Chapter 58

Chapter 58

Gu Yu’s deliberately spoken words were heard by Jiang Heng, every single one.

She had come here precisely to see how Gu Yu intended to deal with Yan Hui.

So, he had come to counsel him, to persuade him to live well.

Ultimately, he still cared for her, extending leniency even to an enemy like Yan Hui.

"It’s damp and moldy here. What brings you?"

Only when Jiang Heng entered his line of sight did Gu Yu look over, feigning that he hadn't noticed her earlier arrival.

Jiang Heng paused for a breath. Though she didn’t wish to speak these words in front of Yan Hui, she still said, "Your injuries aren't fully healed. You shouldn’t stay here too long."

Gu Yu also wished to pretend that it was inappropriate to show too much pleasure in front of Yan Hui, but alas, the corners of his lips refused to stay down.

"Mm-hmm," he responded obediently, rising and gently extending his hand toward the lady.

Throughout his recuperation, it had always been this way—whenever Jiang Heng was by his side, he would lean on her when he walked.

Jiang Heng had grown accustomed to it, taking his outstretched arm and supporting him as they departed.

Yan Hui watched the two of them, unblinking.

So Gu Yu hadn't been entirely untruthful. A Jiu was indeed utterly disappointed in him, and he no longer held any place in her heart.

...

"Mm… There’s something I want to ask you."

Back at their residence, as Jiang Heng changed Gu Yu’s dressing, she initiated conversation.

She had always been almost entirely unassertive in front of him, rarely taking the initiative to ask about anything. Especially from her tone, it seemed she was asking him a favor.

She seldom asked him for favors, rarely treating him as a husband to entreat anything.

"Speak," Gu Yu responded earnestly and attentively.

"What do you plan to do with Military Advisor Xiao?" Jiang Heng asked directly.

Gu Yu’s eyelids lowered slightly. Though his expression remained largely unchanged, he fell silent. After a moment, he asked, "You went to the prison just to see what I intended to do with him, didn't you?"

His tone turned completely grave, and his expression cooled several degrees.

Jiang Heng had asked this question because Gu Yu had previously stated that Yan Hui was neither to be killed nor utilized, and keeping him would only cause more trouble. She wanted to know what Gu Yu intended to do now that he had captured him—if he wasn’t to be killed or used, surely he couldn’t just be kept for free?

Moreover, seeing his understanding and generous attitude in the prison earlier, she had felt free to ask without reservation. Little did she expect it would displease him again.

Indeed, she should have known better than to ask. He had only been in a good mood for a few days, and she had already forgotten the pain as soon as things improved.

Jiang Heng fell silent, not uttering another word. After changing his dressing, she turned to leave but was stopped when Gu Yu grabbed her wrist.

He didn’t understand why she was angry. Shouldn’t he be the one who was angry? He had just captured Yan Hui, and she immediately went to the prison. And after all that, she still told him not to mind her previous words?

If he truly killed Yan Hui, how could she not care?

She hadn't even sought retribution for her own elder brother being killed by Yan Hui—what could possibly sway her feelings for Yan Hui?

When she asked how he planned to deal with Yan Hui, was it still to plead for that man?

How dare Yan Hui repeatedly infiltrate Yongzhou City as if it were unguarded, daring to provoke him in prison? Wasn’t it because he was convinced that, no matter what, Jiang Heng would always protect him?

Gu Yu gazed at the lady for a moment, then released her wrist, allowing her to leave.

...

Jiang Heng did not go to Gu Yu again, and Gu Yu, unlike before, did not send people to find her with various excuses, even if he hadn't seen her for a short while.

Jiang Heng enjoyed a rare peaceful night.

It had been a long time since Gu Yu had allowed her to sleep alone on the bed. During his recovery, he had slept beside her every day, and she had actually grown somewhat accustomed to it.

Gu Yu was truly a person of unpredictable and changeable moods.

Jiang Heng silently chided him in her heart, then closed her eyes to sleep.

The next morning, before she had woken up, Cheng Ping came knocking.

