Chapter 508: Staying at the General’s Manor

Chapter 508: Staying at the General's Mansion

How could it be such a coincidence that the imperial star just happened to fall upon a descendant of the Yuan clan?

And this Yuanchao wasn't even from the main branch of the Yuan family—just an obscure nobody from a side branch?

If Empress Dowager Yuan didn't have some selfish motive behind this, Hua Feixue would never believe it.

Shen Shiran grabbed Hua Feixue's hand and urged him, "Brother Chu Yi, I'm already overjoyed just knowing you're alive!"

"Although I hate to see you go, for your safety, please listen to me—before Empress Dowager Yuan's men find you, you should get out of the Xishu Kingdom as soon as possible!"

"If you can't leave on your own, I can also have my father arrange for someone to escort you out of the city tonight."

Hua Feixue shook her head and said to her, "A Ran, I'm not leaving."

"The reason I returned to the capital this time is to get revenge on Empress Dowager Yuan. She killed my mother and her brothers and sisters, locked up my father, massacred the Chu imperial clan, and backed me into a corner. Now she's even ordering my mother's grave to be dug up and stealing the empire the Chu ancestors built."

"If I were to run away just to save my own skin, how could I face my mother in the afterlife, and how could I face the Chu clan members who died by Empress Dowager Yuan's hand?"

Shen Shiran's heart ached, and for a moment she felt a lump in her throat.

Though she wasn't Chu Yi, she knew he bore too many grievances and grudges on his shoulders.

Sometimes, the living suffer far more than the dead—and Chu Yi was living proof of that.

If the Chu imperial clan were to be destroyed because of him, he'd never be able to get over it in his lifetime.

Let alone the vengeance owed for his slain relatives!

Shen Shiran looked at Hua Feixue with tear-filled eyes and opened her mouth: "Brother Chu Yi, but..."

Hua Feixue knew what Shen Shiran wanted to say and cut her off.

"There's no 'but.' My grudge with Empress Dowager Yuan is long overdue for a reckoning!"

Noticing the sadness and worry on Shen Shiran's face, Hua Feixue reached out and gently stroked her head, her tone very tender.

"A Ran, don't try to talk me out of it. My mind is made up, and I know exactly what I'm doing."

"I'll write you a letter breaking off our engagement shortly. If I die, find yourself a good man from a family of equal standing and marry him, so you'll have a place to call home. Don't keep pining for me..."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shen Shiran was already weeping profusely as she threw herself directly into Hua Feixue's arms.

"No... I don't want that... Brother Chu Yi... I won't marry anyone but you..."

Ji Yuntang, standing outside the folding screen, couldn't stand to watch any longer.

They hadn't even confronted Empress Dowager Yuan yet, and Hua Feixue and Shen Shiran were already acting out a tragic farewell scene?

You'd think they'd already been captured by Empress Dowager Yuan's people.

Her sobs inside grew hoarse, and Ji Yuntang decided she should make her presence known.

She cleared her throat, knocked on the screen, and asked, "Miss Shen, may I come in?"

Shen Shiran jumped in surprise, and only then did Hua Feixue remember Ji Yuntang was still in the room.

Her face instantly turned awkward, and her ears went red.

By then, Ji Yuntang had already come around the screen and walked in.

Hua Feixue quickly explained, "A Ran, she's already married. I have no relationship with her whatsoever—don't get the wrong idea."

Ji Yuntang's mouth twitched. Talk about a desperate need to cover his own ass!

Seeing Shen Shiran's confused look, Ji Yuntang introduced herself: "Miss Shen, my name is Ji Yuntang. I'm a friend of the Crown Prince, and also the Princess of Ye from the Dongchen Kingdom."

"The reason I and my brother followed the Crown Prince to the Xishu Kingdom this time is because I want something from the Xishu imperial palace. I've already made a deal with the Crown Prince—I'll help her kill Empress Dowager Yuan and cure Emperor Chu's illness, and she'll help me get what I want. We each get what we need."

Hua Feixue quickly chimed in, "That's right, exactly! Princess Ye is correct, that's how it is."

Shen Shiran furrowed her brows slightly and asked in confusion, "But Princess Ye is just a woman—how can she help Brother Chu Yi kill Empress Dowager Yuan?"

Before Ji Yuntang could say anything, Hua Feixue answered for her.

"A Ran, don't underestimate Princess Ye. Do you have any idea how famous she is in the Dongchen Kingdom? Even Emperor Jingyang and his Noble Consort are no match for her. Those princes and young ladies are only good for her to bully."

"Also, Princess Ye is highly skilled in medicine. She's the one who just saved your life—you can trust her skills."

Hua Feixue knew about Ji Yuntang's secret space, so she didn't mention it to Shen Shiran.

Even now, she still couldn't believe Ji Yuntang had come from the future, but the evidence left her no choice but to believe it.

Shen Shiran was taken aback for a moment, then looked at Ji Yuntang gratefully.

"Thank you, Princess Ye, for saving my life. I'm deeply grateful."

Though they had only just met, she could tell the woman before her was extraordinary in both speech and manner.

Not to mention, Chu Yi had never praised anyone so highly in front of her.

If Chu Yi approved of her, she must be genuinely talented.

Ji Yuntang smiled slightly and said, "Miss Shen need not stand on ceremony. If you want to thank someone, thank the Crown Prince—he's the one who asked me to save you."

Just then, the people outside seemed to have grown impatient, and the sound of arguing drifted in.

Xie Liuzheng's voice followed, "Yuntang, are you guys done yet? I'm starving—we're all waiting for you to come out and eat!"

Ji Yuntang knew Xie Liuzheng was deliberately reminding her that the General and his wife might already be getting impatient.

She glanced at Hua Feixue and Shen Shiran, then went over and opened the door.

Seeing this, Madam Mo immediately shoved Shen Xiangming aside and stepped forward. "Doctor Yun, how's my daughter?"

Ji Yuntang smiled and said, "Don't worry, General and Madam. Miss Shen is awake, and her fever's gone. Two more doses of medicine and she'll be fully recovered."

Madam Mo was overjoyed and hurried into the room.

Soon, the sound of mother and daughter chatting could be heard from inside.

Shen Xiangming walked up to Ji Yuntang, his tone now more respectful.

"Thank you, Doctor Yun, for saving my daughter's life. I'll send someone over with ten thousand taels of gold as a token of my gratitude."

"Then I thank the General!" Ji Yuntang smiled slightly and didn't refuse.

To her, this was well-deserved; refusing would just seem fake.

Shen Xiangming glanced at the sky and added, "It's getting late. I heard from my men that you and your brother and sister-in-law are from out of town and haven't found a place to stay yet."

"If you don't mind, you're welcome to stay at the General's Mansion. It'll give me the chance to play host."

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