Chapter 60

Chapter 60

Three days after the celebratory banquet, Xiao Yihan requested an audience with Gu Yu, stating his desire to visit Yan Hui in prison.

“Why do you wish to see him?” Gu Yu did not immediately commit, asking casually as if making small talk.

Xiao Yihan replied, “To persuade him to be more open-minded and less stubborn.”

Though the reasoning sounded plausible, Gu Yu chuckled, his demeanor still commanding. “Why persuade him? If he dies, you, General Xiao, will be the most meritorious surrendered general. There’s only so much congee to go around—if others take more, there will naturally be less left for you.”

Xiao Yihan’s expression remained unchanged, righteous and solemn. “There are things more important than congee, such as loyalty and righteousness.”

Gu Yu laughed scornfully. “If General Xiao truly believed loyalty and righteousness were more important than congee, you would likely have been beheaded long ago, instead of standing here now.”

After a pause, he suppressed his smile and continued flatly yet sharply, “Or perhaps General Xiao is also standing here today because of loyalty and righteousness?”

Xiao Yihan fell silent. Gu Yu did not press him but warned plainly, “I don’t care what you promised Prince Zhennan, but remember this: Xiao Ziyuan is now under my command. You cannot touch him.”

Although Xiao Yihan had presented Prince Zhennan’s head and opened the city gates to welcome the Qi Army, his surrender had come too late—so late that it was almost meaningless. Even if he hadn’t surrendered, the Qi Army would have taken the city soon enough. Gu Yu accepted his surrender only because he had previously promised that all who surrendered would be spared, as he aimed to establish trust for the imperial court in Lingnan. It did not mean he considered Xiao Yihan’s surrender particularly meritorious.

Likely, Prince Zhennan could not bear the shame of defeat but still wished to protect the royal household—perhaps also driven by resentment—and thus made a deal with Xiao Yihan.

When Xiao Yihan surrendered the city, he had made two conditions: first, that the city not be pillaged and its people protected, and second, that the household of Prince Zhennan’s mansion be spared and not enslaved by the Qi Army.

The latter was undoubtedly Prince Zhennan’s request; in addition, he probably also asked for Yan Hui to be killed.

Xiao Yihan must have realized that Yan Hui wished to die. His visit to the prison was likely not to persuade Yan Hui to live but to help him die. This was the perfect opportunity to kill Yan Hui—to take his life without shedding blood.

Gu Yu’s stance was clear: he forbade Xiao Yihan from seeing Yan Hui. Yet Xiao Yihan did not leave. After a moment, he said, “You previously promised to treat the prince’s household well, but now you have imprisoned them.”

Gu Yu replied, “What I promised was not to enslave them.”

Prince Zhennan had just died, and his household undoubtedly harbored deep hatred for Gu Yu. Leaving them free would likely lead to trouble, so imprisoning them for a time was safer. Moreover, with their family members held captive, incidents like the one involving Xiao Shunhua could be prevented.

Seeing Gu Yu’s firm stance, Xiao Yihan thought for a moment and compromised again. “Xiao Sheng has a weak constitution. The prison is damp and cold, and she has already fallen ill. If she remains there, her life may be in danger. You can keep the others imprisoned, but I must take her out to recuperate.”

Gu Yu showed no reaction, clearly unwilling to agree.

Seeing that pleading was useless, Xiao Yihan tried to provoke him: “Could it be that the great General Gu still holds a grudge against Xiao Sheng for her past actions and is deliberately making things difficult for a vulnerable woman?”

A cold smile tugged at Gu Yu’s lips. “General Xiao, I don’t see that you care much for that Miss Xiao.”

Xiao Yihan remained silent for a long time before suddenly kneeling before Gu Yu and repeating his request.

Gu Yu looked down at him for a moment before agreeing softly. As Xiao Yihan rose, Gu Yu added, “I recall that Miss Xiao has someone she favors. General Xiao, regardless of whether forced marriages can be sweet, you have already taken this step. Whether willingly, under duress, or with other motives, you have now pledged allegiance to the imperial court. Your future holds great promise, but if you marry the wrong person, it may not only fail to aid you but could also become a burden.”

Naturally, Gu Yu had no real interest or kindness in caring about Xiao Yihan’s future prospects. He simply did not want Xiao Sheng to have an easy time. He doubted Xiao Yihan would entirely overlook the fact that Xiao Sheng’s heart belonged to another.

