The Rebirth of Han Yuxi

Chapter 0614 Change

Yuchen returned to the wangfu and heard from the maid that Jing Wang had returned and was waiting for her in the room. She composed herself and entered. When she saw Jing Wang, she smiled and said, ”Wangye has returned.”

Jing Wang nodded and asked, ”Did you visit Teacher Song?”

Yuchen nodded slightly and replied, ”The teacher is unwell, so I visited her.” Teacher Song was her mentor, and it was only natural for her to check on her when she was sick. Jing Wang knew this and had no objection.

However, Jing Wang was not particularly concerned about this matter and only asked in passing, ”I have just received news that Han Yuxiʼs difficult labour and assassination attempt this time were orchestrated by Han Jianye in collusion with outsiders.” The news that Yuxi had ordered her people to release had finally reached the capital. It wasnʼt that the spies in Yu City were negligent; rather, the journey to the capital was dangerous, and the frequent closures made it difficult to pass on information.

Yuchen refused to believe it and shook her head. ”Impossible. My Er Ge has loved Yuxi dearly since childhood. He would never conspire with outsiders to harm her.” If it had been her Da Tangge, Han Jianming, had committed such an act for personal gain, she might have believed it. But her Er Tangge cousin? That was absolutely out of the question.

Seeing her reaction, Jing Wang continued, ”Han Jianye and the assassin had both been k*lled. We can no longer verify the truth.”

Yuchenʼs face turned pale at his words, and her hands trembled slightly. ”Is Yuxi... gone?” If Yuxi were still alive, then her Er Tangge should be fine.

Jing Wang shook his head. ”No. The information from Yu City states that Han Yuxi ordered Han Jianyeʼs execution.” To kill even her own brother—indeed, a womanʼs heart could be the most ruthless.

Yuchen shuddered and shook her head vehemently. ”Impossible. That is absolutely impossible.” Even if Yuxi had become ruthless, she would never have k*lled her Er Tangge.

Jing Wang said, ”This is the intelligence we received.”

Yuchen clenched her hands tightly, then slowly released them. ”Wangye, I grew up with Yuxi and know her well. She would never kill Er Tangge. This news must be a false rumour.” As for why such a rumour had spread, that was unclear.

Jing Wang looked sceptical. ”Are you sure?”

Yuchen nodded. ”Wangye, as long as Yuxi is alive, Er Ge will never die.” No matter how much a person changed, they could never become so completely heartless.

Jing Wang said, ”Han Yuxi is alive; she has already regained consciousness. Du Wenshu and the others have all been k*lled, and Han Jianye was among those executed.”

Yuchenʼs face turned even paler as she said, ”I donʼt believe it. Unless I see Er Geʼs body with my own eyes, I will never believe that Yuxi could be so cruel.”

Jing Wang thought for a moment and then asked, ”Do you think Han Yuxi might have deliberately spread this news to protect the Han family from being implicated?”

Yuchen shook her head. ”I am not sure. Wangye, has the person behind the attempt on Yuxiʼs life been identified?” She suspected the Song family.

Jing Wang shook his head. ”The investigation is underway, but there are no leads yet.” He had already asked the Emperor, who had denied involvement, and as for the Song family, that was even more unlikely.

That evening, after having dinner at home, Jing Wang returned to the palace again. With the ongoing rebellion in the northwest, even annual leave had been cancelled, and all officials reported for duty as usual.

Standing at the doorway, Yuchen gazed at the howling cold wind outside and asked Momo Gui beside her, ”Back then, I thought Yuxi was quite foolish—studying so hard and still unable to memorise books properly. But now, she has left me far behind.”

Momo Gui quickly replied, ”Wangfei, how can Fourth Miss compare with you? You are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature. What does Fourth Miss know?” As for Yuchenʼs stunning beauty, Momo Gui tactfully chose not to mention it. She knew that the Wangfei no longer liked to hear about her looks. No matter how flattering the words, hearing them too often only led to boredom and annoyance.

Yuchen tilted her head back and looked at the grey, overcast sky. ”Poetry and the like are just pastimes; theyʼre completely useless. What Yuxi has studied—chess strategy, history, military tactics, and medicine—is truly valuable. Itʼs just a pity that I realised it this too late.”

Momo Guiʼs heart skipped a beat, and she quickly said, ”Wangfei, please donʼt drill yourself into an oxʼs horn.”

Yuchen shook her head. ”Iʼm not drill myself into an oxʼs horn; Iʼm simply stating the facts. Why has Yun Qing been so utterly devoted to Yuxi? Itʼs certainly not because of her beauty.” Yuxi had managed to win over Yun Qing because of her skills.

Momo Gui no longer knew what else to say. She hesitated before saying, ”Wangfei, although Fourth Miss may not be considered a great beauty in the capital, she is certainly a stunning woman in Yu City.” In that harsh, frigid land, most women were broad-shouldered, with thick waists and rough skin from the harsh conditions.

Yuchen shook her head. ”You forget—Yun Qing grew up in the capital. He was already ten years old when he left. And if he were a man who lusted after beauty, he would have died long ago.” The Song family had undoubtedly tried to seduce him with beautiful women, but Yun Qingʼs ability to raise an army and rebel proved their plans had failed.

Momo Gui felt that her mistress was becoming obsessed with this issue. She said cautiously, ”Wangfei, Fourth Miss is a traitor now. She and her husband wonʼt live much longer. Not only will they die, but the entire Han family will be implicated as well.”

Yuchen chuckled slightly. ”Momo Gui, didnʼt you hear what Wangye said? Er Ge was k*lled by Yuxi. Do you think the Emperor will take action against the Han family?”