"Madam, please come quickly. The lord says his wound is very painful, but for some reason, he refuses to see a physician."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Heng wasn't concerned.

Gu Yu was not someone who acted without discretion. If he were truly in pain or discomfort, he wouldn’t stubbornly refuse a physician.

"You go ahead first. I’ll be right there."

Jiang Heng dismissed Cheng Ping, rubbed her forehead, lay back down, and continued her slumber.

It was nearly the winter month, and Lingnan had finally become cool and refreshing, completely shedding the intense heat. Unlike the cold of ShenDu, it was the perfect weather for sleeping.

She slept for nearly another half hour before rising to wash and dress, leisurely ate breakfast, and then made her way to Gu Yu’s study.

As she entered the courtyard, she saw a deputy general step into the study ahead of her, likely to discuss matters.

"General, the tower ships and assault ships are all in position. The soldiers’ winter clothing, provisions, and medical supplies have been replenished. We can launch the attack immediately."

Gu Yu had been waiting for Lingnan’s winter.

Earlier, the weather had been hot and humid, and the soldiers from the north fell ill frequently even during routine drills, let alone in a full-scale assault. Now that winter was approaching, the weather was unusually dry, and the miasma was not as rampant as during the hotter months. For the northern soldiers, it was finally time to take the initiative.

Winter in Lingnan was short. They had to seize this opportunity to strike decisively and eliminate Prince Zhennan.

He had been stationed here for many days, only defending and not attacking. Prince Zhennan had likely been worn down to exhaustion. His tower ships and assault ships had been training in other cities and had not yet been seen in Yongzhou. Prince Zhennan probably thought they had no naval training and would still engage in land battles.

The area was densely forested, making it easy to hide. Land battle tactics here were completely different from those in the north. If they were to attack via land battle, they would be at a disadvantage against Prince Zhennan.

Naval warfare was more suitable. Moreover, the tower ships and assault ships they had built were a hundred times superior to Prince Zhennan’s in terms of both defensive and offensive capabilities.

The rivers here were vast and interconnected, much like the grasslands of the north. With superior equipment, they could achieve a quick victory.

"Make preparations. First, attack Shaocheng, take Zhenyang Gorge, then advance along the river via multiple routes. Within a month, take Fancheng."

Fancheng was where Prince Zhennan’s palace was located and, due to his years of management, had become equivalent to a capital.

The deputy general acknowledged the order, thought for a moment, and said, "Since we’ve decided to attack, I believe we should execute Military Advisor Xiao as a sacrifice to boost morale, first cutting off one of Prince Zhennan’s arms and dampening his spirits."

Gu Yu shook his head, rejecting the suggestion, and said to the deputy general, "Proceed."

Jiang Heng did not see Gu Yu shake his head but only heard him say the words "Proceed" to the deputy general who made the suggestion.

She never could quite fathom Gu Yu’s thoughts.

Just yesterday, he had advised Yan Hui in the prison to live on; he seemed so forgiving. Yet when she asked about his plans for dealing with Yan Hui, he got angry for no reason.

He'd been sulking and hadn't asked her to stay, nor returned to the room to sleep. Had he already decided to kill Yan Hui as a rallying sacrifice and didn't want to hear her plead for Yan Hui?

From his position, his actions were entirely justified.

What should she do? Stand by and watch helplessly as Yan Hui's head is cut off and hung on the city wall as a warning?

Must Yan Hui die?

Jiang Heng stood there, lost in thought, for what felt like ages. She did not go to the study to find Gu Yu again but turned and left.

...

Jiang Heng sat by herself all day. Gu Yu was likely busy planning the war and had no time to come find her.

Or perhaps, unwilling to hear her beg for mercy, he would not see her again before killing Yan Hui?

She had also said she would not beg Gu Yu to spare Yan Hui's life again.

But must she really watch Yan Hui die once more?

Jiang Heng went to the prison and, feigning Gu Yu's command, had Yan Hui brought out.

"Duke Wei knows you will not surrender, and out of consideration for our past acquaintance, cannot bear to harm your life. Return to where you came from. If we meet again, we will be enemies, not friends, and our swords will show no mercy."

