teacher had emerged as the Marquis of Heaven's Will of the Great Yu, representing the nation on a diplomatic mission to Champa.

Yu Cao had inquired about the Marquis's origins, but she knew the publicly circulated version of his past was not the truth.

The false identity her teacher had used was arranged by her. Contrary to the Great Yu's official account, he had not fled to Champa by sea after his family's downfall, only returning to his homeland two decades later when the Great Yu's fleet docked in Champa.

Moreover, there was Qingmei. None of the reports on the Marquis mentioned he had a biological daughter. Where Qingmei had gone was another mystery.

Yu Cao stepped onto the terrace. White seabirds wheeled overhead, and the envoy had sent the retinue away, standing by the railing to gaze at the coastline, leaving space for a private conversation.

"I have reviewed the records of Champa's affairs over the past six months. You have done well."

Hearing the familiar voice, Yu Cao sighed in genuine relief, the heavy burden on her shoulders suddenly lightening.

Unable to resist, she asked, "Teacher, after the Protectorate is established in Champa, do you know who the Great Yu will appoint as Protector?"

Mei Wangshu turned his head, his calm yet profound eyes seeing through her words to discern her true concern.

"The Great Yu has no intention of gobbling up foreign lands like barbarian nations. Annam's destruction was its own undoing. The establishment of the Protectorate in Champa was also part of the terms of your plea for the Great Yu's aid to restore your kingdom."

"As long as Champa does not violate the agreement or harm the Great Yu's interests, it will continue to exist. Regardless of who the Protector is, they will respect Champa's royal family and avoid meddling in its internal affairs."

Yu Cao colored slightly, realizing her thoughts had been laid bare. Her composure was still too shallow—before her teacher, she was easily seen through.

Reassured, she smiled. "Champa borders Jiaozhou Province and will now be the Great Yu's neighbor. With the Great Yu's protection, we need not fear other nations."

Champa's territory was narrow and vulnerable on all fronts. Rather than enduring constant bullying and exploitation by Southeast Asian nations, it was far better to pledge allegiance to an overlord.

"Teacher, you... what are you now? How is Qingmei?"

Yu Cao had been there when Qingmei was born and dearly wished to know how the gentle child was faring.

"Has she returned to her other father?" Yu Cao guessed.

Mei Wangshu shook his head. After a pause, he said, "Qingmei is in my family's care. She is living well."

"That is wonderful."

Mei Wangshu walked the length of the railing. "I once told you that you remind me of my sister."

"Yes," Yu Cao followed behind him. "That was why you saved me and my brother."

"I have avenged my sister and restored her honor. After this return, I will move her remains and reunite her with her family and loved ones."

"How wonderful..." Yucao repeated softly.

Mei Wangshu gave a faint, bitter smile. Some feelings and words—he could only share a sliver of them in this foreign land, before this girl who resembled his sister, whom he had personally saved and taught.

He muttered, almost to himself, "Do you think... she would blame me?"

"Blame you for what?" Yucao asked, puzzled.

"I could have found and saved her sooner, at least spared those she cared about from suffering earlier. But I didn’t."

"But... you went through so much too," Yucao said. "You were probably even younger than I am now. What could a child have done?"

Mei Wangshu gazed at the sea and insisted stubbornly, "I could have done it. I just didn’t."

"I ran from the pain, lost in a daze. I cowardly obeyed the murderer’s orders, groveling for the very ones who ruined her, ruined our whole family. I let her die alone and in despair in that wretched place."

"..."

The sea winds roared. In the distance, white seabirds cried out, their cries carried off by the wind across the high platform, leaving only the sound of the gales and fragmented, mournful bird calls.

Suddenly, Yucao spoke softly but firmly, "I’d be overjoyed."

"If my younger brother could live well after my death, and even avenge me, I would be so, so happy. Even if there was no vengeance, I’d still be happy."

"Just knowing my brother is alive would mean everything."

Yucao’s Mandarin was near-perfect, but as it wasn’t her native language, her words came out blunt without preparation.

Mei Wangshu fell silent for a long moment before shaking his head, ending the abrupt topic.

"Tomorrow, gather those restless nobles and give them a warning. Once this is settled, I’ll be returning."

...

Outside the window, the sky was clear, the sun shining brightly. The snow that had fallen incessantly for days had finally stopped. The midday sun glowed on the snowdrifts, sparkling like crystal.

Qiu Huanian nudged the window open a sliver to snatch a bright red frozen persimmon from the windowsill before the cold air could rush in.

The persimmon was the size of an adult’s fist, frozen rock-hard and stinging to hold. Qiu Huanian kept tossing it between his hands but refused to put it down.

Du Yunse took it from him and placed it on the brazier in the room to thaw.

"Wait until it’s soft before eating. No need to rush."

Bing Qi chuckled from his seat. "How old are you, Brother Hua? Still craving persimmons like this?"