Xiao Yihan said nothing, shot a glare at Gu Yu, and turned to leave.

······

“Zhongqing Brother, is Brother Ziyuan still imprisoned?” Xiao Sheng asked as soon as she was released from prison, pestering Xiao Yihan with the question.

Xiao Yihan responded indifferently with a “Hmm.”

“Zhongqing Brother, please help him. Appeal to Duke Wei—since he agreed to release me, he must value you. Ask him to free Brother Ziyuan, I beg you!” Xiao Sheng pleaded sweetly, tugging at Xiao Yihan’s sleeve.

Xiao Yihan’s expression turned icy. He sharply pulled his sleeve from her grasp with such force that Xiao Sheng nearly stumbled and fell.

“Xiao Sheng, what time do you think this is? Your eyes are still only on that Xiao Ziyuan. Don’t you realize your kingdom has fallen? Don’t you know what fate awaits you?”

Xiao Sheng froze for a moment before lowering her head and sobbing incessantly.

“Enough.” Seeing her like this, Xiao Yihan suppressed his impatience and said, “Before his death, the prince instructed me to marry you. The prince showed me kindness, and I will not disobey his dying wish. But I must ask you: Are you willing to marry me?”

Xiao Yihan naturally knew that Xiao Sheng was truly devoted to Yan Hui. He asked this question deliberately, never expecting that Xiao Sheng, seemingly frightened by his expression, would look at him timidly, too afraid to answer.

“If you are willing to marry me, I will certainly wed you. But you must forget Xiao Ziyuan. From now on, devote yourself wholeheartedly to serving me alone.”

Xiao Sheng had never imagined that the word “serve” would one day be applied to her.

Xiao Yihan was a harsh man. Even when Prince Zhennan was alive, he had never indulged Xiao Sheng. Now that she had lost all support and would have to depend on others for survival, her situation was even more precarious.

Naturally, Xiao Sheng did not want to marry him, but she feared that Yan Hui would not marry her. Given her status and her maimed hand, she likely could find no better match than Xiao Yihan.

Yet Xiao Yihan did not give her much time to ponder. He said directly, “I know you don’t wish to marry me. If you want to marry Xiao Ziyuan, I will help you.”

Xiao Sheng’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

Xiao Yihan’s gaze was fierce, but he smiled. “Of course, it’s true.”

He had already done all he could for Xiao Sheng. If she herself refused to marry him, he could not be accused of breaking his promise.

······

Meanwhile, Jiang Heng had not yet visited Yan Hui. Although Gu Yu had previously suggested she persuade Yan Hui not to do anything foolish, she knew well that Gu Yu was two-faced and temperamental. If she went too soon, he might find some excuse to cause trouble. Thus, she waited for the right opportunity.

The prison was damp and cold. After nearly two months of imprisonment, Yan Hui’s health finally failed him, and he fell ill. Gu Yu then ordered him returned to his former residence to recuperate. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jiang Heng expressed her wish to visit him.

“Will you come with me?” Knowing that Gu Yu remained hesitant and resentful, Jiang Heng had no intention of visiting Yan Hui alone and actively invited him along.

Gu Yu’s chin lifted slightly as if to nod, but then he paused, recalling something, and shook his head instead. “I have official business. You go alone.”

To prevent Yan Hui from wanting to die, Gu Yu had ordered him shackled with irons, day and night. Having not visited himself, Gu Yu assumed Yan Hui had been weakened considerably. If Jiang Heng saw him in such a state, she might blame Gu Yu again. He had no desire to be glared at by her in front of Yan Hui.

When she returned, she could vent her frustrations however she wished—that would be acceptable.

Thus, Jiang Heng went to Yan Hui’s residence with Chun Jin.

The servants tending the residence were the same ones Gu Yu had previously assigned. They whispered to her, “Madam, a Miss Xiao is inside.”

Jiang Heng guessed who it was—the only woman from the Xiao family not imprisoned was Xiao Sheng.

She had not expected Xiao Sheng to visit immediately after Yan Hui’s release. Jiang Heng turned to leave but, after a moment’s thought, turned back and walked elegantly into the courtyard.

“Brother, recover quickly. Once you recover, we can marry,” Xiao Sheng said.