Momo Gui was no fool. When she heard this, she understood immediately. ”Wangfei is saying that the Second Lord isnʼt really dead, and the Fourth Miss deliberately spread these rumours to protect the Han family?”

Yuchen nodded. ”Yes. First, it ensures that the Han family wonʼt be implicated. Second, it allows Er Tangge to escape this storm.” If Yun Qing succeeded, he would have the leverage to negotiate with the Emperor. But if he failed, Han Jianye would not be dragged down with him. In the future, he would be able to say that he had narrowly escaped death.

Momo Gui hesitated before saying, ”Wangfei, this is only your speculation.”

Yuchen replied, ”Whether or not itʼs my speculation doesnʼt matter. What matters is that once this news spreads, the Emperor will no longer take action against the Han family.” She wasnʼt sure why the Emperor hadnʼt already punished them when he learned of Yun Qingʼs rebellion before, but now that this rumour was out there, the Han family was undoubtedly safe. However, Yuxi would have to bear the reputation of being ruthless and heartless.

At this thought, a strange smile appeared on Yuchenʼs face. ”Reputation? How many people have been bound by it?” If her public image had been that of a vengeful and merciless woman, even with the Song familyʼs backing, Tong Shi wouldnʼt have dared to target her children. But because Yuchen had always presented herself as kind and benevolent, Tong Shi had acted without fear. After all, reputation was nothing more than a burden.

Momo Gui felt a chill in her heart. It was becoming increasingly difficult for her to understand her mistress.

Yuchen then said, ”By the way, Momo Gui, you should go to the Han residence and tell them personally that Yuxi has k*lled Er Ge. Say nothing else.”

Momo Gui thought this was inappropriate, but Yuchen had already turned and entered the study before she could voice her concern. Inside, books filled the shelves. Yuchen searched for a while before finally finding Records of the Grand Historian.

Yuchen had never liked history books; she found them boring and tedious. Otherwise, Teacher Song wouldnʼt have stopped teaching her after only six months. She quickly lost patience but forced herself to continue reading. But the moment she heard a child crying, she put the book down and left the study.

When Zhou Yan saw Yuchen, he teared up and called out, ”Mom.”

Yuchen took Zhou Yan from the wet nurseʼs arms and asked gently, ”Yan-er, whatʼs wrong?” Since Zhou Xiaʼs death, she had poured all her love and attention into her son.

Zhou Yan sniffled and asked, ”Mom, where did you go?” He had been asleep when Yuchen returned and had just woken up.

Yuchen smiled and asked, ”Did you miss me?”

*

After sending Momo Gui off, Han Jianming immediately went to see Qiu Shi. He knew the news would spread throughout the capital within a few days, so it was best to tell his mother first.

When he saw Qiu Shi, Han Jianming said, ”Mom, just now, Yuchen sent word that Yuxi ordered Er Diʼs execution.”

This time, Qiu Shi didnʼt faint from shock. She simply asked, ”Where did this rumour come from?” If Yun Qing had k*lled her son in a fit of rage, it was at least somewhat plausible. But Yuxi? Absolutely impossible. No matter what mistakes Jianye had made, she would never do such a thing.

Han Jianming gave the situation more thought than his mother did. He said, ”I suspect that Yuxi deliberately spread this rumour to keep us from being implicated. Jianye must be in hiding.”

Hearing this, Qiu Shiʼs eyes filled with tears. ”That girl... sheʼs truly breaking my heart!” Even at this stage, Yuxi was still considering ways to protect them. How could this not break a motherʼs heart? But in the end, it was Jianye who had brought disaster upon himself. Without his actions, Yuxi wouldnʼt have suffered so much.

Han Jianming said, ”Mom, you should stay in the prayer hall for now and focus on reciting the scriptures. Leave the matters outside to me.” Yuxi had set the stage; now, it was up to the Han family to play their parts. However, he couldnʼt bear to make his mother act. She had always treated Yuxi as her own daughter, and even if it were just for show, it would be too painful for her to denounce Yuxi publicly.

Qiu Shi thought for a moment and suggested, ”Just hiding away in the prayer hall isnʼt enough. Letʼs tell people that I was so devastated by the news that I suffered a stroke and can no longer speak properly.” She couldnʼt bring herself to sever ties with Yuxi, so pretending to be ill was the best option.

Han Jianming nodded. ”That works.” But he would have to consult a physician to ensure the act was convincing. If the Emperor suddenly decided to send an Imperial Physician to examine her, they couldnʼt afford to be exposed.

Qiu Shi agreed. Then she asked, ”Jianming, what about Jianye? He canʼt stay in hiding forever.”

Han Jianming replied, ”First, we need to get through this crisis. Weʼll figure out the rest later.” Once Yun Qing secured the northwest, he would have the power to negotiate with the Imperial Court. By then, Jianyeʼs situation wouldnʼt be a problem. However, Han Jianming knew that Jianye would no longer be welcomed by Yun Qing and would have difficulty finding a place in the northwest. But he didnʼt mention this to Qiu Shi.

Qiu Shi was still worried. ”Should we tell Lu Shi?” If Lu Xiu didnʼt know the truth, she would be devastated if she thought her husband was really dead.

Han Jianming said, ”Mom, we canʼt tell Lu Shi. Otherwise, she might give it away. But I believe, for the sake of her two children, even if she thinks Er Di is dead, she will stay strong.”

Within three days, the news that Han Yuxi had k*lled her own brother had spread throughout the capital. First, there was Yun Qingʼs rebellion, and now Yuxi murdered her sibling. These had utterly ruined their reputations.