Caught 'stealing' the fruit, Qiu Huanian didn’t even blush at being caught. Instead, he declared shamelessly, "Not only do I crave them, I’m taking two baskets with me when I leave."

Bing Ba walked in from the outer corridor, brushing snow off his clothes. "Take as many as you like! Clean out the storeroom if you must. The persimmon trees in the backyard are decades old—their fruit is big and sweet. If they didn’t give me heartburn, I could eat a whole basket a day!"

Today was a day off from official duties. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had gone on a small outing and stopped by Bing Qi and Bing Ba’s new residence for a visit.

This sprawling Tianjin estate was Emperor Zhaoxin’s reward after the Mei family’s name was cleared. Bing Qi and Bing Ba had resumed their birth names, honoring their ancestors and the relatives who had perished in the family’s downfall.

Bing Qi and Bing Ba’s mother was the younger sister of Mei Wangshu’s father, while their father, surnamed Mu, had been a promising young man favored by the old Mei patriarch. When the Mei family fell, the Mu family was implicated, and their parents had long since died in exile.

Back then, Mei family affiliates were dumped in unmarked graves due to their tainted status. Now that their names had been cleared, the graves of the deceased needed proper restoration. They agreed Bing Ba would personally retrieve their relatives’ remains after the new year and bring them back to Guzhu County for a proper burial.

"Once Wangshu returns, we’ll first go to Dujia Village to fetch Sister, ring in the new year right, then arrange Eldest Brother’s wedding. After that, I’ll take all this good news and bring our family back where they belong!"

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Bing Qi's steadfast, mature face as he bellowed in a deep voice, "Mu Wenlou!"

Bing Ba, or rather, Mu Wenlou as he was now more appropriately called, dug at his ear and sidestepped slightly. "Big brother, what’s the use of yelling my name? Does that mean you’ll call off the wedding?"

His elder brother, Mu Wenhang, took a few deep breaths, rolled up his sleeves, and smiled amiably. "Let me educate you first, little brother."

Mu Wenlou quickly darted toward Qiu Huanian. "Brother Hua! Brother Hua is still here! Don’t embarrass us in front of the kids!"

"You know you’re the elder too!"

Qiu Huanian smiled without a word, pulling Du Yunse over to the brazier to check on the roasting persimmons, staying out of his uncles’ squabble.

Just as Mu Wenhang caught his brother and was about to teach him a 'brotherly lesson,' the gatekeeper outside suddenly announced that Young Master Wei Li had arrived with Miss Qingmei.

Mu Wenhang froze instantly, his grip loosening, allowing Mu Wenlou to yank his sleeve free and flee.

"Your fiancée’s here, big brother. Forget about me and go greet her properly!"

Mu Wenhang had no time to deal with this clown. Stunned for a few seconds, he hurried out to greet the guests.

Qiu Huanian watched his retreating figure and chuckled. "Ever since Brother Li agreed to marry Seventh Cousin the other day, Cousin has been a complete mess."

Wei Li entered the room carrying Qingmei, who was bundled up tightly, and paused in surprise upon seeing Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse.

"Yunse and I stopped by to warm up. It’s too cold outside—let me hold Qingmei for a while. You go warm yourself by the fire."

Qiu Huanian took Qingmei, removing the outermost thick swaddling to check her tiny hands and face for any signs of chill.

Qingmei disliked being held. After the inspection, Qiu Huanian placed her on the soft couch beside the heated enclosure. She crawled steadily to the center and sat down, studying everyone with her big, dark eyes.

Mu Wenhang sighed. "Qingmei’s taking after Wangshu."

Qiu Huanian said nothing. It was natural for children to resemble their parents as they grew. Gu Gu and Yang Yang had features that were a mix of his and Du Yunse’s—Gu Gu took more after Qiu Huanian, while Yang Yang resembled Du Yunse more.

Qingmei not only resembled Mei Wangshu but also carried hints of her other father’s features. If this continued, in a few years, her resemblance might give her away to those who knew.

It wasn’t until Qiu Chuanzong and Zhou and his wife were captured by Mei Wangshu that Qiu Huanian learned Jia Hongyuan had long since discovered Mei Wangshu’s true identity.

By then, several imperial decrees had already been drafted. Qiu Huanian had a long, deep conversation with his uncle, confirming that this was the plan he had agreed to and gauging the emperor’s attitude before saying no more.

The guard Sixteen remained the farcical empress still enshrined in the Huagai Palace, while the orphan of the Mei family, Mei Wangshu, was now the rising star of the nobility—the Marquis of Heaven's Will.

"Hua’nian, do you know what Wangshu’s plans are regarding Qingmei and... that other matter?"

Qiu Huanian shook his head. "I don’t know. Even Uncle might not know himself yet."

"Whatever he ultimately chooses, at the very least, he now has a choice."

To have won such concessions from an emperor like Jia Hongyuan—Mei Wangshu truly meant far too much to him.