Yan Hui in the sickbed had grown much thinner, his face pale and gaunt. He shook his head at the young woman. “I betrayed the prince. You should kill me.”

Xiao Sheng held onto him, shaking her head repeatedly. “No, Brother, I know you didn’t. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have publicly tried to assassinate Duke Wei. You did not betray us.”

Yan Hui pushed her arms away from around him and pushed her away. “Failing to help is betrayal. If you are still a daughter of the Xiao family, kill me.”

“Don’t say that. If you truly remember my brother’s kindness, stop longing for those you shouldn’t. Let us build a life together, alright, Brother?”

Xiao Sheng had long sensed that after killing Jiang Xing, Yan Hui felt no satisfaction from revenge. Instead, he grew more withdrawn and often stared off into space. Perhaps even then, he had already wanted to die, knowing he could never have the person he truly desired.

After being abandoned by that woman, he had given up on living.

"Brother, please forget her. I will stay by your side and be better to you than she ever was."

Since Yan Hui rejected her, Xiao Sheng did not try to embrace him again. Instead, she sat by the bed, weeping softly.

Yan Hui let out a soft sigh. "Ah Sheng, I have not forgotten the kindness Prince Zhennan showed me. But precisely because of that, I cannot marry you."

Xiao Sheng was asking for something he couldn't give. Marrying her might maintain a facade of harmony at first, but over time, it would only lead to endless arguments and resentment. He could not offer Xiao Sheng a good life, but he also could not subject her to such a wretched existence. He could not repay kindness with betrayal.

But how could Xiao Sheng understand his concerns? She simply assumed he looked down on her for losing her status as the prince's sister and for having only one hand, thinking that marrying her would bring him shame and humiliation.

"Brother, if you won’t marry me, what am I to do? My brother is dead, and no one will protect me anymore. I only have one hand left—who would ever want to marry me now?" Xiao Sheng wept, thrusting her stump of an arm in front of him, reminding him over and over, "I wanted to avenge you, Brother..."

She was already blaming him. If not for him, she would not have come here, nor would she have lost her arm.

Yan Hui closed his eyes in agony. "Ah Sheng, kill me."

"You would rather die than marry me? You're disgusted by me! I became like this because of you, and now you despise me..."

"Miss Xiao." Jiang Heng could no longer stand by and let Xiao Sheng pressure Yan Hui like this. She stepped into the room and called out clearly.

Seeing Jiang Heng, Xiao Sheng wiped her tears, acting like she'd been victimized. She stood up and moved to the corner by Yan Hui’s head, lowering her eyes and sobbing softly.

"Miss Xiao, did you really end up like this because of Military Advisor Xiao?" Jiang Heng showed no sympathy, regardless of how pitiful Xiao Sheng appeared. "The confrontation between two armies is incredibly perilous. How dare you come to Yongzhou City alone and even boldly seek out Duke Wei’s residence? Did you not consider the consequences then?"

"Perhaps you’ve been pampered for too long, always having someone to clean up your messes and cover for you, which made you so reckless. You keep saying you came for Military Advisor Xiao, but tell me, how has your presence here helped him?"

Xiao Sheng remained silent, her sobs growing louder.

Jiang Heng raised her voice slightly, drowning out the crying. "Your coming here has been of no help to Military Advisor Xiao. How can you claim you came for him? You came for your own willfulness, for your selfish desires, disregarding the dangers and your own life. Do you not understand why your arm was cut off? You did not lose your arm saving Military Advisor Xiao, so how can you say you became this way because of him?"

"Military Advisor Xiao is gentle by nature and does not hold your actions against you, allowing you to accuse and complain freely. Is this how you repay him? You keep saying you care for him, but where is this care?"

Xiao Sheng was left speechless. She glanced helplessly at Yan Hui, but when she saw he had no intention of defending her, she shot Jiang Heng a hateful glare and ran off crying.

Jiang Heng then approached Yan Hui and immediately noticed the dark bruises around his wrists, like two blackened bracelets.

She quickly deduced they were marks left by shackles.

Had he been bound with chains and cuffs in prison? Why treat him like this? Wasn’t imprisonment enough? Why torture him further?

Yan Hui noticed her gaze on his injuries and withdrew his hands under the covers, not wanting her to see.

Jiang Heng composed herself, suppressing her emotions, and spoke calmly, "Ziyuan, what’s done is done. Don’t cling to the past. Life is long, and there is still much you can do."