This was the last time she would help him, to repay him for all his care over the years. From now on, they would owe each other nothing. As for how enraged Gu Yu would be when he learned the truth and how he would punish her, she would accept it without a single complaint.

But Yan Hui knew she was lying.

Knowing Duke Wei's character, even if he were to release him, why would he send Jiang Heng to do it?

Earlier, the jailer had wanted to follow, but she sent him away. How could Gu Yu allow her to see him alone?

It must be A Jiu taking matters into her own hands, releasing him behind Gu Yu's back.

"If I leave, what will happen to you?" Yan Hui had come this time not expecting to come out alive.

"A Jiu, do not suffer for me again. Just your presence here is enough for me."

He had already resigned himself to death. One day more or less, dying by whose hand—none of it mattered anymore.

"A Jiu, if there's an afterlife, I will listen to you. I won't wait for anything, or overthink anything, and marry you sooner."

He suddenly leaned in, briefly embracing her, then quickly let go and turned back toward the prison cell.

As luck would have it, Gu Yu arrived at that very moment. Seeing the two of them, he understood everything.

Yan Hui glanced at him but said nothing, turning back to the prison cell on his own.

The jailer had been suspicious earlier, and now, seeing Yan Hui return, felt more and more uneasy. He hurried over to explain to Gu Yu, telling Gu Yu that Jiang Heng had claimed he had summoned Yan Hui for discussions.

Gu Yu clasped his hands behind his back, fixed a cold gaze on Jiang Heng, but merely uttered an "Mm," acknowledging the statement.

The jailer sighed in relief and, not daring to linger, quickly excused himself.

...

"Do you have anything to say?"

Jiang Heng had remained silent the entire way, offering no argument or explanation. Even after returning to the residence, she still said nothing. Gu Yu could bear it no longer and spoke first to ask her.

"No. It was my own decision to release him."

She was, as always, brutally honest, unwilling to utter a single soft word to appease him.

"Jiang Heng, do you know what you are doing?"

Jiang Heng closed her eyes and said, "Punish or kill me as you see fit."

Gu Yu was so angry the pain flared in his wound.

"As I see fit"—just like when he had caught the two of them in the prison, she offered no argument, no explanation, as if she had lost all will to live and would accept whatever he decided.

He had thought that after all this time, she had finally begun to care for him, but… she remained as indifferent to him as ever.

"Jiang Heng, I will give you a chance. Go find Yan Hui. As long as he is willing to take you away, I won't stand in your way. I will escort both of you safely out of Yongzhou City!"

Gu Yu gritted his teeth so hard they nearly cracked, his gaze at the woman was icy.

Jiang Heng remained silent.

So, in his rage, he was pushing her back to Yan Hui.

He clearly knew she could never leave with Yan Hui again, yet he deliberately said such things, deliberately reminding her how the man she'd pined for and traveled so far to be with had step by step pushed her away.

"Is that true?" she asked softly.

Gu Yu frowned. How dare she ask if it was real?

How dare she take it seriously?

"Of course it's true," his voice grew colder. "Think carefully. Once you leave Yongzhou City, I won't be able to protect you."

Jiang Heng looked at him for a moment, then lowered her gaze and averted her eyes, saying nothing more.

Gu Yu remained silent with her.

For a full half-hour, neither said a word. Jiang Heng sat quietly by the desk with downcast eyes, while Gu Yu stood by the window with his hands clasped behind his back. Like a mountain and water, each unbending, neither willing to yield.

After a long while, Gu Yu pressed a hand to the wound at his waist, letting out a low groan of pain.

Jiang Heng paused, then got up to steady him.

Still, neither spoke, but Gu Yu did not push her away. Instead, he let her help him sit obediently on the couch, letting her undo his clothes to examine his wound.

The wound showed no signs of reopening or bleeding, but Jiang Heng still changed the dressing for him, bandaged it, and helped him get his clothes back on.

When she finished and turned to leave, his large hand pressed against her waist, forcefully pulling her into his embrace.

"A big battle is coming. Stay put and don't go anywhere."