"A Jiu, don’t say anymore." Yan Hui couldn’t overcome the guilt in his heart, whether toward Jiang Heng or Prince Zhennan.

Jiang Heng remained silent for a moment before speaking softly again, "Brother, do you remember when you first went to the capital to study? You said that although the imperial examinations were open, there was still much injustice. Your goal, once you became an official, was to ensure fairness for scholars. It’s not too late to pursue that now."

Yan Hui looked up at her. Did she still remember what he had said, no matter how long ago it was?

"Brother, only by living can there be hope—only then can you turn the tide and reverse your defeat. If you die now, people will only remember that Duke Wei treated you with utmost kindness and that you failed miserably. Are you willing to accept that?"

In her efforts to persuade him to live, Jiang Heng spoke bluntly, unaware that Gu Yu had arrived at the courtyard and was standing outside the door, hearing every word.

It had to be admitted that Jiang Heng understood Yan Hui. She clearly knew the source of his inner turmoil, why he sought death, and how to reignite his fighting spirit.

Gu Yu frowned, listened for a while longer, then turned and left in displeasure.

...

When Jiang Heng returned, Gu Yu was reading at the desk. Whether he hadn’t heard her or was ignoring her, he never glanced her way, nor did he speak a word to her or ask how her persuasion had gone.

Since he didn’t ask, Jiang Heng didn’t volunteer any information. They sat in silence for a while, had dinner, and then went to bed.

Not a single word passed between the couple.

Jiang Heng sensed that the man was angry again, likely still bothered by her visit to Yan Hui.

But he had allowed it. She had even reminded him before she left. What was he angry about?

He had tortured Yan Hui to such a state. Who knew if he truly wanted him to live or was deliberately humiliating him?

Gu Yu was too complex; she couldn’t figure him out.

Jiang Heng pulled the covers tighter and turned to face the wall, closing her eyes to sleep.

Gu Yu’s brow furrowed again.

She had returned from seeing Yan Hui, yet she had nothing to say to him? If he didn’t ask, she wouldn’t utter a single word?

Hadn’t he made his feelings clear? Didn’t she know he was bothered by this, that he was reluctant? He had made a concession, allowing her to see Yan Hui alone. Couldn’t she consider his feelings, offer him some reassurance?

She was so good to Yan Hui!

She even thought Yan Hui was being bullied by Xiao Sheng and stood up for him, sternly reprimanding Xiao Sheng.

She was truly protective of Yan Hui!

He had sent her to persuade him, not to defend him!

Gu Yu’s eyes darkened, and he suddenly turned over, pinning her beneath him.

Jiang Heng was startled. "Don’t be reckless. Your injuries haven’t fully healed."

Gu Yu narrowed his eyes, staring down at her.

Lately, every time he showed interest, she used his injuries as an excuse, saying he wasn’t fully recovered and couldn’t engage in such activities.

Didn’t he know better than anyone whether his injuries had healed?

Still, he didn’t force her. Instead, he rolled onto his back, pulling her to sit astride him.

"I won’t be reckless. You take the lead."

Though he claimed he wouldn’t be reckless, he gripped her waist, lifting her slightly and grinding against her through the thin fabric of their clothes.

He knew exactly how to apply pressure and where to touch her to make her lose control.

Even with his clothes still on, he had already made her flush with desire.

He knew she couldn’t refuse anymore, knew what she longed for, before finally shedding his own clothes.

He lay there, holding Jiang Heng as she rode him, his gaze growing increasingly clouded as he watched her move rhythmically above him.

Jiang Heng was overwhelmed with shame and wanted to stop, but he held her waist firmly, controlling everything.

He said he'd let her take control without getting carried away, yet in the end, he was the one getting carried away.

"Don't..."

As soon as she spoke, he picked up the pace to cut her off.

Jiang Heng soon grew tired; even with him holding her waist, she couldn't keep herself upright. She slumped weakly against his chest, refusing to sit up again no matter what.

Gu Yu gently stroked her hair, breathing in the scent of her fragrance mixed with the not-unpleasant smell of sweat. He didn't try to sit her up again; instead, he turned over and pressed her down beneath him.

"In what aspect do you wish Yan Hui to come out on top?"

He drove into her forcefully, watching the fine beads of sweat dotting her upturned neck like rain, and questioned her in a low, demanding voice.